by Chad Jones
Oakland (56-39):
Harold Reynolds was befuddled on Draft Day, an analyst stated drafting an upside high school outfielder was 'Money Ball'. Reynolds refuted the statement, contending Money Ball always consisted of Oakland drafting College Players.
Money Ball evolves, but consists of a club devoid financial resources looking for undervalued talent markets. In the early stages, it was High OBP players. The league has caught on & now OPS (On Base + Slugging) is considered the most critical statistic for baseball evaluation. The Oakland Athletics still undoubtedly would prefer high OBP guys, but they've discovered an under-valued market: Lower OBP Guys w/ Power. 29 Other teams are looking to pay High OBP guys top dollar, while they're jettisoning lower OBP guys despite power numbers. (See: Chris Young & Brandon Moss).
The player that deserves most credit is 3rd Basemen Josh Donaldson, it was an egregious oversight that he didn't make the All Star Team. If it were not for Chris Davis & Miguel Cabrera; Donaldson would be an MVP Candidate. It's beyond the (.310, 16 HR & 61 RBI), Donaldson is hitting .349 Late & Close & .373 with Runners in Scoring Position. A true star.
Billy Bean makes signings that run contrary to conventional wisdom. After signing Bartolo Colón for 3.0 M, many anticipated he overpaid for an innings eater, and no one anticipated Bartolo would become an All Star. Bean's constantly making bold trades, and he often comes out on the winning end. The teams success largely hinges on his management of the roster.
Success will hinge on the rotation, who pitched to a 3.86 ERA over the first half. The bullpen is an exceedingly strong group of power throwers, and the Defense behind the entire staff is not a liability. Getting Yoenis Cespedes Hot would be the catalyst necessary to maintain the lead.
Texas (54-41)
Despite an Injury riddled first half, the team enters the break tied for the Wild Card & 2 Games behind in the AL West. The offense has struggled despite Adrian Beltre & Nelson Cruz delivering production in the middle. After signing a $ 120 Million extension, Elvis Andrus struggled mightily in the first half. When leadoff man Ian Kinsler went on the DL, Andrus moved to the top of the lineup. The pressure appeared overwhelming, and the team has since dropped him to the bottom 3rd of the lineup upon Kinsler's return.
Highly touted prospect Jurickson Profar was promoted too early, and has struggled as a 20 year old rookie. GM John Daniels let Franchise Face Josh Hamilton depart in Free Agency, and attempted to piece together production with a mix of veteran signings & new contributors. Signed to add more offensive production at Catcher, A.J. Pierzynski has provided pop, as has Lance Berkman. The issue with Berkman is he's injury prone at this stage of his career. Hamilton's struggles in LA show the decision was wise longterm, but it leaves a production gap that Texas has struggled to fill.
The Starting Rotation has actually improved from 2012, with a first half ERA of 4.09, a subtle increase from last years 4.30. It's behind staff Ace Yu Darvish & Lefthander Derek Holland. Nine players have started a game. Finding rotation stability by reintegrating Alexi Ogando or Matt Harrison would pay dividends, but the Rangers will be in the market for a Starting Pitcher. Lead by veteran closer Joe Nathan & power throwing right hander Tanner Scheppers, the bullpen ERA is 3.10. The return of FA signing Joakim Soria supplements the overworked group. The issues the Rangers have are twofold: they must address the lineup & rotation to be a viable World Series contender. They've got the trade chips, but do they have the willingness to part with highly touted prospects. More specifically, can this core of players really contend in October?
Los Angeles Angels (44-49):
On the heels of a $ 3 Billion television deal, the Angels added marquee Free Agents Albert Pujols & CJ Wilson prior to 2012. At the 2012 deadline, the team traded prospect Jean Segura to Milwaukee for Zack Greinke. Having locked up both Howie Kendrick & Erick Aybar longterm, Segura became expendable. The Angels have highly paid veterans across the entire lineup. After loosing Greinke to the cross town rival, Josh Hamilton was signed to create what many projected to be the AL's elite lineup. The trio of Hamilton, Pujols & Mike Trout was rather imposing on paper. The issue is for the $ 365 Million in combined contracts of Pujols & Hamilton, the Angels simply aren't getting elite production.
The rotation struggled with a 4.57 ERA in the first half, which should improve with Jered Weaver returning from the Disabled List. The issue is depth behind Weaver & Wilson, where Joe Blanton has been one of the worst starter in the AL. The $ 15 Million of guaranteed money they handed him this offseason was questionable at the time. With Jason Vargas expected to return from the DL later in July, the rotation will improve.
In an ultra-competive American League, a 2nd half surge will be necessary. If they can get their Stars to live up to the back of their baseball cards, it's not outside the realm of possibility. But it's highly unlikely, and the Angels & their $ 150 Million payroll could be sitting at home in October.
