The Team's Good Picks:
Ivan Rodriguez and Gio Gonzalez are good picks for this team. Pudge provides a reliable catcher with fantastic defensive skills. With Andrew Jones, Orlando Cabrera, Mike Lowell, Mark Ellis/Howie Kendrick, Eric Byrnes and even Nick Swisher, this team could be Barb's best defense. Pudge has a cannon and so does Cabrera and Jones. Pudge provides a very good veteran bat to a lineup taht could have some potential. Cause for concern would be Mike Lowell as there is a reason big years by veterans are called "Career Years" they don't happen every year. As for Gio Gonzalez, the little lefty can really rack of the strikeouts. If Oakland is a contending team, then Gonzalez's late season callup could rival Liriano and Gallardo's efforts in past years. Gonzalez, since there is depth in this rotation, could be used to find another hitter, perhaps Yuma's Adam LaRoche or Pottsylvania's Lyle Overbay.
The Team's Bad Picks:
Dan Ortmeier and Dana Eveland were poor draft selections. At most Ortmeier will be a role player, despite consistant playing time with MLB's worst franchise. Generally role player would be good, but the team already has Conor Jackson. I thought there are more durable and versatile players, like Casey Blake that could have filled Ortmeier's role better. And for Eveland, the lefty is overrated. I think his numbers will be good at home, but when Oakland travels, he will get rocked.
The Team's Best Pick:
Not trading the organization's young players. Oakeyland has the finest young nucleus in Andy LaRoche, Stephen Drew, Howie Kendrick, Carlos Gonzalez, with Gio Gonzalez, Matt Garza, and Dice K. All of these players will see significant playing time by year's end at the latest. I seriously doubt too many fanchises will have this kind of contribution from youthful players.
Overall: C+
Although the talent from Oakeyland's draft wasn't great, it filled team needs. The team's catching situation was pathetic. Pudge fills the defensive needs of the team and can produce offensively. For the future, Oakeyland must focus on getting a more youthful catcher, like John Buck perhaps. The excess middle infield talent allows the team to trade some players if the situation is needed. Getting younger should have been a focus for this team. The only player that could produce at a high level in three years time was Gonzalez. With only a handful of picks, youth should have been the focus after acquiring Pudge. Jackson is also a good pick for this team but Ortmeier was overkill.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Eliminated the Competition?
The Team's Good Picks:
The team had an excellent draft so there is a lot to choose from. George Sherrill, Matt Guerrier, Chris Marrero and Steven Pearce were the best from the solid crop. Sherrill and Guerrier provide depth to a depleted bullpen. Both have tremendous bullpen matchups. Sherrill is closing games in Baltimore and will be a nice set up man or middle reliever in the northeast. Chris Marrero is a great prospect that will provide some trade bait and make a splash. Also, Pearce is a flexible player who can play in the outfield and first, with a solid bat.
The Team's Bad Picks:
I think Peter Moylan's numbers were far better than what will happen this season. He is ruthless on righties and has developed a changeup this spring. If he can use the change effectively, he may be a very good pitcher against lefties. Moylan does not project long term due to his frisby style technique. Also, despite Heath Bell's excellent numbers last season, he was worked very hard. I question whether his arm can hold up a few years. Owner's beware. Lastly Pedro Feliciano is deceptive and effective against lefties but is purely a situational lefty. If he is left in the game against Lexington's right handed lineup, yikes.
Overall: A-
Clearly depth in the bulllpen was crucial to a repeat run to the playoffs. Too many arms to list were drafted which creates favorable matchups late in games. Joe Thatcher could be a great pick as the Padres are phenomenal at scouting bullpen talent in their huge pitcher's park. The trade for Jon Lester will be a great deal for yaers to come. Lester will be a stable in the rotatoin and a great pickup against the left handed heavy Brooklyn's New York Moabs. I thought a little depth up the middle was needed, but the surplus of bullpen arms gives management tremendous flexibility in trade for more depth. Injuries should not be a problem for this team due to the depth.
