Pre-Season Predictions
We’re a few days in the season, but it’s still early enough to do pre-season predictions. I was just too lazy to do them a few days ago.
American League
AL East
Boston Red Sox
Tampa Bay Rays
New York Yankees
Toronto Blue Jays
Baltimore Orioles
Red Sox are still as strong as ever, especially with Mike Lowell back at third, a healthy Josh Beckett, and added depth in the pitching department. Rays will have a good enough season to snag the wild card if their young rotation can stay healthy, and Burrell will add some pop into their lineup. Yankees threw money around this offseason like it was nothing and signed some big names. Sabathia was off to a terrible start last year, and was lights out as soon as he was traded to the NL, I don’t think he will earn his pay cheque (could anyone earn that anyways?) and will struggle at times in the AL East. Burnett is not set to get paid at the end of this season, so expect a couple trips to the DL and for him to be inconsistent. Yanks are without A-Roid for a month or so, and they still don’t have anyone to bridge the way to Mariano Rivera in the ninth inning. They will lose a decent amount of games because of it, when their starting pitchers doesn’t do well. Jays will do better than they are expected with Cito Gaston and his crew there for a whole season out of spring training. Their bats will be surprisingly good but the end of their rotation will let them down this year from time to time, don’t expect Scott Richmond to be here for long, and for the Jays to float around 82-87 wins at the end of the year. The Orioles are the Orioles and won’t have much to be excited about this year except for when Matt Wieters gets the call.
AL Central
Minnesota Twins
Cleveland Indians
Chicago White Sox
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals
Minnesota’s young arms will do them good again this year, with the additon of Joe Crede expecting to have a full healthy year, expect better numbers from the likes of Carlos Gomez and Michael Cuddyer. The Tribe are back with a healthy Hafner, Martinez and Carmona. Say no more. White Sox will have another decent year but won’t be enought to handle Twins and Indians, Tigers offence should knock in a lot of runs, but their terrible bullpen will let them down. Kansas City Royals will be mathamatically eliminated in June. (joking, obviously)
AL West
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Texas Rangers
Oakland Athletics
Seattle Mariners
Angels will be just as good as last year, Rodriguez and Anderson out, Fuentes and Abreu in, pretty even replacements, but let’s give the edge to Abreu. Texas will pound in a lot of runs again this year and it will be fun to see what Andruw Jones will do, and what Elvis Andrus, the defensive wizard at shortstop will do in his rookie year. Their defence gave up 107 unearned runs in 2008 (the most since 1999), and their #1 starter won only 9 games. Winning 79 games last year, this team has no where to go but up. Adding Holliday to the A’s lineup won’t do a lot, he’s coming for the NL playing in a hitters park at Coors Field, to the worst hitters park in the league. At home in 2008: .332 AVG, 15 HR, 59 RBI. On the road in 2008: .308 AVG, 10 HR, 29 RBI. Don’t expect him to hit well above .300 or drive in 137 RBI like he did in 2007. He should be more around .300/25/100. Marines have a pretty weak bullpen and it’s nice to see Griffey back in an M’s uniform, but they haven’t improved much from last year. Let’s hope Erik Bedard can pitch a full, healthy year.
Wild Card: Tampa Bay Rays
American League Champion: Boston Red Sox
Most Valuable Player: Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Tigers)
Acknowledgements to: Justin Morneau (Minnesota Twins), Grady Sizemore (Cleveland Indians), Mark Teixera (New York Yankees).
Cy Young Winner: Roy Halladay (Toronto Blue Jays)
Acknowledgements to: Josh Beckett (Boston Red Sox), Jon Lester (Boston Red Sox), Erik Bedard (Seattle Mariners).
Rookie of the Year: Matt Wieters (Baltimore Orioles)
Acknowledgements to: David Price (Tampa Bay Rays), Travis Snider (Toronto Blue Jays), Elvis Andrus (Texas Rangers).
Comeback Player: Travis Hafner (Cleveland Indians)
Acknowledgements to: Victor Martinez (Cleveland Indians), Eric Chavez (Oakland Athletics), Joe Crede (Chicago White Sox).
Manager of the Year: Eric Wedge (Cleveland Indians)
Home Run Leader: Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Tigers)
Batting Title: Ian Kinsler (Texas Rangers)
Surprise Player: Howie Kendrick (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)
Dissapointment: Cliff Lee (Cleveland Indians)
National League
NL East
Philadelphia Philles
New York Mets
Florida Marlins
Atlanta Braves
Washington Nationals
Phillies bring back basically the same championship team as last year, but they’ve got to hope they can get Hamels back and healthy, and only big move is Pat Burrel out, Raul Ibanez in. Mets bullpen was terrible last year, so they went out and signed the man with the single season saves record (Francisco Rodriguez) and J.J. Putz to set him up. My only concern is the back end of their rotation, and the rest of their bullpen, because if a starting pitching is out early, they don’t have a lot of guys who can bridge the gap to Putz and K-Rod, and those two guys can’t pitch every day. Marlins young starting rotation will keep them competative in the division and their lineup should knock in a decent amount of runs, they’ve got a lot of speed on the basepaths. The Braves had two big additions in Garret Anderson and Derek Lowe, Anderson is getting old and is still a pretty good hitter and won’t make a huge impact, and Derek Lowe can only go out their once every five games and the rest of their pitching staff isn’t exactly A+. Nationals keep their spot in the basement as usual but will provice some optimism in the future with young players like Milledge, Dukes and Zimmerman if he can stay healthy.