Seattle (43-52)
Hired in 2008, GM Jack Zduriencik's seat is simmering. Tasked with improving the lineup, too many decisions have failed to return results. 2009 2nd Overall Selection Dustin Ackley & C-DH-1B Jesus Montero's demotions to AAA illuminate recent blunders. The entire group of young players, including the major piece in the Cliff Lee trade 1B Justin Smoak, haven't delivered consistent production.
Without the first half of 41 year old Outfielder Raul Ibanez, this lineup would be dismal. Currently averaging 3.92 RPG, Mariners brass hopes the 2nd tier prospects 2B Nick Franklin, 3B Kyle Seager & highly selected Catcher Mike Zunino can become the teams 'Core'. Ackley returns from AAA, now playing Center Field, where one of Jack Zduriencik's extensions Franklin Guttierez failed. It's a lineup that's struggled for multiple consecutive seasons, and hope now lies in a group of unproven commodities.
The rotation has also struggled, posting a 4.11 ERA despite dual Aces atop in King Felix & Hisashi Iwakuma. Trotting Joe Saunders & Aaron Harang to the mound every 5th day is a major issue. The bullpen has also struggled to a 4.41 ERA, largely attributed to Closer Tom Willhelmsen's struggles.
Few Zduriencik decisions have worked, and now the GM appears hesitant to sell assets at the deadline, as he's hoping a strong 2nd half can lead to his 2014 return. Though it occurred prior to his arrival, the organization must still look back on the Erik Bedard trade as devastating, as they parted with All Star Adam Jones. The Farm System is highly rated, but it's now top heavy, and the results aren't coming as many anticipated.
Houston Astros (33-61):
Welcome to the American League! The lowly Astros are 28th in the MLB in Runs Scored, 26th in Starting Pitchers ERA (4.77), last in Bullpen ERA (4.95) & have committed the most errors in baseball. To call it a rebuilding process would be an understatement. Former McKiney and Company consultant Jeff Luhnow leads the Front Office, a forward-looking young GM that will implement an analytical approach & will scour for talent from all sources.
It's a process that will take multiple years, but it's heading in the right direction. After resistance to rebuild for multiple years, the Astros Core aged & the team never added talent to the System effectively. Nearing the deadline, they'll be sellers; but there aren't many pieces teams will covet. The attractive piece is Starting Pitcher Bud Norris, whose making 2.8 M in 2013 & is under Club Control through 2015. Drafting & developing talent is the current objective, and successfully integrating it into the fold will be the test for the organization.
Harold Reynolds was befuddled on Draft Day, an analyst stated drafting an upside high school outfielder was 'Money Ball'. Reynolds refuted the statement, contending Money Ball always consisted of Oakland drafting College Players.
Money Ball evolves, but consists of a club devoid financial resources looking for undervalued talent markets. In the early stages, it was High OBP players. The league has caught on & now OPS (On Base + Slugging) is considered the most critical statistic for baseball evaluation. The Oakland Athletics still undoubtedly would prefer high OBP guys, but they've discovered an under-valued market: Lower OBP Guys w/ Power. 29 Other teams are looking to pay High OBP guys top dollar, while they're jettisoning lower OBP guys despite power numbers. (See: Chris Young & Brandon Moss).
The player that deserves most credit is 3rd Basemen Josh Donaldson, it was an egregious oversight that he didn't make the All Star Team. If it were not for Chris Davis & Miguel Cabrera; Donaldson would be an MVP Candidate. It's beyond the (.310, 16 HR & 61 RBI), Donaldson is hitting .349 Late & Close & .373 with Runners in Scoring Position. A true star.
Billy Bean makes signings that run contrary to conventional wisdom. After signing Bartolo Colón for 3.0 M, many anticipated he overpaid for an innings eater, and no one anticipated Bartolo would become an All Star. Bean's constantly making bold trades, and he often comes out on the winning end. The teams success largely hinges on his management of the roster.
Success will hinge on the rotation, who pitched to a 3.86 ERA over the first half. The bullpen is an exceedingly strong group of power throwers, and the Defense behind the entire staff is not a liability. Getting Yoenis Cespedes Hot would be the catalyst necessary to maintain the lead.
Texas (54-41)
Despite an Injury riddled first half, the team enters the break tied for the Wild Card & 2 Games behind in the AL West. The offense has struggled despite Adrian Beltre & Nelson Cruz delivering production in the middle. After signing a $ 120 Million extension, Elvis Andrus struggled mightily in the first half. When leadoff man Ian Kinsler went on the DL, Andrus moved to the top of the lineup. The pressure appeared overwhelming, and the team has since dropped him to the bottom 3rd of the lineup upon Kinsler's return.
Highly touted prospect Jurickson Profar was promoted too early, and has struggled as a 20 year old rookie. GM John Daniels let Franchise Face Josh Hamilton depart in Free Agency, and attempted to piece together production with a mix of veteran signings & new contributors. Signed to add more offensive production at Catcher, A.J. Pierzynski has provided pop, as has Lance Berkman. The issue with Berkman is he's injury prone at this stage of his career. Hamilton's struggles in LA show the decision was wise longterm, but it leaves a production gap that Texas has struggled to fill.
The Starting Rotation has actually improved from 2012, with a first half ERA of 4.09, a subtle increase from last years 4.30. It's behind staff Ace Yu Darvish & Lefthander Derek Holland. Nine players have started a game. Finding rotation stability by reintegrating Alexi Ogando or Matt Harrison would pay dividends, but the Rangers will be in the market for a Starting Pitcher. Lead by veteran closer Joe Nathan & power throwing right hander Tanner Scheppers, the bullpen ERA is 3.10. The return of FA signing Joakim Soria supplements the overworked group. The issues the Rangers have are twofold: they must address the lineup & rotation to be a viable World Series contender. They've got the trade chips, but do they have the willingness to part with highly touted prospects. More specifically, can this core of players really contend in October?
Los Angeles Angels (44-49):
On the heels of a $ 3 Billion television deal, the Angels added marquee Free Agents Albert Pujols & CJ Wilson prior to 2012. At the 2012 deadline, the team traded prospect Jean Segura to Milwaukee for Zack Greinke. Having locked up both Howie Kendrick & Erick Aybar longterm, Segura became expendable. The Angels have highly paid veterans across the entire lineup. After loosing Greinke to the cross town rival, Josh Hamilton was signed to create what many projected to be the AL's elite lineup. The trio of Hamilton, Pujols & Mike Trout was rather imposing on paper. The issue is for the $ 365 Million in combined contracts of Pujols & Hamilton, the Angels simply aren't getting elite production.
The rotation struggled with a 4.57 ERA in the first half, which should improve with Jered Weaver returning from the Disabled List. The issue is depth behind Weaver & Wilson, where Joe Blanton has been one of the worst starter in the AL. The $ 15 Million of guaranteed money they handed him this offseason was questionable at the time. With Jason Vargas expected to return from the DL later in July, the rotation will improve.
In an ultra-competive American League, a 2nd half surge will be necessary. If they can get their Stars to live up to the back of their baseball cards, it's not outside the realm of possibility. But it's highly unlikely, and the Angels & their $ 150 Million payroll could be sitting at home in October.
Seattle (43-52)
Hired in 2008, GM Jack Zduriencik's seat is simmering. Tasked with improving the lineup, too many decisions have failed to return results. 2009 2nd Overall Selection Dustin Ackley & C-DH-1B Jesus Montero's demotions to AAA illuminate recent blunders. The entire group of young players, including the major piece in the Cliff Lee trade 1B Justin Smoak, haven't delivered consistent production.
Without the first half of 41 year old Outfielder Raul Ibanez, this lineup would be dismal. Currently averaging 3.92 RPG, Mariners brass hopes the 2nd tier prospects 2B Nick Franklin, 3B Kyle Seager & highly selected Catcher Mike Zunino can become the teams 'Core'. Ackley returns from AAA, now playing Center Field, where one of Jack Zduriencik's extensions Franklin Guttierez failed. It's a lineup that's struggled for multiple consecutive seasons, and hope now lies in a group of unproven commodities.
The rotation has also struggled, posting a 4.11 ERA despite dual Aces atop in King Felix & Hisashi Iwakuma. Trotting Joe Saunders & Aaron Harang to the mound every 5th day is a major issue. The bullpen has also struggled to a 4.41 ERA, largely attributed to Closer Tom Willhelmsen's struggles.
Few Zduriencik decisions have worked, and now the GM appears hesitant to sell assets at the deadline, as he's hoping a strong 2nd half can lead to his 2014 return. Though it occurred prior to his arrival, the organization must still look back on the Erik Bedard trade as devastating, as they parted with All Star Adam Jones. The Farm System is highly rated, but it's now top heavy, and the results aren't coming as many anticipated.
Houston Astros (33-61):
Welcome to the American League! The lowly Astros are 28th in the MLB in Runs Scored, 26th in Starting Pitchers ERA (4.77), last in Bullpen ERA (4.95) & have committed the most errors in baseball. To call it a rebuilding process would be an understatement. Former McKiney and Company consultant Jeff Luhnow leads the Front Office, a forward-looking young GM that will implement an analytical approach & will scour for talent from all sources.
It's a process that will take multiple years, but it's heading in the right direction. After resistance to rebuild for multiple years, the Astros Core aged & the team never added talent to the System effectively. Nearing the deadline, they'll be sellers; but there aren't many pieces teams will covet. The attractive piece is Starting Pitcher Bud Norris, whose making 2.8 M in 2013 & is under Club Control through 2015. Drafting & developing talent is the current objective, and successfully integrating it into the fold will be the test for the organization.
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