Newcomers Coming up Big

Introductions of new free agent singnings, young prospects called up to the big club, and recent trade acquisitions still rank as some of the most exciting days in the life of any club. Because of the relatively small size of a club's active roster [25 men], any addition is going to change the complexion of the club both by who the new player is, and by who they are not [namely the former player occupying that roster spot]. Mostly though, we wait for that day when they make their debut in the brand spanking new uniform of their new teams. We want to know how they will perform.
If they are free agent signings- will they work their magic on our field the same way they did on their last club? How will being another year older and in a different surrounding atmosphere effect their play? These questions arose this year with people like Johnny Damon, Kyle Farnsworth, Frank Thomas, Kevin Millwood, Bengie Molina, and BJ Ryan inter alii.

When the players are new prospects coming up, either for a debut or for the start of their first full season in the big leagues, then we wonder about different things- will these guys be able to produce? What do those AAA or AA numbers translate to on a major league ballfield? Can they sustain their abilities over 162 games? Did we strike lightening in a bottle? These questions are asked this year of Matt Murton, Jeremy Hermida, Ryan Zimmerman, Brian Anderson, and to a lesser extent Chien Ming Wang. There are others too coming up later this year that will face similar anticipation from fans and front offices alike.

Those players who are the result of trades perhaps face the most nervous scrutiny by the fans when they are making their debuts for their new clubs. Immediately the fans think of what this player is doing and how it compares to what the former player is doing at once. No team front office and no fanbase wants to feel like they were the losers in any particular deal, so they hope and pray for a seven inning shutout performance by a pitching trade acquisition, and a three-run home run from a newly acquired offensive player. The fanbase in Boston was no doubt anticipating Coco Crisp's Red Sox debut. Similarly the Texas Rangers were anticipating Brad Wilkerson's first appearance at the Banbox in Arlington, while the Nationals were hoping Alfonso Soriano wouldn't clothesline Jose Vidro running full speed outta left field to reclaim his old position in the infield. Javier Vazquez, Troy Glaus, Lyle Overbay, and others were and are still going to be scrutinized heavily by us fans as the early part of the season unfolds.

If the beginnign of the season is any indication, then a few fan bases and a few GMs are letting out little puffs of air that'll turn into sighs of relief come Memorial day.

Tomorrow, more baseball.