Results tagged ‘ Mark DeRosa ’

Wedge: “DeRosa and Wood already becoming leaders”

With Spring Training well underway, the new faces in the Indians clubhouse are finding themselves becoming easily adjusted.  It appears as if they’ve already made an impact on the team, and from what Eric Wedge has been saying, he expects it to continue throughout the season. 

kerry wood.jpg

When the Indians signed Kerry Wood, I was ecstatic.  He is, after all, the first big name closer the Tribe have had in quite sometime.  I was by no means an all out Borowski hater, but he certainly was frustrating far too often.  Wood will be closing games with his overall pitching ability and cannon of an arm.  Borowski relied far too much on taking risks and aiming his pitches, and the outcome was often disappointing.

Hearing that Wood is showing leadership so early on in the pre-season is great news as well.  I’m sure he will have a great deal of effect on the younger pitchers in the Indians organization, and the whole team will benefit from that.

derosa.jpgAs for Mark DeRosa, well, it seems as if he is filling the Casey Blake void, and then some.  It’s no question that the Indians plans for Andy Marte weren’t going to pan out, so when the they traded Blake to the Dodgers, I was concerned.  Casey Blake is by no means a hall of famer, but he was a phenomenal teammate and seemed to always be making the big play or getting the big hit when it was needed.  He is a ballplayer through and through. 

Enter Mark DeRosa, IF pickup from the Cubs, and an all around “do what’s best for the team” kind of guy.  Oh, and did I mention his offensive numbers are far better than Blake’s? 

Can’t wait to see the impact these two have during the season.  Should be interesting.

WBC: Can USA improve on disappointing ’06?

In 2006, the world was treated to a little extra baseball.  With the inaugural tournament, fans of the game saw a whole new level of competition.  However, US fans found themselves disappointed.  Team USA went 3-3 and found themselves eliminated in Round 2.

Now, well into 2009 and March approaching quickly, the 2nd World Baseball Classic is just around the corner, and Team USA is eager to improve on their 3-3 record in 2006. 

wbc hat.jpegHere’s a look at a likely starting lineup for Team USA:

Pedroia 2B
Jeter SS
Longoria 3B
D Lee 1B
Braun RF
Ludwick LF
Sizemore CF
McCann C
 

P -
Oswalt
Peavy
Kazmir
Danks
Verlander

I’d like to see Sizemore lead-off, but you really can’t argue with Pedroia in the number 1 spot in the order either.  Plus, having Sizemore in at the end of the order gives you that speed at the end of the lineup that has proven to be helpful for successful clubs.

The rotation is strong as well.  Anytime a guy like Justin Verlander is your #5 guy, I’d say you’re in pretty good shape.


Cleveland Indians on Team USA:
All-Star, Gold Glove CF Grady Sizemore
2009 Free Agent signing, Mark DeRosa IF

Come on USA, keep your eye on the prize!

wbc trophy.jpg

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