New season thread with Al Pedrique as the manager

[Lefty]

Okay, it's a new season. Let's see how this team responds with a new skipper. It should be a very interesting month of July with all the trade speculations.

 

[az240zz]

I think by the end of July we will see Finley, Bautista,Mayne and maybe RJ gone. I hope we get alot of good pitching prospects for them.

Az240z

 

[IndyDevil]

Not quite the start we wanted for Pedrique....Sparks has nothing on his knuckleball tonight so far - 5-0 Twins in the 4th; Mark Davis will have his work cut out for him as the new pitching coach.

 

[IndyDevil]

Our bats have come to life in the 4th - game is now tied at 5-5, with Aquino coming in to pitch for Sparks in the 5th.

 

[Lefty]

Just got home. Looks like I missed a lot of action.

 

[100%CardsFan]

Just got home. Looks like I miss a lot of action.

Caveman talk rules!!!

 

[Yuma]

Caveman talk rules!!!

You make fun of hulk talk? I should crush funny man!

 

[IndyDevil]

I just heard Pedro Gomez (gag) go on ESPN and say that Gonzo is on the trading block, and might waive his no-trade clause; has anyone heard even the slightest hint that Gonzo wanted out of here??

 

[Lefty]

I thought Gonzo was going to have season-ending surgery at the end of this month. If Gonzo wants out I would not be surprised if RJ asks to be traded. Need to play for next year so if they can get some really good prospects I would not mind seeing Gonzo traded.

 

[Ryanwb]

I would think Gonzo is untradable with his salary and his shoulder problem....wow

 

[ajcardfan]

I would think Gonzo is untradable with his salary and his shoulder problem....wow

It'd almost have to be to an AL team that needs a bat. All he's really good for, for a contender, is being a DH. Oakland, maybe? I can't think of anyone else, and they'd have to eat most of his salary for the A's to take him.

 

[AZZenny]

Pedro Gomez never was and never will be a good source. I bet it galls him he's not here to participate in the feeding frenzy. (Although I have thought he'd have gone straight for JoeBlow's throat long ago.)

The other day Gambo quoted Gonzo as saying 'he'd have to listen' if teams came inquiring about him, that the veterans weren't so hot to finish their careers on a losing/rebuilding team. My thought - good luck, Luis - your elbow, your age, your salary - wish on!

But then Gonzo came on radio himself, and said exactly that - his age, his contract, the need for surgery that may limit him into the early part of next season - not likely he'd be attractive to any team he'd want to go to, and -- 'besides' he feels a real debt of gratitude to the organization and to the fans, and added that he, RJ, and Fins have no-trades, and that none of them are seeing anyplace they especially would like to be, other than here.

On a related note - I'd love to see Pedrique sit Gonzo for a couple games right now. He needs a break. Let Q or Hammock play out there and see if either of them can hit the ball reliably. Or put Hairston out there to get his bat in the lineup.

 

[BC867]

New season thread with Al Pedrique as Manager

Having wanted to see Al Pedrique as Manager since the end of last season (Brenly blowing the Wildcard lead, 140+ starting lineups, misusing pitchers, the Junior Spivey-to-RF incident, etc.), I expect that Al is going to quietly build the roster into a cohesive unit.

Of course, without adding two starting pitchers who can win more than they lose and pitch 7 innings every 5th day, the quantity of victories will be questionable.

After just a few hours with Al on the job, it was so good to see Alex Cintron hit one to the opposite field for a hit, instead of trying to pull outside pitches and grounding out to 2B, as he's been doing.

And, ironically, the team's two errors in his first game were by veterans -- Alomar and Bautista -- not the BabyBacks.

Except for Fins (who hits too many into the air) and Sexson (if he were playing), I believe we'll see the D'backs hitters playing into their skills. And I believe that Shea Hillenbrand (if he's still here) will be what he was with the Red Sox -- a line-drive hitting RBI machine.

That will rub off on most of the rest of the team. And that will reduce our LOB/RISP stats.

It's too bad that Sparks allowed an early 4-run lead in Pedrique's first game. Uphill battles wear out a team.

 

[Skkorpion]

Azzenny, Pedro Gomez is still based in Phoenix. I've seen him at a few of the Cards practices and I heard him tell someone that.

 

[thirty-two]

3 homers already given up by Good and it's only the 3rd inning.

5-0 Twinkies...

 

[Lefty]

When will the Diamondbacks learn that Andrew Good is not a major league starting pitcher? Elmer Dessens is a better starter and that is not saying much. Keep Good in the bullpen. The Twins are having batting practice against Good.

 

[thirty-two]

Gonzo homers in the 4th

5-1 Twinkies

Good out and Dessens in.

Let's get some runs, boys!

 

[thirty-two]

Brito homers to bring in 2 runs.

Hairston triples and is hit home by Fins.

6-4 Twins

Nice rally.. let's keep up the momentum!

 

[AZZenny]

Uh-Oh. Villafuerte. Did I hear him get booed coming in? Works for me. Bring up Brady Raggio, and send Villafuerte packing.

 

[thirty-two]

Uh-Oh. Villafuerte. Did I hear him get booed coming in? Works for me. Bring up Brady Raggio, and send Villafuerte packing.

Ugh.. Villafuerte comes in.

2 singles and a walk later it's bases loaded time.

Let's see if he can get out of this jam...

 

[thirty-two]

Sweet - Villafuerte gets a double play - inning over!

Still down 2 runs..

2 more innings - let's get this win for Al

 

[thirty-two]

Villafuerte loads the bases AGAIN - lol

Scott Service replaces him, gives up a sac fly and single. 2 runs score.

8-4 Twins

 

[AZZenny]

Tomorrow Randy pitches - I figure any start might be his last home start in a D-Backs uniform, so I will be there. Al better not screw it up.

 

[thirty-two]

DBacks lose 8-4.

It seems after the 3 run 5th inning, the bottom just fell out and we came out flat.

 

[PDXChris]

Johnson is pitching gem, now it is 6 to 1 with only 2 more out to get.