Moves: Santiago, Iannetta, Hernandez

• The Tigers re-signed Ramon Santiago and it’s a great move.  He’s a great utility infielder that has a lot of value.  his defense is above average at either of the double play positions and though he will probably never hit .300 he could go as high as .260 or .270 for the Tigers and he will flash his pop for homers and some RBIs every so often.  He’s a great fit and wouldn’t have done better for anyone else and he should be comfortable and do what he usually does in Detroit and be one of the best back-ups in 2012 and he may even do better and get more playing time for Detroit.  RATING OF SIGNING: 9.1
• The Angels acquired Chris Iannetta in exchange for starter Tyler Chatwood, Chatwood is young but major league ready and could have some ups and downs, especially in Colorado now but expect a few more ups and he’s an okay fit as a Rockie and has a small chance at a sub 4.00 ERA this year but in the long run he’s a three or four starter who has an okay career.  Ianetta could rise his average some in LA but his power may take a small hit before going back up and he may be the Napoli-type trade of the year.  This move puts Jeff Mathis on the bench, where he belongs.  Iannetta will do okay handling pitchers and will have average defense, he’s a great fit and good acquisition.
• The reason the Rockies traded Chris Iannetta is because they signed Ramon Hernandez an older catcher who’s been declining to a two-year deal, a great fit for both sides.  Hernandez can hit seventh a do very good while Wilin Rosario finishes developing and Hernandez still has something left and I expect one surprisingly good year at least from him and good offense and defense through the deal, if there is one thing that is almost guaranteed it will be for him hitting 20 HR each year.

Angels New Line-up

1. SS Erick Aybar
2. 2B Howie Kendrick
3. CF Mike Trout
4. RF Torii Hunter
5. 1B Mike Trumbo
6. DH Bobby Abreu
7. C Chris Iannetta
8. LF Peter Bourjos
9. 3B Alberto Callaspo

My Ranking Of Rookies

A ranking of how this year’s crop of rookies will do for their career.

1. SP Jeremy Hellickson
2. 1B Eric Hosmer
3. OF Desmond Jennings
4. OF Dominic Brown
5. SP Michael Pineda
6. 3B Brett Lawrie
7. 1B Freddie Freeman
8. 2B Dustin Ackley
9. RP Aroldis Chapman
10. RP Craig Kimbrel
11. 3B Mike Moustakas
12. 2B Jason Kipnis
13. 2B Danny Espinosa
14. SP Ivan Nova
15. RP Chris Sale
16. 1B Brandon Belt
17. SP Kyle Drabek
18. SP Brandon Beachy
19. C JP Arenciba
20. 1B Paul Goldschmit
21. 2B Jemile Weeks
22. SP Mike Minor
23. 2B Jose Altuve
24. SS Dee Gordon
25. SP Zach Britton
26. 3B Lonnie Chisenhall
27. RP Aaron Crow
28. 1B Mark Trumbo
29. SP Danny Duffy
30. SP Vance Worely
31. 2B Allen Craig
32. OF Jerry Sands
33. 1B Lucas Duda
34. 1B Mike Carp
35. OF Ben Revere
36. RP Jordan Walden
37. 2B Darwin Barney
38. RP Cory Luebke
39. C Wilson Ramos
40. OF Josh Reddick
41. OF Casper Wells
42. SP Henderson Alvarez
43. RP Kanley Jansen
44. OF Eric Thames
45. 3B Eduardo Nunez
46. C Salvador Perez
47. RP Al Alberquerque
48. SP Alex Cobb
49. RP Jake McGee
50. 3B Brent Morel
51. SP Josh Collmenter
52. OF JD Martinez
53. SP Jordan Lyles
54. OF Andy Dirks
55. SP Juan Nicasio

Moves: Garcia, Sizemore, Jaso

• Freddy Garcia re-signed with the Yankees for one year, the perfect amount of time for him because that’s likely going to be his last pretty good season.  We could see some regression this year but this is still a decent fit and a good signing and he will be a good fourth or more likely fifth starter.  He’s a veteran who could do decent and should do okay within the division, though he may struggle from time to time. Garcia has always been a decent starter and I think he will have a good 2012 season, I like this signing for both sides
• The Indians signed Grady Sizemore and Cleveland is Sizemore’s best fit and his power is reaching a big break through.  If he stays healthy watch out for his power, speed and defense.  Eveything is still there for him aand I think he could have a big year and become the comeback player of the year for the AL.  If he does do good the Indians need to lock him up for another year because he’s valuable for them and Sizemore could be one of the Indians top hitters in 2012.  Great signing for bith sides
• The Rays traded John Jaso to the Mariners for Josh Lueke and a PTBNL.  I like Lueke as a power reliever and think he could put up some big numbers in the late innings and maybe even get a shot to close with his heat he will be amazing if he can keep control.  John Jaso is a decent catcher and could start or platoon and he has great instincs and can hit and is a pretty good ballplayer but Miguel Olivo is probably a bit better and I’d go woth him most of the time but Jaso should improve on his 2011 when he does start and do a good job all-around.  The Rays have catching options and I think Jose Molina would be good for them for 2012 and maybe 2013.  I like Jose Lobatan and Robinsin Chirnos both, and Chirnos better, he could be a decent starter so both teams win and both guys should have some success in their no homes.  EDGE: Rays

