En Espanol
Feedback

Posts tagged XavierNady at MLB FanHouse

MLB

MLB Team Blogs

FanHouse

Search FanHouse

Hot Topics

MannyRamirez FromTheWindup CarlosZambrano CcSabathia NedYost RichHarden EyeTowardOctober DustinPedroia AlbertPujols DavidEckstein AlexRodriguez OzzieGuillen JonathonNiese A.j.Pierzynski JohnSmoltz BrianCashman BenSheets BrandonWebb JohanSantana InstantReplay

Resources

Email our editors with your tips, corrections, complaints, inquiries, suggestions, etc.

Blog Roll

The Strange Life of a Pirate Fan

Pat LackeyPosted Aug 7th 2008 11:42AM by Pat Lackey (author feed)
Filed under: Pirates, NL Central, MLB Fans

Being a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates has never been easy. My earliest memories of the team generally involve losing in the NLCS three straight years from 1990-1992 and things have been all downhill from there. With the team trudging towards tying the record for most consecutive losing seasons by an American sports franchise, it probably seems to most outsiders that being a Pirate fan can be boring. That's actually far from the case. The last two weeks have been incredibly strange for Pirate fans.

On July 26th, Xavier Nady was pulled out of that night's Pirates/Padres game and traded to the Yankees. He won the AL Player of the Week Award in his first full week in pinstripes. At the trade deadline, Jason Bay was traded to the Boston Red Sox and immediately went to work proving that Theo Epstein wasn't crazy to think he could replace Manny Ramirez in left field.

It's a really bizarre feeling seeing two guys watching play in black and gold suddenly light up the national stage with the two biggest franchises in all of baseball. In some ways, it's a weird form of validation of being a Pirate fan. For years, people have asked me why I keep watching, now there are two guys I can point to and say, "SEE! It's not all bad at PNC Park!" But of course, they're not there any more. It's easy to see that the team is rebuilding and I'm fully behind that because I think that it's finally being done right. That doesn't make it any easier to watch the national media rave over Jason Bay and wonder what it would be like if we could've put a team around him.
Continue Reading The Strange Life of a Pirate Fan

Who Won and Lost During Trading Season?

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 31st 2008 9:08PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Astros, Angels, Braves, Brewers, Cubs, Dodgers, Mariners, Marlins, Mets, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, White Sox, Yankees, MLB Transactions

Take a deep breath, baseball fans. The dust has settled after another trading deadline, and what a deadline it was. Three future Hall of Famers were moved. So was a reigning Cy Young winner and two former All-Stars. And we haven't talked about Rich Harden yet. Undoubtedly, 2008 was the most entertaining trading season in recent memory for baseball fans.


Truth be told, it will take years before we know who helped themselves or hurt themselves at the 2008 trade deadline. That's just the way it is when boom-or-bust prospects are involved. But here's an educated (and roughly ordered) guess anyway at which teams won and which teams lost now that the July 31 deadline has come and gone.

Winners

Angels: With a double-digit lead in the AL West, the Angels didn't need to do anything to get to October. They went out and got slugging first baseman Mark Teixeira anyway, and it's nothing short of a coup. For all the praise heaped upon Mike Scioscia's throwback run-at-all costs strategy, it hasn't done much for Los Angeles in the postseason. The Halos have scored 17 runs in their last eight postseason games dating back to 2005, and they don't have single regular slugging over .500 this year. They needed a bat to go all the way in October, and that's just what they got in Teixeira.
Continue Reading Who Won and Lost During Trading Season?

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 27

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 27th 2008 3:50PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Braves, Cardinals, Phillies, Rays, Red Sox, Twins, Yankees, MLB Rumors

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- The elephant in the room four days from the trade deadline is Manny Ramirez, who once again is on shaky ground in Boston. In a perfect world, the Red Sox would love to rid themselves of the near-constant headache that Ramirez provides. In practice, they are still very much in the hunt for their third World Series in five years and would need to replace his production in step with any deal. That makes the completion of any trade unlikely in the next few days.

Joel Sherman and Mike Puma of the New York Post run down the potential list of suitors for Ramirez, and because of Boston's desire to ship him out of the American League, it is a very short one. The Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Mets and Phillies are the teams with both the need and the financial wherewithal to pick up the tab for Ramirez's $20 million deal. Because the left fielder has 10-5 rights (10 years in the league, five with the same team) he can veto any deal the Red Sox put together. That leads Sherman and Puma to conclude that Ramirez would only accept a deal to Philadelphia, where he would be reunited with manager Charlie Manuel, who was his hitting coach in Cleveland.

