September, 2009

Picking Apart the Forum

This is probably my favorite article to write every year, because you guys do a lot of the work for me, and I'm a lazy person by nature.  For the uninitiated, this annual article highlights some of the most interesting, controversial and legendary quotes from our league forum over the past year.  We begin with a little Kendry-bashing from our Lord Emperor, Tom:

Asdrubal is certainly no Kendry Morales.

-- Tom DiStefano, 6/9/08

That same year you dealt Kendry Morales for Brad Penny straight up. So you can stop whining right about........ NOW!

-- Tom DiStefano, 7/29/08

Not sure which bizarro world you're in where Kendry Morales is "WAAAAAAAAY better" than [Gregg Zaun, Chris Capuano and John Grabow], but I hope you make it home safely.

-- Tom DiStefano, 8/2/08

Just in case you've been living in a cave in Pakistan, our favorite little Cuban refugee is currently hitting .306/.352/.571, with 30 home runs, in his first full big league season.  But Tom was right about one thing: Kendry Morales is NO Asdrubal Cabrera.

Now, if you're the type of person who usually skips the "Off-Topic" forum, let this be your warning: the next few comments deal with the 2008 election.  I'll let you know when it's safe to start reading again.

I am a firm believer in balancing the budget and paying down the debt with any surpluses

-- John Duel, 10/15/08

Me, too, John.  Me, too.  How's that working out so far?

From listening to him speak many, many times...I have complete confidence in Obama to make good decisions when it comes to foreign policy decisions.

-- Jeff Paulson, 10/20/08

Well, let's see...North Korea and Iran are building nuclear weapons...India and China refuse to cooperate with Obama's "green" demands...Afghanistan has turned into more of a "quagmire" than Iraq ever was...Europe refuses to help us in Afghanistan, Iraq, or anywhere else in the world...and Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro openly mock our president.  And this, after Obama went on a well-publicized "Apology Tour" where he told his audiences how evil the Unites States of America is, and promised that we'd be nicer in the future.  But, hey, he sure does speak well.

I just can't believe that Obama (and Biden) can say the things he does and get away with it. People will still vote for him no matter what he says or does. I just can't believe I live in a country where the majority of people think Socialism is worth giving a shot. It just seems so incredibly un-American.

And the one thing I REALLY don't understand is why the Democrats are adding seats in congress. Congress' approval rating is even lower than Bush's, so why are we putting the same guys back in charge? It makes absolutely zero sense.

-- Mike Glander, 10/31/08

Almost a year later, it makes even less sense.

If you read what his plans are, you will be very comforted to know they aren't socialistic at all...Obama is certainly not a socialist, as the really right wingers try to paint him, but more a centralist.

-- John Duel, 10/31/08

Since this comment, our non-socialist, centrist president has taken over several banks and two auto makers, and is threatening to take over the entire healthcare industry as well.  There's a word for it when the government seizes control of private industry...and it ain't "centralism."

Just like we have two choices with our budgets, so does the government: cut spending or increase income. Those are the only choices. Obama's plan does both (regardless of the Republican's spin that it only increases taxes).

-- John Duel, 10/31/08

Obama's plan was to cut spending and increase income, eh?  Errr...well, it was a good plan.  It's the thought that counts, right?

here is my updated prediction for jeff...obama 168 [electoral votes], mccain 346

-- Bobby Sylvester, 11/4/08

Good one, Bobby!  (You were kidding...right?)

For this next quote, it helps if you hum "Stars and Stripes Forever" while reading it:

We all want America to be strong, economically and militarily. We all want America to remain free, and to enjoy those freedoms. We all want America to be that beacon of hope throughout the world. Now is the time to concentrate on our common ground and to help make America great again. It's time for all of us to support our new president, and to trust that President Obama will take us toward greatness again.

This is a truly shining moment in American history. It's now our time to embrace that history and to be a part of it. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, we are the government. We the people have the power to move this country in the direction we want. All of us have a voice--some times it takes only a phone call to your Representative to understand and to exercise that voice. Your single voice can make a difference. Collectively, that voice can change the world. Last night was a moment that should make us all proud of this great country of ours.

-- John Duel, 11/5/08

And as long as that voice is in complete alignment with the Democratic party and their radical agenda, you will be fine.  But disagree, and they will call you un-American, astro-turfing, racist, stupid, rednecked Nazi's.

