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What 3 Players Would You Start Your Team With?

by kershaw_equals_stud on Jul 7, 2011 6:44 PM EDT

As trade season heats up, here's a fun exercise to get the juices flowing. -jbopp

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Lets say you were given a Major League expansion team to run. (obviously this is all hypothetical) You are allowed to pick ANY 3 players in all of baseball to anchor your team. These 3 players would come with 10 year contracts. Who would you choose to anchor your team for the next 10 years? Here are my 3.

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Competitive integrity demands more than just realignment

by __sturt__ on Jun 18, 2011 1:42 PM EDT

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/expanding-mlb-playoffs-focus-on-fairness/#more-53038

As this Dave Cameron (FanGraphs) column explains, much of the realignment conversation is rooted in this idea that uneven divisions is inherently unfair.

I'd like to propose that, yes, that's true, but if that premise is a valid one--that the game is suffering from some inequities keeping some number of teams every year from competing for a championship, and further, that those inequities are solvable--then, why would we stop at realignment?

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Tribe For Real?

by Robert57 on Apr 29, 2011 2:45 PM EDT

It would appear that way. For them to jump out in front without Choo hitting like normal is very promising.
The play in a terribble division. Masterson appears to be a 20 game winner in the making . Sizemore is back and they have a great bullpen. The will need to be buyers at the trade deadline, because of some serious holes. They need a 2nd baseman and possibbly a 1st baseman. After the first two starters, the rest are weak . Lets hope ownership will recognize this chance to put fannies back into the seats at the Jake, and commit to spending some serious money to improve the team this year. I miss the 90's when Cleveland was an electric pulsating Baseball town.

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Fielder,not Pujols to NY

by Robert57 on Apr 29, 2011 2:22 PM EDT

Awhile ago, I posted that it was inevitable that Pujols would become a Yankee . I have re-thought my position . A much better option for NY would be Prince Fielder . This time,Tex stays at 1st and Prince becomes the DH . At 26, he is an awesome power and OBP machine. The Yankees are always after people who will take a walk. They ussually lead the league in BB's, or close to it. Fielder has become a 100 walk per year guy,not to mention the HR's he would hit with that ridiculous porch in right . He would accept the DH position easier then Pujols. He is younger. He would become the black Babe Ruth. Don't worry about Arod and Jeter. They will both age well. It will happen at the deadline, as Milwaukee will not compete in the NL Central. One can only hope that Mil. will insists on real prospects, and not the ussual over-hyped players the Yankees use in trades. Look for fireworks over the Bronx in October.

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MLB Playoff expansion: Would it have affected the 2010 Rangers’ playoff run?

by Tim Howell on Apr 28, 2011 7:41 PM EDT

Late last week, Bud Selig issued a statement directly addressing the idea of an expanded playoff structure. He stressed that it could be implicated by 2012.

Today, we’ll explore how this new playoff nomenclature would have panned out for the 2010 Texas Rangers. Tomorrow we’ll see how it might’ve worked out over in the National League.

In a nutshell, there would be one additional team from each league that would become playoff eligible. Essentially allowing for two wild-card teams per league.

The format (in regards to the playoff structure) would be exactly as it is now, with the addition of the two new wild card teams that would play the other wild card team in the first round. It has been speculated that these two wild card winners would lock horns in a best-of-three series, rather than the-best-of-five as it stands now.

But without further ado, let’s get to the goods; how would the newly proposed playoff template effect the Texas Rangers’ postseason run of a year ago?

The Texas Rangers 2010 club won the AL West last year for the first time in 11 years. And with a 9 game lead in the division, there really wasn’t much of a chance for the wild-card team to come from the West.

In the AL Central it was a much closer race in terms of the potential for a wild card winner. Although the Chicago White Sox finished 6 games behind the division winner Minnesota Twins, they were a mere one game behind the AL East’s New York Yankees for the final playoff spot.

In the Yankees’ AL East, they were the American League’s wild-card winner. This is nothing new. Since the first year the wild card was instituted (1995), it has come from the AL East 12 times, with either the Red Sox or Yankees nabbing the honors in 11 of those instances.

And this is where the hypothetical playoff expansion gets very interesting. The other wild card from the American League in 2010 would have gone to the Boston Red Sox (89-73). Their record was one win and one loss better than the AL Central’s White Sox (88-74). This outcome would most likely give the White Sox’s skipper, Ozzie Guillen, a platform to unleash even more unintelligible utterances that no one cares about enough to translate into proper English.

So, we’d have a NY Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox wild card showdown. Among other things, this would mean that three playoff teams would come from the AL East. This would also mean that those select few that can benefit directly from the riches of television revenue would find themselves in the ultimate win-win situation.

Depending on whether or not a five-game or three-game playoff matchup is instituted the winner of this wild card playoff would then advance to play the AL Central’s Minnesota Twins.

Say the Red Sox fought off the Yankees and then advanced to paly the Twins. After the Twins lost last year’s ALDS 3-1, they’d probably welcome the Red Sox (or anybody else for that matter).

Now if the Red Sox won the ALDS, how would a Ranger’s versus Red Sox ALCS pan out?

During the regular season, the Rangers had a 4-4 record against the Yankees. The Rangers were even better against the Red Sox, with a 6-4 record. Sure that’s the regular season. And sure, that’s a larger sample size against the Red Sox. But…

All biases aside, the Rangers would have had a great chance against whomever they met in the ALCS in 2010. Call it fate, call it the "Cliff Lee factor", but last year it was just destiny. However, it sure was nice to beat those darn Yankees. An ALCS Championship over the Red Sox might not have meant as much to the Rangers faithful as it did to beat the Yankees. But either way it would’ve been just as sweet.

Now if only the new playoff format could’ve done something to get rid of those pesky San Francisco Giants prior to the World Series. But that’s another topic for another day.

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JT's MLB power rankings (week 4)AL

by Jt Malley on Apr 25, 2011 1:19 AM EDT

Its a very open start this year alot of teams started hot slowed down. Alot of teams started slow heated up. here are my rankings for week 4. This week i will be ranking them by AL and NL each in there own Seperate Catagories.

1) Texas Rangers 14-7 They have slowed down from there starting pace but still a strong team. 5-5 in there last ten isnt anything to be to happy about but they have won 3 straight and are very impressive at home 10-2.

2) New York Yankees 12-6 Very consistant all season, Huges is struggling but they are still getting the pitching from C.C A.J and a revamped Bartolo Colon. They are an impressive 7-3 in there last 10 and have won 3 straight.

3) Boston Red sox 10-11 Well it seems like there slow start is behind them. They are now 8-2 in there last 10 and have been ripping it up on a road trip.

4) Clevland 13-8 A very suprising Cinderalla team maybe finaly finding the end of there story. After a strong start they are 5-5 in there last 10 and have lost 3 straight.

5) Los Angeles Angels 12-10 Have shown that they might compete for this division this year 5-5 in there last 10, they are now an exellent 8-4 on the road. The reason for most of there wins is good pitching especialy from Jared Weaver who already had 5.

6)Detroit 12-10 A good 7-3 iin there last 10 have won 4 straight they are starting to heat up. If they offense can stay up and they pitching can keep up it could be a nice stretch for these guys.

7)Tampa bay 11-11 7-3 in there last 10 and won 2 straight they are starting to heat up. Key injurie Evan Longoria is going to be coming back soon so things can only go up for the rays.

8)Kansas City 12-10 4-6 in there last ten and have lost 4 straight KC fans are strarting to fall back to earth. Although i do see them having a decent pitching Kc fans should be very Optomistic.

9) Oakland 11-11 winners of 2 straight and 5-5 in there last 10 Oakland is looking for another good year from there up and comming star pitchers, and so far they have not disopointed.

10)Minesota Twins 9-12 comming of a sweep and heating up the Twins are starting to come around. Heres hoping they get there guys back as Mauer and Morneau have not played together in the linup since the opening series.

11) Toronto Blue jays 9-12 Not doing to bad but have lost 2 straight and are 4-6 in there last 10. Not a division you want to fall behind in.

12) Baltimore 8-12 Started of really hot but have slowed down since. 2-8 in there last 10 the have really fallen from grace looks like the same old same old for Baltimore.

13) Chicago White Sox 8-14 Not a ad start but 1-9 in there last 10 has taken em down a bit. Dosent help that there closer already has 6 blown saves.

14) Seattle Mariners 8-15 4-6 in there last 10 witch for this team is actually very good isnt to bad, losers of two straight have the same problems as last year no runs ever very weeks offense.

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Bautista for MVP

by Jt Malley on Apr 24, 2011 3:05 AM EDT

I know alot of people have diffrent opinions on this guy. As a guy who watches the jays play everyday he truly is amazing. Some people love to hate some people just love. But as much as people love to say last year was a fluke, well the stats dont lie this year, i know its early but still.

Hr 7 RBI 10 SB 2 AVG .371 OBP .507

He is tied for the league lead in HR has the best OBP in the league the top avg in the AL and has a cannon for an arm. I want your guys opinion on him,and please dont hate on him until you see him play.

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Toronto Jays

by Jt Malley on Apr 20, 2011 4:19 PM EDT

Just wanted to get your guys opinion on the toronto baseball team. They are very young and not doign to bad. We are in a strong division witch i think helps us as a team but still makes it harder to make the post season. Anyways we have the youngest pitching staff in the majors and a pretty good one i must say. We also are home to the Home run king jose Bautista. We have are really starting to have a nice minor league system to. Brett Lawrie, Cooper, Gose, Darnaud and a couple of nice arms i really think in the next 2 or 5 years we will be a powerhouse with these young guys if we can find a way to keep them. Anyways as fan of the team just wanted to hear your guys opinions on this team?