- And what of the Rays? The Yankees have gotten stronger already, and could add Jarrod Washburn or another pitcher at any moment. The Red Sox are embroiled in the latest Manny drama, but are more likely to improve from within. Tampa Bay has been pretty quiet, but they are out there looking for upgrades in the form of a right-handed outfield bat and bullpen depth. With Xavier Nady and Casey Blake off the market, the team may look internally for a right-handed bat, with the rehabbing Rocco Baldelli a possibility. That leaves the club looking to trade for a left-handed reliever with Brian Fuentes at the top of the Rays' list, with Arthur Rhodes, Jack Taschner, Will Ohman and Ron Mahay as backup options.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 27

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 26

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 26th 2008 5:20PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Brewers, Mariners, Mets, Nationals, Red Sox, Rockies, MLB Rumors

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- The Mets are continuing to pursue a corner outfielder, but with Pittsburgh's trade of Xavier Nady and Cleveland's trade of Casey Blake, the list of potential additions has dwindled. Jason Bay and Matt Holliday are still out there, but New York simply doesn't have the chips to acquire an All-Star caliber bat. Seattle's Raul Ibanez is the one name remaining that the Mets have been linked to and is likely in the team's price range.


GM Omar Minaya probably can't afford to hone in on one target, though, so it's likely he'll make calls over the next few days to gauge what the Padres would want in return for Brian Giles and perhaps what the Reds would want in return for Adam Dunn or Ken Griffey Jr. The Mets are on a hot streak, but the team still has flaws -- flaws that can be taken care of in the next few days.

- Manny Ramirez was a very late scratch for Friday night's game against the Yankees, which the Red Sox lost 1-0, and the Boston Globe's Dan Shaugnessy is wondering if this is the final straw for the slugger in Boston. "Manny Being Manny" is a mantra that has come to mean many different things over the years, and part of it are these little dramas, which usually come to nothing. But the Red Sox have an option on Ramirez for next year, one they aren't even certain they will pick up, so perhaps this time it really is THE time to explore finding Ramirez's replacement. That means a middle-of-the-order bat, one which they could potentially acquire over the next few days. It wouldn't be a great surprise if GM Theo Epstein started making inquiries about Mark Teixeira, Adam Dunn and Matt Holliday, even if once again, this all amounts to nothing.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 26

On Deck: Yankee Panky

MulletPosted Jul 26th 2008 10:00AM by Mullet (author feed)
Filed under: Braves, Phillies, Red Sox, Reds, Rockies, Yankees



On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups.

New York Yankees (57-45) at Boston Red Sox- (60-44) 3:55 PM ET

As if the lure of Yankees/Red Sox wasn't enough, now you have the drama of a huge trade to stoke your fire. The Yankees beat everyone to the punch (as they normally do at the trade deadline) and acquired the righty bat they needed in Xavier Nady, and the lefty specialist out of the 'pen they needed in Damaso Marte.

We know Nady can handle the big city, having hit .264 with 14 HR's in 265 AB's with the Mets in '06. Marte was property of the Yankees in '01, but was traded for Enrique Wilson before Marte could make it with the big club. Now, they make their return to New York ... and pending physicals, they may be ready to go today for their Yankee baptism by fire at Fenway Park.

Continue Reading On Deck: Yankee Panky

Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte Traded to the Yankees for Prospects

Pat LackeyPosted Jul 25th 2008 8:34PM by Pat Lackey (author feed)
Filed under: Pirates, AL East, NL Central, MLB Transactions

When Xavier Nady came out of the Pirates/Padres game in the first inning tonight, whispers started from the broadcast booth. "I don't think he's hurt..." Damaso Marte appeared in the Pirates dugout shortly afterwards, hugging players with a smile on his face. Then word leaked out that a deal was in place, pending physicals. Less than an hour later, most of the details have found their way to the internet and as per Will Carroll it looks like Nady and Marte are going to be Yankees for a quartet of prospects; Jose Tabata, Phil Coke, George Kontos and Ross Ohlendorf (who's not a prospect).

The Yankees are certainly improving themselves for a run at the Rays and Red Sox with this deal. Nady's in the middle of a career year, hammering along with a .330/.383/.538 line and 10 outfield assists. Marte is one of the best lefty-specialists in the league and he's been good against righties the past two seasons as well, doing a nice job filling in for Matt Capps at closer this year. Both players will be immediately useful for the Yankees in their pennant run.

For the Pirates, the deal hinges on Tabata. His minor league numbers aren't great, but he's in AA as a 19-year old and most prospect guys love him. He might be a superstar but between his wrist injury and potential headcase issues, he also might not be much of anything at all.

UPDATE: The last two pitchers in the trade have been changed from Coke and Kontos to Dan McCutchen and Jason Karstens.

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 25

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 25th 2008 5:00PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Diamondbacks, Mets, Orioles, Padres, Tigers, Yankees, MLB Rumors

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- Along with Colorado closer Brian Fuentes, Baltimore left-hander George Sherrill continues to be the hottest commodity on the trading block, drawing interest from many contenders including the Cardinals, Rays, Red Sox and Marlins, according to Dan Graziano. The Orioles remain somewhat reluctant to even deal their closer, particularly since their bullpen is a bit shallow after Sherrill, Dennis Sarfate and Jim Johnson and also because he is under team control for the next three seasons after this one.


But at some point the offers from other clubs are going to be hard to ignore, particularly if the team continues to struggle as it has recently. And Sherrill will probably become the latest chipped cashed in by GM Andy MacPhail as the O's continue to build toward contention in 2009 and 2010.

