Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
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...with some cash for catcher Rob Bowen and minor-league LHP Jerry Blevins.
The 6' 6" Blevins was not on anybody's prospect list to begin the season. He had a 6.13 ERA last year, but something must have clicked for him in the offseason. He's had a monster year in 2007. He had a 0.38 ERA with 32 strikeouts against only 5 walks in 23 2/3 innings in A-ball, before being promoted to AA. There, he's struck out 37 in 29 1/3 IP, against 8 walks, with a 1.53 ERA. He's been better against lefties than righties, but he's not just a LOOGY like Jay Marshall; he's been good against RHB, too.
So I'm very happy. The A's weren't going anywhere with or without Kendall this season, so to get anything with even some possible positive value for him is fabulous.
Meanwhile, has anyone seen Ray Fosse? Anyone? I'm kinda worried about him...
So, um... Piazza's gonna catch, then?
Ray is currently battling his instinct to be a good company man versus his need to mythologize Jason Kendall's contributions to the team.
Right now, the need to mythologize Kendall is winning. Not to give anything away, but the name of Mark Belanger has been invoked.
Fosse (paraphrased): Kendall led by example.
Michaels (Not paraphrased): Perhaps that's part of the problem.
I think this is a wonderful thing, in case my preceding comments were too cryptic.
As for Fosse, listening to him on the radio during the pregame show was truly something. I thought he was going to cry. I've heard less moving eulogies at some funerals.
2005: .321
2006: .342
2007: .281
This complete lack of power coming from a catcher making 12-14 million per year is abysmal. I know his OBP was solid the past couple of seasons, but not anywhere close to salvage how he hit with no power with an obscene contract. But I haven't watched him on a daily basis, so maybe I'm off on this one.
Or "special assistant to Hendry" Gary Hughes, who apparently recommended getting Kendall because he was hitting .297 in his last 25 games and .286 in Interleague play this year. (The preceding is from mlb.com.) Nate Silver from BP recently stated that the Cubs don't understand sample size. The above quote certainly validates Nate's opinion.
This is incredibly frustrating as a Cubs fan. I can't see how any logic tree can be constructed to arrive at the conclusion "Jason Kendall is the answer."
Thanks for letting me vent here.
One of the great things about being a Cubs fan is your undying belief that people will play better in Wrigley, even if they never do. It would be a sacrilege not to show that same optimism for Kendall.
I know, I know small sample size and all that. But Kendall seemed to know what he was doing behind the plate, even if he had lost all ability to do anything at the plate.
I wish him well. And hope he can find his stroke.
On another note, let the firesale begin. This team is absolutely brutal to watch right now... why Crosby is allowed to play everyday is beyond me. Maybe Ryan can do an analysis of how truly horrible Cros is. Who knows, maybe he's not as bad as I think.
But I doubt it.
:-(
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