Major League Baseball | MVN - Most Valuable Network

Saturday, July 4, 2009

MVN PICKS

AMERICAN LEAGUE

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Barry Bonds (AFP/Getty Images/File)

Barry busted?

Though baseball pundits have long called Barry Bonds a cheater, no test results have provided affirmation — until, according to a Daily News report, this week. But the gang at Outsider Radio still aren’t convinced that the unconfirmed reports of a positive test should keep Bonds out of the Hall of Fame.

Writers display HOF arrogance | Interview with Cubs' Len Kasper

HIGHLIGHTS

Oriole Magic

Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, Jr. are to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The two players spent their entire careers with one team, a rarity in today’s day and age. Ripken helped re-define what a shortstop is, and Gwynn was a departure from the megastars of today as he hit a lot of singles with little power. Both are deserving candidates.

The Bard's Room

The 2007 Marcel Projections are out! As everyone loves projections, these Marcel ones provide plenty of fodder for discussion, as it shows that Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome are predicted to have the fifth and sixth (respective) largest declines in the majors next season in terms of OPS. Uh-oh.

Raystalk

The future of the Tampa Bay franchise is bright. They have a ton of young talent, a stacked minor league system and a good fan base. With that said, Raystalk’s Sam Killay makes it clear that they are not yet ready to do battle with the Yankees or Red Sox.

THE SOURCE