1st Quarter 26 man NL All Star Team- 2 players per position, 6 OFs & Starting pitchers with 4 closers
1b-
Albert Pujols, St Louis Cardinals, Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
2b-
Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies, Orlando Hudson, LA Dodgers
3b-
Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals, David Wright, NY Mets
SS-
Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins, Christian Guzman, Washington Nationals
C-
Bengie Molina, San Francisco Giants, Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
OF-
Raul Ibanez, Philadelphia Phillies, Carlos Beltran, NY Mets, Justin Upton,Arizona Diamondbacks, Adam Dunn,Washington Nationals, Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers, Brad Hawpe, Colorado Rockies
SP-
Johan Santana, NY Mets, Chad Billingsley, LA Dodgers, Wadny Rodriquez, Houston Astros, Jair Jurrjens, Atlanta Braves, Javier Vasquez,Atlanta Braves, Tim Lincecum, SF Giants
RP-
Francisco Rodriquez, NY Mets, Heath Bell, SD Padres, Trevor Hoffman, Milwaukee Brewers, Jonathan Broxton, LA Dodgers
2009 NL Team awards-Thoughts:
Looks like Tarzan, Plays like Jane:(Team that has names and should be better than they are)
Chicago Cubs- Team has a lot of talent and should win this division by 10 games but just does not put a quality product or effort on the field. Manager Lou Piniella for all of his strenghts, has rubbed some people the wrong way and it cost them a solid starter in Jason Marquis. The man plays musical chairs with his players, this week it was reported they are considering moving Alfonso Soriano to 2nd base. Are the Cubs trying to get the fans near 1st base to sue them? Starting pitching has been spotty and they need veterans Ryan Dempster and Carlos Zambrano to step up. Pen is influx with both Carlos Marmol(4.00 era) and Kevin Gregg(6.00 era) getting shots at closing. C Geovany Soto is barely hitting .200 and looks lost at times. Big free agent signing Milton Bradley has 9 rbis more than u and I do and has been a disaster. This team needs a major change and has age in the everday line-up. Trade idea… How about calling Cleveland about Grady Sizemore?
Back to Earth:(Team that has played over their heads and will come back to earth)
Los Angeles Dodgers- Don’t get me wrong, this team wins the NL West but they will not be playing .666 ball with the distraction known as Manny Ramirez around. This club has an excellent blend of kids and veterans in the everyday lineup but without their dimwitted Left fielder, this offense is offensive! Manager Joe Torre has done a great job with a young pitching group that lost veterans Derek Lowe and Brad Penny this offseason. This division is very bad and lacks elite bats, making a player like Ramirez vital. You put him on the San Francisco Giants, that team is in First!
Better than I thought(Team I thought would struggle that is good)
St. Louis Cardinals- I should have learned last year when I got death threats for picking them last in 2008!!! Just a solid, workman like organization led by superstar 1b Albert Pujols and manager Tony Larussa. This team plays a brand of ball, ala the Minnesota Twins in the AL, and just shows up to work. They get a ton out of their starting pitching and with the return of veteran Chris Carpenter, look out! Excellent young closer Ryan Franklin leads a power armed pen. If this team could add another elite bat(Matt Holliday?) they could win the NL pennant.
The Eddie Murphy “Raw” Half award(Team that is half- great pitching, no hitting)
San Francisco Giants- These pitchers must all need shrinks and drink heavily! Team plays great defense and in a staff friendly park but could not score on prom night! 3 Starters- Matt Caib, Tim Lincecum and comeback candidate Barry Zito have ERAs under 4.00 with Cain the only pitcher with a winning record!!!C Bengie Molina is the only regular even close to 10 bombs, leading the club with 8. Amazingly, the Giants have ZERO homers from First basemen!!!! You know things are bad when David Ortiz and his one homer would be a power upgrade!!!
