This Week in Baseball

[geniusMoment 0]

I do not care about the all star game anymore, just the home run derby. I feel the derby can make a new star much better than the all star game, you are all alone on the field and a great performance is all on you. Last year Hank got good rub for being the hero but nothing compared to some classic home run derby performances. Its too bad Bonds, Sosa and Griffey will not be in the derby this year.

[Precious Roy 0]

My all-star ballot

 

AL

 

1B - David Ortiz - write in vote, leading the AL in homers, RBI and slugging

 

2B - Alfonso Soriano - Yankee loyalty, thought about writing in Brian Roberts but he's cooled down considerably.

 

SS - Jeter - Yankee loyalty again, and he's been killing the ball since he got out of his funk, on pace for a career best in home runs. Tough call over Tejada and Guillen but I think they'll both make it as reserves.

 

3B - A-Rod - Easy pick, Blalock has hit well but A-Rod's base running puts him in another league, plus he's made a seamless transition on D.

 

C - Pudge - Tough call over Victor Martinez though - I hope Torre does the right thing and leaves Posada at home this year.

 

OF - Vlad, Manny, Matsui - tough call on the 3rd man between Matsui, Sheff and Ichiro, but I think Matsui deserves the nod.

 

P - If I had a vote it would go to Mulder

 

NL

 

1B - Thome - comes down to him and Pujols but Thome is playing too damn well to pass on. The + .300 BA is unreal for him.

 

2B - Kent - no one else is even close. Consistent hitter and capable fielder.

 

SS - Larkin - hate the choices here, Renteria is having an off year so far, going for nostalgia.

 

3B - Rolen - Aramis Ramirez has been great but Rolen has been better, plus he's a better defender.

 

C - Estrada - I refuse to vote for Piazza because he's a 1B now, Estrada has been better than advertised and a clutch run producer for a weak hitting Braves team.

 

OF - Abreu, Bonds, Berkman - tough to leave off Cabrera but these three deserve it.

 

P - Randy Johnson - I'm a big Clemens fan but Johnson is the better pitcher this year, save the Clemens-Piazza battery for late in the game

[phoenixrising 0]

Couple of thoughts...

 

Who will Montreal's representative be? Brad Wilkerson? If he plays OF there's another spot gone for Abreu.

 

Harvey will probably be the Royals rep based on his being among the league leaders in hitting most of the season.

 

Jack Wilson should be the NL starter but who's his backup? Everett was the leading votegetter at SS before he went on the DL and was playing well, and Cesar Izturis is hitting .300 to go along with his great glove.

[Precious Roy 0]

Who will Montreal's representative be? Brad Wilkerson? If he plays OF there's another spot gone for Abreu.

Wilkerson, despite an ugly average, is their best hitter, but I'd give the nod to Livan Hernandez, he's amazingly consistent and constantly overlooked, plus he's an absolute workhorse, leads MLB in pitches thrown and regularly goes the full 9.

[phoenixrising 0]

I will throw in my all-star ballot as well.

 

AL

 

C - Ivan Rodriguez, Detroit. He's making a run at his second MVP award. Signing with Detroit doesn't look so bad right now.

 

1B - David Ortiz, Boston. He's cashing in on the talent that he first displayed in Minnesota. Might be the best first baseman in the AL right now.

 

2B - Alfonso Soriano, Texas. Not a lot of great second basemen in the AL so Soriano is here even if he is slightly underperforming.

 

SS - Michael Young, Texas. Saying Carlos Guillen reminds me too much of how stupid Bavasi is. Young is having a great season though replacing A-Rod.

 

3B - Alex Rodriguez, New York. Duh. He's only been playing the position for half a season and he's the best in the AL.

 

OF - Manny Ramirez, Boston. Off to another monster season.

 

OF - Vladimir Guerrero, Anaheim. See Manny Ramirez.

 

OF - Gary Sheffield, New York. After struggling the first month of the season he's back to producing at Sheff-type levels.

 

SP - Curt Schilling, Boston. Hasn't had much of a problem with switching leagues, still the same old dominator he was in the NL.

 

NL

 

C - Johnny Estrada, Atlanta. Somehow the ballots need to be updated. No way should a .330 hitting catcher be behind a now first baseman, even if said first baseman was one of the best hitting catchers of all time.

 

1B - Jim Thome, Philadelphia. When this guy gets on a roll, he gets on a roll. He's been launching homers in bunches this year.

 

2B - Jeff Kent, Houston. Clearly the best second baseman in the NL.

 

SS - Jack Wilson, Pittsburgh. Really a depleted position this year in the NL, as the two best at the beginning of the season (Renteria and Furcal) have been hit by injuries and lack of production.

 

3B - Scott Rolen, St. Louis. He has this position nailed down for the next five years or so.

 

OF - Barry Bonds, San Francisco. The most feared hitter in the game, still putting up ridiculous numbers in the few chances he gets.