The next four years are going to be extremely difficult for all of us. I predict that by 2012, we'll be looking at an unemployment rate in the double digits, an inflation rate of at least 8%, soaring electricity bills, soaring tax bills, long waiting lists for medical care, and medical bills that will make today's look like bargains by comparison.

-- Mike Glander, 11/5/08

Oh, how I hope this prediction doesn't come true.  The unemployment rate is nearly there already, just nine months later.  And if cap-and-trade and the healthcare bills pass, those other predictions are a near-certainty.  But hey, at least Obama's better than Bush, right?  Errr...right??

OKAY, IT'S SAFE TO START READING AGAIN, NON-POLITICAL BASEBALL FANS!!!

Glander is wearing his "Blazers half empty" glasses again. Sure, Kearns could be 26 million, if we kept him. He will actually be a 13.4 million dollar cut. Pair that with the 800K cut Greg took in Franklin, and we got Guthrie and Ramirez for 12.6 million in "dead" salary, which might be a touch pricey this year, but a bargain in 2010 in beyond.

-- Anthony Peburn, 11/15/08

Jeremy Guthrie, MLB '09: 5.06 ERA, 172+ IP, 191 H, 30 HR, 52 BB, 99 K
Max Ramirez, MLB '09: 46 AB, .217/.345/.370

From where I'm sitting, that's $13.4 million well-spent.

New Milford sends Dana Eveland, Jeff Marquis, Brad Thompson (1.1 million cut) and Garrett Anderson (800K cut) for Dexter Fowler, Kyle Skipworth, and Martin Prado.

-- Anthony Peburn, 11/15/08

We were able to double our rotation from 2 starting pitchers to 4 in one deal...Eveland will probably be my #1 guy, followed by Garland, Marquis and Sanchez...Eveland has a lot of upside (I hope).

-- John Duel, 11/17/08

Eveland (9-7, 3.36 ERA in 152+ IP) has certainly gotten the job done.  And Marquis (5-10, 4.41 ERA in 145 IP) hasn't been all that bad, considering.  But would you trade your team's #1 prospect for two middling pitchers who could carry you to third place (at best?)  I think I'd just pick up some inning-fillers off the free agent scrapheap and call it a season.

no way would i ever spend more than 5.5 million on a pitcher...EVER

-- Bobby Sylvester, 11/18/08

...he wrote, before submitting a $15.5 million bid for Brandon Webb, a $12.5 million bid for Greg Maddux, a $7 million bid for Derek Lowe, and an $8 million bid for A.J. Burnett.  Maybe it was all a clever ruse to throw us all off...

pence and kemp are about equal, no? except that id say pence has more upside...dont think [Hunter Pence] has any value either...i mean, he only has 42 HR's in his career at the ripe age of 25, has a higher career OPS than salem's amazing, Matt Kemp...also had MUCH better minor league number's...and lets not forget, kemp has a higher range factor, zone rating, and 16 outfield assists last season...but glander is right, he's no good

-- Bobby Sylvester, 11/19/08

Update:

Pence: .285/.348/.480, 23 HR, 14 SB, 11 CS
Kemp: .306/.362/.500, 23 HR, 33 SB, 7 CS

I forget -- how, exactly, does the 26-year-old Pence have more upside than the 24-year-old Kemp?

you can count on the world series champion to come out of the person division this year...nashville is absolutley loaded and so cal is pretty dang good as well...and yes, i will have over 30 million to spend this season as well

-- Bobby Sylvester, 12/8/08

We're going to hold you to that one, Bobby.

Let's not get all crazy now Mike. [Mat] Gamel, [Mike] Taylor, [Nick] Barnese and [Michael] Saunders are all in the B/B+ range with Gamel potentially getting a A-. [Gerrit] Cole and [Alex] Meyer would have been 1st rounders if they didn't go to college. In fact, I'll bet you Gamel puts up Ryan Braun type numbers when he gets his shot with the Brewers...Put Gamel on your prospect watch list. You'll see I'm right.

-- Scott Romonosky, 12/10/08

I've been watching...

Gamel: .235/.336/.400 in 115 AB (.278/.367/.473 in 273 AAA at-bats)
Braun: .308/.378/.545, 29 HR

Nope.  Still don't see it.

Just because A-Rod has a nickname doesn't mean he's sooo much better [than Aubrey Huff]...based on these numbers I'd assume Aubrey Huff's value to be at least 11 or 12 million...thats an 8 or 9 million dollar value, plus I can sign him at what is likley to be a good value next season and maybe even the season after that.

-- Bobby Sylvester, 12/19/08

Well, Bobby was right about one thing: A-Huff (.350/.394/.636, 32 HR) is performing every bit as well as A-Rod (.310/.412/.597, 37 HR.)  (But then, which St. Louis Apostles hitter isn't posting absolutely absurd numbers in the BDBL this season?)

But will Huff (currently hitting .244/.310/.396) be worthy of his $4 million salary in 2010?  As John Bender would say: "Not even close, Bub!"

Not only is [Chris Iannetta] younger and has a higher OPS than Mauer and Soto, but look at his minor league track record...his numbers aren't a fluke...the guy gets on a base like crazy and has terrific power. His numbers in the majors were nearly as good as Rasmus' in AA two years ago...I won't even begin to talk about Colby's complete failure in 08'.

-- Bobby Sylvester, 12/19/08

Update: Chris Iannetta, the "not a fluke," Joe-Mauer-like catcher for the Colorado Rockies, is hitting an astounding .223/.335/.446 this MLB season.  Meanwhile, Colby Rasmus, the "complete failure," is hitting .260/.314/.426 in his rookie season.

Come on, Scott. Look at the walk rate. Look at the minor league track record. Look at the scouting reports. Look at the pitch charts (70% fastballs, no other pitch.) There's not much here to like.

-- Mike Glander, 12/19/08

Let's have a new bet. Lower ERA in 2009 - Ubaldo or Josh Beckett?

-- Scott Romonosky, 12/21/08

Scott, name your price, and it's on. It'll be the easiest bet I've won since Sharky's bet (which he never paid.)...How about a steak dinner?

-- Mike Glander, 12/21/08

Sure. What the hell.

-- Scott Romonosky, 12/21/08

To think, I actually felt guilty about making such a ludicrous bet with Scott.  Never in a million years did I even consider that I would lose this bet.  As of press time:

Beckett: 3.82 ERA
Jimenez: 3.55 ERA

How do you like your steak, Scott?

i was scared off by him because who knows what to expect out of cuba anymore with kendry morales and maels rodriguez being useless turds.

-- Bobby Sylvester, 1/1/09

Have I mentioned that the "useless turd" Kendry Morales is hitting .306/.352/.571, with 30 home runs, in his first full big league season?  I did?  Well, I'll mention it again.

Prediction for the season: If Sabathia goes for that high, that team will not win this year, next year or the year after. To commit over 33% of your total salary to a person who pitches every 5th day is crazy. But hey, knock yourselves out (literally).

-- John Gill, 1/3/09

Hmm...a bet against the Undertakers winning the 2009 BDBL championship.  I might be willing to bet a steak dinner on that one...

Mike Stein has MAJOR balls for locking in Abreu for three years. Best of luck with that one. As erratic as Brad Lidge has been over the past several years, I think he's a major three-year gamble as well.

-- Mike Glander, 1/3/09

So far, so good for that Abreu bet.  He's hitting .299/.398/.436.  The power (13 HR, 26 2B) has really fallen off the table, but the speed (28 SB, 7 CS) is still there.

As for Lidge...well...a 7.18 ERA really isn't as bad as it sounds.  (Okay, yes it is.  I was just trying to make Ed feel better.)

Wow! Congrats to Great Lakes. It looks like they have a great chance to compete with Tom.

-- Chris Luhning, 1/4/09

I'll tell you what, I'll bet someone another $100 (to our favorite charity) if Great Lakes comes within eight games of Allentown in the final standings. Any takers?

-- Mike Glander, 1/5/09

Oh, sure.  I finally make an offer on a bet that I can win, and no one takes me up on it.  (Note: Allentown currently leads Great Lakes by a dozen games.)

Helton is way past his prime and will be coming back from back surgery. The only two things he does well is walk and play defense.

-- Chris Luhning, 1/5/09

Helton's doing plenty of walking (80 of them, in 489 AB's), but he's also doing plenty of hitting (.321/.412/.491, 35 2B, 14 HR, only 65 K's.)  Not to mention the defense.  Yeah, I'd say he was worth the $3 million gamble Tom took on him.  Of course, if he hadn't traded Helton for Will Ohman, he'd be benefiting from that gamble today.

