Austin Jackson

I am going to delve into some of those on the Top 50 Prospect list who may make an impact in the next two years with their clubs. Centerfielder Austin Jackson (38^th), now of the Detroit Tigers, is expected to be the starting centerfielder and leadoff hitter on Opening Day. I had the pleasure of watching AJax play the last two plus years and he is a five-tool player, though the power hasn’t quite come yet. I have seen him make Superman-type catches against the wall in center and come up clutch at the plate (he was named Eastern League Playoffs MVP in 2008). The biggest knock on AJax is his strikeout totals-well over 100 a season (123 in 2009 with Triple-A Scranton). Personally I feel he should be higher on this list, especially since he is closer to the majors than many ahead of him and should make an immediate impact with the Tigers.

Jesus Montero

Two catchers who are intriguing are the NY Yankees Jesus Montero (19^th) and the Cleveland Indians Carlos Santana (11^th). Both were legitimate candidates for Minor League Player of the Year and both are currently their MLB team’s top prospect.

Montero, who is just 20 years old, missed a few months due to a broken finger and only played a few games in winter ball in his home country of Venezuela. Despite his young age, Montero can hit and hit right now in the big leagues. He participated in the Future’s Game in 2008 and 2009. The only thing holding him back is his defense, though it has gotten better. Jorge Posada is nearing his end and 2011 could be a battle of homegrown youngsters Francisco Cervelli and Montero for the starting job. Only problem is, the Yankees have four catchers in their top ten prospects.

Carlos Santana at the Future's Game

Santana, who joined the Indians organization via the Casey Blake deal, has done nothing but hit. Like Montero, Santana could hit now in the big leagues but his defense lags a bit behind. Unlike Montero, he is a switch-hitter with light-tower power. I have seen both play and believe that Santana is closer to being ready than Montero. Santana is also in a better situation as the Indians are in a bit of a rebuilding mode. The Indians traded for Philadelphia’s top catching prospect Lou Marson in the Cliff Lee deal last July, so he should keep the spot warm until Santana’s arrival. It may not come until September due to wrist surgery that may set him back a bit in 2010. During the announcement of the prospect list, John Hart stated that once Santana arrives in the big leagues, he will be an All-Star as he is better than former Indians converted catcher Victor Martinez.

Desmond Jennings

Desmond Jennings (6^th) of the Tampa Bay Rays split time in 2009 between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham, hitting a combined .318 with 31 doubles, 10 triples, 11 homeruns, 62 RBIs, 52 stolen bases (to just 7 caught stealing) and 67 walks to just 67 strikeouts in 132 games. Many feel that Jennings will force centerfielder BJ Upton to right field because Jennings is that good. With the Rays being money-conscious, Jennings’ development may lead to a trade of Upton sometime this summer.

Tags:

Austin Jackson, Carlos Santana, Desmond Jennings, Jesus Montero, Top prospects

Jason Heyward

MLB.com and MLB Network announced their Top 50 Prospects list. There is always a debate whenever any type of top anything list comes out, so let the debate begin. Should Atlanta’s Jason Heyward (an outfielder) be number one? He was Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year and is considered to have a slim shot at making the 2010 team. Should Washington’s Stephen Strasburg (pitcher) have been number one instead of two? I am not sure he should have been that high because he has not thrown a pitch in the minor leagues yet (just in the Arizona Fall League), though his talent (and the excitement level) seems to be immeasurable.

I thought some guys were ranked a little low, especially a few who made it to the big leagues in 2009 for more than a September call-up. First would be Texas Rangers fireballer Neftali Feliz (7^th).  Feliz dazzled out of the bullpen (1-0 with a 1.74 ERA in 31 innings with 2 saves and 39 strikeouts). During the announcement, it was stated that his ranking was lower because it is unclear whether Feliz would continue coming out of the bullpen or return to the starting role (as he did in the minors). Baltimore Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz (5^th) made his major league debut in 2009 even though it was his first year in professional baseball. He had a few rough starts, but he should learn from it. Many believe he does not have “ace stuff” but he has the mentality to compete as an ace. Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Alcides Escobar (12^th) is expected to be the starter on Opening Day because of the offseason trade of JJ Hardy and how well Escobar played in his 2009 call-up (.304 average in 38 games with 11 RBIs). The Tampa Bay Rays called up starting pitcher Wade Davis (13^th), who pitched very well in his debut (2-2 with a 3.72 ERA in 6 starts with 36 strikeouts). Davis is an innings-eater and he has a bulldog mentality, which will probably equate to a strong MLB career.

Catcher Buster Posey (4^th) may have dropped a little on the list with the SF Giants re-signing starter Bengie Molina. Three other players who made their MLB debuts in 2009 were very low on the list. Infielder-turned-outfielder Juan Francisco of the Cincinnati Reds (48^th), outfielder Michael Brantley of the Cleveland Indians (46^th), and pitcher Jhoulys Chacin of the Colorado Rockies (44^th). Chacin struggled a bit with his control (11 walks in 11 innings out of the bullpen). Francisco has been playing well in winter ball (.302 in 46 games with 11 doubles, 11 homeruns, and 42 RBIs). Brantley had a great September and could make All-Star centerfielder Grady Sizemore expendable (.313 average in 28 games with 11 RBIs and a .358 on-base percentage).

The following is the entire list. This list is never absolute as 2009 National League Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan of the Florida Marlins was not on the list prior to the 2009 season. I’d like to hear who you think will be a sleeper in 2010 and who should be higher (or even lower) on this list.

1 Jason Heyward ATL

2 Stephen Strasburg WAS

3 Mike Stanton FLA

4 Buster Posey SF

5 Brian Matusz BAL

6 Desmond Jennings TB

7 Neftali Feliz TEX

8 Pedro Alvarez PIT

9 Justin Smoak TEX

10 Madison Bumgarner SF

11 Carlos Santana CLE

12 Alcides Escobar MIL

13 Wade Davis TB

14 Domonic Brown PHI

15 Dustin Ackley SEA

16 Brett Wallace TOR

17 Kyle Drabek TOR

18 Martin Perez TEX

19 Jesus Montero NYY

20 Jeremy Hellickson TB

21 Jarrod Parker ARI

22 Starlin Castro CHI

23 Christian Friedrich COL

24 Tim Beckham TB

25 Logan Morrison FLA

26 Brett Lawrie MIL

27 Ryan Westmoreland BOS

28 Casey Kelly BOS

29 Aaron Hicks MIN

30 Yonder Alonso CIN

31 Jason Castro HOU

32 Mike Moustakas KC

33 Wil Myers KC

34 Julio Teheran ATL

35 Michael Taylor OAK

36 Dee Gordon LAD

37 Chris Carter OAK

38 Austin Jackson DET

39 Tanner Scheppers TEX

40 Drew Storen WAS

41 Aaron Crow KC

42 Jacob Turner DET

43 Mike Montgomery KC

44 Jhoulys Chacin COL

45 Jose Iglesias BOS

46 Michael Brantley CLE

47 Phillippe Aumont PHI

48 Juan Francisco CIN

49 Ethan Martin LAD

50 Jaff Decker SD

Tags:

Alcides Escobar, Brian Matusz, Buster Posey, Jason Heyward, Jhoulys Chacin, Juan Francisco, Michael Brantley, Neftali Feliz, Stephen Strasburg, Top prospects, Wade Davis

In the Dominican, the championship series was heating up as Escogido, who was facing elimination, tied the best-of-nine championship series with Gigantes up at 4-4. This game had a dramatic ending as infielder Argenis Reyes doubled and scored the winning run in the 11^th inning to give Escogido a 4-3 walk-off win. Gigantes had taken the lead in the top of the ninth, only to see Escogido tie it in the bottom of the inning. Infielder Wilson Betemit hit his second solo homerun of the game in the ninth inning off of Santiago Casilla to give Gigantes the short-lived lead. DH Brayan Pena (Royals) added two hits for Escogido. This tie in the series forced a decisive Finals game with a trip to the Caribbean Series in Venezuela on the line.

Francisco Liriano

With the series all tied up in the Dominican Winter League championship, Escogido sent Minnesota Twins lefty Francisco Liriano to the mound. Liriano dominated, going five shutout innings allowing just one hit while striking out ten. This is just the dominant performance the Twins are hoping for in the 2010 season. Liriano improved to 3-1 with a 0.49 ERA in seven playoff games (37 innings) while striking out 47. Outfielder Wladimir Balentien (Reds) hit a solo homerun in Escogido’s three-run second inning. Infielder Joaquin Arias (Rangers) went 2-for-4 with an RBI single. Alex Valdez (A’s) drove in two runs and scored a run in the ninth inning, providing the necessary insurance for reliever Casilla, who threw a scoreless ninth inning for the save. Escogido won their first Dominican championship since 1992 (and 14^th overall) and move onto the Caribbean Series to represent the Dominican Republic.

In Puerto Rico, Mayaguez took a commanding 3-0 series lead over Caguas. However this game wouldn’t end until fourteen innings were complete. Jesus Feliciano (Mets) went 4-for-6 with an RBI triple and a run scored while Randy Ruiz (Blue Jays) had an RBI single in the 3-2 win. Bobby Cramer went 6.1 innings allowing one run on three hits while striking out four. Caguas came back to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth inning off of closer Fernando Cabrera. Benigno Cepeda went three no-hit innings for Mayaguez in extra innings. Saul Rivera threw four shutout innings allowing one hit while striking out four in extra innings for Caguas. Cesar Nicolas and Aaron Bates (Reds Sox) contributed two hits each in the loss.

Alex Cora with the Red Sox

Caguas held off elimination by handing Mayaguez a 9-2 loss. Carlos Rivera doubled twice and drove in three runs. Infielder Alex Cora (Mets) drove in two runs and Adrian Ortiz homered. Bates and Nicolas also contributed two hits a piece. Willie Collazo went seven innings allowing four hits and an earned run for the win.

