Indians Closer Chris Perez Saves Game, Pukes On Mound

Cleveland Indians closer Chris Perez earned his 20th save by defeating his former team, the St. Louis Cardinals. Instead of fireworks being shot off after the game, he projectile vomited all over the mound.

He was suffering from some gastrointestinal issues and decided to still pitch in the game. He has done this before, in 2011 he had the same issues with the same result.

Cleveland.com's Glenn Moore, who has worked with Perez's on a podcast, edited the video of Perez vomiting with the audio of WWE's Vince McMahon from the documentary "Beyond the Mat". Great job, my friend!

Check out the video after the jump..

video rights: MLB & audio/video rights: 'Beyond The Mat'

Six Pitchers Combine for Seattle Mariners No-Hitter

The Seattle Mariners were victims of a perfect game earlier this season. No-hitter karma paid it forward tonight when six Seattle pitchers combined to pitch a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was the franchise's third no-hitter and its first since Chris Bosio's no-hitter in 1993.

Seattle barely avoided being one of the few teams to lose while throwing a no-hitter. They squeaked out a victory and won the game 1-0.

This is the fourth no-hitter thrown this season. Has any other MLB team threw a no-hitter and used more than six pitchers? Are we going to see more no-hitters in 2012?

Kevin Millwood started the game and pitched six innings without giving up a hit. Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor, Lucas Luetge, Brandon League, and Tom Wilhelmsen combined to pitch the final three innings. Pryor received the win while Wilhelmsen earned his third save of the season by closing out the game.

This was the second time Milwood was part of a no-hitter. He threw a complete game no-hitter as a member of the Phillies in 2003.

Kyle Seager drove in the only run of the game by singling in Ichiro Suzuki. Seager is now batting .275 on the season. Ichico had three hits and a stolen base in the game.

Dodgers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi pitched six innings of shutout baseball. He now has an ERA of 1.93 on the year. Scott Elbert, who allowed Seager's RBI single in the 7th inning, was credited with the loss.

This no-hitter is not without scandal. Dee Gordon hit a slow roller to Brandan Ryan. He made a great throw to first base and was called out. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly thought Gordon beat out the throw and argued with the umpire.

This was the 10th combined no-hitter in MLB history. It's the first since six Houston Astros pitchers combined for a no-hitter against the Yankees in 2003.

Jared Weaver, Phillip Humber, and Johan Santana have already pitched no-hitters this season. Humber pitched a perfect game against the Mariners earlier this season.

2012 MLB: What We've Learned So Far...

If Matt Kemp was the MVP of April, the May award would go to either Giancarlo Stanton, Melky Cabrera, or Carlos Gonzalez. Their bats started to heat up as the degrees raised on the thermometer.

If I had to chose between Stanton, Cabrera, and Gonzalez, I would have to go with Stanton. He hit a grand slam that hit the scoreboard. It made a large portion of the scoreboard go black. If the Miami Marlins want to keep a left-field scoreboard, they may want to move it deeper into the park.

May is a month when teams start getting an idea if their roster needs tweaked. Players start getting called up from the minors and veterans begin to get "designated for assignment."

Here are some things that we learned in May...

- Jamie Moyer is a bad ass. Yes, a middle school pitcher could beat him on the radar gun, but you have to respect what he has done. The Colorado Rockies released him last week, but he set the age records for wins and oldest person to get an RBI. I hope a team gives him an opportunity to pitch at age 50 next season.

- No one can hit Ernesto Frieri. The Los Angeles Angels reliever did not allow a hit during the entire month of May. He has registered 30 strikeouts in 14 innings and saved his first game. He currently shares the role of closer with Scott Downs. I have a feeling that Frieri will have that job by himself if he keeps this up.

- Aroldis Chapman? (see: Ernesto Frieri)

- Matt Kemp's hamstring pisses him off. He spent nearly the entire month of May on the disabled list. He came back, but re-injured his hamstring and will be out the entire month of June. Kemp was so mad that he had a mini-tirade in the dugout.

 - Bryan LaHair falls back down to Earth. He was the only Chicago Cubs offense in April. He looked to have a stranglehold on the first-base job and block Anthony Rizzo from being called up. He is now stuck in a platoon with Jeff Baker and sits when the Cubs face a left-handed starting pitcher.

- Alfonso Soriano found the Fountain of Youth. He reduced his bat weight by an ounce and a quarter and his power has returned. He hit eight home runs in the last 30 days. The Cubs are hoping that he can keep this up so they can finally trade him.

- Justin Smoak can be called "The Smoak Monster" once again. He started the season off horribly, but he had seven home runs and a .280 average in the month of May. He now has a .241 average, which is much better than hitting around the Mendoza line.

- Bryce Harper and Mike Trout are really, really good. No one thought they would hit this well so early in their careers. Harper is a ball of energy and is a threat with his bat and his cannon of an arm. Trout looks like he could turn into a 30/30 guy. He will definitely have over 30 stolen bases this season, since he has nine in only 127 at-bats.

- Mark Trumbo ate Albert Pujols. Going into the season, analysts had written off Trumbo. They thought that he could end up in a platoon with an outfielder and spell Pujols at first-base. Trumbo currently has a line of 10/27/.331 and Pujols has a line of 8/23/.238. Pujols hit all of those homers in May, so he is headed in the right direction.

- Jared Weaver and Roy Halladay are human. Both pitchers started off the year very hot. Weaver pitched a no-hitter earlier this season and Halladay had a few games in which he has no-hitter stuff. They both landed on the disabled-list at the end of May. Weaver will only miss a couple starts, but Halladay's season is at risk. He is having a second opinion on his shoulder and could need surgery.

- The Pittsburgh Pirates have a talented pitcher? James McDonald came out of nowhere and has been phenomenal. In May, he had 39 K's in 35 innings with an ERA of 1.54 and a WHIP under 1.00. His BABIP doesn't do him any favors by showing that he has had a bit of luck. His K/BB is currently at 63/19, a rate that he needs to keep up if he wants to continue his early success.

- The AL East is too close too call. In the month of May, every team in the division were either 15-13, 15-14, or 14-14. You can't get any closer than that.

- Will Middlebrooks made Kevin Youkilis expendable. Middlebrooks is a younger version of Youk, but with more power. The Boston Red Sox will get a nice return for the "Greek God of Walks".

- The Chicago White Sox are showing that they could be a playoff team. They went 18-11 with a +34 run differential in the month of May. Davan Viciedo, Alejandro De Aza, Alex Rios, Gordon Beckham, and Paul Konerko all lead a stat category for their position in May. The 2012 roster is almost a mirror image of last year's team. They are responding to a new message and probably grew tired of Ozzie Guillen's method. Robin Ventura is getting the most out of the team.

- The NL East is as close as the race in the AL East. The Washington Nationals are currently leading, but only 3.5 games separate them from last place. I can see this race still being a three or four team race at the trading deadline.

- The St. Louis Cardinals are confusing. They have a +52 run differential but are only one game over .500. The Cincinnati Reds are looking like the team to beat, but don't count out the Pirates. This is definitely a three team race.

