Sollywood - Hot Garbage

I don't really like referencing Justin Drew this site, on Facebook, or on my podcast (found RIGHT HERE!), but I have to give him credit for introducing a new term to my vocabulary: Hot Garbage. I don't remember the context in which he said it, and since it's Justin, it doesn't really matter.

Point is, I was thinking of that term last night when I was at Petco Park watching the Padres host the Mets (with both teams wearing AWESOME 1989 retro jerseys). The old saying goes "You root for the laundry"... well last night I literally was rooting for the laundry, as the '89 jersey was the only reason (outside of Dickey) to crack a smile last night. Not that 1989 was a fun year, with the Mets trading Lenny Dykstra to the Phils the SAME fucking day we headed to Philly to watch them play.  True story.

Dykstra, Wilson, Carter, and Hernandez all left after '89... remind me again why the Mets agreed to play along with the Padres on this one?

Anyway, hot garbage time. R.A. Dickey pitched very well but was the victim of some putrid defense behind him. I'm looking at you, Scott Hairston and Josh Thole.

Hairston is what he is, a glorified bench player in his walk year. But at least he offers something with his bat. Thole brings nothing to the table except a giant pair of pussy lips. I'm not asking for Johnny Bench but at least hold on to the fucking ball when a runner is trying to break up a 1-1 tie. Easy for me to scream at Thole (and I did) while pudgy Carlos Quentin is colliding with him, but it's Thole's job to make the play, especially when Quentin was out by 15 feet.

And if the offense decided to score more than 1 run on 9 fucking hits, that would have been swell. I know it was '80s night but that wasn't Mark Davis on the mound, it was Clayton Fucking Richard. Outside of Hairston, they're getting no production from their outfield and their catcher position is the biggest black hole since Oprah's snatch. If Wright and Davis are cold, this lineup is DEAD.

Dickey deserved better. This was a winnable game against an awful team. No more hot garbage, please.

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Wait 'Til Next Year - Episode 25: Cooper's Town

For their landmark 25th show this week, Nate and Solly welcome Taryn Cooper, host of the "A Gal For All Seasons" podcast.  Want to hear a female talk circles around the guys with regards to baseball?  Well, you'll get your wish.

http://flawedcast.net/wtny/


Find us on iTunes as well.

You can also find us on Stitcher by searching Wait Til Next Year.

Discuss the show at Pun's House!

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Wait 'Til Next Year - Episode 22: Creeped Out

In this episode, Nate and Solly get you ready for the MLB All-Star Game by discussing this year’s American League and National League rosters.  Who’s in?  Who should be in?  And why the current voting system is a joke.  They also discuss the retirement of the Trainwreck....er....D-Train, Dontrelle Willis.






On a side note, this is the first episode that was completely edited by me.  If there are any issues, let me know.

Download it at Flawedcast.net


Find it on iTunes


Listen on Stitcher


Discuss here!

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The View From Down Here - Where We're Going, We Don't Need Roads.

I haven't really been posting much lately, because, truth be told, there hasn't been much worth writing about.  But with the MLB amateur draft recently finishing up, and the Cubs' signing of Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler, I decided now would be as good a time as any.  I talked about this briefly with Solly on "Wait 'Til Next Year", but I can expand on it a little more here.

As Cub fans, we are always looking towards the future.  But it's hard not to be legitimately excited after Soler's signing, even more than just the usual Cub fan optimism.  

In the past, the old regime would try to plug holes by buying aging veterans who were past their prime, or call up prospects before they were ready (see Pie, Felix). Previous ownership would never commit to a full on rebuild.  But with this year's Cubs eating a good portion of Carlos Zambrano's contract, letting Aramis Ramirez walk, and reportedly being willing to eat a good chunk of Alfanso Soriano's albatross contract, Tom Ricketts has made it obvious that this is not your father's Cub front office.

In the next three years, this organization will have added elite level talent in Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Soler, and Albert Almora.  They also still have, the top holdover from the Jim Hendry era - Brett Jackson.  They will likely have the top pick in a very impressive draft next year and likely one to two additional B to A level specs from trades this season.  Not to mention, they will have shed every terrible contract on the books.  Plus, they will have additional revenue streams from the Wrigley remodel, All-Star Game cash (rumor is they will be getting the 2016 All-Star Game to celebrate 100 years at Wrigley Field), and they will be gearing up for a Cubs network.  It's not hard to believe that by 2015, the Cubs could have an outstanding lineup for years, led by the following core group:

SS - Starlin Castro: It's hard to believe that Castro is still only 22 years old and not even in his prime.  Last season, he became the youngest player ever to lead the National League in hits with 207. He has hit .300 or better in both of his full major league seasons and is currently hitting .302, but believe it or not, he's still a work in progress at the plate.  He could stand to work a bit more on his plate discipline, but he could also easily develop more power as he gets older.  Add to the fact that his defense has been steadily improving each season, and you can see why Castro, already a perennial All-Star, is one of the pieces the Cubs will be building around.

1B - Anthony Rizzo: Originally drafted by the Cubs' triumvirate of Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, and Jason McLeod when they were all running the show in Boston, Rizzo has been acquired by Hoyer and McLeod both in San Diego (for Adrien Gonzalez) and now in Chicago (for Andrew Cashner).  Considering the level of talent that has been given up for him both times, it's obvious the Cubs' brass thinks the world of him.

Rizzo is obviously the minor leaguer closest to being called up to the big club.  In fact, it will most likely happen sometime in the next couple weeks. (If Rizzo is called up before Saturday - June 23 - he will become a free agent in 2017 instead of 2018.  If you don't think that plays into the Cubs' decision about when to promote him, you're sorely mistaken.)  The 24-year old has been tearing up Triple-A pitching all season, leading all minor leaguers with 23 home runs heading into play Monday. He is batting .364 with 59 RBIs and a 1.170 OPS.  (Not to mention he's a lefty.)  All this goes along with Gold Glove caliber defense.  Seeing those numbers, it's easy to become giddy at the thought of Rizzo manning 1B for years to come.

