happenings at MLB Winter meetings
There have been several developments at this years winter meetings in Orlando FLA.
First of all, Rightie starter Tanyon Sturtze is heading to the Atlanta Braves who are looking to rebuild after finally losing a division title last season and not even making the playoffs. He has good heat thanks to his size but most of all he can get hitters to beat the ball into the ground. He's strong with runners in scoring position. Off the mound, he's a capable fielder. His head tends to stray permanently toward the dugout with 2 out and he gets beat up. On the whole, his pitch placement needs work because when he gets hit he gets hit hard and when you get hit hard after all the bases on balls he gives up, you're in trouble. Sturtze should provide a sound #3 starter for the Braves.
Outfielder Jose Guillen is heading to the NW after inking a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners. He has great raw power with the ability to spray the ball all over the park and out over all fences. Defesively, his arm ranks among the best in the game. Although he's made huge strides as an evevryday player in recent years, he's becoming a clubhouse liability with is temper. Doesn't walk nearly enough. Guillen could be a bad move for the Mariners, especially with his temper. He does provide pop, but the Mariners don't need his temper tantrums.
Infielder Rich Aurilia is heading back to San Francisco, three seasons after leaving the Giants for greener pastures. Aurilia's success at the plate is a result of his ability to maintain balance, thus increasing the opportunity to make contact with any pitch in the strike zone. He has surprising power and an ability to produce runs. His defense is sometimes shaky, as he has limited range and arm strength and is not always consistent with routine plays. Tends to have trouble in the clutch. He should provide a decent bat in the 7 or 8 hole. Aurilia's signing all but spells the end of Shea Hillenbrand's brief, but decent stint with the Giants after being traded in the middle of last season.
The Giants also re-signed 3b Pedro Feliz. He has shown considerable power and run producton, but also has the legs to run out doubles. Although he isn't flashy, his defense is solid and reliable at the infield corners. The biggest drawback with Feliz is that he tends to be a very free swinger. Just can't seem to get around consistently on righties. Look for Feliz to control 3b next season for the Giants.
Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter has re-upped for another five seasons. A big man who can rear back and throw some fire when he needs to. He's developed great intensity and has got a tremendous curveball and a solid move to first from the right side. Carpenter still hs a little work to do on keeping his focus with runners aboard. Left-handed hitters can nail him. Carpenter will need to be at his Cy Young award winning self most starts if the Cardinals are to succeed next season.
The Colorado Rockies shored up their bullpen at the winter meetings agreeing to a one-year deal with reliever Latroy Hawkins. He can consistently pump his heater into the mid-90's and bear down with 2 outs. Hitters from both sides find him tough and he's strong with runners on. His fastball is too stright so hitters expect it on the first pitch and crush it. When he overcompensates to that, he falls behind. Hawkins should provide the Rockies with a solid set-up man.
Outfielder J.D. Drew inked a monstrous five-year, 70 million dollar contract with the Boston Red Sox. Drew is the complete package. He has a cannon for an arm, plenty of speed and tons of power. He's also become a terrific hitter with runners in scoring position. Though he's gifted with natural speed, injuries are doing their best to slow him down. He struggles terribly against left-handers, especially for power. Look for Drew to either complement or replace Manny Ramirez in the Red Sox outfield, depending on what pans out with a possible deal at the winter meetings.
The Cleveland Indians continued their wheelings and dealings signing a paoir of players. Outfielder David Delucci signed on with the team for the next three seasons. He has a keen eye for the breaking ball and is a reliable hitter with runners in scoring position. He's a good defensive outfielder. This left-handed hitters seems allergic to southpaws. Just can't hit them, which is what keeps him from playing every day. Look for delucci to be in the #7 hole when he's in the line-up.
The Idians also signed reliever Joe Borowski to a 1-year deal. Borowski has good heat and is surprisingly effective against left-handed hitters, considering he's a righty. He's not afraid to challenge hitters. His command has been shaky in previous big-league stints, and that is primarily what kept him in the minors. Borowski should be a good setup man for the Indians 'pen.
Finally, ex-Jays catcher Benjie Molina inked a three-year deal with the San Francisco Giants. Molina has a great bat, but he's a terrible base runner (see game last season against Chicago White Sox where 2b threw him out on a play that just about every other player, minus the pitcher, would have beat out.) He also had a terrible time throwing out base runners. On the plus side, Molina is great at handling pitchers and should provide the rebuilding Giants with a decent backstop.
