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There is one immutable law within baseball. When on offense, don’t make outs*. For a short time in the 80′s, no one broke this law with as much abandon and aplomb as Omar Moreno.
* Yes, you can argue the sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly, and the ground ball to the right side when a man is on 2nd with no outs are ‘productive’ outs. That doesn’t mean we want to hear it.
Omar Moreno never pretended to be on the right side of the law – his affiliation with Pirates, his love for the stolen base, a name that sounds like an amalgam of badass Omar Little from ‘The Wire’ and Tony ‘Scarface’ Montana. After being signed as a free agent in 1969 at the age of Latin 16, he toiled for over 7 years in the minors before earning his skull and crossbones with the 1977-1978 Pirates. Besides narrowly missing the playoffs for two straight years because of their cross-state rival’s unstoppable troika of Mike Schmidt/Fat Shit (Luzinski)/Bat Shit (Carlton), the Pirates also had a startling number of:
Future Yankees (7 – Moreno, Dale Berra, John Candelaria, Mike Easler, Goose Gossage, Al Holland, Ed Whitson)
Future managers (4 – Phil Garner, Ken Macha, Cito Gaston, Jim Fregosi)
Future players charged by MLB with doing cocaine (3 – Dale Berra, Dave Parker, Al Holland)
In 1979, Moreno ascended to the leadoff spot as previous leadoff hitter Frank Taveras was jettisoned to the Mets. Moreno had his best year yet leading the league in ABs (695), SBs (77), and even getting some MVP votes (finished 15th) as the ‘We Are Family’ Pirates won the World Series. Beneath all this success, however, was a hunger to make Outs. His 535 outs (395 ground out/flyouts, 104 Ks, 21 CS, 7 GIDP, 6 Sac Hits, 2 Sac Flies) were the 4th highest in MLB history. Any satisfaction that Moreno could take in this accomplishment was lost when the same very Frank Taveras whom he supplanted at the top of the Pirates batting order set the new standard with 545 outs.
Armed with this motivation and the goodwill that comes from helping a team win the World Series, Moreno shattered the single-season Outs record with 560 outs in 1980 despite 12 less plate appearances from the previous year. Playing in all 162 games for the 2nd year in a row, his luck turned when his BABIP (batting average on balls in play) dropped from .322 to .290 and knocked his AVG (.249) and OBP (.306) to Razztastically low levels. While he dazzled the league with 96 SBs, they were only a cover to pad his Outs total with 33 caught stealings. No one – including Frank Taveras – could compete with the Out-making machine that was Omar Moreno.
After a strike-shortened 1981 where Moreno only finished 3rd in the league in Outs behind Ozzie Smith and past Historical Spotlight nominee Ivan DeJesus, Moreno arose like a malevolent Phoenix in 1982. He equalled his 1979 total of 535 outs in 51 less plate appearances by getting back to fundamentals. He increased his K rate, cut down on those pesky BBs, and decreased his SB percentage. His adjusted OPS (i.e., OPS+) of 68 was a career low.
Realizing he had nothing left to prove in Pittsburgh, Moreno signed a free-agent deal with Houston who traded him in August to the ex-Pirate loving Yankees (note: besides the seven 1977-1978 Pirates mentioned earlier who went on to play for the Yankees, another five played with Moreno from 1979-1982: Tim Foli, Cecilio Guante, Pascual Perez, Rick Rhoden, Rod Scurry). Despite never clearing a .300 OBP for the Yanks from 1983-1985, the Yankees never gave Moreno the inordinate playing time he had with the Pirates as his one dazzling skill (stolen bases) flickered away. A last hurrah with the 1986 Braves (.276 OBP over 386 plate appearances) hinted at another run at the single season Outs leaderboard but it wasn’t meant to be. He retired from MLB at the young age of (Latin) 33 but stayed involved with baseball – playing in the short-lived Senior Professional Baseball Association, coaching in the Panamanian winter leagues and teaching his son (Omar Moreno Jr.) the gift of Out-making.
Omar Moreno – we’ve never seen another player make outs as often as you did. If liking you is against the law, consider us outlaws.
** Omar Moreno’s 560 outs are still the single season record as of January 2010. His two seasons of 535 outs are tied for 7th most in a season. **
Pittsburgh Pirates 2009 Minor League Review
Overall farm ranking via Baseball America
2009 (18) | 2008 (26) | 2007 (19) | 2006 (19) | 2005 (18) | 2004 (11)
Record of Major and Minor League Team(s)
MLB: [62 – 99] NL Central
AAA: [70 – 73] International League
AA: [62 – 80] Eastern League
A+: [73 – 66] Carolina League
A: [67 – 70] South Atlantic
A(ss): [38 – 38] New York – Pennsylvania League
R: [29 – 31] Gulf League
The Run Down
Trades to the Yankees and Red Sox in 2008 (Xavier Nady, Damaso Marte, and Jason Bay) reaped benefits in 2009 as five of the eight prospects played a role for the Pirates (Craig Hansen, Jeff Karstens, Andy LaRoche, Brandon Moss and Ross Ohlendorf). Granted, LaRoche and Ohlendorf were the bright spots, the remaining prospects still have potential to help the team in 2010. Furthermore, when the Pirates salary dumped Nate McLouth, they gained more prospects (Gorkys Hernandez and Jeff Locke) to replenish their depleted farm system that lacked any sort of depth. Not to mention sending Freddy Sanchez to the Giants for Tim Alderson. A record 17 straight losing seasons probably won’t end in 2010, however, their prized prospect, Pedro Alvarez, is one year closer to the majors as are a few other pitching prospects. Pirate fans don’t hold your breath just yet, the losing isn’t over. Progress is being made however, and the future is brighter than Capt’n Jack’s chance at a fourth movie. But please give three cheers to the act that The Dread Pirate can put on while you wait for the other players to arrive on set. Plus, there is more talent on this young squad than most will give them credit for (Andy LaRoche plays great defense, Garrett “Robot” Jones, Paul Maholm, and Milledge). Although they didn’t improve greatly, their farm system should stay ranked in the middle of the pack for 2010.
Graduating Prospects
#2 – OF – Andrew McCutchen; #22 – P – Evan Meeks; #27 – 2B – Brian Bixler #28 – C – Jason Jaramillo; Garrett Jones, Chris Jakubauskas
Arizona Fall League Players – Scottsdale Scorpions
Pitchers – #19 – Danny Moskos, #26 – Donnie Veal, Tony Watson
Hitters – #17 – (2B/SS) Chase d’Arnaud, #14 – (SS) Brian Friday, #3 (RF) Jose Tabata
Players of Interest Gorkys Hernandez, Jeff Locke and Tim Alderson’s prospect rankings are from their previous teams (Atlanta for the first two and San Francisco for Alderson).
Hitters #1 – Pedro Alvarez | 3B | A+/AA | 22 | .288/.378/.535 | 465 AB | 32 2B | 27 HR | .247 ISO | 129:71 K:BB | .350 BABIP | 42.5 GB% | 14.5 LD% | 43.1 FB% | 10.3 IF/F%
Splitting time between High-A and Double-A, Alvarez laced the ball all over the field. His slash line improved greatly between the two levels (.247/.342/.486 at High-A compared to .333/.419/.590 at Double-A). However, his BABIP at Double-A was over a 100 points higher (.407). I wrote about Alvarez with the last Scouting the Unknown of the year. There is no reason to repeat myself. Let’s just say if you’re looking for Braun/Longoria type rookie numbers for 2010, look no further.
#17 – Chase d’Arnaud | 2B/SS | A/A+ | 22 | .293/.398/.454 | 423 AB | 33 2B | 7 HR | .161 ISO | 31/8 SB/CS | 72/60 K:BB | .332 BABIP | 37.3 GB% | 17.9 LD% | 44.3 FB% | 13.8 IF/F%
His slash line between the two levels was pretty even. He had a great combined walk rate this past year (~12.4%) but he finally hit for a bit of power, granted, at the cost of a few more strikeouts. This Chase will never be confused for Utley, both with the bat or the glove. However, the brother of Travis d’Arnaud — I was wondering about that too — has the making of an slightly above-average (if not just average) second baseman in his future. With a little pop and some speed, he’ll be an enticing middle infield grab in the near future, if he can hit next year in Double-A.
