Category: MLB

A National League scout spoke with Sporting News’ Ryan Fagan about three of the NL East’s biggest questions:

Who’s the ace of the division: Roy Halladay, Johan Santana or Josh Johnson?
Scout says: "The ace of the division is Roy Halladay. He had another fantastic season for the Jays (in 2009), including a career-high 208 strikeouts. He’s escaped the A.L. East, but he landed in a more hitter-friendly home park. I still expect Cy Young-caliber performances from him, and his bids for individual and team hardware will be stronger as he’ll have an excellent chance at winning 20-plus games with a better team behind him in Philadelphia."

Which Met is more likely to bounce back after a disappointing 2009: David Wright or Oliver Perez?
Scout says: "Wright is more likely to bounce back. Wright has a good compact swing with strong, quick hands. (He) tried to do too much last season with several of their key guys on the disabled list, and he was expanding the strike zone. Perez has a high-maintenance delivery; he can get out of sync fast and continues to be off and on with command of his pitches."

Which Cole Hamels will show up this season?
Scout says: "Cole Hamels will be much better than he was in 2009, though it will be very hard to match his 2008 season. He began last year with some arm soreness, and his ERA went from 3.09 in 2008 to 4.32 in 2009. He needs to revive his curveball to get back to his 2008 form."

This story first appeared in the February 15, 2010 edition of Sporting News magazine. If you are not receiving the magazine, subscribe today, or pick up a copy, available at most Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hudson Retail outlets.

After admitting he had "regrets" about his career, Eric Gagne tells the Los Angeles Times that he used human growth hormone when he was a dominant closer for the Dodgers.

Columnist T.J. Simers quotes Gagne as saying he used HGH to help himself "get better" after suffering a knee injury in spring training of 2005.

"I’m so ashamed. It wasn’t smart," Simers quotes Gagne as saying. "If I knew what I know now. … I didn’t need it. I regret it so much, just now maybe getting over the guilt. It was stupid."

He added: "I will have to live with the mistake that I made for the rest of my life."

Gagne injured his pitching elbow later in 2005, which required two surgeries. He also underwent back surgery in 2006, and he has suffered hip and shoulder injuries the past several seasons. He now is trying to make the Dodgers’ bullpen as a non-roster player.

During the weekend, Gagne expressed his unspecified regrets to AOL Fanhouse. To many, it sounded like a quasi-admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs. Gagne was named in the Mitchell Report commissioned by Major League Baseball to investigate PED use in the game. In the report, it was alleged that Gagne received HGH in 2004.

Roy Halladay has never been much for pomp and circumstance, though he’ll have to learn to live with far more of it as the ace of the Phillies than he ever experienced in 11-plus seasons in Toronto. He got a taste of it in December when—after two days and nights sequestered in a downtown Philly hotel with his wife, Brandy—he was spotted by members of the local media and a blazing-hot story was instantly born.

Roy Halladay led all pitchers in the 2000s with 47 complete games.

The truth is, he didn’t so much mind it, just as he wouldn’t have minded a little more company as he pulled on his Phillies uniform for the first time before a Sporting News interview and photo shoot in Clearwater, Fla., in late January. But none of his new teammates, nor a single member of the Phillies’ big-league staff, was there to see it.

"At least nobody can take it away now," he said, tucking in his No. 34 jersey just so as he looked around at an empty Bright House Networks Field. The six-time All-Star—who went to the Phillies in the blockbuster deal that also sent Cliff Lee to Seattle—spoke with Steve Greenberg for a Sporting News magazine interview. The following are excerpts and outtakes from that interview, which is on newsstands now.

Sporting News: When you think about your new teammates, is there a face that always pops into your head? Who are you really excited to get to know?

Roy Halladay: I think I’ve heard the most about Chase Utley. Everybody knows what kind of player he is, but the things I’ve heard about him as far as being a leader and the way he approaches the game, the way he prepares himself, that’s exciting to me. Seeing that, for me, is going to be a highlight.

