[bucketsndimes]

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2009

What a year! We may not have made the playoffs, but I feel that finishing 89-73 is plenty. It should definitely tide the fans over until next year. Hell, maybe next decade. They haven't seen a season like this since '92!

There's definitely some holes that need plugging, specifically, our starting pitching. Jered Weaver was fine going 6-3 with a 3.72 ERA and a WHIP of 1.09 in his 12 starts with us. The rest, however, were very poor. Ian Snell went 13-11 with a 4.36 ERA and 154 strikeouts, Paul Maholm was 10-15 with a 4.83 ERA and 148 strikeouts, Jeff Karstens was 13-11 with a 4.65 ERA and 132 strikeouts and Zach Duke was 12-12 with an ERA of 4.80. Jordan Walden, however, who we acquired from the Angels looks like he may start out next season in the rotation. He only started 1 game, but in 15.1 innings he struck out 11 and only allowed 4 runs. Yes, it may be a very small sample size, but it's something to consider.

Our bullpen can be kept basically intact. Jimmy Barthmaier, Craig Hansen and Tyler Yates all had ERAs under 3.50. Matt Capps was amazing. The youngster pitched 71.1 innings, striking out 56. His ERA was 2.14 and he saved 39 games for us. He is a future All-Star.

Our lineup, as good as it was may get a forced makeover. Robert Nutting is being a real prick with the budget. I may not be able to re-sign Adam LaRoche (.257 BA, .340 OBP, 32 HR, 92 RBI) or Eric Hinske (.273 BA, .345 OBP, 18 HR, 70 RBI).

Jason Jaramillo (.285 BA, .342 OBP, 11 HR, 57 RBI) looks to be our starting catcher next season. At second base we'll have Freddy Sanchez (.278 BA, 9 HR, 58 RBI) again. At short Jack Wilson (.315 BA, .355 OBP, 8 HR, 68 RBI) was great. Completing the infield is Andy LaRoche (.282 BA, .361 OBP, 14 HR, 75 RBI, 10 SB).

In the outfield we will have Nate McLouth (.319 BA, .398 OBP, 26 HR, 88 RBI 24 SB) and Andrew McCutchen (.284 BA, .327 OBP, HR, 32 RBI, 16 SB), our second half studs. Besides that everything is up in the air. Here is a look at the final standings for the 2009 MLB season. ...

American League

East
New York Yankees (96-66)
Boston Red Sox (92-70)
Baltimore Orioles (81-81)
Tampa Bay Rays (77-85)
Toronto Blue Jays (76-86)

Central
Cleveland Indians (99-63)
Chicago White Sox (78-84)
Minnesota Twins (78-84)
Kansas City Royals (77-85)
Detroit Tigers (72-90)

West
Oakland Athletics (86-76)
Seattle Mariners (82-80)
Texas Rangers (66-96)
Los Angeles Angels (63-99)

National League

East
Atlanta Braves (98-64)
New York Mets (92-70)
Philadelphia Phillies (84-78)
Florida Marlins (80-82)
Washington Nationals (64-98)

Central
Milwaukee Brewers (100-62)
Pittsburgh Pirates (89-73)
St. Louis Cardinals (77-85)
Cincinnati Reds (73-89)
Houston Astros (72-90)
Chicago Cubs (71-91)

West
San Diego Padres (89-73)
Los Angeles Dodgers (86-76)
San Francisco Giants (85-77)
Colorado Rockies (74-88)
Arizona Diamondbacks (73-89)

One more thing, one of our guys, right fielder Tom Hagan (.321 BA, 19 HR, 52 RBI) won the South Atlantic League MVP Award for his play with the West Virginia Power.