A Look at BABI, 2007

Note: This was mostly written by the Doc. I wrote the funny stuff.

The future is now for keepers. It was a different season than 2005. In 2005, lots of teams mortgaged the future to move to 2-4 place, well everyone except for George. I guess, some things stay the same, as Geo ended up 2nd again, and didn’t chase first place. In 2006, only the Cartel really mortgaged the future, and he did it too early, so he didn’t get full value for his players - a lesson I’m sure we’ve all learned from. Everyone else has 7-10 keepers to start with, and though there are not many bargains, there are lots of good values.

Any 9 has the best starting keepers, but most other teams have decent lists with lots of money to spend. It will be hard to get bargains next year and look for shortages (SB’s and Saves) and Stars to go full priced with all the extra money available.

Of course lots of trading to the AL could decimate some of these lists. It should be interesting to do a comparison to this list on April 1.

Alphabetically:

ALL TEASE FALKUHNS:

Has 7 keepers for $64, with 3 cheap other young guys for $14 more. Good start for HR’s and 80-90 SB’s also. Looks like there is plenty of money left for a closer. Wagner has a ring to him.

1) Brian McCann C $5/07F – he showed he can really hit, .333 – 24 HR – 93 RBI. Those numbers are worth extending to $15/08C
2) Prince Fielder 1B $5/08F – a star for years to come
3) Brandon Phillips 2B $6/08 – wow, what a pickup. He wasn’t even drafted in my other league in the AL only portion. His numbers crashed down the stretch, but he still had 17 HR – 25 SB4) Craig Counsell 2B $5/07 – Just like Rodney Dangerfield, this guy gets no respect. He was hurt this year and had only 372 AB’s, but still had 15 SB. Still worth keeping
5) Felipe Lopez SS - $2/07 – Trade to Washington hurt power with only 11 HR, but they let him run, getting 44 SB. The question is how much will Larry extend him - $12/09??
6) Dontrelle Willis P $14/07 – He started out terrible, but his ending ERA was OK, Whip terrible. But, next year is an odd year, 2007, and Dontrelle is good or great in odd years.
7) Bronson Arroyo $7/08 – started out studly, and limped in after the All Star game, taking 2 months to get #10. Still, his #’s were studly even in Cinci. Think Boston would like a do over.

Other possible Keepers:
1) Jeremy Hermida OF $5/08F – The preseason consensus NLROY, henever got a chance this year, but he’s still got talent and should be in the Marlins’ plans.
2) Juan Cruz P $4/08 – has great stuff. Pitched terribly as starter, but good in relief.
3) John Maine $5/08X – great rookie season, but he was just that, a rookie, and he’s not likely going to have the same #’s in 2007.

ANY 9 of Doyle’s Keepers

Kenny 9 did good job drafting Lofton and his 32 SB and Josh Johnson (beating out the Pecklers). But, the future is paved with Cartel Gold. Currently 9 Keepers for $97, with 130 HR and 75-80 SB’s as a start. Kenny’s known to spend $ on pitching, usually starting and looks like he’ll be doing it again. But, he’ll need to buy a closer also this time.

