Articles from January 2011

At this year’s Winter Meetings, the Detroit Tigers struggled to complete a blockbuster trade as they had the previous two seasons.  On a team rich with both young and veteran big-league-ready talent, the first player that every team inquired about was the their prized prospect, Jacob Turner.  In the end, the Tigers were unwilling to hear offers for the 19-year old right-hander, and were forced to pass on several potential trade opportunities.  It seemed that there was nothing offered that could match Turner’s potential impact on both the Tigers’ rotation, as well as the rest of baseball.

After compiling a 20-4 career record and 187 strikeouts for Westminster Christian Academy in St. Louis, Turner was widely considered to be one of the best right-handed pitchers in the 2009 draft class.  Although he had previously committed to play for North Carolina, the Tigers drafted the 6-foot-5, 210-pound Turner in the first-round with the 9^th overall selection.

Continue Reading ‘St. Louis’ Jacob Turner could reach big leagues in 2011′ >>



The Chicago White Sox continued to add to their bullpen on Saturday, signing left-hander Will Ohman to a two-year, $4 million contract. At 33-years old, Ohman is coming off one of the best seasons in his 11-year career. While splitting time between the Baltimore Orioles and Florida Marlins, Ohman was 0-2 with a 3.21 ERA. He also notched 43 strikeouts and issued 23 walks in 42 innings.

Over the years, Ohman has evolved into strictly a lefty specialist, primarily due to his ineffectiveness against right-handed hitters (.264/.360/.400 career). However, his ability to retire left-handed hitters is true, as evidenced by his career line of .208/.298/.348.

The White Sox have now signed two relief pitchers – Jesse Crain being the other – to multi-year deals headed in 2011. If it were any other organization, this wouldn’t concern me nearly as much (although I’ll always have a problem supporting a decision to over-invest in relief pitching). But with a track record that includes Scott Linebrink’s undeserving and generally nauseating 4-year/$19 million contract in 2007, I have no choice but to reserve all expectations.

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#43 Brett Jackson – Chicago Cubs

OF

DOB: 8-2-88

ETA: 2012

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• In a stunning eight-player deal, the Tampa Bay Rays traded Matt Garza, Fernando Martinez, and Zach Rosscup to the Chicago Cubs, and received a slew of prospects in return- Chris Archer, Brandon Guyer, Robinson Chirinos, Sam Fuld, and Hak-Ju Lee.  Although the players that the Cubs parted with are just prospects – all but Fuld are yet to reach the Major Leagues – I sincerely believe that they surrendered too much for Garza.  And after reading Dave Cameron’s analysis of Garza over at FanGraphs, I’ve only become more convinced this was the case.

• Although they are not nearly as despicable as the staff of the Chicago Tribune – don’t get me started on Phil Rogers – the Chicago Sun Times sports writers are still pretty inept.  On the morning following the announcement of the Garza trade, the Sun Times published a photo of Joaquin Benoit on the cover of the sports section instead of the newly acquired Garza.  A slip up of this magnitude speaks volumes about the crack-squad of writers and editors that they willingly employ.

• This week we learned that the St. Louis Cardinals and their prized slugger, Albert Pujols, resumed talks regarding an extension before the 2011 season.  But even when the Cardinals lock up the all-mighty Pujols, will it be enough? I-70 Baseball explores the trades made by the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs, and offers some insight as to how the 2011 Cardinals team will compare.

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#44 Nolan Arenado – Colorado Rockies

3B

DOB: 4-16-91

ETA: 2013

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