A New Year and A New Leaf: New Year's Resolutions for 25 of MLB's Top Players
As 2010 winds to an end, we remember some of the greatest baseball moments of the past season. Whether it was the San Francisco Giants taking home the hardware, Roy Halladay's postseason no-hitter, the debut of "the phenom" Stephen Strasburg or any of the several no-hitters that made 2010 the Year of the Pitcher, we are thankful for a great year of baseball and wait in anxious anticipation for the coming of the 2011 season.
The past season wasn't all roses, however. There were some weeds in the garden as well. Mishaps that a lot of players would love to forget and turn a new leaf moving forward.
So with the new year right around the corner, what better time than now to catch up with some of the most familiar names in baseball and the resolutions that they're making to create one of the greatest baseball years ever in 2011.
The Strikeout King Moves East: Mark Reynolds
1 of 25
I was pretty bad at the plate last year. My power has always been my strong point, but I couldn't even hit as many home runs as I did in 2009, and they tell me that I was hitting in one of the more hitter-friendly ballparks in baseball. There was some pretty tough pitching in the NL West! I almost cried when I found out I wouldn't have to face that Giants' rotation anymore. Or that nasty lefty, Clayton Kershaw, from the Dodgers. Or what about that breakout stud in Colorado, Ubaldo Jimenez? I mean, I couldn't even crack the Mendoza Line last season!
Then they told me I was going to Baltimore and I realized that the pitching in that division is just as tough. It was like Arizona all over again! Do you think I look forward to facing CC Sabathia, David Price, Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester, Matt Garza and all of the other guys who can strike me out with their eyes closed?! I'm going to strikeout more than ever! Wait a second. I think I've got something there...
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to strikeout less than 200 times! It's going to be tough. I've struck out 200 times in each of the last three seasons, but what better place to try and straighten out my swing than in Baltimore? Who knows, maybe I can be a real steal for the Orioles. If I strikeout less than 200 times and hit 40 home runs, I may have some value after all!
The Need for Two Legs To Stand On: Kendry Morales
2 of 25
Man, that was embarrassing...
Right after I hit that bomb to right field, I was rounding the bases, feeling good. I high-fived Dino Ebel rounding third base, saw my teammates gathering around home plate for a celebration...I was so excited. When I got near home plate, I jumped as high as I could, tossed my helmet to the side and landed awkwardly on my left leg. All I heard was a snap, as my leg broke. I had to have surgery and everything. I was having a darn good season too. In 51 games for the Angels, I had a slash line of .290/.346/.487, and I hit 11 home runs, 10 of which I celebrated without breaking a leg.
Boy, did the Halos' miss me. I mean, we were the AL West Champions in 2009, and as soon as I hurt my leg, we started a downward spiral. We were a good distance away from the Texas Rangers throughout the entire season, and we finished in third place, behind the Rangers and Oakland Athletics. It's not fun being 10 games out of first place. We're used to winning, and we'll be looking to regain our title in 2011.
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to go an entire season without a freak injury. It was clear that the Angels really missed my offensive production and even though we didn't sign that big-named free agent we were interested in, my return should give us a boost.
Batters Beware: This Here Is My Mound: Dallas Braden
3 of 25
Do you believe that guy? Who is that "Alex Rodriguez" guy anyway? Does he know who I am? I'm Dallas Braden for Pete's sake! I threw a perfect game on Mother's Day! I had a pretty good season for the A's last year. My record of 11-14 was sort of misleading. Like my ERA and FIP below four suggest, the A's didn't score too many runs for me. It's all good though. We'll get them next year and that Alex Rodriguez guy is at the top of my list.
He's lucky I wasn't paying attention. He was on first base and I was facing the New York Yankees' second baseman, Robinson Cano (who was having a much better season than that Rodriguez guy, might I add), when I threw him a pretty good pitch, and he fouled it off. Rodriguez, who later tried to give the media the excuse that he was "tired," sure rounded second base pretty hard. By the time he realized it was foul, he was near third base. Since he was tired, he decided to take the shortest path back to first base—right through the pitcher's mound.
Oh no. Not on my watch.
