Yes, it’s early. Until hitters get 100 at-bats, scouts don’t start to take stock in the numbers. But the media doesn’t wait. So, with the caveat that "yes, we know there are 150-plus games to go," let’s examine the staying power of early-season trends.
Three that will last
Minnesota’s strong start
Ozzie Guillen once nicknamed the Twins’ offense "piranhas" for its ability to eat away at leads one run at a time. But these Twins have more than speed. They have a lineup stocked with hitters capable of 25-plus homers — Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer, Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel/Jim Thome and J.J. Hardy. Who knows, this also could be the year that 24-year-old Delmon Young finds his power. Even without him, the Twins’ offense is in fine shape. "We have some guys who can put the ball in the seats," manager Ron Gardenhire says.
Jon Rauch has been perfect in save opportunities so far.
The bullpen, so far, has overcome the loss of All-Star closer Joe Nathan. Jon Rauch has converted all five of his save chances, but the key has been Matt Guerrier. The 31-year-old righthander might have been named the closer if Gardenhire didn’t value his versatility so much. "He can do so much — get out lefties, pitch multiple innings, pitch in the ninth — that I like him where he is," Gardenhire says.
Despite their fancy new park, don’t think the Twins will change their low-key ways. When Gardenhire named Rauch his closer at the end of spring training, there was no fanfare. On the team’s flight out of Florida, he walked up to Rauch, tapped him on the shoulder and said, "You’re closing."
Seattle’s power woes
Milton Bradley’s big three-run homer Tuesday night could be just what he needs to get on track. More than most, Bradley needs to feel good about himself to play well. The Mariners need him right. They took the plunge on him for his offense more than his defense. But after he had one hit in his first five games, he was dropped in the order. As bad as Bradley has been, however, his two homers represent half of Seattle’s total after its 3-6 start.
Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Sweeney, both in what could be their final seasons, have combined for one extra-base hit. New first baseman Casey Kotchman and shortstop Jack Wilson are playing up to their reputations as defense-first players.
The Mariners’ defense has been as good as advertised for the most part, and the rotation will get a lift when Cliff Lee returns in May. But the offense might have to rely on Ichiro Suzuki and Figgins even more than expected. Bradley’s production — or lack of — could be the key.
The mess that is the Mets
At least the Mets had a positive opening day. They since have settled into last place and are playing like they plan to stay there. Manager Jerry Manuel called his lineup "unprepared" after Livan Hernandez shut them out for seven innings Sunday.
The rotation remains the biggest issue, and personnel changes might be the only way to change that. John Maine typifies the mess. He imploded in Denver on Tuesday night while throwing a fastball that rarely touched 90 mph. Though that was a tick above his velocity in his first start, his struggles are such that Manuel says the righthander’s spot in the rotation no longer is a given. Maine is scheduled to start Sunday night in St. Louis. Another outing like Tuesday night’s and that could be his last for a while.
Three that won’t
The Blue Jays’ lead in the AL East
The Jays, picked to finish last by Sporting News, look better than that. Vernon Wells is off to a strong start and 25-year-old lefthander Ricky Romero is showing the stuff of a No. 1 starter. Even without Roy Halladay, Toronto doesn’t appear ready to allow Baltimore to escape the cellar. But first place? Ahead of the big boys? That spot is about as secure as Manuel’s job.
The lack of a legitimate closer figures to catch up to the Jays, and Alex Gonzalez won’t rank among the home run leaders for long. He already has four homers after hitting eight last season. Travis Snider still looks like a hitter who was rushed to the majors, and the lineup remains thin after Wells and Adam Lind.
One positive: They don’t play the Yankees till June.
Don’t expect Trevor Hoffman’s struggles to continue.
Trevor Hoffman’s blown saves
Hoffman’s past four blown saves have come against the Cardinals, the latest two over the weekend. Credit the first one to the hitter, Matt Stavinoha, who smacked a decent 1-2 changeup over the left-field fence. The second was the result of poor pitching. Instead of relying on his career-defining changeup, Hoffman fed Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday nothing but fastballs, according to a scout in attendance.
Hoffman’s fastball tops out at around 87 mph on a good day, fast enough to be effective when hitters are focusing on his changeup. Pujols and Holliday, however, aren’t like most hitters. Even when they are thinking changeup, they can adjust and crush a mid-80s fastball. Hoffman found out the hard way. Don’t expect him to keep the changeup in his pocket for long.
The Angels in last
The Angels are no strangers to slow starts. Last year, they overcame early-season injuries that put them in a 6-11 hole. This year, they are adjusting to life without four mainstays lost on the free-agent market. So far, not so good.
Not surprisingly, the offense misses Chone Figgins. Erick Aybar has settled into Figgins’ leadoff spot, but the bottom half of the order isn’t producing. No player has appeared more overmatched than Figgins’ replacement at third, No. 9 hitter Brandon Wood (two singles, one walk in 23 plate appearances). But manager Mike Scioscia won’t let Wood’s struggles get so out of hand that they cost his team. If Wood doesn’t hit, Maicer Izturis easily could slip into the starting role at third.
Still, don’t expect the Angels to run away with the division even when they get right. The Mariners don’t look like the team some (yes, me) thought they’d be, but the Rangers and Athletics are improved. The gap between the top and the bottom of the AL West isn’t as gaping as a year ago.
Yes, it’s early. Until hitters get 100 at-bats, scouts don’t start to take stock in the numbers. But the media doesn’t wait. So, with the caveat that "yes, we know there are 150-plus games to go," let’s examine the staying power of early-season trends.
Three that will last
Minnesota’s strong start
Ozzie Guillen once nicknamed the Twins’ offense "piranhas" for its ability to eat away at leads one run at a time. But these Twins have more than speed. They have a lineup stocked with hitters capable of 25-plus homers — Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer, Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel/Jim Thome and J.J. Hardy. Who knows, this also could be the year that 24-year-old Delmon Young finds his power. Even without him, the Twins’ offense is in fine shape. "We have some guys who can put the ball in the seats," manager Ron Gardenhire says.
Jon Rauch has been perfect in save opportunities so far.
The bullpen, so far, has overcome the loss of All-Star closer Joe Nathan. Jon Rauch has converted all five of his save chances, but the key has been Matt Guerrier. The 31-year-old righthander might have been named the closer if Gardenhire didn’t value his versatility so much. "He can do so much — get out lefties, pitch multiple innings, pitch in the ninth — that I like him where he is," Gardenhire says.
Despite their fancy new park, don’t think the Twins will change their low-key ways. When Gardenhire named Rauch his closer at the end of spring training, there was no fanfare. On the team’s flight out of Florida, he walked up to Rauch, tapped him on the shoulder and said, "You’re closing."
Seattle’s power woes
Milton Bradley’s big three-run homer Tuesday night could be just what he needs to get on track. More than most, Bradley needs to feel good about himself to play well. The Mariners need him right. They took the plunge on him for his offense more than his defense. But after he had one hit in his first five games, he was dropped in the order. As bad as Bradley has been, however, his two homers represent half of Seattle’s total after its 3-6 start.
Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Sweeney, both in what could be their final seasons, have combined for one extra-base hit. New first baseman Casey Kotchman and shortstop Jack Wilson are playing up to their reputations as defense-first players.
The Mariners’ defense has been as good as advertised for the most part, and the rotation will get a lift when Cliff Lee returns in May. But the offense might have to rely on Ichiro Suzuki and Figgins even more than expected. Bradley’s production — or lack of — could be the key.
The mess that is the Mets
At least the Mets had a positive opening day. They since have settled into last place and are playing like they plan to stay there. Manager Jerry Manuel called his lineup "unprepared" after Livan Hernandez shut them out for seven innings Sunday.
The rotation remains the biggest issue, and personnel changes might be the only way to change that. John Maine typifies the mess. He imploded in Denver on Tuesday night while throwing a fastball that rarely touched 90 mph. Though that was a tick above his velocity in his first start, his struggles are such that Manuel says the righthander’s spot in the rotation no longer is a given. Maine is scheduled to start Sunday night in St. Louis. Another outing like Tuesday night’s and that could be his last for a while.
Three that won’t
The Blue Jays’ lead in the AL East
The Jays, picked to finish last by Sporting News, look better than that. Vernon Wells is off to a strong start and 25-year-old lefthander Ricky Romero is showing the stuff of a No. 1 starter. Even without Roy Halladay, Toronto doesn’t appear ready to allow Baltimore to escape the cellar. But first place? Ahead of the big boys? That spot is about as secure as Manuel’s job.
The lack of a legitimate closer figures to catch up to the Jays, and Alex Gonzalez won’t rank among the home run leaders for long. He already has four homers after hitting eight last season. Travis Snider still looks like a hitter who was rushed to the majors, and the lineup remains thin after Wells and Adam Lind.
One positive: They don’t play the Yankees till June.
Don’t expect Trevor Hoffman’s struggles to continue.
Trevor Hoffman’s blown saves
Hoffman’s past four blown saves have come against the Cardinals, the latest two over the weekend. Credit the first one to the hitter, Matt Stavinoha, who smacked a decent 1-2 changeup over the left-field fence. The second was the result of poor pitching. Instead of relying on his career-defining changeup, Hoffman fed Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday nothing but fastballs, according to a scout in attendance.
Hoffman’s fastball tops out at around 87 mph on a good day, fast enough to be effective when hitters are focusing on his changeup. Pujols and Holliday, however, aren’t like most hitters. Even when they are thinking changeup, they can adjust and crush a mid-80s fastball. Hoffman found out the hard way. Don’t expect him to keep the changeup in his pocket for long.
The Angels in last
The Angels are no strangers to slow starts. Last year, they overcame early-season injuries that put them in a 6-11 hole. This year, they are adjusting to life without four mainstays lost on the free-agent market. So far, not so good.
Not surprisingly, the offense misses Chone Figgins. Erick Aybar has settled into Figgins’ leadoff spot, but the bottom half of the order isn’t producing. No player has appeared more overmatched than Figgins’ replacement at third, No. 9 hitter Brandon Wood (two singles, one walk in 23 plate appearances). But manager Mike Scioscia won’t let Wood’s struggles get so out of hand that they cost his team. If Wood doesn’t hit, Maicer Izturis easily could slip into the starting role at third.
Still, don’t expect the Angels to run away with the division even when they get right. The Mariners don’t look like the team some (yes, me) thought they’d be, but the Rangers and Athletics are improved. The gap between the top and the bottom of the AL West isn’t as gaping as a year ago.
Zack Greinke already has allowed more earned runs than he did in the first six weeks of 2009, the Astros already have endured a six-game losing streak and Milton Bradley already has been caught flipping off fans.
And 10 teams haven’t played a home game yet.
That will change Monday and Tuesday as baseball season moves into the very early stage from the very, very early.
Three openers that figure to be a little more special than the rest:
Twins vs. Red Sox
Don’t blame the Twins for watching the Minnesota weather forecasts lately. They will play outdoors at home for the first time since 1981 when they open Target Field on Monday afternoon (4 ET, ESPN).
Denard Span plays meteorolgist ahead of Monday’s opener.
"It’s a little shaky rain-wise for (Monday) but the rest of the week is looking good," center fielder Denard Span said.
Though temperatures in the 70s are expected this week, freezing weather is a threat well into May in Minneapolis. The Twins don’t mind. They are thrilled to be moving into their own ball yard, which has received mostly rave reviews (except for the lack of a roof).
"We’ve been in the other place so long it’s hard to believe it’s our ballpark," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "You walk out and see this beautiful ballpark. It’s going to be an emotional day."
The Twins didn’t let the anticipation of opening a new park or, more impressively, the loss of All-Star closer Joe Nathan distract them in the season’s first week. They won five of seven on a trip that included three wins at Anaheim, an overnight flight to Chicago and two wins against the White Sox. They trail the first-place Tigers by a half-game in the AL Central.
Phillies vs. Nationals
The NL champions could not be blamed if they wanted to stay on the road after their offensive barrage at Washington and Houston. The Phillies pounded out at least 11 hits in each of their first five games and were hitting .337 before the offense slowed Sunday, though they still won behind Roy Halladay.
The Phillies won’t have their ring ceremony until later in the week but there still could be plenty of thrills Monday. They face the Nationals, whom they have beaten in 20 of the past 24 meetings.
Yankees vs. Angels
Expect a spectacle Tuesday when the Bombers open at home and celebrate their latest World Series championship. In addition to a ring ceremony, the club will show off flags for every one of its championships. Considering the Yankees have 27, finding room for them all could be a challenge.
Monday’s other openers:
Astros at Cardinals. The unknown here: Does new hitting coach Mark McGwire get the second-biggest ovation (the biggest is a given) from the Busch Stadium sellout crowd? Competition is stiff: Matt Holliday; Monday’s starter, Adam Wainwright; Chris Carpenter; Yadier Molina, and yes, even manager Tony La Russa.
Brewers at Cubs. Considering the Cubs’ slow start, don’t be surprised if the Wrigley Field faithful let out a few boos. But without Bradley around, who becomes the whipping boy? Alfonso Soriano, off to a 3-for-21 start, is a strong possibility.
Rangers at Indians. Though Cleveland center fielder Grady Sizemore sat out Sunday with a stiff back, he still could play Monday afternoon. The game also is expected to sell out. As of Sunday night, however, neither was a certainty.
White Sox at Blue Jays. A 5-1 trip to Texas and Baltimore has Toronto atop the AL East and should, for now, calm the locals who are still angry that Halladay is pitching in Philadelphia. Pitching rather well, too. He’s 2-0 after a complete-game victory over the Astros on Sunday.
Athletics at Mariners. No team will be happier to be home than Seattle, which has grabbed the early lead for most disappointing team. Thank you, newcomers Milton Bradley (1-for-21) and Cliff Lee (out until May).
Atlanta will be trying to go to 2-1 in openers, having won its own a week ago before losing in San Francisco on Friday. The odds are in the Braves’ favor: The last time they lost a series in San Diego was in 2005.
Diamondbacks at Dodgers. The focus at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday figures to be as much on the box seats near the home team’s dugout as on the field. Will owner Frank McCourt and estranged wife Jamie both show? Who gets the front-row seats? Will Tommy Lasorda play middle man? Stay tuned. The soap opera is far from over.
Zack Greinke already has allowed more earned runs than he did in the first six weeks of 2009, the Astros already have endured a six-game losing streak and Milton Bradley already has been caught flipping off fans.
And 10 teams haven’t played a home game yet.
That will change Monday and Tuesday as baseball season moves into the very early stage from the very, very early.
Three openers that figure to be a little more special than the rest:
Twins vs. Red Sox
Don’t blame the Twins for watching the Minnesota weather forecasts lately. They will play outdoors at home for the first time since 1981 when they open Target Field on Monday afternoon (4 ET, ESPN).
Denard Span plays meteorolgist ahead of Monday’s opener.
"It’s a little shaky rain-wise for (Monday) but the rest of the week is looking good," center fielder Denard Span said.
Though temperatures in the 70s are expected this week, freezing weather is a threat well into May in Minneapolis. The Twins don’t mind. They are thrilled to be moving into their own ball yard, which has received mostly rave reviews (except for the lack of a roof).
"We’ve been in the other place so long it’s hard to believe it’s our ballpark," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "You walk out and see this beautiful ballpark. It’s going to be an emotional day."
The Twins didn’t let the anticipation of opening a new park or, more impressively, the loss of All-Star closer Joe Nathan distract them in the season’s first week. They won five of seven on a trip that included three wins at Anaheim, an overnight flight to Chicago and two wins against the White Sox. They trail the first-place Tigers by a half-game in the AL Central.
Phillies vs. Nationals
The NL champions could not be blamed if they wanted to stay on the road after their offensive barrage at Washington and Houston. The Phillies pounded out at least 11 hits in each of their first five games and were hitting .337 before the offense slowed Sunday, though they still won behind Roy Halladay.
The Phillies won’t have their ring ceremony until later in the week but there still could be plenty of thrills Monday. They face the Nationals, whom they have beaten in 20 of the past 24 meetings.
Yankees vs. Angels
Expect a spectacle Tuesday when the Bombers open at home and celebrate their latest World Series championship. In addition to a ring ceremony, the club will show off flags for every one of its championships. Considering the Yankees have 27, finding room for them all could be a challenge.
Monday’s other openers:
Astros at Cardinals. The unknown here: Does new hitting coach Mark McGwire get the second-biggest ovation (the biggest is a given) from the Busch Stadium sellout crowd? Competition is stiff: Matt Holliday; Monday’s starter, Adam Wainwright; Chris Carpenter; Yadier Molina, and yes, even manager Tony La Russa.
Brewers at Cubs. Considering the Cubs’ slow start, don’t be surprised if the Wrigley Field faithful let out a few boos. But without Bradley around, who becomes the whipping boy? Alfonso Soriano, off to a 3-for-21 start, is a strong possibility.
Rangers at Indians. Though Cleveland center fielder Grady Sizemore sat out Sunday with a stiff back, he still could play Monday afternoon. The game also is expected to sell out. As of Sunday night, however, neither was a certainty.
White Sox at Blue Jays. A 5-1 trip to Texas and Baltimore has Toronto atop the AL East and should, for now, calm the locals who are still angry that Halladay is pitching in Philadelphia. Pitching rather well, too. He’s 2-0 after a complete-game victory over the Astros on Sunday.
