BB: Thoughts on Braun & Thoughts on Posey

Thursday afternoon brought great news to the Gameday Gamblers; and, of course, great news for Ryan Braun.

The Gamblers’ MVP, a cornerstone to his fantasy franchise, avoided a 50-game suspension, and man, has it sparked up some controversy.

MLB Network Radio chatter has been non-stop. Callers with several opinions, most hanging the 28-year-old Brewers left fielder.

Many of us went back and forth on the Facebook League page and some interesting points were made on both sides of the argument.

Obviously, the Gamblers (Parker) was on the side of Braun, and I was playing devil’s advocate because I love to make Parker mad.

But there’s so much to this story and there is so much we don’t know.

So what should the public do?

Well, many have slammed him for being dirty and guilty, but we don’t actually know that. Even though the sample wasn’t tampered with, as reported, there isn’t an explanation to why the testosterone to epitestosterone levels were 20:1, three times higher than any other player in MLB history.

That seems a little odd, especially considering the facts that Parker brought up in defense for Braun. And then there’s the fact that he’s been tested 25 other times without any red flags.

Facts like that do make you wonder, and it’s those facts that make you have to be wary of the process in which the test was carried out. I even said on the Facebook wall that it was a loophole and the fact remains that he tested positive, but I have to back off that because the other facts of the case bring up reasonable doubt.

The fact that MLB’s lax PED testing procedures open the door for reasonable doubt means that all we should back off Braun — and only return if new evidence arises.

I Don’t Think So, Buster
You may have saw the story recently, but if not, I’ll quickly recap it for you: Giants manager Bruce Bochy told his prized young catcher Buster Posey to not block the plate anymore.

It’s an odd command, but it makes sense. He doesn’t want to see such a talented star miss another season because someone decided to run him over.

I can understand the manager’s command, but to think that Posey will actually follow this is crazy. I’m sure he’s not just going to step aside to allow runs to come home. Bochy has to know this.

And Posey isn’t alone. He’s not the only top-notch hitting catcher to miss time because of his position. Joe Mauer has had knee issues and it’s hurt the Twins, especially since they traded their next top catching prospect, Wilson Ramos, to the Nationals a few years ago.

Now, they wish they had him back because they could move Mauer to first base.

Which brings up the same question for Posey. Why not move him to first base? If his base is that valuable to your team, why risk keeping him behind the plate? Just move him and save him. You’ll save his knees and you’ll prevent him from having season-ending or potentially career-ending injuries.

That would make more sense then telling your catcher to get out of the way of a base runner. If you’re going to order him to move a few feet to avoid a hit, you might as well move him 90 feet to first.

BB: Don't Ever Forget Burnett's Game 2, New York

A.J. Burnett

New York Yankees fans can say they’re happy to see A.J. Burnett go — when he is finally traded — but don’t ever forget what he did for baseball's most historic franchise.

The Yankees were stuck at 26 rings for a long time, so long that the Red Sox even managed to grab two rings in the meantime.

In an effort to get back to the top, the Yankees went out and did what they do best — spend. They built around Derek Jeter, A-Rod, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada by handing big-money contracts to A.J. Burnett, CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira, to name a few.

Years later, after the 27th World Championship was attained, Yankees fans are itching to get out of Burnett's contract, even if it means paying a good chunk of it while he plays for another team.

Yes, there are a lot of moments Yankees fans would like to forget with Burnett.

And yes, if you look at his numbers as a whole, he didn’t quite live up to the figures in his contract, according to many Yankees fans who call into MLB Network Radio.

But, you have to ask yourself, how much is a championship worth?

Burnett originally signed a 5-year, $82.5M contract, and if the trade goes through to Pittsburgh, it’s likely the Yankees will have given Burnett about $75M when all is said and done.

So, again; how much is a championship worth?

Many fan bases around the nation wouldn’t mind paying such a contract if the man helps you win a title. Joe Blanton's contract with the Phillies is a bit much now when you look at it, but he played an integral role in leading the Phillies to a 2008 World Series. That's why I don't personally complain that the Phils paid him $10.5M last year and will pay him another $8.5M this year. To me, a Phillies fan, it's worth it.

Now let's apply that to Burnett.

