scumstripes
Trades Solidify Division Leaders, Give Little Hope to Also-Rans
07/31/10 12:45 Filed in: Baseball
Chaos is the word to describe the flurry of trades coming seemingly every few minutes as the trade deadline approaches.
As of now, division leaders in the AL West and East and in all three NL divisions seem to have solidified their positions, with at least one cellar organization making a significant improvement in its outlook for the future.
At first look, it seems like the floundering Dodgers have significantly improved with the acquisitions of Scot Podsednik, Ryan Theriot, and Ted Lilly. With the likelihood of Podsednik being a solid replacement for the missing Manny, not to mention getting on base and stealing bases from the leadoff position, of the veteran Theriot solidifying the infield as the new second baseman, and of lefty Lilly providing a solid, inning-eating presence in the starting rotation, one would think the Dodgers are poised to make a real run at the Padres. BUT, look at what the pitching-rich but light-hitting Padres have now done: They’ve added power and run production in both the infield and outfield with the additions of Ryan Ludwick and Miguel Tijeda, while, unlike other National League contenders, giving up no players from their major league squad.
In the East, The Phillies have likely improved with the acquisition of Roy Oswalt, but that is not etched in stone. J.A. Happ was a key part of their run to the World Series last year, and his disappearance this season has been a real mystery. As soon as the trade was announced, Happ high-tailed it to the Astros, and pitched 6 shoutout innings, lowering his 2010 major league ERA to 1.27. Given his non-use in Philadelphia, the trade is a plus for the Phillies, but at this stage in their careers, and given their respective ages, I’d rather have Happ than Oswalt. And meanwhile, the first-place Braves have solidified their position with the acquisitions of SS Alex Gonzalez, OF Rick Ankiel, and relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth.
In the Central, the Cardinals seemingly have been in the hunt for every available pitcher, and finally landed a good one in Jake Westbrook. If he stays healthy, he could be the difference in their fending off the Reds, who received their own rotation-boost by the return to action of Edinson Volquez after 1-1/2 years of inaction.
In the American League East, the yankee scumstripes landed not one, but two power-hitting outfielder/first basemen/dh-types, in Lance Berkman and Austin Kearns, to solidify their position in first., and Kerry Wood to add yet another are to their bullpen. But, Tampa is inching closer, and the Red Sox may soon have their load of injured players back. Nothing certain in that division, despite what the “experts” say.
In the Central, the White Sox took a giant step backward in trading for the over-rated, ineffective, and overpaid Edwin Jackson. Detroit was able to replace the injured Brandon Inge with Jhonny Peralta, but those other injuries to Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen have not been addressed. The Twins, on the other hand, made the biggest deal among teams in the division, by acquiring a needed closer in Matt Capps. I’m sticking with them to win the AL Central.
And then there is the AL West. I picked the Angels to win the division again, but then when Kendry Morales was lost for the season, I said the Angels were through, that they could not win the division without his bat. Showing real panic, Angels GM Tony Reagins has made some deals that make on shudder, giving up far too much for far too little, and “solidifying” positions that did not need solidifying, all the while ignoring the hole at first base. Trading young starter Sean O’Sullivan for infielder Alberto Callispo may have been an improvement overall, but giving up the talented O’Sullivan when your pitching prospects are few and far between, without a first baseman in the deal, was mistake number one.
The major mistake, however, was the deal with Arizona, for Dan Haren. Haren is a terrific starter, with many excellent years ahead of him. But what did they give up? JOE SAUNDERS AND group of young prospects. You cannot tell me that Joe Saunders, over last three seasons, has not been just as effective a starting pitcher as Haren, and he is one year younger. At best, the trade is a wash, and given the Angels’ other needs, was a huge mistake. Couple all of this with the losses of starters Scott Kazmir and Joel Pineiro, Reagins and the Angels have mortgaged the future to try to win a division title that is out of their reach.
The Rangers, acquiring Benji Molina, Cliff Lee, Jorge Cantu, and now Christian Guzman to replace the injured Ian Kinsler, have a hugh, insurmountable lead, and the Angel organization should have realized that before trading away Joe Saunders.
The other team that did real well in the flurry of trades was the last-place Arizona Diamondbacks. They helped themselves immensely by ridding themselves of Edwin Jackson, and his $4.6 Million contract (How in the world???), and they acquired two young pitchers in the process, and they obtained a front-line lefty starter and a parcel of young talent in the Dan Haren-for-Joe Saunders deal. An added bonus is the fact that Saunders earns about 1/3 of what Arizona was paying Haren. Note their 2008-2010 W-L records: Haren 37-27, Saunders 39-24.
On a final note, with David DeJesus out for the year, and with the trades of Scot Podsednik and Rick Ankiel, who is going to play the outfield in KC for the rest of the season?
As of now, division leaders in the AL West and East and in all three NL divisions seem to have solidified their positions, with at least one cellar organization making a significant improvement in its outlook for the future.
At first look, it seems like the floundering Dodgers have significantly improved with the acquisitions of Scot Podsednik, Ryan Theriot, and Ted Lilly. With the likelihood of Podsednik being a solid replacement for the missing Manny, not to mention getting on base and stealing bases from the leadoff position, of the veteran Theriot solidifying the infield as the new second baseman, and of lefty Lilly providing a solid, inning-eating presence in the starting rotation, one would think the Dodgers are poised to make a real run at the Padres. BUT, look at what the pitching-rich but light-hitting Padres have now done: They’ve added power and run production in both the infield and outfield with the additions of Ryan Ludwick and Miguel Tijeda, while, unlike other National League contenders, giving up no players from their major league squad.
In the East, The Phillies have likely improved with the acquisition of Roy Oswalt, but that is not etched in stone. J.A. Happ was a key part of their run to the World Series last year, and his disappearance this season has been a real mystery. As soon as the trade was announced, Happ high-tailed it to the Astros, and pitched 6 shoutout innings, lowering his 2010 major league ERA to 1.27. Given his non-use in Philadelphia, the trade is a plus for the Phillies, but at this stage in their careers, and given their respective ages, I’d rather have Happ than Oswalt. And meanwhile, the first-place Braves have solidified their position with the acquisitions of SS Alex Gonzalez, OF Rick Ankiel, and relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth.
In the Central, the Cardinals seemingly have been in the hunt for every available pitcher, and finally landed a good one in Jake Westbrook. If he stays healthy, he could be the difference in their fending off the Reds, who received their own rotation-boost by the return to action of Edinson Volquez after 1-1/2 years of inaction.
In the American League East, the yankee scumstripes landed not one, but two power-hitting outfielder/first basemen/dh-types, in Lance Berkman and Austin Kearns, to solidify their position in first., and Kerry Wood to add yet another are to their bullpen. But, Tampa is inching closer, and the Red Sox may soon have their load of injured players back. Nothing certain in that division, despite what the “experts” say.
In the Central, the White Sox took a giant step backward in trading for the over-rated, ineffective, and overpaid Edwin Jackson. Detroit was able to replace the injured Brandon Inge with Jhonny Peralta, but those other injuries to Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen have not been addressed. The Twins, on the other hand, made the biggest deal among teams in the division, by acquiring a needed closer in Matt Capps. I’m sticking with them to win the AL Central.
And then there is the AL West. I picked the Angels to win the division again, but then when Kendry Morales was lost for the season, I said the Angels were through, that they could not win the division without his bat. Showing real panic, Angels GM Tony Reagins has made some deals that make on shudder, giving up far too much for far too little, and “solidifying” positions that did not need solidifying, all the while ignoring the hole at first base. Trading young starter Sean O’Sullivan for infielder Alberto Callispo may have been an improvement overall, but giving up the talented O’Sullivan when your pitching prospects are few and far between, without a first baseman in the deal, was mistake number one.
The major mistake, however, was the deal with Arizona, for Dan Haren. Haren is a terrific starter, with many excellent years ahead of him. But what did they give up? JOE SAUNDERS AND group of young prospects. You cannot tell me that Joe Saunders, over last three seasons, has not been just as effective a starting pitcher as Haren, and he is one year younger. At best, the trade is a wash, and given the Angels’ other needs, was a huge mistake. Couple all of this with the losses of starters Scott Kazmir and Joel Pineiro, Reagins and the Angels have mortgaged the future to try to win a division title that is out of their reach.
The Rangers, acquiring Benji Molina, Cliff Lee, Jorge Cantu, and now Christian Guzman to replace the injured Ian Kinsler, have a hugh, insurmountable lead, and the Angel organization should have realized that before trading away Joe Saunders.
The other team that did real well in the flurry of trades was the last-place Arizona Diamondbacks. They helped themselves immensely by ridding themselves of Edwin Jackson, and his $4.6 Million contract (How in the world???), and they acquired two young pitchers in the process, and they obtained a front-line lefty starter and a parcel of young talent in the Dan Haren-for-Joe Saunders deal. An added bonus is the fact that Saunders earns about 1/3 of what Arizona was paying Haren. Note their 2008-2010 W-L records: Haren 37-27, Saunders 39-24.
