Vintage Pedro

What a season’s it has been. Not to long ago we were an elite team in the NL. Not to long ago we were a base hit from the World Serise. We are now 63-81, 20 GB in the NL East and trying to crawl (can’t afford crutches) to the finish.

But there are times that even in this losing season you just can’t even imagine. Yes the Bruntlett triple play hurt, but I think this is much worst. It’s Pedro Martinez shutting us out for 8 innings. It’s Philadelphia saying “Let’s Go Pedro”. It’s Pedro Martinez being 5-0, matching his win total from last year in 13 less starts. And it’s also how we didn’t even give him a look when he was trying to resign with somebody.

Instead we went with Oliver Perez (3-4, 6.82 ERA, 14 Starts, 3 Years 36 Mil) and Tim Redding (2-6, 5.52, spent time in the bullpen). To Redding’s credit he has pitched well recently but there seemed to be no effort when the season mattered.

Who knows if he would have been pitching like this for a who season. Most likely not. Just the fact we didn’t want to look at him because it seemed we thought he was washed up. He took a 1 Million, 1 Year contract to pitch half a season with the Phillies. Money was no problem. But last night, Pedro proved to us that he is not washed up.

I’m happy for Pedro. He gave us all his heart day everyday on the 4 seasons he spent with us. When he was hurt he tried hard to get back into shape to pitch when he could. We gave him the respect he deserved. If this was a pennant raise, I don’t know how much I would have liked last night. But since it wasn’t, last night was like when Pedro pitched at Shea: Magical.

Will the Pistons Bounce Back From an Atrocious 2008-09 season?

My answer is absolutely not.

The Pistons had loads of cap space to use for marquee free agents to get their strong, defensive identity back. Sign-and-trade with Jazz for Boozer perhaps? They did have a cool $21 million to blow and they used it on Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva instead.

That's how they get their defensive identity back? By signing two offensive talents without a trace of defensive prowess in their veins? Way to go, Joe Dumars.

Ben Gordon is getting paid $55 million over five years to be an undersized shooting guard who does not handle the ball well or play a lick of defense. Isn't General Motors located in Detroit? And they're spending $55 million on Ben Gordon? What recession!?

Not to mention the Pistons still have Rip Hamilton so BG is still off the bench which is absurd considering the money he's getting.

Sorry, I just really hate Ben Gordon.

The Pistons invested in Rodney Stuckey as the future of their franchise when they traded away Chauncey Billups to Denver. Stuckey was considered their point guard for years to come. But there's one thing wrong with that. Rodney Stuckey is not a point guard. Watch the kid play! He does not make plays for other people and it's going to be apparent this upcoming season.

This is not a bash on the guy's talent. Stuckey can ball without question but the pistons won't get anywhere without a natural point guard who can make plays for his teammates.

Joe Dumars was great GM at the beginning of this decade but since the Iverson trade and Curry hiring, this team is bound to self-destruct. They have no true center, no true point guard, an unknown coach, and a city that is the center of the world's econmic meltdown.

Sounds like a recipe for disaster, no?

Going Under the Radar

So now that the Lakers have inked Lamar Odom for a couple more years, that means two things to me personally.

Numero uno: Lamar Odom is NOT on the Heat. I believe that Dwayne Wade will leave the Heat next season since the Heat will not be contenders (Get real, that's a three team conference). But had Odom signed, someone Wade considers family, it would have been more likely for him to stay next season. Do you think he would convince Odom to come to Miami just so he, himself, can leave a season later? Absolutely not. He probably would've signed a two-year extension so they can live out the Odom-Wade project. Which wouldn't have worked anyway. I'm not a hater, just a realist.

Number two: I have my pick for 2009-2010 champions and Aviv will certainly like it. Now that Odom resigned with LA, they appear to be on a completely different level and it upsets me. Sure, the Lakers were good last season. But let's put that season into perspective.

They murdered the Jazz. Okay, fair enough.

They went 7 games with the McGrady-less, Yao-less Rockets including several blowouts. Really?

Then they played Denver and won in 6. Several of those games, aside from the Game 6, could've gone either way pretty much.

Then they beat Orlando in the Finals? Yippee.

They replaced a youthful premier three point gunner/premier defensive specialist in Trevor Ariza with a troublemaking, skill-declining, and certainly deranged lunatic in Ron Artest. Win? Hell no.

So who do I choose to win the 2010 NBA Title?

The San Antonio Spurs.

They have perhaps the best eight-man rotation in the NBA with Parker, Ginobili, Jefferson, Duncan, Mcdyess, Hill, Mason, and Blair. Really? All they did was turn Udoka into RJ and transfrom Oberto into ring-hungry Antonio McNice. Then Pittsburgh beast Dejuan Bliar just dropped into their laps? How is this fair!? They have a hall of fame coach still in Gregg Poppovich and perhaps the best power forward of all time in Timothy Theodore Duncan. All they need is their health!

