A Look At The Angels

2007 Los Angeles Angels

C – Mike Napoli – $0.35MM
C – Jose Molina – $1.25MM
1B - 
2B – Howie Kendrick – $0.35MM
SS – Orlando Cabrera – $7.5MM
3B -
IF – Robb Quinlan – $0.365MM
IF – Maicer Izturis – $0.35MM
LF – Juan Rivera – $2.025MM
CF – Chone Figgins – $3.5MM
RF – Vladimir Guerrero – $13.5MM
DH – Garret Anderson – $11MM

SP – Bartolo Colon – $14MM
SP – Kelvim Escobar – $8.5MM
SP – John Lackey – $5.5MM
SP – Ervin Santana – $0.35MM
SP – Joe Saunders – $0.35MM
SP – Jered Weaver – $0.35MM

RP – Francisco Rodriguez – $3.775MM
RP – Hector Carrasco – $2.75MM
RP – Scot Shields – $2.1MM
RP – Brendan Donnelly – $0.95MM
RP – Kevin Gregg – $0.36MM
RP -
RP -

The Angels have some interesting things to consider this next season.  Many Ramirez wants to play for them, but what can they offer?  They have allot of great young pitching to spair and use as trade bait. 

Catcher:

With Mike Napoli and Jose Molina set to keep there jobs and give the Angels a good 1-2 duo at catcher.  It leaves the burning question what happens to Jeff Mathis?  Look for him to be apart of deals to bring in another bat or some help in there bull pen.

First Base:

Robb Quinlan has been on fire and could get a shot at the job.  However I see them trying to land a solid bat here.  A resergent Frank Thomas or Nomar Garciaparra could be a nice fit for the Angels.

Second Base:

With Howie Kendrick firmly placed here there is no need to worry.

Third Base:

With 3rd open for the grabs, could a deal for Mike Lowell and not Many make more sence?  Also add free agent Aaron Boone and you could have a nice step up at third.

Short Stop:

Orlando Cabrera has had a better year this season, but could his days be numbered with so many young SS in the Angels minors.  Brandon Wood is about ready to play somewhere.

Outfield:

With Vladimir Guerrero, Chone Figgins and Juan Rivera firmly placed in there positions what could they add?  How about Many Ramirez, he wants out of Boston again.  Mind you Angels also have Garret Anderson still sitting around as well.  I look for teh Angels to keep it simple and not go after Many, I like Mike Lowell to play 3rd for them better.

Starting Pitching:

Some of the best young arms in the AL outside of Minnesota.  Veteran Bartolo Colon anchers a crew with young guns like Kelvim Escobar, John Lackey, Jared Weaver and Joe Saunders.  The Angels have nothing to worry about for years to come.  Also add up and commers Jose Arredondo and Nick Adenhart the angels have some wiggle room if injuries hit.

Relief Pitching:

The angels apart from a couple guys need to add some help here.  Closer Francisco Rodriguez and set up men Scot Shields and Hector Carrasco are a top tier crew.  Kevin Gregg and Brendan Donnelly are decent mid level guys, but that leaves 2-3 holes that need to be filled with better players than what they have on staff now.

I like them adding someone like Octavio Dotel or Eric Gagne to the pen not only as out specialists but guys who can fill in when Rodriguez is hurt or needs a day of rest.

Story By: James W. Foland

Boston and Ramirez

Reported on this site several times, the fact that Many Ramirez still wants out of Boston.  With the club not in the play-off hunt that soon Ramirez would be requesting a trade again.

A small report in a Boston paper states that there are some people hearing it again from Many.  From all accounts he still wants to head to the west coast.  He has asked to be dealt to the Angels in the past.  However I think any team in that region would do.  I see the Dodgers having the ability to pull this deal of and causing a bidding war for Ramirez between the 2 L.A. main L.A. clubs.

What could be offered from the Angels or the Dodgers? Here is a look:

Dodgers:

Delwyn Young 2B: Yes he plays second, but has been learning to play the OF aswell.

Greg Miller SP: A young Lefty that could help in the rotation next year.

Clayton Kershaw SP: A the 7th overall pick in this last draft, is considered the best young arm out of high school.

Jonathan Broxton RP: Could be a closer type that would allow the Red Sox to move Papelbon to the rotation.

Angels:

Robb Quinlan 1B: Boston has a queation mark at this position.  Youkilis should be moving back ot 3rd when Lowell gets traded.

Jeff Mathis C: With George Kottaras being added and Veritek maybe headed out, adding Mathis along with Kottaras would be a solid young 1-2 catching duo.

