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Wednesday, September 08, 2010
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by Robert Democh
Beset with injuries and saddled with some weak performers, Cleveland’s 2008 season was a major disappointment. Symptomatic of their season, the Indians failed to hammer out a contract extension with ace C.C. Sabathia and unceremoniously traded him in July. Despite a huge void atop their rotation, the 2009 forecast in Cleveland is sunny and mild....
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by Daniel Paulling
After coming within one win of the World Series in 2007, the Indians had high expectations last spring. Despite an unexpected Cy Young caliber season by righthander Cliff Lee, Cleveland fell out of contention quickly and traded C.C. Sabathia to the Brewers. With their former ace now in pinstripes, the Indians are nevertheless in a strong position in the AL....
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by Jonathan Leshanski
In my heart I love the idea of the World Baseball Classic. No, it’s not perfect, because of the time of year, and the number of top players who won’t participate due to past injuries, contract clauses, or because they think it will detract from the regular season, but this is the baseball showcase for the world....
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Photo by Justin Brookie
The Royals had a quiet offseason, acquiring non-impact players like Mike Jacobs, Coco Crisp, Willie Bloomquist and Kyle Farnsworth. But they have a solid core of young players in Zach Greinke, Alex Gordon and Billy Butler. Will is be enough to push the team over .500? Photo by Justin Brookie, used under creative commons license....
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Photo by John H. Kim
The Royals are light years removed from the days of being a playoff fixture. Many of their current starters waddled in diapers when Kansas City last made a postseason appearance en route to capturing the 1985 World Series. The quintessential small market club celebrates its 40th anniversary this season, still struggling to attract and retain top talent against deeper pocketed rivals. This is regrettable, as the Royals are renowned for their legions of loyal fans. They clawed their way to a 75-87 mark in 2008 and expect further advancement. Unfortunately, the lack of power and a weak rotation will limit their competitiveness. Don’t overlook their valuable fantasy talent that others may undervalue given the team’s low profile. Photo by John H. Kim, used under creative commons license....
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By Jonathan Leshanski on March 7  In my heart I love the idea of the World Baseball Classic. No, it’s not perfect, because of the time of year, and the number of top players who won’t participate due to past injuries, contract clauses, or because they think it will detract from the regular season, but this is the baseball showcase for the world. I’ve been lucky...
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By Robert Democh on March 6  Beset with injuries and saddled with some weak performers, Cleveland’s 2008 season was a major disappointment. Symptomatic of their season, the Indians failed to hammer out a contract extension with ace C.C. Sabathia and unceremoniously traded him in July. Despite a huge void atop their rotation, the 2009 forecast in Cleveland is sunny and mild provided some key components return...
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By Daniel Paulling on March 6  After coming within one win of the World Series in 2007, the Indians had high expectations last spring. Despite an unexpected Cy Young caliber season by righthander Cliff Lee, Cleveland fell out of contention quickly and traded C.C. Sabathia to the Brewers. With their former ace now in pinstripes, the Indians are nevertheless in a strong position in the AL...
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By Robert Democh on March 5  Canada’s sole ML franchise hasn’t seriously threatened American rivals since the early 90’s, when the Blue Jays were World Champs in 1992 and 1993. They haven’t tasted the post season since and that drought will continue in 2009. Despite decent pitching, a scarcity of potent bats will preclude Toronto from threatening the Rays, Red Sox or Yankees in the AL...
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By Daniel Paulling on March 5  The Blue Jays are looking to contend in 2009, but that could be a challenge, considering they are in baseball’s toughest division. This isn’t a new phenomenon: The Blue Jays have won 85-plus games the last three seasons but did not qualify for the postseason in that span. Toronto enters this season with a slim chance of contending, but with...
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By Robert Democh on March 5  Grim disbelief. That’s how players and staff of the Washington Nationals greeted the surprising news that GM Jim Bowden had resigned. He tendered his resignation March 1, less than a week after Sports Illustrated published a report about an FBI probe examining MLB scouting practices in Latin America. Part of the investigation focused on allegations that signing bonuses for top...
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By At Home Plate Staff on March 4  Finally, you struck it lucky and the first pick in your fantasy league is yours. But now you are spoilt for choice. Which player should you pick? Jonathan Leshanski, Tony Meale and Robert Democh all have their own idea about who is the number one fantasy player and they will try to convince you their choice is the right one....
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By Jonathan Leshanski on March 4  The Fish have few sure things but tons and tons of upside at almost every single position make breakouts possible. So draft the solid contributors and watch everyone else and don’t be swept up in the hype of guys like Cameron Maybin until they prove themselves. The Best of the Bunch: Hanley Ramirez (SS): A legitimate first overall choice who...
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By Jonathan Leshanski on March 3  Don’t discount the Fish as a force in the NL East. This is the same team which scored the fifth highest run total in the NL and ranked third in the Majors in home runs, the only difference is that these Marlins are a little older, a little better seasoned and ready to make a run. Of course in a...
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By At Home Plate Staff on March 3  After parting ways with 600-man Ken Griffey Jr. and shipping one-trick-pony Adam Dunn to Arizona (now with the Nationals), the Reds will no longer live and die by the three-run homer. Instead, they’ll play small ball with new leadoff man Willy Tavares, who led the majors in steals last year with 68, and hope that sophomores Joey Votto, 25, and...
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By At Home Plate Staff on March 2  Adam Dunn? Gone. Ken Griffey Jr.? Gone. Aaron Harang? Fell of a cliff. While the big names have left Cincinnati, there are still many guys that can help your team. Tony Meale even find a top tier player on the Dusty Baker's team. Top Tier This Red carries a big stick. Unfortunately, he is ineligible. Photo by Sonnet, used under...
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By At Home Plate Staff on March 1  This was a standard 21-round, 12-team draft for a standard 5x5 rotisserie league. I studied each round to determine quality picks and questionable reaches and selected the best and worst of each round. This is part two, starting in the 12th round with Conor Jackson as the 133th overall pick and ending with Kosuke Fukudome to finish the draft. Round...
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By At Home Plate Staff on February 28  This was a standard 21-round, 12-team draft for a standard 5x5 rotisserie league. I studied each round to determine quality picks and questionable reaches and selected the best and worst of each round. This is the first part, starting with Hanley Ramirez as the overall first pick, followed by teammates Jose Reyes and David Wright. Round 1 (1) Team One...
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By Jonathan Leshanski on February 27  The Mariners entered the 2008 season feeling they had a legitimate shot to compete with the Angels for the AL West title. Seattle knew that Bill Bavasi’s legacy would ultimately be decided by the results of his decision to trade top prospects Adam Jones and Tony Butler along with left handed set-up man George Sherrill and change to the Orioles...
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By Jonathan Leshanski on February 27  Aside from a handful of players, the Mariners have little to offer most fantasy teams. But if you are lucky, there are many names that will hang around until the last rounds and if - for whatever reason - they do contribute something, you will look really smart.The Best of the Bunch:The Mariners have no elite talent.The Second Tier: If...
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By Jonathan Leshanski on February 26  This guide came close to being my favorite fantasy guide of the season, but just missed the mark because, in some ways they got a little too fancy. Certainly this is the most improved guide since we reviewed our last set of guides, and this one certainly fixed most of the flaws since then, and even borrowed a few tricks...
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By Daniel Paulling on February 26  The Houston Astros had a better-than-expected 2008, finishing with a winning record and in third place. They shouldn’t be expecting another miracle year this season. The rotation, after ace Roy Oswalt, is packed with question marks. Shortstop Miguel Tejada admitted to lying to federal investigators. Deportation is an unlikely option, but he may face some punishment. And Lance Berkman has...
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By Daniel Paulling on February 26  The Astros probably won't go anywhere this season, but Minute Maid Park is a good place for right handed hitters with pop and Houston has a couple of those, plus an ace to go with them. And if that's not enough, there is also plenty speed to pick from for later rounds. Oh, and an old and (formerly) juiced up...
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By At Home Plate Staff on February 25  Since 2001 when the Yankees won their last championship, no team has made it back to the falls classic the following season. Daniel Paulling and Zach Greenberg discuss which team is more likely to return to the World Series in 2009, Rays or Phillies? Rays Repeat More Likely By Daniel Paulling The championship hangover effect has beco This fan would...
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By David Wagner on February 25  For Atlanta Braves fans, this offseason has been an emotional rollercoaster. When the season ended, the team was looking forward to acquiring new players to erase last year’s woeful season, plagued by injuries, the majors’ weakest-hitting outfield and a 72-90 record, the franchise’s worst since 1990. Braves GM Frank Wren stated his desire to acquire two proven starting pitchers as...
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More in: Regular Articles, Fantasy Articles, Fantasy Articles, Fantasy Articles, Reviews
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By Jonathan Leshanski on March 7 In my heart I love the idea of the World Baseball Classic. No, it’s not perfect, because of the time of year, and the number of top players who won’t participate due to past injuries, contract clauses, or because they think it will detract from the regular season, but this is the baseball showcase for the world. I’ve been lucky...
