Huff 'n stuff
Could the worm have turned any more dramatically than it has for Aubrey Huff, who hit his 30th home run yesterday and now has 98 RBI. This is the guy you all loved to hate coming into spring training. This is the guy who was so overpaid there was no way to get rid of him after he dissed Baltimore on the air with shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge.
Yeah, that guy.
So, now I'm hearing people use Huff as the reason the Orioles don't need to pursue slugger Mark Teixeira in the free agent market this coming offseason. Now, some of the same people who thought Huff was the most overpaid guy since Jay Gibbons are talking about what a bargain he'll be next year at $8 million.
That might be true, but today is the deadline for traded players to be eligible for the postseason, and you'd think there would be some interest in a hitter who is a good game away today from entering September with 30 homers and 100 RBI.
Comments
I am very happy that Huff is having a career year. But his track record doesn't bode well for next year. All the more reason why it is weird that no one is trying to pick him up. Tampa would be a good fit, ironic, huh?
Well this is a surprise. This my third blog to you. Only sent one to "the other guy".
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Pete's reply: I appreciate the support and think you make a solid point. Other teams are going to be skeptical after Huff's three-year decline, but it's been fun watching him this year.
Posted by: Richard Old O's fan | August 31, 2008 10:13 AM
Anyone that thinks 1 more season of Huff should keep the O's from going after Teixeira should be smack about the head.
Teixeira .308 28 101 (.408 .593)
Huff .309 30 98 (.367 .574)
And Teixeira isn't having a career year like Huff. He is just having an average year.
Posted by: Shawn | August 31, 2008 10:43 AM
what's more is he's done it with basically NO protection behind him. I say keep him unless Mcphail thinks this could be a bedard circumstance where this is the best he's gonna be. I don't know if that's the case tho considering he has been on a tear for a year and a third...
Posted by: mike | August 31, 2008 10:49 AM
I'm sure there is some interest, but no one is likely to meet MacPhail's demands.
Posted by: Ray | August 31, 2008 11:29 AM
I don't understand why no other team hasn't shown interest in Huff either, unless Andy's asking price was totally outlandish.
I would be surprise if we see another season like this one from Huff and besides he will never be the drawing card that Teixeira will be in Baltimore!
Posted by: drbnic | August 31, 2008 11:46 AM
I really expected this from Huff this year. I was probably one of a few people that was still in his corner. I remember going to the games earlier in the season, and hearing everyone boo him, because of the comments. I kinda felt that he'd have this type of year, just to show Baltimore he was sorry for what he said. So, Pete, at this rate, is he on track for 35 HR, and 120 RBI?
Posted by: Phil | August 31, 2008 11:54 AM
peter i too am glad that aubrey huff is having a good year,but the orioles should make a very stong effort to sign mark teixeria. the chances of acquiring mark teixeria is pretty much between slim and none though. i wish i could hide somewhere in the clubhouse after these games to really hear what the players are saying. i listened to your comments on your saturday show. it is real shame how the orioles have gone down the tubes.
Posted by: leonard | August 31, 2008 12:28 PM
Why has Huff resurged?
Because something about impending fatherhood concentrates the mind wonderfully.
Posted by: j. roberts | August 31, 2008 12:29 PM
It's crazy to thnk that this guy will maintain his success. Thats why no other teams are interested.
Use your heads people
Posted by: Cereal Blogger | August 31, 2008 12:32 PM
he's having a hell of a year, but he's no Mark Teixeira.
Posted by: Isaac | August 31, 2008 12:32 PM
Last night's game should serve once again as a reminder that we need pitching this off season and not Teixeira!
Yes Huff is older than Tex. However, the reality is that this guy, being a Scott Boras client is going to command big dollars. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, if we are going to pay that kind of money, then I'd rather it be for CC or Ben Sheets.
The reality is that MacPhail will not be looking to make a big off-season FA signing. And nor should he. We are in the rebuilding process, and everyone knew this season was going to be rough/ugly. We now have a farm system on the rebound, with some serious talent at the mid level. I think Andy focuses on adding a SS and a reasonable alternative for starting pitching, whether that be through FA, or trades.
So let Tex/Boras sign with The Evil Empire. Who cares. I'm not enamored with the thought of spending a pile of money just to bring home a local product, that doesn't pitch. As for the Yankees, they have no pitching, and the last time I checked, Teixeira plays 1st.
STAY THE COURSE!
Posted by: TX O's Fan | August 31, 2008 1:29 PM
Well, Huff wouldn't be a bad short term solution for 1st base if we can't sign Teixeria. For as much as I like Millar, being a "good clubhouse guy" doesn't win ballgames. At at 37 next year, he's very much out of this teams future plans
Maybe Huff should start some more contraversy during the offseason. He should go on the Howard Stern show and call Baltimore women a bunch of "crack wh@%!s" while rubbing oil on Tila Tequila.
Posted by: David | August 31, 2008 2:41 PM