Moving over to the NL North, we've had a massive FA spending binge by the Cubs, a youth movement by the Expos, a couple of shrewd moves by the Brewers, and an intriguing strategy by the Reds.
The division-champ Brewers picked up a pair of nice free agent bats: 1B Brett Stuart and C Jolbert Romero. Add the promotion Season 10's #7 overall, SP Richard Cameron, and already-tough Milwaukee becomes the odds-on favorite to repeat.
Chicago was perhaps Kinsella's biggest free-agent spender, luring SP's Sidney Wells and Rod Dupler; relievers Warren Giles and Jorge Sierra; OF's Earl Jorgensen, Carlos Cruz, and Pat Freeman; and IF Jason Brewington. They also re-signed C Jolbert Saenz and 2B Hub Veres. The Cubbies may well give Milwaukee a run...at bare minimum they'll score a lot more runs with Jorgensen and Cruz in the OF.
Cincinnati is still incomplete. No FA signings, no trades, no promotions and 17 players on the ML roster thus far. "It's a bold strategy, Cotton, let's see if it works out for'em."
Montreal said "sayonara" to a boatload of free agents and has used free agency, trades and promotions to restock. They moved P J.P. Taveras for reliever Peter Pan and a pair of prospects, brought CF Scott Perry home in exchange for Manuel Martin, and signed SP Nelson Stockton to a 2-year deal. The farm system produced 1B David Fernandez (Season 7 IFA), SP Greg Hewson (Season 9 #28 overall), SP Paul Kim (Season 6 #43 overall) and SP Manuel Samuel (Season 9 #48 overall). Could be another down year for the Expos, but the youth movement has begun.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
One-On-One With Kinsella Commish Overeasy
In a futile attempt to overcome the boredom of Spring Training, "World Kinsella" recently sat down for a candid give-and-take with overeasy on all things Kinsella...and a few other things.
Who is overeasy in real life?
Overeasy is John Coffman, a 36 year old happily married man with three wonderful boys (Almost 5, Almost 3, and 1) who works as an electrical engineer for a small consulting firm near Portland, OR.
Do you develop "man-crushes" on your HBD players?
I wouldn't exactly call it a man crush like sparrow and Dee Dee, but I would call myself a fan of Brandon Sutton and will probably keep him around longer than I should.
What are the most under-rated and over-rated player ratings and why?
Under-rated - Contact: High contact guys seem to get a boost to their stats above what you would expect from their other ratings and when combined with high eye they become an OBP machine. Pitch ratings: Seems that a lot of the primary focus is on control and splits, but a pitcher isn't truly able to be their best without a P1 of 80+ (love to see 90+) and a P2 of 70+. It's what separates Walt Hernandez from Kordell Becker.
Over-rated - Power: It has the shortest lifespan of the key ratings and many hitters are near worthless once it drops. GB/FB - Some folks profess that it is very important, but I haven't seen any good evidence that it matters too much, though I usually like to have a good defense all around.
Favorite moment of your HBD career?
It was very unexpected and satisfying to win my first world series with the Yankees in Kinsella. It felt great to have that burden lifted early in my HBD career as I would hate to be going now with 30+ seasons and not have at least one.
If you could change one thing about HBD, what would it be and why?
I would change HBD so that it would become my real job and I could get paid for being the league commissioner of Kinsella (unfortunately that $5 HBD credit doesn't pay the bills) and for my 4 GM jobs.
F, Marry or Kill:
a) Angelina Joile - K, Jennifer Connelly - M, Marissa Miller - F
Somebody has to stop Angelina from adopting every orphan throughout the world. A lame movie called Career Opportunities came out near the end of my high school years and from that moment I was hooked on Connelly. I think now she could stand to gain a bit of weight to get her curves back, but as her husband I'll would make sure she eats. Never had an SI subscription so not that familiar with Miller, but she looks alright.
b) Sarah Palin - F, Nancy Pelosi - K, Oprah - M
Of the 3, Palin seemed the most do able. I'd consider myself a moderate Democrat, so I would love to get rid of Pelosi as a major face of the party. Oprah is loaded! And with the size of those mansions, you could get lost and only see each other every few weeks if you wanted.
c) jclarkbaker, fellman9, Sockless_Joe - Abstain
I don't play for that team, not that there is anything wrong with that, so that eliminates the F and M options. The last thing I want to do is damage the retention rate of the highest retention world, so K is off the table as well.
Who is overeasy in real life?
Overeasy is John Coffman, a 36 year old happily married man with three wonderful boys (Almost 5, Almost 3, and 1) who works as an electrical engineer for a small consulting firm near Portland, OR.
Do you develop "man-crushes" on your HBD players?
I wouldn't exactly call it a man crush like sparrow and Dee Dee, but I would call myself a fan of Brandon Sutton and will probably keep him around longer than I should.
What are the most under-rated and over-rated player ratings and why?
Under-rated - Contact: High contact guys seem to get a boost to their stats above what you would expect from their other ratings and when combined with high eye they become an OBP machine. Pitch ratings: Seems that a lot of the primary focus is on control and splits, but a pitcher isn't truly able to be their best without a P1 of 80+ (love to see 90+) and a P2 of 70+. It's what separates Walt Hernandez from Kordell Becker.
Over-rated - Power: It has the shortest lifespan of the key ratings and many hitters are near worthless once it drops. GB/FB - Some folks profess that it is very important, but I haven't seen any good evidence that it matters too much, though I usually like to have a good defense all around.
Favorite moment of your HBD career?
It was very unexpected and satisfying to win my first world series with the Yankees in Kinsella. It felt great to have that burden lifted early in my HBD career as I would hate to be going now with 30+ seasons and not have at least one.
If you could change one thing about HBD, what would it be and why?
I would change HBD so that it would become my real job and I could get paid for being the league commissioner of Kinsella (unfortunately that $5 HBD credit doesn't pay the bills) and for my 4 GM jobs.
F, Marry or Kill:
a) Angelina Joile - K, Jennifer Connelly - M, Marissa Miller - F
Somebody has to stop Angelina from adopting every orphan throughout the world. A lame movie called Career Opportunities came out near the end of my high school years and from that moment I was hooked on Connelly. I think now she could stand to gain a bit of weight to get her curves back, but as her husband I'll would make sure she eats. Never had an SI subscription so not that familiar with Miller, but she looks alright.
b) Sarah Palin - F, Nancy Pelosi - K, Oprah - M
Of the 3, Palin seemed the most do able. I'd consider myself a moderate Democrat, so I would love to get rid of Pelosi as a major face of the party. Oprah is loaded! And with the size of those mansions, you could get lost and only see each other every few weeks if you wanted.
c) jclarkbaker, fellman9, Sockless_Joe - Abstain
I don't play for that team, not that there is anything wrong with that, so that eliminates the F and M options. The last thing I want to do is damage the retention rate of the highest retention world, so K is off the table as well.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
AL North Offseason Report
Let's start our offseason review in the AL North, where the Tigers made perhaps Kinsella's biggest single move. They plopped down $74 million to sign former Atlanta and Philly slugger, 4-time MVP and dead-lock Hall of Famer Dee Dee Hutton for 5 years.
Dee Dee will be charged with reviving an offense that scored only 714 runs last year, and he'll be getting some added help. Detroit has also signed CF Wilt Benes, a speedy lefty-swinging CF with an eagle eye. The move may allow Damian Chen to move in to second base against righties, bumping Trenidad Ruiz to a utility and vL platooner role.
Tigers GM jdrake27 had some optimistic comments about the signings: "Well, it was a pretty easy decision. I had the cap room and wanted to try to spark my offense. Hutton is clearly a monster so I am hoping he'll be my older version of Miggy Cabrera. I like the speed of Benes and am hoping he'll be my Austin Jackson. I think Graves and company produce this year as well, so between that and the two signings I'm hoping I can make a run at a playoff spot."
Detroit's spending contrasts with division champ Chicago, who seems content to keep developing its pipeline of young talent. Flash Tessmer, a Season 10 1st-rounder, appears ready to join the already-impressive staff.
Toronto started strong last year but faded due to pitching, and they've hit both the trade market and free agency to address that. Trades landed reliever Buddy Lawson and starter Spike Henley (they also swapped CF's with Montreal, getting Manuel Martin); a late FA signing brought in SP Rusty Little. They've also jumped Season 11's #1, 1B Victor Blanco, from AA to the Bigs...he looks like he's ready.
The Twins tapped free agency for a trio of hitters: Darryl Whitaker, who was the cheapest 100 RBI money could buy last year; Jesus Figueroa, a solid OF defender who could also see 3B action; and Lonny Chavez, a bargain at $4.8mm per year. They also promoted Season 9's #1 pick, fireballing SP John Pryce.
Looks like everybody in the North could be better this year. The Sox still have to be the odds-on favorite to win the division, but keep an eye on the Tigers as a dark-horse wild card contender.
Dee Dee will be charged with reviving an offense that scored only 714 runs last year, and he'll be getting some added help. Detroit has also signed CF Wilt Benes, a speedy lefty-swinging CF with an eagle eye. The move may allow Damian Chen to move in to second base against righties, bumping Trenidad Ruiz to a utility and vL platooner role.
Tigers GM jdrake27 had some optimistic comments about the signings: "Well, it was a pretty easy decision. I had the cap room and wanted to try to spark my offense. Hutton is clearly a monster so I am hoping he'll be my older version of Miggy Cabrera. I like the speed of Benes and am hoping he'll be my Austin Jackson. I think Graves and company produce this year as well, so between that and the two signings I'm hoping I can make a run at a playoff spot."
Detroit's spending contrasts with division champ Chicago, who seems content to keep developing its pipeline of young talent. Flash Tessmer, a Season 10 1st-rounder, appears ready to join the already-impressive staff.
Toronto started strong last year but faded due to pitching, and they've hit both the trade market and free agency to address that. Trades landed reliever Buddy Lawson and starter Spike Henley (they also swapped CF's with Montreal, getting Manuel Martin); a late FA signing brought in SP Rusty Little. They've also jumped Season 11's #1, 1B Victor Blanco, from AA to the Bigs...he looks like he's ready.
The Twins tapped free agency for a trio of hitters: Darryl Whitaker, who was the cheapest 100 RBI money could buy last year; Jesus Figueroa, a solid OF defender who could also see 3B action; and Lonny Chavez, a bargain at $4.8mm per year. They also promoted Season 9's #1 pick, fireballing SP John Pryce.
Looks like everybody in the North could be better this year. The Sox still have to be the odds-on favorite to win the division, but keep an eye on the Tigers as a dark-horse wild card contender.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Vitiello Era Over In Tampa Bay
What started in Season 10 as a grand dream of multiple World Series titles has come to an end in Tampa Bay.
