NL West Report: D-Backs, Dodgers not done dealing
by Andrew T. Fisher on Sep 7, 2009 11:00 AM MDT
in NL West Report
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PrintLast Monday, the Diamondbacks traded Jon Garland to Los Angeles for infielder Tony Abreu. Sort of. In a bizarre twist, Arizona is now balking at the deal they originally agreed to, which includes the D-Backs picking up the remainder of Garland's salary this season. But don't worry, it has nothing to do with the fact that Garland promptly beat the Diamondbacks in Dodger duds days after the deal.
The issue is actually with Tony Abreu, who Arizona though would be earning near the league minimum for the next two seasons before having three controlled arbitration eligible seasons. What Arizona didn't realize was that Tony Abreu currently has a grievance filed with the Dodgers stemming from the 2007 season.
On July 18 of that year, Los Angeles optioned Abreu to the minors even though he had suffered an abdominal injury. He was not placed on the disabled list as he believed he should have, robbing him of 47 days of service time in the majors. Remember from Purple Row Academy that a player earns service time while on the disabled list but not if optioned to the minors (obviously).
The significance of that move is that Abreu could be the Diamondbacks' starting second baseman next season. If he were to play the entire season with his current 95 days of service time and that additional 47 days, he would be eligible for "Super Two" status, which certainly changes the economic package Arizona thought they were receiving.
The Diamondbacks believe they had no way of knowing of Abreu's filed grievance; moreover, sources state Arizona believes Los Angeles acted in poor faith by failing to inform them of it. Since the scheme of the trade has changed, Arizona may attempt to get a monetary kickback from the Dodgers to cover the expected difference in salary due to the service time issue. They could also choose a different player from the agreed upon list or ask the Dodgers to amend the list so that they could select a player other than Abreu.
Naturally, Dodger and D-Back fans see the situation a bit differently. Check out True Blue LA's reaction and compare the the reaction at AZ Snakepit. The issue could be resolved this week.
Before we get to the team capsules, I thought I'd mention that Peter Gammons has started to realize the NL West might actually be worth a damn. Of course, now is well past the point of plausible denial.
NL West Report |
Arizona (61-77, t-4th, L4, 20 GB)
Last Week: 2-5. 2-2 vs Dodgers. 0-3 vs Rockies. By being swept in Colorado, Arizona fell into a tie with San Diego for last place in the division. It's hard to imagine their week helping the Rockies more.
Pace: 72-90.
Divisional Change: Lost 1.0 games on LAD.
This Week: 3 game home series vs Dodgers, 3 game home series vs Brewers.
News: Nick Piecoro notes Chris Snyder's health is a concern, though not in the way you might think. The Diamondbacks have not been shy about their desire to deal him, but he has yet to prove he is healthy returning from injury. He will need to come back and have a solid September to improve his trade stock.
Piecoro also notes Josh Byrnes' reaction to the Rauch and Garland deals.
If you watched the Rockies game yesterday, you no doubt witnessed Justin Upton being removed in the third inning after failing to run on a deep fly ball that bounced off the warning track, thinking it was a clear home run.
Instead, he was stuck at second with a 415-foot single. AJ Hinch wasn't shy about flexing his judicial muscle, which is probably what The Punk needs. He's listed as "probable" for the series opener against the Dodgers, presumably for disciplinary reasons.
Speaking of Hinch, he supposedly takes the spoiler role seriously, choosing to put the best team out every game rather than giving young callups playing time. It didn't help this weekend.
The series at Colorado wasn't special for any Diamondback. Well, actually, it was a pretty special homecoming for Daniel Schlereth, who grew up watching baseball at Coors Field.
What would you do if you were in last place, putting a prized and talented young starter out every fifth day with a history of injury problems? If you said shut him down, consult Hinch's spoiler role philosophy. Instead, the D-backs will keep "close tabs" on Max Scherzer's innings.
Transactions: Called up RHP Bryan Augenstein, Billy Buckner and RHP Daniel Cabrera and acquried RHP Kevin Mulvey from Minnesota to complete the Jon Rauch trade. Traded Jon Garland to Los Angeles.
