So... I just bought a new macbook for myself, and have discovered the most amazing new applications called WIDGETS. Sure, I sound completely out-dated, I know. You're probably saying "duh, welcome to the twenty-first century!" but seriously guys, this computer is amazing.
So yeah, back to my widgets. I have been keeping fairly current with Spring Training, thanks to the widget I downloaded that gives me baseball scores across the entire day, inning by inning, starting pitchers, etc. It's awesome. Now if only I had the money to afford gameday... I'm working on it!
As far as Spring Training goes, I find the game scores quite humorous. I mean seriously, look who is leading the American League. Tampa Bay? wtf? Come on now. And Boston has lost 4 of their 7 games? Whoa. So in my estimation, scores aren't the important part here.
So what are we supposed to be looking at right now? PLAYER STATS. A total wealth of information there. Lets look at this a bit, shall we?
Johan Santana
This guy was a headliner basically all Winter on the trading front. The Mets finally landed him, after runs by both Boston and the other New York team, which wasn't all THAT much of a surprise. After two starts this Spring Training session, his ERA is now 7.20, having pitched five innings, and yielded 6 hits, 4 earned runs, one of which was a home run, while fanning 5 and walking 1. His win-loss record is currently 0-0. And sure, this is only the beginning now, and not exactly a full indication of what his season will be like. However, by those stats, not nearly as impressive as I think people really expected. But still, as far as his year goes, I believe he will benefit from the move as much as the team will. Hopefully for the Mets, this will stabilize their year after such a disappointment at the end of 2007.
Miguel Cabrera
Aside from Santana, Cabrera was another big story of the winter trade talks. Many believed either the Angels or Dodgers would end up being the frontrunners for him, which they were for a good duration of the talks. However, in a last surprising move, Cabrera, along with Dontrelle "D-Train" Willis, Detroit made the most appealing and successful bid. So far, the third basemen has played a total of 7 games during this Spring Training, totalling 18 at bats. He has 3 hits, 1 run, 2 RBIs and has struck out once, batting an average of .167 with an equal on-base percentage, and a slugging percentage of a non-impressive .222. If this is any indication of what his year will be like, not good. But in reality, I believe the Tigers may be a team to watch this season, regardless of the stats now.
Dontrelle Willis
To follow up on teammates, D-Train has had much better stats so far. He has started 2 games, pitching 5 innings, and his ERA is currently a healthy 1.80. He has yielded 5 hits, but only one earned run, a homerun, and has only walked one batter while striking out 4. Not bad, not bad at all. I'll be keeping an eye on him this season for sure. I mean come on, the guy is D-Train!
Orlando Cabrera
Coming off a career year, this trade really baffled, and still baffles, quite a few people. In reality, it may benefit the needs of each team, depending mostly on who and how the Angels decide to replace Cabrera with at shortstop. His stats so far are not very impressive as of yet, plying 5 games and 15 at-bats, only hitting an average of .200 with 3 hits, 1 run, 2 RBIs, and 2 strike-outs. But knowing Cabrera like I do having watched him play his game every single day as an Angel, the White Sox will get their money's worth.
John Garland
For Cabrera, the Angels got Garland, who has been highly criticized by his stat count for the 2007 season. however, the Angels' staff as highly praised him, and assured their decision. As far as his Spring Training so far, Garland has started his first game in uniform (set to start again tomorrow), pitched 2 innings, gave up 2 hits, no runs, no bases-on-balls, and has struck out 1, leaving his ERA at a solid 0.00. Good first start, but hardly enough yet to really get a sense of his game. Tomorrow's game may help to stabilize some results. So as far as my assessment of him, I currently abstain.
Torii Hunter
Now this guy, whoa. I was totally stunned at the acquisition of this guy on free agency, especially just following the Angels' first year of a five-year contract with Gary Matthews Jr, who really wasn't a failure of the season. So another center fielder? Definitely a strange move to me. But let's take a look at this guy as of Spring Training: games - 5, at-bats - 12, hits - 8, runs - 6 (4 of which were doubles, 2 triples, and a home run), RBIs - 6, strike outs - 1, walks - 1, avg - .667, obp - .692, slg - 1.583. Granted it's very early, but wow. Those are some really awesome number. I'm, certainly, impressed. And if this is ANY indication of his season, I can't wait, and I'm totally on-board about his signing. Welcome to LAA Hunter!
And that's just a look at some of the more talked about moves from Winter. There are a ton of things going on in Spring training, and I'm anxious to see what comes of it by the end of this month. I can't wait for the games to begin. It's so exciting I can't even contain it.
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