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      Andre Ethier is meeting all expectations

      May 6, 2009 /

      ethier

      Last year, I wrote an article in praise of Andre Ethier, claiming that, of all the young talent on the Dodgers roster, he is the player likely to become the face of the organization. When I made that claim, I wasn’t positive the Dodgers knew what they had in their talented right fielder. At the end of 2008, there was still the possibility that Ethier would have to platoon with Juan Pierre within a crowded roster of outfielders. The Dodgers were gaga over Manny, so Ramirez’s spot was solidified if they could re-sign him and Matt Kemp had already emerged as their everyday centerfielder. Still, were the Dodgers going to give Andruw Jones another shot and stick with Juan Pierre because of his speed? Thankfully, the Dodgers got rid of Jones, resigned Manny, and, by landing Orlando Hudson, realized they had a lineup full of speed in Rafael Furcal, Russell Martin, Matt Kemp, and their new second baseman. What they needed now was more power – somebody to finish off what Manny started. The Dodgers have looked to Andre Ethier to fill that role. Has he come through?

      Um, yeah, pretty much. Ethier is sixth in the league in RBIs (26), tied for eighteenth in runs (21), tied for twenty-fourth in hits (33), tied for twenty-sixth in homeruns (6), tied for twenty-fourth in batting average (.327), tied for eleventh in on base percentage (.439), and tied for twenty-sixth in slugging percentage (.574). While those numbers may not impress you since he doesn’t lead the league in anything, with respect to the Dodgers it’s a huge accomplishment. The 3-4 hitting combo of Ramirez and Ethier has propelled them to the best record in baseball. Granted, they have been playing weaker teams and everybody in the lineup is contributing in their own way, but Ethier is truly beginning to shine this year. Ethier is second on the team in runs, second in hits, tied for first in home runs, first in RBIs, second in on base percentage, second in slugging percentage, and third in batting average. For a first place team, it’s obvious that Ethier has contributed to much of their success.

      Along with his bat, Ethier is an above-average outfielder with incredible range, though he hasn’t had enough opportunities this year that would to earn a gold glove. By honing all his tools, he’s finally putting together an incredible year. He’s obviously not going to win the MVP, but it’s fair enough to say that he’s the most valuable right fielder in the National League.

      As far as fantasy baseball is concerned, Ethier has proven to be a surprise success. He didn’t go until the ninth round in our draft. Where did he go in yours and how is that working out in your league?

      MLB

      Six former Toledo players indicted for point-shaving ring

      May 6, 2009 /

      Six former University of Toledo athletes and two Detroit-area businessmen were indicted on Wednesday by a federal grand jury for their alleged roles in a point-shaving ring that centered around men’s basketball and football games.

      Prosecutors allege in the 20-count indictment related to the Toledo case that Ghazi “Gary” Manni and Mitchell Edward Karam paid money and offered up other gifts to several athletes between November 2005 and December 2006, during which time the two allegedly wagered about $407,500 on Toledo contests.

      All eight defendants face charges of conspiracy to commit sports bribery. The six former Toledo athletes also face charges of unlawful use of interstate facilities.

      The former athletes charged are: Running back Adam Ryan Cuomo, point guard Keith Junior Triplett, forward Anton Du’ane Currie, basketball guard Kashif Lashon Payne, running back Harvey Lamont McDougle and running back Quinton James Broussard.

      Each count carries a prison term of up to five years and as much as a $250,000 fine.

      What a shame it is that these athletes work hard to earn athletic scholarships, only to eventually wind up getting involved in a gambling ring. It has to be tough being a student athlete, but all six of these players had to think about the repercussions they faced for doing something like this.

      College Basketball, College Football

      Bengals sign Roy Williams, release Levi Jones

      May 6, 2009 /

      The Bengals made a pair of moves on Wednesday, signing free agent safety Roy Williams (formally of the Cowboys) and releasing left tackle Levi Jones.

      In Jones, Cincinnati had been looking for the opportunity to give up on the former top 10 pick for a couple of years now and after drafting Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith with the No. 8 overall selection in last month’s draft, they finally had a reason to. Jones is still relatively young at only 29, but he has major durability issues and has largely underachieved throughout his career. He’ll catch on somewhere because he plays such a needed position in the NFL, but it might not be until later this summer after teams have had a chance to evaluate the talent that is already on their roster.

