Players who have a lot to prove in 2006

[Mattingly]

Just a year ago, there was this thread about players who seemed to need to re-prove themselves all over again, just to show that they were either healthy, switched leagues, were parts of blockbuster trades or simply received fat contracts as free agents.

Last season's thread included players such as Unit, Pedro, Beltran, Brown, D-Lowe, Maggs, Sosa, Giambi

Who are some of the guys on your list for 2006?

Thanks.

[It's Over The Wall!]

Luis Castillo, Juan Pierre and Randy Johnson(again)

[Mattingly]

I forgot to add my own list. :o

I'd add Randy Johnson, since he needs to have a "Randy Johnson" year this year. Mike Mussina needs to end his contract with a bang. Johnny Damon needs to show that he hasn't aged, can remain injury-free.

For the Mets, Kazuo Matsui definitely needs to step it up. Carlos Beltran needs to have an injury-free season.

For the Red Sox, Mike Lowell, Curt Schilling and Keith Foulke all need to show that they still belong on the 25-man roster, and Coco Crisp needs to prove that he can play CF well enough for the Bostonians.

[Zito75]

Adrian Beltre, Troy Glaus, Jarrod Washburn and AJ Burnett are all guys that I can think of that have to prove themselves in '06.

[Blackout]

Barry Bonds*

[SouthSideChamps05]

players

Jim Thome, Frank Thomas, Carl Pavano, Johnny Damon (PECOTA said he would have a dissapointung season FYI) BJ Ryan, Bobby Jenks, AJ burnett

[Knick9]

Carlos Beltran
Paul Byrd (just throwing it out there)
A.J. Burnett

[DodgerBlue8188]

Beltre, Beltran, Frank Thomas, Mike Piazza,

[Greerman29]

nomar comes to mind.

[Brannu]

Mark Prior, Brad Lidge (post-season meltdown), Jim Thome, Alfonso Soriano (RFK factor), C.C. Sabathia (still waiting on his peak performance), Gagne, Jeff Bagwell, Todd Helton, Scott Rolen (return to '04?), Randy Johnson (age vs ability), Rickey Henderson (still thinks he can play), Adrian Beltre (return to '04?), Ichiro (BA was a bit down last year), Beltran (too much hype?), Aaron Boone, Barry Zito (off and on last year), Jeff Franceour (is he that good?) ....

Mattingly, maybe you should do a thread on teams that have something to prove also. I have a few in mind.

[hiddengem]

Brad Lidge (post-season meltdown)

Come on Brannu, I think I know you better than this. Brad was dominating all year long, and he ran into a tough spell, where some Major League hitters got some big hits in some big situations and you are going to say he had a meltdown? And including his name on a thread that is talking about players that have alot to prove in 06 is even worse. I believe you need to rethink this one.

How about the Astros not even coming close to the World Series without him.

[Dravecky43]

I think that if Rick Ankiel doesn't hit well in AAA then his pro career is over. And who knows, maybe last year he was mentioned at this time as having to prove himself as a pitcher.

In fact, he is listed as the 20th-best Cardinals prospect by Baseball America.

[Evangelion]

Luis Castillo

What does he have to prove? He hit 301. and has OBS of 391. and only made 7 errors on the field last year. I don't see what he has to prove.

Troy Glaus

Outside nagging injuries, Glaus hit 37 home runs in 147 games last season, in NL without the DH. With the DH, Glaus can play DH when his injuries start bother him again. Glaus basically put up his typical numbers last season. Glaus was never much of a hitter for average at any point of his career either.

Most players that need to prove themselves next season have already been brought up by everyone else.

[Mattingly]

Mattingly, maybe you should do a thread on teams that have something to prove also. I have a few in mind.

Why don't you do the honors? I'd love to hear of this. Coming from a strong forumer, I think this would be great.

[Brannu]

Come on Brannu, I think I know you better than this. Brad was dominating all year long, and he ran into a tough spell, where some Major League hitters got some big hits in some big situations and you are going to say he had a meltdown? And including his name on a thread that is talking about players that have alot to prove in 06 is even worse. I believe you need to rethink this one.

How about the Astros not even coming close to the World Series without him.

Well, we know all too well that it is often those big game situations that come to define players true value and become etched in the memory of fans for years to come. If the same situation arises next year, Cards Vs. Astros - for the third year straight ... Brad Lidge will have demons to fight off. Maybe I should have been a bit more specific but, he will have lots to prove in those big game situations.