Is Lance Berkman A Hall of Famer?

Lance Berkman has mashed like a son of a gun his whole career, yet I must wonder.  Do the masses realize this, and consider him an elite player, much less a Hall of Fame candidate?

Probably not.  Due to the Astros rather pitiful management, he's only had one moment in the spotlight--and he wasn't the story, Roger Clemens was.

But that's sad, because Berkman is and was a freakin' masher of the highest order.

So Who Should Play Centerfield For The Yanks?

The Yankees have a question.  Given their enormous advantage in resources (read: money) they rarely are forced to make tough roster decisions.

"What's that?  We have no first baseman?  Well, go sign Mark Teixiera!"

The Yankees are planning on an outfield of Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher.  Swisher is in right.  That's locked down.  But the other two--let's assume Randy Winn is the fourth-outfielder--don't have defined roles.

Granderson is a Proven Center Fielder; Gardner came up in center.  Both have somewhat staked a claim to the position, but neither are obvious options.  

Why not?  Read on.

Do You Realize How Awesome Barry Bonds Was (In 1990)?

Barry Bonds is an easy choice for this week's awesome piece, but thanks to his rather amazing body of work, I can go many different ways.  

And I did.  I won't be discussing 2001 (73 homers), 2004 (263 OPS+) or any of the other 200 OPS+ seasons, for that matter.

Instead, I want to look back to when Barry was a premium defender and base runner as well.  Let's head back to 1990, when Barry, at the tender age of 25, would win his first of several MVP awards.

Reaction: Orlando Cabrera is a Red

Here's the details.   Fun begins after the jump.

Reaction: Randy Winn Has Been Fitted For Pinstripes

I'm just as surprised as you are.  Without getting into the Johnny Damon stuff, let's dig into what Winn brings to the Yankees.

Reaction: Thome Is A Twin

The Minnesota Twins signed Jim Thome to a 1-year, $1.5 million deal today, giving them an excellent DH option to complement MVP Joe Mauer and former MVP Justin Morneau in the middle of their order.

As with every signing that occurs this late, risk is prominently involved.  With Thome, I think it's twofold. 

For one, at age 39, can he still hit?  Last year as a White Sox, he handled the stick pretty well: .249/.372/.493 (122 OPS+).  That'll play.

Most everyone could use a 122 OPS+ bat in their lineup, especially for that price.  It's conceivable that Thome will outproduce someone like Alfonso Soriano at the plate next season, which is amazing considering Thome will make 1/12 of what Soriano will.

However, each year makes expecting a 122 OPS+ harder and harder.  But, as long as he keeps hitting, age is just a number.

The second risk?  Injuries.  They only get worse with age, and Thome's no spring chicken.   That said, Thome held up well as a DH in Chicago, and if he never sees the field in Minnesota he's likely to be around for 130 or more games.   Then again, there's been pretty consistent rumors of back trouble for Thome, but, like I said above, as long as he keeps tying on his cleats, rumors are just that.

Now, what can Thome be expected to do as a Twin?  Hit.  Maybe not rake, but his 2008 line in Chicago is a good guess.  I'd suggest nothing below a 115 OPS+ unless the bottom totally falls out. 

The bottom falling out is pretty much the worst thing that could happen, but guess what?  It cost them $1.5 million.  Hardly a loss, especially compared to Oakland's $10 million commitment to Ben Sheets.  Anyone would feel that--well, other than the Yankees--but $1.5 million isn't damaging.

Good move by the Twins.  He provides them with a bat they can very much use, and suddenly they have a pretty solid 3-4-5 in their order.  Considering he came very, very cheap, this could end up being a really good move for Minnesota.

Email Adam at adamdadkins@gmail.com

Reaction: Jon Garland + PETCO = Joy?

The Padres hope so.  They signed Jon Garland to a 1-year, $4.7 million deal (plus more potentially) today, giving them a pitcher that will fit like a glove in their monstrosity of a ballpark.

I've heard numerous people call Garland "league-average", and I suppose that could be true.  His last 3 ERA+s?  111, 91, 111.  Not bad, not great, which I suppose does make him league-average.

However, I look at his K to BB ratios over the last 3 years (1.79, 1.53, 1.72) and I don't see a league-average pitcher.  But, he's comfortably in the NL now, in the best pitcher's park the game offers.

There simply isn't much to say here.  San Diego spent some money--all the poor teams are doing it, just ask Oakland, Pittsburgh and Florida--and they spent it wisely, I guess. 

Garland doesn't have the downside risk of Ben Sheets--but he also doesn't have the upside.  He's a 4.30-ish ERA pitcher in the weaker league.  Perhaps he jumps out to a nice start, wins some games and hits the break with about a 3.70 ERA.  Could San Diego flip him to a contender?  Absolutely.

They didn't spend too much, and they aren't expecting a whole lot.  Jon Garland's a decent pitcher, and he's being paid like one.  I wish there was more to say, but alas.

Adam wishes he could say more.  He knows you can say all you want, and he'd like to hear it adamdadkins@gmail.com.