Injuries: Activated OF Eric Byrnes and RHP Bryan Augenstein from the DL. Placed RHP Chad Qualls on the 60-day DL with a dislocated left kneecap.
Los Angeles (81-57, 1st, L1)
Last Week: 3-4. 2-2 vs Diamondbacks. 1-2 vs Padres. Losing four home games in a week against the worst teams in the division is just a bad week.
Pace: 95-67.
Divisional Change: Lost 2.5 games on COL.
This Week: 3 game road series @ Diamondbacks, 3 game road series @ Giants. This week is dangerous for Los Angeles' divisional lead. The Rockies should be favored to take their series with Cincinnati and that series at AT&T Park will be difficult to win.
News: Check out some reactions from the Jim Thome trade at MLBTradeRumors.
The Nationals took MAA lefty reliever Victor Garate to complete the Belliard deal. Garate has had a strong season in AA, shutting down lefties and righties and being called a "poor man's Brian Fuentes." If he reaches that, or even if he makes the makes, he'll give the Nationals a fair deal on the trade.
After Dan Uggla criticized Hanley Ramirez, the LA Times' Bill Shaikin wonders if Los Angeles should pursue him this offseason, noting Frank McCourt won't engage in a bidding war for Orlando Hudson.
Ned Colletti deserves criticism for failing to land Cliff Lee or Roy Halladay, but Peter Gammons notes he is pulling off highway robbery with some of his acquisitions, at least when considering what he's paying them.
Here is Eric Stephen's Week in Review at TrueBlueLA.
Transactions: Called up C AJ Ellis, OF Jason Repko, LHP Scott Elbert and designated OF Jamie Hoffman and RHP Jesus Castillo for assignment. Traded IF Tony Abreu for RHP Jon Garland. Sent LHP Victor Garante to Washington to complete the Ronnie Belliard deal.
Injuries: Activated RHP Hiroki Kuroda and 1B Doug Mientkiewicz from the disabled list. Placed RHP Guillermo Mota on the 15-day DL. Casey Blake is day to day with left hamstring tightness and will be back today or tomorrow. Travis Schlichting is out for the year with back spasms.
San Diego (60-78, 5th, L2, 22.5 GB)
Last Week: 5-1. 3-0 vs Nationals, 2-1 @ Dodgers.
Pace: 70-94.
Divisonal change: Gained 1.5 games.
This Week: 3 game road series @ Giants, 3 game home series vs Rockies.
News: Adrian Gonzalez was nominated for Clemente Award.
Long-time majority owner John Moores has said he will limit his role with Padres by stepping away from the day-to-day operations of the club and some of his commitments to Major League Baseball.
Mat Latos has been shut down for the season after reaching 123 IP (he had never thrown more than 56.1 in a season before), but he'll continue to work with pitching coach on mechanical issues with his delivery. The 21-year-old just from Low-A ball to the majors this season in just a couple months.
In case any Rowbots love the Row so much they want a tattoo showing their love, it won't be hard to beat the quality of this Gas Lamp Ball tattoo.
Kevin Towers expects the Padres to be "pretty good" next year.
Transactions: Recalled RHP Adam Russell, LHP Wade LeBlanc, and OF Drew Macias. Optioned RHP Cesar Carillo to AAA Portland.
Injuries: Activated 2B Edgar Gonzalez and C Eliezer Alfonzo from the 15-day DL. OF Kyle Blanks will be evaluated this week but is expected to be out for the season. RHP Mike Adams played catch over the weekend in an effort to return this month.
San Francisco (75-62, 2nd, L1, 6.5 GB in Div, 2 GB in WC)
Last Week: 3-3. 1-2 @ Phillies. 2-1 @ Brewers. The Giants did what they were supposed to do, treading water on a tough road trip. They remain legitimately in playoff contention despite the two game deficit given the remaining schedule.
Pace: 89-73.
Divisional Change: Gained 0.5 game in NL West (LAD), lost 2 games in WC (COL).
This Week: 3 game home series vs Padres, 3 game home series vs Dodgers.
