11/05/24
July 19, 2006
Mr. Congeniality, Shea Hillenbrand: is cut from the Blue Jays after an expletive-filled tirade ripping the manager and the front office. Hillenbrand was furious with John Gibbons for calling him out in front of the team and with the brass for failing to congratulate him on adopting a baby girl. After being traded for Byung-Hung Kim in 2003 (a deal that freed up playing time for then-obscure David Ortiz), Hillenbrand called Theo Epstein a "fag". What a class act!
posted by Venicemenace to baseball at 11:58 PM - 72 comments
Sounds like quite alot of asshattery all the way around. Is this a good thing for the Orioles? Nah, the only good thing for the O's would be a league realignment and they get put in the AL South. Rassafrassayankeesgulldurnedbosox, grumble, grumble, grumble.
posted by fenriq at 12:10 AM on July 20, 2006
Sounds like the whole team needs family counseling. It makes you wonder what's been going on in that clubhouse.
posted by wingnut4life at 12:53 AM on July 20, 2006
It's just a staphing problem, right? Also, stay out of the streets, Weedy. Sidney Ponson's in town and he's got cash money.
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:08 AM on July 20, 2006
"I love my teammates here, but I'm waiting to be traded," Hillenbrand said during a profanity-filled tirade before the game. "I should have been traded two months ago." I think the important point here is that Hillenbrand probably was offered around in the pre-season after the acquisition of better players at 2 of his 3 positions (1B, 3B). The third position (DH) is something that can be easily filled by a player making half his money. He may have just given the Jays a chance to free up some payroll if someone wants to take him off their hands...
posted by grum@work at 01:56 AM on July 20, 2006
Not sure whats going on here but it seems to me to be a management problem. A profanity laced tirade? Probably not the best idea but jeez, wheres an example? As far as the clubhouse being better without him, all the guys quoted seem to miss Hillenbrand, not glad he is gone. On a different but similar note, eliminate the DH, pitchers should bat.
posted by GoBirds at 04:04 AM on July 20, 2006
How is it a management problem because Shea Hillenbrand is an asshole? I'm not sure what you want "an example" of, GoBirds. Generally, you will not see players throw another player under the bus without it being an anonymous comment in the paper.
posted by jerseygirl at 07:12 AM on July 20, 2006
GoBirds, Hillenbrand's been on three teams since 2001; obviously, three different management problems, eh? The real problem is he's a mouthy prima donna who thinks the (slightly above average) pop in his bat is enough to balance his attitude, so yeah, I guess if you manage him in any way, shape or form, that's gonna be a problem.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 07:20 AM on July 20, 2006
The facts as they are dripping out is only giving us half the story and we have to try to fill in the blanks reading between the lines. Management is painting him as some sort of tumorous arsehole. Whereas the players say he always "had a smile on his face," and they are "shocked" by the decision, calling it "crazy," and "taking the news hard." Who to believe...? I'm a fan of Gibbons, but he sounds like a "PistonWristedGibbon" (read: wanker) for reaming him in front of his teammates. That stuff should be sorted out in the managers office. Unless, of course, Gibbon wanted to make an example of him and send messages to his teammates as well. This suggests team chemistry ain't good. Players like Vernon Wells will say, fark this, when his contract expires, I'm outta here. And free agents will distance themselves, and that's already a problem. Completely unprofessional all around. I don't know what Hillenbrand's personality was like behind closed doors. Maybe it's true he was a major league ass, but his selective teammates comments don't suggest it, and regardless, on the diamond he was hitting .301 and hustled. Again, we don't know the whole story, we're even littler than the "little people."
posted by the red terror at 07:21 AM on July 20, 2006
An example of a "profanity laced tirade"is all I meant. Never said he wasn't an asshole as most pro ball players are, but to be dressed down in front of God, country and teammates seems a bit extreme. T.O. he ain't. If he is such a jerk what the hell is he doing adopting a child? Maybe I am still bitter after Mitch Williams gave up that homer against Joe Carter, just one of many heartbreaks the Phil's have dealt me.
posted by GoBirds at 07:24 AM on July 20, 2006
Whether or not he's an ass, he's a .300 hitter who will be snatched up quickly. It's hard to put the pieces together as a fan looking on, but once you piss off management, not much else will save you, unless you're a mega-star. It's possible for Hillenbrand to be great with his teammates but a prick towards managment. God knows I've never heard of anyone fitting into THAT category. Maybe he'll just hop on board with the Yanks this weekend and play first base.
