News (Nov. 21, 2008)

Pittsburgh trades King Felix in exchange for Miguel Cabrera
Boston and Pittsburgh announced recently the first trade of the season with Boston sending Miguel Cabrera, Jason Michaels, Julio Lugo, and Seth McClung to Pittsburgh in exchange for Felix Hernandez and Ramon Vasquez.
The trade should benefit both teams with Pittsburgh looking to replace the gaping hole at first base left by the implosion of Richie "Anglo" Sexson and adding help at short with the oft-injured Jack Wilson and in the bullpen. Boston gets a good left-handed bat to add to its infield mix at second and third, and a dynamic young pitcher, further strengthening a rotation that looks to be among the league's best next year.

Seattle looking to Wheel and Deal
Seattle's front office recently released the following information about their interests this offseason and announced that several key players in their 5th place finish last year were on the trading block:

I have some needs as do many of you. Lets make a deal! Here's what I have to offer:

SS-- I have 3 good full timers and probably would like to keep J.J.Hardy, so Christian Guzman and Yuni Betancourt are available.

RF-- Vlad Guerrero is being offered up.

2B-- Rickie Weeks is being offered up, but this ties into one of my needs.

Needs:
#1 A better starting catcher than Gerald Laird
#2 2B, so if Weeks goes, would need one back
#3 Pitching, mostly relief, but starting as well
#4 CF... how much more can I expect out of Johnny Damon?
#5 A young 3B to replace Mike Lowell down the road

While no announcements have been made, Seattle is reporting that several teams have expressed interest in Guerrero and their available shortstops

World Series!

The following was release from the Commissioner's office on the results of the World Series:

Well, it was the 111-50 Padres vs. the 86-75 Giants for the Joe Shlabotnik World Series.

Game 1 featured Roy Halladay (12-12, 3.19) vs. Jake Peavy (24-2, 1.75). Both teams were held scoreless for 7 innings. In the bottom of the 8th, Tony Clark pinch hit for Peavy and singled, pinch runner Willie Boomquist stole second, but was gunned at the plate on an Ichiro single (Ichiro taking second on the throw). With two out, Carl Crawford singled home Ichiro for a 1-0 lead. In comes Billy Wagner to save the game. After getting the first two batters to ground out, Erik sent PH extraordinairre Cody Ross to face Wagner. BAM! A game tying HR. The Padres would answer back in the bottom of the 9th; Roberts and Kearns both singles, Roberts to 3rd. PH Fred Lewis knocked a sac fly to win the game. WOW! Peavy tossed 8 innings of 2-hit ball, striking out 10, walking none. PADRES UP 1-0

Game 2 featured Greg Maddux (21-7, 3.21)vs. Erik Bedard (17-6, 2.17). Both pitchers were shelled early, Maddux giving up 5 runs in 5 innings and Bedard giving up 4 runs in 6 innings, along with 12 base runners. Heath Bell pitched the 7th, allowing the tying run to score on a single by Pedro Feliz. The game was won in the bottom of the 10th -- Brian Roberts connected with a Matt Cain fastball for a 2-run HR. Another game decided in the last inning!

Padres up 2 games to none.

Game 3 in San Francisco: A.J. Burnett (12-4, 2.78) vs. Mark Buehrle (10-14, 4.23). Both pitchers were fantastic with the score tied at 1 after 7 innings. After the Padres went down 1-2-3 in the top of the 8th, Burnett walked the leadoff hitter Fielder, followed by a McCann double. Out goes Burnett, in comes Heath Bell. A groundout holds both runners, but Pedro Feliz popped a 3-run HR to put the Giants up 4-1. Thats the way the game will remain, Buehrle pitching a complete game. This game was decided in the 8th. Another close one! Padres up 2 games to 1.

Game 4: Scott Kazmir (15-10, 4.02) vs. Tim Lincecum (8-5, 4.30). Again, both pitchers were great, with the score tied at 1 after 6 innings. Frisco scored in the bottom of the 7th, making the score 2-1 SF. Until the top of the 9th...Brian Roberts led off the inning with a double off closer Juaquin Benoit. Kearns followed with a walk. Brian Schneider bunted them over. With one out, PH Travis Buck doubled home the tying runs. Ichiro flied to LF, but Crawford knocked in the go-ahead run with a single. Billy Wagner was able to hold off the Giants this time. Another last inning decision! Padres up 3 to 1.

Game 5: Do or die for SF...Back to game 1 starters Jake Peavy and Roy Halladay. Roy gave up 2 runs early, but the Giants struck back in the 5th with 3 runs off Peavy. SF would score one more run in the 8th and SD added one in the top of the 9th, but SF would play one more day, winning 4-3.

Padres up 3 games to 2.

Game 6: Do or Die II...Back to game 2 starters and back to San Diego. Greg Maddux vs. Erik Bedard. SD scored first with a run in the bottom of the second and again with a run in the bottom of the 5th. SF was getting guys on base, but could not come through in the clutch. Billy Wagner came in the 9th to earn the series save, Padres winning 2-0.

San Diego takes the series 4 games to 2.

What a fantastic series! I had a lot of fun! Thanks Erik for the series, and thanks Robert, Hans, and Amy for coming by.

Congratulations to the World Series Champion San Diego Padres!

Week 27

Standings
In the last couple of weeks there have been changes in the standings, as both Boston and Minnesota made runs, while the Giants of San Francisco struggled, sliding from a 5 game second place cushion to 10 games behind the second place Red Sox. Minnesota closed out the year in fourth after getting off to one of the worst starts in Joe Shlabotnik Baseball League history at 5-20. Their dramatic comeback is probably the most talked about story in the league. On the other hand, the Padres continued dominance is also noteworthy, as they finished the year 61 games over .500 at 111-50, an astonishing testament to their well-rounded ballclub.
Full Standings