Verlander just completed the first inning. He was looking dirty. Then he gave up a double, which should have been an error (it was completely misjudged by Ryan Rayburn, and it bounced off his glove, how is that not an error on him), a walk, and then a bomb. Unfortunately, all 3 runs are earned, but they really shouldn't be. His stuff is absolutely dirty right now. The Angels are completely baffled by his breaker right now. He does have to stop leaving his fastball up though, because that's killing him.
John Maine looked terrible. I'm convinced he has no idea where he's pitching. It looks like he's letting it fly and praying that it's either not down the middle of the plate or that they whiff. He doesn't look poor mechanically, but something's not right. Maybe he's hurt.
Albert Pujols is everything I'd everything I'd ever want in a hitter. He mashes the ball, is patient, can run the bases, and plays good defense at first. Every time I think I shouldn't be jealous, because the Mets have David Wright, I look at him again, and I'm green with envy at the Cardinals. There's a famous story that a scout of the Devil Rays saw him play once -- and told them that he was going to be one of the best players ever. 7th round roles around, and the Cardinals pick him. Scout quits his job, just knowing the Rays missed out on something special. I wonder where he is right now, and if some team was smart enough to hire him, obviously he knows what he's talking about. Also, how good can someone be if there are legends about them by the time they're 25?
Curtis Granderson is very, very good. The kid understands the game.
I know Gary Matthews Jr. isn't very good with the bat, but what are the chances that he makes up enough with the glove that he's worth more than Abreu? I'd say not bad. Luckily for Abreu, the DH can extend his usefulness. God the DH is stupid. Assuming Joe Saunders gets Carlos Guillen out right now, Matthews has saved a run this inning that Abreu wouldn't have.
I like Mike Napoli, he can hit a little, and is decent defensively. I appreciate catchers, because Catcher or Quarterback is the most difficult position in sports. So to be even decent at the position, is very respectable.
I think Colby Rasmus needs maybe an extra half of a season in AAA. But he should be a good player in the Majors.
Brian Stokes should be pitching later in games -- the guy throws absolute gas. Manuel should be using him right in front of Putz.
Torii Hunter's range is way down. He still has an excellent glove, but maybe it's time for him to move to right.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Thoughts on Week 1
So one week's past, and as per usual, there have been way too many overreactions to standout performances from certain players.
For example, everyone seems to believe this Emilio Bonifacio kid is for real. Yes he's fast, but so is Joey Gathright. If scouts honestly thought he could hit, he wouldn't already be on his third organization by the time he's 23. He's been traded for Jon Rauch and again for Scott Olsen. And he's proven to be terrible with the glove at both 2nd and 3rd.
Now if someone gives a good reason to worry fans, then it's worth paying attention. Chien-Ming Wang's velocity was way down, and as a sinkerballer, he won't be able to beat hitters without it. Maybe he can work himself into shape and his velocity will rebound, but until it does, the Yankees need to be worried.
Milton Bradley and Rich Harden are still healthy. Cubs must be feeling great right now.
Padres are the biggest fluke right now. I don't know whether the NL West or the AL West is the worst division in baseball, but the Padres would be the worst in either one. Bullpen's ERA won't be hovering around 1.00 all season.
Nick Adenhart was going to be one of the greats. Everytime someone is killed by a drunk driver we say the same things, but nothing seems to change. This isn't fair to Nick, this isn't fair to baseball, this isn't fair to his family, this isn't fair to every victim of drunk driving who are dying in vain.
For example, everyone seems to believe this Emilio Bonifacio kid is for real. Yes he's fast, but so is Joey Gathright. If scouts honestly thought he could hit, he wouldn't already be on his third organization by the time he's 23. He's been traded for Jon Rauch and again for Scott Olsen. And he's proven to be terrible with the glove at both 2nd and 3rd.
Now if someone gives a good reason to worry fans, then it's worth paying attention. Chien-Ming Wang's velocity was way down, and as a sinkerballer, he won't be able to beat hitters without it. Maybe he can work himself into shape and his velocity will rebound, but until it does, the Yankees need to be worried.
Milton Bradley and Rich Harden are still healthy. Cubs must be feeling great right now.
Padres are the biggest fluke right now. I don't know whether the NL West or the AL West is the worst division in baseball, but the Padres would be the worst in either one. Bullpen's ERA won't be hovering around 1.00 all season.
Nick Adenhart was going to be one of the greats. Everytime someone is killed by a drunk driver we say the same things, but nothing seems to change. This isn't fair to Nick, this isn't fair to baseball, this isn't fair to his family, this isn't fair to every victim of drunk driving who are dying in vain.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thoughts on crappy baseball writers
In the tv show "The Office," one of my favorite caveats is that while Michael Scott is a crappy boss, he's an expert paper salesman. He could sell paper to a tree. He's simply been promoted one level too high for his own good.
This happens a lot in journalism. Successful beat writers often get promotions after years on the job. They become columnists. Some are very good, some are terrible, and make me seem like Peter Gammons.
In a race to provide the fastest, best baseball coverage, ESPN and Sports Illustrated have both lowered their standards to try and one-up each other.
Jon Heyman is probably the most evident example of this. The man is a beat writer, half his columns are him just blogging about the rumors around baseball. But whenever he tries to make any sort of evaluation on any team or player, he sounds like an idiot. He's that Yankee fan that thinks that just because they have the 5 highest paid players in the league, that means they have the 5 best players too. And that because half their team is overpriced former stars, that means that the other half of the team which are fringe minor leaguers are also star. He's the one that thinks because the Mets bullpen crumbled in the second half of the year, and the Phillies fluked their way to the playoffs, that it means that they are the best team in the National League. He's the one who thinks the Cubs will never win the World Series. He's the one who believes that the American League is clearly superior to the National League, and it has nothing to do with the competitive advantage of the DH that the AL has over the NL. (National League teams don't have roster a DH, so when they play by AL rules, the NL team puts a bench player as a DH, it gives the AL a huge advantage. The construction of AL teams vs. NL teams is very different, the NL places more emphasis on defense and intangibles than the AL. The AL places more emphasis on hitting. It's just different approaches. Unluckily for the NL, when the AL teams play by their rules, they aren't effected nearly the same amount, because they are now merely on equal levels of play, as opposed to when playing by the AL rules, where the NL teams aren't able to compensate for the differences.)
Ted Keith is another example of poor column writers. While I don't know what his background is, I do know that he writes terribly both stylistically and analytically, and had no business being hired. His columns are unimaginateive, boring, and predictable. A column should give someone something to think about, good or bad. Keith gives you nothing. His analysis is on the same level of that in SI for Kids. That's an inhouse move, maybe not a bad idea....
ESPN has its share of poor writers too. Jim Caple is uninspired, boring, and dry. I just ignore his articles now.
I'm not naive, I understand that not every writer is as good as Peter Gammons, Rob Neyer, or Tom Verducci. But the standard has to be set somewhere, and there's plenty of talent out there still undiscovered.
This happens a lot in journalism. Successful beat writers often get promotions after years on the job. They become columnists. Some are very good, some are terrible, and make me seem like Peter Gammons.
In a race to provide the fastest, best baseball coverage, ESPN and Sports Illustrated have both lowered their standards to try and one-up each other.
Jon Heyman is probably the most evident example of this. The man is a beat writer, half his columns are him just blogging about the rumors around baseball. But whenever he tries to make any sort of evaluation on any team or player, he sounds like an idiot. He's that Yankee fan that thinks that just because they have the 5 highest paid players in the league, that means they have the 5 best players too. And that because half their team is overpriced former stars, that means that the other half of the team which are fringe minor leaguers are also star. He's the one that thinks because the Mets bullpen crumbled in the second half of the year, and the Phillies fluked their way to the playoffs, that it means that they are the best team in the National League. He's the one who thinks the Cubs will never win the World Series. He's the one who believes that the American League is clearly superior to the National League, and it has nothing to do with the competitive advantage of the DH that the AL has over the NL. (National League teams don't have roster a DH, so when they play by AL rules, the NL team puts a bench player as a DH, it gives the AL a huge advantage. The construction of AL teams vs. NL teams is very different, the NL places more emphasis on defense and intangibles than the AL. The AL places more emphasis on hitting. It's just different approaches. Unluckily for the NL, when the AL teams play by their rules, they aren't effected nearly the same amount, because they are now merely on equal levels of play, as opposed to when playing by the AL rules, where the NL teams aren't able to compensate for the differences.)
Ted Keith is another example of poor column writers. While I don't know what his background is, I do know that he writes terribly both stylistically and analytically, and had no business being hired. His columns are unimaginateive, boring, and predictable. A column should give someone something to think about, good or bad. Keith gives you nothing. His analysis is on the same level of that in SI for Kids. That's an inhouse move, maybe not a bad idea....
ESPN has its share of poor writers too. Jim Caple is uninspired, boring, and dry. I just ignore his articles now.
I'm not naive, I understand that not every writer is as good as Peter Gammons, Rob Neyer, or Tom Verducci. But the standard has to be set somewhere, and there's plenty of talent out there still undiscovered.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Thoughts after watching Rays-Red Sox
I watched Rays vs. Red Sox tonight, and basically came back reassured with many beliefs about these teams that I already had were true.
First off, that the Rays have the best pitching in the division. They have two starters (3 once Price is promoted) which are better than anyone the Red Sox have in their rotation. Kazmir was on tonight, and brought his A game to a big series. This isn't a knock on the Red Sox, because they have great starting pitching, but the Rays are just a little bit better.
Secondly, Grant Balfour's not a fluke. I remember watching him a few years ago in Rochester as a Red Wing. I was incredibly impressed, thought he could be a big league closer right then (or at least Joe Nathan's setup man). It took a few more years than I thought, but he's made it. He's got a closer's mentality -- this guy not only wants to get you out, he wants to make you look silly doing it.
Thirdly, the Red Sox miss Manny Ramirez. Jason Bay's great. Solid defense, great bat with plus power, can steal a base or two. But he doesn't have swagger. This Red Sox team may be more talented than the last two which have won titles, but they don't have that swagger. Papelbon has some swagger, but a team can't feed off a closers' swagger until the 9th, which won't matter if they've already lost. Manny had swagger, Manny had class (don't laugh, I'm serious), Manny had talent. Manny wanted to hit the ball over the fence, punch you in the mouth, and then laugh in your face afterwards. The Red Sox don't have guys with swagger anymore. They miss Manny, they miss Kevin Millar, they miss Orlando Cabrera, they miss Johnny Damon. With the skills of the Rays, they won't be able to win the division on sheer talent alone. Epstein doesn't make many mistakes, but he sure screwed up with the Manny debacle.
Next, Saito looked flat. It was a good idea to invest in him, because he was just one year removed from an amazing season, but I think age is catching up with him.
The Rays aren't perfect either though. With Fernando Perez and BJ Upton both out, they look real weak in the outfield, offensively and defensively. Luckily they get BJ back next week, but they aren't looking smart for letting Rocco Baldelli go to, ironically, the Red Sox. Also, can Joe Maddon needs to make Balfour his closer. I know the committee thing is working, but I think if he can boost that guy's ego a little more Balfour can take his competetive edge to the next level.
First off, that the Rays have the best pitching in the division. They have two starters (3 once Price is promoted) which are better than anyone the Red Sox have in their rotation. Kazmir was on tonight, and brought his A game to a big series. This isn't a knock on the Red Sox, because they have great starting pitching, but the Rays are just a little bit better.
Secondly, Grant Balfour's not a fluke. I remember watching him a few years ago in Rochester as a Red Wing. I was incredibly impressed, thought he could be a big league closer right then (or at least Joe Nathan's setup man). It took a few more years than I thought, but he's made it. He's got a closer's mentality -- this guy not only wants to get you out, he wants to make you look silly doing it.
Thirdly, the Red Sox miss Manny Ramirez. Jason Bay's great. Solid defense, great bat with plus power, can steal a base or two. But he doesn't have swagger. This Red Sox team may be more talented than the last two which have won titles, but they don't have that swagger. Papelbon has some swagger, but a team can't feed off a closers' swagger until the 9th, which won't matter if they've already lost. Manny had swagger, Manny had class (don't laugh, I'm serious), Manny had talent. Manny wanted to hit the ball over the fence, punch you in the mouth, and then laugh in your face afterwards. The Red Sox don't have guys with swagger anymore. They miss Manny, they miss Kevin Millar, they miss Orlando Cabrera, they miss Johnny Damon. With the skills of the Rays, they won't be able to win the division on sheer talent alone. Epstein doesn't make many mistakes, but he sure screwed up with the Manny debacle.
