Matt LaPorta's dismal month continues.
First he suffers through a terrible slump after being traded to the Indians' organization.
Next thing you know he gets attacked by China.
China manager James Lefebvre was the first man to be ejected after twice leaving the dugout to protest plays before relief pitcher Chen Kun was also given his marching orders for delivering a fast ball drilled into the helmet of Matt Laporta.
The injury doesn't appear to be severe...but LaPorta did spend the night in the hospital for observation.
Ahhh...you stay classy Jim Lefebvre. If this doesn't prove that the Chicago Cubs are Communist Sympathizers then I'm not sure what does.
The lesson again...as always...China sucks. So do the Cubs.
Showing posts with label Matt LaPorta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matt LaPorta. Show all posts
Monday, August 18, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Matt LaPorta Wishes He Was Back In Huntsville
Actually, I'm not sure if this is the case whatsoever, but check out the numbers.
Huntsville (AA, Milwaukee): 84 games, .288, .402 OBP, 20 HR, 66 RBI
Akron (AA, Cleveland): 14 games, .212, .250 OBP, 1 HR, 7 RBI
Huntsville (AA, Milwaukee): 84 games, .288, .402 OBP, 20 HR, 66 RBI
Akron (AA, Cleveland): 14 games, .212, .250 OBP, 1 HR, 7 RBI
Friday, July 11, 2008
The Kiss of Death
From Jayson Stark's latest column:
• LaPorta authority: As we surveyed various clubs about the CC Sabathia deal, it was interesting to hear the split among AL and NL teams about the centerpiece player, Matt LaPorta. MostAL
• LaPorta authority: As we surveyed various clubs about the CC Sabathia deal, it was interesting to hear the split among AL and NL teams about the centerpiece player, Matt LaPorta. Most
Dear God. Comparisons to Kevin Mench? You might as well refer to him as the next Wes Helms, or Butch Huskey...
To be fair, this is just one scout giving his opinion, so who the hell knows. But he's sold me with the Kevin Mench name drop.
Good luck living up to expectations Matt!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Happy 4th of July
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Time to Look at Dealing the Prince?
This might not be a popular post with many Brewers fans. Especially after Prince has finally started to break out of his power funk.
However, I think it is an issue worth raising...
Should the Brewers be exploring their options in preparation for a possible trade of Prince Fielder?
I'm not saying trade him right now - but after next season? Maybe. At next year's trade deadline? Maybe. I think you have to judge to see when his value is at its absolute highest, and then seriously think about pulling the trigger on a trade.
I know that the Brewers control his rights for three more seasons after this year. I know that, in the baseball world that we've been living in, it would be extremely unusual to trade a player of Prince's caliber before his final arbitration year. But as we have seen with the spate of long-term deals handed out to young ballplayers this season (the "sea change" in baseball, as Attanasio put it) things are changing in baseball. The Rockies are rumored to be exploring trading Matt Holliday (another Boras client, by the way) even though he isn't a free agent until after the 2009 season.
Arguments for trading Prince before his final arbitration season?
1. Trading Prince at the trade deadline prior to his free agent year would seem to limit the Brewers trade partners. At that point, the teams who would look at Prince would have to fit within fairly narrow criteria - (a) a team that needs a player to play 1B or DH, (b) a team that is either in, or within shouting distance of, first place, such that trading for a guy like Prince would make sense for their club, and (c) a team that is willing to risk "renting" Prince for a few months until he hits free agency. If you trade Prince when the team still controls him for a few years, this would open up trading partners who wouldn't typically go after a guy like Prince in his contract year. (I'm thinking smaller market teams who think they're a 1B away from taking a shot at the playoffs for the next year or two). As we saw with the Carlos Lee deal, you're not going to get top value for your star player when he's in his walk year. Which leads me to...
2. Trading Prince at the trade deadline prior to his free agent year would seem to limit the compensation that the Brewers would get in return. Prince is much more valuable to a team if they know that they control him for another year or two after making the deal. Therefore, teams would theoretically be much more likely to give up more in order to get Prince - including more prospects who are closer to the majors.