Doesn't he know that it's called the "pitcher's mound" for a reason? If it was called the "pitcher's and first-base runner's mound," I'd have no problem with what he did. But that is my mound. I called him a few bad names on his way back to first base, some more when I was heading back to my dugout and a few more to the media after the game. I was pretty ticked off. I even told the media that the Yankees were a "classy organization," and I believe that, but not that guy. He's on my hit list for 2011.
So, my New Year's resolution is to not let anybody cross my mound, ever again. One person did it in 2010, and that was one too many. If someone tries that again, I can't promise they won't get hurt.
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Homerun Hangover: Jose Bautista
4 of 25
I think that, by most people's standards, I had a pretty darn good year last year. After all, I posted a solid slash line of .260 / .378 / .617. That's good enough for an OPS of .995, fifth in the entire league and right behind Albert Pujols. What really turned people's heads, however, was the ridiculous amount of home runs I was hitting. It seemed like I was leaving the park at least once a game and I finished the season with 54 home runs total. Like I said, a pretty good season.
I have to say, though, I'm kind of nervous heading into 2011.
A lot of people, especially the fans here in Toronto, have very high expectations for me for next season. I'm not sure that I'll be able to hit 50 home runs again. In fact, I'm not sure that I'll even come close. My career high in home runs before the 2010 season was just 16 and that was in 2006. This Blue Jays team was an offensive powerhouse last year, but we lost a couple of guys. The Yankees and Red Sox aren't getting any worse. If I want to help this team compete, I'll need to have a great year. It doesn't hurt that I'll be a free agent after this season either.
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to hit at least 30 home runs. In my opinion, that's a solid season and should still earn me a pretty penny on the free-agent market. I just hope that my Jays team can stay in contention with those large market teams in the AL East.
Misunderstood Mental Mania: Zack Greinke
5 of 25
People really just don't understand me.
A couple of years ago, in 2007, I left the Royals' Spring Training complex because of some personal issues, mainly social anxiety disorder and depression. I took some time away from baseball and got myself in order, particularly baseball order. When this whole trade-drama thing was going down in the offseason, before I punched my ticket to Milwaukee, a bunch of competitors didn't want to trade for me because I'm a "headcase." Well, let me tell you something.
Firstly, social anxiety disorder is not a fear of large-market teams. It is a fear of, in layman's terms, awkward social situations. It has nothing to do with my baseball performance. After all, there is still media in Kansas City and I won the Cy Young Award there in 2009! I was also diagnosed with depression, but I feel much better now that I'm heading to Milwaukee. Zing, Kansas City!
I mean, I'm surprised there weren't more teams interested in me. I have some of the best stuff in baseball, and my 10-14, 4.17 ERA record in Kansas City was misleading. After all, the Royals only won 67 games and I posted a FIP of 3.34. I'm glad that I'll be joining Yovani Gallardo and Shaun Marcum with the Brewers, so that I can show the National League, and baseball, what I can really do. With that being said...
My New Year's resolution for 2010 is to not have a mental breakdown. Man, that would sure be terrible, after all that posturing I did to make sure that the team acquiring me knew it wasn't a problem. Aside from that, however, my resolution will be to show the world that an underdog like us Brewers can win a World Series. And after all those years in Kansas City, I want nothing more than to win.
Corner Outfield Conundrum: Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman
6 of 25
Offensively, Lance and I shouldn't pose much of a problem. We're happy to have our longtime divisional rival on board here in St. Louis. I think Lance showed that he can still hit in clutch situations with the New York Yankees last year, but he was also playing first base or being the designated hitter over there, which really got me to thinking...
My defense wasn't great in 2010, but keep that a secret. Those stat geeks and their "SABRmetrics" stats show that I was pretty good, since my UZR was 8.2. However, I know that those stats are a bit misleading. I make all of the routine plays easily. I'm, by no means, a butcher in left field, but my range is pretty terrible. When I signed with the Cardinals after the 2009 season, I was kind of hoping that my great offense overshadowed my poor range in the outfield, and it did. After all, we had some pretty athletic guys in the outfield last year, like Colby Rasmus and Jon Jay, to help me out. Now that Lance is on board, I'm kind of nervous that our range in the outfield is going to be limited.
After all, Lance hasn't played in the outfield on a regular basis since 2007, and he wasn't good out there then. Sure, he and his agent had been posturing his position as an outfielder or first baseman in a weak free agent market, but I'm kind of stunned that Johnny Mozeliak bought that ploy! I mean, you can only have so many ankle, knee and back surgeries before you're reduced to being a full-time DH! Am I right? I wonder if Albert can still play the outfield? I'm joking, of course, but now that Lance is in right and I'm in left, Colby is going to have some major ground to cover in the outfield.