#3 – Jose Tabata | RF | AA/AAA | 20 | .293/.357/.406 | 362 AB | 22 2B | 5 HR | .113 ISO | 11/8 SB/CS | 43:30 K:BB | .322 BABIP | 52.8 GB% | 19.3 LD% | 27.6 FB% | 6 IF/F%
The prize return in the Nady/Marte trade in 2008. He isn’t the speedster that he once was as he has started to fill out his frame. Additionally, he hasn’t hit for much power ever. The most home runs he has ever had in one season has been five. Although he hasn’t played a full season, his homer cap seems to be in the low-to-mid teens if it develops. He hits most his balls on the ground (52.8 GB%). Turning just 21 this year, Tabata has a lot time to develop his game. But he can’t be written off yet.
#4 – Gorkys Hernandez | CF | AA | 21 | .282/.331/.358 | 556 AB | 25 2B | 3 HR | .066 ISO | 19/16 SB/CS | 130:35 K:BB | .363 BABIP | 53.1 GB% | 19.3 LD% | 27.1 FB% | 11 IF/F%
Remember Ben Revere from the Minnesota Twins? Hernandez is much like him but with a strong arm – all speed and no power. His talent is the stereotypical leadoff hitter. With gap power, stellar speed, and great defense, the Braves were forced to trade him because they have Jordan Schafer who is nearly identical (with a bit more power and poorer strikeout rates). As it stands, Hernandez has annually struggled with strikeout rates and this year was no different. When he does put the ball in play, it is usually on the ground (53% ground ball rate) which plays into his strengths. Part of the McLouth trade, Hernandez will push Andrew McCutchen for the starting center field position in 2011. However, he will have to improve his on-base percentage to supplant McCutchen as the leadoff hitter. Look for him at Triple-A in 2010.
Pitchers #4 – Tim Alderson | RHP | A+/AA | 20 5.5 K/9 | 2 BB/9 | 137 1/3 IP | 3.93 ERA | 4.29 FIP | 1.28 WHIP | .9 HR/9 | .294 BABIP | 46.9 GB% | 15.8 LD% | 33 FB% | 12.3 IF/F
Alderson lost over a strikeout per inning in his promotion from High-A to Double-A (5.7 K/9 to 4.2 K/9). Furthermore, he had a rate of ~7 K/9 in 2008. Control has never been an issue for Alderson, but there are now red flags about his speed of his pitches being sacrificed for said control. Nevertheless, if he can improve his strikeout rate by about one per inning in 2010 (so between 5.5 K/9 to 6 K/9) and induce a few more ground balls, Alderson can still be an effective pitcher. Just his value has declined as his strikeout rate has declined. Keep in mind that he was still ranked as the #33 ranked prospect in all the minors after the trade by MLB.com.
#4 – Brad Lincoln | RHP | AA/AAA | 24 | 7.1 K/9 | 1.8 BB/9 | 136 1/3 IP | 3.37 ERA | 3.48 FIP | 1.2 WHIP | .7 HR/9 | .309 BABIP | 39 GB% | 17.2 LD% | 39.4 FB% | 16.2 IF/F%
Lincoln works a low-to-mid 90′s fastball, a power curve, and a change-up. He keeps most of his pitches near the strike-zone which is both a plus and a negative – he gives up too many homers, especially when the ball is in the upper half of the zone. A Tommy John survivor, Lincoln seems to have recovered from the surgery fine, pitching effectively in 2009. He received a September call up and looks poised for a starting gig in 2010. If he can improve his ground ball rate slightly, he could be nice waiver wire pick-up in early May.
Rudy Owens | LHP | A/A+ | 21 | 8.2 K/9 | 1.2 BB/9 | 124 IP | 2.10 ERA | 3.32 FIP | .94 WHIP | .8 HR/9 | .263 BABIP | 38 GB% | 15.2 LD% | 39.5 FB% | 17.5 IF/F%
Aided by a low BABIP (.263), Owens dominated High-A (he only threw 23 IP at Low/Single-A). He isn’t an overpowering pitcher and the low ground ball rates (38%) is way too low for him to excel at the next level. The control is excellent, and if he pounds the lower half of the zone, Owens could be a prized low draft pick. Look for him to start at Double-A in 2010 with a late season call-up.