Game 5 of the Mexican Pacific League finals went to Hermosillo by way of a rout, 9-0. Edgar Gonzalez tossed a complete game five-hit shutout over Mazatlan. He walked two and struck out five. Veteran Karim Garcia had a three-run homerun and Luis A. Garcia added a two-run homerun while scoring three times (and he had three hits). Leftfielder Nelson Teilon went 3-for-4 and catcher Geronimo Gil went 2-for-3. Shortstop Reid Brignac (Rays) had two of Mazatlan’s five hits in the loss.

Tags:

Alex Cora, Argenis Reyes, Bobby Cramer, Dominican Winter League, Edgar Gonzalez, Escogido, Francisco Liriano, Jesus Feliciano, Mexican Pacific League, Puerto Rican Winter League, Randy Ruiz, Willie Collazo

Last week, Ben Sheets worked out at the University of Louisiana at Monroe in front of a bunch of MLB scouts and team officials. After his throwing session, Sheets said that he hoped the scouts thought he threw well because he felt good and healthy. Sheets fired off an array of fastballs and off-speed pitches. After the session, scouts were heard saying he “looked like Ben Sheets”. High compliments for a guy that used to be one of the more dominating pitchers in the National League but has been plagued by injuries the last few season and he missed all of last year. The former Milwaukee Brewers ace was rumored to have had a deal last offseason with the Texas Rangers but an elbow injury (and subsequent surgery) negated the deal.

Ben Sheets with Milwaukee

Sheets would be considered a high-risk, high reward player. There is a high risk in signing him due to all of his injuries, but a high reward signing if he pitches healthy. I had been thinking he would sign a deal similar to the one signed by Brad Penny last year with the Boston Red Sox. The deal would be incentive-laden based on how many starts he makes and innings pitched. There were a few teams interested in Sheets but the shock came with the team who signed him and how much money Sheets would receive.

The young, cash-strapped Oakland A’s swooped in and signed Sheets to a $10 million one year contract with incentives. Both shocked me. The A’s spent money last offseason, with none of the moves panning out, so I am sure they could trade Sheets at midseason if they are out of the playoff race. The money is a ton for a guy who missed all of 2009 and only made 25 or more starts once in four years from 2005-2008 (2008 but he missed the playoffs due to injury). I could see an incentive-laden deal totaling that amount, but a straight up contract for that much is insane. Veteran infielder Ronnie Belliard just re-signed with the LA Dodgers for just $825,000 and veteran pitcher Jose Contreras just signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for $1.5 million. When Sheets is healthy he is one of the best, but the signing is very risky for that much money.

Sheets is excited to join the young A’s rotation and to help mentor them. He will join a rotation that will have the likes of Justin Duchscherer, Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill, Dallas Braden, Vin Mazzaro, and Gio Gonzalez. “They’ve got some good arms in here, and they can only develop further,” Sheets said. “I think I can come in and help out and just talk about some of the things I’ve been through. Vice versa, these guys are going to help me because they’ve been in this league before.”

“Our rotation is just getting better and better it seems,” Anderson said. “It’s great having these veterans in there knowing that they can help us younger guys with bits of information here and there. You can pick their brain a little bit, and hopefully they can help us any way they can.”

Tags:

Ben Sheets, Brett Anderson, Oakland A's

Chris Roberson with Ottawa

Mazatlan took a 2-1 series lead over Hermosillo in their Game 3 8-7 victory. Veteran Ruben Rivera continued to hit and hit for power as he homered and drove in three runs. Rivera’s homerun was the game winner, as he hit a two-run blast off of Mexican League veteran pitcher Jose Vargas in the top of the ninth inning. Outfielder Jon Weber also continues to hit, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Both teams had ten hits. Close to 13,000 fans turned out in Hermosillo.

Hermosillo tied the championship series up at 2-2 over Mazatlan in Game 4. Outfielder Chris Roberson fell a triple short of the cycle, going 4-for-5 with a homerun, two runs scored, and four RBIs. Mexican League veterans, catcher Geronimo Gil and shortstop Jose Luis Sandoval both went 2-for-4. Left-hander Juan Oramas went 6.1 innings allowing just two hits while striking out six. He allowed just one run in the win despite walking six batters. In the loss, Rivera hit another homerun, one of Mazatlan’s four hits. Over 13,000 fans were in attendance for Game 4.

Randy Ruiz

Game 1 of the Puerto Rican Winter League finals got underway and it took extra innings to declare a winner. Mayaguez won 7-6 over Caguas in ten innings. Andres Torres hit a game-tying two-run triple in the ninth inning for Mayaguez off of losing pitcher Joe Torres. First baseman Donny Leon and Angel Sanchez both collected three hits in the win. DH Randy Ruiz (Blue Jays) collected two doubles and scored two runs. In the loss, outfielder Eddy Martinez-Esteve (Giants) collected two doubles and an RBI. Also for Caguas, second baseman Jose Castro and DH Cesar Nicolas went 3-for-4. Veteran pitcher Mike Maroth started for Mayaguez, going 4.1 innings allowing seven hits, four walks, and three runs, while striking out three.

