Phillies....2008 MLB World Champs

Not sense the days of Mike Schmidt and Pete Rose, in a Philly uniform, has this town been so crazy for baseball. And let's not forget that Tug was in the house as well after Tim McGraw spread some of his fathers ashes around the pitchers mound before throwing out the first pitch on Saturday night. Philadelphia was crowned 2008 World Series Champs tonight after a forty six hour rain delay. The city of brotherly love is ready to party after 28 years of waiting for their second crown. Congratulations Philadelphia!!!!!!!!!!

Right or wrong, these Phillie's hitters will be flying off the draft boards a little earlier next spring because of this series. Their lineup is loaded and in most cases will bring you plenty of good numbers in your quest of fantasy greatness in 09. With the likes of Rollins, Utley, Howard, Victorino, Burrell and Werth you could make a case for most of their starting lineup and let's don't forget series MVP Cole Hamels for a number one pitcher in any fantasy lineup. Yes as you can tell I am ready for draft day 09, let's get it on!!!!!!

Off season rumors

*Sounds if Jake Peavy is heading to HotLanta in a trade. We'll see shortly after the Series if it's true.

*Derek Lowe wants to be a Red Sox player in 09. That may make him fantasy worthy again.

*Texeria may be heading to Boston. Who's the highest bidder? New York or Boston.

*Sabathia is going to be the highest paid pitcher in history next season......in the Bronx of course.

Jose Canseco

Did anyone see Jose Canseco's show on A&E the other night? I watched part of it. It's basically a show to help make you feel sorry for Jose. He's lost everything. His house has been forclosed on and he doesn't see his kids and he has be shunned from baseball. Now, he's saying he's sorry he used players names in his book.

Here's my take on Jose. His book and words did help bring steroids to the spotlight and ultimatlely cleaned up baseball but at what cost. He helped ruin players' careers and hopes for the hall of fame. Steroids were a known fact in baseball and Bud Selig and the rest of baseball management did nothing about it. His body is ruined by steroids and he's falling apart. He rediculed at baseball games and players won't talk to him. Well, what did you think was going to happen?

Jose lost everything. Too bad. His last contract was for $23 million and this dude is whining about furniture and a chandelier still in his house that he couldn't get out. How about take care of your $23 million stupid. How much did you make on your book Jose?

Maybe we'll look back in history and see Jose as a hero that saved baseball. Sorry Jose, but you used too and it made you a lot of money. You decided to blow it all and now your body and reputation is shot. McDs is probably hiring Jose.

Upton becoming a star!

After a disappointing fantasy season with 9 homers, BJ Upton is lighting up the post season with 4 homers. BJ had a lot of injury issues with his shoulder during the season which limited his power. Now, he's looking like a top fllight fantasy player. Upton finished 2008 at .273/9/67 but did have 37 doubles. He struck out 134 times and walked 97 which isn't too bad. When you throw in 44 steals, his fantasy value goes up tremendously. He did get caught stealing 16 times. He's going to have to work on baserunning in the off-season. If his shoulder improves over the winter, watch out. He could be a top 15 fantasy player.

Go RAYS!

GO RAYS tonight in game 7! Garza vs. Lester. Good guys vs. the Evil Empire.

Peavy says he's up for a trade......

Jake Peavy has apparently told the Padres that he'd be willing to wave his no trade clause to go to Houston. It's a lot smaller ballpark. Houston has the ability to win a lot more games but I'd still say this might drop his stock unless maybe you can figure that he'd be much happier in Houston. Interesting off season already.

Thinking about fantasy draft 2009-playoff teams

A lot of things will infuence your draft next year like free agency and winter meeting trades to injury news. Watching the playoffs tonight, I'm getting excited thinking about fantasy draft 2009. I

I love this Ethier guy. He looks like he's finally turning into the real deal. He's slugging right there with Manny since he came over to the Dodgers before the trade deadline. He ended 08 batting .305 with 20 homers and 77 RBI and 38 doubles. Can he be a real deal 3 hole hitter next season? I think so.

How good can David Price be for the Rays next season. Their rotation is going to be LOADED! You have to think they'll be the favorites in the East next season even if the Yanks and Sox load up in the offseason. He was 11-1 with a 2.63 ERA and .095 WHIP in the minors this season. Oh, by the way, he struck out 13 per 9 innings. He also looked really good when he came up late in the season. I have to think that he'll have to be in your draft plans next season.

Is Longoria a top 2 or 3 round draft pick next season. This year I passed on Braun for all the same fears I'll have about Longoria next season. Maybe I should change my mind. Probably not, I'll pass b/c of the strikeout rate.

I like Blake DeWitt too. I think he'll be the starting 2B for the Dodger Blue next season. Kent should retire and he's looked good with the glove at 2nd. I think his bat will come around too. DeWitt batted .264 with 9 homers and 52 RBI in his rookie season. I think this guy will be worth a late round look. He'll be around .290 with 25 dingers.

Good lord, I'm starting to sound like a Dodger fan. Loney is a solid back up 1B choice or starter if you wait late to draft a 1B. I still think this guy will win a batting title in the next three years. He doesn't have great power numbers but they're good enough.

Cole Hamels is starting to look like a top tier fantasy pitcher after an inconsistent season the year before. He goes deep into games by putting balls into play but keeps the ball low and in the ballpark. He gets enough strikeouts to make him one of the best. 227 innings and 196 strikeouts. 1.09 WHIP. NICE.

I have nothing good to say about the Evil Empire's players.....I mean the Red Sox. I take that back. I do like Jon Lester as much as any pitcher. He carried me for the 2nd half of this season. I put him in the 2nd tier of fantasy pitchers.

My Picks

I guess I am crazy enough to think that the Red Sox pitching will prevail again in the ALCS. In the National League it would be crazy to pick the Dodgers but even if they beat the Phils it wouldn't be as big of an upset as they pulled by the embarrassment they put on those Cubs. Are they finally getting use to losing after 100 years. No I don't think the Dodgers will pull it out, but there is a small part of me that wants Joe Torre to win it all after the Yankees ran him out of town after that stretch of reaching the post season he had.

I am saying Boston and Philly in an east coast battle where weather could very much be an issue in this series. As much as I hate to say this, Red Sox win it all again and talk starts about Beantown being the most dominant team in baseball sense the Big Red Machine days.....Did I just say something positive about the Red Sox

Hey does Manny get two shares of playoffs.....Dodgers and Red Sox and they both are in LCS so does he also get two shares from that. Will he get a ring if Boston pulls it off. What if LA and Boston make the series.....

Make your predictions

I'm saying Phils in 7 and Rays in 6. Rays win it all. What do you say?