On a final note, with David DeJesus out for the year, and with the trades of Scot Podsednik and Rick Ankiel, who is going to play the outfield in KC for the rest of the season?
theHoundDawg |  |
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The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
07/13/10 22:57 Filed in: Baseball
The Good: The National League, as predicted here, tonight snapped their 14-year, 13-concluded All-Star game losing streak, stunning the arrogant American Leaguers, 3-1, in the House that Autry build. The dead steinbrenner insipidness was kept to an acceptable minimum, and lo and behold, a member of the scumstripes was the losing pitcher.
the Bad: Dodger Hong-Chi Kuo's horrible throw halfway to the Honda Ponda cost the NL a run and gave the AL a 1-0 lead, and the Met's David Wright had a fifth-inning meltdown when he stole second and had his head up his ass as an errant throw from Joe Mauer went into right fied. Wright stood scratching his aforementioned ass instead of going to third, and when Dodger Andre Ethier singled to short right, Wright could then only go to third, instead of scoring, and the NL was denied the run when the next two batters made outs. Angel Torii Hunter went 0-2 and left three men on base.
the Ugly: Not since the dulcet tones of Carl Lewis and Roseanne wafted across stadiums and arenas has the National Anthem been so assaulted, diced, sliced, shredded, and crapped out, until this evening, when Fox, in their ever-vulgar self-promotion, put some 18-year-old talentless Fox TV performer center-stage before the sports world to fall miserably on her face.
That had to be the worse performance of the Star Spangled Banner ever performed by a supposed professional singer at a major sporting event.
But the game was, in the words of C. Montgomery Burns, Excellent!.
the Bad: Dodger Hong-Chi Kuo's horrible throw halfway to the Honda Ponda cost the NL a run and gave the AL a 1-0 lead, and the Met's David Wright had a fifth-inning meltdown when he stole second and had his head up his ass as an errant throw from Joe Mauer went into right fied. Wright stood scratching his aforementioned ass instead of going to third, and when Dodger Andre Ethier singled to short right, Wright could then only go to third, instead of scoring, and the NL was denied the run when the next two batters made outs. Angel Torii Hunter went 0-2 and left three men on base.
the Ugly: Not since the dulcet tones of Carl Lewis and Roseanne wafted across stadiums and arenas has the National Anthem been so assaulted, diced, sliced, shredded, and crapped out, until this evening, when Fox, in their ever-vulgar self-promotion, put some 18-year-old talentless Fox TV performer center-stage before the sports world to fall miserably on her face.
That had to be the worse performance of the Star Spangled Banner ever performed by a supposed professional singer at a major sporting event.
But the game was, in the words of C. Montgomery Burns, Excellent!.
| theHoundDawg | |
Enough is Enough!
After putting up, seemingly for months, with World Crap pre-emption of real sports all over TV and radio, now for several days, we have been faced with yankee scumstripe babble, again taking over the airwaves, first with tear-stained story after tear-stained story about a guy who spent his life saying “Jeter. Number 2. Jeter”, and now with the the deification of convicted felon and significant financier of richard nixon’s dirty tricks brigade, the dead Steinbrenner.
Listen to ESPN and you’d think Abraham Lincoln had just died.
I can hardly wait for the All-Star broadcast tonight. It figures to be a sappy, sickening tribute to dead scumstripes. OK, give Sheppard a brief moment, but I do not want to hear tributes to the dead steinbrenner - a man who used his inherited fortune to 1) transform baseball into “Lot A goes to the Highest Bidder”, and 2) finance a portion of the illegal activities of Herbert Kalmbach, Donald Segretti, G. Gordon Liddy, Charles Colson, and the rest of Richard Nixon’s band of crooks who disgraced America and stole the 1972 Presidential election.
Put THAT on the Angel Stadium message board!
Listen to ESPN and you’d think Abraham Lincoln had just died.
I can hardly wait for the All-Star broadcast tonight. It figures to be a sappy, sickening tribute to dead scumstripes. OK, give Sheppard a brief moment, but I do not want to hear tributes to the dead steinbrenner - a man who used his inherited fortune to 1) transform baseball into “Lot A goes to the Highest Bidder”, and 2) finance a portion of the illegal activities of Herbert Kalmbach, Donald Segretti, G. Gordon Liddy, Charles Colson, and the rest of Richard Nixon’s band of crooks who disgraced America and stole the 1972 Presidential election.
Put THAT on the Angel Stadium message board!
| theHoundDawg | |
Joe Torre, the Dodgers, and Angels, and More
06/27/10 23:28 Filed in: Baseball
Throughout his tenure with the scumstripes, Joe Torre was perhaps criticized more for his handling of his pitching staff, and in particular his bullpen, than for any other aspect of his game. As the Dodgers looked like they were assured of taking two-out-of-three from those same scumstripes this weekend, it was Torre’s handling of the pen that again did him, and the Dodgers, in.
Totally wasting a fine effort from Clayton Kershaw, not to mention 5-0 and 6-2 leads, Torre chose to leave usually stellar closer Jonathan Broxton in throughout a disastrous ninth inning, throwing 48 pitches, and allowing four runs. Even a casual observer knew Broxton did not have it tonight, when he entered the game throwing 92 and 93 MPH fastballs, rather than his usual 96-98 “warm-up” throws. I don’t think he ever exceeded the occasional 97, let alone his usual upper-level range of 99-100. I guess Joe just didn’t see it, or was hoping Broxton would suddenly “click”, but the only “clicking” that was heard was the sound of scumstripe cleats hitting the plate, as they scored the four tying runs in the ninth.
Besides blowing a key game the Dodgers seemingly had locked up, Broxton now should not be anywhere near the mound for perhaps the first two games of the important series against the second-place Giants. The good news is that Chad Billingsley is back from the DL and rehab to start tomorrow.
The Angels start a series with Texas, that getting close to the midway point and the All-Star break, is key to their team morale, not to mention the numbers game, as they continue to trail the Rangers by 4-1/2. Eric Aybar returning much sooner than anticipated was a big boost, as was the return of Jeff Mathis from his group of injuries. The Angels should now settle down with a more steady lineup of Mathis behind the plate and Mike Napoli at 1B. And, that grand slam hit by Brandon Wood should give him some confidence, and just maybe it will be the start of some consistent offense form the perennial can’t miss untouchable prospect.
In a season that has seen my pick to win it all, the Red Sox, go into the season with health issues involving key players, that saw them lose new CF Mike Cameron for an extended period, that saw them lose LF Jacoby Ellsbury for basically the entire first half, if not more, and that saw an ineffective Josh Becket go on the DL with no real timetable for his return, it got much worse the past couple of days. Frist, Dustin Pedroia, who also had missed a few games with minor injuries, broke a bone in his left foot. Then Clay Buchholz hyper-extened a knee on the basepaths, where he should not have been and would not have been were it not for interleague play, and then to top it all off, today Vic Martinez broke his thumb.
The Angels have a steep mountain to climb without Kendry Morales, but the Red Sox have Mt. Everest to climb with their hospital list.
Totally wasting a fine effort from Clayton Kershaw, not to mention 5-0 and 6-2 leads, Torre chose to leave usually stellar closer Jonathan Broxton in throughout a disastrous ninth inning, throwing 48 pitches, and allowing four runs. Even a casual observer knew Broxton did not have it tonight, when he entered the game throwing 92 and 93 MPH fastballs, rather than his usual 96-98 “warm-up” throws. I don’t think he ever exceeded the occasional 97, let alone his usual upper-level range of 99-100. I guess Joe just didn’t see it, or was hoping Broxton would suddenly “click”, but the only “clicking” that was heard was the sound of scumstripe cleats hitting the plate, as they scored the four tying runs in the ninth.
Besides blowing a key game the Dodgers seemingly had locked up, Broxton now should not be anywhere near the mound for perhaps the first two games of the important series against the second-place Giants. The good news is that Chad Billingsley is back from the DL and rehab to start tomorrow.
The Angels start a series with Texas, that getting close to the midway point and the All-Star break, is key to their team morale, not to mention the numbers game, as they continue to trail the Rangers by 4-1/2. Eric Aybar returning much sooner than anticipated was a big boost, as was the return of Jeff Mathis from his group of injuries. The Angels should now settle down with a more steady lineup of Mathis behind the plate and Mike Napoli at 1B. And, that grand slam hit by Brandon Wood should give him some confidence, and just maybe it will be the start of some consistent offense form the perennial can’t miss untouchable prospect.
In a season that has seen my pick to win it all, the Red Sox, go into the season with health issues involving key players, that saw them lose new CF Mike Cameron for an extended period, that saw them lose LF Jacoby Ellsbury for basically the entire first half, if not more, and that saw an ineffective Josh Becket go on the DL with no real timetable for his return, it got much worse the past couple of days. Frist, Dustin Pedroia, who also had missed a few games with minor injuries, broke a bone in his left foot. Then Clay Buchholz hyper-extened a knee on the basepaths, where he should not have been and would not have been were it not for interleague play, and then to top it all off, today Vic Martinez broke his thumb.
The Angels have a steep mountain to climb without Kendry Morales, but the Red Sox have Mt. Everest to climb with their hospital list.
| theHoundDawg |  |
No Way to Celebrate, and Some Other Stuff
05/29/10 18:57 Filed in: Baseball
Through decades of watching sports, and literally thousands (I guess) of great finishes and brilliant comebacks, I’ve always felt while seeing out-of-control celebrations, that someone was going to get hurt. Bad.
Well, it happened to today, and the Angels season might be over because of it.
The Angels slow start was never a worry here, due to their outstanding roster and great manager. Brandon Wood not hitting? Doesn’t really matter. Joe Saunders under .500? Relax, it’s still early. Brian Fuentes blowing saves? Par for the course.
But today, when Kendry Morales followed his walk-off grand slam home run with an awkward jump next to home plate, the Angels season blew up just like a BP gulf oil rig.
Morales suffered a broken left leg, and chances are he’s played his last game for this year at least.
When Juan Rivers broke a leg in winter ball a few years back, it took him almost two full seasons to heal and return to form.
