The Rule 5 Draft is behind us and Spring Training is underway, but a lot of important transactions often go down in the annual transfer of talent that kicks off the season. Though there were some nice selections throughout the draft, here is a quick roundup of all of the 1st Round selections:
1st Pick: SS Ed Parnell, Cincinnati Boomers
Former Franchise: New Orleans Pelicans
Comments: Won't fool anyone as a shortstop, he is a poor defender. Talented when he puts the ball in play but might be overwhelmed by major league pitching. Has a high ceiling.
2nd Pick: SP Damon Cosby, Oakland Oaks
Former Franchise: New Orleans Pelicans
Comments: Won't blow away hitters with his stuff, but very cerebral on the mound. He'll find a way to get his outs. Should easily develop into a nice back-of-the-rotation starter.
3rd Pick: SP Ruben Pineda, Jackson Magnolias
Former Franchise: Cincinnati Boomers
Comments: Vulnerable against right-handed hitters, but some of the best raw stuff in this draft. He has impeccable health and work ethic, so even at 24, he's got some developing left to do.
4th Pick: SP/RP Josh Thome, Syracuse Stars
Former Franchise: Charlotte Knights
Comments: Has had trouble staying on the field in his career, and is probably going to top out as a long reliever instead of a starter. Can eat innings, relying mostly on a masterful 4-seamer to get hitters out.
5th Pick: CF Hipolito Feliz, Richmond Spider Monkey
Former Franchise: Atlanta Crackers
Comments: Really nice do-it-all player for the Spider Monkey. Very capable in center field, can get around the basepaths when he wants to, can play every day, and isn't a total slouch with a bat in his hands. Gives lots of versatility and flexibility to Richmond.
6th Pick: 1B/DH Jamie Kim, Helena Caribou Barbies
Former Franchise: Memphis Blues
Comments: Probably better suited to DH than man first, until his skills develop. Lots of power, especially against right-handers. Could make a nice platoon option for Helena, a solid hitter all-around.
9th Pick: 2B Connie Johnson, Texas Longhorns
Former Franchise: New Orleans Pelicans
Comments: I'm sensing a theme with all these ex-Pelican selections. Not going to make it as a second baseman unless he works very hard at it. Not a good baserunner for a player of his position. Very effective at the plate, though. Highest value appears to be pinch-hitting.
10th Pick: RP Vince Monahan, Atlanta Crackers
Former Franchise: Cincinnati Boomers
Comments: Has a rubber arm. Middle and long relief appear to be his calling. Not a player you write home about, but there are certainly worse options to eat innings when a starter has a rough day. At 23-years-old, he should still improve over time.
11th Pick: RP Bob Bellinger, Kansas City Masterpiece
Former Franchise: New Orleans Pelicans
Comments: He throws hard (and a bit wild at times), but it takes him a long time to recover after he makes an appearance. He could actually make a good starter if not for his poor recovery times. The Masterpiece are hoping to use him in brief relief stints so that his arm does not wear down a lot all at once. Risky pick from this position, there were more reliable relievers, though perhaps none quite as talented.
13th Pick: SP/RP Luis Perez, Buffalo Bulldozers
Former Franchise: Syracuse Stars
Comments: Very young at just 22, he has lots of room to get better. And he already makes a decent option both to pitch long relief and spot start. Throws hard and with lots of accuracy, but opposing hitters have always been able to pick up his breaking pitches and spray them all over the park. Intriguing selection.
16th Pick: SP James Hull, New Orleans Pelicans
Former Franchise: Hartford Hartattacks
Comments: The Pelicans finally got to replenish some of the talent they lost with this pick. Hull is a boneified starter, and will fit in quite nicely at the back end of rotations throughout his career. Especially for mid-first round, this is a nice pick.
17th Pick: SP Damaso Carasco, Minnesota Antichrists
Former Franchise: Texas Longhorns
Comments: Another lefty starter who really has a tough time getting right-handers out. Carasco can certainly fill a spot in the rotation, though his penchant to ask for an extra day off is somewhat distressing. If he hits his ceiling, he'll do just fine in the bigs someday.
20th Pick: CF Zeus Houston, Norfolk Tides
Former Franchise: Anaheim Angels
Comments: Sort of similar to Richmond's pick. Covers a lot of ground in center field, making him an excellent defensive option. Also, not a bad bat to have off the bench. Sort of makes you wonder why Anaheim let this guy slip off their 40-man.
21st Pick: SP/RP Jamie Chang, New York Monarchs
Former Franchise: Cincinnati Boomers
Comments: The defending AL East Champs add some depth to their starting rotation. Likely to pitch in long relief this season, Chang has a tendency to lose control of his pitches from time to time. If he can work on fixing that, he could be a 5th starter some day.
22nd Pick: SP Ray Fontenot, Vancouver Renegades
Former Franchise: Kansas City Masterpiece
Comments: Not wild about this pick. There were better starting options still on the board, and Fontenot appears to be little more than an innings-eater, a job scouts think he'll have a tough time doing in the bigs at this point in his development. None of his pitches have much life, either.
