Thoughts for August 16

Another day, another rant from the Joker...

I would like to voice my immense disproval of the Anaheim Angels for their treatment of Howie Kendrick. This guy is their future at second base and was hitting close to .400 at AAA Salt Lake and they bring him up for what? To sit him on the bench. The only time he plays is when the opposition is throwing a lefty starter. Trade Adam Kennedy or do something Anaheim because you are stunting the growth of one of the most promising young players in the majors.

The Dodgers are hot, and I think that the deadline deals are the reason. Greg Maddux has revitalized the rotation, and himself. He has a 0.90 ERA in 3 starts with LA. One of those starts he took a no-hitter into the seventh, but was taken out after a lengthy rain delay. Another of the starts he gave up 2 hits, no walks and retired 22 consecutive hitters.

How many people thought the Yankees would have the second best record in baseball right now with the outfield injuries they have had?

The Cubs still stink. When will the rest of the country learn that Mark Prior and Kerry Wood are the two most overrated pitchers in all of baseball? I have been saying it for years.

The A's own the Mariners. 14 straight victories against Seattle is the reason Oakland has such a big lead in the AL West.

The Reds keep trying to upgrade their bullpen, today acquiring Scott Schoeneweis from the Toronto Blue Jays. The moves have kept them atop the Wild Card, but if they falter during their series with St. Louis this week we could be seeing a new leader...

And finally, how in the hell did Tim McCarver get a job as an announcer? He sucked as a player and is even worse as an announcer. Fox needs to fire this guy.

Random Baseball Thoughts

The first of hopefully many installments by your friend Joker here is some things to think of in regards to your fantasy baseball team and in the wide world of Major League Baseball...

• A couple of guys who had a rough first half but I think will have a better second half: Richie Sexson (Sea), Pat Burrell (Phi), Jhonny Peralta (Cle), Matt Cain (SF), Ben Sheets (Mil).
• My Rankings for the top 5 teams in baseball: 1) Detroit Tigers (I still think they will falter down the stretch but for now they are the best) 2) New York Mets 3) Boston Red Sox 4) Chicago White Sox 5) Minnesota Twins (Liriano, Santana, Mauer and Nathan put them here...)
• And of course, the bottom 5 teams in baseball: 32) Kansas City Royals (They have some talent in AA that needs to be brought up for experience) 31) Pittsburgh Pirates 30) Chicago Cubs 29) Washington Nationals 28) Cleveland Indians
• Atlanta made out very good with the Bob Wickman deal. Trading a Single-A catcher who they have no use for and getting a proven arm for that horrendous bullpen is simply brilliant. It just shows why there should be a wing for the GMs in the HOF...
• I would love it if the Brewers got disgruntled third baseman Shea Hillenbrand with J.J. Hardy out for the season and Corey Koskie possibly out that long too. But I see Toronto actually getting something in return with as high a demand as there is for Hillenbrand, possibly someone from the Angels who are in desperate need of offense...
• Speaking of those Angels, I would think that giving up a prospect like Brandon Wood if they were to get a guy like Miguel Tejada would be a great idea, but apparently the Angels do not agree. Tejada is one of the best shortstops in all of baseball and has played over 1000 consecutive games. How much more consistent can it get? Sometimes you have to give up something special to get something special. The Angels need to give something if they want a chance at a World Series.
• I like the Mariners play for Alfonso Soriano. I think having him in the lineup with Ichiro, Beltre, Sexson, Johjima, and Ibanez would be damn tough to compete with in the AL Worst.
• Stephen Drew is already starting to impress me and many of other teams, especially the LA Dodgers. He has at least one hit in his last 4 games and 4 straight extra base hits. He has also been playing very good defense, making his first error tonight in his sixth major league game. He is definitely proving that he is worthy of a spot on the D'Backs roster, and in my opinion, he should be starting every game of the rest of the season; and not just because he is on my fantasy team ;)
  

Well enough rambling for now. Hopefully I will be back in a few days with more thoughts from the mind of your favorite baseball analyst and mine.