Unlike last week, we have zero trades to report for this week's VUFSA Transaction Time. Incidentally, zero just so happens to be the number of runs Cleveland's starting pitching has allowed in about just as much time. Yay for first place AL Central teams!
1. Justin Duchscherer
Viano scooped up former Oakland set up guy, now hard luck starting pitcher. Having shut down the Indians for two starts this season, I'm a little bit more sensitive toward his mad(d) skillz than the average waiver wire looker. He does have a nice ERA and WHIP (2.20, 1.08), but Duchscherer doesn't strike out a lot of guys (24) or win a whole bunch (3). Regardless, he does make for a nice late rotation starter for Uncle Phil who is looking to jump back into first.
2. The return of Joe Borowski
Tomke in his smack talk this morning wonders how he can be in last, which given that one of the members of the league is in a state of limbo, is fairly perplexing to most. Not to me, however, who directly relates Bondo and the Asians' struggles to the fact that Joe Borowski was drafted by this franchise and consequently resigned earlier this week. For good measure, Tomke also has Masa Kobayashi.
3. Ryan Franklin
Seems like only yesterday Franklin was a washed up journey man floating through the Reds' organization. Now, he's ascended to St. Louis' most-of-the-time closer after Izzy got the boot. Edwin acquired Franklin looking to boost a bullpen that is one save away from last place, which given the Valverde, Wood, Putz closers is somewhat surprising.
4. Catcher switch
J.R. Towles and his "rated rookie" status complete with .157 batting average was let go from Bob Loblaw who then picked up emerging Colorado sensation Chris Iannetta (.306 BA, 3 HRs).
5. The retirement of Mark Prior
Just a few short seasons ago, Edwin kept the Cubs superstar. Now, not even Tomke will give him a shot. What's perhaps most surprising is that Prior was cut for a guy not even in the major leagues (Jay Bruce). Bruce was later released in favor of "Hey I can blow slaves too!" Guillermo Mota.
6. Champ's revamped starting staff
Looking for a few more wins and a few more strikeouts, Champ released Andy Pettite and Jon Lester and adding John Danks. For some reason, I can see retyping this transaction time in a couple weeks when Danks is cut for Pettite.
7. Now you see Adam LaRoche, now you don't
Edwin could only tolerate Adam LaRoche for two days. Then he saw something shiny and went with hot hitting Aaron Rowand.
8. Ryan Church
Church was finally picked up off the VUFSA waiver wire after remaining at the top of the available player list for practically the entire season. No one really wanted to chance it on the Mets' outfielder, but Champ finally stepped up and gave the dude an opportunity. And why wouldn't he given the .381 OBP, 8 HRs, 30 RBIs, and the fact that he was drafted by Cleveland?
9. The Baseball Recap
Sadly, State Farm seems to have consumed Edwin who cut the popular Monday column in favor of Cubs viewing, drinking, and other domestic pursuits.
5 comments:
I also wondered how Ryan Church was available for so long. Not that I ever thought, "hey, I could use Ryan Church" but still, he's the #15 player in the game. And I own Andruw Jones.
I wondered this morning as well, how can Tomke be in last. Then I compared Hideki Matsui and Alfonso Soriano as fantasy baseball players.
There is that trade, but it's fairly obvious that Joe Borwoski is the real reason for Bondo's troubles.
Oh, and do you think that Andruw Jones and Travis Hafner hang out?
You know what, Ed? You were the one that said, "I don't think Soriano is going to return to form." So, if you're going to keep hating on the trade, hate on yourself. I hate you, and I hate my team.
Yesterday was my birthday, and I am hurting.
-Dave
After two innings, Alfonso Soriano is on pace to hit 9 home runs today
Wait, now he sucks again.
Happy Birthday
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