The Best at the End of February

Here’s an updated version of the potential team keeper list. This takes into account the free agents and traded players lost and updated rosters. For the first installment, I will redo my prediction for the Dumpees.

DOYLE:
Players Lost – Milton Bradley, Mark Redman, Adam Eaton, Akinori Otsuka

Still studly infield, excellent cheap outfield. He already has #1-2 position in SB’s and solid HR start. Will be spending lots of money on pitchers and the elusive closer.

8 players for $50 (with Wright at $15, Freel $13), plus 1-2 more players.

1) Dioner Navarro C - $5/F – should be the starter in LA next year, but he hasn’t shown he can hit major league pitching yet
2) Damian Miller C - $1/07 – no stud, but very keepable if he doesn’t have better.
3) Ryan Howard 1B - $5/07F – a definite keeper and future star, if still in NL, but who knows where he’ll be with Thome’s return
4) David Wright 3B – $5/06F – will be extended, to atleast $15/07C (probably $20/08C), he’s a star, and I guess was worth Horacio Ramirez
5) Rickie Weeks 2B - $5/07F – A star, could be 20-30 player, but Bave will be question
6) Chris Burke 2B - $5/07 – Young, talented, can get SB’s. Would keep if makes ML’s
7) Ryan Freel 2B/OF – $8/06 – will be extended to at least $13/07C for the SB’s
8) Jason Werth OF - $1/06 – If could stay healthy, will get 15 HR’s – 15 SB

Last 2 guys from:
1) Nathan McLouth OF - $6/07X – He’s locked in a battle with Chris Duffy for the starting Centerfield and Leadoff job. Currently Duffy looks like #1. But, still could be worth keeping.
2) Craig Wilson 1B - $14/06C – Lots of talk he would be traded, but wasn’t. If healthy, I guess could be worth the $14. Otherwise will cost $100 to get rid of or will need to find a trading partner
3) Josh Barfield 2B – Farm – he is in battle with Bellhorn and Bobby Hill for job. Would keep if makes majors with big upside
4) Cole Hamels P – Farm – Should go to AAA

Pefacommish comment - Wilson for sure. McLouth for sure – he’s got huge speed upside. If Barfield makes it, he’ll drop Werth or Navarro or Miller. If he wants to get rid of Wilson, I’d take him. We should discuss it with him. Great keepers.

OLD RIPS:
Lost – None.

Has studly Middle infield and Relief corp, and cheap corners. Has good HR’s and a start on SB’s. Much easier to get starters and OFer’s of value. And Mark has always been willing to spend money.

9 players - $68

1) Yadier Molina C - $3/07 – starting catcher, who doesn’t suck. But, no bargain
2) Bill Hall 3B/SS - $2/06 – when did this guy learn to play, 15-15, another steal, but is a stretch to extend. Will have to be 3B, not good enough MI keeper for this team
3) Felipe Lopez SS - $2/07 - 20 HR-15 SB for $2 is a bargain
4) Chase Utley 2B– $13-07 - should have been a Peckler. Another 20+ -15 MI guy
5) Clint Barmes 2B - $13/06X - .330 / 15+ HR Colorado guy.
6) Jason Lane OF - $7/06 – should continue to improve, 20-25 HR, probably goes to $12/07C
7) Conor Jackson 1B – 5/F – will likely be starting in Arizona, has nothing left to prove in AAA 8) Brad Lidge Closer - $13/07C – one of best keeper values in league
9) Matt Morris SP - $10/07 – Now in SF. He had a great recovery year. SF is good, but not as good as StLouis. Still should be keeper.

Other potential keepers:
1) Mike Cameron OF $19/07 – now in SD, so will hurt his HR’s, but still has SB potential. Though not worth $19 without the HR’s
2) Kylie Davies P $5/07F – currently #6 Atlanta starter. Will be good in future, but probably starts in the bullpen
3) Tom Glavine P $10/07 – old, but had solid year in NY. Should have better wins and protection after all the pickups by the Mets
4) Brandon Lyon Closer - $21/07 – looks like lost closer job to Valverde, so not a keeper unless declared he is the the closer.
5) Jose Capellan P – Farm – could make Brewer Bullpen. Has that 100 MPH fastball, and bad control

Pefacommish comment - The leader in the clubhouse. I’d keep Cameron, though he’s afraid of him. He’s considering Glavine. It’s going to be one of the two.

ALL TEASE FALKUHNS:
Lost – Farnsworth, Kris Benson, Mohr, Edwin Jackson

This team has some big keepers, and was the most active with future guys during FAAB pickups that looks like paid off with Duffy and Jacobs. Should have lots of money to spend on Billy Wagner again.

