I know I'm not the only one thinking it. Taking a look at the diaries, there has been a total flatline at the activity on here ever since the site changed over. I'm not looking to blame John for this, as he was probably somewhat forced to do it, but the connection between the changeover and the steep drop-off in comments is pretty obvious. I accepted the excuse some people made at first that things were quiet and there was nothing going on in the minors, since the season hadn't begun yet, but...it has now, and has been for a few weeks, and there's no change in the level of activity. I know there's pretty much no turning back now, and this is what the site is, but I don't think I'm crazy. As strange as it is for a site's layout to discourage people from coming by or having discussions on here, I think it's happened.

Either that, or we had a lot more sockpuppets conversing with one another than we ever could have imagined.

As per RotoWorld:

Cubs manager Lou Piniella hinted that he could take Rich Hill out of the rotation until he works out his control issues.

"I'm going to sit down and talk to our pitching coach about that. I want what's best for Hill. We've got to get him straightened out. That's the important thing," Piniella said. Hill could trade places with Jon Lieber, who bailed him out after his second poor start of the season on Thursday.

Alright, maybe I'm just crazy, but isn't this a bit much? I realize Hill had a shaky spring, but he righted himself at the end, and tossed a strong game to open his season. Doesn't he deserve a bit more slack than this? I feel Piniella is being way too impatient, and felt that way when he pulled him last night after three innings. Some nights it's tough to find location when a guy's primary plus offering is his curveball. He throws more curves than anyone I've seen (I'd say even moreso than Zito when he was good), and actually seems to throw the curve to set up his fastball as an out pitch, which is backwards. However, it worked well enough that he was a better than average starter for the Cubs for 30+ starts last year. Does anyone believe Jon Lieber deserves a rotation spot over him right now? If this is the sentiment toward Hill, why wouldn't they just deal him to get Brian Roberts? Sorry for getting ranty, but I like the guy and believe his talent and success warrant a bit more respect than he's getting.

This is totally out of left field, but it's a quiet day at work, so I'll go with it.

During this past offseason, we heard a good amount of rumors involving Matt Kemp. We also heard toward the start of spring training some possible ideas involving the Rays dealing Scott Kazmir, with some expensive years lying ahead for him. I'm wondering if, come next offseason, a Kazmir to LA deal would be so crazy...I for one have a lot of trouble believing the Dodgers will ever find a taker for Juan Pierre's absurd contract, and will continue to keep all their outfielders unhappy this season. A trade for Kazmir centered around Kemp, and a prospect or two would be a pretty great return for Kazmir.

The Rays have so much pitching on its way up, and equipped with the #1 overall pick, they could grab Aaron Crow, who won't take all that long to rise to the majors. Factor in Price, McGee, Davis, Niemann (who can start until they realize he needs to be a reliever), and to an extent Hellickson, and a guy already doing well in the majors now (Shields), and this could be a very strong trade for both sides. I don't think anyone considers Cliff Floyd or Jonny Gomes the long term answer in RF for the Rays (I'm aware of the presence of Desmond Jennings, but he has a lot to prove).

As for LA, they have an offseason ahead where Derek Lowe is a free agent. I don't think it's crazy to think a Kazmir-Penny-Billingsley-Kuroda-Kershaw rotation would be DAMN productive.

Just a thought, what do you guys think?

12-8, 3.85 ERA, phenomenal 184:36 K:BB ratio a year ago. I consider him the AL's answer to John Maine. I happen to like both guys an awful lot. My question is, what do you see Shields becoming long-term? At 26, do you think this was only the beginning of a breakout, or did we already witness it? Ceiling of a pretty good #2 is what I'd say. With the control he's displayed, can he be an Aaron Harang (very good strikeout pitcher with strong control) type or do you see him going the way of a Dave Bush (also excellent control, but entirely too hittable)? The Rays do have a slew of arms on the way, but I see Shields as a mainstay in this rotation for a long time.

