The Red Sox want to get rid of Lugo.
Really, really badly, apparently. He has not put up great numbers, batting just .251 with 10 HR and 103 RBI since joining the Red Sox in 2007. His OBP of .319 would make an impressive batting average. Nick Green, the eternal utility man, has proved more valuable to the Red Sox this year than Lugo. So, who could use an essentially free player at SS?
The Oakland Athletics
The Athletics are a good choice for Lugo because Billy Beane emphasizes money ball, and having a player he doesn't have to pay will suit his penny pinching ways. He'd be a good backup to Orlando Cabrera. At least, he'd be better than Bobby Crosby, who is hitting just over his weight at .210 right now. And nothing says backup light treading the Mendoza Line.
The Philadelphia Phillies
Jimmy Rollins has had a bad year offensively. That, and his backup (notice a pattern here for Lugo?), Eric Bruntlett, is hitting an astounding .139. Citizens Bank Park is a hitters park, and the move could help Lugo put up numbers like he saw in Tampa Bay in 2006. That, and the Phillies are in the habit of signing players past their prime.
The Colorado Rockies
The Rockies are invested in Troy Tulowitzki, and understandably so: he is 25 in October, and has much potential. His backup, Omar Quintinilla (I am not counting Clint Barmes, as he is starting at second), is just plain not performing. Colorado has long been a place where hitters have thrived. Matt Holliday is a prime example, having put up good power numbers in his final three seasons there, before having the power drained by a move to Oakland.
The New York Mets
The Mets are hurting. Literally. Injuries to Delgado, Beltran, and Reyes have left them with David Wright as their man offensive production. Lugo could help the team out down the stretch, and provide a veteran presence trying to contend for the playoffs against the Phillies, as he has been to the playoffs before with the RedSox and the Dodgers.
Anyone have any suggestions as to wear Lugo could end up?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
All Star Voting
Your Rosters, courtesy of MLB
And, what would rosters be without breaking them down?
American League
C - Joe Mauer
Mauer's third All Star selection in four years. He is the best offensive catcher in the American League beyond a shadow of a doubt, possibly all of baseball. His numbers this year are ridiculous. He's hitting .390 with 14 HR and 45 RBIs.
1B - Mark Teixeira
I wonder if Alex Rodriguez will get an invite as well? Teix has been good this year, but he really started turning his numbers around once Rodriguez returned and started hitting behind him to offer protection.
2B - Dustin Pedroia
Boo. I blame the fans in Boston for letting someone who has an average of .285 with 2 HR, 35 RBIs, and an OBP of .365 start the All Star game. For comparison, someone more deserving to start, Aaron Hill, of the Blue Jays, is hitting .297 with 19 HR, 56 RBI, and an OBP of .338. Or Ian Kinsler, who has 19 HR, 51 RBI, and an OBP of .333. Either are more deserving this year.
3B - Evan Longoria
Longoria makes his second consecutive trip, and deservedly so with an OPS of .925. Longoria is definitely among the top third baseman in the game today, and is the face of the Rays franchise.
SS - Derek Jeter
Jeter will make his 10th All Star appearence this year, this season he is hitting .308 so far with 9 HR and 32 RBI. Jason Bartlett is, by the numbers, more deserving of a start, hitting .362 with 8 HR and 37 RBI, not to mention a ridiculous OPS of .969.
OF - Jason Bay, Ichiro Suzuki, and Josh Hamilton
Hamilton? Really? The man has played 35 games this year, and isn't even doing that well, hitting only .240 with 6 HR in those games. We all remember the show he put on at last year's home run derby, which is the main reason why he got voted in: so we could see him compete again. Jason Bay deserves his selection, as he has shown power in Boston. Ichiro makes his 9th consecutive All Star appearence, putting up his usual Ichirio numbers.
National League
C - Yadier Molina
Boo. Name-that-Molina is only starting because the game is in St. Louis. Brian McCann should be starting, as he has put up better numbers in fewer games.
1B - Albert Pujols
The eighth appearence in nine years for Pujols. What else can be said about him. He's on pace to hit 62 HR this year. Let's all hope he can hit a certain number...say, 74? And bring back glory to the single season home run record. Hell, I'll even take 62.
