Sox to be You

 

You know...it's really hard for a team to have a serious postseason attempt when they get 21 runs scored against them. 

I don't care if it's against the Astros, who have an offense that is rightfully feared by most teams. Dropping 21 points to ANY TEAM is not good. And for those runs to come against Lucas Giolito, who used to be such a great pitcher but mysteriously stopped being good around the time umpires started checking for tack, seems like more of an insult. The White Sox banked so much on Giolito being their ace, much like they banked on Lance Lynn being healthy, and both have let them down this year. 

I do want to say that the Astros scoring 5 runs off of Vince Velasquez is something I did see coming. It's kind of his thing. 

What's very funny is that the one White Sox pitcher today to allow the fewest amount of earned runs is the guy at the head of this post. Infielder extraordinaire Josh Harrison. As documented by Topps in their 'pressed into service' insert set a while back, Harrison has pitched before. He's...a position player for a reason, but he could always be an option. He gave up 4 earned runs today, which makes him an ace in comparison. Nothing even remotely close to Darin Ruf, who shut down the Braves the other night when no other Mets pitcher could, but...he did the trick.

Forget that the White Sox were actually doing well pretty recently. Forget that Dylan Cease, Johnny Cueto and Michael Kopech have been excellent starters this year. Forget that Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada and Yasmani Grandal are all healthy right now. If you're gonna give up 21 runs, you need to seriously look into how you're doing things. And...the White Sox still refuse to let Tony LaRussa off the hook, even if he is clearly one of the sources of the troubles this year. I thought LaRussa was wrong for this team the second he signed, and I think that any of the guys who HAVE lost their jobs so far this season, including Chris Woodward, Joe Girardi, Joe Maddon or Charlie Montoyo, would be better fits for it. Even Girardi. 

This is actually a decent White Sox team, and they've made a lot of strides since the All-Star break to get back up the wild card ladder, but...this was never supposed to be a Wild Card team. This team was supposed to be a division competitor like they were last year, and thanks to injuries, banking on the wrong guys, and, cough, MANAGERIAL WOES, it hasn't happened. The Wild Card race is getting awful crowded, and with 21-5 losses like today's, it's become less and less likely for the White Sox. It's gonna take something incredible for them to catch up. Not impossible, but...you try getting past the Orioles right now.

Coming Tomorrow- A young, homegrown Cubs pitcher.

Uncustomed Heroes of 2021: Athletics

 

Okay, so I've been sort of angry at Rob Manfred a lot on this blog, and considering what we're in the process of I have every right to be, but there's definitely a point to him expanding the playoffs to fourteen, especially if so many great competitors get left out. 

For instance, the Oakland Athletics. What a great season, so much momentum throughout, a lot of time at 1st place, great pitching staff especially starting, and a great haul at the deadline...all lost in a down September. In an expanded postseason format, a season like that would not be lost in the shuffle, and a down September would still allow someone like the A's a second chance. And while it does look like the A's might be letting some big players go this offseason, it would have been great to see them outdo the odds in this past playoff schematic. 

Again, the starting pitching was impressive. 2021 saw the rise of former Yankee farmhand James Kaprielian, who finally got a full shot at the bigs this year, and fit right into the rotation. Kaprielian had an 8-5 record, a 4.07 ERA and 123 Ks in 24 games. Looks to be a strong option for the next few years.

2022 Prediction: Top WAR of the rotation. Even more than Bassitt. 

That also left some room for former Phillies farmhand Cole Irvin to slide in and start some games, and he did a decent enough job, with a 4.24 ERA, 125 Ks and a surprisingly negative w/l percentage despite 10 wins. Irvin did start all 32 games, but he does seem to me like a filler pick in between stronger options.

2022 Prediction: Either Irvin loses his place in the rotation due to an injury, or he becomes an unlikely backbone once Manaea and Bassitt get traded. 

The top WAR of anyone in this post was Sean Murphy, which is odd, as Oakland seemed to really need Yan Gomes. Murphy was a gold glove catcher this year, with some exceptional defensive numbers despite only hitting .216. On one hand, Murph is a durable option behind the plate, but on the other, he still hasn't figured out the plate itself.

2022 Prediction: A slightly fuller offensive year, and perhaps an injury.

The other in that duo of relied-upon-but-still-flawed younger A's is Seth Brown, who was an OF-DH piece for them this year, as he's always been, and hit 20 homers and 48 RBIs while still hitting .214. Yes, Brown can hit, but he's not a multi-tool guy.