23rd Pick: RP Watty Collins, Ottawa Filibusters
Former Franchise: Jackson Magnolias
Comments: Though he was selected more on potential than prowess at the moment, Collins will still be a wise choice if the Filibusters can find playing time for the 20-year-old. Scouts think he could be a wonderful long reliever some day, but this selection now puts his career at a crossroads. Can he handle the bigs and keep getting better?
25th Pick: RP Benj Evans, Oklahoma City Kingfishers
Former Franchise: Chicago Gangsta' Chimps
Comments: Though he can get a bit wild, Evans has a very tough Curveball and Slider, throws both of them hard, and keeps the ball in the ballpark. If he can limit his walks, he'll be a very effective reliever for the Kingfishers, especially in their ballpark.
26th Pick: RP Murray McGee, Los Angeles Dodgers
Former Franchise: Tucson Pilots
Comments: Not a flashy reliever, but he can certainly hold his own in a big league roster spot. Talent started to thin out at this point in the draft, so this is a reasonable selection from this line.
29th Pick: SP/RP Ray Elarton, Tucson Pilots
Former Franchise: Hartford Hartattacks
Comments: The Pilots grabbed a lot of players from the Hartattacks over the course of the entire draft. As for Elarton, he will pitch some long relief for the Pilots, but considering the hitters' park they play in, it may be a struggle for him in that role. Seems more like a mopup pitcher.
30th Pick: SP Weldon Forrest, Memphis Blues
Former Franchise: Kansas City Masterpiece
Comments: He remains unassigned, which is probably where he should stay. Forrest is a very fine minor league pitcher, but major league hitters would chew him up and spit him out in a heartbeat.
31st Pick: RP Eugene Buckley, Montgomery Biscuits
Former Franchise: Minnesota Antichrists
Comments: He won't be a total disaster if he pitches a few innings for the defending champions this year, but the Biscuits are probably hoping he turns into the player scouts thought he could be out of college. If so, he could easily pitch long relief in the bigs.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Free Agency Recap
Open Free Agency has come and gone yet again, and quite a few bank accounts shed some 0's in the wake. As always, there was a fair share of bargains to be had, banks to be broken, and heads to be scratched. Here's a closer look of a few of the high-profile deals signed over the winter.
SP Jack Torres, Atlanta Crackers, 31-years-old
5 years, $54.0 million
Though he is a fine pitcher in his own right, Torres is far from a legitimate starter. Though he was able to take the mound 32 times for the Fargo Fightin' Sioux a year ago, he only ate 164.0 innings. His numbers were good, but not overpowering. He went 10-9 with a 3.95 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Then, the Crackers, who are trying to re-tool in a hurry and contend in the NL South again, dropped wheelbarrows of money on his front porch step. Not only will Torres make 8 digits every year of this contract, but there is no option in this deal, so he'll be in Hotlanta until he's 35-years-old. And he definitely won't be able to start regularly at that age.
Rating: Headscratcher
SP Gerald Stanley, Los Angeles Dodgers, 29-years-old
2 years, $9.8 million
The Dodgers were collecting Type A Free Agents this offseason like they were Easter Eggs, and while almost all of them were good moves, this one was an absolute steal. Stanley is likely to have a great season as he transfers both from the American League to the National League, and from Fenway to Dodgers Stadium. He was already 14-12 with a 3.98 a year ago. He's 29-years-old and was a very economical signing for LA. This deal has so much bang for the buck, especially for a Type A, that Stanley really ought to consider firing his agent. Especially for a team that wasn't worried about surrendering draft picks, this move made a world of sense.
Rating: Bargain Basement
SP Brendan Norton, Cincinnati Boomers, 35-years-old
1 year, $11.0 million ($8.0 million mutual option)
Norton is a great pitcher on the downslope of his career, but he still has plenty of fire in his arm and will be the Boomers' ace. For the most part, this is a pretty good signing when you look at the numerics and the value Norton is likely to bring to the franchise. My biggest qualm with it, though, is the timing. Cincinnati has been a downtrodden franchise, and they still don't look quite ready to contend. So why give up a draft pick (granted, the 59th pick) for a good starter who will be gone just as quickly as he arrived? If Norton declines his option, maybe he becomes Type A/B again next year, so there's always that, I suppose. Regardless, Norton will bring some energy to a franchise that needs it, so it's hard to harp on this signing too much.
Rating: Right Place, Wrong Time
SP Delino Mendoza, Anaheim Angels, 32-years-old
5 years, $86.0 million
This deal procured the most talk around the water cooler, as it was the richest deal of the offseason. Mendoza, who seems to have found the fountain of youth at 32-years-old, actually was not a full-time starter last season. The Nashville Sounds used him in relief and to spot start, and he threw 163.0 innings in that role with a 3.64 ERA. He has to make sure he keeps the ball in the park, but when he does, he's as tough to hit as anyone in the league. Of course, with a contract this large, the Angels have to pray that he continues his intense strength regimen and will be able to throw lots of innings, even when he's 36-years-old: that's how old he will be in the final year of this deal.
