Fantasy Baseball Advice

San Francisco Giants 2009 Minor League Review
Overall farm rankings via Baseball America (2009)
2009 (5) | 2008 (23) | 2007 (20) | 2006 (18) | 2005 (17) | 2004 (24)

Record of Major and Minor League Teams
MLB: [88 – 74] NL West
AAA: [71 – 73] Pacific Coast League
AA: [83 – 59] Eastern League
A+: [93 – 47] Carolina League
A: [76 – 63] South Atlantic League (Sally League)
A(ss): [49 – 27] Northwest League
R: [39 – 17] Arizona Rookie League

The Run Down
As the baseball world focuses on Stephen Strasburg, Aroldis Chapman and Jayson Heyward, San Francisco has watched their once consensus number one overall prospect, Madison Bumgarner, struggle since the second half of 2009 and during the 2010 Spring Training. His lost of velocity at end the 2009 season has been written about ad nauseum. He’s still only 20 and people are worried. Don’t fret, be patient and he’ll eventually become a post-sleeper candidate. Scouting the Unknown broke him down last summer, and there shouldn’t be much more to add. However, another Scouting the Unknown article about Angel Villalona may be meaningless as he is currently charged with murder in his home country (Dominican Republic). This once top prospect is facing, if charged, 20 years in prison. The Giants have some plus talent hitters in their lower minors moving up to their Double-A team (Thomas Neal, Roger Kieschnick, Brandon Crawford) and some great pitching throughout their farm system (Bumgarner, Dan Runzler, Zack Wheeler). Three of the minor league levels were at the top team in their respective levels (A+, A(ss), R), with the High-A and Rookie level winning their league. The Giants have finally turned around their minor league system with two straight years in the top five (ranked fourth in the 2010 Baseball America Handbook). Look for several prospects in the Giants’ farm system to mature this year (Bumgarner, Buster Posey, Dan Runzler, and Steve Johnson).

Arizona Fall League Players –
Pitchers – (RHP) Steve Edlefsen; (RHP) Joe Martinez; (RHP) Daniel Turpen
Hitters – (C) Buster Posey; (SS) Brandon Crawford; (LF) Thomas Neal

Graduated Prospects
#10 (RHP) Sergio Romo; #17 (1B) Travis Ishikawa | #18 (LHP) Alex Hinshaw

Players of Interest in 2010
Hitters
#2 Buster Posey | C | A+/AAA | 22 | .325/.416/.531 | 42 AB | 50 XBH | 18 HR | .206 ISO | 6/1 SB/CS | 68:62 K:BB | .354 BABIP | 52.9 GB% | 17.8 LD%| 29.3 FB%

Who’s this Buster Posey everyone is talking about? Seriously? I mean, with comparisons to Joe Mauer he must be good. Okay, enough chiding. Posey is considered the best hitting prospect in the Giants system, which isn’t saying a whole lot (they haven’t produced an all-star hitting prospect since Will Clark and Matt Williams). With control of the strike zone that matches Mauer, a clean swing, and more power than Mauer ever exhibited. All right, the debate between Carlos Santana, Buster Posey and Jason Castro (not to forget Tyler Flowers, Austin Romine, Derrick Norris, Wilson Ramos, Hank Conger, or even Jesus Montero, who won’t stay at catcher) for 2010 may be dirty, but in the long run, I want Posey. ‘Nuff said.

Brock Bond | 2B | AA | 23 | .333/.429/.409 | 450 AB | 27 XBH | 1 HR | .076 ISO | 13/15 SB/CS | 69:67 K:BB | .399 BABIP | 63.7 GB% | 20 LD% | 16 FB%
Accidentally drafted by the Giants in 2007 (in round 24), Brock Bond has been their Sparky Anklebiter, except he’s 5-10. Praised for his scrappy play and work ethic, Bond has exceeded most expectations. His defense is fringe-average, his plate-discipline/strike zone judgment is good, and he has great speed. This great speed hasn’t translated to a ton of steals as he gets caught far too often (15 times in 28 attempts). He runs the bases aggressively and breaks up double plays. Not that the Giants need scrappy infielders, but with Freddy Sanchez perpetually injured, Bond may get a call up during the season. His ceiling is a major league utility man.

