This week’s tomatoes get delivered in four packs, in honor of #4 himself, Brett Favre.  While the Favre saga is ongoing (and quite tomato-worthy), it certainly isn’t alone.

Where do you direct your tomatoes this week?


Throwing Tomatoes – Volume X


The “Brett Favre Saga”
…for getting more confusing by the day.
This whole thing is getting a little out of hand.  First, we hear about the text to Ted Thompson.  Then the request for reinstatement.  Next, Green Bay declines Favre’s release request.  We hear rumors of Favre being a backup, plus the chatter about a Packer fan rally.  Heck, another six-pack of stories likely popped up in the time it took for me to write this sentence.

Green Bay Packers
…for thinking they can brush off a legend.
Listen, I know everyone has a take on this one.  We could all vote and it would likely be split right down the middle.  Still, I have to say this… while I think Brett Favre could have handled the situation better, I still feel the Packers need to let  him come back and be their QB.  I understand what Green Bay is doing, but Favre single handedly helped revive this historical franchise, which was stuck in the dumps for years. This is how you repay him when he changes his mind and wants to come back for more?

The Packer Fans Rally
… for not sounding the least bit impressive.
The headlines all over the sports pages discuss a rally of Packer fans backing Favre and chanting for him to return to Green Bay.  Yet, you read the story and it discusses a “crowd of over 100”.  Really?  That’s it?  Does that mean the rest of you want Aaron Rodgers?  REALLY?

Tampa Bay Rays
…for hitting a major bump in the road right when everyone was jumping on the wagon.
There are still a lot of games left.  With that being said, it isn’t often that you see championship teams struggle for such a prolonged period of time.  The losing streak is at seven games.  This week’s All-Star game will be a much needed break for the Rays.

People Drinking the Angels Haterade
…instead of recognizing how good this team is.
Is it me, or is no one talking about the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim?  Maybe because the team name confuses them?  Either way, the Angels are tied with the Cubs for the best record in baseball heading into the All-Star break.  And get this, they open the second half at home against the Red Sox.  Time to ask T.O. for some popcorn.

Travis Henry
…for testing positive for marijuana.
Yep, you got it… it’s just another story about a talented athlete flushing his career right down the toilet after getting into trouble one time too many.

Martin Truex
…for failing inspection at Daytona.
As a result of the illegal car, Truex and his DEI team were penalized 150 points by NASCAR.  That one will leave a mark… and so will this tomato.

Washington Wizards
…for the mammoth deal they gave Gilbert Arenas.
Six years and 111 million for Arenas?  Seriously?  I know the guy can play, but he’s also been injured frequently enough in recent years that I think this is a bit much for “Agent Zero”.

Chicago Cubs
…for wheeling and dealing to get Rich Harden.
Listen, Harden is painfully talented… painful like the injuries he sustains on a yearly basis.  Who else thinks he could suffer another setback before October arrives?

Carlos Marmol as an NL All-Star Replacement
…for Kerry Wood, who is injured.
Are you kidding me?  I can’t believe Marmol had the highest vote on the player ballot.  There are so many other candidates that are more deserving.  Cole Hamels and Chad Billingsley come to mind.

The Orioles on Sunday
… and the fact that they just can’t win… again.
Make that 14 consecutive losses on Sunday for the Birds.  You guessed it, they’re gettin’ one until they can get into the win column.

The Brett Favre Saga…again
…for frustrating me one more time.
I can’t stop shaking my head at this Brett Favre story.  I just had to stop and pause… and sling another tomato.  That’s four this go-round for #4 and the tangled web he’s in with the Packers.


Honorary Tomato Throwers of the Week
Because those who found success earn a chance to sling one at their opposition

New York Mets – at the NL East after winning nine straight heading into the All-Star break.
Philadelphia 76ers – at the Clippers after signing Elton Brand.
C.C. Sabathia – at the NL after getting his second win in as many starts as a Brewer.
Ian Kinsler – at AL pitching after his hit streak was extended to 25 games.

This has been “Throwing Tomatoes”… and please… no more texts of “2-MAY-2” sent to me.  Is that you Brett?

It isn’t quite the All-Star Break for baseball, yet most of the league’s teams are at or past the halfway point of this year’s grueling 162 game season. With that being said, there are certainly a number of teams and players that have already stood out in a positive way.

