Carlos Pena

jacksontsmith — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:51:24 -0000

I was sitting in my barber shop waiting area today reading a Sporting News magazine from the beginning of the season. As most sports magazines did, they previewed each team and predicted where they would finish. The trend for the Rays 2008 preview is a little talk about them making it to .500 this year, a little talk about Longoria, and then a tangent about how there is no way Carlos Pena can follow up 2008 with anything close to his 2007 season. While no one could have expected his 46 home runs last season, why is it such a stretch to think he could be just as good this year? Here we are two weeks into the season, and he already has six home runs. And not only that, but it seems like every time he hits one, its tying the ballgame, or giving us the lead. He is like Sammy Sosa's antithesis when it comes to home runs. He is only hitting .209 right now, but thats only going to go up. I'm just trying to understand where all the negativity about Pena's numbers dropping off is coming from. 2007 doesn't look like a fluke for him so far. He just looks like a player who has been a journeyman long enough, and has finally put it together. And I am glad he's done it in Tampa.

Thoughts on Longoria

jacksontsmith — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:13:52 -0000

Do any of you think it is possible that Evan Longoria's growth and maturation as a baseball player could have been stunted by all of the goings on this spring? Looking back at how well he played, and combining that with all of the publicity he got and the fan base he gathered, maybe sending him back down did considerable damage. Now, I have not watched any of his at bats in Durham since the season started, so I am not sure if they have been quality at bats. But starting the season hitless through the first week and a half does not sound like the Longoria that was sent down at the end of spring. Is it possible he had convinced himself he would be in the majors? Could the let down be slowing his progress as a player? This is all pure speculation, but we know one thing for sure. Maddon and FriedCo. are getting a look at how Longo handles his first slump.

SB Nation User Blog: jacksontsmith

Carlos Pena

Thoughts on Longoria