Eye Black

Final: Tampa 2, Brevard County 0 Acevedo goes six scoreless in win over Manatees By Donald Rieber, Jr., 27 Outs Baseball *** Brevard County Box Score As always with the home games Donald's game story includes quotes from Manatees manager Joe Ayrault. Among those quotes, Ayrault points out that the lack of a clutch hit (0-for-8 with runners in scoring position) as a difference maker for the Manatees. Also described in the game story, a slick running catch by Corey Ray saved a run. Speaking of Ray, he singled three times (3-for-4) and stole a base. Also with three hits and a stolen base was 3B George Iskenderian (3-for-4). Starter Freddy Peralta went 5.0 innings allowing 5 hits and 2 runs while striking out 6 and walking 1. Jon Perrin also put together a solid effort allowing 3 hits and 0 runs with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts over 4.0 innings. Brevard County Game Log Brevard County was held scoreless for the 16th time this season despite their 8 hits. They are now just 2-9 against the Tampa Yankees this season.

This is a little random and not really much can be gleaned from it, but I was curious about the trades that have involved an MLB catcher in the month of July (since 2000). Below is what I came across, it may be missing some. I don't think any of the catchers involved had as much value as Lucroy does currently, but the Victor Martinez trade probably most closely resembles the current situation although Martinez was splitting time at C and 1B/DH when the Indians traded him. Charles Johnson, Age 28, 0.5 years remaining July 29, 2000: Traded by the Baltimore Orioles with Harold Baines to the Chicago White Sox for Miguel Felix (minors), Juan Figueroa (minors), Jason Lakman (minors) and Brook Fordyce. Paul Lo Duca, Age 32, 3.5 years remaining July 30, 2004: Traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers with Juan Encarnacion and Guillermo Mota to the Florida Marlins for Hee-Seop Choi, Bill Murphy and Brad Penny. Brent Mayne, Age 36, 0.5 years remaining July 31, 2004: Traded by the Arizona Diamondbacks with Steve Finley to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Reggie Abercrombie (minors), Koyie Hill and Bill Murphy. Jason Kendall, Age 33, 0.5 years remaining July 16, 2007: Traded by the Oakland Athletics with cash to the Chicago Cubs for Jerry Blevins and Rob Bowen. Ivan Rodriguez, Age 36, 0.5 years remaining July 30, 2008: Traded by the Detroit Tigers to the New York Yankees for Kyle Farnsworth. Victor Martinez, Age 30, 1.5 years remaining July 31, 2009: Traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Boston Red Sox for Nick Hagadone, Justin Masterson and Bryan Price. Bengie Molina, Age 35, 0.5 years remaining July 1, 2010: Traded by the San Francisco Giants to the Texas Rangers for Michael Main (minors) and Chris Ray. Geovany Soto, Age 29, 0.5 years remaining July 31, 2012: Traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Texas Rangers for Jake Brigham and player to be named or cash.

Final: Tampa 9, Brevard County 1 Manatees fall to Tampa in series opener By Donald Rieber, Jr., 27 Outs Baseball *** Brevard County Box Score The first game following the loss of Dustin DeMuth to a promotion was a forgettable one for the Manatees. The most only notable offense was Clint Coulter's solo home run. No Brevard County player had multiple hits and outside of Coulter's hit there weren't any extra base hits. Corey Ray continued his recent struggles going 0-for-4. Ray also had a pair of strike outs and now has 5 K's over the past 2 games. Defensively the Manatees committed 4 errors, 2 fielding and 2 throwing. Brevard County Game Log As noted earlier Cody Ponce didn't have it tonight. The 4th inning started with 3 doubles and a wild pitch. Recently acquired Yankees infield prospect Gleyber Torres was held hitless (0-for-5) in the game.

The Lucroy trade deadline poll is officially closed. Thanks to everyone who voted! Likely our last ever "guess the destination" poll involving Lucroy unless the 19% that said he won't be dealt by the trade deadline are correct in which case I am sure we will resurrect the question this off-season.

Final (10 Innings): Charlotte 7, Brevard County 6 Stone Crabs earn wild walk-off win over Manatees By Donald Rieber, Jr., 27 Outs Baseball *** Brevard County Box Score The game story covered the outings for Marcos Diplan and Kodi Medeiros including Diplan's fastball velocity on his two strikeouts. Corey Ray reached base on a HBP, but finished 0-for-5 at the plate with 3 strike outs. Since raising his batting average up to .266 following a 2-hit effort on Monday, Ray has gone just 2-for-25 since with an average that now sits at .213. A pair of hits for Dustin DeMuth (2-for-3, 2-BB) who as I mentioned yesterday ranks third in the Florida State League in total hits. Not only are DeMuth's 105 hits near the top of the FSL, but for perspective the next highest hit total from a Manatee currently on the roster is George Iskenderian with 69 hits. Others with multiple hits included Wendell Rijo (2-for-5, BB) and Clint Coulter (2-for-4, 2B, BB). Catcher Dustin Houle threw 3 baserunners out at second base, but as you read in the game story was pulled from behind the plate before the start of the bottom of the 8th inning due to an apparent injury. Brevard County Game Log For a second straight day the Manatees get walked off, and very quickly at that.