posted by dyams at 07:31 AM on July 20, 2006
An example of a "profanity laced tirade"is all I meant. They're not exactly going to print the profanities on the ESPN website. As far as that goes, we also didn't see an example of this "reaming" aka "dressing down" (which was only in front of his teammates, GoBirds, and of course Jebus is always there; the country didn't get a ringside seat, however). Hillenbrand called it getting "reamed out", but then, he was on the receiving end, and that's been known to skew one's perception, particularly if one is perpetually inclined to believe that one is hard-done-by. We've got hearsay about both tirade and reaming, so if you're applying grains of salt, it makes sense to apply them equally. If he is such a jerk what the hell is he doing adopting a child? Who the hell knows? Perhaps he and his wife can't have their own and she's deeply unhappy and wants a kid. Does that mean the guy's automatically not a prima donna?
posted by lil_brown_bat at 07:33 AM on July 20, 2006
An example of a "profanity laced tirade"is all I meant. Join the military; not only will you hear one nearly every day, you'll also be serving your country...it's a "win-win!"
posted by The_Black_Hand at 08:00 AM on July 20, 2006
True dat brown bat, just saying a guy shouldnt (no matter what) have to take an ass chewing in front of his co-workers just as he shouldn't be trash talking the higher ups via cell phone. A little professionalism on both sides would be appreciated. If he wants to be traded so bad he wouldn't be making an ass of himself so close to the dead-line. Prima-donna or not methinks it takes a pretty stand up guy to go thru all it takes for adoption, that and a hefty paycheck. I am glad people pay attention to what we post here, I enjoy the back and forth.
posted by GoBirds at 08:01 AM on July 20, 2006
Join the military; not only will you hear one nearly every day, you'll also be serving your country...it's a "win-win!" Try telling that to the family of Pat Tillman.
posted by the red terror at 08:15 AM on July 20, 2006
Try a little context there, sport. Or do you bring up Pat Tillman every time somebody mentions the military? 'Cause, or course, he was terribly relevant to the discussion of "profanity laced tirades." Sheesh.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 08:51 AM on July 20, 2006
just saying a guy shouldnt (no matter what) have to take an ass chewing in front of his co-workers just as he shouldn't be trash talking the higher ups via cell phone See, I feel like I'm on the side that gets blamed for the Pussification of the World whenever we have these discussions. Where are all the guys that kill Randy Moss, TO, etc. for not taking ass chewings? The guys who complain about Today's Generation? I know they're awake, 'cause those guys are up getting the paper when it's still wet with dew. That's why they have those damn house shoes. I dunno why they wear the white socks though. I'm trying to stay out of this one because I have a bias: I think Hillenbrand's a cock and the fact he hung out with Carl Everett makes it an open and shut case to me. Plus he always had this look on his face in the dugout like he had killed the real Shea Hillenbrand and was sure he was about to be found out. Someone should send a couple Hot Cops to his door to see if: A. He confesses. B. He accepts a lap dance.
posted by yerfatma at 08:59 AM on July 20, 2006
just saying a guy shouldnt (no matter what) have to take an ass chewing in front of his co-workers just as he shouldn't be trash talking the higher ups via cell phone Yeah, I completely disagree with this. If a guy is doing something to damage the team, then the team should know what management is doing about it. How did a guy who can't handle getting yelled out even get to the Majors?
posted by bperk at 09:03 AM on July 20, 2006
Hillenbrand's a Grade-A douchebag. Ricciardi said this morning that the only way the team could communicate with him about anything was through his agent. There are also reports that he ripped the Canadian flag off his uniform and wrote "THIS SHIP IS SINKING" on the locker room blackboard.
posted by Scott Carefoot at 09:07 AM on July 20, 2006
If he is such a jerk what the hell is he doing adopting a child? That doesn't preclude anyone from being an asshole. I'd suggest we stay away from the "Who is fit and who isn't fit to adopt children" debate, however, as it's going to get messy and no one wins. Suffice it to say, and I'm sure you can find your own examples, adopting a child does not make you a savior. Dig up Joan Crawford and discuss. If he wants to be traded so bad he wouldn't be making an ass of himself so close to the dead-line. GoBirds, this is how Hillenbrand is. It's not a momentary lapse of judgement, it's merely a confirmation of his constant and unrelenting douchosity. There is something to be said about Shea getting chewed out in front of the team, as a way to solidify the team. If there's been issues in the lockerroom or personality conflicts and he has been the root cause of it to some extent, ripping him apart and then disposing him might send a message of "This team, you guys, matter more to us than this backup player with the mouth" to the rest of the players, no?
