The Men In Teal

Hermida to Mariners?

mlblogsmacalex7 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:15:50 +0000

The Seattle Mariners have shown interest in RF Jeremy Hermida. With a
soon to be crowded outfield the Marlins may pull the trigger on the
deal for the right price. Negotiations seem to be for a bullpen arm
which the Marlins are currently seeking due to injuries to Closer Matt
Lindstrom, Setup man Kiko Calero, and Starting Pitcher Anibal Sanchez.
Right handers Mark Lowe and Sean White appear to draw most intrest from
the Marlins. If Seattle is willing to part with one of them is still to be
seen. Lowe in 37 games this season has posted a 3.49 ERA with a 1-4
record, while West in 32 games has posted a respectable 2.77 ERA with a
2-1 record. Hermida a 1st round pick in the 2002 draft has shown signs
of brilliance, but hasn’t been able to put it all together for an
entire season. He has been averaging (.267/18/68) since he made his
debut back in 2005. Known most memorably for his Major League debut on
August 31 vs. St. Louis and hit
pinch-hit grand slam off Al Reyes in first Major League at-bat
becoming the first player in Major League history to hit pinch-hit
grand slam
in first at-bat, and second player in history to hit a grand slam in
his first career at-bat, joining the Philadelphia Phillies’ Bill
Duggleby who did in on April 21, 1898. Hermida is expandable to the
Marlins and since has recently lost his starting job in Right Field
against left handers to Brett Carrol. Logan Morrison and Cameron Maybin
are on the horizon from the minors and seem to be a part of the team
as soon as 2010 rolls around; Alfredo Amezega is also on his way back
from the D.L. Only injuries have kept Jeremy Hermida from being a top-flight producer. Hermida is a legit five-category player in the Jason Bay mold and a must-play in OBP leagues. A natural RF, He can play all 3 OF spots and carry a team on hot streaks. At 25, Hermida is earning $2,250,000 and is under club control for a couple more years. He still has time to have a breakout season, but it most likely won’t be in South Florida.

–Alex Contreras

Ross the Boss

mlblogsmacalex7 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:58:00 +0000

Cody Ross continues to amaze, getting a lot of attention from people across the country. Ross has been on a tear lately and he keeps showing Fredi Gonzalez he is the real deal. Cody is known as a “streaky player” but when he gets on a hot streak he can certainly carry this Florida ball club. As of the halfway point of the season (81 games) Ross is among the best Outfielder’s in today’s game. Not to mention he has 3 Grand slams tying him with Hanley Ramirez for 1st on the squad. Coming off a career year last year, He is on pace for 25+ HRs and 95+RBIs. At the halfway point Cody stands at (.284/14/48) with some sensational defense. It seems like every night, or every other day we see the center fielder making a diving catch or throwing out a runner on TV. Don’t be surprised if he wins a Gold Glove one day. It’s going to be interesting what the Marlins will do with him, once Top Prospect Cameron Maybin is called up to man CF, look for Ross to be moved to Right Field in the future.

–Alex Contreras

The National League All-Star Team

mlblogsmacalex7 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:23:29 +0000

Since 1996 the National League (N.L.) has not been able to win an All-Star game. The main reason is because the wrong players are getting voted in. Sure an Alfonso Soriano sounds great leading-off for your team but not when he is having a struggling year (.230/14/32). Jimmy Rollins for no reason what so ever should have been in such a close race with Hanley Ramirez. A horrendous first half for J-Roll but we know he’ll bounce back. I don’t really like the idea of 4 1st basemen at the all-star game representing the N.L. but what can you do? I think of the 4, two max should’ve been chosen. Adrian Gonzalez is well deserving, and so is King Albert. Not to diss Prince or Howard, but out of the four Gonzalez and Pujols without a doubt should be there; heck maybe even Prince. I don’t really like Howard in it this year because his manager is coaching and just brought him along. Why not hand the slot to a Juan Pierre,(.329BA/23SB) who with out the Dodgers probably wouldn’t be where they are now. A Cody Ross another speedy outfielder with plenty of pop in the bat (14), not to mention his R.B.I.’s ranks for OF’s He is in the top 10 with 48. So fans yes you reading this next time don’t turn the All-Star game into a beauty pageant by picking names of players with star like names, but not star like numbers. Take a deeper look and we might actually sneak by the American League someday.

–Alex Contreras.