SN: Did you believe you were going to the Phillies last July?

RH: I did. It’s tough because you feel like you owe the team you’re playing for your time and effort and dedication—that’s where your focus should be—but I definitely was looking forward to that opportunity, and that was hard. Once it (didn’t happen), there was a little bit of disappointment. I love Toronto and loved my time there, but I saw the direction that the Phillies were going in and how they were playing at the time, knowing they were going to be in the playoffs. That’s the opportunity I wanted most. It wasn’t changing cities or teammates or anything like that.

SN: After all those years of It’s the Yankees’ and Red Sox’ world, we’re just living in it, would you have gladly pitched for one of the division bullies?

RH: Well, it would’ve been different. Any time you’re basically raised in an AL East organization that’s not Boston or New York, you grow up hating them. But that’s also a sign of respect because they’ve been good for so long; you don’t hate the players, you hate getting beat by them. Obviously, they’re great markets, and that was appealing for us. Again: Where do we have the best chance of winning? Once we were able to get down to a couple teams, it would’ve been easy to go play for any of them.

SN: Did you ever hold out hope the Rockies would somehow bring you back to your hometown of Denver?

RH: No. Being able to go there now a couple times a year is going to be enough for us. For me, it’s always been hard to play where you live or where you have lived. I’m not very good at dealing with distractions outside the field. It’s kind of nice to be able to go into a city where you were and see everybody, then go back to business. There’s a little bit of separation there during the season. I’ll probably spend a lot of time out there when I’m done playing.

SN: Can you imagine what it would be like to see the Blue Jays turn it around and win a championship without you?

RH: Wow. It would be mixed emotions, but I think I would be a backer; I’d be a fan. At some point, maybe that will happen; it’s just the timelines didn’t match up as far as my career. I got to a point where I feel like I have a window of opportunity that’s getting smaller; there’s more of an urgency, and I think the long-term plans of the Blue Jays to get better are going to take a little longer. And I think at some point they will get there. I wish the best for them and hope they do well—I just hope I’m done playing when they do. (Laughs.)

SN: How confident are you that you’ll move smoothly from the AL to the NL?

Roy Halladay went 148-76 with a 3.43 ERA in 12 years in Toronto.

RH: Nobody ever knows. For me, the important thing is I just have never predicted the future. I think that’s probably going to be my biggest asset—going in and trying to focus on my job at hand and not worrying about how things are going to end up working out. There’s uncertainty with not knowing different players, not knowing different teams, and how all that is going to play out is going to be different. But I’m a big believer in the one-step-at-a-time process, and I plan on approaching it that way.

SN: Do you believe, as many do, that the NL has weaker lineups than the AL?

RH: The DH has a lot to do with it. There are good players in both leagues; it’s just the way lineups are set up. Your 7-8-9 are a lot stronger in the American League because it’s more of an offensive league. In the National League, there’s more of an emphasis on defense. But there are great players in both leagues. If you even look at the All-Star Games, all of them are real close; there’s no real blowouts. But in the American League, there’s no break; there are no freebies.

SN: How many times have you heard yourself referred to as the best pitcher never to pitch in the playoffs?

RH: You know what? I heard it more in Toronto than anywhere. It’s one of those things you want to get over. It’s kind of a hidden compliment, I guess. But I think the longer you play, the more important that part of the game is. When you’re younger, it doesn’t bother you as much because you’re in the big leagues and trying to have your own success. But that changes.

SN: With all due respect, have you ever pitched in a big game in your life? Or felt that big-game pressure?

RH: I think any time you go into New York, you feel that way. (Laughs.) There have been years where we’ve had big series—where we’re a game out or a game up in the middle of the season and facing the Yankees or Red Sox—but obviously it’s a different level once you get to the playoffs. But I’ve always felt the pressure part of it is what you perceive it to be. There’s nothing that can actually physically put pressure on you other than how you perceive things. … The playoffs are going to be a different level than anything I’ve done before, but I feel like I’m ready for it.

