The Rule-4 first year players draft is underway and MLB Front Office will be here providing coverage for it. I will recap the first round at its finish. If you have any questions on specific players, feel free to email me. I will be checking my email throughout the draft.
After the conclusion of the first round I will provide you with my first impressions on all of the players including scouting notes, the speed they will asend to the majors, their upside, and other relevant notes.
Check back throughout the summer for more information on these players.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Thursday Notes
A couple of fantasy relevant notes for you:
- Joakim Soria was activated from the DL but will not be the closer as of the moment. He's probably not worth holding on to.
- Joe Mauer will be activated for tomorrows game so get him back in your lineup.
- Both J.D. Drew and Scott Rolen will return to the lineup today.
- Santiago Casilla recorded a save for Oakland in their win over Boston. After being called up, it was assumed he would rise quickly towards the 8th or 9th inning role but, both Embree and Calero had pitched three straight nights and were probably unavailable to pitch. He's worth keeping an eye on but don't go crazy trying to add him.
- Michael Barrett didn't catch for Zambrano last night after their fight during his previous start. Barrett doesn't usually catch for him but they tried it out when Blanco went on the DL. When Zambrano is starting put in your backup catcher if you have one.
- Joakim Soria was activated from the DL but will not be the closer as of the moment. He's probably not worth holding on to.
- Joe Mauer will be activated for tomorrows game so get him back in your lineup.
- Both J.D. Drew and Scott Rolen will return to the lineup today.
- Santiago Casilla recorded a save for Oakland in their win over Boston. After being called up, it was assumed he would rise quickly towards the 8th or 9th inning role but, both Embree and Calero had pitched three straight nights and were probably unavailable to pitch. He's worth keeping an eye on but don't go crazy trying to add him.
- Michael Barrett didn't catch for Zambrano last night after their fight during his previous start. Barrett doesn't usually catch for him but they tried it out when Blanco went on the DL. When Zambrano is starting put in your backup catcher if you have one.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Why the Cubs Should Trade Zambrano
Although I find it hard to believe the Cubs would trade Zambrano if they were in contention, if they are more than 10 games back at the trade deadline, there are a couple of very convincing reasons why Zambrano should be gone.
I did some quick number crunching and it appears with Zambrano's contract off the books for the '08 season the Cubs payroll will be at about 105 million. That is a lot higher than this year considering it was right at 100 million with Zambrano's contract. Considering that the Payroll will continue to increase over the next couple of years because of the backloaded contracts the Cubs signed, I find it hard to believe that the Cubs will go above 115 million for this season. Considering the outfield next year will probably be rid of Jones's 5 million that is calculated into the 105 figure (along with a 5 million dollar allowance for a new catcher or to resign Barrett with) that leaves the Cubs with about 15 million to play with. I see two choices here.
The first choice is to resign Zambrano and risk that he will give the Cubs another mediocre season for 15 million a la Kerry Wood. This is both risky and an inefficient use of money. Granted, if Zambrano pitched to form this year, the offense could probably carry the team from there. Next year, however, I am not sure Marquis and Lilly will be fooling batters as much. Lilly because batters will have seen his stuff for a year and Marquis because well, he's Marquis.
The second choice is to trade Zambrano at the deadline for a pitching prospect who could step in as a number 2 or number 3 next year. The Cubs rotation would certainly be fairly weak, looking something like: 1) Lilly 2) Hill 3) Young Pitcher 4) Marquis 5) Marshall. However, that would leave 15 million to add another impact bat. 15 million isn't enough to add A-Rod if he opts out of his contract but there are other options that could be explored. If the new owner of the Cubs is willing to dish out the money, there is always the A-Rod possibility but honestly, I think the chances of that are less than five percent.