News: Keith Law speaks to Brad Penny's impressive debut in his latest ESPN Insider Blog.
Penny will face the Dodgers this week, a team he doesn't have a soft spot for anymore, to say the least. He had several suitors including the Marlins, his original team, but he was not interested in returning to Miami because he "wanted to play in front of some fans, to be honest."
Penny had a great debut for the Giants after shutting down the Phillies on the road. Now Penny is out to prove that last start was no fluke. He gets a much easier foe this time, facing the Padres on regular rest.
Despite cliaming him on waivers, the Giants were never interested in actually acquiring Trevor Hoffman.
Transactions: Called up IF Jesus Guzman, OF John Bowker, C Buster Posey, Daniel Runzler and RHP Waldis Joaquin. Acquired Joel Collins from PIT and assigned him to Augusta. SIgned RHP Brad Penny. DFA'd RHP Ryan Sadowski and LHP Jesse English.
Injuries: Freddy Sanchez hopes to finally return today from a strained left shoulder. Emmanuel Burriss was transferred to the 60-day DL with a broken foot. Activated IF Rich Aurilia and OF Andres Torres from the DL.
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This may come as a shock, but I’m going to stick up for the Dodgers here. The Abreu grievance was reported by multiple sources last season, and they fact that I knew about it means a major league team should have known about it too.
Besides, even if Abreu gets his additional 47 days of service time, all Arizona has to do next season is keep him in the minors for three weeks or so, and he woun’t qualify as a Super Two.
I agree
this is pretty weak by AZ. I knew about the grievance, and I barely know who Abreu is. It was heavily reported in LA media, and I even recall national commentators discussing the issue. AZ’s front office shouldn’t get off the hook for being less informed than casual fans.
Agreed as well
I’m not sure how private a matter like this is, and maybe the Dodgers flat out lied about the grievance. But anything short of that is the D’backs own problem.
that's the only way AZ has a case
if the Dodgers affirmatively misrepresented something. Still, it seems that AZ could (and should) easily confirm anything with the league.
The issue
is not “knowing about the grievance”. The issue is knowing that the Dodgers were about to settle it by granting him an extra 47 days of service time.
"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia
Well,
that’s what we’re about to find out, since they’re likely to file a grievance w/ MLB.
"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia
While I don't feel the Dodgers dealings with Arizona is a poor sign on the Dodgers
I feel strongly that their dealings with Abreu are.
Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
Seth Smith Status: Part of a Good Problem
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS
Check out the most recent MLB Transactions on MLB Daily Dish
by Andrew Martin on Sep 7, 2009 11:52 AM MDT up reply actions
Yeah, their handling of Abreu has been, let’s just say up and down.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 7, 2009 11:56 AM MDT up reply actions
It makes me think about teams keeping OMG HOT SPEC in AAA
until like June or whatever the magical cutoff is so they can have 7 cost controlled years. I find that behavior simply irresponsible for a professional baseball organization.
The dodgers didn’t pull any nonsense like that with Kershaw, did they?
Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
Seth Smith Status: Part of a Good Problem
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS
Check out the most recent MLB Transactions on MLB Daily Dish
by Andrew Martin on Sep 7, 2009 12:07 PM MDT up reply actions
They kind of did, although they couched it well. Last year, he accumulated 105 days of service time, but in July (around the All-Star break) the Dodgers sent him down for 20 days. However, it could be argued that is was a valid baseball move:
before demotion: 4.42 ERA, 4.37 FIP, 5.59 BB/9, 7.68 K/9
after demotion: 4.17 ERA, 3.91 FIP, 3.65 BB/9, 8.74 K/9
Even with those 20 days, Kershaw would only be at 125 days of service time, which after 2010 would only make him a longshot to be a Super Two (the lowest Super Two this past offseason was 2 years, 129 days). But, without those 20 days it is impossible for Kershaw to be arb eligible until after 2011.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 7, 2009 12:55 PM MDT up reply actions
so it's kind of win win
they get a more polished product, while at the same time, dodge service time issues, and come out smelling like roses
Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
Seth Smith Status: Part of a Good Problem
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS
Check out the most recent MLB Transactions on MLB Daily Dish
by Andrew Martin on Sep 7, 2009 12:56 PM MDT up reply actions
The series at Colorado wasn’t special for any Diamondback.