1) Russell Martin C - $5/08F – looked like he was 1 year away and had Navarro in front of him. But, after coming up May 5, he played great defense and solid 10 HR offense
2) Ryan Howard 1B - $5/07F – wow, I still can’t believe I’m writing his name here. He started off 5 HR in 85 AB, then had 53 in the next 500. The only question is do you extend him to $20, $25, or $30. I’ll start with $25. Sorry, Greg, you should have shopped him, even with his weak start 3) Chris Burke 2B/OF - $5/07 – Will be the starting 2B in Houston, and is good for 10 HR, 15+ SB. Doubt he will be extended to $15, but good value at $5
4) Stephen Drew SS $5/08F – has 15-15 and probably 20-20 potential in MI spot
5) Ken Griffey Jr OF - $17/07. He’s 37 years old, and always an injury risk. But he had 428 AB’s this year (and 490 last year), with 27 HR. So, he’s worth keeping and will be productive in the time he plays. But, how much is always a risk
6) Kenny Lofton OF $11/08 - .301 – 32 SB, says it all. More SB’s than the last 2 years combined (22, 7). The guy can still run at 39+. Other then Rickey, no one else has been able to say that. Look at recent Giants – Grissom and Durham, turned into 20 HR guys instead.
7) Jacque Jones OF $22/08 – solid keeper at 27 HR-81 RBI-9 SB and .285. He’s in a good hitting park.
8) Cory Sullivan OF $2/07 – no power, but can steal 10 SB’s, good value
9) Josh Johnson $5/08 – I thought the Pecklers had him at $4, but Kenny was willing to go to $10. He was right. And it’s sure not easy for those words to be said or written by a Peckler. But, Florida matured early, 12 wins, 3.10 – 1.299. Great rookie season.

Other Potential Keepers:1) Matt Morris $10/07 – he wasn’t as advertised, and the Giants won’t be good next year. Still, he could return to form.
2) Bob Howry $8/08 – depends on who is the closer in Chicago next year. An obvious keeper if he’s the closer.
3) Jose Capellan $5/08 – only if he’s the closer, and doubtful with his 2006 season and addition of Francisco Cordero.

BATS:

The Old Bat has 9 keepers for $107 if he extends Weeks, Cain, Fuentes, and Gonzalez. The team has power and saves and some young starters. He will need some SB’s to go with Weeks and the rest of the rotation, but it’s a reasonable start.

1) Miguel Olivo C $5/08 – everyone was chasing the bargain catcher. Willingham was supposed to be the catcher with Olivo the platoon. 430 catching AB’s later, Miguel hit .263 with 16 HR, and Willingham became a fulltime OF’er. Nice value.
2) Mike Jacobs 1B $6/07X – 20 HR – 77 RBI is a nice $6 player.
3) Rickie Weeks 2B - $5/07F – A potential star if he can stay healthy. He could be 20-30 player, but do you extend him to $15/08C on potential? If you do, he’ll be Kaz Matsui. IF you don’t, he’ll be Jose Reyes. Barry will extend him after all the flack he got about trading for him.
4) Luke Scott OF $6/08X – I mentioned 2 future guys (Scott and Chris Duncan) to my partner to claim, but he didn’t believe either, and they went 1-2 weeks later. He should be the mix in Houston next year with 15+ HR power.
5) Josh Willingham $18/08 – was good value as a catcher this year. As an OF’er, he’s still solid with 28 HR, and the hope is like Phil Nevin, he’ll play a game at catcher along the way.
6) Matt Cain P 5-07F – He’s a star, and should be 1 or 2 in ROY balloting. He’ll may have trouble getting wins with the Giants next year. Do you extend him to $15/08C?? Oh, yeah, this is Homer Barry, no question about it.
7) Brian Fuentes P 10-07 – back to back 30 Saves with good #’s. Have to extend, but to $15 (probable) or $20?
8) Mike Gonzalez P 12-07 – only 24 saves, but he’s got the job if healthy. Extend to $17??
9) Cole Hamels $5/08F – great stuff, 145 K in 132 innings, disappointing ERA over 4. Still he’s got star potential and on a good hitting team.

Other possibilities:
1) Francisco Cordero $27/08 – Could be closer in Milwaukee, but Turnbow right behind him. Never great #’s, but does get his saves.
2) Wade Miller $2/08 – he made it back at the end of the season. He’s always been tough when healthy. But, it’s bee 3 years since he was healthy.
3) Angel Pagan OF $1/08 – no star, but if he gets 300-400 AB’s, he’d easily be worth $1
Ronny Cedeno $7/07

BLEACHER BUMS:

They made their point by not dumping like most other teams. Still has good starting point with 7 Keepers for $96 and could add 2 for $13 if Valverde and Hart are in the right situations. Has good power. Will need other stats.

