The Buzz Around The Bullpen: Two Young Guns, A Vet and a Guy Struggling to Make It Work In Chi-Town

Welcome back to another edition of the "Buzz Around the Bullpen." This past week my Pittsburgh Pirates continued their rebuilding process by pulling the trigger on a surprise move, sending outfielder Nate McLouth to Atlanta for three minor leaguers. At first glance I was somewhat critical of the deal but the more time I have to think about it, I'm actually confident that Pirates' management might actually have a plan for the first time in 15+ years. Since GM Neal Huntington's arrival to Pittsburgh, he's traded away the likes of Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, and Nate McLouth. If you take away Nady's health issues this season, you're looking at one of the top offensive outfields in the Major Leagues. For a team that hasn't won since slap bracelets were cool, you can only imagine the outcry from fans.

In fact, while the Penguins are in the middle of the Stanley Cup Finals, the Nate McLouth negative trade talk is getting equal play on Pittsburgh sports talk radio. Although you hate to see a disappointed fan base, it amazes me that this many people actually care about a team that hasn't won since Sid Bream beat Barry Bonds' throw at homeplate to capture the NLCS. Seriously, take a minute and think about how long ago that was.

The purpose of this Pittsburgh Pirates rant wasn't to impose my "yinzeritis" (check this out if you've never been to Pittsburgh) on all of you; but it was to show that despite what the national media portrays, Pittsburgh is a baseball town and we would love to support a winner. Like was said in the "Field of Dreams", "if you build it, they will come." Pirates fan can only hope Neal Huntington can pull off a pretty good Ray Kinsella impersonation.

For now, let's get back to some hits and a miss for the upcoming week in fantasy baseball.

Big Hits

Vin Mazzaro (SP, OAK): A couple of weeks ago, the "Buzz Around the Bullpen" featured young A's starter Josh Outman. Over his past several starts, Outman has continued to pitch well and has improved his record to an impressive 4-0. Now this week, let's take a look at another young gun that has made his move into the A's rotation. Vin "don't call me Diesel" Mazzaro has stepped in and has been about as close to perfect as you possibly could be over your first two major league starts. In a little under 14 innings, Mazzaro has an ERA of 0.00 and has registered 5 K's as well. The only criticism of Mazzaro after his first start was his high walk rate as he gave up 4 free passes over 6 and 1/3 innings. Mazzaro answered his critics by walking zero in his last outing which last 7 and 1/3 innings. As a result of the strong pitching performances of Mazzaro and Outman, the A's are currently on a 7 game winning steak. The more national media attention the A's get, the more you'll hear about Mazzaro and Outman. I would suggest that you make your move on them now before someone else does.

Antonio Bastardo (SP, PHI): When Brett Myers went down, the Phils looked in-house and promoted young lefty Antonio Bastardo to take his spot in the rotation. Nothing like getting promoted to fill some pretty big shoes. Fortunately for Phils fans, Bastardo has done so and more through his first two major league starts. Like Mazzaro, Bastardo has transitioned to the major leagues without even the slightest of problems. Over his first two starts, Bastardo has a 2-0 record, 2.45 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and has registered 9 K's through 11 innings. You have to love this guy's potential when you look at his minor league statistics where he averaged well over a K/inning. While he does pitch in a hitter's park, the Phils are capable of scoring some runs and Bastardo will benefit from some 7-5 victories. He's definitely worth a look if you need some help with your pitching staff.

Lyle Overbay (1B, TOR): Lyle Overbay is quietly putting together an above average year with the Toronto Blue Jays. In fact, over the past week, there wasn't a hotter hitter in the American League as he received honors being named the AL Player of the Week. If you look at Overbay's numbers throughout his career, there is nothing extra-special about them. However, he has shown the ability to hit .300+ with 16-20 HRs. Although those numbers aren't going to win you a championship, they are serviceable numbers that would be great to punch in if you had an injury to one of your starters. Also, if nothing else, the guy is on fire right now and it never hurts to ride a player out when they're seeing the ball like it's a watermelon. I would monitor Overbay's at-bats over the next week and see if his recent hot streak earns him everyday ABs. Manager Cito Gaston often sits him when the Jays face a lefty pitcher.

Big Miss

Milton Bradley (OF, CHC): Since his move to Chicago, Milton Bradley has been nothing but a disappointment to the Cubbie's faithful. As many in the fantasy world suspected, Milton Bradley's 2008 campaign had a lot more to do with the Rangers' ballpark and lineup than with him finally maturing into an everyday major league hitter. Last season Bradley put together an offensive explosion that included a .321 average, a .436 OBP, 22 HRs, 77 RBIs and 78 runs. This season, Bradley has struggled mightily at the plate hitting a dismal .218 with only 5 HRs, 14 RBIs and 19 runs. Most disappointing to Cubs fans however is Bradley's inability to stay healthy on a consistent basis. Throughout Bradley's career, he has struggled with durability issues and some have even questioned whether he's capable of putting together an entire season of at-bats.

Regardless of what your feelings on Bradley are, he needs to start hitting for the Cubs and your fantasy team to win. Similar to Cubs' management, many fantasy owners put great stock into Bradley's 2008 season and drafted him ahead of much more consistent outfield options. Unfortunately, he's left his owners asking which player is the real Milton Bradley. Because of where you most likely drafted him, you can't drop him and you certainly don't want to trade him because his value will never be lower. For the time being, you may want to sit Milton down until he can provide you with some consistent numbers. If things aren't looking better for Milton around the All-Star break, you may want to throw him on the trading block and see what kind of return you could get on him. You never know what someone would be willing to give up in a "buy-low" trade.

As with any SportsJudge article, please feel free to post any comments and/or questions. Until next time, keep your ears open for the Buzz Around the Bullpen.

The Buzz Around The Bullpen: Me and Emilio Down by the Schoolyard

Welcome back to another edition of the “Buzz Around the Bullpen”. If your fantasy team performed as well as mine in week one, you’re probably hoping that the first week of the season is not an indication of how bad your fantasy team is going to be this season. After some late-week heroics by Jason Bay, I thought maybe I could preserve some respectability. However, my pitching staff continued to disappointment with four below average starts from my two horses, Francisco Liriano and Tim Lincecum.

I will say my one brights spot was a very good start from Kansas City SP Kyle Davies. Although I’m not going to focus on him today, Davies is a starter who you should grab immediately if he’s still available in your league. He was awesome down the stretch last season and it seems he has picked up right where he left off in ’08. For right now, let’s take a look at some players you should have on your radar. Contrary to most weeks, I will only focus on “big hits” this week because there were too many good first week performances for me to pick just two or three.

Big Hits

Emilio Bonifacio (2B/3B, FLA): Bonifacio has burst onto the fantasy scene in a big way in ’09. He opened up his season by leading Florida to a sweep of the Nats while hitting a stellar .571 with six runs scored and four stolen bases. If you take a look at Bonifacio’s minor league numbers, you will see a professional career full of sporadic batting averages and a general lack of power. However, one thing that has remained consistent throughout his career is his ability to steal a ton of bases. If healthy, Bonifacio could challenge some of the more well-known speedsters for the stolen base title. Bonafacio isn’t going to help your power numbers but he’s definitely worth a flier to add some speed to your squad. Personally, I always like picking up guys like Bonifacio because outside of his speed numbers, my offensive expectations are so minimal that anything he can do in terms of HRs and RBIs is a plus.

Travis Snider (OF, TOR): In the off-season, one publication described Travis Snider as the most raw power talent in the Major Leagues besides Cincinnati outfielder Jay Bruce. In an absolutely packed outfield in Toronto, Snider has impressed manager Cito Gaston enough to get the starting nod for the start of the season. Snider has a ton of power potential and it is not out of the question that he may be good for 20-25 HRs. However, like most young homerun hitters, Snider does have the potential to strikeout well over 100 times in ’09. If you’re in a league that penalizes hitters for striking out, you may want to take a pass on Snider. Otherwise, you should keep an eye on him over the next couple of weeks. He may be the cheapest power you can find on your waiver wire.

Daniel Murphy (OF, NYM): Daniel Murphy might be the most comfortable guy in the Major Leagues. I’m not sure a guy could surround himself with hitters better than superstars Jose Reyes and David Wright. Because of his place in the lineup, Murphy is guaranteed to see a ton of good pitches to hit and after he does reach base, I like my chances of David Wright having something to say about him crossing homeplate. Murphy is still blossoming as a power hitter, but in the meantime, he can still hit for a great batting average along with some above average RBI and run production. He’s one of the best kept secrets in fantasy baseball right now but his value is sure to rise over the next couple of weeks.

Adam Lind (OF, TOR): Beside Miguel Cabrera and Evan Longoria, I’m not sure there was a more impressive fantasy stud during the first week of the season. While I’d love to say I saw this one coming, I was still somewhat leery of Lind in ’09. Lind was very good last season in limited at-bats but I was not sure how it would translate to everyday ABs. Although I’m never a fan of simply jumping on the bandwagon, it looks as though Lind will do just fine with the pressures of playing in a very competitive outfield. He was one of the most added players this past week so if he’s on your radar, you better act fast.