Any insight would be appreciated guys.

Looks like someone is skipping a grade.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=On+Baseball%3a+Top+prospect+heading+to+Fisher+Cats& amp;articleId=44deb92c-aeeb-43fd-a4ed-1de015a6e289

Despite the fact that his name is misspelled in the second paragraph of the article, I think this is an exciting move, and the right move for Travis and the Jays. A September call-up is looking more and more likely by the day. Any thoughts on how he'll fare?

Take solace, Twins fans, you still have an elite player on your team. Joe Mauer wins with relative ease on the last one. A catcher with his defensive skill, game-calling ability, and pure hitting prowess is a pretty tremendous commodity.

Fantasy is not the focus of these polls. Overall play is the general thing to keep in mind when you value the player here. It's all about who you'd want to build a team around here in 2008 and for the next few years beyond it. Anyone that receives under 5% of the vote is subject to removal, with 2% being automatic. I have also now added the players' ages as of Opening Day 2008. The last spot on the poll is generally a spot where I test certain guys out to see how they do, so don't flip out about it.

If you vote "Other," please specify who you'd like to see on there.

The 2008 Community MLB Top 100 List

1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees [32]
   
2. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals [28]
   
3. Johan Santana, SP, Minnesota Twins (pending physical and contract) [29]
   
4. Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit Tigers [24]
   
5. David Wright, 3B, New York Mets [25]
   
6. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins [24]
   
7. Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies [29]
   
8. Jose Reyes, SS, New York Mets [24]
   
9. Jake Peavy, SP, San Diego Padres [26]
   
10. Grady Sizemore, CF, Cleveland Indians [25]
    
11. Vladimir Guerrero, RF, Los Angeles Angels [32]
    
12. Joe Mauer, C, Minnesota Twins [24]

The controversy ends, as Vlad leaves the poll with a victory over Mauer, Rollins and Holliday. The guy may not be 25 anymore, he may not be hitting 40 HR, but he is beyond feared when he steps to the plate. He's also still out in right field more often than not, so I wouldn't rate him defensively as equivalent to a DH, as has been said.

Fantasy is not the focus of these polls. Overall play is the general thing to keep in mind when you value the player here. It's all about who you'd want to build a team around here in 2008 and for the next few years beyond it. Anyone that receives under 5% of the vote is subject to removal, with 2% being automatic. The last spot on the poll is generally a spot where I test certain guys out to see how they do, so don't flip out about it.

If you vote "Other," please specify who you'd like to see on there.

The 2008 Community MLB Top 100 List

1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees 2. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals 3. Johan Santana, SP, Minnesota Twins (pending physical and contract) 4. Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit Tigers 5. David Wright, 3B, New York Mets 6. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins 7. Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies 8. Jose Reyes, SS, New York Mets 9. Jake Peavy, SP, San Diego Padres 10. Grady Sizemore, CF, Cleveland Indians 11. Vladimir Guerrero, RF, Los Angeles Angels

Vlad puts up a resistance, but Grady gets a push at the end to come out on top, rounding out the top ten.  The way I would judge voting at this point, if the players on the poll were available in free agency right now, who would bring in the biggest contract?

Fantasy is not the focus of these polls. Overall play is the general thing to keep in mind when you value the player here. It's all about who you'd want to build a team around here in 2008 and for the next few years beyond it. Anyone that receives under 5% of the vote is subject to removal, with 2% being automatic.
If you vote "Other," please specify who you'd like to see on there.

The 2008 Community MLB Top 100 List

1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees
   
2. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
   
3. Johan Santana, SP, Minnesota Twins (pending physical and contract)
   
4. Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit Tigers
   
5. David Wright, 3B, New York Mets
   
6. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins
   
7. Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies
   
8. Jose Reyes, SS, New York Mets
   
9. Jake Peavy, SP, San Diego Padres
   
10. Grady Sizemore, CF, Cleveland Indians

Jake Peavy joins Johan as the only pitchers selected thus far, winning by a decent margin over the man that inspired Grady's Ladies. Joe Mauer steps into double figures, while Ryan Howard is bumped again.

