Well, we've seen 4 weeks worth of games and with October approaching next week, it's time to see what we've learned so far in 2013.
1). Of the 6 SEC teams that finished in the top 12 last year, only LSU and UGA appear to be as good as last years versions.
2). The Big 10 and Big 12 are still without any really good teams.
3). The PAC-12 is clearly the 2nd best league and Oregon may be the nations top team
4). The ACC is improved and their championship game may actually mean something this year.
5). Louisville will go unbeaten, but they won't deserve a spot in the title game.
Predictions
1). Melvin Gordon gets a Heisman invite - dude is legit threat to go for 2,000 yards this year
2). LSU-UGA next week is a SECCG preview
3). The game of the year will be FSU-Clemson
4). Stanford will give Oregon fits again, but the Ducks win this time
5). 2 of the top 3 jobs in the country will be open this off-season in USC/Texas. The 3rd (Florida) may be open soon as well
Top 25 Poll for 9/22
1). Oregon
2). Alabama
3). LSU
4). Stanford
5). Clemson
6). Florida St
7). Georgia
8). Texas A&M
9). Ohio State
10) Oklahoma St
11). Louisville
12). Miami
13). Oklahoma
14). South Carolina
15). Washington
16) Mississippi
17). Northwestern
18). UCLA
19). Florida
20). Maryland
21). Michigan
22). Baylor
23). Fresno St
24). Arizona
25). Missouri
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Braves dropping like flies
The Braves list of injuries continued to mount today as Brandon Beachy received the call to visit Dr. James Andrews. With Jason Heyward going down yesterday with a broken jaw, Tim Hudson's ankle getting crushed, Tyler Pastornicky's ACL, and Dan Uggla's eyesight, the last several weeks haven't been kind. However, the team continues to win and is in little danger of missing the playoffs.
But this injury thing has just gotten silly. It was bad early with Jonny Venters, Eric O'Flaherty, Christian Martinez, and Ramiro Pena going down with serious injuries. Then the injury bug calmed down a bit, but Paul Maholm, Evan Gattis, Jordan Schafer, and Reed Johnson still missed some time.
These latest injuries have been the worst of the bunch, but this Braves team seems has been good all year at picking each other up. The rotation still has Mike Minor and Julio Teheran at the top and rookie Alex Wood has been dominant in his August starts. The team really needs Maholm to regain his April form and team up with Kris Medlen to solidify the rotation.
The bats can overcome the Heyward loss for a while, and maybe he can return before the end of September since his jaw didn't need to be wired shut. If anything, these injuries will give guys like Schafer, Gattis, and others more playing time as the team prepares for the postseason.
This years version of the Braves has looked like a dangerous October team all year. Their overall depth and dominant bullpen still make them a threat in a series against anyone. Having a 15 game lead gives you options and time to rest.
The Braves won 12 postseason series from 1991-2001 but are 0-5 since plus last years Wild Card debacle. This needs to be the team to break the drought. Let's just hope there are enough healthy players to field a team this fall.
But this injury thing has just gotten silly. It was bad early with Jonny Venters, Eric O'Flaherty, Christian Martinez, and Ramiro Pena going down with serious injuries. Then the injury bug calmed down a bit, but Paul Maholm, Evan Gattis, Jordan Schafer, and Reed Johnson still missed some time.
These latest injuries have been the worst of the bunch, but this Braves team seems has been good all year at picking each other up. The rotation still has Mike Minor and Julio Teheran at the top and rookie Alex Wood has been dominant in his August starts. The team really needs Maholm to regain his April form and team up with Kris Medlen to solidify the rotation.
The bats can overcome the Heyward loss for a while, and maybe he can return before the end of September since his jaw didn't need to be wired shut. If anything, these injuries will give guys like Schafer, Gattis, and others more playing time as the team prepares for the postseason.
This years version of the Braves has looked like a dangerous October team all year. Their overall depth and dominant bullpen still make them a threat in a series against anyone. Having a 15 game lead gives you options and time to rest.
The Braves won 12 postseason series from 1991-2001 but are 0-5 since plus last years Wild Card debacle. This needs to be the team to break the drought. Let's just hope there are enough healthy players to field a team this fall.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
The Rise of Craig Kimbrel
Every MLB team wants a great closer. A guy the manager can call on in the 9th inning in a tight game and everyone in the parks knows the game is all but done.
