The big chips are yet to fall. And we're all on the edge of our seats waiting...
Carlos Beltran may have already been dealt to the Giants, but I'm not going to count it as a long-term meaningful move. The Giants acknowledge they'll get Beltran for three months, and then he'll be back on the market trying to get way more money than he's worth. Done deal. It helps them in the short term, but there hasn't been a franchise shifting move made just yet.
Here are the top 5 players that could still be dealt, at least in my estimation:
1. Hunter Pence, Astros
I'll say he stays in Houston. The Phillies will have to get a third team involved and give away too much to get him in the long run. And after all, is Hunter Pence really worth your best pitching AND hitting prospect? The Braves don't want to include ANY of the top pitching prospects in the deal (at least from what we can gather), and no one else has the juice to make it happen. So, my guess is Pence wears an Astros uniform the rest of the year. Too bad for him.
2. Heath Bell, Padres
Time to get your ass in gear, San Diego. Fat relief pitchers don't tend to hold their value for very long, and Bell's clock could already be running. Mark my word, he will be moved before the deadline, most likely to the Rangers, or (gulp) Phillies. If the Pence deal falls through for Philadelphia, you can bet the phone will be ringing in San Diego...because the Phil's bullpen sucks on paper. The only holdup appears to be San Diego's clubhouse sudden shift into a shopping center (the whole team seems to be on the block). They haven't made a deal yet, but the change of address forms are next to the pregame meal.
3. Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies
I'll put Jimenez into the "I don't care where he ends up" category, mainly because the Yankees and Red Sox appear to be the two main teams in the mix. The Reds suddenly find themselves out of contention, and I have a hard time believing that Cleveland is seriously in the mix, despite some reports to the contrary. On top of that, he's been so-so at best since the All-Star break last season. 6-9 this season with a 4.20 ERA. Probably not a guy I'd give up the farm for at this point.
4. BJ Upton, Rays
Quickly becoming "overlooked" in the trade market. It sounds like Upton has some baggage that at least a few clubs aren't willing to take on, and is in the midst of a season where he is hitting just .228 with a .309 OBP. Not tremendous for a lead-off hitter. The only reasons the Rays seem to be shopping BJ are his salary, which will become too much for Tampa in the coming years, and the emergence of Desmond Jennings behind him. I don't think TB will get a great proposal for Upton, and he remains a Ray.
5. Hiroki Kuroda, Dodgers
Sounds like he will be traded, and I could care less. Why? He's 6-13 (an awful record, even considering where he pitches), and his two likely destinations are Boston and New York. See above for more.
The "Sleepers" that could be on the move: Aramis Ramirez, Cubs; Michael Bourne, Astros; Josh Willingham, A's. For the first time today, Ramirez indicated he might be willing to waive his no trade clause for the right destination. For all the Cubs' fans out there, I hope they can find him a home. Another difference maker could be RP Mike Adams of the Padres- he's got great stuff out of the bullpen.
It's time for the shoe to drop. Lets get moving on this thing.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
The Braves Need A Bat....Badly
Brian McCann is out for a month. Chipper Jones is day-to-day with a multitude of injuries. Jason Heyward is in a season long slump. Martin Prado hasn't performed well since coming off the DL. Nate McLouth and Alex Gonzalez suck at the plate. Need I say more?
The Braves will make the playoffs. There's almost no question of that. Their pitching alone is enough to carry them into the postseason, but if Atlanta wants to avoid another early exit in October, they'll need to add another legitimate (preferably right-handed) bat to their lineup. They'll also need at least two of the guys mentioned above to snap out of it and start hitting.
With Colby Rasmus heading to the Jays, and all signs pointing to Beltran going to the Mets (thank god- at least the Braves didn't end up with the most over-rated and over-paid player in NY Mets history), it's time to dig deep and get a deal done. Atlanta has been reluctant to move any of their top four pitching prospects (Minor, Tehran, Vizciaino, Delgado), but as long as you get someone in return that will be around for more than three months, it might be time to pull the trigger. Here are four scenarios that will play out well for Atlanta fans. We'll call the group of four pitchers listed earlier as the "First-Tier" prospects, and everyone else in the system a "Second-Tier" prospect for the purposes of this discussion.
1. Braves send 1 first-tier and 3 second-tier prospects to Houston for OF Hunter Pence
It's the best case scenario for the Braves, but will cost them a ton to pull off. The package I've listed might not even be enough to get the job done. Look, Pence is still under club control for two more years, and is one of the most electric players that is available. He's a legit middle of the order bat, plays good defense, and is an all-around great person (at least according to everything I've heard). He plays right field, which created somewhat of a positional problem in the OF, but either Pence or Heyward are capable of playing in center with some work. If you're going to have to give up a haul to get a bat, give up more and get a good one.
2. Braves send a first-tier and a second-tier prospect to Houston for OF Michael Bourne
He'll bring speed, defense, and be a legitimate lead-off hitter. A little bit bigger risk, just because you'll need your other guys to hit behind him. The Astros are much more likely to part with Bourne than Pence, and it fills a dual role.
3. Braves send 3-second tier prospects to the Rays for OF BJ Upton
Not my favorite proposal. He only has one year of arbitration left, and will be looking at a raise from $4.85 million. And, despite hitting 15 HR this year and over 50 RBI's, he only sports a .227 BA. The Braves need guys to get on base more consistently, and Upton's a career .250 hitter with a .702 OPS. There's just something about Upton that makes me a little uncomfortable, but he'd be an upgrade over what is in place now. I'm just not sure he's enough to push this team over the top.
3. Braves send 2 first-tier and 2-second tier prospects to the Baltimore for OF Adam Jones
You're giving up the farm, but you're getting an All-Star outfielder coming into the prime of his career in return. He's under club control for two more years, and is showing signs of becoming a top-tier outfielder in the game. He makes $3.25 million this year, and will be due raises through arbitration the next two seasons. If you're going to give up so much, get the best guy back you can. Jones may fit that bill.
It's time for Frank Wren to roll up his sleeves and make a deal. I'm excited to see what he has planned.
The Braves will make the playoffs. There's almost no question of that. Their pitching alone is enough to carry them into the postseason, but if Atlanta wants to avoid another early exit in October, they'll need to add another legitimate (preferably right-handed) bat to their lineup. They'll also need at least two of the guys mentioned above to snap out of it and start hitting.
With Colby Rasmus heading to the Jays, and all signs pointing to Beltran going to the Mets (thank god- at least the Braves didn't end up with the most over-rated and over-paid player in NY Mets history), it's time to dig deep and get a deal done. Atlanta has been reluctant to move any of their top four pitching prospects (Minor, Tehran, Vizciaino, Delgado), but as long as you get someone in return that will be around for more than three months, it might be time to pull the trigger. Here are four scenarios that will play out well for Atlanta fans. We'll call the group of four pitchers listed earlier as the "First-Tier" prospects, and everyone else in the system a "Second-Tier" prospect for the purposes of this discussion.
1. Braves send 1 first-tier and 3 second-tier prospects to Houston for OF Hunter Pence
It's the best case scenario for the Braves, but will cost them a ton to pull off. The package I've listed might not even be enough to get the job done. Look, Pence is still under club control for two more years, and is one of the most electric players that is available. He's a legit middle of the order bat, plays good defense, and is an all-around great person (at least according to everything I've heard). He plays right field, which created somewhat of a positional problem in the OF, but either Pence or Heyward are capable of playing in center with some work. If you're going to have to give up a haul to get a bat, give up more and get a good one.
 |
| Could Hunter Pence be Atlanta bound? |
He'll bring speed, defense, and be a legitimate lead-off hitter. A little bit bigger risk, just because you'll need your other guys to hit behind him. The Astros are much more likely to part with Bourne than Pence, and it fills a dual role.
