Things have been rather quiet in the market as of late. Only two signings of real importance, both by the Cincinnati Reds.
Guillermo Gutierrez signed for $13.2M. A starter of dubious quality in the control area, but does have decent splits and two nice pitches.
Rating: B
Cesar Cerveza was signed for $11.4M. His health and glove could be an inconvenience to stardom at 1B. His plate action however could be a boon but not in the consistent home run department.
Rating: B+
As for the early season predictions.
NL
So far the predictions are pretty accurate.
Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Florida and Salem lead their respective divisions to no surprise.
Milwaukee and Houston hold the Wild Card spots.
Mexico City and Los Angeles are the only teams close enough to upset the balance at the momment.
AL
Things in the AL are much tighter and changes could occur on a daily basis.
Seattle is the only team with a somewhat comfortable lead at this time.
Second place Toronto is fighting to hold a Wild Card spot if they can't rally.
Boston holds a 5 to 7 game lead over two potent adversaries that could surprise everyone.
Tampa Bay has a very tentative 1 to 5 game lead over all their division rivals which could lead to an exciting finish.
Las Vegas and Helena are tied in the West. Don't look now but the other division rivals are in their hip pockets so nothing is remotely settled here either.
As for the Mets, I haven't a clue. One of the best defenses in the league. Hitting has been a mixed bag of inconsistency. Will definitely surpass last seasons antics in several hitting categories but still doesn't produce runs. Pitching has been pathetic to say the least and I expected better. John McInerney did develop as expected and was rewarded with an All-Star nod.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Season 20 Draft
1. Marc Redman, 2B, New York Mets: The Mets took the best non-iffy player available on their board. His makeup has a shortcoming which is the worst thing one can say about him. Playing 2B could fall a bit short of stardom and may find another position in his future. Could very well become that true lead-off hitter a team needs.
Rating: B+
2. Austin Rain, SP, Baltimore Orioles: If he was on the Mets board he would have went #1. To me he has it all, well some would rather see a high velo.
Rating: A+
3. Dean Kapler, SS, Mexico City Diablos Rojos: The jury is still out as to whether he will be able to assume SS duties but would be very capable of 3B. Has power and speed which are big pluses.
Rating: A+
4. Vladimir Brown, SP, Chicago Cubs: A high velo pitcher with a good resume'. Control may end up a tad light but should be acceptable. Will having only 3 pitches hurt as a starter?
Rating: A-
5. Miguel Montanez, CL, Texas Rangers: The jury is still out whether or not he can be a shutdown closer, depends on how he develops.
Rating: B+
6. Apollo Metzger, SS, Tampa Bay Rays: Has a lot of development to consider. Range could fall well short of SS status but with the strong glove and arm anything is possible. Has the hitting power and a little speed but will the rest come around? Could wind up a disappointing project player.
Rating: B
7. Sean Carter, SP, St. Louis Browns: A fly-ball lefty with a possible good split against righties. Control may end up short of expectations but good pitches will cover that accordingly.
Rating: B+
8. Lloyd Bass, SP, Little Rock Heads: I debated a long time at taking him #1, the reason was overall. With very makeable projections it seemed low when compared to his counterparts which was a cause for concern for me. Was scouting that wrong? After seeing his abilities with my regular scouting the problem is with his pitches but I think they are better than I am seeing and with luck that 5th pitch could go by the wayside.
Rating: B+
9. Jordy Griffiths, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks: Will have to develop well in order to play SS and I don't see it happening. 2B, 3B or a weak gloved CF is possible for high profile though. Hitting could be a let down also if things don't develop. Could be a long project.
Rating: B
10. Rusty Nathan, SP, Cincinnati Reds: If health doesn't get him, could develop into a very good lefty though he may need a good catcher to keep him control.
Rating: A-
11. Mitchell Cogan, SS, Minnesota Twins: Could very well make it as a good hitting SS. His biggest problem looks to be health.
Rating: A-
12. Graham Jensen, MR, San Francisco Giants: If his pitches are better than I see, he should develop well into a good middle relief pitcher in any ones pen.
Rating: B+
13. Trot Klingenbeck, LF, Washington D.C. Senators: LF might be a bit too much and wind up at 1B. Probablt won't have the big home run production one would like at that position but should be capable of extra base hits and walks.
Rating: B+
14. Neifi Ramirez, RF, Detroit Tigers: Speaking of project players, eeeeek. I can't see him playing above 1B. Has power and contact in the making but everything will have to click for his hitting abilities to be realized. Will call him the "Red-Herring" of the draft so far.
Rating: C+
15. Marty Gibbons, SP, Toronto Blue Jays: Should develop into a very solid starter. May not go deep into games but would be very tough to get a hit off of.
Rating: A-
16. Will Potvin, SS, Milwaukee Brewers: Should develop into a gold-glover at SS. His hitting style is controversial to say the least.
Rating: A-
17. Bud Latham, 2B, Detroit Tigers: 2B looks uncomfortable, RF is a maybe as his arm isn't great. Hitting could develop as his speed will help.
Rating: B-
18. Alvin Ball, SP, Las Vegas Slobs: If his splits develop, a rare find in a starter this late in the draft.
Rating: B
19. Bill Hawkins, SP, Atlanta Braves: I passed on him with the first pick. Mainly because he is a lefty. His right split probably won't develop past mediocre. However his control and pitches could cover that fact if development occurs.
Rating: B
20. Jeff O'Toole, 3B, Dover Dung Beetles: Has great plate presence and will be a very tough out or maybe out of the park. However I don't see him progressing past playing 1B.
Rating: B
21. Mario Mench, CL, Las Vegas Slobs: Could very well develop into a shutdown closer.
Rating: A-
22. Ken Darr,SS, Helena Hot Pockets: My scouts don't see him as a SS and will likely end up at 3B. Could have a very nice eye and enough contact to be a viable hitter in the lineup.
Rating: B
23. Pat Hill, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies: His range might overcome the weak glove. Gonna be one tough out at the plate though he might get caught fishing with wiley pitchers.
Rating: B+
24. Herb Bowen, SP, Boston Red Sox: The best pitcher and player in the draft and on my board and probably a few others. Most couldn't take the more than likely chance that he won't sign. If he does, what will be the cost? Red Sox are playing Abba tunes.
Rating: A+
25. Paul Chiba, 2B, Kansas City Royals: Possibly projected the most powerful hitting player in the draft. Chances are great that he will wind up at corner outfield however.
Rating: B+
26. Hughie Reynolds, LR, San Diego Padres: There is a lot of talk in my scouting department that this kid could be a bust, in San Diego however he could make it. Great splits with mediocre accessories I can see why. His name says it all.
Rating: C+
27. Henry Benjamin, SU, Minnesota Twins: I don't think he is good enough to be a lefty closer but could be a very valuable setup man in the pen.
Rating: B+
28. Bo Ventura, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates: Ok, how did this kid slip so far down the draft? Was it his health? Maybe his pitches wasn't up to snuff? I can see all that happening.
Rating B-
29. Ralph Taylor, C, Houston Astros: The Astros like power hitting and this kid has all the tools to do that. Pitchers beware as I have a stone glove and over grown arms that doesn't throw well and the coach will have to call the pitches. Our 'Roid' star of the draft.
Rating: B
30. Andrew Clay, SP, Salem Super Sequoias: I am a pitcher that is smart enough to develop into a ML star but I can't do that from the DL.
Rating: C+
31. Osvaldo Azocar, SP, Florida Marlins: Was everyone else as cautious as me? Another on my board that has a slim chance at signing. The Marlins are listening to the same tunes as the Red Sox.
Rating: A+
32. Bubbles Edwards, 2B, Atlanta Braves: I failed at Flamingo dancing at the Tropicana so I thought I would give baseball a try. Would make a better 3B or RF if you ask me. Hitting is pretty good. Did he fall this far down because of his name?
Rating: B
33. Brandon Garcia, C, Seattle Mariners: Are all catchers "Roid" stars in this draft? Well, at least he can use his glove. The best asset is his bat. could lead the league in Homers and Strikeouts in the same season.
Rating: B-
34. Bart Warden, LR, Florida Marlins: I swear I am a pitcher. Has a tendency to walk batters but does have decent abilities.
Rating: C+
Rating: B+
2. Austin Rain, SP, Baltimore Orioles: If he was on the Mets board he would have went #1. To me he has it all, well some would rather see a high velo.
Rating: A+
3. Dean Kapler, SS, Mexico City Diablos Rojos: The jury is still out as to whether he will be able to assume SS duties but would be very capable of 3B. Has power and speed which are big pluses.
Rating: A+
4. Vladimir Brown, SP, Chicago Cubs: A high velo pitcher with a good resume'. Control may end up a tad light but should be acceptable. Will having only 3 pitches hurt as a starter?
Rating: A-
5. Miguel Montanez, CL, Texas Rangers: The jury is still out whether or not he can be a shutdown closer, depends on how he develops.
Rating: B+
6. Apollo Metzger, SS, Tampa Bay Rays: Has a lot of development to consider. Range could fall well short of SS status but with the strong glove and arm anything is possible. Has the hitting power and a little speed but will the rest come around? Could wind up a disappointing project player.
Rating: B
7. Sean Carter, SP, St. Louis Browns: A fly-ball lefty with a possible good split against righties. Control may end up short of expectations but good pitches will cover that accordingly.
Rating: B+
8. Lloyd Bass, SP, Little Rock Heads: I debated a long time at taking him #1, the reason was overall. With very makeable projections it seemed low when compared to his counterparts which was a cause for concern for me. Was scouting that wrong? After seeing his abilities with my regular scouting the problem is with his pitches but I think they are better than I am seeing and with luck that 5th pitch could go by the wayside.
Rating: B+
9. Jordy Griffiths, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks: Will have to develop well in order to play SS and I don't see it happening. 2B, 3B or a weak gloved CF is possible for high profile though. Hitting could be a let down also if things don't develop. Could be a long project.
Rating: B
10. Rusty Nathan, SP, Cincinnati Reds: If health doesn't get him, could develop into a very good lefty though he may need a good catcher to keep him control.
Rating: A-
11. Mitchell Cogan, SS, Minnesota Twins: Could very well make it as a good hitting SS. His biggest problem looks to be health.
Rating: A-
12. Graham Jensen, MR, San Francisco Giants: If his pitches are better than I see, he should develop well into a good middle relief pitcher in any ones pen.
Rating: B+
13. Trot Klingenbeck, LF, Washington D.C. Senators: LF might be a bit too much and wind up at 1B. Probablt won't have the big home run production one would like at that position but should be capable of extra base hits and walks.
Rating: B+
14. Neifi Ramirez, RF, Detroit Tigers: Speaking of project players, eeeeek. I can't see him playing above 1B. Has power and contact in the making but everything will have to click for his hitting abilities to be realized. Will call him the "Red-Herring" of the draft so far.
Rating: C+
15. Marty Gibbons, SP, Toronto Blue Jays: Should develop into a very solid starter. May not go deep into games but would be very tough to get a hit off of.
Rating: A-
16. Will Potvin, SS, Milwaukee Brewers: Should develop into a gold-glover at SS. His hitting style is controversial to say the least.
Rating: A-
17. Bud Latham, 2B, Detroit Tigers: 2B looks uncomfortable, RF is a maybe as his arm isn't great. Hitting could develop as his speed will help.
Rating: B-
18. Alvin Ball, SP, Las Vegas Slobs: If his splits develop, a rare find in a starter this late in the draft.
Rating: B
19. Bill Hawkins, SP, Atlanta Braves: I passed on him with the first pick. Mainly because he is a lefty. His right split probably won't develop past mediocre. However his control and pitches could cover that fact if development occurs.
Rating: B
20. Jeff O'Toole, 3B, Dover Dung Beetles: Has great plate presence and will be a very tough out or maybe out of the park. However I don't see him progressing past playing 1B.
Rating: B
21. Mario Mench, CL, Las Vegas Slobs: Could very well develop into a shutdown closer.
Rating: A-
22. Ken Darr,SS, Helena Hot Pockets: My scouts don't see him as a SS and will likely end up at 3B. Could have a very nice eye and enough contact to be a viable hitter in the lineup.
Rating: B
23. Pat Hill, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies: His range might overcome the weak glove. Gonna be one tough out at the plate though he might get caught fishing with wiley pitchers.
Rating: B+
24. Herb Bowen, SP, Boston Red Sox: The best pitcher and player in the draft and on my board and probably a few others. Most couldn't take the more than likely chance that he won't sign. If he does, what will be the cost? Red Sox are playing Abba tunes.
Rating: A+
25. Paul Chiba, 2B, Kansas City Royals: Possibly projected the most powerful hitting player in the draft. Chances are great that he will wind up at corner outfield however.
Rating: B+
26. Hughie Reynolds, LR, San Diego Padres: There is a lot of talk in my scouting department that this kid could be a bust, in San Diego however he could make it. Great splits with mediocre accessories I can see why. His name says it all.
Rating: C+
27. Henry Benjamin, SU, Minnesota Twins: I don't think he is good enough to be a lefty closer but could be a very valuable setup man in the pen.
Rating: B+
28. Bo Ventura, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates: Ok, how did this kid slip so far down the draft? Was it his health? Maybe his pitches wasn't up to snuff? I can see all that happening.
Rating B-
29. Ralph Taylor, C, Houston Astros: The Astros like power hitting and this kid has all the tools to do that. Pitchers beware as I have a stone glove and over grown arms that doesn't throw well and the coach will have to call the pitches. Our 'Roid' star of the draft.
Rating: B
30. Andrew Clay, SP, Salem Super Sequoias: I am a pitcher that is smart enough to develop into a ML star but I can't do that from the DL.
Rating: C+
31. Osvaldo Azocar, SP, Florida Marlins: Was everyone else as cautious as me? Another on my board that has a slim chance at signing. The Marlins are listening to the same tunes as the Red Sox.
Rating: A+
32. Bubbles Edwards, 2B, Atlanta Braves: I failed at Flamingo dancing at the Tropicana so I thought I would give baseball a try. Would make a better 3B or RF if you ask me. Hitting is pretty good. Did he fall this far down because of his name?
Rating: B
33. Brandon Garcia, C, Seattle Mariners: Are all catchers "Roid" stars in this draft? Well, at least he can use his glove. The best asset is his bat. could lead the league in Homers and Strikeouts in the same season.
Rating: B-
34. Bart Warden, LR, Florida Marlins: I swear I am a pitcher. Has a tendency to walk batters but does have decent abilities.
Rating: C+
Friday, July 8, 2011
The First Pick in the Draft
With the first pick of the Season 20 Draft, the New York Mets select .....? Well, I figured it was going to be simple. The highest rated players decided to be a fallout in their background. They would have to be really good for me to take one of those and I don't really see the potential awesomeness I was looking for. I was really looking for a right handed number 1 for sure starter. Most of you know how I rate first round picks, if the current to projected is more than 25 points there is a screw loose. I have narrowed it down to four suspects however and haven't really decided as of yet.
Kris Sisler - I think he could be a good starter but I question his ability to project to his control and his splits could wind up short. His pitches look pretty decent. His durability is a plus. But still my thoughts regale him to bottom of the rotation to a long reliever and spot starter.
Lloyd Bass - Projects into a decent enough starter. I am not thrilled with his GB/FB. His 5th pitch could possibly be dropped which is a plus. I think he could be a very nice #3.
Miguel Montanez - Looks to be the prime closer of my draft board. Everything looks great though his splits might be light.
Marc Redman - Has doubles hitting power or light home run power..whichever. Great eye, splits and contact. His projecteds in hitting should be relatively easy to make. 2B is quite possible though he projects to a weak ranged CF which I think is very unrealistic. Big downfall is makeup and by his picture it wouldn't hurt to wear some.
Having the first pick and needing the best player available, I will have to take Marc Redman. I guess I have made up my mind. Now Baltimore can make up their minds.
Kris Sisler - I think he could be a good starter but I question his ability to project to his control and his splits could wind up short. His pitches look pretty decent. His durability is a plus. But still my thoughts regale him to bottom of the rotation to a long reliever and spot starter.
Lloyd Bass - Projects into a decent enough starter. I am not thrilled with his GB/FB. His 5th pitch could possibly be dropped which is a plus. I think he could be a very nice #3.
Miguel Montanez - Looks to be the prime closer of my draft board. Everything looks great though his splits might be light.
Marc Redman - Has doubles hitting power or light home run power..whichever. Great eye, splits and contact. His projecteds in hitting should be relatively easy to make. 2B is quite possible though he projects to a weak ranged CF which I think is very unrealistic. Big downfall is makeup and by his picture it wouldn't hurt to wear some.
Having the first pick and needing the best player available, I will have to take Marc Redman. I guess I have made up my mind. Now Baltimore can make up their minds.
The IFA Market
There has been a couple high priced deals made all of a sudden. So here is a quick rundown.
Del Alvarez was paid $19.7M by the Kansas City Royals. For a 1B has awful questionable abilities and probably will never play the position. Watch him light up the scoreboard as a DH however.
Rating: A
Asdrubal Olivares was hired by the St. Louis Browns for $9.3M. A relative price for a very good pen pitcher. Most owners prefer a smoker as a closer however and Olivares lacks that ability, though in my estimation the only thing he lacks. So his life story will be written by Willie Makeit and Illustrated by Betty Dont.
Rating: A
Alexi Martinez was taken from the market by the Boston Red Sox for $7.2M. 2B is probably out of the equation but RF looks legit. Most of the wide eyes by the Sox however is in his bat which may or may not pan out.
Rating: B to B+
Philip Hoover became another Dover Dung Beetle acquisition for $5.4M. Defensively he could be that much sought after CF. His plate ability might bring mixed results however.
Rating: B-
Del Alvarez was paid $19.7M by the Kansas City Royals. For a 1B has awful questionable abilities and probably will never play the position. Watch him light up the scoreboard as a DH however.
Rating: A
Asdrubal Olivares was hired by the St. Louis Browns for $9.3M. A relative price for a very good pen pitcher. Most owners prefer a smoker as a closer however and Olivares lacks that ability, though in my estimation the only thing he lacks. So his life story will be written by Willie Makeit and Illustrated by Betty Dont.
Rating: A
Alexi Martinez was taken from the market by the Boston Red Sox for $7.2M. 2B is probably out of the equation but RF looks legit. Most of the wide eyes by the Sox however is in his bat which may or may not pan out.
Rating: B to B+
Philip Hoover became another Dover Dung Beetle acquisition for $5.4M. Defensively he could be that much sought after CF. His plate ability might bring mixed results however.
Rating: B-
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Mets at 30
Well Mets fans, the season has reached the 30 game milestone. We believe! Although we are quite kornfused of late. We were ready to make it to .500 when disaster struck. Bewildered is more like it. Winning 8 of 10 and going to Charlotte for a 3-game seemed more than probable. Suddenly the offense died for no apparent reason. Scoring 1 run in the 3-game set left us aghast especially having to go home and face the Pirates. That series looked a lot better in the papers as we let one of those get away.
A look at the offense:
Chun-Lim Satou went into a slump with the rest of the team which saw his batting average drop 40 points. His play at 3B has been good.
John McInerney has been an inspiration this season. Batting .391 and is always ready to play his best in the field like I thought he could if he made his milestones. Hopefully he may even get better. He also leads the team in home runs at this point in the season.
Dan Radke has played well in the field but his plate activities is highly sub-par this season so far.
Tomas Guerrero plays an okay 1B but where is team leading hitting from last year? If it wasn't for his ability to walk he would be riding the bench.
Domingo Jose was brought in the be the hole hitter and really hasn't disappointed. Leads the team in RBI's.
Clarence Valentin was signed late in FA and hasn't disappointed. Second in batting average and tied for second in home runs does have us very excitedly baffled. We really brought him in to be a backup for several positions but decided to play him full time mostly in CF instead.
Pedro Johnson wasn't out choice for the starting SS position but his bat changed our minds.
The catching duo of Rob Webster and Gary Stanley has worked surprisingly well so far.
The bench has been good in the field but at the plate they call for seconds and sit down.
We knew we might have problems with the pitching staff but they haven't really been all that bad. Though some room for improvement as a couple may not see a roster spot by the end of the season if things don't change.
George Atkins who won 15 games last season is off to an 0-4 start. He lost his confidence in his first game I think as he lost a 1-0 decision. The offense just hasn't given him much help when he is on the mound.
J.D. Kennedy was our choice in the FA market. His preseason pitching was horrible and was demoted to the pen at the beginning of the season. That didn't last long as he was horrible there also. When the original #5 starter had a less than stellar first start he was put into the rotation and has gone 4-0 in 5 starts.
Don Zhou was suppose to help us late in the game but never lived up to the billing and literally sucked. After a bit of a change in thinking he has calmed down and has started pitching as we had hoped.
A look at the offense:
Chun-Lim Satou went into a slump with the rest of the team which saw his batting average drop 40 points. His play at 3B has been good.
John McInerney has been an inspiration this season. Batting .391 and is always ready to play his best in the field like I thought he could if he made his milestones. Hopefully he may even get better. He also leads the team in home runs at this point in the season.
Dan Radke has played well in the field but his plate activities is highly sub-par this season so far.
Tomas Guerrero plays an okay 1B but where is team leading hitting from last year? If it wasn't for his ability to walk he would be riding the bench.
Domingo Jose was brought in the be the hole hitter and really hasn't disappointed. Leads the team in RBI's.
Clarence Valentin was signed late in FA and hasn't disappointed. Second in batting average and tied for second in home runs does have us very excitedly baffled. We really brought him in to be a backup for several positions but decided to play him full time mostly in CF instead.
Pedro Johnson wasn't out choice for the starting SS position but his bat changed our minds.
The catching duo of Rob Webster and Gary Stanley has worked surprisingly well so far.
The bench has been good in the field but at the plate they call for seconds and sit down.
We knew we might have problems with the pitching staff but they haven't really been all that bad. Though some room for improvement as a couple may not see a roster spot by the end of the season if things don't change.
George Atkins who won 15 games last season is off to an 0-4 start. He lost his confidence in his first game I think as he lost a 1-0 decision. The offense just hasn't given him much help when he is on the mound.
J.D. Kennedy was our choice in the FA market. His preseason pitching was horrible and was demoted to the pen at the beginning of the season. That didn't last long as he was horrible there also. When the original #5 starter had a less than stellar first start he was put into the rotation and has gone 4-0 in 5 starts.
Don Zhou was suppose to help us late in the game but never lived up to the billing and literally sucked. After a bit of a change in thinking he has calmed down and has started pitching as we had hoped.
Friday, July 1, 2011
IFA Signs
The Baltimore Orioles announced the signing of Alving Parra with a whopping $19.5M signing bonus. Alving finds himself in a fanciful role as a power hitting SS. Well, SS might be a little iffy but has a decent chance to play the position. His hitting style had the Orioles eyes beaming however as he should be a wonderous addition in the lineup.
Rating: B+
Rating: B+
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