First of all, Rightie starter Tanyon Sturtze is heading to the Atlanta Braves who are looking to rebuild after finally losing a division title last season and not even making the playoffs. He has good heat thanks to his size but most of all he can get hitters to beat the ball into the ground. He's strong with runners in scoring position. Off the mound, he's a capable fielder. His head tends to stray permanently toward the dugout with 2 out and he gets beat up. On the whole, his pitch placement needs work because when he gets hit he gets hit hard and when you get hit hard after all the bases on balls he gives up, you're in trouble. Sturtze should provide a sound #3 starter for the Braves.
Outfielder Jose Guillen is heading to the NW after inking a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners. He has great raw power with the ability to spray the ball all over the park and out over all fences. Defesively, his arm ranks among the best in the game. Although he's made huge strides as an evevryday player in recent years, he's becoming a clubhouse liability with is temper. Doesn't walk nearly enough. Guillen could be a bad move for the Mariners, especially with his temper. He does provide pop, but the Mariners don't need his temper tantrums.
Infielder Rich Aurilia is heading back to San Francisco, three seasons after leaving the Giants for greener pastures. Aurilia's success at the plate is a result of his ability to maintain balance, thus increasing the opportunity to make contact with any pitch in the strike zone. He has surprising power and an ability to produce runs. His defense is sometimes shaky, as he has limited range and arm strength and is not always consistent with routine plays. Tends to have trouble in the clutch. He should provide a decent bat in the 7 or 8 hole. Aurilia's signing all but spells the end of Shea Hillenbrand's brief, but decent stint with the Giants after being traded in the middle of last season.
The Giants also re-signed 3b Pedro Feliz. He has shown considerable power and run producton, but also has the legs to run out doubles. Although he isn't flashy, his defense is solid and reliable at the infield corners. The biggest drawback with Feliz is that he tends to be a very free swinger. Just can't seem to get around consistently on righties. Look for Feliz to control 3b next season for the Giants.
Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter has re-upped for another five seasons. A big man who can rear back and throw some fire when he needs to. He's developed great intensity and has got a tremendous curveball and a solid move to first from the right side. Carpenter still hs a little work to do on keeping his focus with runners aboard. Left-handed hitters can nail him. Carpenter will need to be at his Cy Young award winning self most starts if the Cardinals are to succeed next season.
The Colorado Rockies shored up their bullpen at the winter meetings agreeing to a one-year deal with reliever Latroy Hawkins. He can consistently pump his heater into the mid-90's and bear down with 2 outs. Hitters from both sides find him tough and he's strong with runners on. His fastball is too stright so hitters expect it on the first pitch and crush it. When he overcompensates to that, he falls behind. Hawkins should provide the Rockies with a solid set-up man.
Outfielder J.D. Drew inked a monstrous five-year, 70 million dollar contract with the Boston Red Sox. Drew is the complete package. He has a cannon for an arm, plenty of speed and tons of power. He's also become a terrific hitter with runners in scoring position. Though he's gifted with natural speed, injuries are doing their best to slow him down. He struggles terribly against left-handers, especially for power. Look for Drew to either complement or replace Manny Ramirez in the Red Sox outfield, depending on what pans out with a possible deal at the winter meetings.
The Cleveland Indians continued their wheelings and dealings signing a paoir of players. Outfielder David Delucci signed on with the team for the next three seasons. He has a keen eye for the breaking ball and is a reliable hitter with runners in scoring position. He's a good defensive outfielder. This left-handed hitters seems allergic to southpaws. Just can't hit them, which is what keeps him from playing every day. Look for delucci to be in the #7 hole when he's in the line-up.
The Idians also signed reliever Joe Borowski to a 1-year deal. Borowski has good heat and is surprisingly effective against left-handed hitters, considering he's a righty. He's not afraid to challenge hitters. His command has been shaky in previous big-league stints, and that is primarily what kept him in the minors. Borowski should be a good setup man for the Indians 'pen.
Finally, ex-Jays catcher Benjie Molina inked a three-year deal with the San Francisco Giants. Molina has a great bat, but he's a terrible base runner (see game last season against Chicago White Sox where 2b threw him out on a play that just about every other player, minus the pitcher, would have beat out.) He also had a terrible time throwing out base runners. On the plus side, Molina is great at handling pitchers and should provide the rebuilding Giants with a decent backstop.
posted by opinionator777 at 4:03 PM
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