Posted July 4, 2010
We’re halfway home in a 2010 season that has featured no-hitters, bad calls and the obligatory Cliff Lee trade rumors. With roughly 81 games in the books for all 30 teams, here’s our annual look at who’s hot, not and unexpectedly good (and bad) so far.
As always, both myself and Ed Attanasio begin with our picks for the MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards—if they were to be selected halfway through the year. Let us know if you have any thoughts by chiming in our Facebook page. (Note: All statistics evoked are based on those accumulated at the end of play on July 3, 2010.)
AL East
AL Central
AL West
NL East
NL Central
NL West
Mid-Season Honors
MVP
Ed’s picks: AL, Robinson Cano; NL, Ubaldo Jimenez
Eric’s pick: AL, Justin Morneau; NL, Albert Pujols
I’ve been very impressed with Morneau’s overall production—especially given that he’s playing in a new ballpark that seems to favor the pitching; Ed hasn’t overlooked the numbers of Cano, who’s finally commanding to be heard. In the NL, Ed believes that Jimenez’s contribution every five days has been valuable enough, while I still don’t see any better player than the two-time reigning MVP Pujols.
Cy Young Winner (Best Pitcher)
Ed’s pick: AL, David Price; NL, Ubaldo Jimenez
Eric’s pick: AL, Cliff Lee; NL, Ubaldo Jimenez
Jimenez is the easy pick for the NL (despite the fact that the Rockie pitcher has been, well, rocky of late), but we split the vote in the AL; Ed goes with wins and the Rays’ Price, I go with the toughness of Lee.
Rookie of the First Half
Ed’s pick: AL, Brennan Boesch; NL, Jason Heyward
Eric’s pick: AL, Brennan Boesch; NL, Stephen Strasburg
We both side in the AL with Boesch, who’s quietly put up some spectacular numbers thus far in Detroit; in the NL, Ed goes with the early favorite in the Braves’ 20-year old bopper Heyward, while I’ve been impressed enough with the arrival of Strasburg, who hasn’t disappointed a bit after six starts.
Manager of the First Half
Ed’s pick: AL, Ron Washington; NL, Dusty Baker
Eric’s pick: AL: Joe Maddon; NL, Bobby Cox
Ed leans to the pilots whose teams have been among the more surprising this year; I like what Maddon has done in a relatively difficult situation at Tampa Bay, while I can’t help but be sentimental for what Cox is doing in his final year for the first-place Braves.
Biggest Surprise
Ed’s pick: AL, Texas Rangers; NL, Cincinnati Reds
Eric’s pick: AL, Toronto Blue Jays; NL, San Diego Padres
Ed likes the Rangers, who are shining despite the bankruptcy distractions, and a Cincinnati team that’s finally making good on its influx of talent; I’m impressed with a Toronto team that I thought had the look of a 100-loss team on Opening Day, and the Cinderella Padres—who, halfway through, haven’t shown any signs of an approaching midnight.
Biggest Disappointment
Ed’s pick: AL, Seattle Mariners; NL, Houston Astros
Eric’s pick: AL, Seattle Mariners; NL, Chicago Cubs
The Mariners made the most offseason noise about becoming a player in this year’s pennant race—and they still might be a player, but only in feeding their valuable assets to contending teams. Ed gives his NL nod to the depressing Astros, but for me the Cubs—who can’t blame Milton Bradley this time around—have plenty of their own blame to spread around.
Baltimore
What Jumps Out: Nobody on this team has more than three wins.
In the Spotlight: Pitcher Kevin Millwood was asked to bring stability to a rotation that’s been poor in the foreseeable past. Instead, his 2-8 record and 5.40 ERA has lowered his level to that of his new teammates.
Best of Show: Corey Patterson was a man without a major league job at the beginning of the season, all the more reason to raise one’s eyebrows over a renaissance performance (.295, team-leading 14 steals) in his second tour of duty with the Orioles.
Messed of Show: The disintegration of third baseman Garrett Atkins was completed when the Orioles released him in late June. Just two years ago, he was continuing his run as a big-time threat for Colorado, but a season-long 2009 slump only worsened this year despite a change in scenery.
Boston
What Jumps Out: Outfielder Bill Hall’s standing as the only Red Sox pitcher with a perfect 0.00 ERA (he did one inning of emergency work).
