More Teams To The Playoffs?

There is a lot of talk this time of year about whether teams should be added to the MLB post season or how it should be changed. So here is my two cents on how the playoff can be improved.

1. Add Two More Wild Card Teams- Add another Wild Card winner in the AL and NL. Two days after the regular season ends, have the two WC teams in each respective league face each other in a 1-game playoff. It creates excitement for the fans by adding 2 extra teams and the drama of a 1-game playoff. This also gives division winners an added advantage, as the WC team has to play an extra game before they face the division winner and the WC team has to use their best pitcher. Not enough advantage is given to division winners over teams that win the WC. WC teams shouldn’t have it as easy as they do.  By doing this 1-game playoff, MLB can add teams to the postseason without having to dilute them like NBA or NHL does by letting half the league play in the playoffs.

2. Make The Divisional Series Seven Games- Enough with the 5-game DS. Baseball only has three rounds, not 70 like other sports do. Stop letting the team with the best 2 pitchers sneak by the overall well-rounded teams.

3. Let Best Record Decide World Series Home Field Advantage- Self explanatory.

That’s it. That is all you have to do to make the MLB postseason better. It will add excitement, get more fan bases involved, and add  some more, but not too many, baseball games in October.

Wild Finish

Its getting close to that time of the year where the Wild Card race gets really fun to watch.  With 4 teams in it for the AL (Red Sox, Rangers, Rays and Mariners) and 5 teams in the NL (Rockies, Giants, Marlins, Braves and Cubs), it should all make for a good September.

The AL will thin out in the next few weeks. The Mariners are barley holding on and in about 2 weeks I will guarantee they are fully out of it. Still don’t understand them trading Washburn.

The Rays don’t have the pitching or luck they had last year, they will hang around but will be a few games out by the end of September.

This leaves the Red Sox and the surprising Rangers as my front runners for the WC. The Rangers sure have the offense and good pitching this year, but I still don’t think it is enough to overtake Boston.

Boston, even with their recent struggles, still have one of the best teams in the league. With a lot of home games left at Fenway and no more west coast trips, the schedule is in their favor. Fenway is the biggest home field advantage in all of American sports. I see the Red Sox in the end claiming the AL WC by 3 games.

My Final AL Wild Card Standings

1. Boston Red Sox

2. Texas Rangers

3. Tampa Bay Rays

4. Seattle Mariners

The more fun Wild Card race to watch in the MLB will be the NL race. There are more evenly matched teams involved and better starting pitching, which I’m a big fan of. I believe all 5 teams will closely be in the race until the end of the season. It will be a 5-way bloodbath, good enough for a WWE pay-per-view. Hopefully so close that there could be some one game playoffs, which are my favorite.

The Cubs have been messing around all season, but I believe they will really start hitting their stride at the end of the summer. Is there really any better time to get hot? I don’t understand how the Marlins are still in it, they have some good pitching, but besides Hanley Ramirez, no offense at all. They will be the first team out of it.

The Braves are a fun team, they have one of the best 5-man rotations in the majors and some pretty decent offense. The Braves will be in it to the end because of their pitching.

The Rockies have surprised everyone again this season. Everyone, including myself, thought they would sell off anyone good on this team by the trading deadline. The Rockies front office, I think, were also surprised by how competitive the Rox have been. Would they have really traded Holliday if they thought they had a chance to go to the World Series? The Rockies will be there at the end also because of the front end of their rotation with Cook, Jimenez and Marquis and a very good offense.

Though the team I think will pull it off is the Giants. They have the best 1-2 punch in their starting rotation with Lincecum and Cain and if their offense can stay productive enough I think they will win the WC.

My Final NL Wild Card Standings

1. San Francisco Giants*

1.Atlanta Braves*

1. Colorado Rockies*

4. Chicago Cubs

5. Florida Marlins

*Indicates Tie

That’s right I’m predicting a 3-way tie in the NL Wild Card race with the Giants, Rockies and Braves. Should be a wild September with the Giants pulling through with the WC.

First Half Awards: AL

MVP: Justin Morneau (MIN)- He’s having a MVP year and one of the few players keeping the Twins’ heads above water. Morneau is lining up pretty good to get his second award.

Cy Young: Zach Greinke (KC)- You have to go with Greinke for this award, his numbers say it all. I don’t think he will win it and keep up those amazing numbers by the end of the season though.

Reliever of The Year: Jonathon Papelbon (BOS)- Having another great year, one of the best closers in the game. But, he’s another reliever I just can’t stand.

Rookie of The Year: Andrew Bailey (OAK)- This kid is having an awesome year in the ‘pen for Oakland. Plus, it doesn’t hurt he is from Staten Island too.

Comeback Player of The Year: Victor Martinez (CLE)- Easy choice. Look at what he did last year and what he’s doing this year.

Manager of The Year: Ron Washington (TEX)- I never believed in the beginning of the season that the Rangers were serious contenders. Starting to believe more each day.

First Half Awards: NL

With it being a little more than the mid-point for the 2009 baseball season, it’s time for my annual first half awards. We start today with the NL.

MVP: Albert Pujols (STL)- I don’t think there is any surprise here. Pujols has a legitmate shot at the triple crown this year. If he was surrounded by a better lineup, it’s scary to think of the better numbers he might put up.

Cy Young: Dan Haren (ARI)- Another no doubter. He is the best pitcher in all of baseball this season.

Reliever of the Year: Francisco Rodriguez (NYM)- One of the only sure things on the Mets, K-Rod has successfully taken his dominant stuff to the National League. Now, if he just stopped making a fool out of himself with his ridiculous celebrations after saving a game, everything would be perfect.

Rookie of The Year: Cody Rasmus (STL)- This soon to be 23-year old center fielder is coming along very nicely for the Cardinals.

Comeback Player of The Year: Todd Helton (COL)- After a shortned 2008 season, Helton is back to his old self mashing the ball. He is two games away from matching the number of games he played last season.

Manager of The Year: Bruce Bochy (SF)- Coming into the season I knew the Giants pitching would be good, but I didn’t think the Giants had enough in other areas to be competitive. I was wrong as the Giants lead the Wild Card race and are competitive in a pretty tough division this year. Have to give Bochy credit, especially with the offense he has.

Top 5 First Basemen

This category was hard to narrow down to the top 5, but number 1 was pretty easy.

1. Albert Pujols (STL)- I don’t think there is any real argument here. Pujols is not only the best first baseman but arguebly the best player in the majors. If there is one batter I want up most in an at bat, it’s definitely Pujols.

2. Mark Teixiera (NYY)- It gets a little crowded after number 1, but I do believe Teixiera is the next best. His great offensive numbers along with his gold glove defense, make him my next pick in who I would want on my team to play first base after Mr. Pujols.

3. Miguel Cabrera (DET)- Since being traded to Detroit, I feel you hear a lot less about how great a hitter Cabrera is. Make no mistake, he is an extraordinary hitter. The last time Cabrera had less than 110 RBIs and under 26 homers was in his rookie year where in 314 ABs he hit 12 HRs and 62 RBIs.

4. Justin Morneau (MIN)- Probably will end up being the greatest Canadian first baseman ever. He has great skills all around, similar to Teixeira. However, I think Morneau is only slightly below Tex and Cabrera.

5. Ryan Howard (PHI)- Howard is an absolute beast at the plate. In the last three seasons Howard has jacked 153 HRs and has 431 RBIs. the only issue with him not being higher on the list is his low average and striking out nearly 200 times every season.

No Saving The Mets

Let’s just get this out there, the Mets are a horrible team. The injuries are a primary reason, I give them credit for hovering around .500 with who they have currently starting. I said it at the start of the season that these Mets weren’t a good team, and if the the NL East wasn’t a joke, the Mets would be completely buried. Now, I know many Mets fans who are saying once the hurt players are healthy and/or trades are made, the Mets will be atop the NL again. Two issues with that, I don’t think a healthy team will help this current team and the Mets don’t have enough to trade for to plug up this teams massive holes.

I’m sure Mets fans would go crazy on me saying that a healthy team wouldn’t make this team a top contender in the NL. Of course they would be better, just not great and here’s why. Let’s take a look at the disabled list talent:

1B: Carlos Delgado- Delgado won’t be back until August, the earliest. Everyone is counting on Delgado because of his great second half last season. Delgado is 37 and has been on the decline for several years, I didn’t even think he would have a great year this season even if he was completely healthy. You must be nuts to think that Delgado can be 37 and come back from a hip injury and be a incredible hitter imediately. Look at A-Rod and how long it took him to bounce back from his hip injury, and Delgado is not even close to the talent A-Rod is. So, Delgado might be able to contribute around September and by that time it will be too late for the Mets.  I doubt Delgado will contribute much, if anything, this year to the Mets, and that will probably be the end of Delgado’s career as a Met.

SS: Jose Reyes- The spark plug for the Mets. The Mets probably miss Reyes the most. He is one of the Mets’ injured players who I think would obviously help the offense when he returns after the All-Star break. So there is no arguement here from me.

CF: Carlos Beltran- Much like Reyes, the Mets offense needs him. Beltran and Wright are the centerpieces to the lineup and without them who will drive in the runs? As long as Beltran’s injury isn’t too serious, Beltran is a necessity for the offense.

