SB Nation - Dan Uggla

Fantasy Baseball: Ray's Keeper List for NL-Only League

Ray Guilfoyle — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:51:15 -0000

Mark J. Terrill - ASSOCIATED PRESS

about 1 month ago: Los Angeles Dodgers' Andre Ethier reacts after walking with bases loaded during the eighth inning of Game 2 of the National League Championship baseball series against the Philadelphia Phillies Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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On Monday, I had to submit my keeper list in one of my NL-only keeper leagues. I have been in this league for 14-15 years now, and have won the league 3 of the last 4 years. I traded away some of my top keepers last year to ensure I won the league, so it was all worth it. But, I do have some decent keepers going into 2010:

James Loney-$11

Dan Uggla-$17

Andre Ethier-$20

Tim Lincecum-$23

Ricky Nolasco-$18

Obviously, my pitching is my strength going into my March 28th draft, and there are plenty of SB guys in the draft including Jimmy Rollins, Jose Reyes, Andrew McCutchen, Drew Stubbs and Dexter Fowler.

In this league, after keeper lists are submitted, any player not retained is thrown into a pool for the waiver draft. The waiver draft allows any team that did not keep 10 players to pick up any guy thrown back. Some of the players picked up in the waiver draft to this point are Jeff Francoeur at $12, Cody Ross at $15, Francisco Rodriguez at $23, and Chris Iannetta at $6.

A couple guys I am considering to pick up are Jimmy Rollins at $35, Matt Lindstrom at $7 and Lastings Milledge at $15. I am leaning toward not picking up one of these players. What should I do?

Poll

Who should I pick up in the waiver draft?

Zach Abrams 2B Rankings

ZachAbrams — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:22:10 -0000

The following Rankings are based on 5x5 Rotisserie scoring.

1- Chase Utley

4- Ian Kinsler

9- Jose Lopez

10- Richie Weeks

11- Ben Zobrist

12- Aaron Hill

13- Dan Uggla

14- Ian Stewart

15- Kelly Johnson

16- Scott Sizemore

17- Orlando Hudson

18- Asdrubal Cabrera

19- Martin Prado

20- Placido Polanco

Aaron Hill: Many will feel being ranked 12 is very unjust after hitting .286 36 hrs 108 rbi. If you look into Hill's fundamental statistics, you will see that his 2009 campaign is very similar to his 2007 breakout year. His fb rate, hr/f and contact rate were almost identicle, while his power spike was due to his unusually high hr/f (16%). Expect Hill to contribute right around 20 home runs, but thus putting him back outside my top 10.

Ben Zobrist: Another player I feel had his best case scenerio season fall into line in 2009. I have projected him to have a solid season, but the reasoning for his is more of a gut call then anything else.

Jose Lopez: If you have read any of my columns before, you know how high I am on Lopez. Lopez is going unnoticed in many drafts despite hitting 25 hrs and 96 rbi out of the 2B position. His .272 average was low, but chalk some of that up to luck (27% hit percentage). Remeber, just a year ago with a normal hit rate he batted .297. I believe Lopez can produce as a top 3 second baseman if everything falls into place for him this season. This 26 year old also has the addition of Chone Figgins working for him..

Poll

Will Aaron Hill hit over 25 Home Runs this season?

Fantasy Baseball: Jason's 2B Rankings

jumperjah — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:00:27 -0000

Gene J. Puskar - AP

10 months ago: Cincinnati Reds' Brandon Phillips drives in his second run of the game with a sacrifice fly off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Tyler Yates in ninth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh Friday, May 1, 2009. The Reds won 4-0. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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Continuing on with our positional rankings, here's my 2B rankings:

Some thoughts:

Overall, the position doesn't really appear to be that deep to me. The drop off in quality really seems to start after Cano.At that point you're now either looking at players that are flawed in some way (batting average), injury prone (Weeks), or rookies (Sizemore).

If I were drafting today, Brian Roberts is not going to end up on any of my teams. There's just so much risk there right now due to the back injury he's been suffering from.

Beckham doesn't qualify as a 2B coming into the season, but will very shortly after the start of the season. Just another good player with excellent positional flexibility. You've got Cabrera (SS), Stewart (3B), Prado (1B, 3B), and Izturis (SS), along with Polanco who will qualify at 3B shortly also. And I can't forget Zobrist (SS, OF).

Zobrist I think will be able to repeat his 2009 season, and that positional flexibility is what puts him ahead for me.

I think that Scott Sizemore has the potential to have a 15-15 season with a .280 average. Not an amazing performance for a fantasy starter, but in leagues where you're required to start a MI as well as 2B and SS, he could be a nice pickup.

Brandon Phillips always seems to be the forgotten 2B. He did post another 20-20 season last year, and still has the potential to post a 30-30 as well.

Past these guys, there's really a lot of playing time deprived options. Felipe Lopez is probably the best one available of that group. There are also not a lot of minor leaguers at the top levels who could be coming either. Probably the best prospect playing 2B right now is Dustin Ackley of the Mariners, but he seems like he's at least 2 seasons away right now.

