Sunday, December 30, 2007

Day 91 And Counting

3B NL-only

RankPlayer+/-RankPlayer+/-RankPlayer+/-
1Wright David 16Ensberg Morgandown31Nunez Abraham 
2Jones Chipper 17Aurilia Rich 32Orr Pete 
3Atkins Garrett 18Graffanino Tony 33Woodward Chris 
4Zimmerman Ryan 19Escobar Yunelup34Rodriguez Luis 
5Braun Ryanup20Counsell Craig 35Abreu Tony 
6Ramirez Aramis 21Kouzmanoff Kevinup36Castro Juan 
7Wigginton Ty 22Castillo Jose 37Bellhorn Mark 
8DeRosa Mark 23Cirillo Jeff 38Mabry John 
9Garciaparra Nomar 24Reynolds Markup39Kata Matt 
10Feliz Pedro 25Ryan Brendan 40LaRoche Andyup
11Encarnacion Edwin 26Helms Wes 41Stewart Ian 
12Bautista Jose 27Branyan Russell 42Headley Chase 
13Tracy Chad 28Cairo Miguel 430 
14Rolen Scott 29Dobbs Greg 440 
15Loretta Markdown30Spiezio Scott 450 

Friday, December 28, 2007

Day 93 And Counting

3B AL-only

RankPlayer+/-RankPlayer+/-RankPlayer+/-
1Rodriguez Alex 16Scutaro Marco 31Hannahan Jack 
2Cabrera Miguel 17Carroll Jamey 32Buscher Brian 
3Beltre Adrian 18Gordon Alexup up 33Gonzalez Andy 
4Figgins Chone 19Punto Nick 34Marte Andy 
5Mora Melvin 20Cintron Alex 35Moore Scott 
6Lowell Mike 21Crede Joe 36Callaspo Albert 
7Blake Casey 22Bloomquist Willie 37Rouse Michael 
8Inge Brandondown23Fields Joshup38Clark Howie 
9Glaus Troy 24Gomez Chris 39Watkins Tommy 
10Izturis Maicer 25Ozuna Pablo 40Wood Brandon 
11Chavez Eric 26Adams Russ 41Brown Matt 
12Blalock Hankup27Vazquez Ramon 42Guzman Joel 
13German Estebandown28Luna Hector 43Roberts Ryan 
14Iwamura Akinori 29Inglett Joe 44Basak Chris 
15Betemit Wilsondown30Metcalf Travis 450 

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Day 94 And Counting

NL-only SS.

RankPlayer+/-RankPlayer+/-RankPlayer+/-
1Rollins Jimmy 16Gonzalez Alex 31Ransom Cody
2Ramirez Hanley 17Keppinger Jeff 32Hernandez Anderson
3Reyes Jose 18Miles Aaron 33Barden Brian
4Renteria Edgar 19Theriot Ryan 34Figueroa Luis
5Furcal Rafael 20Ryan Brendan 35Andino Robert
6Tulowitzki Troy 21Cedeno Ronny 36Kelly Donald
7Greene Khalil 22Frandsen Kevin 37Lopez Pedro
8Wilson Jack 23Barmes Clint 38Cruz Enrique
9Vizquel Omar 24Izturis Cesar 39Gil Jerry
10Lopez Felipe 25Bruntlett Eric 4000
11Hardy J.J. 26Guzman Cristian 4100
12Drew Stephen 27Smith Jason 4200
13Loretta Mark 28Jimenez D'Angelo 4300
14Counsell Craig 29Hu Ching-Lung 4400
15Escobar Yunel 30Valdez Wilson 4500

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Day 95 And Counting

AL-only SS. Wow, are the AL shortstops weak or what?

RankPlayer+/-RankPlayer+/-RankPlayer+/-
1Jeter Derek16Everett Adam 31Green Nick 
2Young Michael17Pena Tony 32Olmedo Rainer 
3Guillen Carlos18Bloomquist Willie 33Gonzalez Alberto 
4Cabrera Orlando19Clayton Royce 34  
5Tejada Miguel20McDonald John 35  
6Lugo Julio21Berroa Angel 36  
7Peralta Jhonny22Cora Alex 37  
8Betancourt Yuniesky23Perez Neifi 38  
9Bartlett Jason24Wilson Josh 39  
10Eckstein David25Hernandez Luis 40  
11Harris Brendan26Aybar Erick 41  
12Scutaro Marco27Murphy Donnie 42  
13Crosby Bobby28Santiago Ramon 43  
14Uribe Juan29Fahey Brandon 44  
15Punto Nick30Zobrist Ben 45  

