Off to Albuquerque you go...

The output on this site…well, it’s matching the Twins output. And when you’re the worst team in baseball® it’s enough to make anyone depressed. So, let’s take a look at the average team out in LA…

The ownership bullshit continues to churn on, and anyone who tells you it doesn’t affect the team is wrong. Baseball games still have to be played, you know, and a month in there’s a list ready to go. It’s the dreaded "You Belong in New Mexico" list.  Who is being called into Tommy's office to be told the news?  (What the players don't know is that Tommy has been told there's "bad traffic" delivering the gelato to the stadium)

1. Ivan DeJesus Jr.  SS  .167 average
 
Originally brought up when Raffy Furcal was injured (again), DeJesus has done little than kill time in the line-up.  What usually happens is Vin and viewers talk about his dad while he takes a couple of pitches and then grounds out.  Donny has been able to spread out Jamey Carroll (a man), Aaron Miles, and Juan Uribe to cover it while one or the other is at 2B.  Now with Casey Blake (3B) doubly injured, yet another hole is there.  One of the above trio will take that spot, and there's no need to "utility" almost the entire fucking infield.  Ivan needs to switch time zones.  In his place would be Devaris "Dee" Gordon.  Batting .302 with 26 hits?  Sounds like a guy who deserves a chance. 
 
2. The Bullpen...oh dear god, the Bullpen.
 
Where does one begin?  Kenley Jansen (0-0, 7.43) was the first to put on the Isotope cap, as Hong-Chih Kuo came off the DL.  How did that work out, Kuo?
 
0.1 IP
2 H
4 ER
ERA?  15!
 
Kuo is given a small amount of slack as, well, this performance shows he might be injured.  STILL injured.
 
2a.  Jonathan Broxton  1-1  4.76
 
You might be thinking "Trip, how does a closer get an ERA that high?!"  He does it by entering games with a large lead, giving up a few runs, and then "saving" the game.  A perfect example was his performance Friday.  He enters the game up 2, and promptly gives up a run and 3 hits.  Later, with runners on the corners, has to be bailed out with a diving catch by Tony Gwynn Jr.  That's a "save" in the book, and another typical Broxton game.  Donny wants to keep using him as a closer, but all that tells me is the following:
 
Donny Baseball's Knowledge
Hitting: Excellent
Baserunning: Very Good
Fielding: Very Good
Pitching: N/A
 
(Anyone who's watched the late innings of games this season could tell you that...)
 
2b. Lance Cormier 0-0  9.72
 
Since getting his shit rocked in the Cards series, he's seen little action.  His primary use these days is pitching to lefties...because his righties ERA?  19.64!  No one likes a one note player...even in a jug band.  Yet another space taken.
 
2c.  Matt Grrrrrrrrr  2-2  4.11
 
I don't need to tell the regular readers about Mr. Guerrier.  Was it always this way?  Is it always a spin of the wheel when he enters a game?  He has value coming in after a starter...but if the game is starting to get dicey, he doesn't seem like the guy you can count on.  Starting off an inning?  Not as much of a problem.
 
In their place?
Merkin Valdez - RP  1-0  2.53
Pitching isn't really a "strong point" for the Isotopes...but this is the best of the bunch.  Come on...do you want stats, or do you want a guy named Merkin on your team?  Thought so.
 
Beyond that, you're having to go to Chattanooga...and that's just as questionable as the crowd in LA.  All the same, here are the stats of the Lookouts who have saves so far this season:
Cole St. Clair: 1-0, 0.68
Josh Lindblom: 1-2, 2.84
Javy Guerra: 0-0, 0.90
 
Shit...two guys under 1?  I know we're talking American Legion competition...but those boys belong in Sandland.  Hell, I'd love to see Broxton enter the field, surrounded by 900 fans as "Ironman" plays...and then gives up the winning run. 
 
Back to tanning; hoping the Twins get in gear.