Poll

Can Brandon Phillips post a 30-30 season in 2010?

Fantasy Baseball: Ray's Second Base Rankings for 2010

Ray Guilfoyle — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:30:21 -0000

Nati Harnik - AP

15 days ago: Boston Red Sox's Dustin Pedroia follows through with a single against Boston College in the first inning of a baseball spring training game in Fort Myers, Fla., Wednesday, March 3, 2010.(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

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Today we move on to the Top 20 second baseman for 2010 fantasy drafts. Chase Utley continues to dominate the second base position for fantasy owners, but someday that will come to an end. One guy who could make a statement in 2010 is the White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham. He did not play second base in 2009, but he will be the White Sox starter at second in 2010. If I had ranked him as a second baseman, I would have ranked him third behind Utley and the Rangers Ian Kinsler.

Here are the Top 20 second baseman for 2010, with their 2009 stats:

Name	AB	HR	R	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG
Chase Utley	571	31	112	93	88	110	23	0.282
Ian Kinsler	566	31	101	86	59	77	31	0.253
Dustin Pedroia	626	15	115	72	74	45	20	0.296
Ben Zobrist	501	27	91	91	91	104	17	0.297
Brandon Phillips	584	20	78	98	44	75	25	0.276
Robinson Cano	637	25	103	85	30	63	5	0.320
Brian Roberts	632	16	110	79	74	112	30	0.283
Dan Uggla	564	31	84	90	92	150	2	0.243
Aaron Hill	682	36	103	108	42	98	6	0.286
Jose Lopez	613	25	69	96	24	69	3	0.272
Rickie Weeks	147	9	28	24	12	39	2	0.272
Scott Sizemore
Martin Prado	450	11	64	49	36	59	1	0.307
Alberto Callaspo	576	11	79	73	52	51	2	0.300
Felipe Lopez	604	9	88	57	71	100	6	0.310
Howie Kendrick	374	10	61	61	20	71	11	0.291
Orlando Hudson	551	9	74	62	62	99	8	0.283
Maicer Izturis	387	8	74	65	35	41	13	0.300
Kelly Johnson	303	8	47	29	32	54	7	0.224

Scott Sizemore is listed with no stats as he did not play in the majors in 2009, but he is expected to be the Tigers second baseman in 2010. He hit 17 HRs, drove in 66 runs, and stole 21 bases in AA and AAA last year.

I don't see Jose Lopez or Aaron Hill duplicating their 2009 performances in 2010. I can see Ian Kinsler improving his BA in 2010 and going 25-25 for fantasy owners.

I am curious if Ben Zobrist 2009 season was a one year wonder or if he can build upojn his breakout season. Another guy I am curious about is the Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks. He is coming off yet another wrist injury, but should he prove healthy he could move up these rankings real fast as he has a solid power/speed profile.

Speaking of moving up this list, someone who is not on this list, the Rockies Eric Young, could be a top 10 second baseman in 2010 if he gets enough playing time as he has the potential to steal 50+ bases in a starting role.

Poll

Does Robinson Cano repeat his 2009 season in 2010?

Marlins on MLB Network tonight

craig — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:09:15 -0000

Lou Barricelli of the MLB Network sent this via email.

FYI, just a reminder that the Florida Marlins will be featured tomorrow, March 12, at 5 & 10pm ET on MLB Network’s Spring Training series 30 Clubs in 30 Days. The episode will feature field reports, analysis, predictions and interviews with Cody Ross, Jorge Cantu, Chris Coghlan and Dan Uggla.

So if you are privileged enough to see the MLB Network, check it out. Personally, I'm not. But I guess I shouldn't complain, we do have intermittent electricity and running water on occasions. So all is good.

ST Game No. 7: Houston Astros vs. Florida Marlins

David Coleman — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:01:16 -0000

More photos » Richard Drew - AP

9 days ago: Houston Astros second baseman Kazuo Matsui, right, from Japan, slides in to home plate ahead of the throw to New York Mets catcher Henry Blanco scoring in the fourth inning of the spring training baseball game with the Houston Astros in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Tuesday, March 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

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Grapefruit League Record for 2010 (which is meaningless anyway): 3-3

Today's starters: LHP Wandy Rodriguez vs. RHP Hayden Penn

Here's the Astros lineup, per Footer's TwitPic:

1) Cory Sullivan, CF

2) Kazuo Matsui, 2B

3) Hunter Pence, RF

4) Carlos Lee, LF

5) Lance Berkman, 1B

6) Pedro Feliz, 3B

7) J.R. Towles, C

8) Edwin Maysonet, SS

9) Wandy Rodriguez, P

Pitchers listed on the lineup card are Fernando Abad, Wesley Wright, Felipe Paulino, Henry Villar, Gary Majewski and Roy Corcoran. It appears Paulino and Wandy will both throw three innings, instead of Paulino starting a B/split-squad game instead. It'll also be the second outing for Abad, after giving up two hits in his only inning of work in his last outing.

