***Official MLB 2013 Season Thread (2 Viewers)

[The_Man]

Max Scherzer on MLBN talking about Mariano. As they pointed out, the most impressive thing about Mo is that he's done all this with just one pitch. It has to be the single best pitch from any one pitcher in baseball history (yes better than Tanana's curve ).

Good topic - what's the single best pitch you've seen from any pitcher in your days of watching baseball?

I would say that the curveball of late-80s/early-90s Orioles closer Gregg Olson was about the best I've seen.

Also Tim Wakefield's knuckleball in the 92 NLCS. Super slo-mo was still new then, and I remember being transfixed to watch his ball fly in with absolutely no spin at all. You could make out every stitch on the ball as it fluttered through the air.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Max Scherzer on MLBN talking about Mariano. As they pointed out, the most impressive thing about Mo is that he's done all this with just one pitch. It has to be the single best pitch from any one pitcher in baseball history (yes better than Tanana's curve ).

Jayson Stark wrote a great piece a few years ago after polling major leaguers about the most devastating pitches in the game. The ones you know are coming, and it still doesn't matter. His description was, "Here it is ... we'll be right back with the postgame show."

I think Mo's cutter ended up tied with Trevor Hoffman's changeup, which just defied all laws of physics. Randy Johnson's "Mr. Snappy" has to be right up there, as well.

I think the Christy Mathewson Screwball has to be up there. Fernando Rodney's change is almost as good as Hoffman's, but Fernando can't throw his fastball for strikes which diminishes the value of the Bugs Bunny changeup. Rodney showed last year what he could do if his fastball is effective, turning in one of the single best reliever years in baseball history. Tanana's curve vs lefties is the best curve I've ever seen, and whatever that pitch Greg Maddux threw (like a reverse slider).

 

[Raider Nation]

I loved Nolan Ryan's 12-to-6 curveball. Devastating. Especially when you consider he also had the best fastball in the game.

 

[Plorfu]

Schilling's splitter was something else when he was on.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Jeff Nelson's frisbee slider was also something to behold.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

The amazing thing about Hoffman's changeup is that he barely could hit 90 with his fastball when he was in his prime. And yet he still froze hitters with it with his indistinguishable arm action. You would go to swing the bat, and the ball was nowhere to be found. Then you would gear up for the changeup and he would somehow "blow you away" with an 88 mph "fastball".

Ryan's fastball/curve combo obviously was unbeatable, but Pedro mixed in a changeup that was just as deadly. Other curveballs that jump to mind include Blyleven, Gooden (just filthy), Zito, Jason Isringhausen and Jake Peavy in his prime.

Best sliders in the last 20 years, besides RJ, would have to be Smoltz and Robb Nen.

 

[Annyong]

Kerry Woods curve/slurve thing when he struck out 20

 

[shadyridr]

Clemens syringe ball

 

[Plorfu]

AAA All-Star game on in a little less than an hour on MLB Network.

 

[boubucarow]

Kerry Woods curve/slurve thing when he struck out 20

A little too good. Snap.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

AAA All-Star game on in a little less than an hour on MLB Network.

Timo Perez in the game again?

AA all-star game seems a little more appealing.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Tanana's curve vs lefties is the best curve I've ever seen.

John Tudor was another guy who had a ridiculous curve that bewildered lefties. He didn't have a long career, but for a few seasons in the mid-80's he was pretty good.

I also remember seeing some right-handed hitters flinch when Kent Tekulve pitched because he was so long-limbed and so side-armed that his release point was beyond their peripheral vision.

 

[collective]

The amazing thing about Hoffman's changeup is that he barely could hit 90 with his fastball when he was in his prime. And yet he still froze hitters with it with his indistinguishable arm action. You would go to swing the bat, and the ball was nowhere to be found. Then you would gear up for the changeup and he would somehow "blow you away" with an 88 mph "fastball".

I was thinking of Hoffman's change-up as well.

That and Bruce Sutter's split-finger fastball.

 

[shadyridr]

Am i crazy or are the cubs not gonna get nearly the right value for garza? I mean why bother trading him for less than his value? Might as well sign him to an extension and then they have a young #2 workhorse to build around.

 

[Annyong]

Am i crazy or are the cubs not gonna get nearly the right value for garza? I mean why bother trading him for less than his value? Might as well sign him to an extension and then they have a young #2 workhorse to build around.

They may just have to do that, cuz teams aren't stupid. They are aware if Garzas injury history.

