A lot of times, when people make predictions in sports, they dismiss health as a contributing factor to a team's season or chances to win.
I was guilty of this just last week with the St. Louis Cardinals.
A once promising season for the Cards, at least in my mind, now looks very bleak, as ace Adam Wainwright will require season-ending surgery on his throwing elbow. This is a huge blow to the Cards, who lose a player that has been the anchor of their rotation for the last three years. It also impacts the Cardinals' chances to win the division significantly. I would argue that the loss of Wainwright is almost as devastating as the hypothetical loss of Albert Pujols for the season. He's simply that good.
It's truly amazing to reflect on the significance one major injury can have on the entire scheme of a baseball season. Now, the NL Central is wide open. Cincinnati will come back strong again in 2011. The Cubs and Brewers are both much improved. And the Cardinals should still put together a winning season, even without Wainwright. They can thank the division they play in for that. I don't see the winner of the NL Central this year getting any more than 88 wins, but I feel like all the teams mentioned above are capable of reaching that mark. If a team like Milwaukee can sneak in to the playoffs, with an offense like theirs and a rotation that now includes Zach Greinke and Shaun Marcum, it would make for a very interesting playoff dynamic, even if only because there would be fresh blood in the mix. Cincinnati did this last year and got outright mauled by the Phillies, but I really believe the 2011 Brewers would put up more of a fight. I think they're a team to keep your eye on now that the Cardinals no longer hold the high ground.
With all NL Central teams now mired in mediocrity, who knows? We may actually see some halfway-exciting baseball out of that division this season. Just not from the Pirates, of course.
February 27, 2011
February 20, 2011
Young's Relationship with Rangers not Symbiotic
I really don't think the Texas Rangers know what they have in Michael Young.
For ten major league seasons, Young has quietly built an impressive career with the Rangers. He's never been an overpowering personality, never craved the spotlight, never allowed his ego to drown his on-field performance. He's simply gone about his business, the business of playing professional baseball, and he's done so with remarkable class and dignity.
Too bad the Rangers are not reciprocating here in 2011.
After all Michael Young has done for the franchise, and what he means to it, you would think the Rangers would extend Young the same professionalism they have been beneficiaries of the last ten years. Apparently not. Instead, they take advantage of his accommodating personality and team-player attitude and switch his position three times in eight years. Then they sign Adrian Beltre this offseason, surely a slap in the face to Young and his talents, and mislead him about the team's intentions. And finally, when Young rightfully requests a trade following these managerial decisions, they vilify him and refuse to comply with his wishes. Michael Young doesn't deserve this treatment. A man of his character and stature commands much more respect than what the Rangers are giving him. Defending American League Champions or not, the Rangers have no rights to entitlement here. I'm not sure what general manager Jon Daniels is up to over there in Texas, but whatever he's doing, it's classless and just plain irrational, at least when it comes to Young.
But have you noticed the way Young is reacting? Where some would throw hissy fits and have public arguments with management and cause a huge distraction for the team, Young has quietly slid back into his baseball routine, and done his duty. He's shown up for training camp on time. He's made it clear he won't be a distraction. He's focused on winning again in 2011. Key word? Quietly. And that is what makes Young the professional he is, the kind of player that nowadays is as rare as a winning lottery ticket. No games. No whining. No cowering behind the media. Just business. Just baseball. Just further evidence that the Rangers have lost sight of what they have. Young deserves to play every day, and not be platooned as a DH or demoted to a utility man. He's earned it, and if the Rangers can't pony up the role, the least they could do is move him to a team who can. Simple symbiosis. The Ranger organization has leeched Young long enough. It's time they gave something back.
For ten major league seasons, Young has quietly built an impressive career with the Rangers. He's never been an overpowering personality, never craved the spotlight, never allowed his ego to drown his on-field performance. He's simply gone about his business, the business of playing professional baseball, and he's done so with remarkable class and dignity.
Too bad the Rangers are not reciprocating here in 2011.
After all Michael Young has done for the franchise, and what he means to it, you would think the Rangers would extend Young the same professionalism they have been beneficiaries of the last ten years. Apparently not. Instead, they take advantage of his accommodating personality and team-player attitude and switch his position three times in eight years. Then they sign Adrian Beltre this offseason, surely a slap in the face to Young and his talents, and mislead him about the team's intentions. And finally, when Young rightfully requests a trade following these managerial decisions, they vilify him and refuse to comply with his wishes. Michael Young doesn't deserve this treatment. A man of his character and stature commands much more respect than what the Rangers are giving him. Defending American League Champions or not, the Rangers have no rights to entitlement here. I'm not sure what general manager Jon Daniels is up to over there in Texas, but whatever he's doing, it's classless and just plain irrational, at least when it comes to Young.