Brandon Inge (3B-C, DET): While Inge may have made more noise than any of the guys mentioned above, I’m still not completely sold on him. Please don’t get me wrong; he was unreal in the first week of the season but I am a little hesitant to throw my hat in the Brandon Inge corner just yet. Some owners predict his move to 3B will have him more comfortable as a hitter and as a result, he will put up career numbers in ‘09. For me, I find it hard to believe a guy will hit .280+ because of a move to a different position when he has spent his eight year MLB career racking up a .237 lifetime batting average. From a fantasy standpoint, the most intriguing thing about Inge is that he does provide you with some positional flexibility. Even with that , I’m still waiting another week or two to see if Inge comes back down to earth.

As with any SportsJudge articles, please feel free to post any questions or comments. Until next time, keep your ears open for the Buzz Around the Bullpen.

The Buzz Around The Bullpen: Corey Hart Wears His Sunglasses At Night

Welcome back to another edition of the “Buzz Around the Bullpen”. I hope you enjoyed our fantasy positional analysis which I concluded last week with the Starting Pitchers. By this time, many of you have already drafted your team and are now anxious for the start of the 2009 season. For those of you who are still waiting for draft day, please be sure to check out our positional breakdown.

Regardless of whether you’ve already drafted your team or not, I figured a useful article today would be about some players that are making some noise in Spring Training. While I know Spring Training is not always the best indicator of the upcoming season, I’ve found that trends that begin in Spring Training often do carryover into the regular season. With that being said, today I’m going to focus on a player at each position that is opening some eyes in Spring Training. While they may not merit an immediate waiver move or even a late-round pick, it’s never too early to try and grab this year’s Nate McLouth. Let’s get started and take it right around the horn.

Starting Pitcher

Sean Marshall (SP, Chicago Cubs): Marshall finds himself in a battle with Aaron Heilman for the fifth spot in the Cubs starting rotation. Both have pitched well in the spring but I expect Marshall to get the call to the rotation. He pitches for what should be a great team this season and his WHIP has decreased each year. Additionally, in most leagues he is still listed as a relief pitcher and because of that, you might be able to steal some starts from your reliever position.

Relief Pitcher

Manny Corpas (RP, Colorado Rockies): Much to the dismay of Rockies management, it seems as though Corpas has already pulled away as the favorite to serve as the Rockies closer. I hate to ever criticize a move by a GM but I saw this one coming a mile away. When healthy, Huston Street is an above average closer. The problem is that he hasn’t been able to stay healthy for several years now. Even if Street does win the job out of Spring Training, it’s unfortunately only a matter of time before he finds himself on the DL again.

Catcher

Pablo Sandoval (C, San Francisco Giants): If you’re like SportsJudge founder Marc Edelman and have already done your homework, you’ll realize that Yahoo Sports is one of the few fantasy outlets that are still allowing Sandoval to have catcher eligibility. If you’re lucky enough to have Sandoval as your backstop, you are going to be able to steal some great numbers from the catcher position. Sandoval has picked up right where he left off in ’08 with an impressive Spring Training average. The power will continue to come but for right now, Sandoval is definitely a candidate to hit somewhere around 14-16 HRs.

First Base

Kendry Morales (1B, LAA): Morales enters the ’09 season as the Angels’ starting First Baseman. He has been very mediocre in the past but he may flourish as an everyday player. Throughout his minor-league career, he had above average power numbers and it may only be a matter of time before they translate to the big leagues. Right now he’s not worth a waiver move but be sure to keep an eye on him. As a side note, you may have to search for Morales as an outfielder because he has not obtained 1B eligibility just yet.

Second Base

Alexi Casilla (2B, MIN): There are reports that Casilla may still be involved in a platoon situation at 2nd base so do some research before you use a draft pick or a waiver move on him. The battle between he and Brendan Harris could carryover into the season but if Casilla continues to stay hot, he may not leave the Twins coachng staff with much of a decision. Because he is still very much unproven, you may want to wait till the regular season to take any action on Alexi.

Third Base

Andy LaRoche (3B, Pittsburgh Pirates): Just when you thought we might get through an article without some Pittsburgh favoritism, I had to bring up Andy LaRoche. LaRoche enters the ’09 season as the Buccos starting third baseman after finishing last season hitting a dismal .152 with Pittsburgh. The Pirates have some nice third base prospects in Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez but LaRoche himself was a heralded prospect at one time. LaRoche claims he is finally healthy heading into this season and it might finally be the time for LaRoche to break out with a 15-20 homerun season. If he continues to stay hot into April, he might be worth a waiver wire move depending on your needs.

Shortstop

Khalil Greene (SS, STL): As I did the research for this article, one thing became extremely clear to me. Khalil Greene might be one of the most polarizing fantasy players in MLB. On one side, his critics argue that he peaked at Clemson and he’ll never be the prospect he was expected to be. They also argue that his career batting average tells you everything you need to know about him. To the contrary, some believe that Greene was burdened by a tough hitter’s park in San Diego and the change of scenery to an organization like the Cards will be beneficial to Greene. If Spring Training means anything, then put me somewhere in that second group of people. Regardless of where you stand in this debate, I do believe one thing is clear. Greene is not going to make or break your fantasy season but if you did lose out on the top 5-7 shortstops, Greene might be a nice sleeper pick later in your draft.

Outfielder

Corey Hart (OF, MIL): Hart came into last season as a player that was predicted to break out and become a top 10 fantasy outfielder. Instead, Hart’s delivered an ’08 season that left his owners wanting more. While he did increase his RBI output, his homerun numbers decreased and his batting average took a significant hit down to .268. It seems as though he took last season to “heart” because reports out of Spring Training are that he is bigger than ever because of an intense off-season workout program. Additionally, Hart has been dominating pitching this spring and I predict that this will be the year that Hart breaks out. If you haven’t drafted yet this season, don’t be afraid to take Hart. If you have drafted, it might be a good idea to throw some trade offers towards the team that owns Hart. Most owners don’t place too much emphasis on Spring Training success and they still may be questioning him from his disappointing '08 campaign. I wouldn’t wait too much longer because after a couple of April homeruns, you’re not going to be able to pry Hart out of their hands.

As with any SportsJudge articles, please feel free to post any questions or comments. Until next time, keep your ears open for the Buzz Around the Bullpen.

The Buzz Around The Bullpen: Fantasy Positional Preview: Starting Pitchers

[Editor’s note: With the fantasy baseball season fast approaching, SportsJudge continues its preseason positional preview. Please be sure to check back every Tuesday at 9 a.m. for a weekly positional analysis that will lead you right into your fantasy draft.]

Other Fantasy Positional Previews:

1. Outfield
2. First Base
3. Second Base
4. Shortstop
5. Third Base
6. Catchers

7. Relief Pitchers

Welcome back to another edition of “The Buzz Around the Bullpen.” One more week of Spring Training and one more week of drama and news surrounding newly-signed Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez. This time it came from an Esquire magazine article where Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon called Manny Ramirez a "cancer" to the clubhouse during his last days in Boston. While I don't think I need to expound on how I truly feel about Manny, I will say it was out of line for Papelbon to "air the clubhouse's dirty laundry" in Esquire magazine.

For one, in some perverted, egotistical way, I believe this is exactly what Manny wants to hear. As we've seen by his arrogance to not "settle" for $41 million dollars during the largest economic downturn since the Great Depression, Manny is concerned with one person and/or thing. Himself. By Papelbon speaking about Manny, he is acknowledging he is still in the minds of some of his former Red Sox teammates and I believe this is music to Manny's ears.

Secondly, regardless of the situation, I've never been a fan of players publicizing clubhouse drama. It's only human nature for there to be drama and dissent in the clubhouse. After all, these guys spend as much, if not more time with their teammates as they do with their own families. It is only a matter of time before some drama arises. With that being said, Papelbon should have taken the high road and simply said that "it was in the best interest for both parties to go their seperate ways." Unfortunately, it seems likes Papelbon's emotions got the best of him. And in case you have not noticed, Papelbon is kind of an emotional, charasmatic guy.

For right now, let’s get back to some preseason projections. Last week we focused on Relief Pitchers and today we will move to the workhorses. In previous positional previews, I've provided you with an in-depth analysis of each player. However, because of the sheer number of starting pitchers, I'm only going to provide a sentence or two which will hopefully explain my ranking. Let’s talk about some Starting Pitchers.

Studs

1. Johan Santana (NYM): While some are worried about his move to a new park, I'm pretty sure Johan could get people out on my little league field. Until someone can out-pitch this guy on a consistent basis, he has to be the consensus number one.

2. Tim Lincecum (SF): His crazy delivery makes him extremely deceptive and difficult to pick-up. Because of his delivery, even the after the 10th time you've faced him, you still have trouble seeing where that ball is coming from. I look for another year of dominance over NL hitters.

3. C.C. Sabathia (NYY): He was unreal down the stretch last year for the Brew Crew. This guy has the character and personality that won't be affected by the lights and media of New York City. Add that with a much more explosive offense on his side and Sabathia is a legitimate 20-game winner in '09.

4. Roy Halladay (TOR): A complete game and innings monster. Somehow he quietly puts up stud numbers year in and year out and does not get the recognition he deserves. But don't let that stop you from taking him as your number one starter.

5. Cole Hamels (PHI): Hamels was impressive on baseball's biggest stage last fall. You can't measure how much that will do for his confidence and growth as an elite pitcher. The Phils should be very good again and I see Hamels even snagging a couple more wins that last year (14).

6. Brandon Webb (ARI): The great thing about Webb is even when his other stuff is mediocre, his sinker is dominant enough to win him games. He is a ground ball machine and that will only continue in '09. However, I do see a decrease in his games won. Look for around 16-18 wins. And remember, it's never a bad thing when you decrease your games won and still finish with 17.

7. Jake Peavy (SD): Speaking of games won, Peavy would be among the top 3-5 fantasy pitchers if he was on a better team. Only in San Diego can you have a 2.85 ERA over 175 innings and only win 10 games. His numbers are too good to ignore though.

8. Dan Haren (ARI): Option 1(b) in Arizona is not a bad fall back option to lead your pitching staff. He continues to dominant and his K/9 continues rise each year. I look for Haren to match Webb in wins this year with somewhere around 16-18.

9. Francisco Liriano (MIN): It wasn't too long ago that Liriano was matching Johan Santana start for start in Minnesota. He showed glimpses of dominance in '08 and every healthy month that passes is good news for Liriano. He's on the cusp of being 100% again and that is nothing but bad news for AL hitters.

10. Roy Oswalt (HOU): Oswalt was one of the most vocal players this off-season speaking out against steroids. In '09, I expect Oswalt to get back to letting his pitching do the talking. He's a bulldog and I don't think he was too happy about his mediocre numbers last year.

11. John Lackey (LAA): In '09 I predict that Lackey will get back to the consistent numbers he has put up throughout his career. Don't underestimate how much his early season injury affected his rhythm and throwing program last year.

12. James Shields (TB): Shields was really good way before the Rays knew they were any good. Now with some confidence and a ton of post-season experience, the Rays will be a much better team in '09. That can only mean good things for a guy that has put up consistent impressive numbers since his arrival to the big leagues.

13. Chad Billingsley (LAD): He has looked really good in the spring and that should quiet his critics who were concerned about his leg which he broke in the off-season. I think '09 is a breakout season for Billingsley and he will finally be mentioned among the league's elite.

Wingmen

14. Felix Hernandez (SEA): King Felix was the victim of injuries in '08 and I expect him to recover with some great numbers in '09. If Erik Bedard can pitch well and Brandon Morrow can develop as expected, that will take some added pressure off of Hernandez. This is a good thing for a guy that is still only 22 years old.

15. Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS): "Dice-K" pulled off some tricks that were nothing short of Houdini-esqe in '08. How could someone walk that many batters and still win 18 games? Well he plays on a great team and big time pitchers, make big time pitches in big time situations. Dice-K makes pitches when he has to and his stuff is filthy which never hurts.

16. A.J. Burnett (NYY): I'm going to sum-up Burnett's career in one sentence. IF healthy, his stuff is as good as anyone in MLB. The problem is that he has spent so much of his time on the DL and we never really get to see what he can do over the course over a season. Is he just injury prone or does he really like the training room? My guess is that the NY media will be asking that question at some point this season.

17. Josh Beckett (BOS): Speaking of injury-prone, Beckett carries a very similar tag as does Burnett. I wouldn't draft him as your number one but if you can manage to slate him as your two or three, you've got a nice staff in the works.

18. Yovani Gallardo (MIL): I'm beginning to think there is a theme here. Gallardo was injured in '08 with a torn ACL but in the few starts he did have, he was very good. Remember the fantasy craze that followed this guy when he finally got the call to the bigs? It was well-deserved and if he is 100% healthy, he could put together quite an impressive stat line.

19. Zack Greinke (KC): It seems as though Greinke has harnessed some of the mental and emotional issues he was having earlier in his career. Now that he's focused on becoming an elite major league pitcher, he is due to have a huge year in '09. The Royals should be better and even if they aren't, sometimes you have to go for the "diamonds in the rough" to better your squad.

20. Cliff Lee (CLE): In the words of Ricky Bobby, "That..just...happened." Those are the only words that come to mind when I look at Lee's line from '08. I find it almost impossible for him to repeat those numbers but what he did last year was not a fluke. Lee made some major adjustments and his numbers were a direct product.

21. Rich Harden (CHC): Do yourself a favor. Take a look at Harden's numbers throughout his career. If the word "if" doesn't come to mind, you're not looking closely enough. One of these years Harden is going to put together a 200+ innings season and lead the league in K's.

22. Edinson Volquez (CIN): This will be a huge year to determine what kind of pitcher Volquez is going to be. Will he breakdown after 190+ innings in '08 or will he be fresh and even better? My guess is that he puts up very similar numbers in '09 which makes him a top 25 starting pitcher for the next couple of years.

23. Scott Kazmir (TB): Owners were a little worried coming into '08 because of some inflammation in Kazmir's elbow. However, Kazmir put up...Kazmir numbers in '08. He still needs to work a little deeper into games and with that, his K's numbers will go up and the hope is his WHIP will go down.

24. Ryan Dempster (CHC): Before last year, I took a look at Dempster's numbers as a starter and I was immediately a fan. After last year, now's not the time to jump off of that bandwagon. Expect more of the same in '09.

25. Ricky Nolasco (FLA): It seemed as though Nolasco started to "get it" in the second half last year. I think he continues to build on his strong second half and I even see a decline in his 3.52 ERA from last year.

The Best of the Rest

26. Carlos Zambrano (CHC): There is definitely a question of which Zambrano we will see in '09. He wasn't very good down the stretch and his numbers definitely reflected that. I think he benefits from some time off and comes into '09 with a great supporting cast in the rotation.

27. Adam Wainwright (STL): Add his raw stuff along with some guidance from Chris Carpenter and good things should happen.

28. Joba Chamberlain (NYY): The Yankees have spent a ton of money this off-season and if he earns a spot in the rotation, they need to let this horse pitch. You can only hold him back so much before he forces you to let him pitch 180+ innings.

29. Kevin Slowey (MIN): The comparisons to Brad Radke are dead on. He is a control freak who will only get better in '09 because of his intelligence and work ethic. Just ask my 14 year old all-star team. Although it won't show up for any fantasy points, it couldn't happen to a nicer kid.

30. Matt Cain (SF): Take a look at his stats over his career. If you like them, then take him in your draft. Your destin to get very similar numbers.

31. Jon Lester (BOS): Great team and he's still learning to pitch at the major league level. That's scary.

32. Derek Lowe (ATL): The sinker-baller gets a change of scenary with his move to Atlanta. He has looked pretty good in spring training. You can't expect many K's but he should help you out with 12-15 wins.

33. Ted Lilly (CHC): He's not a very sexy pick but his team and his K's keep him in the conversation.

34. Justin Verlander (DET): There is no way he can be that bad again.

35. Scott Baker (MIN): Along with Slowey and Liriano, the Twins are putting together a nice staff. His numbers continue to improve each year.

36. Randy Johnson (SF): The age-less wonder continues to put up above average numbers. I think the fact that he joins a very young staff only re-energizes him more.

37. Aaron Harang (CIN): (See Justin Verlander) There is no way he can be that bad again either. The decrease in innings in '08 should help him recover in '09.

38. Max Scherzer (ARI): His stuff is electric, nasty and filthy. The question is where will he fit into the D-Backs staff and can he stay healthy.

39. Javier Vazquez (ATL): A ton of K's and a high ERA. It's been Vazquez's M.O. for years now.

40. Matt Garza (TB): He showed his potential in the ALCS last year. Which Matt Garza will show up in '09?

Ten Pitchers Who Could Change Your Season: The next ten guys all come with questions and because of that, they may be ignored on draft day depending on the size of your league. However, they all have great potential to help significantly improve your fantasy squad. If you don't draft them on draft day, keep a close eye on them because you don't want to lose out on this type of fantasy potential.

41. Josh Johnson (FLA): Johnson did the unthinkable in putting up such efficient numbers so shortly after having Tommy John surgery. Time is the best thing to have on your side during that recovery and that probably means even better numbers in '09.

42. Chris Carpenter (STL): He was very good in his few starts at the end of '08. Injuries don't get easier as you get older and that's what still makes Carpenter a question. He could be a huge bargain if he somehow regains his Cy Young form or even close to it.

43. Brandon Morrow (SEA): Like Joba, there are some questions as to where Morrow fits into the Mariners' pitching staff. If he does serve as a starter, his upside is entirely too much to ignore.

44. David Price (TB): If you watched the post-season last year, you really don't need too much analysis. If you do grab him on draft day, you may have to wait a little. There are rumors that he may start the season at Triple-A.

45. Erik Bedard (SEA): I'm still suffering from some of the burns I got from drafting Bedard last year. He supposedly was injured from the beginning of the season last year so the hope is that the off-season surgery has him back to 100%. He could be a great value pick if other owners are willing to let him drop.

