In an attempt to distance myself even further away from the debacle that took place in New York this past weekend, I am writing this blog becuase of a question that a wise man asked me during the game last night.
If I had a fully healthy pitching staff who would be my Game One starter for the World Series Josh Beckett or Jon Lester?
Despite Lester dominating the game I was watching at the time I went with Josh Beckett, don't get me wrong its a tough argument either way but Beckett seemed like the logical choice given his playoff experience and dominance in October. While Lester may not have had as many opportunities to prove himself as Beckett has, the fact that Beckett was the MVP of the 2003 World Series and has not really shown a decline of any kind in any playoff performance. Sure you could bring up last year but before you do that keep in mind that he was hurt and still managed to go out and give you a few gut-check performances.
Now to Mr. Lester, Lester has developed into one of the top left handed pitchers in the game today and may have a legitimate argument to say he is the best. Having said that he is not my choice because of the lack of track record and still relative inexperience in the playoffs. Does that mean I do not want to see him pitch a game one? No, does it mean that I don't want to see him pitch? No, however I believe that Beckett is the better choice for this situation.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Sox-Yankees series
With the impending Red Sox Yankees series coming up you have to wonder who the series would mean more too. While the Red Sox on the one hand are on a slide and could really use the win for this series the Yankees are set-up to dominate and if they do not win at least three of the four games they will have opened themselves up to criticism once again and show their inability to win against the Sox.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Deadline Winners and Losers, Not including the Red Sox
Winners:
St.Louis Cardinals
Anytime you can go out and get protection for the best hitter in baseball is a good thing never mind when that protection comes in the form of slugger Matt Holiday. Holiday has hit on all cylinders since joining the red birds and who wouldn't hitting behind Albert Pujols. What may be most overlooked is the acquisition of Mark Derosa from Cleveland, the veteran utility infielder has been used at second and third since joining the Cards and adds another formidable bat to an already stacked line-up, and go figure even Lugo is hitting in St.Louis.
Detroit Tigers
While the Tigers were already a formidable contender for the Al Central title with the addition to Jarrod Washburn from Seattle the Tigers are looking to be competitive late into October. The Tigers now have three pitchers in the top 8 in American League ERA and have made themselves tough to beat in a three game series with Verlander, Jackson and now Washburn.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies acquired a Cy Young winner to add to there rotation, sure its not Halladay but Cliff Lee is a very effective pitcher who should flourish in the National League. The Phillies now have the best all lefty 1-2 punch in baseball with Lee and Hamels. This acquisition also takes some pressure off of the aforementioned Hamels. The Phillies all but assured themselves a Nl East title with the move and what could be another deep run into October.
Losers
Tampa Bay Rays
While the Rays are still a good team and the defending Al Champs how do you let an AL East rival in the Red Sox get your guy two years in a row. Last year they wanted Jason Bay and this year they were all over Victor Martinez. At some point the Rays front office needs to get into gear and realize that the Sox and Yankees are always going to be there waiting to capitalize on your missed opportunities the price for Martinez was not that steep for the Rays who seemingly have the best farm system in baseball and he is making affordable money. The lack of a move shows the inexperience of their front office to making moves to win instead of stacking the farm.
Toronto Blue Jays
How do you not move Halladay after making such a big deal about his availability? If the reports are true some of the packages that were offered for Halladay were more than fair. I know almost feel bad for Halladay who had to endure all of this madness, seemingly created just so JP Riccardi could feel like the center of attention. The fact that he was not moved is a joke. Now the offers he will receive this offseason and beyond will not be half as good and they can not afford to say no at some point. Riccardi should have been fired a few years ago when he signed Vernon Wells to a contract that will pay him 25 million dollars in either the final year or the last two.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs sat back and watched division rival St.Louis acquire Matt Holiday and allowed their chances of acquiring Jake Peavy drift about 10 miles south to the White Sox. While the Cubs seemingly have no glaring need a move was necessary in order to give this team the spark it needs to get going again.
To be determined
Chicago White Sox
If Jake Peavy goes back to being Jake Peavy than its a great move for the south siders.
Pittsburgh Pirates
They got a lot of good prospects back in the trades they made. Assuming even a few reach their top potential this team may not be a complete disaster.
Cleveland Indians
Same deal as the Pirates, if the prospects pan out it could have been a week to remember in Cleveland
St.Louis Cardinals
Anytime you can go out and get protection for the best hitter in baseball is a good thing never mind when that protection comes in the form of slugger Matt Holiday. Holiday has hit on all cylinders since joining the red birds and who wouldn't hitting behind Albert Pujols. What may be most overlooked is the acquisition of Mark Derosa from Cleveland, the veteran utility infielder has been used at second and third since joining the Cards and adds another formidable bat to an already stacked line-up, and go figure even Lugo is hitting in St.Louis.
Detroit Tigers
While the Tigers were already a formidable contender for the Al Central title with the addition to Jarrod Washburn from Seattle the Tigers are looking to be competitive late into October. The Tigers now have three pitchers in the top 8 in American League ERA and have made themselves tough to beat in a three game series with Verlander, Jackson and now Washburn.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies acquired a Cy Young winner to add to there rotation, sure its not Halladay but Cliff Lee is a very effective pitcher who should flourish in the National League. The Phillies now have the best all lefty 1-2 punch in baseball with Lee and Hamels. This acquisition also takes some pressure off of the aforementioned Hamels. The Phillies all but assured themselves a Nl East title with the move and what could be another deep run into October.
Losers
Tampa Bay Rays
While the Rays are still a good team and the defending Al Champs how do you let an AL East rival in the Red Sox get your guy two years in a row. Last year they wanted Jason Bay and this year they were all over Victor Martinez. At some point the Rays front office needs to get into gear and realize that the Sox and Yankees are always going to be there waiting to capitalize on your missed opportunities the price for Martinez was not that steep for the Rays who seemingly have the best farm system in baseball and he is making affordable money. The lack of a move shows the inexperience of their front office to making moves to win instead of stacking the farm.
Toronto Blue Jays
How do you not move Halladay after making such a big deal about his availability? If the reports are true some of the packages that were offered for Halladay were more than fair. I know almost feel bad for Halladay who had to endure all of this madness, seemingly created just so JP Riccardi could feel like the center of attention. The fact that he was not moved is a joke. Now the offers he will receive this offseason and beyond will not be half as good and they can not afford to say no at some point. Riccardi should have been fired a few years ago when he signed Vernon Wells to a contract that will pay him 25 million dollars in either the final year or the last two.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs sat back and watched division rival St.Louis acquire Matt Holiday and allowed their chances of acquiring Jake Peavy drift about 10 miles south to the White Sox. While the Cubs seemingly have no glaring need a move was necessary in order to give this team the spark it needs to get going again.
To be determined
Chicago White Sox
If Jake Peavy goes back to being Jake Peavy than its a great move for the south siders.
Pittsburgh Pirates
They got a lot of good prospects back in the trades they made. Assuming even a few reach their top potential this team may not be a complete disaster.
Cleveland Indians
Same deal as the Pirates, if the prospects pan out it could have been a week to remember in Cleveland
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The List
Let's first start off by telling everyone what the list is, the list as it is commonly referred to is made up of approximately 100 names that tested positive for a performance enhancing drug in the year 2003. These tests were mandate by major league baseball prior to the 2003 season, the results were to be used to prove to the players association that testing in baseball needed to become a part of the collective bargaining agreement which would make steroids and all PEDs illegal in baseball. The results of said tests were suppose to be destroyed after the results were obtained by major league baseball and the list of players who tested positive was to remain anonymous for various reasons.
Having said all that the test results were not destroyed and it is not known who has the full list of players that tested positive. However someone has it and can not keep it to themselves as names leak out more and more as time goes on, the most recent are two of our very own in David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. The other notables are Sammy Sosa and Alex Rodriguez. Now why is it that these four names have been released while the other 90 some odd names get the privilege of remaining anonymous? 1hoever has this list needs to either release the full list or burn it and leave the rest of the names to live on in peace.
Anyone familiar with any media outlet knows that this list will not be destroyed and will continue to leak out slowly but surely. What fans need to remember is that in 2003 PEDs were not against major league baseball policy, most of them are illegal in the United States which is why this list will undoubtedly be filled with players from countries outside the U.S. like the Dominican Republic.
Having said all that the test results were not destroyed and it is not known who has the full list of players that tested positive. However someone has it and can not keep it to themselves as names leak out more and more as time goes on, the most recent are two of our very own in David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. The other notables are Sammy Sosa and Alex Rodriguez. Now why is it that these four names have been released while the other 90 some odd names get the privilege of remaining anonymous? 1hoever has this list needs to either release the full list or burn it and leave the rest of the names to live on in peace.
Anyone familiar with any media outlet knows that this list will not be destroyed and will continue to leak out slowly but surely. What fans need to remember is that in 2003 PEDs were not against major league baseball policy, most of them are illegal in the United States which is why this list will undoubtedly be filled with players from countries outside the U.S. like the Dominican Republic.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Cliff Lee To The Phillies
The Indians have traded reigning AL Cy Young winner Cliff Lee to the Phillies along with outfielder Ben Francisco. In return the Indians will receive four prospects, Single A pitcher Jason Knapp, AAA pitcher Carlos Carrasco, Catcher Lou Marson and short stop Jason Donald.
So what you may be asking is why Lee instead of Halladay? The main reason is the fact that the Phillies did not have to give up either of their best pitching prospects in Kyle Drabek and J.A. Happ.
As previously stated by me, this acquisition has to put the Red Sox in the lead to acquire Halladay assuming the Blue Jays do deal him.
So what you may be asking is why Lee instead of Halladay? The main reason is the fact that the Phillies did not have to give up either of their best pitching prospects in Kyle Drabek and J.A. Happ.
As previously stated by me, this acquisition has to put the Red Sox in the lead to acquire Halladay assuming the Blue Jays do deal him.
Roy Halladay Continued.....
Given their reluctance to include multiple top pitching prospects the Phillies efforts appear to have fallen short and they are consequently moving their attention to Indians starter Cliff Lee hoping that the asking price will be more reasonable. How does this affect the Red Sox? They have gone from sitting on the sidelines to being right in the middle of the action, and perhaps even the favorite to acquire the Toronto ace. Multiple sources have confirmed that the Red Sox current offer consists of Clay Buchholz,some lower level prospects and one of the following players: reliever Justin Masterson, Michael Bowden, or Lars Anderson. I will be updating as more information comes out so stay tuned.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Cardinals Acquire Matt Holliday
The St. Louis Cardinals today have sent three minor leaguers to Oakland in exchange for Left Fielder Matt Holliday. More Details to come on this later this evening. However is has been reported that St. Louis sent their best prospect Brett Wallace to Oakland in this deal.
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