Jaime Garcia for Rookie of the Year

While all the hype was on the Washington Nationals' Stephen Strasburg, a future recipient of Tommy John Surgery, St. Louis Cardinals rookie pitcher Jaime Garcia has taken Major League Baseball by storm.  Garcia (born July 8, 1986) was originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 30th round of the 2004 first year player draft, but after not signing he re- entered the draft the following year.  In 2005 the St. Louis Cardinals drafted Jaime in the 22nd round under the advisory of new scout Joe Almaraz, who had moved to them after the O's.

He started to pitch in the Cardinals Minor League system in 2006 at Class A Quad Cities.  With Quad Jaime went  5-4 with a 2.90 ERA before he was called up to High A Palm Beach where he duplicated his previous record but his ERA raised about a whole point but was still a solid 3.84.  He followed that with an up and down Year at Double A (AA) Springfield going 5-9 but he did have a respectable ERA of 3.75.  The following year his slow progression continued, as he went a combined 7-6 with a 3.65 ERA and earned a cup of coffee in the majors but his real Minor League breakout seemed to come in 2009 where in three different leagues and nine games he went 2-2 with a 2.87 ERA before he had season ending surgery.


This season, Garcia's first full one in the Majors Jaime has gone 12-6, a solid amount of wins for any starter, let alone a rookie that still has a month left in their season.  So far His incredible 2.33 ERA ranks sixth in the National League and he holds opposing batters to a .237 Batting Average against.  One cause for concern is his 58 walks, which compared to his 118 strikeouts is only a measly 2.03 K/BB which needs to improve for him to continue to dominate on the top level.


Overall, I think if Garcia continues to work hard and develop his pitches he can continue to be a a dominant pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals now and well into the future.  I also see him winning a few Cy Young awards over the course of his career, but I can guarantee you, no matter the vote, Jaime Garcia deserves the National League Rookie of the Year Award more than everything.


-A

Where Will T.O. play next season

Free Agent Wide Reciever Terell Owens, known more commonly as T.O. is looking for a new team after not reupping with the Buffallo Bills after having his worse season in years.  Most people would think that Owens, a pretty much a surefire Hall of Famer would have every team in the league ringing his phone off the hook.  Unfortunately for him his ego is well known throughout the NFL and country so even though he is still a very good reciever he would be a locker room cancer, a turn off for a lot of fans, and he wouldn't be a very good influence on the young players on the team.  Luckily For him though there are still two teams that are reportedly interested in him, the St. Louis Rams who are desperate for talent at all positions, and the Cincinnati Bengals, who seem to sign every troubled player in the NFL. 

Yesterday the Bengals seemed like they had all but locked up Owens from the Rams when TMZ reported that they were "very close to a deal," but after two sources "very close" to the situation falsified the reports the negotiations, if there are any are  back up in the air.  After the reports were denied, the Rams showed that they were extremely interested by intesifying talks and a  high ranking official with the Rams said a contract could be offered to Owens as early as Monday.  This huge push from the Rams comes from the fact that although Owens could end up as a bad influence, there is a lot he could teach to the Rams young recieving corps.  Also adding T.O.'s presence will take pressure of te running game and will give rookie Sam Bradford a clear cut number one reciever to throw to.

The Bengals are still very interested in Terrell tough and Starting Quarterback Carson Palmer who when healthy is one of the best in the NFL is pushing hard for the Bengals to bring Mr. Owens in.  The Bengals though, before they bring in anyone want to see how their young recievers cando and how Antonio Bryant's knee holds up.  If they do add T.O. though they will have a very dangerous vertical game, adding Terrell's speed to home run threat Chad Ochocinco.

Right now though, I believe Owens will be in St. Louis next season teaching and preaching to the young guns while helping Sam Bradford's adjustment to the NFL be a smooth one.

-A