I'll admit that there is a lot about baseball I do not know. People who make a living off of researching and knowing baseball stats and players don't know everything about everybody who ever played, though. So the other day, when I was contemplating how little I knew, a question popped into my head. "Who is the greatest Orioles pitcher ever?" So I decided to trot on over to my trusty www.baseball-reference.com to find out. And here's what I found out.
I thought that their might be a question about this when I first saw some career stats. Having not known much about any Orioles pitchers I can honestly say that I went in to this completely objective. I wasn't rooting for any player in particular since I didn't know squat about them. What I found out was that Jim "Cakes" Palmer racked up some pretty nice numbers for the O's in his day.
A three-time Cy Young winner and four-time Gold Glover, Palmer dominated the 70s winning 186 games during the decade. He won 20 games or more 8 freaking times in a ten year span. While a very capable strikout pitcher, a very small knock on Palmer was that he walked quite a few batters, posting a 1.69 K/BB ratio for his career.
But that didn't seem to matter much as Palmer did what great pitcher do, and that's win, baby. Palmer has the 38th best winning percentage by a pitcher...ever! That's better than fellow Hall of Famers Bob Feller, Tom Seaver, Bob Gison, and future HOFer Greg Maddux. He can also boast a career Earned Run Average of 2.86 which is better than Pedro Martinez, Don Drysdale, or Warren Spahn.
Unfortunately the 80s weren't quite as kind. Palmer still won 15 games in 1982 with a 3.13 ERA. But wear and tear caught up to Big Jim as his ERA shot up in his final two years until his eventual release by the Orioles in '84. Palmer was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1990, but tried to make an unprecedented comeback the following year. Thankfully, his attempt ended in spring training. It's just my opinion, but once you are in the Hall, you shouldn't be allowed to play the sport anymore. That's why retirement is hard thing to consider, because you stop, forever.
Well before I go into a tyrade, let's end this wonderful discovery session of our's by congratulating Jim Palmer on an utterly fantastic career, and being, without a doubt, the best pitcher in Baltimore Orioles history. Three final quick notes on Palmer though. One, Jim may have giving up 303 career home runs, but not one of them was a grand slam. Two, he is called "Cakes" because he likes pancakes a lot. Not the best nickname, but we'll take it. And three, my memories of Jim Palmer are as an announcer, and in my humble opinion, he has one of the smoothest voices around.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Did you know...?
Here's a fun little fact that few may know. I certainly didn't until just a few moments ago. Between 1992 and 1996 the Los Angeles Dodgers swept the National League Rookie of the Year award. The five winning players were '92-Eric Karros, '93-Mike Piazza, '94-Raul Mondesi, '95-Hideo Nomo, and '96-Todd Hollandsworth. Which begs the question, why didn't the Dodgers have a more dominate team during that time period? One would think that even if three of those five rookies panned out to be a reliable MLB force, that a future dynasty might have been born. So let us examine a little closer, and maybe we'll learn something.
First Eric Karros. I've never liked Eric Karros because while he played he thought he was the greatest thing since sliced bread. And he had incredibly stupid sideburns as well. But more to the point, he just wasn't that good. While he played 12 of his 14 years with the Dodgers, he only batted over .272 three times. And his power numbers were only from 1995 until 2000. So while he wasn't a complete bust, he didn't turn out to be a lasting phenom.
Mike Piazza on the other hand started hot and stayed hot, hitting consistently over .300 while with the Dodgers and averaging about 33.5 home runs during his first four full time years as catcher. And then he just had a pig-of-a-year in '97 when he belted 40 HRs, 124 RBIs and batted a monstrous .362. It was no surprise when he was traded the next year, along with Todd Zeile to the Marlins for five players, including Gary Sheffield and Bobby Bonilla. After 8 days he was traded to the Mets where he spent the bulk of the rest of his career, racking up big offensive numbers. So while he was huge for the Dodgers, he didn't stick around quite long enough.