 

[Annyong]

Or Theo and Jed will pull Profar out of this somehow. Could see it going either way

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Am i crazy or are the cubs not gonna get nearly the right value for garza? I mean why bother trading him for less than his value? Might as well sign him to an extension and then they have a young #2 workhorse to build around.

garza will be 30 in November.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Am i crazy or are the cubs not gonna get nearly the right value for garza? I mean why bother trading him for less than his value? Might as well sign him to an extension and then they have a young #2 workhorse to build around.

garza will be 30 in November.

Pfft, Eephus has bunions older than that.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Am i crazy or are the cubs not gonna get nearly the right value for garza? I mean why bother trading him for less than his value? Might as well sign him to an extension and then they have a young #2 workhorse to build around.

garza will be 30 in November.

30 isn't young but it's not exactly old either for a starting pitcher. A "long" term extension certainly has its merits for a guy who's as consistent as Garza. Although I'm not sure why the Cubs wouldn't get value for Garza. Given how many teams are in the playoff hunt, I would imagine someone will go all in for the best pitcher available (even despite his injury concerns).

 

[The_Man]

Epstein will get something very good out of this. Garza's too good and too available - someone will pony up.

Watching the All-Star Game introductions led me to think back to when the Orioles traded Erik Bedard. Andy McPhail kept waiting and waiting and then he finally got the pieces he wanted and pulled the trigger - Adam Jones and Chris Tillman (still only 25 now). Also George Sherrill who pitched well as the closer for two years, before the O's flipped him to LA for hometown favorite Steve Johnson. He's hurt now, but was good last year and is also still only 25. They also got Kam Mickolio, who they shipped to Arizona for Mark Reynolds.

In retrospect, getting Jones was the beginning of the Orioles' turnaround as a franchise. I think Theo will end up with a similar franchise centerpiece.

 

[Billy Bats]

Just read a twitter rumor that Olt is involved in a possible Garza deal.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

That four days without baseball felt like a month. Would have been better if MLBN returned with the highlight show instead of the ####### Yankees and Red Sux, but I can watch the Dodgers and Nats instead.

 

[Raider Nation]

Puig's hose is just stupid...

 

[MAC_32]

That four days without baseball felt like a month. Would have been better if MLBN returned with the highlight show instead of the ####### Yankees and Red Sux, but I can watch the Dodgers and Nats instead.

i love the break, good opportunity to earn some brownie points with the wife.

 

[Bronx Bomber]

Puig's hose is just stupid...

Wow, how's that compare to Raul Modesei when he was gunning people out in that same spot?

 

[JZilla]

Yeah Harper was out.. ump stole a sweet highlight play there

 

[Plorfu]

I wonder what game will be the only one I will be allowed to watch today..let's see. HEY LOOK IT'S YANKEES/RED SOX!@# OMFG!!@#$

 

[ex-ghost]

Mariners win with only one hit 4-2. What a strange game. Bedard pulled in the 7th with a no-hitter going.

 

[Raider Nation]

Marlins and Brewers scoreless in the 13th.

The people at this game deserve a medal or something.

 

[Raider Nation]

Topless Brewers fan

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Topless Brewers fan

:IBTL:

 

[Frostillicus]

Puig's hose is just stupid...

A little more loft than Puig, but worth watching.

 

[Grahamburn]

Marlins and Brewers scoreless in the 13th.

The people at this game deserve a medal or something.

The entire Brewers dugout had already gone into the clubhouse before the kid could round the bases.

 

[Wrigley]

Looks like Garza is a no-go tonight

trade imminent?

 

[Wrigley]

Olt part of Garza package?

link

David Kaplan ‏@thekapman 7s

Deal is indeed done. Garza is a Ranger. Guy is a great competitor and should be a huge addition for Texas.

 

[Bogart]

Olt part of Garza package?

link

David Kaplan ‏@thekapman 7s

Deal is indeed done. Garza is a Ranger. Guy is a great competitor and should be a huge addition for Texas.

Report is Olt, Grimm and CJ Edwards and PTBNL for Garza.

 

[strykerpks]

Braun suspended the rest of the season (65 games) per Milwaukee radio

 

[Don Quixote]

Have a nice season, Braun.

 

[Billy Bats]

So they wouldn't give up Olt plus a prospect for Lee last summer but give him up and more for Garza?

 

[Limp Ditka]

So they wouldn't give up Olt plus a prospect for Lee last summer but give him up and more for Garza?

Because Olt's value is exactly the same as it was last year?

