Sun Sets on 2009 Solar Sox

Mike Leake (CIN) threw four innings of shutout ball and Lance Zawadzki (SD) had three hits, including a solo home run and a two-run double, leading the Peoria Saguaros to an 8-1 victory over the Mesa Solar Sox at HoHoKam Park this afternoon.

box score

This was the final regular season game for both teams, as the Phoenix Desert Dogs (East Division Champions) and the Peoria Javelinas (West Division champs) will play in  the 2009 AFL Championship Game at Scottsdale Stadium on Saturday. The Solar Sox finished in last place in the AFL East Division, with the worst record in the league.

Starlin Castro, Josh Vitters, and Michael Brenly were in the Solar Sox starting lineup today, and went a combined 1-11.

Castro hit 2nd, played six innings at SS, and got three ABs, grounding out all three times (4-3, 5-3, 4-3). He also made only his second error of the AFL season, a bad throw to 1st base. Castro finished the 2009 AFL regular season with a .376 batting average (6th in the league) and nine stolen bases (tied for 3rd). 

Vitters returned to the lineup at 3B this afternoon and went 1-4, roping a double down the line into the LF corner with two outs in the bottom of the 4th. He also bounced out 6-3, popped-up to the shortstop, and was called out on strikes. Vitters finished the 2009 AFL campaign 9th in the league in hitting (.353).       

Michael Brenly was the Solar Sox catcher today, and went 0-4, flying out to RF, striking out (swinging), popping out to the second-baseman, and reaching base on an E-6 in the 9th. Brenly went 1-13 over his last four AFL games and hit .240 overall.    

LHP John Gaub and RHP Blake Parker (both vying for spots on the Cubs 40-man roster) made their final AFL appearances versus the Scorpions last night at Scottsdale Stadium.

Gaub struggled in his one inning of work, throwing 23 pitches, but only 11 strikes. He loaded the bases on two walks and an infield single, but was able to escape the frame with no runs scoring. Gaub struck out one batter (lefty-swinging SF 3B Brandon Crawford).

Parker threw one inning of shutout ball, allowing a two-out double before striking out Steve Susdorf (PHI) for the 3rd out. 

LHP James Russell completed his AFL season on Tuesday, working a scoreless 9th. Russell pitched very well, finishing 3rd in the league in ERA (1.26) and tied for 2nd in WHIP (0.98). Russell had a 0.00 ERA over his last ten appearances, allowing eight hits and two walks while striking out 12 over that ten game span.   

RHP Andrew Cashner made his final AFL start on Tuesday, and went three innings. He finished 10th in the league in strikeouts.

AZ PHIL'S 2009 AFL FIRST-TEAM ALL-STAR SQUAD:

P - Stephen Strasburg (WAS)

C - Nevin Ashley (TB)

1B - Brandon Snyder (BAL)

2B - Marcus Lemon (TEX)

3B - Brandon Laird (NYY)

SS - Starlin Castro (CUBS)

LF - Colin Curtis (NYY)

CF - Grant Desme (OAK)

RF - Casper Wells (DET)

DH - Matt McBride (CLE)

MVP: Grant Desme  

 

 

Tags: 
Josh Vitters
Michael Brenly
Starlin Castro
John Gaub
James Russell
Blake Parker
Andrew Cashner
Arizona Fall League
Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 7:13pm
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Comments

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 8:22pm

Thanks for all the reports, Phil.

I see you've got Strasburg as your pitcher- is this a best performance list or best prospects or a combination of both?

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 8:48pm

Submitted by The Real Neal on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 8:22pm.
Thanks for all the reports, Phil.

I see you've got Strasburg as your pitcher- is this a best performance list or best prospects or a combination of both?

================================

REAL NEAL: Best performance, but not just by stats. I also considered Donald Veal and Ian Kennedy for Pitcher, but after getting lit up in his first AFL start, Strasburg has been outstanding. His fastball has been consisently clocking 100 MPH+ in his last three starts. He supposedly will get the start on Saturday for the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the AFL Championship Game.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 9:35pm

Hmm, maybe you should squeeze in one more AFL game report then ; )

Looking at his stats, you can see Strasburg's ERA is 'artificially' high. He rarely gave up fly balls, but managed to have three go out of the park. It wouldn't be possible to do that over a full season (give up 40 HR's with a 4:1 GB to FB ratio and all those K's).

