MLB signings update
Sorry it's been a few days since I last posted, bit as I promised I will update on who's signing where and my thoughts. Please feel free to leave a comment.
Two days ago, Nov. 15th, the Chicago Cubs re-signed back-up catcher Henry Blanco. Defensively, Blanco is in a league of his own. His footwork is exceptional and this gives him quick lateral movement. He earns the respect of his pitching staff and they show no hesitancy pitching down in the dirt. With an above-average arm, Blanco is able to shut down the opposition's running game. Offensively, he is not going to hit for power too often and he's not a great contact hitter, but as we saw in the WS this year with Yadier Molina hitting the GW shot in the final game, you just never know. I think this is a solid signing by the Cubs.
Yesterday, Nov. 16, there were a number of signings led by the Cardinals re-signing 3B Scott Speizio. He's an aggressive hitter, with a solid mind for the game and the drive to win. He's also a good base runner, although hitting with runners in scoring position is not a strength of his, nor is hitting righties. None-the-less, Speizio should make a nice addition to next year's defense of the WS trophy.
Acquired at the trade deadline last season, 1B Sean Casey has decided to remain in the motor city. Casey is a great fastball hitterand can also hit off-speed pitches, taking each at-bat as a learning experience. He's a good run producer and a sure-handed fielder, able to scoop up tough short-hoppers. Assuming he stays healthy, Casey will provide a solid power-left handed bat in the middle of the Tigers' line-up. Also, like the famous poem about the batter named Casey who ends up striking out, Casey has a tendency to go down swinging, or looking, as the case may be.
Utility man Damion Easley is moving his act up north, moving from sunny Arizona to the hustle-and-bustle of Shea Stadium in NY. It's his slick fielding that keeps him in the line-up everyday. He posts good power numbers for a small middle infielder; he needs better power numbers to make-up for his strike-out tendencies. He's weak against righties. Look for Damion to be a late-inning defensive replacement or a pinch-hitter for the pitcher's spot, while earning the odd start.
The Texas Ranger's resigned their back-up backstop Miguel Ojeda. Ojeda boasts a little pop in his bat and excels with runners in scoring position. Howeve, he has a great deal of difficulty hitting a curve ball and he doesn't have a great percentage with it comes to preventing the opposition from stealing a bag, although this part of the game has improved over the years. Look for him to be used against teams with few speedsters that are a threat to steal.
Finally, announced just a few hours ago, Frank "the big hurt" Thomas has landed in TO. I can't say I'm too surprised by this move, as GM J.P. Riccardi showed the baseball world he wants to be competitive with his major spending spree last season that included a proven closer (BJ Ryan), a solid backstop who has problems throwing out runners (Benjie Molina), a #2 starter (AJ Burnett) a power-hitting 3B (Troy Glaus), a doubles hitting machine @ 1B (Lyle Overbay). As for Thomas, he's coming off a solid 39 HR campaign and a comeback year from major ankle surgery. His ankles are going to be a major concern, and his ability to stay healthy and in the line-up on a regular basis are going to be key determining factors. Does any one out there know if his deal included money being held in case he misses significant time to injury? Thomas should be a solid #5 hitter who will allow Glaus to get more hittable pitches. His strikeouts have gone up and his bat speed and reaction time have slowed due to father time, but he can hit to all fields.
Stay tuned to this blog as more players sign in the coming weeks and days.
Two days ago, Nov. 15th, the Chicago Cubs re-signed back-up catcher Henry Blanco. Defensively, Blanco is in a league of his own. His footwork is exceptional and this gives him quick lateral movement. He earns the respect of his pitching staff and they show no hesitancy pitching down in the dirt. With an above-average arm, Blanco is able to shut down the opposition's running game. Offensively, he is not going to hit for power too often and he's not a great contact hitter, but as we saw in the WS this year with Yadier Molina hitting the GW shot in the final game, you just never know. I think this is a solid signing by the Cubs.
Yesterday, Nov. 16, there were a number of signings led by the Cardinals re-signing 3B Scott Speizio. He's an aggressive hitter, with a solid mind for the game and the drive to win. He's also a good base runner, although hitting with runners in scoring position is not a strength of his, nor is hitting righties. None-the-less, Speizio should make a nice addition to next year's defense of the WS trophy.
Acquired at the trade deadline last season, 1B Sean Casey has decided to remain in the motor city. Casey is a great fastball hitterand can also hit off-speed pitches, taking each at-bat as a learning experience. He's a good run producer and a sure-handed fielder, able to scoop up tough short-hoppers. Assuming he stays healthy, Casey will provide a solid power-left handed bat in the middle of the Tigers' line-up. Also, like the famous poem about the batter named Casey who ends up striking out, Casey has a tendency to go down swinging, or looking, as the case may be.
Utility man Damion Easley is moving his act up north, moving from sunny Arizona to the hustle-and-bustle of Shea Stadium in NY. It's his slick fielding that keeps him in the line-up everyday. He posts good power numbers for a small middle infielder; he needs better power numbers to make-up for his strike-out tendencies. He's weak against righties. Look for Damion to be a late-inning defensive replacement or a pinch-hitter for the pitcher's spot, while earning the odd start.
The Texas Ranger's resigned their back-up backstop Miguel Ojeda. Ojeda boasts a little pop in his bat and excels with runners in scoring position. Howeve, he has a great deal of difficulty hitting a curve ball and he doesn't have a great percentage with it comes to preventing the opposition from stealing a bag, although this part of the game has improved over the years. Look for him to be used against teams with few speedsters that are a threat to steal.
Finally, announced just a few hours ago, Frank "the big hurt" Thomas has landed in TO. I can't say I'm too surprised by this move, as GM J.P. Riccardi showed the baseball world he wants to be competitive with his major spending spree last season that included a proven closer (BJ Ryan), a solid backstop who has problems throwing out runners (Benjie Molina), a #2 starter (AJ Burnett) a power-hitting 3B (Troy Glaus), a doubles hitting machine @ 1B (Lyle Overbay). As for Thomas, he's coming off a solid 39 HR campaign and a comeback year from major ankle surgery. His ankles are going to be a major concern, and his ability to stay healthy and in the line-up on a regular basis are going to be key determining factors. Does any one out there know if his deal included money being held in case he misses significant time to injury? Thomas should be a solid #5 hitter who will allow Glaus to get more hittable pitches. His strikeouts have gone up and his bat speed and reaction time have slowed due to father time, but he can hit to all fields.
Stay tuned to this blog as more players sign in the coming weeks and days.
posted by opinionator777 at 10:47 AM
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