A-Rod isn't only one with much to prove
Tejada, Hafner, Penny and others are looking for turnaround seasons
David J. Phillip / APHouston Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada is on the hot seat after pleading guilty to lying about steroids and also needs to rebound from a lackluster 2008 season.
Q. What are the chances that Ivan Rodriguez will become an Astro?
— Ramon Espinosa, McAllen, Texas
A. That appeared to be a possibility until as recently as Wednesday, when Astros general manager Ed Wade removed all doubt by telling MLB.com: “We're not signing Pudge. Put that one to rest. We have no expectation to sign Pudge.''
The issue was raised again in light of a recent MRI done on Toby Hall's right shoulder. Hall is one of four Astros catchers — Humberto Quintero, J.R. Towles and Rule 5 pick Lou Palmisano are the others — who are vying for two jobs in the wake of Brad Ausmus' departure.
The Marlins remain a possibility to sign Rodriguez, 37, who has been holding out in case the Mets have interest. But the Marlins' current plan is to go with two inexperienced catchers in John Baker and Mike Rabelo, as they will have the game's lowest payroll — projected to be around $33 million.
The Mets have said they don't have interest in Rodriguez despite his longtime ties to Mets general manager Omar Minaya.
What Rodriguez may have to do is wait for an injury that will create a need for some team. In the meantime, he will be a part of Puerto Rico's entry in the World Baseball Classic, and perhaps can impress a big-league team enough to get signed.
Rodriguez needs only 54 more games behind the plate to move past Carlton Fisk (2,226) as the all-time leader. He also is sitting on 2,605 career hits.
Q. If you could guess five minor-league players with virtually no major-league experience who could make real contributions this season, who would be your picks?
— Carl Falls, Vancouver, Wash.
A. Well, Rays left-hander David Price has only five games and 14 innings of regular-season big-league experience. But we'll leave him out of this, since everybody already knows about him, and he's clearly the AL Rookie of the Year favorite at this point. So here are a few more names:
- 1. Matt Wieters, C, Baltimore: Baseball America's 2008 Minor League player of the year will get a chance to establish himself this season with the rebuilding Orioles.
- 2. Cameron Maybin, OF, Florida: He has the chance to be the regular center fielder for the Marlins, who will have the game's lowest payroll. In case you forgot, he's part of the Miguel Cabrera-Dontrelle Willis deal.
- 3. Elvis Andrus, SS, Texas: The Rangers think enough of Andrus to tick off All-Star Michael Young by moving him to third base. Andrus will have to make the jump from Double-A.
- 4. Colby Rasmus, CF, St. Louis: There's no guarantee he'll start the season as the Cardinals center fielder, as his 2008 was a bit of a disappointment. But his time likely will come at some point this season.
- 5. Dexter Fowler, CF, Colorado: If the Rockies struggle to stay in the race, they may give their top prospect playing time.
A few more include Blue Jays OF Travis Snider, Braves RHP Tommy Hanson, and A's LHP Brett Anderson and A's RHP Trevor Cahill.
Q. What, if any, moves do the Phillies need to make?
— Steve Aldrich, Doylestown, Pa.
A. It's not going to be easy for the Phils to defend their NL pennant, but there also is little doubt they have one of the league' best rosters.
But will the motivation and edge remain? That, to me, is the biggest challenge facing the Phillies — that and an improved Mets bullpen.
Already, there is the potential pitfall of Chase Utley trying to come back from surgery on his right hip — although manager Charlie Manuel says it's possible Utley will be ready for Opening Day.
And as much as we love Jamie Moyer, we can't be expecting another 16-win, 3.71-ERA season at age 46. That makes the signing of Chan Ho Park a potentially underrated one.
As for the Pat Burrell-for-Raul Ibanez change — nothing against Ibanez, who is a proven run producer. But the lineup needed a right-handed bat, not another lefty, especially with the bench including three more left-handed bats in Greg Dobbs, Matt Stairs and Geoff Jenkins.
And rarely does a team replace a 32-year-old with a 37-year-old, although neither is anything close to a Gold Glove candidate. Finally, Ibanez isn't going to match Burrell's home-run and on-base-percentage totals, two key lineup ingredients.
I have picked the Phils to finish behind the Mets in the NL East, and be the wildcard. That order very well could be reversed, especially if the Phils stay focused and motivated to repeat.
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