This topic will try to discuss midseason baseball. Each post will contain a tidbit about one of the 30 Major League teams and what you like about them or a good roster move they did in the first half and something the team needs to address at the trading deadline. I will start off with a team nobody but me cares about. San Diego Padres ----------------- If there is anything to say about this team,it's that this team is loaded with young talent. They may not be good the rest of this year,or even next year,but two years from now,watch out,because here they come. Of course,if they trade Adrian Gonzalez,that hope will be out the window.
One move that the Padres did in the first half that was good for the team was trading Jody Gerut for Tony Gwynn,Jr. Gerut was a good player,but he was aging. Gwynn is young and provides speed to the team,something the Padres desperately need. Plus,he's a direct resemblance of his dad.
Something the Padres could do at the Trading Deadline is trade for prospects. The team has a surplus of first basemen,and with Gonzalez anchoring the bag,they could trade some of those for something they desperately needitching.
Now,with that team off the board,there are 29 teams remaining.
I'll do my favorite team: The New York Yankees (not Mets, I don't like the Mets) Usual Starting Lineup 1.Derek Jeter-SS 2.Johnny Damon-OF 3.Mark Teixeira-1B 4.Alex Rodriguez-3B 5.Nick Swisher-OF (Sometimes Cano) 6.Hideki Matsui-DH 7.Jorge Posada-C 8.Robinson Cano-2B (Sometimes Swisher) 9.Melky Cabrera/Brett Gardner-OF The Yankees recently received from the Pittsburgh Pirates Utility player Eric Hinske. At his second at bat of his first game, he hit a home run. First day as a Yankee. Pitcher Chien Ming Wang, who is having a tough season, went on the DL before the All-Star break, and reliever Alfredo Aceves started a game instead, and did ok. They are playing the Detroit Tigers this afternoon.
Chicago Cubs ------------- The Cubs have been dissapointing at the break,but moves they made in the first half (releasing Chad Gaudin,Luis Vizcaino) seem to be paying off. However,one move I didn't like was the releases of Ryan Freel and Joey Gathright. Those players provide speed and depth in the outfield,and the Cubs will be sorry they released them. The Cubs should address that need at the trading deadline.
Don't remind me. That whooping on the Padres in '98 was terrible. I'll do another team.
Washington Nationals --------------------- Since no Nats fans want to come out of the closet (There was hardly anyone there when Randy Johnson got win #300),I will report about them.
Since this is the only team worse than my beloved Padres,I feel pity for them. Their managing is a joke,they have a good offensive arsenal,but absolutely no pitching. The Nats have done nothing but bad moves this year. First,it was acquiring too many outfielders in the offseason. Then,Jim Bowden and Jose Rijo stepped down. Now,Manny Acta got fired. They traded Lastings Milledge to the Pirates,which seemed to be a good move at first,but turned out to be a bad one. Sure,Nyjer Morgan is a great player,but this team needed to trade for pitching,not another outfielder! And throwing Joel Hanrahan in the trade was a bad move,because now there bullpen has even less depth. I don't see this club going anywhere in the next four years,and they're about as close to going out of business or moving than any other club in baseball. Come on Obama,give them a stimulus package. They don't even have enough money to spell there names right on their uniforms.
Los Angeles Angels ------------------- This team lives close to home,and they are probably the fourth best team in the Majors right now,so they're probably my favorite AL team. The Angels did a great job this offseason signing Bobby Abreu,and keeping all of they're big name players (they might of let K-Rod go,but that's okay when you sign Brian Fuentes to replace him). They have overcome the loss of Nick Adenhart very well,and will make a strong postseason run. A good deadline move for them is trading one of their surplus of minor league infielders for a veteran long reliever,but the Angels are too afraid to give up their prized prospects,so they won't do anything. As usual.
