Tagged: White Sox

Well At Least Crede Isn’t Greedy

Joe Crede signed a one year $2.5 million dollar deal today. He could get an extra $4.5 million dollars if he reaches all of his incentives. In high school Crede was a pitcher. He led Fatima High School to three district championships. Later in 2006 his high school retired his number. Crede was drafted by the White Sox in the fifth round in 1996. Crede made his major league debut on September 20, 2000. Five years later he won a World Series. He was five for seventeen with two home runs against the Houston Astros in 2005. Crede has always been inconsistent. In 2004 he hit .252 and in 2007 he hit .216. In 2006 Crede won a Silver Slugger at third base hitting .283 with 94 RBI’s, 30 home runs, and 154 hits. In 2007 Crede missed a lot of time after having back surgery. In the offseason that year he signed a one year $5.15 million dollar deal avoiding arbitration. Then in 2008 Crede made his first all-star game at Yankee Stadium. He was zero for one in the game.  In 2008 Crede became a free agent after filling for free agency. It would be the first time in his carer that he would be a free agent. Crede could have gotten between seven and ten million dollars easily in a good economy. But either he wanted to earn his money or the economy just dropped his value. On second thought the economy just dropped his value. Crede’s second choice was the San Francisco Giants. The became official after Crede passed his physical. Crede is not a traitor to the White Sox. He was just looking for a job like thousands of Americans. We do not even know if the White Sox gave Crede an offer. If he had signed earlier then he would have been somewhat of a traitor. Right now no one can really be a traitor to a team unless that team gave him an offer. If Jason Varitex had signed with the Yankees before Boston gave him an offer Red Sox Nation would be mad, sad, and upset but he would have been just looking for a job and did not want to be unemployed. So while I know White Sox Nation (if there is such a thing) is sad but do not be mad. You can be upset but do not hate Crede forever like Red Sox Nation hates Manny and Damon. At least Crede is not greedy like Manny, Damon, the Yankees, and Dodgers.

Credediving2_1

Well no one is a bigger traitor then this guy . . .
























That is right Benedict Arnold. See I pay attention in history class.

Photos
1-midwestsportsfans.com
2- brooks.mlblogs.com
3- arkjournal.com

Fantasy Baseball Help- Tip 1

I know Cob is starting a fantasy baseball league so I thought for all you first timers I thought I would give you some tips.

Draft Players on Good Teams

When drafting your team try to draft great players on average or great teams. The Mariners lost 101 games in 2008 year. In 2007 years ago they won 88 games. In 2007 Felix Hernandez won 14 games an in 2008 he won nine and lost 14. For pitchers run support is key. A baseball team with great sluggers and average pitchers will do fine. In 2007 the Tampa Bay Devil Rays won 66 games. In 2008 the Rays won 97 games. Every single one of their pitchers did better because of run support. When drafting sluggers you can afford to break this rule for a really good player. Playing on a better team for a slugger means more runs, RBI’s, and a higher on base percentage. You get more runs because people will drive you in more. You get more RBI’s, because more people will be standing at third base. Lastly you will get a higher on base percentage because if a pitcher walks someone they will then have to face a better hitter next. Lets use the Mariners and the Rays again. In 2007 Ichiro hit had 111 runs, 68 RBI’s, and a .396 on base percentage. In 2008 he had 103 runs, 42 RBI’s, and a .361 on base percentage. Akinori Iwamura, of the Rays had 82 runs, 34 RBI’s, and a .359 on base percentage in 2007. In 2008 he had 91 runs, 48 RBI’s, and a .349 on base percentage. Sure his on base percentage dropped by .010 but he had a much better year. When you drafted players on good teams their confidence is higher which means a better year most of the time. So my list of teams I would draft from are the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Yankees, Rays, Twins, White Sox, Indians, Angels, A’s, Rangers, Braves, Marlins, Mets, Phillies, Astros, Cubs, Reds, D-Backs, Giants, and Rockies. I don’t plan on drafting any one from the Rays or Yankees though. Also I left the Brewers and Cardinals off for two reasons their pitchers and the fact that their not that heathy.

