Top 10 Right Now- Team (Tigers, Royals, Indians)

Tigers

1. 3B Miguel Cabrera
2. SP Justin Verlander
3. 1B Prince Fielder
4. CF Austin Jackson
5. DH Victor Martinez
6. SP Max Scherzer
7. RF Torii Hunter
8. SP Doug Fister
9. SP Anibal Sanchez
10. RP Joaquin Beniot

Royals

1. LF Alex Gordon
2. DH Billy Butler
3. SP James Shields
4. 1B Eric Hosmer
5. 3B Mike Moustakas
6. SS Alcides Escobar
7. SP Jeremy Guthrie
8. RP Greg Holland
9. CF Lorenzo Cain
10. SP Wade Davis

Indians

1. RF Nick Swisher
2. 2B Jason Kipnis
3. CF Michael Bourn
4. SS Asdrubal Cabrera
5. SP Ubaldo Jimenez
6. RP Chris Perez
7. C Carlos Santana
8. 3B Lonnie Chisenhall
9. RP Vinnie Pestano
10. SP Justin Masterson

 

Trade Deadline Trades: Reds Get Broxton

The Kansas City Royals took a risk this offseason signing a former All-Star in Johnathan Broxton but the former all-star put up all-star numbers and the Royals got a nice return for him on July 31st.  Broxton was a closer in KC but will settle for a setup role in Cincinnati behind Aroldis Chapman.  This is a great trade by the Reds, they made something that was great, nearly unstoppable in their bullpen.  Sean Marshall is an ace setup man and Broxton and Chapman will make a great trio that some are comparing to the “Nasty Boys” of the 90s, but I’m not to sure they’ll be that good.  Broxton shouldn’t have too much trouble switching roles, since he has set up before and if Chapman goes through a wild stretch Broxton can just step in.  Broxton should finish his great season and should live up to what he was before in a shutdown reliever, if the Reds re-sign him he’d be a great closer but if he leaves he could become a great closer again.  Broxton will make the eighth inning one where the Reds shouldn’t give up many runs this year and I predict more strikeouts from him an his blazing and great fastball.  The Royals didn’t get ripped off by any means, they got Donnie Joesph, a lefty reliever who should be a late innings guy and should be almost as good as Broxton and should get his chance late this season or a full-time role next season.  The Royals also got JC Sulbaran a starter who has been good for the Reds minor league teams and could be a decent three or four starter for the Royals.  EDGE: Reds

MY MLB All-Stars For 2012

Don’t forget to cast your 25 votes on ML.com and since voting ends tomorrow, I will put out my picks for who should be in the 2012 MLB All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City

AL

STARTERS: C Joe Mauer 1B Prince Fielder 2B Robinson Cano 3B Miguel Cabrera SS Derek Jeter LF Josh Hamilton CF Adam Jones RF Jose Bautsita DH Adam Dunn

RESERVES: C AJ Pierzynski 1B Paul Konerko 1B Edwin Encarnacion 2B Jason Kipnis SS Elvis Andrus 3B Adrain Beltre OF Mike Trout OF Curtis Granderson OF Mark Trumbo OF Austin Jackson DH David Ortiz

PITCHERS(BOLD=Starter): SP Justin Verlander SP Chris Sale SP Jered Weaver SP Felix Hernandez SP Jake Peavy SP CJ Wilson SP Brandon Morrow SP Brandon McCarthy SP David Price RP Chris Perez RP Fernando Rodney RP Jim Johnson RP Jon Broxton

STARTING LINEUP: SS Derek Jeter C Joe Mauer LF Josh Hamilton 1B Prince Fielder 3B Miguel Cabrera RF Jose Bautista 2B Robinson Cano DH Adam Dunn CF Adam Jones

NL

STARTERS: C Carlos Ruiz 1B Joey Votto 2B Brandon Phillips 3B David Wright SS Starlin Castro LF Ryan Braun CF Melky Cabrera RF Carlos Beltran DH Matt Kemp

RESERVES: C Yadier Molina 1B Adam LaRoche 2B Jose Altuve SS Rafael Furcal 3B David Freese OF Giancarlo Stanton OF Andrew McCutchen OF Carlos Gonzalez OF Michael Bourn OF Andre Ethier OF Jason Kubel