What else happened?

The Nuggets, who were amazing last season, replaced Dahntay Jones with Arron Afflalo. Downgrade? Not really. But cheap, yes. And I like Afflalo! He acknowledged me and Lucas at the 2007 draft with a head nod after he showed up in the middle of the first round. So much love Arron.

So before you write off the Lakers as the best team in the league blah blah blah just look around the league for a second. I didn't even mention the Cavs, Celts, and Magic. Maybe this will be good for those teams. Lakers will crack under pressure. I gurantee it.

My 2009 All-Stars: AL

Starters:

Catcher: J. Mauer, MIN (.389, 15 HR, 47 RBI) It’s scary how well he hit. And too be a catcher batting close to .400 is unheard of, until now…

First Base: J. Morneau, MIN (.313, 21 HR, 69 RBI) Has been one of the AL’s best constant hitters over the past few year and this year is no different.

Second Base: A. Hill, TOR (.298, 20 HR, 59 RBI) When did Aaron Hill decide to start hitting? One of the biggest surprises to 2009.

Third Base: M. Young, TEX (.314, 10 HR, 34 RBI) Has made the transition to third base well. Leads all AL third baseman’s with his .314 AVG.

Shortstop: J. Bartlett, TB (.354, 8 HR, 38 RBI) Every team that makes the World Series needs a player like Jason Bartlett. His solid glove and professional hitting gives him the starting nod.

Outfield:

Ichiro Suzuki, SEA (.356, 6 HR, 22 RBI) 9 seasons = Gold Gloves, MVP, Rookie of the Year, becoming the single season hits leaders and his 9th all star game.

C. Crawford, TB (.313, 8 HR, 38 RBI) Every time he runs it becomes an event. Lucky for us he runs a lot (44 SB’s).

T. Hunter, LAA (.305, 17 HR, 65 RBI) Very tough pick, but Torii has played his best season since signing that big contract with the Angels.

Pitcher: R. Halladay, TOR (10-3, 2.85 ERA, 106 SO) Hopefully his still in the AL by the all-star game but this former Cy Young award winner has proved he is one of the best pitchers in Baseball.

Reserves:

Pitchers:
D. Aardsma, SEA (2-3, 2.11 ERA, 17 SV)
J. Beckett, BOS (10-3, 3.62 ERA, 103 SO)
M. Buehrle, CWS (9-2, 3.14 ERA, 65 SO)
A. Burnett, NYY (8-4, 3.77 ERA, 101 SO)
Z. Greinke, KC (10-5, 2.12 ERA, 129 SO)
F. Hernandez, SEA (8-3, 2.62 ERA, 114 SO)
E. Jackson, DET (6-4, 2.59 ERA, 93 SO)
J. Nathan, MIN (1-1, 1.35 ERA, 22 SV)
J. Papelbon, BOS (1-1, 1.89 ERA, 22 SV)
M. Rivera, NYY (1-2, 2.43 ERA, 23 SV)
J. Verlander, DET (9-4, 3.59 ERA, 141 SO)
J. Weaver, LAA (9-3, 3.15 ERA, 95 SO)

Bench:
V. Martinez – C, CLE (.298, 14 HR, 58 RBI)
R. Branyan – 1B, SEA (.287, 21 HR, 46 RBI)
M. Teixeira – 1B, NYY (.281, 21 HR, 63 RBI)
A. Kennedy – 2B, OAK (.294, 6 HR, 29 RBI)
C. Figgins – 3B, LAA (.310, 1 HR, 27 RBI)
D. Jeter – SS, NYY (.314, 10 HR, 36 RBI)
J. Bay – OF, BOS (.263, 20 HR, 71 RBI)
J. Dye – OF, CWS (.300, 20 HR, 54 RBI)
J. Ellsbury – OF, BOS (.303, 5 HR, 28 RBI)
A. Jones – OF, BAL (.308, 12 HR, 47 RBI)

NOTE:
Each AL team has atleast 1 representative on the All-Star Team
All-Star Rosters are 33 players, 9 Starters
Players on the DL where not considered

My 2009 All-Stars: NL

Every year in baseball they announce the All-Star Roster, and it seems every year someone has something to say about it. This year, it’s my turn. So step aside Peter Gammons and Buster Olney, as here are my 2009 All-Star Picks.

Starters:

Catcher: B. McCann, ATL (.306, 8 HR, 35 RBI) Maybe the next Mike Piazza, McCann is the center of a Braves lineup.

First Base: A. Pujols, STL (.336, 31 HR, 82 RBI) Do I really need to explain myself on this one?

Second Base: F. Sanchez, PIT (.316, 6 HR, 33 RBI) This was a tricky position but Sanchez is the only bright spot in a terrible Pirates lineup.