Fantasy is not the focus of these polls. Overall play is the general thing to keep in mind when you value the player here. It's all about who you'd want to build a team around here in 2008 and for the next few years beyond it. Anyone that receives under 5% of the vote is subject to removal, with 2% being automatic.

If you vote "Other," please specify who you'd like to see on there.

The 2008 Community MLB Top 100 List

1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees
   
2. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
   
3. Johan Santana, SP, Minnesota Twins
   
4. Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit Tigers
   
5. David Wright, 3B, New York Mets
   
6. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins
   
7. Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies
   
8. Jose Reyes, SS, New York Mets
   
9. Jake Peavy, SP, San Diego Padres

The lightning quick Reyes takes it over the dominant arm of Jake Peavy. Grady saw some improved results this time around. Let's see if that continues...

Fantasy is not the focus of these polls. Overall play is the general thing to keep in mind when you value the player here. It's all about who you'd want to build a team around here in 2008 and for the next few years beyond it. Anyone that receives under 5% of the vote is subject to removal, with 2% being automatic.

If you vote "Other," please specify who you'd like to see on there.

The 2008 Community MLB Top 100 List

1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees
   
2. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
   
3. Johan Santana, SP, Minnesota Twins
   
4. Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit Tigers
   
5. David Wright, 3B, New York Mets
   
6. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins
   
7. Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies
   
8. Jose Reyes, SS, New York Mets

Chase wins it in a blowout. Flat-out stud, and in my opinion, he's the best player on that team. He'll be the only 2B in the top 20-25 probably. Granderson gets an automatic dismissal, even though I think he's better than Sizemore.

Fantasy is not the focus of these polls. Overall play is the general thing to keep in mind when you value the player here. It's all about who you'd want to build a team around here in 2008 and for the next few years beyond it. Anyone that receives under 5% of the vote is subject to removal, with 2% being automatic.

If you vote "Other," please specify who you'd like to see on there.

The 2008 Community MLB Top 100 List

1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees
   
2. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
   
3. Johan Santana, SP, Minnesota Twins
   
4. Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit Tigers
   
5. David Wright, 3B, New York Mets
   
6. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins
   
7. Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia

In the closest vote thus far, Hanley BARELY edges out Chase Utley for the #6 slot. Can't really say I blame people for voting for him. He likely won't be a shortstop for much longer and he continues to improve at a rapid pace. He's honestly just a marvel out there. With 2% or less, Rollins, Howard and Ortiz take a hike for a while (I know there will be another comment asking for Rollins to be on here shortly lol). I'm giving Upton and Granderson a look because they've come up a few times. I don't want to see people flip out  that they're on here, considering the odds of them actually winning are pretty low. Giving them a tester to see if there's some decent support for them.

Fantasy is not the focus of these polls. Overall play is the general thing to keep in mind when you value the player here. It's all about who you'd want to build a team around here in 2008 and for the next few years beyond it. Anyone that receives under 5% of the vote is subject to removal, with 2% being automatic.

If you vote "Other," please specify who you'd like to see on there.

The 2008 Community MLB Top 100 List

1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees
   
2. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
   
3. Johan Santana, SP, Minnesota Twins
   
4. Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit Tigers
   
5. David Wright, 3B, New York Mets
   
6. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Florida Marlins

Very interesting: Three 3Bs in the first five. David Wright wins without breaking a sweat. A close race for second ends with the gifted Hanley Ramirez beating out Chase Utley. Let's see if that carries over...

Fantasy is not the focus of these polls. Overall play is the general thing to keep in mind when you value the player here. It's all about who you'd want to build a team around here in 2008 and for the next few years beyond it. Anyone that receives under 5% of the vote is subject to removal, with 2% being automatic.

If you vote "Other," please specify who you'd like to see on there.

The 2008 Community MLB Top 100 List

1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees
   
2. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
   
3. Johan Santana, SP, Minnesota Twins
   
4. Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit Tigers
   
5. David Wright, 3B, New York Mets

The winner, and still heavyweight champion of the world, Miguel Cabrera! After an extremely close battle with David Wright, Pujols Jr. joins the top 4.

Fantasy is not the focus of these polls. Overall play is the general thing to keep in mind when you value the player here. It's all about who you'd want to build a team around here in 2008 and for the next few years beyond it. Anyone that receives under 5% of the vote is subject to removal, with 2% being automatic.

If you vote "Other," please specify who you'd like to see on there.
The 2008 Community MLB Top 100 List

1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees
   
2. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
   
3. Johan Santana, SP, Minnesota Twins
   
4. Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit Tigers

The winner, rumor king Johan "Lavelle E. Neal III's best friend" Santana, over a pair of great young third basemen.

Remember, fantasy is not the focus of this. Overall play, including defense, is the general thing to keep in mind when you value the player here. It's all about who you'd want to build a team around here in 2008. Anyone that receives under 5% of the vote is subject to removal, with 2% being automatic, so Howard and J-Roll can sit in the corner for a while, as their teammate replaces them.

If you vote "Other," please specify who you'd like to see on there.

The 2008 Community MLB Top 100 List

1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees
   
2. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
   
3. Johan Santana, SP, Minnesota Twins

El Hombre wins it by a landslide. We've got the two most obvious selections out of the way. From here on, I think it gets a lot more subjective and interesting.

Remember, fantasy is not the focus of this. Overall play, including defense, is the general thing to keep in mind when you value the player here. It's all about who you'd want to build a team around here in 2008.

The 2008 Community MLB Top 100 List

1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees
   
2. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals

A-Rod wins the first poll in a swift and expected fashion. My man finishes #2, and will likely take the following poll pretty easily. Let's find out. I'll also included "Other" as an option from now on, and will be listing players in order of the votes received on the prior poll.

Remember, fantasy is not the focus of this. Overall play, including defense, is the general thing to keep in mind when you value the player here.

The 2008 Community MLB Player Top 100 List 1. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees

Hey guys! With the success of the Community Prospect list over the past few seasons, I've decided to throw together my own little community idea up here (albeit not a groundbreaking one). I'd be curious to see how this ends up, a community non-prospect list. Things have been pretty slow of late, so let's add this on for fun. I want to stress this is a question regarding overall play. This is not fantasy-based, but just a general ranking of players (including defense). Let's see where it goes. It should be especially interesting to see where pitchers get ranked in this, considering how often you hear "pitching wins championships."

Away we go.

Discuss.

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I am in no way shape or form taking over the community polls while wily mo is gone, but with the vote nearing 100 past our usual standard wait time, I figured I'd at least throw the third Fukudome run-off on here.

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Back during the season, Bravesin07 posted a cool list of stat figures, leaving us to choose which prospects would be most likely to reach these numbers. Now's as good a time as any to revisit that and update. I thought it was pretty cool.

My previous answers...

over 320 average = Jay Bruce
over 45 HR = Lars Anderson
over 40 SB = Carlos Gomez
over 210 hits = Jacoby Ellsbury
at least 17 wins = Brandon Morrow
at least 200 SO's = Clayton Kershaw
Era under 2.90 = Wade Davis
at least 40 saves = Joba Chamberlain
player with most all star games = Jay Bruce
hits most HR out of all prospects (career) = Lars Anderson

My current answers...

over 320 average = Chin-Lung Hu
over 45 HR = Lars Anderson
over 40 SB = Desmond Jennings(Carlos Gomez no longer eligible)
over 210 hits = Jacoby Ellsbury
at least 17 wins = Clayton Kershaw
at least 200 SO's = Clayton Kershaw
Era under 2.90 = Clayton Kershaw
at least 40 saves = Adam Miller
player with most all star games = Jay Bruce
hits most HR out of all prospects (career) = Lars Anderson

What do you guys think? This is likeliness of these guys achieving this within any season...aside from the last one, most HR, which is a career stat.

