Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Franklin named "Closer For a Day"

Had the Cardinals entered a save situation Tuesday night, Tony La Russa would have turned to Ryan Franklin for his closer, not Jason Motte. Motte, the Cardinals rookie closer, blew his first opportunity at a save on Monday, giving up 4 runs in the ninth. La Russa said Franklin would go Tuesday because Motte threw 29 pitches in the loss.
So before the second game of a four-game series Tuesday, manager Tony La Russa planned to give the hard-throwing right-hander a day off.

Ryan Franklin, who had 17 saves last year while the Cardinals struggled to find a replacement for Jason Isringhausen, was the likely choice to close Tuesday.
Fantasy Impact: The high pitch count certainly has merit, and Franklin never got a chance to close with the Cardinals whipping the Pirates, 9-3. Motte should be back in the closer role on Wednesday. If he's not, then something's up.

Phat Albert

Albert Pujols is bouncing back nicely from offseason elbow surgery. He's 5-7 on the season after belting a home run and going 2-3 for the Cardinals in a 9-3 win over Pittsburgh.

Fantasy Impact: Hanley Ramirez is the most valuable player in fantasy baseball heading into this year, but nobody is better in a one-off at bat than Pujols. He hit .357 with an elbow that needed surgery last season. That's insane.

No Molson

Rogers Centre had it's liquor license revoked after unruly behavior during the Blue Jays' opening night. That meant no alcohol sales for tonight's game against Detroit.
The clubhouses were cleared of booze, too, after the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario suspended the liquor license at Rogers Centre for three dates because of past infractions.

The panel cited five broken rules at baseball and football games and concerts dating to the Canadian Football League championship game in 2007. The stadium will also be dry on April 21 when Toronto plays Texas, and for a CFL game on Aug. 1.

The hype surrounding Chris Dickerson

Dusty Baker isn't going to bat left-handed-hitting Chris Dickerson against tough lefty pitchers. That's why Dickerson sat in the season opening loss to Johan Santana and the Mets. Dickerson is still one of Baker's favorites, however, and the Reds manager expects big numbers.
“I don’t think he knows exactly what he can do yet,” Baker said. “I know exactly what he’s capable of doing. In my mind he’s capable of 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases. … If you look at talent, that’s why I told him what I told him. He has the talent, in my mind, to have been here before now.”

Dickerson, drafted by the Reds in the 16th round of the 2003 draft, reached the majors for the first time last August. He took the roster spot vacated after the Reds traded Adam Dunn to Arizona, then hit .304 in 102 at-bats.
Fantasy Impact: How often does a part-time player hit 20 homers? It's been done before. Plenty of platoons have produced good fantasy numbers. It's the reason guys like Matt Stairs are even on the radar in most years. Do not, however, allow Dusty Baker to sway your fantasy decision-making. Dickerson only batted .260 in Triple-A last year and struck out over 100 times in 349 at bats. That's not quite Mark Reynolds territory, but it's not that far off, really. He's a decent talent who turns 27 this week. He's due for some breakout moments, but we'll expect something more modest than what Baker is looking for. Maybe 15 homers and 20 steals with another .260 average.

Debating what's good defense

The Tampa Bay Rays rose to the top of the American League in 2008 in part because of their outstanding defense. Matthew Leach of MLB.com takes a look at MLB teams recent infatuation with analyzing defense, and the statistical information involved.
When it comes to assessing and predicting pitchers, we're getting closer too. The predictive value of strikeouts is clear and well-known. The once revolutionary notion of defense-independent pitching statistics has taken some hold.

But defense remains, in many quarters, a mystery. Fielding percentage is clearly outmoded, but even the numbers that seemed so compelling a few years ago -- such as zone rating and range factor -- have been exposed as limited. Defense is the frontier, and it's not just observers who are trying to figure it out. Teams are. "I think people are putting more resources into it," said Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak. "There's a very healthy debate on how you actually capture it." ">MLB.com's Matthew Leach takes a look at defensive analysis in 2009, which more teams are actively addressing

2009 Fantasy Baseball Utility Player Forecast

Updated 4/7/09 -- A list of the top players with probable multiple-position availability for the 2009 season. They are graded out with either an A-grade of excellent value, a B-grade of good value or a C-grade of passing value. Positions are also graded individually.