Athletics at Mariners. No team will be happier to be home than Seattle, which has grabbed the early lead for most disappointing team. Thank you, newcomers Milton Bradley (1-for-21) and Cliff Lee (out until May).
Atlanta will be trying to go to 2-1 in openers, having won its own a week ago before losing in San Francisco on Friday. The odds are in the Braves’ favor: The last time they lost a series in San Diego was in 2005.
Diamondbacks at Dodgers. The focus at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday figures to be as much on the box seats near the home team’s dugout as on the field. Will owner Frank McCourt and estranged wife Jamie both show? Who gets the front-row seats? Will Tommy Lasorda play middle man? Stay tuned. The soap opera is far from over.
Sporting News’ Stan McNeal analyzes several early season trends.
STRIKE 1: It’s early but Wells is showing up
Vernon Wells is letting his bat speak for him — and it’s making big noise.
Just ask David Ortiz if the season is too young to make long-range assumptions. He bristled at reporters (to put it nicely) who tried to ask him about his slow start.
Vernon Wells has been around too long to get overly excited about his strong start. But this sure beats last year when he hit .260 with 15 homers. His struggles were compounded because of his massive contract, which has the Blue Jays on the hook for $107 million over the next five years. You can be sure Toronto fans upset about the team’s decision to trade Roy Halladay haven’t forgotten about Well’s deal.
Wells is doing as much as possible to get back in Toronto’s good graces. He slammed his fourth home run in three games Thursday — it was a ninth-inning shot that tied their game against Rangers. Toronto won 3-1, and Wells ended the series with a 6-for-10 showing, seven RBIs and more homers than he hit all of last April.
Don’t expect him to regress to his ’09 struggles, either. Two reasons: "Vernon is healthy and motivated," Blue Jays TV announcer and former manager Buck Martinez said. "He finally takes on the leadership role with Halladay out of the picture."
Health is the key. Wells, 31, didn’t complain last year when he missed only four games even though his left wrist bothered him most of the season (the same wrist he broke in 2008). But offseason surgery to repair cartilage damage has Wells feeling better and producing more than he has since signing his deal in late 2006.
STRIKE 2: San Francisco is off to a Giant start
Early results on Mark DeRosa are good as the Giants crank up on offense.
What was impressive about the Giants’ three-game, 18-run, 37-hit sweep of the Astros: They didn’t get an RBI from Pablo Sandoval.
What wasn’t so impressive: their opponent. The Astros’ best pitchers, Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez, both turned in (bare minimum) quality starts. But Brett Myers and the troubled Astros’ bullpen didn’t fare so well. The Giants pounded out 12 runs and 23 hits in 15 innings against Myers and the Houston ‘pen.
Like Wells, San Francisco newcomer Mark DeRosa also is responding nicely from offseason wrist surgery. DeRosa scored at least once and reached base at least twice in all three games. Edgar Renteria, a disappointment last season, had a five-hit game and reached base 11 times in 14 plate appearances. But the Giant to keep an eye on is John Bowker, who hit his way into the right-field job with a six-homer, 23-RBI showing in spring training. He had a hit in all three games, including a homer in Game 3.
The Giants will be tested this weekend when they open at home against the Braves. Hanging 18 runs on Atlanta like they did at Houston certainly would qualify as impressive.
STRIKE 3: Dusty’s critics are out again
Dusty Baker wears out umpires; more critical is early overuse of pitchers.
The knock against Dusty Baker is that he burns out his starting pitchers. Scouts and execs take both sides of the argument, and, yes, more have leaned toward the "yes" side. Three games into 2010, it’s easy to see why Baker has developed such a reputation.
Two Reds starters threw 109 pitches in their season debuts. On Wednesday, it was Johnny Cueto and on Thursday, Bronson Arroyo. So far, only the Rays’ Matt Garza has thrown more pitches (114).
So was 109 too many?
In Cueto’s case, yes. He’s 24 and spent time on the disabled list last season because of shoulder inflammation. He wasn’t pitching well enough to be extended so early. Still, Baker’s stance is easy to understand. Though Cueto labored, he had the Reds even with the Cardinals, 2-2, through six innings. Enter bullpen, goodbye tie. The Cardinals scored four runs in the seventh and won 6-3. This came after Cincinnati’s bullpen was bashed for seven runs in four innings in the opener.
Arroyo, conversely, is a veteran who can handle a heavy workload. Beginning in November, he throws "pretty much every day" and reports to spring training in excellent shape. Before he left for Arizona, he said, "I need those full six weeks (of camp). Hopefully, I’ll get 90 pitches under my belt in spring and with a little extra adrenaline in a real game, I can push it to 105."
Arroyo topped that slightly Thursday, but Baker shouldn’t be faulted for sending Arroyo out for the eighth in a 1-1 game. Arroyo had allowed only three hits to that point. After extending Arroyo through a scoreless eighth, Baker sent out closer Francisco Cordero in the ninth and he retired the Cardinals in order, setting the stage for Jonny Gomes’ walkoff homer to give the Reds their first victory.
This story appears in April 9’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only digital sports daily, sign up today.
Sporting News’ Stan McNeal analyzes several early season trends.
STRIKE 1: It’s early but Wells is showing up
Vernon Wells is letting his bat speak for him — and it’s making big noise.
Just ask David Ortiz if the season is too young to make long-range assumptions. He bristled at reporters (to put it nicely) who tried to ask him about his slow start.
Vernon Wells has been around too long to get overly excited about his strong start. But this sure beats last year when he hit .260 with 15 homers. His struggles were compounded because of his massive contract, which has the Blue Jays on the hook for $107 million over the next five years. You can be sure Toronto fans upset about the team’s decision to trade Roy Halladay haven’t forgotten about Well’s deal.
Wells is doing as much as possible to get back in Toronto’s good graces. He slammed his fourth home run in three games Thursday — it was a ninth-inning shot that tied their game against Rangers. Toronto won 3-1, and Wells ended the series with a 6-for-10 showing, seven RBIs and more homers than he hit all of last April.
Don’t expect him to regress to his ’09 struggles, either. Two reasons: "Vernon is healthy and motivated," Blue Jays TV announcer and former manager Buck Martinez said. "He finally takes on the leadership role with Halladay out of the picture."
Health is the key. Wells, 31, didn’t complain last year when he missed only four games even though his left wrist bothered him most of the season (the same wrist he broke in 2008). But offseason surgery to repair cartilage damage has Wells feeling better and producing more than he has since signing his deal in late 2006.
STRIKE 2: San Francisco is off to a Giant start
Early results on Mark DeRosa are good as the Giants crank up on offense.
What was impressive about the Giants’ three-game, 18-run, 37-hit sweep of the Astros: They didn’t get an RBI from Pablo Sandoval.
What wasn’t so impressive: their opponent. The Astros’ best pitchers, Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez, both turned in (bare minimum) quality starts. But Brett Myers and the troubled Astros’ bullpen didn’t fare so well. The Giants pounded out 12 runs and 23 hits in 15 innings against Myers and the Houston ‘pen.
Like Wells, San Francisco newcomer Mark DeRosa also is responding nicely from offseason wrist surgery. DeRosa scored at least once and reached base at least twice in all three games. Edgar Renteria, a disappointment last season, had a five-hit game and reached base 11 times in 14 plate appearances. But the Giant to keep an eye on is John Bowker, who hit his way into the right-field job with a six-homer, 23-RBI showing in spring training. He had a hit in all three games, including a homer in Game 3.
The Giants will be tested this weekend when they open at home against the Braves. Hanging 18 runs on Atlanta like they did at Houston certainly would qualify as impressive.
STRIKE 3: Dusty’s critics are out again
Dusty Baker wears out umpires; more critical is early overuse of pitchers.
The knock against Dusty Baker is that he burns out his starting pitchers. Scouts and execs take both sides of the argument, and, yes, more have leaned toward the "yes" side. Three games into 2010, it’s easy to see why Baker has developed such a reputation.
Two Reds starters threw 109 pitches in their season debuts. On Wednesday, it was Johnny Cueto and on Thursday, Bronson Arroyo. So far, only the Rays’ Matt Garza has thrown more pitches (114).
So was 109 too many?
In Cueto’s case, yes. He’s 24 and spent time on the disabled list last season because of shoulder inflammation. He wasn’t pitching well enough to be extended so early. Still, Baker’s stance is easy to understand. Though Cueto labored, he had the Reds even with the Cardinals, 2-2, through six innings. Enter bullpen, goodbye tie. The Cardinals scored four runs in the seventh and won 6-3. This came after Cincinnati’s bullpen was bashed for seven runs in four innings in the opener.
