Verducci: 5 Breakout Pitchers For ’08
Posted by Steve L. on March 11th, 2008 · Comments (7)
Tom Verducci, today, lists “5 pitchers who could make a big jump in 2008” and none of them are named Wang, Hughes, Chamberlain or Kennedy.
Oh, what a house of pain….
(“Jump” around…get it?)
Verducci is in the tank for Bigelow Joe Torre. He won’t say anything nice about the Yankees for the next five years.
The article’s about finding a young ace on your staff and taking a step forward and he has Pedro Martinez on it? I mean, come on. And I don’t see why everyone assumes Dice-K will be at least a run better than last year. I’m not convinced. He’s useful, but I don’t see the superstardom.
I love this part:
“Matsuzaka surprised the Red Sox by reporting to camp heavier than last year. He explained he enjoyed his best seasons in Japan when he carried more weight. Perhaps Matsuzaka also is better prepared for the grind of the longer major league season, which took its toll on the right-hander over the final two months of last season.”
Seriously? Verducci’s going to lead with Dice-K’s offseason fast food extravaganza as a reason to expect a break out year? I wouldn’t be surprised if he did do well, but I wouldn’t cite his weight problem as a positive. Still, gotta respect Matsuzaka for telling the Sox this was his way of preparing for the season.
Far more telling a reason why this article is more or less bunk: listing Dontrelle Willis on there. What the fascination with him is, I have no idea. The psychological toll of being the Marlins #1 pitcher? THAT’S why he stunk? Give me a break.
Tex Antoine! The great weatherman is back.
M’zaka reported to ST with a gut last ST too.
Nice sentence structure, Rich