Tell me, what’s your fan-ta-ta-sy?
Just a few days or weeks ago–depending on one’s dedication–fantasy baseball drafts were spreading as fast as Rebecca Black’s ridiculous song – “Friday” was being played on youtube.
It was then I realized the two teams I drafted had a hefty amount of talent and could compete, but also had the chance to completely bottom out and be a cellar dweller in a hot second. The 2011 season offers an abundance of players that could prove worthy of those last few picks in the draft.
Late-round players I see with possible big performances, or sleepers if you will:
Russell Martin – After being one of the best catchers in all of baseball just four years ago in Los Angeles, Martin’s production declined drastically, .293 AVG, 19 HR, 87 RBI in 2007 to .248 AVG, 5 HR, 26 RBI in 2010. Now a member of the Yankees, Martin should be geared for a strong season, hitting behind guys like Nick Swisher, Jorge Posada and Curtis Granderson. He should see many more pitches to hit and see at-bats with men on base. Martin could possibly get back to the 20 HR and 20+ SB form we saw in ’07.
Alex Gordon – For many years, expectations have been high for the Royals’ top pick from 2005. However, for as many years as of high expectations, the numbers have been as low. Gordon had been compared to George Brett, which may have been unfair, but many experts claimed the talent was there. Well, 2011 may be the year Gordon puts it all together. He will be playing the outfield, which may take away the stress of playing defense, and allow for more focus at the plate. Look for Gordon to finally tap into the 25+ HR power everyone raved about.
Grady Sizemore – Despite being one of the best outfielders from 2005-2008, Sizemore has been plagued by injuries of late, only appearing in a total of 139 games the last two seasons. He’s starting the season on the 15-day DL, but is slated to be back around May. A guy who has 30 HR, 80 RBI and 25+ SB potential is always worth a look in later rounds, even though starting on the season on the shelf. Consider the fact he has a little protection now with Carlos Santa and Shin-Soo Choo blossoming into solid players.
Craig Kimbrel – With the departure of Billy Wagner, the Atlanta Braves were in search of a new closer. Jonny Venters was the favorite to earn the job out of camp, but Kimbrel dazzled and was named the closer. Last season in 20.2 IP, Kimbrel fanned 40 batters and posted a .44 ERA, thanks to the power arm he possesses. The Braves are considered one of the favorites to win the NL East and could rack up a lot of wins, which need saving. If the 40 save mark doesn’t intrigue fantasy owners, the 17.4 K/9 should.
Kyle Lohse – It wouldn’t be a Cardinal blog without the presence of one St. Louis’ players. In 2008, Lohse’s first year with the Cards, he posted 15 wins and a sub-4 ERA. The last two seasons have been trying for the righty, having both seasons cut short by injuries. Lohse is healthy and able to feature his best pitch again – the slider. If the offense can muster up a few runs and Lohse can stay healthy, he could be in line for another 15 victory season.
Who are your late-round picks or possible sleepers for the 2011 season?
Fresh season, fresh start
As baseball season begins, a fresh start to the many baseball blogs around the league. I’d like to begin by apologizing for not keeping up with my blog over the last handful of months. School has been taking up a majority of my time, as well as some other outside opportunities.
Let this fresh season bring a fresh start to the blog, and allow me to keep up with the day-to-day happenings of Cardinal and Major League Baseball. Keep your eyes peeled, there will be some interesting ideas and posts coming your way throughout the course of the 2011 campaign.
Gallant-Lee
A tune seemingly heard over and over resembles that of a tune played at this same time just a year ago, a broken record if you will – Cliff Lee turning in a dominant performance in the postseason.
Lee’s performance in last season’s postseason was electric, with this year’s playoffs looking to shape up no differently.
The Rays’ offensive struggles were no secret, and with an ace like Lee, it seemed to be the perfect matchup the Rangers needed to get a hot start in its first postseason appearance in more than 10 years.
Lee struggled through August and was nothing close to spectacular in September, but the postseason seems to bring out the Superman in him, reaching his Cy Young form of ’08.
The lefty showed signs of struggles early, allowing the Rays to load the bases, but worked out of the jam by fanning Carlos Pena and Rocco Baldelli for the final two outs. After that, he was nearly perfect.
Lee dazzled, needing 104 pitches (76 for strikes) to get through seven innings and lead the Rangers to a 5-1 victory.
He yielded only one run -a Ben Zobrist homer in the seventh- and five hits, while striking out 10. Continuing his strong K/BB ratio from the regular season, Lee did not walk a single batter in game one.
He moved to 5-0 in his first six career postseason starts after going 4-0 last season with Philadelphia.