Arroyo, conversely, is a veteran who can handle a heavy workload. Beginning in November, he throws "pretty much every day" and reports to spring training in excellent shape. Before he left for Arizona, he said, "I need those full six weeks (of camp). Hopefully, I’ll get 90 pitches under my belt in spring and with a little extra adrenaline in a real game, I can push it to 105."
Arroyo topped that slightly Thursday, but Baker shouldn’t be faulted for sending Arroyo out for the eighth in a 1-1 game. Arroyo had allowed only three hits to that point. After extending Arroyo through a scoreless eighth, Baker sent out closer Francisco Cordero in the ninth and he retired the Cardinals in order, setting the stage for Jonny Gomes’ walkoff homer to give the Reds their first victory.
This story appears in April 9’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only digital sports daily, sign up today.
Evan Longoria could soon be baseball’s No. 1 pitchman.
Evan Longoria won’t turn 25 until October, but he already has exceeded all expectations for someone who went undrafted out of a Los Angeles high school in 2003.
• He became an All-American at Long Beach State after spending a year at junior college, and ended up as the third pick in the 2006 draft. He soared through the minors, reached the majors early in 2008 and has established himself as one of the game’s top players.
• He was a unanimous winner of the 2008 AL Rookie of the Year award, has made two All-Star teams, won a Gold Glove and set a rookie record for homers in a postseason (six).
• He averaged 30 homers and 99 RBIs in his first two seasons and started his third season Tuesday night by slamming a monster home run — a 473-foot shot that was the third longest in Tropicana Field history — in his third at-bat.
So what’s next?
Becoming a commercial star, of course.
Even if you don’t see the Rays on national TV much in the coming months, prepare to see a lot of Longoria. He is starring in two ads — one for New Era caps and on for the MLB 2K10 video game (he is the cover boy) — and has a role in a Pepsi spot. All figure to be played often during baseball broadcasts.
Longoria is reminiscent of Derek Jeter, baseball’s foremost pitchman. He has the All-American looks and although obviously confident, he comes across as humble and as guarded as he can be in interviews. Still, you can sense his personality.
He shows this in his role in the New Era commercial in which he plays a James Bond-like character who zooms around Tampa Bay seeking the culprit whom he believes has snatched his cap. While Longoria is not new to the camera, this was the rare instance when he wasn’t wearing his No. 3 jersey. In jeans and T-shirt, he felt the difference.
"When I wear my baseball uniform during a commercial shoot, my comfort level is unbelievable. I feel like I can do anything in my baseball uniform," Longoria says. "When I had to wear my civvies, it made me feel like I was acting."
At one point in the chase, Longoria finds himself on a street trolley walking up to a young blonde. He stops and introduces himself in what is supposed to be "a spoof of Ferris Bueller."
"That was acting," Longoria says. "I would not have done that."
Even though he is young, somewhat rich and famous and still single, he has an image to maintain — and Alex Rodriguez 2008 is not what he has in mind. Longoria, in fact, says he "had to politely decline" participating in a Rays’ promotion in which the club would have given away T-shirts with "Mrs. Longoria" on the back.
"I don’t want to project the image of me having all these women with my name on the back of their shirts," he said. "That’s not something I want out there."
Unlike teammates Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena, who are eligible to become free agents in the fall, Longoria is a Ray for the long haul. He remains under club control through 2016 as perhaps the biggest bargain in the majors. His $950,000 salary for 2010 ranks 19th on his own team.
When Longoria talks about upping his profile, he is quick to point out how he enjoys "getting the Tampa Bay Rays out there."
"So the more opportunities I get to be on a national media stage, I try to take," he says.
For his endorsements to grow, so must his game. Longoria improved across the board in his first full season, finishing 2009 with 33 homers, 44 doubles, 100 runs, 113 RBIs, a .281 average and .364 on-base percentage. Another year of facing the same pitchers should help his pitch recognition, which should allow him to reduce his strikeouts and improve his batting average.
Considering how fast and far he has come since high school, such improvement is as likely as a successful recovery of his cap in his new commercial.
Evan Longoria could soon be baseball’s No. 1 pitchman.
Evan Longoria won’t turn 25 until October, but he already has exceeded all expectations for someone who went undrafted out of a Los Angeles high school in 2003.
• He became an All-American at Long Beach State after spending a year at junior college, and ended up as the third pick in the 2006 draft. He soared through the minors, reached the majors early in 2008 and has established himself as one of the game’s top players.
• He was a unanimous winner of the 2008 AL Rookie of the Year award, has made two All-Star teams, won a Gold Glove and set a rookie record for homers in a postseason (six).
• He averaged 30 homers and 99 RBIs in his first two seasons and started his third season Tuesday night by slamming a monster home run — a 473-foot shot that was the third longest in Tropicana Field history — in his third at-bat.
So what’s next?
Becoming a commercial star, of course.
Even if you don’t see the Rays on national TV much in the coming months, prepare to see a lot of Longoria. He is starring in two ads — one for New Era caps and on for the MLB 2K10 video game (he is the cover boy) — and has a role in a Pepsi spot. All figure to be played often during baseball broadcasts.
Longoria is reminiscent of Derek Jeter, baseball’s foremost pitchman. He has the All-American looks and although obviously confident, he comes across as humble and as guarded as he can be in interviews. Still, you can sense his personality.
He shows this in his role in the New Era commercial in which he plays a James Bond-like character who zooms around Tampa Bay seeking the culprit whom he believes has snatched his cap. While Longoria is not new to the camera, this was the rare instance when he wasn’t wearing his No. 3 jersey. In jeans and T-shirt, he felt the difference.
"When I wear my baseball uniform during a commercial shoot, my comfort level is unbelievable. I feel like I can do anything in my baseball uniform," Longoria says. "When I had to wear my civvies, it made me feel like I was acting."
At one point in the chase, Longoria finds himself on a street trolley walking up to a young blonde. He stops and introduces himself in what is supposed to be "a spoof of Ferris Bueller."
"That was acting," Longoria says. "I would not have done that."
Even though he is young, somewhat rich and famous and still single, he has an image to maintain — and Alex Rodriguez 2008 is not what he has in mind. Longoria, in fact, says he "had to politely decline" participating in a Rays’ promotion in which the club would have given away T-shirts with "Mrs. Longoria" on the back.
"I don’t want to project the image of me having all these women with my name on the back of their shirts," he said. "That’s not something I want out there."
Unlike teammates Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena, who are eligible to become free agents in the fall, Longoria is a Ray for the long haul. He remains under club control through 2016 as perhaps the biggest bargain in the majors. His $950,000 salary for 2010 ranks 19th on his own team.
When Longoria talks about upping his profile, he is quick to point out how he enjoys "getting the Tampa Bay Rays out there."
"So the more opportunities I get to be on a national media stage, I try to take," he says.
For his endorsements to grow, so must his game. Longoria improved across the board in his first full season, finishing 2009 with 33 homers, 44 doubles, 100 runs, 113 RBIs, a .281 average and .364 on-base percentage. Another year of facing the same pitchers should help his pitch recognition, which should allow him to reduce his strikeouts and improve his batting average.
Considering how fast and far he has come since high school, such improvement is as likely as a successful recovery of his cap in his new commercial.
Opening day lessons culled from TV, telephone and Twitter:
1. Jason Heyward lives up to the hype. After he caught the ceremonial first pitch from Hank Aaron and received the loudest ovation of any Braves player in pregame introductions, the 20-year-old went to work. He didn’t take long to elicit another roar. In his first at-bat, Heyward crushed a 2-0 fastball over the right-field fence for a three-run homer off Carlos Zambrano. The moment was made even cooler when the TV cameras showed his proud parents in the stands celebrating with all those around them.
I feel fine: Albert Pujols takes a few healthy cuts against the Reds.
2. Oh, no for Zambrano.
After spending the spring talking about redemption, Big Z didn’t make it through two innings against the Braves. Zambrano gave up eight runs and retired only four hitters in his shortest outing since 2006. Now Zambrano needs consecutive shutouts to drop the resulting 54.00 ERA to under 4.00.
3. Albert Pujols is pretty good.Two homers, four hits, four runs. Guess that back problem that slowed him during spring training has gone away.
4. Roy Halladay is, too. This must have been what Halladay was hoping for when he was traded to the Phillies. After giving up an RBI double to Ryan Zimmerman in his first inning with his new team, Halladay was picked up by his offense. The Phillies scored five in the fourth, two in the sixth and four on a Placido Polanco grand slam in the seventh. By the time Halladay’s day was done, he had an 11-1 lead.
