Thursday, April 30, 2009

Comienzo Caliente del Poder Latino en las Grandes Ligas 2009



Un mes de temporada 2009 esta en los libros de historia. Falta largo camino al mes de Octubre pero temprano estamos viendo bien presente el poder latinoamericano en el gran circo.

Al cerrar el primer capitulo del mes de abril, los tres mejores bateadores en la Liga Nacional son de nuestra área geográfica. El boricua Carlos Beltrán de los Mets de Nueva York ha arrancado con un bateo estruendente y está demostrando porque algunas publicaciones de pre-temporada lo daban como posible candidato esta campaña para Jugador Más Valioso. Tal como dijo su compatriota y compañero de equipo Carlos Delgado durante el Clásico Mundial de Béisbol que si Beltrán le ponía pasión y corazón a esta campaña este iba a ser un gran año para el en la Ciudad de la Gran Manzana.

En el uniforme Marlin el hombre grande lo es Jorge Cantú. El azteca no solo esta conectando para promedio si no también para buenos números de poder convenciendo al momento a su Dirigente Fredi González que bien merecido es su lugar de limpiabases en la alineación floridiana. En la otra costa Manny Ramírez esta demostrando porque es Manny. De seguir tal como ha comenzado le esta demostrando al mundo beisbolero su valor mega- millonario y que el si puede cargar con sus Dodgers y posiblemente llevarlos una vez más hasta las series post-temporada.

Uno que muchos olvidan pero también ha comenzado muy bien esta temporada en especial en números de poder lo es Adrian González de los Padres de San Diego.

En el caso de Albert Pujols, el dominicano es un Más Valioso perpetuo. Una vez más con su bateo caliente esta demostrando sus grandes números y quien sabe si más adelante se pone en posición de triple corona ofensiva. Además, si se mantiene saludable toda esta temporada quien sabe si sus Cardenales de San Luis pueden dar una sorpresa. Otro Cardenal que ha arrancado muy bien con su madero y posiblemente será un Guante de Oro nuevamente lo es el borincano Yadier Molina.

Otros latinos que hay que destacar por su buen arranque en el más antiguo de ambos circuitos lo son Aramis Ramírez y Alfonso Soriano de los Cachorros de Chicago y Bengie Molina de los Gigantes de San Francisco.

Desde la lomita no debe ser sorpresa el buen comienzo de Johan Santana pero si es grato al momento la buena apertura esta temporada de Joel Piñeiro de los Cardenales.

En la Liga Americana muchas publicaciones de pre-temporada coincidieron que Miguel Cabrera es un gran posible candidato esta campaña para Jugador Más Valioso y quien sabe a ser el primero en muchos calendarios a lograr la triple corona ofensiva en la Liga Americana. Al presente el Tigre de Detroit no esta quedando mal. Su madero está caliente y si sigue con tan gran son quien sabe si junto a la ofensiva latina de entre otros Carlos Guillen, Magglio Ordóñez y Placido Polanco los Tigres vuelven a poner a gozar a los de su ciudad automotriz.

En la misma división central uno que esta demostrando que cuando esta saludable es de peligro lo es Víctor Martínez. También otro que esta caliente y jugando a gran capacidad porque esta nuevamente saludable lo es Mike Lowell. El boricua precisamente esta demostrando que es una pieza de suma importancia y su madero es un extra enorme para volver a llevar a sus Medias Rojas de Boston a re-conquistar su banderín del este.

En Tampa Bay su fanaticada se pregunta que esta pasando con su novena quienes han comenzado algo frío pero dudas no hay con el bate de Carlos Peña. El quisqueyano esta dando mucho que hablar y demostrando porque es el toletero con sus jonrones y carreras impulsadas que merece bien ser reconocido en la gran carpa.

Otros latinos que han comenzado con gran empuje esta temporada con sus bates son Bobby Abreu de los Angelinos de Los Angeles, Robinson cano de los Yankees de Nueva York y Alberto Callaspo de los Reales de Kansas City.

Félix “El Rey” Hernández esta demostrando al momento desde el montículo porque su apodo y porque tiene la corona de as con los Marineros de Seattle.

Honor a quienes merecen honor. Que continúen por buena ruta. Quien sabe y estoy seguro que muchos de ellos comienzen a anotar sus nombres a estar este año en el Juego de las Estrellas.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Are The Florida Marlins For Real in 2009 ?


