After a mini-vacation here at RSS (c'mon, it's not like we really missed anything), we return with our regular 5-4-3 baseball roundup. If you're like those of us who have a life and haven't been paying undivided attention to the national pastime, this is your one stop to catch up on all things MLB.
5 Moves that Will Change the Season
1) Cliff Lee to the Phillies- Would anyone have guessed two years ago that a pitcher who went 5-8 with a 6.29 ERA would be the most important piece moved at this year's deadline? The Phillies solidified themselves as favorites to repeat by bolstering their rotation with a bona fide ace, last year's AL Cy Young Winner Cliff Lee. Especially in the weaker NL, expect Lee to do for the Phillies what fellow former Indian CC Sabathia did for the Brewers last year.
2) Matt Holliday to the Cardinals- The Cards found just what they were looking for in a slugging corner outfielder to protect Albert Pujols with their acquisition of Holliday. After a slow start in Oakland, Holliday has heated up hitting .446 after the All-Star Break. While the reasons Oakland gave up on Holliday has been the subject of much debate, no one can doubt this move puts the Cardinals firmly in the mix for the pennant.
3) Jake Peavy to the White Sox- Although Jake Peavy won't be healthy to pitch until September, Kenny Williams once again proved why he's the most aggressive GM in baseball by getting his man in the talented former Cy Young winner. If the White Sox can stay in contact in the AL Central, Peavy could be the final boost to get them over the finish line. If not, he can come back next year and be at the top of the rotation for a young, improving team that could easily be favorites in the division.
4) Victor Martinez to the Red Sox- While the Red Sox swung and missed on prized pitchers like Roy Halladay and King Felix Hernandez, they did manage to pick up the versatile Martinez for next to nothing from the Indians. While Martinez may not have one every day position, he adds a potent bat capable of playing 3 positions (C, 1B, DH) who is a known leader. If Martinez can take some of the heat off of aging stars like Varitek and Big Papi, he will be worth his weight in gold.
5) Freddy Sanchez and Ryan Garko to the Giants- The Giants didn't make any blockbuster moves, but picked up solid everyday professionals for their infield in Sanchez and Garko. Calling the Giants offense anemic since the departure of Barry Bonds would be an understatement, so any upgrade, no matter how small is a plus. Coupled with the rival Rockies standing pat, the Giants are in great position to let Tim Lincecum carry them to a Wild Card birth.
4 Teams Fans Should Be Paid to See
1) Cleveland Indians- Not since the days of the Florida Marlins fire sales has a contending team been dismantled so quickly than the Cleveland Indians. In 2007 this team was one win away from the World Series. Now, they are the only team ever to give away the defending Cy Young winners in back-to-back years. Injuries to players like Fausto Carmona and Grady Siezemore and the disappearance of Travis Hafner haven't helped, GM Mark Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge have to be held responsible for this embarrassment. There's no excuse for giving up so much talent for so little in return. Although the Indians have rebuilt before, the next few years look bleak...unless of course they bring back the likes of Wild Thing Vaughn and Harry Doyle.
2) Cincinnati Reds- Cheer up Buckeye State, at least Ohio State football is only a month away! Certainly the baseball season is all but over for both Ohio teams as the Reds have lost 8 straight and are 3-16 since the break, easily their worst stretch of baseball under Dusty Baker. To pour salt in the wound, pitcher Edinson Volquez is out for a year after Tommy John surgery. For a team with some talented position players, this team will be doomed until it can find reliable pitching.
3-4) Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals- The only thing you need to know about how awful these teams are is this: the Pittsburgh Pirates offered to cut the price of their $25 tickets for the upcoming series between these two teams in Pittsburgh. For every run scored by the Pirates in their previous series, one dollar would go off the price of the tickets. Of course, the Pirates scored 10 runs in the first game against Arizona, then scored 1 run the next two games. So, the Pirates tried to bribe their fans into watching these two teams, and they don't even comply. I think if the Pirates scored 30 runs in the three games, I would picket the $5 and not go to watch either of these teams. Can't we relegate these two to AAA yet?
3 Random Baseball Thoughts
1) As much as I don't want to invoke a blog jinx, the Cubs appear to be heating up in the second half of the season. They're percentage points ahead of the Cardinals and are 14-5 since the break. While I'm not a true believer yet, reports of the North Side's demise may have been greatly exaggerated.
2) Is it just me, or has the most under-the-radar team in baseball been the Tampa Bay Rays. While all the focus this season has been on the usual suspects, this team that made the World Series last year has been completely forgotten by the national media. They're lurking only 5.5 games back of the Yankees and 4 games back of the Red Sox, two teams the Rays have shown they can beat. I'm not saying they'll make a return trip to the World Series, but I think they should be included in the AL playoff picture.
3) No matter what baseball does, the next 10 years of the sport will still be affected by the scandal that is steroids. For those in the media, it's the gift that keeps on giving. It would be in Bud Selig's best interest to release the remaining names that tested positive in 2003, a point of view most recently championed by the real Home Run King Hank Aaron. This way, the media can move on much like 90% of fans have. But, when was the last time Uncle Bud did what was in baseball's best interest. As long as he continues to drag his feet on issues like steroids, the Hall of Fame, and Pete Rose, off-the-field events will continue to overshadow the action on the diamond.
No comments:
Post a Comment