Darren Daulton

Doesn't Big Papi realize that Gregg just can't locate for sh*t?! That wasn't a brush back, that was just yet another KG pitch that missed! :lol

July has to be better.... right?

Hanley's cocky. That doesn't make him an asshole. There's a big difference. Although being cocky will totally make it seem like you're an asshole. I don't really know him, but I think his issues go beyond cockiness. Language barrier is def an problem, for one. I think he has maturity concerns, as well. Considering his abilities, he really seems like a very weak leader/example, on a team that's generally young and lacking for that kind of presence. The lack of leadership really may be a pretty big issue. His contract makes him incredibly attractive, but particularly to a team where he could function as a complimentary star. For a team like the Fish, where he's clearly the marquee player, and is going to naturally create a strong impression on the locker room. This naturallycauses his value to diminish for us, even if it's marginal. These concens, more than anything, make me think about what kind of return we could get on a trade. I wore his jersey to the game today, and I'd love to continue to give him the benefit of the doubt, but every story I hear and vibe I get from the guy raises such questions. Oh, and he can't hit for s*** this year...

Dontrelle! first It might seem like a minor move, but it's worth noting that the Reds have a bunch of pitching depth. Dontrelle Willis, playing for their AAA team, seems to have remembered how to throw strikes, again (2.8 BB/9 in 35 innings); he has a 2.52 ERA/1.29 WHIP in AAA so far. Minor move worth looking into to? I usually don't consider it a big deal but considering the Phillies are loaded with left-handed hitters, I think it would be more convenient to have a quality lefty in the rotation. Yes, a lefty would be nice. Plus side, Dontrelle's on a minor league deal, so not much risk. But gotta think that if the organization was interested in him, they would have made a play when he was a FA. Also, he got his 3rd win tonight while giving up 9 hits in 5 innings. Performances have only gotten worse as the season has gone on. Regardless, I really wouldn't put much faith in 7 minor league appearances. Mostly, laughing at the hypothetically hostile reaction you would have given O[Dontrelle]P if you'd read that P before P-ing.

It's funny that Stanton doesn't sign autographs, and he's "all business." If that was Hanley, he'd be an "asshole." (not a knock on you GFMGM, it's just how they're viewed) Hanley being viewed as an asshole does not begin at end on this msg board... and I really think it's more Hanley's fault than anyone else's. Stanton is young enough to still get the benefit of the doubt.

P.S. I expect to get at least 1 more auto tonight for a good collection, already have LoMo's who picked up right where he left off, BP was canceled and will probably be canceled tomorrow as well. On the plus side, unlike SAT, it won't be "Pups at the Park" day SUN!! Couldnt help but laugh at the concept of someone stepping in a dawgie pile, or worse... the ball rolling thru it!

great to see him back, but what the heck was he doing on that steal today (Sat, 5/14)? Was that a botched hit-and-run?

Hey Vince, just saw this thread, my bad. Would have been good to see some more fish fans out at the park today.

I went to the game today in DC. Crumby weather, but it held up and didn't ever get unbearable. My family, in from Miami, was complaining about the cold, but it prob never got below 65. Voted for Sanchez because he really dominated the whole time he was out there. Pitchers duel, overall. Anibal looked awesome, and besides the Werth double, no Nat ever hit any of his pitches very well today. Although Nunez now leads the league in saves, he hardly dominated today. Still not convinced he is anything special, but I'm definitely starting to get excited about Anibal. Great stuff today and he has been pretty consistent so far this season. HanRam still looking weak at the plate. Great to see LoMo back but what the hell was he doing getting caught stealing before Stanton's HR? Was that a busted hit-and-run? Great day at the park, and great to see the Fish get another W, and another series. No reason to drop games to those clowns, especially when Zimmerman isn't playing. Also, really weak crowd today with the questionable weather.

Mike and Ashraf, please stay on topic

Hanley needs to get it up in the air and out of the infield. Somone mentioned his GroundBall/FlyBall ratio in a previous thread... its currently about double his career (and the league) average. In other words, he is hitting twice as many ground balls as the average player. This is probably the main reason for his .254 batting average for balls in play, which is almost .100 points off his career average of .344.

if anything is gonna kill us this year, a lack of depth seems like a likely culprit lends credence to the notion of moving a top-end reliever - better to spread the depth out among the squad than to have a super deep bullpen but holes in the lineup anytime someone is day-to-day, or worse...

Still think we should've let Hayes swing the bat in the 9th. Whatever. Series win. On to Cincy. I agree... never been a big fan of bunting, generally - but why concede an out at that point with the worst part of our lineup ahead? Instead, why not take three shots at a base hit to win the game with a speedy guy on 2nd? We needed all of those outs, IMO.