9 players - $78, with 1 more cheap guy from list below:

1) Marcus Giles 2B $15/06C – A down year, but is now the leadoff hitter in Atlanta. Should still has 15 HR, but will get 15-20 + SB’s
2) Craig Counsell 2B $5/07 – Just like Rodney Dangerfield, this guy gets no respect. Never gets kept, but all he’s done is get better every year, now with 23 SB in 2005
3) Miguel Cabrera OF $15/06C – the next Pujols, except for no SB’s. .330/30/100 if has a bad year
4) Brady Clark OF $10/06 – solid .300/10/10 guy, no star, just does his job. A keeper unless Dave Krynzel beats him out this spring
5) Prince Fielder 1B $5/F – a future star, will be starting 1B this year
6) Dontrelle Willis P $14/07 – a star for years to come
7) Chris Reitsma Close $3/07 – currently still the Atlanta closer
8) Chris Duffy OF $5/07X – another speedy Pirate, currently leading the battle for starting centerfielder
9) Mike Jacobs $6/07X – has a share of the 1st base job – should be a keeper

Other Keepable guys:
1) Salomon Torres - $3/07 – has good #’s, and could get some saves
2) Ryan Madson $8/07 – now is a starter, and no closer potential. Still could be good
3) Joe Devine $6/07X epko $1/07 – could be the closer of future in Atlanta, but probably not worth the money on a team with such a good keeper list, unless he’s declared the #1 setup to Reitsma as protection.
4) Repko $1/07 – was worth his $$, but hard to get excited
5) Daryl Ward $3/07 – had super first half, but hasn’t had more then 1 HR in 1 month, so playing his way out of a job
6) Chris Resop P $5/07X – AA closer with 23 saves, probably back to AAA

Pefacommish comment - Larry’s got a good team here, though Willis had his high water mark last year, at least for a while. Cabrera may be pitched around. Duffy and Jacobs were great claims last year. Torres and Repko are safe.

BLEACHER BUMS:

Lost – no one that matters.

The team is loaded with solid keepers, below is listed 14 true keepers. Will have to choose or expect the Bums to be trading keepers to a team to improve on 1-2 keeper slots.

10 players for $111.

1) Pedro Feliz 3B/OF - $10/06 (expect extention to $15/07C) – Now the everyday 3B with Alfonso trade. Will be down in 6th spot now, should still be good HR/RBI
2) Adam LaRoche 1B - $9/06 – Could extend now that Franco is gone, and he’s the everyday 1B. He looks like a hitter, but hitting .245 in a platoon against righties, isn’t encouraging
3) Khalil Greene SS - $5/06F – solid, 15 HR middle infielder, probably not worth extending to $15 for 07C, but good $5 value
4) Jason BayOF - $24/06 – What’s not to like about a guy who gets .300, 30 HR, 20 SB, 90 RBI. Actually could be worth going to $29/07C
5) Wily Mo Pena OF - $1/06 (should extend to $6/07C) – only got 262 AB’s so far with Griffey staying healthy. Still got 16 HR. A no brainer guy.
6) Ken Griffey Jr OF - $17/07. Looked like the Hall of Famer he’ll be, could end up with .300, 35 HR, 100 RBI’s and over 500 AB’s. A bargain, but can he stay healthy 2 years in a row. That’s the gamble
7) Jeff Francoeur OF – $5/07F. WOW. He’s come back to earth past 3 weeks, but still .325, 12 HR in 190 AB’s. Will be a fixture in the OF in Atlanta.
8) Chad Tracy 1B/OF – $5/06F - .290 with 22 HR, now the starting 3B with Glaus trade. Makes him more valuable with 3 position eligibility after draft.
9) Jake Peavy SP - $15/06C - I saw him pitch 2 years ago against Giants and here was this scrawny little guy getting beat up and he didn’t look like anything. True that’s when the Giants knew how to hit. Man was I wrong, this guys a stud. How does he have only 12 wins, with 2.93/1.031 #’s, but I guess Clemens is asking the same. A stopper for this team
10) Brad Penny SP $15/07 – has pitched solidly since return from DL, but LA just doesn’t get wins for him. Still worth his $$

The other guys
1) Moises Alou OF - $21/06, should be worth it with Barry back in front of him, expect 25 HR, 90 RBI’s. But who to drop on this team
2) Nick Johnson 1B - $15/07 - #’s have dropped since return from DL, but still at .290, 13 HR in 390 AB’s. Probably goes for around the same price though
3) Brandon Claussen SP $1/07 – hard to like anyone pitching in Cinci, and his #’s are below average, for season 4.11/1.37, but was better after all star game. So, could be worth the $1 for a team without enough keepers
4) Mike Hampton SP $3/07 – when healthy he’s been like the Hampton pre-Colorado. But, can he stay healthy. At $3, he’s a safe play.
5) Lastings Milledge OF Farm – he killed AA, and could make it up to Majors soon. The Mets have resisted trading him so far. A future star.

Pefacommish comment - Nice crew. I agree on the 10.

HOBO ARTILLERY:

Lost – no one.

Good start on SB’s with Taveras, Sullivan. Picthing will be the strength here, with 3 cheap starters (if keep Patterson) headed by Cy Young Carpenter and true closer. The team will have money to buy an infield, 1-2 OF, and fill in the rest of pitching

8 players for $89 + next 2 cheap players below.

