Holes in Olney’s AL All-Star Lineup

Over at the 4-Letter, Buster Olney created an AL All-Star team that did not follow the normal one-player-per-team rule. Then he created two lineups, one against right-handers and one against left-handers and some of his selections make no sense whatsoever.

Here is Olney’s lineup versus right-handers:

RF: Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
C: Joe Mauer, Twins
3B: Evan Longoria, Rays
1B: Justin Morneau, Twins (has a .998 on-base plus slugging percentage versus right-handed pitchers, the best among first basemen other than Russell Branyan; I’d start Morneau because of the defense)
LF: Adam Lind, Jays (a .999 OPS versus right-handed pitchers)
2B: Ben Zobrist, Rays (a .934 OPS versus right-handed pitchers)
CF: Adam Jones, Orioles
SS: Jason Bartlett, Rays

First off, the Morneau selection over Branyan is just wrong. Here are the numbers of each against right-handers:

                     AVG.  OBP.   SLG.   OPS.   HR   AB   UZR/150
Branyan   .301   .399   .612   1.011    16   183     -0.3
Morneau  .298   .409   .581   .990    14   191      -6.4

As you can see, Branyan is the superior hitter. Even if you take Morneau’s numbers from this article a couple days ago, Branyan’s are still superior, especially considering that Branyan is 0-6 with two walks in since this was written by Olney.

We can also see by the fielding metric UZR/150 that Branyan is easily the better defender. If you go by fielding percentage then Morneau is ahead but that is because Branyan reaches more batted-balls than Morneau.

Olney’s comment about starting Morneau over Branyan because of defense is absurd! The numbers clearly show that Branyan has been superior on both sides of the ball this half-season.

Another flip I would make is that of Adam Lind for Carl Carwford. Here are their head-to-head stats versus right-handers:

                      AVG.   OBP.   SLG.   OPS.   HR    SB/CS   AB   UZR/150
Crawford  .329     .391    .489   .880     7    42/4     219     +10.2
Lind            .308     .396   .599   .995    15    0/1       227      -3.3

Lind has the upper hand in power but Crawford has the upper hand in average, and it’s not even close in steals or fielding. Crawford should be the selection in Olney’s lineup.

And lastly, one could argue that Ben Zobrist belongs over Ian Kinsler in the lineup versus left-handers. Here are their splits:

                   AVG.   OBP.   SLG.   OPS.    HR   SB/CS    AB   UZR/150
Zobrist   .350    .442   .725   1.167    6      3/2        80     +31.0
Kinsler   .344    .407   .740   1.147   11    4/0        96      +7.4

This one is a close call. Zobrist has the edge in almost every category other than homers. Zobrist’s defense at second has been incredible! Granted, it has only been in 39 games as opposed to Kinsler’s 82. This one is close but a slight edge has to go to Zobrist.

We all have our opinions, and maybe I am wrong, but I thought these picks, although hypothetical, needed a little more research.

-From my site 3guysandasportspage.com

 

Cubs Should Find At-Bats for Fox

The Chicago Cubs (35-35) currently sit in 3rd place in the NL Central, a mere 2.5 games out of first. They are 13th in the NL in runs scored, 13th in AVG, 12th in OBP, and 11th in SLUG. And yes, they still play thier home games at the hitter friendly Wrigley. Alfonos Soriano is playing awful, both at the plate and in the field, Aramis Ramirez is injured and Mike Fontenot hasn’t done a single thing with the bat, Derek Lee is finally hitting along with Geovany Soto, and Milton Bradley just had another meltdown and manager Lou Piniella is considering benching him. So, where am I going with this you ask? It’s simple: The Cubs need to insert Jake Fox into their lineup as much as possible.

Fox is a soon-to-be 27 year old that, prior to this season, had 14 career big league at-bats. Fox raked in Double-A last season to the tune of .307/.397/.580 and a .428 wOBA with 25 homers in 388 at-bats (459 plate appearances). He was old for the leage so they promoted to Triple-A where he struggled mightily.

Fox began 2009 in Triple-A and has hit .409/.495/.841 with a .557 wOBA and 17 homers in 164 at-bats (194 PA). Fox was promoted earlier but got little playing time. He since been promoted during Interleague play and has done nothing but hit. He is currently at .395/.395/.684 with 2 homersand 5 doubles in 38 at-bats.

Again, Fox is turning 27 in less than a month and the Cubs have expensive options at the positions he can “handle”, so there is no immediate spot for him once the Cubs return to National League play. But, I think Piniella would be wise to play Fox at third until Ramirez is ready and then give him a lot of time in right, some in left, and even a game or two behind the plate. Some how, some way, the Cubs need to find Fox at-bats even if it is at the expense of their struggling high-priced stars.

-From my site 3guysandasportspage

 

MLB Draft Round-Up: AL East

Below are my thoughts on how each American League East team did in the 2009 Rule-IV draft (from my site 3guysandasportspage.

Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles seemed, to me at least, to take a conservative approach in this draft. I was hoping they would’ve been more aggressive with the impressive group of youngsters coming up thier system now. Matthew Hobgood was a good pick, but I thought they should’ve gone with a Tyler Matzek or Aaron Crow here. Round 2 pick Mychal Givens is an intriguing pick. He has plus tools as a runner and a fielder but his bat needs a lot of improvement. He is a good prospect on the mound and I would develop him as a pitcher, but it is unclear to me how the O’s will develop him. 9th round pick Ryan Berry is a good late pick with a big arm that could be in the pen by next season.

Boston Red Sox – I can’t say that I ever dislike the Red Sox drafts. I absolutely love their first pick, Reymond Fuentes. He was my favorite high school position player in the draft and he has good bloodlines (he’s Carlos Beltran’s cousin). He has blazing speed (clocked at 3.68 seconds from home to first on a bunt) and should hit for average with power to come once he fills out his frame. William Wilson is a candidate, for me, to be in the Sox’s bullpen by next year although I believe the Sox like him as a starter. Other picks of note are David Renfroe (3rd) and William Volz (9th).

New York Yankees – Top pick Slade Heathcott is an interesting pick for the Yanks in the first round. He is a true centerfielder with plus speed and defensive skills. He has power that should develop into 15+ homers a year. The main knock on Heathcott is his make-up. He is a guy that I would not have taken in the first but he offers high reward. John Murphy is a good catching prospect that should have no problem staying behind the plate. He has a stroke that should produce line drives and a good average. I am a bit surprised the Yanks didn’t take more signability guys. They seemed to appraoch this draft like they had a low budget.

Tampa Bay Rays – The Rays took a high-risk/high-reward appraoch in this draft. They also steared towards toolsy high school players early on. LeVon Washington is a guy that should sign fast, and for slot. He’s a local kid (Gainesvile, FL) with good speed and defensive skills in center. He has room in his frame to fill out but the risk/reward is high. My favorite pick by the Rays is Luke Bailey (4th). Before being injured, Bailey was a potential first rounder. He has a chance to be an All-Star caliber catcher and is already a pretty polished hitter. He is set to go to Auburn but if the Rays throw some money at him, especially since they saved on their first round pick, they will get themselves their best catching prospect. 2nd rounder Kenny Diekroeger was a slight reach for me but has tools to develop into a solid regular. I also love the picks of Todd Glaesmann (3rd), Jeffrey Malm (5th), and big-time catching prospect sleeper (if he signs) Austin Maddox (37th).

Toronto Blue Jays – I love what they did at the top of their draft. They nabbed two college starters that should be big-league ready in no more than two years in Chad Jenkins and James Paxton. Paxton has more upside as a potential #1-2 guy but Jenkins has the frame to be a good #3-4 that will eat innings. High school starters Jake Eliopoulos (2nd) and Jake Barret (3rd) are great high risk/reward picks after Jenkins and Paxton. Jacob Marisnick (5th) is another solid pick if they can sign him away from Oregon. He should be a plus defender in a corner with a very good all-around skill package if all works out.