Branch Vitiello, the centerpiece of Kinsella's most-extravagent-ever free agent spending spree, has been traded.
The Rays were young, cocky and coming off a surprise WS trip in Season 9 (they lost 4-3 to the Giants) when they committed a total of $240MM to Vitiello, Kordell Becker and Matthew Crosby in Season 10 free agency. After losing the WS in Seasons 10 and 11, salary pressures and Becker's spotty performance forced the team to start dismantling. With the ascendancy of Oakland to AL domination and a first-round playoff loss to the Yankees last season, management concluded it was time to re-tool. Crosby's option was declined and Vitiello went on the market.
"We were fortunate to get a good number of strong bids," said GM blanch13. "The White Sox were certainly players and the Red Sox made an impressive offer. Ultimately, we thought Florida's offer of Jim Rowan was the best for our club."
Vitiello went 63-28 in 4 seasons with the Rays, posting sub - 3.00 ERA's in 3 and logging 200+ IP every year. He won the AL Cy Young with the club in Season 10.
With Vitiello moving on to Florida and Blaine Lowry traded to the Dodgers for 3B Luis Flores, the Rays find themselves in the dual unfamiliar positions of having cash and needing pitching. With the FA market for pitching looking slim, it might be a record-setting (in a bad way) year for team ERA. It appears the responsibility will fall to Vic Gonzalez, Placido Santana & co. to slug the Rays to victory this year.
Branch Vitiello, the centerpiece of Kinsella's most-extravagent-ever free agent spending spree, has been traded.
The Rays were young, cocky and coming off a surprise WS trip in Season 9 (they lost 4-3 to the Giants) when they committed a total of $240MM to Vitiello, Kordell Becker and Matthew Crosby in Season 10 free agency. After losing the WS in Seasons 10 and 11, salary pressures and Becker's spotty performance forced the team to start dismantling. With the ascendancy of Oakland to AL domination and a first-round playoff loss to the Yankees last season, management concluded it was time to re-tool. Crosby's option was declined and Vitiello went on the market.
"We were fortunate to get a good number of strong bids," said GM blanch13. "The White Sox were certainly players and the Red Sox made an impressive offer. Ultimately, we thought Florida's offer of Jim Rowan was the best for our club."
Vitiello went 63-28 in 4 seasons with the Rays, posting sub - 3.00 ERA's in 3 and logging 200+ IP every year. He won the AL Cy Young with the club in Season 10.
With Vitiello moving on to Florida and Blaine Lowry traded to the Dodgers for 3B Luis Flores, the Rays find themselves in the dual unfamiliar positions of having cash and needing pitching. With the FA market for pitching looking slim, it might be a record-setting (in a bad way) year for team ERA. It appears the responsibility will fall to Vic Gonzalez, Placido Santana & co. to slug the Rays to victory this year.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Season 13 AL Previews - West
AL West
Season 12 Recap: The A's improved by 5 wins (to 112) en route to their 5th straight west title and 6th in 7 years. Anaheim dropped 6 wins to 76, Portland dropped 4 to 73, and Seattle fell off 1 game to 56 wins. Oakland survived a 2nd-round playoff scare by Texas to go on to its first Kinsella Championship. Among the major awards, Oakland's Javier Valdes took home the Rookie Of The Year.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 1st, Team ERA - 1st, Fielding % - 3rd
Sayonara: OF Aaron Holiday, DH Darryl Whitaker, CF Enrique Pena (free agency)
New Faces: none via trade or free agency
Rookie Possibilities: Ugueth Ontiveros (originally a Season 8 IFA by Toronto) go into 9 games last year and appears set to start at 2B. Season 6 supplemental pick Willie Unamuno appeared in 14 games last year and could open the season in a long relief role. Season 10 IFA Juan Palacios got 8 starts last year and could claim a SP job. Season 5 supplemenatal pick Raul Aguilar and 2nd-rounder Hipolito Hernandez could land a relief jobs.
OUTLOOK:
No holes anywhere in this lineup: 1B Castillo, SS Chang and C Simms set the table; then the Murderers' Row of Carpenter, Stewart, Valdes and Suzuki drive 'em in. Javier Gonzalez will win a Cy Young one of these years; he heads a rotation that from top to bottom, is probably the AL's best. There's no "probably" about the status of the bullpen, it is the best in Kinsella with F.P. Cambridge, Enrique Cordero and Gerardo Rodriguez getting the bulk of work.
ANAHEIM ANGELS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs -5th, Team ERA - 12th, Fielding % - 16th
Sayonara: SP Patrick Rivera, IF Javier Arias, C Kid Barfield, RP Stan Blauser, SP Moe Reynolds (free agency)
New Faces: SP Brad Woodall (trade); CF Enrique Pena, SP Frank Reagan (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: C Dutch Anderson (Rule V pick - originally a 9th-rounder by Toronto) has made the roster as a backup. Season 10's 1st-rounder (#11 overall) Rico Mendoza could help soon, maybe not this year.
OUTLOOK:
Pena adds some on-base skill to the top of the lineup; Travis Murphy's RBI totals should see a corresponding jump. Francisco Beltre, Brad Jackson, Lonny Chavez and Dingo Holbert provide lineup protection for Murphy. The Angels will score plenty of runs, but the fate of their season resides with the staff. Luis Pineiro is reliable, but Frank Reagan is a step down from Patrick Rivera and the rest of the rotation is a conflagration in progress. The short relievers have struggled in recent seasons - they'll need to improve (and they all can), for they're sure to get a lot of work.
