Mike Jacobs is the guy I really think could emerge after a really slow start this year.

His average was .192 after april, .231 after May, .272 after June and now up to .285 with 12 bombs and 48 rbis.  His slg, ops and obp are all up near the top now and he seems to be improving versus regressing.

He showed a power swing last year in his 100 ab's and it is conceivable that he hits 25/90 for this season and could even flirt with .300.  Keep in mind too that Jacobs has accomplished all this playing through a sore ankle.

What do you think are his chance for ROY and what do you think the future outlook for him is.  Personally, I think the trade is another one that will work out well for the Marlins and that as of right now - there is very little talk of Carlos in Florida.  

This may be of no interest to anyone or it may stir great debate.

My friends and I were looking at the 2005 stolen base leaders - for this debate -

Figgins, Podsednik, Pierre, Crawford, Reyes and guys like that.

My feeling was that these guys could and would steal 40+ bases regardless of what team they played for.

My other friend said that most of these guys would struggle to 30 if they played for the Oakland A's or any other non-running team.

While I think that coaching philosophy can affect a players production - what are the thoughts of the group?  

And for anyone thinking this is fantasy slanted - it is not - we were going through statistical leaders from the last 20 years while watching the NCAA Final Four last weekend.

It was just announced that Sidney Ponson has won the 5th spot in the rotation and that Anthony Reyes will begin the season in AAA.

I remember a few threads discussing the foolish move by the Cardinals bringing Ponson in when it only would screw up Reyes and his chances.

I have a few thoughts on this and hope to see some good debate.  As a 5th starter - Reyes does not have a guarantee of regular work in a starting role as there may be times when his start is skipped or whatever.  To me, until Reyes is going to be a top 4 starter - his time is better spent getting innings at the AAA level.

Ponson has a lot of experience and with the right manager (Larussa), I believe he could be a great 5th starter and long reliever for the Cardinals.  Ponson is going to be able to eat innings and knows his role while I think Reyes will benefit better from coming up when he knows he will start every 5 days when someone gets hurts, etc.

What is the communities thoughts?

We spend a lot of time debating what prospects might do but I am interested to hear some thoughts on people after they are done.

I heard some interesting commentary yesterday by someone who votes for the HOF (name escapes me) and he talked about how he is now becoming more sabermetrically oriented when evaluating the nominees.

With that said - he felt Bert Blyleven should be a sure vote-in for the HOF.  He said that his stats (sabermetrically) put him on par as a top 10 pitcher of the 70's and 80's and right there with the likes of Seaver and Gibson in many respects.  He talked about Blyleven truly being the victim of bad luck and bad support.  Thoughts?

There are a lot of interesting people on the list this year - Andre Dawson, Jim Rice, Bruce Sutter, Gossage, ect.

Rice is another one that was in the top 5 to 10 in many categories like slg, total bases, etc for the better part of a 10 year stretch and in the top 5 for MVP voting many of those years as well.

Sutter had probably what was the best 7 year run of a closer in his time and redefined the role and invented a pitch.

Dawson is in a group with Barry Bonds and I think Willie Mays for some statistical accomplishments.

How do these guys stack up for everyone here?  Does anyone have any information on how these guys graded as prospects?  Back then - all I remember were the "future stars" baseball cards that had 3 guys from each team.  

BTW - I put down as many names as I could for the poll so a few may have been left off.