 

Umpires in World Series

I don’t mind balls being called strikes or strikes being called balls as long as it goes both ways.  That’s not the case for the 2009 World Series.  It seems that the Phillies have gotten each close call go their way and now they are getting strikes called balls.  It is way beyond ridiculous.

Not only is the strike zone way off but balks aren’t getting called, guys who are tagged within 10 feet of a base are now called safe, no infield fly rules, and check swings that are actually checked don’t matter.

I feel like the umps are part of what went on in 1919 with the Black Sox.  SCANDAL!  This has gotten so bad that wether you are a Rays fan or not you have to feel sick watching these umps “work”.

MLB has to do something about this.  They have to make sure the best umps are in the World Series.  The stupid deal that umps can’t work back-to-back World Series is utterly ridiculous.  An investigation has to be performed because this is just beyond belief.

I am done… for now.

 

New Site Dedicated to Tampa Bay Sports

I created a new site that is dedicated soley to Tampa Bay sports called “Center of the Sports Universe” or COTSU for short. It is here: http://centerofthesportsuniverse.wordpress.com/ and I plan on having a domain name for it soon.

 

My First 2008 NFL Fantasy League

This is a deep league.  10 teams, head-to-head, and a 25 man roster.  The roster breakdown looks like this and my selections:

QB – Carson Palmer
QB – Donovan McNabb
RB – Brian Westbrook
RB – Ernest Graham
WR – Andre Johnson
WR – Lee Evans
WR – Kevin Curtis
TE – Chris Cooley
W/R – Edgerrin James
W/R – Rudi Johnson
DEF – Pittsburgh
K – Matt Bryant
DB – Sean Jones
DB – Champ Bailey
DL – Barrett Ruud
DL – Shawn Merriman
D – Bob Sanders
D – Will Witherspoon
BN – LaRon Landry (DB, D)
BN – Santana Moss (WR)
BN – Lorenzo Booker (RB)
BN – Matt Leinart (QB)
BN – Ray Rice (RB)
BN – Maurice Stovall (WR)
BN – Bobby Engram (WR)

Here is the scoring system:

Stat Categories: Passing Yards (15 yards per point)
Passing Touchdowns 8
Interceptions (-2)
Rushing Yards (6 yards per point)
Rushing Touchdowns (6)
Receptions (2)
Reception Yards (10 yards per point)
Reception Touchdowns 8
Return Touchdowns (6)
2-Point Conversions (2)
Fumbles Lost (-2)
Offensive Fumble Return TD (6)
Field Goals 0-19 Yards (3)
Field Goals 20-29 Yards (3)
Field Goals 30-39 Yards (3)
Field Goals 40-49 Yards (4)
Field Goals 50+ Yards (5)
Point After Attempt Made (1)
Sack (1)
Interception (2)
Fumble Recovery (2)
Touchdown (6)
Safety (2)
Block Kick (2)
Points Allowed 0 points (12)
Points Allowed 1-6 points (9)
Points Allowed 7-13 points (6)
Points Allowed 14-20 points (3)
Points Allowed 21-27 points (0)
Points Allowed 28-34 points (-3)
Points Allowed 35+ points (-6)
Tackle Solo (2)
Tackle Assist (1)
Sack (2)
Interception (2)
Fumble Force (1)
Fumble Recovery (1)
Touchdown (6)
Safety (2)
Fractional Points: Yes
Negative Points: Yes

I am very happy with this team. I got a lot of backs, two good QBs, great individual defenders, and a top TE. My bench needs some help but so does everybody else in our league since it is so deep.

 

espn1470.com and 1470 AM in the Tampa Bay area

Tune into 1470 AM if you are in the Tampa Bay area or go to espn1470. com and watch the show if you can’t get the station. I’ll be on for about 5-10 min starting around 6:40 pm talking about the Rays.

 

My “annoyed” rant continues with Carlos Gomez

I was actually going to include Carlos Gomez in my Yunel Escobar rant yesterday but figured my annoyance with him would pass, until his game yesterday.  Here is a piece by Tom Powers of twincities.com:

In Wednesday’s game, Gomez, the team’s irrepressible young center fielder, had three hits, scored two runs, knocked in a run, stole a base and forced a balk. He also was chastised for hot-dogging while catching fly balls and for trying to steal third base with two outs and Joe Mauer at the plate.

Which he did, by the way, but then was thrown out at home after the ball skipped a few feet from the third baseman.

What a show!

He’s been doing it all year.  The fact that I don’t get to see a ton of Twins games has made me less annoyed by his antics.  But manager Ron Gardenhire seems to think his antics are ridiculous:

“It’s kind of crazy, really. It’s high school,” Gardenhire said of Gomez’s antics. “I don’t even know if it’s college (level). But he’s so enthusiastic and such a talent … “

I can’t disagree with him here.  What does Gomez think?  Who does he think he is?  He needs to earn his stripes and even then he needs to behave in a manner that is respectable to the game.  You can show your emotions in a positive way that is not showboating much like Papelbon, David Ortiz, Sabathia, and David Wright to name a few. 

Here is how the base running crap went down:

Two outs, Gomez on second and the Twins’ hottest hitter, Mauer, up, Minnesota is clinging to a 4-3 lead. Suddenly, Gomez breaks for third base. Who knows why? Gomez can score from second on almost any single. Plus, the left-handed-hitting Mauer gives the catcher a clear throw to third base.

No matter, Gomez was off to the races. Catcher Toby Hall’s throw beat Gomez, but the ball squirted out of Joe Crede’s glove when he attempted to apply the tag. As the baseball rolled maybe 10 feet away, Gomez popped up and raced for home.

He was called out on a very close play that could have gone either way. Gardenhire ran out to argue with home plate umpire Tim Timmons but admits his heart wasn’t in it.

“I couldn’t even make a good argument,” he said. “I kept thinking, ‘what the *$#@% is he doing?’ “

Gomez is a very exciting player and should be a very good one in time but for now he needs to settle down and become a team player and cut the antics.

 

Annoying!

I honestly can’t stand watching Yunel Escobar bat.  The man flips his bat like he hits a homerun almost everytime.  It is frickin’ annoying!  I just had to complain about it becuase it’s only going to make me more annoyed if I hold it in.

 

Fantasy Baseball Team 2 – (Smokers)

I started this league and made it like my other league but with a few differences.

We all took one team (A few of the Rays fans, myself included, decided not to take the Rays so we would have equal share in the players during free agency), I took the Brewers due to the quality of young inexpensive players they have.

 The league allows for $200M total salary and we get to protect 15 minor leaguers (including the 4 round minor league draft).  We have 13 teams in our league.  Here is how my team looks right now.

