The first 10 are in the books already. How did things shape up so far and will we see a shake up.
NL North
Nobody is off to fast start. The Brewers vowed a 3-8 start share the lead at 5-5. The Reds are off to their normal slow start. The Cubs just hasn't found themselves. The Pirates cooled off after being thumped by the Cards. Cubs and Reds are suppose to rule this division, so things will change.
NL East
The Phillies are hot winning six in a row even after getting blistered by Atlanta to start things off. The next series with the Mets will tell the tale as they have showed off an even fortitude. The Braves looked hot to start but being swept by the Mets is doubting. The Marlins have dug themselves a deep hole fast, first year jitters in a new park. This was suppose to be a Mets-Braves division, do we have an early pretender.
NL South
Mexico City has a chip on their shoulder. It could be a run for the money between a heavy weight division that already shows off two challengers in Houston and St Louis. Knuck is struggling in Tampa Bay so far. How bad did that season 25 injury hurt Ivan as he limps to 400?
NL West
I warned the West about the Giants. Giants looked ready to roll until the Mets came to town. Giants-Dodgers on tap next, this should shape things up for sure. Meanwhile Bruce has the Padres chasing the goat with the Heinekens while Tyler is reffing the chase and oogling the naked chicks. (we think the goat will win)
AL North
The Jays may run away and hide from the rest of the division before the season is over. The Tigers and Twins are trying to keep up. Last years Golden Boys of Summer look to be in a sophomore slump already but the Expos will right themselves we think.
AL East
As predicted, the Red Sox and O's will be trading barbs all season long. Ahh, what the hell, the Red Sox always seem to pull away in the stretch so we will wait. DC and Dover just can't find the magic.
AL South
KC is off to a fast start again like last years Little Darlings. The silence was broken this year as the Rangers wanted to trade, not sure we have heard the last of that. (just knew that was coming didn't ya) The RedBirds first year looks like a bit of reorganization to see whats what. Little Rock is still stuck in neutral.
AL West
I can't remember the last time a team started 10-0 like the Sky Sox. This division is a bit of a head scratcher so far. The A's were in Seattle last year and started like a house afire also before reality set in. This year I am not so sure as the reality could be real. The Angels are shell shocked but Colorado Springs started off this way last year and look what happened could it be a bit of a repeat scenario? I thought VC had a shot above mediocrity but now I am not so sure, it is a rookie season so there are some bugs to work out.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
Holy Crap Batman IFA Market
Alex Olivares became the richest IFA ever with a $32M paycheck from the Houston Astros. Moving into second on the real expensive list is Renyel Manuel of Cincy who got $30M a few years back. So what did that kind of money but? Well there are several ways to look at it, quality pitching has been real hard to come by for quite a few seasons now. Comparatively speaking though, well over priced. The first thing that strikes me is his age which causes me to mark a demerit right off the bat. Control can get better but not of expectations I think. Splits are already very good which had good market appeal. Pitches are decent and can get better with time but I am not sure they will be all that great. Off-speed and probably neutral in the GB/FB category. Would he go as the #1 pick in the draft, depends but definitely the top 5.
Grade: A-
While the bidding war was going on, Dover signed Luis Mesa for $2.9M. Seems real cheap doesn't it, at least down to Earth. Well, he is no pitcher and a poor excuse of a 1B if you ask me but could make his living as a DH I think. Does have a good eye, contact and power, hopefully the splits will be better.
Grade: C
David Escobar made headlines after signing a contract with St. Louis for $2.8M. What can he do besides hit the long ball? Absolutely, positively nothing! To a NL team none the less.
Grade: F+
Grade: A-
While the bidding war was going on, Dover signed Luis Mesa for $2.9M. Seems real cheap doesn't it, at least down to Earth. Well, he is no pitcher and a poor excuse of a 1B if you ask me but could make his living as a DH I think. Does have a good eye, contact and power, hopefully the splits will be better.
Grade: C
David Escobar made headlines after signing a contract with St. Louis for $2.8M. What can he do besides hit the long ball? Absolutely, positively nothing! To a NL team none the less.
Grade: F+
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Opening Day Part 2
Humiliation games of the Day: KC blasts Little Rock 14-3 and Chicago blows Pittsburgh 11-1.
Making it look close game of the Day: Baltimore puts up 7 runs in second while Dover score 5 runs late in a 12-7 finish.
Fish Fry in New York: Mets grill Marlins 10-3.
Knucklebones Return Marred: Cards down Rays 8-7 in 13 with a questionable call at the plate..
Miller Shiell hits two run walk off as Giants slip by the D'Backs in the 10th 3-1.
Detroit outlasts Minnesota 4-2.
Colorado Springs upends bhansell63's debut with 6-3 win over Vancouver.
Tandem Pitching
I have tried tandem pitching and I have never succeeded in being able to have success with it. First off the two starters need to get to the 7th or 8th inning throwing 60 pitches or less each because there are only three rest days between starts. Secondly it takes 8 pitchers to fill out the starting tandem roster. Third part comes from the pen as you only have 5 available and one is probably the closer. The other four need to be set up as tandem also, two available and two at rest. Those four need to be long relievers also at least.
Here is why it always failed with me. For some reason one of the opening starters doesn't get out of the first inning or doesn't make it through the second, that hurts the pen. One of the starting tandems gets injured, puts a quick kink in things. An injury to the pen isn't helpful but maybe not as devastating. Long extra inning games seem to happen in bunches, quick end to the pen and no way to rest them except to bust the tandems.
I have tried it with 14 pitchers on staff and that hurts the offense in more ways than one. A backup catcher and only two spare players that need to play just about every position and hit well are hard to come by.
Here is why it always failed with me. For some reason one of the opening starters doesn't get out of the first inning or doesn't make it through the second, that hurts the pen. One of the starting tandems gets injured, puts a quick kink in things. An injury to the pen isn't helpful but maybe not as devastating. Long extra inning games seem to happen in bunches, quick end to the pen and no way to rest them except to bust the tandems.
I have tried it with 14 pitchers on staff and that hurts the offense in more ways than one. A backup catcher and only two spare players that need to play just about every position and hit well are hard to come by.
Opening Day
High Light game of the day goes to the Dodgers vs Padres: Jim Griffin hits a lead off homer in the top of the fifth to provide the only scoring as Jacob Nixon goes for the complete game shut out victory.
Frustrating game of the day goes to the Rangers vs Redbirds: Texas pounded out 16 hits but could only score 3 runs in the 13 inning marathon. R.J. Bellhorn (most unlikely) scattered 10 hits in 8 innings of work but only gave up 1 run. The worst is even yet to come as the Redbirds score the winning run in the bottom of the 13th on 3 walks and 1 hit.
Real star of the game: Kirk Donnels, almost single-handedly, leads Oakland to a 3-2 nail biting win over the Angels.
Toronto speaks AL North dominance as they down Montreal 7-1.
Philly snookers Atlanta 5-4.
Cincy still have problems early at home losing 5-2 to the Brewers.
Houston tries tandem pitching, Reagan Mathews shows them how to pitch in a Mexico City 5-3 win.
Boston ignites in 8th for come back win over Washington 7-5.
Frustrating game of the day goes to the Rangers vs Redbirds: Texas pounded out 16 hits but could only score 3 runs in the 13 inning marathon. R.J. Bellhorn (most unlikely) scattered 10 hits in 8 innings of work but only gave up 1 run. The worst is even yet to come as the Redbirds score the winning run in the bottom of the 13th on 3 walks and 1 hit.
Real star of the game: Kirk Donnels, almost single-handedly, leads Oakland to a 3-2 nail biting win over the Angels.
Toronto speaks AL North dominance as they down Montreal 7-1.
Philly snookers Atlanta 5-4.
Cincy still have problems early at home losing 5-2 to the Brewers.
Houston tries tandem pitching, Reagan Mathews shows them how to pitch in a Mexico City 5-3 win.
Boston ignites in 8th for come back win over Washington 7-5.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
First IFA of Season 28
The first IFA of Season 28, Deven Osoria, grabbed a paycheck of $8.6M form Mexico City. The mature youngster is a fireballer that could surprise people with some decent abilities that could prop up the middle to end of a rotation or go some distance in the pen. Many were turned off by his age and possible frailty to go the big bucks.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Season 28 Mets
The fans were amazed we stole the show so easily in the East last season then went all the way to the NLCS. This season we want it all and know we will need to beat the Cubs in the end, but first we gotta stop our division rivals. From a management standpoint it has been a trying season already. Having to replace Omar Ordonez, Miguel Otanez, and Bob Olson should have been an easy task. Actually it wasn't all that hard, just took a lot of time finding the right player needed then wondering if they were ever gonna sign.
I can never figure out who is gonna be a Type B sometimes, I figured Ordonez would be a B, but no, Benito Ozuna was and he wasn't even good enough to be on my ML roster for the most part, not even as a backup. Otanez was an accident being on the team in the first place, in my opinion he hit well but played a pretty bad 3B while he was the starter. Olson I thought would make a good 5th starter or solidify the pen, he did neither. Otanez is in Philly while Olson takes his dog show to Little Rock and Ordonez is hoping someone picks him up for mere pennies on the dollar.
Pepper Murton was run out of New York because he couldn't stop the stealing show other teams were putting on against us. Other than that he was a fine catcher and now makes his home in Toronto.
Clarence Valentin also became a casualty when he showed up for Spring Training barely walking because of arthritis in both knees, just a year removed from winning the GG at 2B. Spent most of the year in AAA but we were kind enough to let him finish his career with us at the ML level.
So meet the ML Mets for Season 28
Hitting Coach - Hector Levrault returns for his 5th season.
First Base - Billy Kaufman is lucky to have a job.
Third Base - Phil Hitchcock returns for his 9th season, may retire afterwards.
Pitching - Livan Macias quickly took the job when the Kid wanted more money(?).
Pen - Dan Melton decided it was the right job after no other offers came his way and returns for his 2nd season.
Bench - Jerry Dawkins returns for his 2nd year.
Fielding - Jason Reynolds returns for his 5th straight season and 8th total.
Projected Starters:
C - Rich Kennedy and Felipe Izquierdo, they may not hit very well but they stop the stealing show and handle the pitchers quite nicely.
1B - Leo Rodney starts his 7th season.
2B - John McInerney starts his 12th full season.
3B - Brutus Mora was our pick to play the "Hot Corner", he was very hesitant as he wanted to play SS somewhere.
SS - Ronn Penny starts his 3rd full season.
LF - Ronny Gant is starting his 2nd season in New York and loves it here.
CF - Felipe Peralta starts his 2nd full season here.
RF - Marc Redman starts his 5th full season.
Bench:
CF/2B/SS/3B - Carl Browning has had a rough time sticking at the ML level but we like him a lot because he is a Jack-of-all-Trades.
CF/2B/SS/3B - Jimmie Valentin is also a Jack-of-all-Trades but hasn't had much of a chance to prove himself as of yet.
COF/1B - Osvaldo Reynoso made a hit with management at his try-out day that coaches are being pushed to make him a starter somehow.
Pitching:
Starters:
Harry Rodriguez surprises everyone that he is the #1 starter, pitches very very well but usually gets shafted.
Fausto Castillo only Met starter with a winning record last year.
Rich Faulk was kind of disappointing in our eyes last year but didn't pitch badly.
Dean Boone had a rough start and was released to the pen until he got it together, was the best starter after All-Star break.
Ubaldo Rijo is nicknamed the "Big Dynamo". Most teams snicker when he pitches but find him tough as nails.
Pen:
Benny Calero has been a clutch pitcher since coming to the Mets.
Ted Maxwell has had his ups and downs. Last year started out as a joke on us I think.
Brian Grim surprised everyone with his capabilities.
Trace Kennedy gets the job done somehow.
Bobby Forbes and William Galloway are trouble makers for the most part and may find themselves back in AAA if there not careful.
George Atkins returns to his old stomping grounds to maybe finish his career. We are not sure if he is to be in the pen or the 5th starter as of yet.
Sherm Brock fell into the Closers role last year when Maxwell failed. Finished with 23 Saves in 24 Chances, just don't ask how many chances he failed to finish..lol
The pressure is on these guys to perform well as we hired some thugs just in case this year. As Al Limon and Dusty Ingram were hired for instant breakdown support.
I can never figure out who is gonna be a Type B sometimes, I figured Ordonez would be a B, but no, Benito Ozuna was and he wasn't even good enough to be on my ML roster for the most part, not even as a backup. Otanez was an accident being on the team in the first place, in my opinion he hit well but played a pretty bad 3B while he was the starter. Olson I thought would make a good 5th starter or solidify the pen, he did neither. Otanez is in Philly while Olson takes his dog show to Little Rock and Ordonez is hoping someone picks him up for mere pennies on the dollar.
Pepper Murton was run out of New York because he couldn't stop the stealing show other teams were putting on against us. Other than that he was a fine catcher and now makes his home in Toronto.
Clarence Valentin also became a casualty when he showed up for Spring Training barely walking because of arthritis in both knees, just a year removed from winning the GG at 2B. Spent most of the year in AAA but we were kind enough to let him finish his career with us at the ML level.
So meet the ML Mets for Season 28
Hitting Coach - Hector Levrault returns for his 5th season.
First Base - Billy Kaufman is lucky to have a job.
Third Base - Phil Hitchcock returns for his 9th season, may retire afterwards.
Pitching - Livan Macias quickly took the job when the Kid wanted more money(?).
Pen - Dan Melton decided it was the right job after no other offers came his way and returns for his 2nd season.
Bench - Jerry Dawkins returns for his 2nd year.
Fielding - Jason Reynolds returns for his 5th straight season and 8th total.
Projected Starters:
C - Rich Kennedy and Felipe Izquierdo, they may not hit very well but they stop the stealing show and handle the pitchers quite nicely.
1B - Leo Rodney starts his 7th season.
2B - John McInerney starts his 12th full season.
3B - Brutus Mora was our pick to play the "Hot Corner", he was very hesitant as he wanted to play SS somewhere.
SS - Ronn Penny starts his 3rd full season.
LF - Ronny Gant is starting his 2nd season in New York and loves it here.
CF - Felipe Peralta starts his 2nd full season here.
RF - Marc Redman starts his 5th full season.
Bench:
CF/2B/SS/3B - Carl Browning has had a rough time sticking at the ML level but we like him a lot because he is a Jack-of-all-Trades.
CF/2B/SS/3B - Jimmie Valentin is also a Jack-of-all-Trades but hasn't had much of a chance to prove himself as of yet.
COF/1B - Osvaldo Reynoso made a hit with management at his try-out day that coaches are being pushed to make him a starter somehow.
Pitching:
Starters:
Harry Rodriguez surprises everyone that he is the #1 starter, pitches very very well but usually gets shafted.
Fausto Castillo only Met starter with a winning record last year.
Rich Faulk was kind of disappointing in our eyes last year but didn't pitch badly.
Dean Boone had a rough start and was released to the pen until he got it together, was the best starter after All-Star break.
Ubaldo Rijo is nicknamed the "Big Dynamo". Most teams snicker when he pitches but find him tough as nails.
Pen:
Benny Calero has been a clutch pitcher since coming to the Mets.
Ted Maxwell has had his ups and downs. Last year started out as a joke on us I think.
Brian Grim surprised everyone with his capabilities.
Trace Kennedy gets the job done somehow.
Bobby Forbes and William Galloway are trouble makers for the most part and may find themselves back in AAA if there not careful.
George Atkins returns to his old stomping grounds to maybe finish his career. We are not sure if he is to be in the pen or the 5th starter as of yet.
Sherm Brock fell into the Closers role last year when Maxwell failed. Finished with 23 Saves in 24 Chances, just don't ask how many chances he failed to finish..lol
The pressure is on these guys to perform well as we hired some thugs just in case this year. As Al Limon and Dusty Ingram were hired for instant breakdown support.
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