Baseball 2010

Twins Spring Training Outlook:

Its time to get into what this blog is most likely going to be about: Baseball. I am planning on doing a live blog of Opening Day, that is going to hopefully be way better than my attempt at a live blog for the NCAA tournament. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I have had a lot of time to watch Spring Training baseball, both on ESPN and on MLB.TV on the internet.

Most interesting things of the day today: Albert Pujols catching a throw to first barehanded...Francisco Liriano not looking dominating, but showing his nasty slider...and Jacque Jones looking at three straight curve ball strikes from David Price (that said, he is a .230 hitter lifetime against lefties and striking out 1/4 at bats against lefties. I'm more surprised at him not taking the bat off his shoulders.)

The Twins roster is beginning to take some shape. Danny Valencia, the Twins possible 3rd baseman of the future, obviously had no chance whatsoever to make the roster out of spring. I didn't see him play, but based on stats, he hit .273, 2 home runs in 22 at bats, but only walked once. That's not a bad spring for a rookie, but the fact that he hit a home run off Johan Santana and then got sent down THAT SAME DAY says to me he needed to hit .350 to think about making the club.

I know the Twins have some great promising arms in the rotation, but have you seen the ERA's on these guys this year?

Baker 0.64
Slowey 0.56
Pavano 2.00
Liriano 2.70

And I could keep going. I know the majority of people reading this already know my stance on Liriano, but here it is again. This guy has to start. He's still young, still has a lot of promise, and if you move him to the bullpen, that's it for him.. No more moving him back to being a starter. You have a guy in the minors in Wilson Ramos that Baseball Prospectus names the best catching prospect. If you aren't sure about your bullpen or closer, trade him to San Diego and pick up Heath Bell. I have also been stressing the need to not pick up Jarred Washburn. He is the reason the Tigers didn't make the playoffs last year. He is overrated and will be terrible in any uniform. We don't need starting pitching. If we get Washburn, that makes Liriano the closer, and insanity will begin.

Fun With Props

So sportsbetting.com has some interesting prop bets for the opening night game with the Yankees and Red Sox..

(Quick sidebar...Why is this game being played in Boston? The Yankees won the World Series, and they get to celebrate game 1 of 2010 in Boston? How is this possible?)

Right now, there are no odds listed for any of these, but I will update this list when they come out with them....My predicted odds will be in bold.

Will they show a replay of A-Rod slapping the ball out of Bronson Arroyos glove? 1/1

How many times will they show the Aaron Boone’s Series ending Home Run from the 2003 AL Championship Series? 1 (-200)

Will there be a bench-clearing brawl? 100/1

Will a Fan be shown with a sign saying A-Roid on it? 1.5/1

Will a Fan be shown with a derogatory sign that has a picture of a syringe on it? 1/4

Number of crotch adjustments made by all batters while at bat(crotch adjustments must be shown on ESPN broadcast) 2.5

Total number of times a Pitcher will be shown spitting on camera while on the mound (any projectile hurled from the mouth is considered a spit) 3.5

Total number of times a Batter will be shown spitting on camera while at bat (any projectile hurled from the mouth is considered a spit) 3.5

They also have several prop bets involving Derek Jeter's fiance Minka Kelly and how Jeter will do, but right now, they don't make any sense, so I will wait on those.

I'm probably way off on these, but they are fun nonetheless

Fantasy Analysis

It could just be me, but it seems like this years Fantasy Baseball draft is very deep. I'm deathly afraid of rounds 10-20, but am very confident in those late draft steals. On top of all the rookies prospects that are out there, there are plenty of veterans that can easily make a nice comeback. Here are a few of my steals this year:

Grady Sizemore: Probably a second round pick, maybe even into the third. Ill take a guy like that considering one year ago today, he was a first rounder.

Jose Reyes: Same as Sizemore. But with his latest injury, he might slip into round 4 but probably even later with his thyroid problem... If you can wait him out to get 100% healthy, its a nice risk. Remember, a steroid problem will cost him more then a thyroid problem.

Josh Hamilton: A season he had in 2008 cant be a fluke.. If healthy, he will be great.. Granted, that's another big IF. Already this spring, he hurt his hand colliding into the wall and he just had an infected root canal.

Brandon Webb and Johan Santana: Again all health related.. Santana looks fantastic though.

Alex Rios and Vernon Wells: I combine these guys because they are both low risk high reward guys.. Unfortunately, one more bad season might be the end for both as fantasy players go.

Joba Chamberlain: Ill keep buying. With Phillip Hughes getting the 5th starter nod, Joba might actually start grooming full time for his closer roll once Rivera leaves.

Colby Rasmus: I love number 28.. Colby's fire burning in the outfield.. Wooo oh!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI8l87uyDXM

Corey Hart & JJ Hardy: Hart is back, Hardy's new team each should do just fine.

Daisuke Matsuzaka & Chin Meng Wang: Both could be considered in the mix for comeback pitchers of the year

Prospects: Then you have these guys..
Neftali Feliz
David Freeze
Scott Sizemore
Travis Snyder
Matt Laporta
Cameron Mayben
Drew Stubbs

I really love all these guys and you can get them in rounds 20-25, or for close to $1.

ESPN Baseball Commercial Analysis:

I HATE the ESPN Fantasy Baseball commercial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I189NQ3UZD8

The guy is picking between Raul Ibanez and Carlos Pena, then panics and takes Vicente Padilla? Its not even believable.

Padilla wont be drafted.. and he takes him in like round 10? ESPN, you can do better than that:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL7bEougedk

(Hands down, my favorite ESPN spot of all time)

ESPN did do something right with their Sunday night baseball kickoff.. Look who is back!! Adam Scott! How the hell did ESPN think of this one.. Lets get Bucholtz, Swisher, and Griff from Boy Meets World. Kudos, ESPN!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk-5aYRNLUo