Faces to watch this season
Posted: Friday, March 14, 2008 6:19 AM
Kerry Wood, Carlos Marmol, Cubs: Regular readers of my blog entries know of my focus (some might say obsession) on closers. Nothing is more gratifying for a team to own a sure thing in the ninth. Conversely, nothing is more damaging to a team’s psyche than uncertainty at the end of a game. Wood is showing remarkable life in an arm nearly pronounced dead a year ago. Marmol has a filthy slider, and is Wood’s set-up man. This could be a dominant duo.
Todd Jones, Tigers: There is so much hope for the Tigers, but their late game pitching is suddenly uncertain. Jones, who will turn 40 in April, pitches more on will and guile than stuff. He is struggling this spring and injuries have plagued other veteran relief pitchers as Fernando Rodney could be ready to return in April while Joel Zumaya is not expected back until midseason.
Brad Lidge, Phillies: Philly’s redecorating revolves around Lidge, the veteran relief pitcher and closer. The Phillies have already quieted Brett Myers’s possible return to the bullpen. So Lidge, two weeks after another knee scope, has begun to toss off a mound. If an Opening-Day return isn’t realistic, then look for him to possibly make his Phillies debut in late April.
Masahide Kobayashi, Indians: Endorsed by none other than Bobby Valentine, his manager for the last four seasons in Japan, the 33-year-old free agent, who signed in February with Cleveland, is poised to close at any sign of weakness from Joe Borowski. He has a legit fastball, strong slider and a split in reserve. Japanese closers such as Mac Suzuki and Takashi Saito have succeeded at the major-league level. Kobayashi could be next.
Nomar Garciaparra, Dodgers: L.A. lost young third-base prospect Andy LaRoche until late May or June with a torn ligament in his right thumb. The Dodgers need some of the “old Nomar” at the hot corner: someone who can hit with a little power and a lot of clutch timing to help a team that will be challenged to score runs.
Eric Chavez, A’s: As he struggles through another spring, the former All-Star is officially causing concern in Oakland. As the most established player remaining after a total teardown, the A’s have begun focusing on developing younger players, but would like to have Chavez be the one player their fans recognize as a link to better days.
John Russell, Pirates: Russell takes over for the fired Jim Tracy having had more than 1000 big league at-bats. But as a first-year manager in the majors, he has taken on the massive task of restoring respect to the long-floundering Pirates. No player changes or added payroll; just a hope that new management and manager can finally produce progress. Russell apprenticed in the Twins system, which is a guarantee that he understands how the game should be played.
Evan Longoria, Rays: Rockies’ shortstop Troy Tulowitzki told me this winter that he had no doubt about Longoria’s big league future. They played alongside each other at Long Beach State and now Longoria is pushing hard to start at third base on Opening Day. The Rays’ brass, on the other hand, is not quite sure he is ready yet.
Colby Rasmus, Cardinals: The Cardinals are in disarray. In Tony LaRussa’s efforts to make sense out of the team’s many off-season changes; a leadoff man would be a huge boost. The 21-year-old Rasmus, a center-field prospect, is coming off a strong Double-A season. Many teams have elected to put young players on a fast track to the majors. Perhaps Rasmus could give the great Cards’ fans reason to smile.
Jay Bruce, Homer Bailey, Reds: Dusty Baker takes over in Cincinnati, where owner and C.E.O. Bob Castellini wants to win now. So how will Baker work two of the team’s top prospects into the mix? Bruce, a center fielder, turns 21 in April. Baker, meanwhile, has talked cautiously about how the Atlanta Braves rarely allow young prospects to play in the majors before they are ready. A young minor leaguer recently told me that Bailey, a tall right-hander from Texas, was the hardest thrower he ever faced. But keep in mind that the Reds have a long track record for failing to develop young pitching talent. How will Bailey turn out?
