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Pro Sports Wrap - Sports Personality of the Day:Steven Stamkos

11/14 MLB Rumors and News: The Dodgers

November 14th 2011 19:05
It looks like the Los Angeles Dodgers are poised to pay my 2011 NL MVP 160 million dollars over eight seasons. This is a bargain for the Dodgers, as Matt Kemp should easily be a 4.5 WAR player over that time span, and he is definitely one of the most talented players in the Majors right now.

Remember in the spring last year when the Milwaukee Brewers offered Prince Fielder a five year deal worth 100 million? And Fielder didn't even give a counter-offer? It looks like the Brewers are definitely going to move on, and it is obvious that Fielder is doing the same and really wants to test his value on the market. I believe that Fielder will get seven years and 156.5 million dollars on the open market in a deal that is similar to what Adrian Gonzalez got.


Ryan Doumit is a solid offensive catcher who is viewed as one of the best options available on the free agent market right now. Although many people don't personally like him, he isn't as bad of a player as some make him out to be. However, don't count on him signing with the Dodgers as he rejected their lowly one year deal that wasn't even worth three million dollars. They basically valued him as a replacement player and offered him less than they gave questionable outfielder Juan Rivera.

Jose Reyes says that the only way he signs with the Marlins is if Hanley Ramirez moves to third or center field. I would never move the already poor defensive player to CF, but a move to the hot corner wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for Han-Ram. I don't see the point in trading him if he doesn't move, unless of course, the package is too big to pass up on and Reyes signs on. However, that's just a bad risk, and a Reyes deal hinges on Ramirez's willingness to finally take on for the team and not kick the grounder.


"I'm as serious as my heart beats."

That interesting comment was said by former Dodgers ace Orel Hershiser when asked if he and former Dodgers star first baseman Steve Garvey were serious about becoming the owners of the unstable Los Angeles Dodgers. Although Hershisher could afford it, it will cost him somewhere between 800 million and 1.2 billion; I'm guessing the price is closer to 800 million.

As expected, quite a bit of teams are asking about acquiring young White Sox starters John Danks and Gavin Floyd. Personally, I would keep Danks and shop around Floyd only. They need to keep one of those guys in the rotation, and I would probably end up keeping Floyd in the end. I mean, anybody can be a contender in the AL Central, so why blow the better part of your rotation up?
The Dodgers may not have an owner, but they do have brains
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8/2011 MLB Power Rankings

August 26th 2011 11:24
1. Red Sox
2. Yankees
3. Phillies
4. Braves
5. Rangers
6. Diamondbacks
7. Brewers
8. Angels
9. Giants
10. Tigers
11. Rays
12. Cardinals
13. Reds
14. White Sox
15. Blue Jays
16. Indians
17. Rockies
18. Mets
19. Dodgers
20. Nationals
21. Padres
22. Marlins
23. Cubs
24. Athletics
25. Pirates
26. Royals
27. Twins
28. Mariners
29. Orioles
30. Astros
Offseason acquisition has Cubs highest WAR this year
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8/2011 Center Fielder Rankings

August 6th 2011 14:07
One of the premier positions in baseball is center field. First off, it is the second most important position on the diamond- after shortstop- and many of the game's greats were center fielders. Below are my rankings of the center fielders in baseball today. (Minimum 750 plate appearances as a center fielder since 2009)

1. Rangers Josh Hamilton
2. Dodgers Matt Kemp
3. Phillies Shane Victorino
4. Yankees Curtis Granderson
5. Red Sox Jacoby Ellsbury
6. Rockies Carlos Gonzalez
7. Pirates Andrew McCutchen
8. Braves Michael Bourn
9. Diamondbacks Chris Young
10. Yankees Brett Gardner
11. Orioles Adam Jones
12. Blue Jays Colby Rasmus
13. Reds Drew Stubbs
14. Twins Denard Span
15. Angels Torii Hunter
16. Indians Grady Sizemore
17. Rays B.J. Upton
18. Giants Carlos Beltran
19. Mets Angel Pagan
20. Giants Andres Torres
21. White Sox Alex Rios
22. Mariners Franklin Gutierrez
23. Braves Nate McLouth
24. Cubs Marlon Byrd
25. Brewers Nyjer Morgan
26. Angels Vernon Wells
27. Tigers Austin Jackson
28. Athletics Coco Crisp
29. Brewers Carlos Gomez
30. Blue Jays Rajai Davis

The Braves got a really nice deal when they got the eighth best center fielder in baseball for a a handful of decent prospects. They really needed a leadoff hitter and a better CF than McLouth. I still have McLouth in the top 25, but that's really not saying much. After all, there are only 30 starting centerfielders in the game. These are all useful players- they are starting-caliber center fielders- but some of them have a shorter shelf-life on this list than others.

