[MLB] Riding the Pine…

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“I think you’ll know I’m telling the truth here: I was not a user. I was not a steroid guy. If you see me, I’m body by booze.”
–Mark Grace, former first baseman for the Cubs and Diamondbacks, on steroids in baseball (Chicago Sun-Times).

With the start of the season this weekend, I thought I would run down my rankings for position players. It’ll be broken into 4 parts: infield, outfield/DH, pitching, and team rankings. I evaluated different parts of each player: their team, their history (stats and injury), and their potential. Here is part 1.

Catchers:
1. Victor Martinez, Indians – Easily becomes top catcher after 2nd solid season.
2. Joe Mauer, Twins – Could move up if he plays full time. Knees look strong.
3. Javy Lopez, Orioles – Looks better as a first baseman occasionally catching. Should stay healthy this way.
4. Jason Varitek, Red Sox – Always solid. Guaranteed to get rest every 5th day.
5. Kenji Johjima, Mariners – Numbers should look like Varitek’s, even though he plays in Seattle.
6. Ramon Hernandez, Orioles – Baltimore has 2 strong catchers. Hernandez will get days off to DH.
7. Jason Kendall, Athletics – Should rebound after rough first season in AL. Still will show no power.
8. Bengie Molina, Blue Jays – Playing for another contract should motivate Molina to put up similar numbers to last year.
9. Michael Barrett, Cubs – The top catcher in the NL (a weak position in the division). Should keep putting up the same numbers.
10. Johnny Estrada, Diamondbacks – Last year was a fluke due to the collision with Darin Erstad. Numbers should be better in Arizona’s hitters park.
11. Jorge Posada, Yankees – Sliding down the line with age. There was a reason New York was shopping him in the off-season.
12. Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers – The Pudge of old is gone, but he is still a decent catcher.
13. Paul LoDuca, Mets – Will start strong, but fade down the stretch, like normal.
14. Josh Willingham, Marlins – Power hitter that can’t catch. Will also be used in left field.
15. Jeff Mathis, Angels – The highly touted prospect is ready for full time duty.
16. AJ Pierzynski, White Sox – The so-called cancer will continue to produce for the defending champs.
17. Jason LaRue/Javier Valentine, Reds – These 2 are the definition of a good platoon. LaRue will miss some time, but together they make a solid catcher.
18. Rod Barajas, Rangers – Solid catcher who plays in an excellent hitter’s park.
19. Mike Piazza, Padres – Should have found a job as a DH; he will play close to 100 games behind the plate.
20. Ryan Doumit, Pirates – Up and coming catcher who could shot up the ranks with a solid season.

First Base:
1. Albert Pujols, Cardinals – Is neck and neck with A-Rod for best player in the Major Leagues.
2. Mark Teixeira, Rangers – Will continue to build on last season.
3. Derek Lee, Cubs – Won’t be as good as last year, but still a top-notch player.
4. Todd Helton, Rockies – Should rebound from slow start last year.
5. Paul Konerko, White Sox – Some of the offensive burden should be taken off him with Thome in the line up.
6. Carlos Delgado, Mets – Will show that he is the same hitter from 3 years ago.
7. Richie Sexson, Mariners – Already shown that he can hit in a pitcher’s park.
8. Jason Giambi, Yankees – Shown that the juice didn’t make him a good player.
9. Ryan Howard, Phillies – Rookie of the Year will show it was a good move to send Thome away.
10. Justin Morneau, Twins – Started last season with bad luck. He should bounce back and have a good season.
11. Jim Thome, White Sox – The move to DH should keep Thome fairly healthy.
12. Dan Johnson, Athletics – Could go either way at this point. A good start will create more at bats.
13. Sean Casey, Pirates – His better days are behind him, but he still has a good eye.
14. Lyle Overbay, Blue Jays – Move to Toronto could be beneficial. Occasionally Dhing will keep him fresh.
15. Prince Fielder, Brewers – Cecil’s son is ready for the jump (and a few hot dogs).
16. Mike Sweeney, Royals – If his back can hold up, he could jump higher in the rankings.
17. Nick Johnson, Nationals – Another injury prone player who should rank higher. He could also use a change in home park.
18. Conor Jackson, Diamondbacks – Lack of regular play hurt him when he got to the majors. Had hit at every other level before that.
19. Casey Kotchman, Angels – Young player ready to break out.
20. Nomar Garciaparra, Dodgers – Would rank higher if he could make it through a season without injury.

Second Base:
1. Chase Utley, Phillies – They traded Polanco because he was ready and he responded well.
2. Alfonso Soriano, Nationals – Would have been first if he was still in Texas, since he couldn’t hit away from there. RFK may eat him alive.
3. Marcus Giles, Braves – Has a good combination of speed, power, and patience. Will continue to play well.
4. Jeff Kent, Dodgers – On his way out of the game, but still a good player.
5. Rickie Weeks, Brewers – If his current injuries don’t bother him, he could be at the top of the list by the end of the season.
6. Mark Loretta, Red Sox – Quietly produced for most of his career, but will play in the spot light this year.
7. Brian Roberts, Orioles – Miraculous recovery from a broken arm will keep his season and career on track.
8. Placido Polanco, Tigers – Hits for good average with decent power. Should continue to be solid.
9. Jorge Cantu, Devil Rays – Came out of nowhere last year and should continue to hit on a weak team.
10. Craig Biggio, Astros – Defies age by continuing to produce. Look for him to hit a wall soon.
11. Mark Ellis, Athletics – Should have a solid season being at the top of a potent lineup.
12. Robinson Cano, Yankees – Expecting a severe sophomore slump.
13. Luis Castillo, Twins – Chronic leg injuries could be scary, but he could thrive in Minnesota.
14. Jose Vidro, Nationals – Has played well enough to move Soriano to the outfield.
15. Tadahito Iguchi, White Sox – Mark him in the list of players who have succeeded in the US.
16. Adam Kennedy, Angels – Solid player, but could lose out to prospects if he starts slowly.
17. Ryan Freel, Reds – Off field issues have not affected status with team.
18. Jose Lopez, Mariners – This should be the year he gets his chance. Speed will keep him at the position.
19. Ian Kinsler, Rangers – Good spring has gotten him the starting job.
20. Josh Barfield, Padres – Rookie gets the starting nod and should produce.

Third Base:
1. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees – Shouldn’t expect anything less than what he has already done.
2. David Wright, Mets – Broke out last season, will continue to improve this season.
3. Miguel Cabrera, Marlins – Only thing against him is a weak line up to support him.
4. Aramis Ramirez, Cubs – Could he live up to his potential? Even though he won’t make it through the season, he is still one of the better players here.
5. Scott Rolen, Cardinals – See Aramis Ramirez. Good reports of health so far.
6. Chone Figgins, Angels – Has pushed McPherson out of the way to take third, unless the team gets wise and moves Erstad.
7. Chipper Jones, Braves – Slowly working his way down the list.
8. Troy Glaus, Blue Jays – Power numbers may decrease since he moved out of the desert.
9. Morgan Ensberg, Astros – Power is still coming, even after 30+ homers last year. Could be top 5 by end of the season.
10. Eric Chavez, Athletics – First half slump is almost guaranteed, but one of the best late in the season.
11. Hank Blalock, Rangers – Disappointing previous season is keeping him down on the list. He’s young enough to rebound.
12. Aubrey Huff, Devil Rays – Numbers should stabilize with a firm position.
13. Melvin Mora, Orioles – Former batting champ on the decline, but he could turn it around in contract year.
14. Adrian Beltre, Mariners – Last year was more of the real Beltre than the previous year.
15. Chad Tracy, Diamondbacks – Breakout season resulted in permanent position. Should get better.
16. Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals – Only spent months in the minors. He could be top 10 if he continues his hot start.
17. Bill Mueller, Dodgers – Dodger Stadium will suck out what little power he had, but should still have a good average.
18. Mike Lowell, Red Sox – Could rebound in new atmosphere or be replace on the list and the field by Kevin Youkilis.
19. Joe Crede, White Sox – Strong postseason has hopes high for champion’s corner man.
20. Joe Randa, Pirates – Had solid season with Cincinnati and San Diego, but not the answer for Pittsburgh.

Shortstop:
1. Michael Young, Rangers – Moved to top shortstop after another good season.
2. Miguel Tejada, Orioles – Distracted buy Palmeiro’s steroid accusations. Should rebound nicely.
3. Derek Jeter, Yankees – Overrated, but still better than most at this weak position.
4. Jimmy Rollins, Phillies – Still maturing as a hitter. Will be one of the top 3.
5. Rafael Furcal, Dodgers – Injuries may cost him places on the list, if they persist.
6. Jose Reyes, Mets – Apparently his batting eye is getting better. Look for more walks.
7. Jhonny Peralta, Indians – Sophomore slump could keep him from being elite this year.
8. Bobby Crosby, Athletics – Could move up if he could make it through a season without an injury.
9. Carlos Guillen, Tigers – Important to Detroit’s plans. Looks like he is fully healthy.
10. Julio Lugo, Devil Rays – Should be dealt to a contender before deadline, which could increase his value.
11. Edgar Renteria, Braves – Overrated in St. Louis and overmatched in Boston. Look for decent offense and shady defense.
12. Clint Barmes, Rockies – Was the Rookie of the Year before his injury, and couldn’t hit after. Somewhere in the middle is the real Barmes.
13. David Eckstein, Cardinals – The sparkplug of the Cards line up should continue what he started last year.
14. Felipe Lopez, Reds – Lopez produced like everyone said he would, only a few years later. He will be decent, but may struggle in second full season.
15. Khalil Greene, Padres – Looks like Crosby, only without as strong as a bat. He too needs a healthy season.
16. Orlando Cabrera, Angels – Days in Anaheim could be numbered with 2 great prospects on the way.
17. Omar Vizquel, Indians – Should be headed down hill. Defense will keep him in the majors well past his prime.
18. JJ Hardy, Brewers – Has gotten better at every level he’s played at. Should continue to do so.
19. Ronny Cedeno, Cubs – Will be a solid SS if Dusty doesn’t block him with a veteran.
20. Alex Gonzalez, Red Sox – Now that he is free of Florida, his hitting should be better.

IP Writers Fantasy Baseball
Several of the writers are in a fantasy league this year. I plan to have a weekly update on the league standings. The owners are:

Greg Wind – #%&@! You Jobu
Steve Price – Horsemen 2K6
TBD (I’m working on it) – WahoO’s
Trent Pusey – Poo-Choo Train
Tom Gubitos – Stoogats
Michaelangelo McCullar – Bangin and Slangin
Steve Murray – Buncha Savages
Chris Lamb – Lambo’s Monsters
Patrick Nyugen – Your Mom
Me – Sandmen

Week 1 match ups
Horsemen 2K6 vs. Sandmen
Lambo’s Monsters vs. WahoO’s
Buncha Savages vs. Poo-Choo Train
#%&@! You Jobu vs. Stoogats
Your Mom vs. Bangin and Slangin

Around the Pulse
Aaron Cameron, Daniels, and Mike Hulse have put together an awesome baseball preview. I was supposed to be part of it, but had some problems with work that made me miss the deadline. Check out Part 1 here.

Go to the Sports Zone for everything else.

Lastly, go to the forums. The Sports Boards are normally dead, so help bring some life to them. Also, tell me what you think of the rankings so far.