 

[pantagrapher]

So they wouldn't give up Olt plus a prospect for Lee last summer but give him up and more for Garza?

Because Olt's value is exactly the same as it was last year?

He's not even the best prospect in the trade this year.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

So they wouldn't give up Olt plus a prospect for Lee last summer but give him up and more for Garza?

Because Olt's value is exactly the same as it was last year?

He's not even the best prospect in the trade this year.

He had eye issues which are apparently fixed now and still got baseball America's #44 prospect in the mid-season report. Who is the better prospect?

 

[shadyridr]

So they wouldn't give up Olt plus a prospect for Lee last summer but give him up and more for Garza?

Because Olt's value is exactly the same as it was last year?

He's not even the best prospect in the trade this year.

He had eye issues which are apparently fixed now and still got baseball America's #44 prospect in the mid-season report. Who is the better prospect?

edwards

 

[Billy Bats]

So they wouldn't give up Olt plus a prospect for Lee last summer but give him up and more for Garza?

Because Olt's value is exactly the same as it was last year?

He's not even the best prospect in the trade this year.

Didnt think he had fallen that far. And isn't Lee considered better than Garza? Or am I wrong there too?

 

[Limp Ditka]

So they wouldn't give up Olt plus a prospect for Lee last summer but give him up and more for Garza?

Because Olt's value is exactly the same as it was last year?

He's not even the best prospect in the trade this year.

Didnt think he had fallen that far. And isn't Lee considered better than Garza? Or am I wrong there too?

Really think all baseball trades are only about the talent changing teams?

 

[Billy Bats]

So they wouldn't give up Olt plus a prospect for Lee last summer but give him up and more for Garza?

Because Olt's value is exactly the same as it was last year?

He's not even the best prospect in the trade this year.

Didnt think he had fallen that far. And isn't Lee considered better than Garza? Or am I wrong there too?

Really think all baseball trades are only about the talent changing teams?

Do you just like answering questions with more questions?

 

[Eephus]

So they wouldn't give up Olt plus a prospect for Lee last summer but give him up and more for Garza?

Because Olt's value is exactly the same as it was last year?

He's not even the best prospect in the trade this year.

Didnt think he had fallen that far. And isn't Lee considered better than Garza? Or am I wrong there too?

Really think all baseball trades are only about the talent changing teams?

totally different circumstances. Garza is a two month rental. Lee had over $100M remaining on his contract.

Olt is still a decent prospect. He'll always have contact issues but has plus power at a key defensive position. I'm inclined to give him a mulligan this year because of the eye problems but he'll turn 25 next month and won't ever get this year back.

Edwards is a lottery ticket and Grimm is just a guy.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

So they wouldn't give up Olt plus a prospect for Lee last summer but give him up and more for Garza?

Because Olt's value is exactly the same as it was last year?

He's not even the best prospect in the trade this year.

He had eye issues which are apparently fixed now and still got baseball America's #44 prospect in the mid-season report. Who is the better prospect?

edwards

Not even rated a top ten prospect on the Rangers franchise.

 

[pantagrapher]

So they wouldn't give up Olt plus a prospect for Lee last summer but give him up and more for Garza?

Because Olt's value is exactly the same as it was last year?

He's not even the best prospect in the trade this year.

He had eye issues which are apparently fixed now and still got baseball America's #44 prospect in the mid-season report. Who is the better prospect?

Olt's troubles predate his eye issues. I would love to see him approach the potential some scouts saw last year, but excuse me if I'm still smarting from Ian Stewart. And as someone else said, Edwards is the "get" here. He went from a 48th round pick to a legitimate prospect in less than one year. He's riskier because he doesn't have as much seasoning as Olt, who can probably play in the bigs this season, if not next year. But the Cubs have long-term plans and an infield soon to be crowded with prospects; Edwards is a pitcher who can blossom into a legitimate mid-rotation guy and could be more, if he keeps progressing.

 

[pantagrapher]

So they wouldn't give up Olt plus a prospect for Lee last summer but give him up and more for Garza?

Because Olt's value is exactly the same as it was last year?

He's not even the best prospect in the trade this year.

He had eye issues which are apparently fixed now and still got baseball America's #44 prospect in the mid-season report. Who is the better prospect?

edwards

Not even rated a top ten prospect on the Rangers franchise.

It's like any ranking system, guys who are falling will be ahead of guys who are rising ... until they aren't.

ETA: Buster Olney on Twitter: C.J. Edwards has taken a big jump forward in '13. He's the centerpiece of this deal for Cubs.