NL Central
Chicago Cubs
St. Louis Cardinals
Cincinnati Reds
Milwaukee Brewers
Houston Astros
Pittsburgh Pirates
Cubs are coming back with basically the same team as last year but with the addition of Milton Bradley and Kevin Gregg and the loss of Mark DeRosa and closer Kerry Wood. St. Louis’ pitching staff should be in better shape and will finish second simply because the Brewers are a much weaker team this year. Reds will surprise a lot of people this year with a lot to look forward to in the future with the likes of Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto, they will be a highly competative team. Brewers will have the same pretty good offence, but I don’t want to start with their pitching staff, they will hold them back. Houston and Pirates be at the bottom, and the Pirates for obvious reasons.
NL West
Los Angeles Dodgers
Arizona Diamondbacks
San Francisco Giants
Colorado Rockies
San Diego Padres
Dodgers will finish first even without Derek Lowe, they’ve got Kuroda and Billingsley to pick up the slack. They’ve got a good young offence with a lot of spark and potential, and the way Manny lit up NL pitching last year, it should be exciting to see what he can do with a full season under his belt. Diamondbacks should be competative but aren’t good enough to beat out the Dodgers and don’t have enough big bats in their lineup. Giants should be a fun team to watch with Randy Johnson going for 300 wins and Linecum looking to follow up his Cy Young year with another great season. Rockies will miss Fuentes and Holliday, and Padres don’t have much to look forward to this year.
Wild Card: New York Mets
National League Champions: New York Mets
Most Valuable Player: David Wright (New York Mets)
Acknowledgements to: Albert Pujols (St. Louis Cardinals), Manny Ramirez (Los Angeles Dodgers), Jose Reyes (New York Mets).
Cy Young Winner: Johan Santana (New York Mets)
Acknowledgements to: Brandon Webb (Arizona Diamondbacks), Roy Oswalt (Houston Astros), Rich Harden (Chicago Cubs).
Rookie of the Year: Cameron Maybin (Florida Marlins)
Acknowledgements to: Jordan Schafer (Atlanta Braves), Tommy Hanson (Atlanta Braves), Jason Motte (St. Louis Cardinals).
Comeback Player: Chris Carpenter (St. Louis Cardinals)
Acknowledgements to: Jeff Francouer (Atlanta Braves), Alex Gonzalez (Cincinnati Reds), Anibal Sanchez (Florida Marlins).
Manager of the Year: Dusty Baker (Cincinnati Reds)
Home Run Leader: Ryan Howard (Philadelphia Phillies)
Batting Title: Albert Pujols (St. Louis Cardinals)
Surprise Player: Jeff Francouer (Atlanta Braves)
Dissapointment: Ryan Ludwick (St. Louis Cardinals)
World Series Champions: Boston Red Sox
JP’s long, stressful winter…
I haven’t written in a long time, not at all since free agency started.
A lot has happened, the Yankees once again trying to buy a championship, Pat “The Bat’ Burrell switching sides to the team he defeated in the World Series, the Rays. Giambi returning to his old stomping grounds in the Bay, Future HoF closer Hoffman heading to the Brewers, Zaun sticking to the AL East signing with the O’s, Ibanez heading to the Phillies, Randy Johnson givin’r another go at 300 wins in San Fran. A lot has gone on.
So if you’re a Jays fan you might be thinking, well what has JP done this offseason to improve his ball club?
A whole lot of nothing. He has already basically written off the 2009 season, and has said that he’s going to “go with the kids.”
So this is what he does:
Sent a spring training invite to Michaell Barrett to compete for the backup catchers role, which isn’t bad, but isn’t much. Barrett has played less than 100 games on two occasions. 2003 he played in 70 games, and just 30 last year. He hit .208, and .202. So with a little amount of playing time, as with most players, you see little production, especially for a catcher at his age don’t expect much. But he does have a wealth of experience that the team can benefit from. A low risk, pretty high reward signing.
JP sent another invite to Raul Chavez to compete for the backup catchers role. The most ML at bats he’s had in a season is 162, and that was in 2004. Would this guy really have a chance at beating out Barrett or Thigpen? No. Pointless acquisation.
Signed Howie Clark to a minor league contract. He should be familiar to Jays fans. He will be 35 once the season starts, and has never played more than 40 ML games in a season. He won’t beat out Johnny Mac, Jose Bautista, Joe Inglett, or Marco Scutaro for a utility/full time infielder spot, so what is the point? There isn’t one.
Signed Matt Clement to a minor league deal back in December. Matt Clement has not pitched in two and a half years, and has only had an ERA of below 4.00 in one season in his career. Has he recovered or will he recover? Two and a half years is a long time to go without any Major League action, Low risk, okay reward signing.