Free Agent Profile: Magglio Ordonez

OVERVIEW: An aging outfielder coming off a disappointing season, I believe he still has a lot left in his tank and something to offer with his bat and he could be a bargain and have a real good 2012 and maybe 2013 to close out his career, but his defense won’t be there, not that he couldn’t play right field but he won’t do that well out there.  He will do better than he did last year and could be the hitter he was but he may also disappoint.
STATS: He could be up to a .300 hitter maybe a little better but .280 or .290 sounds way more realistic at this point.  He could belt a few homers and when given the chance to get an RBI, he will get it a lot of times.  I really like him and what he does and his stats will show it.  His defensive stats won;t be there of course and he should be a little above average sabermetricly.
FITS:
Tigers- He fits best as a Tiger and I’d really like them to re-sign him but I doubt they will re-sign him, which is to bad for both sides
Rangers- He could play left and put Hamilton in center and Cruz in right and give Gentry playing time once in a while, he could revive his career here
Red Sox- They had interest last year and he could serve as a third or fourth outfielder here and do okay
Phillies- He could give Brown so more time and give some nice production without a long time commitment
Athletics- Could fill in a roster spot and play his game minus some pop
BEST FIT: Tigers, but most realistic is the Rangers

IS HE DONE?: I say no but there is a possibility.  If he isn’t going to drop in his production the will do a fine and be just a little bit under his usual production in 2012 and he may drop some in 2013 again or he could drop a lot in production this year, which is possible but not as much.  I say there is only a 30% he’s done and he will do okay this year.

BOTTOM LINE: He’s a good option as an outfielder and could still start

White Sox to Move Chris Sale to Rotation, Rangers Will Do The Same With Feliz

• Chris Sale has been moved to the rotation and I think he will do fine.  This year might be his worst year but I can see a 3.40 ERA at best 4.50 at worst but somewhere in the 3.75-3.80 ERA would be reasonable.  His mechanics will work out very well too and he should have good stats all around.  I think this will work for the White Sox and they have a future two or three starter who will keep getting better every year.  He will be a power pitcher but he will be a successful one and his stuff will do big things for him and his fastball will be a big pitch for him.  He should be pretty consistent but have a lot of impressive starts and have some really bad ones.  He is defiantly worth being in the rotation and is better off as a starter than a reliever.
• Neftali Feliz will move to the rotation and I think he will be the next Alexi Ogando only way better.  This guy could be a Cy Young contender as soon as next year with his stuff.  He won’t have too many bad starts and will return to form after his bad World Series.  He’s better off in the rotation too and now the Rangers rotation will be good even if the do lose Wilson.  Feliz should go 6-7 innings every time out there and have some very dominant starts.  As for his career he should be impressive or great in most seasons and I see him winning at least one Cy Young and being a perineal all-star

RANGERS ROTATION (WITH WILSON)

1. LHP CJ Wilson
2. RHP Neftali Feliz
3. LHP Derek Holland
4. RHP Alexi Ogando
5. RHP Colby Lewis
6. LHP Matt Harrison (If no Wilson)

WHITE SOX ROTATION (WITH BUEHRLE)

1. LHP Mark Buehrle
2. RHP Gavin Floyd
3. LHP John Danks
4. RHP Jake Peavy
5. LHP Chris Sale
6. RHP Phil Humber (If no Buehrle, Maybe worth keeping but good sell as he probably had career highs in 2011, though he could keep it up)
7. RHP Zach Stewart (Is worth a look now)

MLB Offseason Line-Ups

CUBS WITH PRINCE FIELDER

1. SS Starlin Castro
2. LF Alfonso Soriano
3. 1B Prince Fielder
4. RF Marlon Byrd
5. C Geovany Soto
6. 2B Darwin Barney
7. CF Brett Jackson
8. 3B Jeff Baker

MARINERS WITH PRINCE

1. RF Ichiro Suzuki
2. 2B Dustin Ackley
3. 1B Justin Smoak
4. DH Prince Fielder
5. C Miguel Olivo
6. 3B Alex Liddi
7. LF Trayvon Robinson
8. CF Casper Wells
9. SS Brandan Ryan

MARLINS WITH REYES

1. SS Jose Reyes
2. 2B Omar Infante
3. CF Hanley Ramirez
4. RF Mike Stanton
5. LF Logan Morrison
6. 1B Gaby Sanchez
7. 3B Emilio Bonifacio
8. C John Buck

Blue Jays With Ortiz

1. SS Yunel Escobar
2. CF Colby Rasmus
3. RF Jose Bautista
4. DH David Ortiz
5. 3B Brett Lawrie
6. 1B Adam Lind
7. C JP Arenciba
8. LF Eric Thames
9. 2B Mark Teahen

TIGERS WITH ARAMIS RAMIREZ

1. CF Austin Jackson
2. RF Brennan Boesch
3. 1B Miguel Cabrera
4. 3B Aramis Ramirez
5. DH Victor Martinez
6. SS Jhonny Peralta
7. C Alex Avila
8. LF Delmon Young
9. 2B Ryan Raburn

