July 7, 200322 yr Here is a basic breakdown of how our bullpen is doing: Braden Looper: Better than most of our guys in the 'pen Tim Spooneybarger: Overworked, and on the DL for who knows how long Armando Almanza: Struggling greatly, one of our worst guys, needs a demotion Kevin Olsen: Out for some time after getting pegged in the head Toby Borland: Injured Tommy Phelps: Better than most of the others Michael Tejera: Just asking for a demotion to AAA Allen Levrault: Could be worse, but struggles like the rest Nate Bump: A rookie, too early to tell Vladimir Nunez: Has spent most of the season in AAA, after a horrendous start to the season. Blaine Neal: Although he's not on the team right now, wasn't much good with us earlier... As you can see, we need some help. Feel free to discuss the bullpen, and maybe propose some deals that could give our starters a hand.
July 7, 200322 yr Basicly our "dependable" bullpen is: Tommy Phelps Braden Looper We need bullpen help... :plain
July 7, 200322 yr sigh, i wish almanza was good, he had a great first couple of weeks, that counts for something....right???????? :huh
July 7, 200322 yr I would seriously consider a trade for Ugeth Urbina. Below is his profile from ESPN: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scouting Report 2002 Season Early in 2002, Ugueth Urbina seemingly couldn't get his fastball beyond the upper-80s. This was especially troubling considering that the Yankees had cancelled a trade for him the previous summer based on the results of a physical. Urbina soon put those concerns to rest, though, recapturing his old heater while reeling off 20 consecutive scoreless appearances in May and June. He remained strong through the end of the year and ended up having one of his better seasons. Pitching With good command of his hard fastball and slider, Urbina is as tough on righthanded hitters as any short reliever in the game. Lefthanded hitters can hurt him, though, as he has trouble throwing his slider for strikes against them, mixing in changeups and splitters instead. He used to hurt himself with bases on balls on occasion, but last year he issued only 15 unintentional walks, by far his lowest total for a full season. That's a sign that he's starting to make the adjustments veteran pitchers must make as they begin to lose their dominance, although he still throws hard enough to work up in the zone effectively. Defense Urbina hasn't committed an error in five years, but has handled only 29 chances over that period�a natural result of his tendency to yield mostly strikeouts and flyballs. Baserunners always have run at will against him, and they stole off him less frequently last year only because he allowed fewer runners to reach first than he had in the past. 2003 Outlook A free agent, Urbina's solid season eased concerns about his health. Having put in two quality seasons since twice undergoing elbow surgery in 2000, he's gone a long way toward reestablishing himself as one of the game's better short relievers. ------------------------------------------------------------- He can be used as a setup man and provide a little run-for-your-money competition for Looper, so he remembers from time to time to throw strikes... And he can also flourish in a team that has been shaping as heavily Venezuelan-based The only problem might be his salary, I think he is making like 4.5 million. Any thoughts?
July 7, 200322 yr bring Saunders up from AAA, send down Tejera... and also Levrault has been pretty dependable except that series with Boston :plain
July 7, 200322 yr I read somewhere that the Rangers were willing to pay Urbinas salary if they got a good pitching prospect in return.
July 7, 200322 yr We would have to give up a Bautista or Hutchison or both to get Urbina...the Rangers want a lot.
July 7, 200322 yr I read somewhere that the Rangers were willing to pay Urbinas salary if they got a good pitching prospect in return. I would send them Justin Wayne with my eyes closed. But I think Loria is in love with him :blink: I have no idea as to the causes for that romantic infatuation, the guy didn't show me anything when he pitched... deal him!
July 7, 200322 yr They would never do it for Wayne unless he was a throw in...news on Wayne though...he struck out 9 in 6IP last night.
July 7, 200322 yr I think slowly but surely, Loria is falling out of love with Justin Wayne. His infatuation with him had to do with the ridiculous bonus he gave him as a first round pick. If the Rangers want him, by all means - TAKE HIM!!!!!
July 7, 200322 yr I think slowly but surely, Loria is falling out of love with Justin Wayne. His infatuation with him had to do with the ridiculous bonus he gave him as a first round pick. If the Rangers want him, by all means - TAKE HIM!!!!! yeah!!! I would wrap him in gift paper and everything... we need bullpen help. we can't have the starter throwing 140 pitches everynight, that's insane!!! :banghead
July 7, 200322 yr Almanza :chair trade him!!! I like Lightenberg, wasn't him with the Braves last year?
July 7, 200322 yr Almanza is the Anti-Reliever, the only thing he is good for is giving up leads. Levrault was solid and I like him after he came his major league game (the 20 inning game) and threw 4 shutout innings to keep us alive. Ugy would be a huge beyond belief boost, it would actually bring our pen to respectable status. And if Powell comes over (which is one of the stipulations to the deal) maybe he'll return to the form that got him the W in Game 7. Hes had a rough year but has been lights out as of late.
July 7, 200322 yr Basicly our "dependable" bullpen is: Tommy Phelps Braden Looper We need bullpen help... :plain Where's Lavrault?
July 7, 200322 yr I think both McKeon and Rosenthal have lost confidence in Levrault. Opponents are batting well over .300 against him. I think I heard Tommy Hutton say on TV that Levraults new role is LONG relief.
July 7, 200322 yr Almanza is the Anti-Reliever, the only thing he is good for is giving up leads. Levrault was solid and I like him after he came his major league game (the 20 inning game) and threw 4 shutout innings to keep us alive. Ugy would be a huge beyond belief boost, it would actually bring our pen to respectable status. And if Powell comes over (which is one of the stipulations to the deal) maybe he'll return to the form that got him the W in Game 7. Hes had a rough year but has been lights out as of late. Almanza doesn't relieve anything that's true. He either walks everyone, or serves a game winning HR, or SOs all the batters. There is no in-between with this guy and you never know what is going to happen with him. If the right celestial alignment exists, he will strike out the side, if not... well, there goes the game. TRADE HIM!!! I have been saying the same for years... ALMANZA :chair
July 7, 200322 yr Author I would maybe try to pry one of the Mets' relievers away from them, considering how bad they are, and willing to trade players.
July 7, 200322 yr I think both McKeon and Rosenthal have lost confidence in Levrault. Opponents are batting well over .300 against him. I think I heard Tommy Hutton say on TV that Levraults new role is LONG relief. Tommy Hutton + Len Casper = Two Bumbling Idiots I could be a better announcer then them in my sleep.
July 7, 200322 yr man f*** that...... those 2 are nice to listen to..... i onhly get to listen to them when the games are on reg tv..... i listen to booge and shomby..... as 4 the cat that said we should get uggy WTF is Ramp with that $$$$$$ staus UGGY aint cheap!!!!!! Uggy cost money 4 being aSTIFF witha high ERA!!!!! FUX UGGY
July 7, 200322 yr Fux Uggy? Urbina will cost us two B or even C (if they get desperite) list prospects, and they will pay for ALL of his salary...!
July 7, 200322 yr Kerry Lightenberg from the O's. *I still think Almanza will return to form. I agree...especially if hes used properly.
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