News Roundup: Barry Zito Still Struggling

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 16, 2009 1:09 AM EDT

Kawakami: It's time for Giants to cut losses with Zito - San Jose Mercury News
Tim Kawakami says it's time for the Giants to consider dumping Barry Zito, one of the three pitchers the Pirates will face in their upcoming series against San Francisco. Unfortunately, the other two are Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain. And the Pirates' hitters don't have the greatest track record against pitchers who can't get anyone else out.

Potomac 8, Lynchburg 4
Lastings Milledge homered twice today for Lynchburg.

Yankees’ Marte starts rehab assignment – MLB - NESN.com
Damaso Marte is beginning a rehab assignment in the GCL as he recovers with shoulder problems that have cost him almost the entire season so far.

Buzz Bissinger's 3 Nights In August To Become 2 Hours Wasted At Your Local Multiplex - Deadspin
Billy Bob Thornton has agreed to co-produce the movie version of Buzz Bissinger's 3 Nights in August, about, uh, three games Tony LaRussa managed one August. Because nothing screams excitement like three nights' worth of the most brutally tedious style of over-managing in baseball. I'm not even trying to knock LaRussa here; whatever he needs to do to help his team win is his business. Aesthetically, though? Ugh.

Yankees Interested in Ian Snell | Toronto Sun
I initially thought this article was saying the Yankees could trade "Phil Hughes plus prospects" for Snell, but that's apparently not what it's saying. Which is too bad--not because that could ever happen, but because the idea of it is hilarious on its own.

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Comments

Good to see Lastings raking! I hope he can turn his very young career around and be a great player for the Pirates for many years to come. Get the boy to the ’Burgh already!

by mspirate on Jul 16, 2009 1:15 AM EDT reply actions

Amen to that!

Will be curious to see how he does once up. The Wash Post specifically mentions Manny Acta’s non-reaction to his behavior as a factor in his firing…Lets hope JR sets a stern tone and that the kid realizes he is running out of chances…

by Mick Kraut on Jul 16, 2009 7:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I have to think

that the subject has already been discussed with Milledge by the organization…

From DK the day after the trade:

He will be summoned to Pittsburgh “if he performs,” Huntington said. “He’ll show us.”

Huntington, on Milledge’s many off-field problems: “With maturity and the proper guidance, he was a chance we’re willing to take.”

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Jul 16, 2009 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions

If Russell

Can’t or won’t do that with Milledge then his value as a manager is zero…

He is not excitable about bad calls
He is not nearly the greatest bench coach
He has been seen as “good” manager in the clubhouse

so if he can’t handle Lastings the only thing he supposedly does well will become a negative as
well

by God Loves on Jul 16, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Russell is what Washington

is looking for. Acta is a jellyfish. Russell has a descent bench to help out for his short comings. I see no reason to hold Milledge down much longer. Adam Laroche to whoever would be great. That would open first for Jones who has almost out homered Laroche in a dozen games.

by bucsreport on Jul 16, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

haha…true.

by mspirate on Jul 17, 2009 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions

It would be better than setting a bored tone…

by Gorkys n' Beans on Jul 16, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh right, and if Manny Acta had benched him no matter what the reason, the fans and media would’ve been pissed at him just as much. Not saying it’s right, but Acta was in a very tough situation. Milledge was (and maybe still is) a headcase, but he was arguably Washington’s most talented player and the fans and media would’ve been all over Acta had he benched Milledge. But yeah, I agree that the kid is running out of chances, which is sad considering the guy is only 24 years old and hasn’t even scratched the surface of his potential yet. He’s received one strike from the Mets and one from the Nationals. I hope he doesn’t strike out with the Pirates.

by mspirate on Jul 17, 2009 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions

This Is Borderline Libel

He’s a “headcase?” What possible goddamned evidence do you have to say such a thing about a guy you’ve never met?

by Androgen Jar Jimmy on Jul 17, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

by vanslyke on Jul 16, 2009 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I Hope He Keeps Rapping

I know he got some flack for using some dirty words in his one song, but a player in a rap band is actually kind of cool.

by Androgen Jar Jimmy on Jul 16, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

The media shitstorm over him rapping...

…is a pretty excellent example of beat reporters not “getting it”.

by Vlad on Jul 16, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Wait wait wait

He got called a head case, because he produced…a hip hop song?

Fuckin’ A?

by ryebr3ad on Jul 16, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

And Also

Doug Mientkiewicz didn’t like the way he sits down his batting helmet.

No really. I’m not making that up.

by Androgen Jar Jimmy on Jul 16, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

well...

it’s true, you aren’t making it up.
you are mixing it up.

it had nothing to do with Milledge.

“The catch, as he readily conceded, is that he hardly has been one to subscribe to standard baseball culture, a la Doug Mientkiewicz last summer correcting one of the Pirates’ youngsters on how to set down his batting helmet.”

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09188/982201-63.stm#ixzz0LS1Cj3VL

by dirtyfrank on Jul 16, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

A Ha

Thanks for the correction.

by Androgen Jar Jimmy on Jul 16, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

you betcha

by dirtyfrank on Jul 16, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Quick fellating dirtyfrank

by azibuck on Jul 16, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

“Quick fellating dirtyfrank?” Is that his hooker name? He promises quick fellatio?

by Androgen Jar Jimmy on Jul 16, 2009 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions

ooooooooooooooh

I had always thought it was an actual interaction between the two. Thanks

RIP NATE. RIP TONY PLUSH.

"I'D BE A CHEF"

-TONY PLUSH

by GTrain on Jul 16, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I wrote about this last week.

Andro, I think the Mientkiewicz batting helmet thing was for another player. I think Doug and Lastings just missed each other in NY.

by CptnAwesome on Jul 16, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup

You’re right. I mixed it up.

by Androgen Jar Jimmy on Jul 16, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I haven’t heard the song, but that’s what I thought too.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 16, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

If the Giants cut Zito, that would be by far the largest amount any team has ever had to eat before, right? I don’t see that happening. The only way I’d take any part of Zito’s contract is if the Giants paid a ~~substantial portion~~ almost all of it AND sent a good prospect or two.

by wickethewok on Jul 16, 2009 1:27 AM EDT reply actions

They should NOT cut Zito

I’m sure wherever he is, Littlefield is trying to persuade his bosses to trade some semiuseful parts for Zito and all of his contract. SF just needs to act like it’s holding out on him and it’ll drive the price up.

by bucdaddy on Jul 16, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Zito's basically an average fourth starter.

Nobody’s going to cut that outright. I could see them picking up a big chunk to move him, a-la Mike Hampton, but probably not even that until next year at the earliest.

by Vlad on Jul 16, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Aaar-MAND-dooooo!

You forget .the. Armando. Benitez. Giants ate 95% of that contract. though only a year’s worth. Zito’s not going anywhere – not until he goes Russ Ortiz.

by 18 Mile on Jul 21, 2009 6:10 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't know if it's that ridiculous a rumor.

But first we have to find out how many dead hookers Hughes was found with, as I assume that’s the only way that trade would be made.

I’d say it’s still an even trade if it’s less than….. oh I’ll say 4

by TravisDW on Jul 16, 2009 1:37 AM EDT reply actions

You know who could probably answer that question? The Toronto Sun. Maybe they’re on to something here.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 16, 2009 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions

They have to mean Hughes plus prospects for Roy Halladay, after all it is a Roy Halladay odds piece. I have no clue why they mention Ian Snell in the article.

by Gorkys n' Beans on Jul 16, 2009 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh. Reading over it again, it appears you’re right. Too bad; that was hilarious.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 16, 2009 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions

You weren’t the only person fooled; KDKA actually reported it on the evening news!

by Gorkys n' Beans on Jul 16, 2009 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Dead hookers wouldn't do it

The only way the Yankees would give up on “The Great Right Hope” would be if, like the Governor of Louisiana once said about his reelection chances, Hughes was “found in bed with a dead girl or a live boy.”

by WstCstBucco on Jul 16, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Dead boys are fine, though.

by Vlad on Jul 16, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve never been a fan, but I can see why people like them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmVCdPe2_Ao

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 16, 2009 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Great band. Great song.

