» Felipe Lopez

After reading the news of Man Ram I wasn’t sure if I was having one crazy dream or if it was some big hoax. I’ll admit I was pretty ecstatic when I read the headlines because I absolutely hate the Dodgers. When anything bad (minus death) happens to them, deep down I’m filled with glee. But tonight, karma came back and bit me in the face with a little more serious news than I would have liked to have seen: Bob Melvin to be Dismissed as Manager.

Bob Melvin is a great manager and I feel as if the DBacks failure is not his alone. The front office should do a shakeup of the coaching staff altogether. Go ahead, cut off Rick Schu (hitting coach) and Glenn Sherlock (bullpen coach). Then again, the DBacks were hesitant to land a few big bats during the off-season. Sure, we signed John Garland and Felipe Lopez, but those two alone do not compensate for the poor play for the rest of the team (minus Haren).

R.I.P., Bob Melvin: DBacks Fire Melvin.

On the flip side, if firing only Bob Melvin is what the front office believes to be the best way to win more games, I support it 100%. However, if they are going into rebuilding mode I will rant and rave for all you to read on regular basis until something is done. This blog is big enough (with the ESPN appearance and all) to generate enough public outcry for the DBacks to appease the masses. I will not support a team that stoops to the level of the Pirates (in years past).

To the Diamondbacks front office: Get us a GOOD Manager and let’s win the WEST (please?!?!)!

The latest advertising campaign up on dbacks.com states: “Make sure D-backs start Midsummer Classic.”

Are you kidding me? I know that every team is going to have advertising like this from now until July, but how in the heck can we get anyone starting, let alone on the bench, with poor play? Arizona finally won their first series of the year against the Rockies! That doesn’t mean we have all-stars ready to go! Outside of the Diamondbacks’ community, many people don’t think of our players (excluding pitchers) as big time players. My friends refer to Mark Reynolds as “Mr. Whiff” and Justin Upton as being “never has been,” meaning he’s been talked up so much but will never come through. Otherwise, Stephen Drew is often only referred to as JD’s brother, Conor Jackson is the big man that can’t hit home runs, and Eric Byrnes is that goofy guy that looks like Steve Prefontaine. Perhaps the best bet would be Felipe Lopez; he played for St Louis (a larger market team) and had a decent career there. Who knows: maybe we’ll get a boost of votes from the St. Louis fans?

Anyway, looking forward to the next series against the Giants, I’m looking forward to the rematch between Doug Davis and Tim Lincecum. Last time, it was an awesome pitcher’s duel and the only runs that were given up was due it part to the Giants bullpen. Can I get any “Beat Lincecum” cheers here?

It’s a been a while since I’ve written, yet again. I’m working a on a few (8) mid-scale projects and barely have time to think.

Peh…

Anyhoo, DBACKS BABY!

First off, I’d like to make a shout out to Felipe Lopez: Way to help Puerto Rico kick the crap out of the USA (I’m an American. I Love the USA Baseball WBC team, but when a DBack is on the opposing team and hitting well, things change for me).

Focusing more on the team, now, it seems as if the Dbacks are looking decent right now. Chad Tracy apparently isn’t having any knee issues, which is GOOD. He’s been hurting for a while, it seems, but being able to be agile and run around without pain is a great step for him… and his trade value.

TRADE VALUE?! Say What?!

Like I’ve stated before, the DBacks are a little bloated when it comes to players that should be playing. Eric Byrnes was out most of last year with injury which helped alleviate issues with playing time. Now that he’s coming back, however, the issue lingers. How should this problem be solved?

Trade Chad Tracy.

Chad Tracy Doesn't Even Look Like he wants to be in AZ. Solution: TRADE HIM.

I know, I know, he’s a decent player and I like him. But looking into the best interests of the team, we need a BETTER CLOSER.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we? Back in December 2007, Arizona traded Jose Valverde to the Astros for Juan Gutierrez, Chad Qualls, and Chris Burke. And who got the better deal? At the beginning of last season, with Qualls throwing lights out, I thought we did. But no, Qualls tanked, Burke SUCKED (don’t try to tell me otherwise), and Gutierrez has yet to make an appearance in the Majors. Valverde had how many saves last year? Try 44. Brandon Lyon was no where near that.  The ability to win close games was a huge trait in the 2007 season, and he was a huge part. Who cares if it was a money issue; when he came in, fans were excited. He has an intensity that exists in two or three pitchers in the Majors. Arizona claimed it was a money issue (he wanted a bigger contract, which he should get), wanting nothing to do with it. I give them props for “wanting to believe,” but, like the X-Files I Want to Believe movie, it was absolute garbage. Trading Tracy for a respectable closer or any big minor league bat (throw Qualls in the deal) might make me feel better.

Until then, I’ll just be bitter and do my homework for class.