After waiting a near-eternity for Morales to mature as a major leaguer, he rewarded the Angels with a brilliant 2009 (34, 108, .306) and was off to a sizzling start in 2010 (11, 39, .290 in the first 51 games). There is no one on the current roster that can replace Morales, and even if the injury is “not that bad” and he can return late in the season, they will miss his bat terribly until then. Neither Texas nor Oakland has the personnel or experience to compete for a full season with a healthy Angel team, but these upstarts just got a new life, and for the first time in almost 10 years, I can see the Angels finishing second or third behind one or both of them, and out of the playoffs.
In a couple of other notes from an immense day in baseball, another player suffered a major injury when Indians’ pitcher David Huff was lucky to have not been killed when the scumstripes’ Alex Rodriguez hit a line drive off Huff’s forehead, hard enough to ricochet into right field. It will be a surprise if Huff returns any time soon, if at all this season, and there will be a big question as to what success he will be able to achieve in the future.
And in the piece of good news today, Roy Halliday pitched the 20th perfect game in baseball history, a scant 20 days after Oakland’s Dallas Braden pitched the 19th. This would be the first season ever to see multiple perfect games. No disrespect to Braden, but it’s great to see one of true veteran stars of the game achieve this feat after years of competing at the highest level, rather than a young guy like Braden who was a virtual unknown until May 9.
Well, it happened to today, and the Angels season might be over because of it.
The Angels slow start was never a worry here, due to their outstanding roster and great manager. Brandon Wood not hitting? Doesn’t really matter. Joe Saunders under .500? Relax, it’s still early. Brian Fuentes blowing saves? Par for the course.
But today, when Kendry Morales followed his walk-off grand slam home run with an awkward jump next to home plate, the Angels season blew up just like a BP gulf oil rig.
Morales suffered a broken left leg, and chances are he’s played his last game for this year at least.
When Juan Rivers broke a leg in winter ball a few years back, it took him almost two full seasons to heal and return to form.
After waiting a near-eternity for Morales to mature as a major leaguer, he rewarded the Angels with a brilliant 2009 (34, 108, .306) and was off to a sizzling start in 2010 (11, 39, .290 in the first 51 games). There is no one on the current roster that can replace Morales, and even if the injury is “not that bad” and he can return late in the season, they will miss his bat terribly until then. Neither Texas nor Oakland has the personnel or experience to compete for a full season with a healthy Angel team, but these upstarts just got a new life, and for the first time in almost 10 years, I can see the Angels finishing second or third behind one or both of them, and out of the playoffs.
In a couple of other notes from an immense day in baseball, another player suffered a major injury when Indians’ pitcher David Huff was lucky to have not been killed when the scumstripes’ Alex Rodriguez hit a line drive off Huff’s forehead, hard enough to ricochet into right field. It will be a surprise if Huff returns any time soon, if at all this season, and there will be a big question as to what success he will be able to achieve in the future.
And in the piece of good news today, Roy Halliday pitched the 20th perfect game in baseball history, a scant 20 days after Oakland’s Dallas Braden pitched the 19th. This would be the first season ever to see multiple perfect games. No disrespect to Braden, but it’s great to see one of true veteran stars of the game achieve this feat after years of competing at the highest level, rather than a young guy like Braden who was a virtual unknown until May 9.
| theHoundDawg |  |
The Season Starts Tonight - How it Will Unfold
04/04/10 09:53 Filed in: Baseball
AL 2010
East:
Boston - Unmatched pitching depth, great defense, and a veteran bench full of guys who can play make them best in the AL.
New York - Vasquez can't pitch when it means anything and Johnson should wear "DL" instead of 26. Lack of depth will be killer.
Tampa - Too much reliance on young pitchers and no proven closer keep them behind NY.
Baltimore - Major offensive additions help them overtake Toronto, but big pitching questions keep them far behind top three. Expect big rebound from Atkins.
Toronto - Step back from this time last year - no Halladay and still big questions with Marcum and McGowan. Lind and Hill can't keep them ahead of Baltimore.
Central:
Minnesota - Solid offense and deep pitching, if not for loss of Nathan, could be in WS.
Chicago - Good mix of vets and youth on the field, solid pitching, especially addition of Peavy, make them solid contender.
Cleveland - Lots of aging vets ready in case gaggle of youngsters can't cut it, but whether they contend or end last depends on pitching, starting with Westbrook and Carmona.
Detroit - Scherzer, Willis & Bonderman mean too many questions on starting staff, new CF Jackson yet to bat in majors, and can expect adventure with Damon in LF (he and DH Guillen will try switch before May 1).
Kansas City - Lots of lineup changes but doubtful that means team has improved, though great arms in pen plus development of young starters could pull them closer to middle of division.
West:
Los Angeles - Losses of Lackey and Figgins tough to fill. Make or break for Brandon Wood. Wasted $$ on Pineiro. Still, no one close in AL West.
Seattle - Big bucks won't buy title. Lee starts season injured, and still need healthy Bedard to contend. Like I said about Cubs last year, no team relying on Milton Bradley will ever win anything. Note - Figgins out of position at 2B; his best spots are 3B & CF.
Texas - Still big questions on pitching staff, but again solid offense, especially if Vlad happy and healthy at DH spot.
Oakland - "Experts" have A's overrated; way too many wusses like Chavez, Crisp, and Sheets to contend.
Division series - Minnesota over Los Angeles and Boston over Chicago
Championship Series - Boston over Minnesota
NL 2010
East:
Philadelphia - Polanco at third is plus, Halladay slight improvement over Lee but there for whole season. Nobody in NL can touch them.
Atlanta - Same hype this spring for Heyward as last year for Schafer, result likely the same, but will contend due to solid staff. Healthy Hudson ad Glaus could mean playoff spot.
New York - Bay big plus in OF, as is no Sheffield, but Beltran and Reyes injuries and no pitching depth help to doom season from the start.
Florida - Looks like step back from surprising 2009; Maybin, Sanchez, 3-5 starters, pen all need big years to approach 87 wins again.
Washington - Solid infield and top of rotation needs lots of help from young starters and pen. Ok start and arrival of Strasburg in summer could make for interesting year.
Central:
St. Louis - Good bullpen and two great starters, but big questions after Carpenter and Wainwright (Lohse, Penny and Garcia 18-20 last year). A problem 90 HRs from Puljois and Holliday can help with.
Milwaukee - Disappointed last year due to immature staff, added vets should help this year; solid offense could get boost with encore from Edmonds.
Chicago - Still see as overrated though no Bradley a big plus. Will go as far as pitching takes them; big comeback from Zambrano is essential.
Houston - Too many questions to break .500 - Oswalt's health, is Manzella a major league SS, is Myers a major league starter, and more.
Cincinnati - Much is the same as what I said last year: Overrated pitching staff won't keep up with improved offense, plus too many questions in outfield.
Pittsburgh - Not nearly the talent they had two years ago, and that team was bad. Going in wrong direction.
West:
Los Angeles - What I said last year: Top-notch offense, defense, bullpen, and will go only as far as their starters will take them.
San Francisco - Solid front-line pitching and improved offense make Giants contenders again, but lack of depth will take toll in late summer.
Colorado - Let some keys guys go and starting season with Street and Francis questionable. No repeat of last year's surprise.
San Diego - Will battle Arizona for last, but stronger pitching staff will be difference.
Arizona - Haren only reliable starter: Jackson trade big mistake, Kennedy and Lopez are not major league pitchers, and Webb is question mark.
Division series - Los Angeles over St. Louis and Philadelphia over Milwaukee
Championship Series - Philadelphia over Los Angeles
Boston over Philadelphia in World Series (repeat of last season's pick - but this year it WILL happen.)
East:
Boston - Unmatched pitching depth, great defense, and a veteran bench full of guys who can play make them best in the AL.
New York - Vasquez can't pitch when it means anything and Johnson should wear "DL" instead of 26. Lack of depth will be killer.
Tampa - Too much reliance on young pitchers and no proven closer keep them behind NY.
Baltimore - Major offensive additions help them overtake Toronto, but big pitching questions keep them far behind top three. Expect big rebound from Atkins.
Toronto - Step back from this time last year - no Halladay and still big questions with Marcum and McGowan. Lind and Hill can't keep them ahead of Baltimore.
Central:
Minnesota - Solid offense and deep pitching, if not for loss of Nathan, could be in WS.
Chicago - Good mix of vets and youth on the field, solid pitching, especially addition of Peavy, make them solid contender.
Cleveland - Lots of aging vets ready in case gaggle of youngsters can't cut it, but whether they contend or end last depends on pitching, starting with Westbrook and Carmona.
Detroit - Scherzer, Willis & Bonderman mean too many questions on starting staff, new CF Jackson yet to bat in majors, and can expect adventure with Damon in LF (he and DH Guillen will try switch before May 1).
Kansas City - Lots of lineup changes but doubtful that means team has improved, though great arms in pen plus development of young starters could pull them closer to middle of division.
West:
Los Angeles - Losses of Lackey and Figgins tough to fill. Make or break for Brandon Wood. Wasted $$ on Pineiro. Still, no one close in AL West.
Seattle - Big bucks won't buy title. Lee starts season injured, and still need healthy Bedard to contend. Like I said about Cubs last year, no team relying on Milton Bradley will ever win anything. Note - Figgins out of position at 2B; his best spots are 3B & CF.
Texas - Still big questions on pitching staff, but again solid offense, especially if Vlad happy and healthy at DH spot.
Oakland - "Experts" have A's overrated; way too many wusses like Chavez, Crisp, and Sheets to contend.
