MLB HR Derby Predictions

Round 1
AL
Jose Bautista 7 HR
Robinson Cano 9 HR
Prince Fielder 8 HR
Mark Trumbo 5 HR
NL
Carlos Beltran 3 HR
Matt Kemp 6 HR
Andrew McCutchen 6 HR
Carlos Gonzalez 5 HR
Swing Off- Kemp over McCutchen

Round 2
Jose Bautsita 8 HR (15 HR)
Robinson Cano 5 HR (14 HR)
Prince Fielder 17 HR (25 HR)
Matt Kemp 6 HR (12 HR)

Finals
Prince Fielder 9 HR (36 HR) over Jose Bautsita 8 HR (23 HR)

Top 10 Cardinals Right Now

1 1B Lance Berkman
2 LF Matt Holliday
3 SP Adam Wainwright
4 CF Carlos Beltran
5 SP Chris Carpenter
6 C Yadier Molina
7 SP Jaime Garcia
8 3B David Freese
9 RP Jason Motte
10 SS Rafael Furcal

Better, Worse or The Same: Cardinals- 2012

Yadier Molina- Same
Tony Cruz- Better, in a backup sense
Lance Berkman- Worse, but still good
Skip Schumaker- Better
Rafael Furcal- Better
David Freese- Better
Carlos Beltran- Better
Jon Jay- Same
Matt Holliday- Same
Allen Craig- Better
Daniel Descalso- Same
Tyler Greene- Better
Adron Chambers- Worse, but good fifth outfielder
Pete Kozma- Better
Mark Hamilton- Same

Adam Wainwright- Same, as 2010
Chris Carpenter- Same
Jamie Garcia- Same
Kyle Lohse- Worse
Jake Westbrook- Same
Jason Motte- Better
Fernando Salas- Same
Kyle McClellan- Same
Mitchell Boggs- Same
JC Romero- Worse
Marc Rzepczynski- Same
Lance Lynn- Same
Eduardo Sanchez- Worse, but still great
Maikel Cleto- Better
Adam Ottavino- Better, but still not that good

Cardinals Sign Carlos Beltran

The Cardinals have signed outfielder Carlos Beltran to a two year-26 million dollar contract a decent deal.  Beltran fits well with the Cardinals and will play more like he did with the Mets in recent years than the Giants last season.  He is sort of a replacement for Albert Pujols, in a way and he will be the great three hitter and player the Cards need to stay in contention and he won’t decline much during the duration of the deal.  He will play a pretty good right field and will be an above average defender in the two years.  I can’t say how much I like this deal for both sides and Beltran should have a very good and strong ending to his career.  He can hit in the NL Central too and at times it could look like he’s hitting back in his prime and he could very well be an all-star and the teams best hitter.  Watch out for a big 2012, especially at home for Beltran and him to be a very good Cardinal.  If the Cards make the postseason watch out too, because with him, they have a ton of great postseason performers, Beltran being the best.  Beltran-Holliday-Berkman is a great 3-4-5.

New Line-up

1. SS Rafael Furcal
2. CF Jon Jay
3. RF Carlos Beltran
4. LF Matt Holliday
5. 1B Lance Berkman
6. 3B David Freese
7. C Yadier Molina
8. 2B Skip Schumaker

I like it, looks a lot better with Beltran and though not the best, up there.

MLB Rumors: Winter Meetings Day 3

• Brent Lillibridge has been drawing interest and if the White Sox are really rebuilding he’s a good player and a decent piece for them to trade.
• The Nationals are focusing on free agent Roy Oswalt now and it seems as if the Phillies will not resign him, which could be a small loss.  Oswalt wants three years, I’d give him two maybe with an option though.  He could do very well and still has it completely but he is somewhat of a risk.
• The Marlins are out of the running for Pujols, which means they won’t be World Series favorites but just a really good team
• CJ Wilson is likely to go to the Angels, Rangers, Nationals, Mariners and Marlins, these teams should be careful to not overpay him though.  He should do a good job in any of these places.  Mariners, Rangers, Angels, Marlins, and Nats are ordr of best fits.
• The Giants won’t re-sign Carlos Beltran, which is better off for Beltran who will hit better in a place like Philly or Boston and the if he returned to the Giants e may have been somewhat of a bust in that line-up, but he’s still a very good hitter who may just be an all-star.  It just didn’t work out for the Giants and him
• Cody Ross will not be returning to the Giants either, which is somewhat of a loss for them
• Gio Gonzalez is now unlikely to be traded at the Winter Meetings and he’s a bright young arm that any team could benefit but it probably best for the A’s to keep him for now
• Jon Niese may be traded and he’s a good three or four starter and could be a huge gain for NL teams but if he’s traded to the Red Sox he may struggle for a while, then get better.  He’s a bright, young pitcher though
• The White Sox are dangling John Danks and/or Gavin Floyd, I see Boston as a for both
• The Cubs seem to be the frontrunner for Prince and a deal there would do wonders for both and the Marlins are going to make a run at him, another deal that could benefit both sides, and the Mariners, A so-so fit, are in on him.

Possible Deadline Deals

DET Gets: SP Jimenez  COL Gets: SP Turner, SP Oliver, RP Rondon, 3B Martinez
DET Gets: OF Beltran  NYM Gets: OF Dirks, SP Oliver, OF Strieby
DET Gets: 3B A. Ramirez CHC Gets: SP Oliver, RP Rondon
DET Gets: RP Adams  SD Gets: RP Oliveros, RP K. Ryan
DET Gets: 2B Baker  CHC Gets: 2B Douglas
DET Gets: SP Kuroda, 2B Carroll  LAD Gets: RP Rondon, SP Oliver
DET Gets: 2B Schumaker  STL Gets: RP K. Ryan, RP Rondon
DET Gets: 2B Keppinger  HOU Gets: RP Rondon
NYY Gets: SP Garza  CHC Gets: C Romine, SP Brackman, OF Heathcott
NYY Gets: 1B Pena  CHC Gets: 3B Laird, RP R. Sanchez
SF Gets: C Soto, SS M.Gonzalez CHC Gets: OF Neal, 3B C.Dominguez
TEX Gets: SP D. Lowe ATL Gets: SP Kirkman, PTBNL
PIT Gets: C Olivo  SEA Gets: RP Moskos
TB Gets: OF Beltran  NYM Gets: SP Cobb, SP Colome, SP Barnesse
PHI Gets: RP H. Bell  SD Gets: C Rupp, SP Worely, SS Galvis
TB Gets: RP K. Wood  CHC Gets: SP A. Cobb
CIN Gets: SP Jimenez  COL Gets: C Meseraco, 1B Alonso, SP T. Wood
NYY Gets: SP Jackson  CHW Gets: C Romine, OF Heathcott
CIN Gets: SS Hardy  BAL Gets: UT Frazier, SP Lecure