DIAMOND NOTES: June 29
This weekend is the midpoint of the 2002 season, one that has one contraction lamb in first place (the Twins), the other in second place and the winner in the Bartolo Colon sweepstakes (the Expos). It has been drained by the sadness of Darryl Kile, stained by the focus on steroids and the bitter debate between billionaire owners and millionaire players.
The Yankees and Red Sox re-loaded in the offseason and are among the four winningest teams, while the Rangers and Mets won in January and have drifted all season, especially the Mets, who have become a sitcom featuring owners wrestling, fans choosing blood over victory for Shawn Estes and now an episode titled, "Gone to Pot."
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| Derek Lowe is tied for the AL lead in wins with 11 and leads the league with a 2.18 ERA. |
There have been some pleasant surprises, like Montreal, Anaheim, Baltimore, Cincinnati and Los Angeles. Since most of us picked the Twins to win Baseball's Switzerland -- the AL Central -- they could turn out to be a disappointment considering the collapse of their starting pitching, while Seattle is a surprise in the sense that they survive and win through injuries, slumps and a thin bench.
There have also been some disappointments -- besides the Mets and Rangers, also the Astros, Cubs and Phillies.
And like most every season, we look back to what we thought we knew back in March and hum along with Dylan's "I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now." How about Derek Lowe and Odalis Perez being perhaps the best pitchers in their respective leagues on June 29?
Here are a few midpoint obversations:
MVP
American League
The Rangers may have been stricken by mad cow disease, but Alex Rodriguez is the best player in the league. Ichiro is right there with him, with Torii Hunter, Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Jeter, Darin Erstad and Paul Konerko on any list.
NL
Sorry, but it once again is Barry Bonds because no one does more to make his team contend for a victory every day. There may be good arguments for Eric Gagne, Jim Edmonds, Vladimir Guerrero and Andruw Jones, but no one touches Bonds.
Cy Young
AL
Lowe until he crosses the 150-inning barrier. This is a race that could get heated between Freddy Garcia, Barry Zito, Pedro Martinez ...
NL
Tom Glavine, Curt Schilling and Perez. And by season's end, watch out for Randy Johnson and Matt Morris.
Rookie of the Year
AL
Toronto third baseman Eric Hinske, closely followed by Baltimore closer Jorge Julio. If someone could make Bobby Kielty and Dustan Mohr one entity they'd be in the mix, as well.
NL
I refuse to insult the Japanese Leagues, and thus do not consider the Dodgers' Kazuhisa Ishii a professional rookie. That leaves Colorado's Jason Jennings on top in a battle with Pittsburgh's Josh Fogg, Atlanta's Damian Moss, Milwaukee's Alex Sanchez and even Cincinnati's Austin Kearns.
Most significant major free agents
Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon, Ishii, Pedro Astacio and Steve Karsay.
Most disappointing major free agents
Chan Ho Park, Roger Cedeno, Tino Martinez, Chuck Knoblauch and Ricky Gutierrez
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| 2002 SEASON STATISTICS |
| GM |
IP |
W-L |
BB |
SO |
ERA |
| 16 |
116 |
9-3 |
15 |
79 |
2.33 |
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Beneficial trades
1. The Dodgers getting Perez along with Brian Jordan for Gary Sheffield. Not that Sheffield isn't a great hitter, but he didn't want to stay in L.A., had to be traded and the Dodgers got a star left-handed pitcher.
2. The Yankees acquiring Robin Ventura from the Mets for David Justice. Right man, right place, right time.
3. Boston trading Carl Everett to Texas for Darren Oliver. Yes, Oliver has already been sent down to the minors, but every player knows that just getting Everett off the team made the Red Sox a better club.
4. Anaheim trading Mo Vaughn for Kevin Appier. In reality, Appier has had some physical problems and has averaged less than 5 2/3 innings per start, but the Angels needed him and also needed to move Vaughn's contract. That's appreciating that if Mo can ever be situated in one spot in the lineup -- which he prefers -- and time brings back his swing, that he will produce.
