High hopes for Hamilton
Posted: Friday, May 09, 2008 3:19 PM
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.
Not many headlines were created by the winter deal but both teams have answered the questions raised over why they made it. Hamilton leads the American League in RBI, has been fine in the clutch (he delivered his first eight men from third when hitting in less-than-two-out situations) and has played a strong centerfield.
Now the questions are about Hamilton’s stability. Can he stay clean (he has a history of alcohol and drug abuse that nearly ended his career) and play a full season for the first time? Last year’s 90 games in Cincinnati was a tease when he batted .292 in his first major league season with 19 homers and 47 RBIs in 298 at-bats. The hope in Texas is that Hamilton can be the cornerstone of the Rangers’ rebuild. He has clearly displayed the tools and raw talent that have seduced scouts since his high school days in North Carolina.
One other thought on Hamilton: The game is full of “recovering” users, mostly steroids and HGH. We see them every game, fading sluggers, pitchers looking for the “lost” mph on their fastball and those simply trying to buy one more day in the big leagues. Hamilton is recovering as well, admittedly on a more serious plane. The support system that any recovering addict must employ has worked for him for two years. Everyone hopes that his becomes a career that has its best days ahead and not one which never elevates to past levels of play – like those of so many others who have abused substances.
FIVE MORE SWINGS
1. TODAY’S MEA CULPA…goes to Nate McLouth. In a recent blog I referenced with some sarcasm the promo of McLouth as the Pirates’ leading player. After watching parts of the three-game sweep the Pirates just completed over the Giants, I recant. McLouth has hit with uncommon power and played sterling defense. Between his play and the torrid bat of Xavier Nady, Jason Bay has been removed from the limelight in Pittsburgh.
2. THE STRUGGLES CONTINUE FOR…yes, Detroit. The Tigers took some forward steps only to be knocked back this week. But Seattle now occupies the bottom of the AL. The M’s have lost 7 of 8 in May, scoring only seven runs in the losses. After three straight games in which Seattle bats were paralyzed by a wobbly Texas pitching staff (just one run in 27 innings for the M’s) the heat will increase on Seattle manager John McLaren. This is a Seattle team with a $117 million payroll. With that kind of cash being spent there comes expectation.
3. A TERRIFIC YOUNG CATCHER IS GROWING UP IN CHICAGO…Geovany Soto of the Cubs has proven ready for the job (.345 BA, 6 HR, 25 RBI). He’s a late bloomer and the Puerto Rican continues the trend of catchers coming from Latin and Caribbean countries.
4. DOES SPEED EQUAL RUNS? The eternal question (often addressed by Bill James) is being tested by San Francisco. And James would agree with the answer provided by the Giants, who lead the NL in stolen bases and are last in runs scored.
5. HOW MUCH SEASONING DOES A YOUNG ARM NEED? Colorado’s top pick in the 2006 draft, Greg Reynolds, makes his major league debut Sunday. Hurt much of last year, Reynolds has all of 133 innings of professional baseball experience.