Don’t forget, it was the Phillies who took control of the 2009 World Series with a big 6-1 win in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium. They took down Sabathia, and in Philadelphia, fans were thinking, “Dynasty.”

But then, A.J. Burnett took the mound.

He had such great movement on his pitches that night, completely baffling batter after batter in the Phillies lineup. It was a magical postseason performance. He went seven innings, allowing just one run on four hits and two walks while striking out nine.

The top of the Phillies lineup — Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard — went 1-for-13 with six strikeouts.

It was a series-momentum-changing win.

Even still, there are naysayers to this argument.

I found a small blog post that talks about how people — I guess myself included — are crazy to think that Burnett’s Yankees’ career is justified by this one win because if you look, he completely stumbled in Game 5 of the same World Series, lasting just two innings, giving up six runs.

But at that point, entering Game 5, the Yankees had a 3-1 lead on the series.

Without that Game 2 performance, the Phillies head back to Citizens Bank Park with a 2-0 lead, and in my opinion, they close it out at home. There's no doubt in my mind that the way Burnett painted the corners in Game 2, the Phillies were absolutely frustrated and it carried over to Game 3.

So you can point to Burnett's Game 5 meltdown all you want and you can hate him for similar performances throughout his career; just don’t forget him for the one magically game that led to World Series No. 27.

Burnett's Future in the NL

The trade is pending, but I heard A.J. Burnett in an interview the other day and he was asked about pitching for the Pirates and he used the word "We" when talking about Pittsburgh. To me, you don't say that unless you're certain you're going to be part of that team.

With that information, let's start projecting.

What can Burnett do for the Pirates?

In my opinion, he'll do some great things, especially in the fantasy baseball world. And for the Pirates, I have to say, I really like this move.

Burnett's a strikeout pitcher, averaging 8.2 per nine innings in his career, which is exactly what he averaged in 190.1 innings last season when he struck out 173 batters.

Moving to the National League where he’ll not only avoid the heavy hitting lineups of the AL East, but he’ll also get to pitch against the Astros and the Cubs several, will create great potential.

From a fantasy standpoint, I personally can see him as a reliable starter in your lineup. With the Pirates, I project at least 14 to 16 wins with a 3.50 ERA, perhaps lower, and close to 200 strikeouts.

Am I crazy to think this? Well, look at his stats. In 37 interleague games — which is a few more starts than the number he’ll get with the Pirates this season — he is 18-11 with a 3.70 ERA and 230 strikeouts.

Not so crazy anymore, is it?


In the JimmyJam League, where the first round is actually the 18th round after keepers, I can certainly see Burnett being a high round pickup.

BB: Top Prospects in the JimmyJam Baseball League

Rays pitcher Matt Moore

MLB.com released its list of Top 100 prospects in Major League Baseball in late January, so I decided to use it to see which fantasy owners have the brightest future according to MLB.com.

I looked at the top 25 prospects and assigned them each a point value; No. 1 prospect gets 25 points, No. 2 gets 24 points, etc.

Five fantasy teams earned points and here’s how they panned out. Interestingly enough, four of the five teams were in the 2011 playoffs.

5. Sex Panthers: 14 points
The Panthers may finally have this prospect come through. She thought that Jesus Montero would make his mark as a Yankee last season, but Russell Martin came through for Yankees GM Brian Cashman and Montero lay in the shadows.

Now, after a blockbuster deal that will likely have Montero cracking the everyday starting lineup in Seattle very soon, the Sex Panthers will have a fantasy stud at catcher.

But after that, her minor league system is in need of some work.

4. JimmyJam Slammers: 21 points
Last season, the Slammers would have been at the top of this list with guys like Erik Hosmer, Mike Trout and Jeremy Hellickson, the AL Rookie of the Year.

But Hosmer and Hellickson are no longer rookies, so they do not receive MLB prospect rankings; and Mike Trout, ranked No. 3 on MLB’s prospect list, was part of a trade to the Big League Choo that sent back current Phillies pitcher Jonathan Papelbon.

So, all that’s left is the No. 5 prospect, Shelby Miller, a young Cardinals pitcher, who is a strikeout stud. He was your typical Texas fastball hurler, but he’s developed a full arsenal of pitches and he could see action in the Major Leagues as soon as this year.

