3/11/10

ST Observations, Manuel on Niese... and Bradon Looper

ST Observations:


-I’ve updated the “Rotation Circus” with Pelf’s three innings… and you wonder why I call this a circus?


-wholesale lineup changes after the rain delay… only starters left in were Jacobs on first, Coste catching, and Cattawhatchamacallit as DH…


-it was also Igarashi’s turn to get lit up, giving up two earned runs in one inning. He was promised a start in ST and still hasn’t got it…


I gotta tell ya… I watch a lot of guys come in and out of this lineup every day, and the fact is that most of them aren’t what we could call household names, nor are they going to be inducted some day in the HOF. The other problem is that a vast majority of the big names here are either hurt or under-producing.


Score? Does it matter? The exciting vibe that surrounded Traditions Field when I got there for the pitchers/catchers has begun to disappear and the reality is setting in again… injuries… lack of quality starters… no depth…


Still early, but a couple of good outings from the projected rotation guys would be nice.



Manuel on Niese:

Jonathon Niese, trying to win the No. 5 spot in New York’s rotation, allowed three runs and three hits in two innings. The left-hander walked two and struck out none. “I don’t think we are ready to eliminate him or anyone else,” manager Jerry Manuel said of the competition for the starting job. “It will all come down to who can come up with wins for us.”

http://www.romenews-tribune.com/view/full_story/6650117/article-Good-news--bad-news?instance=home_news_lead_story  

Bradon Looper:

Looper has decent pitches, but his stuff is starting to decline with age. He isn't fooling batters and the late movement on his pitches was missing last season. Still, Looper is a steady back end starter. He would do best on a team with offensive weapons and stellar defense. He isn't the ideal candidate to mentor a young staff, however. New York and LA make the most sense, with LA already having veteran pitchers but in need of an insurance starter. The Mets need starters in the worst way and Looper would be able to fill that dire need effectively.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/360849-five-remaining-mlb-free-agents-who-can-help-a-team#page/3

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