In the Spotlight: Three new Red Sox members renowned for their defense—Mike Cameron, Marco Scutaro and Adrian Beltre—haven’t been giving Gold Glove-level performances, but for the most part they haven’t disappointed with their bats, either.
Best of Show: Beltre seems to be at his absolute best when his guaranteed wages are ready to run dry; his .341 average, 12 homers and 53 RBIs are making the Red Sox’ upcoming decision on whether to pick up his $11 million option for 2011 an easy one.
Messed of Show: A bad back has led to a very bad start for veteran ace Josh Beckett (1-1, 7.29 ERA), who hasn’t thrown a pitch since May 18.
New York
What Jumps Out: Once-and-current (and currently injured) Yankee Nick Johnson has accrued twice as many walks (24) as hits (12).
In the Spotlight: We thought the explosive Curtis Granderson would thrive in Yankee pinstripes, but a .232 average with just fair power (along with some injury issues) has muted that enthusiasm.
Best of Show: Second baseman Robinson Cano (.346 average, 16 home runs, 55 RBIs) has gone from a reliable supporting cast member to a legitimate MVP candidate.
Messed of Show: Two years in New York, two terrible starts for Mark Teixeira, who’s slowly working his way back toward the .250 mark; last year he could lay the blame on Alex Rodriguez’s early absence in the lineup. Not this time.
Tampa Bay
What Jumps Out: They’ve been no-hit twice this season.
In the Spotlight: Rafael Soriano finally got the opportunity to be an undisputed major league closer, and thus far has proved his value with 20 saves (with only one blown) and a 1.52 ERA.
Best of Show: In his second full season, pitcher David Price has fulfilled the Rays’ lofty expectations of him and is already just three wins shy of the franchise season record.
Messed of Show: Catcher Dioner Navarro was an All-Star during the Rays’ run to the AL pennant two years ago, but his persistent struggles since at the plate forced the team to send him to Triple-A in June.
Toronto
What Jumps Out: Everyone’s talking about how the Blue Jays are crushing one homer after another, but few know this: The Jays own the majors’ worst batting average (.225) on the road and the AL’s worst (.212) with the bases loaded.
In the Spotlight: With Roy Halladay gone, sophomore Ricky Romero was shouldered with the burden to take the reins as staff ace. With a 3.39 ERA, 6-5 record and two complete games in 17 starts, he’s largely answered the call.
Best of Show: The on-again, off-again Vernon Wells is on again, with more home runs (19) than during all of 2009.
Messed of Show: Last year, Aaron Hill and Adam Lind had impressive breakout campaigns loaded with power. So far in 2010, the two are hitting a combined .197.
Chicago
What Jumps Out: An above-.500 record after a lousy start in which management publicly threatened a midseason fire sale.
In the Spotlight: The reclamation project movement in Chicago has proven to be a mostly positive one, with the successes (Alex Rios, Freddy Garcia, J.J. Putz) outweighing the duds (Andruw Jones, struggling to hit above .200).
Best of Show: Alex Rios, and not a moment too soon. An absolute lost cause last year in Toronto, Rios has been reborn in Chicago, combining average (.307), power (13 homers) and speed (22 steals).
Messed of Show: The sophomore jinx has hit second baseman Gordon Beckham (.206, two homers) hard after a promising rookie campaign in 2009.
Cleveland
What Jumps Out: Attendance in Cleveland, which once sold out every Indian game over a five-year period in the late 1990s, is last in the majors.
In the Spotlight: Maybe it’s just poor timing for beleaguered manager Manny Acta, but one thing we know for sure; he was no miracle worker in Washington, and he hasn’t been one so far in Cleveland.
Best of Show: South Korean native Shin-Soo Choo (.286-13-43) may just be the one and only reliable guy for the Indians these days. For the team’s sake, here’s hoping North Korea doesn’t go nuts soon and force Choo to answer the call to serve his country.
Messed of Show: Where do we start? From a beat-up Grady Sizemore to a battered Kerry Wood to too many guys hitting at or below .200, there’s plenty of misery to spread around the Cleveland clubhouse.
Detroit
What Jumps Out: Three relievers—Eddie, Bonine, Phil Coke and Brad Thomas—are a combined 12-0.
In the Spotlight: Prized center fielder Austin Jackson started the year with no major league experience and instantly proved he belonged with an average that has stayed above .300.
Best of Show: Closer Jose Valverde has been phenomenal, saving 18 of 19 games while producing a 0.51 ERA; opponents are hitting—get this—just .099 against him.
Messed of Show: Pitcher Rick Porcello, a worthy Rookie of the Year candidate in 2009, must be feeling like he has to start all over ago after a horrible start (4-7, 6.14) dropped him to the minors.
Kansas City
What Jumps Out: Billy Butler has hit into 21 double plays. The record is 36.
In the Spotlight: Rick Ankiel and Scott Podsednik are this year’s Mike Jacobs and Coco Crisp, barely-above-average veterans asked to overachieve in Kansas City. Podsednik (.302, 24 steals) has; Ankiel (an injury-scarred .210) hasn’t.
Best of Show: Outfielder David DeJesus, who’s been reliable if not magnificent during his long Kansas City tenure, may soon need to be answered to as “Mr. Royal”—that is, if his stellar .325 average doesn’t get him traded to a contending ballclub as has been rumored.
Messed of Show: Pitcher Gil Meche never got it into gear this year, winless in nine starts with four losses, a devilishly bad 6.66 ERA, more walks allowed than strikeouts earned and 16 steals given up in just 48.2 innings of work—all before he was shut down with shoulder problems.
Minnesota
What Jumps Out: Not one unsold seat so far at the Twins’ new ballyard, Target Field.
In the Spotlight: With the season over for injured closer Joe Nathan before it began, the pressure cooker heated up for the Twins’ relievers. How have they responded? With the AL’s best bullpen ERA.
Best of Show: Showing more discipline (.342 average) and patience (49 walks) but just as much power as always (17 homers, 24 doubles), Justin Morneau might need to start thinking about clearing room on the shelf for a second AL MVP award.
Messed of Show: Don’t let Nate Blackburn’s 7-5 record fool you; with a 6.02 ERA and an opposing batting average of .331, he’ll be lucky to maintain his winning mark should he continue to get clobbered on the mound.Los Angeles of Anaheim
What Jumps Out: That the Angels are comfortably above .500 despite one of the worst batting averages (.236) and ERAs (4.81) from the seventh inning on.
In the Spotlight: Joel Pineiro was asked to fill John Lackey’s shoes and, with an 8-6 record and okay 4.23 ERA, is nevertheless (and again) outperforming the departed Angel.
Best of Show: Here’s two reasons why pitcher Jared Weaver (8-3, 2.82 ERA) is on his way to his best year yet: More strikeouts (124) and fewer walks (26).
Messed of Show: Brandon Wood was counted on by the Angels to make their fans forget about Chone Figgins at third base. But another Angel third baseman—San Francisco reject Kevin Frandsen (.337)—is making the fans forget about Wood, who’s hitting .176 with just four walks and 46 strikeouts in 159 at-bats.
Oakland
What Jumps Out: A 2.92 team ERA during the day…and 4.40 at night.
In the Spotlight: Freed from the vast expanses of San Diego’s Petco Park, Kevin Kouzmanoff had the opportunity to show truer numbers on a more level playing field in Oakland. To that end, a .266 average, eight home runs and 39 RBIs at the midway point counts as a mild success.
Best of Show: In his second season, 22-year old pitcher Trevor Cahill (8-2, 2.74 ERA) is the latest infant Oakland pitcher to make the grade towards success…and an eventual trade by Billy Beane for more prospects.
Messed of Show: Former Milwaukee ace Ben Sheets hasn’t been a disaster, but for $10 million, the A’s were hoping for better numbers than a 3-7 record and 4.98 ERA.
Seattle
What Jumps Out: The Mariners’ 33-47 record reveals major disappointment for a team that stocked up on talent during the winter, but this number really hurts: A 7-21 mark against AL West opponents.
In the Spotlight: The Mariners have seen first-hand what kind of baggage they would get with the talented yet temperamental Milton Bradley, plodding through a lackluster, injurious and controversy-laced .212 campaign to date.
Best of Show: It’s painful for Seattle fans to absorb the fact that Cliff Lee may finish the year with another team, given his 2.45 ERA, major league-leading 0.92 WHIP (walks and hits allowed per inning) and 78 strikeouts—with just five walks allowed.
Messed of Show: After toiling in the depressing atmosphere of Pittsburgh, Ian Snell was hoping to find a winning spirit in Seattle. After 12 appearances and eight starts, he’s still looking for that first win—and unfortunately he’ll have to find it at Triple-A Tacoma, to where he’s been banished after a 0-5, 6.41 ERA start.
Texas
What Jumps Out: One of baseball’s best home records at 29-13, backed by a major-league leading .302 team average.
In the Spotlight: With a healthier body and a lifetime average near .400 at Rangers Ballpark, Vladimir Guerrero was bound to spell trouble for opponents in his first year for Texas; sure enough, he’s playing like the dominant Guerrero we saw in his Montreal days.
Best of Show: A red-hot June has thrust Josh Hamilton (.340-19-59) into MVP contention and talk of becoming baseball’s first triple-crown winner since 1967.
Messed of Show: The Rangers appear to be on the losing end of their gamble with oft-injured Rich Harden, who’s been ineffective (5.68 ERA), wild (43 walks in 65 innings) and—oh, but of course—on the disabled list since June 12.
Atlanta
What Jumps Out: A return to form for slugger Troy Glaus (14 home runs, 56 RBIs), who all but missed the entire 2009 season.
In the Spotlight: The Braves couldn’t ignore Jason Heyward’s titanic spring training power and gave him a spot in the everyday lineup; a recent slump and injuries have tempered his numbers (.251-11-45), but he’s still a leading Rookie of the Year candidate.
Best of Show: Tim Hudson’s surgically repaired elbow appears to be better than ever. The veteran ace is 8-3 with a 2.37 ERA that, if it holds, would be a personal best.
Messed of Show: Nate McLouth’s brief star appears to be falling as quick as it rose in Pittsburgh, with a wretched .176 batting average and just three home runs. Adding injury to injury, he suffered a concussion with Heyward in the outfield and has missed most of June.
Florida
What Jumps Out: 35 strikeouts in 82 at-bats for prized rookie Mike Stanton.
In the Spotlight: The center field job was Cameron Maybin’s to lose. He lost it. A .225 average with few walks and a guy like Stanton waiting in the wings will do that.
Best of Show: If anyone is currently to give Ubaldo Jimenez a run for his Cy Young Award money, it’s Josh Johnson (8-3, 1.82 ERA), who’s slowly getting to be every bit as a good as the Rockie ace.
Messed of Show: Last season, Dan Meyer was a reliable set-up man in the Marlin bullpen. But after a sloppy 10.80 ERA in 12 appearances to start this year, he’s been forced to regroup in the minors.
New York Mets
What Jumps Out: A major league-leading 11 shutouts.
In the Spotlight: Jason Bay was given megamoney by the Mets but has thus far been micromagic, hitting a standard .274 with just six homers.
Best of Show: Finally, Johan Santana no longer has to carry the load of the rotation thanks to Mike Pelfrey, who fields a sharp 2.93 ERA and has already matched his entire win total of a year ago with ten.
Messed of Show: Overpaid pitcher Oliver Perez, who’s not only messed in his mechanics with erratic control (33 walks in 38.2 innings) but also messed in the head for refusing a much-needed Triple-A assignment.
Philadelphia
What Jumps Out: Shortstop Wilson Valdez has hit into 12 double plays—which puts him among the major league leaders—despite just 145 at-bats.
In the Spotlight: Roy Halladay, our pick for the best pitcher of the 2000s, is off to an equally superb start in the 2010s; his 9-7 record may not scream “wow,” but his 2.42 ERA, 112 strikeouts (against just 17 walks) and major league-leading six complete games (including a no-hitter) does.
Best of Show: Halladay, ditto from above.
Messed of Show: Joe Blanton (3-5, 6.19 ERA) was brought in because of his ability to eat innings. But what good is an innings eater if you’re going to spend all those innings getting pounded?
Washington
What Jumps Out: Tyler Clippard—a reliever—leads the Nationals with 41 appearances, eight wins, five losses and six blown saves.
In the Spotlight: Baseball life in D.C. remained depressingly mundane until the much-anticipated arrival of fastball wunderkind Stephen Strasburg, who’s all but exceeded expectations thus far.
Best of Show: Just when you think Livan Hernandez is done, he always comes storming back. The 35-year old Cuban in his third tour of duty with this franchise (c’mon—is he really 35?), and fields a 2.98 ERA—which would be a career best if he can maintain it.
Messed of Show: Jason Marquis was supposed to provide veteran glue to a badly inexperienced rotation until Strasburg’s arrival. But he fell completely apart instead, shelled for a 20.52 ERA in three starts before it was discovered his elbow was in bad shape.Chicago
What Jumps Out: Closer Chris Marmol is averaging 16.3 strikeouts per nine innings.
In the Spotlight: Carlos Silva was considered nothing more than a warm body to replace the irascible Milton Bradley. But he surprised everyone by winning his first eight decisions—easily more than he was able to chalk up in two injury-scarred years at Seattle.
Best of Show: Marlon Byrd, the Cubs’ other significant offseason pick-up, is leading the team with a .310 average and 26 doubles.
Messed of Show: Aramis Ramirez, and we mean severely messed up. A bad thumb has apparently led to a terrible start (.177, six homers) that has rated a big thumbs-down by the Wrigley faithful.
Cincinnati
What Jumps Out: Reliever Arthur Rhodes, 40, did not allow a run in 33 straight appearances.
In the Spotlight: Aroldis Chapman. Or at least he was supposed to be, right up there with Stephen Strasburg among breakout rookie pitchers. Instead he’s toiling at the Triple-A level with a 5-6 record and 4.35 ERA. Maybe next year.
Best of Show: The blossoming of Joey Votto (.313-19-57) continues from tough out to flat-out superstar; he may be a leading candidate to unseat Albert Pujols for NL MVP.
Messed of Show: After an impressive second half last season, this was the year most everyone thought pitcher Homer Bailey would break through to the big time. But a bad shoulder held him to just one win in nine starts and has kept him on the shelf since late May.
Houston
What Jumps Out: Not one but two pitchers (Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez) are on pace for 20 losses.
In the Spotlight: Brandon Lyon and Matt Lindstrom. We joked in our season preview: Why get one bad closer when you can have two at twice the price? Actually, the effective numbers of these two are one of the few aspects of the Astros’ season that hasn’t gone haywire.
Best of Show: Though he’s far from the most feared bat in the Houston lineup, infielder Jeff Keppinger has been a welcomed presence with his reliability, in sharp contrast with many other Astro hitters.
Messed of Show: Pedro Feliz brought his sturdy defense at third base from Philadelphia—but apparently left his bat behind. He’s hitting just .227 with three homers.
Milwaukee
What Jumps Out: Manny Parra has thrown 12 wild pitches in just 64.2 innings.
In the Spotlight: Boomer Prince Fielder has been the subject of persistent trade rumors as free agency nears, and even though he’s among the NL’s home run leaders, his other numbers (.266 average, 36 RBIs) won’t have general managers falling over each other to get him.
Best of Show: The Brewers look to have a genuine ace in Yovani Gallardo, who’s 8-3 with a 2.56 ERA.
Messed of Show: Trevor Hoffman began the year nine saves shy of 600, but he got off to such a miserable start (five blown saves in ten tries) that he may not get any more opportunities, though he’s improved of late in a middle relief role.
Pittsburgh
What Jumps Out: The Pirates have used 21 pitchers—four of them with ERAs above 10.00—so far in 2010.
In the Spotlight: It was hoped pitcher Russ Ohlendorf would evolve and strengthen a potentially sound Pirate rotation, but a 1-6 record and 4.36 ERA represents something more of a stagnation.
Best of Show: Andrew McCutchen looks to be a true star in the making—and therefore trade bait in about, oh, two or three years—with a .299 average, 27 extra base hits, 38 walks and 20 steals.
Messed of Show: Charlie Morton may be the single worst major league pitcher in the season’s first half, thanks to a 1-9 record and 9.35 ERA; he spared the Pirates by sitting out June with shoulder fatigue.
St. Louis
What Jumps Out: How this team isn’t running away from the rest of baseball given that Albert Pujols, Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter and so many others are playing at or above their heads is beyond us.
In the Spotlight: How would Matt Holliday perform with all the money and a comfy lineup spot alongside Pujols? So far, so good, with a .301 average, 24 doubles and 11 home runs.
Best of Show: Adam Wainwright fell just one win shy of 20 last year, but he’s making a stronger effort to reach that milestone this season with an 11-5 record and stellar 2.34 ERA.
Messed of Show: Starting pitcher Kyle Lohse just hasn’t been the same since a solid 15-6 campaign in 2008; he’s only gotten worse in 2010, going 1-4 with a 5.89 ERA in nine starts before being shut down with arm problems.Arizona
What Jumps Out: Seven players are on pace for over 100 strikeouts—with two of them, Justin Upton and (of course) Mark Reynolds, on pace for over 200; at this rate, the Diamondbacks will annihilate the all-time record for a team.
In the Spotlight: In our season preview, we cringed at the thought that adding Bob Howry and Aaron Heilman to a weak Arizona bullpen would actually help. Heilman (3.31 ERA) is okay, Howry (10.67 and released) was not, and the D-Backs have far and away the worst relief corps in baseball.
Best of Show: Relieved of the intense pressure of playing in Yankee pinstripes, first-year D-Back Ian Kennedy is on pace for 200 innings and his 3.77 ERA deserves better than a 3-6 record.
Messed of Show: Chad Qualls, demoted from the closer spot, reflects the state of the Arizona bullpen: Four blown saves, four losses, a 7.94 ERA and a .370 batting average against.
Colorado
What Jumps Out: The team that plays their home games in thin air has allowed the fewest home runs in the majors.
In the Spotlight: Carlos Gonzalez has blossomed as the Rockies had hoped, on target for 25 homers, 100 RBIs and 25 steals. Yeah, good trade, Oakland.
Best of Show: A mortal June may have deprived Ubaldo Jimenez of matching his ERA (currently at 2.27) with the best of the deadball era, but he still has a slim shot at something considered impossible these days: Thirty wins.
Messed of Show: The continued decline of one-time stat monster Todd Helton (.249 average, two homers and 15 RBIs in 68 games), worsened by a bad back, suggests that his days as a major leaguer may be numbered.
Los Angeles
What Jumps Out: James Loney (five home runs, 56 RBIs) could become the first major leaguer since Tommy Herr in 1985 to knock in over 100 RBIs with less than ten homers.
In the Spotlight: Manny Ramirez, clean of female fertility drugs and in the final year of his contract, still is showing some potency (when healthy) with a .322 average, eight homers and 39 RBIs in 59 games.
Best of Show: Andre Ethier’s sensational start was tempered by a mid-May injury, but his overall first-half numbers (.321-13-48) still shine.
Messed of Show: Charlie Haeger, young (26), hopeless (0-4, 8.40 ERA) and recently demoted to the minors, is further proof that knuckleballers need time to perfect their pitching. Trust us: He’ll probably be an All-Star at age 40.
San Diego
What Jumps Out: A 2.26 ERA from the seventh inning on.
In the Spotlight: Yorvit Torrealba was brought to San Diego in part for his burly leadership last year in Colorado; his part-time production thus far may be yawn-inducing, but hey, look where the Padres are in the standings.
Best of Show: Adrian Gonzalez continues to be the big hammer in San Diego, with a .300-30-100 campaign (with 100 walks) a good possibility.
Messed of Show: Big (6’6”, 270-lb), young Kyle Blanks was hoped by the Padres to give Gonzalez some much-needed power support in the lineup, but a .157 average capped by a 0-for-23 slump and a stubbornly bad elbow does not qualify as protection.
San Francisco
What Jumps Out: The team hit into 37 double plays in June; no other team collected more than 26.
In the Spotlight: The Giants brought in two more “gamers” in veterans Mark DeRosa and Aubrey Huff; DeRosa has been all but non-existent with an early-season wrist injury, while the historically inconsistent Huff (.290-15-47) has easily proven to be worth the gamble.
Best of Show: Closer Brian Wilson, who goes by the nickname B-Weezy, often makes Giant fans go B-Queasy with his knack for living dangerously in the ninth—but he’s been prevailing in the end, with only two blown saves in 24 opps.
Messed of Show: Now that Barry Zito is pitching well again, outfielder Aaron Rowand (.240, .281 on-base percentage) has become the locals’ target for underperforming to a huge contract.© 2010 This Great Game