| Scott Miller's Take |
|
| |
| Baseball's traveling road show is back with another ludicrous schedule and another ludicrous situation in general. Baseball must decide upon a permanent solution. Now. This is an embarrassment to the game.
Strengths
General manager Omar Minaya has shown he's creative enough to deal with the thousands of hurdles baseball has placed in front of him. They'll miss Vladimir Guerrero and Javier Vazquez this summer, but the additions of Nick Johnson, Carl Everett, Tony Batista and Juan Rivera will help. Keep an eye on Tomo Ohka, if he's healthy, he might be one of the NL's top surprises this summer.
Weaknesses
Logistics. Twenty-two games in Puerto Rico? At least they're all before the All-Star game this season, freeing up the Expos to play a relatively sane schedule later if they're still in the wild-card race. The Expos also have gotten worse behind the plate with Brian Schneider replacing Michael Barrett.
Difference Maker
Jose Vidro. With Guerrero and Vazquez gone, Vidro is the lone remaining star from what once was a three-pointed Expos galaxy. He's still an All-Star player, but if the Expos fall out of the race, he might be traded in July.
|
Money Ball
 |
Overpaid: Peter Bergeron |
| True, he has had a hot spring. But on a team filled with guys earning near the minimum, his career batting average is .226. |
|
 |
Underpaid: Luis Ayala |
| Ayala must settle for minimum wage despite going 10-3 with a 2.92 ERA in relief as a rookie last season. Also had 19 holds. |
Give us your thoughts! |
Three Questions
|
Q: What happened to all the promise and talent?
A: It’s in Anaheim, New York and Cleveland. Actually winning some games the past few seasons set this franchise back even further than when it started its recovery from the purge of 1995.
Q: Is this GM Omar Minaya’s fault?
A: No way. It’s the city of Montreal’s. Like South Park says, “Blame Canada.” This franchise won’t take off until its real home (D.C.?) is more than just a home away from home (Puerto Rico). The ’03 Marlins notwithstanding, a team without a viable fan base is doomed from the start.
Q: Who is the next player headed out of town(s)?
A: Carl Everett. Yes, he just got here, but what is he doing on this team anyway? Minaya will be asking himself that after Everett eventually does something objectionable.
|
|
|
|
Jose Vidro (left) and Carl Everett should be the most dangerous weapons in the Expos lineup. (AP)
|
|
|
| Team Info |
2003 record: 83-79 (4th in NL East)
Pythagorean W-L*: 80-82
2003 payroll: $51,948,500 (20th)
Manager:
Frank Robinson, 3rd year (166-158)
Stadium: Olympic Stadium (46,500; artificial)
* -- Pythagorean W-L, developed by Bill James, determines
the record a team would have been expected to post given
their runs scored and runs surrendered. |
|
| Starters |
| No. |
Player |
W |
L |
ERA |
IP |
BB |
K |
| 1. |
L. Hernandez (R) |
12 |
12 |
4.27 |
211.0 |
67 |
143 |
| 2. |
Z. Day (L) |
14 |
11 |
3.84 |
182.2 |
80 |
93 |
| 3. |
T. Armas Jr. (R) |
9 |
9 |
4.22 |
145.0 |
68 |
127 |
| 4. |
T. Ohka (R) |
11 |
14 |
4.17 |
203.0 |
50 |
122 |
| 5. |
C. Vargas (R) |
10 |
11 |
5.20 |
27.2 |
13 |
16 |
|
| Closer |
| Player |
W |
L |
ERA |
SV |
IP |
BB |
K |
| R. Biddle (R) |
4 |
7 |
4.64 |
20 |
66.0 |
31 |
47 |
| TOP PROSPECTS |
| 1. |
Clint Everts, SP |
| |
Curveball considered the best of his draft class |
| 2. |
Mike Hinckley, SP |
| |
Struggled early in '03 but went 9-2 with a 1.37 ERA in his final 15 starts |
| 3. |
Larry Broadway, 1B |
| |
Polished hitter with plenty of upside in the power department |
| 4. |
Chad Cordero, RP |
| |
Combines low-90s fastball/slider, and candidate to be an elite closer |
| 5. |
Terrmel Sledge, OF |
| |
Doesn't have great upside but he's an accomplished enough hitter |
| Complete NL East prospects |
|
|