1) Nick Johnson 1B - $15/07 – another great year .290, 23 HR – 10 SB. Probably goes to $20/08C
2) Ray Durham 2B - $12/08 – where will he land? He’s certainly worth keeping after 26 HR, even if his #’s drop, which they will.
3) Jason Bay OF - $29/07C –.286, 35 HR, only 11 SB, 109 RBI. Worth the extention from last year
4) Jeff Francoeur OF – $5/07F. BA had to drop from .325, but 29 HR-103 RBI are well worth extending to $15 at least
5) Lastings Milledge OF $5/08F – disappointing starting 166 AB’s, but he’s got huge upside. Should be a future star.6) Chris Young OF $5/08F – He will be starting in 2007, and has 15-15 potential, maybe a lot more.7) Brad Penny SP $15/07 – 16 wins with average #’s 4.33-1.376. Has upside to improve all the stats and is on a good hitting team.

Other possibles:
1) Jose Valverde P 4-07 – was always an injury waiting to happen, but the #’s sucked. Still he regained his closer role at end of season. Got to keep if he’s the closer, and probably would have to extend. That could be ugly.
2) Corey Hart OF $9/08 – 9 HR – 5 SB in 237 AB’s. Worth keeping if starting or looks like true #4.
3) Juan Pierre OF - $40/08 – He did have 58 SB’s, so he would get bid up in the auction. But he’s unlikely to go for more the $40, especially with Jose Reyes also out there

BUSCH LEAGUERS:

Mr. Leaguer’s only got 6 keepers for $68, with great value in Ramirez and good value elsewhere. He will have to get through the minefield of everyone trying to outbid him to get his pitching, but always seems to find a gem or 2. Won’t have to fight much for corners as only needs a CI. Will have money to pay for a closer and big starter to go with his yearly $1-3 reaches, which usually work out.

1) Josh Bard C $6/08X – good pickup, got to play in SD, going 9 HR – 40 RBI - .333 in 249 AB’s. As Piazza ages, he should get more at bats.
2) Conor Jackson 1B – 5/08F – It looked like he would platoon with Tony Clark, but Tony (Tony Bo Bony) played his way to the bench. Jackson had good rookie year with 15 HR – 79 RBI. Should improve to 20 – 90 next year.
3) Garrett Atkins 3B 14/07 – wow, did he improve. .329 – 29 HR – 120 RBI , expect extention to $19/08C.
4) Hanley Ramirez SS $11/08 – the bargain of the draft. 17 HR – 59 RBI – 51 SB’s -.292, looks like Jose Reyes Jr.
5) Brad Hawpe OF 14-07 – started strong, slowed in 2nd half, but ended with good #’s: .293 – 22 HR – 84 RBI – 5 SB. Worth every dollar
6) Derek Lowe P 13-07 – not a stud, but another solid year. 218 innings, 3.63, 1.27, 16 wins on good team

Other possibles
Mike Bourn $6/08X – keepable for his speed, if makes majors. Had 45 SB’s in minors this year.

BUSCH LICKING, RIP KILLERS:

If Lickers beat out Rips, we should change the Rips to Old R.I.P’s (rest in peace). No bargains remaining (except for $37 Soriano), but has good players. Needs to have Soriano stay in the NL, and go to a good hitting park. 6 Players for $105.

1) Carlos Delgado 1B 34-07 – batting average fell to .265, but did have 38 HR/114 RBI.
2) Omar Vizquel SS $12/08 - .295 with 24 SB’s, worth the price and he’s a Giant
3) Matt Murton OF $11/07X - .297 – 13 HR – 49 RBI, with upside, worth his price
4) Alfonso Soriano OF $37/08 – this guy sucks, only 46 HR – 41 SB – 95 RBI
5) Olmedo Saenz 1B $6/08 – only had 179 AB’s, but still had 11 HR – 48 RBI. The guy can rake.
6) Chad Billingsley $5/08F – has great stuff, 7 wins in 16 starts with 3.8 ERA, but ugly Whip 1.67. Still upside is high.

