Garrett Atkins

oles have acquired three players expected to contribute in 2010: Kevin Millwood, Mike Gonzalez, and Garrett Atkins.  Though he turns 35 on Christmas Eve, Millwood had a fine season (13-10, 3.67 E.R.A.) despite pitching half his games at hitter-friendly Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.  He wouldn’t be an ace on most clubs, but the O’s need all the help they can get.  While it was sad to see the team finally give up on a guy like Chris Ray, making the trade, in my opinion, was a good move because it landed the Birds a much-needed, proven starting pitcher.

Continue reading "Phillies take a Halladay"

d the second most runs in the National League last season returns with MVP candidate Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins, Brad Hawpe and Troy Tulowitzki. While anyone would expect a team in Colorado to score plenty of runs, it is always pitching that becomes the question. The Rockies’ pitching staff posted a very respectable 4.32 ERA last season, but what may be surprising to many, is that their road ERA was better than that of the vaunted San Diego pitching staff (4.29 to 4.42). With young fireballer Ubaldo Jiminez joining the rotation full time, a solid staff led by Jeff Francis becomes even better. Colorado may miss the playoffs this year due to a competitive division, but they will be one of the teams right there at the end battling for a berth.

Continue reading "MLB 2008 Preview Part One: National League West"