SN: After playing in Toronto for so long, are you concerned at all about the media demands and scrutiny that you’ll face in Philadelphia?

RH: I know when I need to put my foot down a little bit. I think I’ve always tried to be as gracious and helpful as I could, knowing my limitations. Everybody has to know what it takes for you to prepare and feel confident when you go out there, and those are lines I just won’t cross, period.

SN: Won’t it be fun to be compared with Cliff Lee all season?

RH: You know, I’ve always admired Cliff. He was a great pitcher in our league. I finished second to him in Cy Young voting (in 2008) and he beat me to the punch coming over here. There’s definitely parts of me that feel he got the better of me. But I’m sure I’m like every other player in that I would’ve enjoyed to have him here. It wasn’t in my hands; I had no say over it. But I’m obviously going to take the brunt of it.

SN: Who’s the best starting pitcher in your new division? Is it you?

RH: I’d never vote for myself. (The Mets’) Johan Santana has always been fun to watch. The way Cole pitched in the playoffs a couple years ago and at times last year, I think he’s up there. Some of the Marlins’ younger guys are scary—Josh Johnson. There’s a lot of talent.

SN: What about in the N.L. altogether?

RH: I’m biased, but (St. Louis’) Chris Carpenter is my favorite. I played with him in Toronto and know what kind of a person he is. He’s obviously had his ups and downs with injuries. I enjoy watching him and root for him a lot. I feel like he’s a lot like me.

SN: Are you prepared right here, right now, to guarantee the NL’s first All-Star win since 1996?

RH: I hope so. I can’t guarantee it. I tell you what, I’ve had my problems in All-Star Games. It’s hard because you’re so used to preparing knowing the lineups, who you’re facing, what you’re going to do.

SN: That explanation is out the window for you now.

RH: Yeah, I guess it is. You know what? The NL teams were always good. I think at some point, you lose enough times and it becomes harder and harder to overcome. It becomes a topic, and that makes it tough. I’d like to be a part of changing it.

Steve Greenberg is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at sgreenberg@sportingnews.com.

This story first appeared in the Feb. 15, 2010 edition of Sporting News magazine. If you are not receiving the magazine, subscribe today, or pick up a copy, available at most Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hudson Retail outlets.

Wonder what it’s been like for Jeff Francoeur to be traded from his hometown Atlanta Braves for their division rival New York Mets? If you have a question for Francoeur, send it to us, along with your name and hometown, to kbradley@sportingnews.com and we’ll have him answer five of the best ones in a future issue of Sporting News magazine.

No National League franchise has made three consecutive trips to the World Series since the St. Louis Cardinals turned the trick from 1942-44. With the league’s best lineup and Roy Halladay added to the top of the rotation, this year’s Phillies squad is a serious threat to duplicate the Cardinals’ feat. Philadelphia also should challenge the 100-win plateau, which it has reached just twice in franchise history (1976-77).

Brad Lidge is looking to bounce back after struggling in 2009.

Three questions

1. Will the bullpen be better?
It isn’t that the bullpen as a whole was bad last season — the 3.91 ERA ranked ninth among 16 NL teams — but closer Brad Lidge must be much better than he was in 2009. Manager Charlie Manuel stuck with Lidge, who was nearly unhittable in 2008, despite his 7.21 ERA, 0-8 record and 11 blown saves. Lidge converted all three of his save chances in the postseason, though, and will have a good-sized leash as he attempts to prove 2009’s disaster was a fluke.

As for the rest of the bullpen, 2009 mainstays Scott Eyre, Clay Condrey and Chan Ho Park are gone, and veterans Danys Baez and Jose Contreras are in. Baez, the more known quantity of the two, had a 4.02 ERA in the Orioles’ bullpen last season. Contreras has only made five relief appearances — all last year after he joined the Rockies — since his rookie season. There could be an adjustment period as he settles into the ‘pen full-time.

2. Which Cole Hamels will show up?
The lefthander failed to meet expectations created by his dominant performance in the 2008 postseason, posting a middling 4.32 ERA and 1.29 WHIP — both career-worsts — last season. Hamels can relax now that Halladay is in town to take that "ace" designation away from him.

"I believe that Cole Hamels will be much better than he was in 2009, though it will be very hard to match his 2008 season," an NL scout said. "He began last year with some arm soreness and his ERA went from 3.09 in 2008 to 4.32 last season. He needs to revive his curveball to get back to his 2008 form."

Without that precise curveball in his arsenal, Hamels’ changeup was less effective, and hitters were more comfortable in the batter’s box. Opponents hit .273 against Hamels in 2009 — they hadn’t hit better than .237 against him in his previous three seasons.

3. How will Placido Polanco’s return to Philly play out?
Taking a long-term view, the decision to sign Polanco will be beneficial for the Phillies, but there could be some growing pains. Switching from second base to third base on a full-time basis will be a challenge; he hasn’t played more than 25 games at the hot corner in one season since 2002.

And all indications are that Polanco will take over the No. 2 spot in the Phillies’ lineup, which could upset a grouping that produced very good results last year. The Phillies will lose some speed at the top, with Shane Victorino, who has 98 stolen bases over the past three years — Polanco has 71 in his 12-season career — moving to the lower third of the order. Hitting between Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley should help Polanco, but it could hurt Victorino. He hit .307 in the No. 2 spot in the lineup but just .222 everywhere else.

Projected lineup
1. SS Jimmy Rollins. Career-low .296 OBP in ’09.
2. 3B Placido Polanco. Career-high 72 RBIs with Tigers.
3. 2B Chase Utley. 93 RBIs were lowest total since ’04.
4. 1B Ryan Howard. Averaging 50 HRs, 143 RBIs since ’06.
5. RF Jayson Werth. 60 HRs, 40 steals over past 2 years.
6. LF Raul Ibanez. 13 HRs at home, 21 HRs on road.
7. CF Shane Victorino. Career-high 62 RBIs, .358 OBP.
8. C Carlos Ruiz. Career-best .780 OPS in ’09.

Projected rotation
1. RHP Roy Halladay. 25 CGs past 3 years; Phillies have 17 in that span.
2. LHP Cole Hamels. 1.80 ERA in ’08 playoffs; 7.58 ERA in ’09 playoffs.
3. RHP Joe Blanton. Career-best 7.5 K/9 in ’09.
4. LHP J.A. Happ. 2.93 ERA for SN’s top NL rookie.
5. LHP Jamie Moyer. Must prove he is healthy/effective.

Projected closer
RHP Brad Lidge. Ryan Madson is nice safety net.

Grades

Offense: A. There isn’t a lineup in baseball with a better power/speed dynamic; the Phillies return five players who hit at least 20 homers (four hit 30-plus) last year and four who stole at least 20 bases. And Polanco (.348 career on-base percentage) will replace Pedro Feliz (.293 career OBP) at third base.

Pitching: B. The 1-2 punch of Halladay and Hamels is elite, but there are questions about the No. 5 starter. Can Jamie Moyer or Kyle Kendrick hold the spot? And Lidge’s performance last year doesn’t exactly inspire confidence heading into 2010.

Bench: B. Ben Francisco is an ideal fourth outfielder — a guy who can play all three outfield positions for extended stretches, if needed. Juan Castro is a veteran defensive-minded infielder who can play second, shortstop and third. Greg Dobbs is the resident lefthanded bat off the bench.

Manager: A. Hard to find faults with a man who has led his team to back-to-back World Series appearances. Charlie Manuel might not always follow the conventional lines of thinking, but he knows the abilities of his players well and gets them to play their best baseball in the second half of the season.

Sporting News prediction: The Phillies, the most complete NL squad entering the season, will meet the Yankees in a World Series rematch. And will suffer a similar fate.

Coming Tuesday: Marlins preview.

Ryan Fagan is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at rfagan@sportingnews.com.