46. Ubaldo Jimenez (COL): Now I know it was the Netherlands, but if you got a chance to see him pitch in the WBC, you would be just as high on him as I am. He does struggle with command at times but this will come as he matures. I think this is the year he makes a name for himself.

47. Clayon Kershaw (LAD): I haven't heard this much hype since the Jonas brothers came to Pittsburgh. Kershaw was "good" last year but he was nowhere near the immediate stud some had projected. He will be someday and he is only going to get better in '09.

48. Jonathan Sanchez (SF): If there is one person that can benefit from the Big Unit, it might just be Jonathan Sanchez. If he can learn to cut down on his walks, he immediately becomes a much more attractive fantasy option. My guess is that the Unit teaches him a little bit about pitching instead of throwing.

49. Justin Masterson (BOS): In what became a crowded starting rotation in the off-season, somehow Masterson might start the season as the Sox 5th starter. You have to love his numbers from '08 in limited starts.

50. Mike Pelfrey (NYM): He is developing into the pitcher that scouts thought he could be. Now he moves into the Mets rotation permenantly and I look for him to handle it well. I'm predicting career-best numbers for Pelfrey and a definite increase in strikeout numbers.

As with any SportsJudge articles, please feel free to post any questions or comments. Until next time, keep your ears open for the Buzz Around the Bullpen.

The Buzz Around The Bullpen: Fantasy Positional Preview: Relief Pitchers

[Editor’s note: With the fantasy baseball season fast approaching, SportsJudge continues its preseason positional preview. Please be sure to check back every Tuesday at 9 a.m. for a weekly positional analysis that will lead you right into your fantasy draft.

Other Fantasy Positional Previews:

1. Outfield

2. First Base

3. Second Base

4. Shortstop

5. Third Base

6. Catchers

Welcome back to another edition of “The Buzz Around the Bullpen.” This past week baseball got into full swing with the start of the World Baseball Classic. While there has already been coverage right here on SportsJudge, I’d like to weigh in on the WBC. Personally I love the WBC because it affords players a chance to play for their country. Players from Latin America spend their careers playing in a foreign country without an opportunity to ever play for the same fans that supported them as they developed into a major league talent. Equally as important to me, as a diehard baseball fan, I’m always up for some competitive baseball in the first week of March.

For right now, let’s get back to some preseason projections. Last week we focused on the Catcher position and today we will move on to some guys that toe the bump when the game is on the line. Let’s talk about some Relief Pitchers.

Studs

1. Jonathan Papelbon (BOS): The greatest River Dancer in Boston comes into ’09 as the number one closer once again. His numbers were impressive in ’08 and as long as Boston is a contender, he will continue to get a ton of opportunities.

2. Francisco Rodriguez (NYM): I love his move to New York and he should have a much easier time dealing with NL batters that haven’t had too many opportunities to see his stuff. For his critics that focus on the decline in some of his numbers last year; he was obviously doing something right when he recorded 62 saves.

3. Mariano Rivera (NYY): This guy continues to get better with age. Rivera is about as sure a thing as there is in fantasy baseball. I don’t foresee this being the year when AL hitters finally figure out his nasty cutter.

4. Joe Nathan (MIN): On draft day, please don’t be concerned with Nathan’s decision to pull out of the WBC. He has pitched well in limited innings in spring training and his shoulder will not be an issue this year. With that being said, sit back and collect your 35+ saves.

5. Brad Lidge (PHI): I’m pretty sure that Brad Lidge showed everyone in baseball that he was back when he converted 48 of 48 save opportunites in ’08. Although there are some reports of forearm tightness in spring training, Lidge has come out and said that this is nothing out of the ordinary. The Phils are legitimate repeat contenders this year and that means tons of save opportunities for Lidge.

6. Joakim Soria (KC): If this guy pitched anywhere other than Kansas City, he would be ranked right up there with the top 3 or 4 closers. He enters this season only 24 years old and he is only going to get better. This could be the year that he forces himself into the conversation as one of baseball’s top three closers.

Wingmen

7. Carlos Marmol (CHC): Although he has had some experience at closing serving as the set-up man for often injured Kerry Wood, Marmol comes into ’09 as the Cubs primary closer. He’s only 26 years old and like Soria, he’s only going to get better. He should get plenty of opportunities for what should be a very solid Cubbies squad.

8. Jonathan Broxton (LAD): Broxton came on in the second half of ’08 and was dominant at times. He has absolutely electric stuff and he has the ability to throw it past just about any hitter in MLB. As a closer, you’re not always going to have your good slider or change-up so it never hurts to have a 100 mph+ fastball that you can lean on.

9. Brian Fuentes (LAA): Fuentes takes over as closer for the Angels in ’09. One thing that immediately comes to mind is that the Angels were the same team that gave K-Rod enough opportunities to record 62 saves in ’08. I can see Fuentes benefiting from his change of scenery and I predict he’ll record between 32-35 saves in ’09.

10. Bobby Jenks (CHW): It’s never a bad thing to see a guy get 30 saves and consider it a “down” year. Prior to last year, Jenks recorded at least 40 saves in two consecutive seasons. While the Sox may be down this year, I still predict Jenks getting around 34-36 saves in '09.

11. Kerry Wood (CLE): Wood recorded 84 Ks in 66.1 innings and finished with 34 saves in ’08. Cleveland should be much improved this year and I think Wood will get a ton of opportunities as a result.

12. Jose Valverde (HOU): For a guy that has recorded 47 and 44 saves respectively over the past two seasons, it seems a little late to be mentioning his name. However, he has a history of blowing saves and his ERA will also make you a little nervous. He is a guy that will drive you nuts one night and then strikeout out the side the next.

13. Chad Qualls (ARI): For the past several years, I’ve been waiting for this guy to get some notoriety as one of the games top relievers. Now that he is the early favorite to serve as the D-Backs closer, he finally has some great fantasy value. I predict a breakout year and he will be a great value pick because most owners will overlook him on draft day.

14. Trevor Hoffman (MIL): In comparison to his career numbers, Hoffman struggled for the San Diego Padres in ’08. Hoffman now finds himself in Milwaukee and he should benefit with this move to a better team. He’s definitely on the back-end of his career but he still should be good for at least 25 saves.

15. B.J. Ryan (BAL): If you’re wondering why I ranked Ryan so low, take a look at his numbers this spring. If you need some more convincing, just listen to what he has to say about his recent performances. My prediction is that there is something more going on and he is altering his mechanics because of it.

16. Matt Capps (PIT): The early news out of Buccos spring training is that Capps has come into camp in the best shape of his career and as a result, his velocity has increased significantly. I think this means more K’s for Capps this year and if you add this to the fact that he only walked 5 batters last year, he becomes a viable fantasy option.

17. Francisco Cordero (CIN): Cordero’s numbers took a hit with his move to Cincinnati in ’08. I think the numbers he put up last year are more of what we should expect in ’09. Keep an eye on Cordero leading up to your draft day because there are reports out of spring training of some possible injury issues.

18. Brian Wilson (SF): While Wilson did record 41 saves in his first year as closer for the Giants; he was a little too hittable. As a result, his numbers suffered and his 4.62 ERA was difficult to swallow for his owners. Hopefully he can rebound with better numbers but until then, you’re better off drafting a guy who can get you 25-30 saves with a lot better numbers.

19. Matt Lindstrom (FLA): If you haven’t heard about Matt Lindstrom yet, you will very soon. He does have a power arm but right now, his stuff is very raw. He will continue to develop throughout the season and like Broxton, he’ll have a 100 mph+ fastball to lean on when his other stuff isn’t working.

20. Mike Gonzalez (ATL): The Braves are hoping that Gonzalez can get back to the numbers he put up before his Tommy John surgery. If he can, he has the ability to record 23-26 saves in '09.

The Best of the Rest

21. Frank Francisco (TEX)

22. Heath Bell (SD)

23. Brad Ziegler (OAK)

24. Brandon Lyon (DET)

Waiting in the Wings

The next group of relievers have the potential to step in and steal some save opportunities in ’09. These aren’t guys you have to go out and get on draft day but you should definitely keep an eye on them on your league’s waiver wire.

25. Brandon Morrow (SEA): My guess is that even if Morrow doesn’t nail down the closer role in spring training, he will at some point early in the season.

26. Chris Ray (BAL): George Sherrill was good last year but he needs to cut down on his walks if he wants to keep his job. Ray is healthy again and I think he reclaims his job by June.

27. Manny Corpas (COL): Colorado brought in Huston Street in the Matt Holliday trade but he has been awful in spring training. Unfortunately, you can also almost guarantee a DL stint for Street so look for Corpas to step in and take advantage of some save opportunities.

28. Ryan Franklin (STL): Chris Perez is having some foot issues and as a result, I think Franklin wins the closer job at some point in the first couple weeks of the season.

29. Joel Zumaya (DET): If he can stay healthy, I don’t think Brandon Lyon can hold him off. The last time he was healthy in ’06 he was a nightmare for AL hitters.

30. Joel Hanrahan (WAS): He will most likely come into the season as the Nationals' number one option at closer. The Nationals should be better so hopefully Hanrahan can cash in on some added opportunities.