LF - Brett Jackson:  Brett Jackson is the next in line to be called up after Rizzo.  If I were to venture a guess, I would say it will probably be in September.  Currently a centerfielder that has been compared to Bernie Williams (although he is likely to be moved to LF once Almora and/or Soler make the big league club), Jackson has the tools to put up good all around numbers and be on the verge of making the All-Star game every year, but I wouldn't expect him to be a perennial participant.  Jackson's strikeout rate is a little high for the current brass' liking, so there is even a possibility that he could be moved in the off-season if they think they can improve the future of the organization.

2B - Junior Lake: Signed out of the Dominican Republic 3 months after Starlin Castro, Lake is currently a shortstop for the Class AA Tennessee Smokies.  Rumor has it that the Cubs view last year's top draft pick, Javier Baez, as a third baseman, Lake's other natural position, so it is likely that Lake will begin to get some work at 2B before too long.  While still fairly raw, he has made great strides in every level of minor league ball after he has been promoted, and currently has a line of .301/.357/.818 with 4 HR, 7 doubles, and 2 triples in 143 at bats.  His ability to get on base and to hit to all fields should have Cub fans salivating for his eventual development.
 

3B - Javier Baez: Another shortstop, this one currently playing for the Class A Peoria Chiefs, Baez has the skill set and power to be moved to the hot corner before too long.  As a high school senior at Arlington Country Day School in Jacksonville, FL, Baez hit .771 (64-for-83) with 22 homers, 20 doubles and six triples.  With a glaring lack of impact bats in the farm system, it's easy to see why the Cubs made him their first round selection last year.  If the Cubs truly do view Baez as a third baseman, look for current third base prospect, Josh Vitters, to be traded in the next couple years.


CF - Albert Almora: Considered one of the most well rounded prospects in this year's amateur draft, the Cubs took Almora with the sixth pick overall.  Because of his all around athleticism, many scouts have compared him to Carlos Beltran.  The Cubs would be absolutely thrilled if he lives up to that potential.


RF - Jorge Soler: Along with current Oakland A's outfielder, Yoenis Cespedes, Soler was considered a top flight prospect when he defected from Cuba earlier this year.  In fact, there are several scouts that would have put him as a top 5 pick in this year's amateur draft.  While he is a centerfielder right now, his age and height make it possible that he could easily be moved to a corner outfield spot by the time he is done growing.  If his power swing develops as expected (and he has already shown flashes of video game type power at the plate), he could hit like one, too.  With a possible left to right of Jackson / Almora / Soler, the Cubs could have one of the most feared outfields in a few years.

Now, most likely, not all of these prospects will pan out.  Not to mention, the players they get back in a Ryan Dempster and/or Matt Garza trade this season could jump in front of some of  these guys (although, those will most likely be trades for more pitching).  But, even if only half of them produce at the expected level, the Cubs are going to make Robert Zemeckis look like a genius.

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From the Porch: Seattle

Well, rats, Giants lose 2 out of 3 in Seattle to the last-place AL West team. Friday night was a typical Ryan Vogelsong start; he always has his shaky moments and gets himself in trouble but pushes through it. He went seven innings, as he always seems to do, and got the win. He's 6-2 with a 2.29 ERA. On offense, Melky and Buster had homers; Melky's cooled down, but how can you complain?

Saturday was this year's typical Lincecum game; he gave up two homers in the first inning and then looked like his ol' self for a while; Giants scratch back and give him a lead and he blows it immediately. 2-8 now with a 6.19 ERA, amazing.

And Sunday was a Father's Day pitching duel, Madison Bumgarner was great, going 8 innings and giving up only a run, but Felix Hernandez was great for the Mariners as well. Giants had what they needed -- bases loaded with one out in the 9th and their best hitter, Melky, up, but he struck out on three pitches.

On now to more interleague against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Cain coming off his perfecto goes against old Giant Jerome Williams. TV: 7 p.m., CSN-BA.

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FTP: Sweepless to Seattle

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Astros 6, Giants 3 at AT&T Park; SF takes series 2-1

HOU (27-36) 014 000 010  6 8 0

SF (36-28) 000 201 000  3 7 0

WP: Rodriguez (6-4)

LP: Zito (5-4)

SV: Myers (16)

HR: Downs (4), Martinez (7); Belt (3)

Rodriguez: 6ip 6h 3er 2bb 3k 3.35 era

Zito: 5ip 5h 5er 3bb 3k 3.61 era

In the NL West: Arizona-Texas and San Diego-Seattle tonight. Dodgers off. Giants 4 back.

Comments: Damn, damn, damn. Why in the hell can't the Giants just go ahead and destroy these horrible teams? No idea. But there might be a clue in Barry Zito's performance, three walks in the third and then a grand slam. Christ. Tampa Bay is a wonderful team with a $40 million total payroll; Giants have two pitchers who make that (Lincecum and Zito) together and add up to pretty automatic losses. Fan-friggin-tastic. I guess a minor offensive highlight in Belt hitting home runs in three games in a row, his first three of the season.

Baseball quote of the day: "Baseball must be a great game to survive the fools who run it." (Bill Terry)

Next game: Giants at Mariners, 7:10 p.m. PDT Friday, June 15 at Safeco Field. Vogelsong, RHP (5-2, 2.26) vs. Vargas, LHP (7-5, 3.90). TV: Suckwad low-def channels all around.

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