Mark Buehrle Reaches Perfection

July 23, 2009

Just a few moments ago, Mark Buehrle threw his first perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays.  It was the first perfect game since 2004 and the 18th in MLB history.

Throughout the game, Buehrle was able to fool the Rays’ hitters while mixing speeds and relied on his defense to make plays behind him.  In the top of the 8th, Pat Burrell roped the ball down the third base line, just barely landing foul.  A close call for Buehrle that ended with Burrell eventually lining out to third.

The story of the game could be Dewayne Wise, who entered the game as a defensive replacement at CF.  In the top of the 9th, Gabe Kapler crushed a 2-2 pitch to deep center field, but Wise, who was entered for his defensive ability, leaped at the wall to make an incredible juggling catch to save the perfect game.  Moments later, Jason Bartlett grounded out to Alexei Ramirez to end the game and secure Buehrle’s name in Major League Baseball History.

Not only does this go down as the game of the season, but Wise’s catch could also be the best defensive play of the year, beating out Daniel Murphy’s over the shoulder flip.

Mark Buehrle:

CG, 0BB, 6k 0H

-Bobby Holt

Written by Bobby Holt · Filed Under Player News | 1 Comment 

Adam LaRoche Traded to Boston: Fantasy Impact

July 23, 2009

The Pirates, owners of two (count’em two) LaRoche brothers, decided to part ways with Adam LaRoche in exchange for two minor leaguers (Argenis Diaz and Hunter Strickland).  A free agent following the 2009 season, LaRoche was likely deemed unaffordable by Pirates brass, so it seemed a foregone conclusion that he would be dealt.  What did the Bucs get back for Adam LaRoche?

  • Argenis Diaz – 0 homers, 24 RBI, 7 SB, and a .253 average (.277 at bats)
  • Hunter Strickland – 5-4, 3.35 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 51K (83.1 IP)

So  it appears the Pirates dealt a lifetime .269 (.275 against righties) batter, a batter who has surmounted 30 homers once in his career and reached 20 or more in 4 of his 5 major league seasons, for what amounts to two middling, unremarkable  minor leaguers. If the Bucs were going to lose LaRoche anyhow, it stands to reason that they at least recouped something for him, but it does beg the question - did the Pirates have a dialogue with other contenders or teams wanton for a first baseman? Mets? SF Giants? Detroit (moving Cabrera to third/OF/DH)?  

The fantasy impact of this trade is as follows:

  • Steve Pearce and Garrett Jones will share time at 1B for Pittsburgh
  • Adam LaRoche will start at first base against right handers (and spell Mike Lowell or Kevin Youkilis) while David Ortiz remains reasonably firmly planted at DH

If you were an Adam LaRoche owner in an NL-only league format, then it’s time to scrape the waiver wire for any available 1B (Steve Pearce?).  If you were a LaRoche owner in a mixed league format, then it’s fair to say LaRoche will have much better protection in the batting order, but is likely to see diminished playing time with a team already chock full of talented corner-infielders.

Written by Russell Sandman · Filed Under Blog | Leave a Comment