Finally finishing up the American League, I think the AL West could probably be won by any of the four teams that are in the division. But here is who I think will be the winner...
1.) Texas Rangers- KEY ACQ: DH Vladimir Guerrero, SP Rich Harden I LIKE: Josh Hamilton- I think Hamilton will bounce back nicely from struggling last season and will have a productive year, I don't know about an All-Star yet still good year. I HATE: Harden- I cannot see that going well for him, he pitched fine in the AL but he always gets hurt. Big red flags for me. PREDICTION: They will win by a rock of Ron Washington's cocaine, it should be battle all year long. I think the Rangers bullpen will be the difference for them.
2.) Los Angeles Angels- KEY ACQ: OF Hideki Matsui SP Joel Pineiro I LIKE: Kendry Morales- I think he will be a bonafide stud in 2010 and will dominate for this team this season. Morales should be an All-Star this season. I HATE: Brian Fuentes- I think he is probably one of the shakiest closer in Major League Baseball with more than forty-five saves. He is a headcase waiting to happen. PREDICTION: Another team that could make the playoffs if the chips fall right. They need a good year out of Fuentes, and their pitching staff has potential, the question is will they capitalize on this?
3.) Seattle Mariners- KEY ACQ: 2B Chone Figgins OF Milton Bradley SP Cliff Lee I LIKE: Lee- Despite his early injury, he has shown to be one of the best pitchers in the Majors and proven it in both leagues. King Felix and him back-to-back is tough as hell. I HATE: Bradley- He is a cancer to almost all team he has played for but I will say Ken Griffey Jr. might be a guy to settle him down, still I think he will have another down year. PREDICTION: They have the ability to be a playoff team but they need a big year from a lot of guys, which seems a lot of ask from guys like Jose Lopez, Ian Snell, and others.
4.) Oakland A's- KEY ACQ: SP Ben Sheets, 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff I LIKE: Andrew Bailey- He is an upcoming closer for the A's and I think he will be a force in the bullpen. I HATE: Sheets- I cannot believe he is their number one, and he really hasn't pitched well this whole spring so I worry he breaks down by June. PREDICTION: They have a ton of youth that are starting or ready to go in their minor leagues so if the develop quickly they could contend for the AL West. I also really like Brett Anderson too.
-Charlie.
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Showing posts with label Oakland A's. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oakland A's. Show all posts
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Ben Sheets: Ready to Torment Another Franchise.
If you didn't hear yesterday Ben Sheets signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Athletics for eight million dollars and finally is no longer a Milwaukee Brewer. I am not very broken up about this despite the success he had with the Brewers, I knew there was no chance he was going to be back pitching at Miller Park.
The reason Sheets leaving the Crew doesn't faze me is because I really do not think he was a team player. In my opinion, I think Sheets wanted to be the premiere pitcher in 2008 taking this team to the playoffs coming very close to a Cy Young. I mean Sheets started the All-Star Game in 08 and usually that translates into damn near close to a Cy Young. But then the Crew brings in C.C. Sabathia and he is the toast of Milwaukee. I believe that hurt Sheets' ego more than anything else then add on to the fact he got hurt turned him bitter.
Personally for Sheets, this is a pretty smart decision by him to go to the A's. He is playing in a top 5 pitcher friendly ball park where even if he struggles at the beginning of the season, Sheets gets the luxury of a big ballpark. This is something that Sheets hasn't had in his career playing in Miller Park and something that he could work to his advantage. Not to mention, his agent convinced some team that he is in great shape and will not end up crumbling like an Oreo by July.
The one thing I question about this move more so than if Sheets can actually play a full season, rather if he can pitch in the American League? Most of the time when primary National League guys head into the American League, it's never a good thing. They always seem to struggle with the bigger power bats and the different style of play. Although, Sheets has the ex-Brewer karma working for him, which is always good. In case you're wondering, ex-Brewer karma means any former Brewers always seems to flourish with his new team.
If you are an A's fan and read the blog... Have fun with Sheets, he throws a mean fastball and devastating curveball. BUT just when you think things will be perfect, he breaks your hearts. Trust me, it happened almost every year.
-Charlie.
The reason Sheets leaving the Crew doesn't faze me is because I really do not think he was a team player. In my opinion, I think Sheets wanted to be the premiere pitcher in 2008 taking this team to the playoffs coming very close to a Cy Young. I mean Sheets started the All-Star Game in 08 and usually that translates into damn near close to a Cy Young. But then the Crew brings in C.C. Sabathia and he is the toast of Milwaukee. I believe that hurt Sheets' ego more than anything else then add on to the fact he got hurt turned him bitter.