Rating: Under the Microscope
RP Russ Edwards, Charlotte Knights, 33-years-old
2 years, $11.2 million
The Knights were looking to improve their bullpen this offseason, and the biggest acquisition they made in that regard was inking the Huntington Guyandottes' former closer, Edwards. Edwards converted 66 of 83 save opportunities for a 79.5% success rate in 2 years in West Virginia. It seems low, but his ERA was a respectable 3.58 over that span. When you consider the tightrope walk Eble Park can be for pitchers, Edwards is likely to be a notch better in Charlotte. For a closer, the deal was not too pricey, and only cost the Knights the 65th pick. He's not too old yet, either.
Rating: Just Made Sense
3B Dweezil Jefferson, Atlanta Crackers, 33-years-old
2 years, $15.0 million
While Jefferson won't produce a lot of power out of one of the corner infield spots, he should hit for a high average. However, he never quite found his groove while on the Jackson Magnolias. There's plenty more to like about Jefferson beyond his stick, so if he hovers around a .270 average as he has done in the past, he won't be a total wash. He's a great defender at third, rarely requests a day off, and can even snag a base here and there if the Crackers ask him to. All in all, a nice calculated risk here by the Crackers, especially since they only had to surrender the 100th pick.
Rating: Low Risk, High Reward
2B Tito McKinley, Atlanta Crackers, 30-years-old
2 years, $17.0 million ($10.0 million player option)
McKinley had a couple of very nice seasons setting the table for the Charlotte Knights, and the Atlanta Crackers grabbed him in yet another large signing. Their player payroll is $92.5 million this year, which actually is not much lower than a year ago. However, a lot of money came off the books for them, allowing all these big signings. McKinley completes an absolutely fearsome infield for the Crackers, and should be able to get on base at a good clip in front of some of the heavy hitters down in the order. He's going to be cashing a lot of big checks for 2-3 years, and the Crackers are hoping he can stabilize the top of their lineup over that span.
Rating: Overpaid, Barely
C Alex Forest, Los Angeles Dodgers, 30-years-old
4 years, $18 million
Because the Dodgers were not afraid to surrender draft picks this offseason, they made a number of intelligent signings, and Forest is another example of that. Forest was underutilized by the Memphis Blues, which is surprising considering they could have used him at catcher or designated hiter. Over 2 seasons he had only 671 at-bats but hit .335 with 21 HRs and 98 RBIs. He's an offensive-oriented catcher, to be sure, but is not a dunce behind the plate, either. At $4.5 million per year, this contract is one knucklebones can smile about for a while.
Rating: Genius
2B Mandy Greisinger, Chicago Gangsta' Chimps, 32-years-old
4 years, $25.2 million
While the pitching talent on the northside of Chicago is still thin, they bolstered their stockpile of hitters this offseason by signing Greisinger away from the Vancouver Renegades. Greisinger is a patient hitter who loves to get on base any way he can. In 2 seasons with Vancouver, his OBP was .384, making him an excellent choice near the top of any lineup. Scouts say he's not going to get to as many balls as he used to if he plays second, and as he'll be in Chicago until he's 35, they may have to find new spots for him to play over the course of the deal. But when you can't pitch, you might as well hit, so I still like this signing, especially in exchange for the 72nd pick only.
Rating: Why Not?
SP Jack Torres, Atlanta Crackers, 31-years-old5 years, $54.0 million
Though he is a fine pitcher in his own right, Torres is far from a legitimate starter. Though he was able to take the mound 32 times for the Fargo Fightin' Sioux a year ago, he only ate 164.0 innings. His numbers were good, but not overpowering. He went 10-9 with a 3.95 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Then, the Crackers, who are trying to re-tool in a hurry and contend in the NL South again, dropped wheelbarrows of money on his front porch step. Not only will Torres make 8 digits every year of this contract, but there is no option in this deal, so he'll be in Hotlanta until he's 35-years-old. And he definitely won't be able to start regularly at that age.
Rating: Headscratcher
SP Gerald Stanley, Los Angeles Dodgers, 29-years-old2 years, $9.8 million
The Dodgers were collecting Type A Free Agents this offseason like they were Easter Eggs, and while almost all of them were good moves, this one was an absolute steal. Stanley is likely to have a great season as he transfers both from the American League to the National League, and from Fenway to Dodgers Stadium. He was already 14-12 with a 3.98 a year ago. He's 29-years-old and was a very economical signing for LA. This deal has so much bang for the buck, especially for a Type A, that Stanley really ought to consider firing his agent. Especially for a team that wasn't worried about surrendering draft picks, this move made a world of sense.