Raul Mondesi remained with the team until 1999 and was a fine player putting up solid batting numbers, adding some pop, a little speed and some fine glove work to the organization. He won two Gold Gloves while with the Dodgers and appeared in an All-Star game as well. His average dipped and his strikeouts climbed in his final season with LA, and even though he hit a career-high 33 dingers that year, the Trolley Dodgers decided to let him go, and he made the circuit around the league.
Hideo Nomo only stayed with LA for three and a half years. While his rookie campaign was stellar and he followed it up with 16 wins the next year, his walks and ERA climbed. He was then shipped out in 1998 where he played for a new team every year until making a return stint with LA between 2002 and 2004, where he won 16 games twice more, and his ERA briefly returned to earth.
Todd Hollandsworth was a top prospect in the minors and shined when he came up in '96, but injuries and a permanently low batting average did little to cement him a place in La-La-Land. He, like Hideo Nomo made many-a-travel around the majors. He never found a permanent home, but did manage to win a title with the Marlins in 2003, which none of the other players mentioned can say they've done.
It must also be mentioned that the players' strike in 1994 and early '95 did throw a wrench in the plans for many clubs, so the development process for young players would've been impeded heavily.
Still, it's amazing that a team could have so much potential and still not be able to put it all together. Mike Piazza was a great success story and eventually turned out to be one of, if not thee, greatest hitting catcher of all time. Nomo had some brief success, and while Karros and Mondesi stayed with the team for a while, neither was a building block for other young talent to follow. This is precisely why some folks prefer veteran experience over young prospective talent. There have been thousands of players who were supposed to be the next Joe DiMaggio or Bob Gibson, but couldn't perform on the Major League level. Which is quite understandable really, because after all, baseball is hard. It's just shocking to me that one team can have five ROYs in a row, and not have much to show for it. Dems da breaks.
P.S. Thanks to www.mikesciosciastragicillness.com I've learned that ESPN once did a report on this topic, but failed to recognize Todd Hollandsworth, stating instead that LA had four Rookie of the Year winners in a row. Good reporting ESPN. Just for that, your picture is headlining Mr. Hollandsworth.
First Eric Karros. I've never liked Eric Karros because while he played he thought he was the greatest thing since sliced bread. And he had incredibly stupid sideburns as well. But more to the point, he just wasn't that good. While he played 12 of his 14 years with the Dodgers, he only batted over .272 three times. And his power numbers were only from 1995 until 2000. So while he wasn't a complete bust, he didn't turn out to be a lasting phenom.
Mike Piazza on the other hand started hot and stayed hot, hitting consistently over .300 while with the Dodgers and averaging about 33.5 home runs during his first four full time years as catcher. And then he just had a pig-of-a-year in '97 when he belted 40 HRs, 124 RBIs and batted a monstrous .362. It was no surprise when he was traded the next year, along with Todd Zeile to the Marlins for five players, including Gary Sheffield and Bobby Bonilla. After 8 days he was traded to the Mets where he spent the bulk of the rest of his career, racking up big offensive numbers. So while he was huge for the Dodgers, he didn't stick around quite long enough.
Raul Mondesi remained with the team until 1999 and was a fine player putting up solid batting numbers, adding some pop, a little speed and some fine glove work to the organization. He won two Gold Gloves while with the Dodgers and appeared in an All-Star game as well. His average dipped and his strikeouts climbed in his final season with LA, and even though he hit a career-high 33 dingers that year, the Trolley Dodgers decided to let him go, and he made the circuit around the league.
Hideo Nomo only stayed with LA for three and a half years. While his rookie campaign was stellar and he followed it up with 16 wins the next year, his walks and ERA climbed. He was then shipped out in 1998 where he played for a new team every year until making a return stint with LA between 2002 and 2004, where he won 16 games twice more, and his ERA briefly returned to earth.
Todd Hollandsworth was a top prospect in the minors and shined when he came up in '96, but injuries and a permanently low batting average did little to cement him a place in La-La-Land. He, like Hideo Nomo made many-a-travel around the majors. He never found a permanent home, but did manage to win a title with the Marlins in 2003, which none of the other players mentioned can say they've done.