The team had an excellent draft so there is a lot to choose from. George Sherrill, Matt Guerrier, Chris Marrero and Steven Pearce were the best from the solid crop. Sherrill and Guerrier provide depth to a depleted bullpen. Both have tremendous bullpen matchups. Sherrill is closing games in Baltimore and will be a nice set up man or middle reliever in the northeast. Chris Marrero is a great prospect that will provide some trade bait and make a splash. Also, Pearce is a flexible player who can play in the outfield and first, with a solid bat.
The Team's Bad Picks:
I think Peter Moylan's numbers were far better than what will happen this season. He is ruthless on righties and has developed a changeup this spring. If he can use the change effectively, he may be a very good pitcher against lefties. Moylan does not project long term due to his frisby style technique. Also, despite Heath Bell's excellent numbers last season, he was worked very hard. I question whether his arm can hold up a few years. Owner's beware. Lastly Pedro Feliciano is deceptive and effective against lefties but is purely a situational lefty. If he is left in the game against Lexington's right handed lineup, yikes.
Overall: A-
Clearly depth in the bulllpen was crucial to a repeat run to the playoffs. Too many arms to list were drafted which creates favorable matchups late in games. Joe Thatcher could be a great pick as the Padres are phenomenal at scouting bullpen talent in their huge pitcher's park. The trade for Jon Lester will be a great deal for yaers to come. Lester will be a stable in the rotatoin and a great pickup against the left handed heavy Brooklyn's New York Moabs. I thought a little depth up the middle was needed, but the surplus of bullpen arms gives management tremendous flexibility in trade for more depth. Injuries should not be a problem for this team due to the depth.
It's Still Hot in the Desert
Only because this is Yuma, read Devil's Highway...
Team's Good Picks:
There are a lot to choose from. Rafael Perez and Rohrbaugh are great picks. Obviously Perez was thought highly of as he was a first round selection. Rohrbaugh is a Braves farmhand who was a draft and follow. That means he was selected out of high school and chose not to sign with the Braves, but went to a junior college. This allows the Braves to sign him before he is eligible for re-entry into the draft. He is a good lefty who is the leader of a new young class of Braves arms. Daniel Moskos could rise quickly in the Bucs organization. He throws hard and is left handed and in my opinion would be a fantastic set up man like BJ Ryan. Another highlighted pick is Johnny Cueto. Cueto is a bulldog type pitcher which is probably necessary in the Great American Smallpark.
Team's Bad Picks:
Really none, but I would say that Matusz is the weakest pick. He is only in this category because he is still in college. As I have said before, drafting college players is bad in the 40 man roster era of BARB. Matusz, despite being a highly regarded arm, is still going to take a few years to reach the pros. He takes away a degree of freedom from roster flexibility.
Most Underrated Selection:
Carlos Carrasco could be this season's version of Yovani Gallardo. He has tremendous stuff and is in an organization that sorely needs arms. This was a great pick and beat Brooklyn to the punch.
Overall: A
There is little that gets past Chris come draft time. He had a phenomenal draft and continues to add players taht can contribute now, the near future, and down the line a few years. This creates a stable organization that makes the playoffs year after year. The depth that was created through solid deep drafts allows Yuma to trade an All-Star OF for a young shortstop and not miss a beat. Another excellent draft in the desert.
Team's Good Picks:
There are a lot to choose from. Rafael Perez and Rohrbaugh are great picks. Obviously Perez was thought highly of as he was a first round selection. Rohrbaugh is a Braves farmhand who was a draft and follow. That means he was selected out of high school and chose not to sign with the Braves, but went to a junior college. This allows the Braves to sign him before he is eligible for re-entry into the draft. He is a good lefty who is the leader of a new young class of Braves arms. Daniel Moskos could rise quickly in the Bucs organization. He throws hard and is left handed and in my opinion would be a fantastic set up man like BJ Ryan. Another highlighted pick is Johnny Cueto. Cueto is a bulldog type pitcher which is probably necessary in the Great American Smallpark.
Team's Bad Picks:
Really none, but I would say that Matusz is the weakest pick. He is only in this category because he is still in college. As I have said before, drafting college players is bad in the 40 man roster era of BARB. Matusz, despite being a highly regarded arm, is still going to take a few years to reach the pros. He takes away a degree of freedom from roster flexibility.
Most Underrated Selection:
Carlos Carrasco could be this season's version of Yovani Gallardo. He has tremendous stuff and is in an organization that sorely needs arms. This was a great pick and beat Brooklyn to the punch.
Overall: A
There is little that gets past Chris come draft time. He had a phenomenal draft and continues to add players taht can contribute now, the near future, and down the line a few years. This creates a stable organization that makes the playoffs year after year. The depth that was created through solid deep drafts allows Yuma to trade an All-Star OF for a young shortstop and not miss a beat. Another excellent draft in the desert.
Oh No, Another
Darwin closer JJ Putz has landed on the DL. THis is yet another Finches arm to hit the Harden-Hermida List. Could this be the year the overacheiving Finches miss out on the playoffs. If they do it'll be because of the pine.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
What Happens in Vegas Gets Praised!
The Team's Good Picks:
Kose Fukedome and Kelly Johnson are great picks. Matt Holliday, Alfonso Soriano, and Manny Ramirez have never dazzled anyone defensively, so a fourth outfielder is crucial in late innings. Fukedome fills that position well and his left handed bat could be a real asset off the bench. As for Johnson, he fills a gaping hole at secondbase. He can leadoff or bat lower in the lineup with tremendous patience, despite strikeouts. His defense is better than advertise. The one caution, although minor when it comes to a weak offensive position of second, is his streaky bat.
The Team's Bad Picks:
Clearly selecting a 35 year old catcher in the first round and paying him 30 percent more was a risky investment. What is worse, management did not target a younger catcher to grow into the new position. Michael Barrett does not start and is not a defensive catcher. Last year he fought with Big Z in Chicago, prompting a trade. He does have a good bat, but he is getting older as well and does not have a starting spot with the Padres. Also, the team is really shallow on the corners. Alex Gordon is a young stud who really struggled last season, but Prince Fielder is really coming into his own. If either suffers an injury, a trade is crucial to salvage the position. Lastly, the team did nothing to address lefty arms. Come late innings against Brooklyn, a team with heavy left handed bats, not having a lefty out of the pen could kill playoff hopes and runs.
Overall: A
The pitching rotation is solid with Ian Snell, Jered Weaver, AJ Burnett, Derek Lowe, and Brett Myers is one of the stronger rotations. Durability will be a concern as Weaver opened last season on the DL. Lowe and Burnett are not strangers to the Harden-Hermida Lists. Brett Myers will be crucial if Liriano returns to a healty rotation, as he may move to the bullpen with Rivera, Gagne, Qualls, Heilman and Morrow. The lineup can swing for the fences with the best of them (East teams and Yuma). There will be plenty of strikeouts but the team can make up for that with the stolen base with Soriano, Rollins, and Gordon. Depth and lefty arms should be a source of concern, but Vegas has the potential to challenge for a crown with this team healthy (but big question mark with health).
Kose Fukedome and Kelly Johnson are great picks. Matt Holliday, Alfonso Soriano, and Manny Ramirez have never dazzled anyone defensively, so a fourth outfielder is crucial in late innings. Fukedome fills that position well and his left handed bat could be a real asset off the bench. As for Johnson, he fills a gaping hole at secondbase. He can leadoff or bat lower in the lineup with tremendous patience, despite strikeouts. His defense is better than advertise. The one caution, although minor when it comes to a weak offensive position of second, is his streaky bat.
The Team's Bad Picks:
Clearly selecting a 35 year old catcher in the first round and paying him 30 percent more was a risky investment. What is worse, management did not target a younger catcher to grow into the new position. Michael Barrett does not start and is not a defensive catcher. Last year he fought with Big Z in Chicago, prompting a trade. He does have a good bat, but he is getting older as well and does not have a starting spot with the Padres. Also, the team is really shallow on the corners. Alex Gordon is a young stud who really struggled last season, but Prince Fielder is really coming into his own. If either suffers an injury, a trade is crucial to salvage the position. Lastly, the team did nothing to address lefty arms. Come late innings against Brooklyn, a team with heavy left handed bats, not having a lefty out of the pen could kill playoff hopes and runs.
Overall: A
The pitching rotation is solid with Ian Snell, Jered Weaver, AJ Burnett, Derek Lowe, and Brett Myers is one of the stronger rotations. Durability will be a concern as Weaver opened last season on the DL. Lowe and Burnett are not strangers to the Harden-Hermida Lists. Brett Myers will be crucial if Liriano returns to a healty rotation, as he may move to the bullpen with Rivera, Gagne, Qualls, Heilman and Morrow. The lineup can swing for the fences with the best of them (East teams and Yuma). There will be plenty of strikeouts but the team can make up for that with the stolen base with Soriano, Rollins, and Gordon. Depth and lefty arms should be a source of concern, but Vegas has the potential to challenge for a crown with this team healthy (but big question mark with health).
Black Mesa Ain't Gonna Be's
The Team's Good Picks:
Catcher Jason Varitek was the team's best pick. Clearly Doug Mirabelli was not the answer behind the plate. To get a switch hitting catcher that is a leader is huge for a young team. He can also provide the lineup with some depth behind Kevin Youkilis, Austin Kearns, Adam Dunn, Hideki Matsui and Justin Morneau. Despite many strike outs, this team will put up some runs and getting an offensive catcher is a tremendous steal.
The Team's Bad PIcks:
Instead of going with the favorite pick of Reed Johnson, or even Youkilis, I will criticize the draft strategy. On a rebuilding team, at least should be rebuilding, select offensive players from other teams kills the potential to add pitching depth and youthful players. Management did not address the team's pitching depth. The three man rotation of Justin Verlander, John Maine, and Ted Lilly is good enough to compete in the Central? but Kei Igawa is not an answer in the 4 hole. Who knows who is going to be in the fifth role. The thing that is for sure, the long reliever may end up with the most innings pitched on this team.
Overall: D+
The lineup will be a force in the weak Central?. If by some miracle of BARB Black Mesa reaches the playoffs, the rotation of Verlander, Maine, and Lily could be dangerous. The closer is as close to a sure thing with John Papelbon. He is set up by Takashi Saito, Brian Fuentes and Gustavo Chacin, which is pretty good. Clearly the problem is depth and I look for this team to trade some of the hitting depth for some pitching. Perhaps Ronald could approach Nick for SS Rafael Furcal!
Catcher Jason Varitek was the team's best pick. Clearly Doug Mirabelli was not the answer behind the plate. To get a switch hitting catcher that is a leader is huge for a young team. He can also provide the lineup with some depth behind Kevin Youkilis, Austin Kearns, Adam Dunn, Hideki Matsui and Justin Morneau. Despite many strike outs, this team will put up some runs and getting an offensive catcher is a tremendous steal.
The Team's Bad PIcks:
Instead of going with the favorite pick of Reed Johnson, or even Youkilis, I will criticize the draft strategy. On a rebuilding team, at least should be rebuilding, select offensive players from other teams kills the potential to add pitching depth and youthful players. Management did not address the team's pitching depth. The three man rotation of Justin Verlander, John Maine, and Ted Lilly is good enough to compete in the Central? but Kei Igawa is not an answer in the 4 hole. Who knows who is going to be in the fifth role. The thing that is for sure, the long reliever may end up with the most innings pitched on this team.
Overall: D+
The lineup will be a force in the weak Central?. If by some miracle of BARB Black Mesa reaches the playoffs, the rotation of Verlander, Maine, and Lily could be dangerous. The closer is as close to a sure thing with John Papelbon. He is set up by Takashi Saito, Brian Fuentes and Gustavo Chacin, which is pretty good. Clearly the problem is depth and I look for this team to trade some of the hitting depth for some pitching. Perhaps Ronald could approach Nick for SS Rafael Furcal!
Where's Samuel Adams?
The Arizona Lexington Diamondback somethings....
The Team's Good Pick:
Reliever Joba Chamberlain was the team's best draft pick. His talent is unhittable when he wants it to be. Will it be over the entire season? We will find out. The problem there are a lot of question marks concerning Chamberlain's role, future role, and durability over an entire season. IF he becomes a starter, can he throw 220 IP, which would be 21 IP less than CY Young winner CC Sabathia, and still be able to throw 97-100 mph? We simply don't know. Good pick in that you want to own Chamberlain and wait to figure out how he will dominate the most. The bad, giving up SS Jose Reyes, a catalyst to the offense and leader on defense. His replacement is the fading JJ Hardy. Perhaps, David Wright could lead off because Lexington could be this year's version of the SF Giants-- great starting pitching weak hitting!
The Team's Bad Pick:
This team better not get the injury bug that Darwin has this season, Brooklyn and Frostbite had last season, because there is ZERO depth on this roster. The bad pick is clearly Rich Harden. Where I like the gamble, I do not think it warrants a third round pick. Harden has proven two things. First, tremendous talent that can strike whoever he wants out. Second, sadly, is that Harden has proven to be permantly seated on the HARDEN List, with teammate Jeremy Hermida.
Skipping to OVERALL: C-
Before people jump on this evaluation, Ronald traded All-Star STUD SS Jose Reyes. The most important position player is most commonly considered the shortstop. He is a great player at such a young age. He is a switch-hitting leadoff man, with tremendous speed and suprising power, good average, a cannon for an arm, and amazing range. For Joba? He has not reached his talent, and won't for a year or two. Needed to address depth more than getting the league's best set up man down the stretch for the league's best shortstop. Really, Ramon Hernandez and Miguel Montero behind the plate, yikes! The outfield consisting of BJ Upton, Hunter Pence, and Carlos Lee is very talented. Lex might have six to seven right handed batters in a eight man lineup. The only lefty might be light hitting 2B Luis Castillo, yet management will likely opt for youthful Rickie Weeks. Lastly, the rotation, when healthy is likely the best in BARB, but concerns over health should be driving management nuts. Be on the lookout for the injury bug that has hampered the East contenders over the years. Since Lex changed cities in an attempt to get into the stiff East, they might get the East's BUG.
The Team's Good Pick:
Reliever Joba Chamberlain was the team's best draft pick. His talent is unhittable when he wants it to be. Will it be over the entire season? We will find out. The problem there are a lot of question marks concerning Chamberlain's role, future role, and durability over an entire season. IF he becomes a starter, can he throw 220 IP, which would be 21 IP less than CY Young winner CC Sabathia, and still be able to throw 97-100 mph? We simply don't know. Good pick in that you want to own Chamberlain and wait to figure out how he will dominate the most. The bad, giving up SS Jose Reyes, a catalyst to the offense and leader on defense. His replacement is the fading JJ Hardy. Perhaps, David Wright could lead off because Lexington could be this year's version of the SF Giants-- great starting pitching weak hitting!
The Team's Bad Pick:
This team better not get the injury bug that Darwin has this season, Brooklyn and Frostbite had last season, because there is ZERO depth on this roster. The bad pick is clearly Rich Harden. Where I like the gamble, I do not think it warrants a third round pick. Harden has proven two things. First, tremendous talent that can strike whoever he wants out. Second, sadly, is that Harden has proven to be permantly seated on the HARDEN List, with teammate Jeremy Hermida.
Skipping to OVERALL: C-
Before people jump on this evaluation, Ronald traded All-Star STUD SS Jose Reyes. The most important position player is most commonly considered the shortstop. He is a great player at such a young age. He is a switch-hitting leadoff man, with tremendous speed and suprising power, good average, a cannon for an arm, and amazing range. For Joba? He has not reached his talent, and won't for a year or two. Needed to address depth more than getting the league's best set up man down the stretch for the league's best shortstop. Really, Ramon Hernandez and Miguel Montero behind the plate, yikes! The outfield consisting of BJ Upton, Hunter Pence, and Carlos Lee is very talented. Lex might have six to seven right handed batters in a eight man lineup. The only lefty might be light hitting 2B Luis Castillo, yet management will likely opt for youthful Rickie Weeks. Lastly, the rotation, when healthy is likely the best in BARB, but concerns over health should be driving management nuts. Be on the lookout for the injury bug that has hampered the East contenders over the years. Since Lex changed cities in an attempt to get into the stiff East, they might get the East's BUG.
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