Aaron Harrang Shows ACE Stuff

If by some slim chance your shallow league has Aaron Harang on the wavier wire maybe you should go grab him right now. That was a joke, no league would be that shallow. But anyway here's a little for the lucky guys that have him on their rosters this season. He said today he was just going to relax and not worry about the team scoring runs for him, he was going to let the hitters worry about that. I am actually playing against him today in one of our leagues....but what the hell I'm a Reds fan first.

Make no mistake about Aaron Harang was and still is the ace of this pitching staff. Aaron threw a complete game three hit shutout over the Pittsburgh Pirates this afternoon to get the Reds a split in this rain shortened two game series. Not sure when the rain out will be made up, they were saying on FSN that the next trip the Pirates makes to GABP will probably be the make up date. Aaron DID NOT walk a batter and fanned nine as he had total control over his fast ball today. Harang actually only allowed one runner to get past first base today......That's spells dominance.

Brandon Phillips provided all the offense Harang would need today with his first HR of the season, a two run shot off hard luck starter Ian Snell. Willy Tarveras also got his first of many steals this season as well.

The only thing I didn't like about today's game was the fact they are still not scoring runs for Harang. The younger players are still swinging at the first pitch way to often. Is this what you want them doing when you are telling the world that we are now playing small ball. The Reds did manage five walks today, but they also were impatient at the plate most of the time. The Pirates also turned in a triple play against our Reds, maybe the easiest triple play I have ever seen.

Does This Raise Jeff Keppingers' Value

Just announced that the Reds have traded a very good player that had no where to play on this team. The Reds have traded Jeff Keppinger to the Houston Astros for the "player to be named later"
No idea who this is going to be. I do wish Kepp well and if he gets a starting gig in an Astros uniform, well you could do a lot worse for your MI spot on your fantasy team. This is a blue collar player who won't hurt your fantasy team, watch how this plays out. Good Luck Jeff

David Price

Well in a move many find not too surprising, because after all it's a business not a game for the fans, David Price was optioned to AAA Durham. If you ask the Rays they will say it's a baseball move, if you ask me I will say it's a money move. As we all know sending Price down will make him have to wait an extra year before he can file for arbitration. This moves makes less sense when you consider the fact that the AL East will most likely be a three team run for two playoff spots. If the Rays have a slow start and finish a couple of games out of second place this move will look more and more stupid on their part.

If there is anything the Rays can hang this hat on it's looking at how the Chicago Cubs over worked some young pitchers over the past eight years. I am not for throwing Price 'all in' just yet, but if he was good enough to pitch for you in the World Series last year.....well he just might be good enough to pitch for your team to start the regular season. The Rays should do the right thing here and give him a spot on the twenty-five man roster and let him open the season with the big league club. If he needs to miss a start here and there to limit innings so be. There's plenty of off days in April where you could keep him fresh but not over work him.

This is not a fantasy baseball issue for me as I didn't get lucky enough to grab him in my draft but I can hear people screaming foul ball already over this. At what point does the worse commissioner of all the major sports stand up and do his job for the players. Oh yeah he likes that term "in the best interest of baseball" as long as he doesn't piss an owner off. Oh yeah he was an owner....AN NOW HE IS BY FAR THE WORSE COMMISSIONER BASEBALL HAS EVER HAD.....RESIGN BUD SELIG RESIGN

World Baseball Classic

Well Japan did it again. They beat the Korean team 5-3 night in ten innings to take the second World Baseball Classic. I think I took the Japanese team from the start but hoped the USA could pull the mild upset this time around. So after two of these WORLD events the Japan team is two for two. Not good if you are an American baseball lover like the writers of this site are. I have to say congrats to the way this team played and to the way Japan takes their baseball. I would say this country is as serious about baseball as any country in the world, the US included. Can you say NFL, it makes me sick to see MLB take a back seat to the NFL. Well in my eyes it doesn't, but I do have BIG RED MACHINE blinders on at times.

The title was won on American soil, Dodger Stadium no less and there were plenty of Japanese people there rooting their team to victory. Hell the Empire State Building is going to light their world famous tower in honor of Japan winning this classic. The Crown of the building will be lit in red and white to honor the Japanese flag. Would the Babe drink to this........I think not.

My question to you as American Baseball fans is do we still have the right to call the World Series the World Series. Wasn't this the real World Series. Well to answer the question about what we should call 'our' World Series, is yes it should still be called the World Series as this is still the place where the best players in the world play the game. They don't have on a Japanese uniform or a Cuban uniform they have a Major League Baseball uniform on and they play for the Major Leagues and this is really where the best baseball is still played. You might divide the MLB players up for a world tournament but when all is said and done the real World Series is settled in the USA.

Did you pay much attention to the World Baseball Classic. How does it mix in with MLB in the future. Is it here to stay. Will it continue to grow.

Draft Day

Well the writers of this blog had our draft on Saturday afternoon and for the first time in my fifteen years of playing fantasy baseball we finally pulled the trigger on a keeper league. (I love draft day so much, getting together with the guys I fully expect to kick the asses of.) We actually set the ground rules last season at the draft and this was the first year we got to keep players drafted last year.

