Mark Reynolds Trade Reaction

    Mark Reynolds is now officially a Baltimore Oriole. As odd as that sounds, The Orioles made the right move by acquiring a big power bat like Reynolds. Although, by trading for Reynolds, the Orioles become strikeout prone, the move solidifies the rest of their lineup. Reynolds will never be a 3-hole hitter type, but slotting him behind Nick Markakis, Matt Wieters and Adam Jones, the Orioles have become at least semi-deep in hitting.

Under manager Buck Showalter, the Baltimore Orioles went 34-23, which by any means is AMAZING, considering the Orioles only won 33 games between April-September. Yes, you heard that right, the Orioles won more games in the last two months than they did the rest of the season. 

Anyways, Reynolds becomes an integral part of the Orioles lineup this season, but he might not stay an Oriole for long, because he becomes arbitration-eligible after next season. The acquisition allows the Oriole's young pitching staff to develop and make mistakes, and behind the run support of Reynolds, they might be able to win a game or two if they allow >3 runs. 

Maybe the biggest impact of the Reynolds trade were the prospects that the Orioles gave up. In the trade, the Orioles gave up two highly touted prospects in David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio, the latter of the two, a behemoth of a man, standing at 6'9". Hernandez has the potential to be a shut-down closer, tossing his four seamer at the mid-to-upper 90's with a disgusting slider. Whereas, Mickolio, the main haul in the Erik Bedard trade, does not profile to be a front of the line starter. His fastball reaches the low 90's and his breaking stuff is most only horizontal. The important part for both of these players is that the Diamonbacks can use both players this year. Both have significant time in Triple-A, and if needed, could be called upon to play in 2010. Both the Orioles and the Diamondbacks got what they wanted in the trade, but now the Diamondbacks have a gaping hole in the middle of their order, and none of their prospects are hitting at the power level that Reynolds has.

3rd Base Rankings

1. Evan Longoria
2. David Wright
3. Alex Rodriguez
4. Ryan Zimmerman
5. Jose Bautista
6. Adrian Beltre
7. Michael Young
8. Casey McGehee
9. Placido Polanco
10. Mark Reynolds

Notes: Kevin Youkilis does NOT qualify to be a third-baseman as of yet (only 3 games played last season), but when we acquires third-base eligibility, I would rank him fourth on this list, and move everyone on this list down one.

Just Missed: Pablo Sandoval (watch his stock this off-season, he might not have a starting gig next spring, that moves him after the top-20), Pedro Alvarez,Aramis Ramirez, Scott Rolen, Chone Figgins.

Jayson Werth Signing

December 5, 2010

The Washington Nationals have officially signed free-agent oufielder Jayson Werth to a contract of 7 years/126 Million. Let me repeat myself. The WASHINGTON NATIONALS have signed Jayson Werth. What the?! Where did this come from?! If you think that Jayson Werth is crazy, well you might be right.

Days before the Winter meetings were slated to begin in Lake Buena Vista, FL, many transactions have happened, such as the San Diego Padres' trade of Adrian Gonzalez to the Boston Red Sox, Derek Jeter signing back with the New York Yankees ( big shocker, right?), but the most enigmatic was the Jayson Werth signing.

Some may ask, is Werth really werth (pun intended, lock it up great fantasy team name) the contract? Both the Nationals and Werth's agent Scott Boras agree that the contract is fair to both the player and the club. The Nationals were in a dire need of a power hitting, 4 hole hitter after Adam Dunn left via free Agency to the Chicago White Sox. Werth was presumed to be the second best outfielder in the 2010 free-agency class, shortly after the long-time Tampa Bay Ray, Carl Crawford. Now that the Nationals have locked up Werth for 7 years, the only problem is consistency.

Over the past 3 seasons, Werth has accumulated 97 home-runs and 53 stolen bases, great statistics for any free agent. The only problem revolves around his ability to produce year round. At some points in his career, Werth has looked like a slugger, going on prolific streaks, and yet, the next week, he might as well be benched. I have reviewed his swing, and the only thing that seems to be wrong with it is his weight transfer. As his 6'6" frame coils to hit the baseball, he often looks robotic, standing straight and trying to use all upper body, but as you can see on the link above, Werth has incredible power if he uses his lower half more often.

The Nationals have deemed Werth werthy (yes, I know its awful) to be their so called "star" of the team, and he looks to hit in the 4-hole right behind third baseman, Ryan Zimemrman. With Werth in their lineup, the Nationals have become a force to be reckoned with in the NL East, but they still have a few years to become one of the top tier teams in the Majors. Two of the most dynamic prospects in the game, Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasberg, the latter recovering from "Tommy John" surgery, a transplantation of the ulnar-collateral ligament in the elbow. In the next few years, the Nationals look to have one of the best 3-4-5 hitters in the major leagues with Zimmerman, Werth and Harper (in no particular order), with a legitimate ace in the making in Strasberg.

However the story is spun, watch out for the Nationals come 2014.

2nd Basemen Rankings

1-Robinson Cano
2-Chase Utley
3-Brandon Phillips
4-Dan Uggla
5-Ian Kinsler
6-Dustin Pedroia
7-Ricky Weeks
8-Ben Zobrist
9- Aaron Hill
10-Brian Roberts

These are my rankings and my feelings. Just Missed: Martin Prado, Howie Kendrick, Gordon Beckham

Adam Dunn Signing

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Today, one of the biggest (and yes I also mean literally) sluggers signed with his 4th team in 10 years. Do you know who this is? Who is the only person in the last 7 years to hit at least 38 home runs per year, but has never eclipsed a season average of .270? Thats right, Elvis Andrus , has signed with the Chicago White Sox. Wait... thats not right, no no no first baseman Adam Dunn,30, has signed with the Chicago White Sox.

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick and Bruce Levine report that the deal is all but finalized between the Sox and Dunn. Dunn, slated for four years and 56 million, will primarily serve as the DH for the Sox, but that depends on the status of free-agent Paul Konerko. Konerko, who has been a long-time White Sox, doesnt plan to sign before the winter meetings, which are to be held two weeks from today.

Although Dunn is considered to be one of the most durable players in the game ( at least 150 games/ season since 2004), he will likely not play the field every game for the White Sox. Although he has expressed interest in not Dh'ing, the White Sox signed Dunn for his hitting ability, not his ability to field. Currently, the White Sox plan to sign Konerko again, and for him to be the every-day first baseman. Although Dunn will spell Konerko, he will considered the Sox' DH.

Dunn was originally believed to sign elsewhere, with his former team the Washington Nationals aggressively pursuing the slugger, but other teams in the mix were The Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, and Toronto Blue Jays. The Sox plan to hit Dunn primarily in the cleanup slot, but with Alex Rios and Carlos Quentin, Dunn may have to earn his worth. The only thing that is for certain next season is that Adam Dunn will continue to mash.

Rants-Troy Tulowitzki

Troy Tulowitzki

   First off, I just want to explain that while I write this, Troy Tulowitzki has officially become filthy rich. Today, He signed a contract extension with the Colorado Rockies for ANOTHER 6 years, with his whole contract enveloping 10 years. The reported deal was 10 years, $157.75 million (all guaranteed), although Rockies policy prevents the specifics from being released just yet. I believe this is the longest deal for a shortstop ever, although when Alex Rodriguez was orginally inked, he was a shortstop. Does "Tulo" deserve this contract? According to the Rockies, he does. Coming off his first All-Star (appearance?), first Gold Glove, first Silver Slugger, it seems to be that Tulo, 25, is here to stay. Although specifics have not been released, Tulo will be making approximatly 13 million per year, as compared to other shortstops around the league:

Derek Jeter- $18,900,00
Hanley Ramirez- $11,000,000
Jimmy Rollins- $7.750,000
Jose Reyes- $6,750,000