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My Power Rankings week 3#

by Jt Malley on Apr 20, 2011 8:25 AM EDT

This was a good week there are definitly some suprise teams but all in all a good week.

1. Colorado Rockies 12-5 with some strong play and a 7-1 road record the rockeis are tied for the best record in baseball.

2.LA Angels 11-6 after starting of 5-5 you can say there on somewhat of a hot streak.

3.Cleveland Indians 12-5 tied for the best record in baseball, somewhat of a suprise team this year.

4.Texas 11-6 still doing good but definitly hurting without Hamilton and now are tied for there division with the streaking Angels.

5.Philidalphia 10-6 still managing to do good, although alot of people though they would have a better record by now with there rotation.

6.Yankees 9-6 there bats are really doing well but im not sure how far they will get with there pitching this year, Nova Colon and Garcia 3,4,5.

7.San Fransisco 10-7 after a very slow start the giants are really getting hot and looking to catch the Rockies.

8.Kansas City 11-6 with the way there young guys have played this team has really suprised people and i think they will keep doing so all season.

9.Florida Marlins 9-6 the marlins have done pretty well and with the Phillies not doing anything special they really have a chance to keep up with the pack.

10.Reds 9-8 they had a very good start but have slowed down alot, they are now on a 3 game losing streak, But still hold on to the division lead somehow.

11.Brewers 9-8 they had a very slow start but have come on strong lately, they have won 2 straight and are now tied with the reds for the division.

12. Toronto 8-9 they have a pretty good offense but there pitching has to hold them up, after losing 3 of 4 in boston over the weekend they slowed down but responded well by beating the yankees last night.

13.Tampa bay 8-9 after a horrible start they have really turned it around they are now on a 2 game winning streak and are 7-3 in there last 10.

14.oakland 8-8 not a bad start to there season as there good young starters have really keep them in games.

15.St.Louis 8-8 had a slow start but have heated up lately they are 6-4 in there last 10 and in a week division that will move you up.

16. Washington 8-7 They have really started off well this year they have won 3 straight and 7 in there last 10, could this finaly be the nats year do at least make a push?

17.Detroit 8-10 not a bad start but with there hitters im sure people though they would see a bit of a better record.

18. Cubs 8-8 A not to bad start to there season although they are still really waiting for Garza to show stuff like he did in tampa.

19.Baltimore 7-9 well they started of good 6-0 but then they went on an 8 game losing streak now they find themselves 2 games below .500 and 2-8 in there last 10.

20. Chicago White Sox 7-10 with there hitters we all expected bit things but the pitching hasnt been that good and some key injuries have made this a slow start for the sox.

21.Atlanta 8-10 Not the start they were hoping for as they find themselves 4th in the division, its still early but they cant let phillie run away with it.

22. LA dodgers 8-10 not to bad of a start they have some good hitting especialy from Kemp and some alright pitching to help them have an alright record.

23.Twins 6-11 its been a hard start for this team but they have had some key injuries with mauer being out alot and also a very hard schedual to start off.

24.Pittsburg 8-9 for them not a bad start but they have gotten a bit cold 4-6 in there last 10 and the fact that they are 1-5 at home dosent help.

25.Red sox. 5-11 they had a great weekend took 3 of 4 from toronto there recrod is still 5-11 says alot and they got back to there old ways last nigth with another L. And not to mention they are 0-7 on the road wow.

26. Arizona 7-8 not a bad start some good hitting and the good pitching of some guys, Kennedy is really a rising star.

27.San diego 7-9 still not to far behind a decent record had some key injuries at first looking to turn it around.

28.Houston 6-11 still not a good record they are 5-5 in there last 10 and thats pretty good.

29. Seattle 6-12 They won there last won and 4 of there last 10 that good for seattle right?

30. Mets 5-12 they are 2-8 in there last ten and have won one game at home they played 8.

So this is my week 3 wednesday updates.

