Better 2011 2B?

Rickie weeks or Ian Kinsler? Ian Kinsler will be the 2011 version of the 2010 Weeks - drafted later and produces better.

Ten International Prospects To Watch In Rookie And Short-Season Ball

BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: Ten International Prospects To Watch In Rookie And Short-Season Ball: "5. Ji-Man Choi, c/1b, Mariners (Rookie-level Arizona League)
The Mariners drop big money in Latin America every year but they also have a strong presence in Europe and the Pacific Rim, where the Mariners went last year to sign Choi, a 19-year-old lefthanded hitter from South Korea. With quick hands and a polished bat for his age, Choi could become an offensive-oriented catcher (though he's played mostly first base temporarily), and he's shown early offensive promise in the AZL by batting .432/.511/.554 in 22 games."

Always have my eyes on South Koreans.

Should Trades by BP

Baseball Prospectus | Do or Die: "2. The Reds shore up their bullpen by trading for RHP Matt Lindstrom from the Astros for SS Zack Cozart, and acquire RHP Michael Wuertz from Oakland for OF Chris Heisey and LHP Donnie Joseph."

There isn't Larry Anderson for Jeff Bagwell in there, right?

Fantasy Football Index UnderValued Players

Fantasy Football Index: "Sidney Rice is being drafted usually mid-third round or later and much of that stems from the indecision of Brett Favre. But the reality is that Rice has already had his breakout season, already is a star receiver and has elite talent. He’ll be golden no matter what."

MLB Trade Rumors Via Jayson Stark

Roy Oswalt and Dan Haren top the list of available starting pitchers on the trade market - ESPN: "A week and a half ago, the Marlin who seemed most likely to get traded by the deadline was Dan Uggla. Now it appears the Fish have decided that Uggla's bat is such an irreplaceable commodity that they're more focused on trying to extend his contract and commit to him as their second baseman as they move into their new ballpark in 2012.
So that explains why teams calling on Uggla are being redirected toward the very available Jorge Cantu. The three teams believed to be most interested in Cantu: the Rangers, Rockies and Angels."

Defintely worth it to read the whole article.

Sox going after Prince?

Sox going after Prince? :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: White Sox: "There's no question Williams is still after his target from last offseason -- a left-handed run producer. Dunn and Fielder fit that description. Dunn's a free agent at the end of this season, Fielder after the 2011 season. The problem with Fielder is that his agent is Scott Boras, and the talk is that Fielder will want Ryan Howard money when his payday comes. That means five years, $125million."

This story is two days old but I see no way it does not remain the status quo. The asking price on Dunn is ridiculous given the two months of control.

Prince Fielder is another story as he remians under the Sox control for 2011.

How About Those Tigers Trade Targets

Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski committed to now | detnews.com | The Detroit News: "But the Tigers reportedly are interested in starting pitchers (the Cubs' Ted Lilly, the Diamondbacks' Dan Haren), position players (Diamondbacks shortstop Stephen Drew) and bullpen depth. With Brandon Inge expected to return in a month, they likely wouldn't grab a third baseman.
A lot still can happen in 10 days. Detroit has a brutal schedule, with Toronto next, followed by trips to Tampa and Boston, and they need more dominant pitching like they got out of Scherzer Wednesday night."

2011 Closer In Waiting

Tom Powers: Anthony Slama closing a game could become a familiar sight - TwinCities.com: "Already there is speculation that Slama, the closer in Rochester, could wind up as the closer in Minnesota. Rauch has been fading. Whether he will rebound remains a mystery. But it's clear the Twins are a little goosey about putting him in right now."

Fantasy Football Preview: Green Bay Packers

Up: Jermichael Finley
Flat: Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers rushed for 5 TDs last season. I can't help thinking his late 1st round draft value is tied up in the expectation of another 5 plus the 300 yards rushing.

Finley is up but I wouldn't reach in the 5th round for him.

Some ADPs for you.

Is There Any Doubt The Rays Will Add A Bat?

Jayson Werth rumors swirl as Tampa Bay Rays remain tight-lipped - St. Petersburg Times: "The Rays are looking at other options as well, with Baltimore's Luke Scott (who made himself more appealing by going 6-for-12 with two homers in the three games), Chicago's Derrek Lee, Milwaukee's Corey Hart and Toronto's Jose Bautista (though it might require a third team) among the possibilities."

These names on top of the Jayson Werth rumors, says the Rays are going to improve their offense within the next 9 days.

What Are The Boston Red Sox Doing Via Trade?

Boston Red Sox - It’s time for them to get a move on - The Boston Globe: "Red Sox assistant general manager Allard Baird was at the Marlins-Rockies game last night in Miami. Baird’s whereabouts are usually significant, because it’s an indication of what the team may be considering. The Rockies have a catcher, Chris Iannetta, who would fit well with the Sox, in that he doesn’t have to be the starter when Victor Martinez comes back but is capable of starting. Iannetta would also provide power and better overall offense than the healthy catchers they have. The Rockies may have a reliever or two (lefthanders Joe Beimel and Randy Flores) who could help the Sox, and the Marlins have a reliever (Leo Nunez) and hitters (Dan Uggla, who could be moved to the outfield, or Cody Ross) who could add some spark."