Monday, December 24, 2007

Day 97

AL-only 2B

RankPlayer+/-RankPlayer+/-RankPlayer+/-
1Roberts Brian 16Punto Nickdown31Cortez Fernando 
2Cano Robinson 17Bloomquist Willie 32Melillo Kevin 
3Polanco Placidodown18Carroll Jamey 330 
4Kinsler Ian 19Infante Omar 340 
5Ellis Mark 20Cora Alex 350 
6Upton B.J.up 21Cabrera Asdrubal 360 
7Hill Aaron 22Velandia Jorge 370 
8Lopez Jose 23Wilson Josh 380 
9Grudzielanek Mark 24Richar Danny 390 
10Barfield Joshdown25Aybar Erickup up400 
11Izturis Maicer 26Casilla Alexi 410 
12Pedroia Dustin 27Rivas Luis 420 
13German Esteban 28Rouse Michael 430 
14Kendrick Howieup 29Relaford Desi 440 
15Harris Brendan 30Furmaniak J.J. 4500

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Day 99 And Counting

NL-only 2B

RankPlayer+/-RankPlayer+/-RankPlayer+/-
1Utley Chase 16Wigginton Ty 31Frandsen Kevin
2Phillips Brandon 17Loretta Mark 32Gotay Ruben
3Uggla Dan 18Theriot Ryan 33Ojeda Augie
4Lopez Felipe 19DeRosa Mark 34Velez Eugenio
5Iguchi Tadahito 20Escobar Yunel 35Abreu Tony
6Hudson Orlando 21Kennedy Adam 36Rodriguez Luis
7Kent Jeff 22Burke Chris 37Martinez Ramon
8Durham Ray 23Counsell Craig 38Prado Martin
9Sanchez Freddy 24Castillo Jose 39Robles Oscar
10Castillo Luis 25Graffanino Tony 40Valdez Wilson
11Weeks Rickie 26Valentin Jose 41Quintanilla Omar
12Belliard Ronnie 27Fontenot Mike 42Bonifacio Emilio
13Giles Marcus 28Easley Damion 43Stansberry Craig
14Matsui Kazuo 29Blum Geoff 44Sadler Donnie
15Johnson Kelly 30Miles Aaron4500

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Day 101 and Counting

Here are the NL-only catcher rankings using the same system.

RankPlayer+/-RankPlayer+/-RankPlayer+/-
1Martin Russell 11Schneider Brian  21Montero Miguel 
2McCann Brian 12Molina Yadier 22Bowen Rob
3Lo Duca Paul 13Snyder Chris 23Iannetta Chris
4Molina Bengie 14Miller Damian 24Bennett Gary
5Paulino Ronny 15Ross David 25Treanor Matt
6Barrett Michaeldown16Castro Ramon 26Flores Jesus
7Olivo Migueldown17Coste Chris 27Munson Eric
8Estrada Johnny 18Valentin Javier 28Phillips Jason
9Bard Josh 19Barajas Rod 29Ruiz Carlosup
10Kendall Jason 20Ausmus Braddown30Torrealba Yorvitup

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Day 102 And Counting

AL-only catchers rankings based on the same criteria that the Top 15 Hitters and Pitchers were based on.

RankPlayer+/-
1Posada Jorge
2Mauer Joe
3Rodriguez Ivan
4Martinez Victorup
5Hernandez Ramon
6Varitek Jason
7Johjima Kenji
8Pierzynski A.J.
9Laird Gerald
10Navarro Dionerup
11Zaun Gregg
12Napoli Mike
13Buck John
14Saltalamacchia Jarrodup up
15Redmond Mike
16Molina Jose
17LaRue Jason
18Suzuki Kurtup
19Shoppach Kellyup
20Hall Toby

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Day 103 and Counting

Now here are some preliminary rankings for pitchers. Using the same 60/30/10 season-weighting as hitters along with the ranking each pitcher in one of the five traditional pitching categories.

This seems counterintutive given the preponderance of relievers. However, one must recall that relievers are the only pitchers who can contribute in five categories. That said, I am still uncomfortable seeing these results.