In your mind is there any need for Straburg to pitch in AA next year (arbitration clock aside)?

Submitted by kmokeefe
on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 10:10pm

scratch that

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playe...

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 12:30pm

"Strasburg was injured while shagging fly balls Thursday afternoon. He was then taken to a local hospital for X-rays, which revealed some inflammation in his left knee. The Nats released a statement terming it an issue that is "not considered serious," so he should be fine to continue his offseason regimen once the inflammation clears. He'll be good by the start of spring training."

Hmmmmmm. Thus began a series of freak injuries that dogged a career that held much more promise than it ever delivered.

If this ends up happening, he'll be mentioned along with Prior for more than his record-breaking signing bonus.

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 12:40pm

Mark Fydrich says "Hi"

Submitted by John Beasley
on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 9:12pm

Thanks for the great write-ups all fall. It's a treat for me to read.

Submitted by kmokeefe
on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 10:08pm

seconded

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 10:49pm

Submitted by The Real Neal on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 9:35pm.

Looking at his stats, you can see Strasburg's ERA is 'artificially' high. He rarely gave up fly balls, but managed to have three go out of the park. It wouldn't be possible to do that over a full season (give up 40 HR's with a 4:1 GB to FB ratio and all those K's).

In your mind is there any need for Straburg to pitch in AA next year (arbitration clock aside)?

=============================================

REAL NEAL: If I was the GM of the Nats, I would want Strasburg to spend at least a month at AA, partly because it would push back free-agency for another season, but also to make sure he hits-the-ground-running when he does arrive (as happened with Kerry Wood in 1998).

To avoid eventual "Super Two" status, he would have to spend at least two months in the minors, but I wouldn't leave him at AA beyond a month if he shows he is obviously ready for The Show.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 10:21am

It will be interesting to see how it plays out. Imagine if he is very good in ST then they decide to send him down anyway - the players may not be too happy.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 1:10am

Submitted by Old and Blue
=============================================
Yes, Old, and Blue, I am the very best spring training/minor league reporter that has ever walked this earth. Why do you ask?

Submitted by Tony S.
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 2:36am

LMAO, well done.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 2:37am

Thanks as always Phil. I remember when you were just a poster here, seems so long ago.. =)

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 3:57am

that grabes pic looks a lot like the Z pic from a while back...

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 9:03am

Thanks Phil, head over to the Woodshed in Mesa on Dobson and University and have some chicken wings and tell them the King Salmon sent you.

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 10:25am

According to Phil Rogers, who filed this while waiting for Miller's Pub to open today.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2009/11/cubs-...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 10:34am

Oh, I lost the link, but Keith Law of ESPN graced us all with his top 50 free agents. According to MLBtraderumors he says Marlon Byrd is not a starter for a contending team.

Which of course makes me wonder if what Keith Law was doing during the 2009 season while Marlon Byrd was a starter for a contending team, and Melky Cabrerra won the World Series.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:11am

Rank Player
31 Marlon Byrd
Age: 32 Bats: R Throws: R
Position: Center field/Left field
'09 team: Texas Rangers Status: Free agent (Type B)

2009 STATS

GM
146HR
20RBI
89R
66OBP
.329SLG
.479AVG
.283Byrd is a classic fourth outfielder -- he doesn't play center field well enough to handle it on an everyday basis, but doesn't have quite the bat to play every day in a corner. His offensive line in 2008 was starter-worthy in a corner, but Byrd regressed in 2009; 25 regular corner outfielders beat his unadjusted .808 OPS. Plus, there's reason to doubt even that number for Byrd. Playing two years in a good hitters' park in Texas, Byrd has done much of his damage at home, posting a .290/.339/.415 line in 516 road PA over the past two years. A corner outfielder with a sub-800 OPS (that's light on OBP) who plays average to slightly above-average defense isn't a starter for a contending club.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:27am

Thanks, though that's going to get Rob upset (unless it's in the free bit which I doubt).

Since the Cubs are looking at him as a starter in CF - and even Law listed him as CF, and he played CF for a contending team which caught the ball better than expected in 2009, it doesn't make much sense to talk about him as a left fielder.

