Vizcaino up, Sowers down
We'll have to wait and see if this means Laffey moves back into the rotation (hopefully)
almost 3 years ago
APV
148 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
Ohka scratched from start at Columbus.
Would he take Sowers/Laffey’s spot, but for whom?
Sometimes, I just like to b****.
Are we sure he was scratched? The schedule has Ohka and Saarlos going today. Maybe Ohka’s just in game 2.
by dgcambridge on May 14, 2009 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Ohka
I would figure he could take Masa’s spot in the bullpen .. .and be your long-man/mop up type.
Laffey (I would hope) moves back into the rotation.
Me too
If that’s the way it turns out.
If Ohka moves into the rotation in place of Laffey … my head just might explode.
By the way, just joined up here today … looking forward to participating here.
if those are the rules fantastic … and a nice welcome aboard to you as well.
Maybe I won’t be here that much after all.
by FallsTribeFan on May 14, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
No need to get sensitive, just that if you post your replies as new posts, no one is ever going to know what you are talking about. And subject lines are visually disruptive.
Gotcha!
I’m on board!
Newbie mistake!
by FallsTribeFan on May 14, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
1. Don’t be so sensitive.
1. Remember that PEDroia sucks and that the Yankees have a pitcher named JUSTIN Chamberlain.
1. Here’s a link to when Fausto beat up Gary Sheffield: http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200809193511038
welcome aboard.
by gte619n on May 14, 2009 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thanks!
Was just joking … got the rules down … ready to go!
As I said in the other thread … was recommended to come here as a more rational place to talk Tribe.
So, giving it a shot!
by FallsTribeFan on May 14, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
That was an awesome brawl. I also now understand why Mike Joyce is no longer with the Tigers (see video at 1:27 mark).
“They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves…”
LGT found in Scripture?
Baseball isn't boring. YOU ARE.
by Matt Y. on May 14, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think you need keep trying different guys in the 5 spot until Westbrook comes back. I would rather have Laffey giving us a chance to win every other game, than every 5th game.
Even though I wasn’t posting here yet … I hated the Laffey/Sowers move.
I actually was advocating Sowers to the pen … since he seems to run into trouble the 2nd and 3rd times around the order … thought he might be worth a shot as a long man … where he might only have to face batters once.
I guess my main issue is that with a bad bullpen, you need a guy that can get you deeper into games … limited the ’pen’s use rather than a guy who can scramble through 5 and turn it over.
by FallsTribeFan on May 14, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
I spent about 20 minutes today (hey, slow morning at work) studying Sowers’ stats and I just don’t see how he can be servicable at all. He is poor against RHP, he is awful when men are on base and has a propensity to walk people he gets behind on.
So, he’s a LOOGY that you can use in low-medium leverage situations. Not exactly someone worthy of keeping on a major league staff.
Don’t deny that at all … it seems like the time has come to chalk him up as a 4-A pitcher and move on.
If there was any chance at all for success in my mind it was as a long man … because you’re certainly right that his LOOGY stats aren’t all that good either.
by FallsTribeFan on May 14, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree with you there.
I still think, though, that as long as he’s a fastball/change pitcher … and those to pitches are only separated by 8 MPH … he’s going to struggle as a starter.
Unfortunately, when he tries to muscle up the fastball, he loses control of it.
by FallsTribeFan on May 14, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
If I’m Jeremy Sowers, I start to convert myself to more of a junkball pitcher. I thought he was a guy that had 4 developed pitches; instead it seems like he’s just trying to spot his fastball, which doesn’t work. He’s smart enough to deploy all kinds of junk. Learn a knuckleball! The eephus pitch!!
by dgcambridge on May 14, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
he could be the league’s first side-arm left handed knuckleballer.
by Brick. on May 14, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
He should learn to throw with his right hand too.
And have a really deceptive wind-up in which the batter will never be able to tell which hand he will be throwing with until it is too late.
by AllenSmith on May 14, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
or get a third arm implanted for extra deception. Preferably Strasburg’s.
FE WEE
by westbrook on May 14, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Maybe he should add an extra head while he’s at it, like Zaphod Beeblebrox.
by woodsmeister on May 14, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
To sum it up:
The only way Sowers will be successful is if he is a 2-headed, 3-armed, sidearm knuckleballer.
And only if he is in the National League
by AllenSmith on May 14, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
As Jay said elsewhere: “Plausible, but far from probable.”
Stuart Dean
by stuart dean on May 14, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Jeremy really could use something other that what he has.
FE WEE
by westbrook on May 14, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Maybe he could hire Sal Fasano as a life coach and personal trainer. Sal catching for him was about the only period he ever looked decent in the past 3 seasons.
Would that require Sowers to grow a Fu-Manchu? Not sure that’s possible.
by clusterchuck on May 14, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Sowers to the pen seemed like it would have made sense….but it was pretty clear from the teams’ comments that they though he would struggle (relative to Laffey anyway) with getting up and ready quickly.
by dgcambridge on May 14, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Given how much Shapiro emphasized how quickly Laffey can get ready to pitch, I wonder if it takes Sowers a long time to warm up, which would also be another strike against putting him in the pen.
by woodsmeister on May 14, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Evidently he needs a solid 20 minutes in front of a mirror, reciting self-affirmations.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on May 14, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It does make him look like a whole different person. Shoulder pads might also help.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
could we go with the Brian Bosworth mullet as well?
by clusterchuck on May 14, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah. If someone said Marte looked like Bea Arthur, it would be all-out war.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
At least Bea Arthur has a level swing.
Sometimes, I just like to b****.
by emd2k3 on May 14, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’d rather see him back in the rotation. I see his bullpen stint as a temporary measure to allow some guys to get it together. Since he’s been in the pen, Jensen Lewis has had 3 appearances in which he’s going 5.1 innings without giving up an earned run, not walking anyone, and striking out 5. Betancourt has had 4 appearances, 3 of which he gave up no earned runs and walked no one. Matt Herges has had three decent outings. Kerry Wood has had two solid outings. Throw in the new guy, and I think Laffey’s skills serve us better back in the rotation.
I see that.
I also see that Sowers, in addition to being unwinnable, was going to be pitching 2-3 innings fewer than Laffey would, every five days. Laffey can’t pitch more than 3-4 innings or so every five days, so we really weren’t gaining much.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
I’ve never been a big Sowers fan, even in 2006. His recently increased K rate at Columbus, however, makes me want to give him some benefit of the doubt. My pipe dream goes something like this. He has figured something out but was nibbling in the show. He will go back to Columbus, maintain the new k rate and not nibble when given the next shot.
Stuart Dean
I suspect Ohka WILL be the fifth starter if he’s called up. I had a quick look at his career stats, and he’s started 172 of the 184 games in which he’s appeared during what is now a 10-year major league career (assuming he’s recalled). He has also been starting at Columbus. Laffey gives them a lefty in the bullpen which, given Raffie Left’s implosion has become an issue (Sipp notwithstanding).
Reyes may force them to move Laffey back into the rotation if he continues to be unreliable. But, my guess is that they hope to muddle through until Westbrook returns and/or Perez regains his effectiveness. Laffey’s been effective, so far, in the bullpen and as Jay said, it’s about what’s good for the team right now. Stabilizing the bullpen is essential if they’re to get better in the short term. Putting Ohka out there (as a marginal pitcher with little bullpen experience) is unlikely to help (in contrast, they might squeeze a few respectable starts out of him — the kind where you’re still in the game after 5 or 6 innings).
I’m fine with moving Laffey back into the rotation, but don’t like the idea of replacing Sowers with Ohka. Ohka has little or no future with the club, and Sowers still has some potential. He held Boston to one run through 5 innings, and even lacking some fastball command Tuesday would have survived with a little better management. Threw too many pitches at the same speed, not enough off-speed stuff. The problem is not that his changeup or curve is too close to the same speed as his fastball, it’s that he threw 70 fastballs and only 10 changeup/curves. And, if he’d pitched around the one guy that could hurt him, he probably only gives up one run through 5 innings again. Of course, he is responsible for his pitches but I also blame Victor and/or Willis as much or more.
Laffey deserves a shot a starting again more than Ohka deserves a call up. Unless Vizcaino plugs a major hole, and you can limit the use of Ohka as a reliever, Tomo is a huge potential liability as a starter.
No, not you. Your helmet!
by PatBordersHelmet on May 14, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions
If Sowers does still have potential to help the ball club (which I agree that he does), I don’t think he will be best served getting his brains beat in up here, especially when we need to win games. If we were ahead in the central, I think it might be a different story, but we need to win now. If Ohka can help us do that in the short term (not saying I think he’s necessarily the answer), then I think we need to explore that option.
by clusterchuck on May 14, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
This whole Sowers/Ohka situation is not about anybody’s future with the club, nor should it be. This is entirely focused on getting good innings now, right now. We can option Sowers up and down as much as we want this year, and we’ll have plenty of innings available in AAA, so there are no worries with him anyway. And Okha’s whole purpose for being on the team is to fill in for exactly this type of emergency.
If Sipp can pitch to RB & LB, why not bring up the recently effective Rundles as Loogy?
My current nightmare: Sipp’s recent control problems are because he had a tweak when Wedgie used him back-to-back…
Stuart Dean
I wouldn’t categorize Sipp’s control problems as recent.
He had 5 walks in 7 IP in AAA before the emergency recall … I think this is partly the reason why the Indians were resisting calling him up.
All 5 of those walks came against RHB interestingly enough.
The walks weren’t as pronounced last season …
He seems to be prone to occasional fits of wildness … remember he’s still working working his way back from TJ surgery.
by FallsTribeFan on May 14, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Rundles out of the stretch today averaged around 65 mph on his pitches. Couldn’t really spot this “changeup” and got into a jam. He got out of it, though, but LV helped him out a ton.
I didn’t realize he was such a soft-tosser out there. He touched 85 once and hit 75 on a couple of pitches. One came in at 51.