But I still prefer Pere Ubu out of the two.

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Jul 16, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't know if I missed this discussion earlier,

but what is Milledge doing in Lynchburg? I know he was in Bradenton on rehab, then he was in Indy, now he’s back in A ball? Is this more rehab or him getting his swing back or what?

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Jul 16, 2009 10:12 AM EDT reply actions

a chance to play

while the AAA all star break is happening.

I’m sure he’ll be back with Indy tonight.

by dirtyfrank on Jul 16, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Hopefully

the shock of the difference betwen Indy and Lynchburg will provide some extra motivation, but he should visit Liberty U. just in case. Oh, and he should take a side trip to Altoona, too.

by bucdaddy on Jul 16, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

As an LU grad

the best place for Milledge to be is in Lynchburg. There is no place you can get in trouble there – believe me, I tried :)

by vanslyke on Jul 16, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Charlie.....

I didn’t know where to put this, so I’ll link it here and you can move it if you like.

Indianapolis catcher Erik Kratz gets some love over at FanGraphs:http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/erik-kratz-the-all-star

by David Todd on Jul 16, 2009 4:34 PM EDT reply actions

Trying again.....

Link:
www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/erik-kratz-the-all-star

by David Todd on Jul 16, 2009 4:34 PM EDT reply actions

Huh. Cool article. We might find a use for him if we end up trading Doumit.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Jul 16, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Trade Doumit

We seem to have a full staff of catchers, may as well showcase doumit the next couple weeks and sell high, we know what jaramillo and diaz are like now this kid and hopefully tony sanchez will be the future catcher in the burgh. Ah just a thought….

by baseballssp3 on Jul 16, 2009 5:50 PM EDT reply actions

Zito

actually has a better K/BB rate and a higher frequency of useful starts than in his previous years with the Giants. He’s pretty much an average major league starter.

It will be interesting to see if he can gain his consistency back. There was an interesting article when he signed with the Giants that basically said, when one of his pitches is off, he struggles, and when he’s missing out on most of his pitches, he’s useless.

weak-hitting left fielder in coffee league baseball

by Bukanier on Jul 16, 2009 6:57 PM EDT reply actions

In other non Pirate news

Manny Ramirez plays his first home game tonight since the end of his 50 game suspension for violating the MLB’s PED policy.

Dodger fans are expected to give him a standing ovation when he comes to the plate.

As Popeye would say: “I is disgustipated.”

by WstCstBucco on Jul 16, 2009 7:31 PM EDT reply actions

ESPN, Baseball Tonight, and other media coverage

wonders why this guy is beloved by fans, jersey are flying off selves, etc. By yet they are the same idiots who have so much Manny coverage it makes my eyes and ears bleed. I think i know more over this summer about the Albuquerque Isotopes then some major league teams now. Pathetic.

by phil79 on Jul 16, 2009 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Haha…yeah, it’s ridiculous. If Manny Ramirez even so much as takes a breath, Colleen Dominguez or Rachels Nichols is there to give us fully detailed report on it. It’s stupid and tiresome.

by mspirate on Jul 17, 2009 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Why would Popeye care?

It’s not like he ever even tried to hide his own PED use.

by Vlad on Jul 16, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions

For those of you that get NESN, you can catch Ian Snell and Lastings Milledge take on Pawtucket tonight. Bottom of the 2nd right now, Snell has two K’s and Milledge is 1-2 with a single (and he was picked off).

by AdamHyzdu on Jul 16, 2009 7:41 PM EDT reply actions