We only had a couple of rules. One you can't keep anyone drafted in the first two rounds. You could keep one pitcher and two hitters. So I decided to keep Carlos Beltran and Justin Morneau. For my pitcher I kept Felix Hernandez, is this the year he finally puts together the year the experts have talked about for what seems to be five years now. I was thinking a keeper league would make for a faster draft....wrong.....not sure what takes the longest our fantasy baseball draft or the Cubbies to win a World Series.

OK, all you experts tell me how I did....here is my starting lineup in a ten team league. We start nine position players and three pitchers of your choice....starters, relievers doesn't matter.

SP: Hernandez.....Johan Santana.....John Lester
OF: Beltran.....Carlos Lee.....Jay Bruce
1B: Morneau
MI: Robinson Cano.....Ryan Theriot
3B: Aramis Ramirez
DH: Prince Fielder
C: Ramon Hernandez.....with Matt Wieters waiting in the wings as my backup.


Yes the BIG RED MACHINE is again looking like a fine tuned machine ready to roll.
How does your league roll. Do you play in a keeper league. What kind of rules does your league have.
Opening day is just right around the corner......PLAY BALL

Draft A-Rod??

Well, A-Rod's wonderful spring continues. First, he's finally caught and has to admit the steroid use, now he's out 6-9 weeks after undergoing surgery on his hip. Now, you've got to decide if you will draft him and when. It'll be really interesting when somebody pulls the A-Rod trigger on draft day. I'm guessing 4th to 5th round.

Wieters Ready?

Is Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters ready for the bigs? It was widely speculated that the Os would start Wieters in AAA ball but he may be playing the O's into a corner. So far this spring, the #1 prospect is batting .417 and leads all of baseball with 10 total bases. The Os want to start Wieters in Triple A. If he stays in the minors until June, they will save 1 total year towards his arbitration year. It's looking more and more like the big lefty batter will have to be in your draft day plans.

MannyWood Can Now Light The Grill

Put him back on your draft board, oh he was never off or in my case never on. There are just some guys I won't draft and this ass is one of them.

On my way home from work tonight I was listening to one of my favorite sports shows, JT The Brick on Fox Sports and they are reporting that Manny will continue to be Manny in MannyWood again this season. After turning down the $45 million a few days ago, supposedly because Manny needs his money NOW instead of some of it being deferred for a few years. You know a man has to be able to feed his family in these tough times.

Not real sure about the details at this hour but they were saying it was still for $45 million. I guess maybe the Dodgers are going to give it to him on time so he can feed his family. Hopefully after signing for $45 million he won't have to be selling his grill on EBAY again this year. He has enough money to buy his family's food so he should keep the grill so he will have something to cook the family's food on.

Manny is not wearing Yankee pinstripes or Boston Red, look for him in LA Dodger blue. I wonder if any DodgerDogs were part of this deal.

No Economic Crisis here

I know you have heard the phrase: 'Money Talks and Bullshit Walks'. Well let's take a look at the player pulling down the most money at each position THIS season. Note as much money as CC Sabathia got he is still not the highest paid SP in 09. As you strugle to fill out your checks each month, here's a few guys that won't struggle signing any checks. The question is can they cash the check on the field. Do they make your fantasy draft board as that spots best?

3B: Alex Rodriquez.....$32 Million
1B: Mark Teixeira......$20 Million
SS: Derek Jeter........$20 Million
SP: Johan Santana......$20 Million
LF: Carlos Lee.........$18.5 Million
CF: Carlos Beltran.....$18.5 Million
RF: Magglio Ordonez....$18 Million
RP: Mariano Rivera.....$15 Million
DH: Gary Sheffield.....$14 Million
C: Jorge Posada.......$13.1 Million
2B: Chase Utley........$11 Million

Does making the most money mean this is the best fantasy player at his position. If you are checking my draft board the answer is no. We all realize both the New York teams overpay for talent, that's a given. Let's look at 3B I give A-Rod a slight edge over his New York counter part David Wright. At 1B as good as Teixeira is, not even close to Pujols. At SS as much as I love Derek Jeter and the way he plays the game the fantasy edge on my board goes to Hanley Ramirez. SP, again Johan Santana is an awesome talent playing in a pitchers ballpark, but I take the most underpaid player in the game today, Tim Lincecum, as my number one starter. As far as the OF goes this might be the hardest to argue, but as good as these guys are I would be at least as happy with Matt Holiday or Josh Hamilton for a lot less money. At DH, isn't Sheff already crying about getting hit on his arm or elbow, sit down and let Mr. Daivd Ortiz swing a bat. At catcher didn't the Cubs get a pretty good year out of the rookie Geovany Soto, but give me Joe Mauer coming into his prime. At 2B I can go with Utley. As for a closer, Rivera or Jonathan Papelbon another tuff call but I would again take the bargain Papelbon brings to the mound. Drafting you can't go wrong with anyone on this list. Is anyone else ready for draft day........

WOFB 2B

2b....Wow, what a horrible fantasy position after the top 5.

