Trade Candidate: Joey Votto

With only 2 years left on his contract, Joey Votto is definitely a trade candidate.  He is expected to sign a $200 million contract which I’m not sure that the Reds would offer that.  If you could get some prospects for only the last year of the contract it would be a total advantage for the Reds.  The Reds are going all in to win the division next year so if there was a trade it would most likely be when they are either out of it this year or at next year’s trade deadline.  With the acquisition of Mat Latos the Reds have a much stronger rotation and with a bolstered bullpen that should do very well next year competing against the Cardinals and Brewers for the NL Central title.  Joey Votto is considered the Reds “superstar player” so if a trade were to be imminent, Reds fans might not be to happy to be losing there fan favorite.  When you walk the streets of Cincinnati you view a sea of red, #19 Votto jerseys.  Votto is a star player that will only get better over the years so other contenders will be very interested if he is put on the block.  The price would be extremely high and costly for a team to acquire him possibly featuring a #1 draft pick, multiple top prospects, and even Major-League ready prospects.  Votto is considered one of the best, most consistent, and powerful first basemen in the league.

 

 

Image Source: http://i.usatoday.net/communitymanager/_photos/daily-pitch/2010/11/22/vottox-large.jpg

Athletics are looking at Magglio Ordonez

Free agent Magglio Ordonez is drawing interest from the Oakland Athletics.  He just turned 38 this past Sunday.  he only hit a 255. batting average according to baseball reference in 92 games.  He has been injury plagued over the past few years and is looking to have a  healthy 2012 season after re fracturing his right ankle in the 2011 ALCS.  The athletics need a DH for 2012.  The Athletics are also interested in Manny Ramirez.

 

 

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Best Off Season

Who is having the besting off season so far you decide!  The Angels signed superstars C.J. Wilson and Albert Pujols.  The Marlins signed Heath Bell, Mark Buerhle, and Jose Reyes.  The Phillies re-signed Jimmy Rollins and signed Jonathan Papelbon.  The Tigers signed Price Fielder.

Image Source:http://sportsofboston.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/479-1nN54E.Em_.jpeg

Inbox: What Will the Orioles Infield Look Like In 2012?

What Will the Orioles Infield look like on 2012? -Justin B Braune

The Orioles infield should look like Mark Reynolds at first maybe 3rd and times, J.J. Hardy at SS, Brian Roberts at 2nd Base,  Matt Weiters at catcher, and Wilson Betimet at 3rd base and first switching with Reynolds. The O’s have a very strong infield coming in to 2012 the problem is the pitching which could use some serious help.  The pitching is the big problem in Baltimore and more should be done about it instead of trying to sign Manny Ramirez which the O’s are trying to do.  It frustrates me when I look at the O’s roster and see almost no pitching talent what so ever.  The O’s offense will be very strong in 2012 but there are just to many pitching issues for them to make a run at it.  I get this disgusted feeling when there manegment is doing nothing to at least attempt to change the pitching problem.  It’s unbelievable that nothing has taken place.  I wish good luck to the team but but with a 4.89 team ERA in 2011, dead last in MLB it doesn’t look to good for the O’s.  They are last in pitching for 3/4 of the major categories, being last in Quality starts,  ERA, and Whip.  They are 29th in the league in BAA.  ESPN give the Orioles a 25% chance of losing 100 games next year.  That’s a huge number.  The only team that has a higher Percentage, is the Houston Astros with a 53% chance of losing 100 games.  Without any sort of pitching “fix” the Orioles will be at the bottom of an infinite pit.  Pitching wins championships, without it you will go no were.

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Sources: Jays, O’s, and A’s all interested in Manny

Manny Ramirez is drawing some interest from The Blue Jays, Orioles, and Athletics.  The A’s have drawn the most interest from the beginning when Manny announced himself as a free agent.  Ramirez will still have to serve a 50-game suspension for violating the MLB drug policy.  The original suspension was 100 games but that was reduced down to 50.  Many believe Manny still has that pop in his bat but i think his career is on its last legs.  Manny played for the Tampa Bay Rays last year but retired April 10th 2011.