3. Braves send 3-second tier prospects to the Rays for OF BJ Upton
Not my favorite proposal. He only has one year of arbitration left, and will be looking at a raise from $4.85 million. And, despite hitting 15 HR this year and over 50 RBI's, he only sports a .227 BA. The Braves need guys to get on base more consistently, and Upton's a career .250 hitter with a .702 OPS. There's just something about Upton that makes me a little uncomfortable, but he'd be an upgrade over what is in place now. I'm just not sure he's enough to push this team over the top.
3. Braves send 2 first-tier and 2-second tier prospects to the Baltimore for OF Adam Jones
You're giving up the farm, but you're getting an All-Star outfielder coming into the prime of his career in return. He's under club control for two more years, and is showing signs of becoming a top-tier outfielder in the game. He makes $3.25 million this year, and will be due raises through arbitration the next two seasons. If you're going to give up so much, get the best guy back you can. Jones may fit that bill.
It's time for Frank Wren to roll up his sleeves and make a deal. I'm excited to see what he has planned.
Friday, July 22, 2011
The North Side Solution
10 days to the MLB trade deadline and counting... (had to get that out of the way)
First of all, sorry for no post yesterday- I really wanted to put some time into this one, as I know its a topic a lot of readers deeply care about. After examining the contenders in the NL Central the last two days, I thought it would be fun to take a look at a non-contender and see how to fix them...
The Cubs suck. End of story. Might be the worst team in all of baseball.
I should probably qualify that last comment- even though the Cubs may have a better record than some other clubs (take the Astros for example), when you look at the whole picture - record, financial situation, prospectus, farm system - they are, in my opinion, the worst team in baseball.
The bad news for all you North Siders out there is no quick fix. The club has tried that in the past, and have ended up doing nothing more than digging a deeper hole. At this point, it's time to stomach the truth...it's going to have to be a full-scale rebuild.
I know a lot of the Cubbie faithful are screaming for Mike Quade's job, blaming the skipper for the Cubs' woes. You've got to remember- it's not his fault. He's only been there one season, and is more than capable of managing a big league club. He's the perfect guy to lead your rebuilding effort- a relatively young, fresh manager that doesn't have any preconceived notions. I met him a few times when he managed the AAA team here in Iowa- trust me when I say Quade isn't the problem.
The point of this post isn't to point the finger, but if you're looking to the guilty party, you need not look any further than the front office. The CONTRACTS are the problem. For about a ten year period, the Cubs gave outrageous contracts to players that either weren't worth the money in the first place, or had yet to display any kind of sustained promise. Jim Hendry will be done at the end of next season (if not sooner), but in his defense, a lot of the damage was already done when he took office.
Time to get constructive- so how do we fix this thing? Well, take a look at each position- for each spot, I've broken down who is there now, and the top option that is available to the Cubs from here forward. The Cubs current payroll is around $135 million - way too high for a team that doesn't have a legitimate All-Star player. Remember- reasonable contracts and payroll flexibility are going to be key in rebuilding this team. The biggest reason they ended up where there are now is they can't make any deals because of how awful the contracts are. Here's the way I see it:
First Base
Currently: Carlos Pena
Pena is a nice player. Probably not a guy thats ever going to hit .300 with 30 home runs and 100 RBI's, but he's not a bad piece. Ideally, you'd like to get a little more production out of your first baseman, but Pena at first is a lot better option (by a long shot) than some of the other guys in their spots on the field. Pena's contract is very manageable: 1 year, $10 million, no strings attached. For a veteran player that's hit 20 HR's and 51 RBI's, despite just a .227 BA, it's not an awful deal. If the Cubs have to re-sign Pena for another year or two, it's not the end of the world. The bad news for Pena is that 1B is the spot where the Cubs can make the biggest improvement right away.
Best Case Scenario: Prince Fielder signs as a free-agent following the season
I know most Cubs fans are wondering, "Why not Pujols?" Lets be honest- chances Albert leaves St. Louis: about 10 percent. Chances Fielder leaves Milwaukee: about 100 percent. Yes, it would be nice to get Albert into a Cubs uniform, but do you remember that thing I mentioned earlier about bad contracts? Yeah, it's going to take a doozy to get Pujols. Although he's been one of the best players in the game, he's going to be coming out of his peak years as opposed to going into them, and 8-10 years at close to $30 million a year is too much to ask. Fielder will demand big money as well, but at least he's a younger player that might come a little bit cheaper. He's still going to be a $20 million plus per year type guy, but it's a much better gamble then 10 years to a star thats on the wrong side of 30. Fielder could be the centerpiece of the Cubs lineup for years to come. You have to at least roll the dice on him.
One side note- if you can't get Fielder, Bryan LeHair has been on fire at AAA Iowa this year...he wouldn't be an awful option at 1B, but he's probably not a franchise altering player.
Second Base
Currently: Darwin Barney, Jeff Baker, Blake DeWitt, and several other warm bodies
It's been second base by committee for a while on the North Side, and the final answer may finally be coming into place. Barney is the future- he's managed to hit .299 so far in his first major league season with an OPS of close to .700. He has only struck out 36 times in 314 PA this season, and plays decently in the field. He won't blow you away with his power numbers (just 1 HR this year), but how many teams rely on their second baseman for 25 home runs?
Best Case Scenario: Darwin Barney
He's a first year player that will be under club control for years to come. An option that's both cheap and high quality. SO, WHEN THE PHILLIES CALL OFFERING UP CHASE UTLEY- DONT DO IT! The old Cubs would have said yes, the new Cubs will say no.
Shortstop
Currently- Starlin Castro
I'm not even going to spend any time on this one. He's the best young player in the system, and won't even be arbitration eligible until next season. You can't possibly do any better here.
Best Case Scenario- See above.
Third Base
Currently: Aramis Ramirez
Our first pink elephant in the room. David Kaplan from ComCast Sports Chicago told me the other day he wouldn't keep Ramirez if I offered to pay his salary. He won't approve a trade, likely because he's lazy and doesn't want the responsibility of playing for a contender. Barring a small miracle, the Cubs will be stuck with him for the rest of the year, and luckily, no longer. He was once a top-5 third baseman, but those days are long gone. He's worn out his welcome in Chicago- get rid of him ASAP.
Best Case Scenario: ???
It's the weakest position in the majors right now, with guys like Chipper Jones and David Wright battling injuries and winding down careers. There are a few options in the minors- Josh Vitters could be useful some day, and Marquez Smith is on the DL right now at AAA Iowa, but can contribute at the major-league level. Blake DeWitt can slide over and play a decent third base, but he's probably not ready to be an everyday player just yet. Bottom line, is clear out Ramirez' $14.6 million salary, and you've got some money to play with elsewhere.
Catcher
Currently: Geovany Soto
Trade him. He's still has two years of arbitration left before he becomes a free agent, and after making $3 million this year, he'll be due a raise despite hitting just .238 with 8 HR and 24 RBI's so far this season. He's striking out once every four times he comes to the plate, and has been somewhat of an injury concern. He's only hitting .268 in his career, and just hasn't come around like most of the fans hoped he would. He's now 28 years old, and not getting any younger. Soto is the perfect example of a "change of scenery might do him some good" type player. There will be someone that will give you a prospect in return- take it. Same story with Koyie Hill. Time to make a change.
Best Case Scenario: Wellington Castillo from AAA Iowa
He made his first All-Star team at the AAA level this season. He's got a great arm, and plays solid defense. The bat still has a little ways to go, but I don't think you'll lose much offensively from what you were getting with Soto. Keep working with Castillo, and you might end up with a nice, cheap piece for years to come.
Outfield
Currently: Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd, Kosuke Fukudome
I'd keep Marlon Byrd, at least he plays the game the right way. And he makes just $6.5 million next season, a relative bargain for the potential he brings.
The rest of the outfield is the laughing stock of the league. I made a case for Yuniesky Betancourt being the worst everyday player in the majors a few days ago, but Soriano gives him a run for his money. And at least Betancourt isn't making $19 million a year. Soriano may be a great guy (at least according to David Kaplan), but he's been regarded as the worst defender in the game for several years, and now he can't run anymore and can't hit. He's essentially become a $19 million black hole in left field. If he's this bad now, imagine what he'll be like in three years, when his contract finally expires. There's no question that the contract the Cubs gave him will go down as the worst in major league history.
Soriano recently said he'd be open to a trade. Most baseball types think (and I agree) his contract will be a major obstacle- after all, who wants to pay $60 million for a guy that can't hit, run, or play defense besides the Cubs? They'll have to eat a lot of it, and I mean probably $40-$50 million, to get someone to bite, but they should still do it. The other option is to pay the full amount to have him ride the pine.
Fukudome is in the same boat. $14.5 million this year is way to much to pay for a guy that is, at best, a mediocre fourth outfielder. There have been some rumors floating around that teams might be interested in acquiring Fukudome for a stretch run, and if that's the case, then unload him now. If the Cubs decide to keep Fukudome, then he'll have to take a major pay cut to be the fourth outfielder.
Best case scenario: Marlon Byrd, Brett Jackson, and a FA Outfielder
Byrd is in place for at least one more year. Brett Jackson is the top prospect in the system, and just got promoted to AAA. He should be ready by the start of next year. Keep Fukudome as a fourth outfielder if you want. The key will be signing a decent FA outfielder to a REASONABLE contract. The FA class doesn't blow you away, but there are some guys that can contribute. Depending on where Carlos Beltran ends up after July 31 of this year, he could be an option for a few seasons, so long as you could sign him to a reasonable deal. Josh Willingham is another quality option that could come at an affordable price. Otherwise, guys like Ryan Ludwick or Cody Ross could plug a hole for a year while you try to find a long-term solution.
Pitching
Currently: Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, Big Z, Randy Wells, Rodrigo Lopez
I like Garza- $5.9 million this season with two years of arbitration left. I'd stay with him. I even like Dempster at $14 million next season- it's more than what he's worth, but outside of a terrible start, he's pitched like a solid #2. If you can trade Zambrano, do it. If not, he has one season left at $19 million (awful), but his 2013 option isn't likely to vest (he has to finish in the top 4 in Cy Young voting in 2012- dont think so). Randy Wells is a decent fifth starter, but nothing more. Lopez is simply filling a need right now.
Best case scenario: Garza, Dempster, and three more...
The farm system is loaded with arms right now. Trey McNutt, Chris Carpenter, Jay Jackson, and Hayden Simpson are all players that could contribute at the major league level someday. They'll all be arriving at different times, so you may need to grab a FA starter, but nothing major. The key with pitching is to stay patient and wait for the guys in the system to develop.
So that's a look at the Cubs and one potential fix. Around the horn, the club would look like this on opening day:
C- Wellington Castillo
1B- Prince Fielder
2B- Darwin Barney
SS- Starlin Castro
3B- Blake DeWitt / Marquez Smith
OF- Marlon Byrd
OF- Brett Jackson
OF- Josh Willingham./Ryan Ludwick/other FA
P- Ryan Dempster/Matt Garza
Not only does that lineup look better on paper, but much easier on the checkbook.
First of all, sorry for no post yesterday- I really wanted to put some time into this one, as I know its a topic a lot of readers deeply care about. After examining the contenders in the NL Central the last two days, I thought it would be fun to take a look at a non-contender and see how to fix them...
The Cubs suck. End of story. Might be the worst team in all of baseball.
I should probably qualify that last comment- even though the Cubs may have a better record than some other clubs (take the Astros for example), when you look at the whole picture - record, financial situation, prospectus, farm system - they are, in my opinion, the worst team in baseball.
The bad news for all you North Siders out there is no quick fix. The club has tried that in the past, and have ended up doing nothing more than digging a deeper hole. At this point, it's time to stomach the truth...it's going to have to be a full-scale rebuild.
The point of this post isn't to point the finger, but if you're looking to the guilty party, you need not look any further than the front office. The CONTRACTS are the problem. For about a ten year period, the Cubs gave outrageous contracts to players that either weren't worth the money in the first place, or had yet to display any kind of sustained promise. Jim Hendry will be done at the end of next season (if not sooner), but in his defense, a lot of the damage was already done when he took office.
Time to get constructive- so how do we fix this thing? Well, take a look at each position- for each spot, I've broken down who is there now, and the top option that is available to the Cubs from here forward. The Cubs current payroll is around $135 million - way too high for a team that doesn't have a legitimate All-Star player. Remember- reasonable contracts and payroll flexibility are going to be key in rebuilding this team. The biggest reason they ended up where there are now is they can't make any deals because of how awful the contracts are. Here's the way I see it:
First Base
Currently: Carlos Pena
Pena is a nice player. Probably not a guy thats ever going to hit .300 with 30 home runs and 100 RBI's, but he's not a bad piece. Ideally, you'd like to get a little more production out of your first baseman, but Pena at first is a lot better option (by a long shot) than some of the other guys in their spots on the field. Pena's contract is very manageable: 1 year, $10 million, no strings attached. For a veteran player that's hit 20 HR's and 51 RBI's, despite just a .227 BA, it's not an awful deal. If the Cubs have to re-sign Pena for another year or two, it's not the end of the world. The bad news for Pena is that 1B is the spot where the Cubs can make the biggest improvement right away.
Best Case Scenario: Prince Fielder signs as a free-agent following the season
I know most Cubs fans are wondering, "Why not Pujols?" Lets be honest- chances Albert leaves St. Louis: about 10 percent. Chances Fielder leaves Milwaukee: about 100 percent. Yes, it would be nice to get Albert into a Cubs uniform, but do you remember that thing I mentioned earlier about bad contracts? Yeah, it's going to take a doozy to get Pujols. Although he's been one of the best players in the game, he's going to be coming out of his peak years as opposed to going into them, and 8-10 years at close to $30 million a year is too much to ask. Fielder will demand big money as well, but at least he's a younger player that might come a little bit cheaper. He's still going to be a $20 million plus per year type guy, but it's a much better gamble then 10 years to a star thats on the wrong side of 30. Fielder could be the centerpiece of the Cubs lineup for years to come. You have to at least roll the dice on him.
One side note- if you can't get Fielder, Bryan LeHair has been on fire at AAA Iowa this year...he wouldn't be an awful option at 1B, but he's probably not a franchise altering player.
Second Base
Currently: Darwin Barney, Jeff Baker, Blake DeWitt, and several other warm bodies
It's been second base by committee for a while on the North Side, and the final answer may finally be coming into place. Barney is the future- he's managed to hit .299 so far in his first major league season with an OPS of close to .700. He has only struck out 36 times in 314 PA this season, and plays decently in the field. He won't blow you away with his power numbers (just 1 HR this year), but how many teams rely on their second baseman for 25 home runs?
Best Case Scenario: Darwin Barney
He's a first year player that will be under club control for years to come. An option that's both cheap and high quality. SO, WHEN THE PHILLIES CALL OFFERING UP CHASE UTLEY- DONT DO IT! The old Cubs would have said yes, the new Cubs will say no.
Shortstop
Currently- Starlin Castro
I'm not even going to spend any time on this one. He's the best young player in the system, and won't even be arbitration eligible until next season. You can't possibly do any better here.
Best Case Scenario- See above.
