Jay Payton’s release is way overdue.  As an Oriole fan, I can honestly say I would rather have any other major league player – even a journeyman minor leaguer who does not play the outfield, for that matter – on Baltimore’s roster.  Payton is a poor hitter and a mediocre defender at best, but has managed to remain on the active roster for the last season and (almost) a half.  In 2007, he hit .256 with a pathetic .292 on-base-percentage and a measly .376 slugging percentage.  So far this season, he has managed to put up even worse numbers - .239/.289/.372.  Part of the problem is that Orioles manager Dave Trembley for some inexplicable reason finds it necessary to start Payton a couple times every week, which only magnifies the team’s weak bench.  A fourth outfielder should be someone the manager knows can deliver in the clutch, a guy he calls on to pinch-hit for the pitcher or in the American League, for his offensively-challenged Gold Glove catcher or middle infielder.  Jay Payton is a far cry from a heavy hitter who puts fear in the opposing manager’s eyes.  On defense, he doesn’t make a ton of errors, but no major league outfielder does or else he’d find himself either a) at a new position or b) in the minors.  Payton doesn’t make any great plays, nor does he rack up outfield assists, as he doesn’t have a cannon for an arm and his limited throwing accuracy fails to make up for his lack of strength.

Continue reading "Time for the Birds to cut their losses, Summer of Baseball with Major League Madness 2008"

Looking at the offensive league leaders in both leagues, the N.L. should kick the A.L.’s butt in this year’s All-Star game.  The Senior Circuit should defeat the Junior Circuit and claim Home-Field Advantage in the World Series for the first time since it became the winning team’s prize in 2003.  Josh Hamilton is an incredible player, but there’s no way he can carry the American League All-Stars against a National League team boasting guys with names like Berkman, Chipper, and Utley.

What ever happened to the days when it was nearly impossible to choose the most deserving starters for the American League in the Midsummer Classic?  I remember going to Oriole Park in the mid-90’s and seeing a ballot with the names Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Mo Vaughn, Tino Martinez, and Frank Thomas – all of whom put up solid if not exceptional numbers – year after year.  It was never an easy decision who to vote for.  This year’s top choices are Kevin Youkilis and Justin Morneau, and if you’re a forgiving Yankee fan, Jason Giambi.  All of these guys can hit the ball, and Youkilis is a gold-glove defender, but he and Giambi are the only A.L. first basemen on the ballot who are slugging over .500, and “the Giambino,” as the Baseball Tonight cast calls him, is hitting just .259.  Of the trio, Youkilis is the best choice, but the competition simply isn’t what it used to be.

Continue reading "This year’s All-Star Game should be no contest"