-  The NL West will be won by either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the San Francisco Giants. The Arizona Diamondbacks aren't getting as many balls fall as they did last year. The pitching staffs for the Dodgers and Giants look dominant. The NL Cy Young winner could be won by a pitcher in this division. Matt Cain, Ryan Vogelsong, and Madison Bumgarner and the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw in the discussion.

The following pictures are a monthly treat for my female readers. I'm not a huge fan of this section of the post, but it has been a hit. Female sports fans have been very kind to this site, so here's a little eye candy for the ladies...I hope you enjoy shirtless photos of Hunter Pence, C.J. Wilson, Ryan Braun, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Lance Berkman. (yeah, sorry about the Berkman photo)

Sorry about that guys! I promised a female reader that I would do this once every month during the baseball season. Shirtless photos are my limit...no one could handle seeing a nude photo of Berkman.

Goodbye, Kerry Wood: A Cubs Fan's Farewell

After this afternoon's Chicago Cubs game against the Chicago White Sox, Kerry Wood officially retired from Major League baseball. He struck out the only batter he faced and went out with a bang.I have been a Cubs fan for all of my life and Wood will always be one of my favorite baseball players. In '07, I had the privilege to see him pitch, but he wasn't the dominant pitcher that once struck out 20 batters in a single game. Injuries derailed his playing career in the mid-2000s and was forced to pitch relief. He had success in that role, but he struggled this season with an ERA of 8.31 and twice as many walks as strikeouts.

How will will he be remembered, as a pitcher who once struck out 20 batters in a game or for the mystery of 'what might have been?'

It is a shame that we will never know how dominant Wood could have been without his injuries. Wood and Mark Prior were going to be the Cubs version or Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, but both suffered career-threatening injuries. Wood was the last relic from the 2003 Chicago Cubs team who were only seven outs from making an improbable World Series appearance. The Bartman play occurred during that series, but most forget that it took place during Game 6 of the NLCS. Wood pitched in Game 7 and even hit a home run. He took the lost the game 9-6 and the Florida Marlins went on to win the World Series.

After the '03 NLCS disaster, he was never the same. He had a sub-par '04 season and then suffered injuries that kept him out for the majority of the following three seasons. He returned in late '07, but came out of the bullpen as a precautionary measure. He turned into a capable relief pitcher. He even moved into the closer role in the '08 and '09 seasons, racked up 54 saves. He spent the next two seasons with the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees, but then returned to Chicago for a hometown discount.

Saying goodbye to Wood is a hard thing for me to do. I had to write a similar farewell to Peyton Manning post just two months ago. I am a huge fan of both teams. As a fan, it will be odd to not see either Wood or Manning on my team's sideline.

Cubs fans always kept faith that Wood would return and contribute to the team. Prior was not so lucky. The fans lost patience with him much quicker. We all know that Wood will not be inducted into the Hall of Fame or even get his number retired. He will always been mentioned in Cubs folklore as a member of the '03 team and for his amazing rookie season in '98. He holds a special place in the hearts of Cubs fans.

You will see him around Chicago. He will be a special assistant in the Cubs organization and he has his foundation in the city. He is a devout Christian and does a lot of great things for the people of Chicago.

Wood finishes his career with a 86-75 record and 3.67 ERA. The two-time All-Star also struck out 1581 batters in 1379 innings.

He could have been the next Nolan Ryan or Steve Carlton, but he turned out to be the first Kerry Wood.

Kerry Wood's 20-strikeout game vs. Houston Astros in 1998

Sweetbob's Fantasy F*ck/Marry/Kill - May 14th

This is the second installment of "Sweetbob's Fantasy F*ck, Marry, Kill." I received some emails asking me for fantasy advice. If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer all of them. You can email me at bobbymcrib@gmail.com.

Who made the list for a second week in a row? Do I trust David Robertson to close games for the Yankees? Should you begin looking for starters to replace Josh Beckett and Ubaldo Jimenez?

Welcome to "Sweetbob's Fantasy F*ck, Marry, Kill"...

Before I begin, let's go over the F/M/K terminology. The guys that I list under "Fuck" are guys that are currently hot and you need to pick them up. "Marry", are guys that you need to stick with, even if they are struggling a bit. "Kill", are guys that you need to think about dropping for better players in the free agent pool. 

* In the player description, the "owned %" was taken from ESPN.com leagues.

OF Josh Reddick - Oakland A's - 90.7% owned - Unless you are in an AL-only league, I doubt that Josh Reddick was drafted. He's being added to leagues as a feverish pace. I doubt the A's or his former team, the Red Sox, thought that he would be showing this much power. He's batting .291 with eight home runs so far. If he hasn't been added in your league, pick him up, especially since Yoenis Cespedes was just put on the disable-list.

OF Allen Craig - St. Louis Cardinals - 72.2% owned - Since he came off of the disabled-list, he's been on a tear. In the past two weeks, he's batting .324 with four homer runs and 13 RBI. There could soon be an issue with Craig's playing time, since Lance Berkman comes back from injury in the next few weeks. If you own Craig, ride him while he's hot, but keep an eye out on Berkman's playing status.

3B Will Middlebrooks - Boston Red Sox - 39.5% owned - When Kevin Youkilis went down with an injury, Red Sox Nation didn't even expect a productive replacement. Middlebooks has taken his opportunity and made the best of it. He has a stat line of 3/11/.282 over the last two weeks. If he keeps this up, he could steal some at-bats at either third-base or designated-hitter. If Youk struggles, Boston could start looking towards the future and deal him. It's a "what if," but Middlebrooks is a nice short-term fix.

C J.P. Arencibia - Toronto Blue Jays - 21.9% owned - If your catcher is struggling at the plate this season, Arencibia is a nice replacement. You know what you're going to get out of him and he delivers. His batting average won't be very high (probably hovering around .240), but you will get power. He has hit a couple dingers in the last two weeks.

3B Chris Johnson - Houston Astros - 42.1% owned - Johnson was on this list last week and his ownership jumped by almost 30%. He is still on a hot streak and I think he is the real deal. He was productive last year and he's continuing to improve. In the last two weeks, he is batting .368 with four homers and 11 RBI. Don't let the fact that he's on the low-scoring Astros scare you away. He will still produce numbers on a bad team.

SP Joe Blanton - Philadelphia Phillies - 13.6% owned - When you think of the strong starting pitching on the Phillies, Blanton is the last person you would name. He is the hottest pitcher on their staff and available in nearly every standard mixed league. He has two starts this week with favorable match-ups. Over the last two weeks, he's averaging nearly a strikeout an inning (21 in 23 innings) with a couple wins. He's worth a pick up and/or spot start this week.

SP James McDonald - Pittsburgh Pirates - 37.6% owned - It has been a long time since a Pirates starting pitcher looked this great. McDonald has been hot since the beginning of the year. He has a 2.43 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 39 Ks in 44 innings...All-Star caliber numbers. His K/BB rate isn't great, but his balls are missing bats. He has only given up 31 hits in seven starts this year.

SP Carlos Zambrano - Miami Marlins - 47.0% owned - As a Cubs fan, it pains me to see Zambrano having a good season. In his last three starts, he has only given up one run with 21 strikeouts in 23 innings. He's red hot and you should pick him up and ride him until he has a six walk performance. He will have a few of those outings per year. The key in owning him is knowing when to drop him before his numbers hurt your team.

