NL West Report: Sickly Bats Proliferate in Western US
by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 3, 2011 12:00 PM MDT
in NL West Report
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PrintThe last weeks saw an explosion of offense for various NL West teams. The Rockies put 15 runs on the boards Saturday. The Dodgers scored 7+ runs in three consecutive wins for the first time in two years. The Giants scored 29 runs in a series in St. Louis. The Padres scored five runs twice in three days. Arizona won five straight in thanks to scoring 40 runs.
That kind of offensive production in the NL West is truly a strange sight. As much hand-wringing there has been about the Rockies' offense, they have scored th
| Team wRC+ | MLB Rank | League Rank | |
| Padres | 82 | 28th | 16th |
| Giants | 85 | 27th | 15th |
| Dodgers | 86 | 24th | 12th |
| Rockies | 88 | 22nd | 11th |
| Diamondbacks | 97 | 14th | 5th |
| Mariners | 81 | 29th | 13th |
| Athletics | 87 | 23rd | 12th |
| Angels | 99 | 11th | 8th |
| Rangers | 109 | 6th | 5th |
Six MLB teams have scored less than 207 runs in 2011 (~3.70 runs/game). Three of them are in the NL West. Two others are in the AL West. Minnesota represents the lone outlier. Other than Arizona, whose offense has been mediocre to slightly above average, there has been a complete absence of offense in the division.
Take the jump for news on all the teams.
NL West Report
Arizona (31-26, 2nd, L1, 0.5 GB)
Last Week: 5-2. 3-0 @ Astros. 2-1 vs. Marlins. 0-1 vs. Nationals.
You Should Know:
Divisional Change: Gained 1.0 games on first place San Francisco. They actually were in first place from Sunday through Thursday.
This Week: 3 game road series @ Astros. 3 game home series vs. Marlins. Game 1 of a four game home series vs. Nationals.
News: Zach Duke was activated from the disabled list and promptly threw seven shutout innings. Oh, and he also hit an opposite field 3-run home run.
Armando Gallaraga threw that "perfect game" a year ago yesterday. This year, Gallaraga is begrudgingly in AAA Reno. He accepted a minor league assignment after passing through waivers, apparently just for money.
Huston Street was NL's relief pitcher of the month in April. That award went to JJ Putz in May. He went 11-for-11 in save situations and allowed 0 ER in 13 IP in May. So of course he blew his first save of the season on June 1 on a John Buck home run.
Fans at AZ Snakepit aren't worried about the Rockies at all.
SS Francisco Lindor held a private workout for the Diamondbacks yesterday. Lindor is a likely top ten pick in Monday's draft.
Apparently the Diamondbacks tried to acquire Michael Young, but the asking price was Tyler Skaggs.
Tim Dierkes wrote about what might happen if the Diamondbacks become buyers.
Tracy Ringolsby wrote a very congratulatory piece on Arizona and Kevin Towers. It's a little early, in my opinion, to laud the new process based on a couple strong weeks.
Transactions: Optioned RHP Kam Mickolio to AAA Reno. Acquired C Lucas May from Kansas City (6/1). Signed RHP Yhency Brazoban.
Injuries: Activated Zach Duke from the 15-day DL. An MRI on Juan Gutierrez found no tears.
Los Angeles (26-31, 4th, L1, 5.5 GB)
Last Week: 4-2. 2-1 vs. Marlins. 2-1 vs. Rockies.
You Should Know: The Dodgers' offense woke up and scored 7+ runs in three consecutive wins for the first time since getting Clint Hurdle fired.
Divisional Change: Gained one half game on first place San Francisco.
This Week: 3 game road series @ Reds. 3 game road series @ Phillies. Game 1 of 4 game series @ Rockies.
News: Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier are due to become free agents after 2012. Jon Heyman wrote that the Dodgers have had "unofficial conversations" into locking up Ethier and Kemp long term.
Jerry Sands struggled at first, but Sands has started to become a fan favorite with a recent surge.
Vicente Padilla is due to return today, so you can guardedly pick him up in fantasy if you needs saves.
The Dodgers are reportedly targeting power high school pitchers in the first round of Monday's draft. That shouldn't be a shock, considering that is what they have chosen in six of their last nine years. Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw and Scott Elbert have worked out to varying degrees and are on the major league roster. Their top prospect - Zach Lee - was also a top prep arm in last year's draft.
Don Mattingly feels like he has learned a lot in his first year as an MLB manager.
The Dodgers met payroll last week, but it required Frank McCourt securing loans. The next payroll round will involve a $6million payment to retired Manny Ramirez.
Transactions: Optioned UT Russ Mitchell to AAA Albuquerque (5/27). Called up RHP Josh Lindblom and DFA'd Travis Schlichting (5/29).Released RHP Lance Cormier (5/31).
Injuries: Activated 3B Casey Blake from 15-day DL (5/27). Placed RHP Kenley Jansen on the 15-day DL with shoulder inflammation (5/29).
San Diego (24-33, 5th, L2, 7.5 GB)
Last Week: 4-3. 2-1 @ Nationals. 2-1 @ Braves. 0-1 vs. Astros.
You Should Know: So much for being built to succeed at PetCo Park. The Padres are a shocking 9-21 at home, 15-12 on the road. No other MLB team has lost more than 19 home contests.
Divisional Change: No change
This Week: Games 2-4 of a 4 game home series vs. Astros. 3 game home series vs. Rockies. Game 1 of 4 game home series vs. Nationals.
News: Absent a closer, the Cardinals have inquired about Heath Bell. San Diego has also been called about Mike Adams and Luke Gergerson claims Ken Rosenthal, but as Jayson Stark wrote, the Padres are not motivated to move Mike Adams or any player under contract for next season. Ryan Ludwick and Chad Qualls figure to be trade bait though.
Transactions: RHP Samuel Deduno cleared waivers and was assigned to AAA Tucson. Recalled UT Logan Forsythe from AAA Tucson (5/27).
Injuries: Placed 2B Orlando Hudson on 15-day DL with left groin strain (5/27). Placed CF Cameron Maybin on 15-day DL with right patellar tendinitis (5/31). C Nick Hundley will start a rehab assignment tomorrow.
San Francisco (31-25, 1st, W2)
Last Week: 4-3. 1-2 @ Brewers. 3-1 @ Cardinals.
You Should Know: The Giants scored 7 runs or more in three of their four games in St. Louis. They had scored 7+ runs in just five games coming into that series.
Divisional Change: Lost one game off their lead in the division.
This Week: 3 game home series vs. Rockies. 3 game home series vs. Nationals. Game 1 of a 4 game home serires vs. Reds.
News: General Manager Brian Sabean raised eyebrows this week with his comments about Florida outfielder Scott Cousins, days after the collision that put Buster Posey out for the season:
"If I never hear from Cousins again or he never plays another game in the big leagues, I think we'll all be happy. ... He chose to be a hero in my mind, and if that's his flash of fame, that's as good as it's going to get, pal. We'll have a long memory. Believe me, we've talked to (former catcher Mike) Matheny about how this game works. You can't be that out-and-out overly aggressive. I'll put it as politically as I can state it: There's no love lost and there shouldn't be."
Even if you disagree with his position, you can at least understand his passion for his position. There's nothing wrong with that, unless he was startling inconsistent. As Baseball Prospectus' Larry Granillo pointed out, Sabean and the Giants have been very vocal in their support of home plate collisions in the past. There were no complaints when Pablo Sandoval bowled over Ryan Doumit, or when Nate Schierholtz ran into China's Yang Yang, when J.T. Snow collided with Ivan Rodriguez, or even when Prince Fielder blew up then-Giants catcher Todd Greene. I suppose the inconsistency shouldn't be shocking, but the level of vitriol from Sabean was surprising. Ken Rosenthal opined that Sabean crossed the line.
For now, the Giants are not pursuing another catcher, instead content to give veteran Eli Whiteside a shot at the full-time gig.
Transactions: Optioned LHP Dan Runzler to AAA Fresno (5/29). Lost IF Ryan Rohlinger on waivers to Colorado (6/2).
Injuries: Activated RHP Santiago Casilla from the 15-day DL. 1B Brandon Belt is day-to-day with a bruised wrist. C Buster Posey underwent ankle surgery 5/29. 3B Pablo Sandoval is scheduled to begin his rehab assignment tonight. LHP Barry Zito threw 75 pitches in a game in extended Wednesday. UT Mark DeRosa began a rehab assignment Wednesday instead of pursuing surgery.
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Would there room on the Rox roster for this guy Cousins?
Wonder if Scott Cousins could be tradeable. It would be great having him play for the Rox. If nothing else than to make Sabean mad!
Cousins is not evil, just an aggressive player.
Posey is a great player, and good for baseball. It’s a shame he was injured. But the injury was not Cousins’ fault. And Sabean is out of line.
by Real Perspective on Jun 3, 2011 12:47 PM MDT reply actions
It'll be fun to watch their next series in Florida, that's for sure.