PITCHERS: SP Matt Cain SP James McDonald SP Gio Gonzalez SP RA Dickey SP Stephen Strasburg SP Cole Hamels SP Clayton Kershaw SP Johnny Cueto SP Ryan Vogelsong RP Craig Kimbrel RP Joel Hanrahan RP Huston Street RP Aroldis Chapman

LINEUP: CF Melky Cabrera SS Starlin Castro DH Matt Kemp LF Ryan Braun 1B Joey Votto RF Carlos Beltran 2B Brandon Phillips 3B Dvaid Wright C Carlos Ruiz

Hot Stove: Sanchez-Cabrera, Wright, Phillies

• The Royals acquired Jonathan Sanchez and Ryan Verdugo for Melky Cabrera.  I say Cabrera hits no more than 15 homers and no less than 12 homers in San Francisco and is and upgrade over Andres Torres, his speed is good too.  I believe Sanchez will figure it out and stop walking people soon, maybe this season and could turn into the ace of the Royals staff, it’s a win-win and I think that even though the Royals sold high in Melky it could even work in their favor.  Sanchez is no guarantee but I think the Royals are a nice fit where he can succeed and be an all-star.  Cabrera will be a good leadoff man this year and his 2011 numbers should mostly stay.  The only scary thing is his worst season was in the NL.  The Royals now can let Lorenzo Cain play who may be a slight downgrade for Melky this year but Cain has some tools and will start showing some right away and develop into a great player.  The Royals also obtained Verdugo who looks like he could be a useful long reliever and spot starter by 2013, not too great though.  EDGE: Royals, slightly
• Here’s a trade idea that I came up with, David Wright to the Angels for Peter Bourjos, Kaleb Cowart and Luis Jimenez
• Here’s a Phillies line-up with Michael Cuddyer

1. CF Shane Victorino
2. 3B Placido Polanco
3. RF Hunter Pence
4. 2B Chase Utley
5. LF Michael Cuddyer
6. 1B Jim Thome
7. SS Fraddy Glavis
8. C Carlos Ruiz

MLB Power Rankings 8/19/11

1. Phillies- The best, no question
2. Red Sox- Really Good, easily better than the Yankees
3. Braves- I can’t find many negatives
4. Yankees- Starters and Injuries a concern but a good team
5. Brewers- Hottest in baseball and Weeks isn’t even back yet
6. Rangers- Ready for another deep postseason run
7. Diamondbacks- Look better than the Giants but not very established yet
8. Giants- Lincecum has been a n ace as has Cain and Vogelsong and Sanchez have been a great supporting cast.  No offense though
9. Tigers- If the starters can come around they are a pretty deep team
10. Rays- The wrong division, one of the most talented teams in the MLB, bright future
11. Cardinals- Berkman, Holliday and Pujols won’t make it easy on Brewers but Garcia struggles are big trouble
12. Indians- Ubaldo will help but just aren’t THAT good
13. Angels- Wells is killing them but Santana is hot and Trumbo is a very talented player
14. White Sox- If Dunn comes around, watch out, Humber being out hurts though
15. Blue Jays- Above average but this isn’t their year to shine
16. Pirates- A .500 team, finally.  If Alvarez comes around and they stay healthy could be much, much more
17. Reds- Could climb up the list and come back very strong
18. Rockies- Another team that had just one bad year and Tulo could light up September
19. Marlins- Should being doing a lot better but dumb moves like demoting Morrison hurt
20. Mets- Not a bad team but not a contender, yet
21. Nationals- Could be next year’s surprise team with Strasburg back, both Zimmerman(n)s and a good year from Werth, don’t forget Harper, at the end of the year, either
22. Twins- Need to come out the gate better but Nishioka is a bust and an easy out, the double play combo needs work
23. Athletics- They look very good and I can’t see them not improving a lot next season
24. Padres- Have some young and promising players but still a few years away
25. Dodgers- Kemp is an MVP candidate and Ethier should come back strong starting this year
26. Mariners- The starters look good and Wells and Carp look like future players but after that it’s hazy
27. Orioles- Not a really good team and still years away from contending
28. Cubs- With Hendry gone it could get better from here
29. Royals- Their outfielders all look good and prospects are bright a better record is ahead
30. Astros- Not much other than Altuve

Tigers Acquire Wilson Betemit, DFA Inge

The Tigers got Betemit for Julio Rodriguez, a back-up catcher at best and Antonio Cruz, who might be a useful arm someday.  Betemit should hit really well in Detroit at first and could show more power in Detroit too and really breakout and become a good, full-time third baseman.  Though he’s a streaky hitter he should have a lot more hot streaks and when he does his average can climb.  The Tigers will get a lot of Betemit and they should get the player who was early this year.  Betemit is a real good player and can even play second or first, and do it well, in a situation that needs it.  He won’t be Inge at third and will make some errors but his bat makes him way more valuable than Inge, who was DFA’d and if he’s not claimed will play for Toledo.  Inge needs to make more contact and his power and even some decent hitting will come after that.  He could make a good impact in September and even if he can get the bat going a little bit, his defense will be needed later in the season.  If Inge stays with Detroit they win all-around and Betemit is a good acquisition.  Betemit and Inge could likely make some nice contributions when the season is all over.  Betemit should right off the bat.

Soria Out and Crow In For Royals Closer

Joakim Soria is out at closer for now.  Aaron Crow is going to step in for now and I like Crow as a middle reliever or setup man but not as a closer, especially right now.  I think he may struggle a little bit for now but me may settle in the role quicker than I think.  Soria should rebound quickly and I think he should be back in the closer’s role soon.  His ERA will decline rapidly and he will start to do good starting now.  I think the Royals are better off with Soria as his closer and Crow is best only closing out games once in a while for right now.  If Soria can’t get it back together this year Crow is their next best reliever to do it then.  Soria should do really  good if he can get his velocity back which should happen.  Soria might do worse this season than last but he certainly won’t do as bad is he’s doing now.  He should end up with respectable numbers and a job well done.  I still like Soria to end the year as a top ten or maybe even five reliever in the MLB.

Power Rankings

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

Topics: Granderson, Debuts, Marlins

• Curtis Granderson has gotten off to a great start with ten homers and he’s hitting pretty good right now to, plus in Yankee Stadium he will cover any piece of ground this year.  I expect his power to stay up and for him to hit around .265 this year.  He will start to hit lefties a little better and playing in Yankee Stadium ad in this line-up will take its toll.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he hit 335 bombs and he’s an all-star.  He will be a pain for rivals this season too and should do really good somewhere in this line-up and when Jeter starts to improve he should move up to the two sot for good and rake.  He will be one of the Yankees best players this year.
• Eric Hosmer walked in his first plate appearance which he will do a bit of, his debut is just the start and he will improve every game, with his hitting and power and by the end of the year he will be doing really good.  Julio Teheran made his debut and gave up three runs in 4.2 innings, he will get better with each start but may need some more seasoning before everything gets better and he will do pretty good this season and improve a lot for future seasons.
• The Marlins have a great shot to challenge the Phillies with the Braves all season and are a great team.  If Hanley starts to rake they will be real legit, especially with their pitching.

Notes: Awards, Hosmer, Angels and Trumbo

• AWARDS SO FAR
  AL MVP: Jose Bautista   Runner-Up: Miguel Cabrera
  NL MVP: Ryan Braun  Runner-Up: Lance Berkman
  AL CY: Jared Weaver  Runner-Up: Michael Pineda
  NL CY: Josh Johnson  Runner-Up: Roy Halladay
  AL ROY: Michael Pineda  Runner-Up: Zach Britton
  NL ROY: Craig Krimbel  Runner-Up: Darwin Barney
  AL MAN: Manny Acta  Runner-Up: Mike Scioscia
  NL MAN: Edwin Rodriguez  Runner-Up: Charlie Manuel
  TEAM: Indians Runner-Up: Phillies
• Eric Hosmer will have a big impact and will start off doing great right away, especially with his defense.  His power or average may be a bit slow to come but he has a good shot at starting off great right away and he could jump to the top of the ROY leaderboard.  Kila Ka’aihue will hit for power but I see him as a bench guy in the future.  He could do as good as Ryan Braun in 2007.  Hosmer will be a great hitter and will do a great job all year.  He will make a huge impact all year, he’s a future star and will prove it.
• The Angels could tag along with the Rangers because their offense is good and Haren and Weaver will be a great combo.  Watch out for veterans Abreu and Hunter along with breakouts Bourjos and Trumbo.  Trumbo will get even more power and what you see so far is what you will get.