3. The Brewers have organizational depth at first base, and could fill holes in other areas (see: starting pitching) by trading Prince. The Brewers have both Matt LaPorta and Mat Gamel mashing in the minor leagues right now. LaPorta was a 1B in college; Gamel plays 3B rather poorly for Huntsville right now. Either one would likely be able to handle 1B - Gamel's fielding problems are mostly related to the accuracy of his throwing arm, which clearly isn't an issue at 1B. It is true that LaPorta is another righthanded bat (Gamel is a lefty) which could be a bit of a problem, since Prince is currently the only lefty regular in the Brewers lineup. Now am I saying that either one of these guys is going to hit 50 home runs? No. But to me, the Brewers don't need to replace all of Prince's offensive numbers - if they could get some quality starting pitching back for him and/or a stopper for the bullpen, that would more than make up for any drop in offensive production at the 1B spot in my mind. Coming in to this season, only 10 of the Brewers' top 30 prospects (according to Baseball America) are pitchers, and one of those 10 (Manny Parra) is already pitching for Milwaukee in the bigs. And the only pitcher other than Parra in the top 10 has a drug problem. With Ben Sheets' impending free agency, they need pitching.
4. I think we all agree that the Brewers have not shot at retaining Fielder once he hits free agency. If I thought there was a chance to lock up Prince for a Braun-type deal, I'd never suggest this. But I think it's pretty clear that as long as Scott Boras is Prince's agent, that isn't going to happen.
What do people think? I know Woz thinks this is crazy to suggest, but I think it might just be crazy enough to work for the Brewers long term...although I'm no GM. Don't forget, even though Prince is only arbitration eligible starting next year, he's going to be pulling down at least $10 million next year thanks to Ryan Howard's arbitration win prior to this year.
However, I think it is an issue worth raising...
Should the Brewers be exploring their options in preparation for a possible trade of Prince Fielder?
I'm not saying trade him right now - but after next season? Maybe. At next year's trade deadline? Maybe. I think you have to judge to see when his value is at its absolute highest, and then seriously think about pulling the trigger on a trade.
I know that the Brewers control his rights for three more seasons after this year. I know that, in the baseball world that we've been living in, it would be extremely unusual to trade a player of Prince's caliber before his final arbitration year. But as we have seen with the spate of long-term deals handed out to young ballplayers this season (the "sea change" in baseball, as Attanasio put it) things are changing in baseball. The Rockies are rumored to be exploring trading Matt Holliday (another Boras client, by the way) even though he isn't a free agent until after the 2009 season.
Arguments for trading Prince before his final arbitration season?
1. Trading Prince at the trade deadline prior to his free agent year would seem to limit the Brewers trade partners. At that point, the teams who would look at Prince would have to fit within fairly narrow criteria - (a) a team that needs a player to play 1B or DH, (b) a team that is either in, or within shouting distance of, first place, such that trading for a guy like Prince would make sense for their club, and (c) a team that is willing to risk "renting" Prince for a few months until he hits free agency. If you trade Prince when the team still controls him for a few years, this would open up trading partners who wouldn't typically go after a guy like Prince in his contract year. (I'm thinking smaller market teams who think they're a 1B away from taking a shot at the playoffs for the next year or two). As we saw with the Carlos Lee deal, you're not going to get top value for your star player when he's in his walk year. Which leads me to...
2. Trading Prince at the trade deadline prior to his free agent year would seem to limit the compensation that the Brewers would get in return. Prince is much more valuable to a team if they know that they control him for another year or two after making the deal. Therefore, teams would theoretically be much more likely to give up more in order to get Prince - including more prospects who are closer to the majors.
3. The Brewers have organizational depth at first base, and could fill holes in other areas (see: starting pitching) by trading Prince. The Brewers have both Matt LaPorta and Mat Gamel mashing in the minor leagues right now. LaPorta was a 1B in college; Gamel plays 3B rather poorly for Huntsville right now. Either one would likely be able to handle 1B - Gamel's fielding problems are mostly related to the accuracy of his throwing arm, which clearly isn't an issue at 1B. It is true that LaPorta is another righthanded bat (Gamel is a lefty) which could be a bit of a problem, since Prince is currently the only lefty regular in the Brewers lineup. Now am I saying that either one of these guys is going to hit 50 home runs? No. But to me, the Brewers don't need to replace all of Prince's offensive numbers - if they could get some quality starting pitching back for him and/or a stopper for the bullpen, that would more than make up for any drop in offensive production at the 1B spot in my mind. Coming in to this season, only 10 of the Brewers' top 30 prospects (according to Baseball America) are pitchers, and one of those 10 (Manny Parra) is already pitching for Milwaukee in the bigs. And the only pitcher other than Parra in the top 10 has a drug problem. With Ben Sheets' impending free agency, they need pitching.
4. I think we all agree that the Brewers have not shot at retaining Fielder once he hits free agency. If I thought there was a chance to lock up Prince for a Braun-type deal, I'd never suggest this. But I think it's pretty clear that as long as Scott Boras is Prince's agent, that isn't going to happen.
What do people think? I know Woz thinks this is crazy to suggest, but I think it might just be crazy enough to work for the Brewers long term...although I'm no GM. Don't forget, even though Prince is only arbitration eligible starting next year, he's going to be pulling down at least $10 million next year thanks to Ryan Howard's arbitration win prior to this year.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
They're Getting Better!
I can' t believe it...a decent JSOnline mailbag?
Ehhh...go for it. Spend an entire 10 minutes. There are some good questions and some slightly witty commentary from Witrado. There is some indirect Yost bashing in his responses along with some youthful references (Brad will probably be confused). There's also a "Major League" mention...awesome.
So with no Billups material, I'll post a few interesting questions that should draw up debate.
Q: Jalky of Dodgeville MI - Without Sheets the Brewers would be in serious trouble...how does this situation play out with regard to next season? Do they let him walk for nothing (a terrible option)? Trade him before the deadline if they are out of it? Make him an offer now/later? With Suppan simply being a .500 inning-eater, Gallardo with potential (acl?), Bush awful, and Parra youthfully inconsistant the team does not seem to have a lot of alternatives. How should/will the team address the situation?
A: Anthony Witrado - This was a totally different situation at the start of the season, but being that no starter except Sheets has gotten a win since Parra in the first home series of the season, Sheets might not be expendable.
Q: Paul of Cudahy - Does Gallardo's injury virtually guarantee that Ben Sheets wil not be dealt at the trading deadline, since that would leave the team "aceless" for the stretch? Also, what's your measuring stick for "out of contention" at the trading deadline? 6 games? 8? Double digits? Thanks.
A: Anthony Witrado - If the team is out of it, they may make a trade instead of losing Sheets for nothing later. And I'd say it would have to be double digits.
Q: Thomas V of Park Falls - Do you see any possible situation where outfielder Matt LaPorta, who has been tearing up AA at a Braun like clip, joins the big club this year?
A: Anthony Witrado - A few weeks ago, the answer would have been no. But with the offense still not clicking, that possibility is becoming more real. Especially if the team is out of the race by mid-summer.
My Overall REACT: 2 points here...
If the Brewers trade Ben Sheets, the season is over. That day. A complete meltdown would have to happen over the next 3 months for that to happen. I hope we don't even have to have that discussion come July. Hopefully we're 7 games over .500.
LaPorta? This year? Uhhh...where is he going to play?
Ehhh...go for it. Spend an entire 10 minutes. There are some good questions and some slightly witty commentary from Witrado. There is some indirect Yost bashing in his responses along with some youthful references (Brad will probably be confused). There's also a "Major League" mention...awesome.
So with no Billups material, I'll post a few interesting questions that should draw up debate.
Q: Jalky of Dodgeville MI - Without Sheets the Brewers would be in serious trouble...how does this situation play out with regard to next season? Do they let him walk for nothing (a terrible option)? Trade him before the deadline if they are out of it? Make him an offer now/later? With Suppan simply being a .500 inning-eater, Gallardo with potential (acl?), Bush awful, and Parra youthfully inconsistant the team does not seem to have a lot of alternatives. How should/will the team address the situation?
A: Anthony Witrado - This was a totally different situation at the start of the season, but being that no starter except Sheets has gotten a win since Parra in the first home series of the season, Sheets might not be expendable.
Q: Paul of Cudahy - Does Gallardo's injury virtually guarantee that Ben Sheets wil not be dealt at the trading deadline, since that would leave the team "aceless" for the stretch? Also, what's your measuring stick for "out of contention" at the trading deadline? 6 games? 8? Double digits? Thanks.
A: Anthony Witrado - If the team is out of it, they may make a trade instead of losing Sheets for nothing later. And I'd say it would have to be double digits.
Q: Thomas V of Park Falls - Do you see any possible situation where outfielder Matt LaPorta, who has been tearing up AA at a Braun like clip, joins the big club this year?
A: Anthony Witrado - A few weeks ago, the answer would have been no. But with the offense still not clicking, that possibility is becoming more real. Especially if the team is out of the race by mid-summer.
My Overall REACT: 2 points here...
If the Brewers trade Ben Sheets, the season is over. That day. A complete meltdown would have to happen over the next 3 months for that to happen. I hope we don't even have to have that discussion come July. Hopefully we're 7 games over .500.
LaPorta? This year? Uhhh...where is he going to play?
Friday, May 2, 2008
Future Beer Makers
Looks like the next crop of Brewer bats currently reside in Huntsville, Alabama. The Stars are crushing Southern League pitching to a tune of 6.2 runs per game, a full run more than the #2 offense in the league...who happens to be the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx. WTF? Anyway, here are some highlights:
Matt LaPorta, OF: .319 avg, .413 OPB, 9 Bombs, 30 ribbies.
Mat Gamel, 3B: .374 avg, .442 OBP, 5 bombs, 20 steaks.
Michael Brantley, OF: .333 avg, .429 OBP, 7 SB
Cole Gillespie, OF, 4 bombs, 18 RBIs.
Alcides Escobar, SS: 16 RBIs.
Not surprisingly, Huntsville is owning the Southern League batting stats, and also the Southern League itself with a 19-8 record. Good job kids, mash away!
Matt LaPorta, OF: .319 avg, .413 OPB, 9 Bombs, 30 ribbies.
Mat Gamel, 3B: .374 avg, .442 OBP, 5 bombs, 20 steaks.
Michael Brantley, OF: .333 avg, .429 OBP, 7 SB
Cole Gillespie, OF, 4 bombs, 18 RBIs.
Alcides Escobar, SS: 16 RBIs.
Not surprisingly, Huntsville is owning the Southern League batting stats, and also the Southern League itself with a 19-8 record. Good job kids, mash away!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Brewers Prospect Props
From CNNSI - Baseball's Top 100 Prospects.
31. Matt LaPorta, OF, Brewers: The best college hitter in last year's draft, the Brewers are taking a risk by trying to teach him how to play left field, but all he needs to do is become adequate there, because at the plate, he's a monster.
42. Manny Parra, LHP, Brewers: Always loaded with promise despite a propensity to spend long periods of time on the disabled list, Parra finally stayed healthy enough to reach the big leagues last year and cement a bid to join Milwaukee's Opening Day rotation.
76. Jeremy Jeffress, RHP, Brewers: A million-dollar arm handicapped by off-field issues. Jeffress can hit 100 mph with his fastball, and would rank much higher on this list if not for the multiple positive tests for marijuana.
31. Matt LaPorta, OF, Brewers: The best college hitter in last year's draft, the Brewers are taking a risk by trying to teach him how to play left field, but all he needs to do is become adequate there, because at the plate, he's a monster.
42. Manny Parra, LHP, Brewers: Always loaded with promise despite a propensity to spend long periods of time on the disabled list, Parra finally stayed healthy enough to reach the big leagues last year and cement a bid to join Milwaukee's Opening Day rotation.
76. Jeremy Jeffress, RHP, Brewers: A million-dollar arm handicapped by off-field issues. Jeffress can hit 100 mph with his fastball, and would rank much higher on this list if not for the multiple positive tests for marijuana.
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