#7 – Jeff Locke | LHP | A+ | 21 | 7 K/9 | 3.1 BB/9 | 127 1/3 IP | 4.55 ERA | 3.48 FIP | 1.48 WHIP | .363 BABIP | .4 HR/9 | 48.6 GB% | 16.3 LD% | 29.8 FB% | 14.8 IF/F%
Finally, a pitcher in the Pirates’ farm system that has a good ground ball rate. He has a 51 GB% for his career too. The other prospect received in the McLouth trade, Locke pitched adequately. He gave up a ton of hits but was cursed with a high BABIP. Look for that number to rebound to the league average (.300 to .305) and for his WHIP to fall. He has a low 90′s fastball, a biting plus-curve and an above-average change-up. He should start the year in Double-A.
#9 Dan McCutchen | RHP | AAA | 26 | 6.9 K/9 | 1.8 BB/9 | 142 2/3 IP | 3.47 ERA | 3.30 FIP | 1.22 WHIP | .6 HR/9 | .316 BABIP | 33.6 GB% | 19 LD% | 42.3 FB% | 15.2 IF/F%
The last piece to the Nady/Marte trade, Capt’n McCutchen isn’t your typical prospect. Old enough to quote The Goonies, and more tired than the trek those young boys took, Dan threw 171 innings in 2008 with the Yanks and Pirates. Thus, the Pirates chose to rest him for the beginning part of 2009. After being homer prone for most his career, he significantly cut his homer rate this year. Definitely a fly-ball pitcher, McCutchen has a 90 to 93 mph fastball, a hard curve and a decent change-up. With impeccable control and the potential to be the middle of the rotation stalwart (no. 3 or 4), the Pirates should give McCutchen all the chances he needs to pitch in the majors in 2010 as he has performed well at each level in the minors.
Honorable Mentions Hitters #10 – Robbie Grossman | CF | A | 19 | .266/.373/.355 | 451 AB | 21 2B | 5 HR | .089 ISO | 35/12 SB/CS | 164/75 K:BB | .405 BABIP | 54.4 GB% | 22.1 LD% | 22.8 FB% | 5.3 IF/F%
Another all speed and no power outfielder. Actually that is a half-truth (which isn’t feasible, but just go with me), he has gap-power. In returning to his senior season at Texas University, Grossman lost a step and now only have above-average speed at best. With a decent arm, he’ll likely end up in left field. Like Gorkys and Tabata, Grossman has utilized one of his stronger suits, speed, by hitting the ball mainly on the ground (54 GB%). Oh, and because my Vikings played the Bears Monday, this Grossman is already better than Rex.
Pitchers #19 – Dan Moskos | LHP | AA | 23 | 4.7 K/9 | 3.5 BB/9 | 149 IP | 3.74 ERA | 4.49 FIP | 1.46 WHIP | .7 HR/9 | .308 BABIP | 54.6 GB% | 12 LD% | 27.6 FB% | 10.4 IF/F%
Forever linked with Matt Wieters as the Pirates chose him in the 2007 draft ahead of Wieters. None of his stats are overly impressive, except for his envious ground ball rate (54%) and line-drive rate (12%). Truthfully, since his disastrous rookie season in which everything that could go wrong did, 2009 was a great improvement. Although he doesn’t have jaw-dropping strikeout rates or a minuscule walk rate, Moskos isn’t done pitching at a high level. He’ll most likely get promoted to Triple-A, and if he put up identical numbers in 2010 as he did in 2009, the Pirates may have the next Joel Pineiro. Nothing great, but how many players can eat innings while providing adequate services? Livan Hernandez doesn’t count anymore.
Man, a guy turns in a mediocre season when he’s a twenty-two year old rookie and people abandon him in flocks. Let’s recap what I said in the first sentence. In 474 at-bats, Colby Rasmus hit 16 homers and stole 3 bases. At the age of 22. Sure, it would’ve been nice if he burst on the scene like David Naughton in Hot Dog… The Movie, but where’s David Naughton now? Yeah, I have no idea either. Rookies have ups and downs, that’s what they do. Do you know what Barry Bonds did his rookie year? Me neither, but I vaguely remember it not being very good. (Fine, I looked it up. 16 homers, .223 average, but he did contribute 36 steals, finishing sixth to Todd Worrell in the Rookie of the Year balloting. Nothing gets by the BBWAA. Interesting how the baseball writers are over closers for ROYs, but virtually ignore them for other accolades. Ah, for another time, I suppose.) Yes, the theme of this post is don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. So if Colby Rasmus is a 2010 fantasy baseball sleeper, which he is, what can we expect?
