Posts by: Ryan P. Morrison
After the Diamondbacks fell behind early in the first game of the critical Reds series yesterday, I found myself wondering just how frequent it’s been this season for Arizona to dig itself out of deficits. After the walkoff series against the Orioles and the sixteen-inning affair on Sunday in which the Dbacks came back to win, you wouldn’t be surprised …
Continue Reading →The Diamondbacks went 5-1 in their last six games, abusing the Orioles before gutting out a series win in Pittsburg. The Orioles series could not have had more drama, with walkoff hits in all three games by three different players. In comparison to “the walkoff series,” the wins against the Pirates were almost garden variety; and yet the Diamondbacks posted …
Continue Reading →On Wednesday, we looked at where Paul Goldschmidt fits in the MVP race against fellow position players. We learned that Goldy’s individual performance definitely put him in line for consideration, but that to win, he probably needs Arizona to mount a serious campaign for a playoff spot. We also saw that some regression from Andrew McCutchen could end up making …
Continue Reading →In the past, I’ve tended to think that writing on MVP awards has been premature in August, but after Goldy’s incredible performance last night, I just can’t resist. It’s important to clarify, though, what question we’re asking. Is it whether Paul Goldschmidt should win the MVP (“is he the most valuable player”), or whether he will win the MVP (“will …
Continue Reading →For a five-game week (off days on Monday and Thursday), the last several days have been unusually tumultuous for the Diamondbacks. In a two game series against Tampa Bay, the offense broke out; but although Kirk Gibson’s squad carried the same lineup and offensive success through Friday, Saturday and Sunday were not banner days for the team. On Saturday, David …
Continue Reading →As of the morning of August 9, the Diamondbacks have played 113 games. Paul Goldschmidt has played in 112. At 25 years old, Goldy is just entering his physical prime – but it’s fair to wonder whether a day off might benefit him, and the team by extension.
Only Paul Goldschmidt, Kirk Gibson, and maybe a few other people have …
Continue Reading →At the trade deadline this season, Jason Kubel was on fans’ “please trade” list, along with Ian Kennedy. Kennedy was sent to San Diego for relief help, but Kubel remains on the roster and in the team’s five-way OF logjam. So should Kubel still get moved?
Of course, the presence of the other four outfielders on the active roster …
Continue Reading →Last week’s big news was the trade deadline, with Arizona linked to many relief pitchers before the team finally traded Ian Kennedy for bullpen help this season (lefty specialist Joe Thatcher) and down the road (Matt Stites). Arizona’s side of the trade also received a bump with the acquisition of San Diego’s competitive balance pick in round B (after the …
Continue Reading →It may be that Kevin Towers traded Ian Kennedy for less than his full value — but when you identify a specific need (lefty reliever) and you only want to move assets of your choice, 80 cents on the dollar is not so bad. You expect to pay an exchange rate when you only have foreign currency to pay with, …
Continue Reading →Now that three years have passed since Arizona traded Dan Haren to the Angels, it’s a good time for a collaboration with Halos Daily on how the trade has panned out. Check out their post on the Angels’ end of the trade.
Dan Haren has been involved in two of the four or five most significant trades in the history …
Continue Reading →I’ve indulged in an inordinate amount of wishful thinking during this trade deadline season, but more than 24 hours left to spare, I’m going to keep at it. I continue to think that SS/2B Chris Owings, in particular, fits another team better than the Diamondbacks because the team is set at SS and 2B for the foreseeable future (Didi Gregorius …
Continue Reading →As of this writing, July 29 has already seen two trades of relievers — Angels LHP Scott Downs to Atlanta, and Astros RHP Jose Veras to Detroit. Despite his current status on the disabled list, White Sox RHP Jesse Crain is also rumored to be on the move, to either Tampa Bay or “another club.” It has also been …
Continue Reading →Arizona’s main need right now is in the bullpen. Before Sunday’s game, GM Kevin Towers reiterated that adding another LHP to Tony Sipp was front office’s main priority right now. Given the continued recent struggles of David Hernandez (0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 runs, 2 of them earned), perhaps the search should include some RHP targets as …
Continue Reading →Like many teams, Arizona is monitoring the market for potential upgrades via trade. Given the recent performance of the rotation and the imminent return of Trevor Cahill and Brandon McCarthy, the Dbacks really do not have a need for a starting pitcher. There are very few starters available who might represent an upgrade anyway. Likewise, the Dbacks do not …
Continue Reading →The St. Louis Cardinals’ Matt Adams is having a great season. In 164 plate appearances, Adams has hit 7 home runs, maintaining a solid walk ratio and hitting .307. The problem: Adams only starts when 1B/OF Allen Craig or OFs Carlos Beltran or Matt Holliday miss time. One wonders what Adams could accomplish in a season with 600 PAs (25-30 …
Continue Reading →Patrick Corbin entered the day yesterday 12-1, with a 17-2 team record in games he started. Make that 18-2. Fresh off a whopping ten days of rest interrupted only by a rocky appearance in the All-Star Game, Corbin showed no signs of rust early and late in the game Tuesday, pitching out of trouble in all of his six …
Continue Reading →@ryanpmorrison
Best part of Peralta’s 108 mph fliner over the fence, IMHO: that he got that much leverage despite scooping it out… https://t.co/ivBrl76adF, 
RT @OutfieldGrass24: If you're bored of watching Patrick Corbin get dudes out, you can check out my latest for @TheAthleticAZ. https://t.co/k1DymgY7zO, - Of course, they may have overtaken the league lead for outs on the bases just now, also...
But in 2017, Arizona ha… https://t.co/38MBrr2D4b,
- Prior to the games today, there had only been 5 steals of 3rd this season (and no CS) in the National League. The… https://t.co/gVVL84vPQ5,
- RT @OutfieldGrass24: Patrick Corbin has a WPA of .318 and it's only the fifth inning.,
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RT @JCGonzalezOR: Let’s hope we keep the trend up and elect passionate young leaders to take Oregon into the future. https://t.co/nrtWFDrd8E, - Can confirm: Billy is cool and good RT pls https://t.co/r1O5qzt8xQ,
RT @GatesOnSports: Still on the hunt for something full-time in the sports media/communications industry. Here's my resume, and if you… https://t.co/kwNHGMss2j, 
RT @TheAthleticAZ: Talking points for Talking Stick: Taking a closer look at the @Suns arena situation, courtesy @BobYoungTHI
https://t.co/ArDvZsSM2t, - Four hours left to vote https://t.co/6IOquJ3LN6,
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