Bleacher Report - Articles by Anthony Casale

Pittsburgh Pirates: All-Star Break Review and Look Forward

Anthony Casale — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:47:37 -0400

The All-Star break has arrived, and for some teams it couldn’t be sooner. For some teams, they didn’t want the break to hit anytime soon. Others couldn't wait for the break to relieve them of bad losing streaks.

Two teams I can think of would be the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Mets. The Rays are on a seven-game losing streak and the Mets are on a nine-game win streak. A break could mean disaster for the Mets and relief for the Rays.

Those are the two extremes but, a lot of teams are in between. One of those teams would be the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Pirates hit the All-Star break with a 44-50 record. That is nothing to be pleased about unless you are the Bucs. This is the best their record has been at the All-Star break in recent years.

Last year they were 40-48 then took an immediate dive, going 2-14 after and killing the season once again.

Past being the past, let’s look at this season and what is to come for the Bucs. Following is the season rewind and a look forward about moves and where they are going to end up.

Many people—especially fans such as myself—think this is a season where the Bucs have overachieved.

Offensively is where many people expected this team to struggle, with the lack of a strong center fielder, a struggling Adam LaRoche, inconsistent Jason Bay, and the lack of a power hitting third baseman. No one expected this team to be scoring runs.

In fact, the pitching was considered to be this team’s strong point, with a group of young pitchers that can throw the ball and are still learning how to "pitch," not just throw.

A month into the season perceptions quickly turned. The starting pitching was showing no signs of consistency and the offense was producing runs.

The bullpen was considered the strong point 1/3 of the way through the season, until the inconsistency started to show with Yates and Capps, and Osoria started to lose it.

With the inconsistency of both the starting staff and the bullpen, the Pirates have acquired the worst ERA in the MLB. When are fingers going to start to point to Jeff Andrews, the new pitching coach?

With a record of 44-50 with the worst ERA in the entire league, you can't help but have some respect for that offense.

With the emergence of Nate McLouth, Xavier Nady, and Jason Bay that offense is finding way to produce. Jack Wilson, gone for much of the season due to injury, has come back and is now hitting above .300. The power of switch hitting catcher Ryan Doumit provides a boost as well.

All this offense is coming with a struggling Adam LaRoche, Freddy Sanchez, and Jose Bautista.

LaRoche is showing signs of heating up in the second half as usual. Sanchez has been nothing but a disappointment, batting a measly .226. Jose Bautista is a fantastic utility player with great defensive skills, but his bat is nothing but inconsistently average.

The Pirates also have added depth and hopeful starters for this year and the future.

Adding Jason Michaels was an extremely underrated move for this team. He has come up with many clutch hits to keep this team in games and also win games; a walk off home run against the St. Louis Cardinals is the most recent of those hits.

With some depth in the minor leagues at outfield, some questions come up about what they should do come the trade deadline. The Pirates have a slew of FA that they are going to have to make tough decisions about.

One that is really important is Jason Bay. He is showing the form of old this season, which could mean bad things for management.

He will be asking for a healthy sum of money, and with the hopeful signing of Alvarez that may be hard to achieve. Those two guys should without a doubt be No. 1 on the Pirates' list to keep.

Nady has been trade bait for a while and continues to be just that. The Bucs are asking for the world, which is what you want to hear as a Pirate fan. See Aramis Ramirez trade.

Along with Nady, other trade bait consists of Damaso Marte. I think it is inevitable that both of these guys are going, though I would like to see Marte stay.

The question is when they should get rid of Marte—the end of the season or at the deadline? I believe they should at the deadline because everyone wants that guy they can count on late in the game and are willing to give up more.

One thing is for sure. This team is going to have such a different look next season.

The rest of the season will also depend on when/if some of these guys will part ways with this recently bleak franchise.

The schedule looks favorable coming out with the start of a four-game set against the Colorado Rockies in Colorado right after the All-Star break. Taking two of four from that series would be nice, but taking three would definitely set a positive tone, especially after going 2-14 out of the break last season.

The next three series are with the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, and the Rockies yet again. All three series are very winnable.

If this team is flirting with .500 before July 31, the questions then will rise with what the Pirates should do with the players that may be tough to keep or not worth keeping.

Nady I think will be gone regardless of the quest for .500, but Marte, Bay, Doug Mientkiewicz, Yates, Gomez, Grabow, and many others may or may not be shopped.

Players that could draw some interest from teams are Marte, Bay, and Mientkiewicz, and even Gomez has heard some rumblings from other teams.

Should you unload them at the deadline and shoot for next year, or do you keep some fans happy and keep this team that is nothing more than a .500 ball club at best together?

I believe they should unload anyone they can for whatever deal they can get. I am not saying to just throw them out there for some measly prospects but, to get what they can for them.

If they do follow through with that and the team is without Nady, Bay, Marte, and maybe a few others, the team has some depth in the minors that they can pull up and at least make some noise.

Hopefully, with those trades they got some pitching prospects that are making some noise later in the season in the minors.

All that being said, with the big names being gone I don’t see this team making it to the .500 mark. It would be a wonderful surprise if they can prove me wrong.

I think the record will be respectable from a Bucs standpoint. They can finish fourth in the NL Central with a 75-87 record. Respectable to say the least.

This team can take a couple different directions which are yet to be answered. It’ll be exciting to see the new management in action. Hopefully they make some good decisions for the better of the franchise.

Brian Campbell Rumors and Thoughts

Anthony Casale — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:17:43 -0400

The draft has come and gone just as quickly and now it’s back to free agency and a slew of rumors regarding the Sharks and their future.

A big name with plenty of different opinions surrounding him is Brian Campbell.

Is he going to leave? Is he worth $7 million that he is asking for? Are they trying to trade him for something rather than lose him for nothing?

Just some speculation about the future with so many questions to be answered.

Campbell became a Shark at the trade deadline when he was traded from Buffalo. He was in the last year of his contract and it was a known concern of Sharks management whether he would re-sign.

It has been reported that the Sharks are giving plenty of teams the right to negotiate with the defenseman. This is to be expected since it would be extremely hard to find the money to sign him to the $7 million asking price and keep some cap room for the future.

San Jose is also said to be trying to find trade partners for him instead of losing him for nothing. Testing the trade waters is the right thing to do in my opinion; if they are looking to get rid of him, time is running out.

Another big piece of evidence supporting his departure from San Jose would be that, well, it was reported he said he wanted to leave. Don’t assume that he had a bad time with the Sharks--I’m sure that is far from the truth.

He has said that he has wanted to go back to the Eastern Conference, namely the Northeast Division. All signs point towards the fact that he wants to be near Buffalo, if not in Buffalo. Campbell is openly talking to teams, which seems to be vice-versa from what should be happening.

Should the Sharks let him walk if they don’t get a decent offer for him? I believe they should but this could cause problems in an offense that will need a puck-moving defenseman. This will then give the Sharks another need in the offseason, but with much room under the cap they should be able to handle it.

Although I think Campbell is worth $7 million a season, during the salary cap era it is best to watch him walk and look for other players to fill the spot. The Sharks will have a big issue on their hands a couple years down the road when Patrick Marleau, Jonathan Cheechoo, and Joe Thornton’s contracts are up.

The offensive system allows for successful puck moving defensemen and, I have confidence in the organization to find one without signing the big contract.

Josh Hamilton: Fantastic Story, but Stealing Thunder?

Anthony Casale — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:57:42 -0400

Major League Baseball, as always, has records that are being broken or people that are threatening to do something that hasn’t been done in a while.

The last AL Triple Crown winner was Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox in 1967.

The 600 home run club consists of only five players: Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Sammy Sosa.

Those two accomplishments are absolutely astonishing to say the least. Josh Hamilton is leading in all three categories that involve the Triple Crown. For the select few that do not know what the Triple Crown involves in baseball, it consists of home runs, RBI (runs batted in), and batting average.

Hamilton is the first one since Carl Yastrzemski to lead all three of those categories this late in the season. Hamilton’s stats are a .331 average, 16 home runs, and 65 RBI.

Ken Griffey, Jr. is one sole home run away from reaching the milestone of 600 home runs throughout his major league career. As mentioned above, there are only a handful of players who have accomplished that same milestone. All but two of those players are in the Hall of Fame and the other two are eligible for induction.

Both players have a chance of doing something great for themselves and Major League Baseball but, is one of them stealing thunder from the other?

Most people who follow the MLB know about Josh Hamilton and his struggles off the field when he was drafted. If you do not, I will fill you in from what I have read and heard.

Following the offseason of 2000 season Hamilton, along with his mother, was injured in a car accident. They returned to North Carolina while Hamilton remained in Florida where he played in only 27 games in the 2001 season due to injury.

Hamilton then played 56 games in 2002 and was quite successful, but back and shoulder injuries held him back. While in Florida, Hamilton became addicted to drugs and disappeared from spring training in 2003.

He came back to spring training with tattoos and a different attitude. The then Devil Rays manager, Lou Piniella, sent him home get his life in check.

He remained away from the team due to “off-field problems,” and was checked into drug rehabilitation in 2003. He was in and out eight times before then, stopping the use of drugs in 2005. Then he was drafted by the Cubs in the rule five draft. He was traded a few times and now stands where he is today.

Ken Griffey, Jr.’s story is not so dramatic. This kid did everything right entering the league. He was drafted because of his immense potential. He worked hard, and played the game just as hard as he worked. Griffey, Jr. was riddled with injuries later in his career after being named player of the decade in the 90s.

Though Griffey’s injuries have stopped him from possibly surpassing one of the most controversial sports figures in recent time, Barry Bonds, that is not the story of this season.

It is Josh Hamilton and his pursuit of the first Triple Crown in 47 years. That is a feat to say the least, but is he stealing thunder from Ken Griffey, Jr.?

Josh Hamilton is tearing the cover off the ball and is doing it consistently, but can he do it for 162 games? With hitters like Manny, A-Rod, Mauer with his ability to hit for average, and the emergence of Carlos Quentin, do you really see Hamilton continuing this amazing feat?

As a sports fanatic, and especially a baseball fanatic, I would enjoy seeing this guy accomplish it, but does Ken Griffey, Jr. deserve a little more attention?

I think so.

Even his teammate Adam Dunn is upset by the lack of attention Griffey is getting with his accomplishment nearing. Even with all of his injuries that took countless at-bats away from him, he has still managed to hit 600 home runs with no steroid controversy or substance abuse.

Yet, A-Rod being injured, Hamilton’s current stats, and the Rays' surprise season are all getting more attention. I'm not implying that they don't deserve any attention, but folks, this is an accomplishment very few men are going to reach. We are witnessing a piece of history.

I am happy to see that Hamilton has turned his life around and discovered a true love in baseball. His attitude, from what I have heard, is like a little kid who just loves playing the game. This rightly deserves some looking at, but to talk about it more than Griffey nearing 600?

I don’t think so.

His life has been interesting and is a great sports story, but is it going to keep up? The fact is, Griffey has kept up and is one shy of 600. I think the story should focus a bit more on Griffey than Hamilton at the moment. It’s just not happening.

MLB: NL Surprises and Disappointments

Anthony Casale — Sun, 18 May 2008 18:40:46 -0400

The MLB season is still relatively young, with just over a quarter of the games played so far. As always, you have the teams that are surprising the nation and the teams that are disappointing their fans.

Below is a list of five NL teams that fit such a category, with a brief description of the team's chances to be contenders.

1. Florida Marlins

Where they are: First Place in NL East.

The Marlins are one of MLB’s biggest surprises. They have done so with a mediocre pitching staff at best. After Hendrickson and Olsen, there isn’t a starter with an ERA below 5.00.

They have scored 210 runs and have allowed 197, which is an improvement from April. The power of the two young middle infielders, Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla, has kept this team moving forward. They win on the road (11-8) and in their own division (12-5). If those stats stay consistent, this team could head in a positive direction this season.

Where they are headed this season:

A nice surprise for the state of Florida so far this season. Unfortunately, two starters are not going to win enough games to compete for a playoff spot this year. The Marlins got off to a great start, but the NL East is full of good teams that should start to play better against them.

The pitching is nothing but mediocre and I don’t see the overachieving bats keeping up the offense to win enough games. Philly has too good of a team to let the Marlins beat them this year. The Marlins will fall back into reality later in the season. With Ramirez locked up, the future looks hopeful for the Marlins.

2. Colorado Rockies

Where they are at: Third place in NL West.

The Rockies are on the other side of the spectrum from the Marlins. They are, without a doubt, one of the biggest disappointments in the MLB.

The young pitching that climbed up the charts quickly in their playoff run last year fell right back to earth. The “ace,” Jeff Francis, has an ERA of 6.27, Ubaldo Jimenez has an ERA of 5.29, and the back two are young pitchers just getting the chance to pitch.

Aaron Cook has been the only consistent and efficient starting pitcher. The offense struggled even before the injury to Troy Tulowitzki, who was hitting .152 before he was hurt. Helton, Hawpe, Torrealba, and Tavares are all not living up to expectations. The second-base slot is in shambles with Nix, Baker, Herrera and Quintanilla all sharing time while Barmes fills in for Tulowitzki.

Where they are headed this season:

Their division isn’t the hottest right now, as three teams have not reached 20 wins yet. Los Angeles and Arizona are leading the division. Los Angeles cannot stay consistent, and Arizona has looked more human in their last 10 games, going 6-4.

If Colorado can live up to their expectations again, they could easily catch Los Angeles. Arizona will have to hit a slide for Colorado to grab the division. The looks of this team is a team that is not going to catch fire anytime soon. Tulowitzki is out until late July.

This team was in a similar position last year and turned it around, but the Rockies had to win 21 of 22 just to make it into the post-season. That is highly improbable this year. This team will be heading home in the same position they are right now: third place.

3. St. Louis Cardinals

Where they are at: Second place in NL Central.

This team was expected to be mediocre at best, with no pitching due to injuries to Mulder, Carpenter, and Clement. That meant their mid-rotation guys would have to step up and help them win games. So far, those guys have done a tremendous job.

AdamWainwright is currently 3-2 with an ERA of 3.25. Braden Looper was converted into a starter last year but struggled early. This year, he had to step up and be the No. 2 guy and has done a good job. He is 5-3 with an ERA of 4.24.

Todd Wellemeyer is probably the biggest surprise on this staff, at 4-1 with an ERA of 3.27. He was going to be a fifth starter at best on this team.

The pitching has been excellent, but let’s not forget the hitting. They lost many guys in the offseason but have managed to get guys to fill quickly. The four-headed outfield is hitting the ball well and Troy Glaus has filled in nicely for Scott Rolen.

Where they are headed this season:

The Cardinals are a surprise, but I do not see them making a run to the end. They have many players that do not play every day, including at second base with Adam Kennedy and Aaron Miles. Though the platooning keeps players fresh, not getting consistent playing time will catch up to them.

The front of this rotation should return in June and July, and this doesn’t bode well for the team. After his Cy Young effort in 2005, Carpenter hasn’t shown he can stay healthy. Mulder has not been the Mulder of Oakland since coming to St. Louis. He is throwing slower and doesn’t have the stuff he used to. Clement will return as well but, with his recent injuries, his strikeout total is down. That’s how he was effective, and it may hurt him when he comes back. I see the Cards finishing third in the Central, which is around what I thought at the beginning of the season.

4. Milwaukee Brewers

Where they are at: Sixth in the NL Central.

The Central was thought to be a two-team race between the Cubs and the Brewers. The Cubs are at the top as expected, but the Brewers are the bottom feeders of the division. After Ben Sheets, you cannot find another pitcher who is throwing well. Jeff Suppan is the only pitcher after Sheets to have an ERA below 5.00, and it is nothing to cheer about at 4.78.