Rating: Bargain Basement
SP Brendan Norton, Cincinnati Boomers, 35-years-old1 year, $11.0 million ($8.0 million mutual option)
Norton is a great pitcher on the downslope of his career, but he still has plenty of fire in his arm and will be the Boomers' ace. For the most part, this is a pretty good signing when you look at the numerics and the value Norton is likely to bring to the franchise. My biggest qualm with it, though, is the timing. Cincinnati has been a downtrodden franchise, and they still don't look quite ready to contend. So why give up a draft pick (granted, the 59th pick) for a good starter who will be gone just as quickly as he arrived? If Norton declines his option, maybe he becomes Type A/B again next year, so there's always that, I suppose. Regardless, Norton will bring some energy to a franchise that needs it, so it's hard to harp on this signing too much.
Rating: Right Place, Wrong Time
SP Delino Mendoza, Anaheim Angels, 32-years-old5 years, $86.0 million
This deal procured the most talk around the water cooler, as it was the richest deal of the offseason. Mendoza, who seems to have found the fountain of youth at 32-years-old, actually was not a full-time starter last season. The Nashville Sounds used him in relief and to spot start, and he threw 163.0 innings in that role with a 3.64 ERA. He has to make sure he keeps the ball in the park, but when he does, he's as tough to hit as anyone in the league. Of course, with a contract this large, the Angels have to pray that he continues his intense strength regimen and will be able to throw lots of innings, even when he's 36-years-old: that's how old he will be in the final year of this deal.
Rating: Under the Microscope
RP Russ Edwards, Charlotte Knights, 33-years-old2 years, $11.2 million
The Knights were looking to improve their bullpen this offseason, and the biggest acquisition they made in that regard was inking the Huntington Guyandottes' former closer, Edwards. Edwards converted 66 of 83 save opportunities for a 79.5% success rate in 2 years in West Virginia. It seems low, but his ERA was a respectable 3.58 over that span. When you consider the tightrope walk Eble Park can be for pitchers, Edwards is likely to be a notch better in Charlotte. For a closer, the deal was not too pricey, and only cost the Knights the 65th pick. He's not too old yet, either.
Rating: Just Made Sense
3B Dweezil Jefferson, Atlanta Crackers, 33-years-old2 years, $15.0 million
While Jefferson won't produce a lot of power out of one of the corner infield spots, he should hit for a high average. However, he never quite found his groove while on the Jackson Magnolias. There's plenty more to like about Jefferson beyond his stick, so if he hovers around a .270 average as he has done in the past, he won't be a total wash. He's a great defender at third, rarely requests a day off, and can even snag a base here and there if the Crackers ask him to. All in all, a nice calculated risk here by the Crackers, especially since they only had to surrender the 100th pick.
Rating: Low Risk, High Reward
2B Tito McKinley, Atlanta Crackers, 30-years-old2 years, $17.0 million ($10.0 million player option)
McKinley had a couple of very nice seasons setting the table for the Charlotte Knights, and the Atlanta Crackers grabbed him in yet another large signing. Their player payroll is $92.5 million this year, which actually is not much lower than a year ago. However, a lot of money came off the books for them, allowing all these big signings. McKinley completes an absolutely fearsome infield for the Crackers, and should be able to get on base at a good clip in front of some of the heavy hitters down in the order. He's going to be cashing a lot of big checks for 2-3 years, and the Crackers are hoping he can stabilize the top of their lineup over that span.
Rating: Overpaid, Barely
C Alex Forest, Los Angeles Dodgers, 30-years-old4 years, $18 million
Because the Dodgers were not afraid to surrender draft picks this offseason, they made a number of intelligent signings, and Forest is another example of that. Forest was underutilized by the Memphis Blues, which is surprising considering they could have used him at catcher or designated hiter. Over 2 seasons he had only 671 at-bats but hit .335 with 21 HRs and 98 RBIs. He's an offensive-oriented catcher, to be sure, but is not a dunce behind the plate, either. At $4.5 million per year, this contract is one knucklebones can smile about for a while.
Rating: Genius
2B Mandy Greisinger, Chicago Gangsta' Chimps, 32-years-old4 years, $25.2 million
While the pitching talent on the northside of Chicago is still thin, they bolstered their stockpile of hitters this offseason by signing Greisinger away from the Vancouver Renegades. Greisinger is a patient hitter who loves to get on base any way he can. In 2 seasons with Vancouver, his OBP was .384, making him an excellent choice near the top of any lineup. Scouts say he's not going to get to as many balls as he used to if he plays second, and as he'll be in Chicago until he's 35, they may have to find new spots for him to play over the course of the deal. But when you can't pitch, you might as well hit, so I still like this signing, especially in exchange for the 72nd pick only.
Rating: Why Not?
Wind of change in Nashville!
Spring training is here and it's time to take a look at the changes the Nashville Sounds made during winter, to try to play a little bit longer in playoffs. Even if The Sounds did very well the last two seasons with 91 and 99 wins, Sounds GM, jeanpaul22, feels that it was not enough.
Since the beginning of season one, the Sounds want to get a great defensive CF. They get him in Cy Crawford, along with RF Todd Alexander and a minor league starter Orlando Santiago from the Kansas City Masterpiece against Jorel Benson.
After that, the Nashville GM try to fill a hole that the first 2 seasons showed, a lack of power behind Danny Brunette and Adam Huff . Last season, Benson was their fifth hitter but he was not the solution.