Third Base
Currently: Aramis Ramirez
Our first pink elephant in the room. David Kaplan from ComCast Sports Chicago told me the other day he wouldn't keep Ramirez if I offered to pay his salary. He won't approve a trade, likely because he's lazy and doesn't want the responsibility of playing for a contender. Barring a small miracle, the Cubs will be stuck with him for the rest of the year, and luckily, no longer. He was once a top-5 third baseman, but those days are long gone. He's worn out his welcome in Chicago- get rid of him ASAP.
Best Case Scenario: ???
It's the weakest position in the majors right now, with guys like Chipper Jones and David Wright battling injuries and winding down careers. There are a few options in the minors- Josh Vitters could be useful some day, and Marquez Smith is on the DL right now at AAA Iowa, but can contribute at the major-league level. Blake DeWitt can slide over and play a decent third base, but he's probably not ready to be an everyday player just yet. Bottom line, is clear out Ramirez' $14.6 million salary, and you've got some money to play with elsewhere.
Catcher
Currently: Geovany Soto
Trade him. He's still has two years of arbitration left before he becomes a free agent, and after making $3 million this year, he'll be due a raise despite hitting just .238 with 8 HR and 24 RBI's so far this season. He's striking out once every four times he comes to the plate, and has been somewhat of an injury concern. He's only hitting .268 in his career, and just hasn't come around like most of the fans hoped he would. He's now 28 years old, and not getting any younger. Soto is the perfect example of a "change of scenery might do him some good" type player. There will be someone that will give you a prospect in return- take it. Same story with Koyie Hill. Time to make a change.
Best Case Scenario: Wellington Castillo from AAA Iowa
He made his first All-Star team at the AAA level this season. He's got a great arm, and plays solid defense. The bat still has a little ways to go, but I don't think you'll lose much offensively from what you were getting with Soto. Keep working with Castillo, and you might end up with a nice, cheap piece for years to come.
Outfield
Currently: Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd, Kosuke Fukudome
I'd keep Marlon Byrd, at least he plays the game the right way. And he makes just $6.5 million next season, a relative bargain for the potential he brings.
The rest of the outfield is the laughing stock of the league. I made a case for Yuniesky Betancourt being the worst everyday player in the majors a few days ago, but Soriano gives him a run for his money. And at least Betancourt isn't making $19 million a year. Soriano may be a great guy (at least according to David Kaplan), but he's been regarded as the worst defender in the game for several years, and now he can't run anymore and can't hit. He's essentially become a $19 million black hole in left field. If he's this bad now, imagine what he'll be like in three years, when his contract finally expires. There's no question that the contract the Cubs gave him will go down as the worst in major league history.
Soriano recently said he'd be open to a trade. Most baseball types think (and I agree) his contract will be a major obstacle- after all, who wants to pay $60 million for a guy that can't hit, run, or play defense besides the Cubs? They'll have to eat a lot of it, and I mean probably $40-$50 million, to get someone to bite, but they should still do it. The other option is to pay the full amount to have him ride the pine.
Fukudome is in the same boat. $14.5 million this year is way to much to pay for a guy that is, at best, a mediocre fourth outfielder. There have been some rumors floating around that teams might be interested in acquiring Fukudome for a stretch run, and if that's the case, then unload him now. If the Cubs decide to keep Fukudome, then he'll have to take a major pay cut to be the fourth outfielder.
Best case scenario: Marlon Byrd, Brett Jackson, and a FA Outfielder
Byrd is in place for at least one more year. Brett Jackson is the top prospect in the system, and just got promoted to AAA. He should be ready by the start of next year. Keep Fukudome as a fourth outfielder if you want. The key will be signing a decent FA outfielder to a REASONABLE contract. The FA class doesn't blow you away, but there are some guys that can contribute. Depending on where Carlos Beltran ends up after July 31 of this year, he could be an option for a few seasons, so long as you could sign him to a reasonable deal. Josh Willingham is another quality option that could come at an affordable price. Otherwise, guys like Ryan Ludwick or Cody Ross could plug a hole for a year while you try to find a long-term solution.
Pitching
Currently: Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, Big Z, Randy Wells, Rodrigo Lopez
I like Garza- $5.9 million this season with two years of arbitration left. I'd stay with him. I even like Dempster at $14 million next season- it's more than what he's worth, but outside of a terrible start, he's pitched like a solid #2. If you can trade Zambrano, do it. If not, he has one season left at $19 million (awful), but his 2013 option isn't likely to vest (he has to finish in the top 4 in Cy Young voting in 2012- dont think so). Randy Wells is a decent fifth starter, but nothing more. Lopez is simply filling a need right now.
Best case scenario: Garza, Dempster, and three more...
The farm system is loaded with arms right now. Trey McNutt, Chris Carpenter, Jay Jackson, and Hayden Simpson are all players that could contribute at the major league level someday. They'll all be arriving at different times, so you may need to grab a FA starter, but nothing major. The key with pitching is to stay patient and wait for the guys in the system to develop.
So that's a look at the Cubs and one potential fix. Around the horn, the club would look like this on opening day:
C- Wellington Castillo
1B- Prince Fielder
2B- Darwin Barney
SS- Starlin Castro
3B- Blake DeWitt / Marquez Smith
OF- Marlon Byrd
OF- Brett Jackson
OF- Josh Willingham./Ryan Ludwick/other FA
P- Ryan Dempster/Matt Garza
Not only does that lineup look better on paper, but much easier on the checkbook.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
MLB Trade Deadline- 12 days and counting...
Keeping with the spirit of yesterday's post, I thought I'd take a look at another club in the NL Central that is in the mix to win it- the Milwaukee Brewers.
Biggest team need: Infield (SS)
Take a look around the diamond at a Brewers game- you've got NL MVP front-runner Prince Fielder at 1B, All-Star 2B Rickie Weeks, All-Star OF Ryan Braun, a power threat in OF Corey Hart, and a few other serviceable players. Then you get to SS, and find the guy that might be the worst everyday player in the majors, Yuniesky Betancourt.
The Brewers have to win now. Prince Fielder is likely on his way out via free agency. The farm is bare after the team stripped the system to trade for Zach Grienke and Shawn Marcum. They just brought in Francisco Rodriguez, who will also likely leave, being a free-agent after this season. Trotting a guy out to short-stop everyday that probably shouldn't even be in the majors seems to run contradictory to the plan.
Betancourt is hitting a mere .239 this season with only 30 RBI's, and a OPS of just .600. His OPS ranks him near the bottom of MLB SS...not trying to be hard on the guy, but it's tough to have such a gaping hole in your lineup (the Brewers also have to deal with Casey McGehee and his sub .600 OPS) and be a contender.
The good news is given who is manning position 6 right now, pretty much anything is an upgrade.
Matt Meyers of ESPN.com floated out an interesting idea recently, suggesting the Brewers try to acquire Rafael Furcal from the Dodgers. When you think about it, the deal makes perfect sense. The Dodgers are desperate to cut payroll (Furcal makes $10 million this season, and then is a free-agent), and the Brewers have very little to give back talent-wise. Given the awful shape the Dodgers are in (Furcal won't be the only player needing some change of address cards in LA), getting something in return from a team willing to take on Furcal's contract is a win.
If the Brewers are able to pull the trigger on a deal to replace Betancourt at SS, and if Grienke is able to get the train back on the rails, the Brew-Crew easily becomes the team to beat in the NL Central.
Biggest team need: Infield (SS)
Take a look around the diamond at a Brewers game- you've got NL MVP front-runner Prince Fielder at 1B, All-Star 2B Rickie Weeks, All-Star OF Ryan Braun, a power threat in OF Corey Hart, and a few other serviceable players. Then you get to SS, and find the guy that might be the worst everyday player in the majors, Yuniesky Betancourt.
