Franklin Gutierrez

Franklin Gutierrez, Seattle Mariners (OF): Gutierrez is entering his third full Major League season a much richer man as he signed a four-year extension worth $20.5 million. The speedy, athletic centerfielder’s sore knees have healed and he expects bigger things in 2010. Despite the sore knees in 2009, he hit .283 with 18 homeruns and 70 RBIs. 2009 was a much better showing than in 2008 when he only hit .248 with 8 homeruns and 41 RBIs. Gutierrez credits the better offensive numbers to a slight shift in his stance that allows for a better use of his legs for power. “A centerfielder that can hit 20 homeruns is pretty special, and can play the kind of defense that he plays,” GM Jack Zduriencik said. “…maturation is going to work to his favor, because he’s going to get stronger just because of the maturation process.” Gutierrez plays everyday (153 games in 2009) and is getting more familiar with the pitching.

To go with his 18 homeruns and 70 RBIs, Gutierrez contributed 24 doubles and 16 stolen bases. He walked 46 times compared to 122 strikeouts. The biggest knock on Gutierrez is his suspect plate discipline as evidenced by his high strikeouts totals.

Gutierrez is a key component to the hope that the Mariners can compete for the            American League West title. His all-around skills help him deliver solid numbers. His gap power played well at spacious Safeco Field. “On paper, you can look like the best team in the world,” Gutierrez said about the 2010 Mariners. “But when you go out there you have to do you job. Because it’s baseball. Anything can happen.” He knows from experience as his 2007 Cleveland Indians were one win away from the World Series only to fall flat in 2008 with higher expectations. Gutierrez is hoping that is not the case for the 2010 Mariners.

David Aardsma

David Aardsma, Seattle Mariners (RP): Aardsma jumped onto the baseball scene in 2009 with 38saves. He dominated in the games using 87 percent fastballs (which led the majors). Skeptics claim that relying on the fastball could be dangerous, but why should he change? Aardsma is a fastball pitcher and trying to be anything else for variety’s sake would be riskier. He averaged 10.09 strikeouts per nine innings in 2009. “Until the hitter show you something, then you don’t change on them,” Aardsma said. If the hitters cannot hit the fastball, keep throwing it. It makes sense as the closer to go after hitters with your best pitch until it is not working.

The 95 mph fastball has been working for Aardsma. After taking over as closer in May, he held opponents to just a .196 average and posted an ERA of 2.52 to go with 80 strikeouts. He has been working with Mariners bullpen coach John Wetteland, one of the most successful closers of the 1990s, on throwing his fastball with conviction that his best stuff is good enough to get hitters out.

Everyone knows that in the ninth inning Aardsma is going to throw fastballs. However he pointed out that everyone knows that NY Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is going to throw a cutter yet hitters still cannot hit it. Aardsma is working on his secondary pitches in spring training just to keep hitters off balance. “…but if the hitters have that 5 percent in the back of their mind, then it makes it easier to do what I have to do,” Aardsma said about throwing a slider or split. What the Mariners need Aardsma to do in 2010 is to have another breakout year for the Mariners to overtake the LA Angels.

Tags:

AL West, David Aardsma, Franklin Gutierrez, Seattle Mariners

Elvis Andrus

Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers (SS): Coming in second place in the Rookie of the Year voting and forcing a move of All-Star shortstop Michael Young to third base in your first year is considered a breakout. However the Rangers need more from Andrus in 2010 for them to overtake the LA Angels reign in the division. In 2009, Andrus hit .267 with 17 doubles, 8 triples, 6 homeruns, and 40 RBIs. He showed patience at the plate as a rookie as he walked 40 times to 77 strikeouts.

His strength as a rookie was situational hitting. With the team’s focus on situational baseball, he should benefit. “I’ve got to keep doing those little things,” he said. Andrus is excited to work with the Rangers new hitting coach Clint Hurdle (the former Colorado Rockies manager). Andrus is expected to be the number 9 hitter again this year so doing the little things to turn the lineup over will be huge. “…it’s going to be a little of what I did last year, like bunt, hit-and-run and try to get a stolen base. I think that will help this team a lot,” Andrus said. He stole 33 bases in 2009.

Defensively he should feel more comfortable as he has a year under his belt of working with second baseman Ian Kinsler as his double-play partner. He made 22 errors in 2009 so he will need to be more accurate in the field.

With all the potential power in the Rangers order (Josh Hamilton, Vladimir Guerrero, Kinsler, Young, Nelson Cruz, and Chris Davis), Andrus will be counted on at the bottom of the order to get on base and provide RBI opportunities for the middle of the order.

