Friday, October 31, 2008

Free Agency


Well Manny and Big Tex didn't waste anytime filing for Free Agency. Both sluggers are on the free market and will garner loads of attention and even more $$$$$$$. From a fantasy point, Big Tex is a guy you want on your team and should be willing to draft fairly high but on the other hand Manny is a different story.

Manny is coming off a huge/monster year where it seems he planned everything to a T. Making/playing himself out of Boston and onto a another roster, this Boras client is now trying to grab a fat contract on the free market. As a fantasy owner I don't care if he gets paid $1 or $1trillion. The only thing that matters in my eyes is productivity. This guy is climbing the ladder of age and with all hitters the mind is there but the body doesn't seem to want to react as quickly. Look for Manny to have a good year but don't expect him to replicate his 2008 season. I am an owner of Manny in a keeper league and I would personally have traded him before making him a keeper but there were no takers in my league. All repsonded by saying, "Enjoy watching him fall apart." I don't agree with that statement since he hasn't really shown and huge sign of decline but don't let this year fool you, he is in decline. Make sure he is on your team but don't let this season blind you into making him a top 2/3 round pick.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Finally Finished


Well, the 2009 MLB season is officially over but not with a dramatic end. It took a few days and a few sleepless nights but the Philadelphia Phillies are the 2009 World Series Champions. After a long rain delay, which took days not hours, the Phillies finished the Rays off in Game 5 with World Series MVP Cole Hamels sitting on the bench after starting the game.

To me, this year seemed like a year where things, magical things, were going to happen. Starting the season in search of a Fantasy Championship, which didn't happen, I watched a young team in the AL East grow and mature into a World Series runner up. Honestly, did you think the Rays were going to take a step out of the AL East basement let alone having them reach the playoffs and walk into the World Series with a stride of pure confidence only a young true winner can bring. I was supporting the Rays through the playoffs and I was a little disappointed in their finish but after watching them, my fantasy season draft, which is only 5 months away, was truly affected.

Here are a few things I saw and you should take note of too.

Ryan Howard - Does anyone have the right to even question him? This guy may fall into slumps but when he starts connecting, this guy just flat out carries a team. Take a look at game 3/4. He had 3HRs and 6RBIs. This guy deserves a high draft pick but for owners who draft him there is a side note, you must draft a guy like Ichiro to offset the K's and low AVG.

Pat Burrell - This guy just didn't have a good World Series, 1-14, with no HRs and 1RBIs. This guy is going to find him a nice contract after this year but just watch for where he lands. His position in the 2009 draft depends on his future team. He is a career .257 hitter but gives you a nice 25-30HRs with 80-100RBIs.

Shane Victorino - Make sure to find him during the draft and take him off the board!

Brad Lidge - This guy was the epitome of domination...but don't let this fool you. Don't reach too far for him during draft day.

David Price - This is a guy you want on your team. A left handed thrower who hits mid-90's on his fastball is nothing to joke about. Look for him but remember, with his big time name, people will reach and draft him higher than he should be. This guy should be closer to the mid teens.

Rocco Baldelli - Make sure to keep his name on your draft sheet, period.

Matt Garza - Make him a 2nd/3rd starter on your team next year. I think his composure and experience gained from this World Series will be truly valuable for him and you.

I hope this is a quick guide for fantasy owners. Yes, I know that these are fairly big names in the drafts but you have to make sure you need draft these players in the right spots.

You can't win your league with your First Round Pick but you surely can lose it!

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Rocco...again


Rocco Baldelli, I bet you are getting tired of me posting about him, finished his first 9 inning game while playing the field. He went 0-2 with a BB but the more important news is how he is feeling after the game.

David Price is earning his hype because he just completed 2.1 more innings at the end of a ball game. More importantly Price is showing his maturity and composure on the mound. This is a great sign for fantasy owners. If he can handle the pressures of a World Series game, during the 9th inning, he should surely be able to handle the day to day grind of a 162 game season. Ok, I won't go that far but his performance in the playoffs this year is showing me this kid might be a force to be reckon with next year.

Ryan Howard, where the fuck are you?!?!

James Shields - not a bad choice for a 3rd starter next year. Draft him in the early to mid teens.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

ALCS is Over


The Rays have finally completed the ALCS and will find themselves, yet again, in unchartered territory. Their next stop will be the finest stage of all...the World Series. The young and fine tuned Rays will find themselves against the Phillies of Philadelphia.

But over the course of 7 games in the ALCS, fantasy owners should consider some numbers and players.

Baldelli - It seems like I have a man crush on this guy and well I will admit it, I do! This guy knows how to play baesball but for some odd reason the baseball gods don't seem to want him on the field...until now. After suffering through injury after injury Baldelli seems to have found a way to please the baseball gods. He had an RBI in the decisive game 7 and signs point for him to be a productive fantasy player in 2009. This guy will be a sleeper.

David Price found himself with an opportunity to cement his name on the playoffs and he came through. He closed out game 7 and seems to be on his way to a full time player in 2009. Expect fantasy owners to over reach for this guy on draft day. I try to stay away from guys like this, young/full of potential/but has proved nothing in the bigs. He has the potential to put up big numbers but don't go reaching until spring training reports come out on where he will be situated on the roster.

Matt Garza, earned the ALCS MVP, will be high on darft day if he continues his success in the playoffs. It seems like any player who stands out on the big stage finds himself drafted higher in drafts. This guy has the potential and stuff to be a dominating pitcher but don't be fooled with the playoff success. He has pitched around 320innings in his career and the extra innings he is throwing this year might spoil his 2009 season. I still think he is a solid number 3 pitcher.

Jon Lester - This guy seems to have a arm of a robot. After throwing 81 and 63 innings in 06 and 07 respectively, he went for 210.1 innings and added another 26.2 innings in the playoffs. Not sure how this will affect his 2009 performance. In my eyes, he still stands as a solid number 3, like Garza.

Pedroia had a career year in 2008 but I am not sold on this guy just yet. I see his SB total, 20, being a legit number but I am not sure he can sustain his power, 17HRs. This is where his value comes from, putting together a player who can steal 20 and bring in 15-20HRs with a .300AVG is a solid mid single round talent. If you don't have the chance to fill in the 2B with the likes of Utley or Roberts, Pedroia isn't a bad choice.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Baldelli


With a HR in the playoffs Baldelli is finding a way to stay healthy and add to his resume, which will come in handy when the spring training 2009 rolls around.

If Baldelli can stay healthy he is a potential sleeper, as mentioned before, for the 2009 season. If he stays healthy he can be a nice addition to any fantasy roster.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Manny


Holy Shit! If the Dodgers lose the series it surely won't be because of the efforts of one Manny Ramirez. He is absolutely locked in and is trying to drag the team into the World Series.

So far, he is hitting .500 (11/22) with 3HRs, 9RBIs, and 10BBs in the post-season.

This performance will surely push him higher in the 2009 drafts. Please don't be fooled though. He should be drafted as a early 5th to early 6th rounder.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Friday, October 10, 2008

NLCS


After two quick games the Phillies are half way to making an appearance in the World Series while the Dodgers, led by Manny, are left wondering what happened to their momentum while trying to see if they can make this series interesting.

The NLCS has a few players you should keep an eye on for the 2009 fantasy season draft.

Brad Lidge just converted his 2nd save in the NLCS and it seems like he will never give up a lead...ever! After recovering from injuries and also the Pujols HR, it seems Lidge is back on top of his game and is ready for elite closer status. Ok, he is up their with the best closers in the game but make sure you don't over play for him in the 2009 draft. He is having a career year and has the ability to hold down a bullpen but in my eyes he is still not in the same league as Papelbon, F-Rod, Joe Nathan, and Soria. If Lidge has a rediculous post-season watch for people to draft him higher than his true value.

Ryan Howard is not doing anything but walking back to the dug-out. He is batting a nice .000 in two games in the NLCS. Don't worry about him, he's s slugger and can easily go off for 5HR's in the next 2/3 games.

Chad Billingsley was hammered in game 2 of the NLCS but this is not going to affect his 2009 draft position, a 9-12 round pick. He should be your 2nd SP for next year.

Clayton Kershaw is throwing some post-season innings and I think this is great for his mental state and overall experience. This is a pitcher you need to keep an eye on. After exploding onto the scene this year and making a #1 waiver priority in ALL leagues, this guy is primed for a strong 2009 season. He has the stuff, just needs the confidence from himself and his team. He is a lock for a draft pick next year but make sure to draft him in the late rounds, watch people who draft him early because they are gambling.

Manny is being Manny.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

ALCS Rays?!?!


If I told you at the start of training camp that the Rays, yes the Tampa Bay Rays, would be 4 wins away from the World Series I guarantee you would have told me I was smoking/snorting something illegal in most parts of the world.

But as we speak the Rays are on their way to the ALCS to play their division rivals the Boston Red Sox. Again, who has the best division in baseball...the AL EAST is just loaded with talented teams. I am very excited to watch some baseball between these two teams.

On the fantasy side, make sure to keep an eye out for Pena, Longoria, Iwamura, and Upton. I didn't even mention Crawford. These Rays can produce.

Look for more information concerning fantasy implications throughout the ALCS.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Monday, October 6, 2008

CC Sabathia

The season is finally over for CC Sabathia and now comes the greatest time in the year for him and his agent, FREE AGENCY!! In the off-season Sabathia will garner plenty of attention from the big salary teams and maybe even a few small market teams might throw something in just to show their fans they "tried" to land the big fish.

The problem I see with Sabathia is the tremendous workload he took on this season. He pitched a total of 253 innings in the regular season and another 3.2 innings in the playoffs. Simple math and that comes out to be 256.2 innings pitched in 2008. 256.2?!?!?! holy shit, that's a lot of innings and you still haven't added in the really high pitch counts he threw during those innnings. During his stretch with the Brewers he basically threw 110-130 every game.

Over his entire career this guy has been a work horse and has found a way to stay off the DL. Since 2001 he has pitched at least 180.1 innings and peaked at 241 last season. So, I guess the added 15.2 innings isn't huge but in my eyes this has to take a toll.

I know there is an argument between traditional guys and current guys with respect to the innings. The traditional coming with the old guys use to pitch 300 innings every year and didn't worry about a pitch count while the "newbies" baby their pitchers. I kind of lean towards babying them by watching their pitch counts, especially early in the year. Anyways, this talk belongs in another post.

Fantasy baseball information time. People should be drafting Sabathia as a 2nd/3rd rounder next year. BUT, I would be a little skeptical on his performane just because of his added workload over the past two season. But again, there are special guys out there, for example Roy Halladay. If it wasn't for all those freak injuries he would be throwing 30 starts every year as well. Draft him because if you don't someone else will because anchoring your rotation with Sabathia isn't the worst thing in the world.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Rich Harden


On and off again injured Rich Harden finished his 2008 season with 148 regular season innings and 4.1 playoff innings, which comes to a total of 152.1 innings pitched. This is great news because he has not reached this since 2004 when he threw 189.2 innings.

After looking over his stats for his entire career I am still scared shitless when it comes to Harden. I will never draft him, unless he is available during the last few rounds, because there is always the possibility he will only give me 20 innings because of injuries. I am absolutely thrilled he was able to throw 152.1 innings this year but will this be a normal thing from now on? Will he be able to throw every 5th day? Will he be able to stay healthy for an entire year? Does he have management that will take the chance and let him throw 100+ pitches every outing?

There are too many questions when it comes to Harden and that is why I would suggest not drafting in the 2009 fantasy season unless it is a complete bargain, last few rounds. In my eyes, I always let Harden become someone elses problem. Don't let this season blind you and make you a believer because one single season means nothing.