The Brewers have to win now. Prince Fielder is likely on his way out via free agency. The farm is bare after the team stripped the system to trade for Zach Grienke and Shawn Marcum. They just brought in Francisco Rodriguez, who will also likely leave, being a free-agent after this season. Trotting a guy out to short-stop everyday that probably shouldn't even be in the majors seems to run contradictory to the plan.
Betancourt is hitting a mere .239 this season with only 30 RBI's, and a OPS of just .600. His OPS ranks him near the bottom of MLB SS...not trying to be hard on the guy, but it's tough to have such a gaping hole in your lineup (the Brewers also have to deal with Casey McGehee and his sub .600 OPS) and be a contender.
The good news is given who is manning position 6 right now, pretty much anything is an upgrade.
Matt Meyers of ESPN.com floated out an interesting idea recently, suggesting the Brewers try to acquire Rafael Furcal from the Dodgers. When you think about it, the deal makes perfect sense. The Dodgers are desperate to cut payroll (Furcal makes $10 million this season, and then is a free-agent), and the Brewers have very little to give back talent-wise. Given the awful shape the Dodgers are in (Furcal won't be the only player needing some change of address cards in LA), getting something in return from a team willing to take on Furcal's contract is a win.
If the Brewers are able to pull the trigger on a deal to replace Betancourt at SS, and if Grienke is able to get the train back on the rails, the Brew-Crew easily becomes the team to beat in the NL Central.
Monday, July 18, 2011
MLB Trade Dealine- 13 days and counting...
So now that the All-Star break is officially over, it means two things in my book- time to get back to blogging, and time for the hot stove to really start heating up.
The Brew-Crew already has made a big splash in the trade pool by acquiring K-Rod from the Mets (I'm not convinced this was a great move, but they needed to do something to push other teams in the division), but the best deals are yet to come. Over the next few days, I'll take a look at a few teams that I think are in need of the most help at the deadline to push them over the top. Feel free to disagree, I am crazy at least half the time, after all...
St. Louis Cardinals
Biggest Need: Pitching (at both ends)
The way I see it, the Cards have managed to get by offensively all season with at least one key piece missing each and every night. Once Pujols gets back to 100%, and Colby Rasmus actually comes within sight of his potential, the offense should be sound. Berkman is on fire, Holiday is solid, and Molina is a good bat in the 6-7 spot.
Pitching wise, I'm not so sure. Think about this one: who closes games for St. Louis? If you guessed Fernando Salas, you are correct! If you're a club that wants to make a run in the postseason, are you comfortable with Salas in the 9th? How about this one- can you name 3 starting pitchers in St. Louis? Carpenter, Garcia, and...??? McLellan, Lohse, and Westbrook round out the starting 5, but the addition of another starter would help.
The downside (and potential upside) for the Cardinals is there are four teams within four games of the lead in the NL Central. Even if two of those teams fall off, this division is going to be a dogfight that comes down to the final day of the season. Good thing for St. Louis their last nine games are against the Mets, Cubs, and Astros. Milwaukee has made the first move, now its time for the Cardinals to follow suit.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Biggest Need: Starting Pitching
See above- but can you name one starting pitcher in Pittsburgh? Uhhh.....??? The starting five: Kevin Correia, Paul Maholm, Charlie Morton, James McDonald, and Jeff Karstens. Yeah- that's a rotation that WILL NOT get you into the postseason. If by some miracle it does, it WILL NOT get you past the first round.
It's been something like a hundred years since the Pirates even had a winning record (Barry Bonds looked like me back then). I understand this team may not be there yet, but when it's been this long since you've even been .500, the time is now.
The really surprising thing is all the buzz seems to be around the Pirates trading for a bat. Josh Willingham, Aramis Ramirez, and even Hunter Pence have all come up in connection with the Pirates. I'm just not sold that the rotation is solid enough to compete down the stretch. Remember- offense may sell tickets, but defense wins championships.
The Brew-Crew already has made a big splash in the trade pool by acquiring K-Rod from the Mets (I'm not convinced this was a great move, but they needed to do something to push other teams in the division), but the best deals are yet to come. Over the next few days, I'll take a look at a few teams that I think are in need of the most help at the deadline to push them over the top. Feel free to disagree, I am crazy at least half the time, after all...
St. Louis Cardinals
Biggest Need: Pitching (at both ends)
The way I see it, the Cards have managed to get by offensively all season with at least one key piece missing each and every night. Once Pujols gets back to 100%, and Colby Rasmus actually comes within sight of his potential, the offense should be sound. Berkman is on fire, Holiday is solid, and Molina is a good bat in the 6-7 spot.
Pitching wise, I'm not so sure. Think about this one: who closes games for St. Louis? If you guessed Fernando Salas, you are correct! If you're a club that wants to make a run in the postseason, are you comfortable with Salas in the 9th? How about this one- can you name 3 starting pitchers in St. Louis? Carpenter, Garcia, and...??? McLellan, Lohse, and Westbrook round out the starting 5, but the addition of another starter would help.
The downside (and potential upside) for the Cardinals is there are four teams within four games of the lead in the NL Central. Even if two of those teams fall off, this division is going to be a dogfight that comes down to the final day of the season. Good thing for St. Louis their last nine games are against the Mets, Cubs, and Astros. Milwaukee has made the first move, now its time for the Cardinals to follow suit.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Biggest Need: Starting Pitching
See above- but can you name one starting pitcher in Pittsburgh? Uhhh.....??? The starting five: Kevin Correia, Paul Maholm, Charlie Morton, James McDonald, and Jeff Karstens. Yeah- that's a rotation that WILL NOT get you into the postseason. If by some miracle it does, it WILL NOT get you past the first round.
It's been something like a hundred years since the Pirates even had a winning record (Barry Bonds looked like me back then). I understand this team may not be there yet, but when it's been this long since you've even been .500, the time is now.
The really surprising thing is all the buzz seems to be around the Pirates trading for a bat. Josh Willingham, Aramis Ramirez, and even Hunter Pence have all come up in connection with the Pirates. I'm just not sold that the rotation is solid enough to compete down the stretch. Remember- offense may sell tickets, but defense wins championships.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
ALL STAR GAME QUICK HITS
With the MLB All-Star game (and literally NOTHING else) on tonight, I figured I'd give out a few quick hits on some story lines I'll be keeping an eye on during the mid-summer classic.
MOST DESERVING SELECTION- FAN VOTE: Jose Bautista, Blue Jays - a no-brainer in my book
MOST DESERVING SELECTION- PLAYER VOTE: Joel Hanrahan, Pirates - so what if it's a hometown pick. He's been one of the two best players on a team that has surpassed all expectations this season. If he's not a most-deserving pick, I don't know who is.
MOST DESERVING SELECTION - GOT IN AT THE LAST MINUTE- Craig Kimbrel, Braves - he's been one of the best closers in the NL (arguably the best, but Hanrahan and Brian Wilson have had great years too- that would be a fun topic for another day), and recently set the first half rookie saves record held by some guy named Pappelbon. He slid in at the last moment, but could have been picked from the start.
BIGGEST HEAD SCRATCHER- Jordan Walden, Angels - Huh? Who? He's the closer for the Angels, so I guess I just don't pay enough attention to west coast ball. He got in when Mariano Rivera was sidelined by injury. Aaron Crow of the Royals is a close second...I know the Royals still might be in the "we've got to send somebody" category, but they're a much better team than to be sending a relief pitcher - and after all the no-shows, still no Alex Gordon...that's a crime.
ALL-STAR MVP PREDICTION- Andrew McCutchen, Pirates - Yep, he's that good. My prediction is he makes at least one stellar catch in the outfield and hits a home run to pick up MVP honors.