But have you noticed the way Young is reacting? Where some would throw hissy fits and have public arguments with management and cause a huge distraction for the team, Young has quietly slid back into his baseball routine, and done his duty. He's shown up for training camp on time. He's made it clear he won't be a distraction. He's focused on winning again in 2011. Key word? Quietly. And that is what makes Young the professional he is, the kind of player that nowadays is as rare as a winning lottery ticket. No games. No whining. No cowering behind the media. Just business. Just baseball. Just further evidence that the Rangers have lost sight of what they have. Young deserves to play every day, and not be platooned as a DH or demoted to a utility man. He's earned it, and if the Rangers can't pony up the role, the least they could do is move him to a team who can. Simple symbiosis. The Ranger organization has leeched Young long enough. It's time they gave something back.
February 17, 2011
Cards, Pujols Digging In
Today, Albert Pujols walked into training camp without a contract extension. Do I have a problem with this? Absolutely not.
The Cardinals are smart not to give in to the little voice of the fan in their heads, telling them to pay Pujols what he wants. Pujols is smart not to settle for what the Cardinals may be offering as a result of them not giving in. Obviously, whatever offer has been made is not what Pujols is looking for, but both sides are playing this as they should.
There is no question that Albert Pujols has been the greatest player in baseball for the past decade. The numbers and the production are irrefutable. This is exactly why Pujols needs to test the market. If the Cardinals are not willing to pony up the cash to sign Pujols to a huge deal, then somebody else will be. There are teams that are that desperate, teams that would jump at grabbing the best player in the game no matter what the cost. Pujols has done his job, and in fact, has gone above and beyond in doing it, so it's safe to say the man has earned his paycheck, as well as a significant raise.
But how much of a raise? Enough to make him the highest paid player in baseball? I believe not. Dollar values on contracts should not be indicative of a player's performance. A contract that size would be based solely on what Pujols has done to this point, without taking into consideration what he will do. It's careless and impulsive. This is exactly why the Cardinals need to be patient. No player is worth $30 million. In fact, if you ask me, no player is even worth $20 million. I think the contracts for players like Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Joe Mauer, Cliff Lee, and others are outrageous. Pujols should not be looped into this category, but he undoubtedly will be. No matter what is decided between the two sides, Pujols will be overpaid when he gets his new contract, just like the aforementioned players were overpaid. It's just a matter of how much. And that's why I don't have a problem with him not having an extension right now. If teams are smart and wait him out, the price will come down. It's simple. The Cardinals realize this, and have acted accordingly.
I don't take sides here because I think both sides are handling this as they need to, given the arguments and the circumstances. But you know who really benefits from all this? The St. Louis Cardinals, on the field. Why? Because in 2011, Albert Pujols may have his best season yet. That's a scary thought, considering what he's already shown us he can do. If you're skeptical, just think about Pujols' motivations: a championship-caliber team; a chip on his shoulder from getting shunned by the Cards before this latest deadline; a burden to prove yet again what he thinks he's worth, both during the regular season and in the playoffs; a potential huge contract in free agency. Are you kidding me? If you're any other team in the NL Central right now, you can't be liking the fact that Pujols isn't signing on the dotted line yet. He will continue to dazzle in 2011, and will bring the Cards another division championship. But the price tag.....
The Cardinals are smart not to give in to the little voice of the fan in their heads, telling them to pay Pujols what he wants. Pujols is smart not to settle for what the Cardinals may be offering as a result of them not giving in. Obviously, whatever offer has been made is not what Pujols is looking for, but both sides are playing this as they should.
There is no question that Albert Pujols has been the greatest player in baseball for the past decade. The numbers and the production are irrefutable. This is exactly why Pujols needs to test the market. If the Cardinals are not willing to pony up the cash to sign Pujols to a huge deal, then somebody else will be. There are teams that are that desperate, teams that would jump at grabbing the best player in the game no matter what the cost. Pujols has done his job, and in fact, has gone above and beyond in doing it, so it's safe to say the man has earned his paycheck, as well as a significant raise.