The Yankees have two very good center fielders in Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson. But I honestly think that Gardner is better suited for the starting role in center, because Gardner is the best outfielder in baseball- in terms of fielding- and Granderson is only an average fielder.

Josh Hamilton is the best center fielder in baseball, and I don't buy the argument that he isn't good enough in center. His fielding rating from Fan Graphs in center is far better than Kemp's. Hamilton is actually a good defensive player, but people can't see past the stereotype of big mashers being solid defensive players in center. Kemp is fast, but man does he make some mistakes out there in center. It's a tough call, but Hamilton's RC of 142 makes it a win for the Rangers' CF.
Walk-Off Single in 10th
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The Diamondbacks brought in an assorted group of solid players that included JJ Putz, Armando Galarraga, and Zach Duke. However, they lost their second best player in Mark Reynolds in what was a terrible deal that was a steal for the Orioles. Adam LaRoche had a nice year in 2010, but he's gone as well. The D'Backs also lost injury prone ace Brandon Webb, who could turn out to be monstrous if he can get healthy again. The Diamondbacks got a little bit worse this offseason, thanks to the loss of Reynolds. That won't bode too well for a team that finished in last in the division last season. Expect another dismal year in Zona.

Reliever David Hernandez was the only useful player they got in the Mark Reynolds deal. Juan Gutierrez make up a boom or bust set-up man duo. Closer JJ Putz is another boom or bust player at closer. If he reverts to his old form, the D'Backs might actually have a solid bullpen. If Putz gets injured or does poorly, then this bullpen will be quite awful. If he only does okay, I would still consider the pen to be a liability.

It is pretty pathetic that Juan Miranda is the starting first baseman for this team. They will dearly miss the solid play of Adam LaRoche, but they should keep their fingers crossed in the hope that Miranda turns out to be as good as fellow heralded former Yankees' prospect Ian Kennedy was in his debut year on a new team. I don't think that happens. Kelly Johnson was great last year, and I think he and Stephen Drew make up a solid middle infield duo. Melvin Mora is a poor player at this stage in his career, so I don't have high hopes for them at the corner positions.

Going back to Miranda, I wouldn't be surprised to see Russell Branyan take over at first. The Diamondbacks signed him to a minor league deal. Branyan isn't anything good- he strikes out far too much- but he makes up for that with really good power. You won't get anything in the field or contact wise, but you will get some hefty power. Miguel Montero is a lock at catcher. He has some solid pop and isn't bad in any specific category. He is a solid player and hitter, and that's all you can ask for from a catcher.

Xavier Nady might be a useful contact hitter, but I really don't see anything else that this guy could hope to bring to the table. I think he's done. Gerardo Parra will overtake him in left field. Chris Young and Justin Upton are the D'Backs' two best players. They are the team's only hope. Both of them are extremely talent young outfielders that are great all-around players. Upton is disappointingly inconsistent- much like his brother- but I think Justin is better than BJ and should be able to break out of his shell. I love that outfield duo.

Joe Saunders and Ian Kennedy are two decent pitchers that should fill in their slots nicely. I love Daniel Hudson, and that Edwin Jackson trade was a real steal. Hudson is one of the best prospects in baseball, and they also got highly touted shortstop prospect Dave Holmberg. Hudson is the best pitcher on this staff. Barry Enright is solid. He doesn't do anything great, but he isn't terrible at any one category. He slots in nicely. Zach Duke has a chance to really impress with a change of scenery. Duke has always had the stuff, but he was always stuck on the Pirates. The D'Backs stink, but they are much better than the Pirates. Duke has the chance to be great, but it's only a chance and not a lock.

Armando Galarraga has name recognition for his near perfect game, but I think he is only an average pitcher. That being said, he isn't bad and he gives the D'Backs more depth. They also signed Micah Owings to a minor league deal. The Diamondbacks have no star power in their staff, but it is a deep one with solid talent. I think they do okay there, but they will still end up as the worst team in their division.
Looking to Break Out
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