Game 2 was also a one run game that went to Mayaguez. Ruiz was the offensive hero as he went 2-for-3 with two doubles while he drove in all five of the team’s runs. In the 5-4 loss, Edgardo Baez had a three- run homerun. Winning pitcher Juan Padilla went 5.2 innings allowing five hits and three runs while striking out three, as he gave up Baez’ homerun. Veteran infielder Alex Cora went 2-for-3 and catcher Raul Casanova went 2-for-4 in the loss.

In the Venezuelan Winter League finals, Magallanes took a 3-2 series lead over Caracas to come within one win of the title and a trip to the Caribbean Series. Shortstop Elvis Andrus (Rangers) went 3-for-4 with a homerun and two runs scored in the 3-0 win. First baseman Yurendell de Caster continues hit hot-hitting as he went 2-for-4. Raul Valdes continued his playoff dominance as he went seven innings allowing just two hits and no runs while striking out four. Jean Machi and Francisco Rodriguez (who got the save) combined to go two one-hit innings in relief of Valdes. Veteran Ramon Ortiz went 5.1 innings allowing four hits and two runs while striking out five in the loss. Over 20,000 fans were in attendance.

Tags:

Chris Roberson, Eddy Martinez-Esteve, Elvis Andrus, Jon Weber, Mexican Pacific League, Puerto Rican Winter League, Ramon Ortiz, Randy Ruiz, Raul Valdes, Ruben Rivera, Venezuelan Winter League

Juan Francisco

With the Dominican Winter League’s championship series all tied up at 2-2, Gigantes took Game 5 by a 3-2 score over Escogido. Jose Capellan went six innings allowing two runs on four hits while striking out four in his second championship start. Reds prospect Juan Francisco went 2-for-3 and drove in all three runs for Gigantes. Kevin Barker provided the only offense for Escogido, with a two-run homerun, which was his third of the postseason.

In Game 6, Escogido again tied the best-of-nine series, this time at 3-3. Heath Phillips (Royals) continued his dominance in winter league by striking out seven in six innings and allowing one run on six hits. In the 5-4 victory, catcher Wilkin Castillo drove in two runs. Infielder Alexi Casilla (Twins) accounted for three of Gigantes four runs as he delivered a bases-clearing triple.

Game 7 was a pitcher’s duel, as Gigantes outlasted Escogido 2-0 to take a 4-3 series lead. Former big league pitcher Victor Zambrano went 5.1 shutout innings allowing three hits while striking out four. Left-hander Antonio Bastardo (Phillies) got the win, going 1.2 scoreless innings of relief allowing one hit while striking out three. Left fielder Lucas Montero went 3-for-4 for Gigantes. In the loss, veteran Nelson Figueroa went 7.1 innings allowing seven hits and two unearned runs while striking out four.

Eddy Martinez-Esteve with Single-A San Jose

The Puerto Rican Winter League’s semifinal series both came to an end with Game 7’s. Caguas took their Game 7 over Carolina 3-1 behind the arm of Andrew Baldwin (Mariners) who scattered two hits in his eight innings of work. Baldwin allowed just one run while striking out eight. Saul Rivera (Indians) worked the ninth for the save. Outfielder Eddy Martinez-Esteve (Giants) continued his hot-hitting in the playoffs, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Caguas scored all three of their runs in the third inning.

Mayaguez won their Game 7 over Arecibo 5-2 as Randy Ruiz (Blue Jays) hit a solo homerun and Andres Torres blasted a two-run homerun for Mayaguez. Shortstop Angel Sanchez went 2-for-4 in the win. Brodie Downs went four innings for Mayaguez without giving up a run. Mayaguez will face-off against Caguas in the championship series for a spot in the Caribbean Series in Venezuela.

Caracas took Game 3 of the Venezuelan Winter League championship series 5-3 over Magallanes to shrink the lead to 2-1. Raul Padron and Carlos Maldonado both contributed RBI doubles and two hits. Caracas got three innings of shutout baseball from their relievers. Magallanes scored all three of their runs in the second inning, with two scoring on Emilio Bonifacio’s (Marlins) single. Over 20,000 fans showed up to cheer on Caracas.

Jose Lopez

Game 4 of the series also went to Caracas to tie the championship series at 2-2. However this game ended in dramatic fashion in the tenth inning. Jackson Melian hit a walk-off three-run homerun off of Yoel Hernandez to send Caracas to a 10-7 victory. Infielder Jose Lopez (Mariners) had a double and drove in four runs for Caracas. Caracas scored seven runs from the seventh inning on, with outfielder Gregor Blanco (Braves) tying the game off of closer Francisco Rodriguez (Mets) with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning with a solo homer. Each team tallied 11 hits. This was another game in which over 20,000 fans were in attendance.