Division series - Minnesota over Los Angeles and Boston over Chicago
Championship Series - Boston over Minnesota
NL 2010
East:
Philadelphia - Polanco at third is plus, Halladay slight improvement over Lee but there for whole season. Nobody in NL can touch them.
Atlanta - Same hype this spring for Heyward as last year for Schafer, result likely the same, but will contend due to solid staff. Healthy Hudson ad Glaus could mean playoff spot.
New York - Bay big plus in OF, as is no Sheffield, but Beltran and Reyes injuries and no pitching depth help to doom season from the start.
Florida - Looks like step back from surprising 2009; Maybin, Sanchez, 3-5 starters, pen all need big years to approach 87 wins again.
Washington - Solid infield and top of rotation needs lots of help from young starters and pen. Ok start and arrival of Strasburg in summer could make for interesting year.
Central:
St. Louis - Good bullpen and two great starters, but big questions after Carpenter and Wainwright (Lohse, Penny and Garcia 18-20 last year). A problem 90 HRs from Puljois and Holliday can help with.
Milwaukee - Disappointed last year due to immature staff, added vets should help this year; solid offense could get boost with encore from Edmonds.
Chicago - Still see as overrated though no Bradley a big plus. Will go as far as pitching takes them; big comeback from Zambrano is essential.
Houston - Too many questions to break .500 - Oswalt's health, is Manzella a major league SS, is Myers a major league starter, and more.
Cincinnati - Much is the same as what I said last year: Overrated pitching staff won't keep up with improved offense, plus too many questions in outfield.
Pittsburgh - Not nearly the talent they had two years ago, and that team was bad. Going in wrong direction.
West:
Los Angeles - What I said last year: Top-notch offense, defense, bullpen, and will go only as far as their starters will take them.
San Francisco - Solid front-line pitching and improved offense make Giants contenders again, but lack of depth will take toll in late summer.
Colorado - Let some keys guys go and starting season with Street and Francis questionable. No repeat of last year's surprise.
San Diego - Will battle Arizona for last, but stronger pitching staff will be difference.
Arizona - Haren only reliable starter: Jackson trade big mistake, Kennedy and Lopez are not major league pitchers, and Webb is question mark.
Division series - Los Angeles over St. Louis and Philadelphia over Milwaukee
Championship Series - Philadelphia over Los Angeles
Boston over Philadelphia in World Series (repeat of last season's pick - but this year it WILL happen.)
| theHoundDawg |
Bleak Start to Off-Season Player Moves
12/10/09 13:59 Filed in: Baseball
As last season ended, the future looked good for the Dodgers and Angels, despite the disappointment of the post-season. The past month, however, has been a disaster, on all fronts.
As the season came to a close, the news of the McCorts' breakup and its effect on the team was an unknown poisonous cloud, darkening every aspect of the Dodgers' ability to improve for next season. At this point, they've lost Randy Wolf, and are totally silent on the free agent acquisition front, and the trade rumor mill is also pretty silent, save for the one mention of Cub interest in Juan Pierre. The Dodgers have a serious need to add two quality starters, and it does not look like they will be opening the McCort vault to pay for a Lackey, Pineiro, or Marquis, and after the first few free agent starters, the pickings are very thin, and full of injury prone Nick Lowrys and Erik Bedards, too similar to the Jason Schmidts and Eric Miltons they paid so dearly for over the past three years. Time will only tell if the Dodgers will pay out anything to improve the staff, or will Billingsly, Kuroda, and Kershaw be followed by the likes of Charlie Haeger and Eric Stults?
The Angels have now lost Chone Figgins, and do not seem to be making any headway in re-siging John Lackey. Instead, the talk seems to be of further depleting the now-thin infield with a deal for Roy Halladay that would see Erick Aybar, Joe Saunders and Mike Napoli all going to Toronto. Despite the benefits of an absolute stellar number one starter in Halladay, this trade would be a loser for the Angels. They would need to make several additional moves in order to maintain their great defense and vastly improved offense if they go into next season without Figgins, Aybar and Napoli, and in giving up the guy who is probably now their number one starter (assuming Lackey is gone) to get a number one, this still leaves the starting staff woefully short in the numbers game. From what we saw of Anthony Ortega and Sean O'Sullivan last season, neither one of them can fill a regular sport in a major league rotation. Maybe a Mark DeRosa, or even an Adrian Beltre, can fill the void at third, with Maicer Izturis taking over as the regular at shortstop, but this overall picture is a major step back from last year's team.
All of this is with the backdrop of the scumstripes ripping off not one, but two teams, in one of the biggest steals of the 21st century. I can see Detroit's rationale in giving away developing superstar Curtis Granderson for the pile of pitching they received, but what are they doing in Arizona? How can they possibly rationalize giving up one of MLB's best arms and top young pitching talents in Max Scherzer, and only receiving the overrated career dud and one-year-flash Edwin Jackson, and yankee-wanna-be/never-will-be Ian kennedy? As far as this affects the Dodgers, I'm very glad o have Scherzer out of NL West, and am ooking forward to feasting off of Jackson and Kennedy.
As the season came to a close, the news of the McCorts' breakup and its effect on the team was an unknown poisonous cloud, darkening every aspect of the Dodgers' ability to improve for next season. At this point, they've lost Randy Wolf, and are totally silent on the free agent acquisition front, and the trade rumor mill is also pretty silent, save for the one mention of Cub interest in Juan Pierre. The Dodgers have a serious need to add two quality starters, and it does not look like they will be opening the McCort vault to pay for a Lackey, Pineiro, or Marquis, and after the first few free agent starters, the pickings are very thin, and full of injury prone Nick Lowrys and Erik Bedards, too similar to the Jason Schmidts and Eric Miltons they paid so dearly for over the past three years. Time will only tell if the Dodgers will pay out anything to improve the staff, or will Billingsly, Kuroda, and Kershaw be followed by the likes of Charlie Haeger and Eric Stults?
The Angels have now lost Chone Figgins, and do not seem to be making any headway in re-siging John Lackey. Instead, the talk seems to be of further depleting the now-thin infield with a deal for Roy Halladay that would see Erick Aybar, Joe Saunders and Mike Napoli all going to Toronto. Despite the benefits of an absolute stellar number one starter in Halladay, this trade would be a loser for the Angels. They would need to make several additional moves in order to maintain their great defense and vastly improved offense if they go into next season without Figgins, Aybar and Napoli, and in giving up the guy who is probably now their number one starter (assuming Lackey is gone) to get a number one, this still leaves the starting staff woefully short in the numbers game. From what we saw of Anthony Ortega and Sean O'Sullivan last season, neither one of them can fill a regular sport in a major league rotation. Maybe a Mark DeRosa, or even an Adrian Beltre, can fill the void at third, with Maicer Izturis taking over as the regular at shortstop, but this overall picture is a major step back from last year's team.
All of this is with the backdrop of the scumstripes ripping off not one, but two teams, in one of the biggest steals of the 21st century. I can see Detroit's rationale in giving away developing superstar Curtis Granderson for the pile of pitching they received, but what are they doing in Arizona? How can they possibly rationalize giving up one of MLB's best arms and top young pitching talents in Max Scherzer, and only receiving the overrated career dud and one-year-flash Edwin Jackson, and yankee-wanna-be/never-will-be Ian kennedy? As far as this affects the Dodgers, I'm very glad o have Scherzer out of NL West, and am ooking forward to feasting off of Jackson and Kennedy.
| theHoundDawg |
A Felon With a Gun Gives Billions to Monkeys - Monkeys Get it Right This Time
11/05/09 16:44 Filed in: Baseball
Convicted felon George Steinbrenner has for years used the gunpower of the family fortune he inherited to enable those trained monkeys he hires, the ones that could - given enough time and paper - reproduce Shakespeare, to buy every free agent they coveted. In the 70s and in the early Torre years, they got it right a fair share of the time. In the past few years, though, the monkeys spent way too much on Carl Pavano, Kevin Brown, Jaret Wright, among others, but the right spaghetti strands stuck to the wall this off-season, and the monkey's choices of Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia, and the like, paid off with a title. Congrats to the monkeys, and to the dead steinbrenner (soon?). Ko-Ko hank and Chita brian will continue to do well without him.
Before the series, it seemed that they had written off Hideki Matsui for next year, especially since they seem to want the old Posada to be the primary DH next year. Now, however, he's a bona fide WS MVP and hero, so how do you fire him? Also, if Damon stays, how could they even consider letting him anywhere near left field again? Too many DHs for one team to deal with. Go to it, monkeys.
One more note on the World Series:
Contrary to what many commentators have said, while Cliff Lee's game one masterpiece was a great game, it was by no means one of the 10 best-pitched World Series games ever. Number one was Don Larsen's 1956 perfect game, and number two of all time was Johnny Podres' shutout in game 7 of the 1955 series. After that, you can easily find eight more top-teners from games pitched in the 1960s by Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, and Don Drysdale. Add to that, two or three of the great games, including, I believe three shutouts, pitched decades ago by Babe Ruth, and the REAL top-ten is full. By the way, Koufax's 1965 game 7 and 1963 game 1, and Drysdales' 1963 game 3, would be my next three, and maybe I'd even stick in Claude Osteen's 1965 game 3.
theHoundDawg
Before the series, it seemed that they had written off Hideki Matsui for next year, especially since they seem to want the old Posada to be the primary DH next year. Now, however, he's a bona fide WS MVP and hero, so how do you fire him? Also, if Damon stays, how could they even consider letting him anywhere near left field again? Too many DHs for one team to deal with. Go to it, monkeys.