It must also be mentioned that the players' strike in 1994 and early '95 did throw a wrench in the plans for many clubs, so the development process for young players would've been impeded heavily.
Still, it's amazing that a team could have so much potential and still not be able to put it all together. Mike Piazza was a great success story and eventually turned out to be one of, if not thee, greatest hitting catcher of all time. Nomo had some brief success, and while Karros and Mondesi stayed with the team for a while, neither was a building block for other young talent to follow. This is precisely why some folks prefer veteran experience over young prospective talent. There have been thousands of players who were supposed to be the next Joe DiMaggio or Bob Gibson, but couldn't perform on the Major League level. Which is quite understandable really, because after all, baseball is hard. It's just shocking to me that one team can have five ROYs in a row, and not have much to show for it. Dems da breaks.
P.S. Thanks to www.mikesciosciastragicillness.com I've learned that ESPN once did a report on this topic, but failed to recognize Todd Hollandsworth, stating instead that LA had four Rookie of the Year winners in a row. Good reporting ESPN. Just for that, your picture is headlining Mr. Hollandsworth.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Freak
There are extremely few players in Major League Baseball that I will actually gush about. But honestly, who doesn't love watching Tim Lincecum pitch? The man epitomizes the word phenom. If I had to choose one player to start a franchise with, he would be it. The Washington native just won his second consecutive Cy Young award today, and he's just 25. The last time a pitcher won two Cy Youngs in a row actually happened twice in the same time frame. Pedro Martinez won for the Red Sox in '99 and 2000, and Randy Johnson did the same for the Arizona Diamondbacks, but went on to four-peat in the National League until 2002.
Tim "The Freak" Lincecum can now join their excellent ranks. With a fantastic 2.48 ERA and a strangely un-Cy Young like 15-7 record, the lanky youngster is rapidly carving his name into the annals of baseball history. Now the 15-7 record is due in large part to a still fairly anemic Giants' lineup. But the dude is basically unhittable. Not since the emergence of "Doc" Gooden in the 1980s has a dynamic young pitcher electrified a viewing crowd the way "The Freak" does now. Let's hope Tim Lincecum manages to stay away from some of the demons that chased Dwight throughout his baseball career.
Now I understand the two-time All-Star has yet to win 20 games, and hasn't reached the strata of strikeout kings by recording 300 Ks in a year. But seeing as how this was only his third year in the Majors, when most other young pitchers are just finding their way, we can cut him a break. If the Giants can see to it to put together a successful lineup, then 20 games is a very attainable goal. And even if he never reaches 300 strikeouts, which few do, he has already established himself as a strikeout-dominant pitcher. And as he continues to use his fireball, his newly acquired pull-string change, and gain more and more experience, that already awesome ERA stands a very good chance of continuing to drop.
In an era we now think of as one reserved for home-run hitters, he stands out to remind us that good pitching still beats out good hitting. If good health continues to shine down on him, which seems likely due to his intense conditioning habits, we may very well be looking at a future Hall of Famer. The skinny kid with the long goofy hair and the crazy deliver is really something to see, and I look forward to the career of Tim Lincecum.
Tim "The Freak" Lincecum can now join their excellent ranks. With a fantastic 2.48 ERA and a strangely un-Cy Young like 15-7 record, the lanky youngster is rapidly carving his name into the annals of baseball history. Now the 15-7 record is due in large part to a still fairly anemic Giants' lineup. But the dude is basically unhittable. Not since the emergence of "Doc" Gooden in the 1980s has a dynamic young pitcher electrified a viewing crowd the way "The Freak" does now. Let's hope Tim Lincecum manages to stay away from some of the demons that chased Dwight throughout his baseball career.