Submitted by Andrew
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 10:50am

Any word on when 40-man roster moves will be made or at least what time the deadline is?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:28am

I'm sure AZ Phil has mentioned it in the last week, if you want to look around a bit. I want to say it's 15:00 EST...

Submitted by Tony S.
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:50am

Not sure if you guys are on twitter (what a stupid name) but just saw this:

mlbtraderumors@SI_JonHeyman - how could the Cubs be a suitor for Holliday? They're already right up against their budget limit.

Not sure where TF MLBTR got that one (and I asked), but thought I'd share.

Either Jimbo has a helluva trade up his sleeve to free payroll, Ricketts is opening the coffers even further, or.....

Somebody's full of shit and trying to stir up business where there is none.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 12:22pm

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_...

Heyman lists Cubs among possible suitors for Holliday. What is he smoking, and where can I get some??

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 12:25pm

http://hotstove.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/11/range...

T.R. Sullivan, Rangers writer for mlb.com says phil rogers 3 way trade rumor "not happening"

(translation, rogers is a big bs'er)

Submitted by Tony S.
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 12:10pm

Grabow deal is done--Heyman/Muskat--Twitter

Muskat says 2/7.5

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 12:29pm

Yuck.

I was reviewing Jeff Passan's FA list:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-freeagent...

And there's a few guys I hadn't thought of before:

Brian Schnieder - if his defense is still good
Shawn Hill
Khalil Greene - who we discussed last year. A legitimate fielding SS.
Takashi Saito
Chan Ho Park

I think Saito's or Park's money probably just went to Grabow. The other guys I am talking about bringing in on ST invite type contracts.

Submitted by Tony S.
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 12:25pm

Also from Heyman-- "• Cubs. New owner Tom Ricketts hasn't said how he will proceed. The general feeling is that new owners don't like to make waves, but they make big money and there are no guarantees."

I thought Ricketts already covered this?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 12:30pm

He did, but Heyman is a national guy, not someone who agonized over every word of the introdcutory press conference like some of us.

Submitted by Aisle 424
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 3:15pm

Yeah, but he is aware that there must have been an introductory news conference, and that something about how they would proceed would almost have to be covered. I wouldn't think it would be difficult for him to find a transcript or adequate coverage to give him a flavor of what was said, so that he didn't blatantly lie by saying the Ricketts haven't said how they are going forward.

The media hasn't figured out how dumb Twitter makes them look by throwing casual, unfounded blurbs out onto the interwebs under the guise of "insider information."

Submitted by MikeC
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 12:35pm

In the back of my mind i think Ricketts is going to do something big to show he wants to win. Just an odd feeling of a big money free agent signing coming this way.

At worst he will go over the budget limit for a year to do it. He can fund that personally out of his own pocket.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 12:49pm

At worst he will go over the budget limit for a year to do it. He can fund that personally out of his own pocket.

Assuming that the Cubs are a corporation, no he can't fund anything personally out of his own pocket. He could, in theory, issue some new stock and buy it for a ridiculous price - 10 shares at $1 million per - or something then later have the corporation buy the shares back at a $1 a piece, and earmark those funds for additional player salary, but that's all pretty convoluted, especially if it is a corporation that is owned by a partnership.

Anyway, there's no reason to do that. According to Scott Boras the Cubs are making $100 million in profit a year, so they can easily add $10 million in payroll and still get an outstanding ROI on the $850 million purchase price.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 12:55pm

Are the Cubs a corporation?

I thought they were a family owned entity?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 1:04pm

I assume they're a corporation for liability reasons. They could be a partnership, though, and they could be a corporation owned by a partnership (which doesn't make any money so they avoid getting double taxed).

If no one knows maybe we should ask Musket.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 1:12pm

a question for the Mushbox

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 1:30pm

The Trib still owns like 5-10% of the team to help sale go through.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 1:42pm

That would tend to imply that it's a corporation, at least for now.

Submitted by Andrew
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 2:19pm

Helpful for the topic, I think:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/09/21/news/companies/zel...

If the Ricketts followed their plan, it sounds like a partnership that owns a corporation, of which the

Submitted by Andrew
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 2:20pm

Helpful for the topic, I think:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/09/21/news/companies/zel...

If the Ricketts followed their plan, it sounds like a partnership that owns a corporation, or possibly a variety of corporations.