CAPPERS:

George again didn’t try to go for the gold, instead settled for the silver again. Almost lost that to the Hobo’s but did get 2nd and held on to most of his keepers. After draft, it looked like he blew it by not spending his money, especially on pitching. Olsen claim helped. But, his drafted players sure lived up to their potential. He has 10 keepers for $96. Will need to replace Reyes’s SB’s, but has lots of power. Will again need to get pitching.

1) Javier Valentin C $1/07 – started out like crap, but ended .269 with 8 HR. A drop from 2005, and is the backup to David Ross and Jason La Who. Still ok $1 value with upside
2) Lance Berkman 1B $28/07 – He’s a stud and returned to better the form: .315 – 45 HR – 136 RBI , and now is a CI’er too. Could extend to $33, but is a stud keeper at $28
3) Adrian Gonzalez 1B - $13/08 – George and I watched him on our bench in Texas, but got his chance and made the most of it: .304 – 24 HR
4) Dan Uggla 2B - $10/08 – this year’s Utley. Where did those 27 HR’s come from? Wow, nice job.
5) Wilson Betemit 3B - $6/08 – Josh and I had him going for $3-4, and then we bid $5 anyways. Just couldn’t go $7 on a backup. But, he made the most of his playing time, 373 AB – 18 HR’s – 53 RBI. And the corners sucked down the stretch of the draft.
6) Chris Duncan $16/08X – I kept mentioning him to Josh, but we didn’t believe it. He ended with 280 AB – 22 HR - .293. Wow. I guess we went after all the wrong StL OF’ers.
7) Ryan Theriot OF $5/08X – quietly has moved into the Chicago OF’er mix. Only 134 AB’s, but 13 SB - .328.
8) Troy Tulowitzki SS $5/F – Likely to make the team as starting SS in Col, so Geo has to keep him, no matter how bad he was in Sept.
9). Brett Myers SP $2/07 – Another good year with 12 wins – 3.91/1.30, Solid bargain. Don’t even ask if George will extend him. The book of George says, NEVER extend a starter.
10) Scott Olsen $10/08F – we all could have had him from Doyle for nothing, and he had a $5/08F contract. George was the only one with guts to claim him. Overall #’s are 4.02/1.3, but since picked up: 10 wins, 3.44/1.21 in 146 innings. Nice pickup.

Other Possibles
1) Carlos Beltran OF $41/08 – went full priced and was worth it, with 41 HR – 116 RBI, but only at 18 SB’s and .275 Bave, don’t make him worth more. Could replace Valentin or Theriot in the original 10, or Tulowitzki if goes back to AAA.
2) Austin Kearns OF $26/08 – finally lived up to potential with 25HR – 86 RBI – 9 SB, but in Washington the HR’s will drop
3) JD Drew OF $24/08 – when healthy, he’s good for 20 HR -100 RBI, which he had this year. But, he’s always an injury risk.
4) Scott Linebrink RP $5/07 – he’s a stud, but is still #2 to Hoffman in SD who keeps getting it done. There was talk about trading him to a team that would have him close this season.5) Jorge Julio $2/08 – sucked in NY, starred for 2 months in Arizona with 16 SV’s, but then crashed in July and August and lost closer job back to Valverde. He’s a keeper if closer or closer by committee.

DOYLE CARTEL:

He made a run at it early, but should have waited a little longer. Team will be in rebuilding mode. See Any 9 for other Cartel keepers. Currently 4 Keepers for $42, with 4 other expensive at value players to add if wants.