Tags:

Alexi Casilla, Andrew Baldwin, Antonio Bastardo, Dominican Winter League, Heath Phillips, Jose Capellan, Jose Lopez, Juan Francisco, Nelson Figueroa, Puerto Rican Winter League, Randy Ruiz, Venezuelan Winter League, Victor Zambrano

Robinson Chirinos

The Venezuelan Winter League’s championship series got underway as Magallanes blasted Caracas 9-0 in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series. Robinson Chirinos continued his playoff hot-hitting, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs. Michael Ryan contributed a two-run double and scored twice. NY Yankees prospect Reegie Corona also went 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Raul Valdes (who was previously pitching in the Dominican Winter League) went five scoreless innings allowing six hits while striking out six. Over 16,000 fans were in attendance for Game 1.

Game 2 was a high-scoring affair, as Magallanes beat Caracas 12-10. Alex Escobar went 4-for-5 with a homerun, four RBIs, and three runs scored. Netherland’s alum Yurendell de Caster had three hits and two RBIs as Magallanes took a 2-0 series lead. Magallanes blasted three homeruns off of Caracas starter Gustavo Chacin, who went just 3.1 innings allowing 10 hits and six runs. Josh Kroeger, Gregorio Petit, and Luis Maza all had three hits a piece for Caracas. Lots of crooked numbers were put up on the scoreboard, as Magallanes had a five-run inning and a four-run inning, while Caracas also had a four-run inning. Over 14,000 fans were in attendance.

Ruben Rivera

The Mexican Pacific League championship series began over the weekend as Mazatlan took Game 1 by a score of 5-3 over Hermosillo. Former Major Leaguer Ruben Rivera had a two-run homerun and Christian Quintero went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs scored. Reid Brignac, John Lindsay, and Jon Weber each had two hits in the win. Outfielder Chris Roberson went 3-for-4 with a double for Hermosillo. Pablo Ortega went 6.2 innings allowing three runs on seven hits for Mazatlan as a little over 15,000 fans were in attendance.

Game 2 went to Hermosillo as Travis Blackley went 5.2 innings allowing five hits and no runs while striking out four. In the 4-2 win, former big leaguer Vinny Castilla homered and drove in two runs to tie the series at 1-1. NY Yankees minor leaguer Jon Weber went 4-for-5 in the loss with two RBIs.

Levale Speigner with the Nats

In Puerto Rico, Arecibo and Mayaguez had to play another doubleheader, but this time the sweep went to Arecibo. In the first game, Radames Nazario went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored while D’Angelo Jimenez also drove in a run. Levale Speigner went 1.1 scoreless innings to pick up the 3-2 win. Juan Padilla pitched a complete game in the loss. In the second game, Speigner pitched 3.1 shutout innings to pick up another win as Arecibo scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning. Edwin Maysonet went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Jeffrey Dominguez added an RBI single in that ninth inning. Game 7 was suspended.

In the other Puerto Rican semifinal series, Carolina won 6-4 over Caguas to take a 3-2 series lead. Pedro Valdez went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and Andy Gonzalez also drove in two runs. Outfielder Bradley Coon delivered an RBI triple and also scored two runs. The bullpen for Carolina went 4.2 innings allowing just two runs on five hits. The top of the order for Caguas (Adrian Ortiz, Luis Figueroa, and Eddy Martinez-Esteve) accumulated seven of the team’s eleven hits. In Game 6, Caguas tied up the series at 3-3 with a 5-4 victory as Edgardo Baez delivered a walk-off single in the ninth inning to go along with his other two hits.

Tags:

Alex Escobar, Edwin Maysonet, Jon Weber, Levale Speigner, Mexican Pacific League, Puerto Rican Winter League, Robinson Chirinos, Ruben Rivera, Travis Blackley, Venezuelan Winter League

Despite the chaotic and crowded atmosphere of the O’s Fan Fest, many Baltimore Orioles fans were optimistic. Many in attendance felt that the O’s have the pieces to become a successful franchise, beginning in 2010. If everything were to fall into place, why can’t the O’s be the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays? It is a tall order for the relatively young Orioles, but not a fantasy if many on the roster live up to expectations.

Miguel Tejada

In the opening hours of the O’s Fan Fest, word swept through the Baltimore Convention Center of the signing of former Oriole Miguel Tejada. Tejada would be the final piece for the Orioles to bolster their offense and add veterans to a young core. Both Tejada and Garrett Atkins, who will now move to first base, were signed to one-year deals to bolster an already strong offense and to give corner infield prospects Josh Bell and Brandon Snyder another year of minor league seasoning to build off strong 2009 campaigns.