Julio Borbon

Julio Borbon, Texas Rangers (OF): Borbon, who is expected to be the Rangers leadoff hitter, needs to get on base in front of the powerful run producers. This will lead to even more runs being scored by the Rangers potent offense. With Borbon at the top of the Rangers lineup, it would not be crazy to think he could score more than 100 runs.

With Triple-A Oklahoma City, Borbon hit .307 in 96 games with 12 doubles, 7 triples, 2 homeruns, and 34 RBIs. His .367 on-base percentage was due in large part to his 33 walks (compared to 40 strikeouts). He also stole 25 bases. During his Major League promotion to Texas, Borbon became a favorite. He hit .312 in 46 games with 4 doubles, 4 homeruns, and 20 RBIs. He had a higher on-base percentage (.376) and walked 15 times while striking out 28 times. He also stole 19 bases. All of his numbers should play out well in 2010 as the leadoff hitter.

Borbon is just 24 years old and figures to profile as a Carl Crawford or Kenny Lofton type outfielder. Not re-signing Marlon Byrd in the offseason meant that the Rangers are committed to Borbon in centerfield everyday. The Rangers will have two young, athletic players book ending their 2010 lineup. The key for the Rangers will be on the success of both Borbon and Andrus (along with the health of all their sluggers).

Tags:

AL West, Elvis Andrus, Julio Borbon, Texas Rangers

The American League West has been a hot bed for young talent for quite a few years. To win the World Series in 2002, the LA Angels relied on Francisco Rodriguez in the bullpen and John Lackey in the rotation. The Oakland A’s have been known to develop young pitching from the Big Three (Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, and Barry Zito) to Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill to their two Rookie of the Year closers (Huston Street in 2005 and Andrew Bailey in 2009). The Seattle Mariners had Ken Griffey Jr, then Alex Rodriguez and now ace Felix Hernandez. The Texas Rangers have begun to develop young pitching through Nolan Ryan. The AL West figures to be a division up for grabs so young breakout players figure to be the reason one team wins the division and the others three teams don’t. Here’s a look at some AL West breakout players:

Maicer Izturis

Maicer Izturis, LA Angels, (utility man): Most Angels fans remember his throwing error to end Game 2 of the ALCS at Yankee Stadium. However one errant throw does not explain the magnitude of how much Izturis means to the Angels. That is why they rewarded him with a three year, $10 million contract. The contract is something Izturis is happy about. “…they want to have me around,” he said. “I hope to play a lot, and I’ll do whatever they want me to do.”

Former teammate Chone Figgins was envious of Izturis’ relaxed approach to the game. He called him “The Natural”. “He can do anything,” Figgins said. “It’s like he came out of his crib playing baseball. That’s why I call him ‘The Natural’.” The soft-spoken infielder would smile at Figgins’ comments, saying that his father taught him (and his Major League brother Cesar) to play the game right.

Manager Mike Scioscia, who is an Izturis fan, plans on getting him at least 97 starts, which is how many starts he received in 2009. While primarily diving time with Howie Kendrick at second base and getting some time at shortstop and third base, Izturis hit .300 with a .359 on-base percentage. Scioscia said “we are a much stronger team with his versatility…and he has the ability to lead off or hit down in the order.” He is expected to share Figgins’ leadoff duties with shortstop Erick Aybar. In recent season, Izturis has hit everywhere but fourth in the order. Scioscia said that “Izzy developed that part of his game, as far as being patient, earlier in his career…It’s not just taking pitches, it’s fighting off pitches, fouling them off, keeping an at-bat alive.”

Izturis is a rare player that is gifted enough to handle second base, shortstop, and third base at close to a Gold Glove level. “As long as I’m on the field, I’m happy,” he said. In 2009, he made 68 starts at second base, making just two errors (.993 fielding percentage). In 28 games at shortstop, he made two errors (.977 fielding percentage) and he made five errorless starts at third base. Figgins said that Izturis “has the best hands and most accurate arm you’ll see.” Now Figgins will have to watch him as an opponent.

2009 was the first season that Izturis spent zero days on the DL. “Staying healthy is the most important thing for me.” Being healthy showed in his overall numbers. In 114 games, he had 22 doubles, 3 triples, 8 homeruns, and 65 RBIs. He also walked 35 times compared to 41 strikeouts. Izturis stole 13 bases in 2009 but could steal more in 2010 if he is leading off and batting in front of the patient Bobby Abreu. Izturis has always hit in the clutch as he is a career .327 hitter with runners in scoring position (he hit .302 in 2009).