One more note on the World Series:
Contrary to what many commentators have said, while Cliff Lee's game one masterpiece was a great game, it was by no means one of the 10 best-pitched World Series games ever. Number one was Don Larsen's 1956 perfect game, and number two of all time was Johnny Podres' shutout in game 7 of the 1955 series. After that, you can easily find eight more top-teners from games pitched in the 1960s by Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, and Don Drysdale. Add to that, two or three of the great games, including, I believe three shutouts, pitched decades ago by Babe Ruth, and the REAL top-ten is full. By the way, Koufax's 1965 game 7 and 1963 game 1, and Drysdales' 1963 game 3, would be my next three, and maybe I'd even stick in Claude Osteen's 1965 game 3.
theHoundDawg
Angels Survive Starters' Injuries, Finally Beat Boston
10/12/09 11:12 Filed in: Baseball
The Angels began the season with a makeshift starting staff as 4/5 of the rotation were injured. I always felt they could still win the West, if for no other reason than there was little real competition in the division. Little did I realize that the re-built Rangers were for real, and would not go away.
But, behind baseball's first half MVP Torri Hunter, the team withstood the injury plague, stayed close to Texas, and as the starters began to filter back, they re-took first place and never really faltered in their quest to meet the Red Sox once again in the playoffs. Despite the total absence of Kelvim Escobar, by the end of the season, the starting staff, bolstered by the acquisition of Scott Kazmir, had once again become baseball's best, as the BoSox saw over the past few days.
With healthy starters, a resurgent Vlad, the streaking Kendry Morales, the solid play of Figgins, Isturis, and Aybar, and a bullpen hopefully just good enough, bring on the scumstripes!
But, behind baseball's first half MVP Torri Hunter, the team withstood the injury plague, stayed close to Texas, and as the starters began to filter back, they re-took first place and never really faltered in their quest to meet the Red Sox once again in the playoffs. Despite the total absence of Kelvim Escobar, by the end of the season, the starting staff, bolstered by the acquisition of Scott Kazmir, had once again become baseball's best, as the BoSox saw over the past few days.
With healthy starters, a resurgent Vlad, the streaking Kendry Morales, the solid play of Figgins, Isturis, and Aybar, and a bullpen hopefully just good enough, bring on the scumstripes!
| theHoundDawg |  |
Dodgers, Angels, Tigers, and all That
10/07/09 09:11 Filed in: Baseball
Any sane person would have to pick the scumspripes and Cards to get to the World Series, but I think there will be more surprises along the Division and Championship Series route. No expert gives the floundering Dodgers a chance against the dominant St. Louis pitching, but that series will decide the NL title, as the Phillies cannot make it without a closer and the Rockies will not see a repeat of history. In the AL, right now the Angles have the dominant starting staff and a hot-and-cold closer to compliment their great offense and stellar defense. The charging Twins may or may not have enough pitching to continue their run, but that will be an interesting series. If only Justin Morneau could play, and where is Francisco Liriano?
I loved the over-rated Tigers' collapse, which came a few weeks later than I anticipated.
Randy Wolf, Clayton Kershaw and Hiroki Kuroda will have a lot to say about who moves on in the NL.
I loved the over-rated Tigers' collapse, which came a few weeks later than I anticipated.
Randy Wolf, Clayton Kershaw and Hiroki Kuroda will have a lot to say about who moves on in the NL.
| theHoundDawg |
The Bullpen is Everything
08/16/09 11:55 Filed in: Baseball
The Philadelphia Phillies are World Champs because of Brad Lidge. Their chances of repeating are up to ....... Brad Lidge.
His phenomenal season, playoffs and World Series carried them to last year's title, but for all the Cliff Lees, Pedro Martinezes, and Ben Franciscos they acquire, they will go only so far as Lidge takes them, and with his major league leading eight blown saves, 7.27 ERA, and total unreliability, that does not look like it will be too far.
Similarly, the biggest single reason for the Dodgers' recent slump, has been the bullpen, and specifically, Jonathan Broxton, as last night deomonstrated. They had another good outing from the starter (which ended prepaturely with Hiroki Kuroda's injury), and some timely hitting, but another disasterous outing from Broxton lost the lead and the game.
As I have said before, whether it's his sore toe (most likely), fatigue, or the league just catching up with him, Broxton needs some time away from the closer's role. The Dodgers now do have another option, with an experienced, suffessful closer on the roster, thanks to the asquisition of George Sherrill, and if Broxton is hurting, put him on the DL and let Sherrill close until Broxton is well. If Broxton is not hurt, then just the mental aspect of less pressure for a couple of weeks, setting up instead of closing, may do the trick.
It's no coincidence that the scumstripes recent streak has coincided with the vast imporvement in their bullpenn, in particular remaking Phil Hughes from an awful starter into a valuable set-up man.
His phenomenal season, playoffs and World Series carried them to last year's title, but for all the Cliff Lees, Pedro Martinezes, and Ben Franciscos they acquire, they will go only so far as Lidge takes them, and with his major league leading eight blown saves, 7.27 ERA, and total unreliability, that does not look like it will be too far.
Similarly, the biggest single reason for the Dodgers' recent slump, has been the bullpen, and specifically, Jonathan Broxton, as last night deomonstrated. They had another good outing from the starter (which ended prepaturely with Hiroki Kuroda's injury), and some timely hitting, but another disasterous outing from Broxton lost the lead and the game.
As I have said before, whether it's his sore toe (most likely), fatigue, or the league just catching up with him, Broxton needs some time away from the closer's role. The Dodgers now do have another option, with an experienced, suffessful closer on the roster, thanks to the asquisition of George Sherrill, and if Broxton is hurting, put him on the DL and let Sherrill close until Broxton is well. If Broxton is not hurt, then just the mental aspect of less pressure for a couple of weeks, setting up instead of closing, may do the trick.
It's no coincidence that the scumstripes recent streak has coincided with the vast imporvement in their bullpenn, in particular remaking Phil Hughes from an awful starter into a valuable set-up man.
| theHoundDawg |
Sporting News' 50 Greatest Coaches List - Some Hits, Some Misses
The Sporting News pretty much stays out of the news these days, but they did raise some controversy this week when they released their poll of the 50 greatest coaches of all time. I absolutely agree with their choice of John Wooden as the greatest coach in any sport. As should be the case, the vote was not even close, with the Wizard receiving 57 first place votes, from the TSN panel of 118 "experts". Unfortunately, many of their last 49 choices miss the mark.
The list includes only six additional college basketball coaches and five NBA coaches, and none of them, incredibly, is Larry Brown. His omission is the most glaring misstep on the list. The list contains ten NFL coaches, and eighth among them, and number 20 overall, is Bill Belichick, who should be the second-ranked pro football coach, following the list's number two, Vince Lombardi. Also as to NFL coaches, the bottom two, Bill Walsh and Bill Parcells, at numbers 26 and 33 overall respectively, should be above the higher-ranked Paul Brown, George Halas, Joe Gibbs, and Tom Landry.
Their ranking of college football coaches is not too badly composed, but I would elevate Bud Wilkinson, number 29 overall, from the seventh spot among college football coaches, to the third spot, behind only Bear Bryant and Knute Rockne, and I'd make Rockne number one, not Bryant.
As to the five NHL coaches that made the list, perhaps Scotty Bowman deserves to be higher overall than number seven, and there are dozens of coaches from other sports who deserve the last spot, over Herb Brooks. He's listed as an NHL coach, and that does not merit him a spot on the list. Call him an Olympic Hockey coach, and there is at least a sentimental and patriotic basis for his selection.
The list includes ten MLB managers, with the over-hyped, over-indluged, and over-rated Casey Stengel on top, at number nine overall. Give him Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Yogi Berra, and the like, and he can win pennants. He managed three other teams, before and after the scumstripes, and to call his performances mediocre would be overly generous. He still owns, at least until the Washington National's current season comes to a close, the worst single-season record in major league history, with the 1962 Mets. For my money, in following MLB as close as I have for more than 50 years, and in reading and studying much of early baseball history, the four best managers I have seen, are Walter Alston, Tony La Russa, Sparky Anderson, and Joe Torre. Their listings at numbers 35, 41, 38, and 32, respectively, are absurd. The four should all be in the list's top 20 overall.
Finally, how could the panel waste valuable, limited positions on the list with the inclusion of not one, but two, woman's basketball coaches?
The list includes only six additional college basketball coaches and five NBA coaches, and none of them, incredibly, is Larry Brown. His omission is the most glaring misstep on the list. The list contains ten NFL coaches, and eighth among them, and number 20 overall, is Bill Belichick, who should be the second-ranked pro football coach, following the list's number two, Vince Lombardi. Also as to NFL coaches, the bottom two, Bill Walsh and Bill Parcells, at numbers 26 and 33 overall respectively, should be above the higher-ranked Paul Brown, George Halas, Joe Gibbs, and Tom Landry.
Their ranking of college football coaches is not too badly composed, but I would elevate Bud Wilkinson, number 29 overall, from the seventh spot among college football coaches, to the third spot, behind only Bear Bryant and Knute Rockne, and I'd make Rockne number one, not Bryant.
As to the five NHL coaches that made the list, perhaps Scotty Bowman deserves to be higher overall than number seven, and there are dozens of coaches from other sports who deserve the last spot, over Herb Brooks. He's listed as an NHL coach, and that does not merit him a spot on the list. Call him an Olympic Hockey coach, and there is at least a sentimental and patriotic basis for his selection.