1. Dustin Pedroia 3.57 (Red Sox) Awesome SO/BB ratio. He's a contact guy. It's hard to find a guy not named Pujols that has an on-base of near .4o0 and is slugging near .500. .327/17/83

2. Ian Kinsler 3.91 (Rangers) the 3.91 puts him 2nd only to Pujols in fantasy average in 2008. In only 121 games before injury, Kinsler scored 102 runs and stole 26 bases. .319/18/71 from the leadoff spot isn't bad. He surely won't put up those type of numbers but if he's close.................

3. Chase Utley 3.32 (Phils) A hip injury limited Utley's pop in the 2nd half of 2008 but he still managed to ut up 100+ RBI for the 4th season and hit 40+ doubles for the 3rd straight year. Other than Josh Hamilton and Kinsler, he was the best hitter in baseball before the break. The Phils are bringing him along slowly but if he stays injury free, he could be the #1 2B in 09.

4. Brian Roberts 3.14 (O's) Still a big steal guy. 51 doubles in 08. He'll hit near .300 and give you a lot of steals.

5. Brandon Phillips 2.74 (Reds) Brandon has to start swinging for the gaps instead of the fences. There's no reason this guy isn't a 40+ doubles guy. Didn't have a great season after 30/30 in 07.

WOFB-Shortstop

Shortstop one of many thin positions in fantasy baseball this season. There are 3 great players and then it gets interesting. Past Rollins, it's a crapshoot.

1. Jose Reyes 3.70 (Mets) Great base stealer. Should get a ton in the new stadium. You can get this guy b/c everybody will be after Ramirez.

2. Hanley Ramirez 3.51 (Marlins) SO/BB ratio continues to improve. 30/30 in 08. Two straight years of 125 runs.

3. Jimmy Rollins 3.44 (Phils) nice season in 08 following MVP 07.

4. Rafael Furcal 4.11 (Dodgers) Can he stay healthy after missing most of 08?

5. Stephen Drew 2.63 (D-Backs) Finally broke out in 2008. He's got to cut down on the strikeouts. 109 Ks/41 BB. Slugged over .500 with 21 homers/11 triples/44 doubles.

6. Mike Aviles 2.86 (Royals) Rook in 08. Nice season.

7. Alexi Rameriz 2.46 (WSox) Great Rookie year. SO/BB ratio was atrocious. If that improves, he's a dangerous fantasy MI.

8. Yunel Escobar 2.45 (Braves) Great SO/BB ratio in rookie season.

9. Jhonny Peralta 2.63 (Indians) Jhonny got his eyes worked on before 2008 and slugging up 43 points.

10. JJ Hardy 2.61 (Brewers)

Others:

Jerry Hariston Jr. 2.83 (Reds) Should qualify at SS. Probably a top 10 depending on the Chris Dickerson/Gonzalez situation for playing time.

Derek Jeter 2.56 (Yanks) My favorite player had his worst slugging % since 1997. SO/BB ratio did get better though.

Troy Tulowitzki 2.19 (Rockies) Injury filled 08.

Miguel Tejada (California Penal League) He'll hit great in pinstripes.

WOFB Top 10 Hitters

World of Fantasy Baseball-My top 10 Hitters TB+Runs+RBI -(BB-SO)+ (2*SB)/Games

1. Albert Pujols 1b Cardinals: (4.18) Easiest 1st pick in the history of fantasy baseball.

2. Jose Reyes SS Mets (3.70)

3. David Wright 3b Mets (3.64)

4. Dustin Pedroia SS (3.57)

5. Hanley Rameriz SS (3.51) I think he's going in the wrong direction. He's dangerous but not #1 to me.

6. Grady Siezemore OF (3.49)

7. Lance Berkman 1b (3.50)

8. Carlos Beltran OF (3.56)

9. Ian Kinsler 2b (3.93) Can he repeat 2008 minus the injury? He was fantasy #2 all year in 2008.

10.Carlos Quentin OF (3.58)

Others interesting numbers: You thought you knew but you have no idea.............
A-Rod 3.44
Utley 3.33
Aubry Huff 3.28 Yep Aubrey Huff
Ryan Braun 3.13 Not that good. SO a plenty.
Nate McClouth 3.41
Carlos Lee 3.52

Griffey Signing is a Scam

Let me start this off by saying that this isn't sour grapes because my Cincinnati Reds didn't think it was in their best interest to resign Griffey. Make no mistake I am a homer and I am proud of it. In a perfect world the Reds would have drafted him and he would have spent his whole career in a Reds uniform. Who ever said baseball was perfect....well to me the game itself is still perfect and always will be, at least in my eyes it will be. The things that go with game leave a little to be desired for sure. I am not going into the steroids here and yes deep down in my heart Ken Griffey Jr. did it the right way and was a clean player.

