 Dusty Baker is a win-now manager, Walt Jocketty a win-now GM, Bob Castellini a win-now owner. Alas, the Reds need to rebuild.That means trading right fielder Ken Griffey Jr., left fielder Adam Dunn and any other veterans who can bring a return. It means promoting outfielder Jay Bruce and any other prospects who can make a difference. It means committing to the future, once and for all. MLB roundupThe Cubs are the most obvious fit for center fielder Jim Edmonds, who was released by the Padres last week but is determined to continue his career, preferably with a contender. Two other teams with possible interest, the Rays and Blue Jays, are likely to pass. Edmonds, if he revives, could offer the Cubs far more offense than Felix Pie, giving the team another left-handed option to go with Kosuke Fokudome ...Trying to figure out why Cliff Lee has been so successful? His velocity has increased from 88-89 mph to 91-92, and unlike teammates C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona, he did not pitch deep into the playoffs last season. Lee he worked a mere 145 1/3 innings after missing the first month with a right abdominal strain, so his arm is relatively fresh. He clearly is pitching with heightened confidence, but lest anyone forget, he was 18-5 with a 3.79 ERA in 2005 and a 14-game winner in both '04 and '06 ...Derek Jeter, who missed five games with a strained left quadriceps in early April, again ranks near the bottom of AL shortstops in range factor and zone rating. Jeter, however, says that he improved his explosiveness and first-step quickness by altering his offseason training regimen, and bench coach Rob Thomson says he notices a difference. "I say to (third base coach) Bobby Meacham every day, it's unbelievable how much better he's moving than last year," Thomson says. ...The Yankees are certain to decline Jason Giambi's $22 million option, but Giambi says he wants to play next season at age 38, explaining, "It's the ultimate life. Why go home and be normal?" Giambi believes his increased playing time at first will boost his value, but he remains a below-average defender. As a second-tier free agent, he will need to prove that he can still be an offensive force; two similar types, Mike Piazza and Sammy Sosa, are now out of the game ...Something to ponder about Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal, who is eligible for free agency: He averaged 14 homers per season from 2003 to '06 and probably could hit even more. "In some ways he's like Ichiro," one scout says. "He can really drive a ball if he changes his approach. Actually, he could drive the ball more frequently and even further than Ichiro could." ... Twins catcher Joe Mauer has no home runs in 119 at-bats. "He's playing like Wade Boggs, he's that style hitter," one scout says. "I don't think Gardy (Ron Gardenhire) will say something. But privately, I think he wants him to start hitting the ball out of the park." Of course, Gardenhire can't complain too much -- Mauer has nine doubles, one triple and a .419 OBP. Left fielder Delmon Young: 140 at-bats, zero homers, three doubles, one triple, a .315 OBP.The Mariners, 12th in the AL in runs per game entering Monday's play, thus far have resisted any temptation to dismiss hitting coach Jeff Pentland, the only holdover from their previous staff under Mike Hargrove. It's not Pentland's fault that the M's assembled a lineup of mostly impatient hitters. The team ranks last in the league in on-base percentage and 11th in pitches per plate appearance ...The Red Sox appear stuck with shortstop Julio Lugo, who is earning $9 million per season through 2010, but they inquired about the Astros' Mark Loretta in spring training, evidently viewing him as possible infield insurance. A trade for the Giants' Omar Vizquel might be something for the Sox to consider: Vizquel would offer steady and at times spectacular defense, and offense that would be no worse than Lugo's ...The Tigers' Matt Joyce never expected to reach the majors this season, but things sounded especially bleak when his Class AAA manager, Larry Parrish, summoned him on May 5. "You've had a couple of hard-hit balls, but I thought you could have run them out harder," Parrish told him. "We're going to have to make some moves." Joyce recalls thinking to himself, "Are you kidding me? You're going to send me down for that?" Not exactly. "You're going to Detroit," Parrish continued. "And you're starting tonight." And finally, the Astros' absurdly hot Lance Berkman was only the second player since 1957 to produce 19 hits in a span of 25 at-bats. The other was the Cardinals' Albert Pujols in 2003. Berkman reached base 21 times in a five-game stretch, the most since Rickey Henderson accomplished the same feat for the Yankees in 1985. Author:Fox Sports
Author's Website:http://www.foxsports.com
Added: May 13, 2008 |
