Monthly Archives: February 2010

Top NL Second Basemen in 2009

Chase Utley (PHI):  One of the ten most valuable players in all of baseball, Utley hits for a decent average, power, works the count to get on base, steals bases and is among the best fielders at his position.  Not … Continue reading

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Filed under Aaron Hill, Adam Kennedy, Akinori Iwamura, Anderson Hernandez, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Blake DeWitt, Brandon Phillips, Chase Utley, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Clint Barmes, Colorado Rockies, Dan Uggla, David Eckstein, Delwyn Young, Emmanuel Burriss, Felipe Lopez, Florida Marlins, Freddy Sanchez, Houston Astros, Jamey Carroll, Jeff Baker, Jeff Stevens, Juan Uribe, Kaz Matsui, Kelly Johnson, Los Angeles Dodgers, Luis Castillo, Martin Prado, Mike Fontenot, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, Oakland A's, Orlando Hudson, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Rickie Weeks, Robinson Cano, Ronnie Belliard, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Skip Schumaker, St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals

Top NL First Basemen in 2009

Albert Pujols (STL):  Far and away the best player in baseball, as he has been since he arrived nearly a decade ago.  Nobody approached his offensive production and he remains the best fielding first baseman in the game.  As such, … Continue reading

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Filed under Adam Dunn, Adam LaRoche, Adrian Gonzalez, Albert Pujols, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Aubrey Huff, Boston Red Sox, Carlos Delgado, Casey Kotchman, Chad Tracy, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Corey Hart, Daniel Murphy, Derrek Lee, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, James Loney, Jeff Clement, Joey Votto, Jorge Cantu, Lance Berkman, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Nick Johnson, Pablo Sandoval, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Todd Helton, Travis Ishikawa, Washington Nationals

Top AL Catchers in 2009

Unlike the guys who play between the baselines, determining the value of a catcher defensively is a much harder proposition for me.  I haven’t been able to translate defense into runs the way I have for all the other positions, … Continue reading

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Filed under A.J. Pierzynski, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chad Moeller, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Dioner Navarro, Francisco Cervelli, George Kottaras, Gerald Laird, Greg Zaun, J.P. Arencibia, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jason Kendall, Jason Varitek, Jeff Mathis, Joe Mauer, John Buck, Jorge Posada, Jose Morales, Kansas City Royals, Kelly Shoppach, Kenji Johjima, Kurt Suzuki, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Lou Marson, Matt Wieters, Max Ramirez, Miguel Olivo, Mike Napoli, Mike Redmond, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Oakland A's, Paul Bako, Ramon Castro, Raul Chavez, Rob Johnson, Rod Barajas, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Taylor Teagarden, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Victor Martinez

Top AL Right Fielders

Shin-Soo Choo (CLE):  Wonderful hitter – 20/20 guy with patience, and he happens to play a fine right field.  I admit it – I knew very little about him but he’s the most productive right fielder in the AL.  (128.5 … Continue reading

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Filed under Alex Rios, Baltimore Orioles, Bobby Abreu, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Gabe Gross, Gabe Kapler, Ichiro Suzuki, J.D. Drew, Jason Kubel, Jermaine Dye, Jose Bautista, Jose Guillen, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Magglio Ordonez, Michael Cuddyer, Minnesota Twins, Nelson Cruz, New York Yankees, Nick Markakis, Nick Swisher, Oakland A's, Ryan Sweeney, Seattle Mariners, Shin Soo Choo, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Willie Bloomquist

Top AL Centerfielders in 2009

In case you were curious, Boston’s new outfielder, Mike Cameron, produced more total runs (offensively and defensively combined) than any other AL centerfielder in 2009.  I would never have guessed this had I not run the numbers…  I don’t think … Continue reading

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Filed under Adam Jones, Alex Rios, Atlanta Braves, Austin Jackson, B.J. Upton, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Brett Gardner, Carlos Gomez, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Coco Crisp, Curtis Granderson, Denard Span, Detroit Tigers, Franklin Gutierrez, Grady Sizemore, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Bay, Josh Hamilton, Juan Pierre, Julio Borbon, Kansas City Royals, Kosuke Fukudome, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Dodgers, Marlon Byrd, Melky Cabrera, Mike Cameron, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, Mitch Maier, New York Yankees, Oakland A's, Rajai Davis, Ryan Sweeney, Sam Fuld, Scott Podsednik, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Torii Hunter, Toronto Blue Jays, Vernon Wells