Personally, I believe jed Lowrie was rushed back to the majors after a mere 30 ABs in the minors in order to showcase him ahead of the July 31st deadline.

Fantasy Football Preview: Detroit Lions

Up: Jahvid Best, Calvin Johnson, Matt Stafford

The 2010 Football Outsiders Almanac predicts 3 Wins. I'm betting their data has issues.

Chuck Lamar Is Risen From The Dead

Pirates Notebook: Not easy to pry away Hanrahan: "Consider this, for example: According to a scout with direct knowledge of teams' dealings, Texas recently inquired about Hanrahan, and the Pirates countered by asking for flamethrowing 22-year-old Neftali Feliz, who is currently in the Rangers' bullpen and averaging more than a strikeout per inning while limiting opponents to a .195 batting average. Texas would not make such a trade"

Are The Braves Serious About Cody Ross?

Braves still looking to improve; could Cody Ross help? | Atlanta Braves: "As we reported here last night, the Braves had two of their top special assistant at the Marlins-Rockies game last night, Jim Fregois and Dom Chiti. Unless they have legit trade interest in a player, the Braves wouldn’t have two of their top scouts at one game.
The Braves have expressed interest in Ross for several weeks, at least. And while the resurgence of a healthy Diaz and Heyward makes adding a bat less of a requirement than it seemed a couple of weeks ago, the Braves still could make themselves better with a right-handed bat with power at a weak position."

Update On Prince Fielder & Corey Hart

Edmonds hobbling, but still playing - JSOnline: "The Brewers have been scouting the White Sox in the event something comes together. They probably would want young right-hander Daniel Hudson and either infielder Gordon Beckham or infielder Dayan Viciedo in any deal, and Chicago is reluctant to deal Hudson without getting a pitcher back.

Hart's name continues to circulate among the teams looking for an outfield bat, including San Francisco, San Diego, Atlanta and Tampa Bay. The Brewers also have been scouting the Seattle Mariners, making you wonder if general manager Doug Melvin has something cooking with former co-worker Jack Zduriencik, the Mariners' GM."

Who Will The Diamondbacks Trade?

azcentral.com blogs - Nick Piecoro: "On the other hand, I wouldn’t at all be surprised if RHP Chad Qualls is dealt. Yeah, he’s had an awful year, but the stuff is still there, he a good buy-low candidate for another team and a change of scenery might do wonders."

Click through and read the historical record to see why the D'backs should get a big haul if they dealt Dan Haren.

Anyone Want A Good Fielder With Bad Plate Discipline?

Francoeur trade may be in the works - NYPOST.com: "Jeff Francoeur's days in a Mets uniform could be numbered.
According to an industry source, the team is trying to trade the right fielder, and could have a deal in place by the time the Mets finish their series in Los Angeles this weekend."

Stop The Type A Crap!

Chat: Chat with Jerry Crasnick - SportsNation - ESPN: "Mark, I address this in the Starting 9 today. Downs is very good, but he projects as a Type A free agent. So if the Blue Jays offer him salary arbitration in December and he signs elsewhere, Toronto receives two draft picks in return. The return in trade has to be better than that, so GM Alex Anthopoulos is asking for a lot in return. My guess is that he's not going anywhere."

Will the Blue Jays risk Scott Downs accepting arbitration because no team is going to fork over a 1st round pick for a lefty reliever?

There are a couple of big assumptions that come with Type A. The team will offer it and risk a loss at the arbitrationt able and another team will pay the draft pick cost to sign the Type A free agent.

Why Jayson Werth Will Be In Tampa

Boston Red Sox - It’s time for them to get a move on - The Boston Globe: "Werth wouldn’t be that expensive for the rest of this season, but the Sox would have to be able to sign him long term. They could, if they chose. But for now, the Rays seem to have a good shot at him because they have young pitching — Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann, and Jeremy Hellickson — to offer. They could even dangle a veteran such as James Shields or Matt Garza."

Minnesota Twins Trade Update

Chat: Chat with Jerry Crasnick - SportsNation - ESPN: "Andy (Sioux Falls, SD)


Jerry, after the Twins lost on Cliff Lee they have been pretty silent in trade rumors. Is a deal for starting pitching still likely?
Jerry Crasnick (12:16 PM)


Andy, The Twins are sniffing around on a starter and perhaps some bullpen help, but I was told yesterday not to be surprised if they 'do nothing' at the deadline. Like a lot of teams, they're finding the prices on pitching help to be extraordinarily high. Unless the price comes down between now and July 31, a lot of teams are hesitant to make any kind of acquisition."

Read the whole chat to get a insider's view of the current trade rumor market.