05/07/08
The idea that the MLB players union is even looking into the POSSIBILITY of suggesting collusion as the reason Barry Bonds has yet to receive a single offer is ludicrous. Here are the facts: Bonds is a 43-year-old superstar who is pretty much unable to play the field and carries more baggage than just about anyone. With his fielding woes, bad legs, and inability to play in many back-to-back games, you can eliminate all 16 National League teams.
That only leaves 14 teams, all of whom would likely use him only in a DH role. Unfortunately for Bonds, there are quite a few full time DHs (Thome, Pronk, Thomas, Ortiz, etc.) already employed, so the number of possibly interested teams dwindles to a handful. Then, you can throw out any small market teams like the Twins or Royals because paying a premium for a part time DH simply doesn't fit into their plans. You can also throw out teams not in the running because the negative press in signing Bonds wouldn't be worth any potential gains with his bat in the lineup on occasion.
Suddenly, Bonds is left with only a few teams, maybe the Yankees, Mariners - maybe even the Rays or Orioles. In each case, however, you can make plenty of arguments for not even needing to pursue him. The Yankees are already paying Giambi a ton of cash and can't play him at first every day, the Mariners already have a tough time finding PT for guys like Jose Vidro, the Rays are fairly happy with the current clubhouse chemistry, and the Orioles have overspent on more than enough players this past decade already and probably don't want to get burned again. Plus, Baltimore, with or without Bonds, isn't winning the AL East.
In the end, Bonds is left with no one, no specifically because of any steroids issue but because of a combination of deteriorating skills and baggage he brings with. It's not collusion, it's just the end of the line for a once great ballplayer.
05/06/08
May has begun with several teams on streaks, some good and some bad. Toronto and Minnesota are currently riding 5-game winning streaks, the Dodgers have won 9 of their last 10 and even Washington has won 8 of their last 10 games.
Detroit has stumbled once again, losing 4 straight and counting while the White Sox have fared even worse in May, losers of 6 straight, having scored only 9 total runs in those 6 games. In the National League, San Diego still hasn't figured out how to hit, but Colorado is keeping pace with the Padres for the cellar thanks to 8 losses in their last 10 games.
With six teams (Texas, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, San Fran, San Diego, Colorado) in baseball behind in their division by 7 or more games already, it's going to take quite a few winning streaks of their own just to get back in the race.
05/05/08
For you fantasy baseball players out there, this is a crucial time to assess your roster. It's up to you to decide if guys like Travis Hafner are just going through an extended slump and are worth pursuing or if something is perhaps really wrong and he will never regain his form. On the flipside, you need to decide if guys like Carlos Quentin can continue their success. If not, maybe it's time to deal the overachieving players, even if you don't feel you are getting fair market value.
Remember, you already receive the past stats, so all that matters is assessing the FUTURE success of players involved in trades. Most people forget that and focus and what a player has done rather than what a player WILL DO. Remember that piece of advice and you will be easier to deal with and will likely make your team better in the long run.
05/01/08
If you have a hard time getting into baseball until May rolls around, don't worry - The Commish will get you caught up fast! The latest Hot Corner runs down each division with a brief desciption about what team is overachieving (Oakland), what team is underachieving (Cincy), and who figures to be there at the end. It's a quick rundown by division and a must read to get you caught up in no time. Think of it as TCO's version of Cliff's Notes for those of you still watching playoff basketball and hockey! Check it out now.