 

OF - Ken Griffey Jr., Cincinnati. After three years of injuries Griff is healthy and mashing away as usual. He's not the Griff he was before the injuries but he's still a pretty damn good player.

 

OF - Miguel Cabrera, Florida. It's hard to believe he's only been playing right field for slightly more than half a season (counting last year's postseason). This guy looks like a future great for years to come.

 

SP - Randy Johnson, Arizona. Toss-up between Johnson and Clemens, I'll take Johnson.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Who will Montreal's representative be? Brad Wilkerson? If he plays OF there's another spot gone for Abreu.

 

I'd give Jose Vidro some consideration.

 

Jack Wilson should be the NL starter but who's his backup? Everett was the leading votegetter at SS before he went on the DL and was playing well, and Cesar Izturis is hitting .300 to go along with his great glove.

 

Izturis is down to .297. In any case, he's hitting as bad as you can hit while hitting .300. He's slugging just .372. I'd consider Jimmy Rollins. He's third in runs created among shortstops behind Wilson and Royce Clayton (Coors Field). Besides the hitting, he steals bases, and is truly a great shortstop.

 

Otherwise, I'd take Larkin. Put him on the squad and mention "Hall of Famer," as many times as possible.

[treble 0]

I've decided Jason Frasor should represent the Jays thing year. People like saves and he's the rookie leader in that catergory (with a whopping 7), but he's really only had 2 or 3 bad outings. Might as well give him a shot.

[Precious Roy 0]

Where do you find this runs created stat? And what's the formula?

 

As for Toronto, Wells probably would have hit his way into the game if he hadn't got hurt. Frasor has been very good for them, cleaning up an ugly bullpen situation. I still think Halladay gets the nod though, he's the reigning Cy Young and opposing teams hate to deal with him. Even with weak run support and his DL stint he'll still win 18-20 games when all is said and done.

 

Here's some other tough calls:

 

Milwaukee - Podsednik, Overbay, Sheets or Kolb? Based on the stats arguments can be made for all 4, but there's no way more than 2 make it.

 

Cleveland - Sabathia, Hafner, Victor Martinez? I assume only one will make it, and I really think Posada will get his annual all-star spot courtesy of Torre which screws over Martinez who's been far and away the better hitter.

 

Kansas City - has already been discussed, I think Affeldt would have been a good pick if he hadn't gotten hurt, gotta give the nod to Harvey even though he's slumping badly right now.

 

Minnesota - Nathan, Ford and Radke seem like the only logical candidates, I give it to Nathan.

 

Pittsburgh - Mesa? Perez? I don't like any of their hitters, especially not Wilson and Mackowiak.

 

San Diego - Hoffman? Giles? Lawrence?

 

EDIT* nevermind on Pitt, forgot about Craig A. Wilson

[Guest Choken One]

alternate question

 

 

Which team will get the MOST reps?

 

Houston? NYY? Boston? Chicago? Cincy?

 

well?

[Precious Roy 0]

NYY - A-Rod, Rivera, Sheff, Matsui, Jeter, Vazquez, Posada - With Torre as manager I wouldn't be suprised if they all go.

 

Boston - Ortiz, Ramirez, Schilling, Foulke, Pedro (I doubt he'll go though)

 

Houston - Clemens, Kent, Berkman and Lidge

 

Cubbies - Sosa, Ramirez and Clement are the only clear cut ones. Alou is an outside shot. Prior may not make it because he was out for so long and Wood is hurt.

 

Cincy - Griffey, Casey and Graves, Dunn shouldn't (IMO) make the cut

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

I'd just like to point out that Quinton McCracken hit a homer today. QUINTON MCCRACKEN. Think about that.

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

I propose the following deal to the New York Yankees:

 

Brian Anderson for Edwardo Sierra (Tampa Yankees)

 

Is there anybody willing to trade an expensive crappy guy to KC for Brian Anderson?

[Precious Roy 0]

Speaking as a Yankees fan I think it's in our best interests to add another starting pitcher, but I don't want Benson or Anderson (the two names that always come up in trade talk).

 

I'm confident about Vazquez, Moose and Contreras, optimistic about Lieber, but I'm really worried about Kevin Brown. The Yanks have been very tightlipped about the severity of his injury, but his, "it feels like I have a steel rod in my back," quote before he went on the DL didn't sound good. The Yanks think El Duque will be ready to go by late July/August, and if he can pitch like he used to in pinstripes he'll be a major addition.

 

They're wasting their time going after a guy like Benson or Anderson though, they need to find a legit #1 or 2 starter and get him, I don't care if they have to give up their top prospect catcher to get him. Get a guy like Livan Hernandez, Jamie Moyer or Miguel Batista, that's what we need if we're serious about winning this season.

[The Czech Republic 0]

1B - David Ortiz, Boston. He's cashing in on the talent that he first displayed in Minnesota. Might be the best first baseman in the AL right now.

Oh?

