Jayson Stark's NL Central "comments"

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mikechamp
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Jayson Stark's NL Central "comments"

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From an ESPN chat. This was also from Friday.

Mandatory Linkage:
http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=20616
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Someone asked who will end up as the better switch-hitter, Chipper Jones or Lance Berkman.

Stark said he has pondered this question for months. He feels Jones is slightly ahead of Berkman right now, but if Berkman keeps his consistency, "he'll go down as one of the greatest switch-hitters ever".
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A Brewers fan wondered if Fielder has bruised feelings after Braun signed his extension. Citing the different agents involved, he can see how this happened, though.

Jayson agreed 100%, as he feels the same deal is available for Fielder. But Boras does not like to yield arb and free agent money, so the chances of Fielder signing a similar deal are "slim and none".
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A fan asked if Zambrano has finally matured, as he has noticed Carlos is pitching to contact more and not trying to strike out as many guys as in the past.

Stark commented that it appears Zambrano has "total confidence in his stuff now". He can a whiff when he needs to, but he can also get a lot of groundball outs. Carlos understands all he needs to do is throw strikes.
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A cubs fan called Marmol "a freak of nature", citing 10 hits and 35 Ks in 26 innings. (This fan obviously jinxed Marmol, as just 1 day later, Marmol would give up a game-losing 2-run bomb to McLouth.)

Jayson said he has "devastating stuff", and now looks back at the unfair flack that Lou received during the 2007 NLDS when he removed Zambrano for Marmol. Marmol was the better pitcher in 2007. His 2008 is showing that his 2007 was for real. He also recites a conversation with Dempster last season, where Ryan shared that instead of mentoring Marmol, it was the other way around.
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An Astros fan asked if HOU can stick around until mid-July, is it realistic that they could be a playoff team if they acquire a SP. This fan was impressed with the number of comeback wins they've amassed so far.

Stark said while they've surprised many, he feels they are more than just 1 SP away, and notes Sampson's ERA of 6+. Stark also said Berkman can't keep up this hot streak for the rest of the season.
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A Pirates fan threw out the unfathomable suggestion that PIT might have 2 members of the NL All-Star team (Nady and McLouth).

Jayson said if McLouth isn't in Yankee Stadium, "there should be an investigation". But there have been so many good OFers in the NL, it might be hard for Nady to crack the squad.
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A cubs fan asked Stark his opinion on the signing of Edmonds and demotion of Pie.

Stark saw Edmonds play recently, and said "his bat looked slow". They plan to use him part-time, and that's probably the extent of his abilities right now. Pie needs to overhaul his swing, and needs playing time in order to do that. While conceptually this manuevering makes sense, he doubts Edmonds will contribute enough to make it positive for CHC.
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A Reds fan had 2 questions: A comment on Volquez's 2008 season, and the action(s) the Reds should take at the deadline.

Jayson said "Volquez is the real deal", but said it's too early to predict what moves the Reds might make.... or not make. They're off to a bad start, but they're not that bad. They have a motivated owner, so they might not conduct a firesale like people might think.
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