The positions that are set in stone: 1B: D. Lee, 3B: A. Ramirez, LF: A. Soriano, CF: F. Pie. In addition, Murton or Jones will probably remain intact in right field. Floyd is gone. That leaves the middle infield as somewhat of a question mark. Izturis's option will not be exersized and DeRosa is probably going to be starting at 2B (although I would rather see him in a super-utility role). SS is the only real opening and Theriot could fill it if we spent the money on a starter. If Soriano could play 2B that would solve our problems and we could go after a big time free agent outfielder but he can't. Only on extremely dire circumstances should Soriano ever be allowed in the infield with a glove. Getting A-Rod would solve these problems but the Cubs are about 10 million short and no one even knows if he'll opt out.
After that long winded article, I see a couple of possible solutions. First, they could resign Zambrano and go into next year with essentially the same roster as they will end this year with (assuming a Jones trade and Pie in center full time at the end of the year). Next, they could somehow muster up enough money for A-Rod. Like I said, don't really see that happening. Finally, they could go out and mix everything up. They could trade both Jones and Murton for relief pitching help this winter (God knows they need it) and end up with someone like Eric Byrnes in right field. Could they afford Byrnes and Zambrano? Maybe. Would it be terrible to save a little money for another year (they're going to need it) and just sign a Byrnes type player? No. But it might not make the fans happy.
The question becomes...can this team win?
Lineup:
1. Soriano - I hate him hear but I'm going to have to live with it
2. DeRosa
3. Lee
4. Ramirez
5. Byrnes
6. Barrett
7. Theriot
8. Pie
9. Pitcher
Rotation:
1. Lilly
2. Hill
3. (Someone like Mike Pelfrey or Nick Adenhart)
4. Marquis
5. Marshall
I'd say it's one good pitcher short. Which brings us back to Zambrano. All the speculation in the world isn't going to make this an easy offseason for the front office of the Cubs. It's gonna get interesting in Wrigleyville.
I did some quick number crunching and it appears with Zambrano's contract off the books for the '08 season the Cubs payroll will be at about 105 million. That is a lot higher than this year considering it was right at 100 million with Zambrano's contract. Considering that the Payroll will continue to increase over the next couple of years because of the backloaded contracts the Cubs signed, I find it hard to believe that the Cubs will go above 115 million for this season. Considering the outfield next year will probably be rid of Jones's 5 million that is calculated into the 105 figure (along with a 5 million dollar allowance for a new catcher or to resign Barrett with) that leaves the Cubs with about 15 million to play with. I see two choices here.
The first choice is to resign Zambrano and risk that he will give the Cubs another mediocre season for 15 million a la Kerry Wood. This is both risky and an inefficient use of money. Granted, if Zambrano pitched to form this year, the offense could probably carry the team from there. Next year, however, I am not sure Marquis and Lilly will be fooling batters as much. Lilly because batters will have seen his stuff for a year and Marquis because well, he's Marquis.
The second choice is to trade Zambrano at the deadline for a pitching prospect who could step in as a number 2 or number 3 next year. The Cubs rotation would certainly be fairly weak, looking something like: 1) Lilly 2) Hill 3) Young Pitcher 4) Marquis 5) Marshall. However, that would leave 15 million to add another impact bat. 15 million isn't enough to add A-Rod if he opts out of his contract but there are other options that could be explored. If the new owner of the Cubs is willing to dish out the money, there is always the A-Rod possibility but honestly, I think the chances of that are less than five percent.
The positions that are set in stone: 1B: D. Lee, 3B: A. Ramirez, LF: A. Soriano, CF: F. Pie. In addition, Murton or Jones will probably remain intact in right field. Floyd is gone. That leaves the middle infield as somewhat of a question mark. Izturis's option will not be exersized and DeRosa is probably going to be starting at 2B (although I would rather see him in a super-utility role). SS is the only real opening and Theriot could fill it if we spent the money on a starter. If Soriano could play 2B that would solve our problems and we could go after a big time free agent outfielder but he can't. Only on extremely dire circumstances should Soriano ever be allowed in the infield with a glove. Getting A-Rod would solve these problems but the Cubs are about 10 million short and no one even knows if he'll opt out.
