Holiday wish lists for every baseball team
Give Pujols some support, the Yanks a challenge and Mets a little urgency
David J. Phillip / APAlbert Pujols deserves more support in the Cardinals' lineup, writes Stan McNeal.
OPINION
By Stan McNeal
updated 4:33 p.m. ET Dec. 25, 2009
When it comes to passing out gifts, here's a wish to use when dishing out goods to Major League Baseball teams:
Angels: A dose of faith to offer their fans. The club already has let Chone Figgins, John Lackey and Darren Oliver leave. Here's hoping the Rally Monkey doesn't seek a multiyear deal.
Astros: An outfield wall without that ridiculous yellow line. And if you don't believe it's ridiculous, read the ground rules. Whatever happened to hit the ball over the wall and it's a homer?
Athletics: A healthy back for Eric Chavez. Once the AL's top fielding third baseman (six Gold Gloves), his career has just about ended because of injury. Yet, he'll make $12 million in 2010 after Oakland already paid him $31 million to play in 121 games over the past three seasons. Good luck to the next A's player hoping to get a long-term deal from general manager Billy Beane.
Braves: Umpire Bill Hohn for Atlanta's final game of 2010. Bobby Cox is retiring after the upcoming season, and Hohn is not high on his list of favorite umps (admittedly a very short list). Having Hohn call his finale would give Cox an opportunity to add one more ejection to his record.
Blue Jays: Roy Halladay back on the mound at the Rogers Centre. Hey, there's a chance: The Phillies visit Toronto from June 25-27.
Brewers: A helping of old-school humility, and make it a double for Prince Fielder.
Cardinals: A $115 million payroll. St. Louis fans deserve it.
Cubs: Nothing, really. They got what they wanted last Friday (adios, Milton Bradley).
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Diamondbacks: One more season of Randy Johnson. The man who someday will become the Diamondbacks' first Hall of Famer should retire as a Diamondback.
Dodgers: An amicable resolution to the ownership split. Yes, I know. There are limits to Santa's miracles.
Giants: A bat. The bigger, the better.
Indians: A bit of modesty for Grady Sizemore (see: recently leaked near-nude photos). On second thought, if you looked like that, you might want to show off, too.
Mariners: A pronunciation guide. That's zur-EN-sik. As in Jack Zduriencik. As in the man who has made the Mariners matter again.
Marlins: A game on national TV. They won 87 games in 2009 and never played before a national audience.
Mets: A sense of urgency. They have a lot of holes to fill, and they don't appear to be in any hurry to fill them.
Nationals: A meaningful game in September. Wait, let's not get greedy. A meaningful game in May.
Orioles: Cal Ripken's return. As owner.
Padres: A boatload of talent for Adrian Gonzalez. New GM Jed Hoyer knows where to look.
Phillies: A warm October in Philadelphia. Because you know they still will be playing then.
Pirates: A plan. After 17 consecutive losing seasons, they need one other than, "Let's trade our veterans for unproven young players."
Rangers: A spot in the rotation for Neftali Feliz. Why wait?
Reds: A map of the desert. After training in Florida since 1923, the Reds are moving their spring training to Goodyear, Ariz.
Rays: A transfer to a different division. They'd be contenders in any other one.
Red Sox: A trip to the Fountain of Youth. Signing a 34-year-old shortstop and 36-year-old left fielder is no way to get younger.
Rockies: A backup humidor, just in case. When you look at their roster -- set lineup, deep rotation, steady bullpen -- you can see they really don't need anything.
Jim Rogash / Getty Images The nation grieved for those hurt, killed and affected by the Boston Marathon bombings. After one of the suspects was caught on Friday — following a day-long lockdown and manhunt — sports returned to Boston over the weekend. |
Royals: More interviews for Zack Greinke. He might not like them, but he sure is good at them. His honesty is refreshing.
Tigers: A bounce-back season by Dontrelle Willis. Good guys deserve something good.
Twins: A short winter. Otherwise, Minnesotans might find that outdoor baseball is not all it's cracked up to be.
White Sox: More candor from manager Ozzie Guillen. Scratch, they're set there. A little more aggressiveness from GM Kenny Williams. No, they're good there. OK, how about a pill for A.J. Pierzynski that would make him less obnoxious? Opponents would go for that.
Yankees: A little adversity. They're making this look too easy.
© 2013 Sporting News
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