1. Nathan, Joe
2. Putz, J.J.
3. Santana, Johan
4. Rivera, Mariano
5. Saito, Takashi
6. Rodriguez, Francisco
7. Peavy, Jake
8. Street, Huston
9. Betancourt, Rafael
10. Smoltz, John
11. Halladay, Roy
12. Wagner, Billy
13. Webb, Brandon
14. Shields, Scot
15. Papelbon, Jonathan

Monday, December 17, 2007

Day 104 And Counting

I've been working on a ranking system for 2008. It is still in the beta stage, but here are the Top 15 Hitters in a standard 5x5 mixed format. The rankings take into account the past three seasons and weight those seasons 60/30/10. The system then ranks those averages relative to the player's peers in the five categories.

I am surprised by the results.

1. Rodriguez, Alex
2. Holliday, Matt
3. Wright, David
4. Pujols, Albert
5. Utley, Chase
6. Guerrero, Vladimir
7. Lee, Carlos
8. Cabrera, Miguel
9. Rollins, Jimmy
10. Ramirez, Hanley
11. Jeter, Derek
12. Jones, Chipper
13. Abreu, Bobby
14. Sizemore, Grady
15. Berkman, Lance

Friday, December 14, 2007

Day 107 And Counting

The Giants signed CF Aaron Rowand to a five-year deal. This pushes OFs Fred lewis and Nate Scheirholtz straight into the 2008 Sleeper Bin. With the team paying Dave Roberts and Randy Winn millions each, neither Lewis nor Scheirholtz will enter the season as more than 4th and 5th OFers.

OF Dan Ortmeier has the added flexibility of playing 1B. Because he was third behind the other two on the depth chart, the Rowand signing may provide him a better opportunity becuase the Giants still need a 1B and his competition there isn't nearly as well-paid.

*

The Padres' signing of Tadahito Iguchi to play 2B makes the likelihood of 2B prospect Matt Antonelli making the team out of Spring Training less likely. However, there is rumbling that he could move to CF if the Pads cannot fill that hole this off-season.

Just something to keep in mind.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Day 110 And Counting

I traded Takashi Saito in the last year of his contract at $10 for Lastings Milledge (same contract) and the #2 overall in my minor league draft. Was it a good deal?

Can Milledge still have value in 2008 and 2009 if I boosted him to $15?

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Day 113 And Counting

The Brewer's signed Eric Gagne to a one-year deal to close out games. Coupled with the Devil Rays' signing of Troy Percival to close, the list of hot back-up closing candiates is has increased.

In Milwaukee, Derrick Turnbow will be the most popular one but do not discount recently acquired Salomon Torres. In Tampa Bay, last year's closer. Al Reyes, leads the list with Eduardo Morlan being a legitimate sleeper candidate.

Friday, December 07, 2007

Day 114 And Counting

For Al-only leagues, the acquisition of 1B Chris Shelton by the Texas Rangers in exchange for never-used speedster Freddy Guzman is a move to watch. Without a regular 1B in Texas, Shelton has the opportunity to hit 20+ HRs for a couple buck at the draft.

I am not convinced the Rangers can afford to sit him given the awfulness of their outfield and the need to use Frank Catalonotto out there despite local rumblings that L'il Cat with play some 1B. Without L'il Cat in the OF, the team would be starting Marlon Byrd, Nelson Cruz and who knows.

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Day 116 And Counting

Before everyone jumps on the Carlos Quentin Sleeper bandwagon, remember he had surgery for torn shoulder muscles. While it isn't his throwing arm, he is a right-handed batter. The left arm is his front shoulder when he hits.

This could be 2008 version of JD Drew and Mark teahen, two hitters who grossly under-performed their power expectations after shoulder surgery.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Day 117 And Counting

The Boston Herald reports the Minnesota Twins are deciding between two trade packages for Johan Santana. One package involves LHP Jon Lester and CF Coco Crisp. The other is headlined by CF Jacoby Ellsbury. "The [additional] names, in some combo, minus one or two, include starter Justin Masterson and shortstop Jed Lowrie."

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com fleshes out the two packages:
"...believed they would accept a swap of him, Coco Crisp, shortstop prospect Jed Lowrie and either highly regarded pitching prospect Justin Masterson or another player.

Or if the Twins reversed field and decided they wanted center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury instead, it's believed that would be a 3-for-1 trade -- with only Ellsbury, Masterson and Lowrie going to Minnesota."


