Monthly Archives: June 2011
2011 MLB All-Star Game: Current Vote Totals Before Final Rosters Announced
Thursday, June 30, 2011
MLB reports: The All-Star rosters for the MLB All-Star game will be announced this Sunday, July 3rd. With the polling stations set to close shortly, we are nearing the end of the voting process. After weeks of fan voting on-line and at all MLB stadiums, decision day is upon us in three short days. But for those of you that don’t like to wait, we have the current vote totals for the AL and NL All-Star rosters by position. We also prognosticate based on the current numbers as to who will win out and make the final squads. Let’s begin in the NL, where some open races still exist:
2011 NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL-STAR BALLOTING (as of June 26)
CATCHER
Brian McCann, Braves: 3,062,884
Yadier Molina, Cardinals: 2,271,887
Buster Posey, Giants: 1,849,984
Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers: 1,451,280
Carlos Ruiz, Phillies: 1,392,944
Prediction: Brian McCann kept his lead and deserves this spot. He will be behind the plate in Arizona for the NL squad. Despite missing most of the season due to injury, Buster Posey still sits in 2nd place. The state of NL catching is weak this year to say the least. With no competition in the field, McCann is your first named starter.
FIRST BASE
Albert Pujols, Cardinals: 3,358,432
Prince Fielder, Brewers: 2,903,584
Joey Votto, Reds: 2,832,857
Ryan Howard, Phillies: 1,881,711
Freddie Freeman, Braves: 702,911
Prediction: Despite his injury and guarantee to miss the game, Albert Pujols will be voted in as a starter (in name only). Prince Fielder has been enjoying a remarkable season and deserves a better fate. While Prince will go to Arizona, it will be as a substitute for Pujols. The lead is just too large and Pujols has too strong of a name recognition for Prince to overcome.
SECOND BASE
Rickie Weeks, Brewers: 2,869,583
Brandon Phillips, Reds: 2,791,186
Chase Utley, Phillies: 2,406,965
Dan Uggla, Braves: 1,223,812
Freddy Sanchez, Giants: 1,184,145
Prediction: This one is very close to call. Based on his late push, our money is on Rickie Weeks winning out over Brandon Phillips. A recent return by Chase Utley has created a mini-push for him as well. In any other year this position would be Utley’s position to lose. But clearly fans have determined that Utley has missed too much time and Weeks is deserving of his recognition.
THIRD BASE
Placido Polanco, Phillies: 3,261,718
Chipper Jones, Braves: 2,040,594
Pablo Sandoval, Giants: 1,584,671
David Wright, Mets: 1,497,778
Scott Rolen, Reds: 1,417,248
Prediction: The Phillies fans have spoken and Placido Polanco will be starting at the All-Star game. David Wright’s free fall from stardom has paved the way for new/old faces to emerge. This has been Polanco’s spot to lose from the beginning and has steady play has been enough to win out. Sometimes slow and steady does win the race.
SHORTSTOP
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies: 2,955,609
Jose Reyes, Mets: 2,710,777
Jimmy Rollins, Phillies: 1,724,166
Alex Gonzalez, Braves: 1,142,470
Yuniesky Betancourt, Brewers: 1,131,078
Prediction: Another very close race that is difficult to handicap. The gut feel on this one is that Jose Reyes has received enough publicity and media attention to garner the necessary votes to beat out Troy Tulowitzki. Reyes has enjoyed quite the comeback year and a starting role in Arizona would be the icing on the cake.
OUTFIELD
Ryan Braun, Brewers: 3,932,100
Lance Berkman, Cardinals: 3,208,183
Matt Holliday, Cardinals: 2,935,965
Matt Kemp, Dodgers: 2,743,927
Andre Ethier, Dodgers: 2,264,640
Jay Bruce, Reds: 2,119,267
Shane Victorino, Phillies: 1,742,128
Carlos Beltran, Mets: 1,639,362
Jason Heyward, Braves: 1,302,127
Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies: 1,253,728
Raul Ibanez, Phillies: 1,239,678
Corey Hart, Brewers: 1,217,629
Justin Upton, D-backs: 1,141,296
Carlos Gomez, Brewers: 1,016,685
Martin Prado, Braves: 1,012,084
Prediction: Ryan Braun and Lance Berkman have been foregone conclusions for some time. It is the battle for the 3rd and final outfield position that remains. For a while it was Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier on the heals of Matt Holliday. While Ethier has bowed out essentially, Kemp continues to get his push. But will it be enough? MLB reports says yes. In his breakout year, Kemp is getting the respect and attention he deserves. It appears that the fans would agree as well.
2011 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR BALLOTING (as of June 28)
CATCHER
Russell Martin, Yankees: 2,779,592
Alex Avila, Tigers: 2,345,065
Joe Mauer, Twins: 1,699,604
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Red Sox: 1,505,143
Yorvit Torrealba, Rangers: 1,309,802
Prediction: Detroit fans have made a solid plea for the inclusion of Alex Avila as the starting catcher for the AL squad. But the Yankee faithful have spoken otherwise and continue to lead, together with the Boston Red Sox in most spots. Catcher is one of them, with Russell Martin looking to be a lock for Arizona. The one item of note is that Joe Mauer will not be voted in. Mauer when healthy is one of the best, if not the best catchers in baseball. But this year has been a nightmare for Mauer health wise. It looks to be a chance for more new/old blood to shine.
FIRST BASE
Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox: 4,014,722
Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 3,077,242
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 2,184,480
Mitch Moreland, Rangers: 1,209,258
Paul Konerko, White Sox: 932,422
Prediction: Taking a look at the numbers, 3 million votes for Mark Teixeira and 2 million votes for Miguel Cabrera is very respectable. But 4 million+ votes takes the cake in this race for Adrian Gonzalez. The current leading candidate for AL MVP according to many MLB followers has earned his start in Arizona. The Red Sox faithful are certainly not complaining.
SECOND BASE
Robinson Cano, Yankees: 4,724,816
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 2,979,181
Ian Kinsler, Rangers: 1,896,259
Orlando Cabrera, Indians: 1,127,840
Ben Zobrist, Rays: 963,481
Prediction: Looking at the numbers, it is all Robinson Cano in this one. No AL second baseman has come close to matching his production and it shows in the voting. A well-earned spot for the maturing Cano who is graduating to complete superstar status in New York.
THIRD BASE
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 3,735,406
Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 2,935,373
Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox: 2,724,286
Evan Longoria, Rays: 2,000,379
Brandon Inge, Tigers: 633,519
Prediction: Alex Rodriguez will have yet another All-Star game appearance. While Adrian Beltre got a sudden surge, it is the popularity and steadiness of A-Rod that will win out.
SHORTSTOP
Derek Jeter, Yankees: 3,392,128
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: 2,885,778
Elvis Andrus, Rangers: 1,971,514
Jhonny Peralta, Tigers: 1,178,114
Marco Scutaro, Red Sox: 1,099,744
Prediction: Another fairly weak field, similar to that of third base in the NL. Derek Jeter has slumped and/or been injured all season long. But the name will win out and Yankee fans are excited to see their future hall of fame shortstop going to the All-Star. Does Jeter deserve this spot this year? Probably not. But without a strong Indians base to campaign for Cabrera, the Yankees captain will start. Just too much of a lead at this point.
DESIGNATED HITTER
David Ortiz, Red Sox: 4,237,014
Michael Young, Rangers: 2,235,504
Jorge Posada, Yankees: 1,453,385
Victor Martinez, Tigers: 1,234,879
Johnny Damon, Rays: 1,028,366
Prediction: When you think DH, think David Ortiz. He is his own universe in voting this year. The DH market is starting to thin out and Ortiz has stood head and shoulders above the rest this year.
OUTFIELD
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 5,263,840
Curtis Granderson, Yankees: 4,582,419
Josh Hamilton, Rangers: 3,173,000
Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: 3,051,675
Carl Crawford, Red Sox: 2,294,337
Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 1,912,783
Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners: 1,912,062
Nick Swisher, Yankees: 1,648,599
Brett Gardner, Yankees: 1,499,367
J.D. Drew, Red Sox: 1,428,367
Matt Joyce, Rays: 1,226,439
Jeff Francoeur, Royals: 1,061,445
David Murphy, Rangers: 1,057,887
Grady Sizemore, Indians: 1,033,014
Shin-Soo Choo, Indians: 924,326
Prediction: The first two spots in the AL outfield have been set for some time. Jose Bautista leads all All-Stars in voting and together with Curtis Granderson will definitely be in Arizona on July 12th. Josh Hamilton has held onto the 3rd spot for some time, despite missing part of the season due to injury. Jacoby Ellsbury has narrowed the gap significantly in the last couple of weeks and looks to be a starter by the time the rosters are announced on Sunday. Ellsbury has enjoyed a solid campaign this year and Red Sox nation is making the push for his inclusion in the big game. That is usually a recipe for success.
Get ready for July 12th, as the New York Red Sox (aka the AL All-Star team) takes on the NL squad on Tuesday July 12th to determine home field advantage for the World Series. The rosters will be announced this Sunday July 3rd and MLB reports will bring you all the final details. Stay tuned!
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox, click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
E-MAILBAG: Ask the Reports, Wednesday June 29th
Thank you for reading the E-mailbag. Please send all your questions to mlbreports@gmail.com and please include your first name and City/Country.
We will be compiling a list of your questions from our e-mailbag and posting the responses on Wednesdays.
Wednesday June 29, 2011
Q: Money aside, who do you sign Prince or Pujols? From: Barry, New York.
MLB reports: The debate that has been raging from the last off-season continues. Going into the year, most would have chosen Albert Pujols. Great track record, monster numbers to the point of being a cut above Prince Fielder. Now with the Pujols injury and Fielder strong season, many are starting to lean towards Prince. Regardless of money, if I had a crack at either superstar first baseman, I would go with Pujols. Despite being older and having to come back from injury, Pujols is still Pujols. He is this generation’s Babe Ruth in my estimation and at his peak, brings a higher level of play than Fielder. Both will get their money, no doubt. Based on historical performances, I expect Pujols to still receive the higher payday unless he cannot return successfully from injuries. The ironic part is that the Cardinals will most likely retain Pujols, while Fielder will depart Milwaukee as a free agent. But if I had to choose one, Pujols on my team please.
Q: Will my Orioles ever contend? You live in Toronto so you know what I mean. From: Gary, Baltimore.
MLB reports: I hear ya Gary. I hear the moans and groans throughout the Rogers Centre on many nights about the inability of the Toronto Blue Jays to compete with the money of the Yankees and Red Sox. But often lost in the discussion is the Tampa Bay Rays. Last I checked, the Rays have been contenders for some time on a minimal budget. Yes, your Orioles can compete, even in the AL East. But the team will need to be built around strong homegrown prospects. With all the young Orioles players coming up and in place, the future is bright. Matt Wieters, Manny Machado and company will complement Adam Jones and Nick Markakis well. Plus you have young pitching coming up in every level. The future is bright in Baltimore and the team is being built the right way. Give it time, hope is there.
Q: When are the All-Star team rosters announced? I can’t wait! From Liz, Toronto.
MLB reports: The All-Star game will be played in Arizona on Tuesday July 12th. The rosters for the AL and NL squads will be announced on Sunday July 3rd. Then from July 3-7, fans will be able to vote on-line for the final player for each squad. Ballots need to be in by tomorrow so make sure to vote for your favorite players soon!
Q: Are you a Phillies fans? You talk about the team ALOT on twitter! From: Mary, Florida.
MLB reports: Hi Mary. Thanks for the question. I am a baseball fan in general (thus the “MLB reports” name). As far as favorite teams, as most of the readers know, I tend to lean towards the Tigers. I also show the Jays love as well. I talk about the Phillies quite a bit because they are very good. Look at their record. From there, I tend to focus on Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee. What the two of them could accomplish in the playoffs together is scary. I have never seen a 1-2 punch at the top of a rotation like this ever. Halladay may be the best pitcher of our time and Lee is unhittable when he is on. My heart may not be in Philadelphia, but my respect surely is.
Q: How do I join MLB Reports? I love baseball and writing. Please help! From Catherine, Seattle.
MLB reports: Thank you for the inquiry Catherine. We have people contributing to MLB reports in many ways. We are looking at taking on a couple of Interns. Click here to learn about the position and to apply. We also encourage readers to e-mail us about writing guest spots. As part of the MLB reports mandate, we look to help develop and assist young baseball writers in developing their craft. You can also “like” us on Facebook and contribute posts/pictures on our wall. We love our readers to get involved, as the Reports should be for the fans and by the fans. Let me know and we will get you involved! If any readers are also interested in applying for the Intern positions or contributing to MLB reports, please see our contact information below.
Thanks for the e-mails and keep them coming! mlbreports@gmail.com
E-MAILBAG ARCHIVE: Click here for the Archives of Ask the Reports
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
Dillon Gee, Mets: The Toast of New York
Tuesday June 28, 2011
MLB reports: Our last feature was on Danny Espinosa, the Nationals rookie second baseman who is taking Washington by storm. For all the talk of Espinosa’s strong play, many readers wrote in to suggest that Dillon Gee should be at the top of the National League Rookie of the Year talk. For many MLB fans, the first question will be: Who the heck is Dillon Gee?
Dillon Kyle Gee was born and raised in Texas. The 25-year old right-handed pitcher went to high school and university in Texas. The New York Mets drafted the 6’1″ pitcher in the 21st round of the 2007 draft. That is where the story should begin and end. Most players chosen beyond the 2nd round have a very small chance of ever making it to AAA, let alone the majors. This is the not the case though for Dillon Gee, who as a 21st round selection has beaten the odds to make it to the show.
Before joining the Mets full-time this year, here is a snapshot look at Dillon Gee’s career numbers in the minors:
| Year | Tm | Lev | W | L | ERA | IP | H | BB | SO | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Brooklyn | A- | 3 | 1 | 2.47 | 62.0 | 57 | 9 | 56 | 1.065 |
| 2008 | 2 Teams | A+-AA | 10 | 6 | 2.92 | 154.1 | 135 | 24 | 114 | 1.030 |
| 2008 | St. Lucie | A+ | 8 | 6 | 3.25 | 127.1 | 117 | 19 | 94 | 1.068 |
| 2008 | Binghamton | AA | 2 | 0 | 1.33 | 27.0 | 18 | 5 | 20 | 0.852 |
| 2009 | Buffalo | AAA | 1 | 3 | 4.10 | 48.1 | 47 | 16 | 42 | 1.303 |
| 2010 | Buffalo | AAA | 13 | 8 | 4.96 | 161.1 | 174 | 41 | 165 | 1.333 |
| 2011 | Buffalo | AAA | 1 | 1 | 4.63 | 11.2 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 1.029 |
| 5 Seasons | 28 | 19 | 3.78 | 437.2 | 420 | 95 | 385 | 1.177 | ||
| AAA (3 seasons) | AAA | 15 | 12 | 4.76 | 221.1 | 228 | 62 | 215 | 1.310 | |
| AA (1 season) | AA | 2 | 0 | 1.33 | 27.0 | 18 | 5 | 20 | 0.852 | |
| A- (1 season) | A- | 3 | 1 | 2.47 | 62.0 | 57 | 9 | 56 | 1.065 | |
| A+ (1 season) | A+ | 8 | 6 | 3.25 | 127.1 | 117 | 19 | 94 | 1.068 | |
Dillon Gee was good, but not great in his minor league career based on the above numbers. While he was stellar in the lower minors, Gee was not exactly “lights out” in AAA. In 221.1 innings pitched in Buffalo over parts of three seasons, Dillon Gee had a 4.76 ERA and 1.310 WHIP. By failing to dominate in AAA, one would have realistically expected Gee to require more seasoning before coming to New York or end up running the risk of getting lit up in the majors.
As you can see from Gee’s Mets numbers, quite the opposite has occurred:
| Year | Tm | W | L | ERA | G | GS | IP | H | HR | BB | SO | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | NYM | 2 | 2 | 2.18 | 5 | 5 | 33.0 | 25 | 2 | 15 | 17 | 1.212 |
| 2011 | NYM | 8 | 1 | 3.32 | 15 | 12 | 76.0 | 60 | 5 | 30 | 51 | 1.184 |
| 2 Seasons | 10 | 3 | 2.97 | 20 | 17 | 109.0 | 85 | 7 | 45 | 68 | 1.193 | |
| 162 Game Avg. | 18 | 6 | 2.97 | 37 | 31 | 200 | 156 | 13 | 83 | 125 | 1.193 | |
Dillon Gee’s numbers speak for themselves. 8-1 record, 3.32 ERA and 1.184 WHIP. While he walks a shade too many batters (30/51 BB/K), he gives up far fewer hits than innings pitched. Based on his minor league numbers, I do not expect him to keep up his current pace. The 2nd and 3rd times through the league, I expect NL batters will have a better book on Gee. As the amount of innings pitched increases as well in the hot summer months, Gee will likely wear down. In 2009, Gee missed most of the season due to a shoulder injury. The Mets will likely wear kid gloves with him to some extent and not over extend his arm or risk causing further injury.
The New York Mets currently sit at 39-39, a .500 record with almost half a season completed. Not much was expected of a team with a great deal of scandal and turmoil surrounding it. One of the few bright spots though, in addition to the strong play and resurgent seasons by Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran, has been the emergence of Dillon Gee. The patchwork pitching of the staff is nothing to write home about. Jonathon Niese, Mike Pelfrey, Chris Capuano and R.A. Dickey have combined with Gee to keep the Mets afloat and the team competitive in ball games. Chris Young fell early in the season and Johan Santana remains out following shoulder surgery. If not for the play of Dillon Gee, the Mets could have found themselves in the basement of the NL East. Instead, the team is in striking distance of the Braves for 2nd place in the division.
We should know by August if we have a possible Rookie of the Year in New York or another hot-shot prospect that had a couple of good months in Dillon Gee. With so much misery surrounding the Mets, it is a pleasure to see a bright hope emerge within its pitching staff. Dillon Gee this year evolved from an unknown minor leaguer that was considered a middle-of-the-road prospect to top starter status. Mets fans are hoping they have caught lightning in a bottle in Gee for the long-term success of its team. In the meantime, Gee will continue to pitch every fifth day in New York and give his team the best chance to succeed. That is really all the Mets can ask for at the end of the day.
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
*** As a special note, the Dillon Gee feature represents the 100th article in the history of MLB reports. We wanted to thank you, the readers, for all your support. We hope that you enjoy reading our articles as much as we enjoy writing them. At the end of the day, it all comes down to one love for all of us: Baseball. ***
Danny Espinosa,Washington Nationals: Hidden National Treasure
Monday June 27, 2011
MLB reports: With the shortage of quality second basemen in baseball, teams are always on the prowl for the next Roberto Alomar or Ryan Sandberg. We often hear the names Dustin Ackley and Neil Walker thrown around. Sitting quietly in Washington though is one of the better all-around second basemen in the game. With each home run, the secret is starting to get out of the bag. The Nationals keep winning games and building towards the Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg era. But before the next can’t miss prospects make their mark, Washington already has a rookie assaulting the MLB record books. His name: Danny Espinosa.
The 24-year old Espinosa was born in California and selected by the Nationals in the 3rd round of the 2008 draft. He made his major league debut last year and retained rookie eligibility in 2011. The heir apparent to the shortstop position from once incumbent Christian Guzman, Espinosa moved to second for 2011, took a hold of the job and ran with it. Considering he had to learn a new position on the fly, Espinosa’s production is that much more impressive.
Here is a look at Espinosa’s numbers during his time in the minors:
| Year | Tm | Lev | AB | R | H | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Vermont | A- | 64 | 8 | 21 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 17 | .328 | .476 | .359 |
| 2009 | Potomac | A+ | 474 | 90 | 125 | 18 | 72 | 29 | 11 | 74 | 129 | .264 | .375 | .460 |
| 2010 | 2 Teams | AA-AAA | 481 | 80 | 129 | 22 | 69 | 25 | 11 | 41 | 116 | .268 | .337 | .464 |
| 2010 | Harrisburg | AA | 386 | 66 | 101 | 18 | 54 | 20 | 8 | 33 | 94 | .262 | .334 | .464 |
| 2010 | Syracuse | AAA | 95 | 14 | 28 | 4 | 15 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 22 | .295 | .349 | .463 |
| 3 Seasons | 1019 | 178 | 275 | 40 | 145 | 56 | 24 | 132 | 262 | .270 | .365 | .455 | ||
Now let’s take a look at what Danny Espinosa has produced in the majors:
| Year | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 103 | 16 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 30 | .214 | .277 | .447 |
| 2011 | 277 | 39 | 67 | 12 | 4 | 14 | 47 | 9 | 2 | 22 | 70 | .242 | .323 | .466 |
| 2 Seasons | 380 | 55 | 89 | 16 | 5 | 20 | 62 | 9 | 4 | 31 | 100 | .234 | .311 | .461 |
| 162 Game Avg. | 581 | 84 | 136 | 24 | 8 | 31 | 95 | 14 | 6 | 47 | 153 | .234 | .311 | .461 |
In addition to have a top-rated glove defensively, Espinosa has produced quite well offensively in the majors. He is on pace for an outstanding 30+ home runs with close to 100 RBIs. Middle-of-the order type numbers are what we are projecting, not the standard second base type production. As with many rookies, Espinosa still has a difficult time making contact and his BB/K ratio will require substantial improvement for him to develop into a batting champion one day. But the numbers in the minors show a great deal of promise. The power has come at an early stage for Espinosa, it is the balance of his offensive game that needs to be rounded into form.
As with any young players, it is difficult and somewhat unfair to have comparisons to establish major league players, let alone ones of the Hall of Fame variety. But Danny Espinosa is showing some Ryan Sandberg type qualities at the plate at an early age with his strong power bat. Second basemen traditionally have strong gloves and any production offensively would be considered a bonus. Players of the Danny Espinosa variety do not come along very often. Washington currently sits with a 40-39 record, above .500 as we near the All-Star break. With the team playing explosive baseball (7-3 in last 10, 22-13 at home), the baseball world is starting to turn its attention to Washington. At the forefront is rookie Danny Espinosa. A possible All-Star come next month, expect to see Espinosa in many All-Star games to come. Come one October soon, we expect to see Espinosa, Harper and Strasburg competing for a World Series title. The word is out on Danny Espinosa, who will form a core for the next decade in building Washington into the next powerhouse team.
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
From Riggleman to Johnson: Davey is the New Sheriff in Washington
Saturday, June 25, 2011
MLB reports: According to several sources, the Nationals are set to announce the hiring of their new manager. Less than twenty-four hours after the abrupt resignation of Jim Riggleman (see yesterday’s feature), Mike Rizzo has apparently found the man for the job within the Nationals organization. Ex-Mets skipper, Davey Johnson is set to move from the front office to the dugout. Nationals fans couldn’t be happier.
| Year | Tm | Lg | G | W | L | W-L% | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | New York Mets | NL | 162 | 90 | 72 | .556 | 2 |
| 1985 | New York Mets | NL | 162 | 98 | 64 | .605 | 2 |
| 1986 | New York Mets | NL | 162 | 108 | 54 | .667 | 1 |
| 1987 | New York Mets | NL | 162 | 92 | 70 | .568 | 2 |
| 1988 | New York Mets | NL | 160 | 100 | 60 | .625 | 1 |
| 1989 | New York Mets | NL | 162 | 87 | 75 | .537 | 2 |
| 1990 | New York Mets | NL | 42 | 20 | 22 | .476 | 2 |
| 1993 | Cincinnati Reds | NL | 118 | 53 | 65 | .449 | 5 |
| 1994 | Cincinnati Reds | NL | 115 | 66 | 48 | .579 | 1 |
| 1995 | Cincinnati Reds | NL | 144 | 85 | 59 | .590 | 1 |
| 1996 | Baltimore Orioles | AL | 163 | 88 | 74 | .543 | 2 |
| 1997 | Baltimore Orioles | AL | 162 | 98 | 64 | .605 | 1 |
| 1999 | Los Angeles Dodgers | NL | 162 | 77 | 85 | .475 | 3 |
| 2000 | Los Angeles Dodgers | NL | 162 | 86 | 76 | .531 | 2 |
| New York Mets | 1012 | 595 | 417 | .588 | 1.7 | ||
| Cincinnati Reds | 377 | 204 | 172 | .543 | 2.3 | ||
| Baltimore Orioles | 325 | 186 | 138 | .574 | 1.5 | ||
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 324 | 163 | 161 | .503 | 2.5 | ||
| 2038 | 1148 | 888 | .564 | 1.9 |
Unlike his predecessor, Davey Johnson is a proven winner. Johnson managed four teams in his career before accepting the Nationals position. As a big league manager, Johnson has a career record of 1148 wins and 888 losses, good for a .564 winning percentage. Johnson has finished 11 of his 14 seasons above .500. He won a World Series title in 1986 with the New York Mets. Looking further at the numbers, Johnson’s teams have finished first in their division five times and in second place on seven different occasion. Johnson wins everywhere he goes and the same will be expected as the new face of baseball in the nation’s capital.
With Stephen Strasburg on the mend and Bryce Harper slowly making the climb to the big leagues, the Nationals will have a strong talent base for Johnson to mold. The Nationals will be looking for its team to play “Daveyball” and try to recreate some of the Mets magic from 1986. That team was filled with young prospects that gelled together at the same time, sprinkled with key veterans. As Mike Rizzo continues to tinker with the roster, we could very well be seeing a Nationals playoff run by 2013. Coincidently, that will also be the year that new manager Davey Johnson’s contract is set to expire. Provided Johnson’s teams perform to expectations, his run in Washington will be far longer than that of Jim Riggleman.
Davey Johnson is known as a gamer. A man who played with his heart on his sleeve back in his playing days and as an intense competitor behind the bench. This is a man who refuses to lose. For an organization that seemingly refuses to win, Johnson is a breath of fresh air and should turn out to be the voice of a reason for an organization in dire need of direction. Bobby Valentine would have been a good choice as well (given the rumors surrounding him in the media). But the Nationals have their man. A former Manager of the Year (AL 1997) and World Series winner. Welcome to the new Nationals manager, Davey Johnson. Get ready to see a lot of W’s in Washington during the next few seasons.
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
Technology Field
Like us on Facebook here
Follow @mlbreportsJune.24/2011
MLB reports: Welcome to Technology Field, where baseball and technology meet. Our mission: to discover the advancements in the greatest sport on the planet, baseball.
In Technology Field, we will be introducing you to the latest inventions, gadgets, toys, bells and whistles in the world of baseball. Anything that can be used to play baseball, watch baseball, write about baseball etc., we will find it. At MLB reports, our first love is baseball. But reporting baseball in style is even better. All the technological developments in the game that we can get our hands on, will find their way to Technology Field.
Tuesday September 18th, 2012
Jonathan Hacohen: An important tip for all the diehard baseball fans out there. I know there are millions of you all over the world! Do you have a vehicle equipped with a Sirius or XM satellite radio? Double check if you aren’t sure. Most cars/trucks to my understanding, from 2008-2009 and newer usually have this option built into their models. If your particular vehicle has a Sirius or XM option, please continue to read this piece.
If you are anything like me, your brain thinks baseball 24/7. That means 100 or 900 channels on satellite radio have little meaning to you. After all, you just want to listen to baseball! The MLB options on satellite radio are as follows: baseball games are broadcast on XM channels 176-189 (Sirius 840-869). From there, for your never-ending need for a baseball fix, MLB Network Radio is broadcast on XM 89 (Sirius 209). So when there are no games being played, leave your dial on 89/209 whenever you jump into your vehicle.
With the MLB playoffs almost upon us, what a great time to try out satellite radio! Depending on where you live, my understanding is that Sirius XM will give a three-month free trial subscription to a new subscriber. No risk and all baseball on your radio! Then once the baseball season ends, just listen to MLB Network Radio all offseason long. After all, you will only have to wait four short months until Spring Training games start again.