Jon Garland, The Most Overrated Pitcher in  Baseball

Today the Arizona Diamondbacks signed right hander, Jon Garland to a one year deal, worth about $7 million dollars. The deal also includes an option for 2010. Garland will replace Randy Johnson who signed with the Giants this offseason. Garland is a sinkerballer, who played last season with the Angels were he went 14-8, with a 4.90 ERA, and 90 strikeouts. The Angels were the A.L. West champions and the only team to win 100 games last season. Now some idiots (no offense) might say, why is Garland overrated then if he was on the Angels? You just answered your own question. Garland won only 14 games for one of the best teams in baseball last year. Imagine what he would have been like if he played for the Mariners, Pirates or even Astros. If he was with the Mariners then maybe seven wins. If he played for the Pirates then ten wins. If he played for the Astros, he would have helped them get the wild-card spot but he would have only won eleven games. Yet, Garland gets treated like he has won 20 games. At least the front offices know he is overrated by not giving him say a $20 million dollar contract. Garland is a good pitcher but not an all-star. He was one in 2005 though with the White Sox when they won the World Series. So I don’t want to have any comments saying the Garland is underrated or that I’m wrong. Garland will most likely be the second or third starter in the D-Backs rotation. Right now it looks like Brandon Webb will be the ace, followed by Dan Haren, then Garland, next is Doug Davis, and in the fifth spot Max Scherzer or Yusmerio Petit. It will most likely be Scherzer though. Garland is 29 years old and has played nine major league seasons with the White Sox and Angels. His first eight years were with the White Sox. His carer stats are 106-89, a 4.47 ERA, and 851 strike outs. He also has one save and a .971 fielding percentage at pitcher. Garland is overrated by the fans but this should be a good move for the Diamondbacks.

Garland_2
Jon Garland Photo Enlargement

Young Guns- D-Backs

Justin Upton


Justin Upton is only 21 years old! He is only the second youngest player in baseball behind Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He never went to college but went to Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake, Virginia. Upton was the Diamondbacks first pick in the 2005 draft as a shortstop. Alex Gordon, Ryan Zimmerman, Ryan Braun, Troy Tulowitzki, Jay Bruce, Jacoby Ellsbury, Matt Garza, Travis Buck, Clay Buchholz, and Micah Owings were all drafted in 2005. Talk about a great draft class! He latter switched to a center fielder because Stephen Drew, J.D. Drew’s brother was already there and then moved to right, because Chris Young was already in center field. Upton has a carer average of .242, 17 home runs, 42 RBI’s, three stolen bases, and 120 hits. He also has a carer .939 fielding percentage, in right field. The 2007 season was Upton’s first. He was called up after Carlos Quentin (who is now with the Chicago White Sox) got injured. That season he had a batting average of .221, with two home runs, 31 hits, eleven RBI’s, and two stolen bases in 43 games. In the 2007 playoffs he batted .357, with one RBI, zero home runs, five hits, and one stolen base. In his first full season, the 2008 season he batted .250, with 15 home runs, 42 RBI’s, and one stolen base. Upton hasn’t won any awards or honors yet as a major league player. He was though USA Today’s minor league player of the year in 2007 and as a senior in high school he was Gatorade’s high school player of the year. Upton’s body is much like Edinson Volquez. Upton is 6 foot two inches, 205 pounds. Volquez is six foot, and weighs 200 pounds. Upton will not play for team USA in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. His brother, B.J. Upton is the center fielder for the Tampa Bay Rays. Upton’s major league debut exactly three years after his brother made his. It is to early to predict Upton’s carer because he hasn’t had his break out year yet, but I would say maybe 3,000 hits if he stays heathy. I think the 2009 season will be his breakout year and if not 2009 then 2010. Upton is a very promising player he just needs to practice.



