By Dalton Del Don – Senior Writer
I’m not sure what’s more surprising, that some of the media think the recent claim that Derek Jeter is a poor fielding shortstop is untrue, or that these people find this theory new. Jeter has frequently finished worst in Major League Baseball in putouts from the position and has long been overrated thanks to timely big plays in October. Now that Carlos Guillen is off the position, Jeter might very well be the worst fielding shortstop in all of baseball.
If one could buy stock in a baseball team, I’d be all over the Tampa Bay Rays right now. The price would have to be seemingly low playing in that division, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a franchise loaded with this much pitching talent. Scott Kazmir and James Shields are elite talents right now. Matt Garza isn’t far away, and David Price, Jacob McGee and Wade Davis are three of the top-10 pitching prospects in baseball. It doesn’t end there, as Jeremy Hellickson and even Jeff Niemann have legitimate upside down the road as well. The organization has some pretty decent young hitters too, Rocco Baldelii notwithstanding.
In quite possibly the worst analysis I’ve ever read, The Dallas Morning News’ Tim McMahon recently predicted Julius Jones will rush for 1,700 yards next season because he has averaged 155 rushing yards at Seattle’s Qwest Field during, get this, two career games. He does realize Jones will be playing for the Seahawks and not against them, right?
Looking over the odds to win the World Series is always entertaining this time of year. Since going with the favorites is never fun (or fruitful), let’s take a look at some of the longer shots who have a decent chance at going deep this season. I have no clue why the Cardinals (40/1) are favored more than the Reds (50/1), who at least have some upside in young arms. Then again, Vegas probably weighted the Dusty Baker factor heavily. I wouldn’t mind throwing a couple bones on the Brewers (30/1), Braves (30/1) and/or the Dodgers (25/1).
If J.P. Riccardi could have persuaded the gullible Brian Sabean into the Alex Rios for Tim Lincecum (or Matt Cain) deal that was floated around during the offseason, I would have picked Toronto to win the AL East this season. This team has one of the best starting rotations in all of baseball even without the deal. Too bad that still leaves them as only the third best squad in its own division.
I had no idea John Henderson and I had so much in common. This is the same exact way I prepare for every RotoScoop article.
Chad Billingsley might very well win a Cy Young award someday, but for this year, I think he’s being drafted too highly. The stuff and the strikeout rate portend big things to come, but last year’s 3.92 BB/9 IP suggests growing pains are likely in store for 2008. He’s going to be a negative in WHIP, and that’s going to reflect in his ERA in the short-term as well.
Johnny Cueto is one of my favorite end-game picks and has to be drafted in all but the shallowest of leagues. The debate whether Homer Bailey or Cueto will be the better long-term bet is far from decided, but short-term, Cueto is more prepared to contribute at the big league level. Of course, Dusty Baker has to agree, something pretty unlikely. Still, it’s better to go with Cueto’s upside than a boring veteran guaranteed playing time when you reach the later parts of your draft.
Anyone looking for a deep sleeper saves candidate should consider Taylor Tankersley. Most pundits consider Matt Lindstrom the likely replacement behind incumbent Kevin Gregg (who will probably be moved at the deadline), and there’s nothing wrong with that, but Tankersley was the early favorite to close last season and was once the franchise’s first round draft pick. The fact he’s a lefty probably hurts his chances, but his numbers after the break last year (1.48 ERA, 12.3 K/9 IP) suggest he’ll be a valuable middle reliever at worst.
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