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

Speaking as a Yankees fan I think it's in our best interests to add another starting pitcher, but I don't want Benson or Anderson (the two names that always come up in trade talk).

 

I'm confident about Vazquez, Moose and Contreras, optimistic about Lieber, but I'm really worried about Kevin Brown. The Yanks have been very tightlipped about the severity of his injury, but his, "it feels like I have a steel rod in my back," quote before he went on the DL didn't sound good. The Yanks think El Duque will be ready to go by late July/August, and if he can pitch like he used to in pinstripes he'll be a major addition.

 

They're wasting their time going after a guy like Benson or Anderson though, they need to find a legit #1 or 2 starter and get him, I don't care if they have to give up their top prospect catcher to get him. Get a guy like Livan Hernandez, Jamie Moyer or Miguel Batista, that's what we need if we're serious about winning this season.

just checking.. which Anderson comes up in trade talks?

[Vern Gagne 0]

Does any team have some old bats they'd like to trade to Minnesota for Dougie Softball.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Where do you find this runs created stat? And what's the formula?

 

From ESPN.com......

 

RC Runs created

[(H + BB + HBP - CS - GIDP) times (Total bases + .26[bB - IBB + HBP] + .52[sH + SF + SB])] divided by (AB + BB + HBP + SH+ SF)

 

The stat was created by Bill James, and it basically attempts to enter all offensive stats into the equation.

[sfaJack 0]

Cubbies - Sosa, Ramirez and Clement are the only clear cut ones. Alou is an outside shot. Prior may not make it because he was out for so long and Wood is hurt.

Ahem. You forgot Zambrano. He deserves it more than Clement. Matt deserves some consideration, but there are too many starters in the NL that are better than him, so I don't think he should go.

 

Alou? No. Prior? No way. Not this year. Sosa doesn't deserve to go either, but he obviously will.

[the pinjockey 0]

I didn't realize Barry Bonds had his RC/27 up to over 20. That is just stupid.

 

Also, Abreu is now second in the entire league in RC thus causing a complete al meltdown if he doesn't make it.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Hell, he's second in all of baseball.

[Guest Choken One]

silly question

 

Are Non-All Star voted players allowed to particpate in the Home Run Derby?

 

I was thinking of how Adam Dunn likely won't and shouldn't get a spot on the all-star roster but was wondering if he would still get to do the derby...since he is second and will likely surprass Thome at the end of the year anyways...and we all know Selig likes to sell new stars...

 

More people watch the Derby then they do the Game itself and no one cranks em out like Dunn does...

[Hektik 0]

I can't believe most people think 2nd base is a lock. The best 2nd baseman in the National League is Mark Loretta of the Padres. He has the best batting average of all 2nd baseman in the NL. He has the most hits, doubles, and I believe RBIs. He is great fielder and the fact he isn't even in the top 10 in voting just shows the flaws in All Star Voting. Obviously, I'm ok that Kent will be the starter because the game will be played in Houston. It is pretty much a lock though that Loretta will be the second 2nd baseman in Houston. If you look at his stats and compare them, only Kent would come close.

[KingPK 0]

1B - David Ortiz, Boston.  He's cashing in on the talent that he first displayed in Minnesota.  Might be the best first baseman in the AL right now.

Oh?

Offensively he is damn good but since we're in a NL park this year, and hence, no DH, Ortiz has a slim chance of making the team unless Torre puts him on the squad as a reserve.

[Guest Real F'n Show]

Damn the ChiSox just swept the Twins, even though Johan Santana pitched one hell of a game. Fuckers.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

muhaha.

 

I agree on Loretta, he's been rockin shit anally this year.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Meanwhile in Kansas City

 

On the pitch that was a called third strike: "Fastball on the outside corner, actually, fastball headed for the on-deck circle. C.B. Bucknor has somewhere to go tonight."

 

Didn't Mongo cut a promo on Bucknor?

Going back to last night..

 

I'll agree that the call on that pitch was bad, but the Royals also benefited from a "Its 11-2, lets get this over with" call on Newhan's hit to centerfield that was ruled an out even though the ball clearly bounced into DeJesus' glove.

 

As for the All Star Game, no Oriole is going to be a starter but Tejada has to go as a backup. Tejada will probably be the only Oriole to go.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

I know Beltran's an amazing player, but I can't help but be depressed as hell that with ONE pitch, the Cubs' pen pissed away a gem for Mark Prior. Different faces down there this season, but it looks like it's still the same results. Cubs looked to be on their way to winning two of three from Houston, but Beltran has single-handidly ensured that that's going to be incredibly tough. Cubs better start playing the swaping game soon; a couple things just aren't right.

[The Czech Republic 0]

I missed the first 7 and a half. WHO BLEW THE THREE-RUN LEAD THIS TIME? Couldn't have been Farnsworth THIS time..

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

Mercker.

 

Although Fransworth tried very hard to lose it in the ninth.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Farnsworth blew some perfectly good chances to blow it.