Baseball Analysis

Switching to a more hitter-friendly park will help Patterson post better numbers in 2006. I expect the outfielder to hit 20-25 homers along with 20-25 stolen bases next season. The Cubs acquire two minor-leaguers with potential; both players, however, are years away from the Major Leagues. Read more »

To his retired teammates he was known as ?the Babe Ruth of Mexico.? To his longtime friends like Baltimore Oriole Traveling Secretary Phil Itzoe, former Oriole baseball team manager Ray Miller, and former Oriole slugging first baseman Lee May, he was simply ?dude.? To his children Ryan, Ian, Abigail, Elroy, Berecia, and Elrod Jr., he was simply ?pops.? Elrod Gerome Hendricks, veteran Oriole baseball player and bullpen coach, has passed into the legions of immortality at the age of 65. Read more »

With so much player movement this winter, most fans will need to buy their team?s media guides just so they know who is on the team. However, a lot of moves doesn?t mean they were all great. Read more »

Preston Wilson, though possessing good power, is very streaky and often a victim to the strike out. He chases balls that are outside of the strike zone and is always among the league leaders in strikeouts. Various groin and knee injuries have limited his once great foot speed. Read more »

At the open of the 2005 offseason, Toronto Blue Jays? General Manager JP Ricciardi struck quickly and decisively. With new financial backing from owner Ted Rogers, Ricciardi was given the green light to spend over $20 million this offseason. With that money available, Ricciardi analyzed the free agent market and determined that he would use the money to obtain two elite players and fill two important needs. Read more »

In a follow up to his hit single, backing up Red Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Damon has recorded a new single with recently retired Yankee pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre who is legendary for throwing down kick-ass riffs. Read more »

This signing has both positive and negative aspects. An encouraging reality is that the Rangers add a much needed starter to run out there every five days. The additions of Millwood and Adam Eaton should help bolster a pitching troubled staff. Read more »

General Manager J.P. Ricciardi continues to improve the Toronto Blue Jays. The addition of Troy Glaus gives the Jays a powerful middle-order hitter. Toronto?s lineup now features a solid corps of hitters including Glaus, Vernon Wells, and Lyle Overbay. Glaus is also capable of playing solid defense. If he can silence his injury woes, the former Angel should provide a great season at the Blue Jays hot corner. Read more »

The Rangers? financial decisions just don?t make much sense. It?s hard to believe that the people making these moves are professionals. You know who is a real, smart man when it comes to what he does? Scott Boras, who just got his client (Kevin Millwood) the richest deal of the offseason, matching the $60 million Paul Konerko received. Read more »

Minnesota Twins GM Terry Ryan went into the offseason with a clear goal, to improve what was a dismal offense in 2005. It became almost painful last year watching a lineup that at points featured Terry Tiffee as the cleanup hitter. In what was already a weak free agent class, the Ryan was looking to sign a hidden gem or two under the radar for a bargain price. Read more »

After having to scramble to find a general manager in the wake of Theo Epstein?s resignation, the Red Sox promptly traded away prized free-agent pick-up from a year ago in Edgar Renteria. Now, centerfielder Johnny Damon is headed to the hated Yankees and a team that were the darlings of the baseball world in 2004 are now looking for answers in an every improving American League East. Read more »

Johnny Damon is a great signing for the Yankees; a true case of addition by subtraction. Not only does New York add a great hitting, speedy center fielder to the top of their order, they steal the catalyst of the Red Sox lineup. This move also allows Derek Jeter to drop back to the # 2 spot in the batting order. Read more »

New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman continues to add quality arms to the bullpen. Octavio Dotel has a murderous fastball and is able to shut down left-handed hitters. If able to recover from elbow surgery, Dotel will be a valuable asset to a Yankee bullpen that has struggled mightily over the past few seasons. Read more »

Jarrod Washburn brings a solid 2-3 starter to the Mariners pitching rotation. Though he has been known to give up the home run, the slick-fielding southpaw still possesses a solid fastball and a good moving slider. Read more »

This signing is certainly a downgrade from Milton Bradley. Kenny Lofton does give the Dodgers a solid # 2 hitter after Furcal. Lofton still possesses good (not great) speed and can play solid defense the field. Read more »

This is a respectable move by new GM Ned Colletti; he continues to reshape the Dodgers. Garciaparra is a great contact hitter with the ability to hit the long ball. He does lack speed and will be playing first base for the first time in his baseball career. Read more »

The Los Angeles Dodgers did indeed make an uproar this week by signing 3B Bill Mueller, C Sandy Alomar Jr. and Nomar Garciaparra. New Dodger GM Ned Colletti is being very aggressive in acquiring players since taking over last month. Read more »

Signing Bill Mueller is a solid move by the Dodgers. The veteran gives Los Angeles a great glove and impact at the hot corner. Mueller is able to slap the ball for base hits and provides a potential home run threat at third base. Mueller should compliment a Dodger lineup that includes Jeff Kent, J.D. Drew and Rafael Furcal. Read more »

Bradley to Oakland is a fantastic move by Athletics GM Billy Beane. Although Andre Ethier had a phenomenal 2005 season in Double-A, he is a prospect and, according to scouts, is still learning to drive the ball. Putting his off-the-field antics aside, Bradley is the total package. He is one of those, dare I say it, ?5-tool players.? Read more »

Needing to eventually clear up their crowded outfield the Reds traded first baseman Sean Casey to the Pirates for 26 year old left handed pitcher Dave Williams. Williams brings with him a 17-26 lifetime record and a career 4.25 ERA. In 2005 he went 10-11 with a 4.41 ERA. He doesn't have overpowering stuff and his fastball only tops out around 88 mph but the Reds hope that he can bring some stability to their shaky rotation. He will likely be slotted as their number 3 or 4 starter. Read more »