PORTLAND BEAVERS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 11th, Team ERA - 15th, Fielding % - T 9th
Sayonara: OF Les Graham, SP Al Kennedy (free agency); OF Roberto Molina, OF Richard Satou, OF Juan Pulido, SP Davey Aquino (released); SP Miguel Rosario (trade)
New Faces: SP Roy Whiteside (trade), 2B Julian Hernandez, RP Branch Crosby, RP Shane Bradley (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: Rule V pickup Dario Lawrence (Season 9 supplemental pick by Milwaukee) has made the team as the starting RF. Another Rule V'er, Sherman Redding (Season 8 supplemental pick by Texas), has made the team but is out for a couple of weeks with a broken wrist. Yet a third Rule V'er, LR Michael Lewis (Season 9 2nd rounder by Kansas City), has made the bullpen. AAA 1B Patrick Kipling (Season 9 1st-rounder of Tampa Bay) is ready to contribute, but it's unclear when he'll get the call. Same story for IF Brad Carlson, the team's first pick in Season 10, and IF Benji Castro, a Season 10 IFA.
OUTLOOK:
Portland's lineup was adequate last year and is improving. Harold Benson and Tom Tucker may not be prototype top-of-the-order hitters, but they'll get the job done. Patrick Kipling has the look of a ROY contender, and Jerry Grieve and Louie Mercedes are capable run producers. Pitching needs more attention. Recent waiver pickup Brant Tebeau isn't the answer. Nor is FA Roy Whiteside. Keep an eye on Bip Wilkinson, a Season 6 supplemental pick who pitched well in 13 starts last year and already has 5 wind this season. Paulie Winn is a top-flight closer but the rest of the 'pen is sketchy.
SEATTLE MARINERS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 15th, Team ERA - 16th, Fielding % - 15th
Sayonara: OF Bernie Rosa, RP Haywood Charles, IF Guillermo Cortez, 2B Alfredo Gonzalez, RP Sparky Graham, IF Nash Ruffin (free agency)
New Faces: CF Jackson Shuey, IF Brian Grey, RF Vic Frias (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: Rule V draftee Dicky Cyr (Season 9 3rd-rounder by the Giants) has made the team as a long reliever. Dicky Watson (Season 11's first-rounder) starts in AAA but could get the call early on.
OUTLOOK:
Seattle struggled to score last year and is likely to do so again. DH James Hunter and 2B Craig Frazier are certainly ML hitters, but they don't have a lot of company in that designation. Don't be surprised if Hunter has a new address by mid-season. The Mariners didn't do a lot to the staff in the off-season, but there appears to be new life on the hill. Starters Ted Dirks (1.94 ERA) and Carter Torres (2.96 ERA) are off to torrid starts, and 4 relievers are under a 3.60 ERA. Nice to get that kind of pitching, but the bats are really going to have to pick up for the Mariners to make any kind of noise.
PREDICTIONS
Anaheim is off to a great start at 18-8, but I can't see them standing up to the Oakland juggernaut for long. The A's will win going away and get the AL's #1 seed again. Watch Anaheim's pitching and especially the bullpen - if they can keep up anywhere near the current level (for example, closer Howie Voight is 10-for-10 in saves and has allowed 0 earned runs) they'll make Oakland work and will be a wild card favorite. Portland should be improved but will still be third; Seattle brings up the rear again.
Season 12 Recap: The A's improved by 5 wins (to 112) en route to their 5th straight west title and 6th in 7 years. Anaheim dropped 6 wins to 76, Portland dropped 4 to 73, and Seattle fell off 1 game to 56 wins. Oakland survived a 2nd-round playoff scare by Texas to go on to its first Kinsella Championship. Among the major awards, Oakland's Javier Valdes took home the Rookie Of The Year.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 1st, Team ERA - 1st, Fielding % - 3rd
Sayonara: OF Aaron Holiday, DH Darryl Whitaker, CF Enrique Pena (free agency)
New Faces: none via trade or free agency
Rookie Possibilities: Ugueth Ontiveros (originally a Season 8 IFA by Toronto) go into 9 games last year and appears set to start at 2B. Season 6 supplemental pick Willie Unamuno appeared in 14 games last year and could open the season in a long relief role. Season 10 IFA Juan Palacios got 8 starts last year and could claim a SP job. Season 5 supplemenatal pick Raul Aguilar and 2nd-rounder Hipolito Hernandez could land a relief jobs.
OUTLOOK:
No holes anywhere in this lineup: 1B Castillo, SS Chang and C Simms set the table; then the Murderers' Row of Carpenter, Stewart, Valdes and Suzuki drive 'em in. Javier Gonzalez will win a Cy Young one of these years; he heads a rotation that from top to bottom, is probably the AL's best. There's no "probably" about the status of the bullpen, it is the best in Kinsella with F.P. Cambridge, Enrique Cordero and Gerardo Rodriguez getting the bulk of work.
ANAHEIM ANGELS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs -5th, Team ERA - 12th, Fielding % - 16th
Sayonara: SP Patrick Rivera, IF Javier Arias, C Kid Barfield, RP Stan Blauser, SP Moe Reynolds (free agency)
New Faces: SP Brad Woodall (trade); CF Enrique Pena, SP Frank Reagan (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: C Dutch Anderson (Rule V pick - originally a 9th-rounder by Toronto) has made the roster as a backup. Season 10's 1st-rounder (#11 overall) Rico Mendoza could help soon, maybe not this year.
