Arizona, Tampa Bay hope to weather the hurt
Posted: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 11:18 PM
How do teams react to injury? Four cases to watch: Arizona has suffered a second-straight season-ending hand injury to Orlando Hudson. Last year the Diamondbacks scuffled ahead with Augie Ojeda. This year they immediately traded for Adam Dunn – who is not a second baseman but does supply a much-needed potent bat.
Tampa Bay has Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria on the DL. Longoria, who has a fractured right wrist, isn’t expected back until next month and Crawford might not play again in the regular season due to finger-tendon surgery. Veterans Cliff Floyd and Carlos Pena have shifted to the heart of the order and reserves Eric Hinske and Willy Aybar have plugged into the holes created by the injuries. Can the Rays keep winning without making a move?
Has there been a player in recent history as important to a pennant race as Longoria, who started the season in the minors? It was widely believed he was held back for the team to postpone his eventual free agency by one year. Now he may be the key to Tampa Bay’s surprising postseason hopes.
And how will those chasing Tampa Bay fare in their attempt to survive injuries to their rotation? Both the Yankees (Joba Chamberlain) and Red Sox (Tim Wakefield) have disabled starters.
Finally, Minnesota outfielder Michael Cuddyer has a broken foot. The Twins didn’t act at the deadline but will they try and add someone like Dunn? Remember their clubhouse was torn last year when Johan Santana and Torii Hunter reacted negatively to the team’s failure to add?
- Read a scout’s assessment that Adam Dunn had lost some of the athleticism that he featured in his early years. If that’s the case, it again gets me wondering why more players don’t look at Ichiro as a model. Diet, stretching and simple self-discipline can extend one’s effectiveness. Instead, we see too many bloated baseball players and I’m not referencing BALCO. I just wish more of an emphasis were placed on lean strength and less on bulk.
- And you still want to insist the All-Star Game determining World Series home field advantage is a good idea? Phillies closer Brad Lidge has had to deal with shoulder soreness that could be linked to his warming up at least half a dozen times before he finally pitched in the 15th inning of the Mid-Summer Classic. There should NEVER be any hint of injury to a player in an EXHIBITION game.
- Barry Bonds made his first public appearance of the year in San Francisco earlier this month. He said he’s not retired. Bonds continues to fulfill the pledge he made to Giants owner Peter Magowan two years ago that he would play out the 2007 season with the Giants and keep going. Those who know Bonds well believe his identity is completely tied into his playing career and that he basically has no other interests. My question: why hasn’t he gone to Japan where he could make tons of money and be treated as a foreign hero?