SP: John Maine- A few years ago before the 2007 season, I really liked Maine. He didn’t have too good of a 2008 season and has been bad so far this season. Injury or not it doesn’t matter, Maine is simply not good this season and barely helps the Mets. He is better than Tim Redding though, but so is anyone else.

SP: Oliver Perez- I said at the start of the season Perez was a bad mistake for the Mets and he is. Perez isn’t on the team because he was horrible.  I would never want Perez starting on my team. The Mets should of sprang for an extra few bucks and got Lowe instead of signing Perez. Perez can’t start or relieve, he’s useless.

SU: JJ Putz- I am going to go under the assumption that the only reason Putz had was struggling before the injury was because he was pitching with a hurt elbow and not that he is just bad this year or not comfortable with not closing. Then this is hurtful for the Mets, because it obviously damages the bridge to K-Rod. But I still need proof that Putz can set up healthy, because he has been one of the worst set-up men in baseball when he was active.

On to the Trade theory. The Mets need to get at least 3 players via trade to put in a serious plug to there bullet hole ridden dam. They need 2 bats and at least 1 top starter. However, the Mets hardly have enough to get 1 good player in a trade. There isn’t much in their farm system and their so called “top” prospects have not done well on the Major League level. Fernando Martinez still can develop into a star as everyone has projected and Bobby Parnell is still a pretty good young bullpen arm. You better believe that teams know how desperate the Mets are and how weak their farm system is. They will of course demand those guys to give up a decent starting player. That will mean the Mets have to sell these young guys real low for a Adam Dunn type player, mortgaging the future during a year where they in all probability will not make the playoffs. The Mets could of got Mark De Rosa for Parnell and turned that down, so do you think they would trade Martinez for a Dunn? Adam Dunn  alone wouldn’t do anything for the Mets, he’s not a Albert Pujols or A-Rod type superstar, he hits 40+ homers, walks and strikes out 200 times and hits .240 every year. How much would that greatly help the Mets?

If the Mets would of taken advantage of the weakened free agent market last winter, they might not have this issue. They could of got Dunn, Bobby Abreu and Orlando Hudson for about $20 million. Even Pudge was cheaply available and would of definitely been better than starting Brian Schneider at catcher. That coupled with Lowe or Burnett over Perez and maybe picking up Pedro Martinez or Paul Byrd mid season and the Mets might be in a better position come All-Star Break. But Minaya dropped the ball or it could be the Wilpon’s not wanting to add payroll, either way the Mets don’t have enough talent where it counts to be good this year. I’ll leave the bullpen alone, but the offense and starting pitching is bad.

Reyes and Beltran are the only injured players I think would help the offense healthy. That gives you Wright, Reyes, and Beltran as solid pieces in the lineup. The rest of the team is AAA. You are just asking for trouble letting Sheffield play the outfield, especially in Citi Field, and playing him everyday. That will show in the second half, Sheffield is a role player or DH at most, not a starter. Castillo is terrible and he is only starting because of his contract. There is no offense at first, catcher, second, right, or left. Now let’s say they can get Dunn or Aubrey Huff. That’s Reyes, Wright, Beltran, and Huff or Dunn. Not a playoff caliber offense when the starting pitching is bad as it is.

Other than Johan Santana, who are you comfortable starting a big game. Pelfey is a decent fourth starter, he might be better if he could last deeper in games. Livan Hernandez is a veteran and has pitched well for the Mets, I don’t believe for a second that he can keep this up all season. But, Henandez is a solid fourth or fifth starter, especially when the Mets didn’t expect much out of him. Fernando Nieve is Fernando Nieve for a reason, this won’t last either. Maine is a fifth starter, Perez shouldn’t ever start and the only thing Tim Redding can win in is a Kevin Youkilis look-a-like contest.

If I’m the Mets, I wait out the injuries and see where the Phillies are. Can’t afford another Kazmir type trade. A trade that won’t give up too much prospect wise, I would do.  I would also try to sign either Pedro Martinez or Paul Byrd because either would be a better choice to the rotation than Maine, Perez or Redding. But after this season, if the playoffs are missed once again, I would break this team up. Only making veterans Wright and Santana untouchable.

All in all I believe the Phillies worst days are behind them and the Mets missed there chance, the Phils will still win this division.

Top 5: Catchers

Next up my top 5 catchers in the game. Same criteria in ranking as the pitchers, only offense gets an obvious edge over defense.

1. Joe Mauer (MIN)- I don’t think there is any question for this one. Mauer is one of the best players in the game. Mauer wins batting titles, which is very rare for catchers to do. The power is coming along also. The Twins have to give Mauer whatever he wants when he becomes a free agent, because catchers like Mauer don’t come along very often.

2. Victor Martinez (CLE)- Martinez is another fantastic offensive catcher. The Cleveland offense depends on Martinez to produce. The Indians suffered last season when Martinez was hurt. Martinez also does a great job throwing out a runner. If he can repeat his offensive numbers of 07, he is without a doubt the second best catcher in the league.

3. Brian McCann (ATL)- The Braves seem to produce some good catchers the last few years. McCann is the best catcher in the NL and he can hit as good as Martinez. McCann is good for a .300 batting average, 20+ home runs and 90 RBIs. McCann is one of the few bright offensive lights for the Braves and should be the starting catcher in the 09 All-Star game for the NL.

4. Jorge Posada (NYY)- An old-school favorite. Posada is getting up there in age (38 in August) and has had shoulder issues in the last couple of years which has hurt his defense a bit, but when Posada is healthy he’s great offensively and as clutch as anyone in the league. Before Mauer, Posada was the best in the league. Even now, he is still in the top 5.

5. Russell Martin (LAD)- The best Canadian catcher I’ve seen in a while. While on a lower level than the above four, Martin is still a great catcher. He’s struggling so far this year offensively, but I’m sure his numbers will improve by the end of the season. Martin also may be the fastest catcher in the game (sorry Jason Kendall).

Top 5: Starting Pitchers

I will be doing a 10 part post on who I think are currently the top 5 players at their respective positions in MLB. The positions will be Starting Pitcher, Closer, Catcher, First Base, Second Base, Third Base, Shortstop, Left Fielder, Center Fielder, Right Fielder. I will take into consideration some recent past years and this year, not just previous years and not just this season so far. This means no Zack Greinkes or Raul Ibanezs will be making the list. So, for the first post, the top 5 starting pitchers.

1. Roy Halladay (TOR)- It was hard to pick between him and Santana, very close.  I’ve said it many times before, Halladay is probably the most under appreciated pitcher in the game for the last 10 years. I don’t know if people fully realize how dominate this guy really is, and in the AL no less. Halladay is a throwback to a previous era, where pitchers can be terrifying to face and will pitch multiple complete game shut outs a year.  If there was one pitcher I could choose to pitch one game, no doubt in my mind it would be Roy Halladay.

2. Johan Santana (NYM)- I have no problem with people who say Santana is the best in the game. In every significant pitching category since 2004, Santana is virtually number 1 in all of them. But, I believe Santana benefits from being in the National League and in a pitchers park in both Shea Stadium and new Citi Field. In his last year in the AL, 2007, Santana had a 3.33 ERA and gave up 33 HRs. He is of course still a dominant pitcher, but I give Halladay the edge because he is so dominant in a better offensive league.

3.  CC Sabathia (NYY)- I don’t think many people can argue with Sabathia in the top 3. Some even say he’s the best. Sabathia has been one of the best pitchers in the game the last two seasons. He’s had some recent struggles in New York, but has looked like his CY Young self in his last few starts. I think Halladay, Santana, and Sabathia are on one level and every other pitcher on a lower level than those three.

4. Tim Lincecum (SF)- The youngest pitcher on my list. I put him up this far because simply this kid is incredible. He was well deserving of his CY Young last year and has the stuff in 2009 to win it again. In two years, I could see him being the best pitcher in the game, that’s if his delivery doesn’t lead to a lot of time on the DL.

5. Jake Peavy (SD)- Peavy is one of the most talented pitchers in the game. He just needs to not pitch in the World Baseball Classic, because it seems to screw up his season. The biggest question to his talents is if would he pitch as good as he does away from the NL and PETCO Park?

Illusion of the Curve

I found this on River Ave. Blues a week or so ago. I though it was pretty interesting. It basically explains and show the optical illusion a curve ball produces when pitched.

Thoughts…..

Sorry for the lack of posts, been really busy the last two weeks. Here are some early thoughts about the first two weeks of the season.

- The Marlins fast 10-1 start is no fluke. They probably won’t finish in second place, let alone first, but they are a very good team.

- Have to feel for the Blue Jay’s pitching staff. Three of their starters are on the disabled list. But they are off to a good start somehow.

- The only thing that will be more embarrassing for the Yankees than losing 22- 4 to the Indians and having a 14-run inning put up against them, would be losing to Carl “The DL” Pavano this afternoon.

- Chien-Ming Wang is killing my fantasy team.

- I guess MLB won’t be shattering attendance numbers like they have been in previous seasons. The empty seats in games this year is just straight embarrassing.

-There is a slight suspicion that MLB might have juiced some balls this year to increase attendance in these tough times.

- The WBC looks like it has once again screwed with a lot of players who participated.

Going to enjoy the afternoon, maybe play some baseball after watching the Yankee- Indians game at 1 p.m. There is finally warm weather in the northeast.