I dont know if I should be happy or sad. I'm glad I got Webb and gladly welcome him back to our rotation, but $18.5MM is a lot to pay for pitcher.

-- John Gill, 1/6/09

Be happy, John.  Be very happy.

Ortiz just wasn't the same last year, and fat old first basemen/DH's age very rapidly -- especially fat old Red Sox first basemen/DH's. I think Ortiz is a big gamble as a Type H.

-- Mike Glander, 1/7/09

In case you missed it, Fatty is hitting .233/.325/.450 this season.

I think Vlad was a good value at $7M and would have been a good signing at 8 or 9 or maybe even 10. But his knees are killing him, his fielding is deteriorating and it's only a matter of time before that shows up in his offensive numbers too. As an Angels fan, you, Ed, must have seen that last year and at least on some level worry about Vlad in the future. Last year wasn't his best and yet could be better than he ever posts again. That's my thought. I wouldn't have bid $10M+ on him even if I had the cash.

-- John Duel, 1/9/09

Here's something you don't hear every day: John was right.

I agree, Jeff. [Alcides] Escobar is one of those all-glove/no-bat shortstops who would be a decent player at $100K, or even $1M, but not $3M.

-- Mike Glander, 1/14/09

Between Triple-A and the majors, Escobar is hitting .298/.353/.409 with 4 homers.  I stick by my assessment.

i think this was one of the strongest farm drafts in years and i believe this is the strongest class of fliers I can ever remember seeing.

-- Bobby Sylvester, 1/14/09

...said the guy who drafted Jaff Decker (since traded), Daryl Jones (738 OPS in AA), Jharmidy Dejesus (since released), Adis Portillo (5.13 ERA in Rookie ball), Adam Riefer (since released), Martin Perez (5.57 ERA in AA), Neftali Soto (644 OPS in High-A) and Kellen Kulbacki (511 OPS in AA) in the farm draft, and took fliers on Tyler Yates (7.50 ERA in MLB), Blaine Boyer (4.50 ERA in 50 IP) and Damian Easley (692 OPS in 316 AB) in the regular draft.

To be fair, though, his $5 million gamble on Chris Carpenter (in the fifth round) looks pretty decent right now.

I'll eat a big plate of dog crap if Dontrelle Willis suddenly becomes useful this year.

-- Mike Glander, 1/15/09

Unless a 7.49 ERA is "useful," that's one less plate I'll have to eat.

The pitching staff is lead by potential #1 starter Homer Bailey. "We have very high hopes for Homer", gushes GM Anthony Peburn.

-- Anthony Peburn, 1/21/09

Hey Homer: D'oh!  Keep gushing, Peabrain.  It never gets old.

On the outfield side, noone in the minors has the ceiling of top 30 prospect Mike Stanton. Great athlete + raw power galore + speed + great outfield arm = stud. You can check that math over and over, and the answer will always come out the same.

-- Anthony Peburn, 1/21/09

With 144 whiffs in 129 games and a .231 batting average in Double-A, I think Stanton bashed his head on that ceiling this year.

Re. LaPorta, I didn't even want to include him in my top 50, because I don't think he belongs. Sorry, but in baseball (and in DMB), defense counts for something, and LaPorta may be the worst defensive player in baseball (right up there with Frank Thomas.) He was also less than impressive once he left the hitter's haven of Huntsville (just .233/.299/.350 in 60 AB in Akron.) I can easily see him stumbling at the higher levels and becoming one of those "Four-A" players like Bob Hamelin, Dan Johnson or Brad Eldred who post big numbers in AAA, but never get a shot at a full-time MLB job.

-- Mike Glander, 2/17/09

LaPortaPotty's MLB numbers this year: .246/.285/.425.  Maybe I was overestimating him by comparing him to Hamelin, Johnson and Eldred.

John, I'd be willing to bet you a beer (that's all I can afford) that Jeff still wins the division.

-- Mike Glander, 3/10/09

Done!

I've played and split with both teams. And I've already told Jeff I honestly thought the Broncs were tougher.

-- John Duel, 3/10/09

The only thing better than beer is free beer.

No one is arguing that I'm giving up the best player, but I don't see how you can aruge that I'm punting the division. Is my team no longer better than punchless Ravenswood or the 5 man rotation of #5 starters on Las Vegas?