It was thought by many that if the Rangers were going to win this ALCS matchup, they would need to win game one at Tampa. Thanks to Lee, the postseason quality start robot, the Rangers are in a good spot to beat the Rays and move on to the ALCS.
Young Arms Define 2010
The upcoming season in Major League Baseball will be headlined by dazzling, young pitchers.
After an unprecedented 2009, Zack Greinke turned heads while pitching for the consistently cellar-dwelling Royals, and breezed his way to a Cy Young award.
Fire-balling righty Tim Lincecum managed to grab a second straight Cy Young in a somewhat strange voting in ’09. He walked away from the three-man battle with Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright splitting votes between them, which allowed Lincecum to sneak in and snag it away from the Cards’ hurlers.
All eyes will be on that pair, who claimed the two top ranks of fantasy pitchers, according to Yahoo Fantasy Baseball, but will share the spotlight with a plethora of other extremely talented starters the MLB possesses: Felix Hernandez, Justin Verlander, Clayton Kershaw, Jon Lester, Matt Cain, Josh Johnson, Ubaldo Jiminez and J.A. Happ, just to name a few. All age 27 or younger.
All of these are considered the aces of their staff, with exception of Cain and Happ, who play second fiddle to Lincecum and Roy Halladay. Not a bad tandem to pitch behind.
Each considered a power-pitcher, other than Happ and possibly Cain, will use their mid-90s fastballs to turn hitters circles and pile up strikeouts. Cain and Happ will rely on location and off-speed pitches to be effective.
Coincidentally enough, all of the teams other than Greinke’s are looked upon to be competitive in the 2010 campaign.
A widely known fact, pitching dominates hitting early in the year, will undoubtedly give these young men, if I may say that, some early success.
So, make sure to set your DV-Rs and TiVos to record every episode of ESPN’s Baseball Tonight, and I’d be willing to take it to Vegas that you’ll see one of those faces on its’ “That’s Nasty” segment any given night.
Should Cards Have Made One More Free Agent Move?
Little has been said regarding the Cardinals’ free agent signings other than, “glad we got Holliday back,” but one more signing could haveset them in a far better position regarding their pitching staff.
A proven winner, Chien-Ming Wang, was on the market until just recently after being signed by the Washington Nationals.
Wang, a previous two-time 19-game winner for the New York Yankees, has proven his ability to pitch, when healthy, in the tenacious American League East. Previously with the Yankees, Wang injured himself running the bases in Arizona, and has struggled each of the last two seasons, only making a total of 24 starts.
Despite health issues, Wang looks as if he’s recovered from his right shoulder strain and bursitis he suffered last season, and is in good form for the upcoming campaign.
The Cardinals signed the always-dangerous Brad Penny this offseason for $7.5 million base salary, with a $1.5 million possible incentive bonus.
Penny struggled early on last season with Boston, but was sent to the Giants, where he returned to old form, managing a 4-1 record in six starts. His struggles in the AL East are what shipped him right out of town.
Wang, who has won many games in the AL East, slipped out of the Cardinals’ grasp without even a consideration.
Hesitation on the side of the Cardinals, as well as many other teams, allowed Washington to snatch Wang up, for a humble $2 million base salary with an additional million in possible incentives.
It looks as if, with the current payroll, the Cards have about $7 million to work with, according to Matthew Leach, Cardinals MLB.com Beat Writer.
The team supposedly wanted to wait until Spring Training or later to make a move that will bolster the team at any position. The Cardinals have made it known they are seeking help in a few positions: third base, back-end rotation help, and a left-handed bat off the bench.
A main target of the Redbirds for third base help is Felpie Lopez, who had a brief stint with the Cardinals in ’08. David Freese currently sits as the favorite to win the job, who has had his own problems this offseason.
Lopez would most likely take no more than half of the remaining budget of the Cardinals, which begs the question: Why was Wang not a candidate for back-end rotation help?
Instead of looking into the possibility of signing a pitcher with proven dominance, they signed former Cub lefty, Rich Hill.
Hill, with Baltimore a season ago, struggled mightily, recording a .500 record and a 7.80 ERA in 14 games (13 starts).
The departures of Joel Pineiro and John Smoltz left two vacant spots in the rotation, with one being filled by Penny, and the other still up in the air, and no overpoweringly strong favorite heading into Spring Training.
Wang would’ve been that favorite, had he been signed, but instead, it will be battled out by Hill, Jamie Garcia, Kyle McClellan, Mitchell Boggs and Blake Hawksworth.
For the small price to pay for Wang, the upside was tremendous, especially working with one of the most highly touted pitching coaches in the game, Dave Duncan.