Izturis is close to indispensable in the Angels lineup and in the field on defense. For the Angels to continue their dominance in the AL West, they will need Izturis to fill the gap that Figgins’ signing with Seattle left.

Tags:

AL West, Chone Figgins, LA Angels, Maicer Izturis

Alex Gordon

Alex Gordon, KC Royals (3B): Many believe that 2010 is the make or break season for Gordon. Over the past 16 years, no Royals draft pick has had more pressure to perform than this third baseman. Gordon was selected second overall in the 2005 draft as a sweet-swinging, left-handed hitter who hit .373 as a junior at the University of Nebraska. The Golden Spikes winner as the top collegiate players was seen as the Royals savior, the next George Brett. Unfortunately things have not gone as planned for the hometown kid.

He was rushed to the majors in 2007 and only hit .247 with 15 homeruns in 151 games. It was an average season but he did not receive a single Rookie of the Year vote. In his sophomore season of 2008, Gordon hit .260 with 16 homeruns and 66 walks (25 more than 2007) despite playing in 17 fewer games (134). The expectations were high for 2009 and maybe it was a little too much. He hit just .095 in his first seven games and looked lost at the plate. On April 17^th he went on the DL which led to right hip surgery that cost him the first half of the season. He returned in July to hit .281 but struggled in August (.186 average with 13 strikeouts in 11 games) and was sent back to Triple-A Omaha. When he returned as a September callup, the 2009 season was lost.

On his return to Omaha, there were record crowds as many wanted to see the hometown hero work his way back to the majors. He did not disappoint the Omaha Royals fans, hitting .313 in 18 games with two homeruns and 10 RBIs. His on-base percentage was .435 as he walked 13 times to just 16 strikeouts. However he could not equate the minor league numbers to the majors in 2009.

Overall, he hit .232 in 49 games with 6 doubles, 6 homeruns, and 22 RBIs. He walked 21 times and struck out 43 times. If Gordon is healthy, 2010 should be the breakout season Royals fans have been waiting for. The Royals need him to produce in the middle of the lineup with Billy Butler and become a leader in the clubhouse. If Gordon struggles, the bust label will circulate as he was drafted before young studs Ryan Braun, Jay Bruce, Troy Tulowitzki, and Ryan Zimmerman. Tulo has been to a World Series (2007) with the Colorado Rockies. Zimmerman is a perennial All-Star at third base for the Washington Nationals and just won a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger. Braun is also a perennial All-Star that won a Silver Slugger with the Milwaukee Brewers. Bruce is expected to lead the upstart Cincinnati Reds to the playoffs soon.

Gordon just needs to relax and ignore the hype. He needs to go out and play the game and have fun. For the Royals to compete in the wide open AL Central, they will need Gordon to produce and play good defense at third base.

Tags:

AL Central, Alex Gordon, KC Royals

Gordon Beckham

Gordon Beckham, Chicago White Sox (2B): When Beckham was drafted out of the University of Georgia in 2008, White Sox fans were anxious for him to make his Major League debut. Those anxious fans got louder throughout spring training as Beckham made it hard for the White Sox to send him back to the minors. Despite being sent to the minors, he quickly made his Major League debut on June 4 as a third baseman, a very new position for him. He started out his career going 0-for-13 and then he went 2-for-28. However as time progressed and he became more comfortable, his average rose towards .300. When asked about his upcoming sophomore year in the big leagues, Beckham said that nothing could be worse than how his rookie year began and that helped him prepare for the future (it was really the only time he struggled). Beckham went on to hit .270 with 28 doubles, 14 homeruns, and 63 RBIs in 103 games. He also took in the Rookie of the Year award that was voted on by the players.

Now Beckham will be the White Sox second baseman and fans expect bigger and better things from him. Everything he does makes news in Chicago. “From the beginning, I wanted to be a good player on the field and be the guy that people love to watch playing,” Beckham said. White Sox fans love Beckham and want him to bring a World Series trophy back to the South Side.

Matt LaPorta, Cleveland Indians (OF/1B): People have been doubting LaPorta since he was in school when a counselor told him playing professional baseball was not a realistic option for the future. Now with the Indians’ signing of first baseman Russell Branyan, the doubters are back, saying that LaPorta will not make the 2010 club. Before the signing, LaPorta was expected to be new manager Manny Acta’s starting first baseman. Now he may be competing for the left fielder’s job with Michael Brantley, Trevor Crowe, Jordan Brown, Shelley Duncan, and Austin Kearns. LaPorta had hip and toe surgery this offseason but has been cleared for full workouts. “I don’t think I’m going to be limited to what position I can play,” LaPorta said. “I think I’ll be stronger than I have been in the past just because of the rehab I’ve been through.” The signing will probably provide more motivation for LaPorta to shine during the spring in Goodyear, Arizona.