A-grade players should be starters on every team, and should provide the highest of impacts at most of their positions. Players that earn a B-grade should provide value at or above the value of the better players at their positions. C-grade players will get you by, but you're better off owning a player entrenched at any of their positions who will likely provide better numbers.

($ players are sleepers whose stats can vary wildly due to a lack of time in the majors, injury issues or significantly different roles with new teams)

A
Miguel Cabrera, 1B(A+)/3B(A+) - DET
Kevin Youkilis, 1B(A-)/3B(A) - BOS
($)Alexei Ramirez, 2B(A-)/SS(A)/OF(B-) - CHW

B
Adam Dunn, 1B(B+)/OF(B+) - WAS
Garrett Atkins, 1B(B)/3B(B+) - COL
Victor Martinez, C(B+)/1B (B-) - CLE
($)Chad Tracy, 1B(B)/3B (B+) - ARZ
($)Chris Davis, 1B(B)/3B(B) - TEX
($)Jorge Cantu, 1B(B-)/3B(B) - FLA
Russell Martin, C(A)/3B(C+)
Chone Figgins, 2B(B+)/3B(B)
Aubrey Huff, 1B(B)/3B(B+)
($)Mike Aviles, 2B(B)/SS(B+)
($)Pablo Sandoval, C(A-)/1B(B-)/3B(B-) - SF
Mark DeRosa, 2B(B+)/3B(B-)/OF(C) - CLE
Carlos Guillen, 1B(B-)/3B(B) - DET
($)Chase Headley, 3B(B-)/OF(C+) - SD
Mark Teahen, 1B(C)/2B(B)/3B(C+)/OF(C-) - KC
($)Ian Stewart, 2B(B-)/3B(B-)/OF(C+) - COL
Jose Lopez, 2B(B)/1B(C) - SEA
Casey Blake, 1B(C+)/3B(B-) - LAD
($)Hank Blalock, 1B(C+)/3B(B-) - TEX
($)Felipe Lopez, 2B(B-)/3B(C+)/SS(B)/OF(C-) - ARZ

C
($)Conor Jackson, 1B(C)/OF(C) - ARZ
Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B(C+)/SS(C+) - CLE
Ty Wigginton, 3B(C)/OF(C-) - BAL
Marco Scutaro, 2B(C)/3B(C-)/SS(C+) - OAK
Clint Barmes, 2B(C+)/3B(C-)/SS(C+) - COL
($)Jed Lowrie, SS(C+)/3B(C-) - BOS
Skip Schumaker, 2B(C)/OF(C-) - STL

Rockies second base platoon

The Colorado Rockies appear headed for a second base platoon until either Clint Barmes or Ian Stewart emerges as the every day starter. Stewart got the nod over Barmes on opening day.
"Obviously that's what (Hurdle) thought was the best lineup to win. I would like to be in there, but that's just the competitor that I am," Barmes said. "I understand that this is about what's best for the team. Nothing will change my attitude. I will be a professional."

Barmes was the first example of Hurdle's plan to play his best lineup every day, no matter the setting. The choice of Stewart surprised some players, but none spoke out publicly.

Hurdle had math on his side: Stewart's numbers against starter Brandon Webb (2-for-6) were better than Barmes' (6-for-26).

"We have laid it all out. If it's about their ego, it's the wrong thing," Hurdle said. "If they have any questions, they can come in and we will talk about it. You want every one of your players to want to play."
Fantasy Impact: Stewart batted .293 and slugged .524 with a high on base percentage in the minors. He's got a ton more upside than Barmes, who still produces acceptable fantasy numbers for his position. Ideally, you want to own Stewart, but you might be waiting for every day at bats. The good news is the Rockies might eventually try him in the outfield this season.

Double double

Felipe Lopez and Tony Clark each hit home runs from both sides of the plate on opening day, the first time that's ever been done by two players on the same team.

