John Earnhart

MLB Blog Breakdown

October 28, 2009 2:30pm CDT

RoyalsWithCheese.com: Looking Back/Looking Forward - Left Field
Our Royals correspondent, Kyle Elfrink reviews/previews the club's left field position.

"From Day One, DeJesus was the de facto left fielder and his season ended up providing one of the few examples of 'production-meeting-expectations.' Granted, the veteran had a very rough start to the season (an average in the low-.240s and a OBP under-.300 entering July), but over his final 72 games he lashed a .320 average with an OBP a shade under .400 and an OPS over .850. "

Impact: Elfrink describes David DeJesus as "average in every way" and he couldn't be more correct. Over the past two years, DeJesus has hit double-digit home runs, has had 70 or more RBI and has an average of .294. He looks to do more of the same next season and remains to be a consistent option in deep leagues.

DBacksVenom.com: Webb's Option and the 2010 Diamondbacks Starting Rotation
Diamondbacks correspondent Amit Lal analyzes next year's starting five.

"Within the next two weeks, the Diamondbacks must make a decision on Brandon Webb's Option for 2010. Webb was injured in his first start in 2009, and was initially expected to miss around 6 weeks. After unsuccessful comeback attempts in June and July, Webb finally underwent right shoulder surgery (debridement) in August. "

The D-backs are expected to pick up Brandon Webb's option for next season.

Impact: Aside from being a better first-half player statistically, Dan Haren is the only sure thing about Arizona's starting rotation. Brandon Webb is allegedly going to return but who knows if he'll be able to be the 22-game winner he was in 2008. Max Scherzer appears to be the club's third starter. Scherzer started off strong but struggled down the stretch. Stay tuned to Lal's blog for the latest news on Webb.

TribeBall.com: Sizemore is NOT Overrated...And no, Don't Trade Him
John Hoyos, our Indians correspondent, discusses the decline and possible trade rumors of Grady Sizemore.

"True, Sizemore had only one assist last year, but he was playing hurt. Additionally, many center fielders are not gifted with great arms. (Bernie Williams had an excellent career and was considered a very good center fielder, but never exhibited a great arm - in fact, his arm was consistently below average.) "

Impact: Grady Sizemore clearly cooled off from his 33-homer, 90 RBI, 38 stolen base campaign in 2008. But, as Hoyos states, he was playing hurt. Sizemore had elbow and abdominal surgeries in September and is rumored to be 100% for spring training. Hoyos will continue to follow this story and the rest of Cleveland's tumultuous offseason.

CubsPack.com: Rudy Jaramillo Hired as Hitting Coach. Could Bradley Stay?
Cubs correspondent Mark Sherrard examines exactly what a new hitting coach means in Chicago.

"However, what concerns me (and probably more than a few Cubs fans) is that this could be an indication that the Cubs might keep Milton Bradley. Jaramillo was Bradley's hitting coach in 2008, when Bradley had his best year in the majors. "

Impact: Rudy Jaramillo is widely considered to be the best hitting coach in the game and this can only bode well for several Cubs who had down years in '09 (i.e. Alfonso Soriano and Geovany Soto). If Bradley should return to Wrigley, he'll be reunited with a hitting coach who's teachings gave Bradley 22 home runs, 77 RBI, a .321 batting average and an OPS of .999.

SoxTeaParty.com: The 2009 Red Sox Minor League System
Red Sox correspondent Darryl Johnston tries to determine the next rookie sensation to come out of Boston.

"Jacoby Ellsbury came with plenty of hype and is proving to be legitimate. Jon Lester was tagged as a front-end ace pitcher and has been as good as advertised. Jonathan Papelbon was ranked #1 in the system in 2006. In 2007, he was the closer for the World Champion Red Sox. "

Impact: Boston doesn't appear to have the impact rookie sensation that they've had in years past (i.e. Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jonathan Papelbon). Junichi Tazawa (2-3) and Josh Reddick (.169 BA) made less-than-memorable debuts in 2009. Lars Anderson appears to be the next call-up. However, Anderson and his .345 slugging percentage will need some more seasoning until he can become the power hitter Boston expects him to be.

TheBlogThatRuthBuilt.com: It Feels Good to be Back
Our Yankees correspondent, Craig Williams, reviews the Yankees' World Series chances and pitching performances thus far.

"Last night, the fans were granted their wish as the Yankees closed out the Angels in Game 6 of the ALCS. Riding on the shoulders of Andy Pettitte, Joba and Mo and a couple of late Angel errors, the Yankees pulled out a 5-2 victory, punching a ticket to their 40th World Series. "

Impact: Andy Pettitte quietly put together his fifth consecutive double-digit win season. CC Sabathia didn't mind the move back to the AL and finished the regular season 19-8 with a 197/67 K/BB ratio. Mariano Rivera continued to dominate, notching 44 saves and had an ERA of 1.76 during the regular season. The good news is, aside from Pettitte, these men are guaranteed to be back for an encore performance in New York next year.

Ray Flowers provides some random thoughts on what is going on in the world of baseball.
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Breaking Down: Derek Lowe

Will Derek Lowe be able to rebound from his worst effort since 2004, or is his time as a top level option at an end?
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