Roster Analysis, Miscellaneous Ramblings
Roster Analysis
With only nine spring training games left, the major-league roster is finally starting to take shape. The lineup appears to be close to being set, with Garret Atkins and Clint Barmes winning the everyday third base and shortstop jobs, respectively. Despite Aaron Miles’ knee injury early in ST, I expect he will be the second baseman Opening Day. Preston Wilson has experienced no ill effect from his recent knee surgeries, although he has yet to be tested in ST like he will be in the regular season. I believe Brad Hawpe has earned a platoon in right with Dustan Mohr. Desi Relaford’s injury has thrown a bit of a wrench into the infield utility position, so it may take the rest of ST to sort that out. Garabito and Amezaga are competing to take over that role if Relaford isn’t ready by Opening Day. Cory Sullivan has played well enough to make the team as the fifth outfielder and primary pinch hitter. His success may cost Greg Norton and Andy Tracy a roster spot. The Rox seem to be intent on J.D. Closser as their starting catcher, although I believe he will share the job with Todd Greene at least the first half of the season. Helton, Luis Gonzalez and Matt Holliday rounds out the lineup.
Chacon’s injury and Jason Young’s performance has created some speculation that Chacon may be on the DL to start the season with Young in his spot. However, the fact that the Rox have offered Young to the Red Sox for Byung-Hyun Kim suggests that Chacon is expected to be ready by the regular season and as a member of the rotation. Jamey Wright has earned a spot in the rotation, at least for now. If he struggles like he has the last couple of ST starts, Aaron Cook could very possibly replace him when he is ready, sometime in June. Jennings and Kennedy were locks for the rotation and Francis had the job to lose, which he didn’t. The bullpen still remains the wildcard for this team in 2005. As has been the case in virtually every season the Rox have played at CF, the team will go only as far as its bullpen takes it. A bullpen that had only one pitcher guaranteed of a job, Brian Fuentes, has had some good days and some bad days. Tsao has earned the closer job and has looked solid for the most part. Ryan Speier, not a day over AA, and Fuentes, have emerged as the top setup candidates, while Darrin Oliver and Javier Lopez have nailed down the other lefty jobs. David Cortez, a minor league free agent, has nearly guaranteed himself a job with his performance this spring. Scott Dohmann figures to have earned the other right-handed spot out of the pen.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
The possibility of Bonds missing the entire season could dramatically change the NL West this season.
With reports that the Mets are considering an in-house candidate as backup catcher, it seems likely that Charles Johnson will be released within the next week.
In his latest posting, my friend Rick Cummings asks if the Rox win the Cactus League will there be a “NL Spring Training Champions” banner at CF. Rick claims to have been primarily responsible for getting the “1995 NL Wild Card Champions” banner removed from the right field wall at CF. I am not certain that is true, but he is right, “Wild Card” and “Champions” do not belong in the same phrase. For those new to DITR, Rick is the great-great-great-great grand nephew (something like that) of Candy Cummings.
In a note completely unrelated to baseball, read Jest in Time from snopes.com. It really makes you wonder about some people.
In its March 9 issue, Baseball Weekly listed the minor league managers, hitting coaches and pitching coaches. So, here are former Rox who are either managing or coaching in the minors this season:
Howard Johnson, hitting coach, Norfolk (AAA-Mets)
Alan Cockrell, hitting coach, Colorado Springs (AAA-Rockies)
Danny Scheaffer, manager, Memphis (AAA-Cardinals)
Bryn Smith, pitching coach, Salt Lake City (AAA-Angels)
Jayhawk Owens, manager, Chattanooga (AA-Reds)
Mike Harkey, pitching coach, Mobile (AA-Padres)
Nelson Liriano, hitting coach, Wichita (AA-Royals)
Garvin Alson, pitching coach, Kane County (Low A-A’s)
A.J. Sager, pitching coach, West Michigan (Low A-Tigers)
Jim Czajkowski, pitching coach, Rome (Low A-Braves)
Steve Decker, manager, Salem-Keizer(SS-Giants)
Jay Gainer, manager, Yakima (SS-Diamondbacks)
Butch Henry, pitching coach, Billings (SS-Reds)
Interestingly enough, there are more former Rox who are pitching coaches than hitting coaches.
Only twelve days until Opening Day.