When the Braves drafted Craig Kimbrel in the 3rd round of the 2008 draft out of Wallace State CC, his initial dominance was such that he quickly moved up in the Braves farm system. Assigned to Danville after signing, he posted a 0.47 ERA in 12 games and picked up 6 saves. After a brief stop in Rome with 10 more appearances with a sub 1 ERA and a ton of K's, Craig was already in Myrtle Beach.
The 2009 season saw Kimbrel end in AAA Gwinnett, but not before some trouble with control came up early in the 09 season in Myrtle Beach. He allowed 28 walks in 26 innings, leading to a career high 5.47 ERA, but straightened things out in time to complete 12 dominant innings in AA Mississippi before his AAA debut.
However, the 2010 season was when Kimbrel went from prospect to legend. His AAA numbers that year included a 1.62 ERA, 23 saves, and 83 K's in 55 innings. Kimbrel made his MLB debut on May 7th and although control was an issue at times, he still finished 4-0 with a 0.44 ERA.
Those numbers turned a few heads, but most scouts didn't think he could go through an entire MLB season with similar numbers. He was on the radar as an up and coming closer, but not many predicted the Rookie of the Year season Craig put together in 2011. He had ridiculous numbers - 127 K's, 46 saves, 64 games, and was one of the best closers in the game.
So after an All-Star rookie season, most Braves fans hoped he could stay healthy and maybe produce similar numbers the next year. Little did we know then, his 2011 season was just the beginning.
Craig Kimbrel in 2012 posted one of the best relief pitcher seasons of all-time. The legendary Dennis Eckersley posted 7-1/1.91/51S/93 K's in his 1992 MVP season. Eric Gagne in his 2003 Cy Young season put up 2-3/1.20/55S/137 K's.
Kimbrel's 2012 season was right up there with those 2 recent examples. Craig finished the year 3-1/1.01/42S/117 K's - and he did all this in 62 innings while the other 2 worked 80+ in their seasons.
Also in 2012, Kimbrel worked 17 straight scoreless innings and then finished the season on another 13.1 inning streak. An incredible year, one that certainly wouldn't be topped by Kimbrel, or anyone else, in the near future.
But then 2013 happened. After pitching his first 8.2 innings in '13 without giving up a run, it appeared Craig Kimbrel was human after all. A Dexter Fowler double led to the seasons first blown save and a David Wright home run gave Craig back-to-back blown saves. Just 4 days later, Devin Mesoraco and Shin-Soo Choo both left the park against the Braves closer and there was now some worry across Braves nation.
But not that much worry.
The only blemish on Kimbrel's last 31 appearances since the blown save in Cincinnati on May 7th is a Texas-Leaguer to right by Donovan Solano that tied the game in the game in Miami on July 4th.
Kimbrel has lowered his ERA from 3.38 to 1.22 in this current stretch and has picked up a save in his last 12 appearances, putting him on a 50 save pace at this point.
His 1.41 career ERA, 124 saves, 353 K's in 204 innings are too large of a sample size to dismiss as a guy the league hasn't "figured out.". Mariano Rivera is without a doubt the greates closer of all time, but Kimbrel's performance from 2011-13 is one that no reliever in MLB history can match.
Every MLB team wants a great closer, that reassurance that if it's close late, there is no worry. The Atlanta Braves don't just have a great closer - they have an all-timer at the closer position...and he's only 25 years old.
When the Braves drafted Craig Kimbrel in the 3rd round of the 2008 draft out of Wallace State CC, his initial dominance was such that he quickly moved up in the Braves farm system. Assigned to Danville after signing, he posted a 0.47 ERA in 12 games and picked up 6 saves. After a brief stop in Rome with 10 more appearances with a sub 1 ERA and a ton of K's, Craig was already in Myrtle Beach.
The 2009 season saw Kimbrel end in AAA Gwinnett, but not before some trouble with control came up early in the 09 season in Myrtle Beach. He allowed 28 walks in 26 innings, leading to a career high 5.47 ERA, but straightened things out in time to complete 12 dominant innings in AA Mississippi before his AAA debut.
However, the 2010 season was when Kimbrel went from prospect to legend. His AAA numbers that year included a 1.62 ERA, 23 saves, and 83 K's in 55 innings. Kimbrel made his MLB debut on May 7th and although control was an issue at times, he still finished 4-0 with a 0.44 ERA.
Those numbers turned a few heads, but most scouts didn't think he could go through an entire MLB season with similar numbers. He was on the radar as an up and coming closer, but not many predicted the Rookie of the Year season Craig put together in 2011. He had ridiculous numbers - 127 K's, 46 saves, 64 games, and was one of the best closers in the game.
So after an All-Star rookie season, most Braves fans hoped he could stay healthy and maybe produce similar numbers the next year. Little did we know then, his 2011 season was just the beginning.
Craig Kimbrel in 2012 posted one of the best relief pitcher seasons of all-time. The legendary Dennis Eckersley posted 7-1/1.91/51S/93 K's in his 1992 MVP season. Eric Gagne in his 2003 Cy Young season put up 2-3/1.20/55S/137 K's.
Kimbrel's 2012 season was right up there with those 2 recent examples. Craig finished the year 3-1/1.01/42S/117 K's - and he did all this in 62 innings while the other 2 worked 80+ in their seasons.
Also in 2012, Kimbrel worked 17 straight scoreless innings and then finished the season on another 13.1 inning streak. An incredible year, one that certainly wouldn't be topped by Kimbrel, or anyone else, in the near future.
But then 2013 happened. After pitching his first 8.2 innings in '13 without giving up a run, it appeared Craig Kimbrel was human after all. A Dexter Fowler double led to the seasons first blown save and a David Wright home run gave Craig back-to-back blown saves. Just 4 days later, Devin Mesoraco and Shin-Soo Choo both left the park against the Braves closer and there was now some worry across Braves nation.
But not that much worry.
The only blemish on Kimbrel's last 31 appearances since the blown save in Cincinnati on May 7th is a Texas-Leaguer to right by Donovan Solano that tied the game in the game in Miami on July 4th.
Kimbrel has lowered his ERA from 3.38 to 1.22 in this current stretch and has picked up a save in his last 12 appearances, putting him on a 50 save pace at this point.
His 1.41 career ERA, 124 saves, 353 K's in 204 innings are too large of a sample size to dismiss as a guy the league hasn't "figured out.". Mariano Rivera is without a doubt the greates closer of all time, but Kimbrel's performance from 2011-13 is one that no reliever in MLB history can match.
Every MLB team wants a great closer, that reassurance that if it's close late, there is no worry. The Atlanta Braves don't just have a great closer - they have an all-timer at the closer position...and he's only 25 years old.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
2013 Preseason College Football Poll
The coaches poll comes out today at noon, appropriate because it's August today and college football is right around the corner. Check back to some July posts on here for top returning players, sleeper Hesiman picks, and national title contenders.
As for today, I'll be listing who I think are the top 25 teams heading into the season. This is based on how good I think the are, not what I think the poll will look like today or at the end of the season.
1). Alabama
2). Stanford
3). Georgia
4). Oklahoma St
5). Ohio State
6). Florida
7). Clemson
8). LSU
9). Texas
10) Oregon
11) Nebraska
12) South Carolina
13) Florida St
14). Louisville
15) Notre Dame
16) Texas A&M
17). Virginia Tech
18). Michigan
19). Oklahoma
20) TCU
21). Oregon State
22). Miami
23). Vanderbilt
24) UCLA
25). Northwestern
This will not likely be the first or final poll as many teams will rank different from my prediction. Certain teams like Ohio State and Florida State play cupcake schedules while teams like LSU have quite a gauntlet.
It's also quite intriguing that week 1 features UGA-Clemson, TCU-LSU, and Virginia Tech-Alabama. These matchups will give us an instant snapshot at what some of these teams will look like in 2013.
I also think this is the year the SEC gets left out of the BCS title game. The SEC finished with 6 of the top 14 teams in the final AP Poll last year, and all these teams will be strong again. Throw in what should be much improved Auburn and Mississippi teams and it's unlikely any SEC team finished unbeaten.
One loss SEC teams (and 2) have made it before, but there's too many other talented teams in 2013 that only have a game or 2 to challenge them. I could easily see unbeaten teams in the ACC, Big 10, and PAC-12 title games. Also, Oklahoma State has a great shot at getting to at least mid-November without a loss.
If it happens, it will certainly be a good thing for college football that the new plus 1 system goes into place next season because there will be a lot of unhappy campers in this situation.
BCS Predictions
Fiesta Bowl - Oklahoma St vs Florida
Rose Bowl - Oregon vs Michigan
Sugar Bowl - Alabama vs Texas
Orange Bowl - Louisville vs Florida St
BCS title game - Ohio State vs Stanford
As for today, I'll be listing who I think are the top 25 teams heading into the season. This is based on how good I think the are, not what I think the poll will look like today or at the end of the season.
1). Alabama
2). Stanford
3). Georgia
4). Oklahoma St
5). Ohio State
6). Florida
7). Clemson
8). LSU
9). Texas
10) Oregon
11) Nebraska
12) South Carolina
13) Florida St
14). Louisville
15) Notre Dame
16) Texas A&M
17). Virginia Tech
18). Michigan
19). Oklahoma
20) TCU
21). Oregon State
22). Miami
23). Vanderbilt
24) UCLA
25). Northwestern
This will not likely be the first or final poll as many teams will rank different from my prediction. Certain teams like Ohio State and Florida State play cupcake schedules while teams like LSU have quite a gauntlet.
It's also quite intriguing that week 1 features UGA-Clemson, TCU-LSU, and Virginia Tech-Alabama. These matchups will give us an instant snapshot at what some of these teams will look like in 2013.
I also think this is the year the SEC gets left out of the BCS title game. The SEC finished with 6 of the top 14 teams in the final AP Poll last year, and all these teams will be strong again. Throw in what should be much improved Auburn and Mississippi teams and it's unlikely any SEC team finished unbeaten.
One loss SEC teams (and 2) have made it before, but there's too many other talented teams in 2013 that only have a game or 2 to challenge them. I could easily see unbeaten teams in the ACC, Big 10, and PAC-12 title games. Also, Oklahoma State has a great shot at getting to at least mid-November without a loss.
If it happens, it will certainly be a good thing for college football that the new plus 1 system goes into place next season because there will be a lot of unhappy campers in this situation.
BCS Predictions
Fiesta Bowl - Oklahoma St vs Florida
Rose Bowl - Oregon vs Michigan
Sugar Bowl - Alabama vs Texas
Orange Bowl - Louisville vs Florida St
BCS title game - Ohio State vs Stanford
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Analysis and breakdown of Orioles acquiring Bud Norris
For the second year in a row, the Baltimore Orioles are in the playoff hunt. In 2013, the team has relied on an offense that is 4th in the major leagues in runs scored. The pitching, however, has struggled and currently has a 4.30 team ERA - 26th in all of baseball.
So, upgrading the starting rotation was definitely a trade deadline target. Although Chris Tillman and Miguel Gonzalez have been good, Jason Hammel has struggled, thus increasing the need for a veteran starter. The 28 year old Norris is 6-9 with a 3.93 ERA for Houston this year, while being their most successful starter.
Houston, after dealing outfielder Justin Maxwell just minutes earlier, acquire AAA outfielder LJ Hoes from Baltimore. The 24 year old is hitting .304/.406/.403 for the Norfolk Tides and has spent brief stints in Baltimore the last 2 seasons. He is most likely a 4th outfielder in the big leagues.
Baltimore gives up a solid prospect in Hoes, their compensatory pick, and young lefty Josh Hader, but if they are going to make a run at Tampa and Boston, they needed more quality starting pitching to match up with what those two teams are running out there.
Expect Hoes to fill the spot of Justin Maxwell in Houston as the Astros deal away another one of their regulars, this time their staff ace. Hader is only 19, and the 6'3 lefty is having a good season at Delmarva with a 2.65 ERA in 17 starts but is several years away from the big leagues at best.
On pace for 54 wins coming into today, the 'Stros may not make 50 now. Besides the Baltimore rotation, the big winner here may be Texas, who still has 10 games remaining against what is now essentially a AAA Houston team.