posted by jerseygirl at 09:24 AM on July 20, 2006
"Try a little context there, sport. Or do you bring up Pat Tillman every time somebody mentions the military?" This is, admittedly, off-topic. But I didn't raise the military. Suffice it to say, I'm not trying to score points, but when somebody says joining the military is a "win-win" proposition, I'm not so much a chickenshit to shy away and not stand up and say I beg to differ. So do Pat Tillman's parents. Pat Tillman was an athlete who was elevated on a pedastal for his dedication to service. If his name can be used for propaganda purposes -- and it was -- and has high name recognition amongst sports fans, there's no harm whatsoever recalling his experience when somebody says war is a "win-win." I am a big Pat Tillman fan. It wasn't a "win-win" for him, nor his parents, who rightfully feel sucker-punched. War is not a joke. Perhaps I don't treat it with the same frivolity and play it for laughs the way some would expect of me. Maybe both of our nerves are exceedingly sensitive. So, I apologise. Back to our regularly scheduled debate. That is all.
posted by the red terror at 09:24 AM on July 20, 2006
"There are also reports that he ripped the Canadian flag off his uniform and wrote "THIS SHIP IS SINKING" on the locker room blackboard." I have since heard he refused to sit in the dugout the other day, too. If true, then that would certainly be grounds for dismissal. Having said that, a team needs a CAPTAIN who can step forward and take responsibility for reading riot acts and kicking a players ass before it ever gets to the level of management. I'd be disappointed if his teammates didn't try sorting him out first.
posted by the red terror at 09:33 AM on July 20, 2006
Oh, for chrissake, it was a fucking joke! He said he wanted an example of a profanity laced tirade, and I jokingly said he should join the military. People in the military tend to cuss a lot. Case closed. Who raised the subject of war? You did, for no good goddamned reason except to talk about Pat Tillman, who, while a very honorable man, had nothing to do with anything in this thread! Fuck, man, take a joke, willya? GoBirds, I'm getting closer and closer to a profanity laced tirade myself. Stick around a while, and maybe I'll give you a good 'un.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 09:34 AM on July 20, 2006
Joke taken. I apologised. Settle down. Let it go.
posted by the red terror at 09:35 AM on July 20, 2006
J.P. Ricciardi on the Fan 590 this morning.
posted by the red terror at 09:36 AM on July 20, 2006
They should send Hillenbrand's, and other athletes like him, sorry ass out into the real world and have him get a job. He would coming crawling back to play his little game after putting in a 50, 60 hour week at a real job.
posted by joromu at 09:52 AM on July 20, 2006
"They're paying me $6-million for this?" I'm as flabbergasted as you, Shea.
posted by yerfatma at 09:54 AM on July 20, 2006
Interesting. It will be more interesting to see where he ends up playing. He would be a bargin pick up to teams on the fringe. I wouldnt mind seeing my Twins wind up with him
posted by daddisamm at 10:05 AM on July 20, 2006
I'm sure he won't be an asshole if he goes somewhere else. That was sarcasm.
posted by jerseygirl at 10:18 AM on July 20, 2006
Thanks for telling us!
posted by daddisamm at 10:32 AM on July 20, 2006
"Not one person from the front office has even come up to congratulate me," he said. "It's all the little people like you guys." I'm sure his audience just loves being referred to as "little people". That quote provides a calibration point for his character and outlook.
posted by joaquim at 10:44 AM on July 20, 2006
Whatever - this sucks. Hillenbrand fought to be on this team in the off-season. He stated that he wanted to play here, worked his ass off in the off-season, was one of Gibbons favorite grunts, and Gibbons went to bat for him with Riccardi. Riccardi relented - he was going to let him walk. Bottom line though is that Hillenbrand was a good player. He hit, could play 2 infield positions well and was a good depth guy. Now you can trade him for a new homeplate and he'll go hit .300 with some power somewhere else. It just sucks. He'll help a team that needs hitting. If I'm Riccardi, I'm trading him to the NL for a D-level prospect if I'm lucky.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:45 AM on July 20, 2006
Shea Hillenbrand... 1. He starts the season hot every year and is usually a below average hitter from June on. 2. He acts like a spoiled 8 year old when he's not in the starting lineup. 3. The Jays are in contention for the first time in years. Rios is on the DL and 3B-Glaus is laid up so they're very short on bats. Sounds like a perfect time for the backup 3B to take an 8 day All-Star Break for a family matter. What a team player and a pro. Most guys take only one or two days for the birth of a child and I think Chaucin pitched on his wedding day last year. 4. With his relationship with management strained already and his team frustrated and on the edge of dropping from contention, how exactly is writing "This Team is a Sinking Ship" on the clubhouse chalkboard funny!?!? 5. He can't take a well deserved dressing down for a stupid mistake and instead skips a critical game, goes on a tirade with the media and then goes home. 6. He's a shitty fielder. He sulks when he has to DH instead of miss and drop balls at 3B. 7. Gibbons, the guy he is making look stupid was his biggest ally and is the reason this first-half-only hitter got paid way to much to resign with the Jays. Sounds like addition by subtraction to me. I'd consider the Jays pretty lucky if they get anything for him by trade and don't end up having to eat this selfish slacker's contract.
