Rockies Acquire Mark Ellis

Ellis still has a bit left in him and they got him for Bruce Billings, a guy who could have an average or just above average career.  Ellis could completely revive his career in Colorado or just flop but I think he will do pretty good, especially since he has power and he could be a decent second baseman all around.  He’s good for the Rockies and could propel them a bit and he might have a bigger impact than most expect.  I like an Eric Young and Chris Nelson platoon at third base too.  Ellis can hit second or somewhere near the bottom and do a good job.  I expect him improve on his recent seasons and maybe have a late career revival.  Ellis won’t be the best but he could be a nice small part to a Rockies comeback, and he’s a veteran, which is what they need.  He probably won’t have a career year but in Colorado he can do some damage and him and Tulo will make for a decent double play combo who can get the job done a some more.  His best fit is in Colorado and he should do awesome at Coors Field and average and below average on the road, depending on what park he plays in.

MLB Power Rankings (6/29/11)

1. Phillies
2. Yankees
3. Red Sox
4. Giants
5. Brewers
6. Rays
7. Tigers
8. Braves
9. Rangers
10. Diamondbacks
11. Indians
12. Cardinals
13. Reds
14. Rockies
15. Angels
16. Pirates
17. Mets
18. Nationals
19. Blue Jays
20. White Sox
21. Twins
22. Marlins
23. Mariners
24. Royals
25. Athletics
26. Padres
27. Dodgers
28. Orioles
29. Cubs
30. Astros

My Final All-Star Teams

AL
Starting Line-Up
Ellsbury LF
Granderson CF
Gonzalez 1B
Bautista RF
Cano 2B
Rodriguez 3B
Ortiz DH
Avila C
A. Cabrera SS
Verlander SP
Reserves
C R. Martin
1B Teixeira
1B Konerko
1B M.Cabrera
SS Andrus
SS Peralta
UT M. Young
OF Hamilton
OF Joyce
OF Lind

SP Weaver
SP Shields
SP Hernandez
SP Pineda
SP G. Gonzalez
SP Sabathia
SP Beckett
RP League
RP Rivera
RP C. Perez
RP Valverde
NL
Starting Line-Up
Reyes SS
Polanco 3B
Braun LF
Fielder 1B
Kemp CF
Votto DH
McCann C
Phillips 2B
Berkman RF
Halladay SP
RESERVES
C Lucroy
1B Howard
2B Weeks
SS S. Castro
SS Tulowitzki
OF J. Upton
OF Pence
OF C. Gonzalez
OF Holliday

SP Cl. Lee
SP Hamels
SP Kershaw
SP Jurrjens
SP Hanson
SP A. Sanchez
SP Lincecum
RP Bell
RP Krimbel
RP B. Wilson
RP Hanrahann

Can Lonnie Chisenhall Create Spark for Indians?

IMPACT: He will only have a small impact for now but he will help the Indians offense and show off some pop.  He might get off to a really good start.  His defense is good too and he will live up to being an all-star third baseman.  I think Moustakas will have a bigger impact on his team than Chisenhall, but Chisenhall will still have a bigger year and will jump into the bottom of the ROY voting.  I think he’s a good player but he won’t help the Indians from falling.  HE will develop quick and be very good with the bat.
FUTURE: By 2013 he should start getting really good.  He will always play some good defense.  He will have up to 35 homer power but he may not max out on that right away but he will have some pop.  He will be a big RBI guy and the go to guy in any situation.  He should be hitting either 3, 4 or 5 by then.  He will start off really good and then maybe have a small slump sometime this year and then he should just keep getting better and better.  He will be a good solid player.

LINE-UP SHOULD BE…

1. LF Michael Brantley
2. 2B Orlando Cabrera
3. SS Asdrubal Cabrera
4. C Carlos Santana
5. CF Grady Sizemore
6. 3B Lonnie Chisenhall
7. DH Travis Hafner
8. 1B Jack Hanahann
9. RF Austin Kearns

Ranking Top Starters in The MLB

1. Justin Verlander- Will keep it going too, should win the CY Young and be dominate
2. Roy Halladay- Consistent and will have an even lower ERA by the end of the year
3. Cliff Lee- Right behind Halladay could finish even better and have a career year
4. Felix Hernandez- He’s the King but has had a few too many bad games.  Will get a lot better and soon
5. Clayton Kershaw- Is just so great and is getting better almost every start
6. Tim Lincecum- Will get better in the second half, he is better than his ranking but isn’t so hot right now
7. Cole Hamels- Is an awesome three and will do awesome for the Phillies all year-long
8. Jared Weaver- The numbers might get worse but is a true ace who will get really hot
9. Jair Jurrjens- Is the definition of dominate so far and could keep it that way
10. Michael Pineda- The next big thing, great stuff and great everything
11. James Shields- Looks like he will finally have a year where he’s consistent and is an ace, a great pitcher and he will not regain his wildness but will strikeout 200

Podcast 2: Best Closer in the MLB Right Now

I look over some closers then rank the top in the MLB right now

http://niktigs15.podomatic.com/entry/2011-06-25T10_21_38-07_00

Ranking the Bullpens: Near Midseason

1. Braves
2. Padres
3. Nationals
4. Marlins
5. Giants
6. Pirates
7. Yankees
8. Athletics
9. Phillies
10. Rays
11. Royals
12. Indians
13. Reds
14. Brewers
15. Tigers
16. Blue Jays
17. Angels
18. Diamonbacks
19. Cubs
20. Red Sox
21. Mariners
22. Rangers
23. Cardinals
24. White Sox
25. Mets
26. Dodgers
27. Orioles
28. Rockies
29. Twins
30. Astros

A Close Look a Jemile Weeks and Scott Sizemore

WEEKS: While he is a pretty good player I doubt he will kep up at the pace he is now and come back down to earth a little bit but he has a very bright future.  He will be a leadoff type hitter and will have gap power and get on base a lot.  He should be above average and tear up the league every so often.  He’s a good player and needs to continue starting but I expect him to regress a bit this year but still do a good job and keep getting better until he’s an all-star.  He makes the A’s better now, and with his defense he should be around for a long time.  There’s a lot to like and just a few flaws.  Expect him to be a good player a decent hitter in general.
SIZEMORE: He just need time because he will be a .300 hitter with pop and be able to be above average all the time.  He can handle MLB pitching and will from now on and I don’t hate his defense.  He looks like their third baseman he just needs a bit more pop which is coming but he is going to bloom into a very nice player.  I like his swing and what he can do for a team.  A great guy to have around.

Could Jeff Keppinger solve Tigers problems?

What the Tigers need more than anything is a number two hitter and a second baseman and Jeff Keppinger is that and he fits the Tigers.  Keppinger could solve a lot of problems and fill the line-up out and Rhymes could come back up soon and start every once and awhile.  Rhymes could start everyday now but Keppinger would do better on the Tigers for the rest of the season.  Keppinger would only hit around three homers and get a couple of RBIs but he can play good defense move around and hit .280 and be very productive.  He isn’t the best option but he wouldn’t cost a ton and the Tigers should go get him.  He can fill the second base void for now and do his job and set the table.  Him Jackson wouldn’t be the best combo but they can surely do an okay job and getting Keppinger would help the Tigers and probably give them about half a win to a win as far as sabermatics gp.  I like Keppinger and he could do an all round good job and do above average for Detroit

MLB Podcast: MLB in 10 Minutes

I’m going to try some podcasting out.  Here is my first one on all the MLB and it’s top news with my analysis.  Here’s the link….

http://niktigs15.podomatic.com/entry/2011-06-22T19_45_14-07_00