Kuzul

Despite 54 home runs, 124 RBI,  and a fourth place finish in the American League MVP voting, there’s still no love for this guy. 

Despite Jose Bautista’s career year with Toronto Blue Jays, filled with career highs and team records and the infamous distinction for biggest home run differential from one year to the next, his 2010 campaign is being treated as an aberration. 

Many are comparing him to Brady Anderson and his breakout year in 1996.  Anderson, who had never hit more than 20 big flies up to that point, burst onto the scene with a year he would never come close to duplicating: 50 HR, 110 RBI, .297/.396/.637.  Of course, there are many examples of burn-and-fades after career years.

Take, for example, Ian Church of the 2006 Kalamazoo Kings.  In Church’s three previous Independent seasons, he totaled nine home runs and 87 RBI.  In ’06, after some obvious adjustments, Church left the yard 31 times tallying 78 RBI.  Again, numbers he would never duplicate. 

The question is this: Can Bautista come anywhere near the numbers he has just produced? 

Since the Jays traded their 1997 first-round pick Vernon Wells to the Anaheim Angels, all signs are pointing to Bautista getting his long-term contract.  Considering the other two options—a one-year deal or going to arbitration—the obvious suggests Bautista walks away with more than the $2.4 million he earned last season, one way or another. 

But how and why has Bautista, under the radar for so long, appeared out of nowhere to have one of the greatest turnarounds in the game’s history?

The obvious PED and steroid questions arose in late August while Bautista put No. 40 on the board.  Unfortunately, speculation exists and will always exist until the stigma of “the steroid era” subsides. 

This speculation coupled with the meteoric rise in his numbers puts Alex Anthopoulos in a precarious position. 

Vernon Wells is the perfect example.  He signs an astronomical contract, doesn’t live up to the hype and is literally a sacrificial lamb to anyone looking for a reason why the Jays can’t topple the mighty New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.  Management is in a unique position where it can avoid the big pay day for at least one more year. 

Wanting more proof of the caliber of player the Jays have, they can go to arbitration and the Jays can bite the bullet for one season.  If Bautista produces anywhere close to what he accomplished, all the better. Prepare the papers and sign him up.  If midway through the season Bautista appears to regress into his career average, undoubtedly the Jays have made the right decision. 

Of course, this process can leave a bad taste in the mouths of all parties involved.  The curious case of Jose Bautista is just that. 

The team is blessed with an unknown commodity where values can fluctuate on a whim.  A difficult situation indeed, but what makes me cringe is if Bautista hits 30 home runs this year, his historic 2010 will be written off as fluke. 

Whether its right or wrong, it’s all up for debate.

Devon is the founder of The GM’s Perspective

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Eric Chavez is nowhere near the player he was in his heyday with the Oakland Athletics, but this former Gold Glover from Cali could add the “intangibles” to a young Toronto Blue Jays infield. 

Reports are surfacing that Chavez has been working out in Arizona and his health appears to be as good as it has been in years. 

I have my doubts that Chavez would be willing to become a Jay in what would obviously be a limited role, yet his experience and knowledge is something every player in their infield could benefit from, especially the newbies joining the club in spring training. 

Third base is obviously up for grabs.  The question remains whether the job is Edwin Encarnacion’s to lose or if he will be splitting time with Jose Bautista. 

The hot corner is another spot that will eventually become home for Yunel Escobar, Aaron Hill or Brett Lawrie. 

Out of those three, Escobar is the player most likely to remain at his position.  The inclusion of Lawrie is quite possibly the first sign of Hill’s departure from second base. 

Encarnacion is never going to be the club’s everyday corner-man.  In my estimation, he is taking the hand he was dealt and running with it.  If Lawrie is as good as he says he is, his bat will propel him into the starting lineup regardless of the problems his glove could produce. 

If Hill can regain his 30-homerun swing from two seasons ago, there is nothing stopping him from manning third while Lawrie hones his craft. 

This is exactly where Chavez comes in.  What better person to tutor a young infield that will showcase a new first baseman in Adam Lind?

Every player one day will realize his best years are behind him, and no matter how much strength Chavez has regained in his back and shoulder, his new role will be that of a teacher to his younger mates. 

If indeed Chavez becomes a viable option for the Jays, his contract, one that was paying him in the tens of millions, will obviously (I hope drastically) be reduced to fit the role he is expected to play. 

To all the Jays fans, Chavez in a Jay’s uniform does fit, and the old-school Ryan Klesko/Jason Giambi drop-and-lift swing seems mighty inviting for short porch located at 1 Blue Jays Way.

Devon is the founder of The GM’s Perspective

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The results of the 2011 Hall of Fame vote are on the horizon.  It’s unfortunate in my opinion, but we as fans, writers, experts or whatever we would like to call ourselves, have completely lost focus on who can enter the hallowed halls of Cooperstown. 

Below you will find a list of this year’s candidates; (my votes in italics and bold is elected) 

Roberto Alomar
Jeff Bagwell
Harold Baines
Bert Blyleven
Juan Gonzalez
Barry Larkin
Edgar Martinez
Tino Martinez
Don Mattingly
Fred McGriff
Mark McGwire
Jack Morris
Dale Murphy
Rafael Palmeiro
Dave Parker
Tim Raines
Lee Smith
Alan Trammell
Larry Walker
John Olerud
Kevin Brown
B.J. Surhoff
Marquis Grissom
John Franco
Bret Boone
Al Leiter
Benito Santiago
Carlos Baerga
Raul Mondesi
Bobby Higginson
Charles Johnson
Kirk Rueter
Lenny Harris

 
First off, common sense has to play a huge role in the minds of the voters.  The fact of the matter is that they are voting for the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, quite possibly the most highly regarded hall that we have in sports. 

How long has it been ingrained in our brains that 500, 3,000 and 300 are key qualifiers? 

We all know what is needed to be elite and we shouldn’t kid ourselves by clouding our judgment with information or stats that sound nice but aren’t what is needed. 

Unfortunately the game changes and we are in a different time.  Players take on new roles and new statistics are made, in spite of that, the best of the best don’t need the hums and hah’s to be elected; it’s automatic. 

Without even looking at numbers like HR, RBI, ERA, WAR, OPS WHIP and batting average, only two out of 33 are on the ballot are in without question. 

I admit I am torn with Larkin, but is he one of the best 23 shortstops of all-time? 

We do have to remember this is a vote for the best ever.  I am not singling anyone out when I say this, I would like to instill to the audience that the achievements of anyone that could make this list transcends anything I could do and I give them all the respect in the world.  All in all, it’s my opinion right?! 

Sure, Bagwell was a legitimate power threat for a good number of years, so were many others.  Was Edgar Martinez the best Designated Hitter of our or any generation?  Yes, but that does not make him a Hall of Famer. Does Palmeiro, a player accused and found guilty of using steroids or enhancers disqualify him from the Hall?  According to this it does:

5. Voting: Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played. 

Heck, if Pete Rose is not getting in, then they shouldn’t either. 

I am not saying that steroid users should not get in—Barry Bonds’ name was on the plaque before any of that started—even so, once one gets in, Pandora’s Box is blown off its hinges. 

My point is, we are all over-thinking this process when in fact the answer is right in front of our faces. 

Devon is the founder of The GM’s Perspective

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All in all 2010 was a great season—historic you could say! 

Pitchers were once again in control.  The average runs per game for each team in 2010 was nearly a run lower than in 2000 (5.39 compared to 4.44), and an enhanced drug policy enforcing a more regulated testing system has shown the fans that the game can be played clean.  

The playoff chases were in full bloom with the return of the Atlanta Braves taking it down to the wire against the San Diego Padres and the eventual World Series champion San Francisco Giants. 

I couldn’t possibly leave Roy Halladay off the list.  He has proven again that he is arguably the best pitcher in this era.  A perfect game in the regular season and a no-hitter in the playoffs are truly remarkable.  Can you just imagine the damage he would have caused if he played in the National League his whole career instead of battling the American League East for the past 13 years?   

Armando Galarraga’s perfect game that wasn’t will live in infamy forever, but the way both parties handled situation should be equally commended. 

After 22 seasons “the Kid” went gently into retirement.  Known for the smile and the backwards cap, Ken Griffey Jr. played with reckless abandon and never met a wall he didn’t like.  A natural in the field, and a poet at the plate, Jr. will go down as one of the best the game has ever seen. 