Yep, like a teacher gives her best students, it’s time to hand out some gold stars, this time to the best performers during baseball’s first half.


Gold Stars – Volume III
Baseball’s Halfway Point

Tampa Bay Rays (49-32)
Many prognosticators had these guys competing in 2008, but let’s be honest, did we all really believe it? One thing’s for sure, the Rays are loaded with talent all over the field, and oh yeah… Evan Longoria is for real.

Baltimore Orioles (41-39)
Many critics had the Orioles finishing with the worst record in the majors. Meanwhile, the O’s are finding ways to stay afloat. Baltimore is 17-12 is one-run games, that’s four more one-run victories than all of last season. Their bullpen has been the strong point, posting the fifth best ERA in the majors (3.15). Andy MacPhail also deserves “props” for the deals he made in the offseason, as the players acquired in the Tejada and Bedard deals are making significant contributions to this year’s club (as well as in the minors).

Philadelphia Phillies (44-39)
In recent years, Philadelphia has been a consistent slow starter. However, 2008 has been a different story. While many would point to Chase Utley and Cole Hamels as the main reasons for their hot start, one shouldn’t dismiss how deadly Philly’s bullpen has been, with a major league leading ERA of 2.62.

Boston Red Sox (50-34)
The reigning champs have sustained some injuries, with David Ortiz going down weeks ago and Curt Schilling being lost for the year. Still, the Sox keep picking each other up, and remain in a battle with the Rays and Angels for the AL’s best record.

Chicago Cubs (49-33)
We knew they would likely perform well, but were the Cubbies expected to have a commanding lead for best record in the NL at the midway point? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, it’s going to be interesting to see what Chicago does at the trade deadline, especially with Carlos Zambrano injured.

George Sherrill (3.53 ERA, 26 saves)
Taking over as a full-time closer for the first time in his career, did anyone see these kind of numbers coming out of Sherrill? His 26 saves are second in the major leagues. If this guy doesn’t make the AL All-Star team, it’s a shame.

Carlos Quentin (.288 average, 19 HR, 61 RBI)
Looks like the D’Backs gave up on Quentin one year too early, as he’s putting up MVP-type numbers for the White Sox through the first half.

Nate McLouth (.283 average, 15 HR, 51 RBI)
Pittsburgh’s 26-year old center fielder has already reached career highs in home runs and RBI’s. The real question is, how long can he keep this torrid pace up?

Chase Utley and Dan Uggla (23 HR each – leads MLB)
Who out there had two National League second basemen leading the Majors in home runs? Yeah, I didn’t think so. The real question is, who deserves to start at second in the All-Star game?

Josh Hamilton (.312 average, 19 HR, 79 RBI)
It’s been years since there was talk about a Triple Crown winner. That is, until Hamilton stepped up to the plate as a Texas Ranger in 2008. Currently, he leads the AL in homers and RBI’s, but has dropped to 10th in average. There’s plenty of season left for Hamilton to hit the record books.

Lance Berkman (.364 average, 21 HR, 67 RBI)
Sticking with the Triple Crown theme, Lance Berkman has rustled up similar rumors in the NL this season. On a ridiculous pace in 2008, Berkman is currently second in the NL in average, 3rd in HR, and 2nd in RBI.

Chipper Jones (.394 average, 16 HR, 46 RBI)
It’s nice to once again have a story about someone chasing .400 this far into the season. Then again, do any of us really think that Chipper can pull it off? One thing’s for sure, if he does, Jones will be feeling… well… chipper.

Edinson Volquez (10-3, 2.08 ERA, 110 K’s)
In his first full season, Volquez has been dominant since being traded from the Rangers to the Reds. He doesn’t count as a rookie, but should definitely be considered a candidate for the NL Cy Young award as the season progresses.

Tim Lincecum (9-1, 2.38 ERA, 114 K’s)
In only his second season, the 24-year old Lincecum has been dominant in the young Giants rotation. If San Francisco could just acquire some supporting cast…

Cliff Lee (11-1, 2.34 ERA, 90 K’s) and Ervin Santana (9-3, 3.32 ERA, 99 K’s)
After abysmal 2007 campaigns, Lee (6.29 ERA) and Santana (5.76) were nearly traded by their respective teams. In the end, neither were dealt, and now both are comeback stories of the year.