The list includes ten MLB managers, with the over-hyped, over-indluged, and over-rated Casey Stengel on top, at number nine overall. Give him Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Yogi Berra, and the like, and he can win pennants. He managed three other teams, before and after the scumstripes, and to call his performances mediocre would be overly generous. He still owns, at least until the Washington National's current season comes to a close, the worst single-season record in major league history, with the 1962 Mets. For my money, in following MLB as close as I have for more than 50 years, and in reading and studying much of early baseball history, the four best managers I have seen, are Walter Alston, Tony La Russa, Sparky Anderson, and Joe Torre. Their listings at numbers 35, 41, 38, and 32, respectively, are absurd. The four should all be in the list's top 20 overall.
Finally, how could the panel waste valuable, limited positions on the list with the inclusion of not one, but two, woman's basketball coaches?
| theHoundDawg |
Jason Who II and a Four Game Streak
07/21/09 22:47 Filed in: Baseball
Well, after a very shaky first inning, Jason Schmidt gave a decent impression of a major league pitcher for another four innings last night, and tonight Randy Wolf got the run support missing from his starts most of the season, and suddenly the Dodgers have a four game winning streak and have their best overall record in 19 seasons.
The one downside of the Dodgers' great overall performance tonight was the hand injury Manny suffered when hit by a Homer Bailey pitch, but as they say, x-rays were negative and he's day-to-day.
In three games today and tonight, Los Angeles averaged 10 runs per game, with the Dodgers scoring 12 against the Reds, and the Angels taking two from KC, 8-5 and 10-2. The Angels are 5-1 since the break, and are weathering the losses of Vlad and Torri Hunter quite well, thanks in large part to the schedule maker, loading them up with KC, Oakland, and Cleveland while 2/3rds of the outfield is healing.
Injuries are affecting the current complexion of the AL East, with TIm Wakefield joining Dice-K Matsuzaka on the Boston DL, and the Red Sox falling into second, with a four game losing streak, despite the return of Jed Lowrie. The current success of the scumstripes not withstanding, I'm sticking with my pre-season picks that two playoff teams will come out of the AL East and neither will be from NY. With a healthier Scott Kazmir and a new ace in Jeff Niemann, Tampa will finish the season in second, behind Boston.
The one downside of the Dodgers' great overall performance tonight was the hand injury Manny suffered when hit by a Homer Bailey pitch, but as they say, x-rays were negative and he's day-to-day.
In three games today and tonight, Los Angeles averaged 10 runs per game, with the Dodgers scoring 12 against the Reds, and the Angels taking two from KC, 8-5 and 10-2. The Angels are 5-1 since the break, and are weathering the losses of Vlad and Torri Hunter quite well, thanks in large part to the schedule maker, loading them up with KC, Oakland, and Cleveland while 2/3rds of the outfield is healing.
Injuries are affecting the current complexion of the AL East, with TIm Wakefield joining Dice-K Matsuzaka on the Boston DL, and the Red Sox falling into second, with a four game losing streak, despite the return of Jed Lowrie. The current success of the scumstripes not withstanding, I'm sticking with my pre-season picks that two playoff teams will come out of the AL East and neither will be from NY. With a healthier Scott Kazmir and a new ace in Jeff Niemann, Tampa will finish the season in second, behind Boston.
| theHoundDawg |
As Usual, Pitching is Key, as Second Half Begins
07/16/09 09:11 Filed in: Baseball
As the second half of the season is set to begin, pitching is, as always, the key to success down the stretch.
First, and in consideration of rumor number one, which may just be speculation and defective, stupid controversy created by certain second-line radio commentators, is the ridiculous theory that the Dodger would even consider trading Clayton Kershaw and/or Matt Kemp, in order to obtain Roy Halladay. Kershaw and Kemp are rare talents that come along infrequently. At the start of the year, I felt that Kemp would put it together this season, and become a star, and that is happening before our eyes. He deserved to be on the All-Star team. Kershaw has more ability than any pitcher to reach the majors in many years, but I did feel it would be at least until next season before he took his place as a number one starter, and Cy Young contender. Well, he has just about reached that level over the past six weeks, with only his penchant for making too many pitches and being able to only go an average of six innings per start keeping him from reaching that level. The fact is, though, that he has been scored on in only two of his last six starts, giving up a total of three runs in his last 36 or so innings, lowering his ERA from 4.50 to 3.16.
He is on the verge of becoming the ace the Dodgers have been seeking, and only more experience and more consistent control stand in his way.
Trade him or Kemp? Never, for any current player in the majors, save that Albert guy in St. Louis.
Second is that other rumor that indicated that Toronto would commit franchise suicide by trading Halladay to the Redsox or scumstripes. Trade the AL's reigning pitching star within your division, to one of the best teams in the league, whose only weaknesses relate to pitching? No way. If so, through, fire the GM and pack the trunk and move to Moose Jaw.
Toronto does not realize their situation. Their limited success this season is due to Halladay, their vastly improved offense, which is due to the maturation of several of their young players, and the development of several young pitchers, such as Ricky Romero. Add back injured young stud starters Dustin McGowan and Shaun Marcum, and the 2010 Blue Jays are a real contender. Don't screw that up and hand the division to one of those other teams.
The seemingly healthier Angels' staff now has to not only compensate for the loss of Vald and Torri Hunter, but for the continued struggles of Earvin Santana. He starts opening night of the second half, and has to show that he is regaining last year's form, or else he might need a Howie Kendrick Triple A vacation.
Overall, at the mid-point, four of my six division picks are in first place, and all of my picks except Cleveland are in the running for the playoffs. And, Torri Hunter is the AL's MVP at this point in the season.
theHoundDawg
First, and in consideration of rumor number one, which may just be speculation and defective, stupid controversy created by certain second-line radio commentators, is the ridiculous theory that the Dodger would even consider trading Clayton Kershaw and/or Matt Kemp, in order to obtain Roy Halladay. Kershaw and Kemp are rare talents that come along infrequently. At the start of the year, I felt that Kemp would put it together this season, and become a star, and that is happening before our eyes. He deserved to be on the All-Star team. Kershaw has more ability than any pitcher to reach the majors in many years, but I did feel it would be at least until next season before he took his place as a number one starter, and Cy Young contender. Well, he has just about reached that level over the past six weeks, with only his penchant for making too many pitches and being able to only go an average of six innings per start keeping him from reaching that level. The fact is, though, that he has been scored on in only two of his last six starts, giving up a total of three runs in his last 36 or so innings, lowering his ERA from 4.50 to 3.16.
He is on the verge of becoming the ace the Dodgers have been seeking, and only more experience and more consistent control stand in his way.
Trade him or Kemp? Never, for any current player in the majors, save that Albert guy in St. Louis.
Second is that other rumor that indicated that Toronto would commit franchise suicide by trading Halladay to the Redsox or scumstripes. Trade the AL's reigning pitching star within your division, to one of the best teams in the league, whose only weaknesses relate to pitching? No way. If so, through, fire the GM and pack the trunk and move to Moose Jaw.
Toronto does not realize their situation. Their limited success this season is due to Halladay, their vastly improved offense, which is due to the maturation of several of their young players, and the development of several young pitchers, such as Ricky Romero. Add back injured young stud starters Dustin McGowan and Shaun Marcum, and the 2010 Blue Jays are a real contender. Don't screw that up and hand the division to one of those other teams.
The seemingly healthier Angels' staff now has to not only compensate for the loss of Vald and Torri Hunter, but for the continued struggles of Earvin Santana. He starts opening night of the second half, and has to show that he is regaining last year's form, or else he might need a Howie Kendrick Triple A vacation.
Overall, at the mid-point, four of my six division picks are in first place, and all of my picks except Cleveland are in the running for the playoffs. And, Torri Hunter is the AL's MVP at this point in the season.
theHoundDawg
Life, Liberty, and the Enjoyment of Baseball, and Restrooms, Too
07/08/09 18:48 Filed in: Baseball
A little more than two years ago, before the beginning of theHoundDawgSportblog, I wrote in another forum about the following:
The NY Yankees, in their efforts to force patriotism on their fans, not only do not allow fans to leave their seats during the playing of the National Anthem before games and during the playing of God Bless America during the 7th-inning strech, but they go so far as to put up chains, preventing fans from moving about. No bathroon visits, no trips to concession stands, no going home. The scariest part of this, is that it is a policy carried out by a billionaire owner with a captive audience of lemmings who see nothing wrong with this absurd conduct, restricting the rights of the paying fan.
Well, that all ended today, thanks to a Boston Red Sox fan, who, after being forcibly removed from Yankee stadium by uniformed NYPD cops for daring to try to use the restroom during the playing of God Bless America, settled a lawsuit he had filed in Federal Court, against the Yankees and the City of New York.
As part of the settlement, with the Yankees and the City of New York agreeing that they could not, and would no longer, prevent fans from leaving their seats during God Bless America, the Red Sox fan received $10,000 in damages and $12,000 in legal fees. News reports note that the City of New York settled with the fan, due to him being physically removed from the stadium by two uniformed NYPD cops, one of whom who also said to him "Get out of my country.”
theHoundDawg
The NY Yankees, in their efforts to force patriotism on their fans, not only do not allow fans to leave their seats during the playing of the National Anthem before games and during the playing of God Bless America during the 7th-inning strech, but they go so far as to put up chains, preventing fans from moving about. No bathroon visits, no trips to concession stands, no going home. The scariest part of this, is that it is a policy carried out by a billionaire owner with a captive audience of lemmings who see nothing wrong with this absurd conduct, restricting the rights of the paying fan.