5. Wow. If you haven’t seen Mark Buehrle’s falling-down, between-the-legs throw to nail Cleveland’s Lou Marson at first, here’s a link. Believe me, it’s worth your time.
6. No team needed an opening day victory more than the Mets. Most encouraging about their 7-1 rout of the Marlins was the performance of their two key guys. Johan Santana gave up one hit in six innings to earn the win and ease concerns about his fastball velocity during spring training. David Wright hit a two-run homer in the first and now needs only four more to equal his home output from a year ago.
7. There were no surprises in Kansas City, except perhaps for the beach-ball barrage that littered the field. The Tigers’ Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya had fastballs clocked at 100 mph and the Royals let down their ace, Zack Greinke. He left with a 4-2 lead after six innings, only to watch the Tigers score six in their next at-bat.
8. The Rangers will be careful with Vlad Guerrero. He still can hit —he broke up Shaun Marcum’s no-hitter with a solid single in the seventh — but his running remains suspect. After Guerrero went from first to third on Nelson Cruz’s game-tying, one-out double in the ninth, the Rangers sent in a pinch runner. As it turned out, the winning run could have walked in on Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s drive to the wall. Guerrero finished 2-for-3 and ran his opening-day hitting streak to 11.
9. As big a deal as opening day is to fans, it’s not so much for players. Not if it’s some other team, anyway. Rays third baseman Evan Longoria spent part of his Monday promoting his new (and quite cool) commercial for New Era caps. Though the commercial debuted during the Red Sox-Yankees game Sunday night, Longoria was not tuned in. "I see enough baseball," he said. "As much as I see the Red Sox and the Yankees, I wasn’t too excited about watching the Yankees and Red Sox on Easter Sunday."
Opening day lessons culled from TV, telephone and Twitter:
1. Jason Heyward lives up to the hype. After he caught the ceremonial first pitch from Hank Aaron and received the loudest ovation of any Braves player in pregame introductions, the 20-year-old went to work. He didn’t take long to elicit another roar. In his first at-bat, Heyward crushed a 2-0 fastball over the right-field fence for a three-run homer off Carlos Zambrano. The moment was made even cooler when the TV cameras showed his proud parents in the stands celebrating with all those around them.
I feel fine: Albert Pujols takes a few healthy cuts against the Reds.
2. Oh, no for Zambrano.
After spending the spring talking about redemption, Big Z didn’t make it through two innings against the Braves. Zambrano gave up eight runs and retired only four hitters in his shortest outing since 2006. Now Zambrano needs consecutive shutouts to drop the resulting 54.00 ERA to under 4.00.
3. Albert Pujols is pretty good.Two homers, four hits, four runs. Guess that back problem that slowed him during spring training has gone away.
4. Roy Halladay is, too. This must have been what Halladay was hoping for when he was traded to the Phillies. After giving up an RBI double to Ryan Zimmerman in his first inning with his new team, Halladay was picked up by his offense. The Phillies scored five in the fourth, two in the sixth and four on a Placido Polanco grand slam in the seventh. By the time Halladay’s day was done, he had an 11-1 lead.
5. Wow. If you haven’t seen Mark Buehrle’s falling-down, between-the-legs throw to nail Cleveland’s Lou Marson at first, here’s a link. Believe me, it’s worth your time.
6. No team needed an opening day victory more than the Mets. Most encouraging about their 7-1 rout of the Marlins was the performance of their two key guys. Johan Santana gave up one hit in six innings to earn the win and ease concerns about his fastball velocity during spring training. David Wright hit a two-run homer in the first and now needs only four more to equal his home output from a year ago.
7. There were no surprises in Kansas City, except perhaps for the beach-ball barrage that littered the field. The Tigers’ Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya had fastballs clocked at 100 mph and the Royals let down their ace, Zack Greinke. He left with a 4-2 lead after six innings, only to watch the Tigers score six in their next at-bat.
8. The Rangers will be careful with Vlad Guerrero. He still can hit —he broke up Shaun Marcum’s no-hitter with a solid single in the seventh — but his running remains suspect. After Guerrero went from first to third on Nelson Cruz’s game-tying, one-out double in the ninth, the Rangers sent in a pinch runner. As it turned out, the winning run could have walked in on Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s drive to the wall. Guerrero finished 2-for-3 and ran his opening-day hitting streak to 11.
9. As big a deal as opening day is to fans, it’s not so much for players. Not if it’s some other team, anyway. Rays third baseman Evan Longoria spent part of his Monday promoting his new (and quite cool) commercial for New Era caps. Though the commercial debuted during the Red Sox-Yankees game Sunday night, Longoria was not tuned in. "I see enough baseball," he said. "As much as I see the Red Sox and the Yankees, I wasn’t too excited about watching the Yankees and Red Sox on Easter Sunday."
Opening day is just one of 162 games, as the grizzled vets will tell you. But it’s the only one when the bunting is hung, the ballparks are packed and butterflies are fluttering inside us all.
A look at nine openers where the buzz is certain to be big:
Roy Halladay knows the drill when the nation’s chief executive is in the house.
Roy Halladay will be starting his eighth consecutive opening day, but his first for a team favored to win the pennant. "There’s a lot more excitement for me going into the season knowing it’s a competitive team," he said at a news conference, while trying to downplay the hype of opening day. He can do that. He’s already followed President Obama to the mound before, at least year’s All-Star Game.
Ben Sheets didn’t seem bothered much by his 11.20 ERA during spring training. After not pitching last season, he was satisfied to make it through March healthy and prepared to start earning the $10 million the Athletics are paying him. He hopes this start goes better than the only other one he’s made in Oakland. In 2002 with the Brewers, he lasted only four innings in an 8-0 loss.
Much of the focus will be on the Angels’ new leadoff hitter, Erick Aybar, and the Twins’ new closer, Jon Rauch, but don’t overlook Minnesota’s starting pitcher. Scott Baker was on the disabled list last opening day but returned in mid-April and emerged as his club’s top starter. Now comes the first opening day assignment for a 28-year-old who could be the ace the Twins have lacked.
"Let’s just say he’s not a guy we’re worried about," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He doesn’t have the stuff like a Halladay but he can be pretty good. He’s going to get his 15 wins and if we score like we’re capable of, he’ll get more."
In his first game after landing the biggest free-agent contract of the offseason, Matt Holliday has to face a pitcher he’d rather not. Aaron Harang has held Holliday to one single in 16 at-bats. The Reds’ right-hander hasn’t had quite as much success against the guy batting in front of Holliday, Albert Pujols. In 54 meetings, Pujols has three homers, 10 RBIs and a .296 average against Harang.
Atlanta fans get their first look at native son Jason Heyward in a Braves uniform this afternoon. They will not have to wait long to see if he can hold his own against the elite. The Cubs will start Carlos Zambrano, who appears ready to put behind his disappointing 2009. So does Braves starter Derek Lowe, who will debut a windup he spent all winter and spring training retooling.
By last October, there was no doubt Ubaldo Jimenez was the Rockies’ No. 1 starter. Last year’s opening day starter Aaron Cook recognized and classily acknowledged as much when he asked to be in the room when manager Jim Tracy told Jimenez he would be starting on opening day. The Rockies also have a change to make in the ninth inning, as Franklin Morales takes over for injured Huston Street.
Colorado hopes that move is temporary. The Brewers also will be giving the ball to a first-time opening day starter, Yovani Gallardo.
Much has changed in the past year for Scott Feldman. His first outing last year came in relief; he allowed four runs in 2 1/3 innings. But when he got the chance to start later in April, his bad outings became seldom. He won 17 games and was one of the main reasons the Rangers contended into September. In the past week, Feldman has agreed to a contract extension and been named an opening day starter, just the third homegrown Ranger to be given that distinction since 1995.
Don’t be alarmed if Tim Lincecum doesn’t dominate the Astros, even if they are without Lance Berkman. Lincecum is coming off a so-so spring as he works to fine-tune a delivery with a lot of moving parts. Lincecum lasted only three innings in his first opening day start a year ago; that didn’t hurt him much — he went on to win his second consecutive NL Cy Young Award.
Detroit is expected to start two players, center fielder Austin Jackson and second baseman Scott Sizemore, who never have appeared in a big-league game. They could be in for a rude welcome: AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke is starting for the Royals.
Enjoy your opening day, rooks. And don’t worry if it doesn’t go well. It’s just one of 162.
Opening day is just one of 162 games, as the grizzled vets will tell you. But it’s the only one when the bunting is hung, the ballparks are packed and butterflies are fluttering inside us all.
A look at nine openers where the buzz is certain to be big:
Roy Halladay knows the drill when the nation’s chief executive is in the house.