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to play a decent outfield here in St. Louis, and I'm sure Lance is saying the same thing. It would be a shame if our great pitching staff was hurt by a poor defense, again.
Stirring the Pot: Ryan Theriot
7 of 25
You know, I had some very solid years for the Chicago Cubs and I liked playing there. I didn't enjoy losing much, but who doesn't? I'm not great in the field, but I'm not terrible either, and my offense isn't all that bad. The fans in Chicago even called me "The Riot!" Get it? So when I was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, it was kind of bitter sweet. At least I got to go with a pal of mine in Ted Lilly. Just a couple months later, though, I was traded again. This time, the Dodgers sent me to the St. Louis Cardinals for pitcher Blake Hawksworth.
I'm familiar with the Cardinals. After all, I played in the NL Central for my entire career, minus the 54 games I spent with the Dodgers. With the Cubs, our rivalry with the Cardinals was pretty intense and I thought of the perfect way to get the Cardinals' fans on my side. After all, I am a former Cub. So upon landing in St. Louis, I quickly told the media that "now, I'm on the better side of the rivalry." That'll gain me some support with the Redbirds' fans, but I'll get booed every time I go to Chicago.
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to be a quality shortstop for the Cardinals. I haven't played shortstop in a while and the Cardinals traded one of the best defensive shortstops in the game, Brendan Ryan, to Seattle to make room for me. So there is some pressure. I don't even have to be good to hit better than he does, though, so as long as I play a decent shortstop, I should be OK.
Starting a New Streak: Albert Pujols
8 of 25
Man, that Joey Votto guy is really starting to get on my nerves. Did you know that he broke my streak of winning the National League MVP Award in 2010? I had won two straight and three in the last five years before Votto took home the hardware in 2010. Those baseball writers are really killing me here. Don't they know that I am the model of consistency? Even in a down year, I posted a slash line of .312/.414 /.596, and hit 42 home runs. I'm one of the best defensive first baseman in baseball and nobody runs on the tarp in foul territory better than I do! I could trip, spin, regain my balance and still hit the ball out of the park!
Even though they claim that voting is done before the playoffs, I'm convinced that my Cardinals not making the playoffs lost me some stock, but it's OK. We still have one of the best rotations in baseball and my elbow is feeling a lot better after seeing the doctor. In my final year with the Cardinals before free agency, I have a little extra incentive to do well, if you know what I mean.
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to win and regain the National League MVP Award. After all, if I win the MVP, there is a good chance the Cardinals are going to make the playoffs. Now that Lance has joined Matt in the lineup, I'll have a little added protection. Hopefully they can play a decent defense in the corner outfield positions.
Cause for Alarm: Matt Kemp
9 of 25
OK, so my 2010 was pretty terrible, both on and off the field. On the field, I posted a slash line of just .249/ .310/.450, with 28 home runs, and 89 RBI. I've been trying to keep things positive by telling myself that 28 home runs out of a center fielder is pretty darn good, but the rest of the baseball world just isn't buying it. To top things off, my defense in center field was pretty terrible. They tell you that you should never bring your offensive woes on to the defensive side of the ball, but my -24.0 UZR was pretty ugly and, at times, I had trouble making even routine plays. Joe Torre wouldn't cut me any slack and Larry Bowa was always yelling at me. After my great 2009 season, I was one of the best center fielders in baseball and after 2010, I was at the bottom of the league.
Apparently, being a baseball player isn't enough for some people. You have to be good too. That's what my ex-girlfriend, Rihanna, told me right before she walked out on me. At least I never hit her and she had to go and kick me while I was down. I guess there just wasn't enough room under that umbrella.
My Dodgers had a pretty disappointing year overall last season. We're used to finishing in first place, and to finish behind the San Francisco Giants, the San Diego Padres and the Colorado Rockies...well that hurt. We'll be looking to make a rebound in 2011 and I know that it starts with me.
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to put up productive numbers for the Dodgers and help them to reclaim the NL West. Improving my own stock wouldn't hurt either. I can't date celebrities like this.