Brandon Wood SS: With the angels having so many young SS to find a place to put them would be hard, However placing him in the Red Sox line-up next year could be fun to watch.

Story By: James W. Foland

A Look At The Phillies

2007 Philadelphia Phillies

C – Carlos Ruiz – $0.33Mill
C – Chris Coste – $0.33Mill
1B – Ryan Howard – $0.355Mill
2B – Chase Utley – $0.5Mill
SS – Jimmy Rollins – $7Mill
3B -
1B/OF – Jeff Conine – $2Mill mutual option
IF – Abraham Nunez – $2.1Mill
LF – Pat Burrell – $13Mill
CF – Aaron Rowand – $3.25Mill player or $5MM club option
RF – Shane Victorino – $0.33Mill

SP – Brett Myers – $3.3Mill
SP – Cole Hamels – $0.33Mill
SP – Jamie Moyer – $6Mill
SP – Jon Lieber – $7.5Mill
SP -

RP – Tom Gordon – $7Mill
RP – Ryan Madson – $0.4Mill
RP – Geoff Geary – $0.35Mill
RP – Fabio Castro – $0.327Mill
RP – Clay Condrey – $0.33Mill
RP – Matt Smith – $0.33Mill
RP – Eude Brito – $0.33Mill

Catchers:

Looking at the catching situatio now that Mike Lieberthal is gone and there are no worries here.  Carlos Ruiz and Chris Coste make for a decent young catching crew.

1st Base:

Nothing needs to be said here, it is Ryan Freak’n Howard.

2nd Base:

Chase Utley like Howard is all that needs to be said.

3rd Base:

Boston maybe dealing Mike Lowell to the Phillies and getting some pitching help they need.  the downside is they may go for injury prone Cole Hamels.

Short Stop:

Jimmy Rollins is a main stay in Phillie.

Outfield:

Aaron Rowand after his play in the field has become a fan favorite and is locked in Center Field.  Shane Victorino is a good young option in right field.  The question here becomes what is going on in left field.  Pat Burrell his contract is 13 mill and is on the chopping block, if they can find a taker they has some viable options to replace the streaky Burrell.  Carlos Lee is on everyone radar, but an in house salution is most likely with Micheal Bourne.  Bourne a Centerfielder by trade could be moved to left or go to right and have Victorino move to the other side.

Startin Pitching:

Brett Myers and Jon Lieber are the only guys I see staying next year.  Jamie Moyer could be headed out via free agency.  Cole Hamels is a prime person to trade young and great potential.  However his back problems scare me and any team getting him will have to deal with a stud who will never reach his full potential.

Relief Pitchers:

The Phillies bull pen is set I hope they keep what they got and don’t trade what is a streangth.

Story By: James W. Foland

Daisuke Matsuzka Video

Take a look at the following video that I got a link from another blogger Video. Some great tape here of what the Japanese pheanom can do to a batting order.

I posted an article a few months ago about this young pitcher.  It is still a crap shoot if he will become available to the US teams.  When and if he does the front runner is the Seattle Mariners.  With Kenji Johjima and Ichiro Suzuki already in Seattle and there owner being Japanese they have the inside track.

Also another Japanese player maybe on the Mariners radar.  Hirotoshi Ishii a solid closer for the Yakult Swallows.  Who could be brought in to add some insurance and help solidify the pen.

Story By: James W. Foland

The Future(A Team By Team Look At Next Year)

We will start a daily dose of fantasy fever to get ready for next year.  Taking a look at each teams line-up, payroll and holes that they need to fill.

We will start with the 2007 Boston Red Sox.

2007 Boston Red Sox

2007 payroll: $120-140Mill.

C – Jason Varitek – $9Mill
1B – Kevin Youkilis – $0.4Mill
2B – Dustin Pedroia – 0.3Mill
SS -
3B – Mike Lowell – $9Mill
LF – Manny Ramirez – $18Mill
CF – Coco Crisp – $3.5Mill
RF – Wily Mo Pena – $2.5Mill, Eric Hinske – $5.625Mill
DH – David Ortiz – $12.5Mill

SP – Curt Schilling – $13Mill
SP – Josh Beckett – $6Mill
SP – Tim Wakefield – $4Mill
SP - 
SP – Matt Clement – $9.5Mill
SP – Jon Lester – $0.35Mill

CL - Jonathan Papelbon – $0.35Mill
RP – Julian Tavarez – $3.1Mill
RP – Craig Hansen – $1Mill
RP - 
RP -
RP -

Catchers:

Let’s take a player by player look at the Red Sox.  Jason Veritek could be on the outs after the 2007 season.  When the Red Sox added George Kottaras from the Padres it spelled Veritek headed out of town.  Kottaras is a top of the line prospect who was going to start being the main catcher for the Padres next year.  His major league debut should be next year and start taking time away from Veritek there after.