Third Base: D. Wright, NYM (.322, 5 HR, 42 RBI) The weight of the entire Mets lineup rest on his shoulders and he keeps hitting. The power numbers are down but leads NL third baseman’s with 20 SB and led in AVG for a while.

Shortstop: H. Ramirez, FLA (.346, 14 HR, 60 RBI) Not much this Marlins star cannot do. True 5 tool player.

Outfield:
R. Braun, MIL (.322, 16 HR, 58 RBI) Braun powered the Brewers into the NL wild card last year and his is keeping them on top the NL central.

M. Kemp, LAD (.307, 10 HR, 45 RBI) This guy is batting last for the Dodgers but is a big part to their success. 19 SB and a great glove in makes him my sleeper pick for the starters.

A. Dunn, WAS (.262, 22 HR, 59 RBI) Completely lost in Washington, Dunn keeps on blasting them over the walls at Nationals Park.

Pitcher: T. Lincecum, SF (9-2, 2.23 ERA, 141 SO) Last year’s NL Cy Young winner and if he keeps it up will win his second.

Reserves:

Pitchers:
H. Bell, SD (3-1, 1.49 ERA, 23 SV)
C. Billingsley, LAD (9-4, 3.14 ERA, 115 SO)
J. Broxton, LAD (6-0, 2.72 ERA, 20 SV)
M. Cain, SF (10-2, 2.42 ERA, 93 SO)
F. Cordero, CIN (1-2, 1.75 ERA, 21 SV)
R. Franklin, STL (2-0, 0.83 ERA, 20 SV)
Y. Gallardo, MIL (8-6, 2.95 ERA, 120 SO)
D. Haren, ARI (8-5, 2.16 ERA, 119 SO)
T. Hoffman, MIL (1-1, 1.93 ERA, 18 SV)
J. Johnson, FLA (7-2, 2.82 ERA, 102 SO)
J. Marquis, COL (11-5, 3.61 ERA, 54 SO)
F. Rodriguez, NYM (2-2, 1.59 ERA, 21 SV)
J. Santana, NYM (9-7, 3.29 ERA, 107 SO)
H. Street, COL (2-1, 2.65 ERA, 21 SV)

Bench:
Y. Molina – C, STL (.286, 5 HR, 27 RBI)
P. Fielder – 1B, MIL (.310, 22 HR, 76 RBI)
R. Howard – 1B, PHI (.252, 21 HR, 62 RBI)
D. Lee – 1B, CHC (.284, 16 HR, 53 RBI)
C. Utley – 2B, PHI (.310, 19 HR, 60 RBI)
M. Tejada – SS, HOU (.329, 7 HR, 45 RBI)
P. Sandoval – 3B, SF (.328, 14 HR, 48 RBI)
R. Zimmerman – 3B, WAS (.294, 14 HR, 50 RBI)
B. Hawpe – OF, COL (.327, 13 HR, 57 RBI)
J. Upton – OF, ARI (.296, 15 HR, 48 RBI)

NOTE:
Each NL team has atleast 1 representative on the All-Star Team
All-Star Rosters are 33 players, 9 Starters
Players on the DL where not considered

4 Games Under and Falling Fast

For the few people that do read this blog, they have asked why I haven’t been keeping up with my post. Truth is I don’t have much to say about my Mets. After tonight’s lose, they are 4 games under .500, their last RBI came from Pitcher Frenando Neive 2 nights ago and David Wright is batting .86 seven days into July. Is their light in the end of the tunnel?

It’s still pre-all star game.

Roy Halladay is on the market.

People have come off the DL before…

But is this enough for to propel the Mets to the playoffs? In June and July they seem to have forgotten how to hit the baseball, batting .228 in their past 14 games. They score only 3 runs in 4 games in Philadelphia this weekend and are now losing the season series against them.

It’s hard to be positive when you see the team you root for look like they don’t care anymore. Most of the starting lineup are better than average AAA players.

And then you know you have a problem when you’re relying on Oliver Perez to come off the DL (making his first start tomorrow since going on).

NBA Free Agency Predictions

Preliminary negotiations started today with the first day of signing coming July 8th when the NBA announces the salary cap for next season. As of now, here are my predictions:

Hedo Turkoglu lands in Toronto.

Ben Gordon heads to Detroit.

Anderson Varejao resigns with the Cavs.

Charlie Villanueva also heads to Cleveland or Detroit.

Jason Kidd packs stays put.

Both Trevor Ariza stay put in LA.

Lamar Odom lands in Miami.

Rasheed Wallace heads to Boston.

Big Baby resigns with the Celts.

Andre Miller resigns with the Sixers or goes to the Knicks.

The likes of Allen Iverson? Get back to me on that...Charlotte? Clippers? Memphis?