Roy Halladay will be starting his eighth consecutive opening day, but his first for a team favored to win the pennant. "There’s a lot more excitement for me going into the season knowing it’s a competitive team," he said at a news conference, while trying to downplay the hype of opening day. He can do that. He’s already followed President Obama to the mound before, at least year’s All-Star Game.
Ben Sheets didn’t seem bothered much by his 11.20 ERA during spring training. After not pitching last season, he was satisfied to make it through March healthy and prepared to start earning the $10 million the Athletics are paying him. He hopes this start goes better than the only other one he’s made in Oakland. In 2002 with the Brewers, he lasted only four innings in an 8-0 loss.
Much of the focus will be on the Angels’ new leadoff hitter, Erick Aybar, and the Twins’ new closer, Jon Rauch, but don’t overlook Minnesota’s starting pitcher. Scott Baker was on the disabled list last opening day but returned in mid-April and emerged as his club’s top starter. Now comes the first opening day assignment for a 28-year-old who could be the ace the Twins have lacked.
"Let’s just say he’s not a guy we’re worried about," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He doesn’t have the stuff like a Halladay but he can be pretty good. He’s going to get his 15 wins and if we score like we’re capable of, he’ll get more."
In his first game after landing the biggest free-agent contract of the offseason, Matt Holliday has to face a pitcher he’d rather not. Aaron Harang has held Holliday to one single in 16 at-bats. The Reds’ right-hander hasn’t had quite as much success against the guy batting in front of Holliday, Albert Pujols. In 54 meetings, Pujols has three homers, 10 RBIs and a .296 average against Harang.
Atlanta fans get their first look at native son Jason Heyward in a Braves uniform this afternoon. They will not have to wait long to see if he can hold his own against the elite. The Cubs will start Carlos Zambrano, who appears ready to put behind his disappointing 2009. So does Braves starter Derek Lowe, who will debut a windup he spent all winter and spring training retooling.
By last October, there was no doubt Ubaldo Jimenez was the Rockies’ No. 1 starter. Last year’s opening day starter Aaron Cook recognized and classily acknowledged as much when he asked to be in the room when manager Jim Tracy told Jimenez he would be starting on opening day. The Rockies also have a change to make in the ninth inning, as Franklin Morales takes over for injured Huston Street.
Colorado hopes that move is temporary. The Brewers also will be giving the ball to a first-time opening day starter, Yovani Gallardo.
Much has changed in the past year for Scott Feldman. His first outing last year came in relief; he allowed four runs in 2 1/3 innings. But when he got the chance to start later in April, his bad outings became seldom. He won 17 games and was one of the main reasons the Rangers contended into September. In the past week, Feldman has agreed to a contract extension and been named an opening day starter, just the third homegrown Ranger to be given that distinction since 1995.
Don’t be alarmed if Tim Lincecum doesn’t dominate the Astros, even if they are without Lance Berkman. Lincecum is coming off a so-so spring as he works to fine-tune a delivery with a lot of moving parts. Lincecum lasted only three innings in his first opening day start a year ago; that didn’t hurt him much — he went on to win his second consecutive NL Cy Young Award.
Detroit is expected to start two players, center fielder Austin Jackson and second baseman Scott Sizemore, who never have appeared in a big-league game. They could be in for a rude welcome: AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke is starting for the Royals.
Enjoy your opening day, rooks. And don’t worry if it doesn’t go well. It’s just one of 162.
Opening day is about packed houses, traditions and No. 1 starters. Neither CC Sabathia nor Josh Beckett was on Sunday night when the Red Sox outlasted the Yankees 9-7 at Fenway Park.
Three more aces to watch in today’s openers:
Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay. Halladay will start his eighth consecutive opening day when the Phillies visit Washington, but his first for a pennant contender. "There’s a lot more excitement for me going into the season knowing it’s a competitive team," he said, while trying to downplay the hype. He can do that. He’s already followed President Obama to the mound before, at 2009’s All-Star game.
Kansas City’s Zack Greinke. Detroit will start rookies Austin Jackson and Scott Sizemore at Kansas City. They could be in for a rude welcome. Greinke, the A.L. Cy Young winner, is making his first opening-day start.
San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum. Don’t be alarmed if Lincecum doesn’t dominate at Houston. He’s a slow starter, having lasted only three innings in last year’s opener. That didn’t hurt him much, though, as he finished the year with his second Cy Young award.
Opening day is about packed houses, traditions and No. 1 starters. Neither CC Sabathia nor Josh Beckett was on Sunday night when the Red Sox outlasted the Yankees 9-7 at Fenway Park.
Three more aces to watch in today’s openers:
Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay. Halladay will start his eighth consecutive opening day when the Phillies visit Washington, but his first for a pennant contender. "There’s a lot more excitement for me going into the season knowing it’s a competitive team," he said, while trying to downplay the hype. He can do that. He’s already followed President Obama to the mound before, at 2009’s All-Star game.
Kansas City’s Zack Greinke. Detroit will start rookies Austin Jackson and Scott Sizemore at Kansas City. They could be in for a rude welcome. Greinke, the A.L. Cy Young winner, is making his first opening-day start.
San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum. Don’t be alarmed if Lincecum doesn’t dominate at Houston. He’s a slow starter, having lasted only three innings in last year’s opener. That didn’t hurt him much, though, as he finished the year with his second Cy Young award.
Baseball opens tonight with a bang: Yankees vs. Red Sox at Fenway Park (8:05 ET, ESPN2). Sizing up the rivals:
What’s changed
Yankees: In a nod toward youth, New York replaced aging World Series heroes Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon with DH Nick Johnson and center fielder Curtis Granderson. In an attempt to improve its pitching, the club swapped the roles of its top two young hurlers, with Phil Hughes joining the rotation and Joba Chamberlain heading to the bullpen.
Red Sox: Pitching and defense will be vital after the departure of Jason Bay and the arrival of John Lackey and a trio of plus defenders: center fielder Mike Cameron, third baseman Adrian Beltre and shortstop Marco Scutaro.
Yankees: Their payroll remains No. 1, as does their standing in Sporting News’ power poll.
Red Sox: After splitting 18 games last year, they still are seeking their first season-series victory over the Yankees since 2004.
This story appears in the April 4 edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only sports digital daily, sign up today.
Baseball opens tonight with a bang: Yankees vs. Red Sox at Fenway Park (8:05 ET, ESPN2). Sizing up the rivals:
What’s changed
Yankees: In a nod toward youth, New York replaced aging World Series heroes Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon with DH Nick Johnson and center fielder Curtis Granderson. In an attempt to improve its pitching, the club swapped the roles of its top two young hurlers, with Phil Hughes joining the rotation and Joba Chamberlain heading to the bullpen.
Red Sox: Pitching and defense will be vital after the departure of Jason Bay and the arrival of John Lackey and a trio of plus defenders: center fielder Mike Cameron, third baseman Adrian Beltre and shortstop Marco Scutaro.
Yankees: Their payroll remains No. 1, as does their standing in Sporting News’ power poll.
Red Sox: After splitting 18 games last year, they still are seeking their first season-series victory over the Yankees since 2004.
This story appears in the April 4 edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only sports digital daily, sign up today.
If you’re ready for the season opener, hopefully you’re ready for a season-opening quiz. Here you go.
Which will be greater?
Home runs by Jason Heyward, or games missed by Chipper Jones?
Jones missed 19 games last season, his fewest since 2003. After all the Heyward buildup, fewer than 20 homers will be a disappointment. I’m buying the hype.
Pablo Sandoval will have to work to keep his weight under Tim Lincecum’s strikeout total.
Tim Lincecum’s strikeout total, or Pablo Sandoval’s weight?
The "Freak" had 261 strikeouts last season. "Kung Fu Panda" is listed at 246 pounds after an offseason nutrition program failed to make a noticeable difference. I’ll stick with Lincecum, partly because few will be privy to Sandoval’s real weight.
Stolen bases by Michael Bourn, or wins by the Astros?
Houston will be fortunate to match last year’s 74 wins. Bourn stole 61 bases while reaching base 238 times (up from 146 in 2008). If he can reduce his strikeouts (140), he’ll have more chances to run. I’m going with Bourn, 72-70.
Innings pitched by Dan Haren, or strikeouts by Mark Reynolds?
Haren worked 229 1/3 innings last season, his fifth consecutive season with at least 216. Reynolds went from 204 to 223 strikeouts. He has to start cutting back, doesn’t he?
Walks, or strikeouts by Albert Pujols?
No contest. Pujols has had more walks than strikeouts in every season other than his rookie year.
Tirades by Lou Piniella, or regrettable Tweets by Ozzie Guillen?
Who cares? Both are sure to be entertaining.
Wins by Zack Greinke, or homers by Royals new center fielder Rick Ankiel?