1) Yorvit Torrealba C $5/08 – was hurt a lot, ended up 223 AB with 7 HR – 43 RBI – 4 SB, but only .247. Worth the $5 in Colorado
2) Edwin Encarnacion 3B - $5/07F – disappointing compared to most of the other top rated rookies. Still .276 – 15 HR – 72 RBI is worth keeping. But extending him to $15/08C is borderline, unless he really improves
3) Woody Williams $2/08 – Giants should have signed him, not Morris. 12 Wins – 3.65 – 1.29 are solid #’s despite a long stint on the DL.
4) Tom Gordon $30/08 – 34 SV’s with good #’s, should be more of the same.

Other possible
1) Moises Alou OF $24/08 – depends on where he lands, but 22 HR – 74 RBI - .301 is close to value and likely won’t go for more $$, unless he’s in Colorado
2) Pat Burrell OF $29/07 – back to back 29 HR, 95 RBI, but only .258. He’s at value, no bargain.
3) Nomar Garciaparra 1B $26/08 - .303 – 20 HR – 93 RBI would be worth it for a MI’er, but a bit high for a 1Bman, with only the 20 HR.
4) Adam Dunn OF $35/08 – 3 straight 40 HR years, with 40 HR – 92 RBI, but Bave .234 is painful. Goes around the same price.

HOBO ARTILLERY:

They have 11 keepable players. Expect Nady or Encarnacion to be #11, or could be Furcal due to his price. 10 players for $117 (no Furcal), $137 (no Nady), $133 (no Encarnacion). They have good cheap pitching, a closer, and SB’s -- the tough stats to get. They did a pretty good job of fighting for second place while hanging onto some keepers for next season.

1) Xavier Nady 1B/OF - $10/07 – 17 HR – 63 RBI Should be worth keeping depending on where he ends up playing.2) Rafael Furcal SS $30/08 – started slow, but ended .300 – 15 HR – 63 RBI – 37 SB adds up to great season and well worth his $30. He was great after the trade to Hobo.
3) Willy Taveras OF $19/07 – Kept looking like he had slipped, but he still had 33 SB, so worth the $$
4) Juan Encarnacion OF $14/07 – underrated, had another 19 HR season (gets16+ HR’s -75 RBI – 5 SB every year). So, worth it if he’s still starting somewhere
5) Matt Holliday OF - $18/07 - This guy was huge, plays in Colorado, has power, and now hits for average. .326 – 34 HR – 114 RBI – 10 SB also. Extention to $23 likely6) Chris Duffy OF $5/07X – He sucked early, got sent down, quit Baseball, then returned and went wild ending with 26 SB’s
7) Carlos Quentin $5/F – will be starting OF for Arizona with 20-30 HR power
8) Chris Carpenter SP $11/08C – Just change his name to Cy Carpenter , which he’ll be 1 or 2 in voting, with 15 Wins and great #’s
9) Chris Capuano SP $9/07 – 11 wins, 4.03 – 1.25. Has upside, but is on a bad team.
10) Chuck James $2/08 – up and down as starter, but overall 11 wins – 3.78 – 1.24 are worth keeping
11) Chad Cordero Closer $24/08C – Closers are automatic keepers and he’s a good one, even with bad year had 29 SVs and good #’s

Other Possibles.
1) Matt Diaz OF $5/08 - .327 – 7 HR – 32 RBI – 5 SB – not studly, but earned his $$
2) Mike Matheny C $2/07 – career may be over, but if he can come back and platoon with Alfonzo, he would be worth his $2
3) Paul LoDuca C $10/08 - .318 Bave is great, but only 5 HR – 49 RBI
4) Scott Rolen 3B $32/08 – good year with .296 – 22 HR – 95 RBI – 7 SB, though he faded down the stretch. Expect more power after 1 year back from injury. But, he doesn’t make the cut here unless some of these guys get traded to the AL.

300 POUNDERS:

Kevin has 8 keepers for $91 or $96. Has 4 x 20-30 HR guys and Young pitching (pun definitely intended). Still needs SB’s and Saves. And needs to pray his young starters live up to the hype.