Yes this is absolute insanity running through my mind right now...

I realize there are major flies in this logic ointment, but IF the Reds were willing to make the commitment both to the present and to their payroll, is it inconceivable that they would be able to land both Johan Santana and Erik Bedard?

I think a Josh Hamilton-Homer Bailey-Edwin Encarnacion package would be more than enough to land Johan, as it fills the Twins' holes in CF and 3B, while getting back a high-upside power arm that just a year ago was considered at or near the top of all prospect pitcher rankings.

As for Bedard (yes, the following deal is absurd, but for the sake of this insane concept, just hear it out haha), Jay Bruce and Joey Votto would likely be enough. If not, Johnny Cueto is there to add to the mix.

I mean, yes, this makes the Reds' future pretty strange as compared to what it currently projects as. But a rotation of Santana, Harang, Bedard (split up them lefties), Arroyo and possibly Cueto by mid-season if he isn't gone in the Bedard deal, with Coco Cordero closing out games....is a recipe for 100 wins in the NL Central. You still have Griffey, Phillips, Dunn...Hatteberg...boy that dried up fast, yeah just hold onto what you have Reds LOL

I am extremely intrigued by this young man.

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John, can you do a crystal ball on Mike Moustakas please? It would be a big help to me.

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According to Rotoworld:

"   Juan Encarnacion remains in the hospital after suffering a severe eye injury Friday, and there's doubt whether he'll ever be able to play baseball again.     

Encarnacion may have suffered a permanent loss of vision when he was hit in the left eye by Aaron Miles' foul ball while standing in the on-deck circle Friday. "It's the worst trauma I've seen. Absolutely," said team doctor George Paletta said. "You hope the best for Juan, but he suffered a severe injury with a very guarded prognosis. Paletta said the eye socket was essentially crushed on impact and that the optic nerve had sustained severe trauma. Reconstructive surgery may not take place for several days while doctors wait for swelling to subside.  "

Man, is this one of the saddest things ever to happen to a player on the field or what? Forgetting the fact that Encarnacion has been a solid major league player for several years, the fact that he could lose his vision permanently is just horrifying. Here's hoping he makes as strong a recovery as possible.

Is anyone else really impressed with the way Matt Garza has pitched to this point? After his shaky debut last season and some words he had for the Twins while in the minors this year, I think a lot of people were a bit down on him. With guys like Hughes, Lincecum, Gallardo and Bailey coming up I suppose forgetting a bit about a guy who has Garza's potential became somewhat easy. What do you guys see the upside being with him?

P.S.: Rondell White does not belong in Major League Baseball.

Hey guys, I traded Joe Saunders for Humber tonight in my fantasy league...wondering what you all think of him.

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A writer for the AP, Janie McCauley, wrote an interesting article on Milton Bradley a few days ago.

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Hey guys, I may be in the minority, but I'm of the belief that Brian McCann has a chance to be better offensively than Joe Mauer, and last season didn't exactly disprove that.

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Fantasy auction is never too far away, and I've done some serious planning, which includes me getting these youngins for my currently empty 10-man farm system: Gallardo, Garza, Danks, Adenhart and Eric Hurley (on the offensive end, I plan to go after Dukes, Brignac, Bruce, Tabata and Billy Rowell). Out of all these guys, I need to cut one out because I may need to give the roster spot to a SP on the major league level to help me for the here and now. Players can be retained for a very long time, so don't let something like Tabata's ETA be the deciding factor. Looking to scratch the player with the lowest upside really, being that I can afford to take risks right now.

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