The Kung-Fu Problem: Pablo Sandoval
10 of 25
Those Giants' have some nerve. I was really good in 2009, posting a slash line of .330/.387/.556, with 25 home runs. Coming into the season, I was regarded as one of the better third baseman in the National League. My defense wasn't great, but it was bearable because of the value of my offense. So when my offense began to take a turn for the worse in 2010, I knew I was in trouble. My slash line dipped to .268/ .323/.409, and I only managed to hit 13 home runs. The Giants were upset. Even though Mark DeRosa was injured, I still lost my starting job.
The Giants wanted to know what the cause of my decline was and it was pretty obvious where they were going to start. Obviously, I am a pretty big guy. They blamed my weight for slowing down my swing, among other things, and put me on a strict diet and training regimen so that I can get my weight down before Spring Training. I'm trying my hardest, but it's not easy, and there is some real competition at third base next year in San Francisco. With Mike Fontenot around and DeRosa returning from injury, my job could be in jeopardy and I'm not sure how the Kung-Fu Panda would take to other cities!
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to report to Spring Training under weight. I've already dropped 15 lbs, according to my general manager, Brian Sabean, and I'm ready to take my starting job back by force, Panda style.
Double-Play Dilemma: Miguel Tejada and Pablo Sandoval
11 of 25
So I signed on to play shortstop for the San Francisco Giants this offseason, mainly because Juan Uribe turned into a turncoat and bolted for Los Angeles. These guys are the world champions, though, so I am happy to be here. In fact, I just saw Pablo Sandoval leave a New Year's resolution over here and that got me to thinking. I had an OK season last year, posting a slash line of .269/.312/.381, with 15 home runs, but I really need to have hit make more line drives. When I hit the ball, it's usually hit on the ground and when it's hit on the ground, it's usually hit right at a fielder. I hit into 16 double plays last year.
Normally, that wouldn't be a problem. I mean, even though I grounded into 16, 35 people grounded into more double plays than I did. So when I checked the leaderboard and heard about Pablo's weight loss regimen, I wasn't surprised to see him among the league leaders. Then I saw just how many double plays that he grounded into and I knew we were in trouble. Pablo grounded into 26! Assuming he wins the third base job, that's a total of 42 double play balls on our side of the infield alone!
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is, along with the Kung-Fu Panda, to reduce the number of double plays that we're going to ground into. Sounds good in theory, but I haven't really figured out a way to do that yet. As of right now, we're going to go with the hit-it-where-they-ain't-and-run-really-fast approach.
No Longer a Prospect: Carlos Carrasco
12 of 25
A couple of years ago, I was a top prospect in the Philadelphia Phillies' farm system. In fact, I was their best prospect in 2007 and 2008, before this guy named Domonic Brown came along and took that title from me in 2009. I always had good stuff with the Phillies but had problems putting it all together. My results were a bit streaky—great one year, bad the next. So at the 2009 trade deadline, the Phillies had assessed my value and determined that I was expendable. They had a chance to acquire the Cleveland Indians' ace, Cliff Lee, and packaged me with Lou Marson, Jason Donald and Jason Knapp and sent us off to Cleveland.
The Indians sent me straight to AAA, where I posted some pretty good numbers. However, when they called me up in September, I started five games and lost four of them, winning none and posting an ERA over eight. Obviously, not pretty. They sent me back to AAA to begin the 2010 season, and I had a bit more success when I was called up this time. Without the pressure of having to succeed with a competitor in Philadelphia, I posted a record of 2-2 with an ERA of 3.83.
Things have changed now, though. The only real, solidified starters in the Indians' rotation are Fausto Carmona and Justin Masterson. As of this day, I'm listed on the depth chart as the third starter and there is a good chance I'll break camp with the big league club in some role this spring. It's a lot of pressure.
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to finally break free of the title "prospect" and become an effective starting pitcher in the Cleveland Indians rotation. I consider myself a strong candidate to become Rookie of the Year, but that may be a stretch.
Show Me a Sign: Justin Smoak
13 of 25
What do I have in common with Carlos Carrasco? We were both top prospects and traded for Cliff Lee at some point in our careers. The Texas Rangers had big plans for me when I was drafted, making me "untouchable" in several proposed trades. However, when they saw the opportunity to acquire a premium talent like Lee, they had to include me in the deal. After all, they were trying to win the World Series and Mitch Moreland and Chris Davis could handle first base until something better came along. So I packed my bags and was sent to the Seattle Mariners, along with a couple of buddies of mine from our minor league days.