Image Source:http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCX5slZvaJg/TZ-WIW214qI/AAAAAAAAAb4/6tPNPTNOunA/s1600/mannyramirez.jpg

More Lumber for the Yanks?

Reports indicate the the Yankees are looking for just 1 more bat which could be Hideki Matsui, Raul Ibanez, Derrick Lee, and Johnny Damon are all possible suitors for the Yankees.  With the Yankee’s payroll at the highest in the league there has to be just a bit laying around for the veterans which were named.  Joe Girardi said himself that he would like another bat to put in the lineup.  In my opinion they need an extra club in case of injury.  A-Rod and Jeter were both injured for a sizable part of 2011.  There is always a good use for a backup plan.  And solid Veterans aren’t bad ones especially these.  The Yankees will have competition this year with the Rays and the Red Sox and even the Blue Jays.  In fact it is very important to get some more pop in the lineup to solidify the group.  Bringing back fan favorite Hideki Matsui would be great idea, the marking value would definitely go up.  Most say that the Yankees will be in the playoffs next year, but I’m not so sure.  The Red Sox and Rays will be huge competition and there’s only 2 spots open as of now  (division, wild card, second wild card?) The Red Sox are sure to be more competitive than last year.  There are still wholes in the Red Sox’ roster but we will see if Bobby V.  can really unite the team and win the pennant.  All more of a reason for the Yanks needing to add just a little more.

Image Source:http://truesportslegacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Hideki+Matsui+Oakland+Athletics+v+Detroit+bnpW9Lzrro1l.jpg

Inbox: When will the Royals Rise?

When will the Royals win the world series? – John R Shumaker

Answer:  Well, I really coud’nt tell you, my best guess would probably be around 2015 or even 2016, It ll depends on the development of there top prospects.  The royals have a great base of young hitters but right now there best pitcher is Bruce Chen so the royals will definetly need to solve that problem of low pitching talent.  The Royals do tend to trade away there prospects so even if the pitching is there they still may be an incomplete team.  Dont get me wrong i think the royals do have great possibillty but there are a lot of improvements to be made.  Sometimes I ponder thinking that many media stations over rate the royals prospects.  Another thing that makes it hard for the royals to win the division atleast, is there compitition, we just saw Prince Fielder sign with Detroit, If Adam Dunn and Alex Rios can Rebound the White Sox will be an issue, and even the Indians are an up-and-coming team with plenty of potential for the future.  The Royals will count on players like Eric Hosmer. Alex gordon, and Billy Butler to to develope into superstars and save the franchise.

Morale:  Now isn’t a good time to be  a royals fan, maybe in 4-5 years from now you would love to be one, but if not, just read the funnies in the Sunday paper instead.

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Sources: Kotchman to sign with Indians

Sources: 1B Casey Kotchman will join the Cleveland Indians on a 1-year $2 million deal.  Matt  LaPorta is still expected to get playing time as Kotchman will.  Casey hit a surprising .306/.378/.422 line in 2011 + 10 HR.  Kotchman, being a right-hander will most likely see the most time against lefties.  don’t be shocked if Laporta starts the season in triple A, he is the weakest of the three 1B options which include, Carlos Santana, Matt LaPorta, and now Casey Kotchman.  Watch for future posts about the AL central and the Indians.

Image Source: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Yoenis Cespedes Rumors

Recent reports show that Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes is very interested in playing for the White Sox, Cubs, Marlins and potentially the Tigers.  The White Sox do happen to have a history with signing Cuban prospects like Jose Contreras.  White Sox fellow Cuban right fielder Dyan Viciedo reportedly called up Cespedes to pursue him.  Cespedes is thought to be a star in some cases but he may made need a short minor league stint to get him into the groove.  My prediction is that Cespedes will end up on the south side in 2012 even though Kenny Williams quotes that that the major league payroll is maxed out.  The Cuban is considered a prospect still so maybe this does not effect him.  He is expected to get a deal worth around $50-60 million over 5-6 years.  Cespedes is a big risk in that you never know if he will pan out as some say, if he doesn’t the team that signs him will have a huge problem on  there hands and a lot of dead money.

Image source:    http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/mlb/photogallery/111811-yoenis-cespedes.jpg