So, upgrading the starting rotation was definitely a trade deadline target. Although Chris Tillman and Miguel Gonzalez have been good, Jason Hammel has struggled, thus increasing the need for a veteran starter. The 28 year old Norris is 6-9 with a 3.93 ERA for Houston this year, while being their most successful starter.
Houston, after dealing outfielder Justin Maxwell just minutes earlier, acquire AAA outfielder LJ Hoes from Baltimore. The 24 year old is hitting .304/.406/.403 for the Norfolk Tides and has spent brief stints in Baltimore the last 2 seasons. He is most likely a 4th outfielder in the big leagues.
Baltimore gives up a solid prospect in Hoes, their compensatory pick, and young lefty Josh Hader, but if they are going to make a run at Tampa and Boston, they needed more quality starting pitching to match up with what those two teams are running out there.
Expect Hoes to fill the spot of Justin Maxwell in Houston as the Astros deal away another one of their regulars, this time their staff ace. Hader is only 19, and the 6'3 lefty is having a good season at Delmarva with a 2.65 ERA in 17 starts but is several years away from the big leagues at best.
On pace for 54 wins coming into today, the 'Stros may not make 50 now. Besides the Baltimore rotation, the big winner here may be Texas, who still has 10 games remaining against what is now essentially a AAA Houston team.
Ian Kennedy to Padres trade breakdown and analysis
Two years ago it was hard to imagine Arizona giving up Ian Kennedy, who was enjoying a 21-4 season for the playoff bound D-Backs. At age 26 and under team control, he was an asset all MLB teams covet.
Fast forward to 2013, and Arizona is 7-14 in Kennedy's 21 starts and he has only 3 wins all year. Patrick Corbin is now the ace of the staff and Wade Miley is having a strong season as well. at 54-52 and 3.5 games behind LA, the D-Backs are at a point now where trading Kennedy makes sense.
With Corbin and Miley heading the rotation and injured starters Brandon McCarthy and Trevor Cahill due to return to action very soon, Kennedy became expendable. He still has some value at age 28 and an affordable salary for a club needing a starter, but the D-Backs really needed a lefty reliever and are comfortable with young starters Tyler Skaggs and Randall Delgado filling the #5 starter role.
With lefty reliever Matt Reynolds injured since June and fellow lefty Tony Sipp giving up homers in two of his last 3 outings, getting a premier lefty like Joe Thatcher will help Arizona down the stretch. Trying to gun down the red hot Dodgers will take a strong lefty to get Adrian Gonzalez and Andre Ethier out. Thatcher has a 2.10 ERA in 50 games this year, so the D-Backs get a lefty reliever to help out righties Brad Ziegler, Will Harris, Heath Bell, Josh Collmenter, and JJ Putz.
San Diego gets Kennedy to help out a rotation that has been underwhelming all year. Eric Stults has been a pleasant surprise and Andrew Cashner is a promising youg starter, but Edison Volquez and Jason Marquis have been inconsistent. Kennedy will give the Pads some needed depth and experience in their rotation.
The D-Backs are also getting a compensatory draft pick and San Diego's AA closer in Matt Stites. Stites has 14 saves and a 2.08 ERA for the San Antonio Missions and could be the D-Backs closer of the future.
Arizona has 2 quality starters coming back soon and 2 young capable starters to fill the rotations back -end, so dealing the struggling Kennedy made sense while he still has value. Plus, getting a premier lefty reliever was a necessity for Arizona as they make a run at the division this fall. The addition of Stites and the draft pick are a plus too.
San Diego sees a young starter just 2 years removed from finishing 4th in Cy Young voting as a future front line starter as Kennedy is still just 28. The Pads also traded from a strength as they have one of the leagues best bullpens and could afford to part with the 31 year old Thatcher.
Will it be enough for Arizona to make a legit run at LA? Stay tuned...
Fast forward to 2013, and Arizona is 7-14 in Kennedy's 21 starts and he has only 3 wins all year. Patrick Corbin is now the ace of the staff and Wade Miley is having a strong season as well. at 54-52 and 3.5 games behind LA, the D-Backs are at a point now where trading Kennedy makes sense.