- Though they have a ways to go to get to the top the AL Central, the Tigers do not consider themselves sellers and are looking at adding pitching, particularly in the bullpen if reliever Freddy Dolsi continues to be bothered by shoulder discomfort. Detroit's biggest need is probably a starting pitcher, not a relief arm, but unless it pursues a bargain option like Odalis Perez, the Tigers do not have the assets in the upper minor leagues to get someone like A.J. Burnett.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 25

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 21

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 21st 2008 4:22PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Cardinals, Cubs, Mets, Red Sox, Tigers, MLB Rumors

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- The Mets have no idea what to expect from Ryan Church the rest of the way and the Fernando Tatis-Endy Chavez combination in left field probably isn't going to cut, so everyone, including manager Jerry Manuel, is expecting the team to add an outfielder before the trade deadline. Just don't expect that outfielder to be of the Adam Dunn or Matt Holliday variety -- they just don't have the chips. New York has one of the shallowest farm systems in baseball as a consequence of the Johan Santana trade, particularly in the coveted major-league ready category.

That leaves the Mets looking at players like Xavier Nady, Raul Ibanez and Casey Blake, which really is fine. They need an upgrade on what they currently have in left field and some insurance for their injured right fielder to win the NL East, not a star player.

- The Cubs have already added starter Rich Harden and reliever Chad Gaudin, but they're still looking for pitching. A high-ranking team official took in A.J. Burnett's last start for the Blue Jays. A looming DL trip for closer Kerry Wood could change the team's focus, though. Wood's injury is not believed to be serious, but the team's bullpen was heavily taxed over the first half, and now they're down their best arm. Suddenly Damaso Marte, Brian Fuentes and Huston Street have to be looking pretty good to GM Jim Hendry.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 21

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 20

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 20th 2008 3:15PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Angels, Braves, Mariners, Pirates, Rockies, Twins, Yankees, MLB Rumors

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- How much will it cost to pry Matt Holliday away from the Rockies? We might finally have an idea. Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports that the Angels have inquired about Holliday and Colorado's price started with pitcher Nick Adenhart, Los Angeles' top pitching prospect, and would likely include second baseman Howie Kendrick and either Ervin Santana or Joe Saunders.

Look, it's pretty clear that the Angels are going to coast to the AL West title. It's also become pretty clear over the past few seasons that they need another bat to get out of the divisional round of the playoffs. So it's easy to criticize the L.A. front office for not being aggressive enough in getting another big bopper. But that's an exorbitant price for any player, especially a nice one like Holliday, who happens to be pretty average away from the hitting paradise that is Coors Field. Adenhart and Saunders, in particular, are both a tad overrated, but a trade involving those two and Howie Kendrick would take away players contributing to the Angels right now. That's the definition of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

- As for the other big bat prominently mentioned in rumors, Mark Teixeira, the Braves appear more resolute to hold on to him and make a push in the NL East, despite the fact that the first baseman is likely to walk at the end of the season. Atlanta entered Sunday with the same run differential as the Mets, so perhaps there is reason for optimism. But there is also this: Atlanta is still 5 1/2 games behind New York in the standings and the rotation beyond Tim Hudson and Jair Jurrjens is in tatters. There is ground to cover and the Braves' best baseball might already be behind them. It might be time to swallow hard and become a seller.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 20

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 19

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 19th 2008 2:00PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Brewers, Diamondbacks, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Rockies, MLB Rumors

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- The Diamondbacks have lost their grip on first place in the NL West and now they'll be without right fielder Justin Upton for a spell as they try to fend off the Dodgers. The budding 20-year-old star has battled a strained oblique injury since before the All-Star break. Eric Byrnes' season is already in doubt, so this news has to increase the pressure on Arizona GM Josh Byrnes to go out and get an outfielder. We know the Snakes won't rule out Barry Bonds, but Seattle's Raul Ibanez or one of the available Pittsburgh bats -- Xavier Nady or Jason Bay -- are still more likely to wind up in Arizona.

- The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt reports that a top Brewers official is at Yankee Stadium for this weekend's Yankees-A's series scouting players. The player most likely being watched by Milwaukee? Oakland closer Huston Street, who has been effective, though not his usual dominant self this season. The Brewers have bolstered their rotation already by adding CC Sabathia, but the bullpen is still a point of concern. Milwaukee ranks 10th in the NL in bullpen ERA and it will have to get better if the club is going to make a push for the postseason.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 19
ADVERTISEMENT
Play Fantasy Football

Breaking News

Cincinnati Bengals Confirm Chad's Jersey Will Show His New Last Name: Ocho Cinco
After UFC 88, Dana White Says, 'Chuck Liddell Could Fight Forrest Griffin in December'
Daunte Culpepper Retires From NFL

Featured Stories

UFC 88 Preview Live Chat -- 1 p.m. ET Today
From The Windup: Just Who Is a Chicago White Sox Fan to Vote For?
Thursday Night NFL Live Blog: Redskins vs. Giants -- It's on Like Donkey Kong

Most Commented on Posts

Recent Comments