October 2008
Alarming Numbers
A few minutes ago I was checking up on Atlanta’s young studs in the Arizona Fall League.
Pitching wise they have been doing excellent. The only run allowed by the 3 pitchers was by Stephen Marek. That run also happened to be unearned.
I checked in on Van Pope and saw his power numbers are still low, but that can change. Next I checked in on the budding star Tyler Flowers.
In 39 at bats he has 11 runs scored, 16 hits, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs, and 8 runs batted in. Pretty impressive huh? As I go along the stat line I find my way to strikeouts. Whoops. 12 K’s in 39 at bats. We have a problem my friends.
That comes out to an average of a 30% strikeout rate. As in 3 times per 10 at bats. That is not very good. Already he is showing signs of becoming a Ryan Howard type player. Not in the sense of hitting baseballs that have changed area codes. But in the sense of racking up strikeouts. Already he has about as many K’s as Peyton Manning has commercials. That is not good.
I know, I know, he is young, things can change. But before we go saying how amazing he is we need to take everything into consideration. This could be either a lack of experience or a sign of things to come. Hopefully it isn’t the later of the two.
Salary Cap? Who needs a salary cap? Part II
Once again the answer is baseball, that’s who.
I’m bring this subject back up because, well, its controversial.
I am 100% for baseball installing some type of salary cap. I think that the fans of smaller market teams will agree with me on this. Not only is baseball behind on the instant replay idea, they are on the money idea.
Baseball is a sport in which the team with the most money signs the best players. What ever happened to scouting, developing, and utilizing players? Those days are almost long gone. Now a team either signs a free agent or trades away their prospects for a home run slugger or ace starting pitcher.
I happen to be an Atlanta Braves fan. Atlanta’s salary cap was about 105 million last year. The Yankees’ salary was about 210 million. That is twice as much as Atlanta was able to spend. How is that in anyway fair? I don’t think it is.
If anyone thinks that I am bias because my team can’t spend so much you are wrong. My favorite NFL team is the Pittsburgh Steelers. They are the 1st or 2nd richest team in all of football. They could spend so much more money then they do, but there is a salary cap. I still support the idea 100%.
Winning a championship should be decided by talent, not how many big players you can sign in the off season. It is just not fair that the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, and Dodgers can buy whoever they want.
I bring this up because I recently heard about a Yankees projected lineup next year. It included the signings of C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Ben Sheets, and Mark Teixeira. I doubt this would happen but the scary thing is that its possible. They could do this and it would not be fair to any of the other teams. New York gets all those great players while the Twins, Rays, and Marlins scrap the bottom of the free agent barrel for washed up vets who are one fall away from a hip replacement.
Please Bud Selig, do something. Don’t let this madness continue. In all honesty, if you don’t change it, then baseball needs someone who will. It is the right thing.
Retire 21
I just watched a program on ESPN about a campaign to retire the #21 throughout baseball. This would be in honor of Roberto Clemente. He was a great player and an amazing person. I think he deserves it.
The only problem is if this goes through then all the Babe Ruth lovers will come complaining and saying how he is the best ever and want #3 retired. He was a great player on the field, but Ruth did nothing off the field. That is what separates him from Robinson and Clemente.
If anyone else besides Robinson and Clemente deserve it, it is Hank Aaron.
2009 World Series
Well it looks like the World Series is going to be a good one. Both teams look about evenly matched so this should go at least 6 games.
There has been great starting pitching in both games which is refreshing as the playoffs have turned into more of a slug fest. Both teams could definitely slug it out with anyone, but I think pitching will decide this series.
Tampa Bay by far has the deeper starting pitching while Philly has the advantage in the bullpen. If Tampa wants to win, Brad Lidge cannot enter the game. But if Philly wants to win, they have to score enough runs. Rollins and Howard have both been slumping badly, which doesn’t make things look to good.
Philly fans should be praying to the ran gods for a rain out so Hamels can come back as soon as possible. When Hamels isn’t pitching the Philly starters are more than just vulnerable. Brett Myers has zero constancy and Jamie Moyer is asking to be lit up. We will see how it goes as the series travels to Philly tonight.
Off Season Moves
Well almost every Braves fan has heard the rumors about Jake Peavy coming to Atlanta. Let’s start praying because imagine the rotation, Peavy, Jurrjens, and Hudson. Maybe add Smoltz and Glavine in there.
Atlanta also has some cash left over, maybe A.J. Burnett or Derek Lowe? That would be an incredible rotation. Best in the NL hands down, no contest.
I however think that Atlanta cannot trade away their biggest prospects. Everyone says they need a power hitting left fielder. What about Jason Heyward? He is in the system and apparently murders the ball. Give him a shot in spring training at least.
As the days pass I hate the Teixeira deal more and more. I don’t think Kotchman is the player the Braves want. Definitely give Freddie Freeman and Tyler Flowers a shot at first base in spring training.
Just to get something off my chest. People keep saying that Freeman, Flowers, Heyward, and Schafer need to develop more. Well do you know how players get better? THEY PLAY. Even if it is just a shot in spring training. It could do wonders for them. And for the people that say well it could seriously hurt them. Remember Rafael Furcal? He went from A to Rookie of the Year in 1 season. Last time I checked he was doing just fine.
American League Playoffs
Well it looks like I was 1 for 4 in my playoff predictions. The only series I got right was the Tampa-Chicago series. The Angels lost to the Red Sox and proved me wrong…again.
It turned out that the Red Sox were a little better than I thought and made the Angels look bad. It happens. Tampa played just the way I thought they would and took it to the White Sox. The Red Sox are on a roll and the Rays are just to young. In all honesty I really want the Rays to win. They deserve it. I just really don’t think they are a better team than the Red Sox.
They may have had a better record but I just don’t think that when the occasion arises that they will step up. Boston just has to much talent and experience. Tampa has so much talent its not fair but they have no experience.
Tampa has home field advantage so I think they will win at least 2 games. Even with home field advantage I doubt that the Rays will be able to beat Boston when it counts. The Rays are the feel good story of the year but they just don’t have the experience needed to succeed this far into the season. Next year looks good if they can keep the team together or add a piece.
As much as I like the Rays, Boston is just to good and will win this series. It will be a Boston-Los Angeles World Series this year. Yes, Manny will return to Boston but as a Dodger.
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