May 2008 - Posts
It looks like the perfect trade, the deal last December between the Rangers and Reds that sent Josh Hamilton to Texas in exchange for Edinson Volquez and Danny Herrera. Hamilton could cement centerfield for Texas for the next decade. Volquez could be an electric starter in the National League despite pitching in a bandbox.
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San Diego is a fascinating team to watch. Last year I had several NL coaches tell me that baseball was morphing into a game revolving around athletes and their speed. The days of ‘slow pitch softball’ slugging were over. Yet the Padres were one out from last year’s NL playoffs with a notable lack of speed. And they field a 2008 team with even less speed.
Any analysis of why the Padres have the NL’s worst record through 20 percent of the season must look at the team’s lack of athleticism. Doubt not that the Padres chief executive officer Sandy Alderson sets the team’s philosophy. Also doubt not Alderson’s track record -- his emphasis on on-base percentage, power and pitching without walks worked wonderfully in Oakland.
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Have you ever told anyone they shouldn’t have insurance? Perhaps you have questioned the amount of insurance purchased but the concept itself? Not me.
So in a recent USA Today piece on the growing number of pre-free agency players signing multi-year contracts, the stance of agent Scott Boras, while hardly surprising, was notable.
For those unfamiliar with this topic here’s the scoop: Clubs try to lock up their best young players to contracts that fix costs. Other benefits of such deals include avoiding arbitration (something many players also appreciate) and in some cases, a year of free agency.
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One month into the season here’s the scoop on how some familiar faces are faring with their new teams:
PASSING WITH FLYING COLORS
JOHAN SANTANA: Where would the Mets be without their staff leader – make that savior? He has a sterling 0.92 WHIP that augurs better long-term numbers than 3-2 and a 3.12 ERA through his first six starts.
DAN HAREN: Anyone still question Arizona’s decision to move kids for a solid 1-A starter?
TORII HUNTER: What seemed like a crowded outfield looks just fine with Hunter as the Angels’ anchor in centerfield.
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