Saving the NL Central for last because it's the most important one of the six divisions. So we move on to the NL West where it should be an interesting year.
1. Colorado Rockies- KEY ACQ: Miller Brewing Company (seriously they kept most of their team, nothing new) I LIKE: Jorge De La Rosa- It's crazy to think how bad he was with the Brewers and average at best with the Royals, I think he could be a big contributor to the Roxs. I HATE: Huston Street- Sort of an obvious one, but he is already hurt proving why it never pays to bring in a closer. PREDICTION: Amazed to hear that Buster Olney picked them to win it all, but I think they could make a deep run with some of the talent they have this season.
2. San Francisco Giants- KEY ACQ: 1B Aubry Huff 3B Mark DeRosa SP Todd Wellenmeyer I LIKE: Pablo Sandoval- I think Kung Fu Panda keeps getting better and eases the Giants' mind on their offensive woes. I HATE: Barry Zito- Are we convinced that he is a different player now? I mean he still throws so slow and unless he becomes like Jamie Moyer, I don't see him being very effective. PREDICTION: They will fight all year for the NL West title and if Jonathan Sanchez/Wellenmeyer come through they could have a huge year. Also they need runs from the middle of their order.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers- KEY ACQ: Jamie McCourt's defense lawyer I LIKE: Clayton Kershaw- Another great young player that will be growing within the years and I believe will probably be their best pitcher this year. I HATE: Manny Ramirez- I could see him being a huge problem for the Dodgers as they struggle and wouldn't be shocked if he gets shipped out in July. PREDICTION: The divorce of the owner and CEO sent this team for a tailspin leading to no new free agents. In addition, Vincente Padilla as your Opening Day starter is never a good idea.
4. Arizona Diamondbacks- KEY ACQ: 1B Adam LaRoche 2B Kelly Johnson SP Edwin Jackson SP Ian Kennedy SP Rodrigo Lopez I LIKE: Justin Upton- I know it's a sexy pick but he is a man. I love the things he can do with his bat and hopefully he for average more. I HATE: New pitcher 1, 2, or 3- You cannot tell me that all three of those guys will work out for the Dbacks, I see much change in their rotation. PREDICTION: If Brandon Webb stays healthy, they become a better team by probably 7-10 wins but they will need the bottom half of the rotation to go against my opinion if they want to move higher than fourth best.
5. San Diego Padres- KEY ACQ: SP Jon Garland I LIKE: Clayton Richard- A big part of the Peavy deal who I think can flourish in the upcoming season. He will be a vital asset for the Fathers. I HATE: Chase Headley- Not so much him as a player rather where he is batting. There are maybe three teams if that where he is a clean-up hitter. PREDICTION: I really think they have a young group that could do some things but I am willing to bet they trade Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell by the deadline so that will hurt their second half numbers severely.
-Charlie.
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Showing posts with label Arizona Diamondbacks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arizona Diamondbacks. Show all posts
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Ugh the Yankees...
More baseball news in December! Let me add that Decemeber has just started and it is a mean mother effer so far. We get dumped 12 inches of snow cancelling school but derailing all productivity for me this week. Then you have today where it is below ten degrees, that shit isn't supposed to happen until January. Honestly, why didn't I listen to Bill Simmons about going to school out West or in the South? Mindbogging question all the time.
The big three team trade that has gone down so far is the Yankees get Curtis Granderson, the Diamondbacks get Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy, and the Tigers get Max Scherzer, Daniel Schlereth, Phil Coke, and Austin Jackson. To me personally, the Tigers came out on the right side of this deal even though giving up two ready stars.
To me, this is the classic example of why I hate the Yankees... They have this cannot miss prospect in Jackson and they decide to give them to the Tigers for Granderson who could have an immediate impact if he plays like this year's version but not 2008 version. While there is a good chance that Jackson probably will have a good career with the Tigers. The only two guys the Yanks have given a chance is Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner.