Submitted by terry
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 2:21pm

On the Illinois Secretary of State website, The Chicago Cubs Baseball Club is listed as a Limited Liability Company.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 2:52pm

Thanks for the additional research.

I don't even know what a LLCompany is. Any Illinois tax or audit accountants around that can answer?

With a 90 year old ball park you would assume the owners need some protection from a law suit in case a grandstand collapses and kills 312 people.

Back to the original point. It would be difficult, but not impossible to throw some extra cash to the company without aquiring some new stock. I'd be surprised if Tom has got $10 or $15 million lying around, anyway. It would make considerably more sense to take the money out of the company and show a tax loss than it would to invest his own money is some convuluted charity program.

Submitted by GO CUBBIES
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 3:04pm

A LLC protects the owners personal property. If your business is a LLC, potential lawsuits can only be made toward the LLC, not the owner(s) themselves. In other words, a fan can't sue you and take your house if he slips on pee-pee.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 3:09pm

Doesn't LLC typically stand for "Lesser Liability Corporation" though?

Submitted by GO CUBBIES
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 3:11pm

Limited Liability Corporation

Submitted by GO CUBBIES
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 3:13pm

I see what you are saying. He put Limited Liability Company instead of corporation. I can only assume he meant corporation.

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 1:41pm

Does anyone else think Lincecum and Patti SMith look alike?

http://dkpresents.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/patt...

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:3BwHFBqZf6O_IM:...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 2:42pm

according to Robothal...

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/10403100/Source...

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 3:05pm

Muskat sings 25 or 4 to 6...(something like the song, just off key)

http://hotstove.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/11/1120_...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 3:12pm

Anyone know where we could get the latest details on additions to the 40 man? It seems like in years past it's just been sort of piecemealed togther until cubs.com puts up a new 40 man roster in 3 weeks.

Submitted by GO CUBBIES
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 3:16pm

Does this look accurate? I don't see Heilman on there so I'm not sure if this is up to date or outdated. I couldn't find a date on it obviously.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/team/roster_40man.jsp?...

Submitted by GO CUBBIES
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 3:18pm

nevermind. Sorry. That's only 33 players. My bad.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 3:25pm

That's the one I was referring to. At some point it will be updated, but I doubt it will be today or tomorrow, probably in a couple of weeks.

You can edit your comments (until someone replies) by the way.

Submitted by GO CUBBIES
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 3:31pm

Alright, thanks. I was lazy on the counting.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 3:53pm

Phil stays on top of it...

http://thecubreporter.com/cubs-40-man-roster

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 3:52pm

No 40 man update at cubs.com but the Grabow Signing article.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=2...

He's the old man of the bullpen at age 31.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 4:14pm

http://espn.go.com/chicago/columns/blog/_/post/467...

"I've had bone chips in my elbow for three years now," he said. "if you look at [veteran] pitchers, they usually have something going on in their shoulder or elbow. Throwing a baseball for all those years takes its toll. You learn to manage it."

Submitted by terry
on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 4:55pm

No I meant Limited Liability Company. I always thought that LLC stood for Limited Liability Company which is kind of a hybrid between a partnership and a corporation.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sat, 11/21/2009 - 1:56am

A limited liability company or A company with limited liability (abbreviated L.L.C. or LLC or W.L.L) in the law of the vast majority of United States jurisdictions is a legal form of business company that provides limited liability to its owners. Often incorrectly called a "limited liability corporation" (instead of company), it is a hybrid business entity having certain characteristics of both a corporation and a partnership or sole proprietorship (depending on how many owners there are). An LLC, although a business entity, is a type of unincorporated association and is not a corporation. The primary characteristic an LLC shares with a corporation is limited liability, and the primary characteristic it shares with a partnership is the availability of pass-through income taxation. It is often more flexible than a corporation and it is well-suited for companies with a single owner.

All according to the arbitrator of all things good and holy, Wikipedia.

Personally, according to that, I have my doubts that they are a LLComapy. But, again, I'd look for an accountant who works in the state of Illinois to really clarify matters.

Submitted by Southpaw
on Sun, 11/22/2009 - 4:16pm

AZ Phil,
I was wondering what you project Jeffrey Antigua as. Do you think he has the potential to be a top of the rotation pitcher also what pitches does he throw? Last but not least, where do you rank him among other pitchers in the organization?

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