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2009 MLB National League West Notebook
Well, we learned at the July 31 trading deadline that San Diego right-hander Jake Peavy’s “No” was really a “Maybe later”.
The Padres wound up dealing Peavy to the Chicago White Sox at the non-waiver time. Peavy waived the no-trade clause in his contract. San Diego received four minor league players in return. Plus, the team gets to unload the balance of his $11 million contract as it tries to cut expenses.
This move pretty much caught everybody off guard because it seemed such a dead issue in May when the teams tried to make this happen. Peavy exercised his no-trade clause then. But it appeared he had a change of heart. Peavy is 6-6 with a 3.97 ERA.
Another reason why it was a shocker is because Peavy had been out with an ankle injury since early June. He still is shut down, but White Sox General Manager Ken Williams is hoping to have him back by the end of August.
LOS ANGELES
The Dodgers found their eighth inning relief specialist when they traded for Baltimore closer George Sherrill.
One of the weak links on this team was finding the right setup reliever who could get the games to closer Jonathan Broxton. The flexibility is that the 31-year-old Sherrill can serve as a second closer if Broxton needs a day off or two.
While Baltimore has been languishing in last place in the American League East, Sherrill has had a very good season with a 2.19 ERA and 20 saves. Last year, he recorded a career-best 31 saves.
The Dodgers had also been lightly looking for some bench help and could still get someone through the waiver wire in August. But now, they made a good move.
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SAN FRANCISCO
Giants’ brass lived by the philosophy “If you have a chance to win now, win now and let next year take care of itself.’’
Leading the National League Wild Card and holding a remote chance of catching the Dodgers for the division lead, a moribund offense got a lift this week when the team picked up Cleveland first baseman Ryan Garko and Pittsburgh second baseman Freddy Sanchez.
Garko has started slowly by going 1-for-10 but that certainly isn’t any barometer of his track record. He was enjoying a good season for the Indians at .277 with 11 home runs.
Sanchez, the 2006 NL batting champion, was expected to join the team this weekend for its home series against Philadelphia.
COLORADO
Although the Rockies are definitely in the hunt for the Wild Card, they were not big buyers at the trading deadline.
But they did pick up some bullpen help when they acquired Cleveland reliever Rafael Betancourt. Betancourt was a setup reliever for the Indians. And so far, he’s been solid for manager Jim Tracy. He has allowed only one baserunner in his first three appearances that spans 2 2/3 innings.
In another note, closer Huston Street’s ERA for July is 0.96.
ARIZONA
While the Diamondbacks could not find takers for starters Doug Davis and John Garland, they got some bad news with disabled pitcher Brandon Webb.
He had another setback with his ailing right shoulder. That means surgery is now being considered an option.
Webb has seen numerous doctors but has been unable to relieve the soreness and stiffness in his shoulder. The only baseball-related activity he could do was throw off flat ground. Webb, the 2006 NL Cy Young Award Winner, has not made appearance since Opening Day. Now, the talk of him trying to return this season seems pretty unlikely.
In an unrelated note, first baseman Mark Reynolds has hit 29 home runs but on his way to his second consecutive 200 strikeout season. He is on pace to collect 220 which would break his baseball record number of 204 strikeouts that he set last year.
Racking up that total is pretty shocking. But it’s even more shocking if he can keep his batting average in the .270s which is where it is now. Power hitters, who strikeout a lot, usually do not hit for a high average.
By: Kevin Lonnquist
MLBcenter.com Staff Writer
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