      As for Williams, he reunites with his former Dallas defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer in Cincinnati, but it remains to be seen if he can beat out Nedu Ndukwe at the strong safety position. Williams is fantastic in run support, but equally brutal in pass coverage and doesn’t exhibit a ton of range. Still, this was a low-risk signing and maybe Zimmer can get the most out of what is left of Williams’ career.

      NFL

      Alex Rodriguez to make season debut on Friday

      May 6, 2009 /

      Unless he suffers a setback during the next two days, Alex Rodriguez is on track to make his season debut for the Yankees on Friday against the Orioles.

      Alex Rodriguez is scheduled to play another extended spring training game in Florida today. And while the Yankees are playing super-secret with their plans for the third baseman, it sounds like he’s headed for Baltimore on Friday.

      Joe Girardi said he and Rodriguez discussed a scenario where A-Rod would play today, rest tomorrow and then join the Yankees. Or he could play two more games in Florida.
      Regardless, it looks like Rodriguez will be back a full week earlier than predicted.

      It’ll be interesting to see how A-Fraud does in his return because he didn’t opt to have full surgery, just hybrid surgery that (to my understanding) didn’t correct the entire issue but would allow him to play this season. Considering he didn’t have full corrective surgery, will he have issues fielding, diving or getting full range of motion when he swings? Is he doing more damage to the hip by rushing back?

      Time will tell if he can bounce back right away or if it’ll take him a couple months before recovers (if he can, that is). Either way, Yankee fans have to be ecstatic about his return, especially considering the club just placed catcher Jorge Posada on the DL and they need A-Fraud’s bat.

      MLB

      Are the Browns still considering trading Braylon Edwards?

      May 6, 2009 /

      Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer wonders aloud if the Browns are still intent on trading Braylon Edwards after recently signing free agent Mike Furrey, who now joins a crowded receiver corps.

      • Until proven otherwise, we’ve got to assume a trade of Braylon Edwards is still being explored. Surely he’s not scoring points with Mangini by missing the “voluntary” offseason conditioning workouts. Perhaps the Browns are bracing for the possibility of Edwards also skipping the two “voluntary” minicamps scheduled later this month. Securing a No. 1 pick in 2010 for Edwards now would give the Browns some comfort moving forward.

      • If Edwards does not return, the Browns have a lack of speed at the wideout position. Robiskie and Massaquoi — again, they’re rookies — run decent for their size, but they won’t be getting behind many NFL corners. Furrey, 32, is a possession receiver. David Patten will be 35 when the season starts. As for the other receivers returning from last year’s roster — Paul Hubbard, Syndric Steptoe, Lance Leggett — I haven’t heard Mangini or Kokinis mention any of their names since they’ve been on the job.

      • Perhaps the Browns are merely adding competition to the receiver position. But it’s odd that they aren’t doing the same at running back.

      I didn’t excerpt this portion, but in his article Grossi makes a good point that it’s unrealistic to assume that both Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi (two receivers the Browns drafted in the second round of last month’s draft) will develop into starters as rookies. However, while Massaquoi was largely considering a raw prospect by some scouts, Robiskie was the most polished receivers to enter the draft so it wouldn’t be far-fetched if he turned some heads this summer and became a starter. (His father is long-time NFL assistant and current Falcons’ receiver coach Terry Robiskie, so you know Brian has had excellent training throughout his young career.)

      In regards to trading Edwards, the Browns are setting themselves up for either outcome. The additions they have made to their receiving corps this offseason haven’t been spectacular, but they could at least get them through a season if they do wind up trading Edwards.

      Edwards becomes a free agent after the 2009 season and it appears that he doesn’t want to re-sign with Cleveland, so the Browns would obviously love to get some kind of compensation for him if he does plan on bolting. But if they wind up hanging onto him, he is still their most talented receiver and would be their top playmaker in the passing game next season. I don’t know if I would say it’s a win-win for the Browns, but at least they seem to have a plan.

      NFL

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