Big Fish

I’m no fan of the Marlins. Even though I was thrilled to see them beat the Yankees in 2003, I’m still bitter about the 1997 World Series.

Still, I couldn’t help agreeing with Greg Amsinger on MLB Tonight when he proclaimed the Florida Marlins to be the “most exciting team in baseball.”
Even before seeing them in action, their lineup intrigued me. With youngsters like Emilio Bonaficio, John Baker, and Cameron Maybin joining Dan Uggla, Jorge Cantu, and–of course–Hanley Ramirez, I thought from the start that they had a very high ceiling. That sentiment grew stronger after their opening-day blow-out in which Han-Ram smacked a grand slam and Bonaficio hit an inside-the-parker.
But tonight, when I was watching highlights of the Marlins’ 5-4 victory over the Mets, my heart started racing. The excitement the team generates was one I had never seen this early in the year.
Bonaficio sped into first on a tough infield single. Ramirez ecstatically pumped his fist when he drove him in a few minutes later to give his team the lead.
Then in the 9th, Jorge Cantu hit a walk-off single. Had any other player been on second base, it is unlikely that the run would have scored. But Bonaficio sprinted home like Rickey Henderson.
As I reread this entry, I realize how futile it was to attempt to describe the situations. The excitement was tangible, but indescribable.
I think I may be becoming a Marlins fan.

A climactic beginning

Maybe I’m just too excited about the return of baseball, but this has been a fantastic first couple of days.

I don’t mean to sound like an MLB PR-rep, but I feel like we’ve already seen a lot of big stuff.
Derek Lowe redefined “dominant” on opening day Hanley Ramirez hit a grand slam in his first game. Ken Griffey Jr. homered in his first game back with the Mariners.
But it isn’t just the superstars.
Jeff Franceour retooled his swing during the off-season and it paid off instantly. Two minutes later, Jordan Schafer cranked a homer in his first major league at-bat. He even got an intentional walk in his first career start.
Emilio Bonifacio hit an inside-the-parker and has swiped four bases in his first three games.
Adam Lind smashed 6 RBI in his first game.
Franklin Gutierrez is taking advantage of his new surroundings and is tearing the cover off the ball.
Troy Tulowitski is well on his way to a comeback season, homering in each of his first games.
And, of course, the big busts. CC, Cliff Lee, and Lincecum all floundered in their much-heralded first outings.
Maybe I’m just overwhelmed by the incredible amount of excitement that baseball season generates. But at this rate, we’re in for a great season.

Week 1: Last Tuesdayists

Cleveland Space Dinos:

C–Pablo Sandoval
1B–Adrian Gonzalez
2B–Ian Kinsler
3B–Chris Davis
SS–Jimmy Rollins
OF–Alfonso Soriano
OF–Alexei Ramirez
OF–Carlos Quentin
U–David Ortiz
Alexei Ramirez got the start over Brad Hawpe and Nelson Cruz–I figured he would do well against the relatively weak Royals and Twins. I considered putting Hawpe in and moving Ramirez to shortstop since Jimmy Rollins’s Phillies is playing only five games this week.
Last Tuesdayists:
C–Bengie Molina
1B–Derrek Lee
2B–Robinson Cano
3B–Garrett Atkins
SS–Miguel Tejada
OF–Matt Holliday
OF–Vladimir Guerrero
OF–Magglio Ordonez
U–Joey Votto

Week 1 Matchups

Last Tuesdayists (0-0) vs. Cleveland Space Dinos (0-0)
The Cleveland Space Dinos’ strategy has inadvertently become one that is very team-specific, as three teams are doubly represented in his lineup. The CSDs are also heavily dependent on emerging youth, as two-thirds of the players are 27 or younger. The Last-Tuesdayists are the opposite, as an identical majority of the lineup is made up of once-stars who are past their prime–a predictable outcome given his admitted overemphasis on past performance. While the outfields are similarly skilled, the Space Dinos’ infield has far greater upside.
Commish’s Pick: Cleveland Space Dinos
 
Thurmites (0-0) vs. Bulliies (0-0)
This one will be close. The teams have similar strengths and weaknesses, and are just about evenly matched. Break-out seasons are possible from Bullies Hunter Pence, Hank Blalock, and Stephen Drew, while Thurmites top sleepers Lastings Milledge and Alex Gordon have disappointed in the past. Assuming the Giants can hold their own with the heavily-favored Yankees–as they should–big weeks from either team’s sleepers will likely make the difference.
Commish’s Pick: Bullies
 
The Cowz (0-0) vs. Tenors (0-0)
While David Wright and Mark Teixeira could probably beat any other team’s third-basemen or utility players, the rest of the Tenors’ lineup looks anemic next to the Cowz’ powerhouse. Assuming the Diamondbacks’ underrated rotation can keep pace with the Red Sox’ star-studded staff, the Cowz should come away with their first win.
Commish’s Pick: The Cowz
 
Bassfass (0-0) vs. Jesus Christ Superstars (0-0)
This is my bet for the closest game of the week. The Superstars have a clear advantage in the infield and utility spot, while BASSFASS has a superior outfield, catcher, and pitching staff. An unexpected week from a single player on either team could make the difference.
Commish’s Pick: Jesus Christ Superstars
 
The Marauders (0-0) vs. Friends With Benefits (0-0)
The “Friends” are definitely more talented than the Marauders, but simple carelessness in having an injured catcher and no third baseman will likely do them in. Waiver-wire placeholders would probably be enough to keep the FWBs afloat for the week, but having two blank spots in his lineup will be tough to overcome.
Commish’s Pick: The Marauders
 
Goodcats (0-0) vs. The Thespians (0-0)
Perhaps the best infield in the league goes up against one of the premier outfields. Ironically, the deciding factor will likely be pitching. A consistent Angels rotation will have a huge advantage over the Phillies’ overrated staff.
Commish’s Pick: Goodcats

Papi goes the weasel

“Enjoy ripping off the league,” the jealous Thurmites owner said after I pulled off the first three-way trade of the season.

I had used my 4th and 5th picks in the draft getting two of the best pitching staffs in baseball–the Rays and the Cubs–thinking that I would keep one for myself and turn a profit by trading the other to a team that had failed to draft a good pitching staff. Having completed the draft with no obvious holes in my lineup, I changed my mind, deciding that the luxury of alternating between the staffs each week–based on how many games each team was playing, and the quality of the opposing teams–was more valuable to me than would be a slight improvement in my already potent lineup.
That changed when the owner of the Marauders told me he was unhappy with his pitching staff, the Blue Jays, and desperately wanted to trade for one of mine. I told him that I overvalued my pitching flexibility so the Rays (I think the Cubs will be better, so I kept them) would not come cheap. So he offered me a trade from his area of strength. With Jim Thome, Jorge Cantu and Jason Giambi all waiting on his bench to find a spot in his lineup, he offered me Mark Teixeira.
I accepted, then immediately began shopping Teixeira. Silly as it sounds, I have never ever had a Yankee on my fantasy team unless I was about to trade him. So I negotiated a deal with the Tenors in which I exchanged my Yankee trash for my favorite player–David Ortiz.
In short:
Cleveland Space Dinos: Traded the Rays for Ortiz
The Marauders: Traded Teixeira for the Rays
The Tenors: Traded Ortiz for Teixeira
Despite what the Thurmites said, I think it worked out well for everybody.
Updated Roster:

C–Pablo Sandoval
1B–Adrian Gonzalez
2B–Ian Kinsler
3B–Chris Davis
SS–Jimmy Rollins
OF–Brad Hawpe
OF–Alfonso Soriano
OF–Carlos Quentin
U–David Ortiz
P–Chicago Cubs
Bench:
Matt Wieters
Asdrubal Cabrera
Shin-Soo Choo
Nelson Cruz
Elijah Dukes
Alexei Ramirez

Striking while the iron is Hawpe

My latest trade lacks the blockbuster status of my previous ones.


Thanks to Adrian Gonzalez, Chris Davis, and Pablo Sandoval, Conor Jackson’s first-base eligibility did not mean as much to me as it did to someone else–namely, the Bullies.

To the Bullies, the difference between Brad Hawpe and Jackson was more than made up for by Co-Jack’s versatility. So we traded our outfielders straight-up.

Updated Roster:

C–Pablo Sandoval
1B–Adrian Gonzalez
2B–Ian Kinsler
3B–Chris Davis
SS–Jimmy Rollins
OF–Alexei Ramirez
OF–Alfonso Soriano
OF–Carlos Quentin
U–Brad Hawpe
P–Chicago Cubs

Bench:
Matt Wieters
Asdrubal Cabrera
Shin-Soo Choo
Nelson Cruz
Elijah Dukes
Tampa Bay Rays

Wieters shall overcome

mlb_g_mwieters_576.jpg

In case you hadn’t heard, Matt Wieters will be starting the season in AAA.

While the Orioles’ decision to have their stud catching prospect, who has never played a game over AA, start the season in the minors is not a surprise, it is disheartening to the numerous disciples of the preordained 2009 AL Rookie of the Year. However, with Gregg Zaun and Chad Moeller, both mediocre bats even before getting old, as their only other options at catcher, Wieters is likely to get called up by late May–certainly not too late to win a ROY award (see “Braun, Ryan”).
The biggest losers are not Wieters’ fans but his fantasy owners. In my mlb.com points league, Wieters cost me an 8th-round pick. Still on the board when I took Wieters were more well-established hitters like Brad Hawpe and Joey Votto, as well as other, less-risky catchers like Bengie Molina and Chris Snyder. I do not regret this choice, as I would rather have a big bat for four months of the year than a consistently average player who plays for the entire season (to be explained in a later post). In the meantime, however, you’ll need another catcher. If Wieters’ demotion has caught you by surprise and you do not have a capable back-up backstop, here are a few good choices who might still be available on your waiver wire (all of whom were in at least one of my leagues).
Pablo Sandoval, SF–Technically, Sandoval was not actually available in any of my leagues post-draft, because I took him in the later rounds whenever he was available. Because in some leagues this was met with universal surprise, I think it is a safe assumption that he would be still available if not for me. Sandoval not only qualifies at both corner infield positions (in addition to catcher), but he also will receive most of his playing time there, meaning he will get more at-bats than the average catcher who can play only four or five games a week. Better yet, he can flat-out rake. Even if the analyst who said he was the Giants’ best prospect since Matt Williams was exaggerating, there is no doubt that this kid can hit.
Ivan Rodriguez, HOU–MLB.com reports that Pudge has been picked up by 2460 teams in its leagues in the past two weeks. If he’s still available in yours, don’t hesitate to grab him. Even if he’s no longer the same player as he was 10 years ago, when he hit .332/35/113/25, he’s bound to be a decent contributor hitting second in Houston’s powerful lineup.
John Baker, FLA–After posting a .895 OPS at AAA last year, Baker produced at a .92 Points/AB ratio over two months in the big leagues. He’s likely to hit second and should see plenty of good pitches to hit with Hanley Ramirez behind him.
Dionerr Navarro, SEA–While his lack of power and speed make him a bit one-dimensional, Navarro is a consistent contact hitter protected by a potent Rays’ lineup. When he gets hot he can give your team a definite boost, as he did for me midway through last season.
Kelly Shoppach, CLE–Perhaps I am biased towards my hometown team, but Kelly Shoppach is a rarity in that he gives me a reason to be excited about the Indians. Given regular playing time for the first time when Victor Martinez was injured, he mashed 21 homers (more than any catcher not named Geovany Soto or Brian McCann) in just 352 at-bats. It may be a few weeks before Shoppach “officially” beats failed prospect Ryan Garko for the starting job, but the Indians are so committed to Shoppach that V-Mart is learning to play first base.

A Rollins tone gathers no moss

It’s a good thing this isn’t a real team, or I’d be spending a fortune just on making new uniforms.

