February 17th: Spring Training Hat Preview

After a long winter, the clouds are starting to part. Baseball season is officially back, with pitchers and catchers reporting to camp starting today.

Upon their arrival, they will find new gear in their lockers, as Major League Baseball has announced new hats and jerseys for the spring schedule. The new designs, released a few weeks ago by MLB.com and subsequently available on Lids.com, include some teams remaining fairly traditional, others pushing new color pairings, and still others getting total makeovers.

The ZP: Left Fielder takes a look at the winners, losers, and those who win some and lose some:

Winners:

Diamondbacks:  After a redesign of their jerseys and hats this winter, the Diamondbacks come to camp with their snake-head logo, biting into a baseball. The colors are excellent, the logo is fierce, and the hat does a great job of using a secondary logo to make the hat stand out from the regular season options. The Diamondbacks win the Spring Training Hat of the Year Award in a big way.

Brewers: The Brewers went with their throwback MB baseball mitt logo, and put it on a darker blue that will go really well with their jerseys. The gold logo pops off the blue really well, and gives a nod to those who have been begging for more use of a classic logo. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this as a best-seller at Miller Park even during the regular season.

Rangers: Whenever a team uses a more traditional logo, there is a risk that nobody will buy the new hat. To compensate for that, the Rangers have added an outline of the state of Texas to their hat, paying homage to their community, and keying into the state pride for which Texans are so well known. As someone who already loves the Rangers T, this only adds to the class of the cap.

Losers:

Indians: The Indians have almost entirely given up on their Chief Wahoo hat (whether for the good or not), and have instead replaced it by one of the most boring logos in sports. In case you were worried that the new Spring Training hat would force some cool on them, they outlined their red C in white, and then put it on a white front panel. White on white looks pale, and gives an already weak logo an even less bold look.

Royals: It’s nice to be the defending champs. When you’re the Royals, you take that notion of being crowned to an even higher degree. The Royals cap has their usual KC logo, adorned with a large, cartoonish crown. While it’s a nice thought now, it will quickly become obsolete (unless, of course, they keep winning). The crown looks like an afterthought, and takes a usually very classic logo and makes it look a little ridiculous.

Marlins: Oh, poor Marlins. They just can’t seem to get it right. As if their normal hat wasn’t phosphorescent enough, they went and created a dark neon hat. The colors are a little blinding, the orange could be used to stop traffic, and, frankly, I’m afraid to buy it because it might glow in the dark at night in my closet.

Win Some, Lose Some:

Tigers: The Tigers have released two different hats for this Spring, one for home games, the other for away games. The blue one is very sharp looking, just slightly different than the regular season traditional hat. The other is bright orange. So bright that, under the Florida sun, it has the chance to be a sunburn risk. The Tigers hit a home run with their blue hat, and struck out with the orange.

Dodgers: The LA logo is one of the three most famous logos in baseball. To depart from it is to profoundly break with tradition. This year, the Dodgers have added a script D to their hat repotoire, a bold move that both looks very good, and makes the steadfast baseball traditionalists cringe. It’s a good hat, but any new hat is bound to displease.

Blue Jays: As the only team in Canada, the Blue Jays own their identity up north, and have used a Maple Leaf as their design for the spring. On its own, the hat looks really good, with a great color and a clean logo. The only problem is that it looks exactly like a Toronto Maple Leafs hat. Unless the Jays are lacing up skates, the design misses by just a little bit.

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February 24th: ""Welcoming" Back A-Roid*

For the first time in over a year, Alex Rodriguez has reported to the Yankees. He arrived at Spring Training this year in the hopes of reclaiming his spot in the lineup, after a full-season ban that kept him away from any and all baseball-related activities, at least as they pertained to the Yankees and Major League Baseball.

Meanwhile, the Bronx Bombers have purchased some insurance policies that render A-Rod’s services nearly useless. The signing of Chase Headley in free agency and the acquisition of Garrett Jones from the Marlins allow for options at both third base and DH, potentially leaving the former MVP and current Baseball Anti-Christ without a position to play.

This works out perfectly for the team, as they are able to use the best excuse in sports: compete at the highest level, or get lost. See, for the Yankees, they have the opportunity to compete with whoever brings the least drama and the most production. If that is Rodriguez, than great. They have the option of inserting one of the game’s best players (historically speaking), assuming he can re-learn to hit big league pitching after a year out of the league and, of course, assuming he can keep hitting without his steroids.

I have been a big advocate for a life ban for Alex Rodriguez. He is the epitome of everything that is wrong with baseball. He used steroids, cheated, bastardized the statistics of an entire generation of ballplayers who went about the game in the right way. He then proceeded to sue everyone in his path, throwing anyone and everyone he could find under the bus. He was classless. He was cruel. And he deserved to have his ability to play the game taken away.

To clarify, it isn’t the cheating I have the biggest problem with (although I will publicly shame anyone who degrades the game in that way). Jason Giambi cheated, and the fans accepted his apology and moved on. Andy Pettitte cheated, and everyone got over it, because he admitted his mistake. A-Rod’s biggest crime is that he cheated, THEN lied about it. When he was caught, he refused to admit he was wrong until the absolute latest opportunity, continually choosing to point fingers, rather than own his decisions.

Legally, you can’t take away someone’s career for being an ass, though, so here he is. The Yankees have too much money wrapped up in him not to bring him to camp, and he now has the chance to show whether or not he can keep playing the game that he so thoroughly jeopardized with his behavior.

Upon arrival at camp, Rodriguez subjected himself to about eight minutes of questioning from reporters. Many of the questions were various articulations of the same question: You’re a real jerk, aren’t you? Of course, they couldn’t ask in exactly those terms, but reporters struggled to find ways to articulate questions to which the answer could be anything more than “Yup. I’m a scumbag.”

But, of course, Alex Rodriguez will never truly admit he’s wrong without looking for a way to come out looking like the good guy (ain’t working so far, Alex). So he tiptoed almost as daintily around answering the questions as the reports did asking them.

There is a very simple solution that will solve all of these dilemmas, though. The simple answer is that we need to ignore anything and everything A-Rod does that doesn’t involve a baseball bat. He should be subjected to daily drug tests, and then judged strictly by his numbers. Reporters shouldn’t ask him questions. That right is reserved for players who can handle their business with some decorum.

The worst punishment Major League Baseball can give an egomaniac like Alex is to ignore him altogether. His entire identity should be reduced to a box score. No headlines. No interviews. No special reports. Just complete and total objectification of his skills as a ballplayer.

For someone who was willing to sacrifice his entire identity to hit a few more home runs, that is exactly what he deserves.

February 19th: Getting an Invitation

Contrary to what the thermometer may be telling you, today is the first day of spring! Pitchers and catchers have reported to spring training, kicking off the beginning of the 2015 baseball season.

As the hot stove cools off and the season approaches, teams prepare to prove that the off-season buzz can turn into regular season success. To beef up their chances, though, each team invites Non-Roster Invitees to take a crack at joining the Major League roster. Each year, you see youngsters making their first attempt at the league alongside older veterans who will have to prove that they still have what it takes to contribute at the highest level. Teams have, in past years, found major contributors hidden in their NRI list.

This year in particular, there are a litany of diamonds in the rough, especially those with prior years of ML service. Some will pan out, while others will be sent to the minors, maybe never to be seen again.

The Zoot Perspective: Left Fielder looks at 10 Non-Roster Invitees who could make a significant impact on their new ball club:

1. 

   Ryan Ludwick, OF - Rangers
   Ludwick spent most of his time with the Reds either looking over his shoulder waiting to be replaced, or on the DL. Now that he’s free of that contract, he has the chance to go to the relatively depleted Rangers and stake a claim on the left field gig currently held by...well, nobody.
   
2. Wandy Rodriguez, SP - Braves
   After coming into the league as a highly anticipated prospect with the Astros, Rodriguez’s time with the Pirates was relatively lackluster. He has the chance to fight his way into the Braves rotation, and could return to form. This is a great example of a player with nothing to lose, fighting for a spot that actually does exist.
   
3. Franklin Gutierrez, OF - Mariners
   After a pair of years in 2009-2010 that left Mariners fan with cautious optimism about the young Gutierrez, he caught the injury bug and has struggled to be a major contributor. He sat out the 2014 season, and the Mariners have the chance to buy low on a player who, if healthy, could put back together the pieces of his career.
   
4. Jeff Francoeur, OF - Phillies
   Frenchy is a long-time fan favorite, and a journeyman, having spent time on six different teams. He now has the chance to maybe add some excitement to a Phillies team that otherwise looks like it will experience a long summer. Famous for treating the fans in the bleachers to pizza and beer, Francoeur better provide some off-field fun to combat the on-field disaster.
   
5. Ryan Madson, RP - Royals
   Madson is another former star who was hampered by injury. He spent time with the Reds and Angels, never having thrown a pitch for either Major League squad. The Royals don’t need a closer, so Madson doesn’t have the same degree of pressure. He can, however, fill the role of swing man, getting the ball from the starting pitchers to the stout Three-Headed Monster. This could be a great chance for him.
   
6. Andrew Bailey, RP - Yankees
   Every year, a former Rookie of the Year makes himself known on this list. This time around, it’s Andrew Bailey, who couldn’t keep up his Oakland magic after he was shipped off by Billy Beane. Bailey can play a supporting role as Dellin Betances inserts himself into the closer role. You can never have too many good late-inning arms.
   
7. Reed Johnson, OF - Marlins
   The Marlins are trying to add to the success of last year, and need some veteran guidance to get them there. Enter Reed Johnson, who has been a supporting cast member of many young teams, and continues to get quality at-bats year after year. I’m a biased HUGE Reed Johnson fan, but he could be a vital supporting cast member in getting the Marlins to the next level.
   
8. Chris Parmalee, OF - Orioles
   The Orioles spent most of this off-season watching helplessly as free agents fled to greener pastures, including Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz. Chris Parmalee has an opportunity to bring the big bat and provide some of that pop that the Orioles will surely miss.
   
9. Bryan LaHair, 1B, OF - Red Sox
   As if the Red Sox needed another outfielder, LaHair came back from a year in Japan to take a crack at the Boston roster. LaHair is a former all-star who lost his job to Anthony Rizzo, leading to a sharp decline in production. He was one of the worst all-stars in recent memory, but when he gets hot, he’s a force. If the Red Sox can find a spot for him, he will be in the Majors this year.
   
10. Geovany Soto, C - White Sox
    The White Sox makeover did not extend to the catcher position, where they are trusting a newly beefed up staff to Tyler Flowers. Soto, meanwhile, caught a playoff game last year, and is another former Rookie of the Year. Could he be a major piece of the Chicago puzzle? I think so.

February 22nd: National League Preview

The 162 game baseball season is a marathon. Yet, in Spring Training, it is easy enough to let the excitement get the best of you. Everyone is trying to guess where the standings will wind up September 29^th. In this case, the Zoot Perspective Left Fielder will attempt to predict the standings for the 2014 baseball season. This week we’ll tackle the National League, next week the American League.

NL East:

     1,  Washington Nationals: Last year was a season to forget in DC. With their mysterious hitting woes behind them, the Nationals should prove why they were such heavy favorites to win last year. One of the strongest starting rotations allows even a rough start for the lineup to remain a scary threat for the division title.

     2. Atlanta Braves: The first team to clinch last year has a lot of question marks, including which pair of Upton brothers will show up. This team will live and die by the bat of Freddie Freeman, who is out to prove that his big new contract was no accident.

     3.   New York Mets: Young pitching leads another new wave of Mets, led by Dillon Gee and Zack Wheeler. Missing Matt Harvey will hurt, though, and David Wright’s questionable durability may be the difference for a franchise that lacks the offense to put up big numbers. Another mediocre year awaits.

     4. Philadelphia Phillies: The past few years have not been kind to the aging Phillies, as the 2008 World Series is shrinking in the rearview mirror. An identity crisis is in the cards as Philadelphia attempts to decide whether they want to compete now or rebuild for their future.

     5.  Miami Marlins: An offseason of smart moves makes this Marlins team better than the terrifyingly bad on from a year ago. Jarrod Saltalamacchia does not make you a champion, though. This team will be better, but not by much.

NL Central:

      1. St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals are perennial threats to make the playoffs, and this year appears to be no exception. A strong core of talent and some offseason improvements from last year’s NL pennant winners should put them in contention to return to the World Series. The one question mark will be to see how young pitchers Michael Wacha and Shelby Miller respond to their sophomore campaigns.

     2. Pittsburgh Pirates: The loss of some key rentals from last year’s playoff team could bode badly for the Buccos. The taste of victory is on the lips of Pittsburgh fans, though, so the club should be hungry for more. Having defending NL MVP Andrew McCutchen and rising stars OF Starling Marte and SP Gerrit Cole should make this team contenders for quite a few years to come.

     3.  Cincinnati Reds: Two years ago, this team won the division in stunning fashion. Last year, they fell in the Wild Card game. Unfortunately, the slide may continue for a team that is relying heavily on the production of some young stars. This will be a good ball club, but most likely not a great one.

     4. Chicago Cubs: The future looks bright in Chicago. The question is, how long will fans have to wait? Bounce-back years from Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo should lead a young team into a more comfortable place. This year isn’t the year, but it’s going to be good practice for the very exciting 2015 season.

     5.  Milwaukee Brewers: Although stealthily subtle moves to improve the rotation have helped, the Brewers are far removed from the days of competing in the NL Central. This team will most likely flounder unless Carlos Gomez can continue to rise and Ryan Braun can return in full form (minus the steroids).

NL West:

     1.  Los Angeles Dodgers: The biggest question facing the Dodgers is who will be the odd man out in a too-talented outfield. That’s a good problem to have. Starting pitching and young talent headline a team with an expectation for a World Series win. This team looks like the real deal.

   

     2. San Fransisco Giants: A team that wins the World Series and returns almost the whole lineup should do pretty well, right? Apparently not, as last year’s Giants proved. This year, though, things should be back to normal, as the Giants take a stab at the wild card or even a chance to unseat the Dodgers. Either way, that rivalry will be fun this summer.

     3.  Arizona Diamondbacks: This team is going to be hard to predict. The potential is there for a real playoff threat, while there is also the chance for a big flop. The big questions are whether Mark Trumbo can provide some support for Paul Goldschmidt, and whether or not the starting pitching can keep the Diamondbacks going.

     4. San Diego Padres: A very similar group from the 2013 squad, this team is supposed to develop into a solid core of players. Key words: supposed to. Expectations are high and, unless someone steps up as the star of this team, they will most likely not be met.

     5.Colorado Rockies: Some young stars exist in Nolan Arenado and Wilin Rosario, and Carlos Gonzalez will continue to be a yearly MVP candidate, but otherwise this team appears a little lackluster. In an otherwise strong division, this team just doesn’t look to have what it takes to make a big impact on the race come August or September.