Today's featured comment
Today's featured comment comes from Bill ths 85:
Bill's take: Yeah, as exciting as it was to watch our beloved Os come back against the best closer in baseball, it was that painful to watch Sherrill squander away the effort of his teammates. Does anyone still believe that Sherrill is still the best option as closer? His ERA has been ballooning while Johnson has managed to keep his under 2.00--give Johnson a chance!
My take: I still think so, for a couple of reasons that aren't in any way related to Johnson, who has been great and looks like he could fit into the role. First, I think it's a little early to quit on a guy who probably would finish second or third if you took an Orioles MVP vote. Second, demoting him would seriously diminish his trade value. Last night was tough to swallow, but let's not give in to the heat of the moment and forget everything this guy has done.
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Comments
If Sherrill is second or third in Orioles MVP voting, who's first or second?
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Pete's reply: Fair question. I'll address it in short order.
Posted by: rob in SD | August 5, 2008 4:26 PM
Pete, I love the frequent posts, but as a result, sometimes I miss some of the earlier stuff. In that vein, I've read some stupid stuff on blogs before, but I have to say that the earlier post suggesting that we make Adam Jones the fourth outfielder in favor of Montanez may take the cake. Hey Steve, have you watched the last 2/3 of the season? You want to sit down a five tool, superstar in the making who is flirting with .280 (after having hit about .320 for the last several weeks) in favor of a guy who has never hit above AA? At least your post seem to recognize that this might be "ridiculous." It would be.
I hope Montanez turns out to be great, but sitting Adam Jones--come on.
Posted by: terpfan | August 5, 2008 5:13 PM
Pete - Is there in talk within the organization of making Johnson a SP next year? You can then have Ray and Sherrill battle for role of closer, loser gets 8th inning....
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Pete's reply: I've heard some chatter about Johnson being moved into the rotation, but nothing solid. Wouldn't surprise me if there's no attempt to upgrade the rotation in the free agent market.
Posted by: Petey's Revenge | August 5, 2008 5:48 PM
Come on -sherrill has never been anything besides guts of steel. He goes after hitters. (and i know this is nothing to look down upon) but he really has gotten lucky so far in this season and now his true self is starting to show.
Posted by: David becker | August 5, 2008 6:45 PM
Pete-
Will Montanez get immediate playing time or will they just start Payton in center?
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Pete's reply: Payton is starting tonight, but I think you'll see Montanez very soon, perhaps in Scott's place tomorrow.
Posted by: Isaac | August 5, 2008 7:08 PM
Pete-
Will Montanez be starting right away or will they start Payton? If I'm the O's, I start Montanez, we're not gonna win this series anyway. What's your take?
Posted by: Isaac | August 5, 2008 7:10 PM
Pete--I'm honored. I'm starting to like you more than Roch (and that's saying a lot). Thanks for changing "comeback" to "come back" (that was a little embarrassing).
I still think I'm right. Trembley has painted himself into a corner with Sherrill and probably won't demote him. When Sherrill blows leads, it's ugly and it's getting too frequent.
Posted by: bill ths 85 | August 5, 2008 10:15 PM
Luke Scott goes 3 for 3 tonight with a HR (his 19th) an RBI & a R
even WITH a sore achilles tendon
So tell me WHY would this Montanez start over Scott ???
If Scott really needs to rest his foot, ok ... but otherwise .... play the new kid instead of Payton, Please !!!
Posted by: TxOFan | August 6, 2008 1:08 AM
Pete-
Hey is it just me, or is Trembley really really really dumb when it comes to taking pitchers out at the right time?
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Pete's reply: Can't say I share your opinion. Fans like shutouts and complete games, but Trembley has to think about the guy's next start and what's best for the whole team over the short and long term.
Posted by: Isaac | August 6, 2008 3:56 PM
Pete-
I'm just debating what you said. Ok, I got an example:
Sunday's loss to Seattle
Cabrera allows a HR in the 6th to Lopez. Thru the inning, he's got 95 pitches.
He brings him in the next inning??
He allows three straight baserunners. Then, he brings in Walker, the worst reliever we got.
Not only that, it's to face Ichiro, the best contact hitter on that team.
2 splits that show I'm right
Walker has a .373 OBA vs. LH
Ichiro is .500 against him
That's not the only mistake, but that's the most recent.
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Pete's reply: If you accept the notioni that all decisions must be made on matchup stats, I'll concede the point, but there are other variables.
Posted by: Isaac | August 6, 2008 7:18 PM
What do you mean when you say "If you accept the notion that all decisions must be made on matchup stats, I'll concede the point, but there are other variables."
Pete's reply: I mean that there is more to matching up a pitcher and batter than past performance. The Ichiro example should tell you why. He hit a high chopper off Walker, which means Walker threw a good pitch. Ichiro is going to beat that out against anybody. Walker may have a bad OPA against Ichiro but still be the best pitcher to face him depending on the situation.
Posted by: Isaac | August 7, 2008 11:32 AM