With only nine spring training games left, the major-league roster is finally starting to take shape. The lineup appears to be close to being set, with Garret Atkins and Clint Barmes winning the everyday third base and shortstop jobs, respectively. Despite Aaron Miles’ knee injury early in ST, I expect he will be the second baseman Opening Day. Preston Wilson has experienced no ill effect from his recent knee surgeries, although he has yet to be tested in ST like he will be in the regular season. I believe Brad Hawpe has earned a platoon in right with Dustan Mohr. Desi Relaford’s injury has thrown a bit of a wrench into the infield utility position, so it may take the rest of ST to sort that out. Garabito and Amezaga are competing to take over that role if Relaford isn’t ready by Opening Day. Cory Sullivan has played well enough to make the team as the fifth outfielder and primary pinch hitter. His success may cost Greg Norton and Andy Tracy a roster spot. The Rox seem to be intent on J.D. Closser as their starting catcher, although I believe he will share the job with Todd Greene at least the first half of the season. Helton, Luis Gonzalez and Matt Holliday rounds out the lineup.
Chacon’s injury and Jason Young’s performance has created some speculation that Chacon may be on the DL to start the season with Young in his spot. However, the fact that the Rox have offered Young to the Red Sox for Byung-Hyun Kim suggests that Chacon is expected to be ready by the regular season and as a member of the rotation. Jamey Wright has earned a spot in the rotation, at least for now. If he struggles like he has the last couple of ST starts, Aaron Cook could very possibly replace him when he is ready, sometime in June. Jennings and Kennedy were locks for the rotation and Francis had the job to lose, which he didn’t. The bullpen still remains the wildcard for this team in 2005. As has been the case in virtually every season the Rox have played at CF, the team will go only as far as its bullpen takes it. A bullpen that had only one pitcher guaranteed of a job, Brian Fuentes, has had some good days and some bad days. Tsao has earned the closer job and has looked solid for the most part. Ryan Speier, not a day over AA, and Fuentes, have emerged as the top setup candidates, while Darrin Oliver and Javier Lopez have nailed down the other lefty jobs. David Cortez, a minor league free agent, has nearly guaranteed himself a job with his performance this spring. Scott Dohmann figures to have earned the other right-handed spot out of the pen.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
The possibility of Bonds missing the entire season could dramatically change the NL West this season.
With reports that the Mets are considering an in-house candidate as backup catcher, it seems likely that Charles Johnson will be released within the next week.
In his latest posting, my friend Rick Cummings asks if the Rox win the Cactus League will there be a “NL Spring Training Champions” banner at CF. Rick claims to have been primarily responsible for getting the “1995 NL Wild Card Champions” banner removed from the right field wall at CF. I am not certain that is true, but he is right, “Wild Card” and “Champions” do not belong in the same phrase. For those new to DITR, Rick is the great-great-great-great grand nephew (something like that) of Candy Cummings.
In a note completely unrelated to baseball, read Jest in Time from snopes.com. It really makes you wonder about some people.
In its March 9 issue, Baseball Weekly listed the minor league managers, hitting coaches and pitching coaches. So, here are former Rox who are either managing or coaching in the minors this season:
Howard Johnson, hitting coach, Norfolk (AAA-Mets)
Alan Cockrell, hitting coach, Colorado Springs (AAA-Rockies)
Danny Scheaffer, manager, Memphis (AAA-Cardinals)
Bryn Smith, pitching coach, Salt Lake City (AAA-Angels)
Jayhawk Owens, manager, Chattanooga (AA-Reds)
Mike Harkey, pitching coach, Mobile (AA-Padres)
Nelson Liriano, hitting coach, Wichita (AA-Royals)
Garvin Alson, pitching coach, Kane County (Low A-A’s)
A.J. Sager, pitching coach, West Michigan (Low A-Tigers)
Jim Czajkowski, pitching coach, Rome (Low A-Braves)
Steve Decker, manager, Salem-Keizer(SS-Giants)
Jay Gainer, manager, Yakima (SS-Diamondbacks)
Butch Henry, pitching coach, Billings (SS-Reds)
Interestingly enough, there are more former Rox who are pitching coaches than hitting coaches.
Only twelve days until Opening Day.
posted by Todd Nikkel | 7:49 AM
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