#24 Matt Downs | 1B/2B/3B/OF | AAA | 25 | .300/.343/491 | 424 AB | 50 XBH | 14 HR | .191 ISO | 8/2 SB/CS | 58:24 K:BB | .321 BABIP | 36.3 GB% | 19.4 LD% | 44 FB%
Not much of a prospect anymore as he has aged out of that definition, Downs has transitioned from third base to second this past year. The Giants’ GM, Brian Sabean, has compared Downs to Shane Spencer (the Yankees super-utility a decade ago), meaning that he is a good hitter and will do whatever it takes to play. Downs has an above-average short swing that makes him a hard out as he works each at-bat. If given full playing time in the majors, he won’t reach 20 homers, but 10 to 12 homers with a slash line of .280/.335/.425 is plausible. He isn’t extraordinarily fast, but he has above-average speed and runs the bases like a wise veteran, which he’s approaching at 25. He has played everywhere on the diamond besides SS, CF, C and or pitching. Think a Mark DeRosa. I think Downs would get the call up before Bond if a Freddy Sanchez, or any injury for that matter, happens.

Pitchers
Dan Runzler | LHP | A/A+/AA/AAA | 24 | 12.7 K/9 | 3.7 BB/9 | 59 IP | .76 ERA | 2.61 FIP | .797 WHIP | .3 Hr/9 | 3.5 H/9 | .188 BABIP | 64.7 GB% | 5 LD% | 28.6 FB%
Runzler played at every level in the Giants, including nine innings at the major league level. As a closer in the minors, Runzler annihilated the opposition in 2009. Aided by an unbelievably low BABIP (.188), Runzler used his mid 90′s fastball and devastating curveball to blow through the minors. Currently, Runzler is projected to be the closer after Brian Wilson, but Wilson was just signed through 2012.

#15 (LAD) Steve Johnson | RHP | A+/AA | 21 | 9.5 K/9 | 3.8 BB/9 | 145 1/3 IP | 3.41 ERA | 4.45 FIP | 1.29 WHIP | 1.1 Hr/9 | 7.8 H/9 | .294 BABIP | 30.9 GB% | 8.6 LD% | 52.7 FB%
A Rule-5 draft pick this offseason, the Giants have to have Johnson on their major league roster or offer him back to the Orioles (he was traded to the Orioles from the Dodgers last year in the George Sherrill-Josh Bell swap.). Johnson throws a 88 to 91 mph fastball combined with an average slider, curveball and change-up. If he stays with the Giants, he’ll be used as a long-reliever.

#26 Osiris Matos | RHP | AAA | 24 | 8.0 K/9 | 2.2 BB/9 | 54 1/3 IP | 3.48 ERA | 4.27 FIP | 1.27 WHIP | 1.2 Hr/9 | 9.3 H/9 | .325 BABIP | 29.2 GB% | 24 LD%| 43.9 FB%
Throwing a mid 90′s fastball, Matos is great, except his second offerings are inconsistent. Scouts lament about how his fastball projects him to be a MLB closer and the remaining pitches will keep him at Triple-A. Guess that would be why he wasn’t ranked in the newest Baseball America Handbook. If he was a lefty, he would have a shot to be situational lefty. His statistics would indicate a solid reliever, and that may come to past, but his prospect shine has dulled. Look for him to return to Triple-A and only be on the major league roster if the Giants need bullpen help. He could be an intriguing trading chip or a Rule-5 draft pick next year too.

Honorable Mention
Hitters
#23 Thomas Neal | LF | A+ | 21 | .337/.431/.579 | 475 AB | 67 XBH | 22 HR | .242 ISO | 3/0 SB/CS | 98:65 K:BB | .382 BABIP | 46.2 GB% | 18.7 LD% | 34.9 FB%
Neal formed part of a devastating lineup at High-A (along with Kieschnick – see below). Drilling extra base hits all over the field, Neal showed that he could be a middle of the order stalwart for the Giants for years to come. He may have high strikeout totals, but his plate coverage and strike zone judgment (65 walks) will keep his slash line fairly consistent – even with a high BABIP. Although he only had three steals during the regular season, while playing in the Arizona fall league, he went 12 for 15 in his steal attempts at AFL. His defense is average but his arm is quite strong as he had 15 outfield assists. He’ll move up to Double-A in 2010 and may even be pushed to right field as his defense has improved and his arm strength would play well at that position.

#14 Roger Kieschnick | RF | A+ | 22 | .296/.345/.532 | 517 AB | 68 XBH | 23 HR | .236 ISO | 9/1 SB/CS | 130:36 K:BB | .355 BABIP | 43.6 GB% | 16.6 LD% | 39.8 FB%
Neal’s bash brother, Kieschnick struck out farm more often than Neal and walked considerably less. The better defender, stronger arm, and higher power ceiling than Neal, Kieschnick isn’t as refined. He may have the pedigree (father was a major league ball player and Roger was a higher draft pick), but if he doesn’t fix his poor strike zone judgment and holes in his swing, he’ll become a fringe major league outfielder. He’ll team up with his bash brother again at Double-A in 2010.

Brandon Crawford | SS | A+/AA | 22 | .282/.328/.414 | 497 AB | 42 XBH | 10 HR | .132 ISO | 13/11 SB/CS | 132:30 K:BB | .358 BABIP | 51.7 GB% | 17.5 LD% | 30.3FB%
His 105 at-bats while playing at A+, inflated all his numbers. He had a ..478 BABIP at High-A while slashing .371/.445/.600; he hit .258/.294/.365 at Double-A with a .332 BABIP in 392 at-bats. His defense is excellent, his arm is accurate and he has 15 to 20 homer potential. The Giants brass believe he could progress and turn out like a pre-2009 J.J. Hardy. He should return to Double-A to fix his terrible hitting.

Pitchers
Craig Clark | LHP | A+ | 24 | 8.2 K/9 | 2.2 BB/9 | 147 2/3 IP | 2.86 ERA | 4.49 FIP | 1.13 WHIP | 1.2 Hr/9 | 8.0 H/9 | .279 BABIP | 43.9 GB% | 15.5 LD% | 37.5 FB%
Clark throws a high, watch-the-ball-to-the-catcher’s-mitt 80′s MPH fastball that he mixes with a high 70′s slider, a low 70′s curveball and a changeup. Reminds me of Mitch Stetter or even Tim Wakefield without the knuckler. He’s a pitcher and not a thrower. However, I would expect him to max out at Triple-A, but you never now. His strikeout rates are average, he has good control, and keeps the ball on the ground more than in the air, but he has a case of gopheritis and his FIP is over a run and half over his ERA. See how he fairs in 2010 while pitching against better hitters at Double-A.

Eric Surkamp | LHP | A | 21 | 11.6 K/9 | 2.7 BB/9 | 131 IP | 3.30 ERA | 2.99 FIP | 1.28 WHIP | .4 Hr/9 | 8.9 H/9 | .380 BABIP | 46.3 GB% | 12.8 LD% | 33.5 FB%
Another high 80′s fastball pitcher, but Surkamp is able to keep the ball deceptively hidden – it’s been commented that the ball appears to “come out of his shirt.” He also throws a very good curveball and an average changeup. Posting solid strikeout rates (third most in the minors) and displaying good control, he’ll need to face better hitters before one can jump on his bandwagon. Several sources compared him to similar pitchers who flamed out at Double-A. He’ll start at High-A in 2010.

We at Razzball realize that exporting our views across the country has damaging consequences on the blogosphere. To help make amends, we are reaching out to leading team blogs and featuring their locally blogged answers to pressing 2010 fantasy baseball questions regarding their team. We feel this approach will be fresher, more sustainable, and require less energy consumption (for us anyway). The 2010 Phillies Fantasy Baseball Preview comes courtesy of The Fightins.

1) Word out of P.A. is that Ryan Madson will open the season as the closer. What’s the over/under for saves for Madson in 2010? What torturous device would you like to put Lidge over or under?

I will set the over/under for Madson saves at 8 in 2010, and then I will turnaround and bet $10,000 on the OVER (-110) because I think he’ll get somewhere in the mid-20′s. (Lidge blows)

And since he’s such a religious buff, I’d like to put Brad Lidge OVER the Judas Chair.

2) With Crapolanco taking over the 2 hole in the lineup, what kind of numbers do you see him putting up in 2010?

haha, crap in the 2-hole. Good one.

If there’s one thing you can say about Placidome is that his head is gigantic. If there are two things it’s that his head is gigantic and he’s consistent. He doesn’t strike out often, he walks even less, he doesn’t hit homers, or knock runners in. But if your fantasy league hands out points for advancing runners with a productive out or committing errors in the field, Polanco’s your guy.

3) Last year we asked you, “Cole Hamels avoided injuries and got above 30 starts in 2008. But does the 262 innings in 2008 worry you? Can he stay healthy in 2009?” You were, um, a bit optimistic. Now’s your chance to go double or nothing. 2010 — bounce back or thank God we got Halladay?

I’m still optimistic, yeah. The thing that worries me is once guys like Jayson Stark and Buster Olney started calling him a sleeper, he immediately became overvalued. He still hasn’t perfected a third pitch (his curveball is suspect and his cutter gets mocked by Roy Halladay’s cutter), his fastball isn’t what it was in 2008, and when a batter can fight off the fastball and sit on the change, he’s in trouble.

His velocity was in the mid-80′s when he finally started throwing last spring training. At least it’s up to the low 90′s this year. If he can get that up a few more mph’s, it makes his change that much more effective and he can get away with that shitty curveball of his.

I say bounce back year, just not too bouncy.

4) J.A. Happ was one of the luckiest pitchers last year, according to sabermetrics. Are you concerned about his 2010 or do you think sabermetrics is just nerdy way of saying, “I can’t get laid?”

It says a lot about Jay Happ that he was a 12 game winner with the best ERA among Phillies starters and he only started ONE postseason game last year. And that was a -10° game in Colorado where he lasted a measly three innings.

Happ was lucky last year. It always seemed like he was working himself out of a 2-on, 1-out jam every couple innings, but he has a the kind of delivery where he hides the ball well and induces a lot of bad swings from guys. He’s a good fourth starter who will win double-digit games just because the Phillies offense is so damn good.

Although I don’t see him duplicating his under-3.00 ERA from last year.

I got nothing against sabermetrics, either. Granted, you’ll never find me plugging stats into a formula to figure it out myself, but if something interesting is presented to me in a easy-to-read manner, I’m all ears.

That’s not to say that I can’t make fun of their pasty skin and nerdy glasses behind their back, because I do that as well.

5) With Myers gone, which Philly is being relied on to keep their pimp hand strong?

Charlie Manuel, yo. That guy don’t take no fuss.

Matt Lindstrom was named the Astros closer.  Over/under on game-winning HRs given up to Pujols:  3.  Lindstrom had a 1.65 WHIP and a 5.89 ERA last year.  So, no, I don’t think he’s safe.  Would I own him?  Sure.  I also don’t think the Astros will have that many saves so it’s not worth holding onto Brandon Lyon, unless your league’s very deep or you don’t trust yourself to be the first one to the waiver wire to grab Lyon if/or when Lindstrom’s removed from the closer role.  Just think, better you wasted a low draft pick on Lyon than $5 million per year over three years.  Somewhere, Ed Wade’s toupee shrugs.  Anyway, here’s what else is going on in fantasy baseball:

Ian Kinsler – May start the year on the DL.  More like a month of May start.  Okay, if you’re not paying attention to my hints over the last two days of posts, I’m officially worried about Kinsler.  If he’s not good in April and not good in the 2nd half, when’s he going to be good?  May through June?  I’d pull up on the Kinsler throttle if I were drafting this weekend.  If you’re already pot-committed, I would just hold tight and hope for the best.  You don’t short sell your 2nd round pick, unless of course you’re getting a 2nd rounder back.  Why am I so worried about Kinsler and not, say, Reyes?  Reyes is coming two to three rounds later.  Reyes can run at full speed; Kinsler can’t run.  He hasn’t been able to run since March 12th.  Earth to Kinsler owners, that ain’t good.

Lance Berkman – The whole testing the knee thing didn’t go well.  His knee swelled up like fugu.  Doesn’t sound like he’ll be ready for Opening Day.

Nate Robertson – The Tigers are paying the Marlins $9.6 million to take Robertson.  This should be the sequel to Sophie’s Choice.  The Tigers deciding between an atrocious pitcher and almost ten million dollars.  “Well… It is ten million dollars and we are going to lose at least 70 games.”  “Nate Robertson could lose that many by himself.” “You’re right.  I’ll call the Marlins.”

Felix Pie – Officially named the Orioles’ left fielder.  Trembley said they’re just taking it easy on Reimold because of his Achilles’.  What’s up with him pulling a Kotchman with his Achilles’?  He had this surgery back in September.  Reimold is talented, but you can’t wait around for an injured sleeper.  In most leagues, I’d let him go and grab a different outfielder.

Kevin Millwood – I feel like everywhere he goes he’s the number one pitcher on his staff and that’s more of an indictment of his current team’s pitching staff than anything.  Behind Millwood on the Orioles staff:  Guthrie, Matusz, Bergesen and David Hernandez, who I believe starred opposite Kirsten Drunkst in Crazy/Beautiful.  Someone who’s obviously missing…

Chris Tillman – Didn’t make the Opening Day roster.  The Orioles are obviously playing for 2014.  Maybe the Tigers can pay for the Orioles to play some of their rookies.  If you own Tillman, you shouldn’t anymore outside of keepers and AL-Only leagues.

Ryan Garko – Mariners placed him on waivers.  Really thought the Mariners would use him in their platoon and not Sweeney.  I was wrong.  Not the first time, won’t be the last.  Luckily, my mustache catches most of my mistakes.

David Freese – Tony La Russa took time away from saving chinchillas and officially named Freese the Opening Day 3rd baseman.  Went over what Freese can do at the deep sleeper post.  (La Russa also named Garcia the 5th starter.  He got some face time in this post.  Then there’s this post that you’re reading right now.  I mean, I’m assuming you’re reading it.  Otherwise, you’re just staring at the screen.  That’s a little weird.  Hey, is it distracting for me to talk to you while you’re reading?)

Mark Teixeira – Was hit by a pitch the other day on the elbow, causing a contusion.  When Tex was hit, Nick Johnson winced and nearly threw out his back.  Both should be fine for Opening Day.

Aroldis Chapman – The Reds are expected to send Chapman to the minors to start the year.  That’ll give Dusty only half a season to wear out his arm.  I have faith in Dusty though; he can get it done.  Dusty stockpiles arms like a mujahid.

Francisco Liriano – Will be the 5th starter for the Twins.  Now the guy who was standing next to the guy who was thinking about Liriano as the closer can get rid of his “I’m With Stupid” shirt.  Wanna read all about Liriano’s sleeper status, get on it.

Corey Hart – Melvin said Hart’s not guaranteed a job.  It’s something to take note of, but I think this might just be trying to light a fire under him.  Who else are they going to?  Jim Edmonds?  I think he’s a MLB Network commentator.  Jody Gerut?  She screwed up my order at Friendly’s last week.

Mat Latos – Continued his real solid spring, which was briefly interrupted by arm issues.  If he’s made their fifth starter, it’s a hodgepadre with upside, aka giddy up.

Jamie Moyer – Named the Phillies 5th starter.  In related news, dirt’s old.

Cody Ross – Might open the season on the DL.  Might be the best thing that happens to you if you own him.  Now you can pick up someone else.

Eric Stults – Dodgers sold him to a team in Japan.  Is this the player to be named later for Kuroda?  Japan is littered with Rocky Dennis Fan Clubs so it’s unclear if the Japanese team knew which Eric Stults they were getting.

These are the leading hitters in the major leagues for last April.  Do I think every hitter does the same thing every year?  No, I don’t.  But hitters do tend to follow patterns.  If these players were good in April last year, there’s at least a chance they will be good this year.  Also, as I went over in this spring training stats post, just because a hitter isn’t hitting in March doesn’t preclude a big April.  Anyway, here’s some top hitters for the month of April last year:

Carlos Pena – Right now, he couldn’t hit the dirt off a hoe (the farm tool, guys, c’mon).  Last year, 9 homers in April.  Year before, 6.  Pre-All-Star Break last year, 24 homers.  Yeah, he tends to start hot.

Adrian Gonzalez – 22 homers pre-ASB in 2008, 24 homers in 2009.  9 homers in April, 11 homers in May.  Think about this shizz for a second.  25 homers pre-ASB in 2010 then he’s traded to the Red Sox.  As Sgt. O’Malley would say, “Top of the morning to ya!”

Alfonso Soriano – Was solid in April (7 HRs, 4 steals, .284).  Has been better in the first half the last couple of years.  (Couple is a sneaky way of saying two, yet making it seem like it’s more than two.  Girlfriend, “How many dollars did you leave on that twenty dollar bill?”  You, “A couple.”  Later in the relationship:  You, “How many of my friends did you sleep with?” Girlfriend, “Four.”)

Ian Kinsler – When you skip the last month of every season, it only makes sense that you would be good in the first.  If Kinsler isn’t good in April, then you really have worries.

Raul Ibanez – There’s quite a few older players on this list.  Makes sense to me that an older player would start well only to trail off as the season starts to take its toll.

Justin Morneau – April’s been historically his 2nd best month after May.  This could change with the new stadium.

Bobby Abreu – By far his biggest steal month last year was April.  See Ibanez’s blurb or seven-eighths of an inch above.

Dexter Fowler – Not much of a sample size here, but last year he stole 9 bases in April.  Maybe he was trying to prove his value to the club.  Maybe this year he’ll need to do the same thing.