After that long winded article, I see a couple of possible solutions. First, they could resign Zambrano and go into next year with essentially the same roster as they will end this year with (assuming a Jones trade and Pie in center full time at the end of the year). Next, they could somehow muster up enough money for A-Rod. Like I said, don't really see that happening. Finally, they could go out and mix everything up. They could trade both Jones and Murton for relief pitching help this winter (God knows they need it) and end up with someone like Eric Byrnes in right field. Could they afford Byrnes and Zambrano? Maybe. Would it be terrible to save a little money for another year (they're going to need it) and just sign a Byrnes type player? No. But it might not make the fans happy.
The question becomes...can this team win?
Lineup:
1. Soriano - I hate him hear but I'm going to have to live with it
2. DeRosa
3. Lee
4. Ramirez
5. Byrnes
6. Barrett
7. Theriot
8. Pie
9. Pitcher
Rotation:
1. Lilly
2. Hill
3. (Someone like Mike Pelfrey or Nick Adenhart)
4. Marquis
5. Marshall
I'd say it's one good pitcher short. Which brings us back to Zambrano. All the speculation in the world isn't going to make this an easy offseason for the front office of the Cubs. It's gonna get interesting in Wrigleyville.
Monday Game Notes
Despite the fact that Roger Clemens start was pushed back to next Saturday, I still ventured over to the White Sox vs. Yankees game. A couple of quick notes:
- It was interesting to see Jermaine Dye and Bobby Abreu playing RF in the same stadium due to the trade speculation. I was sitting two rows behind where they were playing. At one point Abreu was resting along the wall and I almost got up to ask him if he liked playing at U.S. Cellular but I decided against it.
- I can tell you one thing. DeSalvo is not the answer. He was called up from Triple-A to start and was essentially KOed in the second inning. They did not waste any time shipping him back to Triple-A, it happened only about an hour after the game.
- I know I keep saying it but watch out for Paul Konerko. It wasn't that he hit a homerun or that he was 3 for 4 but rather it was when he rounded third after the homerun and slapped hands with the third base coach. The expression on their faces told me he was back. Sounds strange, but there was something about it.
- Jon Garland pitched well but there wasn't anything about the outing that jumped off the page at me.
- Just as a side note, there were two people sitting behind me talking about an A-Rod to the Sox trade and I'd like to point out that a trade to the Dodgers makes much more sense. The trade they were discussing was A-Rod for Buehrle and Crede. Not in a million years.
- It was interesting to see Jermaine Dye and Bobby Abreu playing RF in the same stadium due to the trade speculation. I was sitting two rows behind where they were playing. At one point Abreu was resting along the wall and I almost got up to ask him if he liked playing at U.S. Cellular but I decided against it.
- I can tell you one thing. DeSalvo is not the answer. He was called up from Triple-A to start and was essentially KOed in the second inning. They did not waste any time shipping him back to Triple-A, it happened only about an hour after the game.
- I know I keep saying it but watch out for Paul Konerko. It wasn't that he hit a homerun or that he was 3 for 4 but rather it was when he rounded third after the homerun and slapped hands with the third base coach. The expression on their faces told me he was back. Sounds strange, but there was something about it.
- Jon Garland pitched well but there wasn't anything about the outing that jumped off the page at me.
- Just as a side note, there were two people sitting behind me talking about an A-Rod to the Sox trade and I'd like to point out that a trade to the Dodgers makes much more sense. The trade they were discussing was A-Rod for Buehrle and Crede. Not in a million years.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Bailey Might Start Saturday
Top Reds prospect Homer Bailey may be called up to start next saturday, MLB.com is reporting. The Reds haven't officially announced it and there are still a couple of other options but Bailey stands alone as the best option. Bobby Livingston was recently sent down to the minors after giving the Reds 1 good start but he can't be called back up because it would be within 10 days of his demotion. If Bailey is called up he is worth starting and if he is still a free agent he is worth adding now but if he is on your bench and you are in a weekly lineup change league, leave him on the bench this week because of the uncertainty.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Twins Get a Clue
It only took them six plus weeks but they finally got a clue. The Minnesota Twins will be calling up Kevin Slowey to start on Friday in place of Ramon Ortiz. If you recall back to before the season started, I was livid that they weren't giving the young guys a shot -- most notably Matt Garza who I still have stashed in my minors in the Official MLB Front Office Dynasty League. And If you've been reading my weekly article over at Big Dawg Baseball (This weeks article is up now as it is every tuesday -- I cover the AL Central), you will know that I originally predicted Kevin Slowey to be the first called up. Instead, they called up Baker but now both of them are up anyway. If either stumbles, Garza will get the next call. Slowey's stats are impressive in AAA and we're talking VERY impressive, Phil Hughes IMPRESSIVE! Now, this kid isn't Phil Hughes but he's still worth an add in almost all types of leagues.
