Results tagged ‘ Marlins ’

7-15, & the numbers that come with it …

Hint: They’re not pretty.

The Angels (and their $155 million payroll) head into the opener of a seven-game homestand, the first of a three-game series against the Twins and the finale of an ugly April with the fourth-worst record in the Major Leagues and a nine-game deficit of the Rangers in the American League West, where they also trail the Mariners and Athletics each by 5 1/2 games — two teams whose combined payrolls are $137 million.

They went 1-5 in their recent road trip through St. Petersburg, Fla., and Cleveland, have dropped six of their last seven overall, have tied the worst record in franchise history to start a season (also in 1976) and will finish April having won back-to-back games only once. They haven’t done that in any single month since July 1998, and only three other times in their history, according to Stats LLC. They dropped six of their first seven series, with four of those losses coming against teams that finished no better than 15 games out of first place last season (the Royals, Twins, Athletics and Indians).

The rotation, at least, has begun to improve the way we would’ve all expected, posting a 2.62 ERA in the club’s last 13 games while going at least six innings in 12 of those. But the bullpen can’t hold any leads and the offense can’t score any numbers. Yeah, it’s still only April (barely), but the Angels have the look of a team that isn’t taking these early struggles lightly. They’ve released Bobby Abreu, called up Mike Trout, designated Rich Thompson for assignment, called up David Carpenter and replaced (at least temporarily) Jordan Walden with Scott Downs in the ninth inning.

The numbers (warning: some of this material may not be suitable for younger readers) …

  • 0: That, of course, is the amount of home runs Albert Pujols has hit through his first 88 at-bats of the season, by far his longest stretch to start any campaign. He averaged 14.2 at-bats per home runs through his 11 seasons in St. Louis, and his career-high at-bat streak in one season is 105, done April 24 to May 22 of last year.
  • 0: That’s the amount of multi-hit games Pujols has had since his three-double game of April 19. That’s a stretch of nine games, which saw him post a career-high streak of five consecutive starts without a hit and see his slash line drop from .296/.333/.426 to, now, .216/.266/.295.
  • 10: The combined number of walks and RBIs for Pujols through his first 22 games (four RBIs, six walks), which is three less than the amount of strikeouts (13).
  • 40.3: The percentage of pitches out of the strike zone that Pujols has swung at so far, which would easily represent a career high, according to FanGraphs.com. Prior to last year (31.8 percent), Pujols had never swung at more than 30 percent of pitches out of the zone in any given season. He’s batting .204 with two strikes and, perhaps more worrisome, 21 of his 94 plate appearances (or, 22.3 percent) have begun with an 0-2 count — perhaps a sign that he’s still feeling out all the new pitchers he’s facing, which brings us to …
  • 14: The amount of starting pitchers Pujols faced for the first time this season (out of 22). Not an excuse, but probably part of the reason for his struggles — and those of the offense in general.
  • 9: That’s the amount of runs the Angels scored in their just-completed road trip, which saw them average just over five hits per game and go a combined 4-for-30 with runners in scoring position.
  • 4: The amount of times the Angels have been shutout.
  • 1-12: The Angels’ record when scoring three runs or less.
  • 23: The exact number of teams that are ahead of the Angels in terms of: runs per game (3.45), OPS (.642), slugging percentage (.352) and stolen bases (10).
  • .230: The Angels’ batting average with runners in scoring position, good for 12th in the AL — ahead of only the division-rival A’s and Mariners.
  • 6: The amount of losses the relievers have compiled, which is tied with the last-place Royals for first in the Majors. (What? You thought the bullpen was safe from this?)
  • 1: The amount of save chances Walden had (within five appearances) before serving up the two-run, walk-off homer that stripped him of his job on Thursday — game No. 19.
  • 1.49: The bullpen’s WHIP, which ranks 23rd in the Majors.
  • 1.52: The bullpen’s strikeout-to-walk ratio, which is tied for second-to-last in the Majors (with a Marlins team of similar preseason hype).

Fun, right? …

– Alden

Game 6: Angels-Twins …

Angels (2-3)

Maicer Izturis, SS
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Albert Pujols, 1B
Torii Hunter, RF
Mark Trumbo, DH
Vernon Wells, LF
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Bobby Wilson, C
Peter Bourjos, CF
SP: RH Dan Haren (0-1, 8.44 ERA)

Twins (1-4)

Denard Span, CF
Jamey Carroll, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Jusitn Morneau, DH
Josh Willingham, LF
Chris Parmelee, 1B
Danny Valencia, 3B
Ben Revere, RF
Alexi Casilla, 2B
SP: LH Francisco Liriano (0-1, 11.25 ERA)

Some notes from this morning …

  • This is a scheduled day off for Kendrys Morales. He’ll probably play all three games in New York.
  • Mike Scioscia, on giving some at-bats to Izturis, who’s finally making his first start on Thursday: “At the beginning, the balance that I think is going to be difficult is trying to get guys to play, but also giving guys that you know are going to be your core players time to get chemistry. We’re getting Erick [Aybar] off today, we’ll probably give Howie [Kendrick] a day off in New York. … Some guys obviously haven’t hit stride in the box. But you also can’t let your bench depth evaporate. And that’s why it’s important for Izzy to get in there and it’s important for a lot of guys to stay close to playing. … You’re not going to need the depth in your roster, but you still want to keep in touch with it to keep guys fresh.”
  • Scioscia on Pujols, who comes in batting .222 with no homers (more on him later): “He’s been on a lot of pitches. Right now it’s just trying to get comfortable with some new environments of hitting in our ballpark, and then just the stadium here in Minnesota, get used to the hitting backgrounds, get used to the pitchers in our league. But he will find it, that’s for sure.”
  • A couple of unsurprising developments: Jerome Williams was officially named the fifth starter, and the roster spot will be created by sending down a position player (his name is Alexi Amarista).

Some links from Wednesday …

Some AL West links …

Big game coming up against the Bulls. Heat won’t panic.

– Alden

6 divisions in 6 days, Day 1 …

Leading up to Opening Day, I’ll roll out an All-Star team for each of the six divisions in baseball — that includes a manager, a starting nine (with a DH also for the National League), three starters and two relievers. One catch: Each team must have at least one representative, and the skipper doesn’t count. Feel free to submit your own lineups below. I’d love to see how yours differ.

Day 1: NL East
 Team-wise, perhaps the deepest division in baseball. But there are a lot of players I’m counting on bounceback years from (and that’s not even including Chase Utley)

Manager: Charlie Manuel, PHI

Lineup

Jose Reyes, SS (MIA)
Hanley Ramirez, DH (MIA)
Ryan Howard, 1B (PHI)
Mike Stanton, LF (MIA)
Brian McCann, C (ATL)
David Wright, 3B (NYM)
Danny Espinosa, 2B (WAS)
Jason Heyward, RF (ATL)
Shane Victorino, CF (PHI)

Rotation

Roy Halladay, PHI
Cliff Lee, PHI
Stephen Strasburg, WAS

Bullpen

Jonathan Papelbon, PHI
Craig Kimbrel, ATL

– Alden

Madson to Anaheim possible?

That still remains to be seen. But on Wednesday afternoon — after the Red Sox acquired Andrew Bailey from the Athletics in exchange for three young players — it became more possible than ever.

With the Red Sox, a team with money to spend, filling a huge need in the back end of its bullpen by acquiring the young Bailey, the market for Madson has reached a new low. It’s now pretty clear that the 31-year-old right-hander won’t get anything close to what the Phillies reportedly offered him before turning their attention to Jonathan Papelbon (a four-year, $44 million contract).

But just how much of a pay cut he takes is the big question.

It’d have to be a pretty sizeable one for the Angels to be a fit, now that the team has committed more than $330 million to Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson. But it’s interesting to note that Wilson turned down a larger contract from the Marlins in order to sign with the Angels and return to Orange County, Calif. — where Madson was also born.

Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said during the Winter Meetings that his mission was to “complement [closer] Jordan Walden, not replace Jordan Walden.” In tune with that, he signed veteran right-hander LaTroy Hawkins to potentially help lefty Scott Downs in a setup role. But getting Madson would be a far bigger step towards improving a bullpen that was tied for first in the American League in blown saves last season.

So far, it appears the Rays and Reds are the two main teams that still need a closer. But the Reds and Francisco Cordero reportedly want a reunion, and the Rays don’t have the financial wherewithal to allocate a lot of money to the ninth inning.

Time for Scott Boras to get creative with Madson.

– Alden

Hello, Albert Pujols. Greetings, C.J. Wilson.

DALLAS — This wasn’t just an extraordinary day in the history of the Angels’ franchise. This was the day the Angels shaped the entire baseball landscape, not to mention the outlook of the American League West. By signing the greatest player of this era, Albert Pujols, and plucking an ace from the division-rival Rangers, C.J. Wilson, the Angels have set them up to be a World Series contender for years to come and have probably altered the strategy for several other AL clubs in the process.

What happens to Mark Trumbo? Does Albert Callaspo get traded? How do they create space for Pujols? Which number does Wilson wear (Jered Weaver has No. 36)? Those, and many other questions, are still to be answered.

But before that, here’s one more look at the big day, with a collection of what people around baseball were saying about the Angels’ Winter Meetings coup …

Angels owner Arte Moreno on Pujols (statement): “This is a monumental day for Angel fans and I could not be more excited. … Albert’s career performance clearly speaks for itself. He has proven to be the best player of his generation.”

Wilson: ”It’s a big swing in the balance of power in the [American League] West. I thought I was going to make a little bit of a difference, but [Pujols is] obviously going to make a huge one. Nobody saw that coming.”

Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto: ”I can’t say in my wildest dreams I thought we’d be sitting here today. And, again, that is a tribute to C.J. Wilson, Albert Pujols and Arte Moreno, and the people on the Angels side. A lot has to go into making trades, signing players, and you always have to be prepared. I used the term, make sure you keep your peripheral vision clear, because you’re going to have to adjust along the way. In this particular regard I think we wound up in a situation where once we get through these physicals we’re going to be in a very exciting position for the organization.
Angels right fielder Torii Hunter on Pujols: ”This is the piece we’ve been looking for. I’ve been looking for this my whole career. When Barry Bonds was playing, I said I’d love to hit in a lineup with him. [Pujols] is him — best hitter, best to play the game. This gives us a good chance to win.”

Angels left fielder Vernon Wells (celebrating his 33rd birthday on Thursday): “You’re adding two of the biggest pieces in the market, two guys still young and in their prime who can dominate. This gives us a legitimate chance to get to the playoffs and farther. … I’m a fan right now. This is exciting for the game and the Angels. I can imagine how our fans are feeling. What a birthday gift this is.”

Angels center fielder Peter Bourjos: ”It’s unbelievable. Kind of surreal. I was getting up, still in bed, when I started getting the texts. I was shocked.”

Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick: ”I know one thing, our locker room’s going to look like New York’s.”

Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher: ”Our fans are absolutely going to love these signings. I know our players are going to be excited as well. I think we got significantly better with a big bat and adding pitching depth. We just put an exclamation point on our winter.”
Rangers assistant GM Thad Levine: ”The division just got significantly better. A team we have tremendous respect for and has been our main competition just got better. The challenge in the American League West just got bigger. But we feel our team is up for the challenge.”
Cardinals principal owner Bill DeWitt Jr. on Pujols leaving (statement): ”We are disappointed that we were unable to reach an agreement to keep Albert Pujols in St. Louis. Albert is a great champion and we will always be thankful for his many achievements in a Cardinals uniform, as well as his contributions to the St. Louis community. I have the highest regard for Albert both personally and professionally, and appreciate his direct involvement in this process.”
Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday on Pujols leaving: “I was surprised. I recognized that this was a possibility, but I think when something like this happens, you’re always going to be surprised that it didn’t work out.”
Cardinals center fielder Jon Jay on Pujols leaving: “It’s part of the business. It’s what happens. Albert’s earned the right to pursue free agency, and that’s where he decided go.”
Cardinals infielder Skip Schumaker on Pujols leaving: ”To be honest with you, all along I thought the Cardinals had the upper hand. Just because of what he’s done for the city, what he’s done for our organization, two World Series titles. He’s an absolute icon, a god in St. Louis. So I thought there was a strong chance he was going to come back. But you never know because of the free-agent market and how much a team really wants somebody.”
Cardinals right-hander Kyle McClellan on Pujols leaving: ”It’s definitely going to be different. You don’t know if you ever could imagine him in another uniform. But that’s the way it goes. He’s a free agent. He has a decision to make and that’s part of the game. He’s going to do just fine over there. He’s going to look fine in that Angels uniform after everyone gets over the shock of it looking so different.”
Red Sox president Larry Lucchino on Pujols’ deal: ”Every team has got its own reasons for doing what it does. Ten-year commitments are major commitments and risks, but I’m sure the Angels have their reasons for doing what they’ve done. It just makes for an even keener rivalry between the Red Sox and the Angels.”

Cubs general manager Theo Epstein on Pujols leaving National League Central: “I’ll just say, if he left, it’d probably be a good thing for us in terms of developing young pitching. You get a young pitcher up there and he’s working on his third pitch and working on his fastball command and you tell him to get ahead strike one and all of a sudden, instead of a Triple-A hitter he’s got Albert Pujols there and it leaves the yard 420 to right-center field and it’s not good for his confidence.”

Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik on Pujols: ”That’s a very special talent that they acquired and just makes it more difficult for everybody in the division.”

Reds GM Walt Jocketty on Pujols leaving NL Central: ”I think it’s a positive. When they lose a guy of that stature, it’s pretty amazing.”

Indians GM Chris Antonetti on Pujols joining the AL: “I would’ve preferred he stayed in the National League.”

Athletics assistant GM David Forst: ”I can’t handicap what this means for the Angels, but certainly when you end up with all the best players in the game in your division, that’s not what you want.”

Reds manager Dusty Baker: ”They talk a lot about the Yankees, and now the Angels, looking at what they’ve done over the last six, seven years, are kind of like the Yankees of the West.”

Royals manager Ned Yost on Pujols: “A player of that caliber is going to make any lineup better. The Angels have always been a quality team, they’ve always been a tough team. With their pitching and now with their added offense in the middle of the lineup that they have, it’s going to be a very, very formidable team in that division and in the American League.”

Coverage
* Angels land Pujos, C.J.
* Angels players ecstatic
* Players, execs around the league react
* Dipoto with a masterful first impression
* Lyle: Angels usher in new era
* Castro: Pujols leaving St. Louis hurts
* A look at the dreaded nine-figure deal
* Sorting through the top 10 contracts ever
* Justice: Even without Pujols, Cards elite
* Cardinals lose Pujols despite desire
* Redbirds must move on post-Pujols
* Pujols’ former teammates stunned by departure
* With Wilson a Halo, Rangers look to counter
* Dipoto not concerned about Pujols’ age
** Pictures of Wilson and Pujols courtesy of The Associated Press. 
*** Lyle Spencer, Matthew Leach, T.R. Sullivan and several other MLB.com reporters contributed quotes. 
– Alden

Courting of C.J. hits social media

DALLAS — C.J. Wilson must’ve laughed pretty hard when looking at his smartphone tonight. While Wilson was making a surprise appearance at the Hilton Anatole on Wednesday — site of the Winter Meetings, and the place where he was believed to be meeting with the Angels and Marlins to choose a future home — Marlins outfielder Logan Morrison (@LoMoMarlins) and Angels outfielder Torii Hunter (@toriihunter48) went back and forth on Twitter to try and convince Wilson (@str8edgeracer) to sign with their team.

Here’s the timeline …

Morrison: @str8edgeracer I want to sing u a song. I’m so excited, I just can’t hide it and I know, i know, I know I want u I want u

Hunter: @str8edgeracer come on home to the OC. U would luv it and fans will luv u too. Alot of fun.

Morrison: Hows the CA state income tax Torii? RT @toriihunter48 @str8edgeracer come on home 2 the OC. U would luv it & fans will luv u 2. Alot of fun.

Hunter: @str8edgeracer u can also work on ur tan in Cali. I do it all the time dawg. LOL

Morrison: Its 72 every day in our new domed stadium! RT @ballystar40: @toriihunter48 @str8edgeracer But what abt the perfect weather all yr round Lomo

Wilson: Jeez keep your pants on RT @LoMoMarlins: Its 72 every day in our new domed stadium! 

Morrison: Fun Fact: All-Star Jared Weaver wears jersey #36 in Anaheim. Which sucks for any free agent who also wears 36, if he were to sign there…

Morrison: Correction: JERED Weaver. Another fun fact, Randy Choate (our #36) owes me favor 4 earthquake proofing his home. Wait, we dont have those…

– Alden 

Where will the top free agents sign? Here’s a guess …

Two things about the free-agent market this offseason: It sure is thin, and it sure is top heavy. If you’re looking for a lights-out closer, there are many. If you’re looking for a front-line starter, there are little. And if you want a premier slugger, you better be prepared to pay up.

Without further ado, here’s my guess (with emphasis on the word “guess”) at the destination of who I consider to be the top five free agents …

Albert Pujols: Cardinals

The notion that Tony La Russa‘s retirement somehow has some relevance with regards to Pujols’ situation is silly. Pujols is signing a deal that could reach 10 years. And even if La Russa, at 67, did come back, he’d only manage for another, what, two years? Pujols knows this. And this may just be me falling victim to the moment, but I can’t see Pujols signing with a different organization just because he’ll be making a few extra millions. With the Cardinals, Pujols goes to a city where he’s revered, an organization where he basically makes the rules and a team that consistently has a chance to win. The Cardinals’ contract offers may not have been lucrative enough before, but they got some extra money with a World Series run, restructuring Chris Carpenter‘s contract and signing Lance Berkman to a rather bargain deal. Plus, if they make third-base coach (and Pujols’ buddy) Jose Oquendo the manager, their chances of him staying are even greater. It’ll be a long, drama-filled battle. But in the end, I’ve got the Redbirds. … Perhaps it’s just that part of me that wants to believe a star player can stay with one franchise.

Other options: Rangers, Cubs, Giants, Dodgers, Marlins, Blue Jays, Nationals

Prince Fielder: Dodgers

I can’t see Fielder picking his team until Pujols signs first and, thus, sets the market for him. And though Brewers owner Mark Attansio expressed his team would “be in the game” for Fielder, it’s long been considered a foregone conclusion that the 2011 season was Fielder’s last in Milwaukee. The West coast seems to be the logical landing spot for the big vegetarian. It’s a big market, Prince and Matt Kemp are pals, the Dodgers badly want to improve their offense, and general manager Ned Colletti is expected to have $25 million to spend on free agents this offseason. Of course, a lot of this will hinge on how quickly the sale of the Dodgers goes through and who buys them. But if this gets done quickly, and MLB proclaims it will be, the Dodgers and Prince look like a great match.

Other options: Brewers, Rangers, Cubs, Giants, Mariners, Marlins, Blue Jays, Nationals

Jose Reyes: Tigers

The Tigers are right there. They just need to improve their defense and get some sort of consistency out of the top of their order. Hello, Jose Reyes. The Tigers’ biggest deficiency in 2011 was third base, but that can easily be solved by moving the defensively-inept Jhonny Peralta — signed through next year, with a team option for 2013 — over to his more comfortable position of third base and obtaining Reyes, who would allow Austin Jackson and his .317 on-base percentage to move lower in the order. Two things that may stand in the way: GM Dave Dombrowski has said he prefers to keep Peralta at shortstop, and the Tigers already have two players making $20-plus million a year in Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander. But owner Mike Ilitch has shown he’ll do what it takes to build a championship-contending club, and the Tigers may be a Reyes away from that. The Mets will give it a valiant effort, but barring significant payroll-shedding moves, they don’t have the capital to keep up.

Other options: Mets, Marlins, Red Sox, Cardinals (if no Pujols)

C.J. Wilson: Marlins

The Marlins have money to spend, and they keep telling everybody they’re going to be in play for the major free agents. That includes Wilson, who would give Florida something it badly needs headed into its new ballpark: A frontline starting pitcher, particularly a left-hander. The price for Wilson will be high, considering he’s clearly the best of what’s a shallow free-agent pool of starters and plays a position that’s always coveted. Projections have him attaining something in the range of the five-year, $82.5 million deals A.J. Burnett and John Lackey previously signed in free agency. But he may get an ever bigger deal. Regardless, the Marlins want to prioritize the rotation and, for one of the rare times in franchise history, have the means to do it. Wilson would give them a solid No. 2 behind Josh Johnson.

Other options: Rangers, Yankees, Blue Jays, Padres, Nationals, Red Sox, Twins, Orioles, Rockies, Royals

Yu Darvish: Yankees

The Yankees are prioritizing the rotation once again, but reports say they don’t want to go all-in on Wilson. If he’s posted, the Japanese Darvish seems like the perfect answer for general manager Brian Cashman, who continues to put a premium on accumulating young starting pitching (something he showed while refusing to trade his top prospects for Ubaldo Jimenez at the non-waiver Trade Deadline). Darvish will have a much cheaper contract than Wilson because he’s only 25, but because of the posting fee that would come with him — remember, Daisuke Matsuzaka required a $52 million posting fee, and that was five years ago — he won’t be much cheaper. The Yanks will face a lot of competition for Darvish, but when it comes down to dollars, they usually win if they have enough desire. And they definitely desire another rotation piece.

Other options: Rangers, Blue Jays, Nationals, Red Sox, Mariners, Twins, Orioles, Rockies, Royals (and probably a bunch of others)

* Filed this week: The Cardinals will be fine, even without Albert Pujols; a look at the curious free agent case of one C.J. Wilson.

** Photo courtesy of The Associated Press.

– Alden

Now for those UNpleasant surprises …

Earlier this week, I wrote about baseball’s most pleasant surprises of the season. Now I thought I should take a look at the other end of that spectrum; the guys we didn’t expect to have down seasons. Take a step back, and you’ll find there’s a lot of star (or star-ish) players that are having bad years.

Here’s a look at the five of the best (or, worst) …

Not-so-great signings: Jayson Werth — $126 million; .230 batting average, .713 OPS. Adam Dunn — $56 million; .165 batting average, 11 homers. Carl Crawford — $142 million; .290 on-base percentage. All were signed in order to get their respective teams over the hump, all have been nothing besides a hindrance so far. If not for a 33-game, season-saving hitting streak, Dan Uggla would’ve been a part of this group, too. Regardless, the cases of Werth (pictured right by The Associated Press), Dunn and Crawford are all head-scratching, and the most troubling is perhaps the situation of Dunn (an unfathomable 3-for-81 versus lefties).

Still not ready?: That’s probably what we can say about Kyle Drabek and Zach Britton, two young guns we thought would compete for the American League Cy Young Award but have struggled this year. Drabek posted a 5.70 ERA through his first 14 starts, prompting a demotion to the Minor Leagues. Now, he has a 6.51 ERA in 13 Triple-A starts. Britton is 7-9 with a 4.54 ERA, was demoted once and missed about two weeks with a shoulder injury recently.

We thought they were on the rise: But Jason Heyward, Carlos Santana, Pedro Alvarez and Brett Wallace only took steps back this year. Heyward, we thought, was a can’t-miss prospect, and he can of course still be a star. But right now, he’s the definition of “sophomore slump.” He’s been mired by injuries, he’s hitting only .220 with 13 homers, and now he’s been supplanted by a man named Costanza (no, not this one). Wallace won the Astros’ starting first base job with a great spring, but hit just .268 with four homers in 101 games before being sent down. He’s 25 now, and has played for four organizations. Will he ever produce like a first baseman should?  Santana, one of baseball’s best young catchers before missing the final two months of last year with a concussion, has 19 homers but is only hitting .241 and can’t even be considered the AL’s best catcher in a year when Joe Mauer is struggling (that title belongs to Alex Avila). And Alvarez not only doesn’t look too adept defensively at the hot corner, but he’s hitting .196 with three homers in 56 games in a struggle- and injury-filled second year.

Stars? Not this year: Hanley Ramirez, Ubaldo Jimenez, Chase Utley and Mauer have all had uncommon struggles. By his lofty standards, Hanley’s 2010 season — .300 batting average, 21 homers, 32 steals — was a down one. This one — .243 batting average, 10 homers and 20 steals through 92 games — is flat-out mystifying. He has caught flak from teammates — particularly Logan Morrison – and now, he’s in Class A Jupiter rehabbing. Mauer missed time with leg weakness, has just one home run in his 70 games this year and has been tried out first base and right field this year. The Twins must obviously consider moving Mauer to a different position so they can keep him on the field, but does his bat play elsewhere? For the last six years, Utley has been one of baseball’s most consistent players and arguably its best second baseman. But knee tendinitis put him on the shelf at the start, and now he sits with just a .278 batting average and nine homers in 78 games. And one year after placing third in National League Cy Young Award voting, Ubaldo  has a 4.71 ERA in 26 starts this season. Many felt his head simply wasn’t in it in Colorado after frustrations over his contract situation, but he has a 5.79 ERA in his first five starts in Cleveland (though he did pitch seven innings of one-run ball on Friday night).

The lukewarm corner: So, who’s baseball’s best third baseman this year? Not Ryan Zimmerman; he has a .299 batting average but only nine homers and has been limited to 72 games. Not Alex Rodriguez; he has solid numbers for anyone else (.292 batting average and 14 homers) but was set back by a recent stint to the disabled list. Not David Wright; he missed almost 60 games with a back injury. Not Evan Longoria; he’s hitting just .237 after also missing time with injury. Nope, it’s none of those guys. Baseball’s best third baseman this year is … Aramis Ramirez, owner of a .311 batting average, 24 homers and 83 RBIs.

Honorable mentions: Ichiro Suzuki (.331 batting average and 224 hits per season in his first 10 years. This year? Career-low .273 batting average and .313 on-base percentage). … Rafael Soriano (Given $35 million to be a setup man; now has a 4.94 ERA as a middle reliever). … Shin-Soo Choo (One of baseball’s best-kept secrets while hitting .302 with 56 homers and 47 steals from 2008-10. This year, he’s hitting just .261 with eight homers in 83 games).

– Alden 

* Also filed this week: Aces’ contract decisions deliver parity. 

Starting pitchers & their potential walk years

As usual, several playoff-hopeful teams are looking to beef up their starting rotations to get over the hump. And as usual, those rotation upgrades are tough to come by.

With starting pitchers being so valuable, few teams are willing to ever trade them away unless: 1) they’re blown away by an offer or 2) they’re not competing and said starter has an expiring contract.

Here, with a little help from Cot’s Contracts, I’ve tried to tackle the latter with a list of the starting pitchers who are potentially in a walk year. From that group, you can pluck out several whom teams may be willing to part ways with.

Without further ado …

Joel Pineiro (Angels, 32, RH)

2011 stats: 3-3, 4.09 ERA, 11 GS

Note: Interesting name, especially if the Angels fall out of it.

Rich Harden (Athletics, 29, RH)

2011 stats: 3.52 ERA, 2 GS in AAA

Note: A shoulder strain has kept him out of the Majors all year, but he could make it back soon for a team that could soon have too many rotation options.

Chris Carpenter (Cardinals, 36, RH)

2011 stats: 2-7, 4.26 ERA, 16 GS

Note: Holds a very interesting $15 club option. But as long as the Cardinals remain among the top-tier teams in the NL Central, they’ll hold him at least through the season.

Adam Wainwright (Cardinals, 29, RH)

2011 stats: null

Note: Has a $9 million club option for 2012 and a $12 million club option for 2013 that the Cardinals now have a choice on — since he won’t finish the year healthy because of Tommy John surgery — and must exercise at once. Obviously, though, he can’t help a contender.

Doug Davis (Cubs, 35, LH)

2011 stats: 1-6, 5.01 ERA, 8 GS

Note: He’s a veteran lefty for a team that will be sellers at the Deadline. But, obviously, he has struggled.

Zach Duke (Diamondbacks, 28, LH)

2011 stats: 1-2, 5.73 ERA, 6 GS

Note: D-backs hold a $5.5 million club option for next year (with a $750,000 buyout).

Jon Garland (Dodgers, 31, RH)

2011 stats: 1-5, 4.33 ERA, 9 GS

Note: Dodgers hold an $8 million club option for next year that will not vest.

Hiroki Kuroda (Dodgers, 36, RH)

2011 stats: 5-9, 3.10 ERA, 16 GS

Note: Very good candidate to be dealt if the Dodgers keep slipping.

Erik Bedard (Mariners, 32, LH)

2011 stats: 4-5, 2.93, 14 GS

Note: Great comeback story who Mariners may want to hold on to.

Javier Vazquez (Marlins, 35, RH)

2011 stats: 4-7, 6.37 ERA, 15 GS

Note: I’m not really sure he’d be an upgrade for anyone at this point.

Chris Capuano (Mets, 32, LH)

2011 stats: 6-7, 3.99 ERA, 16 G (14 GS)

Note: Buy-low signing that has worked out for the Mets.

Chris Young (Mets, 31, RH)

2011 stats: 1-0, 1.88 ERA, 4 GS

Note: Was pitching great for the Mets while healthy, but he’s out for the year after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Livan Hernandez (Nationals, 36, RH)

2011 stats: 5-8, 3.81 ERA, 17 GS

Note: Somehow, someway, he keeps getting it done.

Jason Marquis (Nationals, 32, RH)

2011 stats: 7-2, 3.53 ERA, 15 GS

Note: Good comeback story after dreadful 2010 and now a good trade asset, but streaking Nationals may be in a pennant race by late July.

