Hanley Ramirez signed an extension with the Marlins. This is great news for the Marlins and for baseball. For Sox fans holding out hope for the much-rumored Julio Lugo, Brandon Moss, Kevin Cash for Hanley Ramirez trade, this is a bitter defeat. By the way, if you're wondering about the whereabouts of Anibal Sanchez, he's still rehabbing from a torn labrum, hopes to return by July.
Elsewhere in the NL East, Ryan Howard is in a slump. This is not news. There might be a point to this column on Johan Santana, but I cannot find it. Smoltz could be back by end of month and will probably become the Braves' closer. Wily Mo's outfield struggles continue in D.C. Semi-prescient sentence: “Hours before yesterday's game, Wily Mo Peña took some extra drills in the outfield with first base coach Jerry Morales.” If Wily Mo has a future, it’s at first base. Right coach, wrong area code.
As for the Sox, how about we don’t mention Hanley Ramirez and Julio Lugo in the same sentence again? It’s best for all parties. You know what else is best for all parties? Not lying. Lying is when Julio Lugo, asked if his confidence is shot, replies, “"No way. I know I'm one of the best shortstops in the league.” Did you hear Jed Lowrie his first big league home run last night? Oh, and he has zero errors on the season.
In Tampa, the second place Rays’ top pick is still a jumble and one writer think Iwamura is growing into the leadoff role. Iwamura's .309 OBP could not be reached for comment. Some Schmuck in Baltimore apologizes for giving up on Cabrera. Goose tells Joba to act like a Yankee. No comment. The Jays can’t catch a break, subject fans to Armando Benitez.
The NL Central is chock full of closer intrigue. Gagne accepts blame for being awful, asks out of closer role. Izzy’s role changes, too, and one man says his problems could make for an eventful summer in the Cards' pen. In Chicago, there is gloating that Kerry Wood is better than his division counterparts. In Houston, no closer talk, just compassion for those closing out careers. I don't know who the Pirates closer is (Jose Mesa?) but it seems they're on a five-game winning streak. In Cincy, it sounds like this chap JUST learned what on-base percentage is and he’s SO giddy about he refuses to write about anything else.
There is concern about the stress of the job taking its toll on Ozzie Guillen. Whatever would give them that impression? Fortunately there is no better stress reliever than visiting Seattle and taking three from the Mariners. Oh, and being in first place is probably good for the nerves as well. In Minnesota, the Twins must adjust to life without Pat Neshek. The Indians have pen problems of their own and concern about Hafner's diet mounts:
I’d be willing to bet that if Hafner changed his diet slightly, cutting out bad carbs, etc, he'd be mentally and physically quicker.
White foods, such as bread, rice and potatoes, make a person lethargic. Hafner looks very lethargic to me.
Meanwhile, the Tiggers have a lot of bad carbs in the starting rotation and the Royals have bad carbs at home.
Eric Byrnes is struggling in Arizona. Andruw Jones draws jeers in Los Angeles. Mark Redman gets demoted in Colorado. Emmanuel Burriss misses his pal in San Fransisco. The Padres are atrocious in San Diego.
The Angels infield injury troubles multiply as Figgins joins Iztruris and Kenrick on the DL. In Oakland, the second-place A's get healthy with Buck, Calero and Chavez on the mend. Having lost five in a row, the Mariners find themselves in last place and without a pulse. What’s wrong with this club so many thought would contend for a division title? To hear the Seattle Times’ Jerry Brewer tell it, the Mariners lack three important ingredients: “Leadership. Chemistry. Winning savvy.” Some might blame the manager. And in Texas, some think Ron Washington deserves a more substantive vote of confidence.
Happy Mother's Day!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Sunday papers
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Sunday papers
We begin with premature speculation that Brian Cashman could available to the fill the impending GM opening for the NL East leading Phils. Meanwhile, if the Mets don't get it together they could have be looking for a new manager. New York's offense has been disappointing (21st in the majors in runs) but things could now be looking up as Carlos Delgado finds his groove. Elsewhere in the East, the Marlins are hanging in the race (1/2 game back) despite rotation woes. With the Braves under .500, we reflect on Chipper Jones legacy in Atlanta. The Nats' Ryan Zimmerman is out of the lineup today, likely ending a 205 game streak. The holder of the longest active streak might surprise you.
The NL Central leading Cards are anticipating the return of Mulder. The second place Cubs are reconfiguring their pitching staff. Likewise, the 16-14 Brewers and shuffling the roster with Turnbow being sent to the minors and Gallardo likely out for a while with a torn ACL. But much more importantly, there is a movement afoot in Appleton, Wisconsin, that could change the course of Brewers history.
Turning to the duller half of of the NL Central, it turns out lying about age not uncommon for Dominican players. Who knew? Here's the story of the Astros' Wandy Rodriguez. The most interesting tidbit in this Pirates notebook is news that Sean Gibson, great-grandson of Pittsburgh baseball legend Josh Gibson, threw out the first pitch at yesterday’s game. The Pirates are the most boring team in baseball. And it’s not even close. Name five players on their roster, I dare you. No, Don Slaught isn't catching for them anymore. Is Lloyd Mclendon still their manager? Fired three years ago, you say? Remember that time he picked up the base and stormed off with it. Hilarious! Yeah, I think that was the last Pirates highlight I saw.
In Cincinnati Dusty Baker draws praise for his cagey use of the bullpen and criticism for the way he sets the batting lineup. Oh, and Bronson Arroyo should bat eighth when he starts because he, “has bat speed and a sense of adventure.” Incidentally, the Arroyo-Peña trade talks began when Theo stumbled across a Craigslist posting in the "barter" section that read, "Looking for starting pitcher with bat speed and a sense of adventure. Can offer an outfielder with bat speed and a sense of unfulfilled potential."
Arizona has been phenomenal, but the rest of the NL West, not so much. In a development that seems at least a year too late, Barry Zito's deal comes under scrutiny. The Dodgers ponder an equally curious signing, the dreadful Rockies will be without Tulowitzki till the All Start break, and the slightly less dreadful Padres can blame their woes on poor drafting.
In the AL East Jays' GM J.P. Riccardi seems to be growing desperate. Perhaps he's wishing he hadn't been so hasty in releasing the Big Hurt. With Markakis struggling in Baltimore the lineup gets a slight tweak. In New York the on about whether Joba should be inserted into the rotation. But the urgency would be lessened if Mussina can maintain his recent form. The Rays ponder who to select with the first overall pick in this year's draft.
The AL Central is a division in search of answers on offense. Minor personnel tinkering in Cleveland, lineup tinkering in Detroit and proposed coaching staff tinkering in Chicago. Raise your hand if you think Shin-Soo Choo and Ben Francisco can save the Indians? Didn’t think so. The tigers offense is sputtering and “the more you listen to Leyland, the more it becomes clear he believes one reason for the Tigers' offensive inconsistency is their lack of speed.” That doesn't sound promising. In Minnesota Carlos Gomez wants to return to the Twins lineup after being hit in the head and Ron Gardenhire will miss Ron Gardenhire bobblehead day due to attend the funeral for his brother, Mike Gardenhire. And in K.C. the pitching staff is so frustrated with the bats they have turned to self-mutilation.
Through the first month the AL West is a division of expectations exceeded (A's), expectations unmet (M's), and the ever steady Angels. We consider the reasons A’s may be for real and submit that Mariners' manager John McLaren is in over his head. After a tough 2007, Ervin Santana has returned to form for an Angels team playing well despite being without their top two starters. And in Texas, the lone bright spot in what is to be a very long season, Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton was named AL Player of the Month.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Sunday papers
Updating two stories below, Frank Thomas has been released and Hideo Nomo has been designated for assignment. My first though, any team in need of a DH that might have been considering Bonds could now scoop up the Big Hurt and avoid a PR hit. On Nomo, whose career is probably over, thanks for the no-hitter, that was special.
Pedroia sits today, Lowrie at second. Ellsbury leading off, Lowrie batting second. Youth! Aaaaand, Kinsler has just lead off the game with a home run. Anyway, enjoy the Sunday papers.
Arizona lefty eyes swift return from cancer
Cards are in odd spot with their offense
Yost not sure whether ace will miss start
Wrigley overtakes The Cell as nuthouse
Lackey ready to begin rehab assignment
Lester's goal was to strike first
Mets take shots at Phil fans
Tejada was better Oriole than many thought
Central may be open for White Sox
Helms rescues Florida in 9th
A's counter perception with support of RBI program
Rockies really cookin' on road
Japan had a love-hate relationship with Royals Nomo
Big Hurt cries foul over being benched by Jays
Ex-teammate Marzano's death rocks M's clubhouse
Another growing pain in Yanks' young arms
Hampton encouraging in bullpen session
Twins' win shows value of superior glove work
Familiar formulas falling short for Pads
Recovering Lopes pays a visit to Phils
Content Upton is just trying to win
Dodgers' Andruw Jones ends homer drought
Pirates must be held accountable
Reds lose arguments, game
Indians ace tries to get groove back
Rangers' pitcher makes outfield debut (huh?)
Giants call up Burriss, Davis is out
Turnaround for Astros unlikely, not impossible
Verlander still feeling good despite slow start
For Nationals, there's something in the error
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Sunday papers
- Time to unleash Ellsbury
- Time to knock Joe Girardi
- Times' Vescey on Fenway
- Bedard's pain shows O's made right move
- In Toronto, lanky lefty Carlson turning heads
- Evan Longoria makes his debut is Tampa
- Bad start doesn't mean Tigers won't be in World Series
- Dominating Floyd has cold, wet, glorious day
- Liriano plays it cool on eve of 2008 debut
- Hillman considering different combinations in K.C.
- A's latest victory gives them AL's best record
- Nationals activate Wily Mo(!)
- Young pitchers making their mark in Milwaukee
- Ankiel is almost unique
- Dodgers' Jones isn't feeling weight of the world
- D-Backs try to downplay hot start
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Around the League
Where is the AP report, "Giambi Makes More Than Marlins Roster." I'm a few days late on this, but that is outrageous.
Is a bullpen that turns to Miguel Batista to finish games when their closer is on the DL really a team I should be predicting to win the AL West? Probably not. But the prediction has been made. On the white board at work you can clearly read, "Ben: Mariners will win AL West." Please come back, Putz. Also, Sexson, please go.
If I hear another Sox fan make a smug statement about Pedro being hurt again I will eviscerate both their hamstrings with one of the Timlin's hunting blades. Really. It makes me angry.
The season has begun, Tigers. Feel free to join us.
Fausto Carmona is back to his winning ways. Apparently it wasn't the cold weather that got him off his game in the ALCS. Several years from now when Fausto is an eight-time All Star, will we appreciate how lucky the Sox were to face him at the precise moment he temporarily lost ability to throw strikes? Two games, six innings, 9 walks, 10 hits, 11 runs.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
All 28
Former Sox Division
Lucky Millar suffers close call
Sanchez has shoulder pain
Garciaparra doubtful
Pedro Martinez looks great
Rotation Decisions Division
Reds close on rotation
Rockies have a logjam
Milwaukee won't deal pitching
Nationals' Chico joins rotation
Royals go Bale, Tomko at 4-5
Roster Decisions Division
Fukudome 2nd, Soriano 3rd
Sox can't find trade partners
Rangers must make choices
Angels' shortstop competition
5 jobs open in Atlanta
Injuries Aplenty Division
Injuries concern Rays
Injuries assist Padres(?)
D-Backs Johnson improving
B.J. Ryan's recovery slowed
Tigers' Rodney visits doctor
Veteran Affairs Division
Tejada's happy with Houston
Morneau ready to lead
Marlins' Mark Hendrickson: From hardwood to hardball
Byrd awaiting word from Selig
Charlie Manuel is Grady Little
Just Happy To Be Here Division
A's ready to open season
Cards won't be as bad as feared?
Giants not doing the little things
Mariners prospect Nick Hill hoping to go from lieutenant ... to majors?
Thursday, March 13, 2008
No brawls today
Barmes battles
Ichiro finally gets a hit
Upton feels need to 'prove it'
La Russa puts Jimenez on notice
Cuddyer makes motivational T-shirts
Chipper adjusts to leadership role in Atlanta
Boswell is not pleased with the ticket prices in D.C.
Shoppach is making a nice career for himself in Cleveland
Hoffman thinks the Great Wall of China is "pretty impressive."
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
All the teams, all the time
Beckett TKO'd for Tokyo?
Will Hill take the hill?
Will Fields take the field?
Who'll stay and who'll go?
Rangers' rotation reeling
Sherrill is dealing
Tata is healing
0-21 is unappealing
The Pirates had Green Weenies
The Dogers have a hurt Sweeney
Pat Neshek eats zucchini
Someone give Lasorda a martini
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Others going East
Here’s a nice article from the San Diego Union-Tribune on the upcoming Padres/Dodgers series in Beijing. The timing of this trip (March 11-16) seems a bit more reasonable than the March 22-26 Sox/A’s Japanese adventure. I suppose one could make the argument that a big trip in the middle of spring training is more disruptive than the trek the Sox and A’s will make a bit further along on the calendar. But the Pads and Dodgers are spared getting hurled into the regular season prematurely (the Beijing games are exhibitions) and they have more time to settle back in once they return.
Around the League
Ichiro is 0-14 in spring training. The Rays are out for blood. The Mets laugh at Barry Bonds rumors. Ryan Braun is making defensive strides. Mark Grudzielanek hates his life. The Big Unit will make his spring training debut Monday. Jay Gibbons might have a job when he returns from his 15-day suspension. Andre Dawson sees himself in Cameron Maybin.
