Ranking the Bullpens in Baseball

We’ve ranked the top guys at every position in the game. With the season kicking off today, it’s time to examine an underrated part of a team: The Bullpen. Your team’s bullpen can make or break your season. The starting pitchers may be great, the offense powerful, but if your bullpen has to give you two to three innings every night, they better be good. Otherwise, a five run lead will be gone before you know it.

The links to every other position’s ranking can be found here:
1B, 2B, SS, 3B, C, NL OF, AL OF, AL SP, NL SP.

Now, let’s see how every team’s bullpen stacks up.

The Great

1. OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Closer: Andrew Bailey
Others of note: LHP Brian Fuentes, RHP Grant Balfour, LHP Craig Breslow, RHP Michael Wuertz
Breakdown: Bailey will start the season on the DL, but this is the deepest bullpen in the league. Anybody they call on can dominate the other team. When Joey Devine gets full arm strength back and is called back up to the majors, this pitching staff won’t even seem fair.

2. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Closer:Brian Wilson
Others of note: RHP Sergio Romo, RHP Santiago Casilla, LHP Javier Lopez
Breakdown: Wilson is going to miss the first week of the season because of strained muscle in his side, but not to worry, he’ll be back to his dominant self in no time. Even without him, the Giants have three of the best set up men in the league.

3. TEXAS RANGERS
Closer: Neftali Feliz
Others of note: LHP Arthur Rhodes, RHP Darren O’Day, LHP Darren Oliver
Breakdown: The Rangers almost moved Feliz to the rotation but balked at the end of the spring. That decision leaves them with one of the best bullpens in baseball. O’Day is considered death to right handers, holding them to a .542 OPS in 2010.

4. LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Closer: Jonathan Broxton
Others of note: LHP Hong-Chih Kuo, RHP Matt Gurrier, RHP Kenley Jansen
Breakdown: This all hinges of the return of Broxton. Last year, after the All-Star break, Broxton broke down and lost practically all of his ability. If he’s back to his regular form, he’ll be backed up by three (or more) fantastic relievers. If not, the bullpen loses its anchor. I’m putting my money on a comeback.

5. COLORADO ROCKIES
Closer: Huston Street
Others of note: LHP Matt Reynolds, RHP Rafael Betancourt, RHP Matt Belisle
Breakdown: Street is an effective closer who minimizes damage and gets the job done. The guys behind him can really rack up the strikeouts. When you play half your games at Coors Field, strikeouts are a great thing.

6. BOSTON RED SOX
Closer: Jonathan Papelbon
Others of note: RHP Bobby Jenks, RHP Daniel Bard, RHP Dan Wheeler
Breakdown: Papelbon may not be the elite closer he was once thought to be, but he’s good. And the supporting cast behind him is fantastic. Wheeler and Jenks came over as free agents, and Bard is one of the top five 8th inning guys in the league. Most importantly, they have a wealth of depth waiting in the minors.

7. SAN DIEGO PADRES
Closer: Heath Bell
Others of note: RHP Mike Adams, LHP Luke Gregerson
Breakdown: Already a great bullpen with a dominant closer, they’ll be even better if Chad Qualls can bounce back and Ernesto Frieri can keep up last season’s great work. If the Padres struggle in the season’s first half, look for Bell to be shopped to contenders.

The Good

8. CHICAGO CUBS
Closer: Carlos Marmol
Others of note: RHP Kerry Wood, LHP Sean Marshall
Breakdown: Marmol is dominant, Wood and Marhsall can shut down righties and lefties respectively, and the Cubs can throw two other lefties (John Grabow and James Russell) at you. Unfortunately Jeff Smardjiza (20 BBs vs. 9 Ks in 2010) is still there.

9. NEW YORK YANKEES
Closer: Mariano Rivera
Others of note: RHP Rafael Soriano, RHP Joba Chamberlain
Breakdown: While Chamberlain might not be elite, he’s quite strong in that 7th inning role, and when you add him to the lights-out Soriano in the 8th, and the mutant that is Rivera in the 9th, it has to count for something, right? Hint: The answer is it counts for a lot. When lefty set-up man Damaso Marte comes of the DL in the season’s second half, this bullpen will turn filthy.

10. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Closer: Matt Thornton
Others of note: RHP Jesse Crain, LHP Chris Sale
Breakdown: For now it’s just a six man pen, but each guy can bring it. Thornton won the closer role following last year’s all-star game bid, while Ozzie Guillen can use both his left and right arm to call on fantastic set up men.

11. DETROIT TIGERS
Closer: Jose Valverde
Others of note: RHP Joaquin Benoit, RHP Ryan Perry
Breakdown: Valverde is a fantastic closer, and Benoit is coming off an insane season in which he posted an unheard of 0.68 WHIP in 60+ innings. If Zumaya ever gets his arm right, he’ll be a welcome addition to a strong group.

12. FLORIDA MARLINS
Closer: Leo Nunez
Others of note: RHP Clay Hensley, LHP Michael Dunn, RHP Edward Mujica
Breakdown: A major weakness in 2010, the Marlins set out to improve their pen for 2011, and succeeded for the most part. Dunn came over from the Braves in the Dan Uggla trade, while Mujica was the major piece of the Cameron Maybin deal. Those two should anchor the seventh inning. While Nunez is pretty good, they’d be better off letting Hensley close games. Still, a much improved bullpen.

13. TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Closer: Frank Francisco
Others of note: RHP Jon Rauch, RHP Jason Frasor, LHP David Purcey
Breakdown: The pen is filled with good arms, yet nobody is truly dominant. Manager John Farrell should feel safe that the whole pen is capable, but it’s just like the rest of the team: pretty good.

14. ATLANTA BRAVES
Closers: LHP Johnny Venters, RHP Craig Kimbrel
Others of note: RHP Peter Moylan, LHP Eric O’Flaherty
Breakdown: Venters lit up the league in his rookie season last year, and Kimbrel is receiving praise from everyone who’s faced him. The two of them will be sharing closing duties. If they could pitch in every game (and last year Venters practically did) the Braves would be safe. Fans should be somewhat concerned, however, about the aging George Sherill and Scott Linebrink.

The Okay

15. TAMPA BAY RAYS
Closer: Kyle Farnsworth
Others of note: RHP Joel Peralta, LHP Jake McGee, LHP J.P. Howell
Breakdown: A major strength in 2010, the Rays lost virtually their entire pen to free agency. The closer-by-committee system, which Manager Joe Maddon claims he’ll use, never seems to be successful so expect some early bumps. Especially with Howell not expected back until late May, guys are going to step up. McGee, a rookie, could really carry this pen if he’s up to the challenge. If not, expect fans to get tired of Farnsworth by July.

16. MINNESOTA TWINS
Closer: Joe Nathan
Others of note: RHP Matt Capps, LHP Jose Mijares, RHP Kevin Slowey
Breakdown: Nathan is coming back from Tommy-John surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2010 season, and the team’s still not quite sure how much they can expect from him. I like Slowey in the long-relief role (though he belongs in the rotation) and Matt Capps has great ability. The fifth through seventh arms in the pen are a major weakness for a bullpen that thrived the year before.

17. WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Closer: Tyler Clippard
Others of note: RHP Drew Storen, LHP Sean Burnett
Breakdown: There’s some confusion over who will be the closer, but after a weak spring from Storen, it appears Clippard will start the year in that role. Make no mistake though, Storen is going to be great, and surrounded by Clippard and Burnett, this is an okay bullpen that’s going to get better.

18. CINCINNATI REDS
Closer: Francisco Cordero
Others of note: LHP Aroldis Chapman, RHP Nick Masset
Breakdown: Cordero is a good closer, but not great. Masset generally gets the job done, though he had a rough second half. Chapman is the exciting arm coming out of the pen, and should shut down left handed bats in the seventh or eighth innings. To some it up, the pen in Cinci is neither a weakness nor a strength.

19. MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Closer: John Axford
Others of note: RHP Takashi Saito, RHP Kameron Loe, RHP Sergio Mitre
Breakdown: Axford came out of the blue and dominated the league last year. Mitre will be effective in the long-man role, and Saito is still a successful set-up man, but his age is catching up. He can’t be relied on for back-to-back games, and the options past him aren’t thrilling.

20. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Closer: Ryan Franklin
Others of note: RHP Jason Motte, RHP Mitchell Boggs
Breakdown: Due to Adam Wainwright’s season-ending surgery, Kyle McClellan was moved to the rotation and the bullpen left its best set-up man. Jason Motte gets the job done, but there’s no dominant arm for those late innings. Also, the lack of a dominant lefty is a major weakness.

21. BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Closer: Kevin Gregg
Others of note: LHP Mike Gonzalez, RHP Koji Uehara
Breakdown: The strength of this pen is the lefty/righty set-up tandem of Gonzalez and Uehara. Gregg is a capable closer, but not the ideal. After those three the drop-off is severe. Keeping in mind the Orioles will be relying on a young starting staff, this bullpen is going to take some lumps.

The Bad

22. CLEVELAND INDIANS
Closer: Chris Perez
Others of note: RHP Vinnie Pestano, LHP Tony Sipp
Breakdown: Perez is fantastic in the closer role, but after him there seem to be tons of question marks. Sipp can load on the strikeouts, but he’s also prone to giving up home runs. Pestano was a late season call-up with some good results. If those continue, he’ll find himself pitching in the eighth inning on a good number of occasions.

23. LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Closer: Fernando Rodney
Others of note: LHP Hisanori Takahashi, LHP Scott Downs
Breakdown: Rodney has no business closing games, and yet he’s beginning the season in that role. His leash will be short. When Downs comes back from the DL in late April, he’ll have a legitimate shot at the job. Takahashi had nice numbers for the Mets last season and was a good pickup. In the end, it’s a below-average bullpen on a lackluster team.

24. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Closer: Brad Lidge
Others of note: RHP Ryan Madson, RHP Kyle Kendrick
Breakdown: Lidge is going to miss at least a month, and I have a feeling a month will turn to two or three. Jose Contreras is going to fill in as the closer until then. Without Lidge, Madsen is really the only strength in the Phillies bullpen. Luckily for them, they have four starters who can go eight innings a game. If anything, the bullpen will get a ton of rest. That’s probably for the best.

25. NEW YORK METS
Closer: Francisco Rodriguez
Others of note: RHP Bobby Parnell, RHP D.J. Carrasco
Breakdown: Forget the fallout from 2010, things seem to be better between Rodriguez and the team, so let’s all remember: the guy’s a great closer. After him there aren’t any fantastic options. Parnell and Carrasco can get outs, and will likely be used as the primary set-up options–but in the end, Rodriguez is the only reliever to fear.

26. HOUSTON ASTROS
Closer: Brandon Lyon
Others of note: RHP Wilton Lopez, LHP Fernando Abad
Breakdown: Lead by below-average closer Brandon Lyon, this bullpen is below average. Lopez is a great set-up man who throws nothing but strikes. Abad has some strong potential, and RHP Mark Melancon could serve a purpose in the seventh inning. It’s not the bottom of the league, but it’s nothing to get excited about.

The Ugly

27. PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Closer: Joel Hanrahan
Others of note: RHP Evan Meek, RHP Chris Resop
Breakdown: Hanrahan, a strikeout machine, is a serviceable closer–as is Meek who could fill the role. Resop caught what was likely lightening in a bottle at the end of the season, though that remains to be seen. The Pirates have an offense with potential, but their downfall will be the pitching (both the bullpen and starters). Hey, at least their closer can pitch.

28. KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Closer: Joakim Soria
Others of note: LHP Tim Collins, RHP Robinson Tejada
Breakdown: What a waste. The Royals have one of the top closers in the league, and the rest of the team is far below average. Hopefully Soria is still around when the Royals prospects flood onto the team in 2013, so he can enjoy some team success. Until then, he’ll hope youngsters like Tim Collins can live up to their minimal hype.

29. SEATTLE MARINERS
Closer: David Aardsma
Others of note: RHP Brandon League
Breakdown: Aardsma, a strong closer, will start the season on the DL. Filling in is League, a great set-up man. After them? Boy oh boy. The best pitcher not named Aardsma or League is the once dominant Chris Ray, who is nothing close to the pitcher he used to be. Make no mistake, this bullpen is bad. The only time you’ll hear about them is when they’re blowing yet another win for Felix Hernandez.

30. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Closer: J.J. Putz
Others of note: Uhhh…
Breakdown: At one time, Putz was a dominant closer, and while he’ll be the closer in Arizona, his better days may be behind him. After him, there is nothing. New GM Kevin Towers made the bullpen a priority in his remodeling. It appears the help is yet to arrive. It will be interesting to see the guys who are called upon from this bullpen in 2011.

Check us out on Twitter @DugoutDoctors

2011 MLB Predictions

The season kicks off for twelve teams tomorrow and if you’re not excited, please leave the site now.

If you’re still here, read below to find our comprehensive picks for the upcoming season. Read more

NL East Predictions

After the Phillies shocked the league and signed Cliff Lee, everyone and their baseball-loving Grandma picked them to dominate the National League and make their third World Series appearance in the last four seasons. But the injury bug bit the Phils hard, and their lineup is starting to look well below average. The departure of Jayson Werth, and injuries to Dominic Brown, Placido Polanco and most importantly, Chase Utley leave Charlie Manuel’s club with hardly any accomplished hitters to protect First Baseman Ryan Howard. And now that Closer Brad Lidge continues to experience arm issues, it appears the Phillies only strength may be their bullpen.

Enter the Atlanta Braves. Though their starting four may not up to par with the Phillies’, it does consist of proven veterans Tim Hudson and Derek Lowe, and a strong core of youngsters headlined by the hard-throwing Tommy Hanson. After their offseason acquisition of Second Baseman Dan Uggla, the Braves seem to have the best offense in the league. That, mixed with a deep starting rotation and talented bullpen makes them the new favorites to wear the NL East crown in 2011.

1. Atlanta Braves 95-67
2. Philadelphia Phillies (Wild Card) 91-71
3. Florida Marlins 83-79
4. Washington Nationals 76-86
5. New York Mets70-92

The Dream(y) Team: The Best Looking Players in MLB

(Ed. Note: Recently, my girlfriend asked if she could write a post ranking the most attractive players in baseball. I didn’t know whether to be excited or jealous. The following is the result of her extensive research.)

To say that my boyfriend is obsessed with baseball may be an understatement. Now, I understand that to most girls this might be a turn-off. I can certainly see how one could get frustrated with the subscription to MLB.tv, meaning that he can (and does) watch every game possible, and how one might get annoyed with one-sided discussions of “totally-under-discussed-but-really-important-and-telling” statistics. But generally, I’m not “most girls.” I truthfully really like baseball. I am sure of this because I get teary-eyed when he shows me pre-season commercials, hyping up America’s past-time with montages of the greats and remarkably inspirational music in the background. But after a few innings on the couch when the snacks are mostly gone and the “cheering” (ehem, yelling) is steadily getting louder and louder, I too can grow a bit weary of baseball. But the good news is that I’ve learned a coping mechanism. Here’s a little secret: there are a lot of very, very attractive baseball players. And since baseball is a relatively slow sport (some might argue), there are a lot of close-ups. You can totally make it through all nine or more innings, you just have to know WHO to concentrate on. This dream(y) squad will help. Check out my picks for the hottest player in each position:

__________________________________________________________________________________

1B: Gaby Sanchez

Team: Florida Marlins
Age: 27
Relationship status: Married (Boo)
Fun fact: He’s Cuban, and he enjoys sky-diving. A spicy risk-taker! His Adam’s apple also protrudes the perfect amount.
Runner-up: Matt LaPorta

__________________________________________________________________________________

2B: Chase Utley

Team: Philadelphia Phillies
Age: 31
Relationship status: Married (Boo)
Fun fact: He’s a HUGE animal lover, and has raised more than $45,000 for the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. So. Cute. Ripped but also gentle!
Runner-up: Robinson Cano

__________________________________________________________________________________

SS: Hanley Ramirez

Team: Florida Marlins
Age: 27
Relationship status: Married (Boo)
Fun fact: Ramirez’s love of fashion gained fan attention when he wore bright teal cleats adorned with Mickey Mouse ears to the All-Star game. He even has his own clothing line called H2R. So if you can’t be with Ramirez, just dress your guy up in his clothing and call him Hanley. Close enough—he probably won’t even notice.
Runner-up: Jose Reyes

__________________________________________________________________________________

3B: David Wright

Team: New York Mets
Age: 28
Relationship status: Single. GET IT LADIES
Fun fact: Started The David Wright Foundation that aims to increase awareness about MS. He is known to be very involved in charity, very nice to fans, very single, and he has a Delta Airlines plane named after him—the “David Wright Flight.” Oh wait, in other words—he’s perfect.
Runner-up: Evan Longoria

__________________________________________________________________________________

Catcher: Joe Mauer

Team: Minnesota Twins
Age: 27
Relationship status: Unknown. You know what this means: GO FOR IT.
Fun fact: He is famous for the sideburns that he’s sported since joining the MLB, and in 2006 the Twins held “Joe Mauer Sideburns Night” in honor of him, giving out fake sideburns to the first 10,000 fans to arrive at the stadium. Sexy—everyone loves a good pair of sideburns.
Runner-up: Jarrod Saltalamacchia

__________________________________________________________________________________

LF: Jacoby Ellsbury

Team: Boston Red Sox
Age: 27
Relationship status: Dating, and may have had a secret wedding. Emphasis on MAY.
Fun fact: He was raised a Mormon but stopped attending services as a teen. Still, if another lady gets there before you do, it’s not too late!
Runner-up: Josh Willingham

__________________________________________________________________________________

CF: Curtis Granderson

Team: New York Yankees
Age: 30
Relationship status: Rumored to have a girlfriend. Just speculation though. POUNCE.
Fun fact: He released a book in 2009 entitled All You Can be: Dream it, Draw It, Become It!, which uses his own story to inspire kids to pursue their dreams. Adorable! If you can convince him that your childhood dream was to be with him he’d be required to fulfill it.
Runner-up: Torii Hunter

__________________________________________________________________________________

RF: Jason Heyward

Team: Atlanta Braves
Age: 21
Relationship status: Unknown. SCOOP HIM UP
Fun fact: His first at-bat in the Majors, this past season, was a homer. Baller. Also his jaw-line is, objectively speaking, the sexiest thing on earth.
Runner-up: André Ethier

__________________________________________________________________________________

SP: Cliff Lee

Team: Philadelphia Phillies
Age: 31
Relationship status: Married (Boo)
Fun fact: He turned down not one but TWO draft offers from MLB teams in order to attend college before playing. A lover of learning!
Runner-up: Edwin Jackson

__________________________________________________________________________________

Closer: Huston Street

Team: Colorado Rockies
Age: 27
Relationship status: Married (Boo)
Fun fact: His father was the quarterback for the University of Texas, and his brother is a pitcher in the minor leagues. If you can’t have him, try for the rest of his athletic family! Then at least you can see Huston over the holidays.
Runner-up: Carlos Marmol

Check us out on Twitter @DugoutDoctors

Crazy News in 2007: Castillo, Perez and Atkins Released

Though the news was somewhat expected this week, if you had seen these headlines in the Spring of 2007 your brain would melt. Three once-talented players were released this week: Second Baseman Luis Castillo and Starting Pitcher Oliver Perez of the Mets, and Garrett Atkins of the Pirates.

Not only were these players released, the Mets let Perez and Castillo go though they still owe the two over $18 Million over the season–in other words, the Mets really wanted them gone. That’s what’s most incredible about these releases. These weren’t fringe Major Leaguers being sent back down–it wasn’t long ago that these three players were important members of their National League teams.

Castillo is the easiest release to stomach. Yes, he used to be good, posting a high OBP and fantastic SB numbers, but he’s 35 now, and never had any sort of power. He was a strict singles hitter. His skills have slowly diminished every year, and last year everything fell apart. The singles hitter only put up an average of .235. Though he’s done with the Mets, he’s already signed a minor league contract with the Phillies. While they’re probably better off giving playing time to Wilson Valdez, it’s a low-risk signing that gives them a veteran presence.

After the 2006 season Oliver Perez was just 25-years-old and had already proven himself as a talented lefty. His 2004 with the Pirates was an amazing year which saw him put up a sub-3 ERA and catch the eye of the league. Things have fallen apart since. Shuffled back-and-forth between the Starting Rotation, Bullpen and Minor Leagues, Perez has put up dismal numbers for the Mets. Over the last three years his ERA is 5.17, his WHIP is 1.61, and he has walked 205 batters. Yes, this release would come as a surprise in 2007, but everyone saw it coming this year. Though he’s still young, I wouldn’t be surprise if the guy’s MLB career is over.

Perhaps the most surprising drop-off in talent came from former Rockies Third Baseman Garrett Atkins. In 2006, Atkins’ first season as a full-time starter, he took the league by storm. His .965 OPS included an amazing .409 OBP and 29 HRs. The righty seemed destined for a strong career. Not quite. After a failed experiment with the Orioles last season, Atkins signed on with the Pirates for 2011. In 17 games this spring, he was hitting just .129 with 11 strikeouts. Like the Pirates, Atkins saw the writing on the wall and asked for his release. Though he once seemed to have all the tools, this appears to be the end of a strange career, and too bad–Atkins was just one HR away for 100 on his career.

Players lose their ability, it happens. But if you had told me it would have happened so quickly to Castillo, Perez and Atkins, I would not have believed it. Maybe one of them will catch lightening in a bottle and find their old form. But, uh…I doubt it.

Top Ten AL Outfielders

On Friday we got to take a look at the best Outfielders in the National League, and now it’s time to examine that other league. While there are some fantastic players patrolling American League outfields, the talent seems to drop off in the second half of the list. Take a look:

1. Josh Hamilton, TEX – I was hesitant to rank him #1 on the list due to his injury-prone ways — Hamilton has played 222 over the last two seasons– but his numbers are just too good to ignore. Last season’s AL MVP led the league in batting average (.359) and OPS (1.044).

2. Shin-Soo Choo, CLE – Playing in Cleveland has left Choo (pictured right) unnoticed by many fans, but the Right Fielder is a fantastic player. Last season his OPS+ was 148. And this guy didn’t just come out of the blue, his career OBP is a fantastic .391.

3. Carl Crawford, BOS – Crawford impressed the league the last few seasons while playing with the Rays. His ability to hit for power and average, all with great speed (409 career SBs) earned him a massive contract this off-season with the rival Red Sox.

4. Nelson Cruz, TEX – Cruz doesn’t get enough credit, despite last seasons 5.1 WAR in just 108 Games played. And perhaps that’s the problem. Just like his teammate Hamilton, Nelson Cruz seems to have trouble staying healthy. If he can stay on the field, he’s certainly a force in the AL West.

5. Magglio Ordonez, DET – And this is where we begin to realize the talent pool of the AL Outfield is not all that deep. Before injuring his ankle, Ordonez was having a fantastic 2010. In fact, he’s had an amazing career. Problem is, he’s thirty-seven years old. Still, those numbers are good enough for the fifth best Outfielder in the American League.

6. Ichiro Suzuki, SEA – He’s not the same player he was when he arrived in the league in 2001–but he’s not far from it. Talk about consistency–Ichiro has led the league in hits the past five seasons.

7. Nick Swisher, NYY – Before doing my research I would not have expected to include Swisher on this list, but the truth is, the guy has been a force in NYC the past two seasons. Since the start of the 2009 season, his .870 OPS and 58 HRs are hard to ignore.

8. Vernon Wells, LAA – Everyone ripped on the Angels for trading for Wells, and with good cause — he’ll make over $20 million for each of the next four seasons. The criticism sometimes makes us forget that Wells is in fact a good player, just overpaid. He may not be worth the cost, but the 32-year-old will help the Angels.

9. Delmon Young, MIN – After years of hype, the youngster finally put it all together last season and helped lead the injured Twins to the playoffs. Young set career marks in HRs (21), RBIs (112) and OPS (.826). Things are looking up for the one time top-prospect.

10. Nick Markakis, BAL – Markakis might not have the power everyone expected him to showcase, but his career .368 OBP should not be overlooked. If Buck Showalter puts him early in the Orioles’ lineup, he’ll be getting a lot out of the Right Fielder.

Week in Review: 3/21/11

This week, baseball lost one of its greatest competitors to retirement, and typing that with a straight face was beyond tough. Ian Snell (yes, he exists) retired this week as one of the more heralded pitchers in Pittsburgh Pirate history, mostly because they’ve never had a much heralded pitcher. He spent his last year with the Mariners, but we’ll all remember him for his sterling work with the Pirates. His career numbers: a record of 38-53, and a career ERA of 4.80. Nice.

Now I’m not here to completely belittle the effort of Snell. who also took the last name of his wife for a short period of time at the beginning of this career before going back to Snell, which is hysterical to me. ‘Sure, sweetheart, I’ll go by your name for a while. Unless I’m sucking it up, then back to my real name.’ Awesome.

During my first venture into Fantasy Baseball, my friend Jordan and I were trying to come up with names for our teams. We knew it was going to be a rough year, being completely unfamiliar with the scoring system or draft strategies. This was our trial run, like that first person you sleep with in college. Our attempts to come up with a clever name soon became a competition to come up with the perfect name to encompass the turd-like nature both of our teams would surely have. Jordan, a Pittsburgh native, ended up winning the competition. His team’s name? The Snells.

We’re going to miss you Ian.

On to the news.

Winner Of The Week: The Boston Red Sox

With a line up this good, and roughly the same amount that Avatar grossed invested in its roster, I almost hate that the Red Sox are getting lucky as well. This week a few different things go right for the Bostonians. First of all, they (rightfully) named John Lester the opening day starter. This wasn’t so much luck, as it was a very smart baseball move. Opening day, to me, means more than most people believe it to. A win gets you off to an inspired start, establishes a team identity, and if it’s against the Yankees, gives you the support of every non-New Yorker for the rest of the season. Putting Lester out there guarantees a Herculean effort from the rest of the ballclub, as he’s the most inspiring figure they have. Secondly, their new toy, Adrian Gonzalez, continues his faster-than-expected recovery, meaning he’ll likely be even closer to mid-season form come Opening Day than originally thought. Enough’s already been said about this line-up. It’s terrifying. But on top of that, the Red Sox are getting quality starts from Dice-K, who seems to have found the strike zone again, something he’d have had trouble finding with a flashlight and a Navajo tracker in recent past. We all know the potential of this line up, but if they can have three 15 game winners in their rotation (Lester, Beckett, and Dice-K) along with one of the best closers in baseball, that is a horrifying thought for the rest of baseball. Mark it down for me right now: these are my favorites in 2011.

Losers Of The Week: Us (and I guess The San Francisco Giants too)

The game of baseball has been through a lot. Steroids have tarnished some of the game’s most important records. Pete Rose bet on himself to win more than Charlie Sheen. John Rocker was allowed to pitch (and live freely among us like he wasn’t a deranged psychopath). We’ve lived through a pre-humidor Coors Field, Barry Bonds’ bright personality, and countless other disasters. This, however, may top them all.

It was announced this weekend… (deep inhale)… that Brian Wilson might miss the beginning of the season. I know, I know… it’s tough to stomach. This guy has become the personality in baseball. In a sport that has been absolutely dying for someone to embrace the showmanship of professional sports, Wilson has grabbed a tight hold on the slapstick comedic role that we all have come to love. In a time where Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn comedies reign so supreme at the box office, that they’re just phoning it in now (Couples Retreat? Really? REALLY?), Brian Wilson has reminded us why we love a screwball so much: he’s us, you and me and every other sports fan, with the volume turned up. Rather than give the same boring couldn’t-have-done-this-without-my-teammates-and-coaches, we-gotta-take-it-one-day-at-a-time garbage we’ve grown accustomed to, Wilson have given us something we haven’t seen in baseball since, well, John Rocker: a fiery personality, a unique interview, and someone you can’t manage to pull your eyes from. The only difference is that Brian Wilson seems to be in on the joke.

Some time without Wilson, who’s become the face of baseball video games, a preferred guest on late night talk shows, and (let’s not forget) the next great closer in baseball, is just sad. We’re starting to depend on this guy, whether it be to make us laugh, or just to break up the monotony of the same, old boring interviews. The Giants absolutely are. And if we’re going to see a repeat performance from last year’s favorite underdog, they’re going to need Wilson healthy. I know it’s probably only a minor tweak of his ribcage, but if Wilson begins to fizzle out, and jumps off the crazy-plank that he’s so successfully straddling right now, then he might just be the next, well…

Let’s Turn Two

As a football fan, the lockout of its players is disheartening. The prospect of no football for a season, or more, is as frightening as Andy Dick’s mug shot (seriously, take a look sometime… sweet mother of God…). The NBA is on shaky ground right now as well, with rumors of an impending lock out looming. As a football, or basketball, or sports fan, this has got to be one of the scariest times in recent memory.

Bud Selig has to be doing pirouettes in his room every night before bed.

There could not be a better situation for baseball. They’ve been the Cindy Brady of the big three American sports since the steroid scandal, and have struggled regaining the same interest it had during Sosa-McGuiregate. But what are the possibilities if its two biggest competitors fold for months at a time? Baseball becomes the premiere sport in this country once again. Sure, it’s by default, but I’m willing to bet that Selig will take it. Even if football finds a way to squeeze in a partial schedule, or basketball finds a way to only miss part of its offseason, fans will surely migrate from the game. My father has already denounced his fandom of the NFL, and this is a man who grew up in Dallas when The Hat roamed the sidelines. Baseball, however, still rings true to him. This is baseball’s time to shine. A marketing blitz will surely take place over the next couple years, emphasizing baseball’s impact on American history. We’ll be reminded that it’s the game we played with our parents in our backyards, and with our friends at the park. And it’s a smart move, if they pull the trigger on it.

Balls And Strikes

-Placido Polanco was injured this week, giving the Phillies yet another injury to sweat during the spring. I’m thinking Cliff Lee better start taking some grounders during practice, because at this rate, he’ll be playing some infield between starts.

-Joel Zumaya continues to struggle through injuries, becoming yet another ‘what if’ story for a once promising flame thrower. Remember when this guy was the next great reliever in baseball? It’s funny what a Guitar Hero related injury can do to remove the mystique from an athlete.

-The Yankees are trying to decide between Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon, and Kevin Millwood for the fifth spot in their rotation. In a word: HA!

-At this point through Spring Training, Baltimore catcher Jake Fox is leading all of baseball with 7 home runs, and hitting at a .333 clip. MVP! MVP! MVP!

Bottom Of The Ninth

And now we enter the last full week of Spring Training. In ten days, America’s Pastime returns from hibernation. Absolutely delightful.

Until next time, let the thought of The Snells put a smile on your face. So long, folks.

AL Cy Young Candidates

Earlier this week we examined some of the National League Starting Pitchers with the best shot at a Cy Young award, so it’s only fair we do the same for the American League, right? Good, glad everyone agrees:

C.C. Sabathia, NYY – The Yankees signed Sabathia to a monster contract after the 2008 season, and he’s given them everything they’ve asked for. In two seasons, the six-foot-seven Lefty has accumulated thirty Wins, just short of 400 K’s, and a 3.27 ERA. Due to their disheveled Starting Staff, they’re going to need him to be more of a force than ever. I’d be willing to bet he’s up for the task. I would also expect him to opt out of his contract this off-season and really cash in.

Felix Hernandez, SEA – Ho hum. Sorry this article isn’t more exciting. It doesn’t take me to tell you that this guy is a phenomenal pitcher. If he comes anywhere close to last year’s 2.27 ERA, 232 K’s, and 1.057 WHIP, he’ll have a great shot at repeating last year’s award. Of course he belongs on this list. The only knock on Hernandez is the lack of wins. But as I pointed out months ago, who cares?

David Price, TB – In just his second season as a Major League starter, Price finished second in the AL Cy Young voting, thanks primarily to his 2.72 ERA. White I expect his numbers to regress slightly, he certainly belongs on the shortlist of CY Young candidates. With the major losses in the Tampa Bay bullpen, expect Manager Joe Maddon to push Price’s Innings to the limit.

Justin Verlander, DET – While Verlander (pictured right) was pretty good in 2010, it was nowhere near as his 2009 when he lead the league in Innings Pitched (240), Wins (19) and K’s (269!!!). The Tigers are going to compete in 2011, and Verlander will be a big part of that. Once his competitive juices get flowing he’ll likely put up Cy Young type numbers.

Jon Lester, BOS – If you’re going to put money on anything, put it on the Red Sox winning the AL East. The team is built to win, and Lester is pegged as their Ace. And believe me, that’s no mistake. He should have an ERA in the low 3′s, K’s in the low 200′s, with a couple of Complete-Game Shutouts sprinkled in. When left-handed hitters complain about facing strong LHP’s, Lester is the mold of guy they’re talking about.

Other Pitchers of Note: Clay Bucholz, BOS. Jered Weaver, LAA. Trevor Cahill, OAK. Francisco Liriano, MIN.

Top 10 NL Outfielders

With three starting Outfielders per team, I thought it best to split up the rankings by league. That way I could focus on some great players who really deserved the attention. Even so, you’ll notice some excellent players like Colby Rasmus and Corey Hart are missing. Too bad. There’s just too much talent in the National League Outfield.

1. Ryan Braun, MIL – Braun entered the league as a Third Baseman at age 23. In that rookie season he lead his league in slugging (.634) while taking home ROY honors. He has since moved to Left Field where he continues to put up excellent numbers for a powerful offense.

2. Matt Holliday, STL – He’s seen to it that Albert Pujols isn’t the only hitter we talk about in St. Louis. With Holliday, fantastic on-base abilities (career .388 OBP) meet power (28 HRs last year). That would explain the 7 yr/$120 Million contract.

3. Carlos Gonzalez, COL – CarGo had a breakout year in 2010, finishing 3rd in the NL MVP voting while he lead the league in batting and total bases. The 25-year-old proved how insanely good he can be, but two questions still remain. 1 – Was it a flash in the pan season, or can he maintain. And 2 – How much of his numbers are a product of playing at Coors (his OPS dipped to .775 on the road).

4. Jason Heyward, ATL – Still just 21, it’s a safe bet that Heyward will be at the top of this list in two years time. He cracked the big league roster last season, and homered on his first at bat of Opening Day. While he struggled with a thumb injury for the second half of the season, he still managed to put up an OBP of .393 while hitting 18 HRs. Once he figures out the whole league, this guy is going to be crazy good.

5. Jayson Werth, WAS – The Nationals signed Werth to a 7 yr/ $127 Million contract this off-season, not because he looks like the lead singer of Puddle of Mud, but because he has proven to be an excellent right-handed power option. After the Phillies made him a regular starter in 2008, he’s put up an OPS+ of 132, while also swiping 53 bases.

6. Andrew McCutchen, PIT – He plays good defense in CF, hits for average with some power, has speed, and most importantly — he’s only 24. There’s a lot of hype around McCutchen, and he deserves every bit of it. Take a close look at the Pirates’ roster. They can hit, it’s the pitching that’s a problem.

7. Andre Ethier, LAD – Some people in the Dodgers organization worry that Ethier has a bit of a temper. Others say he just plays the game with a lot of passion. Whatever you want to call it, it’s working. He’s a 30 HR threat with the ability to walk and reach base. He belongs hitting third for his team.

8. Justin Upton, ARI – Upton is probably only ranked this high due to hype, as last year was a bit of a down year. But we have to remember he’s only 23 (the dude has been in the league since age 19), and in 2009 his OPS sat at .899. If and when he puts it all together, he’ll climb this list a steady rate.

9. Matt Kemp, LAD – Though he clubbed 28 HRs last season, it was a major down year for the CFer. After a strong 2009 in which he posted an .842 OPS, he saw that same stat dip all the way to .760 in 2010. It was a huge step back for the guy many consider to be a future superstar. Some in the Dodgers organization are worried he’s not focused. 2011 will be a major make or break year.

10. Jay Bruce, CIN – Perhaps the Reds rushed Bruce to the Majors 2008, though his numbers were not all that bad at first. Now, he looks fantastic. 2010 was an excellent season for the youngster who put up an OPS+ of 127. I really think this is the season he truly breaks out for 30+ homers and an OPS in the .900s.

Bill Hall vs. Cole Hamels

It’s just Spring Training, but apparently tempers are flaring as Kevin Kaduk of Yahoo Sports reports. Upset about Cole Hamels trying to mess up his pace, then throwing a fastball inside, Bill Hall had some choice words for the Phillies pitcher. Umpire Laz Diaz stepped in to defuse the situation — warning both dugouts — and things died down.

Hamels didn’t seem bothered after the game, saying: “It’s nothing. He’s a good guy. Just trying to get the game going. So…no hard feelings.”

Hall had a different opinion. “He’s definitely a marked man for me now,” said the Astros’ Second Baseman, adding “when I do some damage off him, I’m going to let him know I did some damage off him.”

The two players likely won’t meet until mid-September. So while it may be a long wait, baseball fans should mark their calendars for a September 12th brawl. Pitchers don’t like to be shown up. Bill Hall knows this, and it sounds like he’s ready to come out swinging.

Next Page »