On another note, I live near Chicago and thus will be lucky enough to go to the White Sox game on Monday. I hate the White Sox so, why am I lucky? It will be Roger Clemens first start of the season. I'll be there in person and you'll reap the benefits. I should have an article up on Monday or Teusday about my first hand impression.
On another note, I live near Chicago and thus will be lucky enough to go to the White Sox game on Monday. I hate the White Sox so, why am I lucky? It will be Roger Clemens first start of the season. I'll be there in person and you'll reap the benefits. I should have an article up on Monday or Teusday about my first hand impression.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Double E
Edwin Encarnacion was recalled to the majors after Josh Hamilton was placed on the DL. Encarnacion will likely start at 3B with Freel moving to center field. It is unclear what will happen when Hamilton returns but Encarnacion is clearly too good for AAA. He hit .413 with three home runs, two doubles and seven RBIs in 11 games in AAA. His numbers in the majors were on the other side of the spectrum and his performance in the majors during the next 15 days will likely be a big factor in whether he stays up for good. I stress: do not look at Encarnacion as a AAAA player even though he is being treated as one. Encarnacion has the talent to play in the majors, the Reds just need to give him a little time. I still expect Encarnacion to be a fantasy factor this season.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Hank Blalock
There aren't very many reason's people have to remove a rib, it seems like Blalocks may be a more legit baseball reason. None the less, Blalock will most likely be placed on the 60 day DL. A roster move wasn't initially announced to fill his spot. Leave Blalock alone in leagues. Drop him, or try to trade him before the news gets out ;).
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Brett Myers
What comes to mind when you hear the name Brett Myers? Probably not: Best Closer in Baseball. But I would like to argue that infact, he could be. In 14.2 innings of relief work he has given up one run. What makes me love this guy, however, is not the stats. After watching him pitch in relief, I found it hard not to love the guy. A starter turned closer, Myers has the ability to go two innings to get the save and the management knows it. In the 14.2 innings of work, Myers has 23 strikeouts. He has always had a great K/9 rate. But more than his stats, I just have a feeling about this guy. As a fantasy expert, I know I am not supposed to admit this but I have just fell in love with the guy. I watched him completely fool the cubs hitters -- striking out 5 in 2 inning. As a Cubs fan I wanted the Cubs to mount a comeback but as a fan of baseball, I wanted to see Myers dominate. You heard it here 1st: Myers is the best closer in baseball. He may get overlooked in next years drafts because of his terrible starts as a starter. A bad ERA as a starter is hard to overcome pitching only 1 or 2 innings a night. Add Myers before the rest of baseball catches on. The job is his for good.
Big Dawg Baseball
As I mentioned last week, I have begun to write for Big Dawg Baseball. There are 8 writers on staff, one writer for each division plus an injury advisor and the site owner (Chris McDonnell), who does most of the other stuff. Each week, the division writers release an article outlining what you need to know from the division. The articles are very indepth and break it down to include everything you need to know in an easy to find format. Every Tuesday the AL articles are released and every Thursday the NL articles are released. I am covering the AL Central, thus my first article over there was released today. It's only $14.95 for the season and it is well worth the money. The site has everything you need to know in an easily navigated format. Check out my article over at Big Dawg Baseball and let me know what you think.
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