Well, that all ended today, thanks to a Boston Red Sox fan, who, after being forcibly removed from Yankee stadium by uniformed NYPD cops for daring to try to use the restroom during the playing of God Bless America, settled a lawsuit he had filed in Federal Court, against the Yankees and the City of New York.
As part of the settlement, with the Yankees and the City of New York agreeing that they could not, and would no longer, prevent fans from leaving their seats during God Bless America, the Red Sox fan received $10,000 in damages and $12,000 in legal fees. News reports note that the City of New York settled with the fan, due to him being physically removed from the stadium by two uniformed NYPD cops, one of whom who also said to him "Get out of my country.”
theHoundDawg
While We Were Away, Part 1
04/23/09 19:05 Filed in: Baseball
After being away from SoCal, and much of the sports world, for almost nine days, some random thoughts:
The Angel pitching woes just keep getting worse. Since April 14, they have now also lost Dustin Moseley, Darren Oliver, and Kevin Jepsen; Brian Fuentes, Scott Shields and Jose Arredondo have ERAs of 13.50, 14.40, and 7.20, respectively, and tonight they are starting Matt Palmer, whose Triple-A ERA this season was approaching 12. Paul Byrd, Pedro Martinez, and maybe the late Art Fowler, are you busy at the moment?
Manny is heating up, and the Dodgers are still in first place, despite one reliable starting pitcher. As I'm writing this, Chad Billingsley is on his way to becoming the first pitcher to reach 4-0.
I saw a game at SAFECO Field in Seattle, and it's a great place to watch a game. Friendly, really helpful staff, great food, and wonderful site lines, seating, and other accutremonts make it one of the best partks I've been to. As an aside, as I saw Mike Sweeney go 3-for-3, I commented to one of the people I was with what a great hitter he could have been if not for so many debilitating injuries the past few years. Then I saw that he got injured yet again the next night.
The scumstripes are feeling the pressure from so many empty premium seats, and, according to Yahoo Sports are considering lowering their pricing from the obsene $2625 price tags they have been trying to extort from the rich and famous. If they don't improve attendance, and revenue, it would be real nice if the scumstripes have their new house that greed built forclosed.
theHoundDawg
The Angel pitching woes just keep getting worse. Since April 14, they have now also lost Dustin Moseley, Darren Oliver, and Kevin Jepsen; Brian Fuentes, Scott Shields and Jose Arredondo have ERAs of 13.50, 14.40, and 7.20, respectively, and tonight they are starting Matt Palmer, whose Triple-A ERA this season was approaching 12. Paul Byrd, Pedro Martinez, and maybe the late Art Fowler, are you busy at the moment?
Manny is heating up, and the Dodgers are still in first place, despite one reliable starting pitcher. As I'm writing this, Chad Billingsley is on his way to becoming the first pitcher to reach 4-0.
I saw a game at SAFECO Field in Seattle, and it's a great place to watch a game. Friendly, really helpful staff, great food, and wonderful site lines, seating, and other accutremonts make it one of the best partks I've been to. As an aside, as I saw Mike Sweeney go 3-for-3, I commented to one of the people I was with what a great hitter he could have been if not for so many debilitating injuries the past few years. Then I saw that he got injured yet again the next night.
The scumstripes are feeling the pressure from so many empty premium seats, and, according to Yahoo Sports are considering lowering their pricing from the obsene $2625 price tags they have been trying to extort from the rich and famous. If they don't improve attendance, and revenue, it would be real nice if the scumstripes have their new house that greed built forclosed.
theHoundDawg
The Season Starts Sunday - This is How It Will End
04/03/09 21:31 Filed in: Baseball
AL 2009
Boston - A healthy Beckett and a return to form from Brad Penny, and the BoSox won't be caught.
Tampa - Last year was no fluke, but not enough with Boston in their division.
New York - More bucks, more losses. Girardi may not last the season. Pressure on Teixeira won't be pretty.
Toronto - Could have been vastly improved but for injuries to Marcum and McGowan.
Baltimore - By July, theHoundDawg may be their fourth starter.
Cleveland - Healthy Martinez, Hafner, and Pavano, and the Tribe is back.
Minnesota - Baker, Bonser and Neshek - too many injured pitchers.
Chicago - Would need BIG comebacks from too many to challenge.
Detroit - Best thing going is no more Sheffield, but pitching is too suspect
Kansas City - They seemed to be building on their young starters, but sending down Bannister and Hochevar while giving spots to Ramirez and Ponson are major steps backward.
Los Angeles - Second Best team in AL when healthy, and starting season with injuries to three starters should not effect division runaway.
Oakland - Much improved but too much depends on totally inexperienced starters.
Texas - As always, questionable pitching, but no longer the offensive machine of past few seasons.
Seattle - Ten more wins still means last place. Outfield was a disaster before Ichiro got sick.
Division series - Los Angeles over Tampa and Boston over Cleveland
Championship Series - Boston over Los Angeles
NL 2009
Los Angeles - Top-notch offense, defense, bullpen, but will go only as far as their starters will take them.
Arizona - Pretty much the same as with LA, but D'Backs have no Manny.
San Francisco - Reverse of division's top teams - starting pitching and lots of question marks. OF and catching are set, but that infield?
San Diego - Improved from last year, but young talent not ready to compete for top three spots.
Colorado - Not the power-laden team of the past, and questionable pitching depth, but biggest problem is no more Matt Holliday, plus Jeff Francis gone for the season.
Milwaukee - Outstanding offense and despite loss of Sabathia and Sheets, staff has good mix of savey, dependable vets and young talent.
St. Louis - Return of Chris Carpenter solidifies starters, but big voids in bullpen, and infield looks like Pujols and three guys from central casting. Glaus return from injury is always tenuous.
Chicago - No team depending on Milton Bradley and Rich Harden will ever win anything.
Houston - Only health, depth of starting staff keep then behind Cubs.
Cincinnati - Overrated pitching staff won't keep up with up-and-coming offense, plus too many questions in outfield.
Pittsburgh - Lots of young talent on the field, but lack of same on staff will keep them in cellar, unless Karstens and Ohlehdorf suddenly become major league pitchers.
Philadelphia - Improved pitching from start of season and except for Ibanez for Burrell, same team on field as last year's champs.
New York - Addition of great closer more than offset by signing of worst person in baseball, G. Sheffield.
Atlanta - Will go as far as totally revamped pitching will take them, plus rookie CF Jordan Schafer must be for real.
Florida - Health of returning starters, poor defense, big question marks at 3B and entire outfield, all point to disappointing season.
Washington - Addition of Adam Dunn not nearly enough.
Division series - Los Angeles over Milwaukee and Philadelphia over Arizona
Championship Series - Philadelphia over Los Angeles
Boston over Philadelphia in World Series
theHoundDawg
Boston - A healthy Beckett and a return to form from Brad Penny, and the BoSox won't be caught.
Tampa - Last year was no fluke, but not enough with Boston in their division.
New York - More bucks, more losses. Girardi may not last the season. Pressure on Teixeira won't be pretty.
Toronto - Could have been vastly improved but for injuries to Marcum and McGowan.
Baltimore - By July, theHoundDawg may be their fourth starter.
Cleveland - Healthy Martinez, Hafner, and Pavano, and the Tribe is back.
Minnesota - Baker, Bonser and Neshek - too many injured pitchers.
Chicago - Would need BIG comebacks from too many to challenge.
Detroit - Best thing going is no more Sheffield, but pitching is too suspect
Kansas City - They seemed to be building on their young starters, but sending down Bannister and Hochevar while giving spots to Ramirez and Ponson are major steps backward.
Los Angeles - Second Best team in AL when healthy, and starting season with injuries to three starters should not effect division runaway.
Oakland - Much improved but too much depends on totally inexperienced starters.
Texas - As always, questionable pitching, but no longer the offensive machine of past few seasons.
Seattle - Ten more wins still means last place. Outfield was a disaster before Ichiro got sick.
Division series - Los Angeles over Tampa and Boston over Cleveland
Championship Series - Boston over Los Angeles
NL 2009
Los Angeles - Top-notch offense, defense, bullpen, but will go only as far as their starters will take them.
Arizona - Pretty much the same as with LA, but D'Backs have no Manny.
San Francisco - Reverse of division's top teams - starting pitching and lots of question marks. OF and catching are set, but that infield?
San Diego - Improved from last year, but young talent not ready to compete for top three spots.
Colorado - Not the power-laden team of the past, and questionable pitching depth, but biggest problem is no more Matt Holliday, plus Jeff Francis gone for the season.
Milwaukee - Outstanding offense and despite loss of Sabathia and Sheets, staff has good mix of savey, dependable vets and young talent.
St. Louis - Return of Chris Carpenter solidifies starters, but big voids in bullpen, and infield looks like Pujols and three guys from central casting. Glaus return from injury is always tenuous.
Chicago - No team depending on Milton Bradley and Rich Harden will ever win anything.
Houston - Only health, depth of starting staff keep then behind Cubs.
Cincinnati - Overrated pitching staff won't keep up with up-and-coming offense, plus too many questions in outfield.
Pittsburgh - Lots of young talent on the field, but lack of same on staff will keep them in cellar, unless Karstens and Ohlehdorf suddenly become major league pitchers.
Philadelphia - Improved pitching from start of season and except for Ibanez for Burrell, same team on field as last year's champs.
New York - Addition of great closer more than offset by signing of worst person in baseball, G. Sheffield.
Atlanta - Will go as far as totally revamped pitching will take them, plus rookie CF Jordan Schafer must be for real.