-- Nic Weiss, 3/10/09

Hey, Johnny Bo, do you still have that quote tacked up in your clubhouse?

Matt, you spent too much time living in California to have any sort of grasp on reality. I think all that sun, combined with all the second-hand pot smoke, fries people's brains out there. If you think the Giants are going to win more than 60 games with Benji Molina, Travis Ishikawa, Emmanual Burriss, Pablo Sandoval, Edgar Renteria and Randy Winn comprising 6/9ths of their lineup, you must live on the same planet as Duel.

-- Mike Glander, 4/6/09

Okay, maybe there was a touch of hyperbole thrown in there.  I had no idea that chubby third baseman was going to turn all Chipper Jones on me.  Incredibly, Sandoval is the only guy in the San Fran lineup with an OPS over 760.  Out of 16 National League teams, the Giants rank 13th in runs scored.  And 3/5ths of their starting rotation is comprised of Barry Zito, Jonathan Sanchez and Randy Johnson.  And yet they're 13 games over .500.  I just don't get it.

I'd like to thank all of you who think we'll win 5-10 or 10+ games more than Salem. We will do our best not to disappoint, but we firmly believe 0-5 wins more than Salem is much more reasonable.

-- John Duel, 4/13/09

Update:

Salem: 65-67
Sylmar: 59-73

Nothing has turned out as we expected this season, John.

In addition, he has gotten off to a horrendous start in MLB this year. I hope he does better for Scott than he has for me, but he will have to do a lot better for that to really mean anything...I have lost faith in the Prince. We built the park in his image and he has stunk up the joint. Besides, if he continued to tank in MLB this year, moving him would have gotten a lot more difficult. I think I got good value and will move forward.

-- Ed McGowan, 4/20/09

Fielder's BDBL performance in 2009 is one of those BDBL mysteries that will never be solved.  Since the trade, he's hitting .260/.335/.444 for the Sphinx, which brings his overall numbers to .244/.318/.427.  And he's hit just 18 homers in total this season, compared to 34 dingers in MLB '08.

But after a slow start to the MLB season, he's up to .298/.410/.588 on the year, with 39 homers.  How will these numbers translate to the BDBL?  Who the hell knows!?

I've come to the conclusion that my first reaction was correct, and that [the RAV/NMB Roy Halladay trade] trade does, in fact, belong among the top ten worst trades of all time. Seriously, Skiz, I don't know what the F you were thinking here.

You traded an ace pitcher -- the most valuable commodity in this league -- and you got...well, I don't even understand why you (or anyone) would ever want any of the players you got. I wouldn't want Burgess or Skipworth if you gave them to me for free. I seriously would not bump anyone on my farm to make room for either one of them. I'd rather have an open farm slot than either of them. I might take a flier on Owings, just for the novelty of having a good-hitting pitcher and the fact that he's cheap. But he'll never be more than a #4 starter. And Adam Lind? Again, worthy of a flier. Nice, inexpensive player who might break out this year. But for Roy Freaking Halladay?? I just don't get it. I don't get any of it.

-- Mike Glander, 4/28/09

I may be biased since I'm the guy who first drafted him, but I like Skipworth. He's got a real shot at developing into something special.

-- John Duel, 4/28/09

I believe Lind will post a 790 OPS, hit maybe 12-15 homers and own a .320 OBP with an awful BB/K ratio, and he'll be relegated to the bench by the time his contract expires. I believe Owings will continue his downward career path and will go the way of Rick Ankiel and Loewen. I believe Michael Burgess is the next Corey Patterson. And I believe Kyle Skipworth is the next Landon Powell.

Time will tell.

-- Mike Glander, 4/28/09

Hmm...okay, in retrospect I guess I may have been a tiny bit off in my assessment of Adam Lind.  But I was right about Owings, Burgess and Skipworth...does that count for anything?

Watch, I'll bet Felix Hernandez puts up an era at least one full run higher in Salem this year than he did in RL last year (3.45).

-- Tom DiStefano, 4/30/09

Gee, thanks for the curse, Tom.

Bad pitchers thrive in Sylmar--just ask Mike; he thinks all of my starters suck and yet two of them are on the leader's board for ERA (in spots 3 and 9).

-- John Duel, 4/30/09

Sylmar's current ERA: 4.73.

