Five years ago today, Alfonso Soriano stole second base in the first inning against the Brewers, becoming the fourth member of the 40-40 club. Soriano, then with the Nationals, finished with 46 homers and 41 steals before signing his massive eight-year, $136MM contract with the Cubs after the season. Jose Canseco (1988), Barry Bonds (1996), and Alex Rodriguez (1998) are the only other players that have gone 40-40 in a single season.
Here's this week's batch of links, starting with a very interesting podcast…
- Replacement Level Baseball interviewed Corey Conflenti, a center fielder for the Lodi Old Rags of the Italian Baseball League. They discussed the level of talent in Italy, the cultural differences, the styles of play, and the impact of Alex Liddi's big league callup.
- 1 Blue Jays Way interviewed Colby Rasmus during his minor league rehab assignment.
- Baseball Time In Arlington muses about the future of C.J. Wilson.
- Brotherly Glove wonders what kind of contract Ryan Howard would have received if he was able to become a free agent after the season.
- Swingin' A's reviewed the Athletics' rebuilding process (part one, part two).
- Rant Sports Indians identified Chad Durbin as a September trade candidate.
- Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness says farewell to Jonathan Broxton.
- Camden Crazies analyzes the Mike Gonzalez–Pedro Strop.
- Pirates Prospects thinks the Pirates 2012 pitching staff may already be set.
- The Friarhood says it's time for the Padres to shut Tim Stauffer down.
- SF Giants Rumors looks through some shortstop options for the 2012 Giants.
- Meanwhile, Giants Nirvana previews the outfield free agent market.
- Call to the Pen doesn't think AL contenders need to worry about the Angels despite their strong rotation.
- The Flagrant Fan looks at how the Yankees have been doing without the injured A-Rod.
- Rant Sports Yankees says New York could be poised to make several big trades this offseason.
- Rising Apple wrote about some young players forcing their way onto the 2012 Mets.
- Blogging Mets muses about Carlos Quentin in a Mets uniform next season.
- Marlin Maniac looked at Emilio Bonifacio's season, and wonders if this is the real him.
- Through The Fence Baseball ranked the best pitchers in Dodgers history.
- Bleacher GM lists some AAAA All-Stars.
- MLB Reports wonders if MLB should put another team in Canada.
- The Hardball Times takes a second look at Ian Kinsler's fantasy value.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.
I think he would have gotten $20 million over 4-5 years. This would have been a real interesting free agent market if he and Agon weren’t locked up.
I know Ryan Howard doesn’t get much respect because of the strikeouts and the average obp but he still drives in the highest percentage of inherited runners. That wins games. Regardless of who is in front of him or not.
I’ll pass on Carlos Quentin becoming a Met do not like that idea one bit
You don’t generally want to be on a list with Arod, Conseco, and Bonds. lol
Who do you guys think has a legitimate shot at 40/40 in their career from the active players?
My money’s on Ryan Braun, Matt Kemp or Justin Upton.
Exactly… every one of those guys except fons is an admitted steroid user… well not bonds, but he doesn’t need to admit it.
I think Kemp could if he gets out of Dodgers stadium and that division in general. Justin Upton would be my next guess though. He has the power and should become a better base stealer as he ages.
Totally agree with the second canadian team theory. 32 Teams would allow the competitive pot of teams to be stirred. Which means more rivalries and significant races. Would be pleasing to see the Blue Jays and Expos in the same division. Maybe the other team can allocate itself in Oregon while the A’s move to San Jose.
After seeing how they rallied to the Thunder, I’d like to see Oklahoma City get a shot at an MLB team.
Why, so you can watch them fry an egg on the infield between pitching changes?
Definitely, Oklahoma would probably be very intrigued to have a baseball team and their fans are a boisterous bunch.
Vancouver is an option.
It is kind of interesting that Soriano is in a club of juicers. With the resulting leg injuries and complete loss of speed, it makes you wonder…
I think Canseco admitted he was on the juice during his season. Let’s see- Arod supposedly only juiced upon arriving in Texas. Bonds’ came in ’96 pre-juice days. Soriano’s physical breakdown is interesting, but his season came after regular testing.
Definitely not a crew you want to be hanging out with if you’re innocent, but I’m not convinced that using steriods has any bearing on having a 40/40 season.
Anyone think CJ can match CC’s original contract of 7/161mm?
Only way they should “add” a team to Canada, or for that matter anywhere else in the States is by subtracting a already established team that needs relocating due to poor support.
Think marlins (new stadium or not) Rays, Padres etc… There are already far too many teams and adding another that will just have temporary local support is a huge waste and serves -0- purpose, except to send $$$ to the current owners pockets in franchise fees.