Cliff Tops Rox, Goes the Distance
Philadelphia Phillies ace, Cliff Lee, showed he would not be intimidated by the raucous atmosphere of playoff baseball, sparkling throughout the entire game.
Having played on a team that went to the playoffs in 2007, Lee was on the Indians but was left off of the postseason roster. Without any prior postseason experience, many were skeptical of manager, Charlie Manuel’s decision to start Lee over Cole Hamels. Lee put all critics to silence on Wednesday afternoon, tossing a complete game while allowing only one run.
Lee’s fastball was popping seeming to be his best pitch of the day, which allowed him to setup the batter for the slider, his out pitch. The lefty scatted six hits over nine-innings, whiffing five. Not only did he pitch, Lee got a hit in his first postseason game as well, and stole his first postseason base.
His shutout was broken up in the ninth on a Tulowitzki double that plated Carlos Gonzalez. Gonzalez might not have been at second base so easily if the Phillies wouldn’t have let him advance on a fielder’s indifference. Although, with his speed, Gonzalez probably would’ve scored from first on the double anyway.
Swirling winds swooped in and out of Citizens Bank Park, in Philadelphia, playing tricks on the fielders. The strong winds played a factor in the game, not allowing a ball to leave the ballpark for a home run (which rarely happens at Citizens Bank Park).
Lee helped stifle a Rockies team that had all of the momentum in the world coming into the playoffs. His outing not only helped the Phillies win the game, but it saved the bullpen, and more importantly, made the tough decision of who will close the ballgames, at least a day easier for Manuel, who has yet to give definite answer to the question.
Philadelphia jumped out to 1-0 lead in the series against the Rockies. Aaron Cook will be on the bump for the Rockies, with Hamels opposing him tomorrow afternoon.
This Postseason the Last for LaRussa?
With this postseason being very sweet, it could be the last for Cardinal manager, Tony LaRussa.
LaRussa, 65, is in the last year of his contract with the Redbirds, and hasn’t heard any talks of extending contract talks. His postseason presence seems to loom every October, with the Cardinals taking home the Central again this season.
His seven NL Central titles has brought his teams to the postseason as many times, and most recently in 2006, a World Series ring.
After 2002 the skipper won his fourth Manager of the Year award, and is the only manager to have won the award four times in a career.
Not only does he bring his seemingly endless knowledge to the game of baseball, but his cabinet of other coaches. Dave Duncan, pitching coach, Dave McKay, base coach, and Jose Oquendo, also a base coach and fielding coach.
This crew of coaches can be argued as one of the best in the game among all managers and baseball analysts.
Dave Duncan is no longer under contract after the remainder of this season, but is unlikely to go anywhere if LaRussa doesn’t depart.
With the acquisition of all of the pieces the Cardinals felt necessary to obtain another division title as well as a World Series championship, it begs the question: Could this be Tony’s final go-around with the Cardinals?
A extremely successful tenure compiled by LaRussa has put him at third in wins by any manager. If Tony does decided to leave, it will not only leave a position vacant, but shoes which would be extremely hard to fill.
If this is, unfortunately, Tony’s last stand with the Birds, let’s make it a memorable one!
Torre, LaRussa Set to Square Off in L.A.
A clash amidst two of the top five all-time winningest skippers in the game of baseball begins tonight in Los Angeles.
Tony LaRussa, third on the all-time list, has 2,552 wins in his 31 years of holding the reigns as a Major League manager, his counterpart, Joe Torre, has 2,246 victories in 28 years. LaRussa has two championships to his name, which is less than Torre, 4, but lacks nothing in comparison to Torre.
With nearly 5,000 victories between them, it goes without saying this will be a match-up for the ages.
Having been there and done all of that a time or two before (26 playoff appearances between them) this will be nothing new for either of these Hall of Fame managers.
Experience won’t be a factor for either of these titans, who will be leading their teams into battle tonight for game one for the National League Division Series. Each of them know how to manage their bench, starting rotation, and bullpen without a question.
Torre, a longtime manager in the American League recently joined the NL last year, taking the helm as the Dodgers manager. Torre has never had to double-switch much, but undoubtedly is capable of anything. This may be the only area Torre isn’t as experienced in as LaRussa, a master of the double-switch.
Let the thinking begin, as it already has for these two. If you come away from game one with your brain aching, don’t be surprised by any means.
Carpenter Takes Nod in Game 1
Recently named Comeback Player of the Year, Chris Carpenter, will toe the rubber on Wednesday night in the opening game of the National League Division Series in Los Angeles.
Although Adam Wainwright will most likely be the NL Cy Young award winner, LaRussa will go with experience and veteran leadership in the first game of the playoffs. Carpenter is seasoned in pitching big games for the Birds, and will notch another one under his belt.
Wainwright, however, will start game two on Thursday night in Los Angeles, looking to stifle the Dodgers potent lineup. Carpenter and Wainwright will have a tough compadre to deal with in Manny Ramirez, who also has a great deal of playoff experience on his resume. Ramirez is the all-time leader in home runs in the postseason.
Shutting down a powerhouse like Ramirez will be tough, but he’s no longer the best player on the Dodgers anymore. Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp oppose just as much of a threat as Ramirez, and won’t be a cakewalk to get passed.
This season Carpenter has only given up three earned runs against the Dodgers in 15 innings, while his career numbers in Dodger Stadium aren’t that great. Carp has only made two starts managing a sour 4.35 ERA. Those numbers are horrible compared to the outstanding season Carpenter has tossed this year.
Carpenter loves pitching in big games, and is definitely no stranger as he pitched in game three of the ’06 World Series allowing no runs on three hits in eight innings. He’s not going to be satisfied with a Division Championship, he wants it all. He’s hungry for another ring and will take full responsibility of being the ace of the staff that leads the Cards to the promise land again.
With a strong one-two punch of Carpenter and Wainwright and a solid third, Joel Pineiro, the Cardinals look poised to make a deep run this postseason. The offense is centered around Pujols and Holliday and is solid 1-through-7. We’ll see if another World Series title is in the Cards.
Game one is scheduled for 9:37 Wednesday night in L.A. on TBS.
Unlikely Contributions Help Cardinals to Title
Of course everyone expects big numbers from Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, and Ryan Ludwick but did anyone expect the performance of say, Brendan Ryan? Colby Rasmus? Julio Lugo? Okay, you’re right, this one might be a stretch. Chris Carpenter?
Carpenter, a former Cy Young winner in 2005 got back to such form this year, after being ridden with injuries for the last two. Cardinals fans and management alike hoped Carp would have a strong season, but did they expect this type of campaign from the veteran? Although everyone in baseball is aware of what Carpenter can do, who really thought he would be healthy all year and be able to rebound the way he did? I mean, he got injured early in the season after taking too intense of a swing. Well, he proved his critics wrong. Big time. His 17-4 record speaks for itself, as does the 2.24 ERA which just-so-happens to lead the National League, and is second in the Show. All of this without mentioning the six RBI game he just had, mashing a grand salami, and a two-run double.
Troubled infielder, Julio Lugo, joined the Cardinals after being designated for assignment by the Red Sox from Bean town. All he did was hit .274, score 22 runs, drive in 12, and swipe five bags. Doesn’t seem like much, right? Wrong. Lugo came over from the AL and sparked the Cardinals the very first night he was a member of the Rebirds, beating the Phillies 8-1. Lugo gives manager, Tony LaRussa, great versatility. LaRussa can use Lugo at second if a southpaw is on the mound, giving Skip Schumaker a day off if need be. Second or short, Lugo can play them both, which again gives his manager the choice to give everyday shortstop, Brendan Ryan, a day off.
Highly touted, five tool player, compared to Jim Edmonds (some say he’ll be better), Colby Rasmus, the 23 year-old rookie. Only 16 jacks, 72 runs scored, and 52 RBIs for the baby-faced center-fielder? He’s so young he tried to grow a mustache with the rest of the team, but took about a month longer than anyone else on the club. On a Cubs broadcast, Len Kasper made a comment about this, it would’ve been funny had it not come from him. His stingy defense in center shouldn’t go overlooked, either. Rasmus only made six errors this season, five in center, and one in right. His speed allows him to roam the outfield like a shark in the ocean. You don’t see many diving catches from him simply because he usually gets to everything and gets under the ball, making routine catches which are diving plays for others. Credit a few wins to Rasmus’ bat, he has more than one game-winning hit this year. Not bad, rookie. Not bad.
Speaking of the stache, can anyone say handlebars? Well, Brendan Ryan can. He plans to grow his upper lip toupe into a Rollie Fingers handlebar stache. How cool is that? Credit the success to the stache. Ryan came into Spring Training this year fighting for a bench spot on the roster and bloomed into the starter when Khalil Greene came in and laid an egg. B-Ry has played in 123 games this year, playing short and second. His range placed him on top of many highlight reels, and is in the running for a Gold Glove. His .296 average has him only a 3-3 or 3-4 day away from a .300 season. Ryan’s hit all over the lineup, first, second, seventh eighth, ninth and has produced all season long. In 385 at-bats, the stache man has only whiffed 55 times and had 114 hits. Could you really ask for anything more from a guy who came into camp competing for a reserve slot? And whoever thought a stache like that would get the ladies? One piece of advice for you, though, B-Ry, don’t shave the stache!
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