Now I understand the two-time All-Star has yet to win 20 games, and hasn't reached the strata of strikeout kings by recording 300 Ks in a year. But seeing as how this was only his third year in the Majors, when most other young pitchers are just finding their way, we can cut him a break. If the Giants can see to it to put together a successful lineup, then 20 games is a very attainable goal. And even if he never reaches 300 strikeouts, which few do, he has already established himself as a strikeout-dominant pitcher. And as he continues to use his fireball, his newly acquired pull-string change, and gain more and more experience, that already awesome ERA stands a very good chance of continuing to drop.
In an era we now think of as one reserved for home-run hitters, he stands out to remind us that good pitching still beats out good hitting. If good health continues to shine down on him, which seems likely due to his intense conditioning habits, we may very well be looking at a future Hall of Famer. The skinny kid with the long goofy hair and the crazy deliver is really something to see, and I look forward to the career of Tim Lincecum.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Skippa
With the award season sliding up on us, you'd think that this blog would be about the Cy Young winners, or maybe even Rookie of the Year honors. But I'd like to take this time to talk about the people who don't usually get much love in the baseball world; the managers. Too often managers get the pink slip for the failures of the team, (see Clint Hurdle earlier this year for the Rockies). And then once in a while managers make a splash when they have unexpected success quickly, and profit from it monetarily (see Jim Tracy, NL Manager of the Year winner for, yes, the Rockies). But usually skippers go about there business working year-round to build and coach a better team than the one they had the previous year. For the now reigning AL Manager of the year Mike Scioscia, this is a feat unto itself.
Reason being, is that Mr. Scioscia continues year after year to put out a fantastic product. Now, I will lay down some minor criticism of Mike Scioscia right off the bat to get them out of the way. First, he coaches a Los Angeles team, so he has the benefit of a big budget. Fine, so do a lot of other teams that don't have continued success. Second, he coaches in the AL West which for some utterly stupid reason has FOUR TEAMS! I hate, with a searing passion, the fact that the AL has one less team than the NL. Does this make sense to anyone?! But I digress. The Angels still have to play 162 games, they just happen to play division rivals less, and have one less potential playoff-stealing opponent to worry about, but that is not Mike Scioscia doing, or fault.
Now back to the good stuff about Mike Scioscia, which is, well a lot. For starters, let's just point out that he has had only two losing seasons out of ten years whilst the manager of the Angels. Oh, and he won a championship with them in 2002. And he's led the team to records of 95 wins or better four times in that same span. And does he have an easy time managing these teams? How about no, you crazy Dutch bastard! He's in a major market which translates heavily into job pressure. He has had to deal with disastrous free-agent signings like Gary Matthews Jr. and the tragic death of a dynamic young up-and-coming pitcher Nick Adenhart. Many lesser managers would have been cooked. But Scioscia remains cool under all that pressure and that is why I salute him so proudly.
Like Tony LaRussa in the NL, Mike Scioscia is a master of actually managing a game. Sure he has abundant OFs, but knowing how to give each player a purposeful role and bringing out their best is something few accomplish. Personally, if Mike Scioscia decided to coach my team, I'd be thrilled because I know he's a no-nonsense, intelligent man who stays away from the spotlight by avoiding press conference tirades or arguing publicly with players. Mike Scioscia, you are the man, and I'm glad you had collected your second Manager of the Year award. Bravo!
Reason being, is that Mr. Scioscia continues year after year to put out a fantastic product. Now, I will lay down some minor criticism of Mike Scioscia right off the bat to get them out of the way. First, he coaches a Los Angeles team, so he has the benefit of a big budget. Fine, so do a lot of other teams that don't have continued success. Second, he coaches in the AL West which for some utterly stupid reason has FOUR TEAMS! I hate, with a searing passion, the fact that the AL has one less team than the NL. Does this make sense to anyone?! But I digress. The Angels still have to play 162 games, they just happen to play division rivals less, and have one less potential playoff-stealing opponent to worry about, but that is not Mike Scioscia doing, or fault.
