NL Central: Movers and Shakers
Still 3 weeks until this year’s trade deadline and already the NL Central is the talk of the league. Of course you know about the CC Sabathia and Rich Harden deals this past week, but let’s go through a team-by-team look at how the trade deadline looks to reshape things in the NL Central.
Chicago Cubs: A panic trade perhaps or a great risk/reward move? I say it’s too early to tell. Obviously if Rich Harden pans out and stays healthy he’ll be a force (his contract is cheap and ends after the 09 season) but how likely is that? Aren’t Cubs fans tired of DL bound pitchers? The real steal in the deal is Chad Gaudin. If something should (and probably will) happen to Harden then he will be plugged into the rotation. Seeing as how Gallagher was the emergency 5th starter, I see it as an upgrade. The only thing that worries me for the Cubs is that now they have zero outfield depth. Currently Mark DeRosa is their starting LF (until Soriano returns) and their only other outfielder of any significance is Reed Johnson. Before, the Cubs couldn’t afford any pitching injuries, now they can’t afford any position player injuries. I guess if pitching wins championships then that’s the way to go.
Bronson Arroyo to Visit Doctor
After a fabulous 2006, Arroyo has gone down hill ever since. It seems the cliche of pitchers moving from the AL to the NL = better stats has been in flux lately (i.e. Barry Zito). Reds manager, Dusty Baker talks:
“We’re kind of lost right now,” he said. “We’re going to get him checked out, maybe something is wrong with him. His pitches aren’t sharp. His breaking ball isn’t crisp. He’s kind of gotten a little bit predictable as far as throwing the 3-2 breaking ball. Ordinarily, that ball (Tom) Glavine hit doesn’t stay up in the zone.
“We’ll get him examined. You don’t want to find anything. But, hopefully, we can come up with some kind of solution. I know he’s going crazy, too.”
Arroyo was clear that he doesn’t think anything is physically wrong with him.
“There ain’t nothing to check out,” he said. “They said they want to check me out? That’s probably the best I felt in years on a day game. I’ve got no excuses. They just beat my (butt). I had a good fastball, decent command, everything felt good.”