2022 Prediction: Mostly bench work, but the occasional clutch moment. 

Mitch Moreland, after a strong 2020, was hired as the DH in Oakland, and was expected to just be a steady everyday bat with some power. He was that. He only played 81 games, but hit .227 with 10 homers and 30 RBIs. Nothing to his peak, but exactly what it says on the tin.

2022 Prediction: If anyone picks him up, it'll be a limited role.

Chad Pinder is still a good utility member of the A's, and while he also missed some time to injuries, hitting .243 with 52 hits and 27 RBIs in 75 games. He'll be turning 30 next season, and may have passed his window to become a truly reliable starter, but he's cemented his place in these A's teams, and seems to have a place in future incarnations of it.

2022 Prediction: That said, either an injury or a slump will require Pinder to start some games, and he will impress in a way that will build his free agency case in 2023.

Now onto the deadline acquisitions. The first big one for the A's was Cubs reliever and old-school-looking hurler Andrew Chafin, who quickly became a fan favorite in Oakland. Chafin continued his strong relief numbers, with a 1.53 ERA and 27 Ks in 29 innings. He may not have reached the postseason, but he boosted his free agency case and continued to be one of the more fun middle relievers in the game.

2022 Prediction: I don't think he'll be signed by a contender, but I do think he will make the playoffs. Perhaps not as strong a year as 2022, but one you won't exactly stay mad at.

Yan Gomes was one of two Nationals that came to the team in July, and his acquisition was used as an inkling that Murphy needed help behind the backstop. Gomes did aid the team as a better offensive catcher, hitting .221 with 17 RBIs and 5 homers, but eventually became a backup to Murphy.

2022 Prediction: If Willson Contreras is, in fact, traded, Gomes could be back to starting in Chicago, and he'll be a serviceable option.

The other Nat to make it to Oakland was former Pirates infield hero Josh Harrison, finally back to peak form. Harrison's tenure in Oakland was a little more memorable than Gomes's, as he hit .254 with 47 hits and 28 RBIs in 28 games. Harrison provided an upgrade from the aging Jed Lowrie at 2nd, and provided the infield with a great boost, similar to Tommy La Stella last year.

2022 Prediction: A cheap signing that pays off in a smaller market. My guess is that the White Sox take him.

And finally, after parting ways with them to gain Elvis Andrus, the A's got to have their cake AND eat it too by signing Khris Davis midseason. Davis, on his return to his stomping, and pounding, grounds, hit .255 with 5 RBIs and only 1 of his trademark homers in 20 games. Davis' current career average is at .242, and Davis needs one or two more contact-friendly years to get himself back to that .247 number being a career stat, as I kinda want it to be.

Tomorrow, just about as many from the Toronto Blue Jays

2020 Topps Final Edition: Cards #208-216

 Heading further into the 200s with this post, for the Final Edition set. A few of these set up the 2021 season, while a few more set up developments that have since been halted.

Card #208- Donovan Solano ASG, San Francisco Giants

The man now affectionately known as Donnie Barrels would have been the starting 2nd baseman of the NL team had the 2020 ASG happened. It would have been a winning, surprise moment for the longtime journeyman infielder, who'd came up with Miami years ago and never found a true niche until he got slotted into a starting position in 2019. Two straight years of .300+ averages later, Solano was a fixture, a silver slugger winner and a Giants hero. Before his 2021 injury he was hitting .300, so he's still definitely league-caliber.

Card #209- Heath Hembree, Philadelphia Phillies

Heath Hembree was one of two Red Sox relievers traded to Philly to save the sinking rotation, only to get pulled into the wreckage themselves. Hembree had the worst shake of anyone, seeing his already-bad 5.59 ERA sink to a 12.54 in Philly. He's thankfully pitching an improved 0 ERA in Cincinnati, so maybe it is just Philly that brings out the worst in people.

Card #210- Josh Harrison, Washington Nationals

Speaking of Philly bringing out the worst in people...the Phils signed Josh Harrison to a minor league deal for Spring Training [this DID get a Topps card], and both the pandemic and the tight 2nd base race led to Harrison being cut. So then the Nationals pick him up prior to the July start to the season, and then Harrison improved even past his disappointing 2019 in Detroit. In 33 games, he hit .278 with 14 RBIs, not a bad shake at all for an infield in flux. So far in 2021 he's been even better, and even more of a fixture. Thanks, Ruben.