3. Big League Choo: 23 points
The only team on this list not to make the playoffs is Big League Choo, and considering what he took over less than a year ago, he has to be happy to at least be on this list.

It’s a sign that he made the moves to get ready for the future. Mike Trout is the player garnering all 23 points, being ranked No. 3 in fantasy baseball. He’s a five-tool player who had a chance to play in the majors last season with varied success. He should pan out to be a the Choo’s starting center fielder for many years to come.

2. N.J. Bombers: 33 points
The Bombers has four players cracking the top 25, with Arizona pitcher Trevor Bauer pulling in the highest ranking at No. 9. Drafted in 2011, the right-handed starting pitcher could make it to the Majors as soon as this season.

So can his 13th-ranked prospect, Yankee Manny Banuelos. Drafted in 2008, the lefty has been the prized possession of the Yankees. They’ve been sent offers, but they have held on to Banuelos no matter what. He could make his debut in 2012, too, giving the Bombers’ key starter, Jered Weaver a counterpart.

The Rockies future starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz, who came to Colorado in the Ubaldo Jimenez trade, also may figure into the mix. He’s ranked No. 24 on the prospect list.

The fourth prospect for the Bombers isn’t a pitcher, it’s a catcher, and one of the top catching prospects in baseball. Travis D’Arnaud could supplant the Blue Jays current starter J.P. Arencibia.

D’Arnaud, who was part of the Roy Halladay trade, batted .311 with 21 HRs and 78 RBs in the Eastern League (Double-A) last season. He will be a stud for the Jays, and of course, the Bombers.

1. You’re Freaking Out: 97 points
Yeah, 97 points spread out amongst six players.

Ridiculous, and yet, very cool.

I think we know the Outs’ minor league keepers this season. With six players in MLB’s top 25 prospects, the Outs future is looking bright.

Clearly the best on this list is the No. 1 overall player, Rays pitcher Matt Moore. He’s got it all and the Outs made sure he picked him up last season. Moore was 12-3 in the minors with a 1.92 ERA and 210 strikeouts. He pitched in three games in the Majors, too, including one amazing start where he struck out six and allowed just two hits in seven scoreless innings, leading the Rays to a 9-0 win in Game 1 of the ALDS.

He will have a great chance to give the Rays back-to-back Rookie of the Year award winners after Jeremy Hellickson won it last season. And for the Outs, that would be huge.

If No. 1 wasn’t enough, the Outs have the No. 2 player, too. The Nats’ prized bat, Bryce Harper, slugged his way through Single-A last season, but struggled a bit in Double-A. Still, some say that Harper could make the Opening Day roster.

Harper is part of the No. 1 minor league system in baseball, the Nationals, so it’s only appropriate that he’s also part of the JLB’s top minor league system, the Outs.

Moore and Harper are among several prospects on this team, and even outside this top 25 list, you’ll find young guys like Jordan Zimmeran, Mat Latos, Yonder Alonso, Freddie Freeman and Ike Davis on the Outs roster.

Cracking the top 25, are Orioles shortstop Manny Machado, Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco, Tigers pitcher Jacob Turner and Diamondbacks pitcher Tyler Skaggs.

Machado has struggled in the minor leagues, but he is still considered a great prospect at shortstop. Mesoraco may have a brighter future for the Outs after his strong 2011 season in the minors, batting .289 with 15 HRs and 71 RBIs. The Punxsutawney, Pa., native, who I actually covered when he was in high school, should crack the Reds starting lineup this season. He should be part of the Reds return to the top of the NL Central.

Turner and Skaggs also should arrive in the Majors this season, and alongside Moore, they will complement the Outs already strong pitching staff that includes Dan Haren, Jon Lester, Roy Oswalt, Justin Masterson, Mat Latos and Shawn Marcum. Only Mat Latos qualifies for the minor league program (2 years of experience or less), so only three players out of Haren, lester, Oswalt, Masterson and Marcum will return for the Outs in 2012 via keepers.

That means the three prospects could play a key role to sustaining the Outs pitching staff that accumulated 114 wins (ranked third in JLB), and 1,676 strikeouts (fourth).