Monday, February 13, 2006

Random Thoughts

Good Monday morning everyone! I spent a good amount of time this weekend working on my NL East Hitters predictions and projections for Part 6 of my Fantasy Perspectives series. I will be posting that Wednesday so be sure to check back for my thoughts on the Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals and New York Mets offenses. There is certainly no shortage of big names or new faces that will appear in that. So again, come back Wednesday for my NL East hitters projections. So, today, I am just going to post a few random thoughts off the top of my head. If anything draws your attention, be sure to e-mail me, or leave some Comments below.

I would like to thank all of you who have taken the time to ask me questions on your fantasy baseball leagues. I have to admit that right now, I am completely craving participating in a fantasy baseball draft. I know that the drafts for the two leagues that I know I will be participating in are not until late in March. I am also looking for some more cheat sheets. If you are in a league that has already had a draft, I would love to see the results of it, if you don't mind sending it to me at sethspeaksnet@hotmail.com. I am always curious how other actual drafts go down. It doesn't matter the format either. Also, keep sending me your fantasy questions. I enjoy thinking them through.

By the way, the first group of pitchers and catchers will start reporting to spring training this week! Seriously, after five months, it is finally here.

I know that there isn't much going on. I mean, maybe you are a family member and think that it is a big deal that Jamey Carroll's contract was sold from the Nationals to the Rockies. Maybe you think that Scott Hatteberg's signing by the Reds is a big deal? Maybe you think that it means that Wayne Krivsky will try to trade Adam Dunn? But for the most part, teams have made their rosters and have invited others to spring. Now, we just wait for camp and see how Terry Ryan put together the team, and how Ron Gardenhire will utilize it, and how all of the players will respond to a new season. Now the Hot Stove League is complete, and we can start talking about actual baseball again! Well, soon, at least.

Jeff Weaver is really the only big name free agent still out there. I have thought all along that he would end up staying in southern California and sign with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. I mean, he is a SoCal guy, and his brother, Jared, would probably be just a year away from joining him in that rotation. Also, as of now, Hector Carrasco is the 5th starter in that rotation. I would almost guess that his agent, Scott Boras, will want his agent to sign a one year contract, much like Kevin Millwood did a year ago. Right now, I just can't imagine that there is much competition for his services.

It sounds like 37 year old Sammy Sosa is going to retire. The Washington Nationals have offered him a non-guaranteed, incentive-laden contract , but he is likely to retire instead. Probably a good decision. I can't imagine that an aging power hitter with a lot to prove would want to spend a season playing half of his games in RFK Stadium. He also likely would be the team's fourth outfielder behind Jose Guillen, Ryan Church and maybe Alfonso Soriano.

Speaking of Soriano, you will probably want to check out my projections for him for the upcoming season!

The NFL Pro Bowl was played yesterday, or last night. Actually, I don't know when it was played. I chose to watch 10 Things I Hate About You on Comedy Central instead of it. It is about 10:30 right now, and I just looked at the score. The NFC won 23-17. Yay! There is a very nice article on the Vikings Koren Robinson and how his life has completely changed.

"Let's face it, I could have killed myself, and my family, my mother who means so much to me, would have spent the rest of her life mourning me. Or worse yet, I could have killed some innocent people and their families would have then suffered a great loss. Lay awake at night and think about that for a while. If that doesn't scare you, then something's wrong with you."

About the only thing worse than watching the NFL Pro Bowl would be watching the Winter Olympics! I can't imagine why anyone would want to watch this. I can understand people watching out of some sense of national pride. But, "sports" like figure skating where the scoring is so subjective is ridiculous and set up for controversy. Then there are the sports like the luge and the skeleton that are basically downhill sledding! Sure, there are some sports that are worth watching for the injury factor. Speed skating is only better than track races in that the skaters, like my man Apollo Anton Ono, can lose their edge and slide along the ice. Hockey is OK in person, but awful on TV. I mean, it is almost as bad as soccer. Why is basketball in the summer Olympics, not the Winter?

For a positive, at least that idiot Bode Miller didn't get a medal! You'll remember that he is the downhill skier who called out Lance Armstrong and Barry Bonds as steroids users in a Rolling Stone interview in which he also said that he has competed while drunk.

Star-Tribune Twins beat writer Joe Christenson is about to start his second season covering the team. Sunday, he wrote a great article called Twins: Taking Stock. To summarize the article, there is a perception by some that the Twins are in a world of hurt, that they did not address their needs while the rest of the division improved. He explains the thoughts that such thinking is based upon. However, he takes that and comes back with the reality of the situation. The Twins did improve their offense. They still do have an incredible starting rotation anchored by the league's best pitcher and helped by the addition of Scott Baker and possible Francisco Liriano at some point. My favorite part of his article, however, is not about any of the changes the team made. It is in the acknowledgement that although Rondell White and Luis Castillo are improvements over last year's players, the key to the 2006 team is the basis of the Twins organization. In order for the budget conscious team to contend for more than just one season, they have to develop from within. The keys to the team are guys like Johan Santana (26), Joe Mauer (22), Justin Morneau (24), Francisco Liriano (22) and Scott Baker (24). These guys are young and will be with the team for years, forming the core to sustain success. I would add Jason Kubel to the list as he is just 23, and Carlos Silva as he is just 26. And that doesn't even start with the rest of the organization that includes incredible, young pitching depth as well as the likes of Alex Romero, Doug Deeds, Denard Span, Matt Moses and David Winfree. You see, teams can go out and spend, spend, spend, and probably be successful for a year or two. But to maintain a competitive team for an extended period, especially as a small-market thinking team, you have to develop from within! Any thoughts?

Ron Gardenhire pulled his hamstring bowling last week.

Here is an interesting question regarding the value of Francisco Liriano in terms of fantasy baseball keeper leagues.

And finally, Aaron Gleeman has posted his selection for his #35 Twins player of all time!

And with that, I am going to call it a day! Thanks again for stopping by, and have a great week!