Disqus - Latest Comments for Brian_McElhinny

Re: Another era ends: Walker to NY

Brian — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 00:23:12 -0000

Help me out...when has he been hosed by the Mets in the past? The only recent trade I can remember with them was Marlon Byrd and that turned out pretty well.

Re: One streak ends, another lives on

Brian — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:38:39 -0000

Good stuff...I remember you posting that and thought of it when I first saw the lineup!

Re: The 2015 Opening Day Roster

Brian — Sun, 05 Apr 2015 19:12:50 -0000

Good catch, thank you. But yea, agreed. I don't really see any reason why Holdzkom would be behind Scahill - they haven't really acted like that was the case, either, as far as I could tell

Re: Travis Snider traded to Orioles

Brian — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 10:45:06 -0000

Yeah, I saw that, and while it may make some sense as far as an explanation, I don't really think that sort of thing would happen with a legit major league piece. If it's a fringe guy stuck in triple-A, sure, but I doubt they'd really get rid of a known contributor just as a courtesy.

Re: Au revoir, Russ

Brian — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 15:19:49 -0000

Yeah at this point I'd assume Barmes is done considering they added Florimon and Sellers, but I suppose they could still easily change their minds and dump one of them.

Re: Au revoir, Russ

Brian — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 23:40:19 -0000

Eh, I know what you mean but it is pretty clear they have money available to spend...not saying that is the exact amount, but a good amount of $ is coming off the books this year and it seemed pretty clear they had $ available last year that they did not spend.

Sandoval isn't going to happen, I like the guy a lot but he is going to be really expensive and doesn't even fill a position of need. Pedro is the 1B as of now, like it or not. The rotation is the priority, although a right handed 1b to platoon should also be on the radar. I guess Hart could be a buy low candidate for that but I think you are right about his defense. Butler just signed with the A's

Re: News and notes: Entering the offseason

Brian — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 18:35:17 -0000

Hah! Nailed it! Props to you, sir. Good stuff

Re: He’s back

Brian — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 18:34:13 -0000

Agreed. With the "out of nowhere" comment, I just meant that there weren't any rumors leading up to this. It was pretty surprising and happened quickly.

Re: News and notes: Entering the offseason

Brian — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 22:39:24 -0000

Agree with you on Russ of course. Either Ike or Pedro will almost certainly be gone one way or the other by Opening Day - I predict it's Ike but who knows. JHay, Mercer, and Walker round out the infield for sure and as you say the OF is set. The rotation is the big thing. Have to get Frank or Eddie back, preferably Frankie.
JMac and AJ? uh, I'll pass on those. I'm sure they will dumpster dive as usual and get a buy low candidate like Volquez this year and let Searage work his magic. The bullpen certainly needs some work as well but those guys are all so unpredictable it's hard to identify too many good candidates at this point.

Re: Brewers 1, Pirates 0

Brian — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 13:36:49 -0000

Re: Nats 5, Pirates 2

Brian — Tue, 27 May 2014 03:38:17 -0000

I think you need to pump the brakes on the Harrison enthusiasm a little bit. No doubt, he's been awesome lately...but only for about a two week stretch. Lots of people can get hot and look great for two weeks, let's not get too carried away. Harrison has a career .290 OBP -- if he's going to be a long term answer anywhere, he is going to need to prove himself for a lot longer than two weeks. He is a great utility guy and I am advocating getting him AB's at 3rd against LHP's and at SS occasionally, but he's almost certainly bound to cool off and head back to his bench role, which is fine.

Re: Series Wrap-Up: Two wins, but…

Brian — Mon, 05 May 2014 18:41:41 -0000

Yep, that's about the same impression I had. Seemed like good fans for the most part. Didn't expect it at all!

Re: Series Preview: Pirates vs. Cardinals

Brian — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 21:06:08 -0000

5.2 innings of one run ball actually. He looked very good though!

Re: Opening Series thoughts and notes

Brian — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 15:04:35 -0000

I don't think Sanchez is a guy most would shift against, and he has basically no speed, so I'm not so sure bunting is that important to him. My point is, he probably isn't good at it (doesn't matter whether he SHOULD be or not) so having him bunt in a crucial spot (when it's a questionable decision even with a good bunter) is not a good idea.

Re: Opening Series thoughts and notes

Brian — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 10:08:55 -0000

He didn't hit for any power whatsoever which was very disappointing, but he did put up a .370 OBP...so I give him a little credit for that. But yeah, fair enough.

Re: Liriano named Opening Day starter (and other notes)

Brian — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 12:06:59 -0000

Well played.

Re: Burnett to pitch…but where?

Brian — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 11:44:04 -0000

I sure hope that's how it works out, but I get the sense that it's not gonna be that simple!

Re: Burnett to pitch…but where?

Brian — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 11:42:59 -0000

Agreed 100%

Re: News and notes: Replay, Snider, payroll

Brian — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 22:35:12 -0000

I agree with you for the most part. I'm good with Tabata but I don't have a lot of faith in Lambo - although it's fair to say he has earned a shot. $5M shouldn't really be considered "a lot" for a guy like Volquez - I think there's a perfectly decent chance that he ends up being worth that amount - but the problem is that they haven't done anything else. If you are spending the kind of $ I thought they would, a flier on Volquez for 5M is no problem. When it's the only $5M you spend, it's a problem.

Re: News and notes

Brian — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 13:01:23 -0000

Good find - thanks!

Re: News and notes: Forget about Abreu

Brian — Sun, 20 Oct 2013 22:27:57 -0000

Eh, the .370 OBP isn't struggling but the .312 SLG is, especially for a 1B hitting cleanup. I wouldn't mind him back, but like you said, it can't be for a big price. I'd put him closer to average at this point, and would still prefer some sort of platoon (he'd still get most of the starts). Then the durability isn't as much of a concern either.

Re: News and notes: Forget about Abreu

Brian — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 11:19:09 -0000

Morneau would not be a terrible option, especially if the Pirates actually platoon him (with Sanchez probably). I just think his hot August was a fluke and he's done being a big run producer, but against mainly RHP he could probably still do just fine (and he shouldn't hit cleanup, obviously). I'm curious to know how interested he would be to come back after mostly struggling as a Pirate.

Re: Setting the stage for the offseason

Brian — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 18:27:18 -0000

Yeah, he finished the year at short in Altoona. Didn't hit much there, though, so he's still got a ways to go.

Re: Setting the stage for the offseason

Brian — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 18:26:21 -0000

He will be available - probably the best guy out there. I'd gladly take him, especially if it keeps him away from the Cardinals (who also need some SS help). Outbidding them, or most other teams, will probably be difficult though.

Re: Setting the stage for the offseason

Brian — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 14:24:01 -0000

Hard to say this early on. One guy they may want to target is Cuddyer of the Rockies - his deal is up after next year and they may look to sell. He's aging and not a natural 1B, but he led the league in hitting this year. Beyond him, there aren't any intriguing names that will be FA's after next year. I don't know who else would be out on the market yet.