Now back to the good stuff about Mike Scioscia, which is, well a lot. For starters, let's just point out that he has had only two losing seasons out of ten years whilst the manager of the Angels. Oh, and he won a championship with them in 2002. And he's led the team to records of 95 wins or better four times in that same span. And does he have an easy time managing these teams? How about no, you crazy Dutch bastard! He's in a major market which translates heavily into job pressure. He has had to deal with disastrous free-agent signings like Gary Matthews Jr. and the tragic death of a dynamic young up-and-coming pitcher Nick Adenhart. Many lesser managers would have been cooked. But Scioscia remains cool under all that pressure and that is why I salute him so proudly.
Like Tony LaRussa in the NL, Mike Scioscia is a master of actually managing a game. Sure he has abundant OFs, but knowing how to give each player a purposeful role and bringing out their best is something few accomplish. Personally, if Mike Scioscia decided to coach my team, I'd be thrilled because I know he's a no-nonsense, intelligent man who stays away from the spotlight by avoiding press conference tirades or arguing publicly with players. Mike Scioscia, you are the man, and I'm glad you had collected your second Manager of the Year award. Bravo!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The Metropolitans
I guess it's no use trying to keep it secret who your favorite team is when you write a baseball blog. So let it be known that I count myself one of the unfortunate few who call themselves Mets fans. It's a tough job, but somebody has to endure the constant disappointment and pain. So what are the Mutts to do after such a horrific year?
Well first thing is first, fire Omar Minaya. Yes, I said it, and I know there are loads of people out there who agree with me. This man is an insult to the position of general manager. Now granted, he brought Johan Santana to the big city, but he did so at the cost of a lot of prospects and in a climate where the Mets' two biggest fiscal competitors, i.e. Red Sox and Yankees, weren't really all that gung-ho about obtaining him. If you look back on the trade, the Mets were the only real option for Santana's future. And other than getting an ace pitcher, what has Minaya done for the Mets? Getting Brian Schneider? Mr. S seems like a nice guy and all, but his defense couldn't have been shoddier over the last two years, and his bat was completely inept. Minaya also traded for Luis Castillo, which at the time seemed like a nice little veteran boost. But then he went and signed the aging second-baseman to a high-priced, and what seems like an eternal contract.
Ok, so nobody is perfect. He also got K-Rod after all, right? And for reasonably cheap. True, but K-Rod didn't exactly live up to that contract in his first year, which brings into question the scouts that Omar relies on, and which reflects greatly on the the state of disrepair the farm teams are in. And let us not forget the greatest blunder of all...giving Oliver Perez 36 million reasons to love America. The ever inconsistent, and frustrating pitcher didn't get an incentive-laden deal that might have pushed him to perform to his full potential. No, Ollie Pest-ez received guaranteed money to go out and pitch a line like, four runs in 4.2 innings with three strikeouts, and five walks. Then get hurt a month into the season with a multitude of mysterious ailments which calls into questions whether Oliver really wants to pitch at all, let alone in the majors.
So good job keeping him Minaya. Now the Mets' GM is possibly going after Randy Wolf for similar type money, a pitcher Omar could have signed to a smaller contract last year, and had a more effective, healthier starter. And who else is on Minnie's radar? Oh just John Lackey and Matt Holliday. Where is this money coming from? If the Mets had traded to get Matt Holliday even just two years ago, I would've been ecstatic. But now, you'd be paying $100 mil for a bat, and a poor glove with, let's say, decent speed. This is not the answer to the Mets' problems. Lackey, while reliable and tough, is an ace, which the Mets already have. They should spend the money for Lackey on getting two other pitchers who can make it through a whole season, thus building an actually rotation instead of just Santana and then four other guys who shuffle in and out.
Now, I don't claim to have all the answers, but here are some things that need to happen. First, Omar needs to get fired, but since that doesn't look like it's going to happen until the beginning of next season at the earliest, there are some moves the GM can do and not do.