Please be sure to check back next week when we take a look at Starting Pitchers.
As with any SportsJudge articles, please feel free to post any questions or comments. Until next time, keep your ears open for the Buzz Around the Bullpen.

The Buzz Around The Bullpen: Fantasy Positional Preview: Catchers

[Editor’s note: With the fantasy baseball season fast approaching, SportsJudge continues its preseason positional preview. Please be sure to check back every Tuesday at 9 a.m. for a weekly positional analysis that will lead you right into your fantasy draft.]

Other Fantasy Positional Previews:
1. Outfield
2. First Base
3. Second Base
4. Shortstop
5. Third Base

Welcome back to another edition of “The Buzz Around the Bullpen.” Let me first preface this by stating that I am writing this article on Saturday, February 28th because I’m headed on a little vacation for some R and R. With that being said, I can’t believe the audacity that Manny Ramirez and agent Scott Boras have shown this off-season. Is Manny Ramirez arguably the best right-handed hitter of all-time? Yes, but if I’m the Los Angeles Dodgers, I am chalking Manny’s recent stubbornness as a blessing in disguise. At this point, if I were making the decisions for the Dodgers, I would leave this latest offer as my final offer on the table. If Manny is not willing to work with the Dodgers when they are his only suitor, then maybe they're better off without him.
As I’ve stated in the past, Manny is someone that needs to be playing for something. Last year Manny was a stud in Los Angeles when he knew he was playing for a new contract. Rewind back to Manny’s last days a Boston Red Sox and you’ll see a totally different player. Granted he was still putting up above average numbers but he single-handedly was ruining the Sox clubhouse. The Dodgers have made a nice effort to build a contending team this off-season and it would be a real shame for the Manny-saga to continue into the regular season. My guess is by the time you’re reading this, Manny is signed and in camp for the Dodgers. The real question will be what Manny shows up for camp.

For right now, let’s get back to some preseason projections. Last week we focused on the Third Base position and today we will move behind the dish. Let’s talk about some Catchers.

Studs

1. Brian McCann (ATL): Brian McCann puts up stud numbers playing a position that lacks just about any offensive pop. In his rookie season, McCann was unreal hitting an impressive .333 with 24 HRs and 93 RBIs. After a still productive but more mediocre 2007, McCann returned in 2008 hitting .301 with 23 HRs and 87 RBIs. He has a tendency to “drop-off” a bit in the second half but this is clearly a product of the grind of playing the catcher position. I predict similar numbers to 2008 and he will continue to build on what has become an above average career with the Atlanta Braves.

2. Geovany Soto (CHC): Normally I’d like to see a little bit more out of a catcher before I’d rank him ahead of perennial stud catchers Russell Martin and Joe Mauer. However, I really like what I saw out of Soto in 2008. As the NL Rookie of the Year, Soto hit .285 with 23 HRs, 86 RBIs and 66 runs. Not too bad for a guy that only had 80 MLB at-bats coming into last season. He did show a tendency to be a “streaky” hitter in 2008 but as he matures, I expect to see more plate discipline and less erratic month to month numbers. I would select him over Martin and Mauer because he is the last guy available at the catcher position that has the chance to hit 25-30 HRs every year.

3. Russell Martin (LAD): If you take a look at Martin’s career numbers, his homerun numbers have fluctuated from 10, up to19, and then back to 13. His stolen base numbers over the past three seasons have varied from 10, to 21 and then to 18. I think it would be fair to predict that Martin probably projects as a guy that will hit .280-.300 with 15 HRs and 15 stolen bases. I am encouraged that his walks have increased each year but still those numbers put him slightly behind the two young studs mentioned above.

4. Joe Mauer (MIN): If there is one word that comes to mind when I think of Joe Mauer, it has to be “consistency.” Over the last four years, he’s never hit below .294 and has a career OBP of .399. He’s not flashy or sexy and nothing he does is going to amaze you but year in and year out, he continues to put up numbers that have him in the MVP race. While some predict his power numbers will come around as he matures, I don’t see Mauer ever hitting well over 16-18 HRs. It’s not that he’s not capable of doing so but I believe this guy is too focused on contact and is unwilling to give up an at-bat for the chance at hitting a homerun. If a homerun comes, great but its not his approach at the plate.

5. Victor Martinez (CLE): If I was completely convinced that Martinez was 100%, he’d easily slip right into the two or three spot in my projections. If you need some explanation, take a look at this guy’s numbers before last year’s elbow injury. Now that we know he had a serious enough injury which required surgery, last year’s awful start shouldn’t scare you. However, he was out for a significant amount of time and I’m anxious to see how he’s able to hit in the early chilly months of the season with a surgically repaired elbow. If healthy, this guy could be a great steal after the first four guys are off of the board.

Wingmen

6. Ryan Doumit (PIT): Speaking of staying healthy, Ryan Doumit and the Pittsburgh Pirates could really benefit from an injury-free 2009. For the first time in his career, Doumit had more than 300 at-bats in 2008. With the added opportunities, Doumit proved he had the ability to hold down the Buccos starting catching job hitting .318 with 15 HRs, 69 RBIs and 71 runs. For a guy that was once nicknamed Ryan “No-Mitt”, he’s developed into a nice MLB catcher. I ranked him in the sixth spot because I think he’ll continue to develop in 2009.

7. Bengie Molina (SF): As one of the 57 Molina brothers in MLB, Bengie has consistently put up numbers from the catcher position. He has quietly hit a decent number of homeruns each year over the course of his career, yet fantasy owners refuse to give him “lovin’” on draft day. You can’t put a price on consistency and he’s worth a look later in your draft. Even though I rank him at 7, he’ll most likely get drafted after a couple of guys that I rank lower than him.

8. Chris Iannetta (COL): Iannetta continues to be somewhat underrated in terms of fantasy catchers. While he put some above average power numbers in ’08, his average has kept him from being mentioned among the league’s top 5 catchers. I expect a little more discipline this year and with that, an increase in his average.

9. Ramon Hernandez (CIN): Hernandez was once viewed as one of the top offensive options at the catcher position. After some injuries and some offensive struggles Hernandez slipped into the middle of the pack amongst other catchers. I love his move to Cincinnati and I believe his numbers will benefit greatly. In case you don’t remember, take a look at what Cincinnatti’s home park did for catcher David Ross.

10. Matt Wieters (BAL): If you’re willing to wait a little while for some great production, take a chance with Matt Wieters. Although he may not break camp with the O’s, they can only keep him down for so long. There are rumors that he may follow the Evan Longoria path and come up sometime around the beginning of May for contractual reasons. Wieters is a future star and he is definitely worth drafting and holding on to until he gets his call to the bigs.

The Best of the Rest

11. Mike Napoli (LAA)

12. Pablo Sandoval (SF)

13. A.J. Pierzynski (CHW)

14. Dioner Navarro (TB)

15. Jorge Posada (NYY)

Please be sure to check back next week when we take a look at Relief Pitchers.

As with any SportsJudge articles, please feel free to post any questions or comments. Until next time, keep your ears open for the Buzz Around the Bullpen.

The Buzz Around The Bullpen: Fantasy Positional Preview: Third Baseman

[Editor’s note: With the fantasy baseball season fast approaching, SportsJudge continues its preseason positional preview. Please be sure to check back every Tuesday at 9 a.m. for a weekly positional analysis that will lead you right into your fantasy draft.]

Other Fantasy Positional Previews:
1. Outfield
2. First Base
3. Second Base
4. Shortstop

Welcome back to another edition of “The Buzz Around the Bullpen.” So is anyone else tired of hearing about steroids yet? I know I am and unfortunately, I think the worst is only yet to come. While I understand the recent A-Rod steroid news has revived the steroid conversation, is now the first time we’re realizing that these guys were taking these performance enhancing drugs? I have a hard time believing that. At this point, the best thing baseball can do is to admit that it shares some of the responsibility and show that they have instituted some of the toughest drug testing in sports. Until then, the blame game will continue and the great baseball stories of 2009 will be overshadowed by continuous coverage of that weeks new steroid news.

For right now, let’s get back to some preseason projections. Last week we focused on the Shortstop position and today we will move to the hot corner. Let’s talk about some Third Basemen.

Studs

1. Alex Rodriguez (NYY): Similar to Hanley Ramirez last week, if you’ve landed the first pick of your draft, you have to take a look at A-Rod. While the media scrutiny will continue throughout the 2009 season, this guy is just too good to be held down. You can expect at least a guaranteed 35 HRs, 115 RBIs, 115 runs and around 20 stolen bases. Until this guy stops producing at such an impressive rate, you have to put him slightly ahead of some of the young rising superstars at the third base position.

2. David Wright (NYM): If you take a look at David Wright’s 2008 numbers, they are quite similar to A-Rod’s. Maybe more important, Wright’s numbers in ’08 were improved from his past three seasons (outside of his average which dropped to a still impressive .302). Considering he’s only 26 years-old, it is likely that he’ll continue to build on his numbers in ’09. If you miss out on A-Rod, David Wright is a great option to hold down the hot corner on your fantasy squad.

Wingmen

3. Evan Longoria (TB): Whether it is the post-World Series hype or just the thought of owning a 23 year-old stud, someone is likely to overdraft Longoria in your league in the first two rounds. Please don’t think that I’m not high on Longoria because I believe this guy will eventually be one of the faces of the game. However, Longoria isn’t quite on the level of A-Rod and David Wright just yet and I’m not willing to spend my first or second round pick on him. It is possible that he may struggle in his sophomore season and I need to see one more year from him before he is on top of my draft board.

4. Kevin Youkilis (BOS): I really like Kevin Youkilis this year. After jumping from 16 to 29 HRs last year, Youkilis established himself as a viable fantasy third base option. Before draft day, be sure to check his player page because he will almost definitely be 1B eligible as well. A combination of his versatility, his potential and the fact he gets to hit in the Boston lineup everyday makes him a nice pick after the elite guys are off of the board.

5. Aramis Ramirez (CHC): Before each season, there are certain predictions you can make that are about as close to a lock as possible. Here’s one for you…If Aramis is healthy, he is good for .300, 30 HRs and a 100 RBIs. As a Pirate fan, I look at him as “the one that got away.” If you have the opportunity to grab him and the time is right, don’t make the same mistake the Buccos did.

6. Chris Davis (TEX): Before you question why Davis is here, take a look at the guys that are left. The only player I had trouble ranking Davis higher than was Chipper Jones. I explain why Chipper lost that battle next. I like Davis here because he has dual eligibility at 1B and 3B, he has a ton of power potential, he plays in Texas and he has a great track record throughout his minor-league career. I’m sure they’ll be some stretches where you’ll question this pick but by the end of the season, you’ll be pleased you didn’t settle for a veteran.

7. Chipper Jones (ATL): Chipper Jones is turning 37 years old in April, he hasn’t played in more than 137 games since 2003 and I have a hard time believing he’ll ever hit .364 again. Now that I’ve told you why I didn’t rank him at 6, here’s why he is still a valuable fantasy option. He still has the ability to hit around 20 HRs and his OBP is consistently around the tops in the league. If you do decide to draft Chipper, it might be a good idea to also draft a Plan B later in your draft.

8. Aubrey Huff (BAL): Huff has great versatility with dual eligibility at 1B and 3B and he is also coming off a great year in ’08. However, if you take a look at Huff’s career numbers, there is no telling what kind of numbers he’ll put up in ’09. With that being said, I am a little hesitant to take a chance on him but if you’re confident he can repeat his numbers, here’s where he fits in with the rest of the 3B’s.

9. Ryan Zimmerman (WAS): I may be one of the few that hasn’t completely “written off” Ryan Zimmerman. He was awesome in his rookie season in ’06 and has only shown flashes since. One of those flashes was last September when he hit 5 of his 14 total homeruns in ’08. You may be able to get some great value for your pick so if he’s available after these first eight are off of the board, he is worth taking the chance.

10. Garrett Atkins (COL): Over the past three years, Atkins’ numbers have declined in a hurry. Now he’s lost some protection in the lineup with the departure of one of the league’s best hitters, Matt Holliday. This is nothing but bad news for Atkins. However, his dual eligibility at 1B and 3B still make him attractive and let’s be honest…there isn’t too much left at the 3B position.

The Best of the Rest

11. Adrian Beltre (SEA)

12. Chone Figgins (LAA)

13. Jorge Cantu (FLA)

14. Mark DeRosa (CLE)

15. Mark Reynolds (ARI)

Please be sure to check back next week when we take a look at Catchers.

As with any SportsJudge articles, please feel free to post any questions or comments. Until next time, keep your ears open for the Buzz Around the Bullpen.

The Buzz Around The Bullpen: Fantasy Positional Preview: Shortstops

[Editor’s note: With the fantasy baseball season fast approaching, SportsJudge continues its preseason positional preview. Please be sure to check back every Tuesday at 9 a.m. for a weekly positional analysis that will lead you right into your fantasy draft. In case you missed it; take a look at last weeks preview where SportsJudge focused on Second Basemen.]

Welcome back to another edition of “The Buzz Around the Bullpen.” With pitchers and catchers reported in every camp, the 2009 Major League Baseball season is officially underway. For fantasy owners, this means only one thing. Now’s the time to scour the internet for depth chart updates, player injury news and any reports of stud and dud performances throughout major league camps.

For right now, let’s get back to some preseason projections. Last week we focused on the Second Basemen and today we will stay up the middle. Let’s talk about the Shortstop position.

Studs

1. Hanley Ramirez (FLA): If you’ve landed the first pick in your draft, you have to look long and hard at Hanley Ramirez. For starters, he has the ability to give you ridiculous numbers at the shortstop position. Last year Ramirez hit .301 with 33 HRs, 67 RBIs and 35 stolen bases. In addition to these numbers, Ramirez is only 25 years old and there is also word out of Miami that he may move to the middle of the lineup. That is if prospect Cameron Maybin can nail down the leadoff position in Spring Training. Ramirez has to be the first shortstop taken and don’t be afraid to make him the first pick in your draft.

2. Jose Reyes (NYM): If you miss out on Ramirez on draft day, Jose Reyes is definitely a great back plan. Reyes has stolen at least 50 stolen bases for the past four seasons and he may just be the most exciting player in baseball. He put up some great numbers in ’08 and I look for them only to improve in ’09. His OBP has improved each year over the past four seasons and as we’ve seen, anytime this guy is on base he’s liable to create some offense. He’ll be gone midway through the first round, so act fast if you want him.

3. Jimmy Rollins (PHI): While I don’t expect Rollins to return to the 30 HRs he hit in ’07, I can definitely see Rollins finishing ’09 with around 20-22 HRs. If you add this to 75+ RBIs and 35+ stolen bases, Rollins is a nice option at a fairly thin shortstop position. You’ll have to weigh your options in the late first/ early second round to decide whether you’d rather have Rollins, a stud outfielder or a front-end starter.

Wingmen

4. Derek Jeter (NYY): I’m a huge believer in finding a diamond in the rough on a weak team. But every once in a while, you just have to stick with what works. After Ramirez, Reyes and Rollins are off of the board, there really isn’t a proven option at the shortstop position. With that being said, you can’t go wrong with a future Hall of Famer who will find himself in an explosive lineup in ’09. However, Jeter is only a good pick several rounds into your draft. It’s a win-win situation if you think about it. You either pick him up around the 4th or 5th round or wait till much later to get a guy that will put up somewhat similar numbers. The only thing you’re risking by waiting and going with another shortstop is that he won’t bring the consistency that Jeter possesses.

5. Stephen Drew (ARI): This is a huge year for Stephen Drew. There is a great disparity between his numbers in ’07 and ’08. Most notably, his average went from .238 in ’07 to .291 in ’08. Although I do expect his numbers to continue to improve, it will be interesting to see where Drew finishes in ’09. My guess is that he ends up hitting somewhere around .280 with 26 HRs and a ton of extra base hits. He’s a future star and as his body matures, those extra base hits are going to turn into homeruns.

6. J.J. Hardy (MIL): I made the mistake of giving up entirely too early on Hardy in ’08. While he hasn’t nailed down that “consistency” thing quite yet, he has proven he can put up above-average numbers at the major league level. After the upper-echelon guys are off of the board, there isn’t too much power available at the shortstop position. If you need some convincing, take a look at the guys that are left on the board.

7. Troy Tulowitzki (COL): Tulowitzki is one guy I’m really anxious to see where he goes on draft day. While some may be deterred by his sophomore slump, others will draft him based on his impressive 2007 rookie season. In limited at-bats last season, Tulowitzki continued to build on his strong rookie season. If healthy, Tulowitzki can put up Hardy/Drew-like numbers.

8. Jhonny Peralta (CLE): Peralta was one of the lone bright spots for the Tribe in ’08. After several injuries to some of the Indians’ middle of the lineup hitters, Peralta took over the four spot in the lineup and put up some great power numbers. With the return of Hafner and Martinez, the Indians’ lineup gets a lot better and this will give Peralta an opportunity see even more pitches.

9. Mike Aviles (KC): If you recognize Aviles’ name from the preseason rankings, it is because he was also included in the 2B rankings. Fortunately for you, other members of your league might not be reading these projections and they may have never even heard of this guy. If the guys listed above are off of the board, you have to take a chance on this guy. If you need some coercing, think about the fact that he’s eligible at both middle infield positions and there really aren’t too many guys left. If you look at the players left, they all put up similar numbers and no one really distinguishes themselves from the others. If you’ve waited this long, it is worth taking a chance on a guy that could be a huge sleeper. You can always pick up a Guzman or a Greene type player as a back-up plan.

10. Michael Young (TEX): The days of Michael Young dominating the shortstop postion are long past. However, with the ability to consistently hit around .300 and his added positional versatility with his move to 3B this season, Young is still a serviceable fantasy option. If I’m drafting Young, I’m also taking a chance on a shortstop prospect later in the draft. (See Elvis Andrus)

The Best of the Rest

11. Miguel Tejada (HOU)

12. Rafael Furcal (LAA)

13. Orlando Cabrera (FA)

14. Ryan Theriot (CHI)

15. Yunel Escobar (ATL)

Please be sure to check back next week when we take a look at Third Basemen.
As with any SportsJudge articles, please feel free to post any questions or comments. Until next time, keep your ears open for the Buzz Around the Bullpen.

