MLB Discussion Thread

[umphrey]

hey I know it's months away but is there a fantasy baseball league you guys do? I want to get in on a league this year but I only know people interested in fantasy football.

[umphrey]

Originally Posted by D-Unit

I would love to bring him back. ...and Texas loves Vlad too.

Who were the teams other than Texas going for him last year? I want to know who the competition might be.

I'd be surprised if Vlad didn't get a pretty good contract offer. I mean despite being older and pretty much limited to DH, he was hitting 4th in a world series lineup. He is a very desirable tool for a manager as well since he can hit anything. You can call hit and runs with extreme confidence and when the rest of your team can't get to a pitcher that keeps throwing breaking balls in the dirt, Vlad is the guy to break a slump and throw off the tempo of a pitcher throwing great.

The Brewers new manager, in case you missed it:
Ron Roenicke, former LAA bench coach

[Hines]

Who are some guys you want to sign in the offseason? For the Pirates:

1 or 2 of:

Rich Harden, Jeremy Bonderman, Kevin Correia, Jeff Francis, Kevin Millwood, Jon Garland, and Erik Bedard

A 1B or OF like:

Andy Marte, Russell Branyan, Austin Kearns, Bill Hall, Jorge Cantu, Jeremy Hermida, and Lyle Overbay

Possibly a short stop like Orlando Cabrera or Nick Punto.

Some more relievers.


I know a lot of these guys are wishful thinking, but I believe they could land one or two of the FA starters up there that I listed.

[Jughead10]

Of course days after I say Montero will never play for the Yankees, they claim they want him to hopefully grab the catcher job out of spring training. We'll see if it's true or just talking up his ability behind the plate for a trade.

[umphrey]

Originally Posted by HinesWardJr

Who are some guys you want to sign in the offseason?

The Brewers need starting pitching like crazy. I think they trade Prince Fielder for pitching and sign a 1st baseman.

[Giantsfan1080]

His bat can already play in the majors that's for sure. It would be a mistake to get rid of him when Jorge's career is winding down though. I'm not convinced Romine can hit yet even with all the glowing scouting reports on him.

[Jughead10]

Originally Posted by Giantsfan1080

His bat can already play in the majors that's for sure. It would be a mistake to get rid of him when Jorge's career is winding down though. I'm not convinced Romine can hit yet even with all the glowing scouting reports on him.

Well BA has soured on him too. He fell to 6th on the Yankees list. I'm not sure he'll ever hit for decent power, but I expect to hit for better average than he did this year. Here's their list

1. Jesus Montero
2. Gary Sanchez
3. Dellin Betances
4. Manny Banuelos
5. Andrew Brackman
6. Austin Romine
7. Hector Noesi
8. Eduardo Nunez
9. Slade Heathcott
10. Brandon Laird

[Giantsfan1080]

I thought that was coming out on the 10th.

[Jughead10]

Originally Posted by Giantsfan1080

I thought that was coming out on the 10th.

Apparently it was supposed to be today and then pushed back to the 10th. But it somehow got out in print editions? I'm not sure.

[Giantsfan1080]

Do you like that list? I'm sitting on the fence about your top 10.

[Giantsfan1080]

The Mets and Hisanoria Takahashi split ways. He was looking for 3 years $15 million for some reason. He's actually a pretty good 4th or 5th starter or a nice bullpen piece on a winning team. I could see the Yankees making a run for him.

[Chucky]

Originally Posted by umphrey

The Brewers need starting pitching like crazy. I think they trade Prince Fielder for pitching and sign a 1st baseman.

I would love for the Jays to make a run at Prince. They definately have the young pitching to make a legit offer.

IN other news, BA came out with the Jays updated top ten prospects:

1. Kyle Drabek, rhp
2. Deck McGuire, rhp
3. Anthony Gose, of
4. Travis D'Arnaud, c
5. Zach Stewart, rhp
6. Asher Wojciechowski, rhp
7. J.P. Arencibia, c
8. Carlos Perez, c
9. Aaron Sanchez, rhp
10. Jake Marisnick, of

Complete overhaul from when AA first got here. Can anyone give me some info on how the list looks, I don't know much about Minor League Baseball.

[Giantsfan1080]

It looks average to me. I don't like Drabek all that much but Deck and Gose are intriguing as we said in IRC. I'm suprised Arencibia isn't higher.

[Brodeur]

I don't see why Travis d'Arnaud is so goddamn high.

[Giantsfan1080]

Originally Posted by Brodeur

I don't see why Travis d'Arnaud is so goddamn high.

Hype from the Halladay trade?

[Brodeur]

Originally Posted by Giantsfan1080

Hype from the Halladay trade?

It's this "offensive tools" **** when he hasn't done anything since a short stint in low A in 2008 and an even shorter stint in A in the same year. He's a good defensive catcher, but I don't see why he's rated higher than JP, other than age.

[Giantsfan1080]

Originally Posted by Brodeur

It's this "offensive tools" **** when he hasn't done anything since a short stint in low A in 2008 and an even shorter stint in A in the same year. He's a good defensive catcher, but I don't see why he's rated higher than JP, other than age.

I'm with you on that. I still enjoy BA but they have really slipped the last 3 years in my mind. Their rankings get weirder every year.

[Brodeur]

If they rank Ynoa this year, then I'll believe they are completely lost. They always have a tendency to over rank Engel Beltre for the Rangers though, so I'll keep my eye on that as well.

[Giantsfan1080]

I'd be suprised if Ynoa was still ranked considering his past at this point. They go tools and draft position/international signing bonus way too much over actual production these days.

[Brodeur]

I do read BA for prospect reports, but I'd put BP, Keith Law, Sickels and some others above them in terms of actually prospect rating at this point.

[Giantsfan1080]

BP and Keith Law absolutely. Sickels is too wishy/washy for me but he's still good. I still love the BA handbook though for my go to information, I just don't look at the actual rankings as much as I used to.

[Chucky]

Originally Posted by Brodeur

It's this "offensive tools" **** when he hasn't done anything since a short stint in low A in 2008 and an even shorter stint in A in the same year. He's a good defensive catcher, but I don't see why he's rated higher than JP, other than age.

What do you think of the Jays farm system overall? Also, why isnt the Cuban SS that the Jays signed on that list?

[Brodeur]

Originally Posted by Chucky

What do you think of the Jays farm system overall? Also, why isnt the Cuban SS that the Jays signed on that list?

Eh, it's all right I guess but I don't like it all that much. I'm not a fan of Gose or d'Arnaud at all (what the **** is with the Gose fetish at BA?), but I like the young pitching in the system.

[Giantsfan1080]

Originally Posted by Brodeur

Eh, it's all right I guess but I don't like it all that much. I'm not a fan of Gose or d'Arnaud at all (what the **** is with the Gose fetish at BA?), but I like the young pitching in the system.

It's the tools, which is why I'm intrigued. I don't get D'Arnaud as we discussed.

[Brodeur]

I don't see Gose as anything better than a poor mans Bossman Junior (the current crappy one, not the one that was awesome).