Let’s look at his month to month slugging progression. In April through September, Rasmus slugged .305, .447, .536, .397, .400, .373, respectively. If you throw out April, he averaged just over 3 homers per month. He’s capable of 4 easily in 2010. That would give him 24 homers. Thank you, come again. And for all you haters out there, if haters is indeed the right word, he hit 29 homers in Double-A at the age of 20 and he hit 11 homers in 90 games at Triple-A. So there’s power there. His steals were Steve Balbonian in 2009. That has to change. I mean, has to. He stole 15 of 18 in Triple-A in 2008 and 18 of 21 in Double-A. Look at the big brain on Brad. Yes, he hit 29 homers and stole 18 bases in 128 games of Double-A. 3 steals last year is ludicrous. Absurd. And other similar words found in the thesaurus. He’s capable of 20 steals. Does he approach that? Something you don’t hear often from ‘perts, but I don’t know. He can, that’s what matters. Sleepers are as much about what they can do as where you can get them. Right now, Colby Rasmus is being drafted around such perennial schmohawks as Vernon Wells, Juan Rivera and Jack Cust. His 20/15 potential and his company being kept on draft boards makes Colby Rasmus a 2010 fantasy baseball sleeper.
I took part in my 3rd mock draft for 2010 fantasy baseball the other day. Tis the season, ya’ll. And by the other day, I mean I did this mock about three weeks ago prior to the winter meetings/signings/whosehewhiches. So if you’re wondering why I drafted Randy Wolf or Rodney, it’s because it’s before they lost value in the last two weeks. Unlike my other mock drafts, I was a bit more prepared for this one since I’ve done most of the rankings already. You’ll get those sometime in January. You can hardly wait! The teams who participated are listed followed by my team. Then I’ll point out certain rounds and what the eff was I thinking. BTW, I have no idea if it was really Dane Cook mock drafting with us or his intern or someone pretending to be Dane Cook or his intern. Evidence that it was him, he wasn’t funny in the the mock draft chatroom and he did draft a lot of Red Sawx players. Evidence that it wasn’t him, when I asked him for my money back for the movie tickets I bought to his movie. He said it wasn’t his fault, the editors took out the good parts. Then I said, that’s not true, they left you in. And he said nothing. I expect the real Dane Cook would’ve said something. So my guess is it was not Dane In Real Life. Anyway, here’s a 2010 fantasy baseball mock team with some thoughts:
Round 2 – Matt Holliday – I have no problems with Holliday late in the 2nd round. No matter what team he ends up on. He’s good for 25 homers, .315 average and 15 steals. Slot that next to Hanley and my team’s exiting the 2nd round as good as any other team, if not better.
Round 3 – Joey Votto – Love Votto this year. Looking at a guy that is going to give me at least 25 homers, .315 and 15 steals. Wait, that’s Holliday… and Hanley. Damn, my shizz is dope. This is stacking up to be the best mock team ever. You, folks, are witnessing some kind of history. Or you’re witnessing a recap of a mock draft. You decide if you want to burst your own bubble. I would have liked to draft Votto in the 4th round, but when Adrian Gonzalez was taken in the 2nd round, I knew I had to take Votto or risk not having a 1st baseman.
Round 4 – Adam Lind – First off, yes, I believe in the 35 homers. Second off, my team felt a little light on power, so I wanted a big bat. Third off, there is no third off.
Round 5 – Johan Santana – Halladay went right after Johan and if this were a real draft, I would’ve taken Halladay first. My bad, I was eating dinner while drafting and not fully paying attention. Hey, at least I’m honest. But while not fully paying attention, I still have the best mock team possibly ever. I took Johan because I can’t imagine he’s done being a dominant ace and he’s pitching in Metco. That’s with a falling K-rate or not.
Round 8 – Ian Stewart – Couple of things at play here. Dan Uggla was just taken before Stewart and the next 2nd baseman on the board after Stewart was Crapolanco. I knew I wasn’t drafting again for 21 picks. I had already punted 3rd base and I didn’t want to punt 2nd base too. Also, Ian Stewart is my 2010 Mini Donkey Award winner.
Round 9 – Chipper Jones – Chipper’s prolly my least favorite pick of this mock. Was just a case of how the players fell in this draft. It was Chipper or the next 3rd baseman was Mark DeRosa. I don’t want Chipper, I really don’t want DeRosa. Plus, I figured if I had to move Stewart to 3rd and grab a waiver wire 2nd baseman, that would be doable. Then again, this is just a mock. Who gives an eff in the cooley hole?
Round 11 – Geovany Soto – As mentioned in the opening paragraph, I’ve done the rankings. What I found when I did them is I like Soto this year. He had a shoulder injury last year. Believe in the bounce back.
Round 14/15 – Nolan Reimold and Garrett Jones – Some other outfielders taken in this round were Denard Dawg, Kubel, Jermaine Dye and Corey Hart. Two guys who can go 30/10 in the outfield felt like no brainers this late in the draft. Then again, as my grandmother used to tell me between cigarettes, a no brainer is my specialty.
Round 16 – Johnny Cueto – I believe in the 2009 1st half Cueto, not the 2009 2nd half Cueto.
Round 18 – Jonathan Sanchez – A 200 K pitcher around the 216th overall pick? Okay, I’ll take that.
Round 20 – Carlos Ruiz – I don’t necessarily like Ruiz, but in a two catcher league you do what you can.
Round 21 - Ian Desmond – Went over him the other day in the Ian Desmond fantasy thingamawhosie.
Round 22 – Homer Bailey – Think the upside comes through one of these years…. Or not. With the last pick of a 12 team draft, it was worth a shot… Or not. It’s a mock, ya’ll.
Javier Vazquez heads to the Yankees. This should help the Yankees contend for a division– Oh, wait. They just won the World Series. Well, this should help a rotation that struggled– Oh, wait, they have Sabathia, Burnett, Pettitte, Joba, Hughes and now Javier Vazquez. Vazquez has already done the Yankee thing, putting up 14-10/4.91/1.29/150. Also, that was in 2004 when Vazquez was coming off incredible years that were broadcast in French Canadian. Deja vu all over again. Right, Yogi? Only this might not feel like deja vu for Vazquez, but one of those cases where he’s mumbling to myself, “I’ve been here before, but this time the fences seem like they’re in closer and there’s a giant, industrial grade fan behind home plate.” Alas, Javy, it’s the Stadium Adjacent to the House That Ruth Built. With 99.9% of my 2010 rankings in the bag, I had placed Vazquez in the top 10 for starters. Was looking forward to drafting him as my top pitcher. Now, not so much. I’ll probably drop him out of the top 20 completely. Don’t really want anything to do with him anymore unless he drops pretty far in 2010 drafts. When Vazquez’s 2010 season is over, Suzyn Waldman may not be the only one crying. Anyway, here’s some more signings, deals and other offseason moves for 2010 fantasy baseball:
Phil Hughes/Joba Chamberlain- With the addition of Vazquez, Hughes or Joba head to the bullpen. This will be a spring training decision. Whichever guy ends up in the rotation will have value as a fifth fantasy starter. Yesterday, I flipped a coin and it said Hughes. Today, it says Joba. There’s reasons for and against both.
Melky Cabrera – Melky… Cereal, baby. Melky do what he do. Rock a most awesome first name and a threat for 15/15. As he did in New York, Melky will have to deal with a crowded outfield. Melky, doode, get traded to the Pirates. They’ll play you! Melky will probably platoon a bit with Dye-as, occasionally spell McLouth — M-C-L-O-U-T-H — and start some in right. In NL-Only leagues, Melky’s a great late flier, but you’re going need a bench hitter to slot in when he sits. If he nails an every day job out of spring, he’ll be a 5th outfielder in mixed leagues.
Jason Heyward – I already went over my Heyward fantasy, not going to rehash those potatoes. Melky doesn’t kill Heyward’s potential — no one can kill that shizz — but when you move a veteran into a crowded outfield, it usually means someone’s getting squeezed for time. I still wanna take the flier on Heyward in 2010 fantasy drafts just in case he gets the every day job. This will be a spring training call, as well.