For those of you with smartphones, you can always play games over the MLB At-Bat app. But that means using wires to get the games being broadcast over your vehicle’s radio in most cases, which can be a pain. Also, you won’t get MLB Network Radio without a Sirius XM subscription. That one channel makes a subscription worth it. Plus who knows, maybe you will actually have an interest in the 900 or so channels that satellite radio has to offer. For me: sign me up to a baseball only package (if only it was available)…and I am good to go!
I will leave you with these final words: do you know that feeling of despair and helplessness during early morning or late afternoon traffic? Feel like ripping out your hair? Put some baseball on your satellite radio and you will be in no rush to get to work or home. Try it out and let’s hear your thoughts!
MLB reports – Jonathan Hacohen: Greetings baseball shoppers! As I sit in anticipation of receiving my Mike Napoli red Texas jersey-t in the mail and ready to talk baseball gear, I will start off this review with a disclaimer. Sports Swags, the clothing line being reviewed today is actually an-all around sports company. They are more than a baseball line- they include football, basketball and are moving into many other arenas. But this being MLB reports and talking baseball 24/7, we are going to focus on the baseball-end of the Sports Swag operation. But even though it is all about baseball at the end of the day, I had to throw it out there that they are sports-clothing-diversified.
So why do I bring up the Napoli jersey-t? Partially because I love talking Mike Napoli. The man is a baseball beast. But mostly due to the fact that I have a big weakness for baseball gear. Shirts, hats, jackets…everything. But if you are anything like me (is that a good or bad thing)…you probably had your fill of baseball jersey-t’s. I have about two drawers full of them, with no end in sight. Unless you are getting your fave player/team, the jersey-t’s start to get a little stale. I own about a dozen Tigers and Yankees dark blue jersey-t’s for example. I love them, but except for the player on the back, they are the same. The same old thing. On hot spring/summer days, I don’t want to wear jerseys to the ballpark. I like putting on a nice fresh t-shirt. But again, I want something unique. Something that will be comfortable to wear but still stand out at the ballpark. Welcome to Sports Swag.
Here is a little something about the company and its founder:
Created in 2011 by Kabir Chimni, Sports Swag is an urban sports lifestyle brand committed to providing every single one of our customers
with the best possible experience. The idea for a clothing brand came to me after I had designed a logo for Sharks defenseman Brent Burns, which would eventually lead to our first product, the Brent Burns snapback hat. We are also working in conjunction with former A’s All Star, current Washington National Gio Gonzalez for his official shirt, which has already been designed and in the process of creation. We are also in cooperation with him for future clothing products . We are working with all sorts of athletes around the world to provide them with their own custom clothing that will be available to the public!
To read the rest of the review, please click here
Ooh La La Gems: Review of Baseball Jewellery Fit for a Home Run King
MLB reports – Jonathan Hacohen: Happy Mother’s Day Everyone! Today’s feature has the special women in our lives in our mind. Whether it be our own mothers, grandmothers or the mothers of our children, today is the day that we give thanks to women. Giving us life and helping us all grow. Thank you moms!
Now what is the best way to thank moms you ask? Most people go the traditional route, with flowers and chocolate. Good presents…but not great. If you really want to blow away mom and send your appreciation, jewellery is your ticket. Now I now that today is actually mother’s day…so you could be late on the present. But if there is one thing I know about women, it is this: they tend to be very selective in their jewellery choices. Necklaces, bracelets and earrings can be a very personal choice. Not just for moms and women, but men love their jewellery as well. Especially baseball jewellery for us die-hard fans. So to meet the jewellery needs of everyone, you will need a place with a large selection that customize to all tastes and preferences.
Enter: Marla Barfield. Marla??? Wait a minute. You know Jesse Barfield. The 2-time gold glove winning, home run hitting, arm for a cannon outfielder with the Jays and Yankees. You know Josh Barfield. Second baseman with both the Indians and Padres. You know Jeremy Barfield. Huge prospect with the A’s (no joke, the kid is 6’5″ and 220!) But do you know Marla? Guess what… you do now. Marla Barfield is her name. Ooh La La Gems is her game. To read the rest of the review, click Here
REVIEW OF ROUTINE BASEBALL: THE FILTHIEST BASEBALL THREADS IN THE GAME
December 13, 2011
MLB reports – Jonathan Hacohen: I will start off this review by admitting some very key points. While I write and review the game of baseball and everything surrounding it, I am also a fan of the game. You have to love this sport to be able to talk and write about it every day. I have no problem admitting it: I love baseball. But when you love the game to this degree, you start to lead a very baseball-centric life. Baseball apps on the smartphone. Baseball birthday cake. Libraries filled with baseball DVDs and books. Are you sensing a baseball theme in my life? That is the reality of a true blooded, 110% focused baseball fan. So what do baseball fans need more than anything else? Good baseball gear. From shirts to hats and everything in between, baseball fans require good apparel. That is where I got introduced to Routine Baseball.
To read the full review of Routine Baseball gear, click here
July 11, 2011: For our inaugural Technology Field report, we will be taking a look at the BlackBerry PlayBook. After years of reporting baseball on laptops, we have been hearing about the Tablet invasion in the world of computers. We were provided with a review unit of the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet and are now ready to venture into the next stratosphere of baseball reporting. Over the past few weeks, we integrated the PlayBook into the MLB reports world and utilized it for all our baseball needs. Along the way, we reviewed what the PlayBook is all about, including its features and benefits.
Here is our review in analyzing the combination of the PlayBook and baseball and finding the PlayBook’s place in Technology Field:
Review of the BlackBerry PlayBook: MLB and Technology Meet
Monday, July 11, 2011
MLB reports: The BlackBerry PlayBook, what a terrific name to give a tablet. For a baseball fan, it’s optimal! Imagine a coach of a Little League baseball team keeping track of plays and scores on the PlayBook. It just works. The BlackBerry PlayBook has been on the market for the last three months. It’s gone through a lot of transformations which will be covered in this entry. I will be analyzing the overall look of the PlayBook, Functionality and Apps. From the perspective of a BlackBerry smartphone user, I will be comparing the PlayBook to laptops and other tablets generally on the market. Finally, from a baseball functionality perspective, I will be delivering the verdict of whether the PlayBook is a winner and should be a part of your technology field.
Please click here to review the full BlackBerry PlayBook review on MLB reports!
Like us on Facebook here
Jim Riggleman Resigns from the Nationals: Treason in Washington
Friday, June 24, 2011
MLB reports: June has apparently become the month in baseball to fire your coach if you are a MLB General Manager, or to quit your team if you are a manager. Follow along the coaching carousel:
-
June 8th: Texas Rangers fire hitting coach Thad Bosley and replace him with Scott Coolbaugh
-
June 9th: Florida Marlins fire hitting coach John Mallee and replace him with Eduardo Perez
-
June 10th: Oakland Athletics fire manager Bob Geren and replace him with Bob Melvin
-
June 14th: Houston Astros fire pitching coach Brad Arnsberg and replace with him Doug Brocail
-
June 17th: Cleveland Indians fire hitting coach John Nunnally and replace him with Bruce Fields
It looks like where there is smoke, there is fire. A lot of it apparently in the coaching ranks of baseball. Teams were getting nervous and to help jump-start their slumping players, several teams decided to change a coach rather than making wholesale roster moves, or let go of the manager and/or General Manager. On June 19th, the baseball world was stunned as manager Edwin Rodriguez of the Florida Marlins resigned and was replaced with 80-year old ex-Marlins manager Jack McKeon. Then yesterday, Jim Riggleman, manager of the Washington Nationals, got the same itch from the “quit bug” suffered by Rodriguez and announced that he was resigning his post. The captain jumped ship in Washington but unlike the Florida situation, Riggleman made his decision for all the wrong reasons. As a result, he may never coach again in baseball.
The inside story behind Riggleman leaving the Nationals was that he requested some sort of meeting from General Manager Mike Rizzo to discuss his long-term future in Washington. When Rizzo refused to discuss his contract status, Riggleman departed from the team and resigned his position as manager. Essentially Riggleman did not like the rules of the game, so in a childlike manner he took his ball and went home, so to speak.
“It’s been brewing for a while,” said Riggleman. “I know I’m not Casey Stengel, but I do feel like I know what I’m doing. It’s not a situation where I felt like I should continue on such a short leash.”
No Jim. You are certainly not Casey Stengel. Let’s take a look shall we, at Riggleman’s career managerial record:
| Year | Age | Tm | Lg | G | W | L | W-L% | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 39 | San Diego Padres | NL | 12 | 4 | 8 | .333 | 3 |
| 1993 | 40 | San Diego Padres | NL | 162 | 61 | 101 | .377 | 7 |
| 1994 | 41 | San Diego Padres | NL | 117 | 47 | 70 | .402 | 4 |
| 1995 | 42 | Chicago Cubs | NL | 144 | 73 | 71 | .507 | 3 |
| 1996 | 43 | Chicago Cubs | NL | 162 | 76 | 86 | .469 | 4 |
| 1997 | 44 | Chicago Cubs | NL | 162 | 68 | 94 | .420 | 5 |
| 1998 | 45 | Chicago Cubs | NL | 163 | 90 | 73 | .552 | 2 |
| 1999 | 46 | Chicago Cubs | NL | 162 | 67 | 95 | .414 | 6 |
| 2008 | 55 | Seattle Mariners | AL | 90 | 36 | 54 | .400 | 4 |
| 2009 | 56 | Washington Nationals | NL | 75 | 33 | 42 | .440 | 5 |
| 2010 | 57 | Washington Nationals | NL | 162 | 69 | 93 | .426 | 5 |
| 2011 | 58 | Washington Nationals | NL | 74 | 37 | 37 | .500 | 3 |
| San Diego Padres | 291 | 112 | 179 | .385 | ||||
| Chicago Cubs | 793 | 374 | 419 | .472 | ||||
| Seattle Mariners | 90 | 36 | 54 | .400 | ||||
| Washington Nationals | 311 | 139 | 172 | .447 | ||||
| 1485 | 661 | 824 | .445 |
Jim Riggleman in his twelve-year managerial career has a record of 661-824, .445 winning percentage. During his three years in Washington, Riggleman finished with a 139-172 record. Riggleman’s best year was 1998 with the Cubs, where he had a 90-73 record and his team finished second in their division. He had a 73-71 record in 1995 with the Cubs and was floating at .500 this year, with a Nationals team sitting at 37-37. The man is clearly no baseball Houdini. While some may argue that Riggleman was not given much to work with at each of his stops for the most part, the man clearly was not able to get much out of his teams at most stops. A great manager should be able to turn out something out of nothing. But alas, this was not one of Riggleman’s gifts as a manager.
The reality of baseball is that coaches and managers get let go by teams all the time, as evidenced by the amount of activity among teams this month. Managers and coaches also quit sometimes. Rodriguez left his position in Florida, as did Riggleman in Washington. But when a coach leaves a team, the intention and circumstances behind the resignation are crucial. For it is the story behind the announcement that will ultimately dictate if and when said manager receives another crack at a big league post. Gonzalez left his position for the better of his team. The Marlins were floundering and in the interests of having his team recover, Gonzalez felt that a change was needed. While that should have been up to the team to decide, at least Gonzalez acted in what he felt was best for his team. His compassion and sentiments to the organization means that Gonzalez should continue coaching in baseball. In the case of Jim Riggleman, that door has been shut close in my opinion.
The Nationals were not happy to say the least with the news. “I was always taught that one of the cardinal rules of baseball was that no individual can put
his interests before those of the team,” was the sentiments expressed by Mike Rizzo. The GM is right in this case. Many MLB managers are on one-year contracts like Jim Riggleman was in 2011. Some have a chance at long careers with their teams, while others are seen as more temporary solutions. In Riggleman’s case, he was likely more of the temporary variety. But players, coaches and managers are in this position all the time. Many veteran players sign for one-year deals, knowing full well that they will not be with a team beyond the period. The same goes for managers, who can often be brought in to manage a young team and eventually be replaced with a fresh voice as the team looks to grow and change direction. That is the rules of the game and Jim Riggleman is not better than the system. If a player was to leave his team mid-season due to contractual issues, he would be seen as selfish. Jim Riggleman as manager is no different. He let his organization, players and fans down, by jumping ship. He put his own financial and security needs ahead of those of the people around him. So Riggleman wanted a long-term contract? The best way to do it was to right the ship and lead the Nationals to their strongest possible record this year. Instead, Riggleman has likely blacklisted himself from the game and lost the chance to manage again.
The 58-year old Riggleman does not have any excuses in my book. He was a bench coach for several years, including stints with the Dodgers and Mariners following his departure from the Cubs in 1999. He did not receive another managerial opportunity until 2008, where he was an interim manager with the Mariners. Again Riggleman received an interim managerial job with the Nationals the following year, but stayed on with the team until yesterday. Was he a lame-duck manager so to speak? Probably. But that had more to do with his managerial skills and overall record than anything else. Sure many people want job security, especially in baseball. But let’s keep this in perspective. There are only thirty MLB manager jobs out there. Period. Jim Riggleman had one but he threw it away. He wanted to be a long-term manager but yet was not prepared to do what it takes to get there. Nobody should be above the system. I would not expect the Nationals to give Riggleman a strong recommendation, or any sort of reference in that regard. Teams have long memories and will likely be very cautious with Riggleman, who is today seen as having acted as a “jilted lover.”
In looking to the future, it is interesting to read Riggleman’s take. “I’m not sure if I’ll get another opportunity,” Riggleman said. “But I’ll promise you I’ll never do a one-year deal again. I’m 58. I’m too old to be disrespected.” His comments show that he clearly does not get “it”. This is not a question of respect. There is no entitlement. The Nationals did not owe you a thing Jim. They named you manager by removing the interim label. You were working year-to-year. Your lifetime managerial record did not entitle you to more. You were very lucky to have a MLB manager’s position. Your actions were selfish and disrespectful. The truth is that the Nationals team and its fans are better off for this move. They did not want to have a manager in the dugout who did not want to be there. That would not benefit anyone and a fresh voice and style could prove to be beneficial in the long-term. There are rumors that team is looking at Davey Johnson for the position. Personally, I think that Bobby Valentine should be considered for the job. But no matter who the Nationals hire, the team will be heading in a new direction. Jim Riggleman has committed baseball treason. For that reason, it is time for him to walk the plank and plunge into the waters of baseball oblivion.
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
Latest AL and NL Vote Totals: 2011 MLB All-Star Game
Thursday, June 23, 2011
MLB reports: With the MLB All-Star Game less than three weeks, the race to finalize the lineups is starting to tighten up. The majority of the starters have fairly significant leads and will be in Arizona, barring injury or declining the invitation. However, some of the races have started to tighten up, with the positions up for grabs until the final votes are in. Let’s take a look at the current leading vote getters per league and position:
AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR (as of June 21)
CATCHER
Russell Martin - Yankees: 2,226,797
Alex Avila - Tigers: 1,730,511
Joe Mauer - Twins: 1,341,474
Jarrod Saltalamacchia - Red Sox: 1,135,617
Yorvit Torrealba - Rangers: 980,697
Verdict: Martin is in unless Avila gets a huge spike in votes at the end. While many are pushing for Avila to get the nod, Martin has the numbers and the fan base to likely win out.
FIRST BASE
Adrian Gonzalez - Red Sox: 3,017,960
Mark Teixeira - Yankees: 2,407,665
Miguel Cabrera - Tigers: 1,771,893
Mitch Moreland - Rangers: 890,468
Paul Konerko - White Sox: 676,194
Verdict: A-Gonz will be starting in Arizona. Take it to the bank. He has been one of the best players in the AL this season and plays in Boston. The fans will continue to vote for him until he is announced as the winner.
SECOND BASE
Robinson Cano - Yankees: 3,664,498
Dustin Pedroia - Red Sox: 2,239,172
Ian Kinsler - Rangers: 1,452,880
Orlando Cabrera - Indians: 910,941
Ben Zobrist - Rays: 828,771
Verdict: Cano continues to lead the pack by a country mile. His season totals justify his position.
THIRD BASE
Alex Rodriguez - Yankees: 2,876,537
Adrian Beltre - Rangers: 2,307,380
Kevin Youkilis - Red Sox: 2,025,438
Evan Longoria - Rays: 1,639,405
Brandon Inge - Tigers: 490,734
Verdict: A-Rod is still A-Rod. Beltre is getting closer though and could make this one interesting.
SHORTSTOP
Derek Jeter - Yankees: 2,654,040
Asdrubal Cabrera - Indians: 2,242,157
Elvis Andrus - Rangers: 1,513,929
Jhonny Peralta - Tigers: 875,371
Marco Scutaro - Red Sox: 813,888
Verdict: Jeter, the New York Yankees captain, continues to lead the way. However, an injury and poor play this season have led Cabrera to get closer in the voting. If Cabrera has a few more strong games, there is a chance he could be in Arizona as the starter. Either way, expect Cabrera to represent the Indians at the All-Star game.
DESIGNATED HITTER
David Ortiz - Red Sox: 3,116,578
Michael Young - Rangers: 1,760,195
Jorge Posada - Yankees: 1,120,830
Victor Martinez - Tigers: 932,711
Johnny Damon - Rays: 864,535
Verdict: Papi picked a great year to have a strong campaign. A free agent at year’s end, he is a worthy All-Star pick.
OUTFIELD
Jose Bautista - Blue Jays: 4,156,940
Curtis Granderson - Yankees: 3,473,227
Josh Hamilton - Rangers: 2,400,408
Jacoby Ellsbury - Red Sox: 2,249,323
Carl Crawford - Red Sox: 1,789,097
Ichiro Suzuki - Mariners: 1,537,101
Nelson Cruz - Rangers: 1,462,426
Nick Swisher - Yankees: 1,271,843
Brett Gardner - Yankees: 1,120,179
J.D. Drew - Red Sox: 1,112,720
Matt Joyce - Rays: 1,038,098
Jeff Francoeur - Royals: 906,983
Grady Sizemore - Indians: 867,281
David Murphy - Rangers: 785,630
Shin-Soo Choo - Indians: 764,817
Verdict: Bautista and Granderson continue to lead the AL outfielders in voting and deservedly so. Hamilton and Ellsbury are battling it out for the final spot in a competition of what have you done for me lately vs. last year’s statistics. Depending on where you sit in the debate, the 2010 MVP Hamilton or the 2011 resurgent Ellsbury should be the third AL outfielder. With Hamilton banged up and Ellsbury playing so well for a first place Boston squad, expect Ellsbury to win out.
NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL-STAR (as of June 20)
CATCHER
Brian McCann - Braves: 2,301,252
Yadier Molina - Cardinals: 1,836,490
Buster Posey - Giants: 1,573,484
Jonathan Lucroy - Brewers: 1,098,507
Carlos Ruiz - Phillies: 1,095,081
Verdict: McCann is the best catcher in baseball, not just the NL. He has received the justified votes and will be starting for the NL squad.
FIRST BASE
Albert Pujols - Cardinals: 2,806,864
Joey Votto - Reds: 2,270,211
Prince Fielder - Brewers: 2,066,327
Ryan Howard - Phillies: 1,477,478
Freddie Freeman - Braves: 559,762
Verdict: Pujols was the leader and remains so despite being placed on the shelf recently. With Pujols out of the picture, Votto and Fielder will continue to duke it out for top spot. The power and flash of Prince will likely rule over the steadiness of Votto.
SECOND BASE
Brandon Phillips - Reds: 2,286,378
Rickie Weeks - Brewers: 2,094,502
Chase Utley - Phillies: 1,827,194
Dan Uggla - Braves: 1,012,370
Freddy Sanchez - Giants: 987,606
Verdict: Phillips and Weeks are neck-in-neck in one of the closest positional battles. Based on Weeks recent play, my money is on him to get the starting role.
THIRD BASE
Placido Polanco - Phillies: 2,599,925
Chipper Jones - Braves: 1,558,895
Pablo Sandoval - Giants: 1,302,098
David Wright - Mets: 1,228,710
Scott Rolen - Reds: 1,102,626
Verdict: Polanco of the NL leading Philadelphia Phillies appears to have this one locked up. Without much in the way of competition, Polanco has been the best of the bunch according to the fans.
SHORTSTOP
Troy Tulowitzki - Rockies: 2,385,991
Jose Reyes - Mets: 1,972,820
Jimmy Rollins - Phillies: 1,354,896
Alex Gonzalez - Braves: 928,992
Yuniesky Betancourt - Brewers: 860,163
Verdict: Reyes of the Mets is making a late charge but Tulo might have too big of a lead to overcome. Expect this one to go to the wire as Reyes has been getting much of the press and attention in the past few days.
OUTFIELD
Ryan Braun - Brewers: 3,034,057
Lance Berkman - Cardinals: 2,562,428
Matt Holliday - Cardinals: 2,390,118
Matt Kemp - Dodgers: 2,062,667
Andre Ethier - Dodgers: 1,889,298
Jay Bruce - Reds: 1,681,613
Shane Victorino - Phillies: 1,357,115
Carlos Beltran - Mets: 1,261,308
Jason Heyward - Braves: 1,059,581
Raul Ibanez - Phillies: 982,046
Justin Upton - D-backs: 950,047
Carlos Gonzalez - Rockies: 944,666
Corey Hart - Brewers: 910,550
Martin Prado - Braves: 830,105
Alfonso Soriano - Cubs: 804,303
Verdict: Braun has the top spot locked up with Berkman almost guaranteed a starting spot in Arizona as well. The third outfield position will come down a battle between Matt Holliday, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier. Kemp is narrowing the margin but based on the vote numbers, St. Louis will likely have 2/3 of the starting All-Star outfield come July 12th.
MLB reports will continue to keep you up-to-date as the voting for the MLB All-Star game comes to a close. We will announce the starting lineups and rosters as they are made available and let you know on any injury replacements. This year’s field will be a competitive one and we look forward to catching all the action in Arizona, as the American League and National League battle for home field advantage in the World Series.
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox, click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
A Tribute to Chad Cordero: Retired MLB Closer
Wednesday June 22, 2011
MLB reports: The man with the straightest brim in baseball, Chad Patrick Cordero formally announced his retirement from baseball on Monday, at the tender age of 29. Cordero originally suffered a torn labrum and missed most of the 2008 season. He was never able to return back to full health and form following the injury and his 2010 season with the Mariners will remain his last in the majors.
Chad Cordero was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 26th round of the 2000 draft, and later was a 1st round pick of the Montreal Expos, 20th overall, in 2003. Cordero was one of the rare college closers who graduated to the same role in the majors. He attended Cal State Fullerton and made it all the way to a College World Series title. Cordero made his major league debut the same year he was drafted and stayed with the Expos/Nationals organization for the majority of his career.
Here are Chad Cordero’s final major league numbers:
| Year | Tm | W | L | ERA | SV | BB | SO | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | MON | 1 | 0 | 1.64 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 0.636 |
| 2004 | MON | 7 | 3 | 2.94 | 14 | 43 | 83 | 1.343 |
| 2005 | WSN | 2 | 4 | 1.82 | 47 | 17 | 61 | 0.969 |
| 2006 | WSN | 7 | 4 | 3.19 | 29 | 22 | 69 | 1.105 |
| 2007 | WSN | 3 | 3 | 3.36 | 37 | 29 | 62 | 1.387 |
| 2008 | WSN | 0 | 0 | 2.08 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 2.077 |
| 2010 | SEA | 0 | 1 | 6.52 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 1.552 |
| 7 Seasons | 20 | 15 | 2.89 | 128 | 122 | 298 | 1.208 | |
| 162 Game Avg. | 4 | 3 | 2.89 | 28 | 26 | 65 | 1.208 | |
| WSN (6 yrs) | 20 | 14 | 2.78 | 128 | 117 | 292 | 1.198 | |
| SEA (1 yr) | 0 | 1 | 6.52 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 1.552 | |
| NL (6 yrs) | 20 | 14 | 2.78 | 128 | 117 | 292 | 1.198 | |
| AL (1 yr) | 0 | 1 | 6.52 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 1.552 | |
The year 2005 will always stand out as Cordero’s best, as he led the Majors
with47 saves that year. Cordero was taken out of baseball in his prime and the game has lost one of its top relievers much too early. Cordero played with teamUSAin the inaugural edition of the World Baseball Classic in 2006. After departing from the Nationals in 2008, Cordero went on to play in the minors and majors for the Seattle Mariners. He also played in the minors for the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays organizations. Cordero was released by the Jays on May 17th and was last playing for the St. Paul Saints, an independent baseball team, before announcing his retirement on Monday.
In addition to his baseball injuries, Chad Cordero has also suffered from personal tragedy. In December 2010, Cordero and his wife lost an eleven-week old baby daughter. The cause was Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Cordero is quoted as saying, “I’m just using her as motivation, trying to find strength. Because I know, now, she’ll always be with me, no matter what.” From the time of his daughter’s passing, Cordero has been active in raising awareness for SIDS. It is very uplifting to hear that despite all the adversity suffered by Cordero, that he could still work so hard to try to continue his baseball career, while assisting with SIDS awareness. SIDS is a subject that must be very difficult for Cordero and his family to discuss and deal with, but he still fights on to continue the memory of his dear daughter.
A true fighter in every sense of the word, Chad Cordero gets our sympathies and respect. Cordero has faced many roadblocks and hills to climb and he has continued to see through all the hardships that life has handed to him. Still young, there is always a chance that Cordero could try to make a return to organized baseball. The torn labrum that he suffered though is not a “fixable” injury in the same category as Tommy John surgeries, which has become very common in baseball circles. It is unlikely that we will ever see the Chad Cordero of old on the mound and if he never returns to baseball, we will always remember him for the competitor he was on the mound. But given the circumstances surrounding his family, baseball and sports takes a back seat to the human element of life. We wish all the best to Chad Cordero and his family. For everyone that can go purchase a baseball hat today and leave the brim unfolded, wear your hat this week as a tribute to one of the best relievers in the game: Chad Cordero.
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
***Note: The Wednesday E-mailbag is on hiatus this week so that we can bring you this tribute. The E-mailbag will return next week. Please feel free to continue to send all your baseball questions***
McKeon, Valentine and Guillen: The Loria Marlins Manager Roller Coaster
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
MLB reports: In the world of Jeffrey Loria, nothing is ever boring. Loria, who orchestrated an Expos to Marlins trade-in back in 2002, already owns two World Series rings. The first championship ring was courtesy of manager Jack McKeon, who came on board to manage the Marlins in 2003 and won it all in his initial Florida campaign. McKeon was successful in turning around a Marlins team that started off slowly and picked up steam after his selection. The Marlins currently sit after today’s game with a 33-41 record. They are in last place in the NL East, 12.5 games behind the division leading Philadelphia Phillies. Losers of 11 out of their last 12 games, the Marlins have a 16-23 record at home and 17-18 record on the road. Something had to give and manager Edwin Rodriguez resigned abruptly yesterday. Indicating that change was in the best interest of the team, Rodriguez was out and the Marlins quickly replaced him with former manager Jack McKeon. Out with the “old” and in with the “new”.
John Aloysius (Jack) McKeon will be 81 in November of this year. A veteran manager for sixteen seasons, McKeon managed five teams in his manager league career. His record in the dugout speaks for itself, as we take a look at the numbers:
|
Year |
Tm |
Lg |
G |
W |
L |
W-L% |
| 1973 | Kansas City Royals | AL |
162 |
88 |
74 |
.543 |
| 1974 | Kansas City Royals | AL |
162 |
77 |
85 |
.475 |
| 1975 | Kansas City Royals | AL |
96 |
50 |
46 |
.521 |
| 1977 | Oakland Athletics | AL |
53 |
26 |
27 |
.491 |
| 1978 | Oakland Athletics | AL |
123 |
45 |
78 |
.366 |
| 1988 | San Diego Padres | NL |
115 |
67 |
48 |
.583 |
| 1989 | San Diego Padres | NL |
162 |
89 |
73 |
.549 |
| 1990 | San Diego Padres | NL |
80 |
37 |
43 |
.463 |
| 1997 | Cincinnati Reds | NL |
63 |
33 |
30 |
.524 |
| 1998 | Cincinnati Reds | NL |
162 |
77 |
85 |
.475 |
| 1999 | Cincinnati Reds | NL |
163 |
96 |
67 |
.589 |
| 2000 | Cincinnati Reds | NL |
163 |
85 |
77 |
.525 |
| 2003 | Florida Marlins | NL |
124 |
75 |
49 |
.605 |
| 2004 | Florida Marlins | NL |
162 |
83 |
79 |
.512 |
| 2005 | Florida Marlins | NL |
162 |
83 |
79 |
.512 |
| Kansas City Royals |
420 |
215 |
205 |
.512 |
||
| Oakland Athletics |
176 |
71 |
105 |
.403 |
||
| San Diego Padres |
357 |
193 |
164 |
.541 |
||
| Cincinnati Reds |
551 |
291 |
259 |
.529 |
||
| Florida Marlins |
448 |
241 |
207 |
.538 |
||
|
1952 |
1011 |
940 |
.518 |
McKeon comes with some terrific credentials. He is a two-time National League Manager of the Year, winning the award in 1999 originally with the Reds and again with the Marlins in his championship 2003 season. McKeon has done it all and seen it all. But the question on everyone’s mind is whether he will have a strong impact on the Marlins and turn around their season. From there, the Marlins will need to choose their long-term manager for the 2012 season. There is much discussion and debate surrounding the Marlins, as they complete the 2011 season and move next year to their new stadium and become the “Miami Marlins.”
As much as the Marlins seemed to take a step forward this season as an organization, they are apparently still stuck at square one in some ways. Take their managerial candidates. Back in their last offseason, the Marlins were looking at Bobby Valentine and Ozzie Guillen to become their next manager. Valentine, an analyst with ESPN, could not come to terms with the team and as a result was not hired. The team inquired as well on the availability of Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, a former coach with McKeon’s 2003 championship team. When the White Sox required a return of either super prospects Logan Morrison or Mike Stanton, the Marlins said thanks, but no thanks. Edwin Rodriguez ended up receiving the post and did not last even half a season in Florida. With the team in disarray and a fresh voice needed, the Marlins turned to their past in naming Jack McKeon their interim manager for the remainder of the season.
The cigar chomping McKeon, one of the most old-school baseball men you will ever meet, is seen as having a no-nonsense type of approach to the game. As
his first move as manager, McKeon benched franchise superstar Hanley Ramirez yesterday. Reports indicate that tardiness was the cause, while others have viewed the move as a wake-up call for the team. Either way, McKeon has clearly shown that he is in charge and is not prepared to accept the Marlins losing ways. Unfortunately, as the years have progressed, baseball has become more and more of a ”young man’s game.” Todays young players, part of the me-first generation, don’t often take kindly to veteran coaches that are seen as being out of touch with today’s times. This was evident before in Florida, where McKeon originally lasted only three seasons. McKeon was seen as a very stern and tough manager and had lost much of the attention of the clubhouse by the end of his tenure. Now the Marlins have gone back to the barrel to see if McKeon has one more strong season of managing in him.
In accepting the Marlins’ position, McKeon has become the second oldest manager in baseball history, just behind Connie Mack. While a great feat for McKeon, it will remain to be seen the impact that he will have on the Marlins 2011 fortunes. My gut is that the Marlins will be lucky to get much more out of the team, even with McKeon in charge. The team is dangerously close to knocking themselves out of contention by the All-Star break and anything short of a miracle at this point will change that. With most MLB teams hiring young, dynamic managers to lead the way, its surprising in some ways that Loria has gone backwards in his approach. But given Loria’s track record, he rarely does anything by the book.
After Jack McKeon completes his second tenure in Florida, the decision will still remain as to whether Bobby Valentine or Ozzie Guillen will be at the helm come 2012. Both are still in contention for the job according to reports, but neither appears in my estimation to be a great fit. Valentine and Guillen are both fiery individuals with strong wills and personalities. After watching the Joe Girardi fiasco in his battles with owner Loria, many managerial candidates have since been scared off from taking the manager’s job with the Marlins. Valentine and Guillen would both have difficult times being placed in a puppet type role as a manager and for that reason, I cannot see a either working out long-term in Florida. Loria would be well served selecting a strong baseball man for the job, but one that has extreme patience and ability to take the directions that would come from the top of the pyramid. Loria has shown in the past to be a man of little patience and self-control when it comes to the personnel of his ball club. If Bobby V or Ozzie do eventually take the job, watch out for the fireworks that will likely come in Miami. While Ozzie is signed for the 2012 season, insiders have indicated that the White Sox may grant permission for the Marlins to speak to him, if the ballclub does not return to contention by season’s end. My bet is that Ozzie will be headed one day to Miami to rejoin the Marlins as their manager. Until then, Jack McKeon will be captain of the Marlins ship.
I guess its true what they say. Everything old really is new again. The magic was there in 2003. Let’s see if the Marlins and McKeon can rekindle some of their spark eight years later.
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
Interview with Baseball Columnist Danny Knobler: CBSSports.com
Monday June 20, 2011
MLB reports: We introduce today on the Reports Danny Knobler, Baseball Columnist for CBSSports.com. While we all enjoy Danny’s work, today’s feature allows everyone to learn about the man behind the columns. Danny’s bio from CBSSports.com is as follows:
“After 18-plus seasons of watching the Detroit Tigers lose, Danny Knobler joined CBSSports.com in May 2008 as a national baseball writer, thankful that he can finally write about winners as well as losers. He’s teaming with Scott Miller, who once covered the Minnesota Twins through six consecutive losing seasons.
The Tigers went 1,285-1,598 in Knobler’s time on the beat, although to be fair they did make it to the 2006 World Series. It’s not like they were the Royals.
Before moving to Michigan, Knobler worked for 5½ years at Baseball America, and later covered baseball for Sport magazine, which isn’t around anymore. He also wrote for the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner and the Santa Monica Evening Outlook, neither of which is around anymore, either.
Knobler graduated from UCLA, and just to prove that he likes some winners, he still follows UCLA basketball.”
We now present Danny Knobler: Baseball Columnist for CBSSports.com:
MLB reports: Thank you for your time as part of this interview. You currently cover Major League Baseball for CBSSports.com. How long have you been with CBS and how did you originally come to work in baseball?
Knobler: I joined CBSSports.com in May 2008, after 18-plus years covering the Detroit Tigers for Booth Newspapers. Before that, I worked at Baseball America, a job I got right out of college at UCLA. At UCLA, I worked in the Sports Information Office, handling baseball PR. While I’d followed all sports, I always gravitated towards baseball, and since I’ve been in the business, I’ve always told people that baseball is the most fascinating game to write about, because of the nature of the game, because it is played every day, and because of the characters involved.
MLB reports: Being a part of the media must be very exciting. Please give our readers a glimpse as to what your job entails and the highlights of working in media.
Knobler: I love my job. I enjoy being at the ballpark, and I enjoy talking about baseball. There’s no doubt that there are times when it is a grind, but the game keeps drawing you in.
MLB reports: What teams have you found have the greatest buzz surrounding them this season? Have any particular “popular” teams seen a drop in publicity and media attention this season in your attention?
Knobler: The Yankees and Red Sox always are going to generate the biggest buzz, because they have the biggest followings. The Phillies have moved up in recent years, but they still fall slightly behind the other two in national buzz. I’m not saying I want this to be true, just that it is true. When you write about the Yankees or Red Sox, more people read it. That doesn’t mean people don’t care about other teams, not at all. All you need to do is look at the number of All-Star votes that Jose Bautista is getting to see that’s not true. As for the team that has seen its profile drop the most, it has to be the Mets. That could change in the next few weeks, depending on how serious they are about trading Jose Reyes, but the interest in the Mets now is really down.
MLB reports: How much interaction do you have with the players on a given team? Do you keep in contact with many even after they leave the team by trade, retirement, release etc.? Are there particular teams that you cover specifically or do you report on all of baseball?
Knobler: I report on all of baseball. Obviously, by spending 18-plus years covering the Tigers, I’m closer to more ex-Tigers than to other players, but I know players on every team. And yes, I keep in touch with some players after they retire. Many of them I don’t see as often, but sometimes I’ll run into a player I covered years ago. It happened last year during the playoffs, when I saw Tony Phillips at a Reds-Phillies game (Halladay’s no-hitter, as it turned out). I saw Eric Davis just last week at the draft.
MLB reports: Where did you work and study before you joined CBS Sports? How did education and previous experiences help you to your current role?
Knobler: I went to school at UCLA, and that gave me my first real inside look at baseball. And some of the players who were classmates at UCLA went on to play in the big leagues, including Mike Gallego, who still works in the big leagues as Oakland’s third-base coach. Later, at Baseball America, I covered Team USA through the 1987 Pan Am Games and the 1988 Olympics. The relationships built there with players like Robin Ventura, Tino Martinez and Jim Abbott carried on through their big-league careers and beyond.
MLB reports: What are the main departments of CBS Sports that you work with on a day-to-day basis? Do you have much interaction with the rest of the CBS squad and do you travel much as part of your role?
Knobler: At CBSSports.com, I work with a great team, the best I’ve ever been around. I work most closely with Scott Miller, our other Senior Baseball Writer, who does a great job and is maybe the nicest guy in the business. We also have a great staff in the office. I travel some, but not nearly as much as I did when I was on the beat. Living in New York helps, because with teams in both leagues, every team in baseball plays here at least one time a year.
MLB reports: What is your job like comparing the baseball season and off-season? Does the role change much and can you give our readers the insight as to what the two different times of the year are like in reporting.
Knobler: The job does change some. People always ask, “What do you do in the offseason?” Baseball isn’t played year-round, but baseball goes on year-round. There is news basically every day of the year. The big difference is that during the season, a significant amount (but not nearly all) of the news is at the ballpark. In the winter, most of the news is gathered by phone, email and text. You spend a lot more time sitting around, but you work just as hard.
MLB reports: If you could have your future dream job, what would it be? Would it be in baseball? Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
Knobler: I have my dream job. I don’t want to work for a team. I love doing what I do right now, and hope to do it for a lot longer.
MLB reports: In the situation where a college graduate comes to you and asks you to give them advice on how to “work in baseball”, what would be your response? Any tips that you can give our readers would be appreciated.
Knobler: If by “work in baseball,” you mean work for a team, I would say be prepared to work long hours for very low pay, especially at the start, and in some not-so-glamorous jobs. I know people who went on to be general managers in the big leagues who talk about the time they spent in the minors, and about the days they had to go pull the tarp when it rained. Ask yourself if you’re that dedicated. If you are, then get in touch with anyone you know in the game. Baseball also sets up a job-seekers event every year at the winter meetings.
MLB reports: How has your life changed since working in baseball? Looking back, is there anything that you would have done differently? What have been the best parts of the job?
Knobler: I don’t really think of myself as working “in baseball.” But any job involved with the game, be it writer, broadcaster, team executive, coach or player has huge pluses and also some minuses. Baseball can consume your life, whether you play it, talk about it for a living or write about it. The games are at night, and on weekends. I remember Travis Fryman telling me once that a friend in Pensacola asked him, “When you’re in Detroit, what do you do on weekends?” It was a normal question you might ask any friend who moved somewhere for work, but of course, in the case of a baseball player, the answer was, “We play on weekends.” Well, we write on weekends, too, although not as often as I did as a beat writer.
MLB reports: Do you have favorite interviews that you can share and some that were more regrettable? Details Danny, details!
Knobler: Too many good ones to name. Bad ones, sure. Jason Johnson once told me, “I feel sorry for your paper.” And no, it didn’t bother me that he felt that way.
MLB reports: Who are your picks to meet in the World Series this year and why?
Knobler: When the season began, I picked the Red Sox and Braves. I’ll stick with that, although for obvious reasons I’m a little more confident about the Red Sox than the Braves right now. I never worry about picks that don’t turn out. I’m not putting money on any of my picks, and I would hope no one else would put any money down based on who I pick.
MLB reports: Thank you again for your time Danny and joining us today on MLB reports. It has been a pleasure speaking with you and we look forward to continuing to enjoy your fine work on CBSSports.com.
***A special thank you to Danny Knobler for his time and effort as part of being interviewed for this article. You can follow Danny on Twitter and click here to read Danny on CBSSports.com. To view the man in action, click on this YouTube link of Danny speaking with Reds Manager, Dusty Baker***
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
Scott Kazmir: Where Will He Land? The Future of Kaz
Sunday, June 19, 2011
MLB reports: Things did not go as planned for Scott Kazmir. A first round pick of the New York Mets (fifteenth overall) in the 2002 draft, Scott Kazmir has gone from can’t miss prospect to baseball outcast. Only twenty-seven years old, Kazmir now sits at home awaiting to find out if he still has a baseball future. The Texas Native was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2004 season in a package for mediocre starter Victor Zambrano. Considered a steal of a deal at the time for the Rays, Kazmir played in Tampa Bay until the 2009 season when he was moved to the Angels. Despite $14.5 million in guaranteed money still due to him, the Angels saw enough after a poor 2010 season and atrocious start to the 2011 campaign. Now the rumor mill has Kazmir possibly headed back to the Mets, the team that originally gave up on him early, in order to restore his flailing career.
The debate on Kazmir is whether he is suffering from injuries, physical or mental concerns. Kazmir had shoulder and hamstring issues in 2010 and spent time on the disabled list. In 2011, Kazmir lost a great deal of velocity and control, despite reportedly being injury-free. Looking at Kazmir’s numbers in Tampa Bay in 2009 and Anaheim in 2010 and 2011, the trend of decline was becoming obvious. If you remove Kazmir’s six games played in Anaheim after the trade in 2009, we have been viewing a pitcher in a free fall since his twenty-fifth birthday. Now as Kazmir ponders his future, the baseball world is left to wonder what happened and where Kazmir will play next.
I look at Kazmir’s health record and consider his elbow issues of 2007 and 2008. Aside from the 2005 and 2007 seasons, Kazmir has never successfully completed a full season in the majors injury-free. Even though he may not be considered injured today, the number of injuries that he has suffered throughout his career have apparently finally taken a toll. Having suffered elbow and shoulder injuries at such a young age, it is difficult to ascertain if his arm and body will ever fully recover. Based on his poor showing of the last two years, the mental strain of his failed performances have likely compounded the issues further. Wherever he lands in the future, our reports are indicating that we will likely never see the All-Star Kazmir from 2006 and 2008. Even though he is only twenty-seven, the future looks bleak for Scott Kazmir.
Over the coming days we will learn more about the teams interested in signing Scott Kazmir. The two New York teams have jumped to the forefront of the race. Other teams that make sense include the Boston Red Sox, who love their scrap heap former top prospect pitchers, the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers, who have been linked to Kazmir for some time. Analysts have been speculating for the last two days that the Mets are the top destination. Our projection though is Texas landing Kazmir. Born and raised in Texas, Kazmir would likely prefer a homecoming, combined with playing for the contending Rangers and its top pitching coach, Mike Maddux.
Sometimes a player performing poorly requires a change of scenery for a rebound. Playing in a new city for a new team can reinvigorate some players. But such is not the case for all. Especially with pitchers, we have recently seen some very highly considered hurlers seemingly decline overnight. Dontrelle Willis. Rick Ankiel. Two former top prospects turned horror shows. Is Scott Kazmir next? The chance for rebound is there, but it appears to be slim at best. The Angels, long considered a team highly skilled in developing pitchers, flushed a great deal of money in writing off Kazmir. From everything I have read, I can’t see that they are wrong. While the Mets were blasted ever since trading Kazmir, the reality is that the Rays only got four very good seasons out of him. The next Nolan Ryan may in fact have become the next Victor Zambrano. Ironic how life works out sometimes.
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
Baseball Book Review: Taking the Field by Howard Megdal
Saturday June 18, 2011
TAKING THE FIELD (A FAN’S QUEST TO RUN THE TEAM HE LOVES) BY: HOWARD MEGDAL
(Bloomsbury: 2011)
MLB reports: You will find on MLB reports a page dedicated solely to baseball book reviews. We created a baseball books review section to encourage readership, thought and analysis on the books written about the greatest game in the world. While baseball fans enjoy watching games as they happen, books are a very important component of baseball fandom as well. Reading baseball books fosters understanding and advancing one’s baseball knowledge. Baseball books can be an adventure through time, recapping games and players of years gone by. Other books educate and train on specific components of the game. Some are devoted exclusively to statics. The possibilities are endless.
Then there are those baseball books that deliver information and insights into the many components of the game. Those special books, when completed, leave an impact on you as a baseball fan and person. You walk away with a wealth of baseball knowledge to further discussions with other fans. In watching games from there, you will have a better appreciation for the sport and understanding of the “game within the game.” While I have read many great baseball books in my day, I have found few authors that have been able to speak to me and truly leave me wanting more after completing their literary works. Today I can say with confidence that I have found such an author. His name is Howard Megdal and his recently published book is titled “Taking the Field: A Fan’s Quest to Run the Team He Loves.”
Taking the Field is Megdal’s second baseball book, with “The Baseball Talmud” representing his initial leap into the baseball publishing world. Megdal has hit a home run with Taking the Field. No sophomore jinx here. Taking the Field is basically three books in one. The main premise of the book is Megdal’s campaign to become the General Manger of the New York Mets. But the book is far more than that. Taking the Field is a historical review and analysis of the history of the New York Mets baseball club and many of the players that have been a part of the team over the years. It is also an autobiography of Megdal, from growing up as a Mets fan in Philadelphia to writing about the team to this day. Taking the Field is everything a baseball book should be. I read it page-by-page and simply could not put it down. After completing Taking the Field, I was left with many ideas and thoughts on the Mets and baseball. I was left craving more. A sign of a talented author that excels at his craft.
Let’s make this point clear. Howard Megdal is first and foremost a fan of the New York Mets. He does not try to hide his eternal devotion to his favorite
team. Megdal lives for every game, every pitch and every at-bat of the Mets. Rather than try to mask his bias, Megdal embraces his love for the Mets and has turned the team into a lifestyle. We learn in Taking the Field about Megdal watching games with his father and turning his wife, Rachel and young daughter, Mirabelle, into fellow Mets disciples. He introduces us to the world of baseball blogging and the growth of baseball websites in recent years. Megdal spoke to me in the book as a writer and fan of baseball, but also as a person. He really is a “real” person and his genuineness and compassion come across in his writing. Many books can turn off readers, when the authors choose to talk down or above its readers. That is not the case with Howard Megdal. Reading Taking the Field, I got the sense that Megdal is a down to earth person. He truly appreciates being able to cover the team and sport that he loves for a living. Megdal does not take any part of his success and journey for granted. Reading his words, I felt like I was in the car with him in his younger days, driving to watch the Mets in Shea for the first time. I was there at Bard College with Megdal and his roommates when they watched the Red Sox win their first of two World Series titles in recent years. I came to care about Megdal and shared all his emotions for the Mets. The love of the team, the successes and bitter defeats, I was there with him every step of the way. Even though the Mets are not my team of choice, they became my team during my read of Taking the Field. Not an easy task to accomplish, but Megdal did it. From there, Megdal was going to graduate from fan and writer, to baseball executive and I was along for every step of the ride.
Taking the Field captures the journey of Megdal as a fan campaigning to become the General Manager of the Mets by internet and campaign promotions. By advocating ”logic”, “transparency” and “passion”, Megdal looked to turn the Mets front office into a baseball democracy, with voted leaders holding accountability to the team owners but most of all, to the fans of the team. A humorous and tongue-in-cheek inspired effort, Megdal was successful in making a political statement as to how baseball teams are run and laying out the criteria that is necessary to turn a baseball team into a contender and eventual champion. Every baseball executive at all levels of the game would be well advised to reading Taking the Field. It is an autobiography of Howard Megdal on one level. It is a baseball manual on the other. As a “how to run a baseball team for dummies” type book, Taking the Field brings together an original concept in its pages. Hopefully many teams adopt the Megdal mantra and create the successful organization that Megdal envisions in his preachings.
While I enjoyed learning about Howard Megdal and his path to attempting to become the General Manager of the Mets, the component of the book that I most enjoyed and appreciated was the history. Taking the Field covers substantially the history of the Mets, from inception to the recent hiring by the team of new General Manager, Sandy Alderson. While the book covers too many topics to list them all, some of the highlights for me were:
-
Drafting, development and trading of Nolan Ryan
-
Tom Seaver trade
-
Scott Kazmir trade
-
John Rocker incident
-
The chronicles of the 1986 World Series Champions Mets
-
The Tenure of Omar Minaya as GM
-
The legend of Benny Agbayani
The list literally goes on and on. Megdal in Taking the Field has armed me with as much Mets history and information as I ever imagined possible. After
reading this book, I feel confident that I can enter a discussion/debate/argument with any fan bleeding blue and orange and not miss a beat. All Mets fans have to buy this book. That is a no-doubter. It is literally impossible to love the Mets and not enjoy this book. But even the most casual baseball fan can appreciate what Taking the Field has to offer. Anyone starting off in baseball would appreciate Megdal’s take on the game and will advance to an intermediate level after completing the book. On the flip side, even the most advanced baseball junkie will enjoy the book. There are tidbits of information spread throughout the book that many “experts” likely never knew or forgot long ago. Taking the Field will work for anyone who enjoys baseball.
The ironic component of this book is the amount of news surrounding the Mets since Megdal completed Taking the Field. Bernie Madoff. The Wilpon interview with the New Yorker. David Einhorn being introduced as minority owner of the Mets. Much has happened in New York in very recent times. But even with the amount of Mets news and changes, Taking the Field has not become outdated or irrelevant. Far from it. To fully understand what the Mets are going through today, one needs to understand the history of the Mets up till now. This history is recounted eloquently by Megdal in his book. All the recent happenings of the Mets shows that time never stands still and the history of tomorrow takes place in the present. The New York Mets of today are proving that Megdal’s preachings in Taking the Field were bang on correct. After completing Taking the Field, I look forward to Howard Megdal’s next literary works. Stick with baseball Howard. The baseball community is lucky to have you as a member. Theo Epstein made his mark in the game. With Taking the Field, you have now made yours.
*** To learn more about “Taking the Field” and Howard Megdal, you can follow Howard on Twitter and click here for Howard’s website.***
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
Moneyball the Movie: An Inside Look to Beane and Pitt
Friday, June 17, 2011
MLB reports: In 2003, author Michael Lewis released one of the most famous baseball books of all time: “Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game.” After years of discussions and rumors, the baseball book of our generation is now coming to the big screen. Not since Major League and Bull Durham has a baseball movie received this much buzz. Brad Pitt, not Kevin Costner, will play the main character Billy Beane, General Manager of the Oakland Athletics. The movie is set to be released on September 23, 2011 and we guarantee that MLB reports will be there opening night to prepare a review. We may even catch this one early, as we are known to have a trick or two up our sleeve.
Before the movie is released, we will be reading the book again and posting a book review on the Reports in anticipation of the movie. It has been a number
of years since many of us have read “Moneyball” and a good refresher is in order. It has been argued by many that Moneyball was a landmark book, as it changed the complexion of baseball in many ways. Moneyball brought the use of statistical analysis to the forefront of baseball and created the statistics vs. scouting debate, which still continues till this day. Billy Beane was hailed as a genius following the release of the book. Aside from remaining the General Manager of the A’s, Beane is a highly sought-after public speaker and has grown to become a minority owner of the team as well. One of the highest profile executives in baseball history, it is only fitting that actor Brad Pitt would be playing Billy Beane in the movie.
For all the years that it has taken to get this movie off the ground, there have been concerns that the final product may not be up to par with the level set by the book. After watching the trailer, I have to admit that I am very excited to watch the movie in the theatre. Even if you are not a fan of Billy Beane or the Oakland A’s, Moneyball the Movie appears to be a must see for all baseball fans that would like to catch a glimpse into the world behind the game. We took a look at the current status of the A’s and its new manager last week on the Reports, which you can read by clicking here. With the anticipation of the upcoming movie and the Athletics as a team sitting at the basement of its division, the team needed a change. If nothing else, to turn around the fortunes of the ballclub and help build hype leading to the release of the movie.
There is no denying that we all love baseball movies. Baseball fans, when not watching games in person or television, will often be found reading about baseball and watching baseball movies every chance they get. There have been countless baseball movies over the years, including: Major League, The Babe, Eight Men Out, Mr. Baseball, Mr. 3000, Field of Dreams, A league of Their Own, Rookie of the Year, etc. The list goes on and on. I have to admit that as a supporter of the game, in my opinion there is no such thing as a bad baseball movie, only some movies that are better than others. Moneyball the Movie will be released in approximately three short months. We can’t wait. Until then, to get your appetite wet and satisfy some of your curiosity, we present the recently released trailer. Watch it, enjoy it and let us know what you think. Will you be at the theatre to watch Moneyball the Movie? We hope to see everyone there.
Click “Moneyball” to watch the trailer for the most anticipated baseball movie in recent history.
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
The 2013 World Baseball Classic: New Countries Join the WBC
Thursday June 16, 2011
MLB reports: The majority of sports fans know of the World Cup of soccer, held every four years. Even the most casual non-soccer fans will tend to follow their favorite team/country in the tournament when it is staged. For all the hype and legacy surrounding the World Cup, MLB reports is obsessed with another tournament all together. What the World Cup is to soccer, the World Baseball Classic is to baseball. The original WBC tournament took place in 2006, followed by the 2009 edition. From there, the WBC was to be staged every four years, to mirror the World Cup, Olympics and other international sporting tournaments. With the 2013 World Baseball Classic coming up in less than two years, our favorite international tournament has recently undergone some changes. MLB reports is here to give you the lowdown on the 2013 WBC.
The 2013 WBC will remain a sixteen team field, as was the case in previous years. There will be four teams in each of the four divisions. But with a twist. From years past, twelve of the teams will remain and automatically qualify for the tournament. The holdovers that will play in the WBC commencing March 2013 are:
-
Australia
-
China
-
Cuba
-
Dominican Republic
-
Italy
-
Japan
-
Korea
-
Mexico
-
Netherlands
-
Puerto Rico
-
United States
-
Venezuela
In terms of the remaining four spots in the WBC, for the 2013 edition, the WBC will hold for the first time a qualifying tournament. There will sixteen teams in the qualifying round, which will be held in the fall of 2012. Logistically, it was apparently impossible to hold the qualifying tournament and the WBC itself at the same time and the fall of 2012 was considered to be the best time for this inaugural for tournament. The sixteen teams invited to qualify for the WBC are:
-
Brazil
-
Canada
-
Chinese Tapai (Taiwan)
-
Columbia
-
Czech Republic
-
France
-
Germany
-
Great Britain
-
Israel
-
New Zealand
-
Nicaragua
-
Panama
-
Phillipines
-
South Africa
-
Spain
-
Thailand
It is an extremely happy moment for baseball, as its borders continue to expand and more countries adopt the greatest sport in the world. Countries such as Columbia, Israel, Germany, France and Spain will be encouraged to develop baseball athletes. This will in turn increase the popularity of baseball in those respective countries, which will increase the fan base of baseball and the talent level of the sport. It is truly a win-win proposition for everyone. After years of lobbying for such a qualifying tournament, it is an absolute delight to announce that the WBC has expanded and moved towards becoming a truly world event.
With happiness does come a little sadness. After poor showings in the 2009 WBC, holdovers Canada, Chinese Tapai (Taiwan), Panama and South Africa are now required to qualify in order to participate in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. After having attended the first round divisional games in Toronto two years ago, as a Canadian I am dismayed that Canada has set itself back on the world stage by not having an automatic berth in the tournament. Similarly, fans in Taiwan, Panama and South Africa that have been a part of both editions of the tournament will also possibly suffer setbacks in the development of their baseball programs. But logically, only so many countries can participate in each WBC and having the qualifying tournament should help ensure that the best teams get to advance. I am surprised to say the least that Canada has to qualify while say, Italy has an automatic berth. But the field will change for every tournament and the countries that have the best showings will get to participate, that is the bottom line.