Do... get rid of Oliver Perez at all costs. You've had the guy since 2006 and guess what, you can't fix him, his delivery or his lack of fight. Take the hit, pay part of his contract out and trade him for whatever you can possibly get. Unfortunately a Perez for Milton Bradley deal looks mildly realistic, since the Cubs are just as desperate to unload that horrible signing as the Mets are with Ollie. But let's pray it doesn't come to that.
Don't... sign Matt Holliday. For as much as Minaya doesn't want to admit it, the Mets are rebuilding. Yes, they have All-Stars, but without a solid base around them, it's just that, a team with a few All-Stars. The minors are in shambles and need to be addressed. Instead of signing another giant free agent contract, trading one of the bigger names away might bring in some young talent, which the Mets sorely need. It's rumored that the Yankees are interested in trading for Carlos Beltran. For goodness' sake, listen to the offer Minaya. You can dump loads of money and get at least two stellar prospect in return, if not three. While I love Beltran's defense, the Mets need some boisterous personalities in the locker room, and Carlos is just too business-like to provide a meaningful leadership role for this club.
Do... let Omir Santos and Josh Thole platoon at catcher this year. LET A YOUNG GUY PLAY ONCE IN A WHILE MINAYA!! Which goes for you too Jerry Manuel! I know you think veterans are the only way to go, but you'll never found out what kind of young talent is waiting in the wings if they're constantly in the shadows. If they both fail, then there is always a veteran catcher out there for a quick trade. A Jason Kendall, or a Pudge Rodriguez. And there's always a Molina brother floating around somewhere.
Don't... trade away your farm team. It's depleted as it is, so don't mortgage the future to try and get Roy Halladay. Yes, he's fantastic and one of my favorite players, but the money you will have to shell out to keep him around will only dig a further hole for the Mets' future. The team needs to start thinking a little more along the lines of Billy Beane, and less like Brian Cashman. Expensive veterans are great, but only when some cheap young players are mixed in.
But what do I know, I'm just a dumb guy from Jersey with a blog. And I'm spent.
Well first thing is first, fire Omar Minaya. Yes, I said it, and I know there are loads of people out there who agree with me. This man is an insult to the position of general manager. Now granted, he brought Johan Santana to the big city, but he did so at the cost of a lot of prospects and in a climate where the Mets' two biggest fiscal competitors, i.e. Red Sox and Yankees, weren't really all that gung-ho about obtaining him. If you look back on the trade, the Mets were the only real option for Santana's future. And other than getting an ace pitcher, what has Minaya done for the Mets? Getting Brian Schneider? Mr. S seems like a nice guy and all, but his defense couldn't have been shoddier over the last two years, and his bat was completely inept. Minaya also traded for Luis Castillo, which at the time seemed like a nice little veteran boost. But then he went and signed the aging second-baseman to a high-priced, and what seems like an eternal contract.
Ok, so nobody is perfect. He also got K-Rod after all, right? And for reasonably cheap. True, but K-Rod didn't exactly live up to that contract in his first year, which brings into question the scouts that Omar relies on, and which reflects greatly on the the state of disrepair the farm teams are in. And let us not forget the greatest blunder of all...giving Oliver Perez 36 million reasons to love America. The ever inconsistent, and frustrating pitcher didn't get an incentive-laden deal that might have pushed him to perform to his full potential. No, Ollie Pest-ez received guaranteed money to go out and pitch a line like, four runs in 4.2 innings with three strikeouts, and five walks. Then get hurt a month into the season with a multitude of mysterious ailments which calls into questions whether Oliver really wants to pitch at all, let alone in the majors.
So good job keeping him Minaya. Now the Mets' GM is possibly going after Randy Wolf for similar type money, a pitcher Omar could have signed to a smaller contract last year, and had a more effective, healthier starter. And who else is on Minnie's radar? Oh just John Lackey and Matt Holliday. Where is this money coming from? If the Mets had traded to get Matt Holliday even just two years ago, I would've been ecstatic. But now, you'd be paying $100 mil for a bat, and a poor glove with, let's say, decent speed. This is not the answer to the Mets' problems. Lackey, while reliable and tough, is an ace, which the Mets already have. They should spend the money for Lackey on getting two other pitchers who can make it through a whole season, thus building an actually rotation instead of just Santana and then four other guys who shuffle in and out.