Sports are part of our everyday life.  Social media is in full force and without a doubt discussing baseball leads to more arguments than not. 

Even if both parties are right, neither side will admit it, as is the case between Dallas Braden and his misunderstanding (lol) with Alex Rodriguez. 

Considering all of the above, I have to select the “Get off my mound” episode as my highlight of 2010. 

It’s not too often when a non-steroidal episode can make late night television.  Sometimes we really do take the game too seriously and need an incident like this to take the edge off.   

A-Rod violates an unwritten rule, and regardless of what was said, walking over the pitcher’s mound is a no-no.  A-Rod knowing that has done many questionable acts in his day.  The “hey” or “I got it” debacle in Toronto was one, and swiping the ball from Bronson Arroyo’s glove was another. 

And whether it’s good or bad, he drums up publicity for the game.  Any publicity is good publicity right? 

Rodriguez can get under anyone’s skin, and he knows it.  Except this time he picked on the wrong guy.   

Regardless if Braden has peaked with his no-hitter is one thing, the underdog shoving it in the face of Goliath is the underdog story we all love. 

Braden tosses a perfect game on Mother’s Day with his grandmother in the stands, who gives possibly the quote of the year with “Stick it, A-Rod,” and the next thing you know, Braden is reading a top 10 list on David Letterman. 

You cannot write a script that good. 

In all likelihood Braden will drift away into obscurity, and A-Rod will take his place as the game’s home run king, yet for one day Braden v. Rodriguez was the biggest thing going. 

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Realignment is a fascinating idea, but one that I believe will lose out to another adjustment: playoff expansion. 

Expansion will drive more revenue to the game and keep the fans enthralled for an extended period. 

Realignment is entertaining when you think about it. Then again, an extended playoff system seems more justifiable at this point. Extending the playoffs with a wild card team worked before, and it will work again. 

There are a few scenarios to this new situation.

• Will the team with the best record earn a bye to the next round?
• Will the two wild card teams battle each other in a best-of-three, best-of-five, or perhaps a one-game sudden death playoff?

All those aside, why even think about bringing in an extra team? Is baseball on a collision course with watering down the regular season the way the NBA and NHL have with over half of the teams eligible to make the playoffs (16 of 30)? 

In my opinion, not even close.

According to the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal, playoff teams generate $17.7 million in additional revenue.

“The Angels reported $12.1 million in revenue from hosting five first and second-round playoff games in 2009 and nearly $4.4 million for hosting two first-round games in 2008, according to the reports published by Deadspin.com.

“The Rays made almost $17.7 million in revenue on the six postseason games they hosted in 2008. Having two home games in the World Series helped boost those results”

And for the small market or second-tier teams like the Oakland Athletics and Baltimore Orioles, $2.2 million per home game sounds pretty decent.

From the fans’ perspective, there is nothing more entertaining/dramatic than a good ole’ fashion pennant race to end the season. And being a Braves fan myself, every game was life or death during the last two weeks of the 2010 season.   

Commissioner Bud Selig recently talked expansion with NBC Sports and NY Daily News, meaning the wheels are most certainly in motion. Unfortunately, it looks like the expansion will not happen for at least two seasons. As you know, there are always a few obstacles.

“Selig would not rule out expanded playoffs as soon as next season, and the new format could include two new wild-card teams. Wild-card teams in each league could play an opening round, either one game or best-of-three”

“But any changes would be subject to collective bargaining, and Rob Manfred, MLB’s executive VP for labor relations, said Tuesday that putting any changes in so soon would be too difficult. So any playoff expansion is more likely for 2012, if at all.”

Two wild cards teams suggest that franchises that usually pack it in by the all-star break do not necessarily become sellers; they can keep their stars. On the other hand, they do not necessarily become buyers unless it is absolutely essential.

Teams like the Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays to name a few, are stuck in the same cycle of selling off their players or regrettably seeing themselves out of the playoff picture, not mathematically, but realistically by July every single season.

The addition of the second wild card does give these clubs some extra hope where it never existed before. Some teams, like I mentioned, can keep their home grown talent instead of trading them for some future prospects that continue to keep said team three to four years away from competing.

