Baseball Ramblings- July 24, 2007
| 7
|
by Silencer76
So, the All Star Break has passed us by two weeks ago now, and the non waiver trade deadline is just a week off. That said, it leads to some random thoughts that have popped up the past few days regarding various topics:
Lack of trades: We haven't seen any deals really come down the pipe yet other than the deal that saw Jason Kendall go to Chicago for Rob Bowen and a minor league pitcher. This has been the deadest market in years, and there have been no major rumors swirling to indicate things are due to get any better. Status quo or picking up minor parts seems to be the way of the sport this season. Too high of a value has been placed on many players and that seems to have driven the market to a standstill, as well as the fact that there are quite a few big dollar contracts that belong to, at best, marginal players.
Johan Santana: The guy was 41-4 after the break from 03-06, yet has been smacked around in his first two post break starts this season. Last night, he became the first reigning Cy Young winner to give up four homers in a game since Pedro Martinez in 98, and for the first time in his career, in a 5 inning start against Toronto. What the heck is wrong with him? Is it merely an aberration, or is the strain of logging so many innings over the past five years starting to take a toll on the lefthander? The Twins playoff hopes are nil if he can't right the ship. Boof Bonser, Scott Baker, Carlos Silva and Matt Garza do not strike fear in the hearts of anyone.
The surging Cubs: No team has been hotter in baseball the past month plus then the Cubs, who have won 19 of 26 despite dropping the last two over the weekend to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Lou Piniella has found the right combination for the club, and has even managed to juggle the logjam in the outfield, Derrek Lee's five game suspension, Aramis Ramirez's DL stint, injuries to Cliff Floyd, Daryle Ward, and Ryan Dempster, and the fact that they have received absolutely nothing of value offensively from behind the plate. Chicago stands just 3 games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central, and look to continue their charge.
The banged up Brewers: Seems that the only one who isn't hurt or struggling in Milwaukee lately is Bob Uecker. Chris Capuano is 0-6 in his last 9 starts, Ben Sheets is out an extended period after damaging a tendon in his middle finger, similar to the injury Detroit reliever Joel Zumaya suffered earlier this year, Rickie Weeks has been a bust offensively, as he is hitting just .222 with five home runs and nineteen RBI. More alarming is the drop in his batting average by month. He hit .247 in April, watched that dip to .237 in May, .206 in June, and a precipitous decline to .139 in 14 games this month. Bill Hall has gone from a 35 homer year in 06 to just 9 so far this season, and after slamming 15 homers and driving in 46 the first two months of the season, shortstop J.J. Hardy has hit just 3 homers and driven in 12 in June and July. The Brew Crew may be running out of fizz.
Barry Bonds: Bonds stands just 2 homers from tying Hank Aaron's mark of 755, and 3 shy of breaking it. He only started one of the four games in Chicago last week, and 2 of 3 in Milwaukee. Now there is a seven game homestand at Pac Bell Park, where Bruce Bochy, Bonds, and the rest of the Giants hope that the chase ends, since the team is terrible, and are merely playing out the string. Outside of San Francisco though, almost no one cares. The asterisk will be thrown around regarding Bonds, and frankly, we all wish this story would just go away.
Guys you don't want your team to pick up: Number one on that list would have to be Jose Contreras. He is owed $20 million over the remainder of his contract, and he has been nothing short of awful this season, going 5-12 with a 5.76 ERA. He has allowed 134 hits, 42 walks and 10 hit batsmen in 114 innings, making his WHIP an unsightly 1.54. His velocity has tanked as well, and has been equally bad at home (3-5, 6.02 ERA) as he has on the road (2-7, 5.59.)
Anyone that pitches for the Rangers would have to be considered a stayaway as well. Kevin Millwood, the man who once won an ERA title, is the club's top winner, with a 7-8 mark, and an ERA of 5.56. Kameron Loe is 5-8 with a 5.69 ERA, Robinson Tejeda is 5-9 and 6.61, Vicente Padilla 3-8 and 6.69 and Brandon McCarthy 4-7, 5.53. Sadly, that 5.53 ERA is the BEST of the starters. It washes out the offensive weapons the Rangers do boast. Eric Gagne has been decent, and fairly healthy, going 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA and 14 saves in 15 chances, but we know all about his previous issues.
Jon Lester: Kudos to the Red Sox pitcher for sticking with it after being diagnosed with lymphoma last season. Last night he made his first big league appearance since last August when he underwent treatment, and pitched well enough to beat the high octane Cleveland Indians. His return moves Julian Tavarez back to the bullpen, a role which he is much better suited for, and gives the rotation a live arm to help bridge the gap until Curt Schilling comes back.
There will be more to come as I come up with new ideas to write about, so stay tuned...lol
