Week 12-13 - June 17, 2007

S-A, T-U-R, D-A-Y... Night!

Hey there and welcome to This Week in the DMBL, now on an all-new day and with an all-new domain name, www.dmbl.us! Why the new changes? Our sponsor, JRCigars.com, wanted our domain name to be more patriotic. And we're proud to say we're made in the U.S. of A.! They also asked that we switch from Mondays to Sundays to better highlight the JRCigars Weekly Special. This means that the weekly Sunday doubleheader will kick off the week rather than end it. Otherwise you'll get the same great coverage of the DMBL right here.

This week's wrap-up is really the two partial weeks sandwiched around the All-Star Game. Heading into the break, the first-place Newark Sugar Bears took a well-deserved vacation, dropping three straight games to close out the first half. Hey, with eight players on the Hanover roster, how else could the Sugar Bear players take it easy? Newark went back to business after the midsummer classic, finishing the week with four straight wins for 6-4 record... The Philadelphia Endzone Animals also rested on their laurels a bit after their big first half, splitting their 10 games. But they can't coast for too long -- the D.C. Bushslappers are red-hot again, winning 8 out of 9 including their last six in a row, moving into 3rd place overall and chopping 3½ games off the Endzone Animals' division lead... The  Honolulu Sharks won three straight, lost five straight and then won two more. It all balances out to a .500 week at 5-5, knocking them from 3rd to 4th... Just a half-game behind them sit Matthew's Mighty Men of Marietta, who matched D.C. by going 8-1 -- two four-game winning streaks bookending a one-run loss -- to jump all the way from a tie for 7th place into 5th place, a half-game behind the Sharks for second place in the Hanover Division... The Vancouver Iron Fist, who haven't had a winning week since May 21, went 5-6 to fall from 5th to 6th. The recent Number Crunch said the Fisters were one of the league's luckiest teams over the first half, and over the last few weeks they seem intent on proving Pythagoras right.

There's two new contestants in the battle of 7th place: The Hoboken Cutters, who moved up one rung in the standings after going 6-5, and the  Hillsborough Hired Hitmen, who jumped up two after going 8-3, including six consecutive wins. Each team is a game under .500 and 2 games behind Vancouver for the final playoff berth... The Arkansas Golden Falcons went 3-8, including three straight losses, to drop from a 7th place tie into 9th, but still just 3 games behind the Fisters... Playoff hopes are fading fast for the next three teams, who all have 50 losses. The Carolina Mudcats were the only other team with a winning record this week, going 5-4 to move up from 12th to 10th, 7 games behind the Iron Fist. Just a half-game behind them sit the South Boston Gang, who went 3-7 to fall from 10th to 11th; and a half-game behind the Gang are New Jersey Team Buddah, who went 4-6 to fall from 11th to 12th... The last two teams have nothing to play for except the best chance at the first overall pick. The Sardine City Straphangers dropped 9 out of 11, including four straightt; they're now just 1½ games ahead of the Las Vegas Rat Pack, who went 3-7, for last place.

Bronson Is Top Gun

The Bushslappers' incredible run to the All-Star Break (a league best 31-13 over the second quarter of the season) hasn't slowed down, as they've won their last six games in a row. Right in the middle of that streak is a rejuvenated Bronson Arroyo, who has rebounded from a lousy start to the season. This week, Arroyo gave up just 3 runs (2 earned) in two starts (2-0, 1.13 ERA, 6.8 R/9, 4 BB, 12 K in 16.0 IP). Arroyo's first start was a 4-2 win over Sardine City in which he allowed two runs -- one earned -- on 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 9.  But his second outing was even more impressive as he pitched D.C. to a 3-1 win over Philadelphia. Arroyo held the division leaders to just 1 run on 3 hits (all singles) and 2 walks while striking out 3. His terrific double-barreled performance earned him the Monkey With a Death Wish Pitcher of the Week Award... Arroyo doesn't appear to have great season numbers -- 6-8, 5.01 ERA -- until you remember he started out the year 0-7 with a 6.96 ERA. His 6-1 run over the second quarter is a big part of D.C.'s emergence as not just a post-season contender, but a possible division champion. Teammate Kelvim Escobar also had a nice week (2-0, 2.70 ERA, 10.8 R/9, 6 BB, 13 K in 13.1 IP).

Carolina's Roy Halladay finished a close second in this week's balloting. The 30-year-old right-hander turned in two quality efforts, giving up just 2 runs (1 earned) in 14.2 IP (0.61 ERA, 10.4 R/9). His first win was in impressive fashion -- a 4-hit shutout of the Straphangers; but the second outing was a little more adventurous, as he held the Sharks to just 2 runs (1 earned) despite giving up 10 hits, a walk and a hit batsman in 5.2 innings. The Carolina bullpen gave up 5 more runs but the Mudcats held on for the 8-7 win... This week's other top starters: Hoboken's Scott Kazmir (2-0, 2.84 ERA, 11.4 R/9, 7 BB, 25 K in 19.0 IP); Marietta's Mike Mussina (2-0, 3.68 ERA, 10.4 R/9, 1 BB, 14 K in 14.2 IP) and Newark's Javier Vazquez (2-0, 2.35 ERA, 9.4 R/9, 4 BB, 14 K in 15.1 IP).