Building a roster and building a solid fan base that will continue to see their hometown team compete with home grown talent is what we are all hoping for. At the same time, clinching a playoff berth leads to additional advertisement revenue and an increase and retention of season ticket purchases and the reputation as a legitimate contender.

This new playoff system will succeed. It will allow the growth and popularity of the sport to blossom.

Not all change is bad in a sport that we all know for its familiarity.

Devon is the founder of The GM’s Perspective

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The 2011 Toronto Blue Jays already have a different feel to them. 

The Jays will be in an unfamiliar position when the 2011 season begins: Playoff hopefuls. 

How many times has a Jays fan been able to say that since 1993? Not many. This year’s club is focused more on manufacturing runs instead of relying on the long ball.   

Does that work in the power-laden American League East? It worked for the Tampa Bay Rays. 

The difference between this years and last: A level playing field. Sort of. 

While you may scoff at that comment, realistically, the AL East will be won by the Boston Red Sox. I am very confident when I say that. Their recent acquisitions of Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Bobby Jenks and Dan Wheeler are definite eye-openers. 

Aside from the superstar signings, the Wheeler transaction could pay off huge in those late-inning games. Wheeler does not make headlines and is not the flashiest guy coming out of the pen, but you can count on him for 70-plus appearances, approximately 65 innings a year and a WHIP around 1.00.   

The Jays, despite trading Shaun Marcum, still have a legitimate rotation led by Ricky Romero, Brett Cecil and Brandon Morrow. This also includes possible back-end rotation guys like Jesse Litsch, Marc Rzepczynski, Scott Richmond, David Purcey, and probably the mostly likely candidate as their No. 4 starter, Kyle Drabek. 

Drabek, the Eastern League pitcher of the year, was dominant in his 27 starts for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.  Drabek went 14-9 with a 2.94 ERA in 162 innings, and compiled 132 strikeouts while giving up 68 base on balls. By the way, include a no-hitter into that mix! 

That rotation can compete with the Red Sox and definitely with the Yankees, who appear to be in rough shape after losing out on the Cliff Lee sweepstakes.   

If the Bronx Bombers cannot convince Andy Pettitte to return to their rotation of CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes and A.J. Burnett, they will not and cannot compete.  Heck, Sabathia can’t pitch 50 games. 

With pitching taken care of, that leaves the Jay bats. 

If 2010 home run leader Jose Bautista can sustain some remnants of his 50 home run season, that is a bona fide bonus. The X-factor lies with two of the Jays most talented and criticized players from this past season.   

Aaron Hill and Adam Lind will all but have to rebound from disastrous campaigns and become the hitters everyone expected when both lit up the scoreboard to the likes of 30 home runs and 100-plus RBI in 2009. 

If Travis Snider and Vernon Wells put up any numbers close to what is expected, Toronto will surely leave the Yankees in the rear-view mirror, leaving three teams to challenge it for the AL Wild Card. 

In my estimation, the Wild Card battle sits between four teams: the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers and our feathered friends from the north. 

The Minnesota Twins are again against the eight-ball after losing a huge part of the bullpen in Jesse Crain.  And success depends on the recovery of Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan. 

While we all love the Twins and the underdog story, the American League Central will most likely come down to the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox. 

The Sox have retooled and added Adam Dunn to their lineup, and Jake Peavy seems to be on the rebound. 

The Tigers decided to play the free agent game this off-season and have done quite well. They now have a devastating 1-2 punch in Jose Valverde and Joaquin Benoit, and the recent addition of Victor Martinez adds some additional experience to a very young lineup. 

Chemistry is the deciding factor when it comes to determining this year’s lottery winner. 

Every interview, every advertisement, every commercial stresses the team factor.   

In a sport where we can get caught up in personal achievements, the 2011 Toronto Blue Jays have apparently found a formula that includes more team and less me. Couple that with a focus on small ball and fundamentals, and that gives this team a serious edge against some fierce and improving competition.

Devon is the founder of The GM’s Perspective

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They may not have the best stadium, uniforms, or team on paper, but they are certainly capable of drawing up some serious headlines. 

In the last two years they have drafted two phenoms: Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper.   

