Mr Sheffield:
You are the weakest link, goodbye
The tribe has spoken
You're fired
There is a red tag in your locker
You've been chopped
You are no longer in the running to become America's next top model
You are out
Its not you, its me
I think we should see other people
However you want to say it, the Tigers no longer employ Gary Sheffield. And I, for one, could not be happier. I know he is sitting on 499 home runs. I know he is probably the most patient hitter in the lineup. I know he has hit everywhere he has been. Call it a gut feeling, this guy is bad news. I hated the move when they traded for him. I talked myself into the mindset of, "I am glad they did something after losing the WS and not just standing pat. I am sure he will take walks and help the lineup." However I never got over the following, he can hit, but he's trouble. Sheffield clogs up the DH spot because he is such a liability in the outfield. He hit .220 last year and complained about having to DH.
I love, love, love this move. Bad clubhouse guy, gone. Clog at DH gone. Now Leyland can give Maggs, Guillen, Cabrera, and Thames days to rest at DH. Newly acquire Josh Anderson can be speed off the bench.
To me this is the textbook addition by subtraction.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
09' NL preview
Here is your eagerly awaited 2009 Norunsupport NL preview.
NL East - Atlanta Braves
I tried not to pick the Braves. I tried to realistic about Chipper's health and Fanceour's declining stats. I tried to tell myself they don't have a true leadoff hitter. At the end of the day, it comes down to the arms. The Mets ace is hurting. The Phillies ace is hurting. Derek Lowe is throwing out of his mind. The Braves also have a wonderful mid-season pickup built in with a mid-summer return for Tim Hudson. Case closed.
NL Central - St Louis Cardinals
I don't love anybody in this division and yet I don't hate anyone either. The Cardinals somehow were in contention last year with Carpetner still out and Pujols missing some time. I think with a full season from Pujols and the development of the young arms and bats, the Red Birds could be flying in October. I think the Brewers are due for a step back and the Reds and Astros aren't quite there yet. And finally, the Pirates and Cubs are... well the Pirates and Cubs.
NL West - Arizona Diamondbacks
I can't be the only one envisioning Manny having a "hamstring injury" sidelining him for months at a time? I am also entrigued by the Giants pitching, but at the end of the day I have to go with the Snakes. They fell apart last year but I think the young bats are seasoned and ready to strike.
NL Wild Card - San Fansisco Giants
As long as they can close out 2-1 victories all season that pitching staff will carry them. They have great arms 1-5 and should hit just enough to fill Pac Bell in October.
NL East - Atlanta Braves
I tried not to pick the Braves. I tried to realistic about Chipper's health and Fanceour's declining stats. I tried to tell myself they don't have a true leadoff hitter. At the end of the day, it comes down to the arms. The Mets ace is hurting. The Phillies ace is hurting. Derek Lowe is throwing out of his mind. The Braves also have a wonderful mid-season pickup built in with a mid-summer return for Tim Hudson. Case closed.
NL Central - St Louis Cardinals
I don't love anybody in this division and yet I don't hate anyone either. The Cardinals somehow were in contention last year with Carpetner still out and Pujols missing some time. I think with a full season from Pujols and the development of the young arms and bats, the Red Birds could be flying in October. I think the Brewers are due for a step back and the Reds and Astros aren't quite there yet. And finally, the Pirates and Cubs are... well the Pirates and Cubs.
NL West - Arizona Diamondbacks
I can't be the only one envisioning Manny having a "hamstring injury" sidelining him for months at a time? I am also entrigued by the Giants pitching, but at the end of the day I have to go with the Snakes. They fell apart last year but I think the young bats are seasoned and ready to strike.
NL Wild Card - San Fansisco Giants
As long as they can close out 2-1 victories all season that pitching staff will carry them. They have great arms 1-5 and should hit just enough to fill Pac Bell in October.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Daily Hilarity
NL preview is coming soon. Until then enjoy this online chat:
Via: bless you boys
I can't express how much I love the screen name OhComeLetUsOrdonez - it may become my new fantasy team name.
Via: bless you boys
I can't express how much I love the screen name OhComeLetUsOrdonez - it may become my new fantasy team name.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Predictions for the 2009 MLB season (part 1)
I really enjoy reading others predictions before upcoming seasons, but not nearly as much as I enjoy reading predictions after the season to see how completely wrong they were. I am no exception; in 2008 I stated that the Rays were an overblown pick. Amazingly enough I also called out the Arizona Cardinals for being an overblown trendy pick. Wow. I apologize. All I can say is that was my second post ever and I hope that this year’s predictions go bit better.
Division Winners:
AL East – Yankees – I doubt Mike Lowell and David Ortiz’s health a lot more than A-rod’s and the Rays seem primed for a WS hangover.
AL Central – Indians – Bounce back years for Pronk, and Victor fill out an impressive lineup. Cliff Lee is bound to come back to earth, but Carmona is bound to be better. I am not sold on Detroit or Chicago and if Mauer is really hurt the Twins can just pack it in.
AL West – A’s – This is a bit of a default pick. I am not sold on any of these teams. But I do like the additions of Giambi and Holliday – a 2009 Bash-Brothers.
Wild Card –Tigers – Complete ‘homer’ pick. I am counting on Leyland leading the Motor City Kitties into October
ALDS:
Indians over Yankees
Tigers over A’s
ALCS:
Tigers over Indians
AL MVP: Grady Sizemore
AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez
AL ROY: Rick Porcello
NL to come later this week.
Division Winners:
AL East – Yankees – I doubt Mike Lowell and David Ortiz’s health a lot more than A-rod’s and the Rays seem primed for a WS hangover.
AL Central – Indians – Bounce back years for Pronk, and Victor fill out an impressive lineup. Cliff Lee is bound to come back to earth, but Carmona is bound to be better. I am not sold on Detroit or Chicago and if Mauer is really hurt the Twins can just pack it in.
AL West – A’s – This is a bit of a default pick. I am not sold on any of these teams. But I do like the additions of Giambi and Holliday – a 2009 Bash-Brothers.
Wild Card –Tigers – Complete ‘homer’ pick. I am counting on Leyland leading the Motor City Kitties into October
ALDS:
Indians over Yankees
Tigers over A’s
ALCS:
Tigers over Indians
AL MVP: Grady Sizemore
AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez
AL ROY: Rick Porcello
NL to come later this week.
Friday, March 6, 2009
I can't be the only one to see this...
On my commute to work this morning I started to see the parallels between Joba Chamberlain and Devin Hester. I am certain I am not the first person to make this comparison. If anyone knows of an earlier comparison leave it in the comments so I can give proper credit.
Here's are the parallels
1. Devin Hester - Chicago Bears. Three years ago he was one of the most exciting kick returners in the history of the NFL. He broke off long returns. He had multiple kick returns for touchdowns. He was in the pro-bowl. He opened the Super bowl with a kick returned for a TD. Teams had to change their game plan when playing the Bears. No one wanted to kick to this guy. He was a special teams game changer. Then the Bears got greedy. They took the best kick returner in the game, some say ever, and forced him into a roll as a wide receiver. In 2007 he was a part-time receive and part-time kick returner. The results were mixed. Then last year he served as a more featured receiver. He went from 20 receptions to 50. However, his return yards went from over 600 to just under 200. Congratulations Bears you took the best kick returner in the game and now you have a very average receiver.
2. Joba Chamberlain - New York Yankees. Two years ago the Yanks brought up a young flame thrower named Joba. He slid into the 8th inning role bridging the gap between Mariano Rivera and the starting pitchers. He was unreal. I hate the Yanks, but this guys was lights out. People will remember him for locust night in the playoffs at Jacob's field, but he was a great great reliever for a rookie. He became the heir apparent to Rivera. Then in 2007 Hank Steinbrenner decides Joba should be the starter. Since Hank had run Joe Torre out of town, he had some pull over his manager Joe Girardi. Girardi caved and the Yankees converted Joba into a starting pitcher. As a starter Joba showed some promise. An ERA under 3, but he averaged under 6 innings. To make matters worse he became injured due to the increased work load. This year Joba is projected at the 5th starter for the Yankees. The Yanks bought Burnett and CC. The have Wang and Pettite following. And they have Phil Hughes, who they refused to trade for Johan Santana, ready in the minors. To me, this is just like the Hester situation. They have taken a guy, who was a dominant reliever, and made him the 5th starter on their team. They have gotten greedy and I think its going to blow up in their face.
Which scenario do you think is more likely in 2009? 1. Joba is lights out, wins 20 games and a Cy Young award.
2. Joba is solid if not flashy. Can pitch 5-7 innings a game. Has a record of 15-10 or so. And Rivera, who is 39, gets hurt and now this billion dollar rotation has Demasco Marte closing games.
Here's are the parallels
1. Devin Hester - Chicago Bears. Three years ago he was one of the most exciting kick returners in the history of the NFL. He broke off long returns. He had multiple kick returns for touchdowns. He was in the pro-bowl. He opened the Super bowl with a kick returned for a TD. Teams had to change their game plan when playing the Bears. No one wanted to kick to this guy. He was a special teams game changer. Then the Bears got greedy. They took the best kick returner in the game, some say ever, and forced him into a roll as a wide receiver. In 2007 he was a part-time receive and part-time kick returner. The results were mixed. Then last year he served as a more featured receiver. He went from 20 receptions to 50. However, his return yards went from over 600 to just under 200. Congratulations Bears you took the best kick returner in the game and now you have a very average receiver.
2. Joba Chamberlain - New York Yankees. Two years ago the Yanks brought up a young flame thrower named Joba. He slid into the 8th inning role bridging the gap between Mariano Rivera and the starting pitchers. He was unreal. I hate the Yanks, but this guys was lights out. People will remember him for locust night in the playoffs at Jacob's field, but he was a great great reliever for a rookie. He became the heir apparent to Rivera. Then in 2007 Hank Steinbrenner decides Joba should be the starter. Since Hank had run Joe Torre out of town, he had some pull over his manager Joe Girardi. Girardi caved and the Yankees converted Joba into a starting pitcher. As a starter Joba showed some promise. An ERA under 3, but he averaged under 6 innings. To make matters worse he became injured due to the increased work load. This year Joba is projected at the 5th starter for the Yankees. The Yanks bought Burnett and CC. The have Wang and Pettite following. And they have Phil Hughes, who they refused to trade for Johan Santana, ready in the minors. To me, this is just like the Hester situation. They have taken a guy, who was a dominant reliever, and made him the 5th starter on their team. They have gotten greedy and I think its going to blow up in their face.
Which scenario do you think is more likely in 2009? 1. Joba is lights out, wins 20 games and a Cy Young award.
2. Joba is solid if not flashy. Can pitch 5-7 innings a game. Has a record of 15-10 or so. And Rivera, who is 39, gets hurt and now this billion dollar rotation has Demasco Marte closing games.
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