Grading big names in new places
Posted: Friday, May 02, 2008 4:21 PM
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.
KOSUKE FUKUDOME: He came a lot cheaper to the Cubs than last year’s marquee signing, Alfonso Soriano, and he will probably be a better overall offensive player by season’s end.
TOM GLAVINE: Nothing outstanding but exactly what the Braves expect from a 42-year-old Hall of Famer -- steady pitching that lives up to today’s demands that starters “keep their team in the game.”
BRAD LIDGE: All the uncertainty of spring has been calmed by his terrific 7-for-7 in save opportunities and no earned runs allowed.
MIGUEL TEJADA: Another uncertainty before the season began because of questions over steroids and age, he quietly posted a fine first month with 22 RBI and .946 OPS.
EDGAR RENTERIA: He is hitting for Detroit but can he calm concerns over diminished range?
HOLDING THEIR OWN
SCOTT ROLEN: Started late due to a broken finger but his first five games have been terrific. Another two weeks like this and he’ll run with the leaders.
JON GARLAND: Injuries thrust him into a more prominent role for the Angels. The early returns raise some questions. Should the Angels be concerned that Garland has allowed a ton of hits and posted more walks than strikeouts (12-9) over his first six starts?
MIGUEL CABRERA: Nice offensive numbers so far, but his girth has already prompted a change from third base to first base – a position he has never played.
FRANCISCO CORDERO: Looks great in the Cincinnati bullpen, but the disappointing Reds haven’t gotten him many chances to do his thing.
ERIC GAGNE: Some horrific blown saves are buttressed by sturdy outings including an impressive appearance Thursday at Wrigley Field, the site of his Opening Day nightmares. He’s still throwing in the 91-93 mph range.
NICK SWISHER: His numbers don’t look great, but around the White Sox he is commended for his energy and patient plate approach – two much-needed additions to the South Siders.
IN DANGER OF FAILING
ANDRUW JONES: Overweight and sluggish at the plate, he told all in the spring not to worry. Well, 29 strikeouts in his first 88 at-bats equal full-blown worry.
JIM EDMONDS: A terrific player but one who appears to be showing the signs of being in the late stages of his career.
JOSE VALVERDE: Big numbers in wins, saves and ERA, which is exactly why Arizona moved him.
TROY GLAUS: Is there still big power in his bat? After the winter news of his HGH dealings, Glaus had only one home run in his first 100 at-bats.
DONTRELLE WILLIS: Too big (a common refrain this year) and now he’s on the DL.
MARK PRIOR: Still hurt but the Padres have hope he’ll pitch sometime this year.
FIVE MORE SWINGS
1. HE WASN’T A BIG HEADLINE AS A NEW FACE…but Kaz Matsui has salvaged a major league career. He bombed with the Mets, was exposed as incapable of playing shortstop in the United States and eventually was booed out of New York. But he rebounded in the peace of Colorado and last winter earned a multi-year deal in Houston where he has supplanted Michael Bourn in the leadoff spot.
2. NO ONE IS IRREPLACEABLE…but Troy Tulowitzki may be darn close. We’ll find out if the Rockies can repeat last year’s grit as they play into July without their leader, who is sidelined with a torn tendon in his left quadriceps.
3. IT’S NOT THE AGENT’S FAULT…but I wait for Scott Boras to inform us of the whereabouts of “Zicasso,” the pitching artist he sold to the Giants for $126 million a couple of winters ago. Barry Zito has been relegated to the bullpen as the Giants try to salvage something from the early stages of a horrid investment.
4. NOT EVERYONE CAN START FAST…but I cringe when players shrug off slow starts as if such struggles are part of the natural course of events. That attitude tells teammates, “Hey, you guys carry things early and I’ll get going late.” Well, someone has to hit early since the April games count the same as those in September. At least Pittsburgh’s Adam LaRoche had the presence to admit that his annual April miseries were “mental.”
5. TONY LA RUSSA IS A TERRIFIC MANAGER…but the concept of the pitcher batting eighth, or higher, is not new. Remember Gary Peters, a good lefty starter in the 1960’s for Cleveland and Chicago (AL)?
On May 26, 1968 Peters pitched for the White Sox in the first game of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. Starved for offense, White Sox manager Eddie Stanky batted Peters -- a .222 career hitter with 19 home runs, sixth. Peters went 0-2 but more importantly gave up two early home runs, one of them to Bobby Cox, and was knocked out in the fourth.