posted by hb74147 at 10:54 AM on July 20, 2006
I wish I had more of an opinion on this, but there's too much insider information required to be able to put forth anything complete. I'm still just kinda weirded out. But yeah, I can see where the organization's coming from. Especially when you look down the bench and see Eric Hinske, a guy who's taken his demotion to part-time player with class, dignity, and a helluva lot of hard work to prove he can be better. Hillenbrand came nowhere close to that ideal when faced with a similar reduction in playing time. Despite that, the Jays might've been able to handle this better. Or they might not have. Who knows?
posted by DrJohnEvans at 11:09 AM on July 20, 2006
Hillenbrand was on The Fan 590 a minute ago. Says he loves the team and city. He denies he ever ripped any Canadian flag off his cap. He denies he ever wrote the "sinking ship" comment on any chalkboard. He claims he wasn't in the dugout because Gibbons told him to get out. He claims he had his agent doing communication with Ricciardi because Ricciardi wouldn't talk to him. He even thanked the Blue Jay organization and said he "had a fun time." He said/she said...
posted by the red terror at 11:43 AM on July 20, 2006
"I think Chacin pitched on his wedding day last year." Hardly a commendation. Baseball players get paid millions of dollars, they shouldn't schedule their weddings during the season.
posted by the red terror at 11:48 AM on July 20, 2006
it's merely a confirmation of his constant and unrelenting douchosity. This statement, punctuated with the final word, made reading this thread completely worthwile. Gracias, jerseygirl
posted by littleLebowski at 11:48 AM on July 20, 2006
GoBirds: If he is such a jerk what the hell is he doing adopting a child? He's famous. He's got money. When it comes to adoption, that works wonders. It's been years since state agencies have had unbendable standards for adoption. It doesn't matter if you're a jerk. You can even be an all-out scumbag. For instance, filmmaker Woody Allen. In 1992, actress Mia Farrow, the mother of Allen's five-year-old biological son, discovered that Allen -- who also was the adoptive father of a daughter raised by him and Farrow -- was messing with Farrow's 21-year-old adopted daughter (Soon-Yi Previn) from a previous marriage. Five years later, Allen and Previn married, and adopted twins. Hello?!
posted by L.N. Smithee at 11:51 AM on July 20, 2006
Irreconcilable diffences? The Blue Jays can have the stadium and the jewelry, but Shea wants the car and the dog. Won't he be surprised when he finds out they don't use bullpen cars anymore, and Fred McGriff has been gone for years. I'm with hb74147. Even if half of what they say is true, Hillenbrand is more trouble than he's worth. When Frank Catalanotto says, "I stand by their decision".... well, either Shea's humor wasn't universally enjoyed, or that's one heck of a company man. If Gibbons really fought for Shea, and has now put Ricciardi and the club in this awkward position, then I'd say the clock is running on him. The clubhouse demeanor better start getting rosier immediately, or Gibbons may find himself on the top 10 list of highest winning percentages at the time of firing. It's too bad Jays fans have to focus on this, because tonight's match up -- Halliday vs. Mussina -- is what should really be today's headline. It's gonna be good, I think.
posted by BullpenPro at 11:56 AM on July 20, 2006
Hillenbrand says Gibbons cursed him in front of the team and challenged him to a fight. He claims Gibbons wanted him to "punch him in the face," but Hillenbrand refused, saying "I'm an adult." If the fight challenge was in front of teammates as Hillenbrand claims, that doesn't make Gibbons look like the worlds best manager, either. Was he sending other teammates messages that no dissent will be tolerated. Maybe an insight into why Frank Catalanotto says he stands by the decision. He said/she said.
posted by the red terror at 12:04 PM on July 20, 2006
Maybe an insight into why Frank Catalanotto says he stands by the decision. Or maybe Cat thinks Shea was a douche too.
posted by jerseygirl at 12:13 PM on July 20, 2006
Hillenbrand's former manager at Arizona, Bob Brenly is on Fan 590 and says he can't speak for the Jays, but claims in his experience he never had a problem with Hillenbrand, claims he was a hard-nosed gamer that never caused him problems, was never a distraction. Says he loved the guy and couldn't have asked any more from him. Brenly believes there's a lot more to this story that none of us will ever find out.
posted by the red terror at 12:14 PM on July 20, 2006
He hit, could play 2 infield positions well and was a good depth guy. His OPS+ (up to 2006) is dead on league average: 100. That "league average" includes backup catchers, 2nd string infielders and cup-of-coffee AAA players. He has a below average OBP, and his slugging barely compensates the difference. This is about as average a hitter as you can find. He could NOT field 3B "well". He's been a below average fielder at 3B every year in the majors. He's even been a below average fielder at 1B overall, but it's less noticeable there. Depth guys shouldn't be earning $6million/yr.
posted by grum@work at 12:24 PM on July 20, 2006
Well, the Jays are not going to stay 4 games out of first for the rest of the season. Either this is going to galvanize them and they'll make a real move, or they're going to shut it down and look at ought-seven. I'm hoping for one, and expecting the other.
posted by chicobangs at 12:27 PM on July 20, 2006
The team is imploding. Hillenbrand's departure isn't going to change much. The players are in shock, they say they didn't see it coming. Now reports are that Gibbons stormed into a players-only meeting and lost his temper. He is saying players will no longer be allowed players-only meetings. The more I hear, the more Gibbons sounds like a control-freak with a short fuse. Sounds to me like you've got two hot-heads here, and it reached a boiling point. Both guys probably deserve blame. If Hillenbrand was a cancer in the clubhouse, then Gibbons and Ricciardi should have seen it coming and dealt him weeks or months ago instead of letting it get this far and seeing his value plummet.
posted by the red terror at 12:35 PM on July 20, 2006
Or maybe Cat thinks Shea was a douche too. You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
posted by BullpenPro at 12:40 PM on July 20, 2006
Gibbons remarks kinda remind me of Earl Weaver's endorsement of Terry Crowley. I miss Earl!
posted by mjkredliner at 12:42 PM on July 20, 2006
I can see where the organization's coming from. Especially when you look down the bench and see Eric Hinske, a guy who's taken his demotion to part-time player with class, dignity, and a helluva lot of hard work to prove he can be better. Hillenbrand came nowhere close to that ideal when faced with a similar reduction in playing time. Amen, hopefully Hinske steps up and plays like he sometimes shows he can and fills in the gap. Out of frustration with his under-acheivement I was a bit of a Hinske hater until he showed a lot of class this year sitting way out on the end of Gibbons bench. Who knows, this could all turn out well, if not via Hinske maybe a hot bat from Syracuse can come up and help ignite things, we've seen very little non-pitchers from the system this year.
posted by hb74147 at 12:43 PM on July 20, 2006
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. Ok, thanks?
posted by jerseygirl at 12:53 PM on July 20, 2006
If Gibbons was going to blow up and challenge his players to a fight, he would have been better off directing his anger at middle relief. It's not Shea Hillenbrand's fault this team collapses in the 7th and 8th innings.
posted by the red terror at 12:54 PM on July 20, 2006
Vizzini: "He didn't fall? INCONCEIVABLE!" Inigo Montoya: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
posted by the red terror at 12:59 PM on July 20, 2006
Fuck him, I could give a flying goddam shit about the cock sucking pusswah...didnt realize you were so passionate about the jackass. Nothing wrong with playing devils advocate right TBH? Let 'er rip yo. Thanks for the imformative lively discussion, now everyone go back to your cubicles. I'm going for a bike ride, after my nap.
posted by GoBirds at 01:00 PM on July 20, 2006
That was awesome.
posted by jerseygirl at 01:07 PM on July 20, 2006
Did somebody order a profanity laced tirade around here? Anyone?
posted by Amateur at 01:26 PM on July 20, 2006
I wonder what Hillenbrand thinks of the Blue Jays fans.
