Artillery Fire

With their recent acquisition of Todd Helton (panned in this space), Hobo looks to have 10 fairly sure keepers and a choice of backups:

• Brad Wilkerson 13-05C. His BA has been disapointing, but he hit 32 homers and had 13 SB's to boot. What's the deal with only 67 RBI's in 572 AB's for a guy who had 32 dingers? Is that some kind of strange record?
• Mark Loretta 6-05C. Last year of a contract for a guy who has really come into his own at a late age (he's 33). He hit .335 in 620 AB's. I wonder if his BA was worth more than Barry's .362? (See Ichiro piece)
• Adam Everett 6-06. Maybe they won't keep him, but he's 27 and he's now a starter. He can hit and he's in a good hitters park.
• Cesar Izturis 5-06. He was the surprise of 2004. Serious steals for only $5.
• Scott Hairston 5-06F. Maybe they won't keep him, but they'd be crazy not to. He hit 13 homers in half a season, and he's only going to be 25 in May. That's a crowded infield, though.
• Todd Helton 39-5. Their hitting keepers are pretty cheap, so they certainly can afford him, but only for this year.
• Danny Graves 9-5. I'm in the minority here (my partner doesn't even agree) but I wouldn't extend him. He could be anywhere in July. Or next season. Meanwhile, he'll earn his $9 by Flag Day. They're trying desperately to trade him before the auction. Word is the Cartel wouldn't part with Cabrera, as they shouldn't.
• Chris Carpenter 1-6.Probably the pitching find of 2004. Great pick. He'll be one of those rare starting pitchers to extend next year. If, of course, he doesn't suck this year.
• Latroy Hawkins 14-06. They've got to keep him. He's going to start as the closer, though he may not end up that way. But at 14, it's a no brainer. Hold your breath.
• Chad Cordero 14-06. He's got it. I still don't understand why Luis Ayala hasn't gotten a chance. He had ERA's of 2.92 and 2.69 the last 2 years and WHIP's of 1.10 and 1.18. He's only walked 28 guys in the last 2 seasons in a total of 161 innings. I want that guy.

It's a nice team. Closers to deal, though only one starter. Hitting and speed and money to spend. $112 for 10 players (plus probably an extra $5 for Graves). And good players, with some youth and a fair number of 06 contracts. They could make a run, but they'd better get decent starting pitching. As should we all.