Bleacher Report - Articles by Kyle Zimmerman

Manny Being Manny? Do we have to put up with it?

Kyle Zimmerman — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:20:15 -0400

Manny Ramirez is a great hitter and I respect him for that, but it's his "I don't give a crap" attitude that overtakes anything good I can say about him. Mostly everything Manny does is for himself, weather it's skipping out on the All-Star game to go to the mall with some friends, standing at home plate for five seconds watching the ball that he knows won't leave the ball park, or just walking because he's too good to hustle. In all, Manny Ramirez disrespects his teammates, fans, and everyone but himself.

Other people call it "Manny being Manny," which to me means he can do whatever he wants and people have to respect that because well, that's just how he is. But I don't care if that's how he is, he has to realize that he plays a sport that takes a considerable amount of class to be respected in.

I have great appreciation for the game of baseball and do play myself, and I have been taught throughout my years to show class and respect for yourself, the players, the fans, coaches, and everyone involved with the game. Now I don't know who taught Manny the ethics of the game or if anybody taught them to him at all but it sure seems like he doesn't care about the game.

So the question I have to you readers is should Manny Ramirez be punished for his antics? I sure thinks so.

Is Trevor Hoffman's Hall-of-Fame Run Over?

Kyle Zimmerman — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:41:57 -0400

I respect Trevor Hoffman greatly for all that he has done for The San Diego Padres, but I'm afraid his years as a lights-out closer are done.

It has become a trend for Hoffman as of late to give up the big hit when the game is on the line and an out is most needed.

Take the end of last season for example. It's the end of the game in Milwaukee and a win would send the Padres to the playoffs, but Hoffman gave up a big hit to Tony Gwynn Jr. and forces a one-game playoff with the Rockies.

Next game in Colorado, San Diego is up and Hoffman gives up a few big hits in the bottom of the 13th to end the season in grand fashion.

A new season and a clean slate in 2008 for Hoffman, and he hopes to redeem himself, but he hasn't quite done that yet.

Hoffman is currently 0-2 in 2008 with four of six saves converted, and an ERA of 9.53.

It seems like every time No. 51 takes the mound to close a win for the Padres, there's a strong doubt that he won't get the job done.

So the question is, Should Trevor retire? Should the Padres look to trade him? Or will he find his groove and get back to himself?

I can't tell, but as a Padres fan, this situation isn't too comforting.

Johan Santana: Already in Mid-Season Form With Mets

Kyle Zimmerman — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:49:54 -0400

"I'll be glad to take 35 more of those," said Ryan Church, speaking on the performance of Johan Santana Monday, as the Mets defeated the Marlins 7-2.

Santana took the mound Monday for the first time in a Mets uniform and appeared to be as advertised.

Three hits and eight strikeouts through seven innings.

With every pitch that Santana threw, the memories of last year dwindled away and were replaced with hope and excitement for 2008.

Many speculated that Santana wouldn't be able to handle the pressure of New York and the constant demand for non-stop greatness.

But when Santana was asked whether he was nervous, he just smiled, as if he couldn't tell the difference between the Mets and the Metrodome.

"That's just the way I am," he said. "I wasn't trying to do anything different, anything crazy. Just being myself."

Himself he appeared to be. Throwing a seven inning, three hitter, the 25th of his career.

Johan Santana's Record as a Met: 1- 0

New York Yankees: Expect a Career Year from Robinson Cano

Kyle Zimmerman — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:35:14 -0400

Coming off a 19 HR and 97 RBI season, New York Yankees second basemen Robinson Cano is sure to have an outstanding 2008.

After a slow start in 2007, batting only .249 through the end of May, Cano found his swing batting .385 in the month of July with 6 HR and 24 RBI to bring his average to .300 on the season.

He finished 2007 with 7 triples, 49 doubles, off 189 hits in 670 at bats.

Cano is definitely going to have some help on the infield with Derek Jeter, new comer Morgan Ensberg and Alex Rodriquez joining him to make probably the most solid infield in baseball in both hitting and defense.

Look for Cano to be a sure All-Star finalist for the American League when July rolls around, being that he has already been noted as one of the top second basemen in all of baseball along with Chase Utley, and Orlando Hudson.

PREDICTIONS:

For 2008, I expect Cano to end the season batting .325 with 215 hits, 24 HR, and well over 100 RBI. I also expect him to be a finalist for the gold glove at second base, and to be a candidate for the Roberto Clemente Award.

San Diego Padres: 2008 Preview

Kyle Zimmerman — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:38:41 -0400

The date is October 1, 2007. The Padres are batteling the red hot Colorado Rockies in a one-game playoff for the wildcard spot in the playoffs.

Bottom of the 13th, the Padres are up, and seem to be on there way to a third straight playoff apperence thanks to Scott Hariston and his two-run homerun to put San Diego on top.

