Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Padres close with Hoffman

It sounds like the Padres will bring back Trevor Hoffman. This is a good move on a couple of fronts. First, it's never a bad thing to have an experienced closer, even if Hoffman's numbers have slipped. Second, a one-year contract makes him obvious trade bait if San Diego struggles. He likely commands at least one prospect near next year's deadline for a big-spending contender.

Move playoffs to cable

Baseball's Monday playoff TV ratings weren't too spectacular.
Over on Fox the NLCS game scored a 5.1/8 between 8pm-10pm. Kinda eh for the playoffs and though MLB is touting that the combined playoff ratings for this round are up, but that’s not doing Fox any good since the growth is all being driven by huge growth over last year on TBS (last year it had the Diamonbacks/Rockies NLCS, this year TBS has the Red Sox).
I'm thinking that all playoff games will move to cable outlets in the coming years, kind of like the NBA format with the finals on network TV.

Dunn done in AZ?

It doesn't sound like the Diamondbacks will be bringing back Adam Dunn. If that's the case, I heard Chicago sports radio talking about the Cubs potential interest in the slugging right fielder. The Cubs need balance in their order, and they might be able to afford him for year. Why wouldn't Dunn sign up and force Kosuke Fukudome into a platoon in center with Reed Johnson? It might work.

Papi is popped

David Ortiz is in a 4-27 postseason funk. I think a number of people point to Manny leaving Boston as the reason he's not hitting well, but that's not right. Jason Bay, Kevin Youkilis and others are still going strong. This has to be the classic case of a wrist injury never quite going away until a player gets an extended period of rest.

Phils and Rays

Shane Victorino's game-tying two-run homer, followed by Matt Stairs' game-winning two-run homer in the eighth inning of game two pushed Philadelphia to a 3-1 lead over the Dodgers, 7-5. The Phillies have a good chance to clinch in Los Angeles with Cole Hamels going against Chad Billingsley.

B.J. Upton's three-run homer ignited a 9-1 Rays blowout of Boston. The good Matt Garza showed up, too. How about that. Tampa leads 2-1, and if they get another one in Boston, forget about it BoSox fans.