Click here to see a great video

Honorable Mentions

2. Stephen Drew
3. Chris Young
4. Mark Reynolds
5. Max Scherzer

World Baseball Classic- Red Sox Style

First- I’m sorry I didn’t blog yesterday I am taking this boring five day test over math, writing, reading comprehension, science, and tons more.
Second- The real news in baseball isn’t the World Baseball Classic, it is Barry Bonds! Click here to read this shocking story about him.
Third- Jeff Kent the legendary second baseman retired today. Kent has a pretty good shot at getting into the baseball hall of fame. More on that soon hopefully.
Forth- Jonathan Pabelbon avoided arbitration by signing a one year, $6.25 million dollar deal. Boston also signed Javier Lopez. Theo Epstein has yet to go in to arbitration with any player since becoming G.M. of the Red Sox. More on that soon.
Fifth- The Dodgers signed Jonathan Broxton and Russell Martin avoiding arbitration.
Sixth- The Red Sox traded David Aardsma to the Mariners for Fabian Williamson.
The Boston Red Sox have eleven major league players and five minor league players on the World Baseball Classic provisional rosters.
Jason Bay- Bay played for Canada in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. In three games Bay hit .455, with zero home runs, drove in none, and had five hits. Last season Bay hit .286, with 31 home runs, drove in 101, and had 165 hits. Bay will be a great move for team Canada. While he didn’t have great stats in 2006 I think he will have a good 2009 World Baseball Classic. 
George Kottaras- Kottaras will join Jason Bay on team Canada. Kottaras didn’t play in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Last season in three games with the Red Sox he hit .200, had one hit, with no home runs, RBI’s, or stolen bases. The Red Sox will watch Kottaras carefully as a test to see how he does against major league talent.
Javier Lopez- Lopez will play for team Puerto Rico. Lopez did not participate in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Last season with Boston he had a two and zero record, with a 2.43 ERA, and 38 strikeouts. Lopez should help team Puerto Rico. He would give team Puerto Rico a pretty good relief pitcher.
Mike Lowell-  Lowell will join Javier Lopez on team Puerto Rico. Lowell will play in the World Baseball Classic for his first time. Last year with Boston he hit .274, with 17 home runs, 73 RBI’s, and had 115 hits. The Red Sox will watch Lowell closely to see how his hip is. If it gets bad they may tell Lowell to sit out a game or sit on the bench for the rest of the tournament. I think his hip will be fine though.
Daisuke Matsuzaka- Dice-K will play for team Japan. Dice-K played in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. He had three wins no losses, an ERA of 1.28, and ten strike outs. Dice-K was a vital part in helping Japan win in 2006. He also won MVP in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Last year with the Red Sox he had a record of 18-3, with 154 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.90. I think Dice-K will do fine in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Hideki Okajima- Okajima will join Dice-K on team Japan. Okajima didn’t play in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Last season he had a three and two record, with an ERA of 2.61, 60 strikeouts, and one save. Okajima will be great playing for Japan. he could help them to win another title, but the USA will win.
David Ortiz- Ortiz will play for team Dominican Republic. In 2006 while playing in the 2006 World Baseball Classic he hit .150, with three home runs, five RBI’s, and three hits in twenty at bats. Having three hits and three home runs means that all of his hits were home runs. In 2008 with the Red Sox he hit .264, with 23 home runs, 89 RBI’s, and 110 hits. Ortiz has a hurt wrist so he might not be able to play. He also is listed on the list of Red Sox players in the classic but not on the list of players for team Dominican Republic on MLB.com which is strange.
 Designated hitter David Ortiz of the Dominican Republic celebrated after hitting a home run in the second inning against Venezuela during the first round of the World Baseball Classic at The Ballpark at Disney on March 7 in Kissimmee, Fla.
Dustin Pedroia- Pedroia will play for my favorite team, team USA! Pedroia did not play in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Last season he hit .326, with 17 home runs, 83 RBI’s, and stole twenty bases. He also won a golden glove, a silver slugger, and a MVP. Pedroia should be a  upgrade for team USA. In 2006 the USA had Chase Utley at second base.
Ramon Ramirez- Roman Ramirez will possibly join David Ortiz on team Dominican Republic. Ramirez didn’t play in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Ramirez was traded from Kansas City to Boston for Coco Crisp this offseason. While with the Royals last year he had a record of three and two, with a 2.64 ERA, one save, and 70 strikeouts. The Red Sox will look at him if David Ortiz plays to see if any chemistry forms between them. As we all know ( Well not the Y*****s) chemistry wins championships.
Kevin Youkilis- Youkilis will join Dustin Pedroia on team USA making the left side of the infield all Red Sox. Youkilis did not play in the 2006 World Baseball Cassic. Last season Youk hit .312, with 115 RBI’s, 29 home runs, and stole three bases. He also started at first base in the 2008 all star game at Yankee Stadium. Youk will be a great ascent to team USA in 2009.
The World Baseball Classic is a time where Cubs and White Sox, Dodgers and Angels, and even Red Sox and Y*****s (Hey I’m serious about not putting the Y word in my entries) unite and cheer for Pedroia, Jeter, Derrek Lee, Carlos Quentin, Joe Saunders, and Jonathan Broxton on team USA.

Ortiz watched his second inning home run clear the fence as his team faced Venezuela in their World Baseball Classic first round game. At left is Venezuela's catcher Ramon Hernandez.Team USA shortstop Derek Jeter blew a bubble after throwing to first for a double play while forcing out Mexico's Luis Alfonso Garcia. Team USA won 2-0 on Tuesday.

