Mlb

The Twinkies seem solid.  The 10 year life shelf of real Twinkies in the grocery store doesn’t work with our ball club.  They flash good and bad at anytime.  They might make on the shelf for about 2 days then implode.  Yet with 10 runs they are undefeated.  

Continue reading "Minnesota Twin's Joe Nathan & Jason ..."

Minnesota Twins Shortstop Nick Punto provides relief to his team injured.  Thank Manager Gardenhire for deciding to stop the bleeding.  There hasn’t been progress this season for Nick Punto.  He is batting his worst AVG ever and holds one of the worst On Base Percentages in MLB.  

Continue reading "Drop Nick Punto & Keep Alexi Casilla"

Just a week or so ago I realized that some players would be leaving camp soon to go play for their respective countries in the World Baseball Classic. Is that really neccessary? To interrupt their spring training? True, they are going to get in shape because they are going to play whether they go play for their countries or stay in camp. But they are not playing with their own teammates, the guys that they will be around all season. I think that's one of those intangibles that many people overlook but nonetheless is important.

Continue reading "Thoughts on the WBC"

I was sick to my stomach when i heard we had the deal between us and the texans became final and that we had landed sage rosenfels to compete with T-jack. After we lost to philly in the playoffs and childress said he wanted to bring in a person to compete with jackson, i thought he was just saying that to make jackson feel like he still was in the running. And i assumed that they would bring in a real quaterback such Cassel, Garcia, Warner, or a Leftwhich to run the team next year. But turns out Chilly wasnt lying he did get a guy that would compete at the same level of Jackson, which isnt saying much.

Continue reading "Sage is not our savior"

One of the free agent names that is still looking for a job this season is 11 time gold glove winner Omar Vizquel. I started thinking if he would be a fit with the Reds and thought why not? Right now there's still uncertainty whether Gonzalez will be able to start the season healthy, and I'm just not sold on Hairston as an everyday shortstop right now. Vizquel played 92 games with the Giants last year, a part time role, and I think he could do the same very well in Cincinnati. Start the season as the everyday guy until Gonzalez gets back and then play the role of defensive replacement or fill in when Alex needs a day off (which might be good to have since he's coming off the injury). Basically he would be insurance...a very good defensive insurance. His hitting has gone down in recent years, but he was never known as a hitter to start with. He reminds me of someone we carried for a few years named Juan Castro, anyone remember him?

Continue reading "could another piece to the Reds puzzle be Vizquel?"

Of course, you know that the topic had to come up with all of the spending that the Yankees are doing. They have spent 442 million for 4 players, as opposed to the other 29 teams spending 491 million for 58. First of all, that's just a ridiculus amount of money to spend on anything. But aren't the Yankees getting a little out of hand with this spending?

Continue reading "The most discussed topic in baseball: ..."

Speculation over at www.mlbtr.com (quickly becoming one of my favorite websites) has the top 20 free agents left and the most possible suitor for them. Included in the list was Bobby Abreu (easily in the top 20) coming to Cincinnati. Right away I was thinking "how would this work?" He's really not exactly what the team is looking for, or needs, but if you were going to pick from what's left he's gotta be looking pretty good. Not so many years ago he was considered a great player, and he's been putting up average numbers over the past couple years. I've never heard much about his defense but I don't think he'd be any worse than what we threw out there before. The only problem I can think of is that if signed then that would mean a middle of the lineup featuring Bruce, Votto, Abreu, and Philips. Signing him would not help with what we struggled with last year (left handed pitching) but would certainly make this team better. And I really don't see much else out there that have a chance of coming to the Reds that would improve the offense that much. MAYBE Ty Wiggington but I'm not convinced he would make the team that much better. Any thoughts on what else Abreu would bring to this lineup?

Continue reading "Bobby Abreu? coming to Cincinnati?"

http://hotstove.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/01/hairston_returning_to_reds.html 

It's being reported in the hot stove blog that the Reds have re-signed Jerry Hairston Jr. And from the first news coming out about the contract it sounds like a very good deal as well, only $2 million guaranteed, with up to $4 million in incentives. From what I was hearing it sounded like he would take no less than $4 million guaranteed. The article mentioned that he is expected to be the starting shortstop since Alex Gonzalez is scheduled to be out for another year (chalk that one up to a bad contract; we paid him two years to do nothing).

Continue reading "Hairston returns to Reds"

While reading columns about the Reds that I frequent (Hal McCoy's blog and the official Reds web site) I saw two articles about the same thing, the Reds moves this offseason. One was very negative (McCoy) while Mark Sheldon, writer for the Reds website, was looking at the positive side of things. To glance at the moves the Reds have made wouldn't shock anybody, even though I think they did sign some key players to fill needs. McCoy ( http://www.daytondailynews.com/o/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/cincinnatireds/) says that much more needs to be done, and that they haven't done enough to move out of 5th place. I hate to do it, but I'm gonna disagree with you here.

Continue reading "A look at the NL central"

In a story on ESPN.com this afternoon ( http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3807591) it was said that the Reds have expressed interest in Andruw jones. What?! I would have to seriously question the sanity of management if they made that deal. Yes, he is a right handed outfielder...but last year he hit .158 with 3 home runs and 14 RBI. Not to mention that he is overpaid. He made $14 million last year for those stats. $14 MILLION! He was set to make $15 million in 2009, but that deal was restructured to make him easier to move. He will still make that $15 million but it will be spread out over 6 seasons now. The Reds were mentioned as well as the Braves and Mets as having interest. He is a 10 time gold glover and would provide most likely provide some defense that is needed, but I think giving up anything at all for him is a mistake.

Continue reading "Andruw Jones rumors"

Yes, I know I'm late to the party with this one, writing about something that happened last week. But I figured I'd throw my two cents out there since the news about the financial details just came out today. It turns out thathe two year deal is only worth $6.25 million: $2.25 in 2009 and $4 million in 2010. If he does here what he is capable of doing then I think that's a pretty good signing.

Continue reading "Thoughts on the Willy Taveras signing"

I was just sitting here watching the Holiday bowl (I’m rooting for the Ducks by the way - Can’t get much more intimidating than that) and my mind drifted (as it sometimes does) to the Reds starting rotation for 2009. And the thought hit me: I’m not as nervous about the pitching as I have been in recent years. Now, in the era since I started following the Reds I’ve been introduced to the likes of Greg Vaughn, Dante Bichette, Ken Griffey Jr, and Adam Dunn, among other prolific hitters. Never in recent memory have the Reds had a pitching staff that is shaping up to be as good as what they have for 2009. I’m not saying that they will be as dominating as the Yankees look like they will be with CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett. But they will most definitely be better.

Continue reading "The starting 5"

I want to apologize in advance to the seven loyal Rays fans that were out there before this playoff run.  You guys/gals like myself (Royals fan) are long suffering fans of a moribund franchise until this season.  God bless you and I hope your team does well.

Continue reading "Needs More Cowbell"

My prayers have been answered.  The Boston Red Sox are not in the World Series.  I cannot tell you how happy I am that they lost to the Rays.  I am sick of the Sox fan.  You've had 5 years of winning and 86 years of losing, and you've become more annoying than the Yankee fan.  At least the Yankees have a real tradition of winning.  Show some humility and admit that the Rays were the better team.  It was great to see the Rays win game 7.  They really deserved it.  Aside from the collapse in game 5 they really played great baseball.  Hitting, pitching, and defense were all there. The worst to first season continues into the World Series. 

Continue reading "Goodbye Red Sox"

            A few minutes before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday afternoon, Jerry Jones pulled off a blockbuster deal for WR Roy Williams of the Detroit Lions.  Yes, I said “blockbuster”!  Keep in mind that trades are very rare in the NFL…especially at the trade deadline!  The Cowboys gave Detroit a 1st, a 3rd, and a 6th round draft choice.  In return the Cowboys received Roy Williams and Detroit’s 7th rounder.  Did Jerry overpay?  Did Jerry panic?  That would be NO and NO!

Continue reading "The Real Roy Williams"

Well it seems as though the "Devil" in Devil Rays has officially been exorcised.  The Rays win their first playoff game in franchise history on the shoulders of rookie Evan Longoria.

Continue reading "A Little Bit Of H-Evan"

Continue reading "Brewers Hot, Mets Not!"

 HOUSTON DEFEATS CUBS 5-3 ON A CARLOS LEE HOME RUN AS HOUSTON TAKES SERIES

After the Cubs went 8-2 on their latest home stand which made their record at home 19-8, it seems as if they forgot how to play anywhere else.  After losing to the Astros 5-3 and losing the series, the Cubs find themselves 9-11 away from the friendly Confines.  If a team wants to find themselves in the post-season, they need to win the big games on the road.  In a series that had playoff atmosphere, both teams were out to make statements.  The Astros were louder than the Cubs according to Shawn Chaccon, who got the decision in the victory.  "One message the Cubs might get out of it is, 'We're here. We're here to compete. We're going to battle,'" Chacon said. "'It's not the team it was last year. Basically, it's going to be a tough team to beat the whole year.'"

Continue reading "After winning at home, Cubs continue ..."

After the Cubs had one of their best records in April in 1969, the start of May is starting to resemble the collapse towards of the season in 1969.  In one their toughest weeks this season, nothing looked pretty as the Cubs just won two out six against there NL Central rivals the Brewers and the Cardinals.  In a week that could have seperated them from everyone else in the divison, the Cubs are now looking up towards the Cardinals who now have a 1 1/2 lead over the Cubs.  Lets quickly recap this horrible week the Cubs have endured.

Continue reading "Rough Week for Cubs spells Rough Road Ahead"

  Chicago Cubs pitcher Jason Marquis is competing for the final two spots in the starting rotation.  If he does not make the rotation, he would probably end up in bullpen.  In his first start during spring training he went 2 innings, gave up 2 runs, both earned, along with 3 hits.  However, it wasn't his arm that hurt his chances of winning a spot in the rotation.  Rather it was his mouth.  Jason Marquis does not feel he should be competing for a starting job.  He said he signed as a Cub because he thought he would be guaranteed a starter every year.  "That's my ultimate goal, that's how I think I help the team the most. Obviously, we'll see what happens when it's time for them to make their decision," Marquis told reporters.  Marquis was asked how he would feel if he did not make the rotation and ended up in the bullpen. he replied, " As much as I want to be here in Chicago, and I love it, I love the fans and the stadium, I also have a family to worry about, too.  I could take my services elsewhere if that's the case, and I could help another team in that capacity as a starter. My value doesn't lie in the bullpen in my mind."

Continue reading "To Start or To Not to Start: Marquis Sounds off"

          It was as recent as 2004 where Roger Clemens was at top of his game.  It was his first year in the National League while playing for the Houston Astros.  He ended up going 18-4 and eventually went on to win the National League Cy Young Award.  How quickly can things can fall from grace.  In December 13, 2007, Clemens name was listed in the Mitchell Report, which alleged that he had used steroids and HGH during the 1998-2001 seasons.  Ever since those allegations, Clemens has been saying he was falsely accused with his lawyer Rusty Hardin backing him up.  Even under oath in front of federal investigators and the Supreme Court, he kept to his story that he never did take HGH or steroids.  What a horrible decision that would later be for him.

Continue reading "Legend of the Fall"

As we enter this new baseball season, there is nothing better to do than predict what will happen this year.  Below are my predictions of each divison of what the final standings will be.  I also posted what the playoff picture will be and who will be the World Series Champ

Continue reading "2008 Baseball Preview: Final Standings"

As spring training finally arriving, it marks the beginning of new bright season of baseball.  Fantasy baseball owners are scrambling on what player they should own and fans are wondering if their players will deliever for them.  Below I have picked the top players at each position for the American League, who will lead at what category, who will win the awards, and who are the flops.  Enjoy!1B Justin Morneau2B Robinson Cano3B Alex Rodriguez or Miguel CaberaSS Carlos GuillenC Joe MauerOF Tori HunterOF Grady SizemoreOF Magglio OrdonezUTIL David OrtizSP Josh BeckettSP John LackeySP Justin VerlanderCLOSER Jonathon Papelbon

Continue reading "2008 Major League Baseball Preview: ..."