The second trade of the winter will bring Christopher Goldberg in the line up to fill that hole but it cost a lot in John Burroughs. In return Nashville get another minor league starter in Sal Saunders from Arizona Flip-Floppers.
Last minute trade: SP Harry Ford from Kansas City Masterpiece against RP Louie Guerrero.
With these changes, Mr 22 thinks his team will be better equipped for the playoffs.
Season 3.
On the mound, with Jimmie Cannon , Hugh Douglas, John Suzuki, Harry Ford and Tony Crespo the rotation should be solid and with Sonny Bell to close, and Bartolo Ortega, the bullpen should be OK.
The defense, 7th last season, should be very strong with the addition of Crawford in centerfield.
Offensively, the Sounds should score many runs with MVP second baseman Danny Brunette, third bagger Adam Huff and first baseman Chistopher Goldberg in the middle of the line-up.
The line up should look like this:
Benji Reyes, LF
Cy Crawford, CF
Danny Brunette, 2B
Adam Huff, 3B
Christopher Goldberg, 1B
Omar Balboa, Matt Taylor, Dernell Carpenter or Dion Thompson, DH
Larry Hurst, SS
Todd Alexander, RF
Ted Lomasney, C
Of course it is too soon to predict anything but it should be another very fun season for the fans.
Since the beginning of season one, the Sounds want to get a great defensive CF. They get him in Cy Crawford, along with RF Todd Alexander and a minor league starter Orlando Santiago from the Kansas City Masterpiece against Jorel Benson.
After that, the Nashville GM try to fill a hole that the first 2 seasons showed, a lack of power behind Danny Brunette and Adam Huff . Last season, Benson was their fifth hitter but he was not the solution.
The second trade of the winter will bring Christopher Goldberg in the line up to fill that hole but it cost a lot in John Burroughs. In return Nashville get another minor league starter in Sal Saunders from Arizona Flip-Floppers.
Last minute trade: SP Harry Ford from Kansas City Masterpiece against RP Louie Guerrero.
With these changes, Mr 22 thinks his team will be better equipped for the playoffs.
Season 3.
On the mound, with Jimmie Cannon , Hugh Douglas, John Suzuki, Harry Ford and Tony Crespo the rotation should be solid and with Sonny Bell to close, and Bartolo Ortega, the bullpen should be OK.
The defense, 7th last season, should be very strong with the addition of Crawford in centerfield.
Offensively, the Sounds should score many runs with MVP second baseman Danny Brunette, third bagger Adam Huff and first baseman Chistopher Goldberg in the middle of the line-up.
The line up should look like this:
Benji Reyes, LF
Cy Crawford, CF
Danny Brunette, 2B
Adam Huff, 3B
Christopher Goldberg, 1B
Omar Balboa, Matt Taylor, Dernell Carpenter or Dion Thompson, DH
Larry Hurst, SS
Todd Alexander, RF
Ted Lomasney, C
Of course it is too soon to predict anything but it should be another very fun season for the fans.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Los Angeles Dodger Preview
The Los Angeles Dodgers come into season 3 hoping to do something to put them over the top with some major names leaving and some others on the way in.
The Dodgers have fought hard and have done well in the playoffs until the enevitable meeting with Montgomery. Montgomery has ended their season two years running. What can be done to match the stingy pitching of the Biscuits? GM KB thinks more offense and a move to youth in the rotation is in order. The Dodgers expect to return to the playoffs as a wildcard or the division winner and hopefully thier moves will take them to the WS. Anything short of that is running in place or worse, a failure.
Here are your season 3 Los Angeles Dodgers:
C- Alex Forest will start with Ariel Cruz waiting in the wings. This is a switch from the Dodgers philosphy of having a defensive guy back there. The Dodgers will start Forest and expect a .300 average and about 100 walks.
1b- B.C. Dransfeldt was first thought of as a pinch hitter and backup 1b/lf, but the Dodgers like the way he drives the ball and will give him a chance to lose the job with power guy Russ Chapman doing the backup role at 1b/lf. The Dodgers hope that Dransfeldt will produce a near .300 avg with 30 double and 20 hrs. If he fails, Chapman is sure to provide power and lots of walks.
2b- Louis Bevil will be playing his first full season as a Dodger. Management expects him to frequent the All Star game many times in the forseeable future. Great all around player and one of the best 2bs in the league.
3b- Yonder Martis will be the starter at 3b. Martis was a last minute aquistion and the Dodgers are hoping he'll provide some offense and stability at 3b. He has a chance to put up all star numbers with the stick anyway. Hes an average fielder. Julio Ozuna a rookie, will backup 3b/rf and provide some pop and youth to the lineup.
SS- Jay Bailey was at 3b last season and moves to SS with Martis taking over at 3b. Bailey should provide power and speed at the position although his glove is well below average. The Dodgers have many options and interchangeable players so SS/3b/of positions will be contantly changing no doubt. Other SSs include Curt Murphy & Ernest Looper. Both of these guys should see time at CF and wherever needed. Provide great insurance and nice bats off the bench.
lf- Mandy Chace Chace will be back in lf and hopes to make another run at the MVP. Great hitter.
cf- Vern Hamelin will man cf again. Hes a consumate pro with an excellent glove. He'll hit some line drives, steal a base here and there and not screw anything up. A company soldier.
rf- Donald Fujiwara is a budding superstar. He has all the tools to be the best offensive player on the team and in the league. Might have an MVP or two in his future. Lot of pressure for a kid, but hes handled it well so far. A rookie at 20, hes now starting to come into his own in his 3rd ML season. Look for big things out of Fujiwara.
sps- Andre Hubbard
Wil Sele
Joel Wheeler
Gerald Stanley
Paul Norton
Starting pitching was overhauled and is now a lot younger if slightly less talented. The Dodgers expect them to be very good and get better as the year wears on.
rps- Gus Garvin
Will Weston
Jerome Ross
Polin Rodriguez
Juan Camacho
The Bullpen is is solid and youthful with FA signee Ross anchoring the pen. This is the stronger end of the staff which is different from years past. The team expects the pitching as a whole to end up with nearly the same stats as seasons 1 and 2. They wont be the top pitching in the league, but they'll be very good.
Overall the Dodgers look to be contenders again is spite of the flurry of trades and signings. We'd really like to proclaim ourselves the team to beat, but theres Hartford & Montgomery in the way and no doubt just as good or better than they have been. Obviously anything less than the playoffs is failure, and from there its a crapshoot.
The Dodgers have fought hard and have done well in the playoffs until the enevitable meeting with Montgomery. Montgomery has ended their season two years running. What can be done to match the stingy pitching of the Biscuits? GM KB thinks more offense and a move to youth in the rotation is in order. The Dodgers expect to return to the playoffs as a wildcard or the division winner and hopefully thier moves will take them to the WS. Anything short of that is running in place or worse, a failure.
Here are your season 3 Los Angeles Dodgers:
C- Alex Forest will start with Ariel Cruz waiting in the wings. This is a switch from the Dodgers philosphy of having a defensive guy back there. The Dodgers will start Forest and expect a .300 average and about 100 walks.
1b- B.C. Dransfeldt was first thought of as a pinch hitter and backup 1b/lf, but the Dodgers like the way he drives the ball and will give him a chance to lose the job with power guy Russ Chapman doing the backup role at 1b/lf. The Dodgers hope that Dransfeldt will produce a near .300 avg with 30 double and 20 hrs. If he fails, Chapman is sure to provide power and lots of walks.
2b- Louis Bevil will be playing his first full season as a Dodger. Management expects him to frequent the All Star game many times in the forseeable future. Great all around player and one of the best 2bs in the league.
3b- Yonder Martis will be the starter at 3b. Martis was a last minute aquistion and the Dodgers are hoping he'll provide some offense and stability at 3b. He has a chance to put up all star numbers with the stick anyway. Hes an average fielder. Julio Ozuna a rookie, will backup 3b/rf and provide some pop and youth to the lineup.
SS- Jay Bailey was at 3b last season and moves to SS with Martis taking over at 3b. Bailey should provide power and speed at the position although his glove is well below average. The Dodgers have many options and interchangeable players so SS/3b/of positions will be contantly changing no doubt. Other SSs include Curt Murphy & Ernest Looper. Both of these guys should see time at CF and wherever needed. Provide great insurance and nice bats off the bench.
lf- Mandy Chace Chace will be back in lf and hopes to make another run at the MVP. Great hitter.
cf- Vern Hamelin will man cf again. Hes a consumate pro with an excellent glove. He'll hit some line drives, steal a base here and there and not screw anything up. A company soldier.
rf- Donald Fujiwara is a budding superstar. He has all the tools to be the best offensive player on the team and in the league. Might have an MVP or two in his future. Lot of pressure for a kid, but hes handled it well so far. A rookie at 20, hes now starting to come into his own in his 3rd ML season. Look for big things out of Fujiwara.
sps- Andre Hubbard
Wil Sele
Joel Wheeler
Gerald Stanley
Paul Norton
Starting pitching was overhauled and is now a lot younger if slightly less talented. The Dodgers expect them to be very good and get better as the year wears on.
rps- Gus Garvin
Will Weston
Jerome Ross
Polin Rodriguez
Juan Camacho
The Bullpen is is solid and youthful with FA signee Ross anchoring the pen. This is the stronger end of the staff which is different from years past. The team expects the pitching as a whole to end up with nearly the same stats as seasons 1 and 2. They wont be the top pitching in the league, but they'll be very good.
