by Patton on March 10, 2010
photo credit: TheBusyBrain
It’s gonna be a tense season without a closer…
Minnesotans are a little more queezy today after it was revealed that Joe Nathan–their star closer–has torn his ulnar collateral ligament. Yeah, that means he might need Tommy John surgery. That sucks royally for the Twins.
The already were having a hard time signing Joe Mauer and now this? Nathan has 246 saves in the last 6 season and now those just went right down the toilet. Yikes!
So, can the Twins go out and fix this? Can they go “Closer by committee”? At 37 with 12-18 months of recovery on the horizon from Tommy John surgery I don’t know if Nathan would be able to come back at all. Ouch! Read more... (314 words, 3 images, estimated 1:15 mins reading time)
by John Zakour on March 10, 2010
Washington National’s future ace, rookie, Stephen Strasburg made his debut against major league hitters (The Detroit Tigers) yesterday. He, like the Red’s Chapman the day before made an impressive start. The 21 year old Strasburg pitched two scoreless innings, giving up no runs and two hits while throwing 15 strikes out of 27 pitches. By most accounts Strasburg lived up to all the hype that comes from signing a $15 million, four-year contract. Still to early to tell if Strasburg will make the opening day roster. It’s a good bet though that he will be a regular in the rotation before the season is over. After all how many guys (or gals) throw 97 mph and have an a-plus breaking ball to go with it? It’s going to be interesting to see how Strasburg and Chapman, two of the hardest throwing rookies to enter the majors in the same year in a long time, compare to each other. Right now I think Strasburg has a slight advantage as he has less culture shock to adapt to. Read more... (338 words, 1 image, estimated 1:21 mins reading time)
by Patton on March 9, 2010
photo credit: Eric Kilby
Josh Beckett had his first outing of Spring Training yesterday and, by all accounts, it went well. Beckett looked good according to all that were present, and even though he only threw 35 pitches he made waves in the AL East.
Beckett wasn’t exactly on his game in 2009 and the Red Sox a tough time of it all season long. They could never really get into their 2004 or 2007 form and that just made things hard.
Now that Beckett has shown well in Spring Training I think we can expect greater things from the Red Sox.
Baseball isn’t a one-man sport and Pitchers aren’t saviors, but Pitchers can right already-string ships. In this case: The rising tide DOES lift all ships. Read more... (350 words, 3 images, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)
by John Zakour on March 9, 2010
I actually only got to watch ESPN highlights of the spring games yesterday but I liked a lot of what I saw. Sure it’s only spring, nothing counts but still…
The Cincinnati Red’s, New Cuban import, lefty pitcher, Aroldis Chapman made his spring training debut against near major league batters (the Kansas City Royals) and looked good, breaking 100 mph on the speed gun a few times. Chapman pitched two innings and gave up 1 hit, walked 1 and struck out 3. It’s still too early to call Chapman a sure ace. Starters are made or broken during their second and third times through a lineup, the third or forth time a team sees that starter. Plus, Chapman has a history of being wild. Still, this was a nice start to what looks to be a promising career. Chapman is only 22 and was signed for a very reasonable (in today’s world of “baseball logic”) $30 million and change over 6 years. Man, I wish the Mets made more of a run at him. It will be interesting watching how Chapman progresses against the Washington Nationals 21 year old, future ace, Stephen Strasburg. Who ex-Met coach Davey Johnson is already comparing to Dwight Gooden. Read more... (378 words, 1 image, estimated 1:31 mins reading time)
by David Wilson on March 8, 2010
Cincinatti’s Cuban lefthander Aroldis Chapman impressed is his spring training debut last week.
Chapman, who signed to a $30-million contract if the offseason, struck out three Kansas City Royals over two scoreless innings.
Just as impressive as the 12 strikes, was the heat that Chapman brought. At least one pitch was clocked over 100 mph.
Chapman, a 6-foot-4 left-hander who defected from Cuba in 2009, said he felt better than he did during last week’s intrasquad game.
“I feel like I can be more aggressive in the zone and I don’t have to worry so much about throwing the ball inside,” Chapman told about a dozen reporters who showed up to watch him pitch. “I went out there with the same attitude — being responsible with my pitches.” Read more... (164 words, 1 image, estimated 39 secs reading time)
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Cincinnati Reds Aroldis Chapman Impresses In Debut
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by Patton on March 8, 2010
photo credit: dizzy-eyed
Russell Martin–Los Angeles Dodgers catcher–has pulled his groin and the estimates are that he will be out for 4-6 weeks. I beg to differ and I have to change my thinking about the NL West.
Yes, the MLB season is VERY long. So, anything can happen, but if your catcher is sitting out with a pulled groin he’s going to be out for more than 4-6 weeks–in my humble opinion.
No, I’m not a medical expert, but I have pulled my groin and you literally cannot function when that happens. Plus, this guy is a professional athlete so he can’t just walk without pain…he’s got to squat for 9 innings without pain game-after-game-after-game. Read more... (315 words, 3 images, estimated 1:16 mins reading time)
by John Zakour on March 8, 2010
Okay, I know it’s still only spring training. Okay, I know these games mean close to nothing. Okay, I know it’s even early in spring training so these games mean even closer to nothing. Still I can’t help seeing some positive signs in the Mets.
I watched the game on WPIX yesterday (and once I got over the fact that it was the Mets not the Yankees on PIX) I was able to come away with some good thoughts.
First, David Wright had a hard hit double to right field. Ralph Kiner remarked that that ball was hit harder the opposite way than any ball Wright hit last year. I agree. If Wright (who seems more comfortable at the plate this year) hits that way all year he will have a good year. Read more... (305 words, 1 image, estimated 1:13 mins reading time)
by Patton on March 7, 2010
Given that we spent almost all of last postseason watching umpires make bad calls that any civilized human being could have gotten right the league decided it was time to make some changes. They chose not to retain 3 previous supervisors and Randy Marsh and Charlie Reliford have retired from the field to take the helm in Umpire Supervision.
I have to say that even though they took guys from the field who may have been a part of some bad calls at least they are trying. Remember when David Stern hired some Drill Sergeant or something like that to supervise officials in the NBA–like that would make a difference? It was as if he thought that WE thought the refs were going to boot camp. It was a stupid move that only made NBA officiating worse. Read more... (315 words, 1 image, estimated 1:16 mins reading time)
by John Zakour on March 6, 2010
Yeah, it’s only spring training too soon to get too excited or too worried but there have been some positive notes and one potentially negative one for the Mets.
On the up side:
John Niese working with mostly with his cut fastball had a strong outing pitching 2 2/3 innings and striking out five. A solid Niese really helps the Mets this year. Read more... (399 words, 1 image, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)
by Patton on March 6, 2010
Adeiny Hechavarria, a Cuban shortstop prospect, had been stopped by the Federal Government from signing with any MLB teams, but now they have lifted the blockage and he has hit the open market.
His agent says that a few big-time teams are interested, but since we have already seen the Reds get Aroldis Chapman I think they should go for it and try to sign this kid. Now, I’m not saying this just because my wife is a lifelong Reds fan–although it does make the house happier–but I think it would be cool for Cincinnati to continue this “renaissance” of Cuban talent and totally revamp their franchise based on their win in getting Chapman. Read more... (338 words, 1 image, estimated 1:21 mins reading time)
