[Mick]

New to the ballot this year: Mark Buehrle, A.J. Burnett, Michael Cuddyer, Dan Haren, LaTroy Hawkins, Tim Hudson, Torii Hunter, Aramis Ramírez, Nick Swisher, Shane Victorino and Barry Zito. Is it just me or does that list seem weaker than normal?

Amongst the pitchers, only Zito has a Cy Young award (I think). I don't recognize any MVPs.

Hudson's claim to fame is a stellar win/loss record, 222-133, a .625 winning percentage.  there are 80 pitchers in the HoF, and Huddy would rank about 20th based on W/L percentage.  he "only" made three all star teams, was 5th in RoY voting, and finished in the top six for Cy Young voting four times, never winning it.  He had 15 consecutive winning seasons for the A's and Braves, with two losing seasons for the Giants.

Surprised to see Buehrle on the ballot.  Never won 20, led the league in hits allowed four times.  Same with Swisher.  Never led the league in anything, one time all star.  Cuddyer, no all star games, .277 hitter.  Burnett .511 winning percentage, led the league in losses one year.  Why are any of them on the ballot?

[Mick]

New to the ballot this year: Mark Buehrle, A.J. Burnett, Michael Cuddyer, Dan Haren, LaTroy Hawkins, Tim Hudson, Torii Hunter, Aramis Ramírez, Nick Swisher, Shane Victorino and Barry Zito. Is it just me or does that list seem weaker than normal?

Amongst the pitchers, only Zito has a Cy Young award (I think). I don't recognize any MVPs.

Hudson's claim to fame is a stellar win/loss record, 222-133, a .625 winning percentage.  there are 80 pitchers in the HoF, and Huddy would rank about 20th based on W/L percentage.  he "only" made three all star teams, was 5th in RoY voting, and finished in the top six for Cy Young voting four times, never winning it.  He had 15 consecutive winning seasons for the A's and Braves, with two losing seasons for the Giants.

Surprised to see Buehrle on the ballot.  Never won 20, led the league in hits allowed four times.  Same with Swisher.  Never led the league in anything, one time all star.  Cuddyer, no all star games, .277 hitter.  Burnett .511 winning percentage, led the league in losses one year.  Why are any of them on the ballot?