MLB: In "where have you gone?" news, Brian McNamee has popped up in the news again – as trainer for New York Daily News Assistant Racing Editor Chuck Gardella as he enters a 90-day "Biggest Newser" weight loss contest with his Daily News fellow sports staffers. Fly’s really hoping for video.

Skating: In perhaps the biggest injustice of these Olympic Games, Johhny Weir has not been invited to Saturday’s Olympic gala, an exhibition skate for the Olympians. That means we’ll all be denied Weir’s skate to Lady Gaga’s "Poker Face." This cannot be allowed, and the Johnny Weir War Wagon has been enlisted, thanks to YahooSports.com.

NHL: Non-Olympian NHLer Mike Comrie of the Edmonton Oilers spent the break in Hawaii, proposing to Hillary Duff. More paparazzi pics – allegedly of the big moment – here.

Golf: In case you missed The Golf Channel’s Charlie Rymer shedding the tears that many critics say Tiger should have let loose during his apology speech Friday … we have the YouTube for ya:

More MLB: Speaking of YouTube, we expect to see numerous clips from "The Club," MLB Network’s show featuring the White Sox’s front office, appear on the social video site. "I’m going to be myself," manager Ozzie Guillen told the Chicago Tribune. "You might see a lot of beep. One thing about it. I’m not going to change. I’m going to talk as if no one is around me.”

Orioles manager Dave Trembley officially announced that Mike Gonzalez will be the team’s closer this season, according to the Baltimore Sun. Gonzalez had 10 saves with the Braves in 2009 and has 54 saves in his career.

In other Orioles news, right-hander Brad Bergesen, who strained his pitching shoulder while filming a TV commercial for the team in December, had no problems throwing on flat ground Friday. Assuming he is healthy, Bergesen is expected to serve as the team’s fourth starter.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Phillies closer Brad Lidge will throw off the mound Monday for the first time since his offseason elbow and knee surgeries, a few days ahead of schedule. Lidge had said his first work off a mound would be in the middle of the week.

Pitching coach Rich Dubee told the paper the plan is for Lidge to throw 20 to 25 fastballs. "He’s done a little movement stuff," Dubee said. "He’s doing fine. We hope to have him on the mound (Monday)."

Left-handed setup reliever J.C. Romero, meanwhile, is behind Lidge in his recovery from elbow surgery, but apparently not far.
 

The New York Daily News reports Mets manager Jerry Manuel is considering moving shortstop Jose Reyes from the leadoff spot to No. 3 in the batting order, a switch Reyes had resisted in the past but now says he will make if requested.

With center fielder Carlos Beltran expected to begin the season on the disabled list, Manuel is considering an order that would start with second baseman Luis Castillo, first baseman Daniel Murphy and Reyes. After Beltran returns, Manuel could go Castillo-Murphy-Reyes-Beltran-David Wright-Jason Bay-Jeff Francoeur, or Castillo-Wright-Reyes-Beltran-Bay-Murphy-Francoeur.

"I would love to see (Reyes) as a third hitter, assuming the other parts fit," Manuel told the paper.

Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols told MLB.com on Sunday there’s a good chance he will never have to undergo Tommy John surgery on a troublesome right elbow that now is "95 percent healed" and said he’s ready for a big season.
 
Pujols, a three-time National League MVP, has been battling an elbow problem since 2003 amid predictions he eventually would have to have ligament replacement surgery on the joint. But two lesser surgeries seem to have eased the pain and lessened the need for more serious procedures.

The first was a surgery that transposed his ulnar nerve in late 2008. The second came in the offseason when he had bone spurs removed from his elbow.
 
Pujols said he now believes the elbow will be much less of a problem, both physically and mentally.
 
"I think we played it the right way," he told the Web site. "Both of the doctors (Dr. James Andrews and Dr. George Paletta) have experience. It’s good news, Dr. Andrews telling me, ‘Probably, you will never have to worry about the Tommy John.’ That’s good news. I feel great, and I can see the difference."