Thursday, February 27, 2025

Searching for meaning in a meaningless void... and finding the existential matter of Will Warren

 

I believe that we are all sick of hearing about William Harper Warren. Let's cut to the chase, send him to Wilkes Barre and call it chowder. 

I mean, liberty-biberty! the guy's no prospect. He's almost 26, and he's been rattling around the farm system since before Billie Eilish. Last year was supposed to be his breakout. Instead, he summoned the Babadook.  

In spring training, Warren battled Luis Gil for the final rotation spot. (Remember, Gerrit Cole was hurt.) Gil won the competition and became AL Rookie of the Year. Warren crashed like a self-driving Tesla. 

Over 22 MLB innings, he compiled an ERA of - this is not a typo - 10.32. 

Yes, he topped the magical "10." That's not easy; throw one scoreless inning, and you're down into single digits. Here's how his death march unfolded.

1. In July, against the Phillies, 5.1 innings and 4 ERs. (Austin Hays homered and was later hit by a Warren pitch, so there's that.)

2. In August, against the lowly Angels, 4.1 innings and 8 runs. (Zack Neto went deep.) 

3. August, against the horrible White Sox, 5 innings, 2 runs. (Gavin Sheets homered. Warren's ERA fell to 8.59 - Colter Bean territory.)

4. August, against Colorado: 3 innings, 5 ER. (No HR, just 7 hits and a walk.) 

5. August, against the Cardinals: 4 innings, 4 ER. 

He was done. They exiled him to Moosic, where he got further raked. In late September, they recalled him for a final, garbage inning, against Pittsburgh. He gave up 3 runs, including a HR by Nick Yorke. This boosted him over "10." 

I don't mean to rub Warren's nose into this. We're not a congressional hearing. We're a mirthful, fun time blog! I'm just explaining why, when I hear that Warren looked good yesterday, my good eye twitches. Will we buy another YES load a' crapola?  

Well, here's the case for hope: 

1. Technically, he's still 25. He turns in June.

2. In theory, he can forget last year and start over.

3. Yesterday, he threw 3 perfect innings, fanning 4.  

4. Supposedly, he's back to throwing his curve. (This, the current YES narrative, begs the question:  Why did he stop? Like characters in a time-travel movie, we're not supposed to dwell on such conundrums.) 

So, there it is: the Warren Report. Three innings? Fine. Wonderful. Hachacha! But if we expect nothing, we won't get burned. At least the guy knows what it's like to be dead and buried, and maybe get a last chance? Technically, that's more Dr. Phibes than the Babadook. But let's see... 

25 comments:

13bit said...

FREEDOM CHOWDER! With a side of Freedom Fries.

BTR999 said...

Spring Training is full of lies.

Carl J. Weitz said...

Warren sucks. He was drafted in the eighth round—not exactly a "can't-miss" prospect. He got pounded in The Bigs and had an ERA of 6.00 at Scranton last year. Even at Somerset, he was just an okay hurler. Why all the hype? It smells like a Cashman/Analytical Team face-saving PR move.

13bit said...

Carl, that's exactly what it is. The big question is - and for me, always has been - does Cashman buy his own bullshit? Does he really delude himself into thinking any of these guys is going to do anything?

JM said...

Cashman believes his own b.s. because the numbers support him.

Reminds me of a sign on the wall in an old "Where's the Beef" commercial: Testing proves testing works.

AboveAverage said...

We will win it all this year.*

Everything will be ours **

Get ready to be . . . Overjoyed! ***

JM said...

Two words, AA: Marcus. Stroman.

We are unbeatable.

acrilly said...

Liberty-biberty indeed fine Sir!

AboveAverage said...

U N W A V E R I N G L Y U N B E A T A B L E ! ****

AboveAverage said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
AboveAverage said...

. . . the following message is for Kevin. it must only be read by Kevin. if you are not Kevin, please do not read this message. thank you. here we go . . . .

HEY KEVIN! DID YOU SEE THAT EL DUQUE MENTIONED DR PHIBES IN HIS MORNING POST! Wish he could have working in the name Vulnavia . . .

Carl J. Weitz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Carl J. Weitz said...

Since the Yankees open the season in a few weeks, this is a good time for a blog public service. The following will allow anyone, anywhere, to watch all MLB games live—for free! It also includes NHL, NBA, and NFL games. No one should be caught in the middle of sports networks and cable providers' greedy grab for every buck at the fans' expense.

To watch the games, one must download the popular KODI program and add a "Build." The link below will give you a step-by-step, easy-to-follow tutorial. If an anachronistic, Septagenarian idiot like me can do it, so can everyone!

https://troypoint.com/kodi-sports-addons/

Carl J. Weitz said...

septuagenarian*

JM said...

I forget how to spell so many words now...but then, I'm almost a septuagenarian.

JM said...

Rodon in midseason form already. 2.2 innings, 3 earned runs.

JM said...

"Edmundo Sosa doubles (1) on a line drive to center fielder Spencer Jones, deflected by left fielder Jasson Domínguez. Brandon Marsh scores."

Martian not only can't catch, but he doesn't let Jones catch, either.

JM said...

Thanks, Carl!

AboveAverage said...

Everything will be ours **

ranger_lp said...

They are showcasing Warren. They could trade him for a case of Lena Blackburne Baseball Rubbing Mud...

BTR999 said...

Just in case your feeling optimistic, chew on these

*Rodon rocked again. ST ERA is 10.13

* JD botched another fly ball in LF.

* when asked about Stanton, Aaron Boone said he does not know when Giancarlo Stanton might rejoin the team. "I don't know . Hopefully soon."

Rufus T. Firefly said...

If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?

Fun Fact: The company I retired from once employed that noted humanitarian, Jeffrey Dahmer. The finger sandwiches he served at cocktail parties were to die for!

Carl J. Weitz said...

Rufus, I hear Jeffrey D. ran your corporate dining room and cafeteria. It was noted for the all-you-can-eat buffet, but it wasn't cheap. You had to pay an arm and a leg to eat there.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

It was a well known joke that he was an employee. Several co-workers had hoped that he had worked at headquarters. I'm glad he didn't because I occasionally visited and would dine in the cafeteria.

ranger_lp said...

Highly suggested you get a vpn app also...