The Indians have mentioned platooning Branyan and LaPorta at first base with LaPorta facing lefties (though he only hit .211 against them in 2009). In Triple-A Columbus, he hit .299 with 23 doubles, 17 homeruns, and 60 RBIs. With Cleveland in 52 games, he hit .254 with 13 doubles, 7 homeruns, and 21 RBIs. However he hit .273 after the All-Star break and .372 in August before the injuries. LaPorta has a good eye at the plate as his 42BB/56K in Columbus attests. For a power hitter, patience is an added bonus. If LaPorta makes the Indians, he will be an impact player in the middle of the order.

Tags:

AL Central, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Gordon Beckham, Matt LaPorta

Denard Span stretches for the catch

The American League Central every year is up for grabs. Last year, Detroit Tigers rookie pitcher Rick Porcello excelled enough that he pitched the play-in game (which the Minnesota Twins won) and came in third in the Rookie of the Year voting. The Cleveland Indians have traded top players (like CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, Victor Martinez, and Casey Blake) to strengthen their farm system and to make room for their young stars. The Twins will rely on young sluggers Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau for years to come. The Chicago White Sox are trying to shed their label of an old, aging team and have seen the likes of Alexei Ramirez, Bobby Jenks, Gavin Floyd, John Danks, and Gordon Beckham graduate to the big leagues and provide immediate impact. The Kansas City Royals were home to young ace Zack Greinke, who won the CY Young Award, and young power hitter Billy Butler. If a team is to succeed in the AL Central, a young player will need to be an important part of the team. Here’s a look at some 2010 AL Central breakout players:

Denard Span, Minnesota Twins (OF): Span should be the Twins leadoff hitter for years to come as last year’s .392 on-base percentage attests. For the Twins to succeed, Span will need to get on base and wreak havoc so that the M&M boys can bat in RBI situations. Last year, Span played in 145 games while hitting .311. He had 16 doubles, 10 triples, 8 homeruns, and 68 RBIs. Span scored 70 runs and could score more because he is a patient hitter (70 walks to 89 strikeouts). He also stole 23 bases though he was caught 10 times so that is something he needs to work on. Span is a great defensive outfielder as he can play all three positions, though centerfield will be his home for now.

Ryan Perry

Ryan Perry, Detroit Tigers (RP): Both Perry and Rick Porcello made their Major League debuts in 2009 as they made the Opening Day roster after spending 2008 in High-A Lakeland. Perry was a first-round pick in 2008 mainly because of his 100 mph fastball. He is considered the Tigers closer of the future, but with the signing of Jose Valverde this offseason, Perry as the closer will have to wait. “I’m definitely looking forward to playing with him,” Perry said of Valverde. “…I’ll just try to help the team do what I am asked to do.” Perry should be stronger than ever since his Evel Knievel type motorcycle accident while at the University of Arizona kept him from doing weight work with his lower body. Now he can lift and is more ready to compete.

Pitching coach Rick Knapp said Perry will get a chance as the eighth inning setup man. In his rookie year, Perry pitched in meaningful games down the stretch that many others do not. In 53 games, he had a 3.79 ERA with 38BB/690K while opponents hit .246 against him. Control has been his biggest issue though he struck out about a hitter an inning in 2009. Catcher Gerald Laird said “…it’s fun to be behind the plate because he can just make hitters look silly.” If Perry can control his pitches and team with fellow fireballer Joel Zumaya (who needs to stay healthy) to setup Valverde, the Tigers could have the best back end of the bullpen in baseball.

Tags:

AL Central, Denard Span, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, Ryan Perry

Matt Wieters

Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles (C): Like David Price, Wieters was a Rookie of the Year favorite but began the beginning of the season at Triple-A Norfolk. He was hitting .305 at the time of his promotion. I had never seen so much hype involving one player. I was at Camden Yards for Wieters’ second game in which he collected his first hit and there were long lines at the ticket windows and fans were on their feet for every one of his at-bats (something that is quite unusual since Cal Ripken retired). He has been tabbed the organization’s “Golden Boy” or considered the savior for the Orioles (like Stephen Strasburg is considered now for the Washington Nationals). Now Wieters is “The Man” behind the plate. Overall in 96 games, he hit .288 with 15 doubles, 9 homeruns, and 43 RBIs. However after the All-Star break, he hit .301 with 6 homeruns and 33 RBIs. In September he was hot, hitting .362 with three homeruns and 14 RBIs, which was probably attributed to him feeling more comfortable. Manager Dave Trembley is not concerned about outside pressures because he is so well-grounded.

