Posts belonging to Category Players

Each season I always manage to make at least one deal where I move a large amount of players, vastly altering the look of my team.  As I have mentioned before, trading players, and acting like a GM, is one of my favorite parts of fantasy baseball.  Thus, it is logical to see that I derive immense amounts of pleasure from trading big name stars.  To get a deal of this magnitude done, it requires extensive negotiations, a willing partner, and usually some adult suds to push the deal through.  (Sounds vaguely familiar to late-night exploits during my freshman year at U of A.)  Fellow writer and Denslow Cup league member, Dee, and I finally swung a deal through last night and if weight is the term I am using to describe it, this deal is heavy.  Let’s take a look and break down the trade.

(more…)

With nearly a quarter of the MLB season in the books, and some of the baseball’s best prospects now suiting up for their respective big league squads, it’s time to reflect on the performances of our Top 50 Prospects.  Today we look at 34-30, which includes: Kyle Gibson, Kyle Drabek, Yonder Alonso, Matt Moore and Lonnie Chisenhall.

34. Kyle Gibson, RHP, Minnesota Twins

Triple-A: 1-3, 4.25 ERA, 42.1 IP, 8 BB, 41 K, 1.181 WHIP, 6 HR (1.3 HR/9)

33. Kyle Drabek, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays

MLB: 3-3, 4.34 ERA, 56 IP, 37 BB, 38 K, 1.66 WHIP

32. Yonder Alonso, 1B/LF, Cincinnati Reds

Triple-A: .331/.393/.543, 15 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 17 BB, 24 K, 5-for-7 SB

31. Matt Moore, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays

Double-A: 2-3, 3.28 ERA, 46.2 IP, 13 BB, 65 K, 1.029 WHIP

30. Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B, Cleveland Indians

Triple-A: .268/.362/.405, 10 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 16 BB, 29 K

As I sat in the left field corner of Nationals Park last Friday evening, enjoying baseball, banter and beer with friend and colleague Jimmy Chiang, I was reminded once again that watching a baseball game live at the ballpark is one of life’s greatest pleasures.  The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, and even the occasional cry of “Get your ice cold [nine-dollar] beer here!” all make the ballpark a special place, even for those with only a passing interest in the game.

In my 24 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to visit the home venues of ten of MLB’s thirty teams.  While each may provide a different type of baseball atmosphere, some ballparks are certainly better than others, so as I wait to add to the list, I decided to rank the ballparks I have already visited.  Rankings are based not only on the quality of the parks’ bricks and mortar, but also on the experience each provides on any given night at the ballpark.  I am hopeful to one day compile a comprehensive list of all thirty ballparks, but now that I am a third of the way there, here is how each of the first ten stacks up:

(more…)

Bottom 1: Adam Dunn struck out swinging against Jon Garland

Bottom 3: Dunn struck out on foul tip against Garland

Bottom 4: Dunn walked against Ramon Troncoso

Bottom 6: Dunn struck out swinging against Troncoso

Bottom 8: Dunn called out on strikes against Lance Cormier

Final Line: 0-4, 4K, BB

Notes: Dunn, who has yet to record a hit off a left-hander this season, was the only White Sox starter without a hit on Saturday.  Furthermore, the White Sox only struck out five times as a team, four of which belonged to Dunn. The slugger is now hitting a dismal .190 this season.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 27

Top 2: Chris Iannetta struck out swinging against Kyle Kendrick

Top 3: Iannetta called out on strikes against Kendrick

Top 5: Iannetta struck out swinging against Danys Baez

Top 7: Iannetta struck out swinging against Scott Mathieson

Top 9: Iannetta flew out to right field J.C. Romero

Final Line: 0-5, 4 K

Notes: Not only did Iannetta wear the golden sombrero on Thursday, he also was kind enough to leave six runners on base in the Rockies 7-1 win over the Phillies.  Luckily for he and the rest of the Rockies’ offense, Jason Giambi picked up the slack, accounting for all seven runs thanks to three home runs.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 26