I had planned to stash A-Rod on my bench, then trade him a few days before he comes back from his injury (in case you couldn’t tell, I’m not a big A-Rod fan and refuse to put him in my lineup).
But along came an opportunity to trade him for someone about as good as I could possibly hope for and use him for a full season.
With no obvious choice to fill his lineup’s Utility spot (Randy Winn or Luke Scott) and Derek Jeter sitting on his bench, Bassfass gave me Jimmy Rollins in exchange for A-Rod.
I’m getting very excited about my team.
Updated roster:
C–Pablo Sandoval
1B–Adrian Gonzalez
2B–Ian Kinsler
3B–Chris Davis
SS–Jimmy Rollins
OF-Alfonso Soriano
OF–Alexei Ramirez
OF–Carlos Quentin
U–Nelson Cruz
P–Chicago Cubs
Bench:
Matt Wieters
Asdrubal Cabrera
Shin-Soo Choo
Elijah Dukes
Conor Jackson
Tampa Bay Rays

Between A-Rod and a hard place

The owner of The Bullies had a bit of a problem during the draft.

Due to a poor internet connection, he missed the first few rounds, so the computer auto-drafted for him.
The Bullies had the third-overall pick in the draft. Sizemore and Pujols were gone, but other than that he had pick of the litter. Wright, Cabrera, Braun, Howard, even Hanley was still his for the taking.
The computer chose Alex Rodriguez.
While The Bullies had Felipe Lopez and Ryan Zimmerman as back-up third basemen, he wasn’t particularly happy with either of them, and didn’t like having A-Rod take up a precious spot on his roster.
Of course, I was there to help.
After finishing an injury-plagued season by hitting .337/8/23 in September, Hank Blalock looks like a good candidate to have a monster year, Acting as the Rangers’ DH, his injury risk will be decreased significantly and he will receive regular at-bats in the middle of one of the best lineups in baseball. It says something about how highly I think of him that I was reluctant to trade Blalock for A-Rod. Then I wised up, realizing I was trading the 4th-last pick in the draft for the third.
I sweetened the deal by throwing in Ryan Howard for The Bullies’ Adrian Gonzalez. I think A-Gon is actually a better player, and would put up competitive, if not bigger, numbers than Howard if he were playing with and in the Phillies’ lineup and stadium.
Updated Roster:
C–Pablo Sandoval
1B–Adrian Gonzalez
2B–Ian Kinsler
3B–Chris Davis
SS–Alexei Ramirez
OF–Alfonso Soriano
OF–Conor Jackson
OF–Carlos Quentin
U–Nelson Cruz
P–Chicago Cubs
Bench:
Matt Wieters
Asdrubal Cabrera
Shin-Soo Choo
Elijah Dukes
Alex Rodriguez
Tampa Bay Rays
Of course, no post about A-Rod would be complete without something insulting.

First trade: Brains over Braun

The Jesus Christ Superstars somehow drafted both Lance Berkman and Ryan Howard.

A bit dissatisfied with the prospect of the relatively unexciting Conor Jackson as my starting first baseman, I made it my immediate goal to trade for one of them, preferably Howard.
I decided that the Superstars’ area of greatest need was the outfield, where his only options were Alfonso Soriano, Vernon Wells, Xavier Nady and Jayson Werth. Given Soriano and Wells’ recent history of injuries, the loss of playing time Nady will suffer from the presence of Nick Swisher, and Werth’s having never previously come close to the impressive but not extraordinary numbers he put up last year, I decided he would be a good place to dump some of my outfield surplus.
The best chance I had for a trade, I figured, was to give up Braun for Howard. I was unhappy with that; had I preferred Howard to Braun, I would have taken him with my first-round pick when they were both available. But it was a start.
So I added two players to the proposal. In addition to Braun, I would give up Pat Burrell. Personally, I think his production will drop as he adjusts to the American League, but his record of consistency was appealing to a player with little outfield depth. In exchange, the Jesus Christ Superstars threw in Alfonso Soriano–the ultimate high-reward risk. When he is healthy, he’s phenomenal, but he missed 1/3 of the year last year with injuries. Unlike the JCS, I have the depth to wait out his potential trips to the DL.
Updated Roster:
C–Pablo Sandoval
1B–Ryan Howard
2B–Ian Kinser
3B–Chris Davis
SS–Alexei Ramirez
OF–Alfonso Soriano
OF–Conor Jackson
OF–Carlos Quentin
U–Nelson Cruz
P–Chicago Cubs
Bench:
Matt Wieters
Asdrubal Cabrera
Shin-Soo Choo
Elijah Dukes
Hank Blalock
Tampa Bay Rays
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