Baseball 2012

So as we start the new season, there are so many things to discuss.  Not only with the Yankees but all over the league.Spring training started off as it usually does.  All the hype,  new acquisitions, and trades that occurred before spring. 
Bryce Harper

Lets start with all the hype.  Number one is Bryce Harper.  I guess he is good for his age but it was a good call by the Nationals not to bring him up yet. This spring, Harper appeared in nine games with the Nationals and  hitting .269 (7-26) with no runs and striking out 10 times.  I know it’s a small amount to judge him on but it is what it is.  Once he matures more this guy will be a WOW type of player.

Johan Santana

The Mets and Johan both need a break.  A good break that is.  Johan signed with the Mets for 6 years for $137.5 million.  Unfortunately for both it hasn't been good  years so far.  He is owed $24 million this season, which is 26% of the team's payroll. Next year he is guaranteed $25.5 million.  There is a vesting option for 2014 at $25 million that will require Santana to pitch 215 innings the season before.  If not, he will get $5.5 million as a  buyout.  He last pitched in Sept. of 2010.  The Mets have not had an ace like Santana since and with all the financial woes the Mets are having, they need a good return of investment.  For this to be a win-win situation, Santana needs to be the anchor of the pitching rotation so that the Mets will somewhat be a respectable team.  In order for the Mets to have elite players wanting to come and play for this New York team, they need to start winning. Santana plays a big part of that.  As for him, if he wants to get another lucrative final contract, he needs to be that Cy Young type of pitcher that he was.

Chipper Jones

He has announced his retirement at the end of the season.  Jones has been one of those  players that have class, loyality and skills.  He has only played for one team.  This age of baseball there are only a rare few who have started and finish their careers with one team.  In my opinion, Jones is a first ballot Hall of Famer.  Problem is that I do not get to vote and Jones falls short of the "requirements" needed.

He is short 385 hits from 3000 and 54 homeruns from 500. So unless they see something else or believe that he is a Hall of Famer, it may take him a bit longer to get in.

Finally Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder

With these two coming to the American league, the AL just got tougher. Both teams are predicted to win their division but I think the tigers are the favorites. The addition of Fielder to an already potent team makes the difference. As a die hard yankees fan, I always predict the yankees to win it all but as a baseball guy, I think it could be the Tigers.