Lesser known early round picks like Drew Storen out of Stanford, stepped right in and made quite an impression for a last placed squad; 4-4, 3.58 ERA, 54 games, five saves, and 52 strikeouts in 55 innings. 

Recently the “Nats” shelled out millions for Jayson Werth, specifically seven years, and $126 million. They did lose the services of Adam Dunn, so why not replace him with a guy who has undoubtedly hit his stride.   

Full speed ahead.

At the hot corner is perennial All-Star, Ryan Zimmerman. I do not know him personally, but all signs point to a “good guy”. The most press this guy gets is getting his picture taken with number 1 draft picks! 

Besides picture time, Zimmerman is good for 30/100 and a defense that has been recognized with a Gold Glove in ’09.

Their middle infield is made up of Danny Espinosa and Ian Desmond. 

Espinosa is attempting to make the most of his opportunity and by all means, he has made great strides since being drafted in the third round of the 2008 draft. 

Desmond is the epitome of hard work. After toiling in the minors for five seasons, he lived up to expectations in 2010, putting up respectable numbers, numbers that are eerily similar to another shortstop that is now making $15 million a year. 

Obviously, there are many holes in this franchise. 

For example, the starting rotation is a bit shoddy, led by Livan Herandez and Jason Marquis. On the flipside, the Nats’ bullpen is full of young kids that can simply get guys out: Sean Burnett with a 2.14 ERA in 73 games and Doug Slaten holding opponents to a .225 batting average. 

Wishful thinking and the Nationals place third in 2011, but as we all know, they are not ready and fourth place is more than likely what it will come down to….But not for long as far as I’m concerned. 

Few people pay much attention to the cellar dweller Nationals and Florida Marlins.  Thankfully, over the next two to three years, the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and Atlanta Braves will be doing everything possible to ruin each other’s playoff chances.   

In the meantime, the Nationals are lying in the weeds, waiting for their time to strike.   

Within two years, Stephen Strasburg will be fully recovered and Bryce Harper, in all estimation, will be roaming the outfield full time. Added to that, A.J. Cole, a highly touted draft pick that fell to later rounds because of a previous commitment to the University of Miami, should be able to shore up the rotation. 

Things are afoot, the wheels are in motion, the time is right. 

Whatever cliché you want to use, the National League East will be one entertaining division come April.

Devon is the founder of The GM’s Perspective

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The rumour mill has been working extra hard this past week and is expected to gain more steam as Cliff Lee has apparently said he will make his decision within the next 48 hours. 

In my opinion I hope that he chooses to stick with the Texas Rangers.

Why? 

If Cliff Lee signs with the Yankees the focus will largely be on him, as he will be crowned the saviour of this aging Yankee team. 

In recent years another mega star, CC Sabathia, was brought to New York in light of his recent domination of national league hitters. 

If CC can do it, why can’t Lee? 

Because Sabathia has been consistent since his emergence in 2001.   

Lee, on the other hand, did not transform to this overwhelming dominant version of himself until the 22-3 campaign in 2008. 

For fun, let’s explore this a little bit further. 

In Lee’s nine seasons, he has had an ERA over 3.69 five times, including 2007 and that awful 6.29.  His stint in the second half of 2010 with the Rangers was pedestrian and the numbers prove it: 4-6, 3.98 while giving up 11 homeruns in 108 innings. 

If Lee goes to New York, he better win 20 ever year for the seven years that are on the table. And he better outperform Sabathia at every turn. 

Perhaps I just think Lee is not as good as everyone thinks. Hindsight is 20/20 right? 

In all honesty, Lee is good. Very good and the recent postseason performances prove that.  Still the American League West is not the American League East. 

Cleveland is not New York, Philadelphia is not Boston and Texas isn’t even Chicago. 

Lee has bee a hired gun since he turned into a left-handed Greg Maddux and has surpassed all expectations, that is until the San Francisco Giants ripped off his Superman cape. 

If Lee joins the Yankees he is setting himself up for failure. 

Currently the Yanks are losing the offseason grudge match to the Boston Red Sox as they have fully loaded a line-up that is going to be very hard to stop, and their pitching is every bit as good as the Yankees. 

If the rumours are true, Texas will continue to be the team to beat if he decides to stick around. 

