MLB signings
There were three tentative deals Sunday in the MLB
The Chicago Cubs continue to make headlines this off-season landing outfielder Alfonso Soriano for 8 years. This is a risky length as who knows what's going to happen in even the next season. Soriano could tear knee ligaments or have some other major injury. He could have a bad year offensively/defesively. He's a free-swinging hitter who hits to all fields and rarely takes a walk and strikes out a lot. Soriano can hit to all fields and is a threat to steal. He is a defensive liability. Look for him at the top of the Cubs line-up come opening day and in Center field.
The other tentative deal, pending a physical is the LA Angels inking sidewinder Justin Speier to a 2-year deal. Speier was a major part of the jays bullpen, usually taking the hill in thr 6th or 7th for an inning or two at a time. He has a quirky, darting forkball thats simply devastating and he mixes in a slider and fastball in the low 90's. He can retire batters fairly well on both sides of the plate, though he excels against righties. To be successful, Speier must establish himself early in the count or else he gets lost and beat up. His move to first base is completely ineffective. Simply put Justin Speier must work on his consistency. This is a good pick-up by the Angels who will add him to their traditionally deep bullpen.
Frank "The Cat" Catalanotto has signed on with the Texas Rangers for the next three seasons. Personally, in a way I'm glad to see him gone from TO mainly because I do't like his swing (he swings in front of his face and can't see the ball in there's a fast-working pitcher). Admittedly his swing is smooth and has the ability to drive mistakes out of the park. He is an underrated hitter who's disciplined and has a great work ethic; needs to work on picking his spots when stealing. He also doesn't have a great arm, but can play second base if pressed, but genrally you can look for him as a corner outfielder (for the last four seasons he has played LF or occasional DH for the Blue Jays). BTW does anyone out there know what the bereavement list is?
A fourth signing was lefty reliever Mike Stanton. At his best, he has a fastball, slider, change-up and curve that he can throw low in the zone to keep the ball in the park. In the late innings of close games, he doesnt let the pressure get to him and he can retire right-handed batters as well as lefties. He usually has a month or two each season where he's not just cold, he's like one of those frozen mummies they find in the Himalayas perfectly in tact but can't pitch a lick. I he sits in the bullpen unused too long, hes often beaten up when he finally takes the mound. This is a good pick up by the Cincinatti Reds, although he is getting on in age, so the question becomes his durability.
Today, Monday, the LA Dodgers re-signed 1b Nomar Garciaparra to a 2-year pact. Pounds both lefties and righties. He can make contact with almost anything in the strike zone and a lot of pitches outside of it with his great bat control and bat speed, spraying the ball all over the field. Although he's not a great base-stealer, his running game has been curbed due to injuries and he's still learning 1b. Look for him in the no. 3 hole in the Dodgers line-up.
Minor-leaguer Josh Gall signed a minor-league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday. He's a strong pure hitter with emerging power and doesn't strike out too often. Not the speediest player and he doesn't take bases on balls. His defense also has much to be desired. He'll likely start the year in AAA ball.
The Chicago Cubs continue to make headlines this off-season landing outfielder Alfonso Soriano for 8 years. This is a risky length as who knows what's going to happen in even the next season. Soriano could tear knee ligaments or have some other major injury. He could have a bad year offensively/defesively. He's a free-swinging hitter who hits to all fields and rarely takes a walk and strikes out a lot. Soriano can hit to all fields and is a threat to steal. He is a defensive liability. Look for him at the top of the Cubs line-up come opening day and in Center field.
The other tentative deal, pending a physical is the LA Angels inking sidewinder Justin Speier to a 2-year deal. Speier was a major part of the jays bullpen, usually taking the hill in thr 6th or 7th for an inning or two at a time. He has a quirky, darting forkball thats simply devastating and he mixes in a slider and fastball in the low 90's. He can retire batters fairly well on both sides of the plate, though he excels against righties. To be successful, Speier must establish himself early in the count or else he gets lost and beat up. His move to first base is completely ineffective. Simply put Justin Speier must work on his consistency. This is a good pick-up by the Angels who will add him to their traditionally deep bullpen.
Frank "The Cat" Catalanotto has signed on with the Texas Rangers for the next three seasons. Personally, in a way I'm glad to see him gone from TO mainly because I do't like his swing (he swings in front of his face and can't see the ball in there's a fast-working pitcher). Admittedly his swing is smooth and has the ability to drive mistakes out of the park. He is an underrated hitter who's disciplined and has a great work ethic; needs to work on picking his spots when stealing. He also doesn't have a great arm, but can play second base if pressed, but genrally you can look for him as a corner outfielder (for the last four seasons he has played LF or occasional DH for the Blue Jays). BTW does anyone out there know what the bereavement list is?
A fourth signing was lefty reliever Mike Stanton. At his best, he has a fastball, slider, change-up and curve that he can throw low in the zone to keep the ball in the park. In the late innings of close games, he doesnt let the pressure get to him and he can retire right-handed batters as well as lefties. He usually has a month or two each season where he's not just cold, he's like one of those frozen mummies they find in the Himalayas perfectly in tact but can't pitch a lick. I he sits in the bullpen unused too long, hes often beaten up when he finally takes the mound. This is a good pick up by the Cincinatti Reds, although he is getting on in age, so the question becomes his durability.
Today, Monday, the LA Dodgers re-signed 1b Nomar Garciaparra to a 2-year pact. Pounds both lefties and righties. He can make contact with almost anything in the strike zone and a lot of pitches outside of it with his great bat control and bat speed, spraying the ball all over the field. Although he's not a great base-stealer, his running game has been curbed due to injuries and he's still learning 1b. Look for him in the no. 3 hole in the Dodgers line-up.
Minor-leaguer Josh Gall signed a minor-league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday. He's a strong pure hitter with emerging power and doesn't strike out too often. Not the speediest player and he doesn't take bases on balls. His defense also has much to be desired. He'll likely start the year in AAA ball.
posted by opinionator777 at 3:16 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home