Author Topic: This guy got cut, the Nats should look at him (2009) (Read 24707 times)

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #100 on:** May 10, 2009, 08:43:22 pm »

A lefty who is extremely inconsistent at getting lefties out. Cannot pitch under pressure (only can be used in low leverage situations). Motion may mess people up the first time they see him. Makes more than Shawn Hill did before we cut him. I'd prefer Hinckley.

sportsfan882 · « **Reply #101 on:** May 10, 2009, 08:44:43 pm »

Quote from: JCA-CrystalCity on May 10, 2009, 08:43:22 pm

A lefty who is extremely inconsistent at getting lefties out. Cannot pitch under pressure (only van be used in low leverage situations). Motion may mess people up the first time they see him. Makes more than Shawn Hill did before we cut him. I'd prefer Hinckley.

He sounds just like Rizzo's type.

PatsNats28 · « **Reply #102 on:** May 10, 2009, 09:41:02 pm »

i liked him as a red sox, let's try him out.

ronnynat · « **Reply #103 on:** May 10, 2009, 09:42:45 pm »

I guess he's been pretty bad recently, but all the times I saw him pitch he was solid. Usually shut down the opposition pretty easily.

PANatsFan · « **Reply #104 on:** May 11, 2009, 09:23:38 am »

I thought we were talking about the catcher

Minty Fresh · « **Reply #105 on:** May 11, 2009, 10:35:54 am »

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #106 on:** May 11, 2009, 11:16:37 am »

Lopez has been the subject of a lot of back and forth on Sons of Sam Horn (I just lurk anonymously there, like I do in some bars). The supporters, including some stat guys, say he's most effective when he works regularly but not on back to back days. Whether this team can afford that, I don't know. Maybe here he'd be a guy we would go to in the 7th or 8th with a lead to get one lefty (classic LOOGY); but he is spotty against lefties this year. On the bright (?) side, we don't have the lead often enough to mean he'd be overworked that way.

I do not think he has the upside of Mike Hinckley. Allow him to pass through waivers, and at best offer him an invite to community auditions in Syracuse.

cruiser · « **Reply #107 on:** May 11, 2009, 02:03:34 pm »

It's funny, the things you learn from Wikipedia by chasing links. The article on Javier Lopez mentioned that he was the first Red Sox pitcher since Tom Burgmeier in 1980 to play another position during a game. Chasing the Burgmeier link, it said that Don Zimmer moved him to left field so that he could bring Burgmeier back to face Mickey Rivers. What a cool idea to keep a LOOGY around to face a second batter - NOBODY tell Manny about it.

hammondsnats · « **Reply #108 on:** May 11, 2009, 02:07:03 pm »

eh, what the hell. he's gotta be better than hanrahan and kensing.

Minty Fresh · « **Reply #109 on:** May 11, 2009, 02:18:12 pm »

Quote from: hammondsnats on May 11, 2009, 02:07:03 pm

eh, what the hell. he's gotta be better than hanrahan and kensing.

He's not.

hammondsnats · « **Reply #110 on:** May 11, 2009, 03:47:25 pm »

Quote from: Minty Fresh on May 11, 2009, 02:18:12 pm

He's not.

yeah i forgot hanrahan had a 2.43 ERA in 70 games last year like lopez ... oh wait he didn't. both have been bad this year, but i'd like to see what lopez has to offer.

Minty Fresh · « **Reply #111 on:** May 11, 2009, 03:51:14 pm »

Quote from: hammondsnats on May 11, 2009, 03:47:25 pm

yeah i forgot hanrahan had a 2.43 ERA in 70 games last year like lopez ... oh wait he didn't. both have been bad this year, but i'd like to see what lopez has to offer.

You have any connections to The Nation? I do. Most Sox fans will say that Lopez was far worse than his numbers would indicate. He loves to leave the ball up in the zone when he's not busy getting behind hitters.

But I forgot that numbers tell the whole story.

hammondsnats · « **Reply #112 on:** May 11, 2009, 03:53:38 pm »

Quote from: Minty Fresh on May 11, 2009, 03:51:14 pm

He loves to leave the ball up in the zone when he's not busy getting behind hitters.

Oh yeah and Hanrahan isn't prone to doing so either?

Agree to disagree, can't find many worse relief pitchers than Han(doveraloss)rahan.