The Buzz Around The Bullpen: Let The Chase Begin

[Editor’s note: With the fantasy baseball season fast approaching, SportsJudge continues its preseason positional preview. Please be sure to check back every Tuesday at 9 a.m. for a weekly positional analysis that will lead you right into your fantasy draft. In case you missed it; take a look at last weeks preview where SportsJudge focused on the First Base position.]

Welcome back to another edition of “The Buzz Around the Bullpen.” With most teams heading to Spring Training in the next week or two, baseball made a huge splash in the news this past weekend with the report that Alex Rodriguez failed a drug test in 2003 because of the use of two anabolic steroids. While others were quick to ridicule A-Rod, I actually felt bad for the guy. Please be sure to check out my article right here on SportsJudge.com.

For right now, let’s get back to some preseason projections. Last week we focused on the First Baseman and today we will move to the other member of the right side of the infield. Let’s talk about the Second Basemen.

Studs

1. Chase Utley (PHI): Although he had some off-season hip surgery and has a chance he’ll miss up to the first month of the season, Chase Utley has to be the first second baseman off of the board. He’s a career .298 hitter who has consistently shown the ability to hit for power and also steal some bases. In a position where power is at a premium, Utley has hit 28 or more HRs in three of his last four seasons. Similar to Pujols at the 1B position, there is not a whole lot of analysis needed to make Utley your starting second baseman.

2. Ian Kinsler (TEX): If I were the GM of a Major League Baseball team, I’d probably choose Dustin Pedroia over Kinsler. However, if I’m trying to draft a championship fantasy baseball team, I have to give the edge to Kinsler. In an injury shortened season, Kinsler hit .319 with 18 HRs, 71 RBIs and 102 runs. He also added in 26 stolen bases in 28 attempts. It is not out of the question that Kinsler could hit 25-30 HRs this season. His power potential puts him just slightly above our next second baseman.

3. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): Some guys can hit the ball 450 feet, some guys can run down any fly ball and then some guys are just baseball players. Dustin Pedroia is one of those guys that plays the game the way it is meant to be played. In only his second full season, Pedroia was named American League MVP. This came just a year after his 2007 campaign when he was named AL Rookie of the Year. It’s not that he does any thing spectacular but he just does everything right. In a season in which he hit .326 with 17 HRs, 83 RBIs, 118 runs and 20 stolen bases, I think it was most impressive that he only struck out 52 times in 653 at-bats. If Utley and Kinsler are off of the board, Pedroia is a no-brainer as the third 2nd baseman.

Wingmen

4. Brian Roberts (BAL): Roberts is one of those guys who’s draft position varies significantly from league to league. While some owners value his steady performance, other owners are looking for a “sexy” pick with a ton of upside. (see directly below) If you’re an owner in need of speed and consistency, definitely draft Roberts over our next second baseman. Although Roberts doesn’t hit a lot of homeruns or drive in a ton of runs, he’s a .284 career hitter that performs year in and year out.

5. Alexei Ramirez (CHW): Ramirez is young, raw and only going to get better. Considering he had 21 HRs, 77 RBIs and 65 runs in only 480 at-bats last year, he might not be a bad option after the first four guys are off of the board. Because of his youth and inexperience, he will have his struggles throughout the season. However, his upside is too much to ignore. If defensive plays could earn fantasy points, he might be the first 2nd basemen taken. It could be a rough year for the White Sox but I look for Ramirez to be a bright spot.

6. Brandon Phillips (PHI): If you are looking for a nice combination of power and speed, Brandon Phillips is a nice pick as the 6th second baseman. Although he did have a down year in ’08, he still projects to be at least a 25/25 guy in ’09. Over the past three seasons, his average has fluctuated but you can probably figure he’ll end up hitting around .270. Adding to his value, Phillips plays in a great hitter’s park and the Reds’ lineup around him will be fairly decent this year.

7. Dan Uggla (FLA): Last May Uggla was on pace to break just about every offensive record for a 2nd baseman. Unfortunately for his owners, he came back down to earth in a hurry. As someone that has owned him over the past two years, I can say this much about him. When you draft him, you know exactly what you are getting. He will hit for around 30 HRs and a bunch of RBIs but will strikeout a lot more than what you’ll be comfortable with. If you’re in a league that punishes hitters for K’s, you may want to consider another option at 2B.

8. Mark DeRosa (CLE): You can’t put a price on versatility and Mark DeRosa can play just about anywhere. DeRosa came out of nowhere in ’08 with 21 HRs in only 505 at-bats. I look for him to put up similar numbers in ’09. In Cleveland he will get a chance to play everyday and also hit in a lineup that features some of baseball’s young elite hitters. Don’t be discouraged about his age because his slugging percentage has actually improved as he’s gotten older.

9. Robinson Cano (NYY): Just when you think it’s about that time for Cano to have a break-out year, he puts up extremely average numbers that were the product of an awful first-half. My guess is that someone overdrafts him on draft day but if he does slip a bit in your league, you have to go get him. You never know when he could return to those ’06 numbers.

10. Jose Lopez (SEA): Lopez finally played up to his potential last season and I look for him to build off of that in ’09. He finally put together a year with a respectable average and a decent amount of power. I don’t expect .297 every year but .285 is definitely not out of the question.

The Best of the Rest

11. Kelly Johnson (ATL)

12. Freddy Sanchez (PIT)

13. Mike Aviles (KC)

14. Kazuo Matsui (HOU)

15. Orlando Hudson (FA)

Please be sure to check back next week when we take a look at Shortstops. As with any SportsJudge articles, please feel free to post any questions or comments. Until next time, keep your ears open for the Buzz Around the Bullpen.

The Buzz Around The Bullpen: Don't Blame A-Rod, Blame Bret Boone

The pedigree of players involved in the steroid era has reached a new level according to a report which broke Saturday on SportsIllustrated.cnn.com. In that report, Sports Illustrated claims that four independent sources have verified that in 2003, Alex Rodriguez tested positive for two anabolic steroids. Also in their report, it is alleged that A-Rod’s name was just one of 104 players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs during the ’03 season.

Since the story first broke on Saturday morning, questions have arisen about the effect this will have on A-Rod’s career and legacy. I cannot say I was completely surprised to see A-Rod's name on a list of players who have used performance-enhancing drugs. That’s not a shot against A-Rod; that’s just how rampant I believe steroid use was during the steroid era. As a consummate A-Rod critic, now would probably be the most appropriate time to "bash" him. To the contrary, I somehow find myself feeling sympathy for him. Now before you think I’m going soft, let me explain myself.

In the year 1998 in which Mark McGwire broke the single-season homerun record, here are some numbers for you to consider: 45, 38 and 31. Those are the number of homeruns hit by Greg Vaughn, Jay Bell and Mike Lieberthal respectively in ’99. That same year, Alex Rodriguez hit 42 homeruns in 502 at-bats. Although it was still a great year, he hit only four more homeruns than Jay Bell. If it seems as though I’m implying that these three guys mentioned above were part of the steroid era, then I’ve successfully made my point.

It seems sometime while caught up in the McGwire-Sosa homerun chase in ’98, and the Barry Bonds ’ 2001 record setting season, Major League Baseball lost its way. After all, homeruns sell seats and MLB was in desperate need of an injection of fan support. Whether it was sheer ignorance of the reality of the situation or a hope that fans would not question a good thing, the commissioner and executives across the league dropped the ball.

Now enter superstars Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds. On a level playing field, these are two of the finest baseball players ever to play the game. However, in a world where Bret Boone hits 37 homeruns, A-Rod and Bonds become a lot more ordinary. And just like any other business, ordinary does not put you in an elite class. (Before I go further, please understand that I’m not concluding that either of these guys ever became ordinary.) Nevertheless, it was obvious that their numbers were no longer directly correlating with how much significantly better they were than everyone else. With the presence of performance-enhancing drugs running rampant throughout the league, these players were no longer able to statistically distinguish themselves from other inferior players.

Most likely driven by their pride and competitiveness, A-Rod and Barry Bonds took the “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” approach. For some time, all was well again in baseball and the true superstars rose to the top with a little help from some performance-enhancing drugs. Once again, baseball executives chose to turn their heads and jumped back on the bandwagon of some or their favorites before the arrival of McGwire and Sammy Sosa.

Almost a decade since the fall of Roger Maris' single-season homerun record, only now are we truly seeing the repercussions of baseball’s decision not to act on the sudden increase in homerun numbers. With the report that came out Saturday, A-Rod is just the next player to be burned at the stake. The irony in all of these steroid cases is that the only association that can come to these players’ aid is the same one that got them in the situation. However, Major League Baseball has cowardly lambasted and ridiculed its own players without shouldering any of the blame.

As a result, A-Rod’s career will never be viewed in the same light and it is quite possible that he has punched his ticket out of Cooperstown with this positive steroid test. In the past, we have seen that A-Rod is an emotional player who has struggled under the pressure and scrutiny of the media. In the short-term, it will be interesting to see how A-Rod reacts and if he will be able to perform up to his potential in ’09.