4yr deals
2B – Rickie Weeks – 1.9 (2011)
3B/OF – Ryan Braun – 0.7 (2011)
1B – Prince Fielder – 0.7 (2011)
C – Miguel Montero – 0.4 (2011) (FA)
C – Joe Mauer – 21.0 (2011) (FA)
C – Jeff Clement – 0.8 (2011) (FA)
1B – Billy Butler – 8.1 (2011)+ (FA)
2B – Tony Abreu 0.4 (2011) (FA)
2B – Alberto Callaspo 0.4 (2011) (FA)
2B – Chris Burke 0.4 (2011) (FA)
3B – Andy LaRoche 1.0 (2011) (FA)
3B – Chase Headley 0.4 (2011) (FA)
3B – Edwin Encarnacion 1.9 (2011) (FA)
OF – Travis Buck 0.6 (2011) (FA)
OF – Nate McLouth 0.4 (2011) (FA)
OF – Lastings Milledge 2.4 (2011)+ (FA)
OF – Matt Kemp 8.4 (2011)+ (FA)
OF – Carl Crawford 36.0 (2011)+ (FA)
OF – Steve Pearce 0.4 (2011) (FA)
OF – Wladimir Balentein 0.8 (2011) (FA)
SP – Tom Gorzelanny 4.1 (2011) (FA)
SP – Chad Billingsley 2.0M (2011) (FA)
SP – Scott Baker 0.4M (2011) (FA)
SP – Edinson Volquez 0.4M (2011) (FA)
RP – Juan Morillo 0.4M (2011) (FA)
RP – Felipe Paulino 0.4M (2011) (FA)
RP – J.P. Howell 0.4M (2011) (FA)
RP – Alan Embree 0.6M (2011) (FA)
RP – Brad Thompson 0.4M (2011) (FA)
RP – Derrick Turnbow 1.9M (2011) (FA)
SP – Scott Kazmir 26.0M (2011) (FA)
RP – Joaquin Benoit 0.4M (2011) (FA)
RP – Juan Guttierez 0.4M (2011) (FA)
RP – Jonathan Meloan 0.4M (2011) (FA)
RP – Craig Hansen 0.4M (2011) (FA)

3yr deals
SP – Ben Sheets – 11.0 (2010)
SS – J.J. Hardy – 2.8 (2010)
SP – David Bush – 2.5 (2010)
SP – Manny Parra – 0.4 (2010)
OF – Corey Hart – 0.4 (2010)
SP – Yovani Gallardo – 0.4 (2010)
C – Chris Iannetta – 0.8 (2010) (FA)
1B – Lance Berkman – 15.0 (2010) (FA)
1B – Nick Johnson – 1.5 (2010) (FA)
SS – Michael Young 5.8 (2010) (FA)
SP – Randy Wolf 0.4M (2010) (FA)
RP – Al Reyes 1.4M (2010) (FA)

2yr deals
RP – Zach Jackson – 0.4 (2009)

1yr deals
RP – Eric Gagne – 10.0 (2008)
RP – Chris Ray – 0.5 (2008)

Cap Space – 13.6M

Minor League Keepers
1. Evan Longoria – 3B (Draft)
2. Desmond Jennings – OF (Draft)
3. Matt Wieters – C (Trade)
4. Jarrod Parker – SP (Draft)
5. Rick Porcello – SP (Trade)
6. Matt La Porta – OF/1B
7. Jeremy Jeffress – SP
8. Alicides Escobar – SS
9. Mat Gamel – 3B
10. Caleb Gindl – OF
11. Angel Salome – C
12. Cole Gillespie – OF
13. Cale Iorg – SS (Trade)
14. Michael Main – SP (Draft)
15. Brent Brewer – SS

This is the lineup I will throw out for most days:

C – Joe Mauer
1B – Prince Fielder
2B – Rickie Weeks
3B – Ryan Braun
SS – J.J. Hardy
MIF- Michael Young
CIF- Lance Berkman
OF – Corey Hart
OF – Billy Butler
OF – Matt Kemp
OF – Carl Crawford
UT – Lastings Milledge
UT – Edwin Encarnacion

Pitching

SP – Ben Sheets
SP – Yovanni Gallardo
RP – Eric Gagne
RP – Tony Pena/Chad Qualls/Heath Bell
P – Manny Para
P – David Bush
P – Tom Gorzelanny
P – Scott Kazmir

I am please with this team.  Our stats are:  (AVG/OPS/HR/RBI/RUN/SB) – (W/ERA/K/SV/WHIP/K-BB)

 I would obviously like another closer or two but I am very pleased with this team, especially my minor leaguers.