First Base:

Kevin Youkilis and Carlos Pena are there now, but some hot rumors have both being gone by next year.  First Base Free Agents Youkilis who can play third base maybe moved there with Mike Lowell being dealt with an improved season under his belt.  Pena is not a viable solution at first base.  Doug Mientkiewicz could be a solid option at first base for the Sox.

Second Base:

Young prospect Dustin Pedroia will take over at second and be a monster for years to come.

Short Stop:

Now this is were the Sox may spend some cash. With SS free agents like Craig Counsell and Julio Lugo there are some options.  The other way to go would be with a trade, guys like Carlos Guillen and Omar Visquel all could be available with young prospects waiting in the wings on both there clubs.

Third Base:

Mike Lowell is on the trading block if the Red Sox would be willing to eat some of his 9 Million dollar salary.  Why would the Sox trade him after doing so well for them you may ask.  It is simple for the very reason I just stated he did well, opening the door to trade him for some help in the bull-pen or starting pitching staff.  This also moves Kevin Youkilis back to his natural position of third.

Outfield:

With Manny Ramirez, Coco Crisp and Trot Nixon all holding the slots today that will not be the same for next year.  Ramirez was appeased by the start of season to give it another year in Boston.  Now that there out of the play-off hunt not to mention a chance at the series.  I see Ramirez still wanting to get out of Boston before next year.  Crisp may stay in center and Nixon maybe held out there to trade as well.  The good news out of all of this if there can be any. 

Boston could end up with some help in the pen and in the starting rotation.  With center field free agents not a concern with Coco Crisp staying, that leaves left and right field.  In right field free agents  like Jose Guillen and Gary Sheffield could be great upgrades in right field.

In left field free agents  like Carlos Lee, Luis Gonzalez and Preston Wilson could be a nice match for Boston.

Starting Pitchers:

With the rumors of Matt Clement on the outs and an aging Tim Wakefield Boston could go young from within or add some help to make some depth and help there bullpen.  Andy Pettite, Mark Buerle, Mark Mulder and Ted Lilly are some top left handers.  As for the righties there are some great ones there as well.  With Jason Schmidt, Brad Radke and Kerry Wood all great options to help.

Relief Pitchers:

To help with the pen Boston has some options that could help via trade or free agency.  Guys like Eric Gagne, Mariano Rivera, Joe Borowski and Octavio Dotel all out there they could add some much needed insurance or replace Jonathan Papelbon and let him be a starting pitcher again.  I like grabbing Mariano Rivera if it is at all possible that would hurt the Yankees and grab still one of the best closers in baseball.

The bottom line is that the Red Sox have about 60 Million on payroll.  They started with 88 Million at the start of the year giving for some increasing of the payroll they should end up with over 40 Million to spend on free agents and trades.  Look for them to be a very active team.

Story By: James W. Foland

Player’s To Watch

I have, over this last season placed on the left side of this blog my player’s to watch list.  A select group of players that I feel could make some impact with there parent clubs in the near future.

Jared Weaver SP LAA, Howie Kendrick 2B LAA, Lasting Milledge OF NYM, Troy Tulowitzki SS Col, Micheal Bourne OF Phi, Evan Longoria SS T.B., Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B Cle, Cameron Maybin OF Det, Ryan Braun 3B Mill, Dustin Pedroia 2B Bos.

Have been among those on my top 6 this year.  Weaver ha shown in his 1st year to be one of the leagues top pitcher to watch out for.  Kendrick has become a solid threat at the plate and Tulowitzki and Pedroia it is still too early to tell.

Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B Cle is a guy I have felt from the get go this year could end up ousting A. Marte from his status as the future at 3rd.  Kouzmanoff is not a player to be underestimated, many believe at best he will be a role player and not have much fantasy impact.  However as you can tell I think differently.

If not for the Indians getting Marte, Kouzmanoff would have been called up long ago.  He was stuck behind the struggling Marte, but with the Indians being out of the playoff hunt there is a chance for him to shine. 

Kouzmanoff has started what could be a long stint with the parent club.  If you can get this kid do it most importantly if you are in a keeper league you will end up very happy.

Projects to a .280 15HR 15SB and have an above average glove.

Story By: James W. Foland