posted by BullpenPro at 01:42 PM on July 20, 2006
I found this excerpt from a Bob Hohler Globe article dating back to Shea's rookie year in Boston: "Hillenbrand, 26, watched one pitcher after another complain about his role, and one position player after another criticize the way the team used him. He saw a player he admires, Carl Everett, show up late and unleash a stream of profanity-laced accusations at manager Joe Kerrigan. And Pedro Martinez clashed openly with Kerrigan. ''Now that I'm up here and see what goes on, it's weird,'' he said. ''It's been a real eye-opener.'' Don't get him wrong, Hillenbrand wants nothing more than to remain a member of the Sox. But even if he is fortunate enough to stay on an upward trajectory and enter the circle of baseball millionaires, he insisted he would not use some of the behavior he has seen this year as a model. ''I would never be like that,'' he said. ''You still have to give whoever's in charge respect.'"
posted by Venicemenace at 02:17 PM on July 20, 2006
He ran his mouth off about Boston after he left too. If time will let me, I'll find the article(s) about it.
posted by jerseygirl at 02:20 PM on July 20, 2006
I think I miss Lee Elia too!
posted by mjkredliner at 02:21 PM on July 20, 2006
Fuck him, I could give a flying goddam shit about the cock sucking pusswah...didnt realize you were so passionate about the jackass. Eloquently spoken.
posted by dyams at 02:52 PM on July 20, 2006
Or maybe Cat thinks Shea was a douche too. You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. Put it down to regionalism, I guess. It's a fairly popular slur in New England right about now. The popularity is probably due to the fact it's not an FCC-banned word and it has cross-gender appeal. Well, perhaps "appeal" is a bit strong. Who's up for a shower?
posted by yerfatma at 02:54 PM on July 20, 2006
Grum, how does the pay thing work? Are MLB contracts not guaranteed? And if he is sent to the minors does he not stay on the Jays payroll at full pay?
posted by CB900 at 03:38 PM on July 20, 2006
Mmmm, Autumn Fizz. We miss you, Gilda.
posted by wfrazerjr at 04:05 PM on July 20, 2006
Grum, how does the pay thing work? Are MLB contracts not guaranteed? And if he is sent to the minors does he not stay on the Jays payroll at full pay? If he gets traded in the next 10 days, the Jays are off the hook for his salary. If he goes to the minors (0% chance) or gets outright released, the Jays on the hook for the rest of his salary. If he gets released and then gets picked up by another team, it gets a little more complicated. The Jays are on the hook for some (if not most) of his contract, unless he signs a new deal with the new team. If Hillenbrand was a cancer in the clubhouse, then Gibbons and Ricciardi should have seen it coming and dealt him weeks or months ago instead of letting it get this far and seeing his value plummet. No one wanted him. He's known for having hot starts (.833 OPS before the All-Star break) and colder finishes (.752 OPS after the break). As I've said before, he's an average hitter, below average fielder and has a big contract. Obviously his "intangibles" leave a lot to be desired...
posted by grum@work at 06:07 PM on July 20, 2006
I think the big question here is: which Blue Jays player is going to step up and take jersey number 29, thus making my Kevin Cash jersey half-relevant again?
posted by DrJohnEvans at 11:20 PM on July 20, 2006
Ich muss mich douchen.
posted by SummersEve at 07:30 AM on July 21, 2006
Personally, I think that Toronto should aquire another outfielder, since Rios is on the DL. That staff infection could last a while, and they already have a good young infield. (Which is why Hillenbrand didn't play). A trade for Adam Kennedy wouldn't really make them much better- would it?
posted by redsoxrgay at 07:28 PM on July 21, 2006
That staff infection could last a while Agreed. They haven't had a decent rotation since Jimmy Key left.
posted by yerfatma at 09:57 PM on July 21, 2006
Well, he's been traded, and it looks like the Jays were able to avoid paying any of his salary. details The Accardo kid has good peripheral numbers (8.9K/9IP, 3.6K/BB, 0.45HR/9IP), so he should be a good upgrade over Chulk (also in the deal). Not a fantastic deal, but a good one based on the situation.
posted by grum@work at 12:49 AM on July 22, 2006
Gregg Zaun weighs in, for what it's worth.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 11:01 AM on July 22, 2006
Bonds should be a good influence.
posted by yerfatma at 02:50 PM on July 22, 2006
This incident proves to me that the wildcard is now coming out of the AL East. Hillenbrand is a douche. But he swings a relatively strong bat and plays a solid infield for pennies on the dollar (making a paltry $6 Million).
posted by usfbull at 11:28 PM on July 22, 2006
But he swings a relatively strong bat and plays a solid infield No, he doesn't.
posted by grum@work at 12:12 AM on July 23, 2006
This fucking team is coming apart. And look who just fropped into town. For four games. Fuck.