The Rangers are in a weak division and their toughest opponent; the Los Angeles Angels has already lost their prized recruit to the Red Sox (Carl Crawford).  The Seattle Mariners are lucky to score three runs a game and Lee knows that from experience. 

The Oakland Athletics, on the other hand, are improving; using a defensive approach to rebuilding similar to what the Mariners have implemented but in no way are they ready to compete. 

If Lee decides that New York is the way to go, he has the privilege of facing the Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and the powerful bats of the Toronto Blue Jays approximately 16 times in one season. 

I can’t see Lee dominating those clubs with the precision that everyone is expecting. 

Then again,  if you are worth a seven-year deal at $160 million you must be that good. Right?

Devon is the founder of The GM’s Perspective

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2011 marks another Hall of Fame ballot featuring one of the MLB’s most villainous characters:  Rafael Palmeiro. 

Palmeiro can be remembered for three things:

          No. 1, the finger point—”I have never used steroids. Period. No. 2, the moustache—I don’t understand it, it never went out of style! No. 3, Palmeiro was a great baseball player that put up tremendous numbers.  Unfortunately, he tested positively for anabolic steroids. 

That brings up “the great debate”.

Is Palmeiro Hall worthy? 

Of course he is, and in my estimation, is deserved of a first ballot entry. 

Why would I, someone who played professionally, make such a suggestion or comment? 

Because he was a great player, just like other players who tested positive, he will be allowed to be a part of this exclusive fraternity: Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Andy Pettitte. 

There is absolutely no way that those three players will be denied.  I understand Pettitte is on the fringe of greatness, but he has numbers that are almost identical to John Smoltz, maybe better! 

Bonds, arguably the greatest player of our or any generation, cannot be denied and quite possibly the next home run king, A-Rod, will be accepted as well. 

I’m sure readers will ask, “what about Roger Clemens”?  Later than sooner is my theory, only because of the circus surrounding his case. 

Those I listed were great players before and were great players after.  An * can make a significant point; a stance of the brass if you will. 

The problem is all of these players were great, have always been great, and were “untainted” superstars before the allegations and finger-pointing took place. 

The * significance will remind us of mistakes, it will remind us of a time when baseball was more than a game, and it will signify a time when we turned a blind eye to the obvious.

The worst part, they never needed to use the supplements to carve their place in history.   Can these players, once hailed as heroes, regain their spot on the throne?  I can’t really tell.  All that I know is that their dubious achievements are a part of baseball history whether we like it or not.

Devon is the founder of The GM’s Perspective

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Bryce Harper, the first-round draft pick of the Washington Nationals, added an Arizona Fall League championship to his already impressive resume. 

Since being praised as quite possibly the future of the game of baseball, Harper has been doing and saying all the right things on his way to becoming the face of a Washington Nationals club in dire need of some good fortune.

Harper, who followed Stephen Strasburg as another Nationals number one draft pick, is slowly but surely putting all the pieces together while putting in his time with the Nationals instructional league team and the AFL Scottsdale Scorpions. 

Harper compiled a .319 average and led the Nationals Instructional league team in RBI.  According to Fantasy Windup, the Nationals did not want Harper sitting around till spring training and decided the Arizona Fall League was the ideal situation.  You can say they made the right choice. 

Obviously Harper, who just turned 18, has a long way to go.   

His swing has been called lengthy/violent and his defensive skills are continuing to evolve after moving from catching to the outfield. 

This had to have been a shock to the “phenom,” who was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 16. 

Despite hitting 500 foot homeruns in batting practice, lighting up the radar gun at 96 mph, and literally becoming a legend in his home state of Nevada, Harper has another reality check—since becoming a professional he’s batting seventh in the Scorpions line-up. 

Batting seventh, in a line-up filled with prospects all gifted in their own way, did not phase Harper in the least. 

In 35 at-bats Harper batted .343 (12 for 35), with half of his hits earning extra bases.  A .410 OBP and a .629 SLG proves the kid has the talent, but can he sustain those lofty numbers and expectations for an entire season?

As far as I can tell, the Nationals do not appear to rushing Harper along, and if in 2011 he can continue to develop, a stint in Double-A Harrisburg isn’t so much a dream but a reality.

Dare I say MLB starter by 19?  Maybe!

Devon is the founder of The GM’s Perspective

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