Hells Bells plays in the minds of Padres fans as Trevor Hoffman is put in to send the Padres to the playoffs. Kaz Matsui and Troy Tulowitzki hit back to back doubles of the all time saves leader, then Matt Holiday steps up to the plate and drives a triple through the gap to tie the game once again. San Diego then would intentionally walk Todd Helton to bring little Jamie Carrol up to the plate with the wild card winning run on third base. Carrol hits a fly ball to Brian Giles, Holiday tags, Giles guns the ball to the plate, Michael Barrett can't hold on to the ball! Rockies win the wild card! Sorry Padres.

And to think that this game didn't have to happen, all San Diego had to do was beat the Milwaukee Brewers. But thanks to another "clutch" performance by Trevor Hoffman, they were sent to play Colorado at home.

What's changed for the Padres for 2008? Let's see, they let there gold glove center fielder Mike Cameron walk in free agency, and picked up slightly injured Jim Edmonds who hasn't played in 120 games in two seasons. They also added Mark Prior, who isn't exactly 100 percent, Randy Wolf, and Tadahito Iguchi.

Even with one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, I don't see the padres getting enough offense to win games.

Here's a look at the Padres roster..

Pitchers

B/T

DOB

21 Heath Bell	R/R	6-3	225	09/29/77
57 Justin Germano	R/R	6-3	205	08/06/82
52 Enrique Gonzalez	R/R	5-10	210	07/14/82
51 Trevor Hoffman	R/R	6-0	215	10/13/67
49 Wilfredo Ledezma	L/L	6-4	210	01/21/81
30 Greg Maddux	R/R	6-0	180	04/14/66
43 Cla Meredith	R/R	6-0	180	06/04/83
44 Jake Peavy	R/R	6-1	180	05/31/81
38 Glendon Rusch	L/L	6-1	225	11/07/74
50 Joe Thatcher	L/L	6-2	230	10/04/81
25 Randy Wolf	L/L	5-10	200	08/22/76
32 Chris Young	R/R	6-10	260	05/25/79
Catchers	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
28 Josh Bard	S/R	6-3	210	03/30/78
8 Michael Barrett	R/R	6-3	210	10/22/76
Infielders	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
7 Tony Clark	S/R	6-7	245	06/15/72
27 Callix Crabbe	S/R	5-7	185	02/14/83
23 Adrian Gonzalez	L/L	6-2	220	05/08/82
3 Khalil Greene	R/R	5-11	195	10/21/79
-- Justin Huber	R/R	6-2	205	07/01/82
10 Tadahito Iguchi	R/R	5-10	200	12/04/74
5 Kevin Kouzmanoff	R/R	6-1	210	07/25/81
Outfielders	B/T	Ht	Wt	DOB
15 Jim Edmonds	L/L	6-1	210	06/27/70
33 Jody Gerut	L/L	6-0	210	09/18/77
24 Brian Giles	L/L	5-10	205	01/20/71
12 Scott Hairston	R/R	6-0	200	05/25/80
18 Paul McAnulty	L/R	5-10	220	02/24/81

The starting positioning should go like this...

1b: Adrian Gonzalez, he's going to be the backbone in this lineup and they need him to come through.

2b: Tadahito Iguchi, his speed will really help spark this offense. This might be the best addition to this team.

SS: Khalil Greene, he's got to keep up his power success and he be a major cattlist for this team.

3b: Kevin Kouzmanoff, this guy has some pop, he has the potential to be a power threat.

C: Equal time between Josh Bard and Micheal Barrett because I think Barrett can provide some offense that San Diego needs.

LF: Scott Hariston, this guy saved the Padres butts with some clutch hitting last season, I expect him to really grow this year.

CF: Jim Edmonds, but he has to stay healthy or else the Padres just won't hve enough experience or big bats in there lineup.

RF: Brian Giles, if he can draw walks like he always does, and drive the ball into the gaps, he has the makings to be quite a lead off hitter.

Pitching: Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Greg Maddux. May I say more?

On the bench they have Tony Clark who I see coming through, and Paul McAnulty who I haven't seen hit the ball more than twice since his major league debut a few years ago.

All in all the San Diego Padres have the makings to be quite a team, as long as they can hit the ball, and let the pitching take over.

Can Jake Peavy Win the Cy Young Award?

Kyle Zimmerman — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:58:26 -0400

Jake Peavy is currently the best pitcher in Major League Baseball, period.

Peavy went 19-6 in 34 starts with a 2.54 era in 2007, which ultimantly lead to his first Cy Young Award.

Although his Padres just missed a third straight playoff apperance due to a heart breaking loss against the NL champ Rockies in a one-game playoff, Peavy helped lead his team to a 89-74 record just a year ago.

With spring training winding down, and only four days left till Peavy squares off against the Houston Astros, this young right hander hopes to duplicate his success in 2008 with the help of new comers Mark Prior, Jim Edmonds, and Tadihito Iguchi.

If Peavy can continue to be a leader for his team and keep up the good work, he is sure to swipe his second-straight Cy Young.