Random Baseball Thoughts
When thinking about this post I decided I would just write out some of my thoughts on a whole bunch of baseball issues instead of just picking one baseball topic to write about. Here they are:
Yankees – Andy Pettitte is a serious upgrade to the rotation. Forget what Rainer wrote earlier about clutch that sparked a huge debate. Flat out, Pettitte can pitch. He is still good and, after failing to land Daisuke Matsuzaka, Pettitte was a great choice to pick up for the rotation. He’ll probably slot in behind Mike Mussina and Chien-Ming Wang. Randy Johnson, assuming he’s healthy will be the fourth starter and Japanese import Kei Igawa will probably take the fifth spot in the rotation. That is a whole lot better than what they had going into the off season. Inserting Pettitte and Igawa (though still unproven) will probably put up better combined numbers than Wright and Pavano (or whoever took his spot because he inevitably would have been injured) would have.
New rumors have Melky Cabrera going to Atlanta as part of a three-way trade that could bring the Yankees Mike Gonzalez, the Pirates closer a year ago. Gonzalez is young and throws hard and would be a huge upgrade to a shaky bullpen. If they can swing that deal, the pitching staff, which was the Yankees soft spot a season ago, is vastly improved and puts them in a position to repeat as division champs and to potentially make another run at a World Series title. If Cabrera does go elsewhere, that could lead to a return for Bernie Williams as a part-time designated hitter as well.
Barry Zito – Among free agents this year, Zito is the last big man standing, and it’s just about time for him to cash in. But, where and for how much? Rumors are swirling that the Rangers are ready to offer $100 million for six years. The Mets, another big-time pursuer are said to be unwilling to go more than five years and about $75 million (they are basing it on Roy Oswalt’s extension he signed with the Astros last summer). Basically it will come down to if Zito is willing to take a few million less to play in a big city and a contender (the Mets) or go somewhere based on money (the Rangers).
When the Mets make their pitch for Zito in person, expect them to play up the city, atmosphere and all the extra cash in endorsements that playing in the largest city in America could bring. Zito’s father told the New York Times a couple of weeks ago for an article his son’s next contract wouldn’t be about money, but about legacy. Well, if Zito wants to create a lasting legacy and really wants to go where he has the best chance to win a ring, the Mets will provide the best option.
Red Sox – The Red Sox have improved their rotation (Daisuke Matsuzaka), their offense (J.D. Drew and Julio Lugo) and their bullpen (Brendan Donnelly, JC Romero). They also decided to hold onto Manny Ramirez, which I think was the best move they made all year. Manny makes everyone around him better, especially David Ortiz. Without Manny, Ortiz approaches Barry Bonds’s walk record (intentional and overall).
If they actually decide to move Jonathan Papelbon into the rotation, they still need to find a closer, but this team is certainly better than it was a year ago. Just a note on Romero; he pitched pretty bad last year, but if he can get back to pitching like he did in 2004 and 2005 in Minnesota, he will be a great addition to the pen.
San Diego Padres – The Padres have added Greg Maddux to the rotation and are looking to bring back David Wells. That would give them a rotation Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Clay Hensley, Maddux and Wells. That is a solid rotation. Peavy is a top-of-the-rotation guy, Young had a great year last season and Maddux regained some of his old self when he headed to the Dodgers at the end of the year. For a team with aspirations to win another division title, the rotation is their biggest strength.
Marcus Giles is a new target for the Padres as they look to upgrade on offense. The former Brave was non-tendered last week and San Diego makes the most sense. His brother plays on the team. He is from San Diego. And, the Padres need a second baseman. It all makes sense. They will have some competition though from the Mets and Red Sox for his services, but plan on Giles being the starting second baseman for the Padres.
Chicago Cubs – Mark DeRosa and Alfonso Soriano were added to the lineup and Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis in the rotation, the Cubs have added some pieces to help move them into contention in a division that was very weak last year. Soriano will provide a ton of power in hitter-friendly Wrigley Field. The question is; are the Cubs serious about having Soriano play centerfield? That could be, umm, interesting to say the least. Nevertheless, their offense is much improved. Derek Lee should be healthy after an injury-plagued 2006. Aramis Ramirez was re-signed as well, so this team should score runs.
The pitching staff is still a bit of a question. Lilly and Marquis were brought in and the Cubs overpaid. But I think every pitcher has been overpaid this off season. Lilly and Marquis will certainly help the rotation, so if you take cost out of the equation, those were both good moves to improve a shaky rotation from a year ago. If Mark Prior can ever stay healthy and Kerry Wood adapts to coming out of the bullpen, the Cubs have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs in 2007.
Jeff Bagwell – I just wanted to end up by mentioning Bagwell, who had to officially retire this week because of a chronic arthritic shoulder. Bagwell should make the Hall of Fame. In 15 seasons, all with Houston, Bagwell slugged 449 homeruns, drove in 1,529 runs, scored 1,517 runs and had a career .297 average. He was rookie of the year, won a most valuable player award, three-time silver slugger at first base and he was a four-time all star. He won one gold glove as well. He, like his teammate Craig Biggio, did so much for the Astros during his career and his numbers certainly are hall-worthy. I think he should make it.
Yankees – Andy Pettitte is a serious upgrade to the rotation. Forget what Rainer wrote earlier about clutch that sparked a huge debate. Flat out, Pettitte can pitch. He is still good and, after failing to land Daisuke Matsuzaka, Pettitte was a great choice to pick up for the rotation. He’ll probably slot in behind Mike Mussina and Chien-Ming Wang. Randy Johnson, assuming he’s healthy will be the fourth starter and Japanese import Kei Igawa will probably take the fifth spot in the rotation. That is a whole lot better than what they had going into the off season. Inserting Pettitte and Igawa (though still unproven) will probably put up better combined numbers than Wright and Pavano (or whoever took his spot because he inevitably would have been injured) would have.
New rumors have Melky Cabrera going to Atlanta as part of a three-way trade that could bring the Yankees Mike Gonzalez, the Pirates closer a year ago. Gonzalez is young and throws hard and would be a huge upgrade to a shaky bullpen. If they can swing that deal, the pitching staff, which was the Yankees soft spot a season ago, is vastly improved and puts them in a position to repeat as division champs and to potentially make another run at a World Series title. If Cabrera does go elsewhere, that could lead to a return for Bernie Williams as a part-time designated hitter as well.
Barry Zito – Among free agents this year, Zito is the last big man standing, and it’s just about time for him to cash in. But, where and for how much? Rumors are swirling that the Rangers are ready to offer $100 million for six years. The Mets, another big-time pursuer are said to be unwilling to go more than five years and about $75 million (they are basing it on Roy Oswalt’s extension he signed with the Astros last summer). Basically it will come down to if Zito is willing to take a few million less to play in a big city and a contender (the Mets) or go somewhere based on money (the Rangers).
When the Mets make their pitch for Zito in person, expect them to play up the city, atmosphere and all the extra cash in endorsements that playing in the largest city in America could bring. Zito’s father told the New York Times a couple of weeks ago for an article his son’s next contract wouldn’t be about money, but about legacy. Well, if Zito wants to create a lasting legacy and really wants to go where he has the best chance to win a ring, the Mets will provide the best option.
Red Sox – The Red Sox have improved their rotation (Daisuke Matsuzaka), their offense (J.D. Drew and Julio Lugo) and their bullpen (Brendan Donnelly, JC Romero). They also decided to hold onto Manny Ramirez, which I think was the best move they made all year. Manny makes everyone around him better, especially David Ortiz. Without Manny, Ortiz approaches Barry Bonds’s walk record (intentional and overall).
If they actually decide to move Jonathan Papelbon into the rotation, they still need to find a closer, but this team is certainly better than it was a year ago. Just a note on Romero; he pitched pretty bad last year, but if he can get back to pitching like he did in 2004 and 2005 in Minnesota, he will be a great addition to the pen.
San Diego Padres – The Padres have added Greg Maddux to the rotation and are looking to bring back David Wells. That would give them a rotation Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Clay Hensley, Maddux and Wells. That is a solid rotation. Peavy is a top-of-the-rotation guy, Young had a great year last season and Maddux regained some of his old self when he headed to the Dodgers at the end of the year. For a team with aspirations to win another division title, the rotation is their biggest strength.
Marcus Giles is a new target for the Padres as they look to upgrade on offense. The former Brave was non-tendered last week and San Diego makes the most sense. His brother plays on the team. He is from San Diego. And, the Padres need a second baseman. It all makes sense. They will have some competition though from the Mets and Red Sox for his services, but plan on Giles being the starting second baseman for the Padres.
Chicago Cubs – Mark DeRosa and Alfonso Soriano were added to the lineup and Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis in the rotation, the Cubs have added some pieces to help move them into contention in a division that was very weak last year. Soriano will provide a ton of power in hitter-friendly Wrigley Field. The question is; are the Cubs serious about having Soriano play centerfield? That could be, umm, interesting to say the least. Nevertheless, their offense is much improved. Derek Lee should be healthy after an injury-plagued 2006. Aramis Ramirez was re-signed as well, so this team should score runs.
The pitching staff is still a bit of a question. Lilly and Marquis were brought in and the Cubs overpaid. But I think every pitcher has been overpaid this off season. Lilly and Marquis will certainly help the rotation, so if you take cost out of the equation, those were both good moves to improve a shaky rotation from a year ago. If Mark Prior can ever stay healthy and Kerry Wood adapts to coming out of the bullpen, the Cubs have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs in 2007.
Jeff Bagwell – I just wanted to end up by mentioning Bagwell, who had to officially retire this week because of a chronic arthritic shoulder. Bagwell should make the Hall of Fame. In 15 seasons, all with Houston, Bagwell slugged 449 homeruns, drove in 1,529 runs, scored 1,517 runs and had a career .297 average. He was rookie of the year, won a most valuable player award, three-time silver slugger at first base and he was a four-time all star. He won one gold glove as well. He, like his teammate Craig Biggio, did so much for the Astros during his career and his numbers certainly are hall-worthy. I think he should make it.
posted by Steve Bernard @ 1:24 PM
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