WHO WINS TONIGHT- National League. After the AL dominated forever, it seems the better pitching (at least the pitching that's going to show up tonight) is in the NL. Beings as it's been a pitcher's game the past two years, I'll say the NL takes it.
MOST DESERVING SELECTION- FAN VOTE: Jose Bautista, Blue Jays - a no-brainer in my book
MOST DESERVING SELECTION- PLAYER VOTE: Joel Hanrahan, Pirates - so what if it's a hometown pick. He's been one of the two best players on a team that has surpassed all expectations this season. If he's not a most-deserving pick, I don't know who is.
MOST DESERVING SELECTION - GOT IN AT THE LAST MINUTE- Craig Kimbrel, Braves - he's been one of the best closers in the NL (arguably the best, but Hanrahan and Brian Wilson have had great years too- that would be a fun topic for another day), and recently set the first half rookie saves record held by some guy named Pappelbon. He slid in at the last moment, but could have been picked from the start.
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| Joel Hanrahan deserves the nod |
ALL-STAR MVP PREDICTION- Andrew McCutchen, Pirates - Yep, he's that good. My prediction is he makes at least one stellar catch in the outfield and hits a home run to pick up MVP honors.
WHO WINS TONIGHT- National League. After the AL dominated forever, it seems the better pitching (at least the pitching that's going to show up tonight) is in the NL. Beings as it's been a pitcher's game the past two years, I'll say the NL takes it.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Why I like the All-Star Game
In an age when it seems like every radio personality is hating on the All-Star game, you've managed to find one that still loves it. Call me old-fashion if you want, but when the best of the best take the field tomorrow, I'll be locked and loaded with a cold one in front of my TV until the end.
Why? For the better part of my life (26 years and change), I spent one hot July night sitting in my living room, watching the game with my dad. I always caught the Home Run Derby the night before, and for a 12-year old kid in Iowa, the All-Star game on Tuesday night was as good as it got. I've never cared if it "meant something," it was always a way to spend a summer evening and see the guys with the most valuable baseball cards on the same field on the same night.
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I won't pretend to have many great "All-Star Game Memories," or any "Top Moments," but one or two do come to mind. The extra-innings game a few years ago where the AL topped the NL stands out in my mind- Nate McLouth throwing to Russel Martin at the plate to prolong the game was a great moment- then Scott Kazmir coming out on short rest to basically put the game on a pitch-count right before the end...(Where have two of those three guys ended up?) The extra-innings game would come to most people's mind, but that didn't do much for me. It makes me sad to see guys bow-out of the game for various reasons, but there's always one or two more in line that are just as deserving.
One more note- I'm glad to see the guy that caught Jeter's 3000th hit give the ball back. A real class move in my mind.
Why? For the better part of my life (26 years and change), I spent one hot July night sitting in my living room, watching the game with my dad. I always caught the Home Run Derby the night before, and for a 12-year old kid in Iowa, the All-Star game on Tuesday night was as good as it got. I've never cared if it "meant something," it was always a way to spend a summer evening and see the guys with the most valuable baseball cards on the same field on the same night.
One more note- I'm glad to see the guy that caught Jeter's 3000th hit give the ball back. A real class move in my mind.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
All-Star Final Vote - NL
All-Star fever may have reached it's pinnacle this season, as we head into the final 24 hours of the "Final Vote." MLB has been doing this for the past ten years or so to drum up fan support heading into the break, and it's done a fine job.
Not only have we seen two-man teams jockey for votes (shades of racing at Daytona...), but now teams are offering perks (50% off tickets, auction entries, etc.) to drum up support for their players on the final ballot. Not necessarily a great gauge of who is the most deserving, but interesting none the less.
The one downside of having fans vote on the final spot is it means someone that might be more deserving will get snubbed at the last minute. Here's my take on this year's NL ballot:
THE CANDIDATES:
Ian Kennedy, P- Arizona Diamondbacks
Michael Morse, 1B- Washington Nationals
Shane Victorino, OF- Philadelphia Phillies
Todd Helton, 1B- Colorado Rockies
Andre Ethier, OF- LA Dodgers
THE LEADER (as of Wednesday, July 6):
Shane Victorino, PHI
WHO SHOULD WIN:
Michael Morse, WAS
Whether he's a late bloomer or just a one-hit wonder, Morse has been the heart and should of the Nationals lineup this season. Rapidly approaching 30-years old, Morse came to the Nationals in a trade for Ryan Langerhans (Remember him? He's in AAA now barely hitting his weight).
Since April (where he hit under .215), Morse's numbers have been outstanding- .298 BA for the year, 15 HR, and 46 RBI. The strikeout-to-walk ratio is a little out of whack (62 K's to just 16 BB), but here's a guy that's only registered 870 career at bats. The whole package is just too good to turn your head- Morse gets my vote for most deserving.
Morse has come a long way since being drafted by the White Sox as a SS- a few years in the minors, and a run in with PED's to recover from a thigh injury. The biggest thing he has going against him, is Joe-Blow baseball fan has no idea who he is. He plays for the Nationals, and if you Google his name, he's not even the first picture that pops up (some cracked out looking mug shot does). You've got to go three or four deep in baseball photos before you find one of him in a Nationals uniform.
Ethier and Kennedy should also get some recognition. Kennedy has had a fringe-Cy Young type year so far, 8 wins with a 3.38 ERA and over 100 K's. Plus he'll get some hometown love with the game being in Phoenix. Ethier's overall numbers have not been great, but he did put together a 30-game hit streak to bring some positive vibes to a team that really needed the goodwill.
WHO WILL WIN:
Shane Victorino- PHI
Why? Because he plays for the Phillies, who happen to be the best team in baseball, and have sold out every home game since Christ left Chicago. He won the final vote last year (which is a great reason why he shouldn't be eligible this year- but that's a whole different topic), and as an added bonus, any crazed Philly fan that votes for him at least 100 times is entered into a drawing to meet him at the ballpark! Of the hitters on the ballot, he's probably the least worthy of an All-Star trip, but the most likely to get it. Maybe I'll spend all afternoon voting for Morse to even up the stakes.
Not only have we seen two-man teams jockey for votes (shades of racing at Daytona...), but now teams are offering perks (50% off tickets, auction entries, etc.) to drum up support for their players on the final ballot. Not necessarily a great gauge of who is the most deserving, but interesting none the less.
The one downside of having fans vote on the final spot is it means someone that might be more deserving will get snubbed at the last minute. Here's my take on this year's NL ballot:
THE CANDIDATES:
Ian Kennedy, P- Arizona Diamondbacks
Michael Morse, 1B- Washington Nationals
Shane Victorino, OF- Philadelphia Phillies
Todd Helton, 1B- Colorado Rockies
Andre Ethier, OF- LA Dodgers
THE LEADER (as of Wednesday, July 6):
Shane Victorino, PHI
WHO SHOULD WIN:
Michael Morse, WAS
Whether he's a late bloomer or just a one-hit wonder, Morse has been the heart and should of the Nationals lineup this season. Rapidly approaching 30-years old, Morse came to the Nationals in a trade for Ryan Langerhans (Remember him? He's in AAA now barely hitting his weight).
Since April (where he hit under .215), Morse's numbers have been outstanding- .298 BA for the year, 15 HR, and 46 RBI. The strikeout-to-walk ratio is a little out of whack (62 K's to just 16 BB), but here's a guy that's only registered 870 career at bats. The whole package is just too good to turn your head- Morse gets my vote for most deserving.