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2011 MLB Power Rankings - March 31, 2011

by adduono11 on Apr 2, 2011 9:42 PM EDT

2011 MLB Power Rankings – March 31
Rank	Team	Change	High/Low	Comment
1		--	1/1	The Red Sox come into the season with one of the best line-ups, rotations and bullpens in the majors, and are the early favourite to win it all come October.
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</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]-->	--	2/2	The line-up has some question marks, and Brad Lidge will start the year on the DL, but you can’t argue with what is one of the best rotations the major leagues has ever seen.
3		--	3/3	Joey Votto should contend for the MVP once again, and the rotation goes six men deep with pitchers that are better than bottom of the rotation fillers. My sleeper to win the whole thing.
4		--	4/4	With what could be the next best rotation in the National League, a better line-up and young promising arms in the pen, the Braves could give the Phillies a run for the division.
5		--	5/5	Although they didn’t make the huge splash in free agency we’ve come to expect, they will still score a ton of runs to support what looks to be a very questionable rotation.
6		--	6/6	I don’t really like this team much, and I’m not even sure they’ll make the playoffs. But as the defending champions and with that rotation, I have to give them respect to start the season.
7		--	7/7	They can hit, that’s for sure. The question is how a questionable rotation and mediocre bullpen will hold up through an entire season. As defending AL champs, they get the benefit of doubt.
8		--	8/8	With what could be the best combination of everyday players – Carlos Gonzalez & Troy Tulowitski – and a Cy Young candidate in Ubaldo Jimenez, their my pick to win the West.
9		--	9/9	Their season, I believe, depends on how well Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan bounce back from injuries. If they can be anywhere near the players they were before, I expect another division win.
10		--	10/10	A revamped rotation, a MVP candidate and a star in his contract year make this a make or break year for the Brewers, and they look to be in position to make some noise late in the season.
11		--	11/11	Adam Dunn could be in for a monster year in that ball park, and if the rotation can pitch like it can, the bullpen gives them some good innings you could be looking at a solid playoff team.
12		--	12/12	Any team with Albert Pujols can’t possibly be bad, so this team won’t be terrible. Losing Adam Wainwright really hurts though, and will make it hard to beat the Reds and Brewers in the Central.
13		--	13/13	After losing the core of what made the Rays a power in the AL East, they will probably take a step back. However, with a strong rotation and some promising young talent, don’t count them out.
14		--	14/14	Miguel Cabrera remains one of the best hitters in the game, off-season issues or not, and Justin Verlander remains one of the best pitchers. A solid team that has an outside shot at October.
15		--	15/15	The rotation is pretty good, and the line-up is too. If they can get optimal performances out of everybody and they can contend for the playoffs. The bullpen could be an issue though.
16		--	16/16	When looking at money spent compared to talent, this is one of the best teams in the league. I’ve seen some pick them for the wildcard, and it’s not something that’s outside the realm of possibilities.
17		--	17/17	The pitching staff is there, as they have what could be the best young rotation in the majors. What remains to be seen is how they’ll score runs with a line-up with no real established power/RBI hitters.
18		--	18/18	With ownership a mess, it was hard for the Dodgers to do much this off-season, and they basically stayed put. I’m not sure what they got is enough to make a serious push for the playoffs.
19		--	19/19	With an aging line-up and a shaky staff, the Cubs don’t look like much of a contender for the year. Guys like Starlin Castro and Carlos Marmol have promise, but their key players are on the decline.
20		--	20/20	Armed with a promising rotation, a revamped bull-pen and a mashing line-up, the Jays could surprise some this year. However, there probably a year or two away from true contention.
21		--	21/21	Last year was probably more of an anomaly then a sign of things to come, especially with the loss of Adrian Gonzalez. They do have a nice bullpen though, and a rotation filled with young strong arms.
22		--	22/22	The Orioles made improvements to every part of their team, and actually have made it a very respectable team. I wouldn’t be surprised if every team in the AL East flirts or even reaches .500 this season.
23		--	23/23	The line-up is filled with guys like Justin Upton, Stephen Drew and Chris Young who have yet to completely see their potential. The rotation and bullpen also has some glaring holes at this point.
24		--	24/24	They do a star in David Wright, and some dwindling stars around him in Jason Bay, Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran. After that, however, there isn’t much and the team’s pitching is in shambles at this point.
25		--	25/25	The Nationals have the world’s most exciting prospect both at the plate and on the mound. They may have to suffer a couple more rough seasons, but will be a team to watch in a couple years.
26		-	26/26	A nice core to build around is in place (Michael Bourn & Hunter Pence), but not much else in place after that. A couple of nice veteran pitchers are also there, but nothing close to a contending team in Houston.
27		--	27/27	I’ve lost all hope that Grady Sizemore can return to the form that made him one of the best outfielders in the MLB, and the rotation is a mess. A solid bullpen is in place, but not much else looks good right now.
28		--	28/28	It’s not all lost if you’re a Royals fan, as its only a matter of time this season before all the promising prospects like Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer get some action with the big club this season.
29		--	29/29	The only thing that kept the Mariners over the Pirates is Felix Hernandez. They are going to have to go through growing pains with guys like Michael Pineda this year, and the offense is still pretty terrible.
30		--	30/30	The rotation is in shambles, the bullpen is well below average and they have no real established hitters. I am, however, excited to see guys like Pedro Alvares and Neil Walker develop with everyday jobs.