It's still a bit too early to make predictions for the Playoffs. However, some interesting situations have taken place in the last week or two that keeps baseball talk alive and well. Let's review a few:
Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry has indicated that Lou Piniella is coming back next year. That's very interesting. However, will the new Cubs ownership bring Jim Hendry back next year? That certainly may be the bigger question.
Manager Bobby Cox has not decided if he will return for another year as the skipper of the Braves. It would seem he would want to return with some very positive accomplishments this year giving hope for the future. The biggest story in Atlanta is the fantastic pitching of rookie Tommy Hanson.
Chad Billingsley has been pushed back in his next start. He'll next pitch on August 23rd. The acquisition of John Garland and Vicente Padilla has allowed Joe Torre that luxury as well as the option of completely shutting down a struggling Clauyton Kershaw if he should so desire.
Remember Jason Repko, the former first round outfield prospect for the Dodgers? He was hurt, never really recovered and his career has gone south. It's a shame because he really brought energy to his game. Now there are numerous outfield prospects ahead of Repko in the Dodgers system.
The Giants failure to land that big bat at the non-waiver trade deadline has come back to haunt them. When Juan Uribe is carrying the biggest stick in September, there is something wrong with the overall picture. I guess Ryan Garko wasn't the answer.
Matt Wieters threw Carl Crawford out stealing second twice on September 16th. That's saying something. And isn't it nice to see Wieters gaining his confidence at the plate. His pop is starting to bubble to the surface.
The Mets catcher Josh Thole went 4/10 last week. That's a name you may want to scribble on a piece of paper. Lefty hitter to boot.
Brewers owner Mark Attanasio has indicated he doesn't think his club needs to change very much next year. Maybe he and I haven't been watching the same team. Change much? How about that pitching staff?
Great to see Brewers shortstop of the present and future, Alcides Escobar have a four hit game. For those of you who read my profile of Escobar, I feel he is a star in the making. Great glove, good bat, plus speed and his head is usually in the game. Look for J. J. Hardy to be shopped in the off season.
Who is the real Diamondbacks Chris Young? He was hitting so poorly that he was demoted to AAA Reno in August. At the time, he was hitting a shade above .200 for the season. As a matter of fact, he hit .111 in August. He was lunging at pitches, taking called third strikes and giving away at-bats like they were free refrigerator magnets. In September after having been recalled, Young has hit 6 home runs and is hitting .302. The mental part of baseball is so important. Young was fighting himself and it showed every time at the plate. Now he appears to be enjoying the game much more. His name still isn't written in stone for the roster next season. He'll have his hands full proving himself cured of the "yips" at the plate. He's still their best defensive outfielder. When he stays focused and waits back on pitches (becoming selective) he is a respectable hitter.
OK-you're Josh Byrnes. What do you do with the option for Brandon Webb? His elbow has been cleaned up and he doesn't need major surgery. But-and this is a big but- you haven't seen him pitch. You may see him throw batting practice or a simulated game. But you won't see him in a game situation. You have a decision to make right after the World Series. Know that if you pass, someone else won't. Good luck with that one.
Roy Oswalt's season is finished because of his sore back. That's a shame. if Oswalt can't take the ball, he's hurting. A sore back also has gotten to Justin Morneau. And his club still has a microscopic shot at the Playoffs.
Don't run on the Tigers Gerald Laird. He may not be able to hit, but man can he throw.
The Tigers Jarrod Washburn may not pitch again this season because of that bad knee.
Who plays first base for the Tribe next season? Andy Marte. No, your kidding me, right. Marte? How about Matt LaPorta? If so, he needs to be there every game beginning like uh.....now! If not him, who? Whatever happened to.....Jordan Brown?
Yep, Jordan Brown. The same .300+ hitting AAA Columbus Jordan Brown that didn't get a September call up from the Tribe. Hopefully, he can get an invite to spring training and show that he can do the job.
The Yankees are very lucky one of their playoff bound players wasn't seriously injured in the Jorge Posada vs. Jesse Carlson one rounder. One of these days we're going to read about a serious injury from a bench clearing brawl. I'm clueless. I don't know how to stop it. Fines? I don't think so. 3 games suspensions? For pitchers? They just get pushed back in the rotation. Any ideas out there?
My feature player this week on Bernie Pleskoff's Minor League Report is Braves outfielder Jason Heyward. I actually think he would make an outstanding first baseman if the Braves outfield becomes too crowded (which it isn't.)
In the days ahead we'll take a look at the Playoff picture as well as do some scribbling about what this observer feels certain teams need in order to improve for 2010. Until then, feel free to comment below.