Today I want to look at the reason he went back to Seattle. We can all say yeah Jr proved you can go back home...that's so much BS. Griffey will not be in Seattle to lead this team to the playoffs in 2009. Will he even be drafted in fantasy drafts this year? As much as I love this future Hall of Famer his production has fallen off way too much for that to happen. And let's face reality here, when you get past the age of 37, 38 or 39 your production IS suppose to decline. All steroids users please take note of this fact. The simple truth of the matter is that the Seattle Mariners signed Griffey because they are too cheap to go out and sign some good free agents to try to get back to the post season. Seattle's signing of Griffey was no more than a scam to sell tickets. Yeah it's a feel good story as well, but this team will make millions from this signing and still be on the outside looking in come October. If Seattle fans just want to feel good they get their wish with this signing. If they are hungry to get back to the playoffs they should feel insulted and used by the management of the Mariners. This is probably a one year deal here and maybe next off season they sign someone that can actually help their ball club and not their bottom line. Yes, it's ALWAYS about the money and once again this signing proves that.

With all this said I still wish Griffey all the luck in the world. Sometimes scams can turn into feel good stories!!!!!

#1 Pick???

OK. So what happens if you get the number 1 pick in your draft. No pressure right? Wrong again. If you get the #1 pick, you are looking at 18 to 20 picks before you get to pick again so you better make a good choice. Luckily for you, there is only three to four possible picks.

You could go with Albert Pujols. This is as near a guarantee as you can get. He's a lifetime .334 hitter with a .425 OBP and oh yeah, the NL MVP in 2008. Even with a bum elbow, he still batted .357/37/116 last year and scored over 100 runs. He's playing to stay in St. Louis for the rest of the year. He's the safest pick of all.

You could go with Hanley Ramirez. The middle infield isn't exactly loaded with big boppers. Hanley had his worst year of the last three in 2008. Hanley isn't an RBI guy but he'll get you your share of stolen bases. In 2006 and 2007, he had 51 steals. He only had 35 steals in 2008 although he did have his biggest homer year of 33. He raised his walks by 40 over the previous season but he still struck out 122 times which is 30 over 2007. Hanley is great, but to me, he's still risky. I'll pass. I'd take him #3.

A-Rod? Well, that's a crap shoot. He may have a chip on his shoulder and go buck wild in 2009. I don't know if he's made up like that. If it was Barry Bonds, I'd say he'd would stick up his middle finger and hit 50. I don't know if A-Rod has it in him. I'm not saying he's going to be bad, I just don't see him having a career year after all of this mess. Last year's numbers: .302/35/103. I'll pass. I'd take him #????? Probably 4.

Possibly David Wright? Another thin 3B year. .302/33/124 in 2008 which were darn near identical numbers to 2007. The last four years, he's played 160, 154, 160, and 160 games. He's also going to get you over 100 runs. One problem is that I'm hearing the new Mets Stadium may be MORE of a pitchers park than Shea. WOW. Good player, not #1. Definitely a top 5. My #2.

This is really an easy choice. If you don't pick Albert with the #1 pick, you may be smokin crack. He's the only SURE thing. The #1 pick is easy, the #2 pick however...........That's going to make you sweat.

Jesse Ventura calls for Selig indictment!

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9229144/Report:-Ventura-calls-for-Selig

Interesting article from foxsports.com

"In the early '90s, the federal government came into pro wrestling and tried to put (WWE Chairman) Vince McMahon in prison for steroid use of wrestlers," Ventura told NBC's affiliate in Denver. "My question is: They've now determined 104 baseball players failed their steroid test in 2003 — 104. They indicted Vince McMahon, why aren't they indicting Bud Selig? He's the head of baseball, it happened on his watch."

Pete Rose's Take on A-Rod

The Hit King has finally come out with his take on the A-Rod mess. First he said he really thought A-Rod was one of the clean players. Myself I agreed, as did most other baseball fans who were disappointed when they heard this sad news. Pete also said, in typical Pete Rose fashion, that if he had taken steroids he would have had at least 5,000 hits. Like he always said, if you can back it up it isn't bragging. Is it bragging if you need steroids to get there. A-Rod spoke of the pressure he was under after signing the biggest contract in baseball history. How does signing a 250 million dollar contract relate to pressure. I think the folks losing their jobs and worrying about feeding their kids and paying the mortgage are facing more pressure than A-Rod.

Does the fact that Ken Griffey Jr. lost so much time to the injury bug show more that he did it the right way. How many players said they took the roids to come back from injuries quicker. I have to believe Jr. is clean.

A-Rod still has nine years left on his current contract. If he plays it out and then waits another five years before he is eligible to be put on the Hall of Fame ballot, well that's fourteen years from now. Fourteen years from now how many writers from today will still be writing, very few most likely. So I still think Cooperstown is where A-Rod is still going to end up. And like they say time heals all......unless your name is Pete Rose that is.

Selig has shamed the game

Bud Selig came out today and said that players who have used steroids have shamed the game of baseball. Well Bud, that may be true but you and the MLBPA have shamed the game just as much. You suck Bud.

Park City Mountain Resort

After watching the Winter X Games, I've had the urge to try snowboarding or skiing for the first time. A great place to visit would be Park City Mountain Resort in Utah which was an official venue of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

Park City Mountain Resort offers something for the entire family. Ride the Alpine Coaster. You can ride the automated lift system to the top of the track. Then, you go flying down the mountain on nearly 4,000 feet of curves, bends and loops. It’s a ride you won’t soon forget.

Since the skiing would probably be dangerous for my uncoordinated health, maybe the Tubing at Gorgoza Park would be more up my ally with the kids and wife. It features a lift-served lighted tubing hill. What is cooler than tubing?

At Park City Mountain Resort, you can also: Take an old fashioned horse drawn sleigh ride, go on a snowmobiling tour, or maybe go to ski and snowboard school.

Book your vacation to Park City Mountain Resort at: 1-800-331-3178

You can sign up for e-mail updates at: http://www.parkcitymountain.com/winter/subscribe

Go check out their live web cams:

http://www.parkcitymountain.com/winter/conditions/mountain_cams/

Check out the adventure blog:

http://www.parkcitymountain.com/winter/adventure/?utm_source=mc&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=mcjan09

Dunn and Abreu Sign

Adam Dunn has signed for the Nats and Bobby Abreu signed with the Halos today. Both are pretty good fits and should lead to similar fanasy numbers for Dunn and I think improved for Abreu.

JT 'The Brick' on Rose and A-Rod

If you read our Big Red Machine Blog this is a repeat from there but it's still worth the read and your opionion. I was listening to JT 'The Brick' on my ride home from work tonight and as last night he was still ripping A-Rod, nothing new here. It seems everyone is throwing their jabs at A-Rod the past couple of days and JT is really pouring it on still tonight. He is one of the biggest New York Yankee fans you will ever hear on the air, hell he evens lives in the LA area but is still a Yankee lover. He opened his show last night with maybe the best monologue I have ever heard on sports talk radio. He called A-Rod a cheat a liar and a fraud to mention a few. He says he will never be believed again or will he make the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Tonight he was still ranting and raving over his disappointment in A-Rod. But what caught my attention was his support for Pete Rose. JT thinks what Pete did is nothing compared to what so many of today's players are doing with these performance enhancing drugs. The Brick said it's time for Bud Selig to step down, and I TOTALLY agree here. He says because all this steroid stuff happened on his watch that he needs to step aside and take the baseball union head with him as well. With a totally clean house he thinks Pete Rose might get a fair shake and have the chance to finally get on the Hall of Fame ballot. I hope Selig gets so much pressure he bows out and baseball gets an opened mind commissioner that will take a fresh look at Rose. Pete is no saint for sure, but his hits were legit......something we can't say for many of today's players.

If you are a reader of our blog please leave your opinion here......Has enough time elapsed for Rose to be looked at again. I say Hell Yes.

What does this do to A-Fraud's Fantasy Value?

The most important thing for me in this whole debacle is.......how is this going to effect A-Rod's fantasy year? I'd say, it can't be good. There will be boos, signs, and more reporters than you can shake a stick at following A-Rod throughtout this season. Heck, this guy gets booed at home after hitting 50 homers and batting .300. What is going to happen on the road. Maybe A-Rod will man up and block out the distrations and have a .350/60 homer year. I don't think this guy has the mental makeup to block it out. He's too worried about what people think and his status as baseball's best ever. I don't think he'll bat .250, but I don't see this being A-Rod's best season. I think this drops him down to maybe a risky 1st round pick.

Jose was right again............

Dang, Freakin Jose Canseco......he was right again. He might be livin in a van down by the river, but that dude knows how to spot out somebody on the juice. If that was a job, Jose might have a house to live in.

Don't Know What to Think of A-Rod???????????

I'm extremely confused right now. I don't know what to think about this A-Rod situation. Today, he came out and admitted to steroid use from 2001 to 2003 with the Rangers. He apparently knew, although he said he only thought maybe, that he failed a substance test in 2003. He's had 6 years to come clean but he apparently thought the genious that runs Major League Baseball, would keep it a secret. He thought wrong.

Now what? A-Rod said he's been clean since 2003. He's got 9 more years on his contract. He better be great in those 9 years. It seems that the possibility that he'll never see the Hall or be "Barry Bonds" disliked has crept into his mind. If he's great and wins multiple World Series in that span of time, is it possible he gets in? If baseball cleans it's image and the other 104 players come out in the open and own up to the use, maybe people will go easier on A-Rod. A-Rod problem partly, is he's already disliked throughout baseball by fans and apparently teammates and managers too. Can he ever regain the image of a great player or will the stigma of cheating stay with him for the rest of his life?

All I do know is, my son's hero has fallen from grace and it'll be hard to impossible for him to ever get it back.

Explain to me why Bud Selig is still the commish of baseball!

As baseball takes another pitch to the helmet, I have to ask myself, why Bud Selig is still the commisioner of baseball. It absolutely blows my mind. In an article this week, it was revealed that Selig pocketed $18 million from baseball last season. That was more than all but three major leaguers. That blows my mind. This guy has been front and center to blame for the steroid era. He sat back and did absolutely nothing about the problem until his hand was forced by Congress. Now today, yet another embarrassment as one of baseball's best players is linked to a failed 2003 steroid test. This was supposed to be confidential information and should have never been leaked. Yet another baseball blunder unless there is some reason baseball leaked it intentially to hurt ARod. Either way, it's another blunder under Selig's blinded eyes. This guy has to go if baseball is on it's way to restoring it's image. Do us all a favor Bud and LEAVE BASEBALL.

Pujols Wants Manny

One of the most feared hitters in the game today wants Manny Ramirez to protect him in the lineup. King Albert is trying to convince ownership to try to sign free agent Manny Ramirez. What kind of lineup would this be. St. Louis would have a legit shot at playing on the same level of the Cubs and their superstar pitching staff that they are putting together. Not sure if Pujols can get the big wheels to do this kind of wheeling and dealing, but word also has that Manny might back off his demand for a long term deal. Not sure he was going to get the long term contract anyway, so this might be the best option for this slugger.

What does this do to Albert Pujols fantasy value.....If you don't realize how big this would be, well we might find a spot open for you in our up coming fantasy draft.

Are you guys ready for some BASEBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peavy to Cubbies back on??

Peavey to the Cubs talk is back on due to the sale of the Cubs. This Cubs pitching rotation with Peavy would be rediculous.

With Peavy: All 5 starters would be fantasy studs.

Peavy
Zambrano
Harden
Lilly
Dempster

Injuries to watch during Spring Training

There are some big named players who've had surgery in recent months that you'll have to watch closely before your draft day.

Albert Pujols: Well, maybe not. He played all season with the elbow issue last year and was the NL MVP. It will be worth watching if the repaired elbow gives him any trouble.

BJ Upton: He finally got the shoulder patched up that plagued his fantasy value all of 2008. Apparently it didn't bother him too much in the playoffs though. He'll be taking it slow in the spring.

Chase Utley: After tearing up pitching in the 1st half of 2008, his hip slowed him down big time in the 2nd half. He's had it worked on so we'll have to see how the power stroke looks in the spring.

Joe Mauer: Looks like he'll be ready for spring. His repair work shouldn't be a problem but it's worth watching.

Rich Harden: Harden won't pitch in the WBC because of another shoulder surgery. He's hurt more than he's healthy so maybe this time off will help Hardin. He's a 5 to 6 inning pitcher b/c of his injury woes.

Erik Bedard: After being a top 5 fantasy pitcher in 07, we'll see if the doctors have repaired what made him a fantasy non-factor in 08.

Manny Being Manny Makes Me Sick!

I really dislike Manny Rameriz. I've never nor will I ever have him on my fantasy team and I'm thankful he'll never be a Red. This guy is asking for $25 million per year for at least 4 years. That's a joke. First, nobody, including A-Rod is worth 25 mill. At least A-Rod plays defense. Manny is a complete liability in the outfield. He couldn't catch a cold and he hustles like a 100 year old woman. Just because this guy finally decided to show some fire after he was traded to the Dodgers, he thinks he deserves this kind of money......GET REAL. Manny has always been a dangerous hitter. The problem is that he doesn't really care. Any time he's had a chance to take a day off, or pretend he's injured, he's taken full advantage. Of his 15 Major League Seasons, Manny has played more than 150 games only 7 times. That sucks and so does Manny. Good luck with $25 million Man-Ram. I wouldn't doubt see this guy sit at home next season because he won't get the money he THINKS he deserves.

Chicago Cubs Sold

I thought that 900 million was a very high price for a baseball franchise, then I thought, is the Chicago Cubs worth even LESS than a baseball stadium. The new Yankee Stadium cost well over a billion, I think closer to 1.5 billion. Which of these prices are more mind boggling. I guess I am going to have to say Yankee Stadium is. Anytime you can buy a franchise's complete package for less than the price of the place you need to play the game. I am really looking forward to seeing this cathedral to the game, when the economy is better.

New Cubs owner John Ricketts must still have deep pockets to shell out this kind of cash when the economy is in such shambles. Word is prices are going to be very steep at Wrigley this summer. Is this the right time to go crazy on the fans who are struggling to make it.

The Cubs are still not out of the Jake Peavy sweepstakes either. Peavy can pitch anywhere for sure, but mistakes will bite harder at Wrigley than at spacious Petco Park. Will it effect his fantasy value, maybe not as much as a trip to either of these two aforementioned ballparks might effect your wallet.

The McGwire Family Secret

OK, another tell all book about someone giving up someone else. This time it's a brother giving up his own brother. But these two brothers don't even speak anymore either. I'm guessing this will make Christmas dinner even more joyful, maybe will see more July fireworks as well. Ever heard about Roid Rage!!!

Mark's brother Jay writes in his new book that he gave Mark his first performance enhancing drugs in 1994. He says they started this with real low doses. He also stated that Mark just couldn't give it to himself, so he decided to help big brother.