CY?
6-11, 3 HRs, 3 runs, 3 RBIs, 2 walks? (Also had an XBH stolen by Helton in the opener)
"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia
He needed
to have five more hits.
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
by Russ Oates on Sep 7, 2009 11:20 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Hey.
For Chris Young, 2009 ed., going 6-11 is like hitting for the cycle.
"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia
6 hits in 2 wks
would be amazing for CY this year
we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE
"TuLoRocks2008 had the most comments I've seen in any game thread this year (322)...Can such a feat be eclipsed?" ..... Bring it on!!
by TuLoRocks2008 on Sep 7, 2009 11:27 AM MDT up reply actions
Yeah i thought about including him
And probably should have, but I don’t like young and like stink
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Sep 7, 2009 11:59 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions
U ;oli stink myself
"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia
wtf?
*I like
"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia
line ups posted
http://blogs.denverpost.com/rockies/2009/09/07/2017/
we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE
"TuLoRocks2008 had the most comments I've seen in any game thread this year (322)...Can such a feat be eclipsed?" ..... Bring it on!!
But Barmes was doing so "well" in the 8 hole.
Why move him? If anything he should be moved to the 9 hole where he belongs.
Alanna Rizzo is my dream girl.
by Cargo's Ball Sack5 on Sep 7, 2009 11:43 AM MDT up reply actions
Upton
was embarrassed more than anything else.
“He did the right thing,” Upton said of Hinch deciding to bench him. “I should have been on second, at least. It’s one of those things that happens, and you’ve got to learn from it.”
Hinch had a talk with Upton and is ready to move on when the D-backs return to Phoenix to host the Dodgers on Monday.
“He’ll play [on Monday],” Hinch said. “He understands the mistake. It’s not a secret. It’s a very poor mental lapse.”
"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia
nice job by J-up
owning up to what he did….such a talented player but needs to get his head right
we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE
"TuLoRocks2008 had the most comments I've seen in any game thread this year (322)...Can such a feat be eclipsed?" ..... Bring it on!!
by TuLoRocks2008 on Sep 7, 2009 12:09 PM MDT up reply actions
Well,
if you were watching the game yesterday, (or the replay clip on MLB.com) he was mouthing some pretty naughty words once he got to 1B. I think he knew that he was in BIG trouble.
Sometimes, he reminds you that he’s only 22. Hinch also runs a tighter ship than BoMel did.
"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia
I think it speaks to his maturity within his immaturity
Just hope he doesn’t start slamming bats.
Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
Seth Smith Status: Part of a Good Problem
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS
Check out the most recent MLB Transactions on MLB Daily Dish
by Andrew Martin on Sep 7, 2009 12:21 PM MDT up reply actions
He DOES
still talk to his batting helmet.
"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia
so does Pedro Cerrano
Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
Seth Smith Status: Part of a Good Problem
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS
Check out the most recent MLB Transactions on MLB Daily Dish
by Andrew Martin on Sep 7, 2009 12:40 PM MDT up reply actions
upton may be a punk
But he is no Milton Bradley
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Sep 7, 2009 12:48 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
YET
I kid
Mike McCoy Status: BETTER BE A SEPT CALLUP
Seth Smith Status: Part of a Good Problem
Chris Iannetta Status: OH MY GOD GET SOME HITS YOU'RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN ASS
Check out the most recent MLB Transactions on MLB Daily Dish
by Andrew Martin on Sep 7, 2009 12:51 PM MDT up reply actions
yep true
hopefully he has a HUGE series against the Dodgers and runs everything out and does everything well :) lol
we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE
"TuLoRocks2008 had the most comments I've seen in any game thread this year (322)...Can such a feat be eclipsed?" ..... Bring it on!!
by TuLoRocks2008 on Sep 7, 2009 12:23 PM MDT up reply actions
i agree that once it happened
It was handled well by everone
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Sep 7, 2009 12:51 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
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