1) Chad Tracy 3B – $15/07C - Solid for 2 years, another 20 HR/80 RBI year. And 3B/CI is always a tough position to get.
2) David Wright 3B – $20/08C, He’s a star, and better stay one, since he cost 4 guys to get him. Still .311 – 26 HR – 116 RBI – 20 SB, is a true 4 category keeper line. No reason to expect less next year.
3) Rich Aurilia 1B/3B/SS - $7/08 – How could Ken not keep this guy? It was obvious he would return to SF glory days form. .306 – 22 HR – 69 RBI and 3 position eligibility. The hell with Barry, test this guy for steroids and HGH.
4) Chase Utley 2B– $13-07 – Should have been a Peckler. Another 4 category infielder – 32 HR – 102 - 15 SB - .309. Need to extend to $18, but you dare go to $23?? Assuming Soriano remains an outfielder, he’s the best 2nd baseman in the game.
5) Chris Young $16/08 – His #’s got ugly in July and first half of August, but he turned back around and finished strong. Still, he only got 11 wins on a playoff team, which is a concern. His #’s were excellent: 3.46-1.132.
6) Aaron Heilman $5/07X – He traded for him, so the hope is he’ll be a starter and continue his good #’s. He’s at value if still only in the bullpen.
7) Anthony Reyes $5/08F – Ouch, not a good rookie start. Especially when you look at all the rookies who starred in 2006. But, he’s likely in the St.Louis rotation in 2007, and we know where Kevin’s heart lies. So, pencil him into the Pounders rotation
8) Jonathan Broxton $5/08F – He’ll be the set up to Saito in LA, and he has closer potential.

Other Possibles
1) Noah Lowry P $11-07 – he was up and down all year, and ended horribly as did all the Giants. 4.74 – 1.40 are not #’s you keep at $11
2) Derek Turnbow P 2-07 – he went from stud to dud to drinking Bud in the off-season. He’ll be the set up to Cordero, but could win the job back if Cordero faulters. Look at Texas last year.3) Damaso Marte $2/08 – only if closer and unlikely, since he’s behind Gonzalez and Tilt Torres.

OLD RIPS:

Actually he has more keepers than he should after winning the league. He never had to fully dismantle, like the teams chasing in 2005. He has 10 potential keepers for $115. He has a good start on SB’s with Roberts and Cameron if they can repeat and general good #’s with some HR’s, Houston’s saves, and Old starters with good #’s.

1) Scott Hatteberg 1B - $5/08 – Those of us who who pay attention to the AL saw him suck in Oakland. Dunn was starting at 1st here, but we forgot, we’ve all seen Dunn play 1st also. 131 games later and Scott had 13 HR – 51 RBI - .289. Nothing special, but good $5 value.
2) Freddy Sanchez 2B/3B/SS - $6/08 – He seems cheap for a .344 batting champ, but with 6 HR – 3 SB, it’d be close if not for the 85 RBI and 3 position eligibility.
3) Jason Lane OF - $12/07C – Keep or buy out? Dropped to 15 HR, and crashed to .201 Bave. He’ll probably take the gamble that he improves or, even better, that he starts in the minors. Mark has a few thousand dollars from this year to put back in the pot if he wants to dump him
4) Mike Cameron OF $19/07 – 22 HR – 25 SB and hit .268. He’s always a 20-20 guy when healthy, but now 2 years of decent BA, is the gravy.
5) Dave Roberts OF - $19/08 – lived up the hype in his 2nd year in SD. .293 – 49 SB. Wow, steady, with 9-10 SB in 4 months.
6) John Smoltz SP $20/07 – He’s a year older and always an injury risk. Still, he was great for the past 2 years. Another 16 win – 3.49 – 1.19 year.
7) Brad Lidge Closer?- $13/07C – Still a keeper if he’s still the closer. Had 32 saves. But, paired that with the Lee sisters: Ug- 5.28 ERA and Home – 1.40 Whip. Look for him to be traded, maybe to the Giants – where he’d still be an improvement over Buttmando Boonitez.
8) Chad Qualls P $1/07 – never was in the closer mix, but got 7 wins and good #’s. You could spend a buck in a lot of worse ways
9) Dan Wheeler $9/08 – turned out to be worth it as the backup closer, 9 saves, good #’s. Would be the closer if Lidge was gone.
10) Tom Glavine P $11/08 – old, but had another solid year in NY. 15 wins, 3.82 -1.33. All keepable #’s, on a good hitting team with good bullpen. He’ll be going for win #300 next year.