Minty Fresh · « **Reply #113 on:** May 11, 2009, 03:57:56 pm »

Quote from: hammondsnats on May 11, 2009, 03:53:38 pm

Oh yeah and Hanrahan isn't prone to doing so either?

Show me where I said Hanrahan doesn't. I never said that. You pointed out that he's better than Hanrahan. I said he's not better. I never sid he was worse, but he's not any better than Hanrahan.

Quote from: hammondsnats on May 11, 2009, 03:53:38 pm

Agree to disagree, can't find many worse relief pitchers than Han(doveraloss)rahan.

O.k. We can disagree. I believe Hanrahan is a good relief pitcher but he just doesn't have what it takes to close. There is a huge difference between mop-up and closing.

The Chief · « **Reply #114 on:** May 11, 2009, 04:00:35 pm »

My favorite Hanrahan nicknames so far are "Hanrahandout" and "Hanrahaha"

Does Lopez have a hot wife? We've been lacking since the team got rid of that other Lopez.

hammondsnats · « **Reply #115 on:** May 11, 2009, 04:02:15 pm »

Quote from: The Chief on May 11, 2009, 04:00:35 pm

My favorite Hanrahan nicknames so far are "Hanrahandout" and "Hanrahaha"

Does Lopez have a hot wife? We've been lacking since the team got rid of that other Lopez.

haha i like hanrahaha.

and not sure about the wife. yeah that was the only good thing about the flop era in dc.

Minty Fresh · « **Reply #116 on:** May 11, 2009, 04:08:52 pm »

Quote from: The Chief on May 11, 2009, 04:00:35 pm

My favorite Hanrahan nicknames so far are "Hanrahandout" and "Hanrahaha"

Does Lopez have a hot wife? We've been lacking since the team got rid of that other Lopez.

I like Hanrahandout myself.

My brother (huge O's fan) called Jorge Julio, "Jorge 'Send 'em Home and Happy' Julio."

2IPAs · « **Reply #117 on:** May 11, 2009, 04:19:40 pm »

Hanrahack.

houston-nat · « **Reply #118 on:** May 11, 2009, 04:22:24 pm »

Hanrahazard?

Minty Fresh · « **Reply #119 on:** May 11, 2009, 04:22:37 pm »

Quote from: 2IPAs on May 11, 2009, 04:19:40 pm

Hanrahack.

I like this one too.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #120 on:** May 11, 2009, 04:31:47 pm »

OK, here are a few board links from SoSH.

http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?showtopic=44978
Note the analysis of Eric Van. He's a stat wiz in the Red Sox front office hired in part due to his posts on SoSH. Van is bullish on Lopez when he is used in limited situations, but recognized this guy was about 18th on their pitching depth chart and holding back better minor league options. Note also the speculation by another commenter that the Nats will grab him.

Here is the lengthier Lopez thread, which has a lot of bashing in it. Probably a bunch of folks who overdosed on sour pickle juice.
http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?showtopic=44426

Bottom line is that he probably was a wasted spot on the Red Sox roster, blocking better players and off to a cold start, but has had some success his prior 3 years in with the team and has gotten undue criticism due to the misuse and abuse inherrent in being the 12th pitcher on the major league roster.

I still think he has less upside than Hinckley. I do not believe the team will claim him on waivers due to his making Hill+ money. The management will wait until he clears, and then make him the pitch, "we are more than willing to give veterans a chance here, and if you show anything in Syracuse, you will be back in the majors in two weeks. If you go to Pawtucket, you'll essentially be the 18th man on the staff, at best, and have to compete with Smoltz and others to get added to the 40 man before you are called up." If he signs a two way contract with a right to opt opt, then we have our new Lopez.

MoochieDC_86 · « **Reply #121 on:** May 12, 2009, 07:44:52 am »

Hanrahomer?

We Won? · « **Reply #122 on:** May 16, 2009, 03:12:16 am »

Quote from: MoochieDC_86 on May 12, 2009, 07:44:52 am

Hanrahomer?

Hanoverahomer?

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #123 on:** May 16, 2009, 10:26:08 pm »

And the Javier Lopez era in Natstown ends before it begins. Clears waivers, accepts assignment to Pawtucket.

http://soxblog.projo.com/2009/05/lopez-reports-t.html

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #124 on:** May 16, 2009, 10:29:34 pm »

Masa Kobayashi has the right to refuse being optioned to Columbus when he is removed from the 25 man and 40 man roster Sunday. At least he closed in Japan.

http://castrovince.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/05/sayonara_masa.html