That Was Not Fun

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 24, 2008 10:38 PM EDT Comment 75 comments

Dear Joe Maddon,

Unlike last year, where everyone in your bullpen would proceed to walk a batter, this year you have a handful of reliable arms that can produce outs. When your pitcher walks four in one inning of work, it's usually time to pull him, despite whatever respect you may have for him. Please, please you've done a very nice job this year, don't risk a lead by letting Percival possibly kill himself just to maintain his reputation for being tough.

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PS

Put him on the DL and bring up Salas. Control usually goes with elbows.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 24, 2008 10:39 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

We still have Birkins down there, right?

by P Brady on Jun 24, 2008 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 24, 2008 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Birkins has that dominate slider

Why he is does not replace Glover is beyond me

Mound Visit

by Mound Visit on Jun 25, 2008 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I rather deal with not having him now than in September.

by floridaroar on Jun 24, 2008 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

PPS

I’m personally torn on your decision to keep him in. On one hand I really need saves for my fantasy team, but on the other that WHIP tonight is not gonna help my average. bye

by Albertrayon on Jun 24, 2008 10:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm a huge Percy fan, like I'm sure many others are

but it has been clear that he doesn’t have his best stuff. This may be only a temporary issue, but I also agree that it may be better to place him on the DL and go with a Balfour, Howell, Wheeler 7-9. I think we actually have the depth to possibly survive without him for a little bit, but not for an extended period of time. This last week he hasn’t blown anything due to his problems, but that doesn’t mean that its not going to happen in the coming days. If he can’t get back to form, I will be even more for us trading for another arm like Fuentes.

Blake
USF--Class of '09

by usfraysfan on Jun 24, 2008 10:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't know of anyone who doesn't like Percival

But his last few outings he hasn’t had it, which is bad when “it’ = control.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 24, 2008 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And he wasnt even close on a lot of the pitches.

by td32 on Jun 24, 2008 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

His stuff has been fine

Curve has good tight break, velocity fine, change-up good. No control=something wrong.

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Jun 24, 2008 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rhymes with heldlow.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 24, 2008 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rhymes with Hamstring

by td32 on Jun 24, 2008 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rhymes with boulder

9 = 8

by websterjtc on Jun 24, 2008 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's fine

otherwise he couldn’t throw hard

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Jun 24, 2008 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Might rhyme with Coin

by td32 on Jun 24, 2008 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

or maybe rhymes with toot

by RaysOfHope on Jun 24, 2008 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Delores?

9 = 8

by websterjtc on Jun 24, 2008 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

mulva?

by rglass44 on Jun 25, 2008 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hehe somebody got it

9 = 8

by websterjtc on Jun 25, 2008 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm pretty sure I don't like Troy Percival.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2008 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You might be the only one

Mound Visit

by Mound Visit on Jun 25, 2008 8:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

elbow!

by RaysOfHope on Jun 24, 2008 10:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

rhymes with pee

by RaysOfHope on Jun 24, 2008 11:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Father Time is definitely catching up to him.

Not sure how much longer he’s going to last.

I swear I’m going to have a heart attack by the time this season is over. Can we get just one blow out or 1-2-3 9th inning, please??

Jamie DeLuca

by JDeLuca on Jun 24, 2008 11:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

father time hasnt caught jamie moyer yet

by RaysOfHope on Jun 24, 2008 11:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

jamie moyer doesn't rely on speed either

Blake
USF--Class of '09

by usfraysfan on Jun 24, 2008 11:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

he just makes some people look foolish up at the plate

by RaysOfHope on Jun 24, 2008 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Control was Percy's problem.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 24, 2008 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The question is, will he go on the mislabeled mist?

Lost in all the Percival gloom, Howell once again did something rhyming with mulcher?!

Longlorious.

by RATW on Jun 24, 2008 11:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't like

the way we are winning. Close games and games like this where walks bring in the runs are often more luck than skill and ordinarily that luck begins to even out. We need to be winning more blowouts. I’ll take it, of course, but it is disconcerting.

Incidentally, Dohmann seems to be pulling a Balfour at Durham. He got his 7th save tonight with 1 inning, 0 hits, BBs or runs and 3 Ks. He now has pitched 13 innings in 10 games and given up 7 hits, 2 runs, 2 BBs and gotten 19 Ks to a 1.38 ERA.

by bobr on Jun 24, 2008 11:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Xavier Hernandez is a genius.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 25, 2008 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank Longo

It would have been a loss if not for Longoria’s play in the top of the 9th and the stab in the bottom. Its time for Percival to admit something wrong. Percy needs to take a long look in the mirror and see that he has a problem. You got to save a game without giving up a run. And Maddon’s pride in Percival could lead to heartbreaking and devastating walk-off losses and demoralize the club. I don’t know if its an issue of pain or what Percival has left, but this was a blazing fire that should have been an inferno tonight. In his first 20 or so appearances he gave up 8 walks and tonight alone he gave up 4. Take a long look.

Joe

by joedobr on Jun 25, 2008 12:01 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

here is his admitting something is wrong...

PERCY MERCY: RHP Troy Percivcal, now ninth all-time with 342 saves, said the left hamstring strain that forced him to the DL is still an issue and the reason he has had control problems. “My leg is still a little bit weak … so I end up changing my mechanics a little bit but it’s nothing I can’t deal with,’’ he said. “I’ve just got to find a better way (with my delivery). I’ve had a few days where I’ve thrown the ball really good; today I just did not throw the ball well. But in the job that I do, the only thing that matters is that at the end of the game we win.’‘

by RaysOfHope on Jun 25, 2008 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

DL. Now. Please.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 25, 2008 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

second

Mound Visit

by Mound Visit on Jun 25, 2008 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"My leg is still a little bit weak"

If that is the case, wouldn’t the prudent move be to put him back on the DL? He’s not 100% healthy, changed his mechanics and pitching poorly with six walks in the last three innings.

Longlorious.

by RATW on Jun 25, 2008 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously

Salas isn’t that much of a downgrade and none at all from this Percy. Get healthy and save your arm at the same time. What a concept. Come back in late July and help lead us to the promise land.

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Jun 25, 2008 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

...So it rhymes with Peg

9 = 8

by websterjtc on Jun 25, 2008 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anybody that has ever been affiliated with baseball...

Knows that changing mechanics to compensate for some sort of injury or pain, will only lead to a worse inury. In Percival’s case, it could easily lead to an arm injury. It is un-acceptable if he does not go on the DL.

by td32 on Jun 25, 2008 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

... and an arm injury at his age could = retirement. Too much at stake if they expect him to be a productive part of the stretch run.

Longlorious.

by RATW on Jun 25, 2008 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

With Balfours emergence we can easily withstand Percival going on the DL

A combination of Howell, Balfour, and Miller should be able to get through the 7th and 8th innings most nights. Of course we “may” have to use Glover a bit more, but I think we’d be able to survive.

by matthan on Jun 25, 2008 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

we "may" have to use Glover a bit more

NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO

Set the Juice loose.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 25, 2008 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

couldn't agree more

percy is the man i respect him as a person and a player but he’s been struggling closing games lately and he leaves too many pitches up in the zone..just think he may not be the most lights out guy in our pen.. wheeler or balfour may be more suited for the job considering they keep up their pace.

by longoria3 on Jun 25, 2008 1:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Seems to me like Percy's situation is just like Reyes' last year.

And with Bavasi gone we can’t get Clement for him.

Solutions:

Percival to the DL
Glover to Mars
Salas to a better designer HGH dealer
Bierkins or Talbot to the pen
Sign Bonds

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2008 2:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Signing Bonds = Salas better designer HGH dealer.

We really can’t lose by signing Bonds.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 25, 2008 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Collusion!!!!

The fact Barry Lamar Bonds lead the league in walks and OBP. and currently cannot even get a sniff of a job goes to show you collusion is in full effect. I do not know why this guy just does not sue MLB for not allowing him a chance to extend his records and get to 3000 hits. I mean I doubt he can get the hits he needs now a hired gun would of started in June ala Roger Clemons. The good thing is if he can wait it out and maybe a post season team will pick him up in August if they miss out at the trade deadline.

Devil Rays World Series 2009

by Japhei on Jun 25, 2008 9:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It is either collusion or team's are too frightened of the PR nightmare...

I want Barack Bonds!!!!

by td32 on Jun 25, 2008 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jay Gibbons collusion too?

If you consider teams avoiding him due to the PR nightmare than it sure is collusion. Teams are way to conscious of the PR nightmare and media circus that would follow Bonds to even take a chance. I don’t necessarily agree, I can just see where they are coming from.

That said, there is no way the Rays would ever take a shot. They have invested too much money to change the reputation and public perception of the team to take a hit like Bonds would cause. Again, I don’t necessarily agree but I see where they are coming from.

by tallyray on Jun 25, 2008 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would contend that Miller has been less effective than Glover this year.

It seems like the last few lefties he’s faced he’s walked….and Hammel has definitely been the least effective. This year, Glover has been average, nothing worse, nothing better. Is that so bad for a guy we use once per week? I would like to see Salas up soon, however.

Jamie DeLuca

by JDeLuca on Jun 25, 2008 10:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Glover gets the most grief here due to his lack of talent

But I also agree Miller and especially Hammel have pitched worse than he has this year. But talent wise Glover has to go. Miller has value as a LOOGY and Hammel just has more overall value than Glover even if Glover is going to slightly outperform this year.

by matthan on Jun 25, 2008 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I also think Miller is being misused. He should be more of a straightforward LOOGY. It seems he has been pitching longer outings and vs righties too often

by matthan on Jun 25, 2008 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The problem is that AL teams can't have LOOGYs.

There just isn’t roster space available for a boutique reliever.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2008 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why not?

Why don’t AL teams have the space? The Rays have a few relievers who have proven ability to pitch 2+ innings. Hammel and Howell can go much further. Only Percival should be limited. Miller can easily be a pure LOOGY and his numbers would be great. I understand facing righties in blowouts, but close to 40% of the righties Miller has faced occured during games within two runs, that shouldn’t happen.

by tallyray on Jun 25, 2008 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

AL teams have a DH

So they generally carry 1 more position player and one less pitcher. LOOGYs are traditionally the 25th guy on teams.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2008 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Once the pennant race heats up Miller will become much more of a LOOGY type, especially in close games

by matthan on Jun 25, 2008 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He already is a LOOGY type, Maddon just over-uses him.

He’s not a good fit for the team at all

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand this...

But what makes carrying a LOOGY wrong? If the Rays did use Miller properly, why shouldn’t he be on the roster? Or do the Rays have to stand by tradition?

by tallyray on Jun 25, 2008 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quite frankly LOOGYs only exist because of tradition.

In the modern world there is no point in having a pitcher who can only face lefties on the roster at all. They shouldn’t be in the MLB.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2008 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why though?

I just don’t understand the logic.

He’s allowing a line of .189/.286/.270 to lefties. Is that not useful?

by tallyray on Jun 25, 2008 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not if there is a righty following that lefty.

What is the point of having a reliever for one batter?

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2008 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

To get them out.

If there isn’t a need for the other roster spot then why not? Or do they need a utility infielder that will never have an impact?

by tallyray on Jun 25, 2008 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A utility infielder is pretty beneficial when people are injured and/or need time off.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 25, 2008 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He should be a LOOGY in close games

And just a normal guy in other games.

A few guys in our bullpen have barely seen much action. Instead of throwing Miller out there against a couple righties in a tight game we should use Miller vs the lefty then say Hammel (who sees no work) vs the righty.

by matthan on Jun 26, 2008 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs