All-Star Break

Finally made it to the fun part of the season, after the All-Star Game (which I don't watch) when the trades are made and we find out which teams are for real.

Kudos to Billy Beane on getting a legit top of the rotation pitcher for Harden.  The chances Harden stays healthy for multiple years is unlikely.  Possibly if the Cubs make it to the World Series with Harden's help and then he breaks down it will be worth giving up Gallagher, but I suspect it will turn out to be a disaster for the Cubs three years from now.

The Sabathia trade made too much sense,  LaPorta didn't (doesn't) have a position with the Brewers.  The Indians didn't get a lot else in the deal; LaPorta will probably be ready for Major League pitching by the All-Star break in '09, the draft picks the Indians would've gotten if/when Sabathia signs somewhere else (Mets/Yankees) wouldn't be ready that soon.

Read a blurb on Yahoo Sports 'Rumors' section that Maddux and Wolf may be dealt from San Diego. Huh? I didn't bother to click the link to the whole story but a quick check of their stats shows that nobody will be calling.  Maddux home ERA: 2.51, road ERA: 5.71, Wolf's splits are 2.54 & 6.66.  If I know this information, other Major League teams know it as well.

Let's review the preseason predictions:

AL East: I was off on the Rays, for now.  I'm not sure how the back of the rotation will hold up, Garza has never pitched 200 innings before.  They'll probably hang tough for awhile, but I see the Tony Pena led Royals from a few years ago...although the Rays won't be one and done, they're going to improve for a few more years (finally).

AL Central: Missed on the Indians & White Sox, hit on the Tigers pitching and the Twins surpirsing.  The Twins may go the way of the Rays with inexperienced pitching just not being ready for the full season grind. 

AL West: Way off on the whole division. 

NL East: Still think the Mets will win, hit on the Braves not being any good.  Still can't figure out how the Marlins are doing it this year.

NL Central: Pretty much a hit except the Cardinals...somewhere on here I think I said they'd lose 90...a little bit off on that one.

NL West: Still think the Dodgers will win the West, and the D-backs the wildcard.  The  D-backs have better depth to go get what they need to stay competitive, the Phillies have to rely on Myers returning to form (which he might just do).