Justin Duchscherer (8-5, 1.91 ERA)
With nearly 200 relief appearances over the last four seasons, Duchscherer was placed in the Oakland rotation this year, and has flourished. Now, he leads the majors with the best ERA, and a start in the All-Star game is certainly not out of the question.

Ryan Dempster (9-3, 3.26 ERA)
Starting for the first time since 2003, Dempster has pitched extremely well for the Cubs. How smart is Lou Piniella looking right now for moving him back into the rotation?

Francisco Rodriguez (2.04 ERA, 31 saves)
Rodriguez is having an incredible season, and well on his way to challenging Bobby Thigpen’s record of 57 saves (set back in 1990).

Silver Stars (Honorable Mentions)
Rich Harden, Jim Johnson, Mike Mussina, J.D. Drew, Adrian Gonzalez, Ian Kinsler, Milton Bradley, John Danks, Joe Saunders, and Aaron Cook

If you get a chance, check out this post’s counterpart, “Throwing Tomatoes: Baseball’s Halfway Point”.

This has been “Gold Stars”… let’s see who performs during the second half.

** All stats as of Sunday June 29, 2008

Since the beginning of the Wild Card era, there have been numerous surprises and exciting finishes throughout Major League Baseball. From the Diamondbacks winning on the final at bat against Mariano Rivera, to Aaron Boone hitting a walk off against Boston, to the Red Sox erasing a 3-0 deficit, the baseball playoffs have become borderline unpredictable. One could say that predicting the playoffs is no longer as easy as X, Y, Z… until today, but for a different reason.

To help my predictions become “as easy as X, Y, Z”, I looked to three players that will be factors for each team. I first looked to a potential X-factor for each team. In addition, I’m inventing two additional factors: a Y-factor (the player you may not think of immediately, but there are reasons “why” they are a factor more than others) and a Z-factor (symbolizing sleeping - or catching z’s, therefore the player I think each team shouldn’t rely upon during the playoffs). I see each trio of players to be pivotal in each team’s postseason success.

And now… my predictions for each Divisional Series…

American League

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim VS Boston Red Sox

Game 1: Angels – Lackey (19-9) at Red Sox – Beckett (20-7)

Game 2: Angels – Escobar (18-7) at Red Sox – Matsuzaka (15-12)

Game 3: Red Sox – Schilling (9-8) at Angels – Weaver (13-7)

Game 4: If Necessary

Game 5: If Necessary

X-factors:

Boston – David Ortiz: Injury or no injury, Big Papi still has the ability to deliver clutch hit after clutch hit, and Boston will need him to do so in this year's playoffs... more so than ever.

Los Angeles – Vladimir Guerrero: Sticking with the potent bats, I’m going with Vlad here, especially considering the fact that he struggled the last time he faced the Red Sox in the playoffs.

Y-factors:

Boston – Dustin Pedroia: The potential Rookie of the Year in the AL has been a spark for the Boston offense. He will need to get on base to not only distract the pitchers, but also to provide RBI opportunities for the potent bats of Ortiz and Ramirez.

Los Angeles – Reggie Willits: The rookie will be asked to play CF, replacing the injured Gary Matthews Jr. His defensive play and ability to get on base will be key for the Angels in this series.

Z-factors:

Boston – Eric Gagne: Gagne struggled ever since being traded to Boston at the trade deadline, blowing numerous Boston leads over the final months. If I’m the Red Sox, I use him rarely, and not in any close games or tight situations.

Los Angeles – Gary Matthews Jr.: Brought in and paid big bucks, Matthews Jr. was supposed to help give the Angels the extra boost on both offense and defense. However, an up and down season, plus an injury entering the postseason makes him a non-factor.

KP’s Take: Injuries are key in this series, and the Angels seem to have more ”damaged goods” heading into Game 1. If the Angels can earn a split at Fenway, they could have a shot, due to playing so well at home. Either way, I expect this series to go the distance, and I give a slight edge to the Red Sox.

Red Sox in 5

New York Yankees VS Cleveland Indians

Game 1: Yankees – Wang (19-7) at Indians – Sabathia (19-7)

Game 2: Yankees – Pettitte (15-9) at Indians – Carmona (19-8)

Game 3: Indians – Westbrook (6-9) at Yankees – Clemens (6-6)

Game 4: If Necessary

Game 5: If Necessary

X-factors:

New York – Alex Rodriguez: A-Rod is the biggest X-factor for any team in the playoffs, and the spotlight will be all over him due to his lackluster playoff performances in the past. After a magical year (possibly his last in New York), something tells me that Rodriguez is going to break out in a big way.

Cleveland – Travis Hafner: Would you call a .266 average, 24 HR’s, and 100 RBI’s a down year? It is for Hafner, and now more than ever, the Indians need him to step up and get hot against New York’s veteran pitching staff.

Y-factors:

New York – Joba Chamberlain: Chamberlain (2-0, 0.38 ERA, 34 K’s in 24 IP) has been dominant thus far, and if New York can keep the games close against Cleveland’s two aces, it will be necessary for the fiery rookie to bridge the gap in the late innings, opening the door for the Yankee bats to take the lead and put the ball in the hands of Mariano Rivera.

Cleveland – Fausto Carmona: Sabathia is more of a veteran, and should pitch well. Last season, Carmona was a young kid, who was painfully wild. This year, he did a complete 180, winning 19 games. However, the playoff atmosphere is different, and in order to knock off the high octane Yankees offense, Carmona will need to keep his composure.

Z-factors:

New York – Johnny Damon: He has played better of late, but if I’m the Yankees, I would use Matsui, Cabrera, and Abreu in the outfield more frequently.

Cleveland – Joe Borowski: I’m not saying “Don’t pitch him”, but if I’m an Indians fan, I worry as while Borowski had 45 saves, he also blew eight save opportunities, and had an ERA above 5 on the season.

KP’s Take: The Yankees were dominant throughout most of the second half of the season. The Indians have the better overall pitching staff, but the Yankees have the consistent playoff experience. If New York can manage to beat either Sabathia or Carmona at “The Jake”, I think New York can manage to escape and advance to the ALCS in a tight, hard fought series. It comes down to experience, and the Yankees have plenty of it… and then some.

Yankees in 5

National League

Chicago Cubs VS Arizona Diamondbacks

Game 1: Cubs – Zambrano (18-13) at Diamondbacks – Webb (18-10)

Game 2: Cubs – Lilly (15-8) at Diamondbacks – Davis (13-12)

Game 3: Diamondbacks – Hernandez (11-11) at Cubs – Hill (11-8)

Game 4: If Necessary
Game 5: If Necessary

X-factors:

Chicago – Carlos Zambrano: Struggling often in the second half, Zambrano is key for Chicago in the playoffs, especially since he will be asked to defeat Brandon Webb once, and maybe twice.

Arizona – Chris Young: Someone needs to spark Arizona’s offense, and while Young hit 32 HR’s during the season, he also batted .237 and struck out 141 times. For the Diamondbacks to have a chance, they need him to put the playoff pressure aside and be efficient at the plate.

Y-factors:

Chicago – Alfonso Soriano: A .299 average, 33 HR’s, 70 RBI’s, and 19 SB’s is a decent year for many, but for Soriano and his giant contract, it’s a disappointment. He has the talent and playoff experience, and that’s why he’s key for the Cubs.

Arizona – Doug Davis: Someone has to help Webb anchor the rotation, and the biggest factor will be Davis, who at times was solid (144 K’s), but also wild (95 walks). The D’Backs need him to produce a quality start (or two) in the playoffs.

Z-factors:

Chicago – Jacque Jones: After having only 5 HR’s and 66 RBI’s over the season, it’s safe to say that Jones was a major disappointment, and expect him to be a potential non-factor in the playoffs.

Arizona – Carlos Quentin: With 5 HR’s and a .214 average over 81 games, Quentin was a major disappointment on offense. Expect Arizona to rely on others to carry the team.

KP’s Take: Arizona had a great season with timely hitting and streaky pitching. Still, Arizona’s youthful offense has never been in the playoff spotlight, and I further see little depth in the rotation behind Brandon Webb. On the other side, the Cubs have veterans with experience, and a manager that can inspire a team and win big games. Therefore, I’ll take the Cubbies to advance to the NLCS.

Cubs in 4

Colorado Rockies VS Philadelphia Phillies

Game 1: Rockies – Francis (17-9) at Phillies – Hamels (15-5)

Game 2: Rockies – TBD (?-?) at Phillies – Kendrick (10-4)

Game 3: Phillies – Moyer (14-12) at Rockies – TBD (?-?)

Game 4: If Necessary

Game 5: If Necessary

X-factors:

Philadelphia – Jimmy Rollins: Utley and Howard are important for the team’s success, but Rollins is the key here, as he’s the spark that can ignite the offense. Keep in mind, Rollins had 30 HR’s, 94 RBI’s, 41 SB’s, and a .296 average during the regular season.

Colorado – Troy Tulowitzki: The obvious choice is Holliday, but I’m not worried about him. He will hit. Instead, I consider the rookie Tulowitzki as the X-factor in the series for the Rockies. As a rookie, there will be a lot of pressure on him, especially since he has put this team on his back on a number of occasions.

Y-factors:

Philadelphia – Brett Myers: While a lot of the talk will be on the Philly offense, there should be focus on Myers. Converted to a closer due to injuries, Myers is key to this series, as he could be asked to come in and shut down one of the best offenses in the league, likely in a tight and high scoring game.

Colorado – Jeff Francis: This team is all about potent offense, and playing at Coors Field, pitching is often not discussed. That’s why I choose Francis, because in order to slow down the Philly offense, Colorado will need someone to keep them in games. Who better than the guy considered ace of the staff, and one that has struggled against Philly. What better time to finally shut down the Phillies?

Z-factors:

Philadelphia – Adam Eaton: Eaton is an obvious choice, since the Phillies chose to leave him off the playoff roster entirely. Either way, Eaton was paid a hefty amount of cash to help the Phillies, and while he pitched 30 starts over the course of the year, he has struggled often in a Philadelphia uniform.

Colorado – Jorge Julio: The former Oriole closer is still wild, and if not for the Rockies offense, he would have blown the extra-innings game the other night. Not only did he give up Scott Hairston’s two-run homer in the 13th, but he also struggled all season, posting an 0-5 record with an ERA above 5. Colorado should focus on other bullpen arms during key moments in the series.

KP’s Take: This matchup could be the most exciting of the opening round, if you like high octane offense. Expect some high scoring and close games. The Phillies came in hot, and the Rockies came in blistering hot. Either way, something has to give here, and the struggles of Francis against the Phillies, plus the emotional high Colorado hit the other night are factors here. Therefore, I give Philadelphia the slight edge.

Phillies in 5

 

That does it for my predictions… who do you have?

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack… and grab me a beer while you’re at it.  Honestly, would Cracker Jack still be made today if it wasn’t for the game of baseball?  I don’t recall ever seeing it stocked at the grocery store, just being sold at a stadium at an exorbitant price from a big fat guy screaming “Crackahh Jack heeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrreeeeeee”.  OK, now I just went and typecast all the stadium vendors in baseball.  I had to be “that guy”.

Now that you have your snacks, sit back and relax.  Baseball season is finally upon us!  If you are as excited as me, perhaps you have a number of thoughts running through your head about Opening Day and the 2007 season.  If not, then let me present you with some random and tantalizing baseball thoughts that will hopefully keep you preoccupied until the first pitch crosses the plate…

Some Baseball Thoughts That Are Off Base

Pete Rose is back in the news, but this time he discusses how he gambled in baseball.  In fact, a few days ago, Rose was on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno discussing how often he gambled.  Rose did so quite nonchalantly I might add… and that struck me as odd.  How many years has this man adamantly stated that he never gambled in baseball?   Now, without any segway at all, Rose tells the story of how he bet on every game that his Cincinnati Reds played when he managed the team.  Hello?  Where have you been the last decade Pete?  I think Rose’s brain may be missing more than Mark Prior and Kerry Wood from the Chicago Cubs lineup.

Speaking of gamblers…

Kenny Rogers, also known as “The Gambler”, is back in baseball news.  Rogers is going to open the 2007 season on the disabled list.  The injury has been labeled as a “tired arm”.  Yeah, so I’m not going to lie to you, having a “tired arm” before the season begins is not exactly a good thing.  At age 42, my diagnosis to Rogers would be that he has an “old arm”.  Who’s “The Gambler” now?  My money is on Detroit’s front office.

Speaking of players on the disabled list…

Kenny Rogers isn’t the only player missing from rosters in the early going.  In fact a number of others are missing from baseball as Opening Day approaches.  While players like Rogers hit the 15-day DL, I am left to think of Ugueth Urbina.  Today, I personally placed Urbina on the 14-year DL… but hey, don’t worry Urbina fans, I imagine that it’s probably retroactive to last season.  Therefore, he should be eligible to come off the DL in 2020.

Speaking of players not in the Majors this year…

There are a number of great prospects on the outer edge looking in.  Among the many talented minor league players waiting for his big break include the talented starting pitcher Homer Bailey, who has a career minor league record of 18-11, with an ERA of 3.36 and 290 strikeouts in just under 255 innings (all with the Cincinnati Reds organization).  There is no doubt that Bailey could get his chance real soon with the Major League club.  If you ask me, I think maybe his parents may have jinxed him at birth.  OK, honestly his full name is David “Homer” Dewitt Bailey Jr.  I assume the nickname came from family (to distinguish between father and son), but I’m not entirely sure.  But hey, it’s OK, Homer will mostly get to pitch at Great American Ballpark too.  Poor guy.

Speaking of homers…

Once again featuring talented, powerful, and expensive lineups, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will likely be hitting a lot of home runs during this upcoming season.  The real question will remain… “Can either of these two high profile teams translate its giant payroll into a World Series title?”  While watching the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry on TV is entertaining, I think the general baseball fan thinks that it’s getting old to see each of these two teams involved in the playoff chase almost every year.  With exception to the obvious, being the Sox and Yanks fans themselves.  Personally, I would rather see Sanjaya Malakar win American Idol than see New York or Boston take the title in 2007.  And I’m tellin’ you, I’m no Pavarotti, but I would never put that kid in a glass house and tell him to belt out his favorite tune.

Speaking of the Red Sox...

Everyone knows who will be receiving the most attention this year in Boston.  That’s right people, it’s Daisuke Matsuzaka… the new Red Sox hero.  The media has already opened the floodgates with Matsuzaka Mania.  Dice-K, D-Mat, and the list goes on… he’s already being called so many different names, that Daisuke is going to need to get a separate translator just for the nicknames.

Speaking of being lost in translation…

The talk of the season in Seattle is regarding Ichiro, and if this will be his last season in Seattle.  Suzuki could even be moved at the trading deadline, perhaps sign with another team in the upcoming offseason, or maybe make it back with the Seattle Mariners if an extension is signed.  Either way, wouldn’t it be extremely odd to see Ichiro playing in a different uniform?

Speaking of odd uniform changes…

I don’t know about you, but to begin the season, it is going to be difficult for me to see the following: “The Big Hurt” in a Toronto uniform, Alfonso Soriano playing with the Cubs, Andy Pettitte back in New York, J.D. Drew in Boston, Jason Schmidt playing for the Dodgers, and Barry Zito in a Giants uniform.  Then there’s Roger “The Rocket” Clemens.  Will he play again, and if so, will he come back to Houston, or instead travel to Boston or New York?

Clemens is one of those players with a name that makes me think of non-baseball related things.  Do you have players like that, or am I the one losing my mind?  For example, I think it’s fitting for “The Rocket” to remain in Houston because the city itself is a main hub for NASA.  Clemens isn’t the only player that makes me think of other random things.  In fact, there are countless others.  Three more examples are:

#### Bonser (Minnesota Twins) – Bonser will be relied upon heavily to stabilize a Twins rotation that will have lost young phenom Francisco Liriano for the year due to injury.  But when I think of #### Bonser, I just think of the movie Teen Wolf.  C’mon admit it, you know what I’m talkin’ about people.

Coco Crisp (Boston Red Sox) – Yes, you guessed it… I think of cereal.  I think of that goofy bird in the commercials when I was a kid.  However, now I realize I was combining Cocoa Krispies and Cocoa Puffs, so maybe in the long run, I will be able to move on from this.  The question will be, can Crisp move on and improve on a subpar first season with the Red Sox?

Barry Bonds (San Francisco Giants) – While everyone else is thinking of the home run record or any allegations, I just picture Bonds as a tank… but in human form.  Let’s face it, I could work out EIGHT days a week, and I still wouldn’t look like that.

How will all of these players perform in 2007?  Especially the ones that are in new uniforms, as they will be under a microscope for sure.  Will each player’s respective fan base approve of his performance in the upcoming season?

Speaking of approval…

How will the D.C. faithful react to the Washington Nationals this year?  Can anyone out there name the team’s starting rotation without cheating?  Even better yet, bonus points if you are able to name the team’s 25 man roster.  Yeah, I didn’t think so.  Something tells me that the Washington fan approval may hover near the Mendoza line this season.  We’re talking similar to the approval rating of another figure in the Nation’s Capital, that being President Bush.  Don’t worry, I’m not going to go political on you… but hey, you should vote!

Speaking of voting…

Do you have any votes for the upcoming 2007 season?  It can be anything from MVP in the American League to comeback player of the year, biggest free agent bust to Cy Young in the National League, Wild Card in the AL to World Series representative in the NL.  If you were to bet on anything to happen, what would it be?  Bold predictions or minor mild predictions… whatever you wish.  On my side, I’ll come up with one of each, a mild prediction, a bold prediction, and a betting thought…

Mild Prediction: The Toronto Blue Jays are in arguably the most talented division in baseball, that being the stacked American League East.  After finishing in second place in ’06, there are high hopes in Toronto this year for the team to push its game to the next level.  I’m sure Canadians will no longer want to hear any more excuses after this season… you know, such as my prediction of… They’ll be the best team in Canada, eh!

Bold Prediction: I think the most interesting races of the season will be in both Central divisions, and if I were to make a bold prediction, I would guarantee that there will be one surprise division winner, coming from either the American League or the National League.  There are two teams that come to mind, both of which feature talented young core players along with improved health and pitching.  Therefore, I would not be shocked to see either the Cleveland Indians steal away a playoff spot in the AL Central, or the Milwaukee Brewers earn a playoff berth in the NL Central.

Betting Thought: At the moment, I’m not 100% sure on what I would bet on, as baseball has been becoming more and more unpredictable in recent years.  However, I imagine that if I were to put $1 down on a Pirates vs. Royals World Series in 2007, that with the odds I could get approximately a MILLION in return.  Is that mean to think such a thing?!  Perhaps.  I admit it though, it would be fun to see a surprise team become the World Series champs of 2007.

Speaking of the Champs…

The St. Louis Cardinals come into the 2007 season as the returning champs.  However, with less veteran talent in St. Louis and more need for the younger players to step up their game, Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa is going to have his hands full.  It will be a major challenge for the Cards to repeat.  LaRussa will definitely need to pull some magic with this team and he definitely can’t “fall asleep at the wheel”.  Hmm, maybe that was a bad choice of words.  Anyway, it is going to be an interesting year, not only in St. Louis, but throughout all of Major League Baseball.

With all that being said… is it Opening Day yet?  Let’s get this party started!

 

In a rollercoaster offseason that has provided many fireworks but little firepower, the Baltimore Orioles came through with what could be a significant addition on Monday.  The Orioles acquired outfielder Corey Patterson from the Chicago Cubs for single-A minor leaguers Nate Spears and Carlos Perez.  While this acquisition is sure to cause a variety of opinions among Oriole fans, I’m one that feels this is a very solid move.  Patterson obviously had a very down year in 2005 (.215 average, 13 homers, 34 rbi’s, and a demotion to AAA), but he still has tremendous upside and could just need a change of scenery to get back on track.  The Orioles, desperate to make some additional moves to keep up in the AL East, add a player with above average defensive skills and the ability to be a 30/30 player (thirty home runs and thirty stolen bases).  Along with the speed and power, Patterson has shown that he can also hit for average (.298 average in 2003).  Keep in mind that Patterson is also at a very young age of 26, which fills the profile that Baltimore has been looking for, which is adding a significant player that can stick around in an Orioles uniform for a while and not result in sacrificing the future (in the form of upper level prospects).   

