Not necessarily. Contreras is cash money unless he's against the Bosox. He puts too much pressure on himself to be the man, where he should just be the man naturally. Hopefully Ozzie can get through to him.
DEAN's Nuggets of Wisdom:
"I don't want him to die. I just want him to NEED my PEE." (as seen here)
Considering Boston is their main rival, this trade is great for the Yankees. Loaiza is a solid #3 starter who may give up 5 runs a game, but Contreras will give up 3 runs one game and 8 runs the next game. He got killed by Boston and Baltimore this year. Contreras gave up 7 or more runs in each of his last 2 starts while Loaiza gave up 7+ runs once all year.
I also like the addition of Olerud. Olerud is as good as Mientkawitz offensively and defensively and they didn't give up anything to get him.
In all seriousness, the Olerud acquisition is very good, he fits exactly what they needed. Getting him for nothing is even better.
As far as Loaiza, that would have been a great trade last year. As it is, its almost a wash. Loaiza has a horrible K rate, but a slightly lower ERA. Contreras has better stuff, but can't beat Boston. We'll see how it works out in the long run I guess. How much of Contreras' salary are the Yankees eating?
I think that this is a real good trade for the Yanks, who I hate. They dump highly overpaid Contreras who hasn't shown anything in two years. In return they get a guy who has been an All Star the last two years. Pretty good.
Trust me, being a White Sox fan, and watching Loaiza all year, he didn't deserve to be an All-Star. Buehrle and Freddy Garcia (since he's been here) have been much better than Esty was all year. I think Loaiza pitched wonderfully last year, he was the most consistent pitcher I've seen in a long time, and easily could have won 25 games with some run support in key situations. But the league has figured out his new cutter, and he was getting high pitch counts in the 5th and 6th inning instead of the 7th and 8th inning. Maybe he can talk to Rivera and get it working again, but at this point, I think a change of scenery will work well for him and Contreras.
-The Big Kat When you're tired of wishing on a falling star, you gotta put your faith in a loud guitar. -KISS
The Yankees are paying Contreras $4 million to go away and the White Sox are on the hook for $16 mil over the next 2 years. Not a bad deal.
They are paying Olerud the league minimum prorated for the next few months. Only the way Clark and Sierra are hitting there isn't much room in the lineup for Olerud.
Originally posted by The Big KatTrust me, being a White Sox fan, and watching Loaiza all year, he didn't deserve to be an All-Star. Buehrle and Freddy Garcia (since he's been here) have been much better than Esty was all year. I think Loaiza pitched wonderfully last year, he was the most consistent pitcher I've seen in a long time, and easily could have won 25 games with some run support in key situations. But the league has figured out his new cutter, and he was getting high pitch counts in the 5th and 6th inning instead of the 7th and 8th inning. Maybe he can talk to Rivera and get it working again, but at this point, I think a change of scenery will work well for him and Contreras.
Also, E-Lo has lost velocity in the last year. And more than that, it seems like his attitude changed. Last year he pitched much more aggressively, challenging hitters to get clean hits off of him. This year watching him he tries to get every pitch into some perfect unhittable spot. And fails way too often, either missing way off the plate or leaving something that can get crushed.
That said, he does have a ton of heart. He will be a gamer for the Yanks come the playoffs I think.
I can't even speak to the White Sox part of it, as they have rendered me nearly retarded with this last week's worth of events. I am beyond all rational thought, and just want to set myself on fire after everything that went down.
Originally posted by The Big KatTrust me, being a White Sox fan, and watching Loaiza all year, he didn't deserve to be an All-Star. Buehrle and Freddy Garcia (since he's been here) have been much better than Esty was all year. I think Loaiza pitched wonderfully last year, he was the most consistent pitcher I've seen in a long time, and easily could have won 25 games with some run support in key situations. But the league has figured out his new cutter, and he was getting high pitch counts in the 5th and 6th inning instead of the 7th and 8th inning. Maybe he can talk to Rivera and get it working again, but at this point, I think a change of scenery will work well for him and Contreras.
Also, E-Lo has lost velocity in the last year. And more than that, it seems like his attitude changed. Last year he pitched much more aggressively, challenging hitters to get clean hits off of him. This year watching him he tries to get every pitch into some perfect unhittable spot. And fails way too often, either missing way off the plate or leaving something that can get crushed.
That said, he does have a ton of heart. He will be a gamer for the Yanks come the playoffs I think.
I can't even speak to the White Sox part of it, as they have rendered me nearly retarded with this last week's worth of events. I am beyond all rational thought, and just want to set myself on fire after everything that went down.
Ha, I know exactly how you feel. When Buehrle throws 9 innings of 2-run ball, and you lose the game on a walked-in run (for the 2ND STRAIGHT TIME, has that ever happened before?), it sort of makes you wonder about our playoff chances. These Sox are maddeningly frustrating, as they can rip off 5 wins in a row, then get swept by the Cubs. Then they climb all the way into 1st, then get swept at home by the Twins and go on a 7 game losing streak. I almost wish they would either just go in then tank for good this season, or get on a big run to make the playoffs, instead of hanging around with a glimmer of hope. It's not like the Twins are such a great team that we have no chance, and we are even closer to the wild card. The series with the Royals could be a big confidence boost, especially if Contreras can come through tonight.
-The Big Kat When you're tired of wishing on a falling star, you gotta put your faith in a loud guitar. -KISS
just heard great stat from Tigers/Giants game - 3 hour rain delay meant temp went from 97 at game time to 75 when game restarted. Also, the Giants had Zito come back out and pitch after the 3 hour rain delay.