I feel the Granderson deal will actually work out because he is a left-handed hitter with a short right field plus deep corners. Yankee Stadium is built for a guy like Granderson and better version of Johnny Damon in terms of hitting/defense. They are discussing Damon being re-signed and what I believe is he will be nothing more than a DH.
For the Diamondbacks, Edwin Jackson could be the real deal. Even though, he had a 5-15 season it has to be remembered that he is only 26 years old. A big plus for the Dbacks is Jackson has been playing in the American League for the majority of his career. The jump from the AL to the NL always seems to help pitchers. Haren-Jackson-Webb could be a tough rotation if they all stay healthy. Not to mention, they play in the weak NL West. In addition, Ian Kennedy has been the Yankees prized prospect and who knows what he could do for the Dbacks.
As for the Tigers, I think they got a lot of great prospects out of the deal. Scherzer seems like a lot to give up for Jackson if he doesn't live up to potential. In my opinion when he played the Brewers, he always seemed so tough as a young pitcher. Coke could develop into a solid eight inning guy.
All in all, no one really came out ahead in this one. There are a lot of 'could be' or 'maybe' with a bunch of these guys and this trade is one that we will find out the winner in one or two years.
-Charlie.
The big three team trade that has gone down so far is the Yankees get Curtis Granderson, the Diamondbacks get Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy, and the Tigers get Max Scherzer, Daniel Schlereth, Phil Coke, and Austin Jackson. To me personally, the Tigers came out on the right side of this deal even though giving up two ready stars.
To me, this is the classic example of why I hate the Yankees... They have this cannot miss prospect in Jackson and they decide to give them to the Tigers for Granderson who could have an immediate impact if he plays like this year's version but not 2008 version. While there is a good chance that Jackson probably will have a good career with the Tigers. The only two guys the Yanks have given a chance is Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner.
I feel the Granderson deal will actually work out because he is a left-handed hitter with a short right field plus deep corners. Yankee Stadium is built for a guy like Granderson and better version of Johnny Damon in terms of hitting/defense. They are discussing Damon being re-signed and what I believe is he will be nothing more than a DH.
For the Diamondbacks, Edwin Jackson could be the real deal. Even though, he had a 5-15 season it has to be remembered that he is only 26 years old. A big plus for the Dbacks is Jackson has been playing in the American League for the majority of his career. The jump from the AL to the NL always seems to help pitchers. Haren-Jackson-Webb could be a tough rotation if they all stay healthy. Not to mention, they play in the weak NL West. In addition, Ian Kennedy has been the Yankees prized prospect and who knows what he could do for the Dbacks.
As for the Tigers, I think they got a lot of great prospects out of the deal. Scherzer seems like a lot to give up for Jackson if he doesn't live up to potential. In my opinion when he played the Brewers, he always seemed so tough as a young pitcher. Coke could develop into a solid eight inning guy.
All in all, no one really came out ahead in this one. There are a lot of 'could be' or 'maybe' with a bunch of these guys and this trade is one that we will find out the winner in one or two years.
-Charlie.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Finally a Lead-Off Hitter But Goodbye to the Ganimal
The Milwaukee Brewers decided to make a deal in July once again but this time it isnt as extreme as CC Sabathia although this does have a lot of promise. The Brewers acquire Felipe Lopez from the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor leaguers Cole Gillespie and Roque Mercedes. My initial thoughts of the deal: Very good.
A couple reasons why this is a great trade for the Crew is it gives them a true lead off hitter like they had during Rickie Weeks' tear throughout the month of May and thats when the Brewers were at their best. Yes he cannot steal bases like a lead off hitter but he does know how to get on base. When you have your lead off hitter on that paves the way for Ryan Braun (whenever he decides to get out of his slump) and Prince Fielder to drive them in. The other great thing about Lopez is the fact he is a switch-hitter with stats on both sides being rather even therefore we will not have to worry about left-handed pitchers.
In addition, it will also be interesting to see what Macha does with his lineup. I am assuming he goes... Lopez-Cameron-Braun-Fielder-McGehee-Hart-Hardy-Kendall-Pitcher. I think you have to go with the combination of Hart/Hardy together, they just seem to gel together when they bat next to each other. Although you could put Hardy in the second spot or Hart bat fifth. I am sure Macha will flip the lineup around until he gets comfortable.
