One of the big stories of the early offseason in 2009 is going to be Brandon Webb's 2010 option. The Diamondbacks hold a team option on their ailing ace worth $8.5 million and they're understandably a little hesitant to pay such a steep price for a pitcher coming off of a shoulder injury, even if that pitcher is Brandon Webb.
In that vein, the Arizona Republic reported Tuesday that the D'backs are planning on approaching Webb about restructuring his contract. Of course, in the same story it was reported that Webb has absolutely no interest in any sort of contract restructuring of his deal. That means the D'backs have until shortly after the World Series to figure out what they're going to do with their ace.
But besides his fine season -- 89 runs scored, 96 RBI, .823 OPS -- Abreu seems to have passed on his patience at the plate to the rest of his Angels teammates.
"He's got the younger players understanding patience isn't a bad thing," Chone Figgins told FanHouse. "It's not about not being aggressive, but being patient, getting a pitch to hit. There's nothing wrong with being 1-1 and hitting, or 1-2, or 2-2.
"It's not something simple to do, but I think we did a good job of it in spring training and have tried to bring it into the season and have so far done a good job."
MLB Power Rankings:Where MLB FanHouse's editors, writers and bloggers team up to break down the who's who and the what's what in the baseball world.
Well, I'll tell you one thing: baseball ain't boring, folks. At least if you're in the middle class anyway; the upper crust is (somewhat) starting to establish itself across MLB's ranks and the bottom portion of the league is certainly holding steady. But in the middle, well, goodness. We have a lot of would-be title contenders. How's your semi-crappy team faring in the all-important MLB FanHouse Power Rankings this week? Find out after the jump.
Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action, with a quick nod to what is ahead.
You Oughta Know ... That the Mets not only snapped their five-game losing streak, but they did their part to save the world on Wednesday. After manager Jerry Manuel's team meeting in the wake of Tuesday's loss, the Mets all came to the ballpark on Wednesday on buses, instead of players arriving individually in cabs. Although the team-building experience may have actually done more to save on fuel than to actually bond, the result was a 1-0 victory.
Manuel wasn't going to take credit for his speech firing up the team, especially since pitcher Mike Pelfrey missed it. Pelfrey had left the ballpark early Tuesday night to get some rest.
"I told him, 'If he'd been at the meeting, he would have thrown a no-hitter,' " Manuel joked.
If you've been following the travails of 2006 National League Cy Young winner Brandon Webb this season, the following news won't come as much of a shock. The Diamondbacks are strongly considering surgery as an option for the ace -- sidelined since Opening Day with a right shoulder injury -- after an MRI and a meeting with the team physician Tuesday, according to a report in the Arizona Republic.
Webb has been on the disabled list since April 7 with what the team has called shoulder bursitis, but he's experienced setback after setback in his attempts to return to the mound, most recently canceling a scheduled bullpen session at the end of last week because of pain in the area.
Now the team is hinting that Webb may have a torn labrum -- arguably the most ominous injury any pitcher can have -- while it waits for a second opinion on his shoulder. The injury that would require a surgical procedure and nine months of rehab, according to Nick Piecoro of the Republic.
As we near the halfway point of the 2009 season, the Arizona Diamondbacks desperately need something. Some expected them to contend in the NL West this year, but they're in dead last, 15 games behind the Dodgers and seven behind the Cardinals in the wild-card race. In fact, only the Nationals have a worse record in the National League right now.
They had hoped that that "something" that would kick start their season would be the return of Brandon Webb. Every team would miss a guy that's finished in the top two in NL Cy Young voting in each of the past three seasons. Unfortunately, Webb's Thursday bullpen session was canceled and he's left the team on their interleague trip to Kansas City to return to Phoenix.
MLB Power Rankings:Where MLB FanHouse's editors, writers and bloggers team up to break down the who's who and the what's what in the baseball world.
So, quick apology on my part: the Power Rankings were supposed to go live Wednesday, but things happened, I'm a jerkstore, excuses, etc., and here we are. It's not Wednesday! So please note that the records reflect Wednesday -- not Thursday, not Friday, not Saturday. Don't freak out in the comments and call me names. Please. I can't take that in my fragile emotional state right now. I might turn into Raul Ibanez, at which point I would yell at you and then strain my groin. And that wouldn't be good for anyone.
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
There I am. Bottom of the 10th inning. Promenade section of Citi Field.
With my hands swollen from furious applause throughout the night and my legs bobbing to stay warm, Fernando Martinez laced a hit to right field. We came alive once more, while the old man sitting next to me grumbled: "Another friggin single? Pelfrey's the only one who drove somethin'."
Sixteen hits and pitcher Mike Pelfrey was the Met with pop.
MLB Power Rankings: Where MLB FanHouse's editors, writers and bloggers team up to break down the who's who and the what's what in the baseball world.
We had to break the trend. Sure, the Dodgers might have a better record than everyone else -- but competition has to count for something, doesn't it? The Dodgers have mutilated the mediocre-at-best NL West to the tune of 26-9. This means they are 14-11 against everyone else. Is that a top-two team in baseball? Hardly, I'll take the heated-rivals: Yankees (who have overcome a slow start to go 19-7 since May 12) and Red Sox (18-8 against the best division in baseball) as the top two.
MLB Power Rankings:Where MLB FanHouse's editors, writers and bloggers team up to break down the who's who and the what's what in the baseball world.
Sorry for the delay, kiddos, on the Power Rankings. I'm sure you spent the entirety of Wednesday wondering "WHERE IN GOD'S NAME ARE THEY??? WITHOUT THEM I'LL HAVE NOTHING TO BANTER SENSELESSLY ABOUT TO MY CO-WORKERS!!!1" Or something like that. Either way, it's time to debate the worthlessness of your favorite baseball team in numerical form once again. Do enjoy.
One of the big stories of the early offseason in 2009 is going to be Brandon Webb's 2010 option. The Diamondbacks hold a team option on their ailing ace worth $8.5 million and they're understandably a little hesitant to pay such a steep price for a pitcher coming off of a shoulder injury, even if that pitcher is Brandon Webb. 
Every Sunday, 
Starting Five
If you've been following the travails of 2006 National League Cy Young winner 
As we near the halfway point of the 2009 season, the Arizona Diamondbacks desperately need something. Some expected them to contend in the NL West this year, but they're in dead last, 15 games behind the Dodgers and seven behind the Cardinals in the wild-card race. In fact, only the Nationals have a worse record in the National League right now. 
MLB Power Rankings
MLB Power Rankings