Now, I don't claim to have all the answers, but here are some things that need to happen. First, Omar needs to get fired, but since that doesn't look like it's going to happen until the beginning of next season at the earliest, there are some moves the GM can do and not do.
Do... get rid of Oliver Perez at all costs. You've had the guy since 2006 and guess what, you can't fix him, his delivery or his lack of fight. Take the hit, pay part of his contract out and trade him for whatever you can possibly get. Unfortunately a Perez for Milton Bradley deal looks mildly realistic, since the Cubs are just as desperate to unload that horrible signing as the Mets are with Ollie. But let's pray it doesn't come to that.
Don't... sign Matt Holliday. For as much as Minaya doesn't want to admit it, the Mets are rebuilding. Yes, they have All-Stars, but without a solid base around them, it's just that, a team with a few All-Stars. The minors are in shambles and need to be addressed. Instead of signing another giant free agent contract, trading one of the bigger names away might bring in some young talent, which the Mets sorely need. It's rumored that the Yankees are interested in trading for Carlos Beltran. For goodness' sake, listen to the offer Minaya. You can dump loads of money and get at least two stellar prospect in return, if not three. While I love Beltran's defense, the Mets need some boisterous personalities in the locker room, and Carlos is just too business-like to provide a meaningful leadership role for this club.
Do... let Omir Santos and Josh Thole platoon at catcher this year. LET A YOUNG GUY PLAY ONCE IN A WHILE MINAYA!! Which goes for you too Jerry Manuel! I know you think veterans are the only way to go, but you'll never found out what kind of young talent is waiting in the wings if they're constantly in the shadows. If they both fail, then there is always a veteran catcher out there for a quick trade. A Jason Kendall, or a Pudge Rodriguez. And there's always a Molina brother floating around somewhere.
Don't... trade away your farm team. It's depleted as it is, so don't mortgage the future to try and get Roy Halladay. Yes, he's fantastic and one of my favorite players, but the money you will have to shell out to keep him around will only dig a further hole for the Mets' future. The team needs to start thinking a little more along the lines of Billy Beane, and less like Brian Cashman. Expensive veterans are great, but only when some cheap young players are mixed in.
But what do I know, I'm just a dumb guy from Jersey with a blog. And I'm spent.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Hot Stove
This is by far and away, my favorite part of the baseball year. 'Why? The World Series is over, there won't be baseball until March, you insane twit!' Yes, that would be a normal reaction. But see, this is the time for hope. It doesn't matter if your team is the defending Champion Yankees, or the lowly Nationals, spring comes early to baseball. Now is the time for rebirth, not March. Now is the time for key trades, genius free agent grabs, and rookie risings. Failure can be forgotten, because all 30 franchise clouds have a silver lining right now. 'We didn't win the pennant, but we got rid of those costly contracts.' 'Sure we were cellar dwellers last season, but look at those prospects we got!'
It's not always easy to see, but there is opportunity out there for any and every team. This is the time where general managers earn their millions. Minnesota traded Carlos Gomez to the Brewers for J.J. Hardy. So what, right? But who knows, J.J. Hardy could have a reemergence after being sent down by the Brewers last year. Carlos Gomez could put the tools together to be a high on-base percentage lead-off man to go with his already stellar speed. With Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder hitting behind him, maybe you're looking at a 130-runs guy. That's where the beauty lies, in the potential. Maybe both guys will tank and you'll never hear from them again, but maybe not. This is the chance for teams of all shapes and sizes to rebuild, become better, or repeat. There is a certain degree of parity in Major League Baseball that is a rare.