The two key offseason moves were acquiring veteran starter Kevin Millwood and signing left-handed closer Mike Gonzalez. Millwood provides the under age 30 rotation a veteran presence (one that relied on Jeremy Guthrie to be that mentor) that is an innings-eater. His veteran leadership should help Brad Bergesen, Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman, Dave Hernandez, and Jason Berken as they may have been rushed onto the scene with just each other (and Guthrie) to lean on. If this young rotation can learn from Millwood and make the necessary adjustments, the Orioles may have one of the best rotations in the American League. If not, they have more young arms maturing in the upper levels of the minor leagues like Jake Arrieta, Brandon Erbe, and Troy Patton. If the rotation struggles, it will be another long season for the Orioles.

Mike Gonzalez with the Braves

Gonzalez should be a lift to an otherwise awful bullpen in 2009, especially after the trade of closer George Sherrill. The signing allows Jim Johnson to settle into a more comfortable role of being the setup man. The rest of the bullpen will be pieced together by lefty Alberto Castillo (who was very good in his 2009 call up), Cla Meredith (a midseason acquisition from San Diego), Dennis Sarfate (who spent a good chunk of 2009 on the DL), and probably Koji Uehara (who may be better suited as a long-man than a starter). The key is to get the ball from the starter to Gonzalez with a lead, which the O’s could have problems with. However the bullpen is only as strong as the rotation and if the rotation struggles early on, the bullpen will be overused and useless by mid-June.

As some of the newcomers took in the Fan Fest, they were in awe of the amount of those in attendance. Many of the players could feel the energy in the convention center. Veteran Brian Roberts said he couldn’t wait to get to Florida and start spring training and to get the season underway. They cannot wait to see the new additions mesh with the returning players and to see how the young crop of stars like catcher Matt Wieters, outfielder Nolan Reimold, and pitchers Bergesen, Matusz, and Tillman grow from their 2009 debuts. Maybe Matusz can reel in a ROY award in 2010.

Tags:

Baltimore Orioles, Brian Roberts, Garrett Atkins, Kevin Millwood, Miguel Tejada, Mike Gonzalez

Justin Verlander

Can the SF Giants or Detroit Tigers afford to go to an arbitration hearing with Tim Lincecum and Justin Verlander? If the two teams do, they will break the bank. Then they will have to go through it all over again next year. Why not sign the two aces to extensions to avoid what comes with an arbitration hearing? Verlander, the Tigers ace and American League strikeout leader, has said that the Tigers have not approached him about a long-term deal so he is prepared for an arbitration hearing where he is requesting $9.5 million but the Tigers have only offered $6.9 million. The Tigers are said to want to reach a one-year agreement to avoid arbitration before discussing a long-term deal, which would be a similar strategy they used with first baseman Miguel Cabrera. If the case reaches arbitration, Verlander may win, considering Boston’s closer Jonathon Papelbon signed a one-year deal worth $9.35 million. If no long-term deal is reached, Verlander will become a free agent in two years and he will go to the highest bidder (think Yankees or Red Sox).

Tim Lincecum

Lincecum’s case is intriguing and he will most likely win if it goes to a hearing. Lincecum is special, just as Ryan Howard’s case was special when he was awarded the most lucrative arbitration contract ($10 million) because no one has put up the numbers he has so far in his career. Lincecum is special because he has won back-to-back CY Young awards in the National League in just his first three years. Lincecum made just $650,000 in 2009 and is asking for $13 million, while the Giants are offering $8 million. In his two CY Young seasons, Lincecum is 33-12 with a 2.55 ERA overall in those two years. He is 40-17 with a 2.90 ERA overall in his career. Why wouldn’t the Giants want to lock Lincecum up to a long-term deal? Both sides would want to avoid arbitration because the hearing will just be a bashing of both sides (think Lincecum’s drug arrest and how Lincecum is the face of the franchise). Lincecum has three more years of arbitration before he becomes a free agent. By the end of his arbitration years, Lincecum could be making around $20 million a year. It would be beneficial for both sides to sign an extension and then Giants could keep one of the game’s best pitchers in San Francisco.

A few teams have done this with their aces, as the Seattle Mariners locked up Felix Hernandez for five years and the Florida Marlins locked up Josh Johnson for four years. Both young aces are the faces for the future of their respective organizations. The Philadelphia Phillies also locked up two players, starting pitcher Joe Blanton and centerfielder Shane Victorino for three years each. The deal for the Flying’ Hawaiian makes sense because he is an integral part of the Phillies offense and defense. The Blanton extension is a little confusing because he is only a number four starter and really only pitches well in the second half. Blanton is going to be receiving a lot of money when the Phillies could have just kept left-handed starter Cliff Lee.

Tags:

Detroit Tigers, Felix Hernandez, Florida Marlins, Joe Blanton, Josh Johnson, Justin Verlander, Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, SF Giants, Shane Victorino, Tim Lincecum

Fernando Martinez

The Dominican Winter League Championship Series heated up a bit in Game 3, as Escogido busted out the hits with 22. Outfielder Fernando Martinez (Mets) blasted a three-run homerun and finished the game 6-for-6 with five RBIs as Escogido pounded Gigantes 13-4. DH Willis Otanez doubled and drove in three runs and infielder Joaquin Arias (Rangers) went 4-for-6 with two runs scored to help pace Escogido. Nelson Figueroa went 6.2 innings allowing 1 run on six hits while striking out six. The lone run he allowed came off the bat of Wilson Betemit (who drove in all four of Gigantes runs). Escogido scored nine runs in the eighth and ninth innings off of three Gigantes relievers. Escogido shrunk Gigantes lead to 2-1 in the series.

In Game 4, it was again about pitching. Edward Valdez went six innings allowing two runs on five hits while striking out four to lead Escogido to a 3-2 victory. The bullpen for Gigantes pitched 5.1 no-hit innings to keep them in the game, with Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Antonio Bastardo going two innings with three strikeouts. The victory tied the best-of-nine championship series at 2-2. Arias again provided offense as he hit a two-run homerun to pace the Escogido offense.

Edwin Maysonet

In Puerto Rican Winter League action, Arecibo tied their semifinal series with Mayaguez 1-1 on the arm of Mike Smith, who went six innings allowing five hits and no runs while striking out four. In the 6-0 win, infielder Edwin Maysonet (Astros) went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored to raise his playoff batting average to .625. League MVP Michel Abreu (who is a free agent) had three hits and third baseman D’Angelo Jimenez added two hits and an RBI. The next day required a double-header due to earlier postponements and Mayaguez swept the double-header winning 7-1 in Game 1 and 3-2 in Game 2. This increased Mayaguez’s semifinal series lead to 3-1 over Arecibo in the best-of-seven series. In Game 1, Brodie Downs (Mariners) went five innings allowing one run on just two hits. Reliever Pete Parise followed that up with two no-hit innings to close out the win. Being down 1-0 after the first inning, Mayaguez plated seven runs in the top of the sixth inning to take over the game. Offensively, Mayaguez was led by Mexican League veterans Donny Leon and Edwards Guzman, who both had two-run doubles. In Game 2, Mayaguez busted out 12 hits, with four players having multi-hit games. Ruddy Lugo went five innings allowing one run on three hits while striking out two for Mayaguez.

Game 3 for Caguas and Carolina lasted ten innings until Luis Figueroa singled and scored on an Aaron Bates (Red Sox) single in the top of the tenth to give Caguas a 2-1 win. Eddy Martinez-Esteve (Giants) drove in Caguas’ first run in the seventh to tie the game at 1-1 and Bates finished with two hits. Hector Mercado went five innings allowing a run on just two hits while striking out six. For Carolina, Carlos Castillo went six shutout innings allowing just two hits while striking out four. Game 4 went to Carolina 7-3, which evened the best-of-seven semifinal series at 2-2. After being down 3-2, Carolina stormed back in the later innings, scoring five runs from the fifth inning on. Carolina’s Andy Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with a solo homerun. Outfielders Armando Rios and Bradley Coon contributed 2 hits a piece for Carolina, with Rios scoring two runs. For Caguas, Martinez-Esteve continued his hot-hitting, going 2-for-5.

Tags:

Dominican Winter League, Eddy Martinez-Esteve, Edwin Maysonet, Fernando Martinez, Joaquin Arias, Nelson Figueroa, Puerto Rican Winter League

Bengie Molina

First the Carlos Beltran drama. Now the two free agents the NY Mets coveted signed with other teams. First was catcher Bengie Molina. The Mets were rumored to have offered Molina a multi-year contract. However he signed for just one year for a lot less money with the SF Giants, the team he spent the past three years with. The move is great for the Giants as he can continue to guide the young, dominant pitching staff and groom rookie catcher Buster Posey (instead of throwing him into the fire by having him as the starting catcher when he is not ready). Molina hit .265 in 132 games with 20 homeruns and 80 RBIs in 2009. Now the Mets will have to go with the combination of Omir Santos and veteran Henry Blanco until prospect Josh Thole (who performed well in his 2009 September call-up) is ready.

Joel Pineiro

Second was right-handed starter Joel Pineiro. Pineiro thrived under the tutelage of St. Louis Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan. He was looking for a long-term deal similar to the one Randy Wolf received from the Milwaukee Brewers (three years and close to $30 million).  Unfortunately for the Mets, Pineiro received a two-year, $16 million contract offer from the LA Angels that he could not turn down. If Pineiro can continue to pitch like he did in St. Louis, the Angels will have one of the best rotations in the game with Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders, Scott Kazmir, Ervin Santana, and Pineiro. The Mets still have major holes in their rotation due to injuries to ace Johan Santana, John Maine, Fernando Nieve, and Jonathon Niese, and inconsistency in Mike Pelfrey and Oliver Perez.

With Pineiro’s signing brought another free agent pitcher to sign a deal. This was Vicente Padilla, who decided to re-sign with the LA Dodgers for one year. Despite shooting himself in the leg in November, he is expected to be healthy at the start of spring training. Padilla, after being released in 2009 by the Texas Rangers, pitched very well for the Dodgers and their push through the playoffs (4-0 with a 3.20 ERA in the regular season plus 1-1 with a 3.63 ERA in 3 postseason starts).

Free agent left-handed starter Doug Davis decided to return to the Milwaukee Brewers, signing a one year deal with an option for 2011. This deal is great for the Brewers as they are getting a pitcher who provides durability. Davis has made at least 33 starts and pitched in 190 innings in five of the past six seasons (the only season being 2008 when he battled thyroid cancer). Adding Davis leaves the Brewers with seven starting pitchers heading into spring training, with one probably moving to the bullpen. Those with spots include ace Yovani Gallardo, Wolf, and Davis, with Manny Parra, Dave Bush, Jeff Suppan, and Chris Narveson battling for the final two spots.

Free agent right-handed reliever Octavio Dotel signed a one year deal with an option for 2011 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, who continue to stabilize their bullpen this offseason. Pirates GM Neal Huntington announced that there now is no competition for the closer’s job as it is not Dotel’s to lose. Dotel noted that the opportunity to step back into a closer’s role was the main determinant in his decision to join the Pirates as Pittsburgh was the only team able to guarantee him that opportunity.

Tags:

Bengie Molina, Doug Davis, Joel Pineiro, LA Angels, LA Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, NY Mets, Octavio Dotel, Pittsburgh Pirates, Vicente Padilla

So far, the Dominican Winter League championship series has been all about the pitching. In Game 1, Gigantes and Escogido were deadlocked at 1-1, as both teams’ starters were solid. Escogido’s Francisco Liriano (Twins) went five innings allowing an unearned run on five hits while striking out six. Gigantes’ Jose Capellan went six innings allowing a run on five hits while striking out one. Escogido outfielder Fernando Martinez (Mets) homered in the third after Gigantes jumped out to a 1-0 first inning lead on Juan Francisco’s (Reds) RBI groundout (scoring Alexi Casilla). The tie lasted until the bottom of the seventh inning when Gigantes infielder Alexi Casilla (Twins) homered with two outs off of MLB All-Star closer Francisco Cordero (Reds) to take a 2-1 lead in the game, and a 1-0 series lead. The two teams combined for 15 hits in the game.

Aquilino Lopez with the Tigers

Game 2 was more of the same. Gigantes’ Aquilino Lopez went six innings allowing three hits and no runs while striking out two. Escogido starter Nerio Rodriguez went seven innings allowing one run on five hits.  Gigantes won the game 1-0 on an RBI single in the sixth inning by Casilla, who has been a part of the three runs scored by Gigantes so far in the series. Dario Veras, a Mexican League veteran, notched his second save in as many games and seventh overall in the playoffs. Gigantes holds a 2-0 series lead.

Mario Santiago with Single-A Wilmington

The Puerto Rican Winter League playoffs have finally begun. The Carolina and Caguas series got started as Kansas City Royals prospect Mario Santiago did not allow a hit over 7.1 innings in possibly his best pitching performance of his career. Cesar Nicolas broke up the no-hit bid with a single and Santiago was replaced by reliever Andrew Lorraine, who induced two groundouts to keep the one-hitter in tack. Francis Beltran pitched a perfect ninth. Santiago also struck out five. His dominant pitching performance led Carolina to a 5-0 win and a 1-0 series lead. MLB free agent Carlos Delgado drove in a run and also scored a run.

In Game 2 of the Carolina-Caguas series, Edgardo Baez delivered a walk-off RBI single (one of his two hits) in the tenth inning as Caguas evened up the series at 1-1. In the 2-1 win, SF Giants farmhand Eddy Martinez-Esteve had three hits for Caguas (including a double), while Delgado hit a solo homerun to account for Carolina’s only run. Willie Collazo for Carolina went six shutout innings allowing five hits while striking out three. Andrew Baldwin of Caguas went six innings allowing four hits and one run while striking out five.

The Mayaguez and Arecibo series finally got underway with Mayaguez taking the first game 8-4. Andres Torres had three hits, including a triple, and scored two runs. Mayaguez belted out 15 hits, with six players having multi-hit games. Arecibo had three players with multi-hit games, accumulating six of the team’s eight hits (Mets centerfielder Jesus Feliciano, Blue Jays rightfielder Jorge Padilla, and Astros shortstop Edwin Maysonet). Former Mets big-thing Bill Pulsipher took the loss for Arecibo, as he went just 2.2 innings allowing seven hits and five runs (three earned) while walking two and striking out two. The two teams combined for 5 errors.

Tags:

Alexi Casilla, Andres Torres, Andrew Baldwin, Aquilino Lopez, Bill Pulsipher, Carlos Delgado, Dominican Winter League, Eddy Martinez-Esteve, Edgardo Baez, Francisco Liriano, Jose Capellan, Mario Santiago, Nerio Rodriguez, Puerto Rican Winter League, Willie Collazo