Justin Duchscherer (Orioles, 33, RH)

2011 stats: null

Note: Hip and back issues have kept him off a Major League mound all season.

Aaron Harang (Padres, 33, RH)

2011 stats: 7-2, 3.71 ERA, 13 GS

Note: Veteran having a good season on a one-year deal for a team that won’t compete. But he holds a $5 million mutual option with a $500,000 buyout for next season.

Roy Oswalt (Phillies, 33, RH)

2011 stats: 4-6, 3.79 ERA, 13 GS

Note: Phillies have a $16 million club option on him for next season and Oswalt has a full no-trade clause.

Paul Maholm (Pirates, 29, LH)

2011 stats: 4-8, 3.21 ERA, 16 GS

Note:  Pirates hold a $9.75 million club option for next year, which could exceed $11 million with performance bonuses.

Brandon Webb (Rangers, 31, RH)

2011 stats: 0-2, 9.75 ERA, 4 GS in AAA

Note: Not really sure he can help anybody at any point this year.

C.J. Wilson (Rangers, 30, LH)

2011 stats: 7-3, 3.17 ERA, 16 GS

Note: It’ll be interesting to see how the Rangers approach Wilson nearing free agency for the first time.

Tim Wakefield (Red Sox, 44, RH)

2011 stats: 4-3, 4.54 ERA, 18 G (9 GS)

Note: He has to approve trades via his 10-and-5 rights and — as usually seems to be the case — the title-contending Red Sox need him.

Aaron Cook (Rockies, 32, RH)

2011 stats: 0-3, 5.48 ERA, 4 GS

Note: Holds an $11 million mutual option for next year, which increases to $12 million if he’s traded.

Bruce Chen (Royals, 34, LH)

2011 stats: 4-1, 3.88 ERA, 8 GS

Note: Fresh off the DL, and perhaps in plenty of time to be a valuable trade asset.

Kyle Davies (Royals, 27, RH)

2011 stats: 1-6, 7.46, 9 GS

Note: Has struggled mightily and is currently on the DL with right shoulder inflammation.

Jeff Francis (Royals, 30, LH)

2011 stats: 3-8, 4.76 ERA, 16 GS

Note: Interesting name to watch.

Brad Penny (Tigers, 33, RH)

2011 stats: 5-6, 4.66 ERA, 16 GS

Note: Not a great year, but he’s eating innings for the contending Tigers.

Mark Buehrle (White Sox, 32, LH)

2011 stats: 6-5, 3.73 ERA, 15 GS

Note: Interesting situation here. If the over-budget White Sox fall out of contention in the AL Central, would they entertain the notion of trading one of their franchise faves before he hits free agency? They just may. But Buehrle would have to approve.

Edwin Jackson (White Sox, 27, RH)

2011 stats: 4-6, 4.13 ERA in 15 GS

Note: Young and still has some upside. And Scott Boras is his agent.

Bartolo Colon (Yankees, 38, RH)

2011 stats: 5-3, 3.10 ERA, 13 G (10 GS)

Note: As unfathomable as the following may have seemed at the start of the season, it’s true: Almost every team would love to have Colon on their staff. Good low-risk signing by the Yankees; a team that can’t afford to deal any starters. We’ll see how he is when he returns from a hamstring strain, though.

Freddy Garcia (Yankees, 34, RH)

2011 stats: 6-6, 3.30 ERA, 14 G (13 GS)

Note: Another great low-risk signing by the Yankees that doesn’t figure to pitch anywhere else this season.

CC Sabathia (Yankees, 30, LH)

2011 stats: 10-4, 3.25 ERA, 17 GS

Note: He’s technically signed through 2015, but can opt out of his contract after this season.

– Alden

** What I wrote last week: Bob Melvin has the A’s on the same page; Joey Votto should start the All-Star Game; Jack McKeon’s instincts haven’t aged; are the Twins, A’s and Nats for real?

A look at some struggling stars

Maybe the world did end on May 21 and this is some Twilight Zone-ish parallel universe we’re living in, because there’s plenty about the first two months of this baseball season that just doesn’t seem too, well, Earth-y.

Carl Crawford has a .269 on-base percentage?

Adam Dunn‘s batting average is .180?

Albert Pujols sports a .745 OPS?

Hanley Ramirez is hitting .210?

Dan Uggla is following it up with a .175 clip?

I can’t figure it out. But I did find it interesting that almost all of these guys — with the exception of Hanley — are either in the first or final year of their current deals. With a new contract comes pressure, with an expiring one comes uncertainty. Could that be to blame?

Nobody can know for sure. But here’s a closer look at The Mystifying Five …

Crawford

We’ve seen spurts, little flashes in the pan that the Red Sox’s new left fielder is getting back to being the electrifying player he was for so long in Tampa Bay. There was an 11-game hitting streak at the beginning of May that saw him bat .356, a few walk-offs sprinkled in, and back-to-back four-hit games on May 25 and 26.

But still, the consistency has lacked for one of the most consistent — and now richest — players in baseball.

Terry Francona has protected Crawford a bit by keeping him away from the top of the order since his dreadful start, batting him sixth recently. Upon being named American League Player of the Week on Tuesday, Crawford  sounded upbeat, saying: “I’m feeling a lot better. I’m feeling a lot more comfortable at the plate. Things are slowing down for me a lot. I feel like it’s definitely gotten better for me from the way I started off.”

But after May 26, Crawford has notched just three hits in a span of 20 at-bats, and thus the inconsistencies continue.

From 2003-10, Crawford hit .299 with a .340 on-base percentage and averaged 50 steals per season. But heading into Thursday, he had drawn just eight walks (though he’s not really known for that anyway), had stolen just seven bases and had notched just 50 hits in 224 plate appearances.

I thought he’d be a perfect fit for Fenway Park and that lineup (and still do), and I know he’s one of the hardest-working players in baseball. Is playing in a big market and with a big contract for the first time a factor?

It’s at least a fair question.

Dunn

Dunn (pictured up top by The Associated Press) has struckout an AL-high 71 times, has hit just five homers (he had 10 at this time last year) and has batted just .088 — yes, .088 — against lefties.

Because of that, the man who was  supposed to be that big lefty bat the White Sox have been missing since Jim Thome left has been sitting against tough lefties and has jumped around in the batting order.

Dunn, a real standup guy and one of my favorite players to talk to, said this recently: “I’m normally pretty good at not letting things affect me too much. This has been one of the tougher things for me. I don’t know why it is. I know I’m coming to a new team, we’re not playing very well, and I feel I’m a big part of why we’re not doing well. I think that weighs a little more on me than in the past.”

Two Sox teams, two star players acquired in the offseason, two unexpected records largely because of their struggles.

Pujols

Who knew. Even with Adam Wainwright missing the season with Tommy John surgery, the Cardinals are in first place thanks to the contributions of Yadier Molina (.320 batting average) and Lance Berkman (1.044 OPS), and not Pujols.

Considering Pujols is insanely focused, is in a walk year and is the greatest hitter on the planet, I was expecting numbers like .782 batting average, 91 homers, 256 RBIs this year. But, by Gosh, he’s human!

Pujols — he who has averaged a .331 clip, 41 homers and 123 RBIs every year heading into this one — is hitting only .262 with nine homers and 31 RBIs. I mean, they’re not terrible numbers. But they’re nowhere near Pujols-like.

I keep waiting for him to break out, but it just hasn’t happened yet. Is it possible that  future uncertainty has impacted the production of a man nicknamed “The Machine”?

Possible. But I still think his numbers will be solid by the end of the year, and I still wouldn’t be surprised if he signed for record money somewhere.

Ramirez

Ramirez is off to the worst start of his career, and now that he’s nursing what seems to be rather serious lower back pain, it may only get worse.

Ramirez, out since Sunday, has only a .306 on-base percentage, has hit only four home runs and has been caught stealing six times. Meanwhile, he continues to get dinged up, and he gets a little bigger every offseason.

I’m wondering how this affects talks of him switching positions.

Hanley wants to continue to play shortstop for obvious reasons — because he loves it, because it’s pretty much all he’s ever known, and because it makes him even more valuable when he hits free agency again. But the Marlins have too much invested and too little revenues to not try to get the most out of the $70 million deal they signed him to two years ago.

Ramirez’s 2010 season — when he batted .300 with 21 homers, 76 RBIs and 32 stolen bases — was solid, but a disappointment for him. Would Hanley be able to produce more if he moved to a less-demanding position? He’s never been great defensively, and the Marlins — with no disrespect meant to the fine season Greg Dobbs is having — have a hole at third base.

Just a thought.

Uggla

And that brings me to Ramirez’s teammate, who signed a five-year, $62 million contract with the Braves I never thought he’d land.

Look, Uggla has always been a slow starter (.440 career batting average in April, his lowest for any month) and besides last year, he’s never really hit for a high batting average (.257 from 2006-09).

You’d think Uggla would’ve gotten hot by now, though.

But he seems to have been getting progressively worse.

Over his last 12 games, Uggla has gone just 3-for-40 while striking out eight times and walking only once. Now, his batting average is the lowest it’s been since April 16.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez knows about Uggla’s early-season struggles very well. But recently, upon batting him seventh after giving him a couple of mental days off, Gonzalez admitted Uggla’s previous slow starts have been “nothing like this.”

“The thing he needs is a couple of balls to fall in,” he added. “For me, that’s all he needs. He’s unlucky at times. You hate to say he’s unlucky because he’s hitting [.175], so how unlucky can it be? But sometimes [the unluckiness] just starts piling on.”

I’ll leave you on this note: I’ve been getting the feeling that Uggla has never really thrived with the attention on him. He’s always been an under-the-radar guy as a Rule 5 product, always played in a small market in Florida with a reasonable contract; then he had that dreadful All-Star Game performance at Yankee Stadium in ’08, and now he’s struggling under the weight of a big contract.

I hope I’m wrong.

– Alden

** What I wrote recently: The talent pool at catcher is growing awfully shallow; and Mets manager Terry Collins faces a kind of challenge he never foresaw.

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