The Angels recently decided to move Darin Erstad back to CF and allow Casey Kotchman to start at 1B. This will give Erstad additional position flexibility on draft day (assuming you draft after the season begins). This is always a plus.
As a 1B, Erstad was no better than a $5-$11 player. His AVG was good and his SB total is excellent for the position. He also gets 60 or so RBI as a full-time player. However, the added SB does not make-up for the utter lack of power from a power position. Now that he can be moved to the OF where he slots amongst 4 other players, he is more attractive.
Casey Kotchman took a step forward in HR last season. If he can maintain that additional power (given the sample size, it could be a fluke), then I can see him being a $20+ player. What I do not see is him going for that in a draft. Mid-teens is more likely. If you can deal for him as if he is a $15 player, then go for him.
Chone Figgins is the new 3B now that Erstad has taken his position. He also has 2B and OF eligibility. However, he is no sleeper. My concerns about him always center on where he will get his ABs. This year is no different with the exception that I do not have the same degree of intensity for these concerns. (That should worry people!)
The only 25-man concern is Dallas McPherson, but he is coming off a hip injury. Given the Angels decisions so far, my guess is he will not be 100% to start the season and as such offers Figgins no immediate competition for 3B ABs. He can also share in the DH role with Juan Rivera, who had a very good season last year in 350 ABs (15 HR/59 RBI but what is with the 9 CS and 1 SB?) Here is a place of note, McPherson bats from the left side and rivers from the right. That is the wrong side of a platoon for any Juan Rivera enthusiasts.
Even if Brandon Wood takes over at 3B in 2006, I do not see Figgins getting bumped out of ABs. Adam Kennedy will, as Figgins moves over to 2B. If there is an injury in the OF, Figgins will move there, McPherson to 3B and Riveria’s ABs will be preserved at DH. However, an OF injury may be the impetus to recall Wood. If so, then the cascade of Figgins to 2B will occur and a trade of Kennedy will soon follow.
On the mound, I do not see too much change from last season with a caveat to John Lackey who may see his ERA rise to match his WHIP. Even that could be mitigated by maintenance of a 200-strikeout season.
On the farm, everyone knows about Brandon Wood and Howie Kendrick. Both should be grabbed very high in a minor league draft or as quickly as possible once recalled. Jered Weaver looks to be the first starter recalled this year. He could be good and will get a lot of attention, but he may only match Ervin Santana, who received similar attention and hype but did not do much for a Roto team in innings-weighted ERA/WHIP. His wins were great but anyone expecting him to win more than 50% of his starts again is a sucker. Only a handful of major league pitchers win 50% of their starts in a season.
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