Greinke should match his 16 wins from 2009 with just a little help. He is due for some. He won just once when allowing more than two runs last season (in that game, he gave up three). With the chance to play every day, Ankiel should rebound from his 11-homer disappointment as long as he lays off curveballs in the dirt. That is easier said than done.
Runs scored by Erick Aybar, or runs scored by Chone Figgins?
That is asking too much of Aybar, who is assuming Figgins’ role as Angels’ leadoff hitter. Even without a lot of pop behind Figgins in Seattle, he’ll score more.
Stolen bases by Dexter Fowler, or doubles by Todd Helton?
Helton hit 38 doubles while Fowler stole 27 bases in 2009. But being a year older will benefit Fowler more than Helton. Fowler will have more steals even if Helton’s production doesn’t dip.
Over or under?
3: Snowouts at new Target Field.
I agree with all the players not on the Twins. "They’re going to regret not having a retractable roof," said Torii Hunter, who spent nine full seasons in Minneapolis.
You don’t think approaching retirement will suddenly make Bobby Cox a teddy bear, to you?
6: Ejections for Bobby Cox.
That’s how many times he was booted last season, according to retrosheet.org. Don’t expect him to mellow just because he says this is his final year.
20: Wins for Roy Halladay.
The Phillies haven’t had a righthanded 20-game winner since Robin Roberts in 1952. I’m going with history.
50: Headlines in New York dailies about Carl Crawford’s assumed signing with the Yankees.
Expect Crawford’s free-agent situation to be a "story" before each of the six series between the Yankees and Rays. With at least seven newspapers following the Yankees, multiply six times seven. Add a few more for the "what’s in store for next year" stories and this one will be very close.
81: Sellouts at Fenway Park.
Take the 81 because that is all they’ll play. The Red Sox’s sellout streak is up to 550 games and there is no reason to believe it won’t continue.
Before or after?
May 1: First manager fired.
Before. One to watch: Jerry Manuel. The Mets will need to do something to keep fans interested — and it won’t be winning. Their April schedule includes only one team (Washington) that finished with a losing record in ’09.
May 15: Aroldis Chapman’s arrival.
Though the Reds have had a spirited competition among three youngsters for their No. 5 spot, Chapman has pitched too well and is being paid too much to spend more than a few weeks in the minors.
June 1: Stephen Strasburg’s arrival.
A May 19-23 homestand seems a bit soon. But when the Nationals return from a 10-game trip on June 4, Strasburg will be with them.
July 1: Milton Bradley wearing out his welcome in Seattle.
I’m going after. Like not at all this season. Ken Griffey Jr. will prevent Bradley from imploding.
July 31: Manny Ramirez traded.
Joe Torre will be fed up long before the trading deadline, when the Dodgers will pay Ramirez’s salary to dump him on an A.L. club.
Thanksgiving: The World Series will be completed.
Before, but not by much.
If you’re ready for the season opener, hopefully you’re ready for a season-opening quiz. Here you go.
Which will be greater?
Home runs by Jason Heyward, or games missed by Chipper Jones?
Jones missed 19 games last season, his fewest since 2003. After all the Heyward buildup, fewer than 20 homers will be a disappointment. I’m buying the hype.
Pablo Sandoval will have to work to keep his weight under Tim Lincecum’s strikeout total.
Tim Lincecum’s strikeout total, or Pablo Sandoval’s weight?
The "Freak" had 261 strikeouts last season. "Kung Fu Panda" is listed at 246 pounds after an offseason nutrition program failed to make a noticeable difference. I’ll stick with Lincecum, partly because few will be privy to Sandoval’s real weight.
Stolen bases by Michael Bourn, or wins by the Astros?
Houston will be fortunate to match last year’s 74 wins. Bourn stole 61 bases while reaching base 238 times (up from 146 in 2008). If he can reduce his strikeouts (140), he’ll have more chances to run. I’m going with Bourn, 72-70.
Innings pitched by Dan Haren, or strikeouts by Mark Reynolds?
Haren worked 229 1/3 innings last season, his fifth consecutive season with at least 216. Reynolds went from 204 to 223 strikeouts. He has to start cutting back, doesn’t he?
Walks, or strikeouts by Albert Pujols?
No contest. Pujols has had more walks than strikeouts in every season other than his rookie year.
Tirades by Lou Piniella, or regrettable Tweets by Ozzie Guillen?
Who cares? Both are sure to be entertaining.
Wins by Zack Greinke, or homers by Royals new center fielder Rick Ankiel?
Greinke should match his 16 wins from 2009 with just a little help. He is due for some. He won just once when allowing more than two runs last season (in that game, he gave up three). With the chance to play every day, Ankiel should rebound from his 11-homer disappointment as long as he lays off curveballs in the dirt. That is easier said than done.
Runs scored by Erick Aybar, or runs scored by Chone Figgins?
That is asking too much of Aybar, who is assuming Figgins’ role as Angels’ leadoff hitter. Even without a lot of pop behind Figgins in Seattle, he’ll score more.
Stolen bases by Dexter Fowler, or doubles by Todd Helton?
Helton hit 38 doubles while Fowler stole 27 bases in 2009. But being a year older will benefit Fowler more than Helton. Fowler will have more steals even if Helton’s production doesn’t dip.
Over or under?
3: Snowouts at new Target Field.
I agree with all the players not on the Twins. "They’re going to regret not having a retractable roof," said Torii Hunter, who spent nine full seasons in Minneapolis.
You don’t think approaching retirement will suddenly make Bobby Cox a teddy bear, to you?
6: Ejections for Bobby Cox.
That’s how many times he was booted last season, according to retrosheet.org. Don’t expect him to mellow just because he says this is his final year.
20: Wins for Roy Halladay.
The Phillies haven’t had a righthanded 20-game winner since Robin Roberts in 1952. I’m going with history.
50: Headlines in New York dailies about Carl Crawford’s assumed signing with the Yankees.
Expect Crawford’s free-agent situation to be a "story" before each of the six series between the Yankees and Rays. With at least seven newspapers following the Yankees, multiply six times seven. Add a few more for the "what’s in store for next year" stories and this one will be very close.
81: Sellouts at Fenway Park.
Take the 81 because that is all they’ll play. The Red Sox’s sellout streak is up to 550 games and there is no reason to believe it won’t continue.
Before or after?
May 1: First manager fired.
Before. One to watch: Jerry Manuel. The Mets will need to do something to keep fans interested — and it won’t be winning. Their April schedule includes only one team (Washington) that finished with a losing record in ’09.
May 15: Aroldis Chapman’s arrival.
Though the Reds have had a spirited competition among three youngsters for their No. 5 spot, Chapman has pitched too well and is being paid too much to spend more than a few weeks in the minors.
June 1: Stephen Strasburg’s arrival.
A May 19-23 homestand seems a bit soon. But when the Nationals return from a 10-game trip on June 4, Strasburg will be with them.
July 1: Milton Bradley wearing out his welcome in Seattle.
I’m going after. Like not at all this season. Ken Griffey Jr. will prevent Bradley from imploding.
July 31: Manny Ramirez traded.
Joe Torre will be fed up long before the trading deadline, when the Dodgers will pay Ramirez’s salary to dump him on an A.L. club.
Thanksgiving: The World Series will be completed.
Before, but not by much.
If spring training is just about over, the position battles must be, too. In most cases, they are. How one key battle from each division has played out so far:
Sean Rodriguez has wielded a hot bat this spring.
AL East: Rays second base The competition: Sean Rodriguez vs. Reid Brignac (and others) The verdict: Both guys came to camp just hoping to make the club. But in addition to making manager Joe Maddon’s decision difficult, their play has shown the rest of the majors something else: The Rays have one deep roster. Rodriguez, 24, has slugged his way into the lineup by ranking among the Grapefruit League leaders most of the spring (.467 average, six homers, 17 RBIs in 60 at-bats before Thursday). Brignac has nearly kept pace, with a .351 average and 18 RBIs. What it means: Maddon has plenty of options. Earlier in camp, he said he would use All-Star Ben Zobrist at second or in right, wherever he was needed most. With right fielder Matt Joyce (wrist) expected to begin the season on the disabled list, Zobrist appears headed for the outfield. How long he stays there remains to be seen because Maddon since has said that Rodriguez also can play outfield.
Moving back and forth works for Zobrist, who wasn’t even in the lineup on opening day last year but made his first All-Star team. "I love getting the different looks at the game," he said. "If I had to choose, I’d choose infield. But as long as they don’t make me choose, I want to be flexible. I want to do what we need."