To attempt to back the Orioles in their move to acquire Corey Patterson, try comparing his statistics with that of the other potential candidates for the Orioles’ three starting outfield roster spots. 

First, here are a sampling of some of the aforementioned candidates, with some general background information on each of them.

Corey Patterson – He was donned a future star with the Cubs, but may have been rushed to the majors a little too quickly.  Patterson will now have a chance to resurrect his career in Baltimore.

Jeromy Burnitz – Like Patterson, Burnitz is considered an above average defender, with the ability to hit around 30 home runs a season.  Burnitz had a verbal agreement in place with the Orioles, but later backed out to sign with the Pirates.

Luis Matos – Matos has had every opportunity to become a fixture in center field for the Orioles, but injuries and lackluster numbers have resulted in a fall from grace with the fans and the Baltimore front office.  He could be in a position to retain his job, or may be used as trade bait for other team needs.

Nick Markakis – One of the top prospects in the Oriole farm system (according to Baseball America), and slated to be a future star for years to come in Baltimore,  Markakis will have a chance this spring to earn a spot on the major league roster.  Beginning the year at AAA may be more helpful.

Val Majewski – Majewski was injured last season, and will have a chance to make the team, and is one the most highly regarded prospects in the Baltimore organization at the current time. 

Jeff Conine – An aging veteran and a fan favorite in Baltimore from his past tenure, Conine should provide solid leadership to a young team.  By adding Patterson, Conine can now potentially fill the void at first base, which was left vacant by former Oriole Rafael Palmeiro.

Eric Byrnes – Byrnes was given a shot to make the team, but he struggled at the end of the season and Baltimore decided to let him go.  However, he was picked up by Arizona, which makes part of me wonder if the Orioles could have picked up his option and packaged him in a deal (with other players) for Javier Vazquez, as the O’s are desperate for a pitcher to lead the starting rotation.

David Newhan – Newhan flourished in 2004 and struggled in 2005.  A career minor leaguer in his Texas days, it is still hard to tell if Newhan deserves a starting spot on a team in the majors.

Larry Bigbie – Once thought to be a future star in the Orioles organization, Baltimore finally gave up on Bigbie last season, as the Cubs did this season with Patterson.  At the time, the O’s traded him to Colorado, but this season he signed on with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Richard Hidalgo – Hidalgo has been mentioned as a possible Orioles acquisition in recent weeks.  He is a player that has struggled mightily at times, but also shown some flashes of brilliance. 

Manny Ramirez – For the sake of my argument, I will leave Manny’s stats out of the grouping below.  The main reason for exclusion being that adding Ramirez would also mean subtracting Miguel Tejada, which is close to being a wash in the stats department. 

Jay Gibbons – I am also leaving out the stats of Gibbons, who according to all reports has already earned the spot as starting right fielder for the Orioles in 2006.

Next, here is a stat comparison for each of the above listed players (Except for Ramirez and Gibbons) for the 2004 and 2005 seasons.  Each player is compared among the following categories:  age (as of today), games played (GP), home runs hit (HR), runs batted in (RBI), stolen bases (SB), and batting average (AVG.).  I have also included a calculation statistic ( (162 / GP) * Stat Value ) to show the approximate season the player would have had if he was on the field for all 162 games.    

2004 Season (Actual statistics – Major League stats only)

PLAYER	AGE	GP	HR	RBI	SB	AVG.
Corey Patterson	26	157	24	72	32	.266
Jeromy Burnitz	36	150	37	110	5	.283
Luis Matos	27	89	6	28	12	.224
Jeff Conine	39	140	14	83	5	.280
Eric Byrnes	29	143	20	73	17	.283
David Newhan	32	95	8	54	11	.311
Larry Bigbie	28	139	15	68	8	.280
Richard Hidalgo	30	144	25	82	4	.239
Nick Markakis	22	-	-	-	-	-
Val Majewski	24	9	0	1	0	.154

2005 Season (Actual statistics – Major League stats only)

PLAYER	AGE	GP	HR	RBI	SB	AVG.
Corey Patterson	26	122	13	34	15	.215
Jeromy Burnitz	36	160	24	87	5	.258
Luis Matos	27	121	4	32	17	.280
Jeff Conine	39	131	3	33	2	.304
Eric Byrnes	29	126	10	40