Daily Archives: February 13, 2012
Open Thread: Fantasy Baseball, Jeter, Guerrero, Burnett
Good evening all lots of chatter tonight about A.J. Burnett. Also some of the Yankees have arrived to the spring training complex which is a great sign. Here are some news and notes to get you going. Any thoughts share them in the comments section.
* First off our writer Matthew B. started our first ever Yankee Fans Unite Fantasy Baseball league. The league is half way filled so if you want in and even if your new to fantasy baseball give it a try. Click the link for all the information.
* The New York Post has a story about Jeter calling the new additions to the American League “scary”
* Newsday writer Erik Boland has a nice piece about Jeter beginning his 20th year in Yankee pinstripes.
* Sports Illustrated mentions that Vlad Guerrero wants to play for the Yankees.
The latest I have from Heyman came around 3:45 involving AJ
#yankees, #pirates still talking aj. deal likely to get done w/ bucs paying $13-15M of $33M, & giving up 2 non-roster guys—
Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) February 13, 2012
Enjoy the nite. Check back for updates.
the latest from Sherman
Heard #Yankees would do AJ deal if #Pirates took on north of $13M of $33M owed. But so far, Pit offered to eat $10M give up 2 blah prospects—
Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 13, 2012
S2S 2012 Team Prospect Lists: New York Yankees
This article is being syndicated from our friends over at Seedlings to Stars. I will provide some of the article and at the bottom just click the link to read the rest. Enjoy!!
With the S2S 2012 Top 100 Prospects List now in the books, it’s time to take a closer look at the future of each team. And that means team prospect lists!
Most minor league sites will do top-10s, top-15s, top-20s, or some other ranking. Last year, to be a bit different, the FanSided team prospect lists (which were done at Call to the Pen, since S2S didn’t exist), instead listed a team’s top prospect at each position (C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, 3 OFs, 5 SPs, and 2 RPs). This year, we’re keeping that format, but also adding a “Best of the Rest” section that lists the top ten players beyond the positional rankings. That’s 25 players per system, if you’re counting.
New York Yankees
The Yankees system is undoubtedly somewhat down from where it was in years past. Their vaunted “Killer B” trio–Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances, and Andrew Brackman–all ran into trouble in 2011, and Brackman ended up released while Betances looks like he may be headed for the bullpen. Jesus Montero was traded away to Seattle, further damaging the top talent, although New York did receive the Northwest League’s top prospect, Jose Campos, in that trade.
There’s still plenty to like here, though. This system has an abundance of two things: upper-minors arms and low-minors bats. Banuelos, Campos, and Gary Sanchez could be excellent contributors even by the lofty standards of Yankee fans.
Position Player Upside: B
Position Player Depth: B-
Pitching Upside: B+
Pitching Depth: B+
System Grade: B
Catcher: Gary Sanchez. You don’t come across a whole lot of 18-year-old catchers with ISOs of .229 in full-season ball. Sanchez also boasts a strong arm and a good eye at the plate, and has superstar potential. He has some major problems with blocking pitches, but at his age, that’s not cause for alarm just yet, and neither is his elevated strikeout rate. At some point, those are going to need to come around, but he’s got plenty of time, and his overall potential is enormous. Grade: A-
Ranking AL East Infielders
In a series of articles this week we will be ranking the starting players in the AL East for every position. Today the infielders are the focus. These rankings should provide good discussion so please give me your thoughts on rankings you may agree or disagree with.
Catchers
1. Matt Wieters, BAL
2. Russell Martin, NYY
3. J.P. Arencibia, TOR
4. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, BOS
5. Jose Molina, TB
Matt Wieters started to live up to his potential last year. After a rough rookie season, Wieters stepped it up both offensively and defensively. Wieters hit .262, with 22 HR’s, 68 RBI, and a .778 OPS. He was also stellar behind the plate as he threw out 37% of all base stealers last season. It was a close call for 2nd but Martin got the nod over Arencibia due to experience and defense. Arencibia showed great power potential during his rookie year as he hit 23 HR’s, but needs to work on his average since he hit only .219. If he can take another step up like Wieters did, he can be quite good. Martin did a terrific job handling the Yankees pitching staff and provided timely offense. Saltalamachia has never lived up to his hype during his career, but did have his best year last year offensively. Molina is a great backup, but should not really be starting.
1st Basemen
1. Adrian Gonzalez, BOS
2. Mark Teixeira, NYY
3. Adam Lind, TOR
4. Carlos Pena, TB
5. Chris Davis, BAL
Adrian Gonzalez definitely had a great first impression for the Red Sox last year with an MVP type season, batting .337, with 27 HR’s, 117 RBI, and a .957 OPS. Teixeira can definitely match Gonzalez’s excellent defense and has a similar level of power. However Teixiera batted 89 points lower so he is not really on the same level of production as Gonzalez. Since Lind hit .305 and 35 HR’s in 2009 he has just been ordinary, yet still pretty solid. Pena provides great power and defense, but has not hit above .230 for three straight years. Davis has been an all or nothing type hitter for his career.
Morning Bits: Burnett, Spring Training, Top Teams
Good morning all. Back to another start of the week. But get excited only 6 days till pitchers and catchers report to spring training.
Let’s get right to the links….
* The New York Times reports that the Yankees and Pirates are in serious talks for Burnett. I’m sure many of you prayed last night for this to happen.
* The New York Post chimes in on the verge of the AJ Trade as well.
* Bryan Hoch of mlb.com writers that the Yankees are heading to camp with a plethora of starters.
* Joel Sherman of the New York Post states that the Red Sox and Yankees are no longer alone at the top.
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