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| Michael Morse should be an All-Star |
Ethier and Kennedy should also get some recognition. Kennedy has had a fringe-Cy Young type year so far, 8 wins with a 3.38 ERA and over 100 K's. Plus he'll get some hometown love with the game being in Phoenix. Ethier's overall numbers have not been great, but he did put together a 30-game hit streak to bring some positive vibes to a team that really needed the goodwill.
WHO WILL WIN:
Shane Victorino- PHI
Why? Because he plays for the Phillies, who happen to be the best team in baseball, and have sold out every home game since Christ left Chicago. He won the final vote last year (which is a great reason why he shouldn't be eligible this year- but that's a whole different topic), and as an added bonus, any crazed Philly fan that votes for him at least 100 times is entered into a drawing to meet him at the ballpark! Of the hitters on the ballot, he's probably the least worthy of an All-Star trip, but the most likely to get it. Maybe I'll spend all afternoon voting for Morse to even up the stakes.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The Woes of Daytona
Dale Earnhardt Jr. hates Daytona. So do a lot of other people.
By now, Dale Jr's rant after this weekend's Coke Zero 400 (formerly the Firecracker 400) at Daytona is legendary. He doesn't like the new 2 car trains, doesn't like the close packs, and certainly doesn't like the amateur hour that seems to take place the last few laps when half the field wrecks and a no-namer wins. I can't blame him- It's time for NASCAR to do something with this track.
In case you haven't seen it : http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6736071
"What kind of move can you make?," was Dale's comment after the race. He's got a point- with the new surface and plate rules at Daytona, you literally have to ride around hooked up to another car, and hope you don't wreck. When you've got 20 other idiots around you doing the same thing at 200 MPH, it becomes a lot tougher than you'd expect. There's no real passing, no "drive it in hard and hope that it sticks," it's just stay glued to the guy in front of you and hope he's going the same way you are.
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Back in the day when guys like Dale Jr., Dale Sr., and Jeff Gordon were winning at Daytona, it was about horsepower and guts- sure you needed the drafting help, but when it came time to race, the five or six best cars always rose to the top. Now, whoever wins the race is completely up to chance- you don't need things you can put into a race car to win - all you need is luck. Sure, I can't win the race in my Altima, but the field is too evenly matched with the plates.
I don't care what anyone says, Trevor Bayne and David Ragan being your two winners on the most famous circuit in NASCAR is not good for the sport. Good for them- bad for NASCAR.
So, how do I propose we fix this dilemma? I don't know. Neither does Dale. In his three minute rant, he seems to blame everyone from the brass to the media, but doesn't really offer up a solution. One fix would be a rule change, but that seems out of the question. There has always been drafting at Daytona- just not to the quirky extreme it is now. Plus, how would you enforce/define violations? Probably not the solution.
Another idea is to get rid of joint radio communications between "drafting partners." Right now, the two-man teams share spotters and radio communications. I'd be all for it- I don't really like to think of NASCAR as a true "team" sport. I'm still not sure this is going to fix the problems- it will probably just create more wrecks with teams not being on the same page.
Taking the restrictor plates off the cars seems to be a popular idea amongst some fans, but it would make the race suicidally dangerous. Rusty Wallace reportedly ran a few laps around Talladega "plate free" during a practice session a few years ago and hit over 230 MPH. A major wreck would probably kill both the driver and some fans. Think I'm crazy? Look at Bobby Allison's wreck from 1987 in the Winston 500 at Talledega- it's one of the major reasons plates went on the cars in the first place.
I know there are a lot of fans that like the 2-man draft you see at Daytona and Talledega, but I'm going to side with the drivers and say that something has to change. It's just not racing anymore at this point.
By now, Dale Jr's rant after this weekend's Coke Zero 400 (formerly the Firecracker 400) at Daytona is legendary. He doesn't like the new 2 car trains, doesn't like the close packs, and certainly doesn't like the amateur hour that seems to take place the last few laps when half the field wrecks and a no-namer wins. I can't blame him- It's time for NASCAR to do something with this track.
In case you haven't seen it : http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6736071
"What kind of move can you make?," was Dale's comment after the race. He's got a point- with the new surface and plate rules at Daytona, you literally have to ride around hooked up to another car, and hope you don't wreck. When you've got 20 other idiots around you doing the same thing at 200 MPH, it becomes a lot tougher than you'd expect. There's no real passing, no "drive it in hard and hope that it sticks," it's just stay glued to the guy in front of you and hope he's going the same way you are.
I don't care what anyone says, Trevor Bayne and David Ragan being your two winners on the most famous circuit in NASCAR is not good for the sport. Good for them- bad for NASCAR.
So, how do I propose we fix this dilemma? I don't know. Neither does Dale. In his three minute rant, he seems to blame everyone from the brass to the media, but doesn't really offer up a solution. One fix would be a rule change, but that seems out of the question. There has always been drafting at Daytona- just not to the quirky extreme it is now. Plus, how would you enforce/define violations? Probably not the solution.
Another idea is to get rid of joint radio communications between "drafting partners." Right now, the two-man teams share spotters and radio communications. I'd be all for it- I don't really like to think of NASCAR as a true "team" sport. I'm still not sure this is going to fix the problems- it will probably just create more wrecks with teams not being on the same page.
Taking the restrictor plates off the cars seems to be a popular idea amongst some fans, but it would make the race suicidally dangerous. Rusty Wallace reportedly ran a few laps around Talladega "plate free" during a practice session a few years ago and hit over 230 MPH. A major wreck would probably kill both the driver and some fans. Think I'm crazy? Look at Bobby Allison's wreck from 1987 in the Winston 500 at Talledega- it's one of the major reasons plates went on the cars in the first place.
I know there are a lot of fans that like the 2-man draft you see at Daytona and Talledega, but I'm going to side with the drivers and say that something has to change. It's just not racing anymore at this point.
Friday, July 1, 2011
MLB All-Star Snubs, Surprises
With the thermostat getting cranked up here in Des Moines, its finally starting to feel like All-Star season in baseball. Although the final tallies won't be released until Sunday night, MLB gave an update just a few days ago on who was leading the All-Star fan vote. I thought it would be fun to take a look at the latest standings, and decide just how smart (or how stupid) the fans have been this season.
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The standings: (as of June 28)
American League
CATCHER
Russell Martin, Yankees: 2,779,592
Alex Avila, Tigers: 2,345,065
Joe Mauer, Twins: 1,699,604
FIRST BASE
Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox: 4,014,722
Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 3,077,242
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 2,184,480
SECOND BASE
Robinson Cano, Yankees: 4,724,816
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 2,979,181
Ian Kinsler, Rangers: 1,896,259
THIRD BASE
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 3,735,406
Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 2,935,373
Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox: 2,724,286
SHORTSTOP
Derek Jeter, Yankees: 3,392,128
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: 2,885,778
Elvis Andrus, Rangers: 1,971,514
DESIGNATED HITTER
David Ortiz, Red Sox: 4,237,014
Michael Young, Rangers: 2,235,504
Jorge Posada, Yankees: 1,453,385
OUTFIELD
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 5,263,840
Curtis Granderson, Yankees: 4,582,419
Josh Hamilton, Rangers: 3,173,000
Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: 3,051,675
Carl Crawford, Red Sox: 2,294,337
Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 1,912,783
National League
CATCHER
Brian McCann, Braves: 3,062,884
Yadier Molina, Cardinals: 2,271,887
Buster Posey, Giants: 1,849,984
FIRST BASE
Albert Pujols, Cardinals: 3,358,432
Prince Fielder, Brewers: 2,903,584
Joey Votto, Reds: 2,832,857
SECOND BASE
Rickie Weeks, Brewers: 2,869,583
Brandon Phillips, Reds: 2,791,186
Chase Utley, Phillies: 2,406,965
THIRD BASE
Placido Polanco, Phillies: 3,261,718
Chipper Jones, Braves: 2,040,594
Pablo Sandoval, Giants: 1,584,671
SHORTSTOP
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies: 2,955,609
Jose Reyes, Mets: 2,710,777
Jimmy Rollins, Phillies: 1,724,166
OUTFIELD
Ryan Braun, Brewers: 3,932,100
Lance Berkman, Cardinals: 3,208,183
Matt Holliday, Cardinals: 2,935,965
Matt Kemp, Dodgers: 2,743,927
Andre Ethier, Dodgers: 2,264,640
Jay Bruce, Reds: 2,119,267
Biggest "The Fans Got It Right" Pick: Jose Bautista, OF-Blue Jays
Thank god he's the top overall vote-getter. He's unstoppable. For those that thought last year was an aberration, you've been quickly silenced by another great campaign in 2011. He's the cornerstone of a franchise that's finally starting to show some life north of the border, and the best hitter in the game this season.