There are also some big underachievers in this offense. The big one, Prince Fielder, has only five home runs and is hitting below .270 with 25 walks and 24 strikeouts. Rickie Weeks and Mike Cameron are the top two hitters, and they can’t bat above .200. Corey Hart and Ryan Braun have been the only two highlights of the lineup. Braun has finally caught fire, and Hart has been the most consistent.

Where they are headed this season:

The Brewers will climb out of the cellar of the Central. They have too much talent to continue slumping. The pitching is going to be bad all season long, but the offense will win games for them. That being said, do not expect them to be in the race for the Central.

Prince Fielder doesn’t seem like he wants to play any more since Braun got the contract before him. For Milwaukee to be a factor, Fielder must be more consistent. Their closer role is in question, with Gagne again proving to be unworthy to pitch in the ninth inning. Salomon Torres and Guillermo Mota have not shown they are able to take over that role either, both blowing saves while replacing Gagne. Don’t expect them to finish higher than second in the Central. I see them finishing fourth behind St. Louis.

5. San Diego Padres

Where they are at: Fifth in the NL West.

This team is here for one simple reason: they can’t score runs. The Padres don’t have a regular player hitting above .300. With the offense just downright abysmal, scoring a league-low 148 runs to date, they need pitching to win games.

The pitching has allowed a total of 208 runs to date. Jake Peavy is, of course, pitching well, but he missed a game with an elbow injury. The other three regular starters, Chris Young, Greg Maddux, and Randy Wolf, do not have an ERA below 4.00 (Maddux is at 3.98). The pitching has got to improve dramatically if they expect to win, because Adrian Gonzalez is the only offense the Padres have. The No. 1, 2, 4, and 5 hitters have fewer home runs combined (9) than Gonzalez (10).

Where they are headed this season:

The team should improve, barring long term injuries to Peavy. The offense is awful, but can score enough to win. The pitching is, without a doubt, underachieving and should turn it around to keep the Padres in the remaining games.

Jim Edmonds is no longer burdening this team by hitting .181, so the center field position should improve. The bottom of the lineup, with Khalil Greene and Jerry Hairston, will create runs, though not consistently. This team will most likely finish fourth in the West, behind Colorado and ahead of San Francisco. They are one of the bigger disappointments though because many people had them winning the West.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Headed in the Right Direction?

Anthony Casale — Tue, 13 May 2008 10:18:09 -0400

The Pittsburgh Pirates...

When the Pirates are mentioned, what do you tend to think of?

The five World Series they have won with the great players that have gone through the organization? Or do you think about the recent success, or lack there of?

That is usually the case when one mentions the Pittsburgh Pirates in a sentence. Disarray, disorganized, not competitive, etc.

There have been times, especially in the beginning of the season, where they have led fans to believe it is going to turn around. Fans, like myself, usually are relinquished to the thought of a .500 record by early May or even late April.

Though they are under .500 as of May 13, I would like to think that things are going to be different this year.

A slight organization change took place in the offseason. A head coach firing and a new GM in Neil Huntington seem to have the Pirates heading in a new direction, a better one.

I am saying this without seeing a draft from the new management, although I have nothing but optimistic thoughts for the upcoming draft. Also, questions about trades and the farm system have always been brought up about the Pirates, and for what I see, things are changing.

The most recent trade that acquired Jason Michaels from the Indians was a step in the right direction. Jason Michaels works hard and plays with passion, however that isn't the sole reason for his acquisition.

Morgan came on last year with his defense, contact hitting, and speed, however struggling a bit with fewer at-bats and the recent success of Nate McLouth gives him less playing time.

The move to get Michaels was to get a fourth outfielder while letting the future of this organization get more at-bats in AAA. Just a simple move like this will install more hope within the organization and the fans.

Although the Pirates are 18-20, two games back from .500, they just finished off a 6-1 home stand. The Pirates are now moving into an important stretch of games within the division, (4-7), and away from home, (6-12).

This is a real area of concern, but if the pitching keeps improving and they can play fundamental baseball with who they have, this could be a team hitting the .500 mark in the next couple weeks.