RP Alfredo Aceves - Boston Red Sox - 61.9% owned - Aceves started out the year bad, to say the least. His first few outings were horrible and his ERA & WHIP still show the affects of those appearances. He settled down and has a firm hold on the closing job. He has only given up two runs in his last 11.2 innings and has converted his last five save chances. Boston should start winning more games soon and he'll rack up some saves in your roto or head-to-head league.

SP Edinson Volquez - San Diego Padres 29.5% owned - Even though the Padres are bad, their pitchers still get to pitch half of their games at spacious PETCO Park. Volquez is on a hot streak and has only given up four runs in his last 25.2 innings. You won't expect many wins from him, but he has won his last two starts. He will help you a lot in strikeouts to make up for the lack of wins.

SP Brandon McCarthy - Oakland A's - 77.0% owned - McCarthy was drafted in most leagues, but was one of the first pitchers dropped in a large percentage of leagues. His starts weren't bad, but they weren't wowing any owners. His numbers started to improve and he has his pitches working and looks like old Brandon McCarthy. He won his last three starts and recorded ten strikeouts in his last start against Detroit.

OF - Jason Kubel - Arizona Diamondbacks - 81.8% owned - He keeps hitting, yet his owned percentage continues to drop. He hasn't shown a lot of power over the last couple of weeks, but in the last week, he has a hit in every game. The power will be hit or miss, but Kubel is a consistent hitter for your team.

OF - Logan Morrison - Miami Marlins - 67.0% owned - Based on past performance, you have to stick with LoMoMarlins. He is a streaky hitter, but at the end of the year, he'll have good fantasy numbers. If Ozzie Guillen starts to leave him off the lineup card, then it is time to think about dropping him.

OF Gerardo Parra - Arizona Diamondbacks - 50.3% owned - A lot of team owners get scared away by the word "platooon." Parra is on the ride side of the platoon, since he only sits when the Diamondbacks face a strong left-handed pitcher. His ownership has started to level out after being a trendy pick-up. He will give your team batting average, medium power, and some steals. He's a perfect fourth or fifth outfielder in standard mixed leagues.

1B Mark Trumbo - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - 77.2% owned - I can understand why people have dropped Trumbo, the Angels' lineup is crowded. They have Kendrys Morales, Albert Pujols, and Trumbo all sharing time at first-base. It helps that the Angels are working Morales back slowly and putting Trumbo in left field. He's getting at-bats, but he's getting left off the lineup card often. I expect the Angels to make a trade to free up playing time or send Trumbo to a better situation. Hold on to him, he is going to put up solid numbers. Keep in mind, he will soon be eligible to roster as an outfielder. He could have a rough week, since the Angels will not have the DH option for four games this week (they play in National League parks).

2B Neil Walker - Pittsburgh Pirates - 77.9% owned - Walker is sitting at one home run this year, but his average is at .278. By the end of the year, he'll have around 12-15 home runs and with an average near .300. His numbers have improved this week and has shown the ability to get on base and score runs.

C A.J. Pierzynski - Chicago White Sox - He is consistent and you know what you are getting when you own him. Pierzynski is not a guy that you brag about owning on your fantasy league. He isn't going to hit 30 homers and bat .325, but he has double-digit power w/ .280 average potential.

SP Jaime Garcia - St. Louis Cardinals - 90.2% owned - I'm not sure why team owners are giving up on Garcia so easily. He's a guy that will have a couple bad outings every couple months, but he will get his ERA under 4.00 by this time next month. He isn't going to strikeout a ton of batters, but he gives you other categories. He will give you wins and low ERA over the course of a season.

SP Matt Moore - Tampa Bay Rays - 91.0% owned - Moore went fairly high in fantasy drafts based on his performance in last year's playoffs. He showed poise and delivered a lot of filthy pitches. He is having trouble with his pitch count and not getting to the sixth inning. Once he finds how to get outs without having to strikeout batters, he will be able to get deeper into games. He could be a stud by August, so hold onto him right now.

SP - Hiroki Kuroda - New York Yankees - 80.4% owned - He impressed me last season and I have confidence that he will get plenty of wins when the Yankees start winning. He isn't the reason for the Yankees troubles. He has only had two bad starts, which inflated his ERA & WHIP to 3.56/1.37 respectively. If you take out those two starts, he has an ERA under 2.00 and a 1.10 WHIP.

OF/DH Kendrys Morales - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - 67.4% owned - The Angels play four games in National League parks and I don't see him playing in the majority of those games. They play a lot of Interleague games in June, so his ownership value will take a big hit. It is getting more difficult for Morales to crack the starting lineup. It doesn't help him that Mark Trumbo is hitting so well.

1B/OF Carlos Lee - Houston Astros - 97.0% owned - I'm not saying that you should instantly dump the former All-Star, but it could be time to start thinking about it. There are a lot of quality outfielders and first-baseman in the free agent pool. You drafted Lee for power and RBI and he isn't delivering. Keep an eye on his numbers, because it could be time to pull the trigger.

2B Rickie Weeks - Milwaukee Brewers - 88.1% owned - Weeks has been an up & down player for his entire career. He is either hitting under .200, knocking multiple homers in a game, or in the disabled list. It is nice to have power at the second-base position, but he has a nagging injury and his batting average is killing your team. If you don't have a suitable free agent replacement, put him on your bench while he's working through his injury.

3B/1B Chris Davis - Baltimore Orioles - 73.1% owned - Davis started out the season on fire, but he has came back down to Earth in a hurry. He reverted back into the player that couldn't hold onto a job in Texas. He will not finish the season with an average over .220 and his power is streaky. If Will Middlebrooks is available in your league, he is a better option than Davis.

1B/OF Lucas Duda - New York Mets - 63.2% owned - The NL East is loaded with left-handed starters. The Mets have Duda on a platoon and usually sit him when they face a lefty. If the Mets were in another division, he would get more playing time. He has a lot of skills and when he plays, he's solid. Unless you are in a deep mixed or an NL-only, there are better free agent options as a replacement.

1B Paul Goldschmidt - Arizona Diamondbacks - 44.3% owned - He is another player that is stuck in a platoon and shares time with Lyle Overbay. Goldschmidt was a late-season fantasy surprise last season. He was drafted in hopes that he would continue his above-average production. Goldschmidt has disappointed owners and it's time to pull off the band-aid. He could be a pick-up option later in the season if he ever hits his way out of the platoon.

SP/RP Chris Sale - Chicago White Sox - 94.4% owned - He is pitching through elbow issues and the White Sox are indecisive if they want to move him into the closer role. He has been an above-average starter this season, but elbow injuries always scare me as a fantasy team owner. He will either turn it around and have a solid season or completely lose his command and inflate his ERA and WHIP. He is a pitcher to keep and eye on and read the injury report on a daily basis. I have a feeling that he will make a trip to the DL very soon.

SP Josh Beckett - Boston Red Sox- 82.9% owned - He is in a messy situation in Boston. Beckett isn't known for keeping his cool and is labeled an emotional pitcher. I am not sold that he will end the season on Boston. A trade could come sooner than later. If he has one more bad start, it could be time to open up a spot on your roster for a rotating starter.