Personally for Sheets, this is a pretty smart decision by him to go to the A's. He is playing in a top 5 pitcher friendly ball park where even if he struggles at the beginning of the season, Sheets gets the luxury of a big ballpark. This is something that Sheets hasn't had in his career playing in Miller Park and something that he could work to his advantage. Not to mention, his agent convinced some team that he is in great shape and will not end up crumbling like an Oreo by July.
The one thing I question about this move more so than if Sheets can actually play a full season, rather if he can pitch in the American League? Most of the time when primary National League guys head into the American League, it's never a good thing. They always seem to struggle with the bigger power bats and the different style of play. Although, Sheets has the ex-Brewer karma working for him, which is always good. In case you're wondering, ex-Brewer karma means any former Brewers always seems to flourish with his new team.
If you are an A's fan and read the blog... Have fun with Sheets, he throws a mean fastball and devastating curveball. BUT just when you think things will be perfect, he breaks your hearts. Trust me, it happened almost every year.
-Charlie.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
My Worst Nightmare
This was probably the worst thing I could have ask for today. I was at a Friday Field Trip with my work when I was aware that the St. Louis Cardinals have traded for Matt Holiday. I told my friend Andy who alerted me of the news "I am now going to drown myself in the wave pool, you will not see me again."
As you can see I havent drown myself but seriously this is possibly the worst thing Milwaukee Brewer fans could ask for (it has gotten worse more on that in the next post). They now have protection for Albert Pujols and Holiday has been proven against National League pitching (he went 4 for 5 tonight). Like I said before, this is just a complete disaster for the Brewers and honestly, the St. Louis Cardinals might have pull away from the division with this move.
I dont care that the Houston Astros are hot right now and the Chicago Cubs are starting to get their shit together. This makes the Cards so much better than anyone else in the Central Division. In addition, if St. Louis stays away from injuries to their starting pitching this makes them a legit World Series contender. Put yourself in this situation if you are the closer and you have to face the 1-2-3 part of the Cardinal order now you cannot pitch around Albert because you have Holiday right there. It becomes very scary.
The Cardinals did give up a lot to the Oakland Athletics who once get great in the majors will trade away to New York or Boston. It doesnt matter because at this point, St Louis knew if they got protection for Pujols they could become a complete force.
-Charlie.
As you can see I havent drown myself but seriously this is possibly the worst thing Milwaukee Brewer fans could ask for (it has gotten worse more on that in the next post). They now have protection for Albert Pujols and Holiday has been proven against National League pitching (he went 4 for 5 tonight). Like I said before, this is just a complete disaster for the Brewers and honestly, the St. Louis Cardinals might have pull away from the division with this move.
I dont care that the Houston Astros are hot right now and the Chicago Cubs are starting to get their shit together. This makes the Cards so much better than anyone else in the Central Division. In addition, if St. Louis stays away from injuries to their starting pitching this makes them a legit World Series contender. Put yourself in this situation if you are the closer and you have to face the 1-2-3 part of the Cardinal order now you cannot pitch around Albert because you have Holiday right there. It becomes very scary.
The Cardinals did give up a lot to the Oakland Athletics who once get great in the majors will trade away to New York or Boston. It doesnt matter because at this point, St Louis knew if they got protection for Pujols they could become a complete force.
-Charlie.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
The Old Giambi is Back
Well lets just say I am pumped. Jason Giambi signed with his former team, the Oakland Athletics with a one year 5.25 million dollar deal. Giambi was probably my favorite Yankee of all time (I have a personal disdain for the Yanks) there are multiple reasons for this. Number one, he wore a great 70's porn stache to get All Star report, any guy who does that is awesome. Number two, my buddy Mike went to see Yankee Stadium for his birthday and I sent him a text to wish him a Happy Birthday asked him hows the Stadium is? He goes awesome and Giambi's batter music is the nWo Wolfpack, anyone who does that is cool with me.
Alright now that I am off my man crush on Jason Giambi, this really is a good move for the A's. They have a bunch of solid players who can all produce and there is a new manager in town which isnt the greatest job in the majors right now. They have guys like Mat Holliday, Eric Chavez, Mark Ellis, and Jack Cust now Giambi. They will be contenders for the AL West right now with the Angles looking less dominate than ever and the Rangers/Mariners poise no real threat. I think Giambi wants to ride off in the sunset with a big last couple of years. This also proves that Giambi best years where in Oakland, he had his best times in Oakland, and he wanted to return with a chip on his shoulder.
Lets all hope he brings back this look at Oakland.
-Charlie.