What’s the Lowe Down on the Braves

First- Sorry for the cheesy title.

Second- Sorry I didn’t blog yesterday. I was studying for a big test in science and had a basketball game, we won!
Third- B.J. Upton may miss opening day for the Rays.
Fourth- The Rays signed Gabe Gross.
Fifth- The Marlins are interested in Chad Cordero.
Sixth- The Brewers officially signed Trevor Hoffman.
Seventh- John Smoltz officially signed with Boston.
Eighth- Andruw Jones is close to leaving the Dodgers.
Ninth- Bartolo Colon is close to going back to the Chicago White Sox.
Tenth- My Celtics have won three in a row!
Eleventh- Cox Communications, a TV station in San Diego, got a new play by play guy for the Padres. Guess who it is??? My Godfather, Mark Neely!!! I’m not kidding, I swear.
Yesterday the Atlanta Braves signed former Boston Red Sox, Derek Lowe on a four year deal. I know some of my readers hoped that Derek Lowe would sign with the Red Sox. I thought he would sign with the New York Mets. The sinker baller was formerly with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The same day Boston officially signed former Atlanta Brave legend John Smoltz. The Braves now have a great rotation featuring of Lowe, Javier Vazquez who they traded for this offseason, Jair Jurrjens, Kenshin Kawakami, and the fifth spot is open to Tim Hudson who had tommy john surgery last year, Jorge Campillo, Jo-Jo Reyes, Charlie Morton, and James Parr. It will probably be Tim Hudson. The Braves are now interested in a power hitting right fielder to start and not Matt Diaz. They could also move Matt Diaz to centerfield. The Braves want Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher who are both on the New York Yankees. Nick Swisher hasn’t played a game with the Yankees because he was traded from the Chicago White Sox this offseason. Nady was with the Pirates then got traded to the New York Yankees in midseason. Swisher is under contact till 2011 while Nady will probably become a free agent at the end of the 2009 season. I think the Braves will trade for Swisher. I think the Yankees will want one or two minor leaguers and maybe Josh Anderson or Manny Acosta. The Braves will probably try to put a starting pitcher in there since they have nine. The deal will probably include Acosta though, because the Yankees have more “power.” If I was the G.M. of the Braves I would do the deal.
Sept. 9, 2002 Derek Lowe got the win, going six innings and giving up three earned runs. Lowe was ejected in the seventh inning by umpire Jerry Crawford for hitting Felix Escalona. Grady Little was shown the gate by Crawford for arguing Lowe's ejection.

Hall of Fame Winners and Losers- Part 6

Dan Plesac- No, Never



Dan Plesac is on the ballot for the first time.  he has a carer record of 65-71, with 158 saves, an ERA of 3.64, and 1,041 strike outs. He made three errors at pitcher. He had a .973 fielding percentage. He played 18 seasons with the Brewers, Cubs, Pirates, Blue Jays, D-Backs, and Phillies. He was with the Blue Jays two different times. Plesac I think is the worst player on the ballot this year, no offense. He doesn’t have 500 saves or even 300 for a matter of fact. He did strike out a pretty good amount of guys. Plesac will get 3% of the vote this year which means he will not be on the ballot next year.

Tim Raines No, Eventually 


Tim Raines is up for election for the second year. Raines hit .294, with 170 home runs, drove in 980, had 2,605 hits, scored 1,571 times, stole 808 bases, and was caught stealing 146 times. He played 23 seasons with the Expos, White Sox, Yankees, A’s, Orioles, and Marlins. In 2000 he did not play. He played with the Expos two different times. He and Andre Dawson could be the last Expos in the hall of fame. Tim Raines was the second best leadoff hitter ever behind Rickey Henderson. Raines will get 30% of the vote this year and will get in with 80% of the vote.

Jim Rice, Yes


Jim Rice is on the ballot for his 15th and final time. He hit .298, with 382 home runs, drove in 1,451, had 2,452 hits, scored 1,249 times, stole 58 bases, and was caught stealing 34 times. He made 66 errors in the outfield. He also had a .980 fielding percentage. Jim Rice played 16 seasons all with the Boston Red Sox. Rice was an eight time all-star, won two silver sluggers, and won the 1978 A.L. MVP. I have this gut feeling that Rice is going barely make it or miss it. Last year Rice missed the hall of fame by sixteen votes, 72.2%. Rice will get 77% this year and finally make it into the hall of fame, where he belongs.  Look out Boston a new retired number is coming your way.

Hall of Fame Winners and Losers- Part 3

First- My Celtics won!