OUTLOOK:
Pena adds some on-base skill to the top of the lineup; Travis Murphy's RBI totals should see a corresponding jump. Francisco Beltre, Brad Jackson, Lonny Chavez and Dingo Holbert provide lineup protection for Murphy. The Angels will score plenty of runs, but the fate of their season resides with the staff. Luis Pineiro is reliable, but Frank Reagan is a step down from Patrick Rivera and the rest of the rotation is a conflagration in progress. The short relievers have struggled in recent seasons - they'll need to improve (and they all can), for they're sure to get a lot of work.
PORTLAND BEAVERS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 11th, Team ERA - 15th, Fielding % - T 9th
Sayonara: OF Les Graham, SP Al Kennedy (free agency); OF Roberto Molina, OF Richard Satou, OF Juan Pulido, SP Davey Aquino (released); SP Miguel Rosario (trade)
New Faces: SP Roy Whiteside (trade), 2B Julian Hernandez, RP Branch Crosby, RP Shane Bradley (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: Rule V pickup Dario Lawrence (Season 9 supplemental pick by Milwaukee) has made the team as the starting RF. Another Rule V'er, Sherman Redding (Season 8 supplemental pick by Texas), has made the team but is out for a couple of weeks with a broken wrist. Yet a third Rule V'er, LR Michael Lewis (Season 9 2nd rounder by Kansas City), has made the bullpen. AAA 1B Patrick Kipling (Season 9 1st-rounder of Tampa Bay) is ready to contribute, but it's unclear when he'll get the call. Same story for IF Brad Carlson, the team's first pick in Season 10, and IF Benji Castro, a Season 10 IFA.
OUTLOOK:
Portland's lineup was adequate last year and is improving. Harold Benson and Tom Tucker may not be prototype top-of-the-order hitters, but they'll get the job done. Patrick Kipling has the look of a ROY contender, and Jerry Grieve and Louie Mercedes are capable run producers. Pitching needs more attention. Recent waiver pickup Brant Tebeau isn't the answer. Nor is FA Roy Whiteside. Keep an eye on Bip Wilkinson, a Season 6 supplemental pick who pitched well in 13 starts last year and already has 5 wind this season. Paulie Winn is a top-flight closer but the rest of the 'pen is sketchy.
SEATTLE MARINERS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 15th, Team ERA - 16th, Fielding % - 15th
Sayonara: OF Bernie Rosa, RP Haywood Charles, IF Guillermo Cortez, 2B Alfredo Gonzalez, RP Sparky Graham, IF Nash Ruffin (free agency)
New Faces: CF Jackson Shuey, IF Brian Grey, RF Vic Frias (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: Rule V draftee Dicky Cyr (Season 9 3rd-rounder by the Giants) has made the team as a long reliever. Dicky Watson (Season 11's first-rounder) starts in AAA but could get the call early on.
OUTLOOK:
Seattle struggled to score last year and is likely to do so again. DH James Hunter and 2B Craig Frazier are certainly ML hitters, but they don't have a lot of company in that designation. Don't be surprised if Hunter has a new address by mid-season. The Mariners didn't do a lot to the staff in the off-season, but there appears to be new life on the hill. Starters Ted Dirks (1.94 ERA) and Carter Torres (2.96 ERA) are off to torrid starts, and 4 relievers are under a 3.60 ERA. Nice to get that kind of pitching, but the bats are really going to have to pick up for the Mariners to make any kind of noise.
PREDICTIONS
Anaheim is off to a great start at 18-8, but I can't see them standing up to the Oakland juggernaut for long. The A's will win going away and get the AL's #1 seed again. Watch Anaheim's pitching and especially the bullpen - if they can keep up anywhere near the current level (for example, closer Howie Voight is 10-for-10 in saves and has allowed 0 earned runs) they'll make Oakland work and will be a wild card favorite. Portland should be improved but will still be third; Seattle brings up the rear again.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Recap of the early opening games
National League
Cincinnati took its home opener, 5-3, over Montreal, when Hector Bennett belted a 3-run homer in the 7th. Ivan Saenz got the win in relief and Chuck Vaughn notched the save.
In Washington, D.C., new leadoff man Damion Stock tripled, homered and scored both runs for the Nationals in a 2-1 squeaker over Pittsburgh. Les Walker tossed 7 scoreless innings for the home team, and Alan Lucasiewicz got the save.
Jose Roque scored on Hector Price's fielder's choice grounder in the bottom of the 7th, and that was the deciding run in Florida's home win over Atlanta, 6-5. Gabe Barrett smacked 2 homers for the Marlins, Philip Kingston got the rare 1-pitch win, and Denny Watson took the save with 2 innings of work.
6 San Francisco pitchers scattered 9 hits and shut out the Padres, and Jolbert Romero homered in a 4-0 win. James Hutton gave up 2 runs in 3 innings in his NL debut (after 11 AL seasons); Vladimir Avila got the win in relief for the Giants.
American League
The White Sox opened with an 8-4 road win in Minnesota, plating 4 in the top of the 11th inning. Carlos Valentin tripled in Luis Parra, Walter Phillips singled home Valentin, and Pat Itou homered for the final 2 in the decisive frame. Miguel Colome earned the win with a scoreless inning and 2/3 for the visitors.
Hi Zaun popped 2 homers and drove in 4, and Diego Wilfredo got the complete game win as Cleveland spoiled Boston's home opener, 8-4. Pedro Garrido added 3 hits (including a solo homer) for the Tribe; Jerry Murray and Tony Rivera homered for the Sox.
In Texas, Santos Lorenzo fired a complete-game, 3-hit shutout, and newcomer Carlos Cruz blasted a 3-run homer as Tampa Bay topped Texas 5-0. Vic Gonzalez and Placido Santana added solo homers for the Rays; Rangers' ace Sherry Pierre was notably absent from his traditional opening-day starter role.
Oakland pounded Anaheim starter George Bush for 8 runs (3 unearned) in the first 4 innings, and cruised to an 8-0 home win over the Angels. Javier Valdes and Ugueth Ontiveros each had 3 hits and drove in 2, and Phil Chang homered for the A's. Javier Gonzalez allowed just 5 hits over 8 and a third for the win.
Cincinnati took its home opener, 5-3, over Montreal, when Hector Bennett belted a 3-run homer in the 7th. Ivan Saenz got the win in relief and Chuck Vaughn notched the save.
In Washington, D.C., new leadoff man Damion Stock tripled, homered and scored both runs for the Nationals in a 2-1 squeaker over Pittsburgh. Les Walker tossed 7 scoreless innings for the home team, and Alan Lucasiewicz got the save.
Jose Roque scored on Hector Price's fielder's choice grounder in the bottom of the 7th, and that was the deciding run in Florida's home win over Atlanta, 6-5. Gabe Barrett smacked 2 homers for the Marlins, Philip Kingston got the rare 1-pitch win, and Denny Watson took the save with 2 innings of work.
6 San Francisco pitchers scattered 9 hits and shut out the Padres, and Jolbert Romero homered in a 4-0 win. James Hutton gave up 2 runs in 3 innings in his NL debut (after 11 AL seasons); Vladimir Avila got the win in relief for the Giants.
American League
The White Sox opened with an 8-4 road win in Minnesota, plating 4 in the top of the 11th inning. Carlos Valentin tripled in Luis Parra, Walter Phillips singled home Valentin, and Pat Itou homered for the final 2 in the decisive frame. Miguel Colome earned the win with a scoreless inning and 2/3 for the visitors.
Hi Zaun popped 2 homers and drove in 4, and Diego Wilfredo got the complete game win as Cleveland spoiled Boston's home opener, 8-4. Pedro Garrido added 3 hits (including a solo homer) for the Tribe; Jerry Murray and Tony Rivera homered for the Sox.
In Texas, Santos Lorenzo fired a complete-game, 3-hit shutout, and newcomer Carlos Cruz blasted a 3-run homer as Tampa Bay topped Texas 5-0. Vic Gonzalez and Placido Santana added solo homers for the Rays; Rangers' ace Sherry Pierre was notably absent from his traditional opening-day starter role.
Oakland pounded Anaheim starter George Bush for 8 runs (3 unearned) in the first 4 innings, and cruised to an 8-0 home win over the Angels. Javier Valdes and Ugueth Ontiveros each had 3 hits and drove in 2, and Phil Chang homered for the A's. Javier Gonzalez allowed just 5 hits over 8 and a third for the win.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Castillo Enshrined in Cooperstown
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Season 13 AL Preview - South
AL South
Season 12 Recap: The Rays won 105 and took the division for the 4th straight year. Texas improved by 6 wins to 94 and claimed a wild card. Charlotte dropped 6 wins (to 78) and took 3rd, and Kansas City fell off by 11 wins (to 77). The Rangers pushed Oakland to 5 in the division round; Tampa Bay folded up in 5 in the ALCS versus the A's. Kansas City's Lorenzo Manto won his second MVP, and Tampa Bay's Santos Lorenzo took his second straight Cy Young.
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 2nd, Team ERA - 2nd, Fielding % - T 4th
Sayonara: RP James Hutton (option declined), SS Lefty Montgomery (free agency), IF Alex Itou, C Pedro Javier (released); LF Ching-Lung Chang, CF Scott Perry (trade)
New Faces: RF Carlos Cruz, CF Tony Merced, IF John Hasegawa (trade); RP Blade Malone, RP Humberto Lopez (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: Season 9's 13th pick overall (by Houston), Mike Person, got 23 innings last year and will open in the ML 'pen.
OUTLOOK: The Rays got a lot cheaper and a lot slower in the off season. They moved their 2 best table-setters (and only base-stealers) in Chang and Perry; the lineup is now 6 power hitters and 3 defensive specialists. Carlos Cruz (who will share COF time with Rex Yearwood and Geraldo Roque) will have to improve big time over last year's numbers for the Rays to top 900 runs again. Although the Rays are known for pitching, the staff struggled last year if it wasn't Lorenzo, Vitiello or Crosby out on the hill. Without a good number of much-better innings from the likes of Lowry, Johnson, Person, et al, the Rays could have trouble winning the division again.
TEXAS RANGERS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs -7th, Team ERA - 5th, Fielding % - 2nd
Sayonara: DH Al Perez (free agency)
New Faces: RP Vinny Park, RP Ben Daniels (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: C Roger Berkman (Season 10 supplemental pick) got into 24 games last year and has made the roster.
OUTLOOK: Any conversation about the Rangers begins with the remarkable Sherry Pierre. All he did last year was win 23 for the 2nd straight year (and 20+ in 3 of the last 4) and set the new single-season record for innings pitched for the 4th straight year. As much as Pierre means, the Rangers will need a repeat performance of last season's career year (18-9, 2.94) by #2 starter Daniel Garcia (or a similar performance from one of the other starters) to contend. After a couple of down years, Gene Robinson bounced back last season and retains the closer job. Newcomers Park and Daniels solidify the setup role. Texas has a unique offense that was 2nd in both homers and steals last year. They'll platoon at C, 1B and all 3 OF positions. Rule 5 pickup Milt Howard led in homers with 27 (another 6 had over 20); 1B Brett Ross led with 47 steals, and another 7 players topped double figures.
CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 16th, Team ERA - 6th, Fielding % - T 4th
Sayonara: RP Turner Mordecai, SP Albie Prieto, RP Antonio Martin, RP Ben Daniels, RP Jeremy Burke, RP Ruben Sierra, C Frankie Spahn, RP Weldon Roberts, OF Johny Davis (free agency); SS Dicky Maurer, 1B Juan Chavez (released); SS Earl Barclay, SP Sven Barclay (trade)
New Faces: SP Rafael Gabriel, 3B Carlos Lee (trade); C Herman Lawson, RP Moe Reynolds, SP Davey Aquino, RP Shane Coyle (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: OF Lynn Clinton (Season 8 supplemental pick) got a cup of coffee last season and has made the roster. Season 9 #1 pick (24 overall) Rex Davis makes the jump from AA to the ML rotation. Rule 5 pickup Geraldo Pineda (Season 9 supplemental pick by Portland) has made the team.
OUTLOOK: The Knights aren't used to having sub .500 seasons (only 2 in team history) and wasted no time in cleaning house this off season. Probably more changes on the way - there are no SS's or CF's currently on the ML roster, and stars Earl Jorgenson and Warren Justice are in their last contract years. Charlotte's facing a major power outage - they were 14th in the AL in Slugging Percentage last year and 2 of their top power guys (C Frankie Spahn and SS Earl Barclay) have moved on.
They're not going to make up for it with OBP - they were 16th last year. Their pitching prospects are much better, although they'll have to make up for the loss of relievers Turner Mordecai and Ben Daniels. Warren Justice remains a top starter, Hick Hernandez is a capable #2, and rookie Rex Davis has considerable promise. The bullpen will rely on the venerable Banana Klein and free agents Shane Coyle and Moe Reynolds.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 3rd, Team ERA - 13th, Fielding % - T 6th
Sayonara: RP Gary Meyer (released)
New Faces: none
Rookie Possibilities: Power-hitting C Benji Gutierrez (Season 9 IFA) could be ready to step up to the bigs. The Hukata bothers, Phil (Season 10 IFA) and Richard (also a Season 10 IFA) could both conceivably contribute as IF's this year. Swingmen Stewart Daniels (Season 9's #1 - 11 overall) and Deivi Nunez (Season 7 IFA) could see ML action as either SP's or relievers.
OUTLOOK: With an offense built around 2-time MVP Lorenzo Manto and Hersh Taylor, the Royals have one of the best attacks in Kinsella. LF Emil Pichardo deftly compliments the Big 2 and DH Harry Reid is still going strong at 36. When they need to take a base, Manto, Reid, SS Albie Pineda, and CF Wilt Benes are all accomplished thieves. KC's pitching has been threatening to come together since the arrival of SP's Armando Taveras and Sun Wanatabe in Season 10 - it just hasn't quite happened yet. Rookie Al Saenz had his moments in the 'pen last year (despite blowing 7 of 11 save opportunities), but aside from him and the top 2 starters, the staff was pretty much a disaster in Season 12. They'll need more than a few bounce-back years from the likes of Kirwan, Barry, Crespo, etc. (and they're capable of getting them) to get into contention.
PREDICTIONS
I just don't feel good about the Rays' chemistry...no table-setters or speed of any kind, Crosby's in steep decline and the rest of the 'pen is a huge question mark. I think they'll struggle. The Rangers may have overachieved a bit last year, although I liek what they've done with a platoon-heavy lineup. The Knights just aren't going to score enough runs to contend...new mid-season addresses for Justice and Jorgenson? KC's going to score plenty, and I think their pitching will be better. This is the year 95 wins takes the division, and I'm picking the Royals in an upset.
Season 12 Recap: The Rays won 105 and took the division for the 4th straight year. Texas improved by 6 wins to 94 and claimed a wild card. Charlotte dropped 6 wins (to 78) and took 3rd, and Kansas City fell off by 11 wins (to 77). The Rangers pushed Oakland to 5 in the division round; Tampa Bay folded up in 5 in the ALCS versus the A's. Kansas City's Lorenzo Manto won his second MVP, and Tampa Bay's Santos Lorenzo took his second straight Cy Young.
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 2nd, Team ERA - 2nd, Fielding % - T 4th
Sayonara: RP James Hutton (option declined), SS Lefty Montgomery (free agency), IF Alex Itou, C Pedro Javier (released); LF Ching-Lung Chang, CF Scott Perry (trade)
New Faces: RF Carlos Cruz, CF Tony Merced, IF John Hasegawa (trade); RP Blade Malone, RP Humberto Lopez (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: Season 9's 13th pick overall (by Houston), Mike Person, got 23 innings last year and will open in the ML 'pen.
