Bubba Links
Baseball Links
Because how can you not love a baseball player named "Bubba"?
It hasn't been publicly announced yet, but word is that Bubba's old Rice teammate, Lance Berkman, is headed for the Bronx in a deadline deal.
There won't be an official announcement until tomorrow, due to MLB rules, and I suppose it's possible Berkman may change his mind or be lured to another team by then. As we know since the Cliff Lee "deal," it's not over till it's over.
And there's no word on what the Yankees are giving up. Doesn't seem like it's much. The Astros are paying a lot of Berkman's salary, and the Yanks aren't giving up much in the way of prospects, either. Seems like a low-risk deal.
Berkman may be past his sell-by date, but the Yanks want him as a lefty DH, which he can probably handle. If he can't, the Yanks didn't pay much for him.
Very strange to think of Berkman leaving Houston, though.
Hall of Famer Hal wants to see more of Janish.
I’d like to see Paul Janish start a game a week at third and a game a week at short, giving Scott Rolen and Orlando Cabrera a day off each week.
Labels: Paul Janish
Paul Janish did well enough in his last start. He didn't go 4 for 4 again, but 2 for 4 is very respectable. Which probably means we won't see him again until August. :-P
Baseball Prospectus suggests that the Reds should play Janish more:
Orlando Cabrera is the lone weak spot in one of the league's finest lineups—if the Reds are to look outward for help at any position by July 31, shortstop is the one, though giving Paul Janish more at-bats wouldn't hurt either.
Orlando Cabrera, SS
The Reds' shortstop typically gets a pass on his hitting -- this year sinking to new lows with a .245 average and .283 OBP -- because of his slick glove. But this year he's only been a slightly above-average fielder this year, with a 3.1 UZR/150, which is a measure of Ultimate Zone Rating prorated to 150 games, or about what most starters play during the season. In 2009 he had a -12.1 UZR/150, meaning he's slowed a step from some of his more spectacular seasons earlier in his career. He could be pushed for playing time by reserve infielder Paul Janish, who has a .397 OBP in 30 games.
Labels: Paul Janish
The Yankees have announced that George Steinbrenner has passed away. He suffered a massive heart attack this morning in Tampa. He just turned 80 on the 4th of July. Flags were lowered to half-staff at Steinbrenner Field (formerly Legends Field).
Steinbrenner was rumored to be in ill-health for the past several years, so this isn't exactly a surprise. And he was a controversial and often difficult owner. But I'm glad he got to see his team win a World Series, one last time.
Paul Janish gets a start today (once a week, whether he needs it or not). He's playing SS and batting 2nd. It's lefty Cole Hamels on the mound. Janish hits lefties much better than righties.
Mark Sheldon had this tidbit about Janish's last start:
Votto's streak of 41 consecutive games in which he reached base safely came to an abrupt end on Sunday when he was ejected after striking out in the first inning. Paul Janish replaced him and went 4-for-4 with a home run. Janish was the first Major Leaguer to enter a game as a substitute and go 4-for-4 with a homer since the Reds' Paul O'Neill did it against San Diego on April 18, 1990, a game the Reds won, 11-7. Manager Lou Piniella sent O'Neill into the game in the third inning as a pinch-hitter for right fielder Rolando Roomes.
Labels: Paul Janish
AP is reporting that longtime Yankees PA announcer Bob Sheppard has passed away. It's not exactly a surprise. He wouldn't say how old he was, but it's believed that he would have been 100 years old in October. He had been in poor health, and officially retired last fall.
I thought the above Fangraph was pretty cool. Paul Janish's two-run homer was the killing blow yesterday.
He plays SS, he pitches, and...he catches? The Reds are short of catchers at the moment, with Ryan Hanigan on the DL and Ramon Hernandez with a bad knee. Corky Miller is starting, and if something happens to him, Dusty Baker says Janish will be the emergency catcher.
Uh, boy. Nice that he's useful, but if he's the backup catcher, he's not going to get to play unless Corky Miller is injured.
The Reds are really struggling with injury all of a sudden. Starting pitcher Aaron Harang was scratched just before game time with lower back pain. Travis Wood is going on short rest. Not sure what they're going to do tomorrow. They have to call up a pitcher and a catcher, surely.
Injury is always the wild card. The Rays made it to the World Series a couple of years back, thanks in part to avoiding the injury bug. The Reds are riding high now, but they don't have a lot of depth, aside from pitching. They have to hope their players stay healthy.
Labels: Paul Janish
“I was disappointed,” Votto said, referring to not making the NL team. “I would have liked to have gotten in on the first vote, but I still consider this an honor to be able to get myself a chance to go to the All-Star game with a pretty good group of guys.”
...“Middle of the year, you kind of get frustrated,” he said. “I didn’t keep my temper in check. I deserved to get thrown out.”
Votto then smiled and said:
“On the flip side, my replacement did pretty good.”
Paul Janish came in and took Votto’s No. 3 spot in the batting order. Janish played third base, with Miguel Cairo moving from third base to first in Votto’s place. (Regular third baseman Scott Rolen had a scheduled day off).
The seldom-used Janish merely had the game of his life: 4-for-4 with a homer and three RBI. The hit and RBI totals were career highs for Janish.
Votto said a new fan vote may be needed.
“Have the fans vote in who starts,” Votto said. “Paul Janish, myself or Miguel Cairo.”
Labels: Paul Janish
I wasn't expected to see Paul Janish again this week, but he's playing 3B today. Joey Votto, perhaps upset at his All-Star snub, was ejected after his first at-bat for arguing a call. Miguel Cairo, who had been playing 3B, was moved to 1B, and Janish took over 3B.
Janish only played 6 games in June. That includes pinch-running and pinch-hitting appearances. Sigh. The only thing I really hate about Dusty Baker is the way he uses his bench. Or doesn't use them, I should say.
Labels: Paul Janish
Reds Insider, the blog of the Cincinnati Enquirer, has a little interview with Paul Janish.
JANISH WAITS: Reserve infielder Paul Janish continues to wait his next turn. Janish, primarily a shortstop, last played June 25 and last started a game June 21.
“It’s a little frustrating at times, but I knew the role coming into camp,” Janish said. “ When they signed Orlando (Cabrera), he’s a guy that’s going to play nearly every day.”
Janish has made 11 starts this year, with six at shortstop, four at third base and one at second base. He has appeared in 21 of 80 Reds games, with 44 at-bats. He is hitting .227 with a homer and six RBI, and is hitless in his last 10 at-bats.
“ The past month there hasn’t been a whole lot of playing time for me, but things are going so well for the team that it’s a positive environment to be in,” Janish said. “The experience of being in the race throughout the year will be invaluable for my career.”
Janish had 256 at-bats last year, becoming the primary shortstop after the Reds traded Alex Gonzalez to Boston on Aug. 14. Janish hit just .211 last season, one reason the Reds got Cabrera.
“For the time being I’m just trying to stay as prepared as I can,” Janish said. “If somebody goes down, and hopefully that doesn’t happen, I just want to be as ready as I can be.
“At some point in the season, somebody’s going to get banged up and I’ll have to play a week or 10 days in a row. I have to stay ready.”
Labels: Paul Janish
