Bullpens have been a hot topic of late, and it would seem logical to start with the Mariners, right? Wrong. Look no further than the Atlanta Braves for a truly bad bullpen. If Mark Wohlers, who looks hitable anyway, goes down with an injury, the Braves would turn to... well, who? Kerry Ligtenberg? Mike Cather? Adam Butler? Steve Bedrosian? Gene Garber? And they cut Brad Clontz?! These goons have given up more runs than the starters -- in far fewer innings.
A common thread among the recent Series winners has been a strong bullpen; the Marlins with Dennis Cook, Jay Powell, and Rob Nenn; the Yankees with Mike Stanton, Mariano Rivera, and John Wetteland; the Blue Jays had Duane Ward and Tom Henke; the Twins Jeff Reardon and Rick Aguilera; the A's had the Eck; even in 1995 when the Braves actually won they had Greg McMichael and Stanton to help Wohlers. The Braves have the best starting rotation in the world, but their weak offense means they will be in a lot of close games where the bullpen will play a factor. It already cost them at least one World Series Title (if only they had somebody to get Jim Leyritz out in game 3 of the 1996 Fall Classic), and it will prevent them from even getting there unless they upgrade. The problem, of course, is where to find quality arms -- just ask the Mariners.
It is becoming more and more apparent that the Rockies will never be able to field a competitive pitching staff. So, with Mike Piazza, Mo Vaughn, and Bernie Williams about to be free agents, why not just sign all three and outscore everybody? Oh, sure the Rockies could get Randy Johnson or Kevin Brown, but why bother? Remember Bill Swift, Bret Saberhagen, and Daryl Kile? (Yes, Kile makes this list even though he has only made two starts in Coors.) I say let them bash their way to the wild card and take their chances in the playoffs. Hey, it worked for the Twins in the 1987 World Series, where Les Straker started two games.
Sophomore slump? Hardly. The most remarkable thing about Nomar Garciaparra's 16 RBI's is that the guys he is knocking in -- Darren Bragg, Darren Lewis, et al -- are not exactly Silver Sluggers. How many runs would Nomar knock in if the Red Sox dropped him in the order?
Mike Marshall Injury Of The Week: Mike Mussina goes on the DL with a...wart? Dammit, Ray, I'm a writer not a doctor, but can't they just burn those things off?
When the experts (myself included) predicted Andres Galarraga's numbers would drop, we seem to have neglected one minor detail: the fact he would face his old pitching staff. Also, last year Galarraga became more selective. He no longer swings at everything, and, like Chili Davis and Paul Molitor, he may enjoy his best years in his late 30s.
Anyone seen Paul Konerko or Ben Grieve?
Jeremy Burnitz update: as a reminder to the Wild Bunch, I have decided to keep a tally of Mr. Burnitz's exploits this year. (As of April 19)
HR RBI SB AVG 6 18 3 .322
Speaking of the Brewers, I still can't get used to the idea of them playing in the National League.
If anyone thinks the Padres will fold, keep in mind the Giants started this hot last year and played around .500 baseball the rest of the year -- and still won the division. I would be surprised if the Padres played that poorly, though.
Every year there are at least two pitchers who emerge as closers who either began the season as set-up men or who just happened to fall into the role. Last year we had Doug Jones, Jeff Shaw, Matt Karchner, and Kelvim Escobar, among others.
In addition, savvy owners would have realized that John Wetteland was going to be a free agent at the end of 1996 and should have tried to acquire Mariano Rivera that year. Randy Myers was the same way last year with Armando Benitez being the heir apparent. Other things to look for include non-contenders trading an established closer to a contender, and salary-purging teams getting rid of a high-priced closer (read: Roberto Hernandez). Teams to watch in '98:
Minnesota: Rick Aguilera could help the Braves, Mariners, Rockies, Dodgers, or just about any contender, in which case Mike Trombley could pick up the closer's role.
Toronto: Randy Myers signed a three-year deal, but if they could get Jose Cruz for Spoljaric and Timlin, what could Myers bring them? Despite his injury and his early-season ineffectiveness, Kelvim Escobar would be the closer, with Paul Quartile picking up his share as well.
Philadelphia: They were willing to trade Ricky Botanic last year, and they may be this year, too. Wayne Gomes and maybe Jerry Spradlin would take over.
New York: Mel Rojas could be dealt for either prospects or for a veteran to help down the stretch. Rojas might be worth acquiring.
Others to watch:
Keith Foulke, Chi. Karcher has had arm troubles in the past.
Kent Bottenfield, St. Louis: LaRussa likes veterans; Jeff Brantley may be hurt whole year.
In the meantime, Mike Piazza was smart to shut up, I wish the White Sox announcers would follow suit, so much for the improved Rockies pitching staff.
Visitors to date: