The MLB season doesn’t start until March 28 (in Tokyo no less), but to keep you busy until then, a team-by-team preview of the 2012 season is in the works.
Have fantasy baseball fever? Find out where you have to go in York County in order to get the edge in fantasy baseball this year.
Drew Stubbs has quietly put together a strong first three seasons. He’s stolen 40 bases once. He hit 20 home runs once.
If he puts it all together he could have a breakout season in 2012.
The speedy outfielder has some pop.
I was in Chicago two years ago when he hit three home runs in one game.
He’s nearly a complete player because he provides some very good defense for the Cincinnati Reds. The one aspect of his game that could use improvements is getting on base.
He could earn a few more free passes, but he could also have better at-bats on a more consistant basis. His 63 walks in 681 plate appearances is not terrible, but batting just .243 is.
Prince Fielder inked a nine-year, $214 million contract with his dad’s former team on Tuesday.
Prince, right, and father, Cecil Fielder. Both hope that one day their combined career home run totals will surpass their combined weight.
After losing Victor Martinez for the year earlier this month, the Detroit Tigers entered the into the hunt for the former Brewer, and son of ex-Tiger slugger Cecil Fielder.
The middle of Detroit’s lineup is sure to pack a mighty punch that will include Brandon Inge, Miguel Cabrera, and Fielder. Paired with one of the better rotations in baseball, the Tiger’s seem to be a clear favorite to win the AL Central.
How far do you believe the Tiger’s will go this year?
The offseason proposes many challenges to a baseball blogger. However, it serves as a good time to look back at the season that was, and to use that as a barometer to predict what lies ahead.
While searching for something to write about, I came across a list of salaries.
The Chicago White Sox have the fifth-highest team salary in baseball. The other four are elite teams, all of which have made at least one playoff appearance in the last three years.
Then there’s the White Sox.
White Sox former manager Ozzie Guillen.
Jake Peavy, the highest paid player on the team, made $16 million last year to go 7-7. The 79-83 White Sox played in the worst division in baseball, and failed to make even the wild card over the Tampa Bay Rays who happen to have the second-lowest payroll in baseball.
Adam Dunn made $12 million, $98,361 per game in 2011, and was able to hit 11 homers. However, 415 plate appearances was still enough to strikeout 177 times and hit .159.
I suggest White Sox GM Kenny Williams should just take the $14 million due to Dunn this year and watch Moneyball 2 million times.
If Chicago doesn’t start building they will be stuck with no money or talent in four years. Peavy, Alexei Ramirez, Alex Rios and Gavin Floyd are hitting their prime and its time to either put players around them, or sell, sell, sell.
What do you think? Do the White Sox have a shot this year?
To some, Bobby Abreu belongs in the Hall of Fame. He’s a player who gets on base, steals bases, hits the occasional home runs and slaps doubles regulary.
To others, Abreu is a guy who puts up a ton of empty stats. He doesn’t pass the Hall of Fame sniff test. He’s never won a ring, an MVP, a batting title, a home run title or any other celebrated statistic.
Well, this year could be very interesting for Abreu. You have to assume he’s one player the Angels could move before the season to free up some payroll.
His power plummeted in 2011, from 20 home runs to eight.
However, if he puts up his average numbers from the past four years, he will hit his 300th home run, steal his 400th base and collect his 2,500th hit.
Those are impressive numbers. But for an outfielder he’s going to have to produce a bit more to reach the Hall of Fame.
Barry Larkin flips after winning the 1990 National League Championship Series.
While Larkin was a better defensive shortstop, Jeter had a bit more durability. Larkin averaged more than half a play more per game than Jeter, while The Captain played in 150 games in a season eight more times than Larkin.
Here’s how their average 162-game season compares
Larkin
.295/.371/.444, 15 home runs, 33 doubles, six triples, 28 stolen bases, 70 BB 61 strikeouts, 99 runs, 71 RBI
Jeter
.313/.383./449, 16 HR, 33 doubles, four triples, 23 stolen bases, 66 BB, 110 strikeouts, 118 runs, 80 RBI
Both players deserved first round induction. Jeter will get it. At least both will be in Cooperstown.
Aside from his funny appearances on several Sportscenter commercials, Posada managed to win four championships and hit a couple of fastballs during his 16-year stint in the majors.
A source is reporting that longtime New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada will retire rather than sign with a team.
At age 40, the switch hitter has 16 seasons under his belt, a career batting average of .273, 4 titles, and 273 homers.
Gary Carter, who was inducted in 2003, finished his 19-year career with a .262 average, 324 home runs, and only one World Series ring.
What do you think? Love him or hate him, should he be inducted?
Is it a baseball team or a bank?
Did anyone else miss the memo on the Florida Marlins changing their name?
I’m not sure if the name change will put more fannies in seats, but off-season acquisitions of Mark Buehrle, Jose Reyes and Heath Bell might.
The Marlins are young, but until now their reputation was to grow talent from within, then ship them out to large market teams (Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett, Miguel Cabrera, Adrian Gonzalez, Mike Lowell, Juan Pierre, Carlos Delgado, Dan Uggla…. need I go on?).
Abandoning that theory could bode well for them in 2012. History has shown that if you inject enough veteran talent around young players, good things can happen. Just look at the 1997, and 2003 Marlins teams that won titles.
Look for Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez and Chris Volstad to benefit exponentially from having All-Star caliber talent in front of them in the rotation, and closing out games.
Miami just got a lot more attractive for free agents. What would you rather do, play in Miami for $1M a year, or be stuck in Minnesota playing indoors for $1.5M?
I’ll take the beach.
Copy Editor Patrick Abdalla doesn't need performance-enhancing drugs to take a look at all things Major League Baseball. Whether it's arguing about the Hall of Fame, quizzing someone with a stat out of left field, discussing a good baseball book, or talking about "Field of Dreams," Pat always enjoys some infield chatter. 