SP Ubaldo Jimenez - Cleveland Indians- 71.8% owned - He made the "Kill" list last week and he had another bad start. He walked five batters, allowed nine hits, and gave up seven runs in 4.2 innings. His ERA now stands at 5.18 and carries a 1.78 WHIP. I'm not sure what team owners are waiting on. Drop Jimenez now and pick up a guy like Christian Fredrich, Ross Detwiler, or Drew Smyly.

RP Grant Balfour - Oakland A's - 74.0% owned - He recently lost his job as the closer to Brian Fuentes. Bob Melvin, Oakland's manager, left the door open for Balfour to earn his spot back later in the year. He has had many opportunities to close games on other teams, but he has never succeeded as a closer. He isn't worth a roster spot in any mixed league format, unless you are in a roto league with a Holds category

Sweetbob's Fantasy F/M/K - May 7th

It has been over a month since you've had your fantasy baseball draft. If you are like me, you have given your players ever chance  to succeed. This is the time of year that teams start to make roster moves and you should do the same. You probably feel dumb for drafting Carlos Marmol...so make up for it by picking up someone better! This is the first of many weekly columns to help you win your fantasy leagues.

Welcome to "Sweetbob's Fantasy F*ck, Marry, Kill"...

Before I begin, let's go over the F/M/K terminology. The guys that I list under "F*ck" are guys that are currently hot and you need to pick them up. "Marry", are guys that you need to stick with the whole season, even if they are struggling a bit. "Kill", are guys that need to be dropped for better players in the free agent pool. 

* In the player description, the "owned %" was taken from ESPN.com leagues.

3B  Pedro Alvarez - Pittsburgh Pirates - 68.1% owned - Fantasy baseball players have waited for Alvarez to produce in the Majors. He looked like he was headed back to the Minors until he started to swing for the fences. Over the last 15 games, he has hit five home runs with a .378 average. This could be just a hot streak, so keep an eye on his batting average...when Alvarez is cold, he's ice cold.

SS/3B Jed Lowrie - Houston Astros - 71.5% owned - When Houston traded for Lowrie, they didn't expect this much offense. He has already hit four home runs and is batting .338 on the year. I would expect these numbers to level out throughout the season, but he's a must-start during this hot streak.

C Carlos Ruiz - Philadelphia Phillies - 47.3% owned - The Phillies needed offense while Ryan Howard and Chase Utley are out and they are getting it from Ruiz. He has averaged an RBI a game over the last 15 games and has nearly batted .400 during that stretch. He shares time with Brian Schneider behind the plate,  but he has been batting in the middle of the order when he is in the starting lineup.

OF Gerardo Parra - Arizona Diamondbacks - 55.9% owned - After Chris Young went down with an injury, Parra started getting regular playing time. He has been a good source for steals and batting average. Although he's in a platoon with A.J. Pollock, he still gets a lot of at-bats. He is a solid start while Young is on the disabled-list.

3B Chris Johnson - Houston Astros - 14.0% owned - After Johnson was called up last season, he ended the year on a high note. He had a slow April, but he returned to form over the last two weeks. He has hit 3 home runs, drove in 14 RBI, and carried a .333 average. This could just be a spike, but he could end up as a player that you'd like to "marry."

3B Kyle Seager - Seattle Mariners - 6.6% owned - Before this week, the consensus was that Seager would soon end up in a platoon at third-base. In the last 5 games, he has drove in 10 RBI, hit three home runs, and batted over .400. I think he is playing his way into a job as an everyday starter at third. Chone Figgins is the odd man out, but could find at-bats at another position. If you pick Seager up, there is still a slight chance that he will end up sharing time.

OF Tony Campana - Chicago Cubs - 17.0% owned - Campana was interviewed this week and said that if he started every game, he would steal over 100 bases. I believe that he would do that, since he's only been up two weeks and he has seven steals. You will not get any power from him. You would only be picking up steals and a decent average. He is a AAA demotion risk if the Cubs start making roster moves.

SP Chris Capuano - Los Angeles Dodgers - 62.2% owned - I know, I can't believe that he made the list either. He has only given up a total of one run in his last three starts. He faces the Rockies next and could string together a few more stellar outings. The most surprising thing is his K/9 is hovering around 9.0.

RP Santiago Casilla - San Francisco Giants - 73.0% owned - When it was announced that Brian Wilson would need Tommy John surgery, most people assumed that Sergio Romo would fill the closer role. The Giants opted to keep Romo in the set-up role and moved Casilla to closer. He's still available in a lot of leagues and he's currently the man. It could only be a matter of time before Romo gets a shot, but he's playing very well.

SP/RP Jeff Smaradzija - Chicago Cubs - 23.7% owned - I'm a Cubs fan and even I'm skeptical if he can keep pitching this well. In his last two starts, he has only given up one run and he's struck out 16 batters. He may not rack up wins, since Chicago is really bad, but he'll give you a nice ERA and WHIP.

OF Jason Kubel - Arizona Diamondbacks - 93.8% owned - Kubel was drafted in 100% of leagues, but people are starting to drop him. He started off cold, but he has shown signs that he's adjusting to National League pitching. He was a model of consistency in Minnesota and he's going to have a good year batting clean-up in the desert.

SS J.J. Hardy - Baltimore Orioles - 86.5% owned - Hardy already has six home runs this season, but his batting average has been hovering around .200. You knew what you were getting when you drafted Hardy, an extremely streaky player. His power numbers are one of the best at his position. You need to stick it out and you'll be rewarded in the end.

1B/2B/3B Daniel Murphy - New York Mets- 87.6% owned - Do you see how many positions he is available at? I don't understand why owners are dropping him. He hasn't hit for power yet, but he's worth more because of his position flexibility. He will bat for average and get his share of home runs when it warms up.

OF Alejandro De Aza - Chicago White Sox - 71.8% owned - De Aza has been a surprise for the White Sox, but owners are dropping him because he hasn't hit a home run in over two weeks. You shouldn't have expected a ton of power from him, but he's a valuable outfielder. If your league plays with .OBP, he has walked 13 times in the last 96 at-bats. He is a source for steals and runs, so go add him on your team.

1B Mark Trumbo - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - 69.4% owned - I can understand why people have dropped Trumbo, the Angels' lineup is crowded. They have Kendrys Morales, Albert Pujols, and Trumbo all sharing time at first-base. It helps that the Angels are working Morales back slowly and putting Trumbo in left field. He's getting at-bats, but he's getting left off the lineup card often. I expect the Angels to make a trade to free up playing time or send Trumbo to a better situation. Hold on to him, he is going to put up solid numbers. Keep in mind, he will soon be eligible to roster as an outfielder.

2B Neil Walker - Pittsburgh Pirates - 67.8% owned - Walker is sitting at one home run this year, but his average is at .287. By the end of the year, he'll have around 12-15 home runs and with an average near .300. He will help you get a little pop from the position and help in the runs category once Andrew McCutchen finds his power.

SP Josh Johnson - Miami Marlins - 93.0% owned - He has been roughed up this year and Ozzie Guillen openly questioned his health. He has had health issues in the past and has been on the disabled list more than any other ace. I would stick it out with Johnson and leave him on your bench for his next start. I don't think you can drop a guy this early that you've picked to be your ace. If his next two starts look iffy, start looking for a possible replacement or trade.

SP Mat Latos - Cincinnati Reds - 88.4% owned - He went from the spacious PNC Park to a little-league park in Cincinnati. Two out of his last three starts have been shutouts, so he's getting there. Latos is a guy that you drafted high, so stick with him. He faces the Cubs, Pirates, and Astros a lot this year, so he'll rack up the strikeouts.

SP Edwin Jackson - Washington Nationals - 58.9% owned - He hasn't been very consistent this year, but he's good for a K/9 rate around 9.0. Washington is a good team this year and Jackson will get his fair share of wins. He could be a guy that is always there when you rotate starting pitchers, but he should be rostered.

RP Matt Capps - Minnesota Twins - 90.6% owned - No one is excited to have him on their team, but he helps win fantasy league championships. A few people probably dropped Capps, who is a entrenched closer, for a shot at a guy who may not have the closing job for the Yankees (Soriano/Robertson). You know who is getting the save in Minnesota.

SS Erick Aybar - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - 63.8% owned - People are finally starting to drop Aybar, a player who was drafted a few rounds too high. I have never been pro-Aybar, since I've always found a shortstop that was better than him on the waiver wire. If J.J. Hardy or Alexi Casilla are available in your league, drop Aybar and go with one of those players.

1B/DH Justin Morneau - Minnesota Twins - 55.8% owned - I really hate what has happened to him. Morneau has struggled with concussion issues and now he is having wrist problems. In baseball, it is one of the worst injuries to have and takes the longest to heal. Your bat speed and power are severely compromised with a wrist injury. I would drop him and pick up Bryan LaHair or Alex Presley.

C Geovany Soto - Chicago Cubs - 25.6% owned - People are slowly dropping Soto, since he was near 100% ownership post-draft. He has been splitting time with two other catchers (Wellington Castillo/Steve Clevenger). One of them will emerge as a better fantasy catcher than Soto. He hasn't hit for power or average in three seasons and has all but completely faded away in Chicago.

SS Alexei Ramirez - Chicago White Sox - 81.2% owned - Ramirez is a slow-starter and most owners are aware of this. You drafted him for power, steals, and eventually, average. He is batting below .200 and hasn't shown much power yet. I am not seeing a spark and if he keeps this up, the White Sox will not be afraid of pulling him out of the lineup.

2B/3B Ryan Roberts - Arizona Diamondbacks - 40.4% owned - I had such high hopes for Roberts in 2012. I picked him up last season and he helped me win a league. He had a slow start and Cody Ransom has taken over third-base. Ransom doesn't have much of a glove, but he has always been able to hit. Roberts isn't getting enough at-bats to justify a roster spot.

OF Jeff Francoeur - Kansas City Royals - 47.8% owned - He had a great 2011 season, but historically, he doesn't string together good seasons in back-to-back years. Francoeur was drafted fairly high, but being able to pick up a player with higher upside (Bryce Harper or Mike Trout) is the smart play. He is not contributing to any roto category.

OF Alfonso Soriano - Chicago Cubs - 37.7% owned - I really don't know why I have to tell people that they should drop Soriano, but you have to drop Soriano. He is literally collecting dust and rotting in the left field. I can't explain how he accumulated a stolen base, but I'm guessing that the pitcher must have rolled the ball to home. His skills have diminished greatly and he is barely a borderline start in an NL-only league.

SP Ubaldo Jimenez - Cleveland Indians - 80.0% owned - In 2010, he was lighting up the league with his masterful pitching performances. He has fallen back to Earth and has averaged over six walks per nine innings in 2012. His control is what made him dominant in Colorado. I don't see him being a permanently rostered pitcher and barely deserves a spot-start.

Clay Buchholz - Boston Red Sox - 45.6% owned - He has started six games and has allowed at least five runs in each game. Buchholz should thank his offense for his 3-1 record, because he doesn't deserve it. His ERA (9.09) and WHIP (2.02) are astronomical, plus his strikeouts are down (20 in 32 innings). Can the Red Sox put him on the disabled-list and list his injury as "broken curveball"?

SP Max Scherzer - Detroit Tigers - 58.3% owned - If you desperately need strikeouts, hold onto him...but your ERA and WHIP will take a nasty hit. Detroit has a few arms in the Minors waiting for their debut and if Scherzer continues to struggle with command, he is a candidate to get replaced or bumped. I would rather roster a pitcher like Ross Detwiler, Jason Hammel, or Jake Westbrook in the short-term.

MLB 2012: Grading Early May Transactions

The first month of the season is in the books and teams are starting to find out what kind of team they have. General Managers start to clean house and cut some the dead weight on their rosters. They start to bring up their top prospects, since they stalled to keep them from becoming Super 2 eligible. When they bring up a player from the Minors, they have to make a roster move, which usually means that either a veteran is put on waivers or a younger player can be sent down.

Veterans are starting to be smart when they sign a minor-league contract in the off-season. They have started to put an opt-out clause that if they are not on the Major League roster by May1st, they can opt-out of their deal. Not all of the players have this clause, but it's becoming more common.

Which deal deserves an A+ grade? Is bringing up 21-year old Jordan Lyles too early? We grade this past week's MLB transactions.
Houston Astros called up RHP Jordan Lyles
In 2011, then 20-year old Lyles started 15 games for the Astros. They tried to keep his innings down and finished the season in the bullpen. Houston is in rebuilding mode and he's the best pitching prospect in their farm system. He has been working on his curveball in the off-season and he will test in against MLB hitters. I like this move because the Astros have nothing to lose. They aren't playing for a pennant, they are trying to build a team and Lyles needs experience. - Grade: A

Tampa Bay Rays signed OF/DH Hideki Matsui to a minor-league contract
Matsui played in Oakland last season and mostly played DH. He started out poorly, but he had an above average second-half of the season. I don't see him playing the outfield in Tampa Bay, so he is an insurance policy for Luke Scott. Matsui would come in handy if Zobrist or Joyce had injury issues. I like this signing because the risk is low and he could be a piece that you need during the playoff push. - Grade: B+


Oakland Athletics signed 3B Brandon Inge to a one-year contract
Since 2009, Inge hasn't had a very good year at the plate. He benefits a team as a utility player and that's about it. He moved all around the field for Detroit, he even played catcher.When the Tigers moved Miguel Cabrera to third-base, Inge had to know that his time was up. Eric Sogard is batting .140, which is lower than Inge, so he will actually be an offensive improvement at that position. - Grade: C+


San Diego Padres called up RHP Jeff Suppan
The Padres needed a starting pitcher to pitch in place of Cory Luebke. They didn't expect much from this move because he might only start a few games. In his first start, he gave them five solid innings and probably earned him a second or third start to see what's left in Suppan's arm. - Grade: C


Cleveland Indians called up OF/DH Johnny Damon
Damon was one of those veterans with the May 1st opt-out clause. Cleveland has a surplus of outfield talent with Shin-Soo Choo, Shelly Duncan, Michael Brantley, and a few on their minor-league team, the Columbus Clippers. Damon had an excellent 2011 season with Tampa Bay and he could be very useful. If Cleveland sees themselves out of the AL Central race at the trading deadline, he could be a trade chip. In the meantime, I liked this move in the off-season and I still like it. - Grade: A-


Cincinnati Reds signed RHP Michael Wuertz
Wuertz had a few good seasons, but shoulder and finger issues derailed his pitching career. He had an astronomical ERA in 2011(6.68 in 39 appearances). This move is another low risk/high reward, but his upside isn't very high. - Grade: D+


Boston Red Sox called up RHP Aaron Cook
Cook had already said that he was ready to opt-out, but Boston waited until the last second and called him up. Josh Beckett has a lat injury and they needed a starting pitcher. I'm not sure how long he'll hold on to a roster spot. It all depends on how his first start goes and if he shows them that he has something left in his arm. - Grade: C


Los Angeles Dodgers signed OF Bobby Abreu to a one-year contract
Abreu has always been a slow starter. He has a sub-par batting average in April and May. The Dodgers picked him up at a discount and will use him to rest Matt Kemp, Andre Either, or Juan Rivera/Tony Gwynn platoon. On days that he's not in the field, I expect that Don Mattingly will use him at a pinch-hitter. I love this move and it's all reward for the Dodgers. - Grade: A


Texas Rangers traded Cleveland Indians for OF Ryan Spilborghs in exchange for cash
I don't get this trade, other than the GMs were bored. Texas has an excess of outfielders and/or guys that could occupy left field (Mitch Moreland). The Rangers must be collecting assets in hopes of trading for either bullpen depth or a fifth starter at the trading deadline. - Grade: D-


There was a potpourri of deals made this week. A few of them could make a big difference, but it's too early in the season to know. Cleveland's GM will have a busy year. Their Triple-A team in Columbus has won the Triple-A Championship the past two years and it is fulled with trade chips. Stay tuned and play ball!

2012 MLB: What We've Learned in April

The baseball season is only a month old and fans are already making instant judgments about their teams. They are either booking tickets for possible World Series games or looking ahead to 2013. You have already witnessed "Red Sox Nation" call for the head of their brand new manager after a small sample size of the season. No one can say that baseball fans aren't passionate about their teams.

Baseball fans and analysts had some questions going into the 2012 season. How would Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder fare in the American League? Can the Red Sox bounce back from their late-season collapse in 2011? Is this the year that the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals finally make the playoffs? I do my best to explain what we have learned so far this season and what to keep your eye on in May.

April is such an odd month because you can't trust your team's record or the players' statistics. It is rare that a team ever leads their division from April to October. My favorite reaction is when a player gets a home run in the first game, you'll always hear, "he's on pace to hit 162 homers this season." It is one of my pet peeves and I'm sure that I'll hear it every year.

Here are some things that we have learned in April...

- Matt Kemp is really good. You already should have known that, but some analysts that he couldn't match his stats from 2011. They are partially correct since he's on pace to blow those numbers out of the water and contend for the triple crown.

- Stephen Strasburg is fully recovered from last season's Tommy John surgery. He currently has a K/9 of 9.56, which means that he averages over nine strikeouts per nine innings. He may have had a higher K/9 at this point during his rookie season, but he should have increased velocity by June.

- This is not the year for the Royals or Pirates. These teams are stocked with young talent, but they are off to bad starts. In 2011, Pittsburgh was contending for the NL Central division at the trade deadline, but hit a wall and lost most of their remaining games. The Royals are 6-16 and the Pirates are fairing a little better at 10-13. A lot of people thought that the NL Central would be a coin flip this season, but the St. Louis Cardinals are off to a hot start and the rest of the division isn't as bad as predicted.

- Bobby Valentine might survive the season. After the first two weeks, the fans wanted him out of Boston. The Red Sox have played well since and currently have a 11-12 record. It's not great, as long as they stay within five games of first place, Valentine will stay out of the hot seat.

- Bryce Harper is a future star. He has only played a couple of games in the Majors, but everyone has seen flashes of what Haper will be in a few years. He has a good bat and a cannon for an arm. I'm excited to see what he does the rest of the season, even if the Washington Nationals send him back to Triple-A for awhile.

- Yu Darvish could end up being the best signing in the off-season. I am skeptical of pitchers coming from Japan and adjusting to Major League hitters. Dice-K started off hot, but the second time a team faced him, they started to figure him out. The Texas Rangers have a powerful offense, so he doesn't need to be perfect to win games. As long as his ERA hovers around 4.00, he'll win double-digit games by July. He already has four wins, so he's on pace to have an excellent rookie campaign.

- The Cardinals might be a better team this year than in 2011. They lost Albert Pujols, but they added Carlos Beltran and they are getting more out of David Freese. Adding Lance Lynn to their starting rotation was a smart move. Chris Carpenter will probably miss the season and Adam Wainwright doesn't look like himself. Pitching could be an issue later in the season, but they are currently 15-8.

- It's impossible to hit homers at Wrigley Field in April. When the temperature hovers around 50 degrees, the ball dies in the outfield. The wind is usually blowing in and teams can't drive the ball over the ivy. The Chicago Cubs only had nine home runs in April. They are at the bottom of the league and it's bad when individual guys are leading your entire time.

- Bryan LaHair is not a 4-A player. The Cubs made a bold move this off-season and declared that LaHair would get a fair shot at being their everyday first-basemen. They traded for Anthony Rizzo this off-season and most assumed that LaHair would be keeping first-base warm. He is currently 2nd in many offensive categories behind Matt Kemp. He's batting nearly .400 and slugging almost .800, so he has earned his spot in the starting lineup.

- When the Cubs trade Matt Garza, they will get a lot in return. He is currently 2-1, 2.76 ERA, and a K:B ratio 3.6. MLB added an extra wild-card spot in the playoffs this season. The commissioner did a Cubs a huge favor, since more teams will still be in the playoff race. The price for pitching will be at a premium and the price will be driven up. Detroit, Boston, and Los Angeles need pitching and they'll have to give Chicago a king's ransom to get Garza.

- Moving the walls in at Citi Field hasn't solved the Mets offensive issues. The team has hit 18 home runs this season, but only 7 of those came at home. Lucas Duda is leading the team with four dingers and David Wright has regained his All-Star form, but the rest of the team needs to step up. Ike Davis is batting lower than the Mendoza line and isn't looking like a future All-Star.

- Albert Pujols is still adjusting to the American League. He has yet to hit a home run and he's not drawing as many walks. I don't believe that he's stressed out or that his skills are diminishing. It is difficult for a player to go from the National League to the American League. He is still adjusting to AL pitchers and to a new city. He'll have a much better May and you'll start to see his numbers multiply as it gets warmer.

- Terms like "Grady Sizemore shirtless" and "Tim Lincecum shirtless" still brings me thousands of hits a month. I thought that the Sizemore search queries would taper off, but it hasn't happened. I am looking forward to weird Google searches that involve Bryce Harper, Evan Longoria, and Matt Kemp...it's only a matter of time.

- The Yankees should have hired Don Mattingly as their manager. I'm not saying that Joe Girardi is a bad manager, but Mattingly has personally improved Kemp, James Loney, and Andre Ethier. I watched an interview during Spring Training about what he has done to help each of them. He seemed to be a better developmental manager and would work well with the new crop of Yankees that are bound to play over the next few seasons.

- Jake Peavy and Johan Santana are pitching like it's 2008. The White Sox are looking very smart by signing Peavy. His career looked to be nearing its end, but he's had his best month in a few season. Santana is also out to a great start because his pitches look alive. Peavy and Santana are great stories and I hope they continue to dominate.

- Philadelphia Phillies are really missing Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. They are Philly's best two hitters and they have struggled this year. It doesn't matter if you have the league's best starting rotation, you need to score runs. It doesn't help that Jimmy Rollins is off to a bad start. The NL East will be one of the most competitive races this year. Washington and Atlanta are legit contenders and this could turn into a two team race if the Phillies can't manufacture more offense.

- The Tigers aren't a lock to win the AL Central. On paper, Detroit is the best team...by far. They started off hot, but they are currently 12-11. Their starting rotation has been a mess with Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello, and Adam Wilk all having an ERA over 5.50. Miguel Cabrera and Austin Jackson have been most of the team's offense. Prince Fielder is a second-half player, so he'll help carry the team down the stretch.

April was an exciting beginning to the 2012 season. I can't wait for what transpires in May and to see which teams prove their worth. You'll start to see the hitters catch up with the pitchers in May. Players who haven't found power this season (Pujols, Alfonso Soriano, Nelson Cruz), expect them to bounce back next month.

The following pictures are a treat to my female readers. You have all be very kind to this site and here's a little eye candy for you. (The first photo is the funniest picture that I've seen in a long, long time)

2012 MLB: National League Predictions

It was not a good off-season for the National League. A few stars start off the season on the DL (Ryan Howard, Chris Carpenter, & Tim Hudson) and they lost a few notable stars to the American League (Prince Field & Albert Pujols). This could be the year that the youth emerge and take over the league. The NL is loaded with young talent which makes this league pretty difficult to predict. You have teams that a few keys injuries could derail them (Cardinals, Brewers, & Phillies), but you have teams that could finally put it together and surprise everyone (Nationals & Pirates). Will the Cy Young go to a member of the Giants or Phillies? Can another NL Wild-Card team make it to the World Series? Here are my NL predictions for the 2012 Major League Baseball season.

NL Cy Young - Matt Cain

NL Rookie Of The Year - Devin Mesoraco

NL MVP - Justin Upton

NL East
Philadelphia Phillies - 95-67
Atlanta Braves - 91-71
Washington Nationals - 84-78
New York Mets - 75-87
Florida Marlins - 72-90

I could see three or four of these teams still in the race for the division in early August. The Phillies will miss Ryan Howard, the Braves will get more production from Jason Heyward, and the Nationals' young talent will start to blossom. The Mets and Marlins have the best stadiums in the division, but not the best players on the field.

NL Central
Cincinnati Reds - 90-72
Milwaukee Brewers - 85-77
St. Louis Cardinals - 81-81
Pittsburgh Pirates - 81-81
Chicago Cubs - 65-97
Houston Astros - 50-112

The talent in the division really took a hit with the extraction of Fielder and Pujols. Milwaukee and St. Louis will miss their stars, but will still have decent years. The Reds have a talented line-up and I like their starting rotation more than in the past. The Cubs and Astros will fill basement, with Houston vying for the worst record in MLB history.

NL West
Arizona Diamondbacks - 98-64
San Francisco Giants - 90-72
Los Angels Dodgers - 79-82
San Diego Padres - 75-87
Colorado Rockies - 68-94

Arizona was a surprise team last year and I like them even more with Jason Kubel. The Giants have Buster Posey back and will be improved offensively. The Dodgers, Padres, and Rockies didn't do enough to improve their rosters...plus the NL West plays the improved AL West this season.

NL Wildcard - Braves & Giants

NL Champions - San Francisco Giants

The NLCS will be an amazing pitching contest between the Giants vs. Phillies. I like both of their staffs, but I am looking for Madison Bumgarner to have a breakout season. If Posey can stay healthy, the Giants would win that series in seven games.


Feel free to "Like" my blog on Facebook or click the Facebook box located within the sidebar.

2012 MLB: American League Predictions

The American League had a productive off-season, in which they added two of the best players in the game, Albert Pujols & Prince Fielder. If you rank the best teams in the Majors, most of the best teams are in the AL. You have the mainstays like the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rangers, but you have up-and-coming teams like the Royals and Blue Jays. This league has a nice combination of young talent and established veterans. The teams are deep and can pick guys out of their farm system to fill any holes, which is a huge luxury. The AL isn't all great, since the Orioles and Twins expected to have bad seasons. Which teams will make the playoffs? Who will win the AL Cy Young and MVP awards? Will a mid-season call-up win the Rookie Of The Year?

AL Cy Young  - Jared Weaver

AL Rookie Of The Year - Jacob Turner

AL MVP - Robinson Cano

AL East
New York Yankees - 97-65
Boston Red Sox - 95-67
Toronto Blue Jays - 85-77
Tampa Bay Rays - 84-81
Baltimore Orioles - 60-102

The biggest surprise here is that the Rays are in 4th place. I think the Blue Jays are a better team this year and will be able to win close games. This is not a knock on the Rays, it is more about how much I like Toronto. The Red Sox will bounce back and contend with the Yankees for the division crown.

AL Central
Detroit Tigers - 99-63
Kansas City Royals - 82-81
Chicago White Sox - 80-82
Cleveland Indians - 74-88
Minnesota Twins - 59-103

The Tigers are going to be a beast this year and they will run away with the division. There will be a crowded middle of the division, in which I like the Royals young roster to finally start to peak. The Indians will come back to life and fall down a few spots. The White Sox and Twins will end up about where they were at the end of 2011 season.

AL West
Texas Rangers - 94-68
L.A. Angels - 92-70
Oakland A's - 76-86
Seattle Mariners - 70-92

The Rangers and Angels made some moves this off-season and this race will be cut-throat. Pujols and C.J. Wilson will help the Angels, but the Rangers return a great team that nearly won the World Series. Yoenis Cespedes will help Oakland, but they are still a work in progress. I expect the Mariners to sell off a few pieces at the trading deadline and keep adding young talent.

AL Wild Card - Red Sox & Angels

AL Champions - Los Angeles Angels

They don't have the best rotation 1 thru 5, but I really like a short 3-man rotation in the playoffs. This is one of the many cases where a wild-card winner will make the World Series.


Feel free to "Like" my blog on Facebook or click the Facebook box located within the sidebar.

2012 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers

Is your Fantasy Baseball draft coming up soon? Most leagues will be drafting in the next two weeks and I'm here to help you out with late-round sleepers and guys that you should take a flyer on. These are guys that I feel are extremely undervalued and could help your team's depth. Most of these guys are currently going in the late 200s or completely undrafted. There are certain baseball players that aren't "sexy" to have on your team, but there's value in those players. If you are in a league with a lot of bench spots, this post will be even more helpful to you. These are guys that you can stash away and wait until their playing situation is more established.