Signed Brandon Fahey to a minor league contract. Brandon who? You know, that nerdy guy you may have seen on the Orioles the past couple seasons, with the pants up to his arm pits and mathlete-like stature. Yeah, him. Honestly, why? Does he really have a shot at the Bigs in an infield position? The guy is nothing to brag about defensively at all, and has a career ML average of .224 in 411 At Bats. With zero home runs to his name in the past two years. Don’t we already have a defensive wizard capable of playing shortstop and to hit above .250? Yeah, Johnny Mac if you can’t remember. Dumb signing.
He has made a couple other minor acquisitions, but honestly, will more than one of these guys make it out of spring training? The Blue Jays are the only team in the AL to not make a major league signing. If I’m not mistaken I heard the only team in the entire Major Leagues that hasn’t done so.
JP said he wanted to give the youth a shot in 2009 and look towards 2010, but now on Monday reports have surfaced that the Jays have offerend Kevin Millar a minor league contract. Nothing to get excited about, maybe if this was 6 or 7 years ago. Sure he could provide some power with 10-20 home runs and maybe 50-70 RBI with an average floating around .230, but why? You have Adam Lind and Travis Snider to split DH/LF. With looking towards 2010, isn’t this year the perfect year to get Lind playing the whole season and Snider the majority of it? Because Kevin Millar will certainly not be playing with the Las Vegas 51′s this season. If he did offer him to add depth, why? He isn’t an outstanding fielder and I’d much rather have Overbay swinging for the whole season to try to get back to his old self. Millar is 37, does JP really see him being in the long run with this team in the next year? Because if anything I see Overbay in that positon.
So JP, stop trying to make it look like you’re busy with these pointless minor league signings, and at least sound like you’re interested in Ben Sheets or Orlando Cabrera, and at least give us something to cheer about in 2009.
Now JP’s 5-year-plan has turned into a 7 year plan, now 8, and probably soon 10…
…why does he still have his job?
Thinks aren’t working out too good in Vancouver for Mats Sundin, Jays could use an extra bat, and he could probably provide some much needed power.
How about it, Mats?
Next blog(s): World Baseball Classic thoughts
Sign ‘em up!
Free Agency starts tomorrow morning!
The Blue Jays have some money to spend, and here is what I think the team needs for the 2009 season:
- Starting pitching (a #2 SP + another SP)
- Backup Catcher
- Full time shortstop
- Full time DH
Starting Pitching
Realistic Sigings
Jon Garland
Age: 29 | Throws: Right | Last Year: 14-8, 4.90 ERA | Last Year’s Team: LA Angels
Garland won 18 games in Chicago (WS) in 2006 and 2007, and was an All-Star in 2005. He’s durable, an inning eater, gets ahead of hitters, challenges hitters with a sharp sinking fastball, and is always around the plate. Has only missed 2 games due to injury his whole career.
Signed: Arizona Diamondbacks, 1 year for $7.250M
Ryan Dempster
Age: 31 | Throws: Right | Last Year: 17-6, 2.96 ERA | Last Year’s Team: Chicago Cubs
The BC native has expressed interest before in playing in Canada for the Jays. Last year he went back to being a starter and had Cy Young contending numbers. He has a devastating slider to lefties and righties, is a big strikeout pitcher and can over power hitters with his sinking fastball. Getting a stud canadian player on the Jays could help out on and off the field in many ways.
Re-signed: Chicago Cubs, 4 years for $52M ($13M/yr.)
Brad Penny
Age: 30 | Throws: Right | Last Year: 6-9, 6.27 ERA | Last Year’s Team: LA Dodgers
Last year was an off year riddled by right shoulder injuries, but a healthy Brad Penny is very effective. He was 16-4 with a 3.03 ERA in 2007. He’s tough on righties with a big sweeping curveball, throws heat, and has a nasty sinker. Brad Arnsberg is fond of Brad Penny from their days back in Florida, too.
Signed: Boston Red Sox, 1 year for $5M
AJ Burnett
Age: 31 | Throws: Right | Last Year: 18-10, 4.07 ERA | Last Year’s Team: Toronto Blue Jays
As far as I know, the Blue Jays are still trying to re-sign AJ. The thing is can he have a great year without it being a contract year? In the past that hasn’t been true. Can he stay healthy for another full season and more seasons to come? When he’s on his game he can overpower hitters with his mid to high 90′s fastball, and has a devastating knuckle curve that he can make hitters look stupid on.
Signed: New York Yankees, 5 years for $82.5M ($16.5M/yr.)
Possible, Not As Realistic Signings:
Derek Lowe
Age: 35 | Throws: Right | Last Year: 14-11, 3.24 ERA | Last Year’s Team: LA Dodgers
Although he is 35, he is still one of the most consistent and durable pitchers around. Has one of the best sinkers in the Majors, keeps the ball on the ground, and out of the ball park.
Signed: Atlanta Braves, 4 years for $60M ($15M/yr.)
Ben Sheets
Age: 30 | Throws: Right | Last Year: 13-9, 3.09 ERA | Last Year’s Team: Milwaukee Brewers
The starter of the 2008 NL All-Star team is a dominant ace… when healthy. Which isn’t too often. Injuries have been a huge setback almost every year for him. If he was signed to a short term deal, he is worth the risk. His fastball reaches the upper 90′s, has great control, a strong power curve, and can pitch inside effectively.
Pedro Martinez
Age: 37 | Throws: Right | Last Year: 5-6, 5.61 ERA | Last Year’s Team: NY Mets
The future HoF on a 1, maybe 2 year affordable contract with an option could work out excellent. He’s lost a bit of speed on his fastball and isn’t as durabe as he used to be but when healthy can still be very effective. He has one of the best changeups ever, has a great curveball and keeps hitters off balance. He has a 2.80 career ERA in the MLB, and a career ERA of 2.51 in the AL. He is just three years removed from his last complete full season of a 15-8 record with a 2.82 ERA. He has showed at times he’s still got it when he’s healthy.
Backup Catcher
Realistic Signings
Javier Valentin
Age: 33 | Bats/Throws: S/R | Last Year: .256, 4 HR, 18 RBI | Last Year’s Team: Cincinnati Reds
Has been a great pinch hitter in the past, and can hit well from both sides of the plate. He’s a quality offensive backup catcher.
Signed: Washington Nationals, minor league contract
Adam Melhuse
Age: 36 | Bats/Throws: S/R | Last Year: .167, 0 HR, 2 RBI | Last Year’s Team: Colorado Rockies
He is also a switching hitter, has some pop in his bat, he’s a great leader and can also play the corner infield positions.
Signed: Texas Rangers, minor league contract
Long Shot Signings:
Jason Varitek
Age: 36 | Bats/Throws: S/R | Last Year: .220, 13 HR, 43 RBI | Last Year’s Team: Boston Red Sox
This probably won’t happen because Varitek has never been a backup for years, and I don’t think he’s ready to. He’s a great leader, a switch hitter, calls a great game, still has some pop in his bat, can drive in runs, and is for the most part a patient hitter.
Re-signed: Boston Red Sox, 1 year for $5M
Full-time Shortstop
Realistic Signings:
Orlando Cabrera
Age: 34 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Last Year: .281, 8 HR, 57 RBI | Last Year’s Team: Chicago WS
The two-time gold glover is a good contact hitter, can hit at the top of the lineup, a great baserunner, a clutch performer and has made a playoff appearance in 4 of his last 5 seasons.
Signed: Oakland Athletics, 1 year for $4M
Long Shot Signings:
Rafael Furcal
Age: 31 | Bats/Throws: S/R | Last Year: .357, 5 HR, 16 RBI | Last Year’s Team: LA Dodgers
Furcal only played 36 games last year due to a back injury. Has tremendous base running/stealing ability, good defensively, good arm, hits the ball well the other way, and could be that switch hitting speedy leadoff hitter the Jays need if he stays healthy.
Re-signed: Los Angeles Dodgers, 3 years for $30M ($10M/yr.)
Full-time DH
Realistic Signings:
Jason Giambi
Age: 37 | Bats/Throws: L/R | Last Year: .247, 32 HR, 96 RBI | Last Year’s Team: NY Yankees
Giambi has hit well at the Rogers Centre in the past, won’t be asking for a load of money, would be good on a short 1-2 year contract, would be the perfect left handed bat in the middle of the lineup, and could fill in for Overbay at first base when needed. He has huge power, great plate discipline, is a good teammate and can go on offensive tears.
Signed: Oakland Athletics, 1 year for $5.250M
Possible, Not As Realistic Signings:
Raul Ibanez
Age: 36 | Bats/Throws: L/R | Last Year: .293, 23 HR, 110 RBI | Last Year’s Team: Seattle Mariners
Raul Ibanez was almost on his way to the Jays this past July 31st in a swap for Lyle Overbay and Jason Frasor, but it didn’t go through. He isn’t as likely to come now because he’s coming off a 110 RBI season and there will be more bidding on him. He hits well with runners in scoring position, has power, has a good eye at the plate and good plate discipline.
Signed: Philadelphia Phillies, 3 years for $31.5M ($10.5M/yr.)
Milton Bradley
Age: 30 | Bats/Throws: S/R | Last Year: .321, 22 HR, 77 RBI | Last Year’s Team: Texas Rangers
The downside on Milton is that he can have a bad temper and is injury prone. But when he’s healthy he is the total package. He has speed, good switch-hitting ability, has power and is a good clutch hitter.
Signed: Chicago Cubs, 3 years for $30M ($10M/yr.)
Long Shot Signings:
Manny Ramirez
Age: 36 | Bats/Throws: R/R | Last Year: .332, 37 HR, 121 RBI | Last Year’s Team: LA Dodgers
The future HoF would be perfect in the Blue Jays lineup. The thing is, he wants a long-term contract, and I don’t think the Blue Jays would be interested in signing him for more than 2. He is looking for 4-6 years, and I don’t think the Jays want to commit over $20M a year when he’s 40 or 42-years-old. I think the Jays would go for something like 2 years and $50M. Manny is the purest hitter in the game, maybe. He has power, patience, and is a huge clutch hitter, especially in the postseason.
Re-signed: Los Angeles Dodgers, 2 years for $45M ($22.5M/yr.)
Next blog(s): Why Blue Jays fans should start worrying if we don’t see October baseball north of the border in the very near future.
The 2008 Tyler Awards (NL)
National League Cy Young Award
Tyler Award Winner: Tim Lincecum (San Francisco Giants)
24-year-old Tim Lincecum dominated hitters in the National League all year long in his sophomore season. He became the 12th pitcher to win the Cy Young award on a team with a sub-.500 record. He finished with 18 wins (2nd in NL), 265 strikeouts (1st in NL), pitched 227 innings (3rd in NL), finished with an ERA of only 2.62 (2nd in NL) while opponents hit just .221 against him (1st in NL).
Tyler Award Runner Up: Johan Santana (New York Mets)
Johan was traded to the Mets from the Twins in the offseason and continued with sensational numbers in the NL. He finished with 16 wins (7th in NL), 206 strikeouts (tied for 2nd in NL), pitched 234.1 innings (1st in NL), finished with an ERA of just 2.53 (1st in NL), while opponents hit just .232 against him (tied for 5th in NL).
Even though Brandon Webb finished with 22 wins, I don’t look at wins as a reflection on how well a pitcher has done, because wins go along with how the team plays while he pitches. With that, his ERA and strikeout totals weren’t close to Tim or Johan. CC Sabathia dominated the NL post All-Star break, but only pitched half the season in the NL. Brad Lidge was a perfect 46/46 in SV OPP this season, and didn’t let up in the playoffs.
Acknowledgements to: Brandon Webb (Arizona Diamondbacks), CC Sabathia (Milwaukee Brewers), Brad Lidge (Philadelphia Phillies).
Actual Winner: Tim Lincecum (San Francisco Giants)
Actual Runner Up: Brandon Webb (Arizona Diamondbacks)
National League Most Valuable Player
Tyler Award Winner: Albert Pujols (St. Louis Cardinals)
To me, Albert is the best all around hitter in all of baseball. He hit .357 this past year (2nd in NL), hit 37 HR (5th in NL), drove in 116 runs (4th in NL), finished 2nd in the NL in walks, on base percentage, extra base hits and hitting with runners in scoring position (104/.462/81/.339). He also finished 1st in the NL in slugging percentage and total bases (.653/342)
Tyler Award Runner Up: Ryan Howard (Philadelphia Phillies)
Howard is one of the most dangerous hitters in the game, and the biggest power threat in the NL. He did finish with a low average of .251, but hit the best when it mattered most in the season, hitting .352 in September. He lead the NL by a landslide with 48 HR (1st in NL) and 149 RBI (1st in NL).
There is so many to choose from in the NL but Albert was the best all around hitter, and Howard’s power numbers are outstanding. Delgado could be considered but he got off to a weak start and his low average won’t help him out when his power numbers still aren’t close to Ryan Howard’s.
Acknowledgements to: Carlos Delgado (New York Mets), David Wright (New York Mets), Ryan Braun (Milwaukee Brewers).
Actual Winner: Albert Pujols (St. Louis Cardinals)
Actual Runner Up: Ryan Howard (Philadelphia Phillies)
National League Rookie of the Year
Tyler Award Winner: Geovany Soto (Chicago Cubs)
The most impressive thing about the 25-year-old Soto is how he handled a vereran pitching staff while leading them and his team to a divisonal pennant. Soto hit .285 this past season, while hitting 23 HR, and led all rookies with 86 RBI.
Tyler Award Runner Up: Joey Votto (Cincinnati Reds)
The 25-year-old Etobicoke native finished off the season leading all rookies in batting average (.297) and HR (24). He also finished 2nd of all rookies in RBI total (84).
Even though overall Votto had slightly better numbers, a catcher with numbers very similar is far more valuable than a first baseman. I only have two acknowledgements, Kosuke Fukudome is debatable, but he’s not a rookie to professional baseball, and had terrible numbers in the second half, and his numbers were not that great overall, either.
Acknowledgements to: Jair Jurrjens (Atlanta Braves), Jay Bruce (Cincinnati Reds).
Actual Winner: Geovany Soto (Chicago Cubs)
Actual Runner Up: Joey Votto (Cincinnati Reds)
National League Manager of the Year
Tyler Award Winner: Charlie Manuel (Philadelphia Philles)
Manuel managed the Philadelphia Phillies to their second consecutive NL East Pennant, and the team’s first World Series title since 1980. Overall, the team finished with a 92-70 record.
Tyler Award Runner Up: Fredi Gonzales (Florida Marlins)
The Marlins lost the bat of Miguel Cabrera and arm of Dontrelle Willis in the offseason, and have the lowest payroll of all 30 teams in Major League Baseball. He managed a young team with the lowest payroll through a pennant race and overall finished with an impressive 84-77 record for a team that was expected to do little damage in the NL this past season.
