Sorry NY, This CarGo Is Too Valuable

post from Purple Row on 18 June 2012 11:02:10 PM. © Purple Row

June 1, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) walks to the dugout during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-US PRESSWIRE

It has been one of the hottest topics of discussion Monday among Colorado Rockies fans. No, we are not talking about the possible transaction that would ship Jeremy Guthrie away from his nightmare at Blake Street (and everywhere else he has pitched this year wearing purple, for that matter).

Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote a column in which he suggested that the Rockies should put no one else than outfielder Carlos González on the trading block. This, Sherman implied, would add intrigue to a less-than-stellar trading deadline scenario.

Sherman had this theory: the Rockies should sell CarGo because the Colorado market is not enough to sustain two elite players such as himself and Troy Tulowitzki (who will make a combined $40 million around 2016). Colorado, the team with lots and lots of pitching problems (no argument with that), needs to buy all the arms they can get.

And, if that wasn't enough, Sherman has already imagined an ideal destination for González: the New York Yankees. No matter that the Venezuelan is a so-called "Coors Monster", with a huge gap between home and away stats, Sherman wrote. The hallowed grounds of Yankee Stadium could be even friendlier to his left-handed offensive onslaught. He even makes it easy for General Manager Brian Cashman, and tells him which kind of prospects the Bronx Bombers should be willing to give for CarGo: Manny Banuelos, Gary Sanchez, Eduardo Nuñez, Mason Williams and, last but not least, Dante Bichette Jr. (the added appeal is obviously because his dad was one of the Blake Street Bombers.)

It's true that the Yankees have a payroll looking more AARP than MTV these days. As far as the outfield is concerned, they have some issues. For example, Brett Gardner's forecasted return after the All Star break is optimistic at best.

Problem is, this trade doesn't make any sense for the Rockies, at least in our view. It would not just represent the biggest white flag trade in franchise history, it would become an unbearable cross for Dan O'Dowd in the near future.

Furthermore, it would go against everything Gonzalez stood for when he agreed to sign a contract extension which would keep him under Rockies control until 2017, and which became a radical departure from the usual operating ways over at the Boras Corporation. It was a big change for the Rockies as well.

It's true that the Rockies are in dire need of pitching. We have seen over and over again all the problems the hurlers have faced, in each and every facet of the craft, be starting or relieving. But is trading a guy who has collected over 300 RBI and is close to having 100 HR in less than five full seasons of play at age 26 really the answer?

Would such a move free payroll in order to get pitching via free agency? Yes. Are the Rockies successful finding arms that way? No. And they won't be. Any veteran pitcher would tell you he would think it over, time and time again, so he could step onto the mound at Coors Field. Just ask Roy Oswalt, who would balk at such a thought.

The Rockies would also be willing to part ways with their most consistent offensive player in the team. That goes beyond the "face of the franchise" argument. You could say Ubaldo Jimenez was traded shortly after tossing the first no-hitter in Rockies history. True. But González is not struggling. Hardly. CarGo is a regular on the Top 5 in every offensive category in the Senior Circuit these days.

Baseball is a business, and that's a indisputable truth. But there's also a personal side which cannot be overstated. When Gonzalez decided to surprise the baseball world by accepting the Rockies extension offer, he did it for several reasons. He enjoys Denver and Coors Field. He wanted to give his family a financial stability he wasn't sure he could provide several years down the road. He thought of his shuffling organizations when he was a prospect, but also of all the scenarios haunting every athlete, such as career-ending injuries. He wanted to seize the opportunity he was provided after he won the batting crown. This might sound corny, but Gonzalez signed on the dotted line and convinced Boras this was the way to go for those reasons. And there's nothing wrong with that.

Oh, and having that Andrés Galarraga picture near the Coors Field clubhouse could have been the starter for a lot of thinking for him.

Those thoughts should be on the mind of an organization which prides itself in valuing character above everything else. That is why it is hard to consider they would entertain such a thought. A mega deal would have to be in place. And even with that, if the Colorado Rockies decide to part ways with Carlos González, they would get rid of the foundation in which the team is built upon these days.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.purplerow.com/2012/6/18/3095978/sorry-ny-this-cargo-is-too-valuable

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Bad News For Braves Brandon Beachy

post from Talking Chop on 18 June 2012 11:02:08 PM. © Talking Chop

Brandon Beachy walks off the mound with the Braves trainer.

The worst fears of the Atlanta Braves, their fans, and Brandon Beachy seem to be coming true. The team revealed today that the MRI conducted on Beachy's right elbow has revealed a partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament. He will see the team doctor as well as Dr. James Andrews in search of second opinions in the next few days, then make a determination as to whether rehabilitation can correct the issue, or whether Tommy John surgery is needed. In most cases like this, surgery is the only option.

Either way it looks like the Braves have lost Beachy for this season, and if surgery is the option, then they will lose him for most of next season as well.

The team has already lost one pitcher to Tommy John surgery this year, reliever Arodys Vizcaino, who went down in spring training, and had the surgery performed on April 7th.

The Braves will now need to rely on Jair Jurrjens to take Beachy's spot in the rotation. His first test since his demotion is this Friday, as the Braves open a series against the Red Sox. This team needs some good news, so hopefully a renewed Jurrjens can pitch like he did at the beginning of last season.

My thoughts are with Brandon Beachy as he wrestles with this decision to have surgery. This is an unfortunate circumstance, made all the more hard by Beachy's terrific season so far. His season will likely end just as he is leading all of Major League baseball in ERA.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.talkingchop.com/2012/6/18/3096079/bad-news-for-braves-brandon-beachy

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Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros, Jun 18,
2012 7:05 PM CDT

post from The Crawfish Boxes on 18 June 2012 09:02:14 PM. © The Crawfish Boxes

Current Series

3 game series vs Royals @ Minute Maid Park

Kansas City Royals Royals Review
@ Houston Astros The Crawfish Boxes

Monday, Jun 18, 2012, 7:05 PM CDT
Minute Maid Park

Jonathan Sanchez vs J.A. Happ

Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to left field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 85.

Complete Coverage >

Tue 06/19 7:05 PM CDTWed 06/20 1:05 PM CDT

J.A. Happ

#30 / Pitcher / Houston Astros

Height: 6-6

Weight: 200

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Oct 19, 1982

Jonathan Sanchez

#57 / Pitcher / Kansas City Royals

Height: 6-0

Weight: 200

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Nov 19, 1982

Read The Full Article:
http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2012/6/18/3095219/kansas-city-royals-at-houston-astr
os-jun-18-2012-7-05-pm-cdt

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Official Game Thread - Game LXV - The Royals of
Kansas City Versus The Colt .45s of Houston

post from Royals Review on 18 June 2012 08:01:52 PM. © Royals Review

Jonathan Sanchez

#57 / Pitcher / Kansas City Royals

Height: 6-0

Weight: 200

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Nov 19, 1982

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP2012 - Jonathan Sanchez1-277000030.1322020224225.931.85

J.A. Happ

#30 / Pitcher / Houston Astros

Height: 6-6

Weight: 200

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Oct 19, 1982

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP2012 - J.A. Happ4-71613000072.28645431330765.331.60

As Mikhail Tarakov once opined:

I was alive and I waited, waited
I was alive and I waited for this
Right here, right now
There is no other place I want to be
Right here, right now
Watching the world wake up from history

That's both deep and apropos of today's match-up between The Sanchize and J.A. "The Future of the Past" Happ.

This is a WAR.

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http://www.royalsreview.com/2012/6/18/3095695/official-game-thread-game-lxv-the-r
oyals-of-kansas-city-versus-the

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Everybody Loves Interleague: Braves at Yankees
Open Thread

post from Talking Chop on 18 June 2012 07:01:53 PM. © Talking Chop

Atlanta heads north to the Bronx tonight to take on the Yankees, winners of 9 in a row. The Yankees are coming off 3 straight 3 game sweeps of the Mets, Braves, and Nationals, and may be the hottest team in baseball. At least they beat the Nats! Let's thank them by snapping their winning streak tonight :)

Tonight's pitching matchup is CC Sabathia vs. Mike Minor

W-L ERA WHIP K BB2012 - CC Sabathia8-33.701.279226

W-L ERA WHIP K BB2012 - Mike Minor3-46.011.425927

Braves Lineup:

Big Mac is the DH tonight, while Ross does the catching and bats 9th. Martin Prado plays first again, but hopefully Freddie will be back by tomorrow. Matty D starts vs. a lefty and hits 5th.
Brandon Beachy had his MRI today, but won't get the results until tomorrow. Let's all hope for the best.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.talkingchop.com/2012/6/18/3095492/everybody-loves-interleague-braves-a
t-yankees-open-thread

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Lou Brock & His 1962 Topps Rookie Baseball Card

post from 30-Year Old Cardboard on 18 June 2012 07:00:08 PM. © 30-Year Old Cardboard

Lou Brock & His 1962 Topps Rookie Baseball Card It is not his fault, not by any stretch, but Lou Brock’s rookie card is pretty bad. Have a look: As much as I like the 1962 Topps design, there is no … Continue reading →

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http://bapple2286.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/lou-brock-his-1962-topps-rookie-baseba
ll-card/

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Sweet Nieuws!

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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyNyMetsJournalBlog/~3/wdKJPS1nYaQ/sweet-nieuws.ht
ml

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One Bad Pitch! Not So Niese!

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ot-so-niese.html

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Bay Day! Bay Day!

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Clemens Trial: Not Guilty On All Counts

From The Associated Press:

Roger Clemens has been acquitted on all charges by a jury that decided he didn't lie to Congress when he denied using performance-enhancing drugs.

Jurors returned their verdict Monday after close to 10 hours of deliberation. The outcome brings an end to a 10-week trial that capped an expensive, five-year investigation into one of the greatest pitchers in the history of baseball.

The 49-year-old Clemens was accused of perjury, making false statements and obstructing Congress when he testified at a deposition and at a nationally-televised hearing in February 2008. The charges centered on his repeated denials that he used steroids and human growth hormone during his 24-year career.

The verdict is the latest blow to the government's pursuit of athletes accused of drug use.

And the United States Justice system continues to be an embarrassment to all citizens of this great nation. Clemens cheated, he knew he cheated, and he lied about it to Congress. Somehow the painfully obvious was lost on these 12 idiots.