Top AL Left Fielders in 2009

Jason Bay (BOS):  Now a Met, I think the Red Sox are going to miss this guy.  Had a soft summer, but otherwise was solid.  Gets a bad rap for his defense, but last year I showed him as being … Continue reading

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Filed under Adam Lind, Baltimore Orioles, Bill Hall, Boston Red Sox, Carl Crawford, Carlos Guillen, Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Coco Crisp, Curtis Granderson, David DeJesus, David Murphy, Delmon Young, Denard Span, Detroit Tigers, Endy Chavez, Eric Byrnes, Felix Pie, Gary Matthews, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Bay, Jason Kubel, Jim Thome, Johnny Damon, Josh Anderson, Juan Pierre, Juan Rivera, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Dodgers, Matt Holliday, Michael Saunders, Mike Cameron, Milton Bradley, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Nolan Reimhold, Oakland A's, Rajai Davis, Ryan Langerhans, Ryan Rayburn, Scott Podsednik, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Wladimir Balentien

Top AL Shortstops in 2009

Derek Jeter (NYY):  Dog his defense, but the guy produces runs.  Jeter gets on base, occasionally swats for power, runs the bases well, and despite his well below average range, ranks as the best shorstop in the AL.  And he’s … Continue reading

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Filed under Adam Everett, Adam Kennedy, Alex Gonzalez, Alexei Ramirez, Asdrubel Cabrera, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Cesar Izturis, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Cliff Pennington, Derek Jeter, Detroit Tigers, Elvis Andrus, Erick Aybar, J.J. Hardy, Jack Wilson, Jason Bartlett, John McDonald, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Marco Scutaro, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Nick Green, Oakland A's, Omar Vizquel, Orlando Cabrera, Pittsburgh Pirates, Ramon Santiago, Ryan Goins, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Tyler Pastornicky, Yuniesky Betancourt

Top AL Third Basemen in 2009

Evan Longoria (TB):  No sophomore slump here, huh?  One of the better offensive performers (33 – 113 – .281), draws a few walks, and is as good a defender at his position as there is in the game.  Other than … Continue reading

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Filed under Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, San Diego Padres, Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Oakland A's, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Evan Longoria, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, Gordon Beckham, Joe Crede, Kevin Youkilis, Miguel Tejada, Nick Punto, Eric Chavez, Alex Rodriguez, Scott Rolen, Adrian Beltre, Troy Glaus, Michael Young, Alex Gordon, Mark Teahan, Mike Lowell, Edwin Encarnacion, Brandon Wood, Chone Figgins, Andy Marte, Joe Mauer, Jhonny Peralta, Brendan Harris, Melvin Mora, Orlando Hudson, Adam Kennedy, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Brandon Inge, Brian Buscher, Matt Tolbert

Hudson, Kennedy Sign Deals and Other Hot Stove News…

I had posted it earlier this week in reviewing the performance of AL second basemen.  First – Adam Kennedy had a pretty good year for Oakland and would have been a tolerable option for a team that didn’t have second … Continue reading

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Filed under Adam Kennedy, Alexi Casilla, Brian Dinkelman, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Derrek Lee, Justin Verlander, Kevin Gregg, Kevin Millar, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, Nick Punto, Oakland A's, Orlando Cabrera, Orlando Hudson, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals

Top AL Second Basemen in 2009

Robinson Cano (NYY):  A graceful hitter and smooth second baseman who has power and a keen batting eye…  Edged Hill in the closest race for top billing at his position.  Something tells me that, offensively, Cano can still be better.  … Continue reading

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Filed under Aaron Hill, Adam Kennedy, Akinori Iwamura, Alberto Callaspo, Alexi Casilla, Baltimore Orioles, Ben Zobrist, Boston Red Sox, Brian Dinkelman, Brian Roberts, Chicago White Sox, Chris Getz, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Dustin Pedroia, Franklin Gutierrez, Gordon Beckham, Howie Kendrick, Ian Kinsler, Jose Lopez, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Luis Valbuena, Mark Ellis, Matt Tolbert, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Nick Punto, Oakland A's, Placido Polanco, Robinson Cano, Scott Sizemore, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays