Tagged: Baseball

C.J. Cron Goes Into Beast Mode


When the Angels drafted C.J. Cron with the 17 pick in the 2011 draft I was unsure of what they were going to get. If this kid can hit for power throughout the minors he could become their future DH. Right now he has 13 homers in 34 games this season in the Pioneer League.

If Cron can stay healthy which right now he is injured due to a dislocated knee cap, he could eventually become a top prospect in baseball.  In a game against Ogden Raptors he got his first 3 homer game on the season. Like I said before the key to him having a successful career is if he can stay healthy, because the bat is going to hit at all levels.  If he does reach the major league level the Angels have somewhat of a logjam at first with Mark Trumbo and the injured Kendry Morales occupying it already.

 

Cron reminds me a lot of Nolan Reimold who was often injured when he was in the Orioles minors, but he always put up solid numbers.  It may take him longer to get in the majors since he is injury prone. My only fear for him is what if he doesn’t overcome the injury bug he has been labeled with?

 

 

Recapping The Trade Deadline


Several teams made splashes during the trade deadline and some teams were just floating in the pond. There were a couple of surprises during the trading deadline with surprise teams picking up players. The Houston Astros began the rebuilding attempt by trading one of the best players at his position.

The first real big name player traded was closer Francisco Rodriguez to the Brewers for two player to be named later. The players the Mets get will probably be low level prospects with very little upside since this move was more of a salary dump. The Brewers were able to get rid of his vesting option that would have been activated, but they were able to work out a deal for him to waive it.

Colby Rasmus was sent off not too long after the Rodriguez deal. Rasmus went to the Blue Jays for Marc Rzepczynski, Octavio Dotel, Corey Patterson, Edwin Jackson, and 3 players to be named later. The Cardinals sent Rasmus, Trever Miller, Brian Tallet,and PJ Walters to the Jays. This was a horrible trade on the Cardinals part since Rasmus could become a great player with 20 home run power. Him getting help from his dad on hitting should have been a non-issue since you could probably ask most players and they would say they get help from their dad on hitting or anything else. I would call this a win for the Jays since they know have the center fielder of the future who is under control for many years.

The Mets made another move by trading Carlos Beltran to the Giants for top pitching prospect Zach Wheeler. The Giants were able to get their impact bat in Beltran and the Mets were able to get a possible top of the rotation starter going into the future. Granted with Wheeler only in High A he now has a chance to move up the ladder quicker with no one blocking him from reaching the majors.  The Mets got probably the best deal out of it they only gave up a 2 month rental in Beltran for the Giants top pitching prospects.

The Cubbies finally traded someone and that was Kosuke Fukudome to the Indians for RHP Carlton Smith and OF Abner Abreu.  Neither of the prospects will do much in the majors and Carlton Smith will have the best chance since he is already in Triple A. The Cubs had to have been one of the biggest losers at the trading deadline since they could have unloaded some players like Carlos Pena, Sean Marshall, or Aramis Ramirez.

The Tigers were able to solidify the starting rotation by acquiring Doug Fister from the M’s for INF Francisco Martinez, OF Casper Wells, and LHP Charlie Furbush. The Mariners got 2 major league ready players with one in double and the player to be named later has a chance to be 3rd baseman Nick Castellanos or a top prospect. Doug Fister had a 3.33 ERA in Seattle this season.

The Orioles sent Koji Uehara to the Rangers for RHP Tommy Hunter and 1b Chris Davis. Davis is the big key in the deal if he can put together what he has done in the minors he could be a 30 to 40 home run player at Camden Yards. This was a good deal for both sides since the Rangers got another quality reliever to help the struggling Neftali Feliz and the Orioles got 2 players who filled positions they needed.

The Rangers were also able to acquire the Padre’s set-up man Mike Adams for Robbie Erlin and Joe Wieland both pitchers. I guess the Rangers liked the fact that Adams was under control for more years than Bell and the price was probably higher for Heath Bell since he was a free agent at the end of the season. Now that the Rangers have 2 very good set-up men they now have made sure they have no holes in the bull pen. Both Erlin and Wieland are in Doubla and they could possibly be up in the majors as early as late 2012.

The Indians were able to acquire Ubaldo Jimenez for RHP Alex White, LHP Drew Pomeranz, RHP Joe Gardner, and utility player Matt McBride.  I loved the haul the Rockies got for Jimenez since it fills rotation holes and it gives them a possible first baseman in Matt McBride. The real questions will be how will Jimenez adjust to the AL and will he regain his dominance he had in 2010.

The Phillies were able to acquire Hunter Pence for 1b/of Jonathan Singleton, pitcher Jared Cosart, and Josh Zeid. I thought that the Phillies were able to get Pence for a cheaper price than what they could had.  Pence was an All Star right fielder and they didn’t get anyone in the trade that you could plug into the majors right this minute. If you want to compare trades the Padres got 2 starting pitchers for a set up man, and those pitchers are in double a right now while these three players the Astros got won’t be there until 2013 at least.

One of the deals that might not get noticed all that much is the Michael Bourn deal that sent him to Atlanta. The Astro’s were able to get CF Jordan Schafer, LHP Brent Olberholtzen, RHP Juan Abreu, and RHP Paul Clemens. The Braves got exactly what they wanted in Bourn since he can be a quality lead off hitter and can steal bases. I’m not exactly sure how to grade the deal since I’m not exactly familiar with Olberholtzen, Abreu, or Clemens, but I thought the Astro’s could have at least gotten Randall Delgado in the deal.

Erik Bedard was sent off from Seattle in a three way deal that also involved the LA Dodgers. Seattle sent Bedard and Josh Fields to the Red Sox while the Sox sent Trayvon Robinson and Chih-Hsien Chang to Seattle and the Dodgers got Tim Federowicz, RHP Juan Rodriguez, and Stephen Fife.

All in all it was good trade deadline, but it was much slower than usual.

Was It Jeremy Guthrie’s Last Start For the O’s


On a hot and humid day, Guthrie took the mound for the O’s which was expected to be his last start for them. He did quite well going 7 innings and only giving up 3 runs. The Orioles couldn’t have asked for anything better, since it gave them a chance to win, but since the bull pen is one of the worst he had no chance to win the game or even get a no-decision.

Several players from both teams were visibly upset at the home plate umpire including Guthrie since the ump really didn’t have a definitive strike zone. Here is the tweet he sent out not to long after the game was final, ” I was really angry all day on mound 2day. Pretty good chance I’m asked to speculate on things I don’t control in my interview, stay tuned.” He leads the league in losses at 14 and on the year he only has 4 wins with a low 4 ERA.

He needs to be dealt asap for offense and starting pitching/bullpen help. The Cardinals who just jumped in on Guthrie and the Tigers who have been rumored to trade for him have pitchers in their system that could help the Orioles. Jordan Swagerty could possibly be included in a deal since he profiles to be a future middle reliever with closer potential which is something the Orioles need. The Orioles may ask for Casper Wells if they decide to deal with the Tigers since he can play left field which is something they need help with and fast.

Here is the post-game interview he had.

http://www.masnsports.com/index_medialounge.php?show_id=675345

Trade Deadline Buyers And Sellers


With the trade deadline approaching lets look at who will add players and who will attempt to get better with prospects.

Buyers:

Milwaukee Brewers:  With the addition of Francisco Rodriguez the Brew Crew are trying to make an effort to bolster a rather poor bull pen. Rumors have already come out stating the Brewers are looking at SS and 3b options. They can’t go after any big name players since their minor league system is becoming empty and fast.

Some like a Jeff Keppinger, Rafael Furcal, or if they get desperate Edwin Encarnacion is someone they might go after.

New York Yankees: If they aren’t buyers at the deadline, it’s because they are having a really bad season. The Yankees should be looking into starting pitching and bull-pen help.  JC Romero is going to opt out of his minor league deal with the Nationals to sign with the Yankees. Rumors have been floating around about Ubaldo Jimenez, but the Yankees would up giving at least 3 to 4 prospects.  Most teams would ask for Jesus Montero, Delin Bentaces, or Manny Banuelos in any deal involving quality pitchers.

Boston Red Sox:  This injury plagued team has to find players to fill the role in the outfield and back of the rotation starters. A Jeremy Guthrie esque starter would be perfect for Boston, because he is an innings eater and gives you a low era pitcher as well. The Red Sox need to find a way to get rid of JD Drew even if it’s for a low prospect or just cash. Hunter Pence has been rumored to go to Boston, but the Astros would most likely want a package around Jose Iglesias, Bryce Brentz, and 1 pitching prospect.

In Betweeners:

Pittsburgh Pirates: I am really confused on this team right now, because they are competing with the Brewers and the rest of the NL Central. The offense is what scares me for them, because it ranks either 20 or below in most categories. The need to find a bat to fill SS and 3b if they want to compete the whole year. Casey Mcgehee is someone they might consider since he is having a down year, so he could most likely be had for a top 20 prospect plus a low A ball player.

Colorado Rockies: The Rockies need bull pen help and bad. I could see them going after a Koji Uehara from the Orioles or they could go after a triple A arm that is  putting up a quality season. Fransisco Rodriguez made sense for the Rockies to aquire, because he would have been another set up man or closer and they could push Rafael Betancourt into a lesser role. Since Rodriguez was acquired by the Brewers the Rockies need to look into players who are having good season on a bad team.

Sellers :

San Diego Padres: This team is one of the most intriguing team in terms of pitchers available. Mike Adams is available, but the Padres have stated they want an elite prospect. Aaron Harang is most likely available and he will probably only cost 1 or 2 B+ prospects in any trade. Heath Bell is one of the most intriguing players on the market, but teams will most likely have to give up 4 quality players. Since the Padres have so many good pitchers they probably want offensive prospects.

Houston Astros: This team really doesn’t have that much they can offer in trades. Hunter Pence has already been on the radar of many contending teams.  Wandy Rodriguez could be traded, but the Astros would most likely want 2 quality prospects plus a player in low a ball.

Baltimore Orioles: When the season began the thoughts around bird land was that they could reach .500 for the first time in over 14 years. Vladimir Guerrero could intrigue some teams in trades most likely AL teams. He can’t play the field and isn’t really having that good of a season either so he could probably be had quite easily. Luke Scott is currently on the DL, but he can come off in a couple of days. He could intrigue some middle of the pack or contending teams that need outfield/ first base help.  Jeremy Guthrie should get traded, but he will probably yield the biggest return in anyone the Orioles can offer.

If you think anyone can be a buyer or seller let me know.