All these line-ups look great, especially the Tigers and Marlins

Moves: Nathan, Barmes, Wiggington

• The Rangers signed Joe Nathan in what I think is a very good move, he will slowly recover and should become his old self for at least one more year if not two.  This also means Neftali Feliz will be moved to the rotation, which is another good move.  Nathan might need some time but once the season starts to head toward May he should be a great everyday closer and he fits very well with Texas.  He’s always been a fine closer and even if he doesn’t fully live up to his contract he will shot that a lot.  He’s a closer and any other potion relieving may not be good for him.  I expect him to get between 35-40 saves in Texas and not blow that many.  He will be a very productive closer, who pitches fine at home and against the AL West
• The Pirates have signed Clint Barmes to play shortstop everyday, he’s a slight upgrade over Ronny Cedeno.  He’s a solid everyday starter when healthy and he has some power that he could show from time to time in Pittsburgh.  He won’t do anything great but he will be solid.    His average will be the real struggle but he should hit .265-ish and do okay in Pittsburgh.  it’s an okay fit and sign
• Ty Wiggington was traded to the Phillies and he should be a good back-up utility man who can hit and can pair up with Wilson Valdez.  I like this for the Phillies and he could also be a great pinch hitter and provide some nice pop and big hits.  The con is his average and defense but he should survive and be a good bench player in 2012.  The Rockies will receive a player to be named later.  EDGE: Phillies

My Best Fielders of 2011

My picks all had to come from the Gold Glove finalists, which I don’t always agree with.
AL
C Matt Wieters
1B Mark Teixeria
2B Dustin Pedroia
3B Adrain Beltre
SS Asdrubal Cabrera
LF Alex Gordon
CF Austin Jackson
RF Jeff Francouer
P Mark Buehrle

NL
C Yadier Molina- Platinum Glove Choice
1B Joey Votto (Pujols deserved it)
2B Brandon Phillips
SS Troy Tulowitzki
3B Placido Polanco
LF Gerardo Parra
CF Matt Kemp
RF Jay Bruce (Wish Justin Upton was a nominee)
P Clayton Kershaw

Amazing Catches Player Of The Year: Sam Fuld

To Tender or Not To Tender

NO=Non-Tender Contract, Yes is to tender a contracrt

Position Players
John Baker No
Daric Barton Yes
Emmanuel Burriss No
Jesus Flores Yes
Mike Fontenot No
Chris Getz No
Alberto Gonzalez No
Tony Gwynn Jr. Yes
Jeremy Hermida No
Koyie Hill Yes
Paul Janish Yes
George Kottaras Yes
James Loney Yes
Jeff Mathis Yes
Donnie Murphy Yes
Angel Pagan Yes
Ronny Paulino No
Brayan Pena Yes
Landon Powell Yes
Adam Rosales Yes
Skip Schumaker Yes
Luke Scott No
Ryan Spilborghs Yes
Ian Stewart No
Ryan Theriot No
Andres Torres No
Wilson Valdez Yes
Eli Whiteside Yes

Pitchers
Matt Albers No
Brad Bergesen Yes
Taylor Buchholz Yes
Dana Eveland No
Willie Eyre No
Tom Gorzelanny Yes
Clay Hensley Yes
Rich Hill Yes
J.P. Howell Yes
Hong-Chih Kuo Yes
Jose Mijares Yes
Andrew Miller No
Peter Moylan Yes
Ross Ohlendorf Yes
Juan Carlos Oviedo (Leo Nunez) No
Micah Owings No
Manny Parra Yes
Mike Pelfrey Yes
Jo-Jo Reyes Yes
Joe Saunders Yes
Doug Slaten No
Kevin Slowey Yes
Andy Sonnanstine Yes
Joe Thatcher Yes
Chris Volstad Yes
Jerome Williams Yes
Hat Tip To MLB Trade Rumors For The List

Tigers Sign Gerald Laird

He was brought back after playing for the Tigers in 2009-10.  He isn’t known for his offense though he has an occasional good game and flash of power but he can play defense well and he can definatly throw out runners, and do it with ease.  It’s just a one year deal so I like that because they don’t need him too long with Rob Brantly or Bryan Holaday coming up.  Laird should do a little bit better this year and when he does play have his best year as far as production, but he still won’t always be pretty but he will get the job done and he may have not been the best choice but he will get the job done and give Avila a est wihich could make him slightly better during the season but he could do pretty good in the playoffs if the Tigers were to make it.  Laird definatly isn’t the eorst either, expect a .240/3/15 line in 30 starts.  This was an okay signing and a good fit.  Laird will improve in 2011 too andhe will make for a good defensive replacemnt at times, and even if he doesn’t do good it’s only 25-30 starts and it will make Avila better.  The biggest con is that it takes up a roster spot that last year belonged to Dirks, who did good and should stick.  If they don’t re-sign Santiago, which wouldn’t be so good , he could take that spot or he could push Dirks off the roster, who has options and everything wouldn’t be so bad.