We would love to hear your thoughts on the changes for the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Tell us about the country that you cheer for and how you feel about these changes. Was your country added to the tournament? Are there any countries that were missed? Will a new country take the tile from two-time winner Japan? We want to hear from you! Please leave your comment at the bottom of the page and let’s hear what you, the readers, have to say. In the meantime, make sure to note the fall of 2012 and March 2013 in your calendars. The 2013 World Baseball Classic qualifying tournament will be upon us in little over a year. We can’t wait.
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
E-MAILBAG: Ask the Reports, Wednesday June 15th
Thank you for reading the E-mailbag. Please send all your questions to mlbreports@gmail.com and please include your first name and City/Country.
We will be compiling a list of your questions from our e-mailbag and posting the responses on Wednesdays.
Wednesday June 15, 2011
Q: Do you think that the Dodgers should rid of Rafael Furcal? Dee Gordon is looking really good. From Christopher, Los Angeles.
MLB reports: Rafael Furcal is injured once again, playing in only 17 games thus far in 2011. After playing in only 97 games last year, the end might be near for the 33-year old Dominican. Signed through this year, the Dodgers hold a team option on his contract for 2012, that is almost certain to be declined. Considering his high salary and low value, chances are that Furcal will play out the string in Los Angeles. Dee Gordon has played well in limited action so far for the Dodgers. But remember, he is still only 23. At worst, Furcal is either going to be on-and-off the DL all year or be an expensive insurance policy for Dee Gordon. Not to worry, the Gordon ERA has begun in Los Angeles.
Q: Most common players last name in Major League Baseball? From London Baesball, UK.
MLB reports: Great question from the UK. One would think that it is Smith or Anderson, a very common last name here in North America. But showing the global-wide spread effect of the game, the answer is Ramirez. With 11 noted players with the last name Ramirez, including Hanley, Aramis and Alexei, the most common last name in MLB is: Ramirez.
Q: With all the talk of realignment in baseball, what are the chances of us seeing the Astros in the American League? From Bill, Texas.
MLB reports: Thank you for the e-mail Bill. Realignment has been the talk of baseball in recent days based on the ESPN article that came out last week. We actually covered the topic of realignment last month, which you view in our archives by clicking here. The Astros have been a popular team included in the realignment discussion, based on the natural rivalry with the Texas Rangers. I had the Astros moving to the AL West in my proposed realignment, with the Rockies and Diamondbacks. I can see a definite fit for the Astros in the AL. As a rebuilding team, moving to a new league could lead to fan excitement and increased attendance. Given their strong hitters park, I could see the Astros having some wild games in the AL. A definite fit, this story is starting to gain even more momentum.
Q: Will the Twins rebound this season? I am very frustrated! From Kelly, Ohio.
MLB reports: I do not blame you Kelly as little has gone right for the Minnesota Twins this year. While I see a good nucleus for future years, it does not appear that the playoffs are in the cards for your team in 2011. The team is sitting at 26-39 and has just lost Justin Morneau for approximately two weeks. Joe Mauer has been injured for much of the year, Nathan has not returned back to form and much of the team has either been slumping or injured for most of the year. Little has gone right and sometimes you just need to chalk things up to bad luck. I expect the team to regroup, refocus and come out strong next year. There is still a lot of baseball to be played but I would not expect higher than 3rd place this year for your Twins. Sorry.
Q: I enjoyed your profile on Mesoraco. Great prospect for the Reds. What happened to Chapman. Did he just lose it all of a sudden? Is this Dontrelle Willis all over again? From Barry, New York.
MLB reports: Hello Barry. Glad you enjoyed reading on Mesoraco and there is much to look forward to in Cincinnati. A great ballclub with many prospects on the horizon. I definitely see the Reds contending and perhaps creating a mini-dynasty in the near future. As far as Aroldis Chapman goes, there appears to be a mystery as to what has happened to the once future closer for the Reds. The 23-year old has been simply horrible, both in the majors and minors. Some have blamed mechanics, while others have said that he is battling injuries. Maturity may be an issue as well. The decline of Dontrelle Willis was a gradual one, while Chapman has lost “it” literally overnight. The Reds will have to be careful to pinpoint his issues and help straighten him out. The greatest danger is a loss of confidence, which can be very difficult for a young player to overcome. Injuries can be healed. But if mechanics are the issue, the best bet is to keep him in the minors and to get Chapman straightened out, no matter how long it takes. I would treat him with kiddie gloves at this point and hope that he gets back to form by 2012.
Thanks for the e-mails and keep them coming! mlbreports@gmail.com
E-MAILBAG ARCHIVE: Click here for the Archives of Ask the Reports
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
2011 MLB All-Star Game Ballots: American League Vote Totals
Tuesday June 14, 2011
MLB reports: In part II of our All-Star game feature, we take a look at the leading vote getters for the American League squad. The MLB All-Star Game is coming up on July 12th from Phoenix, Arizona. With home field advantage on the line, the question every year is whether the American League will continue its domination in the mid-season classic. We might as well call this team the New York Red Sox or Boston Yankees given the current composition of the team. Let’s take a look at the AL vote totals as of today to consider if the fans are getting it right:
CATCHER
Russell Martin, Yankees: 1,712,156
Alex Avila, Tigers: 1,093,070
Joe Mauer, Twins: 1,041,798
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Red Sox: 763,607
Yorvit Torrealba, Rangers: 751,858
Verdict: Round one goes to the fans as Russell Martin for the most part has been the best catcher in the American League thus far. Coming off an unproductive, injury filled 2010 season, Martin has rebounded to reclaim his all-star status. The 2nd leading vote getter, Alex Avila, has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign and deserves to be up high on the list. From there, the waters get murky. Mauer has been injured all year and Salmatlamacchia has been fairly unproductive for most of the season in Boston. Names like Arencebia and Suzuki should probably be higher up on the list, as much of this list is based on past production and/or popularity vs. actual production. But Martin is in the lead for being the best catcher in the AL, as much as he is a Yankee.
FIRST BASE
Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox: 2,027,537
Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 1,774,024
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 1,295,547
Mitch Moreland, Rangers: 692,670
Paul Konerko, White Sox: 507,547
Verdict: One of the early season picks for MVP, Gonzalez has been everything that could have been expected and more for Boston. Teixeira and Cabrera have also enjoyed productive campaigns and are rightfully at the top of the voting leader board. A case could be made for any of the three to start at first in Arizona, but A-Gonz has been the best of the bunch and deserves to be at the top. He just happens to play in Boston as well.
SECOND BASE
Robinson Cano, Yankees: 2,649,737
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 1,518,231
Ian Kinsler, Rangers: 1,129,023
Orlando Cabrera, Indians: 732,308
Ben Zobrist, Rays: 633,533
Verdict: A Yankee in first and a Red Sox player in 2nd in this category. Are we noticing a trend? Based on numbers alone, Cano has been far and away the best second baseman in the American League, if not all of baseball. With almost double the amount of votes compared to Pedroia, fans clearly agree. The list, one through five, appears to be bang-on with listing the top players at the position. The fans got it right yet again.
THIRD BASE
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 2,063,520
Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 1,752,729
Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox: 1,381,381
Evan Longoria, Rays: 1,226,770
Maicer Izturis, Angels: 364,623
Verdict: This is not your father’s third base and while this group used to be the elite of the league, the numbers are showing otherwise. With Longoria injured for must of the campaign, A-Rod continues to be the leading voting getter with Beltre close behind. I was very surprised to see Longoria as high as 4th, but based on his strong image and popularity, I guess it should have been expected. A-Rod based on the number deserves this spot, but is here as much for his numbers as the fact that he is a Yankee. His position as the top player in the game has clearly been eroding for some time. But for this season at least, A-Rod looks to remain the top third baseman in the American League.
SHORTSTOP
Derek Jeter, Yankees: 1,931,670
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: 1,647,802
Elvis Andrus, Rangers: 1,180,962
Yunel Escobar, Blue Jays: 640,395
Jhonny Peralta, Tigers: 540,601
Verdict: Much outcry has been heard over this vote and I will agree. For a player that has given so much to the game, Derek Jeter on the numbers does not deserve to be starting in the All-Star game. Cabrera, Andrus and Escobar have enjoyed very productive seasons for their respective teams and should be ahead of Jeter in the voting. But alas Jeter is Jeter and the fans have chosen the sizzle over the steak in this case. A big double thumbs down here.
DESIGNATED HITTER
David Ortiz, Red Sox: 1,974,918
Michael Young, Rangers: 1,428,833
Jorge Posada, Yankees: 810,672
Travis Hafner, Indians: 691,205
Johnny Damon, Rays: 672,529
Verdict: The designated hitter, the who’s-who of players playing out the string in the American League. Despite strong seasons by Young, Hafner and Damon, it is David Ortiz who has been the best DH of 2011 and as a result has a huge lead in the voting. Jorge Posada should be near the bottom of the pack, but sits in third place based on his name and team. Anyone here besides Ortiz would have been an injustice.
OUTFIELD
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 3,042,091
Curtis Granderson, Yankees: 2,406,946
Josh Hamilton, Rangers: 1,799,339
Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: 1,447,715
Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners: 1,231,035
Carl Crawford, Red Sox: 1,222,687
Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 1,123,608
Nick Swisher, Yankees: 937,365
Brett Gardner, Yankees: 796,905
J.D. Drew, Red Sox: 778,871
Jeff Francoeur, Royals: 752,687
Grady Sizemore, Indians: 739,930
Matt Joyce, Rays: 737,377
Shin-Soo Choo, Indians: 642,387
David Murphy, Rangers: 622,160
Verdict: I will give the fans credit. Two out of three ain’t bad. The top two outfielders in the American League have been Bautista and Granderson. They sit one and two in the lead to be the starting outfielders in Arizona. Bravo fans. Bravo. Josh Hamilton though sits in third place over Jacoby Ellsbury. Based on last year’s campaign, Hamilton was a far stronger player than Ellsbury. But this year, Hamilton has missed much of the season due to injury while Ellsbury has rebounded. Despite the heavy Red Sox and Yankees mix in the lineup, I would have awarded Ellsebury the third outfield spot if given the choice between the two. But looking at the rest of the voting list, it is beyond me how Swisher, Gardner, Crawford and Drew are at the voting list. Aside from playing in Boston and New York, these players have done literally nothing to earn their votes. I am impressed to see Francoeur and Joyce with strong vote totals, proving that smaller names in even smaller markets can still be rewarded for strong play. Ichiro is also on the list despite one of his worst campaigns ever. Where I ask is Carlos Quentin, one of the top hitters this year in the American League? Playing for a poor White Sox team with little attention this year. King Carlos should be starting, but the popularity contest unfortunately did him in.
If the voting for the American League All-Star team ended today, 7/9 of the starting lineup would be made up of Red Sox and Yankees players. While most of the players deserve their positions based on the numbers, it would be curious to see what would happen if those same players were on different teams. But then if those players were on different teams, they may not end up with the same high numbers they are producing. Very perplexing. It would be nice to have greater balance in the voting to include more players from other squads. But when players like Russell Martin, David Ortiz and Curtis Granderson stand out so far from the crowd, they should be voted in regardless of the city they play in. While the bias of fans then results in Derek Jeter starting and inferior players like Drew and Swisher receiving high vote totals, looking at the lineups overall, the fans for the most part got it right. For those critics that do not agree, the best argument is get as many fans from other cities to vote on-line and at the games to make a difference. But the fans have spoken and we look forward to watching the New York Red Sox take on the National League All-Star team in Arizona on July 12th.
Please click here to read yesterday’s NL All-Star team preview.
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox, click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
2011 MLB All-Star Game Ballots: National League Vote Totals
Monday June 13, 2011
MLB reports: The MLB All-Star Game is coming up on July 12th from Phoenix, Arizona. With home field advantage on the line, fans literally start debating in April who should appear as the “best of the best” representatives for each league. With the American League dominating the All-Star game for so many years, I decided to start with the NL and find out who are the current vote leaders. Looking at the fan votes, the arguments center on whether the most deserving or most popular players end up being voted in. Some people question on whether first-half stats weigh too much in the voting, as the previous year’s body of work should possibly be factored in more. Home parks are also considered, given that teams that have high attendance rates will often see sharp spikes in All-Star Game votes for its players. Let’s take a look at the NL vote totals as of today to consider if the fans are getting it right:
CATCHER
Brian McCann, Braves: 1,646,822
Yadier Molina, Cardinals: 1,345,260
Buster Posey, Giants: 1,309,521
Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers: 807,588
Carlos Ruiz, Phillies: 797,450
Verdict: McCann is the best catcher in the NL, if not all of baseball. His numbers have been consistently there throughout the years and 2011 has been no different. Bravo to the fans, they scored well in the first position reviewed. Posey, despite his season ending surgery, is still sitting at 3rd. Surprising is that Lucroy is in 4th place, showing that Brewers fans know how to vote for their own. With such a void of quality catchers behind McCann and Molina though, it is apparent based on the vote totals that the NL catching situation needs an influx of new talent soon.
FIRST BASE
Albert Pujols, Cardinals: 2,081,590
Joey Votto, Reds: 1,773,348
Prince Fielder, Brewers: 1,371,296
Ryan Howard, Phillies: 1,109,487
Freddie Freeman, Braves: 457,926
Verdict: Always the most debated position, 2011 is no different for the NL first basemen. Albert Pujols is the 2nd highest vote getting in the NL and based on his past track history, deserves it. Many others at his position have had stronger seasons, including Votto and Fielder. Based on numbers alone, including this year and 2010, Votto should be leading the votes at first base and should have the highest totals of any player overall in the NL. This vote shows how much the All-Star Game is a popularity contest, as Fielder is over 700k votes behind Pujols at this point. Albert Pujols is a solid player and an All-Star, but not the best player at his position at this point in his career. Votto’s time will come, but not this year according to the fan. Thumbs down from this analyst.