Mike, im sorry to say it, but i really dont think your [Yahoo! rotisserie team] is any good...the first place team looks much better...you have too many projects on offense and your rotation is abysmal for a 12 team league.

-- Bobby Sylvester, 5/2/09

I'll have you know that "not any good" pitching staff currently leads the league in wins and K's, and ranks 5th in saves, 5th in ERA and 3rd in WHIP.  Unfortunately, with the early injuries to Alex Gordon and Rickie Weeks, my offense dragged me down all year, and I'm now in fifth place.  But, the only important thing is that I'm ahead of my son (who is in sixth.)

But if there's one thing I've learned this season, it's that you can't hope to compete if your catcher is batting .120. Suzuki fills a big hole for us next year, and at only $100,000. We've always liked Suzuki. A catcher with a high on-base percentage is a rarity.

-- Mike Glander, 5/17/09

Okay, so Suzuki didn't exactly maintain that .392 OBP I traded for.  But at least the barbeque was good.

The Los Altos Undertakers continued to tweak their team in preparation for the final 3 chapters of what is sure to be a great Griffin division race as they acquire Grant Balfour and Ramon Santiago from the Salem Cowtippers in exchange for prospect Brian Matusz and a barbecue sandwich.

-- Jeff Paulson, 5/19/09

Matusz is nice, but I'm still waiting for that sandwich.

Nine games behind and [Tom DiStefano is] looking to mortgage the future, eh? Keep hope alive!!! Clap if you believe in fairies!!

-- Mike Glander, 5/21/09

go allentown! this takes some serious guts, good for tom!

-- Bobby Sylvester, 5/21/09

You should've listened to me, Tom.

I made a horrendous tactical error by including Gallardo on this list. Thanks for all the offers around him but please consider him unavailable at this point.

-- Tom DiStefano, 5/22/09

You should've gone with your first instinct there, Tom.

After three chapters the rest of the division has shown they can't compete with the league. I ONLY have to worry about beating people in my division. It shouldn't be hard to save my best for LV, Ravenswood, and Manchester.

-- Nic Weiss, 5/23/09

There's another one for the bulletin board, Johnny-Bo.

And finally (and this is just a total gut feeling), I'm not that high on Gallardo.

-- Tom DiStefano, 5/25/09

Oh, Tom.  You and your gut.

with a few minor hitting upgrades, I think this Salem team can make a run. Having OPS's of 579, 725, 750, 787 starting against righties (Johjima, Kemp, Jeter, and Rolen) is a drag, but just upgrading one of those kinda changes the line up.

-- Anthony Peburn, 6/9/09

The 'Tippers currently rank fourth in the OL in runs scored, and are hitting .270/.344/.439 as a team.  Hitting was never the problem, Peabrain.

I am thinking about moving Dukes in the right deal.

He will be a cornerstone for any franchise, so I will need future value in return

-- Anthony Peburn, 6/21/09

Cornerstone?  More like gallstone!  Like, because it takes a lot of GALL to call Elijah Dukes a "cornerstone!"  Get it?

Yeah, [Mike Stanton], the bum who hit 2 HR's yesterday.

How's Alvarez doing in AA so far?

-- Anthony Peburn, 7/2/09

Hey, thanks for asking, Peabrain.  Alvarez ended up hitting .333/.419/.590 with 13 homers in 60 games at Double-A.  Which, I think, is pretty good.  Certainly better than .231/.311/.455, with 16 homers in 79 games.  Right?

Okay, is this hot streak ever going to end? Or has Brad Zobrist suddenly become Cal Ripken overnight?

-- Mike Glander, 7/9/09

Nope.  Evidently, Zobrist took a magical Cal Ripken pill before this season.  I'm just glad that Tom is one who ended up with that hot potato.  It's about time Tom finally caught a break.

I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that Brandon Inge will not hit more than 10 homers in the second half, and that Mauer will not hit more than five. You read it here first.

-- Mike Glander, 7/12/09

Brandon Inge, post all-star break: 6 homers.
Joe Mauer, post all-star break: 12 homers.

Hey, I'm batting .500!

[Brad] Lincoln is a really good pitcher.

-- Anthony Peburn, 7/26/09

AAA stats: 61+ IP, 72 H, 7 HR, 10 BB, 42 K, 4.70 ERA.  Maybe he's one of those really good pitchers who posts sucky stats.  Like Luke Hochevar or Josh Beckett.