Torii Hunter – From 2007 to 2009, he’s been superior in the 1st half of the year.  Isn’t it weird how 2007 to 2009 is three years, but if you subtract 7 from 9 it’s two?  Yeah, maybe it’s just me.

Jorge Cantu – Was good for power last April.  Was not good in any other month.  That’s Was (Not Was) for you crazy 80′s kids.

We at Razzball realize that exporting our views across the country has damaging consequences on the blogosphere. To help make amends, we are reaching out to leading team blogs and featuring their locally blogged answers to pressing 2010 fantasy baseball questions regarding their team. We feel this approach will be fresher, more sustainable, and require less energy consumption (for us anyway). The 2010 Mariners Fantasy Baseball Preview comes courtesy of Lookout Landing.

1)  I’m actually pretty high on David Aardsma.  Others, not so much.  Lots of people are predicting a regression of sorts.  Which side do you fall on?

I like Aardsma, and I like that the M’s were able to recognize his potential and land him for nothing. With that said, while I expect him to remain a pretty good reliever, you have to expect some regression. I mean, you have to, right? He had one of the most extreme flyball rates in baseball and somehow only managed to allow four home runs. That’s not gonna last, especially when you keep in mind all the balls to the track he surrendered. Safeco and the defense will help him, but I could easily see his HR rate doubling. Best case, he survives the season looking only a little worse. More likely, he starts making people a little nervous, and there end up being whispers about Brandon League. With the fly balls and the walks, Aardsma kind of lives on the edge.

2)  I forget where I read it, but someone (I think it was a person, might’ve been a robot) said a great thing about Milton Bradley.  I’m paraphrasing — shoot, I can’t even remember where I read it — notice the Mariner fans’ excitement the day after the Mariners got Milton Bradley.  A year ago, the Cubs fans were excited about Bradley too. At one point, the Rangers were excited about Bradley.  The Padres were excited.  And so on.  Yet, it never ends well.  How will the Milton Bradley era in Seattle end?  What do you see from him this year?

I’d say it ended fairly well in Texas and Oakland, and San Diego has nothing but nice things to say about him. But anyway, it’s important to recognize the difference in environment in Chicago vs. Seattle. Here we don’t have that media, that manager, and those fans. Here we have Junior. If any situation is right for Bradley, it’s this one. I don’t expect him to remain perfectly healthy, and he’s not going to be a source of major power, but there’s no reason why he can’t end up at or around his career averages barring a mental meltdown. Better real-life player than fantasy player, probably.

3)  F-Her, Cliff Lee — Sweet!  Then what?  Give me what you think the Mariners rotation will be.

Obviously, everyone focuses on the 1-2, for good reason. Behind the two aces, we’ll go with Ryan Rowland-Smith, Ian Snell, and one of Jason Vargas/Doug Fister/Luke French/Garrett Olson. That’s the four-man competition taking place right now in Arizona. You’re a fantasy site, right? In that case, the only one of these guys worth considering is RRS, as he’s poised to take wonderful advantage of the ballpark and the defense yet again. If Jarrod Washburn can do what he did in 2009, RRS could, too. You can keep your eye on Snell, I suppose, but I’d keep an eye from afar.

4) We have our own thoughts on Verducci, but he did flag Felix Hernandez.  You have any concerns or would you like to tell Verducci where to shove his flag?

I actually discussed this very topic here on my own site.  (Note from Grey:  That’s actually a great article about Verducci that I think everyone should read.)  Bottom line: Verducci’s heart is in the right place, but his analysis is flawed, and the people who’ve investigated his theory haven’t uncovered an effect. So there’s no evidence that there’s anything to this. I will always be a little worried about Felix, but that’s because pitching is dangerous, and he’s my baby. I don’t think we have any reason to believe that his 2009 workload will have a negative impact on his 2010 performance.

5) If the Mariners GM, Jack Zduriencik, started an office fantasy baseball league, what would be the most non-traditional fantasy stat? A) UZR B) Speed to first C) Pitcher First Pitch Strikes D) FRAGU — Fielding Runs Against Glove Upside E) BABIP@SLVSAERLP – Batting Average for Balls In Play @ Sea Level vs. Arbitration-Eligible Replacement-Level Players

Probably OBP. Z isn’t a stats guy. Z is just smart enough to hire stats guys. If Tony Blengino started the pool, though, then we’re talking acronyms with things that aren’t even letters anymore.