OUTLOOK: The Rays got a lot cheaper and a lot slower in the off season. They moved their 2 best table-setters (and only base-stealers) in Chang and Perry; the lineup is now 6 power hitters and 3 defensive specialists. Carlos Cruz (who will share COF time with Rex Yearwood and Geraldo Roque) will have to improve big time over last year's numbers for the Rays to top 900 runs again. Although the Rays are known for pitching, the staff struggled last year if it wasn't Lorenzo, Vitiello or Crosby out on the hill. Without a good number of much-better innings from the likes of Lowry, Johnson, Person, et al, the Rays could have trouble winning the division again.
TEXAS RANGERS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs -7th, Team ERA - 5th, Fielding % - 2nd
Sayonara: DH Al Perez (free agency)
New Faces: RP Vinny Park, RP Ben Daniels (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: C Roger Berkman (Season 10 supplemental pick) got into 24 games last year and has made the roster.
OUTLOOK: Any conversation about the Rangers begins with the remarkable Sherry Pierre. All he did last year was win 23 for the 2nd straight year (and 20+ in 3 of the last 4) and set the new single-season record for innings pitched for the 4th straight year. As much as Pierre means, the Rangers will need a repeat performance of last season's career year (18-9, 2.94) by #2 starter Daniel Garcia (or a similar performance from one of the other starters) to contend. After a couple of down years, Gene Robinson bounced back last season and retains the closer job. Newcomers Park and Daniels solidify the setup role. Texas has a unique offense that was 2nd in both homers and steals last year. They'll platoon at C, 1B and all 3 OF positions. Rule 5 pickup Milt Howard led in homers with 27 (another 6 had over 20); 1B Brett Ross led with 47 steals, and another 7 players topped double figures.
CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 16th, Team ERA - 6th, Fielding % - T 4th
Sayonara: RP Turner Mordecai, SP Albie Prieto, RP Antonio Martin, RP Ben Daniels, RP Jeremy Burke, RP Ruben Sierra, C Frankie Spahn, RP Weldon Roberts, OF Johny Davis (free agency); SS Dicky Maurer, 1B Juan Chavez (released); SS Earl Barclay, SP Sven Barclay (trade)
New Faces: SP Rafael Gabriel, 3B Carlos Lee (trade); C Herman Lawson, RP Moe Reynolds, SP Davey Aquino, RP Shane Coyle (free agency)
Rookie Possibilities: OF Lynn Clinton (Season 8 supplemental pick) got a cup of coffee last season and has made the roster. Season 9 #1 pick (24 overall) Rex Davis makes the jump from AA to the ML rotation. Rule 5 pickup Geraldo Pineda (Season 9 supplemental pick by Portland) has made the team.
OUTLOOK: The Knights aren't used to having sub .500 seasons (only 2 in team history) and wasted no time in cleaning house this off season. Probably more changes on the way - there are no SS's or CF's currently on the ML roster, and stars Earl Jorgenson and Warren Justice are in their last contract years. Charlotte's facing a major power outage - they were 14th in the AL in Slugging Percentage last year and 2 of their top power guys (C Frankie Spahn and SS Earl Barclay) have moved on.
They're not going to make up for it with OBP - they were 16th last year. Their pitching prospects are much better, although they'll have to make up for the loss of relievers Turner Mordecai and Ben Daniels. Warren Justice remains a top starter, Hick Hernandez is a capable #2, and rookie Rex Davis has considerable promise. The bullpen will rely on the venerable Banana Klein and free agents Shane Coyle and Moe Reynolds.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Season 12 Rankings: Runs - 3rd, Team ERA - 13th, Fielding % - T 6th
Sayonara: RP Gary Meyer (released)
New Faces: none
Rookie Possibilities: Power-hitting C Benji Gutierrez (Season 9 IFA) could be ready to step up to the bigs. The Hukata bothers, Phil (Season 10 IFA) and Richard (also a Season 10 IFA) could both conceivably contribute as IF's this year. Swingmen Stewart Daniels (Season 9's #1 - 11 overall) and Deivi Nunez (Season 7 IFA) could see ML action as either SP's or relievers.
OUTLOOK: With an offense built around 2-time MVP Lorenzo Manto and Hersh Taylor, the Royals have one of the best attacks in Kinsella. LF Emil Pichardo deftly compliments the Big 2 and DH Harry Reid is still going strong at 36. When they need to take a base, Manto, Reid, SS Albie Pineda, and CF Wilt Benes are all accomplished thieves. KC's pitching has been threatening to come together since the arrival of SP's Armando Taveras and Sun Wanatabe in Season 10 - it just hasn't quite happened yet. Rookie Al Saenz had his moments in the 'pen last year (despite blowing 7 of 11 save opportunities), but aside from him and the top 2 starters, the staff was pretty much a disaster in Season 12. They'll need more than a few bounce-back years from the likes of Kirwan, Barry, Crespo, etc. (and they're capable of getting them) to get into contention.
PREDICTIONS
I just don't feel good about the Rays' chemistry...no table-setters or speed of any kind, Crosby's in steep decline and the rest of the 'pen is a huge question mark. I think they'll struggle. The Rangers may have overachieved a bit last year, although I liek what they've done with a platoon-heavy lineup. The Knights just aren't going to score enough runs to contend...new mid-season addresses for Justice and Jorgenson? KC's going to score plenty, and I think their pitching will be better. This is the year 95 wins takes the division, and I'm picking the Royals in an upset.
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