PICKLED PECKLERS:

We have good cheap starting pitching and a start at SB’s. 9 Players at $80 or 10 at $82 with Izturis. Leaves plenty of money to buy a closer, but still need Corners, which are always a chore to get, though Izturis does qualify at 3B.

1) Johnny Estrada C $10/08 - .300 hitter with 11 HR – 71 RBI. No bargain, but good solid stats for a catcher. He’s at risk to be traded.
2) Ryan Zimmerman 3B $21/08 – 20 HR – 110 RBI – 11 SB - .287 good solid #’s. And the Pecklers needed a corner. No bargain, but solid value with upside.
3) Josh Barfield 2B $5/08F – 13 HR – 21 SB’s all good value for MI’er
4) Eric Byrnes OF $13/08 – Where was this in 2005 when the Pecklers needed it against Kenny 9 for 3rd place? 26 HR – 25 SB is great season, but we’ll see if he can repeat it. Remember, the Dbacks are dumping Luis Gonzalez for this guy.
5) Todd Linden OF $5/08X – Might be starting in left or right for the Giants next year.
6) Brandon Webb $14/07 – That last game probably cost him the Cy Young award, but he will be 2nd. 16 wins – 3.10 – 1.13. Worth extention to $19, unless you’re George.
7) Clay Hensley $1/08 – This rookie flew under the radar all season. His numbers: 11 wins – 3.71 – 1.34 are all solid #’s, not much worse than Josh Johnson.
8) John Patterson SP $2/07 – If healthy, he’s good. But, it’s a risk. Luckily a cheap risk.
9) Adam Wainwright $4/08 – Good #’s 3.12 – 1.147. Could be in the rotation or the closer next year with Izzy’s chronic hip problems.

Other possibles:
1) Cesar Izturis SS/3B $2/08 – Bad year filled with injuries. But he has SB’s upside and qualifies as MI or CI if he stays in NL and is a starter. How about 2B for the Giants? Hint: the Pecklers like this guy. We don’t care if you don’t. He’s only 26, and in 2004 he hit .288 with 25 SB’s.
2) John Rodriguez OF $2/08 – the guy can hit for average, but it doesn’t look like he’ll get the chance. Very crowded OF in St. Louis.
3) Braden Looper $5/08 – Could be the closer in St.Louis with Izzy’s hip. They gave him a big 3 year contract. His 9 wins certainly were worth $5, and his numbers didn’t suck (.356/1.31).
4) Randy Wolf $5/08X – He came back from surgery, looks healthy, but had some ugly #’s. Not a likely keeper. It was a concept.
5) Kevin Correia $5/08X – He was the best Giant reliever, ending up as the set up man. He should have gotten a shot as the closer. He will be keepable if he goes to rotation or is the closer.
6) Mark Prior $18/08 – a fallen star. Thanks Dusty, you killed another great arm. Man was he bad.
7) Larry Bigbie $1/08 – The Doc forgot this guy. Who knows where he’ll be, but 2006 was a disaster for him. The Cards will probably dump him, but he’s only 29, and in 2004 he hit 15-68-8-.280 for the Orioles.
8) Ryan Klesko $13/08 – The Doc forgot this guy too. Who knows where he’ll end up, or if he’ll play another season? He’s going to be cheap – he’ll probably sign an incentive-laden contract. Who knows, he could end up with the Giants.
9) Oliver Perez $5/8X – Another guy the Doc forgot. And with good reason.