Now Tulowitzki's contract (on a per year basis), is the highest paid shortstop in the league. Jeter's contract is up, and with talks stalled, Jeter might come back at $15 mil/year, but his age and declining performance, Jeter could possibly be out of baseball by 2015, while Tulo still has 5 years left on his contract. Now for the "does he deserve it? " part. Well I'll let you decide, but here are some interesting statistics:

2007 (155 games)    2008 (101)         2009 (151)          2010 (122)
- .291 AVG              - 263 AVG        -.297 AVG          -.315 AVG
- 104 Runs                - 48 Runs           - 101 Runs           - 89 Runs
- 24 HRS                  - 8 HRS              - 32 HRS             - 27 HRS
- 99 RBI                    - 46 RBI             - 92 RBI               - 95 RBI
- 7 SBs (6 CS)      - 1 SBs (6 CS)     - 20 SBs (11 CS)     - 11 SBs (2 CS)

See the outlier? Tulowitzki's production actually went up from 2009-2010 (per game), partially because of a historic September, in which he hit 15 home runs and 40 RBI in three weeks. Tulo has become a precious gem at shortstop, not only because of his power and production, but also his ability to field and make the outstanding plays.

Since 2008, Tulo has changed his stance from this to a more straight-up stance, and has been keeping his weight on his back foot during his load. As he transfers his weight during his positive move, he has been staying straight up and keeping his weight between his feet. He has been bringing his bat straight to contact point, and when he goes into slumps, he tends to dip his bat head, causing a longer swing and more "roll-overs." But Colorado hitting coach Carney Lansford, a career .290 hitter, plans to keep Tulo hitting like he did last September.

Rankings-Joe Mauer

Joe Mauer

      For nearly four years now, Joe Mauer has been considered Fantasy's top catcher. Although his new home field (Target Field) is now considered a pitcher's park, Mauer's swing is nearly slump-proof and I would start him every game, regardless of pitching matchup. After 2009's monster season, Mauer calmed down with his production, hitting only 9 home runs. Normally, this would be awful for any position, but Mauer's high average and middle of the lineup  presence should see his production go back up again. In 2009, Mauer's 28 bombs topped the position (Victor Martinez was second with 23), but he moved to a new ballpark, and Mauer's production greatly diminished. Yes, all of the talk about currents is true, and yes you should probably check the weather before a night game, but it is safe to say that Joe Mauer is the consensus top catcher. Although I would not recommend drafting Mauer before the 25th pick, some strategies involve scooping the best players, at their respective positions, earlier. 

Projection : 

AVG-.330

R-100

HRS-15

RBI-110

SB-1

Catchers 1-10

1. Joe Mauer
2. Brian McCann
3. Buster Posey
4. Victor Martinez
5. Carlos Santana
6. Miguel Montero
7. Mike Napoli
8. Matt Wieters
9. Jorge Posada*
10. Kurt Suzuki

Just for clarification, these are my rankings of catchers based on fantasy relevance only. I am saying that I am ONLY grading these catchers for their hitting and baserunning, not their defensive prowess.


      

Status-Nov. 29, 2010

I am going to make a quick list of the top 10 at each position starting now. For OF/ P, I will do the top 30.

Welcome!

  Today, I started my own blog. For those who don't know me, I'm Douglas P Mayberry and I am a senior at San Marino High School in Los Angeles. I have always been a baseball fanatic, and until now, I have just kept all thoughts secured in the vast crevices of my brain. 

  I love playing Fantasy Baseball (FBB) and I am hereby dedicating this website for the sole development of Fantasy Baseball lovers around the world. I will occasionally update lists, rankings and player developments. Sometimes I will pick a certain player and talk about how his bat speed has slowed, or maybe even how he is bringing his bat in a direct path to the ball( If you havent heard of Evan Longoria, he has one of the best swings in the game). 

  I am a Colorado Rockies fan, and while I live in L.A. , I always root for the Rockies. I am a firm believer in real teams over fantasy teams, but if you can kill two birds with one stone, hell thats even better! Anyways, this is just the start. 

  Welcome!!!!