Four years ago, where were the Tampa Bay Devil Rays? They were losers who constantly took beatings from the best division in baseball. Now, well besides a amputated, lackluster name, they are contenders. Why? Because of good off-seasons. They managed to keep quality prospects, make deals for dynamic up-and-comers like Carlos Pena, and put veteran pieces together. The San Francisco Giants of just two years ago were supposed to be one of the worst teams going, with no hope in sight. Now, they have the reigning Cy Young winner who has an excellent chance to repeat this year, and a high average, power bat with possibly the best nickname of the decade: Kung Fu Panda. I must also note Pablo Sandoval's other nickname that I hadn't heard of until I read it off www.baseball-reference.com; Round Mound of Pound. That is brilliant!
Now my girlfriend says that I'm a pessimist, but even I see the potential in just about every trade. There is hope out there folks, you just have to be open-minded enough to see it. The Padres might not be horrendous next year. The Mets may actually have a player stay healthy for more than two weeks. The off-season Hot Stove gives us all something to look forward to. And if that doesn't get you excited at all, then April is only four and half short months away.
It's not always easy to see, but there is opportunity out there for any and every team. This is the time where general managers earn their millions. Minnesota traded Carlos Gomez to the Brewers for J.J. Hardy. So what, right? But who knows, J.J. Hardy could have a reemergence after being sent down by the Brewers last year. Carlos Gomez could put the tools together to be a high on-base percentage lead-off man to go with his already stellar speed. With Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder hitting behind him, maybe you're looking at a 130-runs guy. That's where the beauty lies, in the potential. Maybe both guys will tank and you'll never hear from them again, but maybe not. This is the chance for teams of all shapes and sizes to rebuild, become better, or repeat. There is a certain degree of parity in Major League Baseball that is a rare.
Four years ago, where were the Tampa Bay Devil Rays? They were losers who constantly took beatings from the best division in baseball. Now, well besides a amputated, lackluster name, they are contenders. Why? Because of good off-seasons. They managed to keep quality prospects, make deals for dynamic up-and-comers like Carlos Pena, and put veteran pieces together. The San Francisco Giants of just two years ago were supposed to be one of the worst teams going, with no hope in sight. Now, they have the reigning Cy Young winner who has an excellent chance to repeat this year, and a high average, power bat with possibly the best nickname of the decade: Kung Fu Panda. I must also note Pablo Sandoval's other nickname that I hadn't heard of until I read it off www.baseball-reference.com; Round Mound of Pound. That is brilliant!
Now my girlfriend says that I'm a pessimist, but even I see the potential in just about every trade. There is hope out there folks, you just have to be open-minded enough to see it. The Padres might not be horrendous next year. The Mets may actually have a player stay healthy for more than two weeks. The off-season Hot Stove gives us all something to look forward to. And if that doesn't get you excited at all, then April is only four and half short months away.
For Love of the Game
If there is one idea that best represents what it means to be an American, it is baseball. Not democracy, nor cultural integration, nor unfettered greed can fully encompass the American persona like the game of baseball. Baseball is all of these things, and it is none of them. It is perfection, and utter humilation. It is Jackie Robinson, and it is Ty Cobb. It was born out of America, and if ever that sad day should come, it will die in America.
Millions of Americans, and growing millions outside of the United States adore the game that children play in sandlots. A even faster growing group of thousands chronicle the game and it's statistics, it's player scandals and it's highlights. I modestly join that group, if only to show appreciation, to let out frustration, to in fact love the game as utterly as I can. This blog is just my simple opinion on matters of the game. I hope that I can inspire a range of emotions from others who may concur or disagree with my views, but who underneath it all, love the game as completely as I do.
Millions of Americans, and growing millions outside of the United States adore the game that children play in sandlots. A even faster growing group of thousands chronicle the game and it's statistics, it's player scandals and it's highlights. I modestly join that group, if only to show appreciation, to let out frustration, to in fact love the game as utterly as I can. This blog is just my simple opinion on matters of the game. I hope that I can inspire a range of emotions from others who may concur or disagree with my views, but who underneath it all, love the game as completely as I do.
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