Despite rumors to the contrary, team sources indicate that the Boston Red Sox are not interested in Oakland Athletic's shortstop Orlando Cabrera. Boston is content to stick with Julio Lugo and Nick Green at the position until Jed Lowrie returns from the disabled list. The BoSox reportedly made inquiries about Cabrera, but they felt as though the cost was too high.
However, The Red Sox have struggled with injuries at shortstop, and Milwaukee's J.J. Hardy could be an option on the trade market. Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin wouldn't comment on any possible talks with the Red Sox, but did brag about Triple-A shortstop Alcides Escobar. Melvin said that Escobar is ready for the major leagues, but added, "We have a very good shortstop." But if the Brewers decide to fast-track Escobar to the major leagues the BoSox have a very good oppurtunity to trade for J.J. Hardy without giving up too much in return since letting Hardy go would simply be a financial salary dump for the Brewers and the BoSox can obviously foot Hardy's bill.
In other Red Sox news, designated hitter David Ortiz has admitted that his struggles are causing him tremendous grief. "My body is resting every night," Ortiz said, "but my mind is spinning with all of this [stuff]. It's hard to sleep. This is hard. I've never been through something like this. But when you get older, and have a bad year, you never know what can happen. A lot of times, they don't let you come back."
Ortiz has a .197 batting average and only two home runs in 198 at-bats this season. "People keep writing and saying all this [stuff]," he told USA Today. "They say I can't hit no more. That I'm done. What, I have one arm now? I'm not 45. I never struggled like this, but I'll be back. Then what are they going to say?" I sure hope so Papi 'cause we (BoSox fans) need you back as soon as possible big man.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The New York Mets have struggled to drive in runs this year and Mets manager Jerry Manuel made it clear on Sunday that he'd like the team to add a power hitter. "If the power comes, that's going to be great for us," Manuel said. "But if not, I still believe we'll struggle in games such as [Saturday]. We'll struggle in games like we had the last game in Pittsburgh where we felt -- or at least I felt -- that we had an opposing pitcher that was struggling and making mistakes, and we were getting singles instead of hitting them out of the park to get back in the game." The Mets have just 34 home runs this season, ranking them 28th out of 30 teams and sooner or later that is going to catch up with them and I don't think my heart could take another Mets meltdown.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Previous week's ranking in parenthesis.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers: 4.03 (1st)
Andre Ethier has a 1.208 OPS and three homers during the first seven games of June.
2. Boston Red Sox: 3.77 (6th)
Coming off a 2.38 ERA in May, Josh Beckett brought lethal stuff to his start last week in Detroit when he struck out nine and walked two in 7.2 innings.
3. New York Mets 3.73 (2nd)
Livan Hernandez had a 2.70 ERA in May and has been even better in June with a 2.13 mark through his first two starts.
4. Tampa Bay Rays: 3.64 (9th)
B.J. Upton has begun his recovery from awful performances in April and May to hit for an OPS of 1.244 in June.
5. Toronto Blue Jays: 3.61 (7th)
As Roy Halladay continues to amaze, he has 7.33 strikeouts for every walk this season.
6. St. Louis Cardinals: 3.54 (3rd)
Despite an ordinary 6.55 K/9 rate, Ryan Franklin continues to hold down the closer slot, with a 1.23 ERA and 0.77 WHIP.
7. Texas Rangers: 3.51 (5th)
The move of Michael Young to third base has greatly improved their defense at two positions. They were dead last in UZR last season and are currently first.
8. New York Yankees: 3.51 (10th)
The Yankees have dominated lefty pitching, with an OPS of .887.
9. Detroit Tigers: 3.50 (4th)
The Tigers have recorded an MLB best seven shutouts this season, 23% of their 30 wins. The club was dead last in 2008 with just two.
10. Philadelphia Phillies: 3.46 (16th)
Raul Ibanez had a 1.151 OPS in April, 1.027 in May and .958 in June, so you can call that trending downwards, but I think the Phillies will gladly accept how he is taking his time regressing back to the mean.
Peace and Much Love To Ya!! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment