The AL East Rule

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Glen G

2011 was one of the most unpredictable seasons baseball has ever offered up, and things are about to get even more interesting. As the collapse of the Boston Red Sox was imminent, division rival Tampa Bay was there waiting to steal their postseason berth as the Wild Card winner. The Red Sox simply withered down the stretch when it counted most, going a horrific 7-20 in September while blowing a nine game lead in the standings, which is just unheard of unless you’re the 2007 New York Mets (Yes their failure is still worse). The effect this had on the Boston roster can be seen by the overhaul they went through this off-season, firing both their General Manager and Manager days after the team had officially failed to make the playoffs.

A bit into the off-season, the MLB decided to institute a rule change that has many shaking their heads. The decision they made was to add a second Wild Card postseason team to each league, thus enhancing the amount of games that would take place and aid some teams hoping to make a “Cinderella” type of run, much like the opportune St. Louis Cardinals team did last season in winning it all.

The problem I have with the rule change is the implication it has on competition. It rewards teams that aren’t deserving of making the playoffs, but are suited for a playoff series. For instance, last season’s Red Sox team looked like the favorite for most of the year to go all the way. They had three very solid starters in Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and rising talent Clay Buchholz. Although these starters struggled mightily all season and never gained any type of consistency, I think every team in the AL was happy to not have to face those guys in a playoff series format.

I am a diehard Red Sox fan, and I was extremely bitter last season when the Rays led a spirited charge on the last day of the regular season to steal the Wild Card, but the Sox had it coming. They absolutely dogged it down the stretch and didn’t look hungry out there. Had they earned “the second” Wild Card spot, I would have been ashamed because there shouldn’t be consolation prizes in sports. The rule change seems to be more about making money and satisfying big markets than about improving the competitiveness of the game, and that’s just not right. Baseball fans have become accustomed to the suspense that comes with fighting for that Wild Card, especially in a division as fiercely contested as the AL East.

It’s also unfair to cater rules to big market teams in my opinion, because it furthers the gap of fair play. Although some will say this rule will help small market teams weasel into a playoff spot, the more likely outcome is that a team like Rays, Angels or Red Sox will scoop up that second Wild Card and possibly make a run at a World Series Title (this would be great for the MLB as these teams are the money makers of the league, and this rule change is telling of where their priorities are). Should this scenario occur, I believe fans (of other teams) have a right to say that team should have never been given that chance.

Baseball, at least in my opinion, is one of the most consistent sports in the sense that powerhouse franchises will always be just that, and small market teams will always be just that; you can’t change a team’s financial strength overnight. I think the MLB should have given this more thought before implementing this change, because they are sacrificing the excitement of playoff baseball all for more revenue.

At the end of the day one can understand that baseball is a business, but greed has its consequences and the addition of a second Wild Card team will only make the playoffs feel more dragged out, which will ultimately hurt baseball’s appeal to fans. The number one complaint from fans of baseball is that the games are too long (another big concern as an average game takes about 3 hours) and that the season may be too many games. Yet how do the MLB Executives respond? With more games of course! The new format will not be more exciting, it’s nothing more than a way to sell more merchandise and tickets for the teams that gets in on those last playoff spots. The concept also has a novelty aspect to it that doesn’t bode well for the game, because you’re supposed to earn your spot in the playoffs not be handed one.

One parting observation…if the rule change is instituted this season, 10 out of 30 teams would make the playoffs, but how many of those teams will realistically deserve to be there? The answer to that question is surely not 10, and may be less than 5; just some food for thought.

Do you like the rules change? How could it be better? Opinions?

The “All-Sleeper” Team: MLB Fantasy Preview

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Glen G

With the 2012 MLB season right around the corner, predictions about the coming year are about to paramount folks. This year’s offseason was a busy one that shook the cores of many teams (sorry Cardinals’ fans) while at the same time seemingly turning others into contenders ala the Los Angeles Angels and the newly formed Miami Marlins. Today I want to take a look around the entire world of baseball in the hopes of establishing what I will henceforth call “The MLB All-Sleeper Team.” The guidelines being I’ll name you the player that gives the most value at his position with regards to how much you’ll have to give up to get them (based on their Pre-Draft Ranking) versus the return I expect them to give you (their projected stats for the upcoming season). Some of these names you may know and others may surprise you, but rest assured fantasy owners, once the season rolls along all these names will become very familiar.

*Numbers in parenthesis represent players ranking by position heading into the 2012 season according to ESPN.com

Outfield

Mike Stanton, Miami Marlins (8): The young power hitter had a big year last season for the Marlins en route to 34 home runs & 87 RBI. Although he is on people’s radar I look for Stanton to raise those totals into the elite category of 40 HR and at least 110 RBI, thus surpassing most people’s expectations. Drafting him in the 2^nd or 3^rd round could be a big steal down the road.

Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals (15): Although picking anybody on the Royals is a risk in itself, take a shot on Alex Gordon. Gordon had a breakthrough season last year for his team and I look for him to build on that this season. Most analysts don’t think he can repeat a .300 batting average (BA), 100 runs scored, 25 HR and 90 RBI type season…I think he can. Getting him in the 5^th or 6^th round could make him a gem in the draft.

Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners (29): The always solid Ichiro had a rough year in 2011, but don’t count him out yet. After hitting a modest .272 last year, most draft boards are saying his best years are behind him…pounce on this opportunity. Ichiro is the epitome of what an athlete should be as he combines tremendous skill, focus and effort into his well-crafted game. I look for him to get his batting average back to above .300 and to steal 40-50 bases paired with a possibility of scoring 100 runs. Getting Ichiro in the 4^th or 5^th round could be your best pick of the entire draft; he’s truly the sleeper of sleeper picks.

Third Base

Pedro Alvarez, Pittsburgh Pirates (21): I have to pick this guy, I mean believe it or not we played in the same league growing up (Inwood Little League of Manhattan) and Pedro was a stud from day one. Although he disappointed last year in his rookie season due to a combination of injuries and lack of opportunity, don’t give up on the 25 year-old. Alvarez was known for his power in college when he played at Vanderbilt University and was so sought after that Pittsburgh used the #2 pick overall in the 2008 draft to get him. I look for him to breakout this year and get at least 15-20 home runs. If he’s able to reach 80 RBI as well he’ll be a hell of a contributor as you can probably grab him very late. Take a shot on Alvarez as his upside is enormous.

Shortstop

Jose Reyes, Miami Marlins (3): It’s hard to call a guy ranked #3 overall at his position a sleeper, especially when that man is Jose Reyes. The reason I pick him is that I think he’s going to have a really big year because of his team, much bigger than forecasted. Reyes is now in a lineup that features Hanley Ramirez and young stars Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton, all players that will drive runs in. Reyes has a knack for getting on base (he won the batting title last year with a .337 BA) and he can steal bases once he’s on (he’s won the stolen base crown three times in his career). Although Reyes is known for catching the injury bug, don’t be surprised if he puts up huge numbers this season. A 110 Run, 50 Steal, .320 BA type of year is well within range and would make Reyes one of the top fantasy players in the whole league. Consider drafting him with your first pick; he’s a high-risk high-reward player. If you like gambling, Reyes is a great pick with a huge upside.

Second Base

Howard Kendrick, Los Angeles Angels (9): Kendrick is a guy who just hasn’t lived up to the hype. I for one believe it has a bit to do with the team in place around him, and that’s about to change. Whenever you add a talent like Albert Pujols to a team you improve the stats of every hitter who bats even close to him in the lineup; and that’s the case here. Kendrick should be an immediate beneficiary from this trade and I look for him to have a career year. If he can contribute 20 HR and 80 RBI “Howie” will be a big steal in the draft. Pick him as you see a lot of the top second basemen falling off the board, but don’t panic as I see him as a viable option if you can’t get an elite second basemen like Ian Kinsler or Robinson Cano.

First Base

Miguel Cabrera/Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers (1, 5): I feel like I have to point out these two behemoths because of the years I think they are poised for. It’s scary to think how awesome Detroit could be if they hadn’t lost Victor Martinez, but nevertheless they added Prince Fielder. I firmly believe that Cabrera/Fielder will put up enormous numbers this season and they will only help each other by competing with each other. Both players going for 40 HR and 120+ RBI wouldn’t surprise me one bit, selecting either of them with your first pick is warranted. If you can get Cabrera, I give him a slight edge because of his ability to hit for power and average. However word has it that Cabrera will bat ahead of Fielder which could mean more RBI opportunities for the Prince. Don’t be worried as choosing either guy will reap huge dividends for your squad.

Catcher

Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants (7): Coming off a lost year due to a vicious collision at home plate, Posey is not a hot commodity heading into this year. I believe he is still one of the best young catching prospects out there and I look for him to return to form. Posey going for 20 HR and a .300 BA would be awesome and would make him a great option at catcher; a position which is very slim in terms of fantasy value.

Designated Hitter

Jesus Montero, Seattle Mariners (3): As a New York native I hated to see the Yankees give up on a young talent (again). Montero showed the tools to be both a power and average hitter, and he may be just that for the Mariners this year. If Ichiro can return to form Montero will have opportunities to drive him in should it be through a home run or through a simple base hit. I like for Montero to have a coming out party this season and his possibility of playing catcher only makes him more attractive to fantasy owners. If he ends up playing catcher, Montero could make you look like a genius for selecting him as he could easily be the top fantasy catcher this season…that’s right, this season!

Starting Pitcher(s)

Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals (26): Strasburg suffered through Tommy John surgery last season and it was truly disheartening for everyone who was following the Nationals’ phenom. This season I look for Strasburg to come out with a vengeance and to be a dark horse for the NL Cy Young as well as a favorite for the NL Strikeout Crown. Strasburg is definitely a risky pick as his mechanics are questionable and Tommy John surgery is Tommy John surgery, so be careful here. If you’re not a risk taker stay far away from this guy, but if you’re willing, Strasburg has the stuff to be a top pitcher.

Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (3): Kershaw is the Cy Young favorite in my mind and the best pitcher on the board. He throws three (some say four) pitches effectively and is great at striking guys out. His 248 strikeouts last year was tops in the NL and I look for him to only improve this year. Kershaw as of now is the best pitcher in baseball and should be chosen accordingly, don’t make the mistake of not getting him as he is well worth a coveted early round pick.

Ubaldo Jimenez, Cleveland Indians (41): Pitching for Cleveland won’t help the hard throwing righty stack up victories but it also won’t hurt his ability (and willingness) to strike batters out. Ubaldo sports a 100+ MPH fastball and his success with Colorado in the past makes me believe he can be a top pitcher still for the Indians. His low ranking at his position and concerns about his velocity dropping should be given weight but are not reasons to write this guy off. Cleveland is known for playing in a pitchers ballpark and Jimenez is a crafty pitcher, picking him in the middle rounds of your draft will be a smart move in the long term.

Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers (31): Although he hasn’t thrown a single inning in the Majors, I’m sold on Darvish. I’ve watched enough film to see that his stuff is filthy, he just has to believe in his game and he will succeed. If Darvish pitches at a level similar to that which he was known for in the NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball – Japan’s top level) he will be deadly on hitters. Darvish is my dark horse to win the AL Cy Young, don’t be surprised if that becomes a reality; draft wisely!

Relief Pitcher(s)

Joe Nathan, Texas Rangers (21): A familiar face is moving to a new team. Nathan is a former All-Star that is not getting the respect he deserves in this year’s rankings. Nathan has easily been one of the top 5 closers in baseball for the past decade and I don’t think he’s done yet. The Rangers will ultimately use him as closer as they hope to convert prospect Neftali Feliz into a starter. Because of this, and the fact that the Rangers are a good team, I look for Nathan to get 30-40 saves this year. Getting Nathan late in the draft could mean that you got the best closer in the league with one of your last picks…any complaints about that?

Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds (30): The man out of Cuba has shown one thing so far that is not debatable….he has a rocket arm. Last season he clocked a 106 MPH fastball which I believe still stands as the world record. Chapman might get a chance to start, but as of now he is one of the best strike out guys coming out of the pen. Picking him up as a reliever could get you about 3-4 strikeouts a night from a guy who will only go 1 or 2 innings. If he can keep his ERA down, his contribution could be very nice for your squad. He’s still not worthy of an early pick but scooping him up late will be a great move for your team.

Don’t Think These Guys Are Good? Who’s Your Fantasy Sleeper Pick? Let Me Know!

The Hot Stove: Offseason Moves That Will Change The MLB

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Glen G

In an era dominated by free agency, the game of baseball has never seemed so uncertain. Every off-season teams make moves that completely change the dynamic of the game, and this year is proving to be no different. We’ve already seen a few key acquisitions that will make teams that were merely in the hunt last year into teams that are now title contenders. As exciting as it is to follow the top prospects every move during their signing process, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed in what the game has become. Free agency and the general lack of a salary cap has changed the MLB (and many other sports) from a child’s game into a Wall Street minded business. The majority of players don’t have as much commitment to their teams and are willing to jump ship as soon as a rich, desperate team comes crawling to them with an inflated contract. Not that I can’t understand how hard it must be to turn down some of these offers, but does loyalty mean nothing?

I’ve watched countless superstars walk out on teams that have invested in them 100% and made the franchise their franchise; that’s just not right. I believe it also turns the game into a mere display of these star players, as opposed to a stage for a team to shine. Often times when you turn on a game you hear more talk about whether a guy like Albert Pujols will break a record then you do about whether his team will actually win; it’s a pretty dramatic shift from what the sport felt like when I began watching in the 90′s. At that time talk was all about the Brave’s Triple Threat of Glavine, Smoltz and Maddux or about the well rounded Yankees club that featured a young Jeter and Rivera among others. The point is I feel like I don’t even cheer for a team anymore, I’m essentially a fan of certain players I respect and enjoy watching, and quite frankly it’s not as enjoyable. However, this is the new MLB and it’s all about bringing in star power by whatever means necessary. With that being said let’s take a look around the game of baseball and see which 4 teams made the biggest splash in this year’s free agency

4. Yu Darvish & Joe Nathan, Texas Rangers: The Rangers made it clear that they needed to replace C.J Wilson and they got the job done. They ended up paying a hefty fee for it though, giving the prized Japanese ace Yu Darvish a 6-year, $60 million deal (in addition to the 51.7 Million they paid just to talk to him). Darvish is largely unproven playing only in the Japanese league, but scouts think he’s the best pitcher to come out of Japan…ever! The Rangers also quietly picked up Joe Nathan, a former all-star who if healthy could be one of the most underrated signings of the season. If you’re looking to get a couple of guys that won’t be rated too high in the fantasy baseball rankings, take a look at these two as their potential is enormous. Nathan will likely become the teams closer which only helps his fantasy value, get him while you can.

3. Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers: The Tigers also addressed a need with a big free agent signing. After getting news that Victor Martinez would be sidelined the entire season with a badly torn ACL, the organization splurged and got a prized piece in Prince Fielder. Coming off a 38 HR and 120 RBI year (he also batted .299), Prince was due to get big money and he cashed in with a massive 9-year, $214 million deal. The deal should give the Tigers one of the best one-two punches in the game now as Miguel Cabrera (one of the top 5 hitters in baseball) and Fielder are sure to complement each other nicely. I look for Prince to compete for MVP this year as he may get a good amount of his at-bats at DH, which will keep him fresh throughout the season. If he can put up a 45 HR-130 RBI type of year I think Prince could break the barrier that no DH can win the most coveted award in baseball. Fantasy owners be sure to pick him with confidence.

2. Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Carlos Zambrano & Heath Bell, Miami Marlins: New team, new logo and new faces. That’s really the story with this team as the off-season saw many changes in the Marlins organization. Not only did they relocate, but they added top free agents that will blend well with their young core of talent. The biggest move they made was for Mets star Jose Reyes; a guy who has a knack for getting on base (.384 OBP last year) and can steal bases. Reyes’ speed is a game changer and having him lead off will be a great boost for Hanley Ramirez, who I now view as a #2 hitter. If Reyes can get on base, Hanley will drive him in which is great for both the team and for fantasy owners. I look for the Marlins to make a big push this year and Reyes could be the key to their resurgence. The Marlins also boosted their pitching staff by adding Mark Buehrle (could be one of the game’s best #2 starters) and took a chance by adding the volatile Carlos Zambrano. Zambrano could be a steal if he can control his temper, as he has shown he’s a very capable third or fourth starter. The Marlins also signed Heath Bell from the Padres to be their closer, a smart move for a team like this. Bell could be pivotal for this team as young squads often struggle to close out games. Bell can be that calming figure that shuts it down. If he plays at the level we’ve come to expect, Heath Bell could be a big fantasy contributor.

1. C.J Wilson & Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels: Well how do you beat a team that added four pretty damn good players to their roster? Simple..just sign Albert Pujols. Pujols agreed to an incentive loaded 10-year, $240 million deal that changed baseball for the next decade. The Angel’s signed the most consistent power hitter of the past decade and his impact will be felt immediately. Pujols has shown he can deliver in the clutch (last year’s playoffs were evidence enough) as he captained his Cardinals squad (that fought to make the playoffs) to a championship. The Angels also upgraded their starting pitching by getting the most sought after pitcher out there, C.J Wilson. Wilson went 16-7 last season and 15-8 the year before while showing the league that he’s one of the premier starters. Wilson and Dan Haren along with Cy-Young runner up Jered Weaver should team up to make one of baseball’s most formidable rotations. I like for Wilson to be the #3 guy and finish with similar stats to last season, which would be welcome news for all fantasy owners looking to pick him.

Who Do You Think Made The Biggest Splash? Is Pujols The Best Of All Time? Let Me Know!