Day 91 And Counting

3B NL-only

Rank	Player	+/-	Rank	Player	+/-	Rank	Player	+/-
1	Wright David		16	Ensberg Morgan	down	31	Nunez Abraham
2	Jones Chipper		17	Aurilia Rich		32	Orr Pete
3	Atkins Garrett		18	Graffanino Tony		33	Woodward Chris
4	Zimmerman Ryan		19	Escobar Yunel	up	34	Rodriguez Luis
5	Braun Ryan	up	20	Counsell Craig		35	Abreu Tony
6	Ramirez Aramis		21	Kouzmanoff Kevin	up	36	Castro Juan
7	Wigginton Ty		22	Castillo Jose		37	Bellhorn Mark
8	DeRosa Mark		23	Cirillo Jeff		38	Mabry John
9	Garciaparra Nomar		24	Reynolds Mark	up	39	Kata Matt
10	Feliz Pedro		25	Ryan Brendan		40	LaRoche Andy	up
11	Encarnacion Edwin		26	Helms Wes		41	Stewart Ian
12	Bautista Jose		27	Branyan Russell		42	Headley Chase
13	Tracy Chad		28	Cairo Miguel		43	0
14	Rolen Scott		29	Dobbs Greg		44	0
15	Loretta Mark	down	30	Spiezio Scott		45	0

Day 93 And Counting

3B AL-only

Rank	Player	+/-	Rank	Player	+/-	Rank	Player	+/-
1	Rodriguez Alex		16	Scutaro Marco		31	Hannahan Jack
2	Cabrera Miguel		17	Carroll Jamey		32	Buscher Brian
3	Beltre Adrian		18	Gordon Alex	up up	33	Gonzalez Andy
4	Figgins Chone		19	Punto Nick		34	Marte Andy
5	Mora Melvin		20	Cintron Alex		35	Moore Scott
6	Lowell Mike		21	Crede Joe		36	Callaspo Albert
7	Blake Casey		22	Bloomquist Willie		37	Rouse Michael
8	Inge Brandon	down	23	Fields Josh	up	38	Clark Howie
9	Glaus Troy		24	Gomez Chris		39	Watkins Tommy
10	Izturis Maicer		25	Ozuna Pablo		40	Wood Brandon
11	Chavez Eric		26	Adams Russ		41	Brown Matt
12	Blalock Hank	up	27	Vazquez Ramon		42	Guzman Joel
13	German Esteban	down	28	Luna Hector		43	Roberts Ryan
14	Iwamura Akinori		29	Inglett Joe		44	Basak Chris
15	Betemit Wilson	down	30	Metcalf Travis		45	0

Day 94 And Counting

NL-only SS.

Rank	Player	+/-	Rank	Player	+/-	Rank	Player	+/-
1	Rollins Jimmy		16	Gonzalez Alex		31	Ransom Cody
2	Ramirez Hanley		17	Keppinger Jeff		32	Hernandez Anderson
3	Reyes Jose		18	Miles Aaron		33	Barden Brian
4	Renteria Edgar		19	Theriot Ryan		34	Figueroa Luis
5	Furcal Rafael		20	Ryan Brendan		35	Andino Robert
6	Tulowitzki Troy		21	Cedeno Ronny		36	Kelly Donald
7	Greene Khalil		22	Frandsen Kevin		37	Lopez Pedro
8	Wilson Jack		23	Barmes Clint		38	Cruz Enrique
9	Vizquel Omar		24	Izturis Cesar		39	Gil Jerry
10	Lopez Felipe		25	Bruntlett Eric		40	0	0
11	Hardy J.J.		26	Guzman Cristian		41	0	0
12	Drew Stephen		27	Smith Jason		42	0	0
13	Loretta Mark		28	Jimenez D'Angelo		43	0	0
14	Counsell Craig		29	Hu Ching-Lung		44	0	0
15	Escobar Yunel		30	Valdez Wilson		45	0	0

Day 95 And Counting

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

Rank	Player	+/-	Rank	Player	+/-	Rank	Player	+/-
1	Jeter Derek		16	Everett Adam		31	Green Nick
2	Young Michael		17	Pena Tony		32	Olmedo Rainer
3	Guillen Carlos		18	Bloomquist Willie		33	Gonzalez Alberto
4	Cabrera Orlando		19	Clayton Royce		34
5	Tejada Miguel		20	McDonald John		35
6	Lugo Julio		21	Berroa Angel		36
7	Peralta Jhonny		22	Cora Alex		37
8	Betancourt Yuniesky		23	Perez Neifi		38
9	Bartlett Jason		24	Wilson Josh		39
10	Eckstein David		25	Hernandez Luis		40
11	Harris Brendan		26	Aybar Erick		41
12	Scutaro Marco		27	Murphy Donnie		42
13	Crosby Bobby		28	Santiago Ramon		43
14	Uribe Juan		29	Fahey Brandon		44
15	Punto Nick		30	Zobrist Ben		45

Day 97

AL-only 2B

Rank	Player	+/-	Rank	Player	+/-	Rank	Player	+/-
1	Roberts Brian		16	Punto Nick	down	31	Cortez Fernando
2	Cano Robinson		17	Bloomquist Willie		32	Melillo Kevin
3	Polanco Placido	down	18	Carroll Jamey		33	0
4	Kinsler Ian		19	Infante Omar		34	0
5	Ellis Mark		20	Cora Alex		35	0
6	Upton B.J.	up	21	Cabrera Asdrubal		36	0
7	Hill Aaron		22	Velandia Jorge		37	0
8	Lopez Jose		23	Wilson Josh		38	0
9	Grudzielanek Mark		24	Richar Danny		39	0
10	Barfield Josh	down	25	Aybar Erick	up up	40	0
11	Izturis Maicer		26	Casilla Alexi		41	0
12	Pedroia Dustin		27	Rivas Luis		42	0
13	German Esteban		28	Rouse Michael		43	0
14	Kendrick Howie	up	29	Relaford Desi		44	0
15	Harris Brendan		30	Furmaniak J.J.		45	0	0

Day 99 And Counting

NL-only 2B

Rank	Player	+/-	Rank	Player	+/-	Rank	Player	+/-
1	Utley Chase		16	Wigginton Ty		31	Frandsen Kevin
2	Phillips Brandon		17	Loretta Mark		32	Gotay Ruben
3	Uggla Dan		18	Theriot Ryan		33	Ojeda Augie
4	Lopez Felipe		19	DeRosa Mark		34	Velez Eugenio
5	Iguchi Tadahito		20	Escobar Yunel		35	Abreu Tony
6	Hudson Orlando		21	Kennedy Adam		36	Rodriguez Luis
7	Kent Jeff		22	Burke Chris		37	Martinez Ramon
8	Durham Ray		23	Counsell Craig		38	Prado Martin
9	Sanchez Freddy		24	Castillo Jose		39	Robles Oscar
10	Castillo Luis		25	Graffanino Tony		40	Valdez Wilson
11	Weeks Rickie		26	Valentin Jose		41	Quintanilla Omar
12	Belliard Ronnie		27	Fontenot Mike		42	Bonifacio Emilio
13	Giles Marcus		28	Easley Damion		43	Stansberry Craig
14	Matsui Kazuo		29	Blum Geoff		44	Sadler Donnie
15	Johnson Kelly		30	Miles Aaron		45	0	0

Day 101 and Counting

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

Rank	Player	+/-	Rank	Player	+/-	Rank	Player	+/-
1	Martin Russell		11	Schneider Brian		21	Montero Miguel
2	McCann Brian		12	Molina Yadier		22	Bowen Rob
3	Lo Duca Paul		13	Snyder Chris		23	Iannetta Chris
4	Molina Bengie		14	Miller Damian		24	Bennett Gary
5	Paulino Ronny		15	Ross David		25	Treanor Matt
6	Barrett Michael	down	16	Castro Ramon		26	Flores Jesus
7	Olivo Miguel	down	17	Coste Chris		27	Munson Eric
8	Estrada Johnny		18	Valentin Javier		28	Phillips Jason
9	Bard Josh		19	Barajas Rod		29	Ruiz Carlos	up
10	Kendall Jason		20	Ausmus Brad	down	30	Torrealba Yorvit	up

Day 102 And Counting

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

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

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

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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."