Alright now that I am off my man crush on Jason Giambi, this really is a good move for the A's. They have a bunch of solid players who can all produce and there is a new manager in town which isnt the greatest job in the majors right now. They have guys like Mat Holliday, Eric Chavez, Mark Ellis, and Jack Cust now Giambi. They will be contenders for the AL West right now with the Angles looking less dominate than ever and the Rangers/Mariners poise no real threat. I think Giambi wants to ride off in the sunset with a big last couple of years. This also proves that Giambi best years where in Oakland, he had his best times in Oakland, and he wanted to return with a chip on his shoulder.
Lets all hope he brings back this look at Oakland.
-Charlie.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Of Course the Owner of the A's Wants a One-Game Playoff
Lew Wolff thinks he has the best idea to shorten the MLB season and that is with a one game playoff for the Divisional Series.
This is could rank in the top 10 of the worst ideas made in the 2000s because yeah, lets base the divisional series off one game? Who knows what the weather is like and how prepared the pitchers are. Also take into consideration if a team has no experience and ends up winning arent they destined to just fall off in the League Championship Series?
I think that they could solve this problem by not giving a set date for the World Series because if you have two teams who win five games then why make them wait a week? Just start the series after three-four days to prepare. If you have something like you did this year then the series that went to seven should be sped up.
The real reason Wolff put this out there is because his team is the AL version of the Chicago Cubs; no matter how good they are during the regular season, they will not do shit in the playoffs because they choke against the Yankees or Red Sox like most AL West teams.
-Charlie.
This is could rank in the top 10 of the worst ideas made in the 2000s because yeah, lets base the divisional series off one game? Who knows what the weather is like and how prepared the pitchers are. Also take into consideration if a team has no experience and ends up winning arent they destined to just fall off in the League Championship Series?
I think that they could solve this problem by not giving a set date for the World Series because if you have two teams who win five games then why make them wait a week? Just start the series after three-four days to prepare. If you have something like you did this year then the series that went to seven should be sped up.
The real reason Wolff put this out there is because his team is the AL version of the Chicago Cubs; no matter how good they are during the regular season, they will not do shit in the playoffs because they choke against the Yankees or Red Sox like most AL West teams.
-Charlie.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
A Holiday in the Bay
God that was a creative title.
If you hadnt heard yet, Matt Holiday was traded to the Athletics for Carlos Gonzalez, Greg Smith, Huston Street. Which in my opinion is a good deal for both teams despite the feeling of betrayal by Rockies fans. As they felt this team was on the way up with their "Generation R" with Holiday, Tulowitzki, Atkins, and others who led their team to the World Series last season.
Its obvious that the Rockies felt they couldn't resign Holiday next season so they got a good offer for him from the A's and they ran with it which I cannot blame them. They were able to get a pretty good closer in Street to replace Brian Fuetues which in my opinion is a big upgrade. Also Gonzalez has some major promise in the outfield and I think he will be a key player for the Rockies all year.
As for the A's, there is no reason to believe that they will be resigning Holiday at the end of the year or for that matter so the supposed "genius" Billy Beane will wheel/deal Holiday for big time prospects at the deadline to give a team the extra push. I would be shocked if a rebuilding team decided to give the big bucks to Holiday. Just please stay away from the Cardinals, I almost fell out of my chair when they said the Rockies were "very close" to trading Holiday for Ryan Ludwick and their top prospect. I dont even want to think about how to pitch Albert Pujols/Matt Holiday back-to-back.
-Charlie.
If you hadnt heard yet, Matt Holiday was traded to the Athletics for Carlos Gonzalez, Greg Smith, Huston Street. Which in my opinion is a good deal for both teams despite the feeling of betrayal by Rockies fans. As they felt this team was on the way up with their "Generation R" with Holiday, Tulowitzki, Atkins, and others who led their team to the World Series last season.
Its obvious that the Rockies felt they couldn't resign Holiday next season so they got a good offer for him from the A's and they ran with it which I cannot blame them. They were able to get a pretty good closer in Street to replace Brian Fuetues which in my opinion is a big upgrade. Also Gonzalez has some major promise in the outfield and I think he will be a key player for the Rockies all year.
As for the A's, there is no reason to believe that they will be resigning Holiday at the end of the year or for that matter so the supposed "genius" Billy Beane will wheel/deal Holiday for big time prospects at the deadline to give a team the extra push. I would be shocked if a rebuilding team decided to give the big bucks to Holiday. Just please stay away from the Cardinals, I almost fell out of my chair when they said the Rockies were "very close" to trading Holiday for Ryan Ludwick and their top prospect. I dont even want to think about how to pitch Albert Pujols/Matt Holiday back-to-back.
-Charlie.
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