A little less than 40 games to go and things are getting a little heated. In the NL things are a bit tight knit as two races are shaping up to be barn burners. The AL has looked rather strange all year long and anything can still happen.
Seattle has control of the AL North, 10 more wins could easily put them out of reach and with the #1 seed even.
Boston is in the cat-bird seat in the AL East as streaky Dover struggles to get above .500 and remain close. Atlanta is not down and out yet, could they catch fire?
Tampa Bay looks rather comfy in the AL South, of course we said that last year and look what happened. This year is different however and it is called a 14 game deficit.
AL West looks like it did last year, Slobs and Pockets duking it out over first, Padres twiddling their thumbs (well maybe something else also). Will it end with the same drama?
The Wild Card has three contenders above .500 for two slots and a host of pretenders, this could wind up to be a wooly show in the end.
NL North is seeing a lot of action this year. The Brewers have been entrenched all year but just can't seem to pull away. Then came the Pirates lack of enthusiasm all of a sudden. The Reds are on a roll so things seem a little shaky yet.
The NL East appears to be the laughing stock as the Phils are in first and can't win. The Mets are in second get to .500 then quit playing.
Florida and Houston are still lamenting over who should be in first and who will get the wild card in the NL South. Do wish they would make up their minds.
Salem has all but mathematically wrapped up the NL West and the #1 seed.
A four team race for the final wild card spot, looks like some fur will fly for that one.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The Best of AAA?
I was temporarily in aah of the best prospects the showed up a couple days ago. Like wow man, I would love to have those guys available for my team. Then I took a look, blah was all I could think of. Most of them don't even have a career in the majors. So I decided to take a look at the AAA leaders to see if there was some outstanding candidates worthy of submission. It wasn't an easy task by any means.
First I looked at home runs, it took awhile in the list but finally found two that have ML written all over them. Del Alvarez plays for KC, though maybe not a great 1B (okay maybe he sucks is more likely), he should succeed as a DH. We think he needs at least another year of development as he is not exactly burning things up at the plate. Manuel Camacho could very well turn out to be a pitchers nightmare. A good rollover and spring could allow him to be on the ML roster next year and at 3B at a minimum also.
Okay, I didn't search all 25 but this was the best of the top 15, so I looked at BA next. Surprise, another Cleveland stand out in Carl Mattingly. Looks like they have been hoping for him to get his fielding habits in perspective but it just hasn't happened. Of course his health has a little to do with it maybe, but he could definitely play RF. How Will Palmer has a .323 average is beyond me (just had to mention that Dilo). Robinzon Aguilera may have a great career in SD where huge power is not a must at 1B. Vic Rios may have a hard time getting a job at the ML level even though he is or could be a very good hitter and play a great 1B and run. What can you do with a guy that can terrorize right-handed pitchers with low power but lefties befuddle him?
I thought pitching would be easy, but there I go thinking once again. Willie Ellis has the most wins and has failed at the ML level already and at the age of 31 might consider retirement. Willie Pascual has potential at least.
Victor Guerrero leads AAA with 39 saves but not sure he is actually closer material. Ramon Nakajima is more likely to be a closer and could join the ML ranks next year. Graham Jensen is a very likely candidate but needs a couple more years to develop.
First I looked at home runs, it took awhile in the list but finally found two that have ML written all over them. Del Alvarez plays for KC, though maybe not a great 1B (okay maybe he sucks is more likely), he should succeed as a DH. We think he needs at least another year of development as he is not exactly burning things up at the plate. Manuel Camacho could very well turn out to be a pitchers nightmare. A good rollover and spring could allow him to be on the ML roster next year and at 3B at a minimum also.
Okay, I didn't search all 25 but this was the best of the top 15, so I looked at BA next. Surprise, another Cleveland stand out in Carl Mattingly. Looks like they have been hoping for him to get his fielding habits in perspective but it just hasn't happened. Of course his health has a little to do with it maybe, but he could definitely play RF. How Will Palmer has a .323 average is beyond me (just had to mention that Dilo). Robinzon Aguilera may have a great career in SD where huge power is not a must at 1B. Vic Rios may have a hard time getting a job at the ML level even though he is or could be a very good hitter and play a great 1B and run. What can you do with a guy that can terrorize right-handed pitchers with low power but lefties befuddle him?
I thought pitching would be easy, but there I go thinking once again. Willie Ellis has the most wins and has failed at the ML level already and at the age of 31 might consider retirement. Willie Pascual has potential at least.
Victor Guerrero leads AAA with 39 saves but not sure he is actually closer material. Ramon Nakajima is more likely to be a closer and could join the ML ranks next year. Graham Jensen is a very likely candidate but needs a couple more years to develop.
Monday, November 7, 2011
A Bad Broadway Musical
The Mets are back to .500 once again which is probably the best news of the season, well, for us anyway. That and we are only two behind the struggling Phillies. We can still do it, but then again one has to overcome disaster. The disaster occurred after last nights game against the Knights. Domingo Jose had to have knee surgery, what a setback for a team trying to get to the post season for the first time in years. It didn't happen during the game (well it wasn't in the box score), it just happened which seems to me like a first.
I was thinking about a move anyway, though this was not what I had in mind for sure. Carlos Mesa was brought up to take his place with the open roster spot. I had a choice and thought a left-handed bat in the lineup was the best solution. I do worry about Carlos and his anemic health however. He did suffer a playoff ending injury last season and most of this year so maybe the worst is behind him.
I am a bit financially bound to get a player from the Waiver Wire, sorta my fault but there isn't much I can do. Besides, I am not really wanting to give up the precious young talent that I do have. So I am bit cornered with no way out...egads!
I was thinking about a move anyway, though this was not what I had in mind for sure. Carlos Mesa was brought up to take his place with the open roster spot. I had a choice and thought a left-handed bat in the lineup was the best solution. I do worry about Carlos and his anemic health however. He did suffer a playoff ending injury last season and most of this year so maybe the worst is behind him.
I am a bit financially bound to get a player from the Waiver Wire, sorta my fault but there isn't much I can do. Besides, I am not really wanting to give up the precious young talent that I do have. So I am bit cornered with no way out...egads!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Ding Ding Goes the Dinger
Juan Carrasquel hit his 600th home run of his career! That is a great milestone for any player and Juan is a great player. How many would he have had if he played his home games in a plus park I wonder?
How does he stand on the all-time list I am not sure but he is not in the top 5 yet. Joey Tracy is number 1 with 745 long balls and still counting but his days are almost numbered. Can he reach 750 before the end of the season? Can he play first base next year and still be a quality player? We will have to wait and see.
Willie Pizzaro is number 2 on the list and is also still active with 656. He is really upset in his role this year and isn't getting much playing time.
Randy Lamb, the Met great, hit 627 homers and currently ranks number 3 on the list, all of them but 1 in a Mets uniform also. How he accomplished that feat is questionable.
Omar Nixon also hit 627 home runs and is number 4 on the list. His rapid decline at the end of his career signaled a quick end. A steroid monster was always questioned.
Rocky Spencer is 5th on the list but will move up to number 3 with 629+ dingers at the end of the season. It will be his last we suspect as his durability and health just won't sustain much more.
Given Juan's current age and abilities, it is very possible that he could wind up second all time. That is only 57 more and I think he can do it with ease.
How does he stand on the all-time list I am not sure but he is not in the top 5 yet. Joey Tracy is number 1 with 745 long balls and still counting but his days are almost numbered. Can he reach 750 before the end of the season? Can he play first base next year and still be a quality player? We will have to wait and see.
Willie Pizzaro is number 2 on the list and is also still active with 656. He is really upset in his role this year and isn't getting much playing time.
Randy Lamb, the Met great, hit 627 homers and currently ranks number 3 on the list, all of them but 1 in a Mets uniform also. How he accomplished that feat is questionable.
Omar Nixon also hit 627 home runs and is number 4 on the list. His rapid decline at the end of his career signaled a quick end. A steroid monster was always questioned.
Rocky Spencer is 5th on the list but will move up to number 3 with 629+ dingers at the end of the season. It will be his last we suspect as his durability and health just won't sustain much more.
Given Juan's current age and abilities, it is very possible that he could wind up second all time. That is only 57 more and I think he can do it with ease.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
What Trivial Dribble
Look! Did you see that? The Mets with a winning record after All-Star break! Is it the end of the world? You would have to go back all the way to season 2 for the trivia answer BTW. Then again they weren't the Mets then but called the Empire, does that count? or maybe the proper answer may be never? Is it a first? Debatable, organization wise it could be season 2. The older owners might remember if they were above .500 during season 3. They accomplished the feat in weird fashion also. First, they hit the long ball which is more than a strange feat. Such a surprise they have hit 13 home runs in the four game win streak. The way things normally go, 13 home runs might happen in 10 games or more, mostly more. More surprising, most of them happened in Shea against Salem. Secondly, they handed Salem its second three game losing streak of the season and the first time they have been swept so far this season. Third, the Mets opened the season with a 8-17 record at home. It has taken a lot of doing, but really have figured out how to win at home as we have gone 16-8 since. I have so many different lineups it is funny, takes a lot longer to set than normal also. All I can say is "WOW"!
With the schedule we have, can we maintain a winning record? is another story. Hopefully we can but it will be a struggle.
With the schedule we have, can we maintain a winning record? is another story. Hopefully we can but it will be a struggle.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Indirect Madness
AL North
The Mariners have the lead and one of the few teams to have a winning record at home in the AL. The Twinkies are still trying to stay close but the annihilation in Seattle hurt. The Blue Jays got their heads above water and suddenly looked like they were gonna jump back into the fray. Going 2 and 6 at the hands of the Mariners and Twinkies has ruffled their feathers. Detroit may have a tiger by the tail but it is still asleep.
AL East
The East looks like a disaster waiting to happen. Are the Republicans making a move? Any of them get hot and take over. The Red Sox have stinky feet, the Dung Beetles just plainly stink, the Braves have their tomahawks at the ready but can't get out of their own way.
AL South
Don't look now but the Rays have built up a 10 game lead. How? 34-15 on the road is how. Lo and behold, the Rangers are above .500 at home, now that seems really strange when the road record is 22-27. KC and the Heads are fighting a battle to stay out of the cellar. They have a plan though, identical records.
AL West
The Slobs found a novel way to take over the division, beat everyone else. Still a tight bunch and two have winning records at home and they are all above .500! Hot Pockets have an inside track, we might have to wait until the microwave goes "DING" though. We also know what happens when the Padres get hot. The Angels aren't gonna go away either and look out because they have a deal with Victors Secret.
NL North
The Brewers drank too much at All-Star break and have hit skid row. The Pirates, Reds and Cubs have taken advantage to siddle up the board. Yes, the Cubs, but I wouldn't take them serious. The Pirates may raid their wares before the season ends. The Reds struggle at times but remain within striking distance.
AL East
The Phillies were happy until the 3rd game with the Mets. They looked at the schedule and looked scared. The Mets aren't happy with their schedule either...uggggh is the word but their could be joy as it is mostly a home schedule. The Mets did hand Salem their worst loss of the season. Cleveland can't win at home and the latest losing streak have them on edge. The Browns need to win the rest of their games to get to .500, no one sees that happening.
AL South
The Astros are doing everything humanly possible to pull away from the pesky Marlins, it just ain't happening. The Marlins are actually getting a little worried as things are getting a bit complicated in the NL. Mexico City and Charlotte are relaxing, so would I at 20 plus games back. Can we say "Where is the beach?".
AL West
Salem needs about 20 wins for a lock on a playoff spot already, that seems absurd. They were none too happy about their latest loss. The Dodgers have awakened from a deep sleep and are putting a fright to a couple teams. The D'Back have their rattles shaking but are suddenly fangless. The Giants and Browns are in the same company and are fighting it out for next years first pick.
The Mariners have the lead and one of the few teams to have a winning record at home in the AL. The Twinkies are still trying to stay close but the annihilation in Seattle hurt. The Blue Jays got their heads above water and suddenly looked like they were gonna jump back into the fray. Going 2 and 6 at the hands of the Mariners and Twinkies has ruffled their feathers. Detroit may have a tiger by the tail but it is still asleep.
AL East
The East looks like a disaster waiting to happen. Are the Republicans making a move? Any of them get hot and take over. The Red Sox have stinky feet, the Dung Beetles just plainly stink, the Braves have their tomahawks at the ready but can't get out of their own way.
AL South
Don't look now but the Rays have built up a 10 game lead. How? 34-15 on the road is how. Lo and behold, the Rangers are above .500 at home, now that seems really strange when the road record is 22-27. KC and the Heads are fighting a battle to stay out of the cellar. They have a plan though, identical records.
AL West
The Slobs found a novel way to take over the division, beat everyone else. Still a tight bunch and two have winning records at home and they are all above .500! Hot Pockets have an inside track, we might have to wait until the microwave goes "DING" though. We also know what happens when the Padres get hot. The Angels aren't gonna go away either and look out because they have a deal with Victors Secret.
NL North
The Brewers drank too much at All-Star break and have hit skid row. The Pirates, Reds and Cubs have taken advantage to siddle up the board. Yes, the Cubs, but I wouldn't take them serious. The Pirates may raid their wares before the season ends. The Reds struggle at times but remain within striking distance.
AL East
The Phillies were happy until the 3rd game with the Mets. They looked at the schedule and looked scared. The Mets aren't happy with their schedule either...uggggh is the word but their could be joy as it is mostly a home schedule. The Mets did hand Salem their worst loss of the season. Cleveland can't win at home and the latest losing streak have them on edge. The Browns need to win the rest of their games to get to .500, no one sees that happening.
AL South
The Astros are doing everything humanly possible to pull away from the pesky Marlins, it just ain't happening. The Marlins are actually getting a little worried as things are getting a bit complicated in the NL. Mexico City and Charlotte are relaxing, so would I at 20 plus games back. Can we say "Where is the beach?".
AL West
Salem needs about 20 wins for a lock on a playoff spot already, that seems absurd. They were none too happy about their latest loss. The Dodgers have awakened from a deep sleep and are putting a fright to a couple teams. The D'Back have their rattles shaking but are suddenly fangless. The Giants and Browns are in the same company and are fighting it out for next years first pick.
Rant Rant Rant!
I don't know, just seems like a good title to start with. Well actually it is just how I feel at the moment for some reason. Where to begin is just one of those things also. I guess the first thing is to tell y'all about some minor stuff in the International market.
The big splash, well that is how it was billed. The signing of Pedro Cueto by the Browns. Like, um, wow, to me it wasn't even a good ripple to be noteworthy. Not many seemed interested in the kid and only $7.5M signing bonus to boot. So what that he is the fastest thing on two feet, from the looks of things he has to get on base first. Might have a good eye and contact but he just isn't overpowering at the plate. His fielding isn't going to get him very far either at 2B, very good range but he keeps tying his shoelaces to the webbing of his glove. Maybe that was a joke his teammates pulled on him. Very bad joke as he landed on the DL. Maybe we need forensic evidence as to his real age, they can tell ya know.
J.P. Nieves was singed by the Red Sox for $13.8 M. A middle reliever with some very good abilities and could be a future star. Linda Loo said in a text that he probably isn't 18, more like 23. She hasn't been able to walk or talk for three days since the interview that didn't get aired.
(Insert five minutes worth of commercials so everyone can go to the bathroom and get munchies.) Now for the Rant part.
Have you ever wondered about college sports and where the NCAA gets off? It's all about money of course, plain and simple. Think of it this way, a big Div I school, the average ticket price to a football game is $50. The stadium seats 100,000 that is an easy $5M. Lets say everyone spends $10 on food (and that is low probably with the prices they charge), that is another $1M. Souvenirs also, another 20 maybe, another $2M. Parking, can't let that slide and shuttle service in most instances. Big game, nationally televised...umm..how much is that worth (LSU-Alabama)? Another $5M maybe, more in all probability. Somebody is making some big bucks for a season. Amateur athletes on a scholarship, seems like they are being paid to play to me and for cheap. Seems to me, one game can cover the expenses for an entire season and the scholarship for four years. Why not protect it to squeeze every last cent.
Oh well, enough with the stupid rant.
The Mets are actually having a good year. Well, that depends on who you ask. If you ask me it is another lousy season. Yeah, we will probably do better than last year, that was the goal. If you look at the numbers right now, they tell a different tale. 4th in the NL in pitching, 5th overall. 5th in the NL in fielding, 8th overall. The unfortunate part, we are almost dead last in hitting. Why? I haven't a clue. Yes our splits against right-handed pitchers aren't sublimely great but is that actually the problem? We have power and can't hit home runs, hell, we can't even hit doubles. We have speed and can't steal bases. We are having trouble getting seeing-eye hits even, go figure. All we had to do in Philly was hit the ball in the air to center field, for the most part we couldn't hit the ball in the air. Matter of fact we can't hit the ball in the air against FB pitchers, figure that one out.
I went looking at the stats and found a couple things that shouldn't be if you ask me. George Atkins for instance has a 77 GB/FB rating. He has given up a team leading 15 home runs in the pitching department. Okay, why do his stats indicate that he is a fly ball pitcher? All of my staff is pretty good in the GB arena. R.J. Bellhorn is about the lowest with a 62 GB/FB rating and is relatively on target if you ask me. He is good at getting inning ending DPs. Anibal Bennett on the other hand was listed as a pure FB pitcher even with a 60 rating. Of course with him you could make the case that he was always wild high. I dumped him back to AAA because he kept walking batters.
Leo Rodney is having trouble getting the ball in the air. You could make several cases for him though. One he is not ready for ML pitching, but he has to learn sometime. I am not sure he would have gotten much better left down in the minors. He was kind of a special case in my books. I didn't need another LF and he isn't a very good one at that and doubt he ever will. So why not bring the big bat up and play 1B. Just needs time to adjust I think. Hey, he replaced Pedro Johnson and anything is better than him in the hitting department, just ask the Republicans.
I waived Dale Stevenson to bring up Guy Oquist. Not the greatest hitter but another decent defensive SS was needed. The Dodgers were the recipient of the waiver case, insurance just in case as he went to AAA.
Poor Sun Hasegawa was dumped back to AAA and he was pretty pissed about that. The reason was to make room for Jesus Lee, whom I piked up off waivers. I was hoping he would be a masher at the plate, well that didn't turn out all that well. Then again maybe I was asking too much. Substandard PC which really didn't hurt that much on the bottom line for a change. What has gotten him in the dog house is his arm or lack thereof. You will find him on the waiver wire after the deadline.
The big stretch is coming in the schedule. Salem, Houston, Milwaukee and Florida just to name a few. I didn't do well the last time, will it be any better? I hope so, if I want to contend. Philly can still fall as their schedule isn't much better. I was hoping to gain ground but ended up losing. Such is life in this game as it can be rather contentious.
The big splash, well that is how it was billed. The signing of Pedro Cueto by the Browns. Like, um, wow, to me it wasn't even a good ripple to be noteworthy. Not many seemed interested in the kid and only $7.5M signing bonus to boot. So what that he is the fastest thing on two feet, from the looks of things he has to get on base first. Might have a good eye and contact but he just isn't overpowering at the plate. His fielding isn't going to get him very far either at 2B, very good range but he keeps tying his shoelaces to the webbing of his glove. Maybe that was a joke his teammates pulled on him. Very bad joke as he landed on the DL. Maybe we need forensic evidence as to his real age, they can tell ya know.
J.P. Nieves was singed by the Red Sox for $13.8 M. A middle reliever with some very good abilities and could be a future star. Linda Loo said in a text that he probably isn't 18, more like 23. She hasn't been able to walk or talk for three days since the interview that didn't get aired.
(Insert five minutes worth of commercials so everyone can go to the bathroom and get munchies.) Now for the Rant part.
Have you ever wondered about college sports and where the NCAA gets off? It's all about money of course, plain and simple. Think of it this way, a big Div I school, the average ticket price to a football game is $50. The stadium seats 100,000 that is an easy $5M. Lets say everyone spends $10 on food (and that is low probably with the prices they charge), that is another $1M. Souvenirs also, another 20 maybe, another $2M. Parking, can't let that slide and shuttle service in most instances. Big game, nationally televised...umm..how much is that worth (LSU-Alabama)? Another $5M maybe, more in all probability. Somebody is making some big bucks for a season. Amateur athletes on a scholarship, seems like they are being paid to play to me and for cheap. Seems to me, one game can cover the expenses for an entire season and the scholarship for four years. Why not protect it to squeeze every last cent.
Oh well, enough with the stupid rant.
The Mets are actually having a good year. Well, that depends on who you ask. If you ask me it is another lousy season. Yeah, we will probably do better than last year, that was the goal. If you look at the numbers right now, they tell a different tale. 4th in the NL in pitching, 5th overall. 5th in the NL in fielding, 8th overall. The unfortunate part, we are almost dead last in hitting. Why? I haven't a clue. Yes our splits against right-handed pitchers aren't sublimely great but is that actually the problem? We have power and can't hit home runs, hell, we can't even hit doubles. We have speed and can't steal bases. We are having trouble getting seeing-eye hits even, go figure. All we had to do in Philly was hit the ball in the air to center field, for the most part we couldn't hit the ball in the air. Matter of fact we can't hit the ball in the air against FB pitchers, figure that one out.
I went looking at the stats and found a couple things that shouldn't be if you ask me. George Atkins for instance has a 77 GB/FB rating. He has given up a team leading 15 home runs in the pitching department. Okay, why do his stats indicate that he is a fly ball pitcher? All of my staff is pretty good in the GB arena. R.J. Bellhorn is about the lowest with a 62 GB/FB rating and is relatively on target if you ask me. He is good at getting inning ending DPs. Anibal Bennett on the other hand was listed as a pure FB pitcher even with a 60 rating. Of course with him you could make the case that he was always wild high. I dumped him back to AAA because he kept walking batters.
Leo Rodney is having trouble getting the ball in the air. You could make several cases for him though. One he is not ready for ML pitching, but he has to learn sometime. I am not sure he would have gotten much better left down in the minors. He was kind of a special case in my books. I didn't need another LF and he isn't a very good one at that and doubt he ever will. So why not bring the big bat up and play 1B. Just needs time to adjust I think. Hey, he replaced Pedro Johnson and anything is better than him in the hitting department, just ask the Republicans.
I waived Dale Stevenson to bring up Guy Oquist. Not the greatest hitter but another decent defensive SS was needed. The Dodgers were the recipient of the waiver case, insurance just in case as he went to AAA.
Poor Sun Hasegawa was dumped back to AAA and he was pretty pissed about that. The reason was to make room for Jesus Lee, whom I piked up off waivers. I was hoping he would be a masher at the plate, well that didn't turn out all that well. Then again maybe I was asking too much. Substandard PC which really didn't hurt that much on the bottom line for a change. What has gotten him in the dog house is his arm or lack thereof. You will find him on the waiver wire after the deadline.
The big stretch is coming in the schedule. Salem, Houston, Milwaukee and Florida just to name a few. I didn't do well the last time, will it be any better? I hope so, if I want to contend. Philly can still fall as their schedule isn't much better. I was hoping to gain ground but ended up losing. Such is life in this game as it can be rather contentious.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)