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By Daniel Paulling on March 6 After coming within one win of the World Series in 2007, the Indians had high expectations last spring. Despite an unexpected Cy Young caliber season by righthander Cliff Lee, Cleveland fell out of contention quickly and traded C.C. Sabathia to the Brewers. With their former ace now in pinstripes, the Indians are nevertheless in a strong position in the AL...
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By Daniel Paulling on March 5 The Blue Jays are looking to contend in 2009, but that could be a challenge, considering they are in baseball’s toughest division. This isn’t a new phenomenon: The Blue Jays have won 85-plus games the last three seasons but did not qualify for the postseason in that span. Toronto enters this season with a slim chance of contending, but with...
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By Robert Democh on March 5 Grim disbelief. That’s how players and staff of the Washington Nationals greeted the surprising news that GM Jim Bowden had resigned. He tendered his resignation March 1, less than a week after Sports Illustrated published a report about an FBI probe examining MLB scouting practices in Latin America. Part of the investigation focused on allegations that signing bonuses for top...
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By Jonathan Leshanski on March 3 Don’t discount the Fish as a force in the NL East. This is the same team which scored the fifth highest run total in the NL and ranked third in the Majors in home runs, the only difference is that these Marlins are a little older, a little better seasoned and ready to make a run. Of course in a...
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By At Home Plate Staff on March 3 After parting ways with 600-man Ken Griffey Jr. and shipping one-trick-pony Adam Dunn to Arizona (now with the Nationals), the Reds will no longer live and die by the three-run homer. Instead, they’ll play small ball with new leadoff man Willy Tavares, who led the majors in steals last year with 68, and hope that sophomores Joey Votto, 25, and...
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By Jonathan Leshanski on February 27 The Mariners entered the 2008 season feeling they had a legitimate shot to compete with the Angels for the AL West title. Seattle knew that Bill Bavasi’s legacy would ultimately be decided by the results of his decision to trade top prospects Adam Jones and Tony Butler along with left handed set-up man George Sherrill and change to the Orioles...
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By Daniel Paulling on February 26 The Houston Astros had a better-than-expected 2008, finishing with a winning record and in third place. They shouldn’t be expecting another miracle year this season. The rotation, after ace Roy Oswalt, is packed with question marks. Shortstop Miguel Tejada admitted to lying to federal investigators. Deportation is an unlikely option, but he may face some punishment. And Lance Berkman has...
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By At Home Plate Staff on February 25 Since 2001 when the Yankees won their last championship, no team has made it back to the falls classic the following season. Daniel Paulling and Zach Greenberg discuss which team is more likely to return to the World Series in 2009, Rays or Phillies? Rays Repeat More Likely By Daniel Paulling The championship hangover effect has beco This fan would...
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By David Wagner on February 25 For Atlanta Braves fans, this offseason has been an emotional rollercoaster. When the season ended, the team was looking forward to acquiring new players to erase last year’s woeful season, plagued by injuries, the majors’ weakest-hitting outfield and a 72-90 record, the franchise’s worst since 1990. Braves GM Frank Wren stated his desire to acquire two proven starting pitchers as...
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More in: Regular Articles
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By Robert Democh on March 6 Beset with injuries and saddled with some weak performers, Cleveland’s 2008 season was a major disappointment. Symptomatic of their season, the Indians failed to hammer out a contract extension with ace C.C. Sabathia and unceremoniously traded him in July. Despite a huge void atop their rotation, the 2009 forecast in Cleveland is sunny and mild provided some key components return...
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By Robert Democh on March 5 Canada’s sole ML franchise hasn’t seriously threatened American rivals since the early 90’s, when the Blue Jays were World Champs in 1992 and 1993. They haven’t tasted the post season since and that drought will continue in 2009. Despite decent pitching, a scarcity of potent bats will preclude Toronto from threatening the Rays, Red Sox or Yankees in the AL...
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By At Home Plate Staff on March 4 Finally, you struck it lucky and the first pick in your fantasy league is yours. But now you are spoilt for choice. Which player should you pick? Jonathan Leshanski, Tony Meale and Robert Democh all have their own idea about who is the number one fantasy player and they will try to convince you their choice is the right one....
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By Jonathan Leshanski on March 4 The Fish have few sure things but tons and tons of upside at almost every single position make breakouts possible. So draft the solid contributors and watch everyone else and don’t be swept up in the hype of guys like Cameron Maybin until they prove themselves. The Best of the Bunch: Hanley Ramirez (SS): A legitimate first overall choice who...
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By At Home Plate Staff on March 2 Adam Dunn? Gone. Ken Griffey Jr.? Gone. Aaron Harang? Fell of a cliff. While the big names have left Cincinnati, there are still many guys that can help your team. Tony Meale even find a top tier player on the Dusty Baker's team. Top Tier This Red carries a big stick. Unfortunately, he is ineligible. Photo by Sonnet, used under...
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By At Home Plate Staff on March 1 This was a standard 21-round, 12-team draft for a standard 5x5 rotisserie league. I studied each round to determine quality picks and questionable reaches and selected the best and worst of each round. This is part two, starting in the 12th round with Conor Jackson as the 133th overall pick and ending with Kosuke Fukudome to finish the draft. Round...
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By At Home Plate Staff on February 28 This was a standard 21-round, 12-team draft for a standard 5x5 rotisserie league. I studied each round to determine quality picks and questionable reaches and selected the best and worst of each round. This is the first part, starting with Hanley Ramirez as the overall first pick, followed by teammates Jose Reyes and David Wright. Round 1 (1) Team One...
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By Jonathan Leshanski on February 27 Aside from a handful of players, the Mariners have little to offer most fantasy teams. But if you are lucky, there are many names that will hang around until the last rounds and if - for whatever reason - they do contribute something, you will look really smart.The Best of the Bunch:The Mariners have no elite talent.The Second Tier: If...
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By Daniel Paulling on February 26 The Astros probably won't go anywhere this season, but Minute Maid Park is a good place for right handed hitters with pop and Houston has a couple of those, plus an ace to go with them. And if that's not enough, there is also plenty speed to pick from for later rounds. Oh, and an old and (formerly) juiced up...
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By Robert Democh on February 24  The Royals are light years removed from the days of being a playoff fixture. Many of their current starters waddled in diapers when Kansas City last made a postseason appearance en route to capturing the 1985 World Series. The quintessential small market club celebrates its 40th anniversary this season, still struggling to attract and retain top talent against deeper pocketed...
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More in: Fantasy Articles, Fantasy Articles, Fantasy Articles
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By Jonathan Leshanski on February 26 This guide came close to being my favorite fantasy guide of the season, but just missed the mark because, in some ways they got a little too fancy. Certainly this...
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By Jonathan Leshanski on February 23  Every year, it seems that the Rotoworld team makes a better fantasy guide than they did the year before and the 2009 edition of this draft guide is no exception. ...
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By Jonathan Leshanski on February 21  Every year I look at the FBI index and wonder, Why did I liked this guide so much in the past? Then I start reading and it comes back to...
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By Jonathan Leshanski on February 18  Price: $ 9.95 Find AHP’s guide to reviewing fantasy guides here. One of the most expensive fantasy guides out there is the Major League Fantasy Baseball Yearbook and Guide. They...
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By Jonathan Leshanski on February 14 Price: $ 6.99 Read AHP’s criteria for reviewing fantasy guides here Every year, among the guides I really enjoy reading is the Fantasy Baseball Guide Professional Edition. The reason...
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By Jonathan Leshanski on February 13 Price $ 7.99 Read AHP’s fantasy baseball guide rating criteria here Lindy’s is a big name when it comes to publishing sports related guides, but after passing judgment...
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By Jonathan Leshanski on February 11 Price: $ 7.99 You can buy it here Read AHP's guideline for reviewing fantasy guides here For many years, the Sporting News Fantasy Baseball Guide has been my go-to...
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By Daniel Paulling on January 29 Title: The Boys of Summer Author: Roger Kahn Pages: 456 Buy it here Roger Kahn’s The Boys of Summer doubles as one of the greatest books ever...
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By Jim Amato on September 10
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By Daniel Paulling on September 5 Title: Built to Win – Inside Stories and Leadership Strategies from Baseball’s Winningest GM Author: John Schuerholz Pages: 272 John Schuerholz is known as one of the best general...
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More in: Reviews
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Written by Bjoern Hartig (Contact & Archive) on February 24, 2009
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The CEO of the useless information department Jayson Stark brings us this piece of baseball humor:
Lowe said that shortly before he signed with the Braves, he called his pal Maddux and told him, kiddingly: "I want to wear No. 31" -- which, of course, was Maddux's old number. For the record, while the Braves haven't retired No. 31, they also haven't given it to anyone else since Maddux exited.
I can safely say that if Derek Lowe fired that quip out there to most players, they would have laughed and then gone about the rest of their lives. But not Greg Maddux.
"Jokester that he is," Lowe chuckled, "he actually called the Braves and told them he would let me wear No. 31."
Maddux even sounded so earnest when he made that call, the Braves totally bought his act. So GM Frank Wren decided he had to intervene.
"I was getting ready to sign with the Braves when Frank texted me," Lowe said, "and he said, 'We have a problem here. We're not really going to give out No. 31.' Was there any other number I'd like to choose?"
So Lowe said he'd take No. 32 if he had to. And you'd have thought that would have been the end of this. But it wasn't.
The Braves were still so unsure who was kidding and who wasn't that when Wren arrived at Lowe's news conference, he got a call from media relations director Brad Hainje. And the question of the day was: "Which uniform are we using -- 31 or 32?" The GM was pretty sure he had the answer, but not quite sure enough.
"So I actually went to Derek at the press conference and said, 'Derek, what's this about 31? Are you really going to wear 31?' " Wren said. "And he looked at me like: 'What the heck are you talking about?' "
So obviously, Lowe is running around this spring, wearing No. 32. But he also has his very own Braves jersey with No. 31 on the back, as the ultimate souvenir. And somewhere (between pitching wedges, no doubt), Greg Maddux is still laughing.
Maybe I just don't get it, but why is that so funny? I'm pretty sure that the ever humble Greg Maddux really wouldn't mind Lowe wearing No. 31. Maybe the idea that Lowe would even consider wearing Maddux' old number is so ridiculous that it is funny, but the Braves reaction seems quite normal, does it not?
Anyway, there are much better stories of Greg Maddux out there.
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Written by Bjoern Hartig (Contact & Archive) on February 23, 2009
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Andy Marte, once the next superstar, has hit rock bottom. He has been designated for assignment by the Indians.
At age 25, Marte has played in 163 games and hit a paltry .221/.265/.337. That's bad, really bad. But if you look at his splits, his line against lefthanders from last year was .293/.379/.448 in 34 games. Not exactly all-star caliber and just a small sample size, but I would expect that several team could use a right-handed third baseman that's only 25 years old. Casey Blake hit .253/.313/.460 last season with the Dodgers and got $17.5 million for three years. Andy LaRoche has career stats of .184/.288/.277 in 111 games and will be the starting third baseman of the Pirates. He is a few days older than Marte, too.
If you ask me, there is something else behind that. The Tribe Daily offers some possible answer:
1.) There is another trade looming. Someone showed interest in Andy Marte and the Indians are getting ready to ship him out. For what? Nothing crazy, but if a 30 year old relief pitcher who was busted for PEDs is worth an Isaias Velasquez, I don't think I'm overvaluing a 25 year old power hitting third baseman that was once a top prospect.
Sure, we know he isn't what he was billed up to be, at least he won't be here, but that idea is still out there and someone would give up an Isaias Velasquez to find out, that's how baseball works. So I'm not overvaluing him, we following the team tend to undervalue him because we saw what kind of performance they put up. But there are other teams out there that feel the risk would be well-worth it if he reaches just half of what people thought he could be.
2.) Andy Marte pissed off Eric Wedge. Remember that quote the other day about some people not coming into camp in-shape? Remember how I put my money on Andy Marte being one of those players? If this is all true, I'd put even more money on this being a response to Marte's lack of commitment to getting in better baseball shape.
Maybe it's a combination of both. I would not designate a player for assignment just to teach him to stay in shape. But if a trade is in the workings, why not give Andy a little scar to set him straight?
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Written by Bjoern Hartig (Contact & Archive) on February 23, 2009
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Over at the Hardball Times, Craig Brown analyses which perennial loser has the best chances to finish with a winning record. The candidates are the Washington Nationals, the Baltimore Orioles, the Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Nationals have done the most to improve the team on the market with the acquisition of Adam Dunn. However, the Nationals have also created new problems:
Already stocked with a plethora of corner outfield types, the additions of Dunn and Willingham add to the logjam. Dunn obviously will play somewhere — either left field or first base. If he’s at first, that displaces the oft-injured Nick Johnson, who could be trade bait. The top question in the Nats camp is whether Johnson can recapture the form he showed when he was last healthy in 2006; he hit .290/.428/.520 that year.
First baseman and defensively challenged corner outfielders are usually not too easy to trade, but in Anaheim, designated first baseman Kendry Morales is unproven and if he slumps through the early months, the Angels may be interested to take on Nick Johnson.
Regarding the "loser turns it around" question, my money is on the Kansas City Royals. While the Nationals may have improved the most, they were really, really bad and they still don't have any pitching. The Royals meanwhile have Zach Greinke and some servicable arms (Meche, Bannister) and while their offense is nothing to write home about, they have a solid lead-off man in David DeJesus, two young bats ready to take the next step in Alex Gordon and Billy Butler and they play in the rather mediocre AL Central. I'm not saying that the Royals will be this years Rays (Rockies, Tigers ...), but they have a good chance to be respectable.
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