Lou Piniella I don’t think deserves it because he went in with the best record into the playoffs and the best team, and once again they got swept 3 games straight. It isn’t hard to manage a team when you look at the roster of the Chicago Cubs. Tony La Russa I thought should gain some recognition since he managed the Cardinals team that wasn’t expected to contend to a 86-76 record and finished just 4 games shy of a wild card birth. I thought Jerry Manuel should gain recognition as well since his turn around of the New York Mets. Also, Joe Torre did have an impressive first year in LA, but let’s face it, it was all Manny that lead them to the playoffs.
Acknowledgments to: Tony La Russa (St. Louis Cardinals), Lou Piniella (Chicago Cubs), Jerry Manuel (New York Mets).
Actual Winner: Lou Piniella (Chicago Cubs)
Actual Runner Up: Charlie Manuel (Philadelphia Phillies)
Next blog(s): Realistic free agents and players I’d like to see on the Blue Jays roster in 2009. Why Blue Jays fans should start worrying if we don’t see October baseball north of the border in the very near future.
The 2008 Tyler Awards (AL)
This week the Major League hardware is being given out for individual performances, this is my first edition of the Tyler Awards. Many of the awards have already been handed out, but the Tyler Awards are who I think should have won, and I’ll also list who actually did win.
American League Cy Young Award
Tyler Award Winner: Roy Halladay (Toronto Blue Jays)
Doc finished tied for 2nd in wins (20), 2nd in ERA (2.78), 1st in innings pitched (246), 1st in complete games (9), 3rd in strikeouts (206), 1st in walks and hits per innings pitched (1.05), and 4th in opponents average (.237).
Tyler Award Runner Up: Cliff Lee (Cleveland Indians)
Cliff Lee will most likely win the Cy Young Award since he won 22 games with a 2.54 ERA since a terrible season in 2007. Overall, Halladay did have a better season in many ways.
Lee finished 1st in wins (20), first in ERA (2.54), 2nd in innings pitched (223.1), 2nd in complete games (4), 9th in strikeouts (170), 2nd in walks and hits per innings pitched (1.11), and 13th in opponents batting average (.253)
I don’t have the actual stat, but Halladay pitched with something around 4 runs per game when he pitched, and gained little support from his team. But even though Cliff Lee pitched on a team with a losing record, he gained about 6 runs per game when he pitched. If Halladay had the support he could have easily had 22 wins and less losses.
Acknowledgements to: Daisuke Matsuzaka (Boston Red Sox), Francisco Rodriguez (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim), Ervin Santana (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim).
Actual Winner: Cliff Lee (Cleveland Indians)
Actual Runner Up: Roy Halladay (Toronto Blue Jays)
American League Most Valuable Player
Tyler Award Winner: Josh Hamilton (Texas Rangers)
Josh got off to an amazing start but slowed down in the second half. The slow ending could have been due to the fact he hasn’t played a full season in years. But the story of him coming back after what he’s been through and performing this highly on a major league level made him the winner of this award to me. Hamilton led the AL in RBI (130), tied for 8th in HR (32), and 11th in Average (.304).
Tyler Award Runner Up: Justin Morneau (Minnesota Twins)
In a power challenged Minnesota team, Morneau was one of the most consistent hitters on the team, and one of the best run producers in the league. The 2006 AL MVP finished 2nd in the AL in RBI (129), tied for 18th in HR (23), and 16th in Average (.300). Justin Morneau was also the 2008 Home Run Derby Champion at the 2008 All-Star game.
Some think Francisco Rodriguez should be a favourite because of capturing the single season save record. To me, he wasn’t that impressive. His ERA wasn’t spectacular, he blew 5 saves and in my mind is not even one of the best closers in the AL. Dustin Pedroia did lead the league in average and doubles, he had over 600 AB and overall isn’t a big enough power producer to be an MVP in my mind. Miguel Cabrera led the AL in HR and RBI, but wasn’t noticed as much as the others since he got off to a mediocre start on a underachieving Tigers sqad. He did light it up in the second half but overall had very impressive numbers.
Acknowledgements to: Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Tigers), Dustin Pedroia (Boston Red Sox), Francisco Rodriguez (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim).
Actual Winner: Dustin Pedroia (Boston Red Sox)
Actual Runner Up: Justin Morneau (Minnesota Twins)
American League Rookie of the Year
Tyler Award Winner: Evan Longoria (Tampa Bay Rays)
Longoria finished with 27 HR and 85 RBI with a .272 AVG. The Most impressive thing about the 23-year-old (was 22 during the season) is that he didn’t even make the team out of spring training, and only played in 122 games due to an injury he suffered in August. He is going to be a force in the AL for years to come.
Tyler Award Runner Up: Alexei Ramirez (Chicago White Sox)
Even though Ramirez is 27-years-old, it was his first year in the Major Leagues, and was qualified as a rookie. For someone to come into the Majors and put up numbers like 21 HR, 77 RBI with a .290 AVG, is very impressive. His stats could even improve as he becomes more comfortable with the pitchers in the American League.
Acknowledgements to: Armando Galarraga (Detroit Tigers), Mike Aviles (Kansas City Royals), Jacoby Ellsbury (Boston Red Sox).
Actual Winner: Evan Longoria (Tampa Bay Rays)
Actual Runner Up: Alexei Ramirez (Chicago White Sox)
American League Manager of the Year
Tyler Award Winner: Joe Maddon (Tampa Bay Rays)
Joe Maddon will win this award, and is the safest bet to win any award, probably. Joe Maddon is loved by his players and showed confidence in his team the entire season right until managing them to a World Series berth. For a team that has never had a winning season, to even be above .500 was good for the team, but that wasn’t it. Maddon managed the young Tampa Bay Rays to an American League East pennant, beating out the Red Sox and Yankees, and captured the American League Championship before falling to the Phillies in the World Series.
Tyler Award Runner Up: Ron Gardenhire (Minnesota Twins)
In the offseason the Twins lost former Cy Young winner Johan Santana, and multiple gold glove winner Torii Hunter. The team wasn’t expected to do much, but Ron lead them to a 88-75 record, and was just one win away from the post season and winning the American League Central pennant.
Acknowledgements to: Mike Scioscia (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim), Terry Francona (Boston Red Sox), Cito Gaston (Toronto Blue Jays).
Actual Winner: Joe Maddon (Tampa Bay Rays)
Actual Runner Up: Ron Gardenhire (Minnesota Twins)
Next blog(s): The 2008 Tyler Awards (NL). Realistic free agents and players I’d like to see on the Blue Jays roster in 2009. Why Blue Jays fans should start worrying if we don’t see October baseball north of the border in the very near future.
A.J. Stay?
As of right now, right handed pitcher A.J. Burnett has until November 13th to opt out of his 2-year $24M player option with the Toronto Blue Jays. As of late September, the Jays offered him a $30M 2-year contract extension. So it would add up to a $54M 4-year contract. Which would see him making $12M in 2009-2010, and $15M in 2011-2012. A.J. Burnett lead the American League this past season with 231 strikeouts, a career high for him. Overall he pitched 221.1 innings, in 34 starts and 1 relief appearance in April. Burnett posted a 18-10 reecord, with a 4.07 ERA, WHIP of 1.34 and a BAA of .249. He posted many career highs this past season in wins, innings pitched, strikeouts and games. Overall, Burnett had the healthiest and probably best season so far of his career.
Here’s the thing about A.J. Through his seasons in the MLB, he has had scouts and everybody talking about his enomorous potential. When Burnett is on his game, he is simply dominant, and nearly unhittable, especially to right handed batters. Since the all-star break he really setlled in. Post All-Star break he posted a 8-2 record, a 2.86 ERA, 1.18 WHIP a BAA of .230, while striking out 105 hitters over 94.1 IP. Which is phenomonal, and I guess he showed his potential everyone has talked about for years.
The good things about Burnett. It seemed as though since Cito Gaston took over as manager for John Gibbons, Burnett has really shown his potential and what a dominating force he is on the mound. He has a devastating knuckle curve which is nearly unhittable and can simply over power hitters with a 95-98 mph fastball. The staff ace Roy Halladay tried to express to him the importance of poise and how to concentrate on the mound. For once in A.J.’s career it seemed that someone finally got through to him. The Jays showed what they’re capable of doing when their bats are hot as they rode a 10-game win streak right at the start of September, but yet again another Blue Jay September surge fell short. Too little, too late. The Blue Jays finished with the lowest team ERA in all of baseball, and with the hitters doing their part for once, the Jays were a force to be reckened with. The September surge and managerial changes could prove to be a factor in the decision of Alan James Burnett, as well as the front office changes in bringing back Paul Beeston as the interim CEO. Burnett said to have almost been in tears after being taken out of the game for his last start of the 2008 season, when the crowd left him with a standing ovation and loud chants across the stadium of “A.J.! A.J.!” At the end of the season Burnett made it seem that there was a good chance he was staying with the Jays in hopes of winning a World Championship next season.
Not so fast, this is A.J. Burnett we’re talking about.
Now the not so good things. The pitcher who seemed to always get in one bad inning. That bad inning where he would give up a run or two and erupt giving up 5 or 6 after getting frustrated and pounding the catcher’s mitt with repeated fastballs. The Burnett who seemed to always get injuries and could never have a healthy season. The inconsistent Burnett who would strike out 10 batters in one game, and the next be pulled in the 5th inning. The thing is, it seems to me Burnett is all about three things. Money, money, and more money. His last contract year was 2005 with the Florida Marlins. The year he posted a 3.44 ERA with a 12-12 record over 209 IP. The year he struck out 198 batters. Burnett has only had 30+ starts in two seasons. Both of the seasons were 2005, 2008. Both seasons where his current contract ran out at the end of the season.
In 2005, he signed a 5-year $55M deal with the Jays, with a 2-year player option for the last 2 seasons. The 3 seasons are up, and now Burnett can file for free agency any minute he wants. After a season of 18 wins and 231 SO. Come on, be realistic, what is the man going to do? Cash in.
If he signs an extenstion with the Jays, will he just go back to his old self until another contract year? Would we see the inconsistent injury-prone A.J. were normally used to seeing? If he signs the 2 year extentsion, you think he will be healthy all 4 seasons and strike out 200 and win 15 games every year? No, it won’t happen.
Right now the Jays need to make a decision, and J.P. Ricciardi really wants to lock up A.J. and has made the decision of offering him the extension. Right now, I would do the same thing, if the rotation was healthy going into 2009, maybe not.
Shaun Marcum is out for all of next season, and Dustin McGowan is out until May or June. For a team that wants to be playing baseball in October next year, without Burnett would this rotation really settle it?
- Roy Halladay
- Jesse Litsch
- David Purcey?
- Casey Janssen or Scott Downs?
- Scott Richmond?
No.
If Burnett doesn’t sign, that’s what the rotation could look like for the start of 2009. Not pretty for a team that wants to win a championship, and keep in mind McGowan is out until May or June. So if they sign Burnett, let’s hope he has finally reached his potential and can concentrate on the mound, because they will need him to do that if they want to see post season action for the first time in 15 years. Riccardi has his work cut out for him this off-season, even with Burnett next year, I still think the team could use some help in the starting rotation. But free agents I’d like to see in Toronto is a whole different story.
Next blog(s): Why Blue Jays fans should start worrying if we don’t see October baseball north of the border in the very near future. Realistic free agents I’d like to see on the Blue Jays roster in 2009.
Rod’s the Man in ’09, Zauner’s a Goner.
Today it was made official that veteran catcher Gregg Zaun has filed for free agency. We all knew the Blue Jays and Gregg were going to part ways. Ever since Rod Barajas was deemed the #1 backstop this past season, Zaun seemed unhappy for the rest of the season, as he saw limited playing time and struggled while he was behind the dish.
Just to show how little playing time he got, Zaun was 0-for-August. Yes, ZERO-FOR-AUGUST. He had only 19 AB during the entire month, and couldn’t manage a stinkin’ bloop single, or a squeaker down the line.
For some reason the 37-year-old thinks he can be a starting catcher on a contending team. Which he stated himself this past July around trade deadline time, saying something along the lines of wanting to be traded to a contending team if he was to be traded at all. Since Zaun was so displeased about his backup role on a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in 15 years and counting, he must still consider himself to be a legit starter at the Major League level. But sorry Zauny, your best days are behind you. Gregg Zaun hit .237 last year with 6 HR, 30 RBI in 245 AB over 86 games.
I do love Gregg Zaun’s personality, baseball smarts, and his great ability to call a game. I would like to see him as a backup with the Jays, not a starter, but it seems they will part ways. Besides the flaws I afore mentioned, I guess the Blue Jays brass got fed up with all the bases being stolen against him, since it seems the guy couldn’t throw out a baserunner if his life depended on it. (Okay, maybe he’s not that bad… maybe.) The Blue Birds will probably go on to find maybe a different veteran backup catcher or go with Curtis Thigpen until J.P. Arencibia, or Brian Jeroloman are ready for 2009, or 2010. The Jays are loaded with prospects behind the plate, since the Jays traded their former “catcher of the future” Robinson Diaz for Jose Bautista, it seems Arancibia or Jeroloman are tagged with the title. (which I think was sort of a pointless trade by J.P. Riccardi, the guy is a copy of Marco Scutaro in many ways.) Curtis Thigpen seemed to be one who could carry that title, but he had a forgettable year in Triple-A Syracuse hitting just .222 with 3 HR, 41 RBI in 361 AB over 96 games, after hitting .285 in 2007 in Triple-A. He never found a groove in his short stints with the big club as he hit a combined .229 with 1 HR, 12 RBI in 118 AB over a span of 57 games in 2007-2008. But it’s not like it’s an easy thing for a rookie catcher to do at the Major League level.
The Jays exercised their $2.5M team option on catcher Rod Barajas for the 2009 season which seems to make him the clear #1 backstop for the Blue Jays. Rod Barajas took over as the #1 catcher when Cito Gaston relieved John Gibbons of his managerial duties and he seemed to be a good fit with the pitching staff, and a solid defender behind the plate. Rod hit .249 last season with 11 HR, 49 RBI in 349 AB over 104 games. He’s a very streaky hitter, as it showed in his monthly hitting splits. Barajas hit .189 in April, .370 in May, .265 in June, .179 in July, .279 in August, and .162 in September. He had the most AB in August (86) while the team was trying to make a late playoff push, but was sidelined for the last couple weeks of the season due to injury. Maybe with more consistent playing time we will see Rod hit with more consistency and confidence knowing he is the #1 man behind the plate in T.O.
Next blog(s): AJ Stay? Why I think AJ Burnett should or shouldn’t stay with the Blue Jays. Also, why Blue Jays fans should start worrying if we don’t see October baseball north of the border in the very near future.
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