Holliday to the A's

If reports are correct, slugger Matt Holliday is moving from hitter friendly Coors to a not so friendly Coliseum. This is not a good move for fantasy owners.

Coors Field
.357avg, 84HRs, 307RBIs, .423OBP, .647SLG, and a 1.068OPS.

Away from Coors Field
.280AVG, 44HRs, 176RBIs, .348OBP, .455SLG, and a .803OPS

Just looking at the numbers we have to conclude that the heavy slugging numbers are inflated due to him playing the majority of games at hitter friendly Coors Field. If I was an owner of Matt I would be a little worried if he is officially traded from Coors.

Jake Peavy

The Padres are indeed shopping Peavy and well this isn't the best thing for fantasy owners. If you look at his stats, away/home, you can see where he is better.

Since 2002.
Home
2.77ERA, 1.09WHIP, .219BAA, and 47HRs.

Away
3.80ERA, 1.30WHIP, .246BAA, and 81HRs.

For those owners who have him as a keeper, you better hope he gets traded to a friendly ballpark because we all know Petco is a nice place for pitchers.

AJ a Free Agent

Well, AJ Burnett is a free agent and is looking for a team to throw some cash at him.

In my eyes, AJ took a big step in 2008 by proving he can stay healthy and be a big time contributor to a baseball club. Only problem is why the hell should anyone take him seriously when it comes to his health. This guy has proven over his entire career that his body doesn't seem to like going out there every 5th day to pitch.

Okay, as some of you might start thinking, where is the fantasy angle. Here it is.

No matter what team he lands on he is going to produce big numbers, as long as he is healthy, because look at his stats while pitching in the hardest division in baseball, CLICK HERE for his stats. If are you targeting him as a player in the 2009 draft, make sure to take caution. I would advise most people to stay away from him unless he is available in the early teen rounds.

With AJ it is always about big risk big reward. Just like his fellow partner in crime, Rich Harden.

Hank Blalock

The Rangers have picked up the option on Hank Blalock for $6.2million.

This is not the biggest news of the day but this is news since there would be some competition on where Blalock and Chris Davis should play. In eyes there is no battle for plate appearances because no matter what happens, Davis will play. This kid will produce and has the ability to hit 35-40HRs in upcoming seasons.

For all you fantasy owners out there, make sure to keep both players on your radar.

Chris Davis should be a solid late single round pick. I would even go out and try for him in the mid-late rounds (6,7,8). As for Blalock, he should be drafted late in the draft. Preferably mid to late teens.

Sabathia

As expected, CC Sabathia has officially filed for free agency. The question now is, will he sign a bigger contract than Mr. Johan Santana?

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.