The biggest knock on Wieters is his strength. Last year he lost ten pounds during the grueling 162-game season, but this offseason he improved his nutrition and believes he is in better shape than in years past. Pitching coach Rick Kranitz said “now he needs to come in and take over the staff,” and Wieters loves the responsibility. His biggest challenge will be using what he learned last year and turning it into constructive criticism for the rotation that has three potential starters age 24 or younger. In 2010, Wieters will have to be a field general who knows when to be assertive. The switch-hitter will also have to be a force in the middle of the Orioles batting order.

Nolan Reimold

Nolan Reimold, Baltimore Orioles (OF): Reimold made a surprise splash in the American League in 2009. The 26 year old was killing Triple-A pitching (.394 with 9 homeruns and 27 RBIs in 31 games with a .482 on-base percentage) at the time of his promotion. Despite playing with an Achilles tendon tear for the entire season (which ended up shutting him down in September), Reimold garnered ROY votes and was named Rookie of the Month for June. He hit .279 in 104 games with 18 doubles, 15 homeruns, and 45 RBIs. He goes to the plate with a game plan for each at-bat and has good patience for a rookie as he walked 47 times compared to 77 strikeouts. Reimold is a decent leftfielder with power that the Orioles have been lacking.

Going into the 2010 spring training, manager Dave Trembley named Reimold the starting leftfielder, though he will get some at-bats as the DH against left-handed pitchers. Reimold is a humble guy and never let on how much the torn tendon really bothered him. In 2010, Reimold will need to make adjustments as pitchers will no longer be unsure of how to pitch him. Reimold can bat anywhere in the order from second to eighth, which gives Trembley flexibility within the lineup. If he struggles, Felix Pie will be ready to fill-in as he did nicely for Adam Jones in 2009.

Tags:

AL East, Baltimore Orioles, Matt Wieters, Nolan Reimold

David Price after winning the ALCS

David Price, Tampa Bay Rays (LHP): In 2009, Price was a favorite to win Rookie of the Year. However the Rays sent him to the minors to start the season to work on controlling all of his pitches. When he returned to Tampa, he struggled a bit. In 23 starts (128.1 innings), Price went 10-7 with a 4.42 ERA. He allowed 17 homeruns, walked 54, struck out 102, while opponents hit .241 against him. As the overall number one pick, there are very high expectations for a 24 year old who almost quit baseball at Vanderbilt to work at McDonald’s. After being an integral part out of the bullpen for the 2008 American League Champions and showing great poise for a rookie who did not arrive in the big leagues until September, the talking heads began the starter versus reliever argument.

Price has not succumbed to the pressure as he is taking full advantage of his time in the spotlight. He does not want to sell himself short. His name allows him to strengthen communities in which he lives and works through his foundation, Project 14. For the Rays to overcome all of the Red Sox and Yankees’ additions, they will need Price to fulfill the expectations placed on him. They will need him to pitch like he did in August of 2009 when he went 3-2 in five starts with a 3.73 ERA while allowing just two homeruns and striking out 22 (compared to seven walks).

Travis Snider

Travis Snider, Toronto Blue Jays (OF): 2009 was a year to forget for Snider, the 14^th overall selection in the 2006 draft. After climbing from Class A to the big leagues in 2008 (hitting .301 with 13 RBIs in 24 big league games), there were high expectations as he was named the Opening Day starter in left field. He played in 31 games hitting just .242 and was sent down tot Triple-A Las Vegas at the end of May. He struggled there and went on the DL until July, where everything seemed to come together (he hit .385 after the All-Star break in Triple-A). Snider returned to Toronto in the middle of August and hit .260 over the final month.

“…I’d never really experienced that kind of failure that quickly,” Snider said. “I’d never really had that feeling of being lost as a hitter.” Snider felt overwhelmed with the advice and information being given to him and did not react as maturely as he should (though he is known to act mature beyond his years). Snider now believes that being sent down was the best thing that could have happened as it was “a good opportunity for me to learn and grow as a person and as a player…” New GM Alex Anthopoulos did not guarantee Snider a spot on the 2010 team but Snider is “excited to have the opportunity to compete for a spot”. Snider needs to show he learned from last year’s mistakes and to be open to advice from those within the organization. The Blue Jays hope he can continue to develop into an impact hitter in the heart of the lineup and that he can put up numbers similar to the numbers put up by teammate Adam Lind in 2009.