The book, 'The McGwire Family Secret' is being shopped around New York publishers right now. So far no one has agreed to publish it. Jay McGwire said he needed to write the book to clear his conscious. Do you think it has anything to do with his bank balance as well. Not sure who is looking the worse here. Mark says he has never done performance-enhancing drugs, but also refused to testify before Congress in 2005. Or is it the disgruntled brother giving up his own blood for money. Mark hasn't been very public sense leaving baseball and I haven't heard him comment on this book deal as of yet. Stay tuned and it isn't even Spring Training yet!!!!!!!!!

Jeff Kent Retires-Fantasy Hall of Famer

I think there's a chance we'll see Jeff Kent in Baseball's Hall of Fame someday because he's baseball's all time leading home run hitter for a second baseman. One thing for sure, he's in the Fantasy Baseball Hall of Fame as he announces his retirement today. Kent was a career .290 hitter with 377 homers, 1,518 RBI, and is #20 on baseball's all time list with 560 doubles. He was a league MVP, won 5 Silver Slugger Awards, and was a 5 time all-star. Kent at 4246 total bases on 2461 hits. Thanks for many great fantasy years Jeff. You're in my the WOFantasy Baseball Hall of Fame.

Looking Back: My 2008 preview, the Good and Dumb

OK, I've spent some time looking over my 2008 preview. I had some good advice and some really dumb advice too. Here's a few that stuck out:

Dumb: Ryan Braun (Brewers) I'm scared of him. There's a possible move to the outfield which may make him the next Casey Blake.

Good: Aaron Rowand (Giants) Moving from a hitters park in Philly to a "Giant" park won't help. He's coming off a contract year. Stay away!

Good: Robinson Cano (Yanks) After a contract extension.........who knows.

Dumb: I don't have Albert Pujols included because I'm big time worried about his elbow. I think you're taking a big chance if you take him too early. It's something to watch closely through Spring Training.

Good: Ian Kinlser (Rangers) Kinsler may go 30/30 in 2008. You've got to think with their lineup, he'll bat anywhere 1 to 5. His K:BB ratio is really good. His 3rd year in the league will be a big one.

Good: Chipper Jones (Braves) You can't leave Chipper out. He dominated last year staying mostly healthy batting .337/29/102. He doesn't have Andruw behind him this year to bat .220 and strikeout a million times. If he stays healthy, he might even improve on last year's totals.

Really Dumb: Rich Hill (Cubs) Hill was only 11-8 in his first full season. The Cubs are better adn he'll get 200 Ks in 2008. 183 Ks in 195 innings/1.19 WHIP/3.92 ERA

Good: Geovany Soto (Cubs) PCL MVP and came up with the Cubbies and tore it up at .389. Take a chance on this young guy.

Good: Joe Mauer (Twins) Injury limited him last year batting only .293 after winning the batting title in 2006. Only 7 homers is scary but he doesn't strikeout. I expect him to comeback big in 08. He's in front of McCann b/c of place in the batting order and runs.

Kind of Funny: Jose Reyes 3.73 (Mets) .280/12/57 in 2007. Jose swiped 78 bases and scored 119 runs. Reyes also had 36 doubles and 12 triples. He got caught stealing 21 times. He does need to work on that. What I like most about Jose is his SO/BB ratio at 78/77. What I don't like about Jose is his sissy outfit and man-purse when I saw him at the all-star parade in Pittsburgh two years ago.

Pujols Healthy in 2009

Albert Pujols is apparently totally healthy heading into 2009. That's scary after the numbers he put up in 2008. Pujols finally had his elbow surjury right after the season and says he hasn't used it much at all in the off-season. It should be worth watching through spring training to see if any problems with the surgury crop up but he should be a no doubter #1 pick in every draft this season.

2010 Free-Agents

It's always important to take a close look to the soon to be free agents before analyzing the upcoming fantasy season. Here are some notibles (in no particular order) for 2010 looking to put up big numbers to cash in for big dollars!

1. Carlos Delgado: He's too old for it to matter.


2. Brian Roberts: Look for him to be dealt before the trade deadline. Another big season coming.


3. Miguel Tejada


4. Khalil Greene


5. Adrian Beltre


6. Chone Figgins


7. Chipper Jones: See Delgado


8. Jason Bay


9. Matt Holiday: Your big $ went down the tube on the way to OakTown.


10. Johnny Damon


11. Rick Ankiel


12. Andrew Jones: Looking to follow up a sub .200 average. Good luck Andruw. The Dodgers just paid $22 million for you to leave!


13. Brian Giles


14. Vlad: He'll go big in 09.


15. Xavier Nady


16. Hideki Matsui


17. Erik Bedard


18. John Lackey


19. Brett Myers


20. Rich Harden: stay healthy Rich and you'll cash in big time.

Michael Young Accepts Move to 3rd

Interesting. Perrinial All-Star Michael Young has decided to accept a move to 3rd base to make room for the Rangers big SS prospect. He has also rescended his trade demands. This will weaken the fantasy MI that much more.

Soph Slumps? Soph Studs?

Last season, the rookies of the year was Geovanny Soto and Evan Longoria. Other high vote getters included the Reds' Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Edison Volquez, Jair Jurrjens from Hotlanta, and Fukodome. On the AL side, Alexi Rameriz, Jacoby Ellsbury, Mike Aviles, and Armando Galarraga, and Denard Span followed Longoria.

