http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/998 Recent articles about Craig Hansen en-us I have to be honest. The Phillies have finally left me speechless. I really don't want to sound like one of those stereotypical "Negadelphians", but after watching last light's loss to the Pirates, the taste in my mouth from Thursday's loss to the Marlins has intenstified. Despite a superb pitching performance by starter Joe Blanton, who pitched seven one-hit innings, the Phillies offense was never able to get it going against Paul Maholm (7IP, 5H, 3BB, 10K), Sean Burnett (.2IP, 1H, 0BB, 1K), Denny Bautista (.1IP, 0H, 1BB, 0K), John Grabow (1IP, 0H, 0BB, 0K), TJ Beam (2IP, 0H, 3BB, 0K), and Craig Hansen (1IP, 0H, 2BB, 0K). It's not like the Phillies didn't have any chances, they left 13 men on base. They just couldn't get a base hit when it counted. In the first inning Shane Victorino was left on third base when Ryan Howard grounded to second. A rally in the second was squashed when Eric Bruntlett hit into an inning ending double play. In the third, Jimmy Rollins was left on second base when Chase Utley struck out. Rollins was again left on second base in the fifth (with Victorino at first), when Utley struck out for the second time. In the eighth, Victorino was stuck at second when Pat Burrell flied out to left (in Burell's defense, that did appear to be a home run, that the wind held in the park). In the bottom of the tenth Burell popped up to first base with the bases loaded. Finally in the twelfth Rollins was left on second after Utley flied out to left (on a beautiful diving grab by Brandon Moss), and Victorino was doubled off first base, ending the game. As I said, the Phillies had plenty of chances. While the offense continued to struggle the pitching once again held up, well at least until the 12th inning. After Blanton departed after seven innings Chad Durbin and J.C. Romero each pitched an inning and a third of perfect baseball. Brad Lidge came in with two outs and the bases empty in the tenth inning, only to load them on a single and two walks. He got out of the jam when former Phillie, Jason Michaels, fouled out to the catcher. The twelfth inning was a different story. With Les Walrond on the mound (entering his second inning of work), Ryan Doumit doubled to left field. He moved to third when Moss grounded to Utley. Doumit scored when Steve Pearce doubled down the left field line. After Jose Bautista was intentionally walked, Clay Condrey replaced Walrond and gave up consecutive infield singles to Jack Wilson and Freddie Sanchez, allowing Pearce to score and giving the Pirates a 2-0 lead. There's absolutely no excuse for this loss. The Pirates are one of baseball's worst teams, and have one of the leagues worst pitching staffs. While they will win their share of games, they're not a team that shuts you out for 12 innings. How any of the Phillies players left the clubhouse last night with any shred of pride is beyond me. The Phillies haven't scored a run in 23 consecutive innings. This is the second longest streak since 2000 when they didn't score a run in 24 consecutive innings. It's also the first time they've been shut out in consecutive games since 1999. I don't care how talented this offense is, there is cause for concern. Excuses like Rollins telling the media "at least they're still in first place" is getting real old. The Phillies need to quit making excuses for their inconsistant play. Someone needs to take responsability for these scoring lulls and if the players aren't going to do it, it needs to be management, be it Milt Thompson or Charlie Manuel. The Phillies look like a team only concerned about winning the division, and as long as they're still in first place all is well. They fail to see the bigger picture, which is winning a World Series; something this team isn't ready to do. With the Mets defeating the Marlins 3-0, the Phillies find their lead only one game ahead of hte second place Mets and 1 and a half over the Marlins. The Phillies will turn to Brett Myers (4-9 5.34) tonight, as he looks for his third consecutive strong outing. He'll face Ian Snell (4-8, 6.14). Knowing the Phillies inconsistencies, this will be the game they score 20. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 14:19:48 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/303527 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/303527 OK, so here's where I let my true colors shine for just a bit. The Red Sox had to trade Manny Ramirez because his attitude was finally beginning to be too much of a burden to carry for the 2008 Boston Red Sox. I don't care if it was all his idea, his new agent Scott Boras or some other outside influence, but his 2008 on and off field behavior was getting even more out of control than before. Here are the most egregious acts that have been made public: Smacking teammate Kevin Youkilis in the dugout while a game is being played, whether it was validated or not is not the issue, you just don't do it in a public setting if at all! Shoving to the ground, traveling team secretary, 64-year old Jack McCormick after telling Ramirez that his last minute request "may" not be possible (16 tickets on the day of a game in Houston). Then there were interviews with ESPNDesportes since the All Star break where Ramirez took pot shots at management, calling them two-faced (for lack of a better term). Team president John Henry responded to this allegation stating that he was personally offended by the comments. To which Manny then said that he'd wave his no-trade clause to pitch in Iraq if it was the only way to get out of his contract with Boston. Then comes the three team trade that accommodated the future Hall of Fame hitter in getting him out of Boston to LA, who agreed not to exercise the team option or offer Ramirez arbitration for 2009 or beyond (he wants a new contract and nothing else). Boston also had to send both OF Brandon Moss and RP Craig Hansen to the Pirates (the Dodgers also had to send 3B Andy LaRoche and a minor league pitcher to them). Boston then received LF Jason Bay. Editor's note: In my opinion, the Red Sox were not getting anyone in trade for Ramirez that would have been comparable to Ramirez unless they got 1B Albert Pujos from St. Louis or someone of his caliber, which was NOT going to happen given Manny's demands on the team he would go to. Given these facts, the Red Sox did a good job in even finding someone to take Ramirez for the remaining 2008 season, let alone get someone of Jason Bay's ability in return. This year, at the time of the trade, Bay had 2 more HRs, 3 or 4 fewer RBIs and a lower batting average, but he was an improvement on the bases (7 SBs) and in the field with a lot more hustle and a better attitude. He has also hit in a home ballpark (PNC Park) that is not favorable to right handed hitters. It's only 325 down the line, but straight away LF is 389, left-center is 410 then down to 399 in CF, which is the equivalent of RF in Boston's Fenway Park (302 down the RF line, 380 in straight away RF, etc.). He averaged about 20+ HRs/year with 85+ RBIs and a .285 batting average and an OBP around .350ish. If Fenway is good to him, he may hit 30 HRs with 100 RBIs and hit .290 or better. To discuss this further or to simply just be heard on this topic, feel free to comment! Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:35:05 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301415 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/301415 What are the fantasy impacts of the trade deadline deals? Which players gained the most value (hint, Andy LaRoche), and which lost the most (Andruw Jones)? Foxsports Fantasy breaks it down for you. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:18:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299494 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299494 The hardest part of this saga to swallow isn't that we had to give up so much to give away a future Hall of Fame slugger still in the tail-end of his prime (for free, mind you), but how quickly everything erupted. Within one month Manny went from fan-favorite, just Manny Being Manny, to a senior citizen abuser (which we overlooked), to the scourge of the Earth and the biggest problem in our already-riddled-with-problems lives.... This was the result of Manny's media-attack on the organization. He literally held us hostage, and we had no choice but to negotiate with a terrorist. Where he to silently request to be traded, there's no doubt we could've walked away with a much better haul for the slugger. But he didn't do that (of course, where he to go that route, we may not have traded him at all). He attacked our owners and our organization openly and frequently to the press. He kept his bat on his shoulder, held himself out of games, refused to show any semblance of hustle on the field. He sucked the life and focus out of our team and brought the entire city of Boston to a grinding halt.... Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:59:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299238 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299238 The Intro: Manny Ramirez is out and Jason Bay is in. Casualties of war included RHP Craig Hansen and OF Brandon Moss. This trade, like any other, has some it's ups and it's downs. Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:15:50 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299023 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299023 Well just as we all thought the trade rumors were dead and the Marlins weren't going to be able to start another quest at buying a World Series, Manny gets traded. Ramirez will join my former Tribe veteran Casey Blake in LA. The Red Sox moved him in a three team trade involving the Dodgers and the Priate.... I see now Dom beat me to it, but a little more reading and in depth information never hurt anyone.... Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:16:12 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/298919 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/298919 It's official, folks. The Red Sox ARE officially tired of "Manny being Manny" and has send his tired act west to work for his old nemesis Joe Torre and the L.A. Dodgers. On a good note though, him and Nomaaaaaaaaaaar will be reunited…. And it feels so good. In a 3 team trade involving the SAAAAHX, the Dodgers & the Pirates, BOS got PIT's OF Jason Bay, the Dodgers got Manny (obviously) and PIT got 4 minor leaguers of varying talents and positions: 3B Andy LaRoche and right-handed pitched Bryan Morris from the Dodgers as well as OF Brandon Moss and right-handed pitcher Craig Hansen from BOS. Apparently, the Red Sox were so tired of his b.s. that they even agreed to pay out his remaining $7m on his contract, just to get him out the door. OUCH. I think Manny's a bit of a show-boater too but this deal sounds all too much like the one Sam Cassell managed to score at the end of last season with the Clippers. Not only did he go to, what ended up being, a championship team, but they PAID HIM TO GO THERE. That's just crazy, in my opinion. I live in Marina Del Rey, which is Dodger country (or as the Hispanic constituency in my neighborhood pronounces it "Doy-yer" – LOL) but I grew up in Orange County and have been a faithful Angels fan for as long as I could swing a bat. Let's just say that I'm a lot more pleased with Mark Teixeira comin' to town than I am Manny and his arsenal of antics. I just hope that Joe Torre can keep him in line and keep him out of trouble. Look for him to be makin' it rain at the clubs next wk to celebrate his arrival … that should give him just enough time to find a crib in the Hills and pull together an entourage. Oh … and I wouldn't put it past him to take out a full page ad in Variety entitled "FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION" with a picture of him making a stellar catch in his new blue & whites. I believe this will be the west coast adaptation of Manny Being Manny. Wicked retahhhhrded. Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:44:05 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/298900 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/298900 Manny Ramirez was traded at the deadline in a three way trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Los Angeles Dodgers. In the trade, Ramirez went to the Dodgers, Jason Bay to the Red Sox, and the Pirates received Andy Laroche, Brandon Moss, Craig Hansen, and... Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:34:56 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/298893 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/298893 Manny Ramirez has been traded and it could negatively affect the Phillies in their stretch run. After all the rumors that Manny was going to be traded to their NL East rival the Florida Marlins, instead he was sent to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Unfortunately for the Phillies, they will play the Dodgers 8 times in August, meaning Manny can have a significant role as the Phillies chase the playoffs. You can believe that Manny will be on a mission to prove the Red Sox were foolish to trade him. Here are the details of the trade: Dodgers get: Manny Ramirez Red Sox get: Jason Bay Pirates get: Craig Hansen, Andy LaRoche, Bryan Morris and Brandon Moss Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:53:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/298858 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/298858 With the Yankees leading the Red Sox 8-3 today, the legendary Peter Abraham writes: UPDATE, 6:36 p.m.: It would not stun me if Hansen drills somebody in this inning. UPDATE, 6:47 p.m.: That was pretty obvious in its intent. But the Yankees had something coming their way after Joba threw at Youkilis last night. Now it's over unless the Yankees decide to continue it. I'll say this for Hansen, at least he threw at A-Rod's body and not his head. I never thought a live blogged baseball game would be interesting, but Peter Abraham shows it can be. Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:29:09 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/296244 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/296244 The All-Star break was last week, but several players are finally getting back to work. Troy Percival and J.J. Putz came off the disabled list over the weekend while other closers are having their own injury issues. And what does the presence of Ray Durham in Milwaukee mean for Rickie Weeks? Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:56:30 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293920 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293920 Big Papi is coming...As the Boston Red Sox embark on their journey for a third championship in five years, many questions arise surrounding what needs have to be met in order to achieve the title, "2008 World Champions." What do the Boston Red Sox have to address heading into tonight's series against the Los Angeles Angles? We've compiled our top five list with the most important factors that will help the Red Sox reach another milestone. 5. Bullpen consistency... The World Champion Red Sox of a year ago had a team bullpen ERA of 3.10 and compiled a .226 batting average against, 1st in all of baseball in 2007. Switch gears to 2008 and we can see that things have seriously changed. Hideki Okamjima hasn't been the "Oki" of '07, Delcarmen and Hansen have experienced their ups and downs, Papelbon hasn't been as dominating(we're not knocking him, trust us), and Timlin's ERA is through the roof. In order for the Sox to make a serious run in the postseason, an addition to the bullpen needs to be addressed. Recently, the Sox have been searching for what they hope to be an acquisition that will help benefit the bullpen's recent lack of consistency. Names such as left-handers Brian Fuentes, Ron Mahay, and Demarso Marte have been in the mix. 4. Solidity at SS When the Red Sox signed Julio Lugo just before the 2007 season, they were looking for an average defensive player but an above average bat. Granted, Julio Lugo has cut down the errors drastically from earlier in the season, but his bat hasn't produced. $9 million dollars is a lot of money to be paying a mediocre shortstop who's on pace to drive in less than 45 RBI's. Has anyone forgotten that Lugo batted .237 last year? Jed Lowrie has stepped up to take Lugo's spot as the veteran shortstop is on the disabled list with a strained left-quad. Lugo won't be back for five-to-six weeks. Even if Lowrie shines in his place the next couple of months, it's almost certain Lugo will take his spot back solely based on his contract and the amount of money the Sox have invested into him. Boston should be looking for a shortstop who plays above-average defense with an average bat. That's all the Sox need from that position. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:37:10 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292433 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292433 The Angels are willing to deal one of there Nick Adenhart in a deal that would include Matt Holliday Mark Teixeira. The A's are willing to move starter Joe Blanton who is locked up trough 2010. The Cubs contacted the Padres about aquiring Khalil Greene.The Braves reportedly offered a deal that would move Teixeira to Boston and in return the Braves would get Kevin Youkilis and Craig Hanson. The Pirates are interested in a Ross Olendorf in a trade that would most likley include Xavier Nady and/or Damasco Marte and other Yankees prospects. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:18:30 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/290589 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/290589 I never thought I'd see this day come. Julian Tavarez has never been a great pitcher in Boston but he ate innings and was a good guy to keep around the clubhouse. Now I'm not saying I wanted him on the team but it looked like Theo Epstein sure did. Tavarez has been designated for assignment today to make room on the active roster for Sean Casey. Most people, myself included, thought Craig Hansen would be sent back down to Pawtucket; however, after the trade talks to send Tavarez to Colorado died this weekend, they changed their philosophy and just cut him instead. Mon, 12 May 2008 17:49:25 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266204 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266204 Pitcher Justin Masterson was called up from the Portland Sea Dogs today to make a spot-start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Craig Hansen was sent back down to make room for him. With Beckett and Daisuke both missing starts due to the flu and post-flu symptoms (Josh's stiff neck), the Red Sox were forced to bring up Masterson A LOT earlier than they had hoped we would see him. The team didn't want to have Wakefield pitch a day earlier than he was scheduled for two reasons. The first being that Wake is getting up there in years so forcing him to get out of his rhythm and pitch a day earlier than he is supposed to, can't possibly be a good thing. The second is that Wakefield usually dominates the Devil Rays and he's the penciled in starter against them tomorrow. Why mess with a good thing?! Masterson has a nasty 0.95 ERA in 4 starts (19 innings) for Double-A Portland thus far. I'm personally shocked that he is getting called up this early but I'd be even more shocked if he stayed around after tonight's game. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:55:41 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/256349 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/256349