But how much of a raise? Enough to make him the highest paid player in baseball? I believe not. Dollar values on contracts should not be indicative of a player's performance. A contract that size would be based solely on what Pujols has done to this point, without taking into consideration what he will do. It's careless and impulsive. This is exactly why the Cardinals need to be patient. No player is worth $30 million. In fact, if you ask me, no player is even worth $20 million. I think the contracts for players like Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Joe Mauer, Cliff Lee, and others are outrageous. Pujols should not be looped into this category, but he undoubtedly will be. No matter what is decided between the two sides, Pujols will be overpaid when he gets his new contract, just like the aforementioned players were overpaid. It's just a matter of how much. And that's why I don't have a problem with him not having an extension right now. If teams are smart and wait him out, the price will come down. It's simple. The Cardinals realize this, and have acted accordingly.
I don't take sides here because I think both sides are handling this as they need to, given the arguments and the circumstances. But you know who really benefits from all this? The St. Louis Cardinals, on the field. Why? Because in 2011, Albert Pujols may have his best season yet. That's a scary thought, considering what he's already shown us he can do. If you're skeptical, just think about Pujols' motivations: a championship-caliber team; a chip on his shoulder from getting shunned by the Cards before this latest deadline; a burden to prove yet again what he thinks he's worth, both during the regular season and in the playoffs; a potential huge contract in free agency. Are you kidding me? If you're any other team in the NL Central right now, you can't be liking the fact that Pujols isn't signing on the dotted line yet. He will continue to dazzle in 2011, and will bring the Cards another division championship. But the price tag.....
February 14, 2011
Baseball Makes for a Complete Valentine
Valentine's Day is generally perceived as an occasion where we let loved ones know just how we feel about them and how much they mean to us. While many have romantic dates and dozens of roses and delicious chocolates planned for tonight, I spend this Valentine's night offering tribute to one of the first loves of my life - the game of baseball.
And what a game it is. Baseball doesn't get enough love anymore, with the NFL growing as it is and our society steadily shifting pastimes towards the pigskin. People often question my love for baseball, as they would my love for a stripper if such a feeling existed. It's nonsensical to them, and why? Baseball is boring, they say. It is intolerable to watch on TV. There are too many games in a season. There isn't enough action.
These people are in love with the hot and flashy NFL, equivalent to a woman gorgeous on the outside but with no substance. Baseball may not have the looks the NFL does, but it has ten times the personality, and its inner beauty is what rings true when you come to know it as I have. To me, this is what matters, both metaphorically and in actuality. In baseball terms, its the mental wars waged in a 60-foot space between the pitcher and catcher; the chess game occurring between managers as runners reach base and bullpens are employed; the strategy present in each at-bat, which is so critical with only 27 outs to work with; the hundreds of statistics generated to evaluate a player's performance. These facets of baseball's inner beauty, hidden from those judging only the cover, are what lend the sport its radiance. Depth is the road to appreciation for this wonderful sport which, just today, rekindled its flames with pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training. Today, I celebrate my love for baseball, in all of its grandeur, inner or otherwise, and I implore you to do the same if you too are looking for the complete package this Valentine's Day. I wouldn't settle for anything less, and with baseball, I don't have to.
And what a game it is. Baseball doesn't get enough love anymore, with the NFL growing as it is and our society steadily shifting pastimes towards the pigskin. People often question my love for baseball, as they would my love for a stripper if such a feeling existed. It's nonsensical to them, and why? Baseball is boring, they say. It is intolerable to watch on TV. There are too many games in a season. There isn't enough action.
These people are in love with the hot and flashy NFL, equivalent to a woman gorgeous on the outside but with no substance. Baseball may not have the looks the NFL does, but it has ten times the personality, and its inner beauty is what rings true when you come to know it as I have. To me, this is what matters, both metaphorically and in actuality. In baseball terms, its the mental wars waged in a 60-foot space between the pitcher and catcher; the chess game occurring between managers as runners reach base and bullpens are employed; the strategy present in each at-bat, which is so critical with only 27 outs to work with; the hundreds of statistics generated to evaluate a player's performance. These facets of baseball's inner beauty, hidden from those judging only the cover, are what lend the sport its radiance. Depth is the road to appreciation for this wonderful sport which, just today, rekindled its flames with pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training. Today, I celebrate my love for baseball, in all of its grandeur, inner or otherwise, and I implore you to do the same if you too are looking for the complete package this Valentine's Day. I wouldn't settle for anything less, and with baseball, I don't have to.
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