Next, Saito looked flat. It was a good idea to invest in him, because he was just one year removed from an amazing season, but I think age is catching up with him.
The Rays aren't perfect either though. With Fernando Perez and BJ Upton both out, they look real weak in the outfield, offensively and defensively. Luckily they get BJ back next week, but they aren't looking smart for letting Rocco Baldelli go to, ironically, the Red Sox. Also, can Joe Maddon needs to make Balfour his closer. I know the committee thing is working, but I think if he can boost that guy's ego a little more Balfour can take his competetive edge to the next level.
Thoughts after a couple days of baseball
The season's only 3 days old, but I think a few disturbing trends have already started. Some of these moves are absolute head-scratchers, and makes one wonder why some of these managers have jobs.
Starting in Colorado, where Clint Hurdle's splitting time at 2B between Clint Barmes and Ian Stewart. Ian Stewart's proven that he can hit and can play 2nd and 3rd. There is no excuse to why this solid hitter's not getting a full time players' worth of AB's. Barmes was a one-time flash in a pan and is never going to amount to more than a utility player.
Bobby Cox proves that the players on your team are more important than managers with every single move he makes. In the season opener, Derek Lowe is cruising through the Phillies, and has only 97 pitches, and also has a 4 run lead.And in the 8th, he retired the side 1-2-3. And then he has 3 hitters before he runs into the row of dangerous lefthanded batters in the Phillies lineup. Why not let him pitch to Bruntlett, Rollins and Werth, and if he runs into trouble, then call out the lefty closer to face the lefties Utley/Howard/Ibanez? He just wasted an outing of Mike Gonzolez he didn't necessarily need. Every time he does something like this, I remember why he had very little to do with that run of division titles, and that he was just John Schuerholz.
Way for the Mets to show off the brand new bullpen on opening day. Things looking up already for them.
Yankees aren't going to win if CC doesn't pitch like an ace. They can't afford more than a few outings of him like this.
The Rays seem flat without BJ Upton. He's a sparkplug for them, they need him back fast.
What does it say about your team when Dallas Braden is your opening day/most experienced starter?
The Blue Jays look like one of those teams with a lot of overall talent, but also have massive holes in essential places.
Tigers don't have a shot at the division title if Verlander pitches like he did yesterday, even if they score 1000 runs.
Bob Melvin looks equally incompetent as Bobby Cox. I understand the importance of matchups, but Justin Upton may be the most talented player on that team. Sit anyone other than him. Playing Tony Clark over Mark Reynolds for matchup reasons is probably a good move though.
Starting in Colorado, where Clint Hurdle's splitting time at 2B between Clint Barmes and Ian Stewart. Ian Stewart's proven that he can hit and can play 2nd and 3rd. There is no excuse to why this solid hitter's not getting a full time players' worth of AB's. Barmes was a one-time flash in a pan and is never going to amount to more than a utility player.
Bobby Cox proves that the players on your team are more important than managers with every single move he makes. In the season opener, Derek Lowe is cruising through the Phillies, and has only 97 pitches, and also has a 4 run lead.And in the 8th, he retired the side 1-2-3. And then he has 3 hitters before he runs into the row of dangerous lefthanded batters in the Phillies lineup. Why not let him pitch to Bruntlett, Rollins and Werth, and if he runs into trouble, then call out the lefty closer to face the lefties Utley/Howard/Ibanez? He just wasted an outing of Mike Gonzolez he didn't necessarily need. Every time he does something like this, I remember why he had very little to do with that run of division titles, and that he was just John Schuerholz.
Way for the Mets to show off the brand new bullpen on opening day. Things looking up already for them.
Yankees aren't going to win if CC doesn't pitch like an ace. They can't afford more than a few outings of him like this.
The Rays seem flat without BJ Upton. He's a sparkplug for them, they need him back fast.
What does it say about your team when Dallas Braden is your opening day/most experienced starter?
The Blue Jays look like one of those teams with a lot of overall talent, but also have massive holes in essential places.
Tigers don't have a shot at the division title if Verlander pitches like he did yesterday, even if they score 1000 runs.
Bob Melvin looks equally incompetent as Bobby Cox. I understand the importance of matchups, but Justin Upton may be the most talented player on that team. Sit anyone other than him. Playing Tony Clark over Mark Reynolds for matchup reasons is probably a good move though.
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