Biggest "The fans obviously don't pay attention to this position" pick: SS, both AL and NL
Just because you might have taken Derek Jeter and Troy Tulowitzki in the first round of your fantasy league doesn't mean they are the best players at their position (thank goodness Hanley Ramirez didn't make the list). In the NL, Jose Reyes is having the best season of any hitter- he leads the league in batting average, and is a triples and stolen base machine. You kind of get the sense it might be a contract year for him... In the AL, Jeter gets the nod because of his name, but pay attention to #2 on the list -Asdrubal Cabrera of the Indians. He's a stud on defense, and can hit the ball for power and in the clutch. He'll make the trip as a manager's selection, but should be the starter. Truthfully, Jeter shouldn't even be in the top 3.
Biggest "Are these really the only guys that play this position?" spot: 3B- NL
Chipper Jones is my favorite player of all time. Placido Polonco is a solid .300 hitter that you can count on every day. Are either one of these two guys really All-Stars this year? Look at the AL 3B situation- A-Rod, Beltre, Youk, the list goes on. I guess with David Wright out with injury (he's 4th in votes by the way), it's a, "well, who the hell else plays this spot" kind of deal.
Biggest "I'm glad I play for a big market team" selection: Russell Martin, NY Yankees
Yeah, Alex Avila is the All-Star catcher in the AL. No question. Martin was great a few years ago, but he's been mediocre at best this season. A close second is his teammate Jorge Posada. The fact that fans think he's the third best DH in the AL is nuts. He wasn't even hitting .200 for a good stretch of this season.
Biggest potential snub: Miguel Cabrera, 1B- Detroit Tigers
He's in third place because of the Boston/New York effect, and it's just a tough spot to get picked at. Texiera and Gonzo have been top-notch hitters this year. Cabrera is every bit as good, but may not get picked because 1B is such a deep position in the AL. All three players deserve the selection.
Biggest feel good selection: Lance Berkman, OF- Cardinals
What a year he's had. If not for Berkman, the Cards would be long out of the race in the NL Central by now. He had some rough years, playing through injury and criticism, but he's finally back where he belongs- soundly in a starting spot at the All-Star game.
The standings: (as of June 28)
American League
CATCHER
Russell Martin, Yankees: 2,779,592
Alex Avila, Tigers: 2,345,065
Joe Mauer, Twins: 1,699,604
FIRST BASE
Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox: 4,014,722
Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 3,077,242
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 2,184,480
SECOND BASE
Robinson Cano, Yankees: 4,724,816
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 2,979,181
Ian Kinsler, Rangers: 1,896,259
THIRD BASE
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 3,735,406
Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 2,935,373
Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox: 2,724,286
SHORTSTOP
Derek Jeter, Yankees: 3,392,128
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: 2,885,778
Elvis Andrus, Rangers: 1,971,514
DESIGNATED HITTER
David Ortiz, Red Sox: 4,237,014
Michael Young, Rangers: 2,235,504
Jorge Posada, Yankees: 1,453,385
OUTFIELD
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 5,263,840
Curtis Granderson, Yankees: 4,582,419
Josh Hamilton, Rangers: 3,173,000
Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: 3,051,675
Carl Crawford, Red Sox: 2,294,337
Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 1,912,783
National League
CATCHER
Brian McCann, Braves: 3,062,884
Yadier Molina, Cardinals: 2,271,887
Buster Posey, Giants: 1,849,984
FIRST BASE
Albert Pujols, Cardinals: 3,358,432
Prince Fielder, Brewers: 2,903,584
Joey Votto, Reds: 2,832,857
SECOND BASE
Rickie Weeks, Brewers: 2,869,583
Brandon Phillips, Reds: 2,791,186
Chase Utley, Phillies: 2,406,965
THIRD BASE
Placido Polanco, Phillies: 3,261,718
Chipper Jones, Braves: 2,040,594
Pablo Sandoval, Giants: 1,584,671
SHORTSTOP
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies: 2,955,609
Jose Reyes, Mets: 2,710,777
Jimmy Rollins, Phillies: 1,724,166
OUTFIELD
Ryan Braun, Brewers: 3,932,100
Lance Berkman, Cardinals: 3,208,183
Matt Holliday, Cardinals: 2,935,965
Matt Kemp, Dodgers: 2,743,927
Andre Ethier, Dodgers: 2,264,640
Jay Bruce, Reds: 2,119,267
Biggest "The Fans Got It Right" Pick: Jose Bautista, OF-Blue Jays
Thank god he's the top overall vote-getter. He's unstoppable. For those that thought last year was an aberration, you've been quickly silenced by another great campaign in 2011. He's the cornerstone of a franchise that's finally starting to show some life north of the border, and the best hitter in the game this season.
Biggest "The fans obviously don't pay attention to this position" pick: SS, both AL and NL
Just because you might have taken Derek Jeter and Troy Tulowitzki in the first round of your fantasy league doesn't mean they are the best players at their position (thank goodness Hanley Ramirez didn't make the list). In the NL, Jose Reyes is having the best season of any hitter- he leads the league in batting average, and is a triples and stolen base machine. You kind of get the sense it might be a contract year for him... In the AL, Jeter gets the nod because of his name, but pay attention to #2 on the list -Asdrubal Cabrera of the Indians. He's a stud on defense, and can hit the ball for power and in the clutch. He'll make the trip as a manager's selection, but should be the starter. Truthfully, Jeter shouldn't even be in the top 3.
Biggest "Are these really the only guys that play this position?" spot: 3B- NL
Chipper Jones is my favorite player of all time. Placido Polonco is a solid .300 hitter that you can count on every day. Are either one of these two guys really All-Stars this year? Look at the AL 3B situation- A-Rod, Beltre, Youk, the list goes on. I guess with David Wright out with injury (he's 4th in votes by the way), it's a, "well, who the hell else plays this spot" kind of deal.
Biggest "I'm glad I play for a big market team" selection: Russell Martin, NY Yankees
Yeah, Alex Avila is the All-Star catcher in the AL. No question. Martin was great a few years ago, but he's been mediocre at best this season. A close second is his teammate Jorge Posada. The fact that fans think he's the third best DH in the AL is nuts. He wasn't even hitting .200 for a good stretch of this season.
Biggest potential snub: Miguel Cabrera, 1B- Detroit Tigers
He's in third place because of the Boston/New York effect, and it's just a tough spot to get picked at. Texiera and Gonzo have been top-notch hitters this year. Cabrera is every bit as good, but may not get picked because 1B is such a deep position in the AL. All three players deserve the selection.
Biggest feel good selection: Lance Berkman, OF- Cardinals
What a year he's had. If not for Berkman, the Cards would be long out of the race in the NL Central by now. He had some rough years, playing through injury and criticism, but he's finally back where he belongs- soundly in a starting spot at the All-Star game.
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