Special For The Puerto Rico Daily Sun

Welcome to Florida’s new roller coaster. Florida Marlins baseball.

The Marlins started the season with an impressive 11-1 record. When all the national media took attention of their streak they suddenly lose their touch and they have forgotten about the winning column.

It’s true it is only April. A very long way to October. However questions are starting to arise whom are the true Marlins for this 2009 season.

Every major national media outlet mostly agreed in the pre-season that the Marlins could be great or not so good depending how it starting pitching rotation was going to be. Most of the so-called experts coincide that the combo of Ricky Nolasco, Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez, Chris Volstad and Andrew Miller is the best rotation in the National League. Possibly, in the whole Major Leagues.

They are young. Really young. Nolasco, 26, is the elder of manager Fredi Gonzalez squad.

The problem is that not much if known if they can keep healthy and go long distances in innings pitched on a full season. Also they are realizing they are getting extra pressure as often they are compare with the Marlins troupe from the 2003 World Champions of such names as Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett and Brad Penny. They won the October Classic that year but in 2002 it is forgotten that with the high expectations that same trio and their team faltered and finished with a record of 79-83, fourth in their East Division.

This year Marlins improved in the middle with such names as Kiko Calero and Leo Nuñez. However there are many questions about young Matt Lindstrom if he’s ready for primetime as a closer.

A lot of questions there are also about the lineup. When they are red-hot they are but when they go cold their bats get frozen. The only way they can beat inconsistency is that such names as Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, Jorge Cantu and Jeremy Hermida finally demonstrate they can be productive over the course of a whole year. Also, they need rookies Emilio Bonifacio and Cameron Maybin to improve their batting right now faster than you can say the month of May.

So far the battles against the World Champions Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets have not been won. Again, it is only April but sometimes the beginning of a season can be a glimpse of things to happen.

The Marlins if they want to win the National League East pennant they need to win the battles and the whole war. It is true that their 84 wins last season were good. That was the same total of wins the Los Angeles Dodgers needed to win the National League West. However, the East it is a lot better and they have pretty stiff competition from the Phillies, Mets and the Atlanta Braves.

Right now their division’ first place it’s looking like a miracle. Such as many still do not believe good present streaks such as the ones of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Diego Padres or the ones of the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners in the American League.

If the Marlins want to be in the race they have to answer their own questions really fast right now if they want to be a real contender.

Monday, April 27, 2009

All Quiet on the Phillies Front



Special for The Puerto Rico Daily Sun
Last time JC Romero was seen in the Phillies uniform he was a hero. He was one of the most cherished Philly among fans of the City of Brotherly Love.
The 33-year-old left-hander reliever was the winning pitcher in Game 3 and clinching Game 5 of the 2008 World Series.

That was then (October).

Turning forward the calendar, last weekend Romero was against the Marlins at Dolphin Stadium roaming around with his teammates for the first time this season. Just in plain cloth. No uniform and not allowed to be in the dugout and its clubhouse.

It was no vacation. Romero is far less than halfway of a 50 games suspension by Major League Baseball after testing positive for a banned over-the-counter substance. And Romero still is not happy about it.

“It could be worse,” Romero said. “I was very mad until I saw (Angels pitcher) Nick Adenhart passing away. That changed my perspective on everything. Money comes and goes. Baseball is a game. People make mistakes. In this case, making decisions and ruling certain things. But when you lose a life, it changes everything. Whatever they decided to do to suspend me, that’s nothing compared to losing your life.”
After four months, no matter the rhetoric of Adenhart, Romero still firm that the decision made was completely unfair because he ingested a supplement without knowing it contained a banned substance.
Back in January, Romero suspension was on the grounds of “negligence”. He was not accused or found guilty of knowingly using a banned performance-enhancing substance.
At the time Romero’s argument was that he bought the nutritional supplement from a GNC store in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He thought buying an over- the- counter product from a national chain was acceptable and by no means was illegal. By the same token no reason to be banned by Major League Baseball.
“I still cannot see where I did something wrong,” Romero said back in January. “There is nothing that should take away from the rings of my teammates. I did not cheat. I tried to follow the rules.”
At present, Romero is playing extended spring camp in Clearwater, Florida. He only said is eligible to begin a rehab assignment 16 days before the end of his suspension and pitch in minor league games. He said he will be eligible to be activated the first week of June.
“When I’ve got to be ready to go, I’ll be ready to go,” Romero said.
As far of his case, he completely declined to go into further details. He only said he would later in the future decide what exact court of action he will take underway.
Romero stated back at the World Baseball Classic in Miami he has retained a lawyer who will pursue some sort of legal action. Romero has been report it have lose approximately $1.25 million of his salary.
Romero expressed also at the time he was not pleased with the support from the Player s Association.
As for the record, all Phillies personnel, including coaches and players, in their recent visit to South Florida were mum about Romero’s case. Back in February, last Philly word regarding Romero was his permission to play in the World Baseball Classic.

By the way, another matter Romero did not want to talk about it.
Romero was the losing pitcher in the USA back-from-behind victory against Puerto Rico in the Classic’ Round 2 elimination game to advance to the finals round.
Romero insists all the substance issue decision was unfair however now his mind and heart is looking toward his 11th season in the Majors.
“There are things I have to deal with, and I’ll move forward,” Romero said.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Estaran Terminando Los Millones en las Grandes Ligas ?



Tal como se esperaba dado el actual estado de la economia las asistencias a los estadios de las grandes ligas han bajado en comparacion al año pasado. Y han bajado en grande. En parte por tal razón por primera vez en muchos calendarios vimos muchos conjuntos bajar sus nominas para esta campaña porque bien sabian el ciclón económico que se iban a enfrentar.

Buscando en mis notas de antaño bien señalaba en algunas de mis columnas que en algun momento en el futuro la musica del danzón de los millones tenia que parar o al menos por un tiempo iba a sufrir consecuencias.

Entre mis escritos de 1988 encontre un analisis que iba ser el béisbol organizado con la creciente ola de salarios en aquel momento. En especifico en ese articulo hablaba sobre Fernando Valenzuela quien para esas fechas se convirtió en el primer latinoamericano en recibir un salario anual de $2 millones por temporada en la gran carpa. Los unicos que se le acercaban al serpentinero mexicano en tal escala eran George Bell y Pedro Guerrero.

Para los latinos obviamente un gran gozo porque entendian estaban comenzando estar a la par de las estrellas anglosajonas pero la danza no paro ahi.

Quizas muchos han olvidado pero lo que hoy es quizas un minimo para un jugador promedio en aquellos tiempos era una gran cifra. En 1991 fueron José Canseco y Dennis Martínez los primeros latinos en recibir de parte de Oakland y los desaparecidos Expos de Montreal respectivamente un salario de $3 millones por campaña. Al año siguiente la escalera salarial subio aun más.

Hoy dia los contratos de mega-millones no hacen las portadas de las principales revistas en los Estados Unidos porque hablar de millones ya es bastante comun pero no era en 1992.


En ambas publicaciones en sus portadas principales Sports Illustrated y The Sporting News salieron Bobby Bonilla y Danny Tartabull. Ambos de ascendencia boricua cambiaron el panorama de los millones al convertirse en los dos mejores jugadores mejor pagos por temporada en todo el gran circo. Los Mets de Nueva York le entregaron un contrato de $6.1 millones para ese año a Bonilla. Por otro lado los vecinos Yankees contrataron por $5.3 millones a Tartabull. Y si fuera poco el tercero mejor pago esa campaña tambien fue otro boricua al recibir Rubén Sierra un jugoso contrato de $5 millones ese año por los Rangers de Texas.

Precisamente Bonilla fue el jugador mejor pago temporada tras temporada hasta 1994 en todas las Mayores.

En 1995 comenzaron a verse los primeros salarios de hasta $9 millones por campaña pero fue en 1997 que cambio el asunto salarial de atmosfera al Albert Belle el primero en recibir un contrato de $10 millones en una campaña. Cifra muy lejos a cuando una decada antes Nolan Ryan fue el primero en recibir un millon. Ese año el mejor latino pago lo fue Juan “Igor” Gonzalez con un salario anual de $7.4 millones con Texas. Al año siguiente en 1998 Bernie Williams y Andres Galarraga fueron los primeros latinos en devengar un salario de sobre $ 8 millones. En dos calendarios fue subiendo más las escalas y fue Williams el primero que recibio de parte de los Yankees de Nueva York un salario anual de $12 millones.

En ese año 2000 al final de esa temporada un joven llamado Alex Rodríguez cambio todo. Descontento que los Marineros de Seattle no le iban a pagar lo que deseaba decidio irse a la agencia libre. Lo que nadie se imagino que el mundo financiero del beisbol iba cambiar totalmente. El propietario del Texas Tom Hicks boto la chequera por la ventana al entregarle un contrato de $252 millones por 10 años. Asi comenzo la leyenda del que hoy conocemos mejor como A-Rod y por tal razon es anualmente hasta hoy dia el mejor pago año tras año en las Mayores. Por cierto que gran ayudado por la re-contratacion dos años atras por los Yankees quienes le pagaran al son de $275 millones por los proximos 10 años.

Sin duda los tiempos han cambiado. Y en especial para los latinos. Esta temporada 7 de los primeros 10 mejores pagos son de nuestra area geografica. Y estamos hablando de numeros entre A-Rod y $18 millones. Y ni hablar la otra gran cantidad de latinos que ganan esta campaña entre $14 millones y $17 milllones. Quien diria que en esa cifra mas baja de $14 milllones atras en el 2002 solo esa cantidad la obtenian Manny Ramírez, Carlos Delgado, Sammy Sosa y Pedro Martínez.

A donde llegaran los salarios individuales nadie sabe a ciencia cierta. Y mas que estos tiempos economicos que vivimos hoy dia han cambiado muchos rumbos. Para los latinos claro esta andan gozando pero cuidado que si la cosa se sigue poniendo mala una posible solucion por parte de los propietarios sera volver a buscar el tema del tope salarial.

El tiempo dira. Veremos.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Carlos Delgado: Hall of Fame Bound ?



Special for The Puerto Rico Daily Sun

Next month the Hall of Fame will dedicate !Viva Baseball! an exhibit celebrating baseball in the Caribbean Basin countries. Latino Hall of Famers like Roberto Clemente, Orlando Cepeda and Tany Perez will be featured in the exhibit. Same as a series of present day stars.

Of such today’s luminaries one of them is Aguadilla’s favorite son Carlos Delgado.

Does this will be his first staple in Cooperstown and turn to be a permanent one.

There is no doubt Roberto Alomar will be the next boricua in the pavilion. No matter how much discussion there have been after 35 years of the role of the designated hitter, Edgar Martinez should be the first honored.

Ivan Rodriguez is enjoying another summer in the diamond but no discussion there should be when he finally decides to hang his shin guards and mask that he will be a first ballot shoo-in.

Next. Delgado?

The present New York Met in 17 seasons, year after year, has proven all baseball people his star status. No matter originally a catcher, he was switched to first base. His bat has done all the talking.

Delgado, 36, holds the all-time home run and RBI record among Puerto Rican players. If healthy, this season he could be the fifth Latino to join the home run 500-Club. Already he is among only six Latinos with over 1,500 RBI’s in a career.

Delgado is the fourth player in the majors history to hit at least 30 homers in 10 consecutive seasons, and he amassed 100 RBI or more in seven of his ten full seasons. In the days as a Blue Jay, those numbers were fueled with 6 consecutive seasons with over 30 homers and 100 RBI’s.

Those amazing numbers and many others still hold several Toronto’s single-season and career records. Moreover, it was in Canada he won the 2000 Hank Aaron award and 3 Silver Slugger honors.

He added to his hardware, the 2006 Roberto Clemente Award due to his great charity work outside the baseball fields.

And this is just a summary.

His actual resume very well compares with the career of such greats first baseman as Willie McCovey and Willie Stargell. Delgado says he does not have control of how writers look to him at present and how he will be foreseen in the future.

Probably is true but if healthy Delgado continues racking numbers the votes for Cooperstown will be by them. Probably we will know his induction by 2020
.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Carlos Beltran: Could He Be Better ?



Special For The Puerto Rico Daily Sun

Nowadays when you ask about whom are the best players in the Major Leagues the fastest response are Albert Pujols and Hanley Ramirez. Just check out as an example all those fantasy baseball magazines around.

After the Cardinals and Marlins All-Stars, then the question is who’s third? If you ask most of those called experts among this season media the response is a fast-track one too, the name most bring up is Carlos Beltran. By the way, check some of those same magazines because they agreed too.

In Mets land the Manati native is not mentioned, as it should be. Although every year his numbers are comparable to those compiled by teammates Carlos Delgado and David Wright, he does not receive as much attention as they have. He is neither popular of autograph seekers like Jose Reyes or Johan Santana.

Long time ago General Manager Omar Minaya called him on the record the quietest leader you can have in a team. Beltran did not accept neither rejects the accolade. The 12th season veteran knows he himself is a quiet and reserved man. Even though he is being the best-paid Met this season, his $19 million salary does not make him an unostentatious and unpretentious guy.

For Beltran his numbers are the one who speaks for himself. And this season is no exemption. At present his bat is one of the team best in this young season for average and power numbers and his defense is turning as another in his resume.

Because his name tends to be forgotten the four-time All-Star have been a Gold Glove winner the last three seasons. Many thinks he should have won last year for the third straight the Silver Slugger Award. Moreover, last season for the third straight season he batted again over 25 dingers and over 100 RBI’s.

And many of the principal media outlets wrote him at the end of the 2008 season in their season’ All-Star Team.

For Beltran, who’s going to be 32 upcoming April 24th, he pointed us his job is to produce and not to be in a popularity contest. He knows long gone is his 1999 American League Rookie of the Year Award and this season he would like to prove he can be a league awardees again. As MVP. The closest he was to that honor was in fourth place in the voting in 2006.

He also would like to finally get his team to the next level. As in October be in the World Series. And his mission is to have a record-breaking post-season like he did have in 2004 for the Houston Astros. Still, as an amazing performance not repeated it yet. Of course, he expects his New York squad will not choke again as in the past two seasons in September.

For Beltran it is a matter he wants to demonstrate he can. And many, including his buddy and teammate Carlos Delgado agree he can. According to Delgado, if Beltran plays with the same passion and heart he played last March for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic he can be this year Mets MVP. And those are big words from one that quietly is compiling numbers for hall of fame monitoring.

It is true it is only April but watch out for the quiet Beltran to do a lot of noise. After all, the considered five-tool player quietly wants to demonstrate he can be the best.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Kiko Calero: Back & Smiling With The Florida Marlins


Special For The Puerto Rico Daily Sun
It’s just the beginning of the season. The grass still green and fresh. Every baseball fan is pump up and all players have a slight illusion of post-season play.

The Florida Marlins have commence the young season with its best start since its 1997 World Championship team and on its bench only smiles are seen. Sure, it’s only the first week. This is definitely not the ample talented that Jim Leyland managed 12 summers ago but why not to enjoy it meanwhile it lasts the good streak.

Among the grinning faces in Fredi Gonzalez squad are the two boricuas in the fish tank Kiko Calero and Andy Gonzalez.

“I’m very happy to be here. I knew I deserve the opportunity and I’m going to do the best of it”, Calero said at Miami’s Dolphin Stadium.

Calero, signed as a Minor League free agent in late January, it’s making his words good and at this moment has now pitched 2 2/3 shutout frames to start the season.

“I work very hard to be here. I made some sacrifices and I want personally to demostrate that I’m back and healthy”, Calero said.

And sure he made a huge sacrifice back in March. The 34 year-old right-handed bolted to join Team Puerto Rico for the World Baseball Classic and instead stayed behind at the Marlins spring training camp in Jupiter in order to win a spot as a relief pitcher as a non-roster invitee.

Not only the Santurce native was just an invitee. Calero have to demostrate he could come back from a rotator cuff injury that kept him out from pitching last season.

Calero problems started in 2007 when he appeared in 46 games as shoulder problems arise and caused him to miss the final month of that season. In 2008 after only 5 games pitched he was released by the Oakland A’s. After being designated for assignment and released, Calero signed with the Texas Rangers on July 4, 2008.

The Rangers signed Calero to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Oklahoma, where he spent the rest of the season.

As of Andy Gonzalez, he’s smiling too. Even though, there it is the possibility he will be victim to be send to the minors when the Marlins called up super utilty Alfredo Amezaga from the disabled list his happy.

“This was my goal. To start the season in the major league roster and show my abilities”. Gonzalez said. “Even if I’m sent down, I know I will be back soon”

Manager Fredi Gonzalez pointed out that Gonzalez, 27, have a great chance to be with the big club for long and is a player that can help the team coming out of the bench.The cuban-born skipper praised Gonzalez as he can play both the infield and outfield very soundly.

As of Calero, Manager Gonzalez praised him as a veteran that will see a lot of innings this year and can be a good candidate for Comeback of the Year.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

El Mejor Equipo Latino Con Pocos Millones en las Grandes Ligas



Es una realidad que la económia de los Estados Unidos está por el piso y el béisbol organizado no esta siendo una excepción a ser una de sus victimas. Aunque el salario promedio de los peloteros subió un modesto 4%, por otro lado 14 conjuntos bajaron sus nominas grandemente para esta comenzada temporada 2009. Los dueños de equipos vieron desde la primavera muchos de sus auspiciadores cancelar y retirarse para esta campaña por asuntos financieros. Más el bolsillo de Juan Fanatico está tan afectado que muy poco irán a los estadios este año. Muchas franquicias registraron bajas en sus asistencias para su dia inaugural.

No importando como esta la economia me dí a la tarea por tercer año consecutivo a ser el dueño de mi propia franquicia y como soy el jefe de mi propio equipo esta compuesto solo por jugadores latinoamericanos.

La encomienda no fue facil porque al igual que la temporada pasada tome la decision de utilizar el promedio salarial de muchas de las actuales novelas del gran circo de unos $75 millones.

La asignación como gerente general es hacer uno competitivo y a la vez con pocos millones uno de Serie Mundial.

Dicen los que saben que la clave de triunfo en la gran carpa esta en el pitcheo y mi cuadro de iniciadores entiendo es de lo mejor. Mis cinco iniciadores para esta campaña 2009 son Anibal Sanchez, Armando Galarraga, Edison Volquez, Johnny Cueto y Jonathan Sanchez. Todos probados y de gran calidad.

Mis relevistas derechos lo son Jose Arredondo, Kiko Calero y Carlos Marmol. Los zurdos en el bullpen son Pedro Feliciano, Wil Ledezma y Renyel Pinto. El cerrador de mi novena lo es Joakim Soria.

Entiendo que en este ultimo grupo hay un balance perfecto de serpentineros de ambas manos y Soria es un cerrador Todo Estrella probado en las Mayores. El costo total de los 12 magnificos utilizando la tabla salarial de esta temporada 2009 no llega a los $8 millones.

La bateria de los lanzadores, mi receptor regular lo será el Novato del Año de la Liga Nacional del 2008 Geovany Soto y de segundo receptor Carlos Ruiz. Ambos sus salarios actuales no llegan juntos a $1.1 millones.

Con el gran ahorro logrado, en mi cuadro interior reclute a dos mejores del presente en las Grandes Ligas el inicialista Albert Pujols y el campocorto Hanley Ramirez. Jugando de bateria con Ramirez seleccioné como su segunda base a Felipe Lopez. Para balancear el presupuesto el antesalista lo será Willy Aybar.

Como reserva del cuadro interior seleccioné a Yunel Escobar y Emilio Bonifacio que son jugadores versatiles y pueden jugar cualquier posicion.

En los bosques, mi cuadro regular lo es en el derecho Bobby Abreu, en el central Carlos Beltran y en el izquierdo Alexis Rios. Los dos jardineros reservas lo son Nelson Cruz y Franklyn Gutierrez.

En el cuadro interior siguiendo los salarios a devengar este año la inversión es de alrededor de $25 millones. En este grupo los de mayor salario son Pujols y Ramirez que entre ambos devengan casi $20 millones.

Por otro lado entre jardineros lo es alrededor de $32 millones. El trio regular de Abreu, Beltran y Rios devengan ellos solamente $30 millones. Cruz y Gutierrez no llegan a los $500 mil cada uno esta temporada.

El conjunto tiene buenos guantes defensivos y el bateo tiene promedio y poder. Y un muy buen banco. Sin duda un conjunto como este estoy seguro le daria batalla a cualquiera no importa si en la Liga Americana o en el circuito nacional.

Entiendo este es el mejor equipo latinoamericano buen dinero puede comprar a competir en las Mayores.

Dicen por ahi que soñar no cuesta nada.

Por cierto, como un extra, en mis ultimas predicciones para el 2009 el galardon de Jugador Mas Valioso de la Liga Nacional lo veo luchando entre Hanley Ramirez, Albert Pujols y Carlos Beltran. En el mismo circuito el Cy Young mi mejor candidato lo es Johan Santana y para Dirigente del Año Fredi Gonzalez.

En la Liga Americana en carrera para el Jugador Mas Valioso debe estar Miguel Cabrera; para el Cy Young Felix Hernandez y para Dirigente del Año Ozzie Guillen.