Also interesting that Cory Sullivan is giving Michael Bourn a day off. This is the first time both Bourn and Tommy Manzella have been out of the starting lineup all spring.

Here's the Marlins lineup too, for those that are curious:

1) Chris Coghlan, LF

2) Brian Barden, SS

3) Mike Stanton, RF

4) Dan Uggla, 2B

5) Ronny Paulino, C

6) Wes Helms, 3B

7) Gaby Sanchez, 1B

8) Brett Carroll, CF

9) Hayden Penn, P

Links to listen to the game can be found here and here.

MLB Power Poll - Marlins #16

craig — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:16:37 -0000

Neon Tommy did their annual power poll for the upcoming season: the spring training edition. Personally, I don't care for power polls/rankings, but yet they still exist.

Here is what they came up with:

16. MARLINS - Aside from the recent slap on the wrist the organization got from Commissioner Bud Selig for being too cheap, the Marlins are on the right path. With excellent, cost-controlled players like Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, Emilio Bonofacio and Josh Johnson leading the team, Marlins fans have reason to be excited. Remember, it was just a few years ago that Florida came out of nowhere with young starters Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett to win the World Series.

Actually, all that was agreed upon with the commissioner's office and MLPA was that the Marlins would increase the payroll once they made the new stadium home. Which they were planning to do anyway, eventually.

The next thing is: A.J. Burnett only played in 4 games for the Marlins in 2003 before having Tommy John surgery. Perhaps they are confusing him with Brad Penny. Who knows.

Like I said, power polls/rankings do nothing for me. But at times, I do find amusing in a baffling sort of way.

Larry Beinfest finishes high among general managers rankings

craig — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:50:59 -0000

Tim Marchman with SI ranked baseball general managers and Larry Beinfest did good. And even in the rankings he figured out that Beinfest isn't actually the general manager of the Marlins.

4. Larry Beinfest, Florida Marlins

Duly noted that Michael Hill is nominally the Marlins' general manager. That said, Beinfest, technically the team's president of baseball operations, consistently gets more wins for his dollar than anyone else in baseball. Since he took over following the 2002 season, the Marlins have won a World Series and posted winning records in five of seven seasons, despite consistently ranking at or near the bottom of the majors in payroll. Beinfest has picked up players every way you can -- trading for Hanley Ramirez, acquiring Dan Uggla in the Rule 5 draft, and bringing up players from the farm -- and on the few occasions he's had money to spend, he has spent it shrewdly.

Beinfest does an overall good job with the constraints placed upon him. And there is no doubt, sometimes he has been, if you will, lucky, especially when it comes to trades and retreads. And sometimes he hasn't. It is hard to say what is the main strength of baseball front office, or at least it is for me since I'm not privileged to the inner workings. It could be the team of scouts, who seem to know everyone's minor league system better than the other team knows their own organization. Or maybe Michael Hill, the actual general manager, has it figured out the way to handle the Marlins situation. Then again, it could be all Beinfest and without a doubt he has the final say. My guess it is a team effort from all of the above.

But whatever the case, the Marlins baseball operations do more with less, meaning money available, than any other team in Major League baseball. And they should get credit for that.

Dan Uggla only pitched breaking balls

craig — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:27:04 -0000

Well, not really. But Dan Uggla sees a lot of them.

SI.com broke down the numbers and it isn’t even a close race for what Major Leaguer sees the most breaking balls. Howard faced more than 1,100 breaking balls last season, almost 200 more than the next closest hitter, Dan Uggla of the Marlins, according to Stats Inc.

Well, that is really not surprising. Why the heck you give either of those guys a steady diet of fast balls when you know they will just probably end up being a souvenir for a fan in the bleachers to take home?

Here is Tom Verducci's breakdown.

Most Breaking Balls Seen

MLB, 2009

Player	Breaking Balls
Ryan Howard	1,127
Dan Uggla	931
Mark Reynolds	930
Hunter Pence	928
Matt Kemp	913
Justin Upton	840
Jayson Werth	817

Danny has adapted in taking more walks. In fact, last season he finished 9th in the league in the number of walks. The only other player on the list to finish in the top 10 was Jayson Werth at tenth.

I guess what this means is Danny needs to be ready for the hanging breaking ball, since there ain't no way they are going to challenge him. Can't really blame the pitchers for not doing so, but I wish that they would.

Cody Ross wins in arbitration

craig — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:17:00 -0000

More photos » J Pat Carter - AP

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Cody Ross won in his arbitration case against the Marlins.

Outfielder Cody Ross won his arbitration case with the Florida Marlins and will earn $4.45 million this coming season. Florida, which was offering Ross $4.2 million, had not lost an arbitration hearing since 2002.

First off, that part about the Marlins never losing an arbitration hearing, is not true. They lost last year to Dan Uggla and a whole mess of times to Miguel Cabrera. But it doesn't change the fact that Cody won, in what was perhaps the most ridiculous case the Marlins front office ever allowed to go to a hearing. What an absolute waste of time. Congrats Cody.