Catcher

Ryan Doumit - Minnesota Twins

Devin Mesoraco - Cincinnati Reds

John Buck - Miami Marlins

Miguel Olivo - Seattle Mariners

Rod Barajas - Pittsburgh Pirates

Doumit will be platooning at catcher with Joe Mauer and playing a lot of designated hitter. He can be an offensive force when he just has to worry about hitting. Mesoraco has to beat Ryan Hanigan out for the starting job, but he's the more talented player. Buck will give you power and will benefit from the high OBP guys batting in front of him. No one will be excited about owning Olivo or Barajas, but they consistently produce. They aren't sexy picks, but these guys can help you get production from the catching position.

First Basemen

Ike Davis - New York Mets

Adam LaRoche - Washington Nationals

Brandon Belt - San Francisco Giants

Bryan LaHair - Chicago Cubs

Mike Carp - Seattle Mariners

Davis, LaHair, Belt, & Carp will find out if they are MLB starting first-basemen or if they are 4-A players. If Davis struggles early, he could end up in a platoon situation Lucas Duda. Belt and Carp are guys that rake it up in the minors, but haven't been given a fair opportunity in the Majors. These guys have a little risk attached to them, since they are going late or undrafted, but they have high reward. The Cubs have made it clear that they will be patient with LaHair. They could have went out and signed a cheap 1B replacement, but they will be sticking with LaHair for the long haul. Adam LaRoche is another pick that isn't "sexy," but he's a nice 6th outfielder that you can play to fill in on a day off.

Third Basemen

Mat Gamel - Milwaukee Brewers

David Freese - St. Louis Cardinals

Lonnie Chisenhall - Cleveland Indians

Danny Valencia - Minnesota Twins

Ty Winnington - Philadelphia Phillies

This is a make or break year for Gamel. He is a popular sleeper this year and it is his turn to produce or his value will drop off of the map. David Freese could go higher in some leagues than others, but if you see him drop to pick #230-ish, snatch the World Series MVP for your team. Chisenhall will hit for a nice average and he's a guy that could surprise you with his power. I was a Valencia fan last season and he helped me out a lot. He's a nice guy that you can use to fill in. Lastly, Winnington is the guy that a league member is always "stuck with," but by June, he'll be thankful for drafting him.

Second Basemen

Mike Aviles - Boston Red Sox

Dustin Ackley - Seattle Mariners

Daniel Murphy - New York Mets

Alexi Casilla - Minnesota Twins

Jose Altuve - Houston Astros

You aren't sure which Aviles you're getting, but he'll be in front of a lot of offense. He'll score runs and get on base for the Red Sox. Ackley and Altuve are nice young players that will receive more playing time in 2012. Ackley had some moments last season when he looked like a future All-Star. Altuve could be the fastest player in baseball, he'll get you steals on a really bad Astros team. Murphy and Casilla will be that in the late rounds and are consistent as they come, they will surprise you with their productivity.

Shortstop

Zack Cozart - Cincinnati Reds

Ian Desmond - Washington Nationals

Emilio Bonifacio - Miami Marlins

Alex Gonzalez - Milwaukee Brewers

Stephen Drew - Arizona Diamondbacks

It's Cozart's time in Cincinnati. He can get you above average power for the position and not a bad batting average. Desmond won't get you amazing stats in any one position, but above average across the board, minus home runs. Bonafacio hit the cover off the ball for most of the season last year. He'll benefit from the new additions to the roster and will have a high batting average and stolen bases. Gonzalez is a guy that gets an opportunity year after year, because he can give a team power. Drew was a Top 10 shortstop in 2010, but after a couple disappointing seasons, he is going late or undrafted this season. It looks like he will start the season on the disabled list, but if you have room to stash him, do it. At where you can draft him, Drew could have the most value in this draft.

Outfielders

Peter Bourjos - Los Angeles Angels

Colby Rasmus - Toronto Blue Jays

Yonder Alonso - San Diego Padres

Marlon Byrd - Chicago Cubs

Alex Presley - Pittsburgh Pirates

Jason Bay - New York Mets

Denard Span - Minnesota Twins

Andres Torres - New York Mets

Bourjos will benefit from being in a lineup with Albert Pujols. There is a lot of speed on the Angels this year and they will run. After Rasmus was traded to the AL, he had a nice run with Toronto...expect more of that. Alonso was traded to the Padres in the Mat Latos deal. He has all kinds of power, but PETCO Park will limit him a little. Byrd, Bay, and Span are guys that fell a bit short in 2011. Byrd will give you above average stats across the board and Bay will benefit from the walls being brought in at Citi Field. Span is another Minnesota player that is consistent. Presley is trying to eat a spot in the outfield and he could be a future star for the Pirates. Finally, Torres will be a starter and hit lead-off for the Mets. Even if he struggles, New York doesn't an adequate replacement, so he'll get steals for your team.

Starting Pitchers

Chris Sale - Chicago White Sox

Trevor Cahill - Arizona Diamondbacks

Brandon McCarthy - Oakland A's

Erik Bedard - Pittsburgh Pirates

Paul Maholm - Chicago Cubs

Rick Porcello - Detroit Tigers

Edinson Volquez - San Diego Padres

Josh Collmenter - Arizona Diamondbacks

Drew Pomeranz - Colorado Rockies

Homer Bailey - Cincinnati Reds

Sale was a relief pitcher last season, but is being converted back into a starter. He was a former top pick for the White Sox and is better suited as a starting pitcher. Cahill and Collmenter are going to benefit from playing against the NL West. They will get you wins, but the WHIP may be a little high. McCarthy has fallen in the draft due to injury concerns, but he's healthy and will produce for you. Bedard will get you some wins in a below-average NL Central, the same goes for Maholm. Porcello struggled last season and his K/9 rate fell. He is due to bounce back, if anything he'll be a 5th starter for a very good team. Pomeranz was the key piece in the Ubaldo Jimenez trade. Coors Field could hurt his stats a little, but he's worth a late-round pick. Finally, Bailey has the "failed prospect" tag, but he showed promise last season. If he can corral his control, he'll be an amazing late-round pick.

Relief Pitchers

Serio Romo - San Francisco Giants

Tyler Clippard - Washington Nationals

Joe Nathan - Texas Rangers

Addison Reed - Chicago White Sox

Vinnie Pestano - Cleveland Indians

Jim Johnson - Baltimore Orioles

All of these guys are either closers or guys who will get save chances. If your league has a "Holds" category, these guys will go higher than in leagues without that category. Romo's stock is very high, because he'll give you a fantastic ERA and WHIP and he'll be in line to save games if Brian Wilson's arm fails him. Clippard is a guy who would be a closer on any other team, but Drew Storen is in his way. If anything, Clippard will give you holds, a nice ERA, and WHIP. Joe Nathan and Jim Johnson are slated to be closers, but undervalued. Nathan has some other bullpen guys breathing down his neck and Johnson could be this year's "closer on a bad team, but leads the league in saves" guy. Addison Reed and Vinnie Pestano are "closers in waiting" and they may not wait that long in the season before their numbers are called.

Good luck to everyone playing fantasy baseball this season. If you are doing a live draft with your buddies, don't be the shirtless, drunk guy who is trying to draft Tim Tebow by the 9th round.


Feel free to "Like" my blog on Facebook or click the Facebook box located within the sidebar.