Tagged: Johan Santana
Award Predictions: National League
Here are your national league award predictions.
MVP
Albert Pujols. Albert has carried the Cardinals, just like he usually does. His great batting average, power, and defense make him by far the most valueable player in the NL. Some people think the MVP has to come from a playoff team, but when you look at the impact Pujols has had on the Cards, you have to pick him. Everyone who likes Carlos Delgado for MVP aren’t thinking straight. Remember when he should have been cut after an aweful two months. So, you’re saying that four good moths of Delgado is better than six of Albert? I don’t think so.
Cy Young
Johan Santana. I know he didn’t have a Johan-type start to the season, but look at his numbers. An ERA in the 2.50 range. He has carried the Mets into the playoffs – not Delgado – and he could help them get far into the playoffs if they make it. He is, by far, the Cy Young for the national league.
Rooky of the Year
Geovany Soto. Like the other two picks, this one is very easy to me. Soto is by far the best rooky in the NL. He might even be the best catcher in the NL. I can’t think of any other good candidates for the job.
Manager of the Year
Jerry Manuel. There aren’t many great choices for this award, but I think it’s got to be Jerry Manuel. Ever since the Mets fired Willy Randolf and promoted Manuel, they have been on fire and have a great chance at making the playoffs. Lou Pinella would have to be the choice if the Cubs win the world series, though.
General Manager of the Year
Jim Hendry. He got steal, after steal, after steal this season. First, he signed Reed Johnson to a cheap, 1.3 million deal. Then, he added Jim Edmonds for around 0.25 million. After that, he finished it off by completley stealing Rich Harden away from the A’s. Rich could be the difference between a playoff exit and a world series. They also got a useful reliever in Chad Gaudin. They barely gave up anything, just a few spare parts and Sean Gallagher. He got hurt, anyway. I can’t think of a better GM in the game.
Award Predictions: National League
Here are your national league award predictions.
MVP
Albert Pujols. Albert has carried the Cardinals, just like he usually does. his great batting average, power, and defense make him by far the most valueable player in the NL. Some people think the MVP has to come from a playoff team, but when you look at the impact Pujols has had on the Cards, you have to pick him. Everyone who likes Carlos Delgado for MVP aren’t thinking straight. Remember when he should have been cut after an aweful two months. So, you’re saying that four good moths of Delgado is better than six of Albert? I don’t think so.
Cy Young
Johan Santana. I know he didn’t have a Johan-type start to the season, but look at his numbers. An ERA in the 2.50 range. He has carried the Mets into the playoffs – not Delgado – and he could help them get far into the playoffs if they make it. He is, by far, the Cy Young for the national league.
Rooky of the Year
Geovany Soto. Like the other two picks, this one is very easy to me. Soto is by far the best rooky in the NL. He might even be the best catcher in the NL. I can’t think of any other good candidates for the job.
Manager of the Year
Jerry Manuel. There aren’t many great choices for this award, but I think it’s got to be Jerry Manuel. Ever since the Mets fired Willy Randolf and promoted Manuel, they have been on fire and have a great chance at making the playoffs. Lou Pinella would have to be the choice if the Cubs win the world series, though.
General Manager of the Year
Jim Hendry. He got steal, after steal, after steal this season. First, he signed Reed Johnson to a cheap, 1.3 million deal. Then, he added Jim Edmonds for around 0.25 million. After that, he finished it off by completley stealing Rich Harden away from the A’s. He could be the difference between a playoff exit and a world series. They also got a useful reliever in Chad Gaudin. They barely gave up anything, just a few spare parts and Sean Gallagher. He got hurt, anyway. I can’t think of a better GM in the game.
Player Market: Derek Lowe
Next up in our Player Market series is Derek Lowe. Lets look at some interested parties.
Red Sox (frontrunner) The Red Sox are a frontrunner to sign former Red Sox player Derek Lowe. He has said he would like to move back to the east coast, and with the Red Sox trying to add a starter, they could look to sign him. I’m sure he’d like to return, as well.
Mets (frontrunner) They’ll be focusing on starting pithing this offseason, and you would have to think that they would love to slot Derek Lowe in there right behind Johan Santana. They are an east coast team, and Lowe would probably go there if offered the right amount of money. This team makes a lot of sense.
Dodgers (possible) Even though it looks like they aren’t terribly interested, they still have to at least consider bringing him back. He has been so good for them during his contract, and it only makes sense for them to go after him.
Blue Jays (possible) After losing Shaun Marcum for 2009, they’ll be looking at the starting pitching market. Derek Lowe would like to return to the east coast and the Blue Jays make a lot of sense. They also have a lot of money to spend so they can afford him. This one makes a lot of sense.