Whoever's the closer in D.C. is doing a heck of a job. The team is leading the league in saves (28), but doesn't have a closer ranking in the top 5 in saves! That's because the job has been divided down the middle between Joe Nathan (4-4, 12 SV, 2.64 ERA, 7.5 R/9) and Jonathan Papelbon (3-1, 10 SV, 1.59 ERA, 9.3 R/9). This week Nathan got the saves (4 SV, 2 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 12 K in 8.2 IP) and Papelbon got the wins (2-0, 0 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 8 K in 6.0 IP)... This week's other top relievers: Carolina's Brian Fuentes (2 SV, 1 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 7 K in 7.0 IP); Hillsborough's Takashi Saito (1-0, 2 SV, 1 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 5 K in 7.2 IP); Las Vegas's Kevin Gregg (1-0, 1 SV, 2 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 12 K in 12.0 IP); Marietta's Mariano Rivera (1-0, 1 SV, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 0 K in 5.1 IP); Philly's Francisco Rodriguez (2 SV, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 3.2 IP); South Boston's Brandon League (1-0, 1 SV, 0 R, 9 H, 4 BB, 9 K); and Vancouver's Billy Wagner (3 SV, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 8 K in 5.0 IP).

The Giambino!

As the Bushslappers continue to march upward through the standings, and the Mighty Men and Iron Fist slug it out for the final two playoff spots, the Sharks are on cruise control -- they appear to have no chance to catch the first-place Sugar Bears, and at the moment appear comfortable reaching the post-season as either the 3rd seed or the 4th seed. After all, either finish would be the best in their history, and also would ensure them home-field advantage in the first-round. And after finishing dead last in '06, who's going to complain about which playoff ticket you get in '07? But one Shark who's not taking it easy is veteran 1B/DH Jason Giambi, who .351 (1.540 OPS) with 9 HR, 12 R and 14 RBI. The Giambino led the league in HRs, OPS, SLG (1.108), runs created (18.6), isolated power (.757), total bases (41), secondary average (.892) and AB/HR (4.1), making him an easy choice as our JRCigars.com Smokin' Batter of the Week Award winner. On the season, Giambi is hitting .296 (1.096 OPS) with 31 HR, 66 R and 76 RBI.

Giambi was supported in the lineup with a strong performance from Adrian Gonzalez (.381, 1.052 OPS, 3 HR, 11 RBI). In fact, there were a lot of Batman-and-Robin performances this week: Arkansas's Barry Bonds (.333, 1.348 OPS, 7 HR, 12 RBI) and Justin Morneau (.350, 1.059 OPS, 6 2B, 6 RBI); Carolina's Travis Hafner (.364, 1.306 OPS, 4 HR, 10 R) and Grady Sizemore (.424, 1.234 OPS, 2 HR, 6 R); Hillsborough's Alex Rodriguez (.405, 1.272 OPS, 4 HR, 14 RBI) and Ryan Howard (.256, 1.114 OPS, 6 HR, 10 RBI); Hoboken's Miguel Cabrera (.447, 1.151 OPS, 8 2B, 10 RBI) and Chris Duncan (.400, 1.253 OPS, 2 HR, 14 RBI); Las Vegas's Edwin Encarnacion (.485, 1.389 OPS, 3 HR, 9 RBI) and Joe Mauer (.465, 1.267 OPS, 5 2B, 10 R); Marietta's Derek Jeter (.400, 1.014 OPS, 4 SB, 9 R) and Wes Helms (.429, 1.198 OPS, 2 HR, 3 RBI); Newark's Jim Edmonds (.500, 1.514 OPS, 4 HR, 14 RBI) and Carlos Guillen (.463, 1.514 OPS, 4 HR, 12 R); and Vancouver's Chase Utley (.310, 1.146 OPS, 6 HR, 15 R) and David Ortiz (.293, 1.066 OPS, 4 HR, 12 R).