Sometimes, I just like to b****.
He doesn’t get much out of the 70s … think is fastball averaged around 84 in his callup last season.
by FallsTribeFan on May 14, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
That gun has to be wrong. 51? And LV, to me, is Luis Valgood. I was concerned we’d optioned him in the night.
Lehigh Valley, obviously.
oops.
Sorry … meant to be a reply … newbie mistake … I mean need sent back to the minors for more seasoning.
by FallsTribeFan on May 14, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I dunno. You’ve shown you can warm up pretty quickly. I think we need you in the pen.
by still ill on May 14, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Not sure if posted yet, but Ohka now pitching the second game of DH for Columbus. He’s not on his way anywhere yet. Altho if he pitches 2-3 innnings and leaves, that could indicate he’s starting a transition to relief.
Yup.
Just looked myself.
I know Wright has been summoned to AAA as well … he could be in line to come in next I suppose.
by FallsTribeFan on May 14, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s why I just spell read “red” or “reed” depending on my usage.
I red that book. I want to reed this other ’un.
by afh4 on May 14, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Fantastic … anything he can go to facilitate him staying in Columbus would be fine by me.
by FallsTribeFan on May 14, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know why Ohka in the pen is all that horrifying as a proposition. He seems like a better option than Meloan.
I suppose. If he was used strictly as a long man, mop-up guy … he probably couldn’t be worse than Masa.
I just don’t want Wedge given the temptation to turn him into a setup man … or a 5th starter!
by FallsTribeFan on May 14, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Eh. Wedge is pretty married to his guys-it’s not like he tried to use Masa in any serious way. He stayed with Paffy Rerez and Jensen far past the point many managers would’ve.
That is true.
I just wish the situation wasn’t one where we have to consider the Ohka’s of the world!
by FallsTribeFan on May 14, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Andy Marte, sac fly. Selfless.
This Steve Martin version of Tonight You Belong To Me is really nice, at least for being Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters.
Marte had a sac fly the other day as well. He continues to play completely selfless baseball, something Eric Wedge has been searching for his entire career as a manager. They are a match made in heaven
Also! John Mayberry Jr. is one tall ballplayer.
He homered and tripled in the opener for Lehigh Valley. Looks pretty good out there.
Sometimes, I just like to b****.
I didn’t know where to put this, but since it was mentioned above and around in various threads:
Westbrook: any thoughts on how effective he may be if/when he returns? Any stats out there on how quick a pitcher returns to “normalcy” after TJ surgery?
I have always heard that 12 months is return to action … return to “normalcy” is anywhere between 12-18 months.
by FallsTribeFan on May 14, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Planning on Westbrook pitching well this year may be as futile a paying your rent with scratch-off lottery tickets.
No, not you. Your helmet!
by PatBordersHelmet on May 14, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
He’ll pitch.
But I wouldnt count on him as much more than a #5 that gives you 5 IP per start.
FYI … Peralta to 3B and DeRosa to 1B in tonight’s game.
by FallsTribeFan on May 14, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
For the lazy (from Castro):
.
cle.gifINDIANS (13-22): CF Grady Sizemore, SS Asdrubal Cabrera, C Victor Martinez, DH Shin-Soo Choo, 3B Jhonny Peralta, 1B Mark DeRosa, LF Ben Francisco, RF Matt LaPorta, 2B Luis Valbuena. RHP Fausto Carmona (1-4, 5.57).
tb.gifRAYS (16-19): CF B.J. Upton, SS Jason Bartlett, 3B Evan Longoria, 1B Carlos Pena, DH Willy Aybar, RF Gabe Gross, LF Ben Zobrist, 2B Akinori Iwamura, C Michael Hernandez. RHP James Shields (3-3, 4.02).
This is pretty darn close to my ‘current indians dream lineup’
CF Grady Sizemore
SS Asdrubal Cabrera
C Victor Martinez
DH Travis Hafner
3B Jhonny Peralta
RF Shin-Soo Choo
1B Mark DeRosa
LF Matt LaPorta
2B Luis Valbuena
RHP Fausto Carmona
Having a thread mention Vizcaino, Okha, Saarloos and Sowers and a less than one year off of TJ surgery Westbrook as picthing options (OK, no one suggested Saarloos, but his name is still here) makes me feel sad.
Are we allowed to call this a “tallest midget contest?” Or is that too un-PC?
For a thread about Sowers AND Vizcaino, poor Luis got mentioned a grand total of 3 times in 144 tries. Amazing considering we need the bullpen help at this point in time rather than the starter.
It is because Jeremy sees dead people.
Stuart Dean
by stuart dean on May 15, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Photo: Padres fan regrets letting mother capture moment with Trevor Hoffman
- Marlins agree to unretire No. 5 for Logan Morrison, who will honor his father’s favorite player
- Weatherman Derek Holland does Dallas TV
- Ask Alex: Will Julio Teheran or Matt Moore win rookie of the year?
- Ku Klux Klan, umpires and bowling: Why the minor leagues tossed out Jim Evans academy
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
