ok, ok, ok ... im back with my Emmy winning baseball thoughts segment this year. i know at the end of last yr, i gave up on ya'll cuz of time restraints and the red sox tanking. i was just overall disgusted with everything, but im back this year and every 2-2.5 weeks, imma check in and give u my thoughts and observations like years past... lets begin:
- i been keeping up with the Pad Squad's starting rotation, and im left wondering how GREAT they woulda been if they had taken RHP Justin Velander number 1 overall instead of local product and COLLOSSAL BUST
ss Matt Bush in the 2004 draft whos still toiling in low A ball. everyone knew that Verlander was the premier college pitcher, but there where concerns that he wanted a ML deal along with the signing bonus. Peavy, Verlander, Young, Maddux, Wells ... with THE U's
'05 first rd pick RHP Cesar Carrillo in the wings.
- watching Tom Glavine pitch is a treat cuz yes, the bastard cheated in the 90's with that 2 foot K zone that the umps gave em, but he never gives in to hitters, and his purpose pitches like his 2-0 inside and high fastballs that jam hitters all the time are a thing to behold cuz the margin of error is so thin on those types of pitches. its too bad for the Mets that LHP Chucky James is the same guy.....and in their division. Braves keep winning.
- top 3 best 1-2-3 bullpen guys (bridge man, setup man, closer) in the majors
(3) Min - Patt Neshek, Jesse Crain, Joe Nathan.
(2) SD - Scott Linebrink, Cla Meredith, Trevor Hoffman.
(1) Ana - Justin Speier (3.75 mill), Scott Shields (3.4 mill), K-Rod (7 mill..3.77 before arbitration) total: 14.15 mill .....
... and its not even close. the game is basically OVER in the 7th inning with that trio. the funny thing is, and ive been a proponent of this, is that since SOO many games are won/lost with middle relief .. why dont the small market teams spend more on the bullpen, and just let their young starters get big league experience without them having to think the game is won/lost with them. look what happened to Greinke .. the Royals pen killed his confidence when he came up.
- Indians C Kelly Shoppach is the best defensive catcher in the AL... its too bad he has 3 holes in his swing ... up and in, down and away ... and right down the middle.
- whyd the Mariners give up on
OF Shin Soo Choo ? He's been a good hitter in every level hes been ... he hit .280 with a .360 OBP last yr in the bigs, and always gives u a pro AB. u telling OF Jose Guillen is a better option right now that Choo ?? this team isnt going anywhere !
- gotta love the SF Giants these days. that a fun team to watch. did u watch RHP David Aardsma come in for the Chi Sox with the bases loaded and no outs, and proceed to K the side out ?? so far hes been one of the nastiest setup men in the majors ... who drafted em in the first rd in 2003 ? THE SABEANATOR. RHP Tim Lincecum is their only hope in the minors... and dont even ask about their positional prospects ...
- i think the Huston Street Project has taken a course for the worse .. i dont mean the pitcher, i mean the notion that teams can take college pitchers, and advance them quickly in no time, so they can make an immediate impact in the majors. it almost ruined Cla Meredith ... it totally ruined Atlanta's Joey Devine, Red Sox Craig Hansen is a goner, and Brendan Morrow of the M's doesnt even trust his fastball and is heading down that path. thx, Huston.
- if your team has the following players on your active roster and giving them 400 + AB's .. you stink: OF Preston Wilson, OF Russ Branyan, 1B Da Meat Hook, OF Joe Borchard, OF Jose Guillen
- speaking of OF Joe Borchard .. there should be ZERO reason to why hes a ML player. only reason is cuz he was a huge bonus baby thanks to Kenny Williams, and a perpetual "5 tool player with upside" type. meanwhile, if the Carlos Lee deal wouldnt of happened last yr, OF Nelson Cruz of the Rangers would still be rotting while beasting in AAA. fukk a bonus baby !
- Iron Monkey trade proposal special (with special advisor KOB [3 way shocker]):
Red Sox: 3b Mickey Cabrera (from Marlins) and
SS Reid Brignac (from D-Rays)
Marlins: OF Rocco Baldelli (from D-Rays), RHP Craig Hansen,
OF Jacoby Ellsbury, and
RHP Bryce Cox (from Red Sox)
D-rays: LHP Dontrelle Willis (from Marlins) and
RHP Clay Buchholz (from Red Sox)
'till next time !
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My Baseball Thoughts 4/12/07 ...