Garrett Atkins – Over to the Orioles. Member how the O’s fans hated Melvin Mora? Yeah, me neither, but I’m assuming they did. Atkins won’t quiet that dissent. If Atkins’s bat slows any further, it’ll start to look like he’s bunting every pitch. Last preseason I wrote, “(Atkins has) gone from 29 to 25 to 21 home runs since 2006. If you were taking the SATs, the next number in that sequence would be 17.” Well, missed that SAT question as he hit 9 homers. Calling Coors home. Um, pass.
Troy Glaus – To the Braves. Glaus will play 1st base in 2010. 30 homers and a .270 average aren’t out of the realm of possibility for Glaus, but health is always the issue. Maybe him and Chipper can go halfsies on some ginkgo biloba.
Matt Capps – Looks to be headed to the Nats to close. Aside from a 2009 that looked almost as ugly as Precious’s Dad — Whoa, kinda prefer to be looking at Mo’Nique’s hairy pits. Thank you very much. That’s what I said. — Capps could be completely capable in 2010 and end up a donkeycorn. He’ll be on quite a few of my teams. After all, SAGNOF!
Octavio Dotel – Deal’s not nearly complete, but it looks like Dotel might end up as the Pirates closer. No reason why he can’t be successful in that role either.
Fernando Rodney – Signs with the Angels. This just clouds the Angels closer picture with Fuentes. Not that you need me to say it, but neither are a great option. I wouldn’t be surprised if Rodney ends up with more saves. Scioscia strikes me as a manager that would prefer to go with a righty. If I were drafting today, I’d probably get some grief since it’s Christmas Eve. I’d also draft both Rodney and Fuentes. This shituation may not be cleared up until April.
Coco Crisp – Signed with the A’s. Hey, first Melky’s traded then Coco Crisp signs. GMs are busy. That’s General Mills! Oofa! What? It’s Christmas. Cut me some slack. I’m willing to give Coco a pass on last year because he had some injuries, but he’s not even guaranteed time in Oakland. Even with an every day job, Crisp is barely a 5th outfielder.
Milton Bradley – All I’m going to say is Cubs, Rangers, Padres, A’s, Indians and Dodgers fans were all excited when they first got Milton Bradley on their team. Cut to a few months later, excitement waned. To double down on that point, the Cubs wanted to get rid of Bradley so bad, they took Carlos Silva. After the first big ‘bow Bradley drops on Dave Niehaus’s head all bets will be off. Can Bradley produce? Yeah, of course. If he wants to. That if is ginourmous. Safeco also won’t do him any favors. I’m going to ignore him in mixed leagues.
Brandon Morrow – In those aforementioned starter rankings, I showed some love for Morrow. I’m excited about his potential. His walks are pretty terrible, but his K-rate makes up for that. He also shares a health care provider with Harden. Morrow wants to start and the Blue Jays should let him. Leaving Safeco and the AL West doesn’t help Morrow’s value, but he should come as a bargain in 2010 drafts and he’s still worth the flier.
Brett Wallace – Went over Michael Taylor for fantasy in the Halladay trade. Then Stephen went over Wallace in his Blue Jays prospects post. I agree with Stephen. Wallace probably will start the year in the minors. If he starts 2010 in the majors, then I’ll be sure to put you on notice to grab him as a corner infidel.
Nick Johnson – To become a Yankee, Nick Johnson had to pass a physical. And he did! When healthy, Johnson will bat 2nd, pushing Granderson to a run-producing spot. Johnson, if healthy, can get on base and score a ton of runs, while contributing 20+ homers. A healthy Johnson could be a steal in fantasy drafts. But, as John Wayne Bobbitt might say, this Johnson hasn’t been healthy in years. BTW, this is Nick Johnson if he gets what he wants for Christmas. This is him if he doesn’t.
Omar Moreno never pretended to be on the right side of the law – his affiliation with Pirates, his love for the stolen base, a name that sounds like an amalgam of badass Omar Little from ‘The Wire’ and Tony ‘Scarface’ Montana. After being signed as a free agent in 1969 at the age of Latin 16, he toiled for over 7 years in the minors before earning his skull and crossbones with the 1977-1978 Pirates. Besides narrowly missing the playoffs for two straight years because of their cross-state rival’s unstoppable troika of Mike Schmidt/Fat Shit (Luzinski)/Bat Shit (Carlton), the Pirates also had a startling number of:
