The Giants called up a prospect on Saturday. You might have heard about him. He batted sixth in both games and played first base, pushing the big offseason signee Aubrey Huff to left field. How did Posey do in those games?
6-for-9, 2 doubles, 4 RBI.
That's outright impressive, no matter what counterargument you might contrive. Except.....
Keith Law: Posey's minor lg OPS was .995; in the big leagues, it's 2.000. I guess the good pitchers are all in AAA...
Nick Piecoro: @keithlaw: this is the Dbacks pitching staff he's been facing, after all....
I just can't resist a jab at two NL West teams.
It will be interesting to see how Posey fits into San Francisco's plans. With Mark DeRosa dealing with wrist issues, the club was able to place Posey at first base and move Aubrey Huff to the outfield (this should be fun to watch). Should DeRosa and Freddy Sanchez remain healthy simultaneously (no guarantee in itself), it could present problems for playing Posey regularly at first.
We have been told all season that he was kept in AAA due to concerns about his defense behind the plate, but his numbers at AAA (.349/.442/.555, .422 wOBA) forced the issue. Then consider the Giants' offense is abysmal, and the promotion of Posey makes a ton of sense. Except...
Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News points out that Buster "Posey's Super-2 arbitration status for after the 2012 season is now almost guaranteed." The kicker - it would have taken just another two weeks or so to avoid the designation. So...keep your stud bat in the minors for eight weeks, then call him up two weeks early?
Only Brian Sabean...
Team capsules after the jump, natürlich.
NL West Report
Arizona (20-31, 5th, L7, 10.5 GB)
Last Week: 0-6. 0-3 @ Rockies. 0-3 @ Giants.
Divisional Change: Lost four games to first-place San Diego.
This Week: 3 game road series @ Dodgers. 3 game home series vs. Rockies.
You Should Know: After losing seven straight, the Diamondbacks hit two digits in the GB column. Barring a huge comeback equal to the Rockies v. 2009, the DIamondbacks will be stuck in the role of spoilers once again..
News: Dan Haren has been really good this year in some regards. He is striking out more than one batter inning and walking very few, yielding a 5.07 K/BB that would obliterate the Rockies' franchise record. Then again, he has given up 8 home runs in his last two starts, 11 in his past three and 16 for the season, three shy of his first full season with Arizona.
"I get guys to swing and miss quite a bit...Maybe it's changing my philosophy a little bit and pitching outside the strike zone a little more, nibbling a little more," - Dan Haren
Transactions: Called up UT Ryan Roberts.
Injuries: Placed Tony Abreu on the 15-day DL retroactive to May 24.
Los Angeles (28-22, 2nd, W1, 2 GB)
Last Week: 5-2. 1-2 @ Cubs. 2-1 @ Rockies. Los Angeles was outscored by just one in Chicago and lost series. The Rockies outscored the Dodgers by 6 over the weekend, but with the help of two one-run wins, LA managed to squeak out a .500 week.
Divisional Change: Gained 1.0 game on first place San Diego. Passed San Francisco for second place in the division.
This Week: 3 game home series vs. Diamondbacks. 4 game home series vs. Braves.
You Should Know: Chad Billingsley has allowed only 5 ER in his past four starts combined, holding opponents to two runs or less in 5 of 6 starts
News: So apparently the Dodgers could take on payroll this trading deadline. Additionally, Jayson Stark reports that Roy Oswalt "would be interested in joining the Dodgers." Makes sense right? Except Oswalt is being paid $15mil this year and $16mil next season, followed by at least a $2million buyout.
The Dodgers did inquire about Oswalt, but Ned Colletti has also made a call about Cliff Lee, who is owed significantly less money. I'd put the odds at 10 to 1 of such a trade being made at this point.
Andre Ethier finished his rehab assignment Saturday, getting two hits and 3 RBI in Albuquerque. He'll be activated for the Arizona series.
Vicente Padilla got in trouble with Denver Police at 4AM Saturday morning. The police were responding to allegations that Padilla had slapped a woman in the face. The woman mysteriously rescinded her allegations, introduced herself as Padilla's friend, and the book has been officially closed on Padilla's indiscretions. Poor woman.
As only Eric Stephen can do, Eric Stephen masterfully sums up just how bad LA's fifth starters have been.
Transactions: DFAed INF Nick Green and RHP Ramon Ortiz. Activated SS Rafael Furcal from the 15-day DL. Called up RHP Justin Miller and LHP Scott Elbert. Optioned Elbert back to AAA last night, calling up RHP Travis Schlichting.
Injuries: Vicente Padilla threw a successful bullpen session Saturday, throwing 45 pitches to Xavier Paul and Jamey Carroll. George Sherrill was placed on the 15-day DL May 25 with a back strain.
San Diego (30-20, 1st, W2)
Last Week: 4-2. 2-1 vs. Cardinals. 2-1 vs. Nationals. San Diego allowed just six runs in their four wins, yet 13 in their two losses.
Divisional Change: Lost one game to second place Los Angeles. Lead the division for the sixth straight Monday.
This Week: 3 game home series vs. Mets. 3 game road series @ Phillies.
You Should Know: San Diego has allowed 13 fewer runs than any Major League Team.
News: Mike Lee at Fangraphs was able to talk at length with Padres GM Jed Hoyer. It is a worthwhile read.
Ben Nicholson-Smith at MLBTR points out that David Eckstein is performing very well in his free agent season.
Transactions: Optioned Luis Perdomo and RHP Adam Russell to AAA Portland. Recalled Luis Durango and SS Lance Zawadzki from AAA Portland. Activated RHP Sean Gallagher from 15-day DL.
Injuries: Placed SS Everth Cabrera on 15-day DL Friday with a strained right hamstring. Scott Hairston took batting practice May 25 with no issues.
San Francisco (27-22, 3rd, W4, 2.5 GB)
Last Week: 5-1. 2-1 vs. Nationals. 3-0 vs. Diamondbacks.
Divisional Change: Gained one game on first place San Diego.
This Week: 3 game home series vs. Rockies. 3 game road series @ Pirates.
You Should Know: Tim Lincecum has allowed 11 ER in his last two starts combined, one at home and one on the road.
News: Buster Posey wasn't the only move Brian Sabean made last week to improve the offense. Sabean inked Pat Burrell to a minor league deal last week in hopes The Bat regains his Phillies form, rather than his Rays form of the last two seasons. Burrell posted a .682 OPS last season and .625 over 84 PA this season but is only 33. Think of it like a Kazuo Matsui move, except a return to form would vastly improve the team more than Kaz would.
Transactions: Recalled IF Ryan Rohlinger and C/1B Buster Posey from AAA Fresno.
Injuries: Jeremy Affeldt injured his hamstring and has not pitched since May 23. He has not landed on the disabled list and is expected to return to game action soon. Mark DeRosa tried swinging Saturday with his injured wrist and reported no pain. Edgar Renteria pulled his hamstring and will be on the DL until mid June at least. Emmanuel Burriss, who suffered a broken foot very early this season, ran the bases last week for the first time.