Card #211- James McCann ASG, Chicago White Sox

For the second year in a row, James McCann would have been a reserve catcher on the AL All Star team, and unlike in 2019, he'd be on the roster as a backup. McCann spent all of 2020 being the superior option to the powerful-but-one-dimensional Yasmani Grandal, while being either a bench bat or a DH. However, by ASG terms, he's a catcher, and he'd catch some innings in the ASG. 

Card #212- Mike Freeman, Cleveland Indians

Another career journeyman infielder who finally found a constant place, Mike Freeman followed a decent season as a bench infielder for the Indians in 2019 with another similar season with less immediate results. In 24 2020 games, Freeman hit .237 with 5 hits and 3 RBIs. He was released after the season and is now in the Reds organization.

Card #213- Devin Williams ASG, Milwaukee Brewers

Another no-brainer inclusion. Devin Williams was one of the best relief pitchers in baseball in 2020, rookie or none. He was lights-out in August, and would have been worthy of an addition by Dave Martinez as a relief option. It would have been even more of a cherry on top of an extraordinary rookie season, which hopefully will lead to a strong career and not more earned-run-friendly seasons like his 2021 so far.

Card #214- Matt Kemp, Miami Marlins

Ah yes, one of my favorite parts of doing this series, the zero-year card. Matt Kemp played all of his 2020 games with the Colorado Rockies, but he spent Spring Training with the other 1993 expansion team, the Miami Marlins. Kemp was decent out of camp, and was still working solely as a power-hitter, but the crowded Marlins outfield last year made it impossible for Kemp to make the team. Topps did produce some Gallery, Fire and Heritage High releases of Marlin Kemp, but they were too late.

Card #215- Trevor Rosenthal, San Diego Padres

After a sensational start in Kansas City, and some thrilling comeback numbers, Trevor Rosenthal was dealt to the San Diego Padres in one of many 2020 Padres-Royals trades. Rosenthal was given the ninth in SD, and in 9 games he was unhittable, with a 0 ERA and only 3 hits allowed on top of 17 Ks. While his postseason numbers were a little rockier, he was still a formidable closer again, which led the A's to give him a ton of money...and to him subsequently getting injured.

Card #216- Estevan Florial

One of the biggest Yankee prospects not named Dominguez, Estevan Florial has been a bright star in the minors in the last few years, and in a flash doubleheader with the Mets last season, the Yankees figured it'd be a cool idea to bring him up. The 22 -year-old Florial only had one game last year, but he made it count, with his first MLB hit against the Mets. I'm not entirely sure when Florial will be back in the majors again, but he teased us with a little bit of what he's capable of.

The next 9 cards go up Monday, and there are some interesting ones in there. Like Kemp, another zero-year type card, as well as some more big rookies and relievers. 

Uncustomed Heroes of 2020: Nationals

 

Okay. The Washington Nationals, without Ryan Zimmerman, Anthony Rendon, Stephen Strasburg and Sean Doolittle, were a last-place team. It is that simple. Yes, Trea Turner and Max Scherzer and Juan Soto all did well, but the uniformity and consistency across the board that made the Nationals borderline good enough to catch fire in October was gone this year. And it's very clear why.

First of all, Victor Robles, who was fantastic last year, was back to his usual middling performances. Dude hit .220 and led the team in strikeouts with 53. Nothing close to his 2019, and the outfield sort of wilted without his better numbers.

2021 Prediction: An improvement, and more of a contact year, but I feel like every subsequent Victor Robles season is gonna pale in comparison to last year.

On the last season of his multi-year deal in Washington, Adam Eaton hit the first Nats home run of the season, and the first home run off of Gerrit Cole in 2020, but beyond that he continued his post-White-Sox decline, hitting .226 with 17 RBIs. After hitting at least .280-something in his prior seasons, this was the weakest year of Eaton's career, and it was a huge hit to his free agency chances.

2021 Prediction: A reunion with the Chicago White Sox will revitalize his offense numbers even as his defensive numbers continue to go downhill.

In the absence of Stephen Strasburg, and Anibal Sanchez' better numbers, Erick Fedde still provided solid rotation support for Scherzer and Corbin. In 11 games he had a 4.29 ERA with 28 Ks, not bad for a lower-tier arm. 

2021 Prediction: Officially becomes the fourth man in that rotation. Like, there's a difference between being fourth in the rotation and being the FOURTH of Scherzer, Strasburg, Corbin and Fedde. And I think 2021 is his year. 

