So Very Bored

Pirates are sporting their best team in a while -- if a few (OK, many) breaks go their way they might even reach the .500 mark!!!

 

And what do the fans over there think of Kendall? Just curious.

Depends on who you ask. Everyone pretty much likes his attitude and personality but his lack of production at the plate and his inability to throw out baserunners last season was pretty glaring. Some absolutely hate him due his poor season and want back up Adam Melhuse to be the starter but he's isn't very good and is even older than Kendall. They do definently need to give him more days off this year as even though he played poorly he still lead all catchers in games played. It's tough to rely on a guy in his 30's to be catching 150 games ever year. I'm just afraid he may have hit the catcher career wall last season. But on the brightside this year he probably won't be any worse than he was last year but I'm not sure how much better he will be, if at all.

I always liked Kendall, but he just wasn't the same after that base-running accident a few years back.

The accident shortened his career no doubt. The funny thing is it took a year to show up in his stats. A sort of delayed reaction drop. Kendall's numbers in 1998 are almost exactly the same in 2000. Kendall had the worst isolated power in baseball last year, even worse than Willy Taveras. You can get away with that when you steal 50 bases, but not when you ground into 27 double plays. Kendall's comps aren't helpful. Of the ten most similar players, only four are catchers. Two suffered drastic career ending injuries (in Thurman Munson's case, quite drastic), and one was a left handed catcher from the 19th Century.

 

As for the Pirates, Kendall is their franchise catcher. He leads the team in games played at that position. He also happens to be the franchise leader in hit by pitches.

For his sake I hope Kendall doesn't have a pilot's license.

I'm exited for the Twins season to start. I really think they can contend in the AL Central.

I don't pay much attention to the off-season, so what did Minnesota do to improve?

I don't pay much attention to the off-season, so what did Minnesota do to improve?

 

1. Called up Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano from AAA Rochester.

 

2. Traded two pitchers for 2B Luis Castillo. Second base was a black hole for the club, with Luis Rivas and Nick Punto not producing.

 

3. Signed Rondell White.

 

The pitching is there, it's just a question of the offense. Jason Kubel could provide production, and Justin Morneau will almost certainly have a better season.

Thanks Al.

Oh and my prediction: A's win 97 games, finish first in the A.L. West, and finally win an ALDS series. Anything after that is gravy.

Not that I had any real insight but hey only four wins off and right on the other two points. No gravy though.