Florida - Health of returning starters, poor defense, big question marks at 3B and entire outfield, all point to disappointing season.
Washington - Addition of Adam Dunn not nearly enough.
Division series - Los Angeles over Milwaukee and Philadelphia over Arizona
Championship Series - Philadelphia over Los Angeles
Boston over Philadelphia in World Series
theHoundDawg
nim-rod to Have Surgery - Will His "Cousin" Do It?
03/05/09 08:39 Filed in: Baseball
Word this morning is that nim-rod's hip (read "ass") is sore and he needs surgery and will miss at least the next ten weeks, which will include at least the WBC, the rest of the grueling spring training schedule, and hopefully much of the season.
'Roid medicos have said that a cyst like this is consistent with all those "roid" injections in the ass. Will his cousin actually do the surgery, like he did the injections, or will he just bring in the scalpels and band-aids, fresh off the streets of Santo Domingo?
Since I wrote about being unable to enjoy spring training, this is the second uplifting story to develop.
This video could have been shot in the scumstripes', or or the Giants', clubhouse:
theHoundDawg
'Roid medicos have said that a cyst like this is consistent with all those "roid" injections in the ass. Will his cousin actually do the surgery, like he did the injections, or will he just bring in the scalpels and band-aids, fresh off the streets of Santo Domingo?
Since I wrote about being unable to enjoy spring training, this is the second uplifting story to develop.
This video could have been shot in the scumstripes', or or the Giants', clubhouse:
theHoundDawg
We Should Be Enjoying Spring Training - Why Not?
03/01/09 15:54 Filed in: Baseball
We should be enjoying spring training - seeing the prospects play above their heads, visions of "This Year" in our heads, the thought of Opening Day!
But we are not; at least, I'm not.
What am I thinking about?
The hole in left field and in the batting order, that may only be filled by paying out as much as $55 million over the next two years to the spawn of Scott Boras. The stigma of steroids that has totally eveloped baseball. Jim Bowden's resignation in light of allegations of skimming of bonus money from third world prospects. The scumstripes new rotation. The Dodgers no longer in Vero Beach. The Brad Penny-Larry Bowa he-said-he-said absurdity.
Some things are, however, as they normally are: Andruw Jones struck out in eight of his first nine abs with Texas and Milton Bradley is injured.
Somehow, that's just not enough to make it good.
theHoundDawg
But we are not; at least, I'm not.
What am I thinking about?
The hole in left field and in the batting order, that may only be filled by paying out as much as $55 million over the next two years to the spawn of Scott Boras. The stigma of steroids that has totally eveloped baseball. Jim Bowden's resignation in light of allegations of skimming of bonus money from third world prospects. The scumstripes new rotation. The Dodgers no longer in Vero Beach. The Brad Penny-Larry Bowa he-said-he-said absurdity.
Some things are, however, as they normally are: Andruw Jones struck out in eight of his first nine abs with Texas and Milton Bradley is injured.
Somehow, that's just not enough to make it good.
theHoundDawg
Scumstripe Legacy - The House that 'Roids Built
02/18/09 08:29 Filed in: Baseball
Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens, Jason Giambi, nim-rod, the list goes on.
Forget about the Mets' "Citi Field", the new Bronx stadium needs to be named "The House that 'Roids Built"
In listening the nim-rod yesterday, what struck me the most was his continual excuse of him being “young and stupid”. “Young and stupid” may be an excuse for a lot of things, and for a lot of people, especially people who are young, who are stupid, and who are struggling to get by in society - what nim-rod conveniently left out was the fact that while he and his "cousin" were young and stupid and injecting "unknown" substances into their bodies (for three years), mr. nim-rod was making $20 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR! For that kind of money, you hire someone not young and not stupid, to provide some intelligent direction to your life, your career, your choice of injectables.
And exactly where were the team coaching, training, and medical staffs when all this was going on?
theHoundDawg
Forget about the Mets' "Citi Field", the new Bronx stadium needs to be named "The House that 'Roids Built"
In listening the nim-rod yesterday, what struck me the most was his continual excuse of him being “young and stupid”. “Young and stupid” may be an excuse for a lot of things, and for a lot of people, especially people who are young, who are stupid, and who are struggling to get by in society - what nim-rod conveniently left out was the fact that while he and his "cousin" were young and stupid and injecting "unknown" substances into their bodies (for three years), mr. nim-rod was making $20 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR! For that kind of money, you hire someone not young and not stupid, to provide some intelligent direction to your life, your career, your choice of injectables.
And exactly where were the team coaching, training, and medical staffs when all this was going on?
theHoundDawg
Scumstripe a-rod is a Liar and a Cheat
02/09/09 11:09 Filed in: Baseball
With the report of a-rod's positive 2003 test for illegal steroid use, we had to go back and post the video of his interview with Katie Couric, where he DENIED ever using the stuff:
Breaking News
See Peter Gammons' exclusive interview tonight on ESPN Sportscenter
where rodriguez admits to three years of illegal steroid use!
theHoundDawg
See Peter Gammons' exclusive interview tonight on ESPN Sportscenter
where rodriguez admits to three years of illegal steroid use!
theHoundDawg
Baseball (read "scumstripes") Insanity Hurts Only the True Fans
12/24/08 20:40 Filed in: Baseball
All across the blogosphere and, seemingly, the entire net, scumstripe fanatics are laying claim to having won the 2009 World Series.
NY Daily News Blogger Jesse Spector, and others, are pulling for more deadsteinbrenner dollars to sign Manny, for added insurance for this inevitability. While you're at it, Pat Burrell and Adam Dunn are still available, and so is Trevor Hoffman. How about Milton Bradley, and Joe Crede? There's also Ken Griffy and Jim Edmonds, as well. Just sign everyone out there, and continue your efforts to destroy major league baseball. As the bronx pseudo-brain surgeons (sorry, sc) continue their best efforts to price real fans out of major league stadiums, the rest of mlb, and probably even Scott Boras, sit dumbfounded.
This holiday season, I'm thankful that the Cashmans and Steinbrenners, and the others pulling the scumstripe strings are such incompetents. If anyone with actual baseball knowledge or expertise had that kind of $$$$$ to spend, they would be working on a string of world championships, rather than acting out of desperation to crawl back into the playoffs.
With over 100 free agents still unsigned, two things are for sure: teams will continue to overpay, and overpay considerably, for mediocre talent, and it's far too early to make any 2009 predictions.
Oh, and by the way, Manny will re-sign with the Dodgers.
theHoundDawg
NY Daily News Blogger Jesse Spector, and others, are pulling for more deadsteinbrenner dollars to sign Manny, for added insurance for this inevitability. While you're at it, Pat Burrell and Adam Dunn are still available, and so is Trevor Hoffman. How about Milton Bradley, and Joe Crede? There's also Ken Griffy and Jim Edmonds, as well. Just sign everyone out there, and continue your efforts to destroy major league baseball. As the bronx pseudo-brain surgeons (sorry, sc) continue their best efforts to price real fans out of major league stadiums, the rest of mlb, and probably even Scott Boras, sit dumbfounded.
This holiday season, I'm thankful that the Cashmans and Steinbrenners, and the others pulling the scumstripe strings are such incompetents. If anyone with actual baseball knowledge or expertise had that kind of $$$$$ to spend, they would be working on a string of world championships, rather than acting out of desperation to crawl back into the playoffs.
With over 100 free agents still unsigned, two things are for sure: teams will continue to overpay, and overpay considerably, for mediocre talent, and it's far too early to make any 2009 predictions.
Oh, and by the way, Manny will re-sign with the Dodgers.
theHoundDawg
Not Sure What the Angels Are Planning, But Giving Up on Teixeira is Wrong Move
12/23/08 12:02 Filed in: Baseball
The Angels cut off Frankie R and have a giant hole at Closer. For years, they nursed Casey Kotchman along through false starts, injuries, and illness, and just as he became a consistent major league regular, they traded him for the 2 month rental rights to Mark Teixeira. That would have been a solid deal if they retained Teixeira's rights beyond last October, but they did not, and now they have ended their efforts to resign him, leaving Kendry Morales as the number one roster candidate to play first base.
The rest of the infield is solid and deep, as is catching. If Kelvim Escobar comes back healthy, despite the loss of Jon Garland, the starting staff is still solid, as is the outfield. But, those big holes at first and in the bullpen could mean another disappointing season in southeast LA.
If Bill Stoneman were still in charge, you'd have to think he had a plan B lying in wait. But, Tony Reagins has no track record yet, and while he seems to have learned pretty well from Stoneman, what he and Arte do in the next few weeks will be keys not only to the 2009 season, but the Angels long-range success with Reagins at the personnel helm.
theHoundDawg
Edit - not 60 seconds after publishing this post, I heard ESPN report that Mark Teixeira had agreed to terms on a contract with the scumstripes of the bronx. Crap.
The rest of the infield is solid and deep, as is catching. If Kelvim Escobar comes back healthy, despite the loss of Jon Garland, the starting staff is still solid, as is the outfield. But, those big holes at first and in the bullpen could mean another disappointing season in southeast LA.
If Bill Stoneman were still in charge, you'd have to think he had a plan B lying in wait. But, Tony Reagins has no track record yet, and while he seems to have learned pretty well from Stoneman, what he and Arte do in the next few weeks will be keys not only to the 2009 season, but the Angels long-range success with Reagins at the personnel helm.
theHoundDawg
Edit - not 60 seconds after publishing this post, I heard ESPN report that Mark Teixeira had agreed to terms on a contract with the scumstripes of the bronx. Crap.