He also can play three positions in the infield and a bit of outfield which means that Craig Counsull and Casey McGehee will both be able to get some time with Mat Gamel going down to AAA. Most fans are upset about this but Gamel has struck out an alarming forty-six times already therefore he needs to become more patient at the plate.
Even if this becomes a bad deal, we only have Lopez for July-October at most or if he has a great time then maybe he will stay a bit longer.
-Charlie.
A couple reasons why this is a great trade for the Crew is it gives them a true lead off hitter like they had during Rickie Weeks' tear throughout the month of May and thats when the Brewers were at their best. Yes he cannot steal bases like a lead off hitter but he does know how to get on base. When you have your lead off hitter on that paves the way for Ryan Braun (whenever he decides to get out of his slump) and Prince Fielder to drive them in. The other great thing about Lopez is the fact he is a switch-hitter with stats on both sides being rather even therefore we will not have to worry about left-handed pitchers.
In addition, it will also be interesting to see what Macha does with his lineup. I am assuming he goes... Lopez-Cameron-Braun-Fielder-McGehee-Hart-Hardy-Kendall-Pitcher. I think you have to go with the combination of Hart/Hardy together, they just seem to gel together when they bat next to each other. Although you could put Hardy in the second spot or Hart bat fifth. I am sure Macha will flip the lineup around until he gets comfortable.
He also can play three positions in the infield and a bit of outfield which means that Craig Counsull and Casey McGehee will both be able to get some time with Mat Gamel going down to AAA. Most fans are upset about this but Gamel has struck out an alarming forty-six times already therefore he needs to become more patient at the plate.
Even if this becomes a bad deal, we only have Lopez for July-October at most or if he has a great time then maybe he will stay a bit longer.
-Charlie.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Well See Ya Later Bob Melvin
As with every coach that gets fired from the major sports, I always like to do an article regarding if the firing was the right move. Today Bob Melvin of the Arizona Diamondbacks got fired after the Dbacks got off to a 12-17 start. Also they got rid of the hitting coach and pitching coach as well.
I think this move could have came a couple weeks later because they are only twenty-nine games into the season and a lot could happen in the next upcoming weeks. I think the Dbacks are concerned that their vast young talent such as Justin Upton, Connor Jackson, and Mark Reynolds are not being developed properly. Although I will say this Melvin has no pitching right now with Brandon Webb out until June and they really havent had a bullpen since they traded Jose Valverde away. Another thing that hurts is the absence of Stephen Drew who mashed the ball in the second half of the year for the Dbacks.
They have decided to go with A.J. Hinch who was a former MLB catcher with no mangerial expeirance and only thirty-four years of age. I find young managers a tough sell to some of the older guys but I am assuming that with the young talent mentioned before, the Dbacks hope that Hinch can reach out to the young ball players.
I think this move could have came a couple weeks later because they are only twenty-nine games into the season and a lot could happen in the next upcoming weeks. I think the Dbacks are concerned that their vast young talent such as Justin Upton, Connor Jackson, and Mark Reynolds are not being developed properly. Although I will say this Melvin has no pitching right now with Brandon Webb out until June and they really havent had a bullpen since they traded Jose Valverde away. Another thing that hurts is the absence of Stephen Drew who mashed the ball in the second half of the year for the Dbacks.
They have decided to go with A.J. Hinch who was a former MLB catcher with no mangerial expeirance and only thirty-four years of age. I find young managers a tough sell to some of the older guys but I am assuming that with the young talent mentioned before, the Dbacks hope that Hinch can reach out to the young ball players.
The other big thing is with the recent Manny Rameriez suspension, Arizona realizes that time is now to gain back those games they had lost on the Dodgers who have a comfortable seven game lead in the NL West. I wouldnt be surprised to see the Dbacks right around the top come June.
-Charlie.
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