As the Hot Stove League wraps up (will the Bedard to Mariners trade ever be finalized ?), some recent articles have been written which bring up some interesting subjects. Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal speculates on the possibility of both Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez exceeding Pete Rose's hit record. Both players have a great chance. They are both young enough and each could play perhaps another dozen years yet. Like with all players, the key will be to avoid injuries and to play a position that is not so physically demanding or dangerous. That means shifting these guys, if they both stay as Yankees past age 40, to positions at first base and designated hitter for the most part. With a little luck, maybe one if not both of these players may threaten the Rose hit record, but I think neither one will break it.Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated suggests seven pitchers are at risk of being injured from having too increased of a workload this upcoming season. Most alarming to fans of the Colorado Rockies such as myself is the inclusion of Ubaldo Jiminez on this list. Hopefully Clint Hurdle, Bob Apodaca, and the clubs training staff will keep a close eye on Jiminez to avoid this potential disaster. Losing Jiminez almost would surely cost the Rockies any chance of winning the NL West and participating in the postseason as their pitching is by no means firmly seasoned and with great experience and depth.
Four key veterans that have years of success in the majors remain unsigned near the dawn of Spring Training and it seems it will stay that way for at least awhile if not for good. I believe it is a sure thing that Clemens, Bonds, and Sosa are done and gone and will not be back ever again. Piazza has a shot as a DH somewhere in the AL if he is willing to take a lot less money. Where he could end up is a big question. The American League has probably nine legitimate postseason contenders (BSN, NYY, TOR, DET, CLE, CHI, MINN, ANAH, SEA) that maybe able to use an extra bat and a veteran player to help out the pitchers and young catchers. But don't look for Philly Mike to get a call unless there is a key injury, underperformance, or a GM is out there that is particularly fond of him.
The American League has dominated the National League for most of this decade and back into the '90s in interleague play, All-Star games, and postseason. But the worm maybe turning. The pitching depth and strength in the Senior Circuit now seems to be clearly ahead of that in the Junior Circuit, and the addition of Johan Santana to the Mets only makes this more certain. We will see how it goes on the field, but on paper the National League looks to have a strong edge when it comes to pitching. That kind of strength will make for some great competitive pennant races in the NL this season as there is no favorites really in any of the three divisions.
At long last it appears the long run of the St Louis Cardinals as contenders is over. All one has to see to affirm this is knowing the Cards are so desperate and without options that they would sign longtime has-been Juan "Gone" Gonzalez to fill an outfield and pinch-hitting role on the club. Gonzales' nickname has a definite new meaning -- he has been gone out of the majors for over two seasons because his skills and abilities are gone. Talk about sorry...
And the Yankees' Phillip Hughes had a close encounter of the large semi-aquatic reptile kind. Folks all over New England and elsewhere are bummed the gator missed out on getting a good lunch.
*****
Posts