2B - Chase Utley
The fourth consecutive appearence for Utley, he is one of the premier second basemen in the game today, and is arguably the best second baseman in the National League, both offensively, and defensively.
3B - David Wright
The only good thing that came out of Mike Hampton deserves a lot of credit. He's been doing well this season despite injuries to many of the Mets. As much as it pains me to say this, he does deserve this selection.
SS - Hanley Ramirez
HanRam will be 26 in Decemeber, and is already a two time All Star. He is a phenomenal shortstop and is the best all around player in the game today.
OF - Carlos Beltran, Raul Ibanez, and Ryan Braun
Really? Beltran? He's injured. Ibanez has had a career year in Philly. Braun is Braun, and is the starter in the OF by default. Alfonso Soriano is likely to replace Beltran.
There will be more analysis to come later, specifically, the starting pitching.
And, what would rosters be without breaking them down?
American League
C - Joe Mauer
Mauer's third All Star selection in four years. He is the best offensive catcher in the American League beyond a shadow of a doubt, possibly all of baseball. His numbers this year are ridiculous. He's hitting .390 with 14 HR and 45 RBIs.
1B - Mark Teixeira
I wonder if Alex Rodriguez will get an invite as well? Teix has been good this year, but he really started turning his numbers around once Rodriguez returned and started hitting behind him to offer protection.
2B - Dustin Pedroia
Boo. I blame the fans in Boston for letting someone who has an average of .285 with 2 HR, 35 RBIs, and an OBP of .365 start the All Star game. For comparison, someone more deserving to start, Aaron Hill, of the Blue Jays, is hitting .297 with 19 HR, 56 RBI, and an OBP of .338. Or Ian Kinsler, who has 19 HR, 51 RBI, and an OBP of .333. Either are more deserving this year.
3B - Evan Longoria
Longoria makes his second consecutive trip, and deservedly so with an OPS of .925. Longoria is definitely among the top third baseman in the game today, and is the face of the Rays franchise.
SS - Derek Jeter
Jeter will make his 10th All Star appearence this year, this season he is hitting .308 so far with 9 HR and 32 RBI. Jason Bartlett is, by the numbers, more deserving of a start, hitting .362 with 8 HR and 37 RBI, not to mention a ridiculous OPS of .969.
OF - Jason Bay, Ichiro Suzuki, and Josh Hamilton
Hamilton? Really? The man has played 35 games this year, and isn't even doing that well, hitting only .240 with 6 HR in those games. We all remember the show he put on at last year's home run derby, which is the main reason why he got voted in: so we could see him compete again. Jason Bay deserves his selection, as he has shown power in Boston. Ichiro makes his 9th consecutive All Star appearence, putting up his usual Ichirio numbers.
National League
C - Yadier Molina
Boo. Name-that-Molina is only starting because the game is in St. Louis. Brian McCann should be starting, as he has put up better numbers in fewer games.
1B - Albert Pujols
The eighth appearence in nine years for Pujols. What else can be said about him. He's on pace to hit 62 HR this year. Let's all hope he can hit a certain number...say, 74? And bring back glory to the single season home run record. Hell, I'll even take 62.
2B - Chase Utley
The fourth consecutive appearence for Utley, he is one of the premier second basemen in the game today, and is arguably the best second baseman in the National League, both offensively, and defensively.
3B - David Wright
The only good thing that came out of Mike Hampton deserves a lot of credit. He's been doing well this season despite injuries to many of the Mets. As much as it pains me to say this, he does deserve this selection.
SS - Hanley Ramirez
HanRam will be 26 in Decemeber, and is already a two time All Star. He is a phenomenal shortstop and is the best all around player in the game today.
OF - Carlos Beltran, Raul Ibanez, and Ryan Braun
Really? Beltran? He's injured. Ibanez has had a career year in Philly. Braun is Braun, and is the starter in the OF by default. Alfonso Soriano is likely to replace Beltran.
There will be more analysis to come later, specifically, the starting pitching.
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