Why not make him a dominating 2 inning closer? There are so many questions surrounding Harden that it just makes no sense in my mind to draft him.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Bay and Drew


Jason Bay and JD Drew of the Red Sox seem to be making headlines on a daily basis. This is the kind of news that haunts many new and seasoned fantasy owners into thinking they are worth a high draft pick.

Here are reasons why one of these guys should find himself in a high draft pick while the other should still be drafted lower in the draft.

Starting with JD Drew, we see he has had a nice 2008 season with 109 games played hitting 19HRs and driving in 64 all while batting a solid .280AVG. People will look at his numbers and think it was fairly impressive but if any smart fantasy owner should realize is this player shouldn't be making a spot on fantasy teams early in drafts. This is the kind of player that will cost you a fantasy championship if you draft him too high. The big number that is telling of his downfall is the games played. This guy simply can not stay healthy for an entire season. If you look at this overall statistics throughout his career you will see that he has never played in more than 146 games in a single year. In ten years of full time play he has logged 5 seasons with under 109 games played. The next 5 range from 135 games played to 146. He just isn't durable. For all the hype this guy gets from his fat contracts and his appearances in the headlines, he isn't a legit OF in fantasy land. He should be drafted as a 3rd/4th OF in mixed leagues.

Moving onto the Canadian Jason Bay. This former 4th/5th rounder in fantasy drafts from 2005-2006 should make a run back to this type of draft position. He has proven in the past he can stay healthy and play on a daily basis while putting big numbers. It seems Bay has found a nice home in Boston and it now seems he will provide the Red Sox with a nice bat that can give fantasy owners a comfortable feeling when drafting him in the late 3th to 6th rounds in 2009. Look for people to reach a little on this player but remember, don't go reaching too far for him. He has the pop to give you power and also chip in 8-10SBs but he won't give you the numbers for a second round player.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Tampa Bay

The Rays, in their first playoff appearance, are making a name for themselves and fast. They are leading the Central Division Champs two games to none in a short 5-game ALDS.

Here are a few things to take note of for the 2009 Fantasy Season.

Evan Longoria is showing he is not just a regular season performer but a post season hero as well. He is currently batting .571 with 4hits which includes 2HRs. Look for his value to sky-rocket next year if he continues his successful post-season. If the Rays make the ALCS or even the World Series other fantasy owners will start to recognize his Longoria's ability to crush the ball.

Rocco Baldelli is back and has quietly put himself back on some hardcore fantasy player's radars. After another setback in spring training from a mitocondrial disorder that landed him on the 60-Day DL he has come back to provide the Rays with some pop off the bench. Owners should make sure his name is on your draft sheets, if he continues to stay healthy, because Baldelli might be that sleeper that can bring you some hitting stats (.275-.285AVG, 15-25HRs, 75-100RBIs, and throw a hand full of steals in as well). The only thing holding him back is his injuries. If he can stay healthy most owners can grab him near the end of the 2009 fantasy draft as a 4th/5th outfielder.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Friday, October 3, 2008

Manny Ramirez


Well, the Dodgers and Torre seem to be pretty happy with the acquisition of Manny. This guy can plain out hit. He is the purest baseball hitter in baseball and when he is happy he can literally carry an entire 60-man roster on his back.

In the 2008 playoffs he is hitting .500 with 2HR's, 3RBI's, and 2BB's. If his hitting continues, which it seems like he will, pitchers will most likely add to his BB total.

BTW...does anyone remember my prediction on March 26, 2008 about Manny's season numbers? Well if you just tuned in here is the link to my old post.

My Prediction - .303, 37HRs, 120RBIs, and 101Rs.
Actual 2008 Season Stats - .332, 37HRs, 121RBIs, and 102Rs.

The only category where I was a little off was his .332 AVG. But I was off by only 1RBI and 1R.

Ms. Cleo eat your heart out!!!

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!