Overall the Dodgers look to be contenders again is spite of the flurry of trades and signings. We'd really like to proclaim ourselves the team to beat, but theres Hartford & Montgomery in the way and no doubt just as good or better than they have been. Obviously anything less than the playoffs is failure, and from there its a crapshoot.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Hot Stove Report #4
We'll take a peek at how the free agent frenzy is going tomorrow, but one more trade of note was reported today when the Los Angeles Dodgers said goodbye to the old and hello to the new. The Dodgers sent SP Victor Saez to the Huntington Guyandottes in exchange for minor league SP Ernest Ward. Saez could not be reached by phone, but his agent issued a statement regarding the deal in which he said, "Saez would like to thank the Dodgers for the opportunity to play in L.A. these past two seasons, and looks forward to joining another playoff-caliber team in Huntington."Saez had two 11-7 seasons in Los Angeles for a composite record of 22-14. Though he never reached the 200-innings in a season plateau, he was always effective in the innings he was able to eat up. Over 2 years he posted a 3.52 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. The Dodgers had just inked him to a new 3-year contract worth $15.6 million, but moved him nonetheless to provide themselves some breathing room under their budget.
The stickiest part of this deal is Saez' age. At 34 and under contract for 3 more seasons, he is going to be pitching until he is 36 for the Guyandottes. At $5.2 million a year, Huntington needs to hope he puts some of that money towards a personal trainer to stave off the effects of old age that plague us all. He has always been known for his work ethic though, and, at the time of his 3-year signing with the Dodgers, was quoted as saying, "I have little doubt I can perform at my best for the duration of this contract." Still, as a pitcher who is not an innings-eater to begin with, you wonder how much he'll have left in the tank at 36 years of age.
After winning 92 games last year, the Guyandottes may not be too worried about Season 5 at the moment. Instead, by trying to bolster their current roster to make another playoff run, they hope to win now. Even after moving SS Charles Tanaka earlier this offseason, they still look ready to be a contender again. In that sense, this move is perfect for Huntington.
To replace Saez, the Dodgers bring in a similarly thought-of player in Ward, of the Guyandottes AA affiliate. When asked, one scout said, "The only difference between Saez and Ward is 14 years and $5 million dollars." And he's not joking as much as it may seem: they even feature the same 4 pitches! So it's not at all difficult to see why the Dodgers were pleased to move an aging contract off their books in exchange for an unproven talent when that talent is virtually a mirror image of Saez.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Hot Stove Report #3
Devoid of much minor league talent and feeling like their brief window of opportunity closed during the offseason, the Kingfishers made the tough decision to export one of their rising stars for a top-rated pitching prospect. 1B Charlie Freeman, who joined OKC midseason a year ago as part of a trade that sent SP Ron Moran to the Louisville Sluggers, is moving on to his 3rd team in 3 years, the New York Monarchs.Freeman had a monstrous year in what was his first full season in the majors. Between Louisville and Oklahoma City he combined to hit .287 with 56 HRs and 133 RBIs. There is probably no one happier that this deal went down than Monarchs' 1B Armando Romo. Romo, who may move to the outfield to make room for Freeman, was the lone offensive standout on the Monarchs' squad of a year ago. Especially once they made the playoffs, he could not carry the team by himself, and they were consequently swept out of their opening series against the Nashville Sounds.
In return the Kingfishers got SP Bernard Griffiths. Big Bernard was the 13th pick in the Amateur Draft a season ago, and his first year as a pro was pretty solid. The Rice University graduate is fully expected do develop into a top-of-the-rotation starter, relying mostly on a tough Sinker but featuring 5 pitches. "We're still going to be competitive on the field without 'Free', and though you obviously can't replace a talent like that, we felt this move was better for our long-term health," said GM Sour Surfer after the news of the trade broke. Freeman reportedly garnered interest from as many as 6 teams.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Hot Stove Report #2
Amidst a plethora of ripples in the trading market, the Huntington Guyandottes and Atlanta Crackers created the biggest splash. The Guyandottes were able to clear $11 million off their books in preparation for the upcoming Free Agency frenzy by dealing SS Charles Tanaka. Tanaka's deal has 3 years and $34 million remaining on it, and the Guyandottes never felt Tanaka played up to his enormous contract while in West Virginia.The Crackers had a disappointing season a year ago, falling 21 wins off of their Season 1 pace, when they were the National League's 5-seed. Tanaka, hopes Atlanta, will help solidify a lineup that ranked 31st in the majors in run production a year ago. Scouts say Tanaka is a solid hitter with a little pop, but in 2 seasons with Huntington he hit just .292 with only 147 RBIs. Respectable numbers, but not when you're bringing in 8 digits a year.
The Guyandottes focused on bolstering their farm system with this deal, as they acquired RF T.J. Coco and SS Enos Murphy, both of Atlanta's High A team. Scouts like Murphy's power, but do not think he projects to a major league SS. He's more likely to find an eventual home at 3B or even somewhere in the outfield. Regardless of where he plays defensively, he will be a run-producer when his big league career arrives. Coco is not a terrific player in terms of talent, but he brings a lot of intangibles, such as his ability to stay on the field, day in and day out. He's a tough hitter to strike out, which means he could make a nifty 2-hole hitter some day.
The Crackers look like they're going to be serious players this year if their budget and this deal are any indication. The Crackers have $91 million to spend, and even after the Tanaka trade is finalized, they will have about $24 million in hand to take to free agency. It was a gutsy move by GM tjconnatser to import a big contract with subpar numbers, but the money was there and the Atlanta offense lacks star power, so why not pull the trigger?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Hot Stove Report #1
The hot stove is warming up already as a few trades have begun to trickle in. Here at the Double Mendoza Blog, we're going to do our best to keep up with all the action so you can stay informed on where all the big names are heading this offseason. Keep your eyes peeled for more Hot Stove Reports as trades and free agent acquistions are made.
Los Angeles Dodgers acquire:
23-year-old 3B Trent Carr
Minnesota Antichrists acquire:
32-year-old C Kevin Nichols
Snapshot Analysis: While nothing earth-shattering, this is a sound trade for both sides that focuses on defense. Nichols is a consummate pro when it comes to dealing with a pitching staff and as a backup catcher, he is a very solid option. Similarly, Carr brings good defense and a respectable bat off the bench for the Dodgers. Despite the Antichrists desire to go young this season, it's the Dodgers acquiring the youth in this swap.
Oklahoma City Kingfishers acquire:
26-year-old CF Rafael Espinoza
Minnesota Antichrists acquire:
25-year-old SP Vasco Megias
28-year-old RP Glenn Floyd
21-year-old RP Greg Riley
Snapshot Analysis: The Kingfishers appear to be building an offensive squad this season by adding Espinoza to their fold. In exchange for giving up one of their most talented hitters, the Antichrists get a trio of young pitchers. Megias has 2 ML years under his belt as a starter and is a nice option at the back of any rotation. Floyd performed admirably after a late call-up last season as the Kingfishers' closer, and Riley has impressed scouts throughout his minor league career. This is an interesting trade because it brings up the debate of which is better to have: quality or quantity? Espinoza is probably the most talented player in the swap, but the Antichrists now have a lot of pitching depth.
Tucson Pilots acquire:
32-year-old SP Colby Cunningham
Los Angeles Dodgers acquire:
23-year-old SP Roberto Tarraga
23-year-old RP Pablo Eusebio
25-year-old 1B Alejandro Concepcion
Snapshot Analysis: He didn't come cheap, but the ALCS runners-up acquire a pretty big fish in Cunningham, who has been the anchor of the Dodgers' rotation the past 2 seasons. Cunningham will be a great #2 behind SP Oswaldo Mendez. In Tarraga, the Dodgers "replace" Cunningham with another starter, but scouts say his movement pitches leave something to be desired. Eusebio could be a decent option in middle relief down the road, but he won't blow hitters away either. The crown jewel of this deal for the Dodgers is Concepcion, who should be a perennial .300+ hitter for them, and is ready for the majors right now. Plus, he has no prior service time, which is always a plus.
* All trades are pending league approval
Los Angeles Dodgers acquire:
23-year-old 3B Trent Carr
Minnesota Antichrists acquire:
32-year-old C Kevin Nichols
Snapshot Analysis: While nothing earth-shattering, this is a sound trade for both sides that focuses on defense. Nichols is a consummate pro when it comes to dealing with a pitching staff and as a backup catcher, he is a very solid option. Similarly, Carr brings good defense and a respectable bat off the bench for the Dodgers. Despite the Antichrists desire to go young this season, it's the Dodgers acquiring the youth in this swap.
Oklahoma City Kingfishers acquire:
26-year-old CF Rafael Espinoza
Minnesota Antichrists acquire:
25-year-old SP Vasco Megias
28-year-old RP Glenn Floyd
21-year-old RP Greg Riley
Snapshot Analysis: The Kingfishers appear to be building an offensive squad this season by adding Espinoza to their fold. In exchange for giving up one of their most talented hitters, the Antichrists get a trio of young pitchers. Megias has 2 ML years under his belt as a starter and is a nice option at the back of any rotation. Floyd performed admirably after a late call-up last season as the Kingfishers' closer, and Riley has impressed scouts throughout his minor league career. This is an interesting trade because it brings up the debate of which is better to have: quality or quantity? Espinoza is probably the most talented player in the swap, but the Antichrists now have a lot of pitching depth.
Tucson Pilots acquire:
32-year-old SP Colby Cunningham
Los Angeles Dodgers acquire:
23-year-old SP Roberto Tarraga
23-year-old RP Pablo Eusebio
25-year-old 1B Alejandro Concepcion
Snapshot Analysis: He didn't come cheap, but the ALCS runners-up acquire a pretty big fish in Cunningham, who has been the anchor of the Dodgers' rotation the past 2 seasons. Cunningham will be a great #2 behind SP Oswaldo Mendez. In Tarraga, the Dodgers "replace" Cunningham with another starter, but scouts say his movement pitches leave something to be desired. Eusebio could be a decent option in middle relief down the road, but he won't blow hitters away either. The crown jewel of this deal for the Dodgers is Concepcion, who should be a perennial .300+ hitter for them, and is ready for the majors right now. Plus, he has no prior service time, which is always a plus.
* All trades are pending league approval
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