What to do now that the Super Bowl is over and spring training still hasn't arrived? Here at MLB FanHouse, we Mind the Gap.In 2008 Brandon Webb led the majors in victories, and finished in the top two in the Cy Young voting for the third consecutive season. Last year he lasted a total of four innings on Opening Day before suffering a shoulder injury that ended up costing him the entire season.
It's a safe bet to say that no one in the big leagues saw his career take a steeper drop in 2009 than Webb, which is why Webb heads the list of potential comeback stories in 2010.
Every year there are dozens of players looking to rebound from injuries or simply bad seasons. What follows is a list of the most intriguing such players heading into spring training. All of these guys have been premium players within the past few years, and all of them are vital to the success of their teams.
Brandon Webb, RHP, Diamondbacks: The difference between the Diamondbacks with Webb and without him was pretty drastic. They contended in 2008 and were dreadful in 2009. Granted, there were some other issues that contributed to last year's collapse, but none bigger than Webb. He is coming back from shoulder surgery that was described as simply a "cleanup" so there's reason for optimism that he can return to form.
Josh Hamilton, OF, Rangers: All that excitement over his phenomenal season in 2008 faded away during a series of injuries in 2009. Hamilton played about half a season in between trips to the disabled list, and he hit .268 with 10 homers and 54 RBI. An abdominal strain doesn't seem like it would be a chronic thing, like a back problem, so Hamilton ought to be able to come back. However, considering all the off-field issues he's had and the fact that he's really only had one and a half good seasons in the majors, it's possible that even if Hamilton is healthy he won't be able to rediscover that 2008 form.
Ben Sheets, RHP, Athletics: From All-Star Game starter in 2008 to unemployed zero in 2009. That's the path that Sheets took, having his career stopped by a shoulder injury. He spent the summer at home in Texas, rehabbing and watching baseball on TV. Now the A's have given him $10 million in the hope that he's healthy. There is lots of brave talk on both sides, sparked by an impressive workout Sheets had in January. Sheets had the same elbow surgery that Andy Pettitte underwent in 2004, and, at 31, is younger than Pettite was when he had the surgery.
Jose Reyes, SS, Mets: When healthy, Reyes is an electrifying player in the field and at the top of the lineup. Last year he suffered a leg injury in May and, although it wasn't thought to be season-ending at the time, the rehab dragged and dragged and Reyes never made it back to the field. He finally had surgery to repair a hamstring tendon in October. This winter Reyes has been working out at a rehab center in New Jersey, and he insists he's back to 100 percent.Brad Lidge, RHP, Phillies: No major injury here (just a knee sprain in June). Lidge was mostly just awful. His struggles throughout 2009 were well-chronicled, and it's certain to be one of the most interesting storylines of 2010 as he tries to recapture what he had in 2008. The Phillies aren't taking any chances, though. They signed Dannys Baez to be a fallback option if Lidge isn't back to form.
Carlos Beltran, CF, Mets: He suffered a knee injury that cost him a chunk of the season last year, and then he had a controversial surgery in January. His comeback will be on hold until around midseason.
Erik Bedard, LHP, Mariners: Not long ago, Bedard was so highly regarded that the Mariners were willing to trade five players for him, including two who wound up as All-Stars (George Sherrill and Adam Jones). He never pitched that well for the Mariners, and he missed about half of each of the past two seasons with injuries, eventually undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in August. It's still unclear just how soon Bedard would be back. It might not be until midseason. If he does come back strong, the Mariners could have a pretty nasty top of the rotation, with Felix Hernandez, Cliff Lee and Bedard.
Too Young To Be Done?
These guys all went south last year after promising starts to their careers. Their youth means they have plenty of time to bounce back, but it also means they don't have enough track record to determine whether they were that good in the first place. That makes this a pivotal year in their career trajectory.
Geovany Soto, C, Cubs: From Rookie of the Year in 2008 to medicrity in 2009, Soto batted just .218 last year. Certainly makes you wonder about that marijuana thing.J.J. Hardy, SS, Twins: He was an All-Star, and he shook off a slow start in 2008 to finish strong. But last year he never quite figured it out, and now he's been shipped to the Twins. Maybe the change of scenery will help.
Chad Billingsley, RHP, Dodgers: Normally a guy who made the All-Star team in 2009 wouldn't be on this list, but Billingsley was so awful in the second half last year that he was briefly knocked out of the Dodgers rotation. There will be a big spotlight on him this season.
Alex Gordon, 3B, Royals: Wasn't he supposed to be the second coming of George Brett? Then why was he demoted to Triple-A last year? The guy has all the tools. We'll see if he can put them together.
Are They Finished?
The players above were all in the prime years before serious injuries or bad seasons, and they are still young enough that they are expected to be back. The guys on this list, though, have either been out too long or are too old, so this year could be the last shot for them to show they are still major leaguers.
Eric Chavez, 3B, Athletics: The last time Chavez was healthy for most of a season was 2006. The three years since have been a mess of back and shoulder problems. The A's aren't expecting much out of him. He said he'll retire if he can't be healthy and productive this year.
Magglio Ordonez, OF, Tigers: Not long ago Ordonez was one of the most consistent offensive players in the majors. He won the batting title in 2007. Last year, though, he was awful in the first half. A late-season hot streak got his average up to .310, but he still hit only nine homers and drove in only 50 runs.Troy Glaus, 1B, Braves: As recently as 2008, Glaus had an .856 OPS and 27 homers, but he missed almost all of last season with a shoulder injury that eventually required surgery. He's 33, so he's right on the line where he might have another productive year, or fall off the cliff.
Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves: It's maybe a bit harsh to say his 2009 was a disaster. An .818 OPS is nothing to be ashamed of, but over the three previous years his combined OPS was 1.027, so that's a pretty big drop. Jones is going to be 38 in April, so he's probably more likely to have another 2009 than return to 2008 form.