The thing is, when I actually played in Seattle, I was a bit of a disappointment. The Mariners acquired me expecting to breathe some life into a dormant offense, but it seemed like that place rubbed off on me as well. I hit .239 / .287 / .407, and Saefco Field sapped my power, as I hit just five home runs. Looking forward, the future of the Mariners' offense isn't much better. Hopefully I can become a bit more comfortable and produce.
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is very similar to Carlos Carrasco's. I want to show some signs of life and subsequently bring the Seattle Mariners' dormant offense to life as well.
Proof I'm Not a Fluke: John Buck
14 of 25
I keep some tabs on the baseball rumor mill, so I wasn't surprised to hear that the Florida Marlins needed a catcher. However, when they called up my agent and told him that they wanted to offer me a contract of three years and $18 million dollars, my jaw hit the floor. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to sell myself short, but do the Marlins know that my career slash line is .243/.301/.421, with 90 home runs?
I had a decent year last year with the Toronto Blue Jays and my selling point was surely the 20 home runs I hit as a catcher. Even still, I've had a couple of injury-plagued seasons and I hadn't come close to hitting 20 home runs, before last year, since 2007. If the Marlins expect me to hit 20 home runs and post an average of .280 again, they may be in for a disappointment.
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to not disappoint the Florida Marlins. They took a gamble on me behind the plate, and as long as I prove to be an upgrade over the likes of John Baker, I should be OK. However, I'd like to come close to hitting 20 home runs in a pitching-tough division as well.
Remind Me I'm Not George of the Jungle: Jason Bay
15 of 25
Though it pains me to say it, I was easily one of the most disappointing signings of the 2009 offseason. Some people were surprised to hear that the New York Mets offered me a contract of four years and $66 million and were sure that I was going to experience a down year in that new, spacious ballpark in New York, and boy, they were right.
I posted a slash line of just .259/.347/.402, with just six home runs, down from 36 the year prior and missed a good portion of the season with a self-sustained concussion from running into the outfield wall.
My disappointing year goes somewhat unnoticed since the Mets had a disappointing year as a whole, but I won't get away with another terrible year in New York. With the money they're paying me, I'm going to have to play in way more than just 95 games and hit at least 20 home runs or I'll be considered a disappointment yet again.
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to rebound from one of the worst seasons of my professional career. Not only was I disappointing to the Mets franchise and the city, but I was pretty hard on myself as well. Just know that I'll be taking care of myself and not running into any walls. The Mets need me to stay healthy, not make flashy catches.
The Anti-Jail Bait: Francisco Rodriguez
16 of 25
I'm really in the same boat as my friend, Jason Bay. Actually, our stories are kind of different. I was actually pretty good in 2010, posting a record of 4-2 with an ERA of just 2.20, and I converted 25 saves for the Mets. However, my personal life became a distraction in 2010, as I was arrested for assault and subsequently made a mockery of by the New York media.
On August 11, 2010, I was arrested for assaulting my girlfriend's father, Carlos Pena (not that Carlos Pena!) and sent to jail for what is a misdemeanor crime in New York City. When I was released without bail, I returned to the New York Mets to find out that I had been suspended for two games. Yes, that means that I had to forfeit two games salary. It gets worse. I didn't tell the Mets at first, but I really hurt my thumb in the altercation with my girlfriend's dad and ended up missing the end of the season after having surgery on it. The Mets were not happy, to say the least.
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to regain my status as the dominant closer that the Mets signed me to be after I broke the single season saves record. If the Mets have any hope of contending in 2011, they'll need both Jason Bay and me to be the players we were signed to be.
Attitude Adjustment: Nyjer Morgan
17 of 25
So the way I play the game has gotten me in trouble in the past. What can I say, though? I have a fiery attitude and a passion for baseball. People around baseball say that something has to change. I can't go around with my attitude and put up such a small amount of production on the field.
Last year, for example, my actions made more noise than what I did on the field. On August 25, 2010, I was accused of throwing a ball at a fan in Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia and suspended by the league for seven games. I appealed that and was found free of charge, but that was only the first of my incidents. On September 1, 2010, the night after I ran into Florida Marlins catcher, Brad Hayes, I was involved in a huge brawl, for which I would eventually be suspended for eight games and fined an undisclosed amount of money for my actions.
Performance wise, I wasn't great. I have no power and couldn't hit a single home run in 2010. My slash line of .253/.319/.314 was rather terrible for a leadoff hitter, and I've come to a point in my career where I have to "put up or shut up."
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to drop my attitude and start performing at the level at which I'm capable. I need to stop being a distraction and start getting on base so that my new teammate, Jayson Werth, can drive me in.
A Speedy Recovery: Stephen Strasburg
18 of 25
When I made my debut in 2010, people were legitimately excited, and so was I. On the same token, when I injured my arm a couple months later and required Tommy John surgery, nobody was more disappointed than I was.
The Washington Nationals expected me to gain experience at the major league level and become the ace of the staff heading into the 2011 season. Instead, I'm going to have sit out the 2011 season and recover. It's disappointing and people are already comparing my circumstance to that of Mark Prior.
My "stuff" was electric when I made my debut and I was every bit as good as advertised. I posted a record of 5-3, with an ERA of 2.91, and an incredible strikeout per nine rate of 12.18. I helped the Nationals boost revenue and fill the seats, so it was disappointing to hear how long I'd be out, but it's important to get this right the first time.
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to have a quick and healthy recovery. The Nationals need me to be healthy to be competitive and I want to return to the major leagues with a bang. Moving forward, the health of the Washington Nationals franchise hinges on the health of my arm.
The Building Pressure: Cliff Lee
19 of 25
I know I said that I don't feel much pressure after signing in Philadelphia and joining this rotation, but there is always going to be some pressure. The amount of hype surrounding our rotation here is unbelievable. A lot of people are saying that Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels and myself each have the potential to win 20 games, and I have to agree—the potential is there. If I don't do well, though, the fans of Philadelphia may be just as disappointed as I was when I was traded in the first place.
I pitched well last year, posting a record of 12-9 with an ERA of 3.18 combined with the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers. I was kind of in the same boat as Cole was over here in Philly. I was throwing up great numbers as a pitcher, but the offensive support just wasn't there. I could have easily won 17 games with adequate run support. Like I said at my press conference, I hold high expectations for myself and disappointment is not something I am fond of, in any sense of the word.
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is, first and foremost, to win a World Series, but that is everyone's real resolution. From a personal standpoint, I'd like to win at least 17 games. That would show that the Phillies' commitment to me was well worth it, and with these other guys in our rotation, sets us up nicely moving forward.
Medical Bill Bonanza: Josh Hamilton
20 of 25
Our goal for 2010 was to win the World Series and we came so close. However, looking back, I can't help but be satisfied with my individual performance. I reeled in award after award, including becoming the American League's batting champion, the ALCS MVP and the American League MVP. I put up a great slash line of .359/.411/.633, with 32 home runs and 100 RBI. I played great defense in center field. The major drawback of my 2010 season was that I only played in 133 games—a fair amount, but not enough for me.
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is two-fold. The first is to build on my monster 2010 season and carry the Rangers through 2011. The second part is to stay healthy for an entire season. If that means not running into the walls and having to wear a flak-jacket over the course of the entire season, then so be it. The health of the Rangers season could depend on my health.
Claim to Fame and Back Again: Todd Helton
21 of 25
Once upon a time, I was the face of the Colorado Rockies franchise. In recent years, my age has been catching up to me, though, and new faces like Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez and Ubaldo Jimenez are starting to take over. Before Tulowitzki got his mega-deal and Gonzalez was even a thought, the Rockies signed me to one of the most lucrative contracts in the history of the franchise.
My forte had always been hitting for average, but as I was nagged by injuries in 2010, even that dipped. I posted a slash line of .256/.362/.367 and hit eight home runs. Obviously, the Rockies are going to need more out of me if they are going to stay competitive in a tough NL West division. Feeling healthier, my fielding should bounce back to normal and I'll try to lower my strikeout rate, which climbed for the first time in a long while.
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to show some flashes of the Todd Helton of old. I may not be able to be an All-Star caliber player anymore, but I'm going to try and be a quality first baseman on a Rockies team that always competes offensively.
Far from Perfect: Armando Galarraga
22 of 25
I made a lot of news last year for almost throwing a perfect game (thanks to that darn Jim Joyce!), but the fact that just about every other start I made last year was terrible is often over looked. I made just 25 starts for the Detroit Tigers and posted a record of 4-9 with an ERA of 4.49 and a FIP worse than that. I shouldn't be worrying about perfect games or missed perfect games, when I can barely make a quality start. The Tigers went out and made a splash in the free-agent market this year by landing Victor Martinez, but they did nothing to upgrade the rotation and they'll need my help.
Despite the fact that I haven't put together a strong season since 2008, the Tigers are going to be counting on me as the fifth starter in their rotation. The truth of the matter is that I'm not sure what I can do to be better. Throwing more strikes would be a start. I average only one more strikeout than walk per nine innings, and without overpowering stuff, location is key.
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to put the missed perfect game out of my mind and focus on being a quality No. 5 starter. The top of the rotation is settled with Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello taking the top three spots, but if our Tigers really want to stay competitive with the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins, they'll need fourth starter Phil Coke and I to really step up.
Import Impact: Tsuyoshi Nishioka
23 of 25
Coming over from Japan, I'm not sure what to expect out of the MLB, and on the same token, I'm not sure what the MLB expects out of me, specifically the Minnesota Twins organization. In Japan, I was a batting champion and there are high expectations out of me coming over to Major League Baseball. However, Japanese imports like myself have not transitioned well in the past. Just take a look at what has become of Kaz Matsui.
I'm really going to need to make an impact on the city of Minnesota. They felt confident enough in my ability as a shortstop to make a commitment to me on the international market and then trade the incumbent shortstop, JJ Hardy, to Baltimore to accommodate me. There is going to be more pressure here than in Japan. More than I am used to anyway.
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to make an immediate and lasting impact on both the city of Minnesota and the Twins. I have high expectations for myself and I expect to be as successful here as I was in Japan. I'm going to try hard to replicate that success.
The Question of Quality: Carlos Quentin
24 of 25
I've had a rough couple of years. Since my breakout year with the Chicago White Sox in 2008, I've struggled mightily on both sides of the ball. Over the past two seasons in Chicago, I managed to hit just .240/.333/.468, with 47 home runs. Don't get me wrong. I've been solid, but unspectacular. I've quickly gained the reputation of a butcher in right field though. I posted one of the worst UZR's in baseball in 2010, and with foot problems becoming a reoccuring issue, I'm not sure how much better it's going to get. The White Sox were unimpressed too, apparently, as they had been discussing me with other teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies, for a possible trade.
As of right now, it looks like I'm going to be the starting right fielder for the Chicago White Sox come 2011, and it's pretty much my last chance. If I can't improve both my offense and defense in the first half of the season, there is a good chance that I'll be wearing a different uniform by the time the trade deadline rolls around. Or even worse, no uniform at all.
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to regain stock with the White Sox by improving both offensively and defensively, as well as managing to stay healthy over the course of the season.
Ticking Time Bomb: AJ Burnett
25 of 25
When the New York Yankees signed me to a five-year, $82 million deal before the 2009 season, a lot of people in the baseball world thought they had made a huge mistake. And as much as it pains me to say so, they were right. I was particularly bad last year, as I posted a losing record of 10-15, with an ERA of 5.26. Ugly numbers, I know. My strikeout rate took a small dip and I walked close to four batters per nine innings. On top of that, I proved that I was prone to the home run ball and the opposition hit just less than .280 against me. I struggled big time.
With the Yankees failed attempt to sign Cliff Lee and the inexperience in our rotation, New York will once again count on me to step up and become the staff's No. 2 starter. The truth of the matter is that I'm just not sure that I can do it. Phil Hughes was good in 2010, but not great, and with Sergio Mitre and Ivan Nova rounding out the rotation, our success seems to hinge on what I can do moving forward. The question remains: "What can I do?"
My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to become the pitcher that got me an $82 million contract. At this point in my career, I'm almost as big of a waste to the Yankees as Carl Pavano was, the only difference separating the two of us being that I'm (sort of) healthy. If I can post a similar record to the record I posted with the Blue Jays in 2008 (18-10, 4.07 ERA), then the Yankees should be OK. At this point, however, is it realistic to expect something different than what I was able to contribute in 2010?
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