Archive for February, 2008

MLB Arbitration & the Phillies’ Ryan Howard

Nathan, a regular reader here at Baseball Reflections, asked my opinion on the Ryan Howard arbitration situation.

Here’s what he said,

“What do you think about Ryan Howard’s arbitration awarding him $10 million??? Was it good for him (of course) but was it good for baseball (probably not) ??? It certainly changes the game financially for younger players. $10 million after 2 years??? That is just crazy!”

Here’s my reply: Normally I would agree with you, but if you look at…

Team Analysis: AL East – Tampa Bay Rays

 AL East

Tampa Bay Rays

C – Dioner Navarro: AAA quality with a VORP of -4.0

1B – Carlos Pena: A breakout year in which he finally reached the peak that scouts thought he should have reached a few years ago. Better late than never might be his new motto!

2B – Akinori Iwamura: A decent first year in the US and the MLB, but will he transition well to the move to 2B…

Does Instant Replay Belong in MLB?

Some will say, no way! Others will say it’s about time! And yet most people will not be able to make up their minds, yes, but only in certain circumstances after the 5^th inning but not during day games or in the first half of the year or on a clear day. OK, I got a little carried away there, but I hope you got the point. Even the people who…

Spring Training Excitement – Can’t You Just Smell It?

 With most players now reporting to camp I thought it was time to sit back and enjoy the moment. This time, that means getting a little help from your friends and mine from EzineArticles. I don’t do this often, but this one was fitting. Enjoy! J

Spring Training Excitement – Can’t You Just Smell It?
By Brian Shields

From your hotel window you can feel the excitement building. Spring training is a time…

Fantasy Baseball Analysis: CF

Put Me In Coach, I’m Ready to Play…Centerfield

No one is head and shoulders above the rest, but if healthy all of last year, the Mets’ Carlos Beltran might have been! Instead, he’s one of the top three Centerfielders that are all within 10 points of each other. Those three were Beltran, the D’Backs Eric Byrnes (who also qualifies for LF & RF) and the Indian’s Grady Sizemore. All three had 20 or…

Team Analysis: AL East – Baltimore Orioles

AL East

Baltimore Orioles

C – Ramon Hernandez: He had an injury plagued year in 2007 and it had to affect his numbers. He usually hit better than they were last year. I expect him to bounce back in 2008 if healthy.

1B – Kevin Millar: Fantasy owners might appreciate that Millar is also available as a DH, too. His 2007 was low for him, but his OBP was above the league average and should…

Yovani Gallardo Injured

Brewers SP, Yovani Gallardo to miss 4 weeks due to torn cartilage in his knee according to ESPN. Gallardo, who is 22, started 18 games out of 20 appearances for the Brewers in 2007.

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Clemens Lying or Not?

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Fantasy Baseball Analysis: LF

By far, the first choice out of all of the candidates for LF is the Rockies’ Matt Holliday with a line of .340/.405/50/120/36/137 (BA/OBP/2B/R/HR/RBI). Wow! 

Over 40 (but closer to 50) points behind Holliday would be the trio of the D’backs’ Eric Byrnes who also qualifies for CF and RF, The Reds’ Adam Dunn and Houston’s Carlos Lee. 

Although the Rays’ Carl Crawford had lower power numbers in 2007, his stolen base total hit 50 and those…

Jimmy Rollins’ Prediction

Back on February 4^th, Nathan, a reader from MA asked: What do you make of NL MVP Jimmy Rollins’ prediction that the Phils will win 100 games this year? Clearly Santana and the Mets will make that a little bit challenging.

Baseball Reflections: The Phillies did not hit 100 wins in 2007 and in my opinion, they did not improve their pitching staff enough to win 100. It takes more than just a strong offensive…

Fantasy Baseball Analysis: SS

My top ranked SS from 2007 was the Phillies’ Jimmy Rollins who edges out the Marlins’ Hanley Ramirez by almost 18 points.  Over 20 points behind Ramirez is the Mets’ own Jose Reyes.

The next two players to look out for are the Rockies’ 2007 rookie sensation Troy Tulowitzki and Detroit’s Carlos Guillen who will be playing 1B in 2008.

Beyond them, the next three players would be San Diego’s Khalil Greene, one of the newest members of the White Sox in Orlando Cabrera and the Yankee’s…

Team Analysis: AL East – Toronto Blue Jays

AL East –
Toronto Blue Jays

C – Gregg Zaun: Although he only hit .242, his OBP was nearly 100 points better due to his high walk rate which was among the Jays’ highest in 2007.

1B – Lyle Overbay/Matt Stairs: I never thought I’d hear myself say (or rather write) this, but the versatility of Matt Stairs helped Toronto out a lot in 2007 as he filled in for the injured Overbay here at 1B. Stairs held…

An Interview With A Florida Marlins Fan

This interview is with Ohad from Fish@Bat which can be found by clicking this link or you can catch him here at BallHype. My idea was to see the reaction of a Marlins fan to the recent trade with the Tigers, their two World Series titles and how they later dismantle the teams after they win. I also threw in a few other questions that were relevant to the conversation. Enjoy!

Baseball Reflections:…

Fantasy Baseball Analysis: 3B

The # 1 overall pick in this year’s Fantasy draft, if he can be had, ought to be Third Baseman of the NY Yankees, A-Rod! His 2007 numbers speak for themselves. Just don’t reply on those type of number in every category in 2008.

After A-Rod there’s a drop off down to number two at this position an that nod goes to the Mets’ David Wright. How many third basemen can steal…