With Corbin and Miley heading the rotation and injured starters Brandon McCarthy and Trevor Cahill due to return to action very soon, Kennedy became expendable. He still has some value at age 28 and an affordable salary for a club needing a starter, but the D-Backs really needed a lefty reliever and are comfortable with young starters Tyler Skaggs and Randall Delgado filling the #5 starter role.
With lefty reliever Matt Reynolds injured since June and fellow lefty Tony Sipp giving up homers in two of his last 3 outings, getting a premier lefty like Joe Thatcher will help Arizona down the stretch. Trying to gun down the red hot Dodgers will take a strong lefty to get Adrian Gonzalez and Andre Ethier out. Thatcher has a 2.10 ERA in 50 games this year, so the D-Backs get a lefty reliever to help out righties Brad Ziegler, Will Harris, Heath Bell, Josh Collmenter, and JJ Putz.
San Diego gets Kennedy to help out a rotation that has been underwhelming all year. Eric Stults has been a pleasant surprise and Andrew Cashner is a promising youg starter, but Edison Volquez and Jason Marquis have been inconsistent. Kennedy will give the Pads some needed depth and experience in their rotation.
The D-Backs are also getting a compensatory draft pick and San Diego's AA closer in Matt Stites. Stites has 14 saves and a 2.08 ERA for the San Antonio Missions and could be the D-Backs closer of the future.
Arizona has 2 quality starters coming back soon and 2 young capable starters to fill the rotations back -end, so dealing the struggling Kennedy made sense while he still has value. Plus, getting a premier lefty reliever was a necessity for Arizona as they make a run at the division this fall. The addition of Stites and the draft pick are a plus too.
San Diego sees a young starter just 2 years removed from finishing 4th in Cy Young voting as a future front line starter as Kennedy is still just 28. The Pads also traded from a strength as they have one of the leagues best bullpens and could afford to part with the 31 year old Thatcher.
Will it be enough for Arizona to make a legit run at LA? Stay tuned...
Jake Peavy to Boston trade breakdown
East coast fans that went to bed early woke up this morning with the news that Jake Peavy was dealt to the Red Sox. A 3-team deal, each had different motives in the trade and all 3 should be pleased with the results. Although, as chronicled here, trade deadline deals are certainly buyer beware.
The Red Sox acquired Peavy, who has a $15 million dollar player option next season, along with reliever Brayan Villarral from Detroit. Peavy will help fill the Clay Buchholz void as the Red Sox deemed Peavy healthy and worth the investment. The 32 year old Peavy is still effective, but no where near his 2007 Cy Young form. He made the All Star team last year, but has limped to a 4.28 ERA in 2013 and is #3 or #4 starter at this point, although his experience is valuable in the Boston rotation.
Villarreal had a very good 2012 season as well, posting a 2.63 ERA in 50 games, but has been sidelined with an injury for most of 2013. His loss was part of the overall issues with the Tigers bullpen, but when he returns can be a key guy in the Boston pen.
Detroit's need to get in this trade was to get shortstop Jose Iglesias from the Red Sox. It appears regular shortstop Jhonny Peralta will receive a heavy suspension for his role in the Biogenesis scandal and Iglesias will help fill that role. A .330 hitter this year in 215 at bats, Iglesias got off to a tremendous start for Boston playing a utility role. He's slumped back down a bit since, but as a career .257 minor league hitter, he's an asset more for his defense. The slick fielder was expendable because of the organizational depth at shortstop that Boston possesses. Xander Bogaerts is one of the games top prospects at short, and Will Middlebrooks will come back up to fill the Iglesias role.
The White Sox are in rebuilding mode and moved Peavy and Villareal to acquire some young talent. Their prize is a big right handed outfield bat in Avisail Garcia. Garcia hit .380/.460/.561 in 39 minor league games this season before Detroit called him up. Baseball America listed Garcia as the Tigers best minor league power hitter headed into 2013. At 6'4, 240 pounds, Garcia is a corner outfielder who has 2 home runs for Detroit in 2013 playing at age 22.
The White Sox also added 2 young pitchers from Boston in the deal. Francelis Montas is a 20 year old righty with 96 strikeouts in 85 innings in A ball. He features an upper 90's fastball and with improved command could turn into a big time prospect. JB Wendelken, out of South Effingham High and Middle Georgia College, is a reliever with a 2.77 ERA in 27 games this year in A ball.
