MLB

Here’s a look at some catchers who could struggle to match their 2009 production.

Rod Barajas, New York Mets
Going to the Mets is likely to sap the power numbers (19 HRs & 71 RBIs) he had with Toronto last year. 

I will put this next post into the “I didn’t see this one coming” category.

In a very surprising move, the Washington Nationals have released outfielder Elijah Dukes. Dukes was supposed to be the Nationals’ starting right fielder in 2010.

What was the reason for the release?

Nationals’ manager Jim Riggleman called the release purely a “baseball related” decision. There are a lot of things I am buying in this world and this isn’t one of them.

After two years of uncertainty, the Big Kid is gone.

It's certainly difficult to fault the Eagles for doing so, but from where I'm sitting, releasing Shawn Andrews doesn't seem to make much sense.

He has missed the past two seasons with back injuries, both of which required surgery, but by all accounts he's finally healing up the way he should be and has a legitimate shot at coming back full-strength in 2010.

What in the wide world happened to Johnny Damon this offseason?

And even to a lesser extent, Felipe Lopez.

When I originally started to type this feature up, I was almost sure Scott Boras was going to royally jam Damon into the corner. Then the Detroit Tigers went ahead and ruined a large portion of my argument.

However, I still think there is enough ammunition to at least put a few holes in the Boras balloon.

There are extremely different views as to the value of Nelson Cruz.  Prior to 2009 he was considered a Quadruple-A player, so there are those who believe that last season was simply an aberration. 

Then, there are those who fully believe in his breakout campaign, thinking that the sky is the limit for him in 2010.

Which is the right way to be leaning?  It’s a tough call, to say the least, so let’s take a look and come to a conclusion.

First, his 2009 statistics:

More than a decade after the last Major League Baseball game was played in the Astrodome, the "Eighth Wonder of the World" still elicits memories from countless Astros fans who found their way to Houston's groundbreaking stadium.

The 'Dome never hosted a World Series, but it was the site of two All-Star Games, two emotionally draining National League Championship Series, and a cavalcade of remarkable pitching performances.

So let's get this straight. Current Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine just after the 2009 All-Star break, yet Major League Baseball did nothing to punish him, and the Rangers organization didn't—and won't—fire him because of the positive test.

Do you still believe in the strength of Major League Baseball's drug testing policy?

Since 2008, baseball managers, coaches, and trainers have been subjected to the same random drug tests as all MLB players. Not one non-player has been publicly outed as a user—until today.

When you commit $64 million dollars to three pitchers over the span of two years, there are certain expectations that need to be met.

Take a look at the San Francisco Giants. Their three headed monster of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Barry Zito are making $54.05 million collectively in 2009 and 2010. Last year they won a combined 39 games in 98 starts and struck out 586 batters in 635 innings pitched. Those numbers are produced by, what some regard, the best top end rotation in the league.

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Through about three weeks of Spring Training games, what have we learned about the Atlanta Braves?

Here are a few things...

Jason Heyward is the man.

Nate McLouth...not so much.

Craig Kimbrel can throw really well.

Jesse Chavez...not so much.

Derek Lowe has a new delivery.

Brian McCann and Troy Glaus' deliveries of balls to the outfield have not.

Joe Thurston and Brooks Conrad are both more than qualified to be the back-up, back-up infielders.