The article is a week old now, but if you are thinking about a Thornburg trade make sure to read this Fangraphs article, My favorite under the radar trade deadline target.

Great stuff - thanks! I would LOVE to grab Holmes from the Dodgers. I'll second the thank you for sharing this information! Regarding #1, the Isan Diaz acquisition out of Rookie ball is another good example of a nabbing a young player before his prospect status hit full bloom. It seems clear that thoroughly scouting the early developmental levels and back-fields is a priority for the current front office. On #3, I am not all that surprised to hear the Brewers would have interest in Grant Holmes, but would assume that it would take one of the Brewers bigger trade chips to have Holmes included in the conversation? Very interesting...

Question: If the Indians agree to part with one of their top two prospects in a Lucroy trade, Clint Frazier or Bradley Zimmer, which one would you prefer the Brewers acquire?

Since he has come up a few times throughout the thread, here is an article just posted from Bernie Pleskoff, Under-The-Radar Scouting Report: Yandy Diaz Also a good read from Disciples of Uecker, Trade Candidate Series: Jonathan Lucroy

I make a motion that we rename today's thread the "Diaz Report"! Wow is he ever fun to follow!

Final (Game Two): Charlotte 3, Brevard County 2 Stone Crabs complete doubleheader sweep of Manatees By Donald Rieber, Jr., 27 Outs Baseball *** Brevard County Game Two Box Score Starter Eric Hanhold appears to have had some control problems while giving up 4 hits and 4 walks which led to 3 runs over his 3.0 innings pitched. Zach Hirsch had much better results allowing just 2 hits, 0 walks, 0 runs, and striking out 4 over his 3.0 innings. Only 4 hits for the Manatees in game two. The two hits that counted most were Corey Ray's leadoff double (followed by a stolen base and run scored), and George Iskenderian's 4th inning solo home run. Brevard County Game Two Game Log The bottom of the 5th inning started with a Clint Coulter outfield assist at second base on a base hit. According to the game story the fly ball initially dropped out of Coulter's glove, but he was able to corral it and throw a dart to SS Jose Cuas for the out.

Via CBS Sports here is a look at Seven teams that have what it takes to pull off a Chris Sale trade. They lay out proposed prospect packages it would take to land Sale.

Final (Game One): Charlotte 5, Brevard County 4 Allemand homers in game one loss to Charlotte By Donald Rieber, Jr., 27 Outs Baseball *** Brevard County Game One Box Score With some rough starts over the past couple of months it is nice to see Bubba Derby with a solid outing (6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO). He threw 60 of his 82 pitches for strikes. Derby did give up a home run, and has now given up 14 long balls this season which ranks as the second most in the Florida State League this season. Outside of Blake Allemand's home run, only Dustin DeMuth (1-for-2, 2B) had an extra base hit. DeMuth now has 103 hits on the season which is the third most in FSL. Other notable hitters were George Iskenderian (2-for-3) and Fidel Pena (2-for-3). Brevard County Game One Game Log The Manatees tied the game in the top of the 7th, but unfortunately as you read in the game story it didn't take Charlotte long to get the walk-off win in the 7th inning against Kender Villegas (just 6 pitches to be exact).

If that fan in foul territory had touched the ball before it went past the inside of the foul pole would it still have been ruled a home run?

I thought he looked safe, but for some reason the DirecTV broadcast tonight isn't in HD, so I guess I am not the most qualified to judge it.

Not that it really matters, but I like the details being reported such as "he cut every jersey" and the fact he used a knife instead of a scissors. Seems like it would take some real effort to slash a clubhouse full of uni's. The ironic part is that Sale 70's throwback jersey is probably about to turn into a hot seller.

Do the Brewers still let the starting pitcher select the game uniform? I know that used to be a thing (with exception of special uniforms on specifically scheduled dates).

That Perez catch over the Cubs dugout entrance was a thing of beauty.

Just a friendly reminder that our Lucroy Trade Deadline Poll will close in 24 hours. If you haven't already, go cast your vote.

Lucroy with an absolutely great professional at-bat there. 12 pitches. 1 home run. Wow.

Well this turned out to be an anti-hugwatch, literally. I love the MLB trade deadline.

Now this from Morosi...

Have heard varying degrees of speculation that includes the Red Sox, Rangers, and Astros as in on Sale. Any of those would likely gut one of the farm systems the Brewers could have matched up with on a trade.

I will move this thread over to the Major League forum if a trade indeed goes through, but thought we could start a thread now as the speculation on a Chris Sale trade begins to explode. I am not even sure how many teams have enough top-end prospect talent to acquire 3.5 years of Chris Sale? Assume some current major leaguers could potentially be included as well.

A couple of days old, but Astros Future blog with a look at Six Trade Deadline Targets for the Astros which includes a pair of Brewers (Lucroy and Will Smith).