I'm pumped for this season, but also going in with realistic expectations. Let's be honest: beyond adding Johan, there's nothing else we can bank on that is a net positive from last year. Unless, of course, if Pedro and Sanchez both stay healthy AND pitch as well as they did two years ago then we are hands down the top team in NL.
But we also know that Alou, Delgado, and El Duque are all going to be at least as injured as last year (which is a significant amount of time, considering we have NO proven backups), and in addition I doubt any of those three will put up as good numbers as they did last year. All three had good #s when they played last year; I have to expect a decline this year given their age.
The platoon of Castillo / Valentin / Gotay doesn't exactly inspire health confidence either.
And losing Milledge will be an issue.
I see that Omar is shopping players looking for a backup to Delgado as well as SS/middle infield. I'd have to say that we will almost certainly not have Joe Smith come opening day.
In the bullpen, Duaner Sanchez reported soreness after his outing Friday against St. Louis, his first game since injuring his shoulder in a July 2006 taxi accident. He might not be ready to start the season.
3 comments:
Well, F Mart did guarantee he would be in the bigs this year...good call, kid.
I'm pumped for this season, but also going in with realistic expectations. Let's be honest: beyond adding Johan, there's nothing else we can bank on that is a net positive from last year. Unless, of course, if Pedro and Sanchez both stay healthy AND pitch as well as they did two years ago then we are hands down the top team in NL.
But we also know that Alou, Delgado, and El Duque are all going to be at least as injured as last year (which is a significant amount of time, considering we have NO proven backups), and in addition I doubt any of those three will put up as good numbers as they did last year. All three had good #s when they played last year; I have to expect a decline this year given their age.
The platoon of Castillo / Valentin / Gotay doesn't exactly inspire health confidence either.
And losing Milledge will be an issue.
I see that Omar is shopping players looking for a backup to Delgado as well as SS/middle infield. I'd have to say that we will almost certainly not have Joe Smith come opening day.
Well, sanchez is very questionable:
In the bullpen, Duaner Sanchez reported soreness after his outing Friday against St. Louis, his first game since injuring his shoulder in a July 2006 taxi accident. He might not be ready to start the season.
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