Timo

 

I'm thinking Pods steps up. He was nagged by some leg stuff, and his bat wasn't always there. I'm thinking consistency at the plate, better steal percentage, even if total steals remains about the same.

 

Plus, what fun is it in picking one of the obvious?

 

BTW, Gooch has been doing this a long time and at a pretty high level. I'd be surprised if he improves much over the second half of last season.

I believe the MIP will be Joe Crede. He always put a ton of pressure on himself and was battling the game instead instead of playing it. I think while on the DL last year, he decided to just relax and have fun. He not only looked like a completely different player after the DL stint, but a completely different person as well.

I believe the MIP will be Joe Crede.  He always put a ton of pressure on himself and was battling the game instead instead of playing it.  I think while on the DL last year, he decided to just relax and have fun.  He not only looked like a completely different player after the DL stint, but a completely different person as well.

 

That makes a lot of sense.

I hope everyone puts up better numbers this coming season but I gotta go with Iguchi-san. He was swinging a tired bat through most of the postseason, and hopefully he will have adjusted to the longer MLB season.

 

While I thought he was a bang-up no.2 hitter, I am interested to see how he does further down the order with a chance to swing the bat more.