Houston has no problem (economically speaking)

Despite the recession, Houston fans came out in record numbers for opening day willing to spend.

No quivering for Qualls owners

The Diamondbacks bullpen looks very strong out of the gate with Tony Pena and Chad Qualls mowing down the Rockies bats in the eigth and ninth innings. Pena struck out two of the four batters he faced while Chad Qualls pitched a perfect ninth.
"Over my whole career, I've never had the chance to be the guy," Qualls said. "In Houston, with (Brad) Lidge, I kind of filled in here and there. But I never got, 'OK, you're the closer.' And that's my goal, to go out and prove to everyone that I can close."
Fantasy Impact: Qualls leaves little to be desired. He's a pitcher who's never posted an ERA above 3.76, with a career mark at 3.27. His WHIP climbed above 1.3 in 2007, which is the worst of his career. Overall his career WHIP of 1.202 is very solid. Qualls strikes out just under a batter per inning, and he's an experienced MLB pitcher, meaning he's poised to become a solid closer.

Izturis is good, for a day

CC Sabathia got rocked in Baltimore in his first start as a Yankee, giving up six earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. He didn't strike out a single Orioles batter. But what was most shocking in the 10-5 Baltimore beat-down of New York was Cesar Izturis belting his first, and perhaps his only home run of the season.

Fantasy Impact: Here's hoping you started Izturis. He might not hit another one this season. Izturis owned 12 home runs in 3,165 previous MLB at bats. In 2008 he homered once, the first time he went deep since 2006.

Motte can't mop up the Pirates

Cardinals closer Jason Motte blows his first save opportunity of 2009, giving up four runs in the ninth as the Cardinals fall to Pittsburgh, 6-4.

Fantasy Impact: Motte did have the Pirates down to their last strike before the wheels fell off. Then he proceeded to give up four runs for a 36.00 ERA. If this keeps up, Ryan Franklin is the heir apparent to the job in St. Louis.

In good hands with Hanley

Fantasy owners will love Hanley Ramirez's production in the heart of the Marlins order this year. After notching just 59, 81 and 67 RBI in his first three seasons in the big leagues, Ramirez tallied five on opening day, thanks to a grand slam home run.

Fantasy Impact: He's the best offensive player in baseball, and his value at shortstop is that much more. Emilio Bonifacio and Cameron Maybin might do more of the running in Florida, but Ramirez is capable of turning in elite numbers in every offensive category in 2009.

Welcome back, Chad Tracy

Chad Tracy, one of Spitting Seeds' sleepers for 2009, made a huge impact on opening day. Hitting fourth in the Diamondbacks lineup, the third baseman smacked him first home run of the year, going 3-4 with two runs and two RBI. He was actually outdone by teammates Felipe Lopez and Tony Clark, who each hit two homers.

Fantasy Impact: In some leagues, it's just nine more starts for Tracy at third to become eligible at the position. He's fully recovered from knee surgery, so we're expecting big things. Lopez is an intriguing sleeper with multiple-position eligibility. He hit 23 homers to go along with a .291 average in 2005, but he's streaky at times, and by streaky we mean slump-prone. Clark will fill in for Tracy at times or when Tracy is in for Mark Reynolds at third. Hey, if both guys mash homers like this, Reynolds might be sitting more and more.

Bonafide Bonifacio

We told you about Emilio Bonifacio and his abilities as a burner at the top of the Florida Marlins lineup. Monday he turned in a Karl "Tuffy" Rhodes-like opening day, going 4-5 with 4 runs scored, 2 RBI, 3 steals and the first inside-the-park home run since 1968. His Marlins beat the Nationals, 12-6. Not a bad day.

Fantasy Impact: First, the good news. Bonifacio is a special talent. His speed is stunning. If you see the home run replay, he was alread around 2nd base when Nationals center fielder Lasting Milledge got to the ball hit over his head near the warning track. That's blazing speed.

The bad news? Bonifacio is only 23, and he's never been tested over a full season in the majors. His homers might only come by the way of the inside-the-park variety, and his career minor league OBP is just .340. He leaves much to be desired, unless he continues to get on and run like he did against the Nats.