If I’m Cousins, I walk up to the batter’s box in my first AB, drop my bat and turn to the pitcher, and just let him hit me. Then I would turn and look back towards the Giants’ dugout as I’m taking my base, give a nice little smirk and a golf clap for good measure. Then proceed to just play baseball hard, aggressive, and the right way….just as I always have.
The Giants are coming off as a giant cry babies in this situation, and extremely unclassy. And I guarantee it’s not going to end here.
Alanna Rizzo is my dream girl.
by Cargo's Ball Sack5 on Jun 3, 2011 4:19 PM MDT up reply actions
I read about some of that during the GDT on Viva El Birdos.
How Posey wouldn’t take Cousins’ call, Sabean’s mouth running, etc.
I trust my own eyes/ears rather than info brought second or thirdhand and possibly angled this way or that.
Not saying anything here isn’t dead nuts accurate, but I’m also seeing no links or quotes.
If I hit the ‘Net and found out they were whining I’d be disappointed, as their initial remarks were supposedly guarded and respectful.
Disappointed – but not surprised.
They’re not philosophy/sociology majors, they’re baseball players.
Nothing more than well paid, well pampered, well insulated, well patronized jocks.
That they mouth retaliatory/inflammatory inanities in the same season they asked for a collective kum – bay – yah re the Stow incident is par for the smallminded course.
And Sabean has a history of verbal stupidity, sometimes regarding his own players.
The fanbases, of course, relish this supposed indignity. Gives ’em something to fuel the crusade.
World without end, Amen
Initial reaction to the Posey injury by the fellow who runs the Az. Snakepit:
"Hahahahahaha! Suck it, Giants fans. Suck it long. And suck it hard."
by Jim McLennan on May 25, 2011 11:24 PM MST
Jim McLennan: all class.
Minus those first two consonants.
by victor frankenstein on Jun 3, 2011 4:56 PM MDT up reply actions
Yeesh. Didn't read enough of the article to see the links.
Shortcoming #288 in a series
Initial reaction to the Posey injury by the fellow who runs the Az. Snakepit:
"Hahahahahaha! Suck it, Giants fans. Suck it long. And suck it hard."
by Jim McLennan on May 25, 2011 11:24 PM MST
Jim McLennan: all class.
Minus those first two consonants.
by victor frankenstein on Jun 3, 2011 5:05 PM MDT up reply actions
Thanks Andrew
I’m mostly a lurker but I do appreciate your NLW column every week. Also I live in Arizona so I have to listen to the local fans telling me just how great the D’backs are. And now of course most of them claim to have called it before the season started. My season hopes are always simply to end up ahead of them in the standings. I still gotta believe we can do it.
Fear the Smeth
Do you play pool?
I know a quiet bar in Mesa with wonderfully refelted .50/game tables and true house lumber.
Not very busy, either.
And if there’s a Diamondback game on they have it showing on at least three monitors.
It’s all on me. I can do this cos’ I just drink tonic water, but feel free to take your own chances with beer or whatever.
You’ll get one short DUI sermon, then I’ll drop the pulpit and just school you in pool.
E-mail address is in the profile if you’re so inclined.
Initial reaction to the Posey injury by the fellow who runs the Az. Snakepit:
"Hahahahahaha! Suck it, Giants fans. Suck it long. And suck it hard."
by Jim McLennan on May 25, 2011 11:24 PM MST
Jim McLennan: all class.
Minus those first two consonants.
by victor frankenstein on Jun 3, 2011 5:04 PM MDT up reply actions
Thanks for the offer, my friend.
But pool is not on the very short list of things I do well.
Fear the Smeth
Predictably, Sabean has had to do some damage control.
From Ken Rosenthal:
#SFGiants issue statement. Sabean spoke "out of frustration and out of true concern for Posey . . . not meant to villify Cousins. MORE #MLB
Sabean has been in contact with #Marlins GM Larry Beinfest to clarify remarks and has reached out to Cousins directly. #SFGiants #MLB
Too little, too late methinks
Especially considering Cousins lives in SF
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
BigGiantHead of the Ubaldo Lover's Club;OG Thugget Loyalist #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
Yep
That genie has already left the bottle.
Can we lay off of Cargo and Tulo until their BABIP numbers get with 50 points of their career averages?
NO, we are NOT going to fire Jim Tracy midseason!!!!!
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Jun 3, 2011 7:15 PM MDT up reply actions
"Sabean has reached out to Cousins directly"
But his middle finger wouldn’t go that far.
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
Silly Diamondbacks, it's all going to come crashing down on you by the 100 game mark.
No one does streaky awesome better that Colorado. No one.
The writer formerly known as Jabberwocky
READ and LEARN about the business of baseball at Purple Row Academy
Eschew Obfuscation!
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