This n' That: Around the MLB, Injuries
Let me start this off by saying that yesterday afternoon's game was one that left me in one of the best moods you could imagine. Starting the season off on a refreshing note--Schilling looking strong, everybody hitting, seeing Big Papi go yard--especially considering it all resulted in a 'W' for the Boston nine is a great feeling, isn't it?
One negative, which everybody seems to be mentioning: Keith Foulke looked terrible.
I don't just mean that he was "okay" and got smacked around, I mean...Foulke looked awful. There was no zip and little movement on everything he threw and he ended up giving up a few too many hard hits balls.
Is the Craig Hansen era not far away? It's certainely something that us RedSox fans will be watching over the coming months. It's a bit early, but I have a feeling that the majority of the negative press this year will go towards David Wells and Keith Foulke's way. Just a hunch.
Jimmy Rollins kept it alive last night--is this kid ever going to stop? Theres questions abou tthe legitimacy of his hitting streak since it spans two seasons--if he ends up hitting in 20 straight games to open the season, I'll give it to him. Having hitting streaks that long to both end and open a season, with a long layoff in the offseason, is impressive.
Nomar back on the Disabled List. As a fan of Nomar's (always and forever), this was disappointing news. You hafta be rooting for the guy to get his stuff back on track.
The Marlins might seriously be moving. No, seriously. This is something that's always bugged me--the team won the World Series in 1997 and in 2003. That's a successful franchise, considering it's been in the league for just over 10 years. How can this team not get the fans and local politicans on their side? If Boston won the World Series twice in six seasons...
David Ortiz called the reports that he was close to an extension over the last few days "false," and now says that sinec the season is underway, they will put talks on hold. We can't let this one get away.
Barry Bonds doubled in his first at bat back. Yawn.
Key Injuries
Injuries are an un-avoidable part of the game of baseball. It. Just. Happens. 162 games, how is anybody supposed to play at that high of a level for that long and not be a little dinged up?
A few very key parts of some rosters have begun the season on the Disabled List that are worth mentioning--if your a fan of one of these players, don't fret...It's only April, right?
The Cubs: I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Over the last few seasons, Prior and Wood have always found their ways onto my fantasy teams, and also to the Disabled List. It's becoming near-depressing, how these guys can't seem to catch a break and stay out there long enough to put together successful seasons--but when they pitch, few are better. Something that hit me only the other day is that Kerry Wood is no longer a kid. He turns 30 next year, and after seeing the kid's rookie season (during which he sported a 3.40 ERA and 233 strikeouts in 167 innings) there is no way that I would believe that Wood would only compile 57 wins over his next six seasons. What hurts the Cubs even more is that there are names like Glendon Rusch, Sean Marshall, and Jerome Williams in the running to replace these guys. Ouch.
The Indians: C.C. Sabathia's on the DL, which is not good news for a team that already took hits (namely Kevin Millwood, the AL ERA champion last season) to its rotation. If the Indians want to keep up they'll need a healthy C.C. the rest of the way.
The Giants: Armando Benitez recieved a $21 million, three year deal prior ot the 2005 season to close games out with that electric fastball in San Francisco. Last season he logged 30 innings before being placed on the DL, and is finding himself on that same DL at the opening of this season. Not exactly what they expected.
The Brewers: Milwaukee has been a popular "dark horse" pick to compete and secure a playoff spot by experts around the game of baseball. Without Ben Sheets, I doubt they will be able to pull it off. Last season, he encountered a few problems including a torn muscle in his shoulder, and this year is finding that he is still having trouble with that same shoulder. He is on the DL, but expected to be able to pitch immediately following his 15-day stint.
The Rangers: Not that I expected great things from Adam Eaton, but when your the Texas Rangers, and you go out and spend big time bucks on starting pitching, this is the last thing you want to happen. He's out for the first half of the season--though credit Texas for making a few quick trades for some depth in the rotation, acquiring Robinson Tejada.
The WhiteSox: Theres been one concern among many in baseball about this years WhiteSox: Is Bobby Jenks really ready to dominate? Can the young kid do it? After watching his Spring Training, many doubt he'll hold the closer job in Chicago for long. For that reason, the WhiteSox need all of the bullpen depth they can get. Dustin Hermanson finding more issues with his back does not help.
The Royals: I was pleased with the way Kansas City's offseason went. They acquired what seem to be talented role players like Mark Grudz, Doug Mientkiewicz, Reggie Sanders and Mark Redman. Unfortunetly, injuries are already affecting what I thought could be a very positive year for the Royals. Zack Greinke is somewhat of a mystery--he's on the 60 day DL and is back home in Florida recieving counseling for sorts of personal problems. This isn't a good thing to hear from the young kid that you were expecting to step up and become an Ace. Mike MacDougal, a fan favorite and flame throwing closer, is hurt with a strained muscle in his throwing shoulder. Not good news. Mark Redman, who was expected to provide for some durability and dependability in that rotation, is suffering from bad knees and is getting surgery.