The final piece Chicago received was Cleulius Rondon, an infield prospect hitting .276 in short season A ball.
Overall, this trade will be judged by Red Sox fans on how Peavy performs this year and next, but his first 7-8 starts will go a long way in determining how this trade panned out in the short term for Boston.
Detroit will love Iglesias's glove, just don't expect a .330 hitter or someone that will hit anywhere close to Peralta's level. But giving up Garcia was a fair price for the talent they are receiving.
As for Chicago, they project Garcia as a big time power hitting outfielder that will be a cornerstone of their current rebuilding situation. Montas could also turn out to be a big time contributor as well.
No way to determine the winner at this point, but the marquee name in Peavy was acquired by dealing a major league level player from a position of strength and 3 lower-level prospects. Pretty good deal for Boston considering Peavy's contract and injury situation as there are not a lot of starting pitchers available this trade deadline. No way they would give up a guy like Bogaerts for Peavy, so getting a veteran of his caliber for the pennant race seems like a necessary move.
The Red Sox acquired Peavy, who has a $15 million dollar player option next season, along with reliever Brayan Villarral from Detroit. Peavy will help fill the Clay Buchholz void as the Red Sox deemed Peavy healthy and worth the investment. The 32 year old Peavy is still effective, but no where near his 2007 Cy Young form. He made the All Star team last year, but has limped to a 4.28 ERA in 2013 and is #3 or #4 starter at this point, although his experience is valuable in the Boston rotation.
Villarreal had a very good 2012 season as well, posting a 2.63 ERA in 50 games, but has been sidelined with an injury for most of 2013. His loss was part of the overall issues with the Tigers bullpen, but when he returns can be a key guy in the Boston pen.
Detroit's need to get in this trade was to get shortstop Jose Iglesias from the Red Sox. It appears regular shortstop Jhonny Peralta will receive a heavy suspension for his role in the Biogenesis scandal and Iglesias will help fill that role. A .330 hitter this year in 215 at bats, Iglesias got off to a tremendous start for Boston playing a utility role. He's slumped back down a bit since, but as a career .257 minor league hitter, he's an asset more for his defense. The slick fielder was expendable because of the organizational depth at shortstop that Boston possesses. Xander Bogaerts is one of the games top prospects at short, and Will Middlebrooks will come back up to fill the Iglesias role.
The White Sox are in rebuilding mode and moved Peavy and Villareal to acquire some young talent. Their prize is a big right handed outfield bat in Avisail Garcia. Garcia hit .380/.460/.561 in 39 minor league games this season before Detroit called him up. Baseball America listed Garcia as the Tigers best minor league power hitter headed into 2013. At 6'4, 240 pounds, Garcia is a corner outfielder who has 2 home runs for Detroit in 2013 playing at age 22.
The White Sox also added 2 young pitchers from Boston in the deal. Francelis Montas is a 20 year old righty with 96 strikeouts in 85 innings in A ball. He features an upper 90's fastball and with improved command could turn into a big time prospect. JB Wendelken, out of South Effingham High and Middle Georgia College, is a reliever with a 2.77 ERA in 27 games this year in A ball.
The final piece Chicago received was Cleulius Rondon, an infield prospect hitting .276 in short season A ball.
Overall, this trade will be judged by Red Sox fans on how Peavy performs this year and next, but his first 7-8 starts will go a long way in determining how this trade panned out in the short term for Boston.
Detroit will love Iglesias's glove, just don't expect a .330 hitter or someone that will hit anywhere close to Peralta's level. But giving up Garcia was a fair price for the talent they are receiving.
As for Chicago, they project Garcia as a big time power hitting outfielder that will be a cornerstone of their current rebuilding situation. Montas could also turn out to be a big time contributor as well.
No way to determine the winner at this point, but the marquee name in Peavy was acquired by dealing a major league level player from a position of strength and 3 lower-level prospects. Pretty good deal for Boston considering Peavy's contract and injury situation as there are not a lot of starting pitchers available this trade deadline. No way they would give up a guy like Bogaerts for Peavy, so getting a veteran of his caliber for the pennant race seems like a necessary move.
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