- Biggest Surprise
In 2009 Vladimir Guerrero set career lows for a full season in the following categories: batting average (.295), HRs (15), RBI (50), hits (113), doubles (16), runs (59), walks (19), and on-base percentage (.334). Guerrero also did it at the worst possible time as he entered free agency. Even after that disastrous season the Texas Rangers still offered Guerrero a one year at $5.5 million plus incentives. I think Guerrero will be cashing in on those inncentives. To date Guerrero is hitting .339 while hitting 10 HRs and 37 RBI. Editor's Note: As I'm typing this the bottom line just scrolled across, "Guerrero 2-3 2HR 4RBI".
- Biggest Disappointment
Matt Treanor is the type of player who will always have a spot on a Major League roster. He's a prototypical back-up catcher. He's a veteran who is good with pitchers, but can't hit worth a crap. So if it's not his fault that he's only hitting .205 as the starting catcher in Arlington, whose is it? Jared Saltalamacchia's, that's who. Salty began the season as the Rangers starting back stop, but a back injury quickly landed him on the DL. Well Salty has been healthy and playing in the Minors for weeks and hitting well over .300, so what's the friggin' issue? This. Pathetic. Or better yet, disappointing.
2. Oakland A's (23-22)
- Biggest Surprise
Honestly I'm having a tough time finding a real surprise here. And it's weird because they're overachieving. They only have one regular hitting over .300 (Ryan Sweeney, .307), and only one other hitting over .275 (Daric Barton, .278). They're next to last in the Majors with only 25 HRs. Offensively, they're simply blah. They have won, however, with good pitching. But here's the crazy thing, no one on the mound has stood out over the entire season. While Dallas Braden has been making headlines with his perfect game and feud with A-Rod, his overall stats aren't exactly jaw dropping (4-4, 3.23 ERA).
- Biggest Disappointment
Eric Chavez began his extremely promising MLB career 12 years ago as a spry 20 year old with Oakland. Throughout his mid-20's, Chavez was stellar at the dish, hitting over .270 and more than 25 HRs every year from 2000-'05. Now that career may be coming to an end awfully too soon. Chavez has been experiencing several serious injuries over the past calendar year. He missed almost the entire '09 season due to back, shoulder, and another back injury. During Spring Training of 2010 Chavez was shelved to due a neck injury when he stated that he suffered another serious injury he would hang up his cleats. Well, that time may be now. If we never get to see Eric Chavez lace them up again, then I just want to say it was a pleasure.
3. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (21-26)
- Biggest Surprise
After an injury plagued 2009 Ervin Santana was hoping for a completely healthy 2010, which fit right into the Anaheim Angels plans to replace the free agent departure of John Lackey. So far, so good. Santana has begun the season 3-3 with a 3.75 ERA to provide a solid 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation along with Jared Weaver.
- Biggest Disappointment
It seemed like the logical move at the time. Former DH Vladimir Guerrero showed signs of aging and current DH Hideki Matsui was coming off of a World Series MVP. Both were free agents, and both received deals within $1 million of the other. We've already discussed Guerrero's bounce back season, now it's time for Matsui's disappointing 2010 start. Matsui may have 5 HRs and 22 RBI, but he is only hitting .229 and has struckout (32) twice as many times as he's walked (16).
4. Seattle Mariners (16-28)
- Biggest Surprise
Who the hell is Doug "Sister" Fister? Fister is 26 and pitched at Fresno State University. Fister only had 10 career starts coming into the season, and they all took place last season after his August debut. Currently "Sister" Fister has a ridiculous 1.96 ERA, but a 3-2 record due to the Mariners anemic offense (see below).
- Biggest Disappointment
Milton Bradley. Enough said. OK. OK. OK. There's a lot more to add. Chone Figgins hitting
.195. Jose Lopez hitting .211. Casey Kotchman hitting .196. Ken Griffey, Jr. hitting .186.
Basically anytime anyone not named Ichiro picks up a bat for the Mariners it's a
disappointment.
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