The 2007 winners were Dustin Pedroia and Ryan Braun. Braun edged out Troy Tulowizki, Hunter Pence, and Chris Young. Braun had a great Soph season but the other three were pretty average. Well below average in fantasy terms. Delmon Young, Brian Bannister, and Daisuke Matsuzaka followed Pedroia on the AL side. Young is a non fantasy factor. I don't think we have to even talk about Bannister, and Dice K is was a 2008 walk machine but found ways to escape and get Ws. I don't know if it was a year for Soph slumps, it was just a lousy rookie class when you got past Pedroia and Braun.

This year's 2nd year players should prove out to be some fantasy studs. Longoria is a can't miss. Bruce and Votto are going to bat in 2 of the first three spots in the order for the Reds. It's their time to take off this season. I'd be surprised if Volquez can match his 2008 campaign. He'll be a top notch fantasy pitcher still though. I don't know if Soto's average will keep up but he's obviously a very good hitter. On the AL side, I love Denard Span and Alexi Rameriz. You're always looking for middle infield fantasy help and those two will provide it.

Michael Young....On The Move ???

There seems to be some noise down Texas way that has Michael Young asking the Rangers to be traded. All of this is over the club asking him to accept a move from shortstop to third base. Young has given the club a small number of teams he would waive his no trade clause to go to. Young would not disclose the teams he would waive the no trade clause for. Third base isn't an easy move and Michael did just win his first Glove Glove award at shortstop, so in his terms why risk this kind of move.

Michael Young has always been a very good player and one that I myself try to get on my fantasy team. Does this move, if it happens, mess with his fantasy numbers. Does it mess with his head. Hey they are paying him sixteen million a year, maybe the team should have some say in where he plays. Young is signed for the next five years, and that's a whole lot of cash coming his way no matter who or where he plays.

All of this is in response to the Rangers wanting prospect Elvis Andrus to be their shortstop very soon. The Rangers want this to happen sooner rather than later so as to not disrupt things mid season. They are thinking Young could learn third base during spring training and be ready to go at the start of the season. There seems to be no discussion here just team demands.

Does Michael Young end up in another club house very soon. Do we see a New York home coming in his future. He did already play second base and could make this move fairly easy. I have heard rumors that New York isn't in love with Robinson Cano. What does this do to his fantasy value. I know one thing if he stays in Texas and is forced to play third base, how do we expect the same numbers from him as usual.

Henderson and Rice Elected to Hall of Fame

Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice were elected to Baseballs Hall of Fame today. Rickey is baseball's all time steals leader and made it on his first ballot. Jim Rice was actually in his final year of eligibility.

Rickey Henderson got over 94% of the vote cast by the Baseball Writers. Of the 539 votes cast Ricky was named on 511 of them. Jim Rice was named on 412 of the 539 cast and passed the seventy five percent required by seven votes.

Rickey was the all time steals leader and also the all time runs leaders and banged out over 3,000 hits as well. The 1990 AL MVP also won World Series titles with the Oakland A's in 1989 and added another one in 1993 with the Toronto Blue Jays. His single season stolen base record of 130 in 1982 may never be broke. He also led off 81 games by smashing home runs, that's an amazing stat.

Jim Rice is on the four letter network as I write this and he is saying one of the reasons it took him so long to get elected was because he ran his mouth too much. Take that for what it's worth. Rice played sixteen years in Boston and had pretty good stats, you be the judge if they are Hall of Fame stats......382 career home runs.......1451career RBIs.....2452 career hits these are very good numbers are they Hall of Fame numbers.......what do you think.

How many players from the 1975 World Series can you name that are in the Hall of Fame......I can one that should be in there.....PETER EDWARD ROSE

Starting my Championship 09 Team

If I could start with any three position players this season, I'd definitely start my fantasy team with Pujols, Pedroia, and Mauer. Even though two of these guys are MVPs, I think you could realistically get these three guys in the first three rounds of your 09 draft. You get these three guys in rounds 1,2,3 and you can sit back, relax, and pound cool ones the rest of the draft.
Pujols: I marked this guy off my draft board last year because all of the elbow speculation. .356/37/115 and 43 doubles. Walked 49 more times than he struck out. . He went 9th in our 2009 draft if I remember correctly. That won't happen again.
Pedroia: .326/17/83 and 54 2-baggers. You know I love the 52BB/50K more than anything. Throw in 20 steals and 118 runs. Expect more of the same from this spark plug this season.
Mauer: After a couple of injury plauged years, Mauer waws back at it. .328/9/81 and well over a .400 OBP from the catching position is alright with me. Getting on base and hitting in front of Morneau produced nearly 100 runs. He also walked 34 more times than he struck out. Joe never hurts you.
Good drafting! Best day of the fantasy year.

It's Time to Start Thinking Fantasy Baseball!

Pitchers and Catchers report in a little over a month! Player notes and rankings coming soon. RoseFan and I are ready to dominate all of our leagues yet again this season!