Mark Grace No, Never



Mark Grace is on the ballot for the first time. He hit .303, with 173 home runs, drove in 1,146, stole 70, and was caught stealing 48 times. He played 16 seasons with the Cubs and D-Backs. Grace won the World Series with the D-Backs against the Yankees in 2001. Grace will probably go in as a Cub. Grace was a first baseman who made 110 carer errors. In 2002 he played pitcher for one inning. He gave up a home run. Grace had a great fielding percentage, .995. He will probably get around 5% of the votes this year and at his best 60% due to his great fielding.

Rickey Henderson, Yes


Rickey Henderson is on the ballot for his first time. He hit .279, with 297 home runs, scored 2,295 times, had 3,055 hits, drove in 1,115, stole 1,406, and was caught stealing 335 times. He played 25 seasons with the A’s, Yankees, Blue Jays, Padres, Angels, Mets, Mariners, Red Sox, and Dodgers. He played with the A’s for different times and the Padres two different times. He will probably go in as an A’s. He had more stolen bases and runs then any other player in the history of baseball. He had 3,000 hits too. He is one of the best leadoff hitters ever. He will get 99% of the vote and get in to the hall of fame.

Tommy John No, Never


Tommy John is on the ballot for his 15th and final time. He has a carer record of 288-231, an ERA of 3.34, and 2,245 strike outs. He made 49 errors at pitcher and had a .963 fielding percentage. John played 27 seasons with the Indians, White Sox, Dodgers, Yankees, Angels, and A’s. He was with the Yankees two different times. John was the first player to get Tommy John surgery, which was named after him. In 1980 he won 22 games with an ERA of 3.43. John got 29.1% of the votes last year this year he will get 35% of the votes and will not make it in the hall of fame.

Hall of Fame Winners and Losers- Part 1

First- Pedro could be a Marlin! It would be great for the Marlins but Pedro won’t go there any time soon.

Second- The Braves signed Kenshin Kawakami, a top Japanese ace.
Third- Look for more Hall of Fame Winners and Losers as the day goes on.
Harold Baines- No, Never


Baines is up for election for his third year. He hit .289, with 384 home runs, 2,866 hits, and 1,628 RBIs. He also stole 34 bases and got caught stealing 34 bases. He played 22 years with the White Sox, Rangers, A’s, Orioles, and Indians. He played with the White Sox on three different occasions and the Orioles two different occasions. Baines will probably go in if he does go in as a White Sox. Baines was traded 5 times in midseason. Baines was a D.H. and played outfield in 1,061 games where he made 47 errors. While Baines was a dominating hitter he doesn’t have 3,000 hits or 500 home runs, or even a batting average over .300. Last year he pot 5.2% of the vote. Baines was a great player but he won’t go in and probably will get around 7% of the votes this year and at his best 55% of the votes.
Jay Bell- No, Never

Bell is up for election for his first time. He hit .265, had 195 home runs, drove in 860, and had 1963 hits. Bell stole 91 and was caught stealing 60. Bell played 18 seasons with the Indians, Pirates, Royals, D-Backs, and Mets. Bell had great glove work, winning a golden glove in 1993. He had a .976 carer fielding percentage. He made 220 errors at second, shortstop, third, and first. Bell was never traded in midseason. If Bell does go in he will probably go in as a Pirate. He won the 2001 World Series against the New York Yankees with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Bell will get 5% of the votes this year and at his best 45% of the votes.

Bert Blyleven- No, Eventually  


Bert Blyleven is up for election for his 12th year. He had a carer record of 287-250, a 3.31 ERA, and 3,701 strike outs. Bert made 30 errors at pitcher. He played 22 years with the Twins, Rangers, Pirates, Indians, and Angels. He was with the Twins two different times. He is fifth on the all time strikeout list, behind Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, and Steve Carlton. He pitched 60 shutouts in his carer and in 1973 he pitched nine. He also pitched 242 complete games and in 1973 he pitched 25! That year he didn’t win the Cy Young though, Jim Palmer won it. Last year he got 61.9% of the vote this year he will get 70% and next year he will get 77% and get in next  year.

Playoffs

Red Sox in 7

Phillies in 4                                                                            Rays in 4 against White Sox

                                                                                            Rays in 3 against against Twins 

                 Cubs in 5               Red Sox in 7       Red Sox in 6
Cubs in 4                                World Series                                              Red Sox in 4 
Note yes i’m a red sox fan but this is how a picture it as a fan not a Red Sox fan