1) Mike Matheny C $2/07 – only .245 BAve, but 12 HR, 55 RBI easily worth $2 for stats and priceless to keep him from the Bums or Bats.
2) Juan Encarnacion OF $14/07 – underrated, 16 HR’s every year and now hit .295 also. No steal anymore. But if can hit for Bave with the HR’s could be worth his money
3) Willy Taveras OF $19/07 – went for full price at draft, and has been worth it with .291 and 33 SB’s. The SB’s are always worth spending on a sure guy.
4) Cory Sullivan OF $2/07 – any $2 guy in Colorado is worth it. And this guy looks like he’ll start in center now, so should actually get some SB’s
5) Matt Holliday - $18/07 - The real Colorado rule, any Good player becomes a great player if in Colorado (Preston Wilson correlary). This guy is huge, has power, and if healthy should get 25 and maybe 30 HR on this team.
6) Chris Carpenter S$ $1/06 (extend to $6/07C) – Hard to extend any starter more then 1 year, but Cy Carpenter could be the exception. Just getting better every year and on a great team.
7) Chad Cordero Closer $14/06 (extend to $19/07C) – Closers are automatic keepers and he’s a good one.
8) Chris Capuano SP $9/07 – Went full price at the time, but easily paid for himself. 16 wins on Milwaukee with 3.6 ERA, are solid, though 1.32 Ratio isn’t studly. Still solid keeper with great stuff.

Other guys:
1) Scott Linebrink RP $5/07 – he’s a stud, but is #2 to Hoffman in SD who keeps getting it done
2) John Patterson SP $2/07 – Too many of us have owned him in the past to like him at the draft, but he’s finally showed he did really have major league stuff: 2.74/1.19, we’ll see if it’s real. He’s certainly cheap
3) Jason Ellison OF $1/07 – now the #5-6 OF behind Barry/Randy/Moises/Finley and possibly Linden. Worth $1 for the SB’s alone, but won’t go for much more if at all.
4) Izturis SS $/06 – when returns from injury, should get lots of playing time, with Garciaparra going to OF

Pefacommish comment - Carpenter maybe to 11. Patterson for sure. I don’t see how they drop Izturis. If they do, I’d want him. If they don’t, I’d trade for him, offering draft improvement.

CAPPERS:

Lost – Burnett, Urbina (unless gets out of prison), Mota

Has too many keepers, even with his lost players. Has a start at SB with Reyes and lots of HR’s. The pitching will be the strength wth Smoltz, Pettitte, Myers, and Hoffman as closer. Will have plenty of money to fill in it’s needs.

10 players for $133.

1) Javier Valentin C $1/07 – Jason La Who? This guy could play everyday, with .290, 12 HR in only 175 AB’s. But, they resigned LaRue to be the main guy still.
2) Tony Clark 1B $1/07 – WOW. .308 with 25 HR as platoon guy. Where did that .308 come from. This guy couldn’t even play for the Mets last year. Will get AB’s in platoon with Connor Jackson. Now that Tracy is at 3B full time
3) Edwin Encarnacion 3B - $5/07F - should start in Cinci this year. He’s a sure keeper if makes ML roster, and they have no one better
4) Jose Reyes SS - $15/06C – finally lived up to the hype with 51 SB’s. George probably should have extended him to $20. Got to get a top SB guy to stay in the game, and he’s the best (except for Podsednik of course)
5) Pat Burrell OF $29/07 – He’s back, no .209 Bave this year. .280 – 30 HR’s – 106 RBI so far. Easy keeper
6) Lance Berkman OF $28/07 – started slow after DL, but is now at .295 with 19 HR. Should be back to .300+, 30 HR, 100 RBI’s next year
7). Andy Pettitte SP $16/07 – I didn’t like his Ratio history and Injury History. Man he’s been great. 15 wins, 2.48, 1.056. A steal.
8) John Smoltz SP $20/07 – we were all scared by his opening start and injury fear. 14 wins, 2.95, 1.135
9). Brett Myers SP $2/07 - George was mad he didn’t take Ohka at draft instead of him, but 12 Wins, 3.63/1.222 later, he had a bargain.
10) Trevor Hoffman CL $16/06C – He’s 38 and just gets better. Eliminating the injury year 2003, his worst #’s were his rookie year in 1993. No reason to think he’ll be worse any time soon.

The next guys:
1) Ugueth Urbina CL $17/07 – can a player be called a “free” agent, when he’s in jail awaiting trial for murder.
2) Luis Gonzalez OF $22/07 – I know, he’s an old guy, but he’s always worth $20-25. He’ll go around that in draft, so not worth it on this team.
3) Jim Edmonds OF $29/06 – another stellar year with 25 + HR, just not good enough on Cappers.
4) Russ Branyan 3B $7/06X – solid 15 HR guy undervalued.
5) Barry Bonds OF $31/07 – if he’s back and healthy, he’s below value
6) Vinny Castilla 3B - $6/06C – Now in SD, a bad HR park. George will probably have to buy out the contract, or will have to drop someone above

Pefacommish comment - That’s the 10. I like Mark’s team better, but this is $133 well spent.