It's not gonna show in like 8 years when he's up for HOF election, but Kurt Suzuki might be one of the more reliable backstops of the 2010s. The A's, Twins, Braves and Nats have enjoyed his [mostly backup] catching material for years, and 2020 was no exception. Zuk hit .270 off the bench, with 30 hits and 17 RBIs in 33 games. 

2021 Prediction: I think one more season backing up somewhere [hell, maybe back in Oakland] before he calls it a career.

Right. Now we get into the saga of the million middle infielders in Washington. Buckle up, cause this is where it becomes clear why the Nats sucked this year. 

Starlin Castro was signed during the offseason to play 2nd for the Nats. I thought it was a good deal for them, and as the season began, Castro seemed to look very sharp, hitting .267 with 2 homers in his first 16 games. Then he gets injured, and is out for the season, throwing 2nd base into limbo for the remainder of the season.

2021 Prediction: More health, but a gradual shift to DH.

So now we go to other infield options. Asdrubal Cabrera played some games at 2nd, as it's his primary position, but he played more at 1st, switching with Eric Thames. At 36, Cabrera may no longer be a feasible defensive option, as his defensive levels were at replacement level, and he only hit .242 this year. So he wasn't the answer.

2021 Prediction: I don't think anyone's gonna sign him this offseason.

The next option would be Howie Kendrick, who also came up as a second baseman, yet has been starting a lot at 1st. This year, he was the primary DH in Washington, and hit .275 with 14 RBIs when he wasn't injured. Okay, so two members of this team aren't feasible 2nd base replacements. Now bring in some signees.

2021 Prediction: Perhaps a victory lap season before he retires.

After being released by the Phillies right before the beginning of the season, Josh Harrison was very quickly scooped up by the Nats, and was the next, and more substantial, 2nd base option of the early season. Harrison hit .278 with 14 RBIs in 33 games, though his defense wasn't quite as starry. 

2021 Prediction: Seemingly more backup work in Washington. 

But then they also get Brock Holt from the Brewers, and plug him into utility work, which makes FIVE SECOND BASE OPTIONS, and five infielders over 30 roaming the roster and preventing over, younger infielders from getting work. And the ones that did, like Carter Kieboom and Wilmer Difo, weren't great. So Holt is the starting 3rd baseman for a bit this year, does a decent job with a .262 average, but is more of the same veteran mediocrity that is bringing this team down.

2021 Prediction: A similar, multi-team backup year to this one. 

FINALLY, in September, the Nationals found an answer with their sixth middle infield option, as Luis Garcia got the 2nd base gig and seemed to earn it. In 40 games, he has 37 hits, 16 RBIs and bats .276, the kind of wild start that gets some heads, especially his clutch abilities. The Nats were teasing good things from this guy for 2021, and I believe them.

2021 Prediction: Starts the whole year at 2nd, hits 25 homers and gets 75 RBIs and we never have this problem again. 

Coming Tomorrow- Surprisingly the Orioles weren't completely terrible this year. 

Uncustomed Heroes of 2018: Pirates

Success was fleeting for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018. In an instant, the team went from fourth to chasing second...then first...then back to fourth. With the number of competitive teams in the NL Central, it's upsetting, if predictable, to see a solid, inoffensive team like the Bucs get rocked by surging teams like St. Louis, Chicago and Milwaukee. It's not to say the team's done competing, but as all four competitors in that division are suiting up this offseason, I think it'll be very difficult for them to stand out next year.

At least they have Gregory Polanco, who had another sharp season in the outfield, with a team high 81 RBIs, and 117 hits. Also, I absolutely love that custom.

 Josh Harrison was stopped by injury this year, which led to some good playing time from Adam Frazier, but when he was healthy he wasn't bad. 86 hits in 97 games isn't bad. It does look like he'll be looking for a new team this year, which is sad, but hopefully he'll keep his numbers steady.

 It does mean Adam Frazier is looking at a starting position, though, which...as the superior hitter and defensive player of the two 2nd basemen the Bucs had this year, isn't a bad deal. He's also versatile as hell, which definitely helps, and hit .280 this year.

 Colin Moran was one of two surprisingly powerful acquisitions from Houston in the Gerrit Cole deal. Moran was the starting third baseman this year, hitting .277 in 144 games, with 115 hits. He's also brought some outstanding facial hair to the team.

 Ivan Nova's numbers dipped from his impressive first few years in Pittsburgh, but he still kept his record to 0-0, with 115 strikeouts. In a year where Trevor Williams and Jameson Taillon held the fort, it's not alarming. It proved the team will be alright with him heading to Chicago next year.