As the Yankees head to Spring Training this week, the sports world will watch for any reaction from A-Rod or his teammates and coaches. If I could give any advice to A-Rod, it would be to come out as soon as possible and apologize to his fans. While he’d make some short-term waves with an admission about taking steroids, he could preserve some semblance of dignity and humility if he just told the truth. Regardless of what A-Rod and his advisers decide to do, I don’t expect this story to go away anytime soon.

The Buzz Around The Bullpen: Fantasy Positional Preview: First Basemen

[Editor’s note: With the fantasy baseball season fast approaching, SportsJudge continues its preseason positional preview. Please be sure to check back every Tuesday at 9 a.m. for a weekly positional analysis that will lead you right into your fantasy draft. In case you missed it; take a look at last weeks preview where SportsJudge focused on the outfield position.]

Welcome back to another edition of “The Buzz Around the Bullpen.” It is a little difficult talking about baseball today after an unbelievable Super Bowl victory by my hometown Pittsburgh Steelers. As much as I could analyze the Santonio Holmes catch or the James Harrison interception return, I will leave that up to the experts right here at SportsJudge.com.

For right now, let’s get back to the diamond to talk about some preseason projections. Last week we focused on the outfielders and some of my projections caused some great debate that is definitely worth taking some time to read. Once again, I appreciate your comments and I hope that the interest continues throughout the entire preseason preview. Today I’ll take a look at another position which I’m sure will cause some great debate amongst the readers. Let’s talk about the First Basemen.

Studs

1. Albert Pujols (STL): I’m not quite sure that Albert being the number one 1B needs much analysis. However, let’s take a look at his numbers from last year just to remind us of how good he actually is. In a year where owners were hesitant to draft him because of the potential need for Tommy John surgery, Pujols hit .357 with 37 HRs, 116 RBIs and had an OBP of .462. Albert Pujols should and will be the first 1B off the board in your league.

2. Mark Teixeira (NYY): Let me start by saying that number 2 and 3 are about as interchangeable as possible. But for right now, yes I’m drinking the Kool-Aid and I do believe that Teixeira’s move to New York will have him back to producing numbers similar to his 2005 season. While I do expect some growing pains in the beginning, I believe Teixeira will adjust quite quickly and begin to reap the benefits of the Yankees’ ridiculous lineup. Now with the protection of some of the greatest hitters in baseball, Teixeira will flourish as he’ll see more pitches to hit. Teixeira’s run and RBI totals will also increase because of the talent in the lineup. The best part about Teixeira is that even if he struggles, and I don’t expect him to; he’s still going to hit .300 with 30 HRs and 100 RBIs.

3. Miguel Cabrera (DET): While I was doing my research, the most surprising stat I came across with Miguel Cabrera was that he’s only turning 26 years old in April. Because he’s been around for so long, it is easy to think that this guy’s numbers have to drop-off soon. However, it is quite possible he is just entering his prime as a hitter. Miggy’s move to 1B hasn’t stopped him from putting up “stud-like” numbers. Last year Miggy hit .292 with 39 HRs, 121 RBIs and 100 runs. In terms of his batting average, 2007 was an off year for Cabrera. More than anything, that is just a testament of how good this guy is. I look for Miggy to hit closer to his .309 career average and it is more than possible he hits over 40 HRs for the first time in his career.

4. Ryan Howard (PHI): As a disclaimer, let me start by saying that if you are in a league that penalizes for strikeouts, it may be in your best interest to move on to number 5. Throughout his career, Howard has shown the ability to strike out three times in a game and then follow-up in his fourth at-bat with a homerun that endangers the NASA space station. For the better part of 2008, Ryan Howard was plain awful. The only thing he was doing consistently was striking out. Somehow he was able to recover and finished with 48 HRs. After putting up absurd numbers in 2006 (.313, 58 HRs, 148 RBIs, 104 runs, .425 OBP), Howard has come back down to earth and his batting average and OBP have taken a hit. One thing that does stick out is that even in 2006, Howard struck out 181 times. In ’07 and ’08, Howard’s strikeouts increased, striking out 199 times in each season. I guess the only thing that can be said is that if you draft Ryan Howard, you know what you’re getting. If you’re an owner that is easily frustrated by strikeouts, you may want to go with a more consistent hitter.

5. Lance Berkman (HOU): If you read my articles last year, it is no secret that I am not a Lance Berkman fan. When he was unreal in the first half last year, I spent most of my time coming up some reason not to love him as a fantasy player. Fortunately, for my sake, Berkman gave me some ammunition after the All-Star break when he hit .259 with only 7 HRs and 3 stolen bases. Regardless of my feelings towards Lance as a player, you can’t argue with his numbers. He’s a .300 career hitter that will probably hit around 30 HRs in ’09. However I don’t expect him to repeat his 18 stolen bases in ’09. It is probably more reasonable to expect around 8-10 stolen bases as that extra weight starts to take its tool as he gets a year older.

6. Adrian Gonzalez (SD): Somehow Adrian Gonzalez continues to hit for impressive power numbers in a ballpark that usually swallows up great hitters. I’m ranking Gonzalez ahead of a couple of great hitters solely because I love the progression he has shown over his three seasons. Each year, his power numbers have increased and he is just now entering that age bracket where hitter’s power numbers typically increase. Gonzalez’s average does scare some owners off but when you look at what’s left on the board after the first five players are taken, Gonzalez is your best option.

Wingmen

7. Justin Morneau (MIN): Contrary to Gonzalez, Justin Morneau’s homerun numbers have fallen off over the past three years. While he continues to drive in a ton of runs, I believe Morneau will finish ’09 with 22-26 HRs and 118 RBIs. I don’t think that Morneau has declined but I do think over his career, he will be more of a 24 HRs/year guy as opposed to the 34 and 31 HRs he put up in ’06 and ’07 respectively. His average has fluctuated over his career but I think you can assume he will hit around .290 for you.

8. Kevin Youkilis (BOS): I really like Kevin Youkilis this year. After jumping from 16 to 29 HRs last year, Youkilis established himself as a viable fantasy first base option. Before draft day, be sure to check his player page because he will almost definitely be 3B eligible as well. A combination of his versatility, his potential and the fact he gets to hit in the Boston lineup everyday makes him a nice pick after the elite guys are off of the board.

9. Prince Fielder (MIL): After coming off a stellar ’07 campaign, Prince was somewhat disappointing in ’08. He still finished with great numbers (.276, 34 HRs, 102 RBIs, 86) but at this stage in his career, it scares me that he took such a significant step back. Let’s not beat around the bush here. Prince has the potential to eat his way out of stardom. I know I often joke about this but with Prince, it truly is an issue. He has the potential to be great for an extended period of time but he needs to get serious about getting his body into better shape. Until he does so and gets back to hitting 40+ homeruns, I can’t afford to take a chance on him that early in my draft.

10. Joey Votto (CIN): I really like two things about Joey Votto. He’s young and he plays in a ballpark that turned catcher David Ross into a homerun hitter. In his first full season for the Reds, Votto established himself as a fairly discipline hitter with some great power potential. This may be a little early for the readers but I’m willing to take a chance on a guy with great upside like Votto.

11. Carlos Pena (TB): I think we saw the real Carlos Pena in ’08. In ’07, Pena exploded for 46 HRs, 121 RBIs and hit an impressive .282. I say impressive because Pena is a .251 career hitter. I expect more of the same from Carlos Pena and if you’re alright with .263 and 34 HRs, Pena is your guy.

12. Carlos Delgado (NYM): Last year was definitely a pleasant surprise for Delgado owners. The good news is that even as he gets older, you can still count on him for around 25 HRs. However don’t expect much more than his .280 career average.

13. Chris Davis (TEX): Let the comments begin after this bold prediction. I like Davis here because he has dual eligibility at 1B and 3B, he has a ton of power potential, he plays in Texas and he has a great track record throughout his minor-league career. I’m sure they’ll be some stretches where you’ll question this pick but by the end of the season, you’ll be pleased you didn’t settle for a veteran.

14. Aubrey Huff (BAL) and Jorge Cantu (FLA): I am grouping these guys together because I feel like they both carry the same risk/reward value. If you take a look at their career numbers, they are all over the place. In order for me to take either one of these guys, it would definitely have to be a great value pick later in my draft.

15. Adam LaRoche (PIT): If LaRoche could actually put together a full season, he would be a top 10 fantasy first baseman. Unfortunately, because of his last two seasons, that’s a big “if”. Here’s to hoping he decides to take a bat with him to the plate in April and May.

16. Garrett Atkins (COL): Over the past three years, Atkins’ numbers have declined in a hurry. Now he’s lost some protection in the lineup with the departure of one of the league’s best hitters, Matt Holliday. This is nothing but bad news for Garrett.

The Best of the Rest

17. Derrek Lee (CHI)

18. Mike Jacobs (KC)

19. Jason Giambi (OAK)

20. James Loney (LAD)

Please be sure to check back next week when we take a look at Second Basemen.
As with any SportsJudge articles, please feel free to post any questions or comments. Until next time, keep your ears open for the Buzz Around the Bullpen.