5. Pittsburgh trading Todd Ritchie for Josh Fogg and Kip Wells.
6. Cincinnati trading Dmitri Young for Juan Encarnacion and Luis Pineda.
7. The Cubs acquiring Antonio Alfonseca and Matt Clement for Julian Tavarez. OK, this was a salary dump, but the timing was bad for Florida.
8. Toronto trading Billy Koch to Oakland for Eric Hinske. Both players have prospered, but if Kelvim Escobar had done a better job, this trade would look even better for Toronto.
Most improved players
Alfonso Soriano, Shea Hillenbrand, Corey Patterson, Jacque Jones, Derek Lowe, Odalis Perez, A.J. Pierzynski, Ramon Ortiz, Tomo Ohka and Derrek Lee.
If my life were on videotape, I'd go back, erase it and start all over
1. The Mets signing Roger Cedeno, not Johnny Damon.
2. Boston dumping Scott Hatteberg, taking on Tony Clark at three times the money and watching Hatteberg put up more than twice Boston's combined first-base home-run output and with an OPS 240 points higher.
3. Seattle trading three players for Jeff Cirillo and dumping David Bell, who is a better player than Cirillo.
Biggest surprises
1. Eric Gagne
2. Junior Spivey
3. Everyday Eddie Guardado
4. Savin' Scott Stewart
5. Michael Barrett
6. The Baltimore wunderkinds: Rodrigo Lopez, Travis Driskill and Jorge Julio
One could argue Adam Dunn, in that everyone knew he was good, but he is young and there was no way of knowing that he'd be this good. Make that great.
Biggest disappointments
1. The Mets veterans, starting with Robby Alomar
2. Mike Hampton
3. Daryle Ward and his lack of production
4. Bud Smith. No wins in the first three months?
5. Eric Milton. Time for him to have a 3.00 ERA, not a 5+ one
6. Carlos Beltran. The Royals traded Johnny Damon and Jermaine Dye for Roberto Hernandez and Neifi Perez so they could make Beltran the frontpiece of the team?
7. Terrence Long
8. Raul Mondesi
9. Tony Clark. The Red Sox are on the hook for more than $23 million in Clark, Jose Offerman, Darren Oliver and Dustin Hermanson, who is now only able to throw from 50 feet
10. Todd Ritchie
Toughest starting pitchers to hit (by OPS against)
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AL
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NL
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Lowe, Bos., .506
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Perez, L.A., .539
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Martinez, Bos., .601
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Schiling, Ari., .601
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Lopez, Bal., .614
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Glavine, Atl., .602
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Moyer, Sea., .640
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Padilla, Phi., .623
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Halladay, Tor., .643
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Leiter, N.Y., .625
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Starting pitchers by innings pitched per start
(minimum 15 games started, through June 27)
Most
Vazquez, Mon., 7.35
Johnson, Ari., 7.29
Colon, Mon., 7.27
Schilling, Ari., 7.21
Perez, L.A., 7.13
Weaver, Det., 7.13
Hallday, Tor ., 7.06
Redman, Det., 7.05
Burnett, Fla., 7.02
Lowe, Bos., 6.96
Fewest
Lohse, Min., 5.44
Appier, Ana., 5.49
Reed, Min., 5.49
Jennings, Col., 5.53
Reitsma, Cin., 5.58
What we're hearing
The calls keep flowing to Florida, from the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox and others, as teams try to get Cliff Floyd. There are a lot of sellers, and few buyers.
"I know you hear this every day, but hardly anyone can take on cash," says Braves GM John Schuerholz. And Red Sox sources indicate the Marlins are playing the Red Sox off on the Yankees, and that Boston isn't seriously in discussions as they have so little to deal.
Here are a few of the chattings:
As the Phillies try to move Robert Person, Mike Lieberthal, Terry Adams, Scott Rolen, Doug Glanville, Travis Lee and Dan Plesac, there aren't clubs rushing forward. Cincinnati has had interest in Plesac, and the Phils thought for a while they had the Red Sox interested in Lee, but there is little inclination by Boston to get Lee.
The Red Sox are openly shopping for a first baseman, although what they are paying Clark, Offerman and Brian Daubach, including Offerman's buyout, is approximately what the Yankees are paying Jason Giambi. Oakland is interested in Trot Nixon and might consider trading Carlos Pena, Adam Piatt and a third player, which in the long run might make more sense than trading parts for a half-season rental of Floyd. But the Red Sox, with their offense struggling, are inclined to wait. Too bad they turned down Jeremy Giambi for Class A third baseman Kevin Youkilis.
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| Neagle |
The Reds are still shopping for pitching. What's odd is that they move into their new park next season and one would think that with a golden opportunity to win the NL Central, ownership would take on salary to try to win to help generate ticket sales for 2003. Not so thus far, although they're hoping the next two homestands pick up. For now, GM Jim Bowden is looking at Tigers right-hander Brian Moehler, among others. The Tigers nearly got Denny Neagle for Damion Easley and Craig Paquette. If Easley startes hitting, it could still happen.
The Cardinals were looking for another starter before the Darryl Kile tragedy, and now may need two. They likely do not have enough to get Jeff Weaver or Brad Penny, two available starters. Cardinals' player personnel director Jerry Walker went to see Texas' Ismael Valdes, and Robert Person is also a possibility.
Toronto continues to try a massive overhaul, offering Raul Mondesi, Carlos Delgado, Jose Cruz Jr., Chris Carpenter, Kevim Escobar and others. Seattle is still looking for a starter, so you still might see Carpenter go to the Mariners.
Tampa Bay is still seeking cash and prospects for most of its players. The Giants are interested in Randy Winn and Doug Creek.
Oh, so similar
Talk about a statistical oddity. On Monday, the A's beat Freddy Garcia, and on Tuesday, the Mariners beat Tim Hudson, bringing the two aces' career lines to the following:
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GS
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W-L
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IP
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H
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BB
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SO
|
ERA
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Hudson
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105
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54-24
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688.1
|
622
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253
|
563
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3.65
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Garcia
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105
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54-24
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677.2
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614
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248
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508
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3.63
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This and that
Bartolo Colon being traded out of the American League probably cost him an All-Star appearance, as did Chipper Jones' move to left field.
Red Sox manager Grady Little believes that "either by later this season or the beginning of next season Casey Fossum is going to be a valuable left-handed starter for us." The Sox sent Fossum down to Triple-A Pawtucket when they acquired left-hander Alan Embree from the Padres so that he can start and get back the feel for his curveball and change. When Fossum comes back, he will be better off than had he started the season in the minors, because he's now dealt with all the difficult situations from the fifth inning on.
"One of the biggest reasons we're playing so well right now is that we've really started catching the ball well," says Braves manager Bobby Cox. "Rafael Furcal has really started playing well; he should be an All-Star." And pitchers are touting Vinny Castilla as an All-Star, as well.
As for baseball's best bullpen, John Schuerholz says, "after we lost all our depth to free agency, we didn't know what we'd do. Now look at us."
"Chris Hammond has been close to unhittable," says Cox. "He gets it up to 88, and his changeup just stops."
Said Braves lefty reliever Mike Remlinger: "One thing is that every one of us presents a different look. That's underrated in its importance. But things are so good that Tim Spooneybarger is our seventh guy, and on a lot of teams he'd be used as a young closer."
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| Lofton |
There are rumblings of uncertainty around the White Sox clubhouse, with Friday's win over the Cubs only their 12th in 27 games in June. One problem is that Kenny Lofton hit .343 in April, .258 in May and went into Friday hitting .154 in June.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia says "John Lackey can be for us what Tim Hudson's been to Oakland. Lackey's that good. He'll be back soon, and he'll be a major factor in the second half."
Typical frustrating game for Scott Rolen on Tuesday. He swung at eight of the first 10 pitches thrown to him.
The Diamondbacks don't really know what to expect this season from Matt Mantei, whose rehab velocity was down to 91-94 mph with an occasional 94, which is down five miles an hour. By this time next season, Mantei's velocity is expected to be back to his normal in the upper 90s.
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