Tags:

AL East, David Price, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Travis Snider

More and more in today’s baseball society, teams are relying on young talent to help them win. That is why there were so many legitimate choices for Rookie of the Year last year. Even the big market, high-spending teams rely on young talent. The Boston Red Sox rely on Jon Lester, Daniel Bard, Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, and Jed Lowrie. The NY Yankees relied on Melky Cabrera, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Phil Coke, Dave Robertson, and Alfredo Aceves to win the 2009 World Series. In 2008, the Tampa Bay Rays relied on an entire roster of young talent (with ROY Evan Longoria leading the way) to surprise all of baseball and make it to the World Series. So what young players are looking for a breakout year in 2010? What young players need breakout seasons for their team to contend for a playoff spot? In the next few days, I will look at each division and each team to discuss what players to keep an eye on in 2010.

The American League East is always being talked about as the best division in baseball because of the Red Sox and Yankees. Now people include the Rays. The Baltimore Orioles made improvements to their young roster and the Toronto Blue Jays are considering 28 year old Aaron Hill to be a veteran. Let’s take a look at the young players who need to have a breakout season or will have a breakout year in 2010:

Brett Gardner

Brett Gardner, NYY (OF): Gardner was given the starting centerfielder’s job on Opening Day in 2009. However Gardner struggled offensively early on (.214) and an injury (fractured thumb) led to a DL stint with Melky Cabrera taking over for good. He did hit .270 with 26 stolen bases in 2009. The Yankees traded for All-Star centerfielder Curtis Granderson (who may move to left field) but then traded away Cabrera. The starting outfield looks to be Gardner, Granderson, and Nick Swisher in right field. The Yankees did sign veterans Randy Winn and Marcus Thames which will push Gardner in spring training and will be looking to pounce if Gardner struggles. Manager Joe Girardi loves Gardner’s style of play as he is always hustling and rarely has a clean uniform.  During his workouts this winter, the speedy outfielder worked on bunting and has taken fly balls in right field. “…I’ve been bunting a lot, working on that more and trying to bring that back into my game,” Gardner said. “I’ll just go into Spring Training, stay healthy and do the best I can…” Could Gardner be the next Nyjer Morgan? Gardner has more defensive upside, walks more, and makes better contact. Speed is the name of his game and Gardner could wreak havoc for Yankee opponents.

Clay Buchholz

Clay Buchholz, Red Sox (RHP): Buchholz has been an enigma since splashing onto the scene in 2007 with his no-hitter. 2008 was a disaster as he was sent back to the minors (I saw him in Double-A where he pitched great in the playoffs) to try and figure things out. After starting the 2009 season in Triple-A Pawtucket, Buchholz returned to Boston when Tim Wakefield’s back troubles flared up again after the All-Star break. Buchholz went 7-4 with a 4.21 ERA in 16 starts. Down the stretch for the Red Sox, Buchholz pitched the way many expected he would. In September and October, he went 4-1 with a 2.87 ERA in 6 starts while striking out 26 and walking just 9. He made on start against the LA Angels in the divisional series and gave up just two runs in five innings. Buchholz is expected to be one of the five starters to head up north for Opening Day. With the defense around him more improved, Buchholz’ ground ball rate may be higher. However if he struggles, the Red Sox can always just bring up another young arm (like Michael Bowden or Junichi Tazawa) or trade for someone in July. Buchholz’ star is shining brightly again. It will be up to him to keep it lit.

Daniel Bard

Daniel Bard, Red Sox (RP): Bard received a significant amount of playing time in 2009 and early on manager Terry Francona limited the amount of tight pitching situations he was in. However by the end of the season, he was still lighting up the radar guns, but this time was doing it with the game on the line in the seventh or eighth innings. Bard became the reliable option to set up closer Jonathon Papelbon with speculation that he would at some point take over as closer (a job that he would love to have).  Overall Bard had a 3.65 ERA in 49.1 innings with 63 strikeouts. Coming into the 2010 season, Bard is more comfortable with his team and the situations he will pitch in. “I think you learn about getting thrown into some high-pressure situations and see how you react to them. And you say, “OK, I can do this.” It just gives you that confidence. If you fail, you say, “OK, I’ve done this before. You know what to do the next time this happens,” Bard wrote in a diary entry for ESPNBoston.com. Having confidence and being able to brush off poor performances is a trait that is hard to teach and one that will help him grow as a pitcher. He wrote that the biggest thing he learned in his rookie year was to not pitch up in the zone (especially to the Yankees). This spring training he feels more relaxed and is confident in getting the ball to Papelbon with a lead in 2010.