Braves (possible) It is very likely that the Braves go hard after starting pitching this offseason. Derek Lowe would be at the top of their list. A durable, consistent, ground ball pitcher. I’m sure they would love to add Lowe, but not sure if they would pony up enough cash for Derek.
Astros (possible) Since they play in Minute Maid Park, they probably would prefer a ground-ball-pitcher. They also work well with his agent, Scott Boras. This team makes a lot of sense if they miss out on other targets.
Rangers (possible) Derek Lowe would be very effective as a ground-ball pitcher in the hitter-friendly ballpark in Arlington. The Rangers would be very interested because he’s keeps the ball in the park, and they could use as much pitching as they can get.
Cardinals (possible) They will be looking for starting pitching for sure this offseason. At least one, probably two. Derek Lowe would be a huge addition to this team. If they are willing to spend the dough, I could definatly see Lowe signing here.
Rockies (dark horse) Many teams that play in hitters ballparks would like to add Lowe because he is a sinker-baller. The Rox can use as many of those as they can get because they play at Coors Field. If they decide to go for it in ’09, I could see them signing Lowe.
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Ben Sheets Injury Hurts Brewers Chances
The recent injury to Ben Sheets really hurts the Brewers chances both in the regular season and the post season. It is going to be tougher than ever for the falling fast Brewers to win that wild card, and even if they do get in, may be a first round exit. They’d play the Mets, a team very close to where the Brewers are at. They both have bad bullpens, a good lineup, and one great starting pitcher as their ace. I just have to say I’d love a matchup of CC Sabathia and Johan Santana in game 1. That would be a huge game for both teams. After that, neither rotation has much. It doesn’t even matter, though, because they’d have to play the far better Cubs for the NL crown assuming they beat the Dodgers. I will talk more about play-off matchups in the predictions segment for October 1. Things are not looking good for the Brewers right now.
Offseason Plan: Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins, a very surprising team this year, are going to have a far different offseason this year compared to last. Last year, they traded off Johan Santana and let Torri Hunter walk as a free agent. This year, they’re more likely to buy. They don’t have many needs, and are one of the very few teams with a starting pitching surplus. They need to add a power hitter at shortstop or third base, as well as a reliever. Getting Pat Neshek back will help. They could also resign Eddie Guardado. That would solidify their bullpen. For shortstop and third base, they seem certain to trade a starter for this in the offseason. Preferably a one with power. I have suggested before that they trade Nick Blackburn for JJ Hardy. I still think that makes a lot of sense. Another possible trade is Blackburn, or maybe if they’re luckey Kevin Slowey, for Garret Atkins. The Rockies seem certain to trade Atkins or Holliday, and they want pitching in return. Blackburn or Slowey would fit the bill. After they move a pitcher, they can move Kevin Mulvey into the rotation. They could also get a smaller piece like trade for Hank Blalock or sign a guy like David Eckstein. This team has the potential to be a great team, they just have to get some offense.
Offseason Plan: New York Mets
The New York Mets, in the thick of a pennante race now could separate themsleves from the rest of the division next year. The Mets have a few needs. They need to get a starter to replace Oliver Perez, a reliever to the terrible bullpen they have, a left fielder not as injury prone as Moisis Alou, and a first baseman if they decline Carlos Delgado’s club option. The Mets should start by picking up Delgado’s option. Effectivley 8 million for a solid first baseman is a bargain. My Top 50 Free Agents predicted them to sign Manny Ramirez to fill left field. This team is a great fit for Manny. They need a power hitting left fielder, and the Mets seem to have a club house that gets down when they start losing. (Like when they couldn’t win a game to end the 2007 season) Manny would change that. This would be a major signing for them. I also picked them to sign Francisco Rodriguez. They badly need bullpen help, and there’s no one better than K-Rod. Plus, Billy Wagner has been injured and has been shaky when healthy. If the Mets had an 8-9 inning punch of Wagner and K-Rod, the game would effectively end in the seventh inning. If they dole out all this cash for Manny and K-Rod, plus Johan Santana’s new contract is starting, they would not have much money to get a front-line starter with. They will try to resign Oliver Perez, but might not be able to match Scott Boras’s demands. If they fail out on Perez, they could sign a different Boras’ client, Kyle Lohse. They had interest in Lohse last offseason, and could get him this year instead of last. If the Mets lose out on Manny or K-Rod, look for them to be big players on starters such as Ben Sheets, AJ Burnett, and Derek Lowe. This has the potential to be a world series caliber team, they just need to spend their money wisely.
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