I once again ask my annual question, "who will be booed" most in 2009?Past candidates include Shawn Green, Scott Schoeneweis and Tom Glavine (as a Brave), but this year I am a bit torn. Now I am not a "booer" unless someone doesn't run out a ground ball or something lazy like that. But it is guaranteed that other fans will latch on to someone and boo the heck out of them for even the slightest ineptitude.
The expected answer should be Luis Castillo, but as I wrote here, it is easy to exceed very low expectations and he may surprise us. Although, if he continues the path he was on, he will certainly win the prize.
If Duaner Sanchez performs to last year's standards (4.32 ERA) I think he might have a shot. The "Citi Faithful" were hoping for a big rebound last year which never arrived, and their patience is thin.
My 3rd candidate is the 5th starter, whoever he may be. Whether it is Freddy Garcia, Tim Redding, Jon Niese, or Other, filling the shoes of Nelson Figueroa, Brandon Knight and Jose Lima should be easy! However, if they fail to surpass such performances, the fickle crowd could turn on them.
Lastly, fresh from a new shiny 3-year contract, Oliver Perez just might win. Fans will expect him to have developed as a pitcher and be more consistent. Last year was like a roller coaster ride with Ollie. Either he was lights out, or got lit up. I fear for his ego if he can't learn how to tap into his better half more often.
I will go with my gut and pick the lighter and fitter Castillo! Although I hope he can turn it around, and think he just might, I fear that the hole he has dug for himself is a bit too large.