 Luckily Joe Musgrove and his hard-throwing nineteen games were there to hold up the back end of the rotation, with a 4.06 ERA. He's not completely controlled, but he is a wicked little fireballer who could bloom next year for them.

And Keone Kela, a stowaway from Texas who came to town in August, did...alright in Pittsburgh. Not Rangers good, but alright. He had 15 innings of setup ball, and pitched a 2.53 ERA. Not bad, but...you had Kyle Crick onhand as setup man. You didn't really...need Keone Kela, sadly.

Coming Tomorrow- Speaking of the Rangers...uh, Kela got out at the right time. As did, like, everyone else.

There, She Blows!

(I couldn't resist)

The second baseman's benched for his own alcoholism! The right-fielder's benched for steroid abuse! The utility outfielder and third baseman, the two guys on the lineup with any positive momentum, are injured! The star center-fielder's coming off a slump! And the Pirates! Just! Keep! Fighting!

This isn't especially a bad team this year, but there are enough flaws to keep it from being a truly great one. The triple-threat of Ivan Nova, Jameson Taillon and Gerrit Cole is gonna be dangerous as all hell until one of them gets either injured or traded. Gregory Polanco and Josh Harrison are doing their best to keep life in the lineup despite injuries. There's definitely a ton of young talent in this roster, and everybody's getting a shot, but the division's so complex that it's not guaranteed that they'll get to do very well this year.

I do enjoy this team, and I enjoy this city, and I'm always rooting for the Bucs to do well, as I do like them better than the usual alternative (read: the Cardinals winning). With the Cubs still sitting atop the division, and impressive turns from Cincinnati, Milwaukee and St. Louis...the field is technically open, but at the same time it's gonna be hard for them to withstand all four competitors, as well as still technically be a factor. It's tricky. I'm gonna keep rooting for them, but it's a risky season.

Coming Tonight: In 2015, he was the best pitcher in the AL. In 2016, he was one of the worst. Now, the guy from 2015 is back, and a part of one of the most fun teams in the league.

Don't Count Out the Pirates

Yes, I know, the Cubs are everything, the Cubs are the greatest, bla blah blah. But, for a moment, I think we need to talk about how the team in second is doing. Because while they may not be as absolutely AHEAD as the Cubs are, the Pirates are doing a ton right, and could be a sleeper hit later in the season.

See, the Pirates have a great deal of what made them great the last few years. Yeah, Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez are gone, but Andrew McCutchen is still there, and he's still one of the best players in baseball. Josh Harrison, after a down 2015, is back to his usual tricks, hitting like hell and reclaiming his momentum. Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco are also still pretty formidable, and John Jaso has gone from a journeyman DH-C guy to the most unexpected hard-hitting first baseman in the NL this season.

This one of those teams where even the bench is hitting pretty damn well. There is so much roster depth here, and Clint Hurdle has done his best to keep everything progressing. Heck, he's turned Juan Nicasio into a pretty impressive lower-half starter--the guy was as obscure as hell last year.

The Pirates are a pretty compact team, one that doesn't need a ton of changes to be truly great in the second half. Their biggest obstacle is getting past the Cubs, the one thing they couldn't do last year, regardless of the head start.

Coming Tomorrow- His team's been pretty awful this year, but he's been powerful as ever.

Custom Card of the Night: Harrison Edition

I'll give the Pirates some credit. They're not out of the race yet, even with a nearly-unstoppable Cardinals team, and the rise of the youth movement in Chicago. They're just trying very hard at this point not to fade.

Josh Harrison is helping that a bit, as he's one of the younger members of the club, yet he still has enough power to keep the hits coming, and to keep Pittsburgh relevant. People like Starling Marte, Gregory Polanco, Neil Walker, and, of course, Andrew McCutchen, are powering this roster, and trying so hard to keep the hype alive.

Will it work? I can't tell. The Cardinals aren't looking like they're going to budge, but there's always room for an upset.

(That's all I have room for tonight because I'm kind of tired)

Coming Tomorrow- In the absence of one Oakland catcher, another rises to the occasion.

Custom Card of the Day: Harrison Edition

That expression on Josh Harrison's face represents how caught off-guard every Pittsburgh fan was when they realized that their team was heading for a decline. And I think that sort of says it all.

Coming Tomorrow- The Yankees are somehow still in the playoff race, and this guy has at least been helping a bit.