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NL West Report: Can Russell Martin find his big boy bat?

The Dodgers were supposed to have an elite offense.  In fact, they do.  But one position they weren't worried about was catcher, where they were supposed to have one of the best young bats in the game.

I have had heated debates in the past year regarding the best young catcher in the NL.  Naturally, I am partial to Chris Iannetta.  There have been reasonable arguments, however, for Pittsburgh's Ryan Doumit, Chicago's Geovany Soto and Los Angeles' Russell Martin. 

So far this year, Iannetta has underperformed to be sure, but he's still put up better numbers than Soto, Doumit and Martin.  Okay, so it's no so fair to Doumit, who has been injured for two months.  But Soto has been terrible and Martin has played 62 games, 22 more than Iannetta.  CDI is in double figures in HR, so how is Martin doing?

Actually, Russell Martin hit his first home run of the season two days ago, off Angels starter Jered Weaver.  It was his first RBI and first 3-hit game since May 25 at Colorado.  Apparently, his resurgent power came from mimicking injured bench player Doug Mientkiewicz

You don't often see All-Stars finding their swing by watching hobbled bench players.

Russell Martin

#55 / Catcher / Los Angeles Dodgers

5-10

210

R

R

Feb 15, 1983

AVGOBPSLG
2009 - Russell Martin .248 .365 .302

 

 

For context, that OBP and SLG are both worse than not only Chris Iannetta, but just for fun, check them against Ubaldo Jimenez' slash stats (.304/.360/.304).  He has been less valuable than not only Iannetta but also two Marlins' catchers, two Braves catchers' and Cincy rookie Ryan Hanigan.  What is going on? 

In all honesty, I do not know.  His .303 BABIP is a little lower than his career numbers, but he's putting up a career best 20.7% line drive rate.  He's striking out a little more but walking just as much as we are used to.  Is it possible that he's just unlucky this season?  Or his batted balls have been hit with less authority due to a mechanical flaw? Maybe he was overperforming the last couple years.  Maybe he has lost strength due to fatigue by being used so frequently.  I'll let you make your own conclusions.

NL West Report

Arizona (29-41, 5th, L3, 17 GB)

Last Week: 2-1 @ Royals, 0-3 @ Mariners.

This Week: 3 game home series vs Rangers, 3 game home series vs. Angels

News:  Brandon Webb has not made any progress rehabbing his injury and may need shoulder surgery, which would leave him out for the year.  If so, Arizona may decline his option for 2010.  If all that goes down, Opening Day may be his last appearance in sedona red.  Weird.

Brandon Webb

#17 / Pitcher / Arizona Diamondbacks

6-2

230

R

R

May 09, 1979

 

Jayson Stark writes that Arizona would like to trade Chad Tracy and Doug Davis, suggesting the Mets as a destination for Davis. 

Despite floundering in last place, Felipe Lopez wants to stay in Arizona.  He has been mentioned as a trade possibility, but he likes his teammates and the organization.

As you already know I'm sure, Arizona and Colorado have agreed to build a spring training facility in Scottsdale for use in 2011.  Check out opinions of 'Pitters.

The D-Backs signed 1st round and 17th overall pick AJ Pollack to a $1.4mil bonus.

Arizona Diamondbacks Injuries

15-Day

PlayerInjury TypeInjury Date
Tom Gordon hamstring 05/04/2009
Yusmeiro Petit shoulder 05/09/2009
Conor Jackson pneumonia 05/12/2009
Chad Tracy oblique 05/30/2009

60 Day DL / Out for the season

PlayerInjury TypeInjury Date
Brandon Webb shoulder 04/07/2009

More on the rest of the division after the fold.

Star-divide

Los Angeles (46-24, 1st, W2)

Last Week: 2-1 vs Athletics, 2-1 vs Angels

This Week: 3 game road series @ White Sox, 3 game home series vs Mariners.

News: Buster Olney thinks that Joe Torre is overusing his bullpen and will need help in the pen, assuming the overuse will lead to injuries or ineffectiveness.

It was initially reported that Shawn Estes retired, but it turns out he has not.  He has, however, been unsuccessful at earning his release from the Dodgers.

Shawn Estes

#36 / Pitcher / Los Angeles Dodgers

6-2

200

R

L

Feb 18, 1973

Released Val Pascucci.

Signed Korean HS corner IF Tae-hyeok Nam.

Manny Ramirez will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday at AAA Albuquerque so that he'll be ready for his return July 3 for his 50-game suspension.  What makes no sense to me is that minor league players don't get "rehab assignments" when they are suspended under the substance abuse policy.  Why should Ramirez get the benefit of playing anywhere before his suspension is up?  50 games should mean 50 games. 

Los Angeles Dodgers Injuries

15-Day

PlayerInjury TypeInjury Date
Eric Milton back 06/06/2009
Will Ohman shoulder 05/28/2009
Eric Stults thumb 05/31/2009
Hong-Chih Kuo elbow 04/30/2009
Jason Schmidt shoulder 03/30/2009
Xavier Paul knee 05/21/2009

60 Day DL / Out for the season

PlayerInjury TypeInjury Date
Doug Mientkiewicz shoulder 04/17/2009
Claudio Vargas elbow 04/05/2009

 

San Diego (30-38, 4th, W1, 15 GB)

Last Week: 1-2 vs Mariners.  1-2 vs Athletics. 

This Week: 3 game road series @ Mariners, 3 game road series @ Rangers.

News:  Nick Canepa of the San Diego Union-Tribuine suggests the Padres truly commit to their youth movement and inject youth as much as possible.

Kevin Towers suggests that that is exactly what they will do if they fall completely out of contention

The Padres have been making a lot of roster moves recently, and Paul DePodesta gives the rundown on the moves:

  • Everth Cabrera has been activated off the disabled list.  To make room, the Padres released Josh Wilson, who was immediately picked up by his third team - Seattle - in as many months.
  • Wade LeBlanc got the call from AAA and is now in the rotation.
  • Cliff Floyd was placed on the 60-day DL with a shoulder injury, while Nick Hundley and Chris Young joined Jake Peavy on the 15-day DL with a shoulder injuries.
  • Bud Black's rotation now includes Josh Geer, Wade LeBlanc, Chad Gaudin, Kevin Correia and Walter Silva.
  • The contract of top prospect Kyle Blanks was purchased from AAA and Arturo Lopez, who the Rockies beat up in his MLB debut earlier this year, was claimed off waivers by the Mets.

  • Chris Young

    #32 / Pitcher / San Diego Padres

    6-10

    280

    R

    R

    May 25, 1979



Brian Lawrence signed a minor league deal with San Diego.  The 2003 and 2004 Padres' Opening Day starter will report to AAA Portland but could provide assistance with the big club soon despite being out of the big leagues since 2007.

Acquired LH RP Mike O'Connor from Washington for a PTBNL. 


San Diego Padres Injuries

15-Day

PlayerInjury TypeInjury Date
Jake Peavy ankle 06/09/2009
Chris Young shoulder 06/15/2009
Scott Hairston biceps 06/03/2009
Nick Hundley wrist 06/18/2009
Luke Gregerson shoulder 06/08/2009
Luis Perdomo knee 06/08/2009

60 Day DL / Out for the season

PlayerInjury TypeInjury Date
Shawn Hill elbow 04/26/2009
Cliff Floyd shoulder 06/18/2009
Cha Seung Baek forearm 03/30/2009
Mark Worrell elbow 03/27/2009


 


San Francisco (37-31, 2nd, W3, 8 GB)

Last Week: 0-3 vs  Angels, 3-0 vs Rangers.   Texas didn't help the Rockies out by getting swept.  Had the Rangers won the series, the Rockies would be in 2nd place in the NL West.

This Week:  3 game road series @ Athletics, 3 game road series @ Brewers

News: Jonathan Sanchez may not be tradeable.  His value has diminished on a Garrett Atkins level this season.  Sanchez is 2-7 with a 5.43 ERA so far this season.

Infielder Emmanuel Burriss was optioned to AAA last week in favor of Matt Downs.  Burriss had gone 12 days without a hit.  Catcher Steve Holm was DFA'd to make room on the 40-man roster.

Reliever Shingo Takatsu signed a minor league contract.  He hasn't pitched in the majors in four years, when he was with the Mets.  He was the 2004 AL ROY runner-up with the White Sox.

The Rockies are struggling with having six outfielders who deserve regular at-bats at the major league level.  The Giants are struggling with having too many "almost-average" OFs.  McCovey Chronicles discusses who should be getting the AB's.

San Francisco Giants Injuries

Questionable

PlayerInjury TypeInjury Date
Juan Uribe hamstring 06/21/2009

60 Day DL / Out for the season

PlayerInjury TypeInjury Date
Noah Lowry ribs 03/27/2009
Joe Martinez concussion 04/10/2009

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Doumit

unless he’s figured out teleportation I doubt he’s in the convo for best catcher in the nl west!

by ch3cooh1 on Jun 22, 2009 11:15 AM MDT reply actions  

I noticed that error after I posted it but didn't have the chance to fix it

You all find the mistakes quickly!

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 22, 2009 1:40 PM MDT up reply actions  

I'll fix it

Chris Iannetta status: DOOM
Seth Smith status: Badass
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for CarGon
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY

by Andrew Martin on Jun 22, 2009 1:43 PM MDT up reply actions  

whoop you already got it

But you forgot a certain 25 year old Brian McCann, who is arguably the 2nd best catcher in MLB

Chris Iannetta status: DOOM
Seth Smith status: Badass
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for CarGon
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY

by Andrew Martin on Jun 22, 2009 1:45 PM MDT up reply actions  

Blarg

I didn’t really forget him. I just started NL West and expanded incompletely.

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 22, 2009 1:56 PM MDT up reply actions  

So it's only

YOUNG….CATCHER…..NL WEST…only right?

Does Benji Molina not count cause he’s going to be 35 in a month?

by Redhawk on Jun 22, 2009 2:43 PM MDT up reply actions  

Bla...I was in a hurry and sleep deprived

Point is, Martin was either very overrated or is just having an abysmal season

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 22, 2009 4:40 PM MDT up reply actions  

agreed on the rehab starts for Manny

seems to be a loophole. After 50 games he should then be allowed on the team and given the opportunity to take rehab starts if he wants them.

Does being on suspension take him off of the 40-man?

by cocainelips99 on Jun 22, 2009 1:00 PM MDT reply actions  

He's on the restricted list.

So, sort of.

This issue is getting some coverage, including by Ringolsby. It’s not really a loophole, as I believe the policy specifies MLB games in the suspension. It seems wrong on first glance, but if you don’t allow a rehab stint for a suspension that long, you might as well argue for a longer suspension in the first place. Any player is going to need a rehab stint after 50 games, and Manny won’t be paid his ML salary for these rehab games.

Free Seth Smith!

by FooMan on Jun 22, 2009 3:36 PM MDT up reply actions  

So let the team rehab him after 50 games or start him cold

He’s eligible to come back July 3. They could start him right off that way or play him in AAA over the weekend. It doesn’t make sense to allow an MLB player to come back earlier than a MiLB player

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 22, 2009 4:42 PM MDT up reply actions  

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