Tags:

Boston Red Sox, Brett Gardner, Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard, NY Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays

There are quite a few pitchers who have signed minor league contracts with invitations to spring training that could make an impact on their teams’ 2010 season. Pitcher Shawn Estes has not been seen from in the big leagues since 2008 when he was pitching for the San Diego Padres. However with his new training program (Xtreme Training) that consists of weights, jogging, aerobics, boxing, pushups and situps conducted in 100-degree heat, Estes is in the best shape of his life and could surprise a lot of people. He just needs to get innings in spring training and make the most of it. Estes will make $600,000 with a possible $400,000 more in performance incentives if he makes the Washington Nationals 40-man roster. He pitched with the LA Dodgers in Triple-A Albuquerque in 2009 (3-4 with a 3.07 ERA in 13 starts) but semi-retired in June because he was not ready to play mentally. Estes’ best year came in 1997, his All-Star season, when he went 19-5 with a 3.18 ERA with the SF Giants.

Jeff Weaver returns to the Dodgers

Jeff Weaver re-signed with the Dodgers on an $800,000 minor league contract. Last year he was a pleasant surprise as a swingman for the Dodgers. Weaver went 6-4 with a 3.65 ERA in 28 appearances (7 starts). He struck out 64 in 79 innings, though he did walk 33 batters. In 2009, coming off of right should surgery that kept him from pitching in 2008, Weaver signed the same type of deal but did not make the team out of spring training. However, the Dodgers fifth starter’s spot is up for grabs along with the long man in the bullpen, so Weaver will have every opportunity to win a spot in LA.

Veteran left-handed reliever Ron Villone just re-signed with the Washington Nationals. In 2009, he appeared in 63 games going 5-6 with a 4.25 ERA. Villone has a shot because the Nationals bullpen is filled with unproven arms. Villone had a 2.63 ERA against left-handed hitters in 24 innings while allowing just 2 homeruns. As one of manager Jim Riggleman’s favorite players, it really was no surprise that Villone was brought back. Villone leads by example, wants the ball everyday despite his age (39), and he watched the game from the dugout after his outings instead of heading to the clubhouse like most pitchers.

The Florida Marlins just signed the top free agent relief pitcher left on the market Thursday. Mike MacDougal signed a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. He will make $650,000 if he makes the teams and can ask for his release if he does not make the Marlins big league roster. For the Marlins to compete in the National League East, they need depth in the bullpen and an option if Leo Nunez struggles as the closer. MacDougal is that option.

Eric Gagne returns to the Dodgers

Reliever Eric Gagne is returning to the team in which he had the most success, the LA Dodgers. He won the NL CY Young in 2003 and converted 84 straight saves (an all-time record). He often single-handedly kept Dodgers fans in their seats because Dodgers fans are known to arrive late for games and leave early before they are over. However they stayed to watch “Game Over” Gagne, who entered the field to the Guns N’ Roses song “Welcome to the Jungle.” Elbow surgery in 2005 spiraled his career downward but his inclusion in the same Xtreme Training that Estes has participated in has him in great shape. Gagne will make $500,000 if he makes the club and another $500,000 in performance incentives, though he was an out clause if he does not make the team. Though the Dodgers bullpen is stocked with back-of-the-bullpen arms like Jonathon Broxton, George Sherrill, Hong-Chih Kuo, and Ronald Belisario, Gagne made it known that he wanted to return to LA.

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Eric Gagne, Florida Marlins, Jeff Weaver, LA Dodgers, Mike MacDougal, Ron Villone, Shawn Estes, Washington Nationals

With the sagging economy and overflow of young talent, many veterans on the free agent market have had a tough time finding jobs. Quite a few have signed minor league contracts with invitations to spring training.

Jim Edmonds with the Cardinals

Outfielder Jim Edmonds, who is considered one of the best defensive centerfielders of his time, did not play in 2009. Many thought he had decided to retire but he made it known this offseason that he wanted to play in 2010. The Milwaukee Brewers took a chance on the 39 year old. “…I’ll get to go in there with a chance to show them I can still play,” said Edmonds. Edmonds should provide veteran leadership to an otherwise young roster. Plus he is a left-handed bat that can add to a right-handed heavy lineup. He may not make the club out of spring training due to not hitting big league pitching for over a year, but he may be brought up from the minors after a little refresher course (if he chooses to take the minor league assignment). Edmonds will reportedly earn an $825,000 base salary if he makes the Brewers’ roster, with an opportunity to earn as much as $2.5 million with incentives. If Edmonds isn’t added to the 40-man roster by March 25 (which is twelve days before the season opener), he can opt for free agency. In 15 Major League seasons, plus a September callup with the Angels in 1993, Edmonds is a .284 hitter with a .377 on-base percentage, 382 home runs and 1,176 RBIs. Edmonds’ best years came while with the Angels and the early years with the St. Louis Cardinals as he helped them make the 2004 World Series.

Marcus Thames with the Tigers

The NY Yankees signed outfielder and DH Marcus Thames, who spent the last six seasons with the Detroit Tigers. Thames is expected to compete for a backup outfield spot but could earn a starting job if one of the corner outfielders struggle. Thames should compete with veteran Randy Winn though Winn can play centerfield. Thames is a career .242 hitter but hits 22 points higher against left-handed pitching. Last season, the 33 year old right-handed hitter hit .252 with 13 homeruns. He has made a name for himself as a low-average, high-power hitter. Going into spring training, the Yankees really only have three outfielders on their roster, so there is plenty of opportunity for Thames to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Veteran Mike Sweeney played last year with the Seattle Mariners and called it the most fun he has had in his career. When healthy, Sweeney will hit, as his career .298 average has shown. Sweeney is also considered one of the best guys in the clubhouse, similar to former first baseman Sean Casey. Sweeney re-signed with the Mariners knowing it will be a long shot to make the team. However he is excited to be a part of the Mariners for at least six weeks and help the likes of Ryan Garko, Casey Kotchman and Milton Bradley. Last year, Sweeney hit .281 with 8 homeruns and 34 RBIs in 74 games. He was a non-roster invitee last season too, but this year with the additions of Garko and Kotchman at first base, Eric Byrnes and Bradley in the outfield, and the re-signing of Ken Griffey Jr as the DH, it will be a lot tougher to make the Opening Day roster.

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Jim Edmonds, Marcus Thames, Mike Sweeney, Milwaukee Brewers, NY Yankees, Seattle Mariners

With full pitcher and catcher workouts set to begin, there has been some discouraging news from some camps.

First came the news that Cliff Lee underwent foot surgery last week. He will miss the first few weeks of spring training and may not be ready for the start of the Seattle Mariners regular season. The Mariners felt that removing the floating bone spur now was better than having Lee pitch through the discomfort all season. Lee is one of the major additions the Mariners made this offseason (along with Chone Figgins, Milton Bradley, and Casey Kotchman) to make them a favorite to overtake the LA Angels in the American League West.

Jair Jurrjens

Then came news that the Atlanta Braves young hurler Jair Jurrjens was having shoulder discomfort and needed an MRI. Jurrjens did not throw during the offseason and felt the discomfort right before he left Curacao and it continued during his first throwing session in Florida. Jurrjens threw 188.1 innings in 2008 and felt fatigue down the stretch as he never threw more than 143.1 innings in a professional season. After taking conditioning tips from John Smoltz, Jurrjens did not show fatigue in 2009 as he threw 215 innings while going 14-10 with a 2.60 ERA. He was also dominant in his last five starts as he comprised a 0.97 ERA in 37 innings. Many have been waiting for the moment that Jurrjens would encounter arm problems as his workload as exploded over the last two season.

However the MRI results were encouraging as it showed just shoulder inflammation. Jurrjens will rest for the rest of the week and begin his throwing program next week. He may be set back a bit in spring training but should compile enough Grapefruit League innings to be ready at the start of the regular season. Good news for the Braves as Jurrjens is expected to carry an even larger burden after the trade of starter Javier Vazquez.

Dice-K

The Boston Red Sox made quite a few moves in the offseason and added workhorse John Lackey to bolster an already strong rotation. However the rotation is only strong if the pitchers are healthy and consistent, which the Red Sox pitchers were not in 2009. News out of Red Sox camp in Fort Myers is that right-handed starter Daisuke Matsuzaka has a sore upper back. The back injury will delay his throwing program at the start of spring training. 2009 was disappointing for Dice-K as he had two stints on the disabled list with weakness in his throwing shoulder. He made just 12 starts in 2009, going 4-6 with a 5.76 ERA. He walked 30 while striking out just 54 and opponents hit .325 against him. The back soreness may have been caused by his intense offseason workout regime that was required due to the injuries he has endured since signing with the Red Sox. The Red Sox believe that there will be plenty of time in spring training to get Dice-K ready for the regular season. The Red Sox need Dice-K is they are going to compete in the American League East and make it back to the World Series.

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Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Cliff Lee, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jair Jurrjens, Seattle Mariners