I still say when LoMo comes back boni should be our everyday 3rd baseman. I agree that he's our best option as our roster stands right now, but he's hardly a great fit at 3B. No power, and as Dr. B noted, his flexibility makes him perfect for the utility role. Also, his speed/bunting ability makes him a great option for the bench. As far as DeRosa goes, his .537 OPS last season is hardly encouraging. Not to mention, $6 million - $2.5 million is still $3.5 million - hefty by Marlins standards, and hardly a bargain for a geezer whose last season was basically a wash. I'd rather sign Garrett Atkins for a fraction of the price.

we Rule! Nunez did look sharp Nice to see Hanley produce with a 2 hit day and coming home each time.

It doesn't matter about twhen the placement on the 60 day happened, that just cleared a roster spot on the 40 man roster, he can begin his rehab while on the DL. Also as I recall from when he had his surgery that June would be about when his arm would be ready. that - I did know...

It's not as uncommon as you may think, although the majority of times fans boo their own players is at half time or full time when the whistle goes, not actually during the match maybe in Scotland... :sleazy Anyhow, if its at an interval then its likely calculated, as if to say, "we want more." Also, in soccer its much easier to tell when a team is mailing it in. In baseball, its harder to accuse a batter of giving less than his best efforts. "You're not swinging the bat hard enough! BOOOO!"

Yea, the "im paying to be here so I can boo" argument is lame. Sure, its not against the rules to boo - no one's gonna throw you out, but take a look at the Philly fan sitting next to you who's doing the same thing and then ask yourself - "whose side am I on?"

Good decision to bench him. Give him time to reflect on his terrible start that has even got some of his own fans booing him. Come back stronger and start hitting. God I hate it when fans do this. Fine, boo him when you saw him walk after that ball last season but really? Booing him because he's in a slump? Booing him because he's in a massive slump is classless. Do people think he's doing it on purpose? He walks up to the plate 3-4 times a night and tries as hard as he can to find new ways to make an out? Booing him is not supportive and it's not telling him something he doesn't already know. This is rant is not directed at you Schnellders! It doesn't matter how hard he's trying. When players don't perform, they're hurting their team and they're paid to perform. You're paying to be there to watch him perform. Like I've said before, baseball isn't a picnic and these players aren't going to cry when they get booed. It shows that the fanbase cares and isn't just sitting there watching the little ball hit the little bat and make a little noise. Fanbases that aren't unhappy with their team yet still pay to see them (and boo them) are the best fanbases. Most fairweather fanbases stay home when the team is booable. The real issue is cause and effect. Foreign soccer fans constantly sing during games, and have fan leaders who try to come up with the perfect song to motivate the team in just the right way at just the right time. Rarely do these fans boo (or whistle) their own team, and if they do, its often because they think that's what will motivate them at that moment (e.g. team showing lack of effort). The point is, booing a player who is in a hitting slump is mostly self-indulgent. Does any fan really think that a player in a slump will have a better chance of breaking out of it if they are booed on their way to the batters box? Most likely not. Theyre probably doing it because they have hostility issues and it makes them feel better, in spite of the fact that it may actually be hurting the guy's chances. I agree that players should be thick skinned and not take what fans say and do personally, but I also think that hearing your own fans boo you is probably only going to hurt your chances in the batters box.

Gotta love any game in which you win solely because of two "oh, sh*t... Ah... YES!" moments late in a game. Any chance Cousins beats that out if the SS (Carroll?) picks it? yea me and my buddy were just talking about that I say 50/50... it was slow and it would have been a tough throw

always nice to steal one of these type games early in the year. Gotta love that this team is bringing the 3-year, 50-post posters out of the woodwork! The bandwagon still has plenty of seats, my friend! I know that wasnt for me, but I'll reply anyway - this is a very exciting ballclub right now (I just don't watch baseball during World Cup years)

my buddy who pitches in the Giants system always says baseballs great because every game you watch you see something new. I have never seen a bottom 9 like that... if that LF stays put with his eyes closed & glove in the air he catches it sandlot style.

So... JJ gets fleeced last time because he only had 1 start? And now because he played 2 games his performance was better than Anibal's? Bah. Anibal took a no hitter through 8, and had a complete game. Goes to Anibal in my opinion. Single best performance. Anibal because he took a no-hitter into the 9th and finished with a 1 hit CG. Voted for JJ but switched after reading these.

The best thing is, I dont think anyone is really that worried about this. Everyone assumes its just a prolonged slump and he'll clearly get back to form. Not so sure... On the one hand, his talent speaks for itself. On the other, he's never had a great head on his shoulders. Most players of Hanley's caliber, you figure, 'yea he'll bounce back.' But with Hanley, I'm not sure he has the maturity to handle adversity well. That could turn what seems like a small slump into a bigger problem down the stretch.

I always appreciate Nny's attention to detail and ability to analyze. Given our bullpen depth, I would not be surprised to see Nunez moved for positions of greater need. However, all this requires that the right trade is available at the right time. I don't think keeping Nunez would necessarily be a mistake, especially if he keeps performing. However, with his salary likely to increase maybe cashing in now is the move.