SECOND BASE
Brandon Phillips, Reds: 1,754,872
Rickie Weeks, Brewers: 1,461,383
Chase Utley, Phillies: 1,281,190
Dan Uggla, Braves: 833,610
Freddy Sanchez, Giants: 791,457
Verdict: The best way that I can describe the second base vote situation is a “mess”. Utley has been injured for most of the year, Uggla has slumped all year and Sanchez is injured again, likely gone for the year. Yet these three players consist 3/5 of the top vote getting at second base. Phillips and Weeks are neck-in-neck for top spot. Based on numbers alone, I think Weeks should have a higher total. But a strong case can be made for Brandon Phillips, who has been very consistent for years. Again a fairly feeble crop of players overall to choose from, but the fans did not make a bad choice with their top two choices. One thumb up here as Phillips is a good choice, but not the best selection.
THIRD BASE
Placido Polanco, Phillies: 1,822,129
Chipper Jones, Braves: 1,197,332
Pablo Sandoval, Giants: 1,029,380
David Wright, Mets: 934,636
Scott Rolen, Reds: 824,656
Verdict: One word: huh? Is the NL third base crop this weak? I hate…no, loathe this top-five list. Between slumping and injured players, I don’t see an all-star in the bunch. But with Zimmerman injured, Aramis slowing down, Alvarez developing…there really isn’t much to choose from here. Pick your poison in this case but based on track history alone, I could have seen Wright easily taken here. Polanco is on top mainly based on Philadelphia Popularity. While a .300 average is nice, Polanco is steady but not a superstar. The All-Star Game is meant for the games elite players and Placido is not it. Another thumbs down.
SHORTSTOP
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies: 1,828,509
Jose Reyes, Mets: 1,241,553
Jimmy Rollins, Phillies: 999,537
Alex Gonzalez, Braves: 744,786
Stephen Drew, D-backs: 639,204
Verdict: An extremely difficult decision for the fans to choose their NL starting shortstop. Jose Reyes has been one of the best players in baseball this year, but has battled injuries and inconsistency for the last couple of seasons. Troy Tulowitzki on the other hand has been one of the steadiest shortstops in the game, when healthy. Tulo has shown better health and far better consistency than Reyes and deserves the nod in the category. Kudos to the fans. Kudos.
OUTFIELD
Ryan Braun, Brewers: 2,230,505
Lance Berkman, Cardinals: 1,878,314
Matt Holliday, Cardinals: 1,855,416
Andre Ethier, Dodgers: 1,468,537
Matt Kemp, Dodgers: 1,372,804
Jay Bruce, Reds: 1,201,224
Shane Victorino, Phillies: 1,001,749
Jason Heyward, Braves: 883,068
Carlos Beltran, Mets: 875,339
Justin Upton, D-backs: 719,937
Raul Ibanez, Phillies: 712,577
Martin Prado, Braves: 676,791
Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies: 674,282
Corey Hart, Brewers: 652,737
Alfonso Soriano, Cubs: 649,093
Verdict: The criteria for All-Star voting has its greatest upheaval in the last position: the outfield. Lance Berkman, the 2nd highest recipient of votes in the position has been one of the best hitters in the NL for years. But last year Berkman had some very pedestrian numbers, to the point that some questioned how much he had left in the tank. The same goes with Carlos Beltran at #9, who was injured for so long that many expected him to never return. While Beltran has displayed a strong comeback, it is debatable if he is worthy of being an all-star. Matt Holliday has been an excellent player for years, but missed much of the 2011 campaign with an appendectomy. Yet Holliday sits as the #3 vote getting in the NL outfield voting. Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp have both excelled this year in Los Angeles, yet are only the #4 and #5 vote getter. Having Ryan Braun at the top spot is undisputable. The man has done it for years and deserves to be the king of the castle. I may not agree but respect Berkman getting a starting spot. But Matt Kemp should be starting in Arizona and is not even the highest vote getter on his own team in the outfield. Two thumbs up for Braun, one thumb up for Berkman and two thumbs down for Holliday. Digging further, the level of votes for the often-injured Heyward, decent Victorino and declining Ibanez are signs of voting popularity by the fans, not a reward for production by the players.
Overall, we found that the fans made decent selections in voting for its NL all-stars. But with better options on the board, it appears that in too many cases the local hero won out over more deserving players. Also, the 2011 statistics often weighed heavily in favor of the voting, ahead of the total body of work of a player including the previous year’s worth of statistics. Looking at the current vote leaders in the National League, I would give one thumb up and the other thumb down. In tomorrow’s edition of the Reports, we will review the American League Vote totals and analyze the projected All-Star Game starters. All coming up, stay tuned!
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox, click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
Top Home Run Hitters: The MLB Leaderboard
Sunday June 12, 2011
MLB reports: Another week goes by and we find that there are more changes on the MLB Home Run Leaderboard. Jose Bautista finally has some competition and the proven long ball hitters of seasons past have finally made the list. Let’s take a look at the home run leaders in Major League Baseball as of today:
Tie 1st: Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays: 20
Jose Bautista hit #20 on May 28th. Since then, he has remained stuck on 20 while the rest of baseball starts to catch up. For a man in a home run draught, he still has 58/35 BB/K on the season, with a .338 AVG, .490 OBP and .692 SLG. As Bautista works to recapture his early season form, Adam Lind has come back to the Jays as a man on a mission. Lind is hitting .327 on the season with 11 home runs of his own, a beneficiary of the protection that Bautista can afford him in the lineup. Realistically speaking, Bautista was never going to hit 80 home runs this season. But he remains on pace for 50+ and Bautista may still match or exceed his 54 long balls from last year.
Tie 1st: Curtis Granderson, New York Yankees: 20
There is a 2nd sherif in town and his name is Curtis Granderson. One of three Yankees on our list, Granderson has enjoyed a rejuvenation at age 30. Granderson is close to matching his 24 home runs from last year and well on his way to exceeding his career high of 30 home runs from 2009. Granderson’s 27/65 BB/K ratio tell me that he has not necessarily changed his free swinging ways at the plate and a “market correction” may be in order here. But despite his .267 AVG, Granderson has not shown any slow downs in the power department. 2011 has been Curtis Granderson’s coming out party and if Bautista isn’t careful, we may have another home run king on the season very soon.
Tie 3rd: Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers: 19
Matt Kemp (“The Bison”) at the age of 26, has finally started to cement his place in the book of baseball superstardom. With 19 home runs on the year, to go along with his incredible .331 AVG, .408 OBP and .632 SLG, Kemp has gone from prospect to star seemingly overnight. After hitting 26 and 28 home runs over the last two seasons respectively, Kemp is on pace to hit 40-50 home runs this year. Hitting in the heart of the Dodgers lineup with Andre Ethier, Kemp has been the heart and soul of the team this year. As he matures as a person and leader, so has his game developed on the field. The sky is the limit for this young superstar, who has future MVP written all over him.
Tie 3rd: Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees: 19
The last two spots on our top-five list should come as no surprise, starting with Yankee slugger Mark Teixeira. With 39 home runs in 2009 and 43 in 2005, Teixeira has showcased his home run strengths in previous years. A consistent 30+ home run threat, Teixeira is on his way to setting a career high in the category, showing his enjoyment playing in Yankee Stadium with its short porch. Teixeira, with his smooth swing, home run park and protection in the lineup, has all the factors in his favor. By season’s end, I expect him to remain near the top of this list and could very well finish at the #1 position.
5th: Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers: 18
The final spot goes to Prince Fielder, the impending free agent slugging first baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers. Prince has literally done it all this season. He has shown a great eye, with 36/31 BB/K in 2011, to go along with his .300 AVG, .410 OBP and .614 SLG. The man hit 50 home runs in 2007 and 46 in 2009. With a BIG payday ahead (rumored to be in the $200 million range), Fielder is showcasing his skills this year. At 27-years of age, Prince will be able to write his own ticket when picking his next home. He has certainly ensured to give himself the best chance to make the big bucks in the future by his strong play in the present. Fielder’s agent? None other than Scott Boras. Expect Fielder to continue to explode on the field all season with teammate Ryan Braun as the Brewers make one more giant push with its hulking first baseman steering the ship.
After looking at such an impressive top-five list, the rest of the sluggers represent the who’s-who of baseball. Bruce, Braun, Quentin, Pujols, Cabrera, A-Rod…yes, they are all here. Mike Stanton with 16 home runs has come together quickly in his 2nd season to become one of the top home run hitters in the game. As we discussed several times to start the season, the cream always rises to the top as the months go by. As we sit at almost the halfway mark of the season, the proven home run sluggers have proven just that.
The Best of the Rest:
Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reds: 17
Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox: 17
Lance Berkman, St. Louis Cardinals: 16
Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox: 16
David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox: 16
Mike Stanton, Florida Marlins: 16
Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers: 15
Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers: 14
Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals: 14
Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers: 13
Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies: 13
Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees: 13
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
Devin Mesoraco: Catcher Cincinnati Reds, On the Verge of Getting the Call
Saturday June 11, 2011
MLB reports: With catching at an all-time premium in baseball, few teams are lucky to have one, let alone two solid catchers in its system. The Cincinnati Reds have an abundance of riches at the position, with two serviceable catchers on its major league roster and two of the brightest catching prospects in its lower levels. For all the talk of the New York Yankees and Montero, Sanchez and all of its up-and-coming catching prospects, a look to the future catching superstars of Major League Baseball points to Cincinnati.
Top catching prospect Devin Mesoraco stands 6’1″ and weighs a very solid 220 lbs. Only 22-years of age, Mesoraco was drafted in the 1st round of the 2007 MLB draft (15th overall).
Catchers typically take longer to develop and Mesoraco has been slowed in his development by the injury bug. But despite missing many games over his short career, his bat has never slowed in the process. Last year at the tender age of 21, Mesoraco played through three levels and rose all the way to AAA. This year, in his first full turn at AAA, Mesoraco has been simply outstanding. With a .323 AVG, .407 OBP, .542 SLG, 8 home runs and 25/39 BB/K, Mesoraco has shown the MLB reports favorite hitting combination: power and patience. A lifetime .270 hitter in the minors with an .802 OPS, Mesoraco has only gotten stronger and better as he has risen through the Reds system. But not far behind him, there is another strong Reds catching prospect waiting in the wings by the name of Yasmani Grandal, as well as two existing roadblocks in Ramon Hernandez and Ryan Hanigan.
Grandal is also 22-years of age. Born in Havana Cuba, he was originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 27th round of the 2007 draft. After failing to sign, Grandal became the next catching 1st round pick of the Reds, being drafted 12th overall in the 2010 draft. Missing out on three years compared to Mesoraco, Grandal played eight games last year in rookie ball and currently plays high A ball in Bakersfield. With 9 home runs this year in 50 games played, combined with a .279 AVG, .878 OPS and 37/50 BB/K ratio, Grandal is proving himself to be every bit the hitter that Mesoraco is. A promotion is due shortly to AA and very soon the Reds will face a dilemma in choosing their catcher of the future. A great problem to have if you are the Cincinnati Reds, who are the envy of Major League Baseball in their ability to draft and develop talent. Grandal is also a switch-hitter to boot, which will make the Reds catching choice even that much more difficult.
Given that Mesoraco has the most experience and has played at the higher levels, he will be given the first crack at the Reds catching job. His first roadblock is
veteran Ramon Hernandez, the Reds incumbent starting catcher. Hernandez at 35 should be starting to near the end of his career, having played 13 seasons for 4 different major league teams. Hernandez suffered through injuries in both the ’09 and ’10 seasons, but still received a 1-year, $3 million contract for 2011 from the Reds. Hernandez has rewarded the Reds thus far with a strong season. Hernandez on the year has hit .310, with 7 home runs and an .898 OPS. But despite his strong play, Hernandez is injury prone and has otherwise started to show a declining bat over the last couple of seasons, despite playing in a hitter’s park in Cinci. Expect an injury or slump by Hernandez to open the door for Mesoraco to get his chance sometime this year.
Ryan Hanigan, the Reds backup catcher, was signed in the offseason to a 3-year, $4 million contract. Some observers questioned the move, given the up-and-coming catchers in the Reds system. But the Reds were smart to lock-in a highly considered backup catcher to mentor their young prospects and help groom them to be possibly the next Johnny Bench. Hanigan at the age of 30, has played parts of 5 seasons for the Reds. Last year was by far his strongest campaign, with a .300 AVG and .834 OPS. For his major league career, Hanigan has a 98/77 BB/K- thus exhibiting one of the best batting eyes I have ever seen for a catcher. Despite his slow start this season, with a .248 AVG and .673 OPS, Hanigan plays strong defense and does enough offensively to ensure that he will remain as the Reds backup catcher for the foreseeable future.
With Hanigan as the backup and Hernandez playing out the string this season, we can expect to see Mesoraco make his major league debut this year. Given
that he is only 22, the world should not be expected of him yet. As mentioned earlier, catchers take a lot longer to develop into complete major league players compared to other positional player. One only has to look to Baltimore, where Matt Wieters came slowly out of the gate until he started to find his way in the big leagues. While watching Buster Posey‘s run last year with the Giants was exciting, he is definitely the exception to the rule. Scouts and analysts that I have spoken to are divided on Mesoraco and Grandal. From the people that I have spoken to, there was nearly a 50/50 split on which prospect would become the future #1 catcher in Cincinnati.
A similar situation has already developed for the Reds with the blocked path for Yonder Alonso, one of the top Reds prospects still in the minors. Alonso, a first baseman by trade, has been attempting to shift to the outfield in the hopes of eventually joining the Reds. The reports that I have received are that his defense has been graded at far below average and the Reds are not comfortable calling him up as a result. With Joey Votto entrenched at first, Alonso will only make the big leagues at this point by injury or trade. With 8 home runs already on the season in AAA, to compliment his .327 AVG and .911 OPS, the 24-year old Cuban born Alonso has a major league bat. His fellow countryman Grandal may face a similar conflict in a couple of seasons. With such a strong farm system, the Reds are building themselves for a dynasty run for several years to come. The likely quarterback of the pitching staff in the near future will be Devin Mesoraco, who will also hit in the heart of a deep lineup in a great ballpark. The sky is the limit for this great prospect who is on the verge of joining the big leagues. We look forward to watching his debut very soon and hope that Mesoraco will have a long and productive career at the most demanding position in the game.
Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