We love it when two teams battle it out over an obscure scrub. For example, who would've thought that there would have been more than one team interested in Nick Punto this off-season? The 29-year-old utility infielder was released by Marietta at the end of last season after he hit .232 (.637 OPS) with 39 Ks in 138 ABs. But his scrappy hustle must have impressed owner David Landsman, because when he learned Punto had signed with Hillsborough, he blew a gasket at the front office executives who advised letting him go. At the time, some chuckled about how silly things can get when the owner takes a personal interest in bench players. But maybe it was the baseball men who were silly, as Little Nicky is having a huge season (.347, .887 OPS, 6 3B, 4 SB in 190 AB) filling in at second, short and third. The switch-hitter had another big week, hitting .429 (1.050 OPS) with 12 R. Punto signed a one-year deal with a player option for 2008 with Hillsborough, and knowing how much interest the Marietta owner has in bringing him back, is it any surprise he's already talking about opting out? "I loved my time in Georgia and I never did sell my house there," Punto said with a knowing grin.

'1408' Claims Two More Victims

Philly's bid to stave off the Bushslappers took a hit this week as third baseman Scott Rolen will be out at least two weeks. Rolen and Marietta's Gil Meche were freaked out after seeing a sneak preview of horror movie 1408, starring John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson. Based on the short story by Stephen King, Cusack plays a novelist of supernatural horror who checks into a notorious hotel room to reseach his next book, but gets far more than he bargained for. (By the way, this week's injury report is brought to you by 1408, coming soon to a theater near you.) "I'm so freaked out by what happened in that hotel room I don't know if I can go on road trips any more," Rolen said. "I might need to get one fo those Roger Clemens clauses in my contract." Rolen, who was hitting .305 (.863 OPS) with 22 2B and 52 RBI, will be sorely missed; as for Meche, well, maybe not as much (2-4, 5.92 ERA, 15.0 R/9). "Who got hurt? Can we sign Nick Punto to replace him?" a hopeful David Landsman asked.

Riding the D.C.-L.V. Shuttle

Considering the Bushslappers have only been in the league for two years, they've already made a lot of trades -- and their favorite trading partner appears to be the Rat Pack. In just two seasons, the Slappers and Rats have made six deals involving 17 players and 12 picks! The Bushslappers gave up struggling OF Matt Holliday, prospect Alex Gordon and a first-round pick in exchange for RP Chris Ray, 3B Ryan Zimmerman and the rights to the injured 1B Derrek Lee. The trade is interesting in light of their previous deals -- last year, the lottery-bound Bushslappers made trades for the future with the Pack, which was in the middle of the playoff race; this time, it's last-place Vegas stocking up on prospects while D.C. is going for the post-season. Also, it's worth noting the Rats had acquired Zimmerman (along with pitcher Chris Young and outfielder Reggie Sanders) last year from D.C. in exchange for Carl Crawford and Nate Robertson. And the Bushslappers drafted Gordon with the second round pick they'd acquired from Vegas in a Draft Day trade-down last year.

That wasn't the Rat Pack's only big deal this week. Just two days after the D.C. swap, the Pack traded the rights to Japanese star Daisuke Matsuzaka to Sardine City to get back their own second-round pick -- which Sardine City had inherited from the Westwood Deductions. (Interestingly, the Pack had given up that pick, along with an eighth rounder, Scott Hatteberg and Aaron Sele, for Lee -- the guy they just traded to D.C.) Some may feel it's overpaying to give up what is likely to be the first pick of the second round for a guy who was drafted in the middle of the third round last year (and still hasn't thrown a pitch in the DMBL), especially since Dice-K's performance in the developmental league hasn't been what some had hoped (4.18 ERA, 1.27 WHIP). On the other hand, his 93 Ks in 92.2 IP is impressive, and he's looked very sharp in his last three starts (1.80 ERA, 1.15 WHIP).

A few teams did some roster shuffling after getting players back from injury. D.C activated  Jonathan Papelbon and released Juan Cruz; Las Vegas brought back Edwin Encarnacion and dumped Felipe Lopez; Vancouver activated Wes Littleton and D.L.'d Brian Sweeney; and Philly put Scott Rolen on the D.L. and signed Todd Walker, and also activated David Eckstein. But after finding no bidders for Eckstein's services, they released him.

The trade that wasn't: Philly released Shawn Marcum and D.C. signed him; D.C. released Casey Blake and Philly signed him.

This week's other moves: Arkansas cut prospects Jeff Nieman and Brandon Wood and catcher Dioner Navarro, and signed pitchers Jorge Julio and Juan Cruz and catcher Henry Blanco; D.C. released Alex Gonzalez; Las Vegas released Anthony Reyes and Marcus Giles and signed George Sherrill, Aaron Fultz, Mark Loretta and Cliff Floyd; Newark cut Tim Wakefield and signed Alex Cora; New Jersey picked up Tim Wakefield and cut Matt Guerrier; Philly released Jose Bautista; Sardine City cut Cameron Maybin; and Vancouver dropped Joe Beimel and Chris Britton, signing Kevin Correia and Will Ohman.

TWIB may have Ozzie Smith, but we have the better Smith! Zane Smith, former pitcher for the San Antonio Slingers and Sacramento Seahawks, now writes this column exclusively for the Diamond Mind Baseball League. Click Here for past articles.