Every year we go through it, there are three groups of teams in September. The first group is those headed to the playoffs and those trying to reach the playoffs in the wild card race. The second group are teams with big payrolls and expectations trying to figure out what went wrong and the final group are teams hopelessly out of it and using the time to utilize a youth movement that they hope will someday get them in group one.
This is where I see them:
GROUP 1
Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers, Angels, Rangers, Twins (though they're trying to hold on for dear life), Phillies, Marlins and Braves (also holding on), Cardinals, Dodgers, Rockies, Giants
GROUP 2 - Rays, White Sox, Indians, Athletics, Mets, Cubs
GROUP 2A - Teams that we were unsure of what they would be - Mariners, Blue Jays, Astros, Brewers, Diamondbacks
GROUP 3 - Orioles, Royals, Padres, Nationals, Pirates and Reds.
It seems like the same teams are in Group 3 year after year though the Padres made the playoffs as recently as 2006.
But for the others, it seems like they are always in group three. The Orioles last had a good season in 1997, the Royals have had one good season since 1994, the Pirates have now had a record-setting 17 straight losing seasons and the Nationals have regressed since their 81-81 debut in the Nation's capital
So the question is how do you escape group three? By being in this group, you have the best chance at top draft picks. As I stated recently to a former co-worker, if the 1991 Yankees were not in this group, they never get Derek Jeter.
The best way is to get draft picks and trade off other players for prospects. The Orioles are getting some praise for that and though it currently has them at the second-worst record in the AL.
Out of any of those teams, the Orioles appear to have the most potential, but if you combined the best players of the five teams how would it look?
1b - Joey Votto
2b - Brian Roberts
SS - Cristian Guzman
3b - Ryan Zimmerman
C - Matt Wieters
RF - Nick Markakis
CF - Adam Jones
LF - Chase Headley
SP - Zach Grienke, John Lannan, Chris Tillman, Edinson Volquez, Ross Ohlendorf,
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Are these Yankees like the 1998 Yankees?
The Yankees are playing very impressively and winning with the frequency that they won during other years. That is drawing various comparisons to the 1998 team with lines such as machine-like efficiency.
One similarity that seems obvious to me is playing with a fire. If you remember the 1997 team was stunned in the first round by the Indians after winning it all in 1996. The images of Paul O'Neill sliding at second are so vivid and that team had a bunch of gamers who were determined not to let it happen again.
It did not. The Yankees started 1-4 and finished 114-48. This team started 13-15 and was 38-32, so that's a difference.
Another difference and this is an important one, the Yankees had some built up equity as they proved they could get it done in the postseason. This team beyond a few players does not.
The only players that have truly shown they can get the job done is postseason besides the core of Jeter, Rivera, Posada and Pettitte are Johnny Damon, who batted .290 with four home runs and 13 RBI in the 2003 and 2004 playoffs with the Red Sox.
Damon also was five years younger then.
Obviously the postseason track record of Alex Rodriguez has been well-documented since his epic failures. Rodriguez seems more relaxed during the regular season, taking an approach of focusing only on baseball, but will that translate to a tough spot in the playoffs.
On the mound, C.C. Sabathia has not fared well in the postseason, but his easy-going nature seems to suggest he is someone who could do well.
A.J. Burnett has never been to the postseason and his last eight starts have not been good. The Yankees are counting on him in a big way and he still could recover but it's a significant question.
In 1998, the Yankees have David Cone, a proven winner with Toronto and the 1996 Yankees and David Wells. Those guys thrived in big spots and neither Sabathia or A.J. will.
The Yankees are a more relaxed group than previous years and have their best shot at a title since 2003. But until they accomplish it, let's hold off on the 1998 comparisons.
One similarity that seems obvious to me is playing with a fire. If you remember the 1997 team was stunned in the first round by the Indians after winning it all in 1996. The images of Paul O'Neill sliding at second are so vivid and that team had a bunch of gamers who were determined not to let it happen again.
It did not. The Yankees started 1-4 and finished 114-48. This team started 13-15 and was 38-32, so that's a difference.
Another difference and this is an important one, the Yankees had some built up equity as they proved they could get it done in the postseason. This team beyond a few players does not.
The only players that have truly shown they can get the job done is postseason besides the core of Jeter, Rivera, Posada and Pettitte are Johnny Damon, who batted .290 with four home runs and 13 RBI in the 2003 and 2004 playoffs with the Red Sox.
Damon also was five years younger then.
Obviously the postseason track record of Alex Rodriguez has been well-documented since his epic failures. Rodriguez seems more relaxed during the regular season, taking an approach of focusing only on baseball, but will that translate to a tough spot in the playoffs.
On the mound, C.C. Sabathia has not fared well in the postseason, but his easy-going nature seems to suggest he is someone who could do well.
A.J. Burnett has never been to the postseason and his last eight starts have not been good. The Yankees are counting on him in a big way and he still could recover but it's a significant question.
In 1998, the Yankees have David Cone, a proven winner with Toronto and the 1996 Yankees and David Wells. Those guys thrived in big spots and neither Sabathia or A.J. will.
The Yankees are a more relaxed group than previous years and have their best shot at a title since 2003. But until they accomplish it, let's hold off on the 1998 comparisons.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Welcome - Why Grand Baseball Concourse
Baseball is known as our grand old game, in my part of the world that is primarily played at the intersection of E. 161 Street and River Avenue where I get to watch the Yankees and the rest of the American League. The ballpark is near the Grand Concourse, one of the most notable streets in the Bronx and when combing my brain for blog names, though it seemed kind of lengthy, the combination seemed appropriate.
What's also appropriate is discussion about baseball, whether it's debating MVP races, Cy Young races or exploring history.
Since I'm a bit of a music fan, you'll get various musical references from time to time.
I'm not here to offer a running play by play of games, you can get that from other sources. This is a spot to be original, insightful, creative and most importantly - interesting.
What's also appropriate is discussion about baseball, whether it's debating MVP races, Cy Young races or exploring history.
Since I'm a bit of a music fan, you'll get various musical references from time to time.
I'm not here to offer a running play by play of games, you can get that from other sources. This is a spot to be original, insightful, creative and most importantly - interesting.
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