AL Central: Twins closer The competition: Jon Rauch vs. every non-starter The verdict: TBD. Manager Ron Gardenhire hasn’t issued too many hints about how the club will replace All-Star Joe Nathan, out for the season after Tommy John surgery. "We’ll figure it out," the manager said. It appears the team will use a closer-by-committee approach early in the season. Although Rauch has the most experience finishing games, Gardenhire has mentioned Matt Guerrier first when talking about his relievers. Jesse Crain and Jose Mijares also could get their chances. What it means: Who knows? Gardenhire hasn’t had to worry about the ninth inning since Nathan became the closer in 2004, his first season with the Twins. How long Gardenhire mixes and matches likely will depend on how long it takes someone to prove he is the guy. The Twins also are exploring trade possibilities. A trade would make sense because the rest of the relievers could remain in their customary roles.
AL West: Angels third base The competition: Brandon Wood vs. Maicer Izturis The verdict: When Chone Figgins was talking to the Angels about returning, he got the feeling the club was ready to give Wood a real chance. "He has been in their eyes for a while now," Figgins said. Wood, 24, has disappointed in limited major league stints but is batting over .300 and looking good defensively this spring. What it means: Wood will hit ninth while shortstop Erick Aybar assumes Figgins’ role as leadoff hitter and Izturis becomes arguably the best utilityman in the game. The switch-hitting Izturis hit a career-best .300 in 114 games last season, playing second base when Howie Kendrick was optioned to the minors. Izturis figures to spend time at second, shortstop and third this season, but manager Mike Scioscia already has issued a warning to Wood about getting too comfortable and assuming third base is his.
Gaby Sanchez beat out Logan Morrison for the Marlins first-base job.
NL East: Marlins first base The competition: Gaby Sanchez vs. Logan Morrison The verdict: Neither player hit like he wanted the job early this spring, but Sanchez eventually heated up and Florida’s decision became obvious as Morrison struggled. More time in the minors won’t hurt the 22-year-old Morrison. Sanchez, 26, is expected to hit eighth, partly because the Marlins believe Cameron Maybin has a better chance of success batting second. What it means: Going with Sanchez helps in two other areas: third base and the bench. Jorge Cantu, an option for first if Sanchez and Morrison both had flopped, is more comfortable at third. Also, moving Cantu to first would have meant relying on Wes Helm or Emilio Bonifacio at third. Both are viewed as part-time players.
NL Central: Cubs second base The competition: Mike Fontenot vs. Jeff Baker The verdict: Fontenot made this easy for the Cubs. After tweaking his stance — courtesy of new hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo — he has hit this spring more like he did in 2008 (.305) than 2009 (.236). Baker, meanwhile, entered Thursday’s action with a .229 average this spring. Worth noting: Fontenot had a good spring last year, too, but it didn’t carry over. What it means: The Cubs will start with the same infield they started with last season. Baker, a righthanded hitter acquired from the Rockies last July, still should get plenty of at-bats because the lefthanded-hitting Fontenot struggles against southpaws. Fontenot also is expected to play shortstop when Ryan Theriot sits.
NL West: Dodgers second base The competition: Blake DeWitt vs. Ronnie Belliard The verdict: Dodgers manager Joe Torre has been hesitant to declare a winner, but DeWitt will be the choice. He has hit too well to not be in the lineup, even though Torre isn’t convinced DeWitt’s defense is good enough to warrant an everyday role. Belliard grabbed the job from Orlando Hudson last August but needed most of March just to get his weight down to the 208 pounds needed to guarantee his contract. His batting average remains below his weight. Jamey Carroll, who signed a two-year deal this offseason, never had much of a chance to start. What it means: DeWitt can say he has started on opening day at two positions after beginning 2008 at third. Beyond that, DeWitt, 24, knows he can’t be comfortable with Belliard behind him. Torre never has needed much of a reason to opt for veterans.
If spring training is just about over, the position battles must be, too. In most cases, they are. How one key battle from each division has played out so far:
Sean Rodriguez has wielded a hot bat this spring.
AL East: Rays second base The competition: Sean Rodriguez vs. Reid Brignac (and others) The verdict: Both guys came to camp just hoping to make the club. But in addition to making manager Joe Maddon’s decision difficult, their play has shown the rest of the majors something else: The Rays have one deep roster. Rodriguez, 24, has slugged his way into the lineup by ranking among the Grapefruit League leaders most of the spring (.467 average, six homers, 17 RBIs in 60 at-bats before Thursday). Brignac has nearly kept pace, with a .351 average and 18 RBIs. What it means: Maddon has plenty of options. Earlier in camp, he said he would use All-Star Ben Zobrist at second or in right, wherever he was needed most. With right fielder Matt Joyce (wrist) expected to begin the season on the disabled list, Zobrist appears headed for the outfield. How long he stays there remains to be seen because Maddon since has said that Rodriguez also can play outfield.
Moving back and forth works for Zobrist, who wasn’t even in the lineup on opening day last year but made his first All-Star team. "I love getting the different looks at the game," he said. "If I had to choose, I’d choose infield. But as long as they don’t make me choose, I want to be flexible. I want to do what we need."
AL Central: Twins closer The competition: Jon Rauch vs. every non-starter The verdict: TBD. Manager Ron Gardenhire hasn’t issued too many hints about how the club will replace All-Star Joe Nathan, out for the season after Tommy John surgery. "We’ll figure it out," the manager said. It appears the team will use a closer-by-committee approach early in the season. Although Rauch has the most experience finishing games, Gardenhire has mentioned Matt Guerrier first when talking about his relievers. Jesse Crain and Jose Mijares also could get their chances. What it means: Who knows? Gardenhire hasn’t had to worry about the ninth inning since Nathan became the closer in 2004, his first season with the Twins. How long Gardenhire mixes and matches likely will depend on how long it takes someone to prove he is the guy. The Twins also are exploring trade possibilities. A trade would make sense because the rest of the relievers could remain in their customary roles.
AL West: Angels third base The competition: Brandon Wood vs. Maicer Izturis The verdict: When Chone Figgins was talking to the Angels about returning, he got the feeling the club was ready to give Wood a real chance. "He has been in their eyes for a while now," Figgins said. Wood, 24, has disappointed in limited major league stints but is batting over .300 and looking good defensively this spring. What it means: Wood will hit ninth while shortstop Erick Aybar assumes Figgins’ role as leadoff hitter and Izturis becomes arguably the best utilityman in the game. The switch-hitting Izturis hit a career-best .300 in 114 games last season, playing second base when Howie Kendrick was optioned to the minors. Izturis figures to spend time at second, shortstop and third this season, but manager Mike Scioscia already has issued a warning to Wood about getting too comfortable and assuming third base is his.
Gaby Sanchez beat out Logan Morrison for the Marlins first-base job.
NL East: Marlins first base The competition: Gaby Sanchez vs. Logan Morrison The verdict: Neither player hit like he wanted the job early this spring, but Sanchez eventually heated up and Florida’s decision became obvious as Morrison struggled. More time in the minors won’t hurt the 22-year-old Morrison. Sanchez, 26, is expected to hit eighth, partly because the Marlins believe Cameron Maybin has a better chance of success batting second. What it means: Going with Sanchez helps in two other areas: third base and the bench. Jorge Cantu, an option for first if Sanchez and Morrison both had flopped, is more comfortable at third. Also, moving Cantu to first would have meant relying on Wes Helm or Emilio Bonifacio at third. Both are viewed as part-time players.
NL Central: Cubs second base The competition: Mike Fontenot vs. Jeff Baker The verdict: Fontenot made this easy for the Cubs. After tweaking his stance — courtesy of new hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo — he has hit this spring more like he did in 2008 (.305) than 2009 (.236). Baker, meanwhile, entered Thursday’s action with a .229 average this spring. Worth noting: Fontenot had a good spring last year, too, but it didn’t carry over. What it means: The Cubs will start with the same infield they started with last season. Baker, a righthanded hitter acquired from the Rockies last July, still should get plenty of at-bats because the lefthanded-hitting Fontenot struggles against southpaws. Fontenot also is expected to play shortstop when Ryan Theriot sits.
NL West: Dodgers second base The competition: Blake DeWitt vs. Ronnie Belliard The verdict: Dodgers manager Joe Torre has been hesitant to declare a winner, but DeWitt will be the choice. He has hit too well to not be in the lineup, even though Torre isn’t convinced DeWitt’s defense is good enough to warrant an everyday role. Belliard grabbed the job from Orlando Hudson last August but needed most of March just to get his weight down to the 208 pounds needed to guarantee his contract. His batting average remains below his weight. Jamey Carroll, who signed a two-year deal this offseason, never had much of a chance to start. What it means: DeWitt can say he has started on opening day at two positions after beginning 2008 at third. Beyond that, DeWitt, 24, knows he can’t be comfortable with Belliard behind him. Torre never has needed much of a reason to opt for veterans.