Ellsbury equals Jon Lester and Coco Crisp? There seems to be an inflated on the left side of the equation, isn't there?

In other trade rumors, The Dallas Morning News reports the Rangers have interest in bringing back Eric Gagne to close games. Depending on how much tima and capital needs to be invested, this looks like a decent move for the Rangers. Worst case, gagne breaks down for good, and the Rangers go back to the CJ Wilson/Joaquin Benoit tandem that closed out games last season after Gagne was dealt to the Red Sox for Kason Gabbard, David Murphy and Engel Beltre.

Unfortunately for the Rangers, there 1B hole looks more challenging to address via free agency. Mike Lamb, Tony Clark and Sean Casey all scream, "We stink and need to fill 1B with an aging veteran even though we are going to finish in last!"

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports a huge trade is brewing between the Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers. In exchange for SP Dontrelle Willis and 3B Miguel Cabrera, the Marlins will receive OF Cameron Maybin and SP Andrew Miller as the headliners in a package full of young players. While this is exciting, I don't see how the two Tigers prospects are better than the three the Angels offered - Howie Kendrick, Jeff Mathis and a pitcher with the possibility of CF Reggie Willits.

This doesn't account for the Dontrelle Willis portion either. This is an exciting rumor, but seems more like an attempt for attention than a serious deal.


Unfortunately for the Rangers, there 1B hole looks more challenging to address via free agency. Mike Lamb, Tony Clark and Sean Casey all scream, "We stink and need to fill 1B with an aging veteran even though we are going to finish in last!"

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports a huge trade is brewing between the Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers. In exchange for SP Dontrelle Willis and 3B Miguel Cabrera, the Marlins will receive OF Cameron Maybin and SP Andrew Miller as the headliners in a package full of young players. While this is exciting, I don't see how the two Tigers prospects are better than the three the Angels offered - Howie Kendrick, Jeff Mathis and a pitcher with the possibility of CF Reggie Willits.

This doesn't account for the Dontrelle Willis portion either. This is an exciting rumor, but seems more like an attempt for attention than a serious deal.

Monday, December 03, 2007

Day 118 And Counting

The Winter Meetings began today. While everyone knows about Johan Santana and even Miguel Cabrera, here is an update on some other teams.

David Lennon reports Omar Minaya is in Nashville with the top priority of landing a front-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. Wehter he has the prospects capital is yet to be determined.

Dan Haren & Joe Blanton

John Shea writes the A's are in no hurry to deal their top starting pitchers, Dan Haren and Joe Blanton. Given the Yankees' ultimatum to the Twins for Johan Santana, maybe the A's will move a lot faster given Billy Beane's penchant for trading. After all, the Yankees have already mentally committed to dealign Hughes and Cabrera. Maybe they are more likely to deal them anywhere.

Sunday, December 02, 2007

Day 119 And Counting

Newsday reports Monday is the day for the Twins to accept the Yankees's offer of Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera and a third lower-tier prospect. Hank Steinbrenner said, "If [the Twins are] stuck with just Boston, they're going to get a lot less. I'm not going to be played. This is not a game. This is serious business. I'm not going to be played, us against the Red Sox. That's not going to happen."

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Day 120 And Counting

Ken Rosenthal was on WFAN in NY this morning and said he believes Santana will be dealt this weekend to either the Yankees or Red Sox. Here are some other rumors and rumors-related info.

Clark Spencer provides more proof the Marlins are hurting their possibility of dealing Miguel Cabrera. He writes:

''I hate to speak to somebody else's business, but you wonder if they really want to trade the player or if they absolutely, positively have to win the deal in such a one-sided fashion,'' San Francisco Giants general manager Brian Sabean said during a conference call Thursday with reporters."

Peter Gammons mentions the Diamondbacks as favorites to land Danny Haren, the Brewers to get Scott Rolen and the Dodgers to sign Arron Rowand while keeping all their hot properties.

Troy Renck: "...the Rockies don't like their chances, believing he will end up with the Yankees. While that deal is close, Loretta has made it known how much he likes the Rockies and would prefer to see how their second base..."

Baltimore Sun: "According to several industry sources, the Mets' offer for Bedard, which was rejected, included 21-year-old outfield prospect Carlos Gomez, reliever Aaron Heilman, 29, and a third player, believed to be right-handed starter Philip Humber, 24."