One negative, which everybody seems to be mentioning: Keith Foulke looked terrible.
I don't just mean that he was "okay" and got smacked around, I mean...Foulke looked awful. There was no zip and little movement on everything he threw and he ended up giving up a few too many hard hits balls.
Is the Craig Hansen era not far away? It's certainely something that us RedSox fans will be watching over the coming months. It's a bit early, but I have a feeling that the majority of the negative press this year will go towards David Wells and Keith Foulke's way. Just a hunch.
Jimmy Rollins kept it alive last night--is this kid ever going to stop? Theres questions abou tthe legitimacy of his hitting streak since it spans two seasons--if he ends up hitting in 20 straight games to open the season, I'll give it to him. Having hitting streaks that long to both end and open a season, with a long layoff in the offseason, is impressive.
Nomar back on the Disabled List. As a fan of Nomar's (always and forever), this was disappointing news. You hafta be rooting for the guy to get his stuff back on track.
The Marlins might seriously be moving. No, seriously. This is something that's always bugged me--the team won the World Series in 1997 and in 2003. That's a successful franchise, considering it's been in the league for just over 10 years. How can this team not get the fans and local politicans on their side? If Boston won the World Series twice in six seasons...
David Ortiz called the reports that he was close to an extension over the last few days "false," and now says that sinec the season is underway, they will put talks on hold. We can't let this one get away.
Barry Bonds doubled in his first at bat back. Yawn.
Key Injuries
Injuries are an un-avoidable part of the game of baseball. It. Just. Happens. 162 games, how is anybody supposed to play at that high of a level for that long and not be a little dinged up?
A few very key parts of some rosters have begun the season on the Disabled List that are worth mentioning--if your a fan of one of these players, don't fret...It's only April, right?
The Cubs: I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Over the last few seasons, Prior and Wood have always found their ways onto my fantasy teams, and also to the Disabled List. It's becoming near-depressing, how these guys can't seem to catch a break and stay out there long enough to put together successful seasons--but when they pitch, few are better. Something that hit me only the other day is that Kerry Wood is no longer a kid. He turns 30 next year, and after seeing the kid's rookie season (during which he sported a 3.40 ERA and 233 strikeouts in 167 innings) there is no way that I would believe that Wood would only compile 57 wins over his next six seasons. What hurts the Cubs even more is that there are names like Glendon Rusch, Sean Marshall, and Jerome Williams in the running to replace these guys. Ouch.
The Indians: C.C. Sabathia's on the DL, which is not good news for a team that already took hits (namely Kevin Millwood, the AL ERA champion last season) to its rotation. If the Indians want to keep up they'll need a healthy C.C. the rest of the way.
The Giants: Armando Benitez recieved a $21 million, three year deal prior ot the 2005 season to close games out with that electric fastball in San Francisco. Last season he logged 30 innings before being placed on the DL, and is finding himself on that same DL at the opening of this season. Not exactly what they expected.
The Brewers: Milwaukee has been a popular "dark horse" pick to compete and secure a playoff spot by experts around the game of baseball. Without Ben Sheets, I doubt they will be able to pull it off. Last season, he encountered a few problems including a torn muscle in his shoulder, and this year is finding that he is still having trouble with that same shoulder. He is on the DL, but expected to be able to pitch immediately following his 15-day stint.
The Rangers: Not that I expected great things from Adam Eaton, but when your the Texas Rangers, and you go out and spend big time bucks on starting pitching, this is the last thing you want to happen. He's out for the first half of the season--though credit Texas for making a few quick trades for some depth in the rotation, acquiring Robinson Tejada.
The WhiteSox: Theres been one concern among many in baseball about this years WhiteSox: Is Bobby Jenks really ready to dominate? Can the young kid do it? After watching his Spring Training, many doubt he'll hold the closer job in Chicago for long. For that reason, the WhiteSox need all of the bullpen depth they can get. Dustin Hermanson finding more issues with his back does not help.
The Royals: I was pleased with the way Kansas City's offseason went. They acquired what seem to be talented role players like Mark Grudz, Doug Mientkiewicz, Reggie Sanders and Mark Redman. Unfortunetly, injuries are already affecting what I thought could be a very positive year for the Royals. Zack Greinke is somewhat of a mystery--he's on the 60 day DL and is back home in Florida recieving counseling for sorts of personal problems. This isn't a good thing to hear from the young kid that you were expecting to step up and become an Ace. Mike MacDougal, a fan favorite and flame throwing closer, is hurt with a strained muscle in his throwing shoulder. Not good news. Mark Redman, who was expected to provide for some durability and dependability in that rotation, is suffering from bad knees and is getting surgery.
Labels: 2006 Season
AJ Chapin at 7:35 PM
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home