Hypothetically Speaking: Who Ya Building Around?

Hypothetically speaking, let's say that you, yes you, are in charge of starting a professional baseball team from scratch. What CURRENT PLAYER are you going to build around? Take into account the following: age, ability level, position, and intangibles. Let's assume that payroll and player salaries have no impact on the player you choose.

For me personally, if I had the chance to have Albert Pujols on my team, there is no way that I'm passing on that opportunity. The best hitter in the game still has 5-10 great years left in my eyes.

Who would you choose? And why?

Random Afternoon Video: The One With Yogi Berra, Beer, And a Balding Jason Alexander

Ahhh....what a great Yogi-ism. And does anybody notice the guy on Yogi's right???

(Follow Jorge Says No! on Twitter)

Jon Garland Trade: Impact on Free Agency?

As most of us know by now, Jon Garland was dealt from the lowly Diamondbacks to the NL West leading Dodgers two days ago. What I'm most interested in is not how this trade impacts the Dodgers, but instead, how this deal possibly impacts Garland's value on the open market. Let's take a look.

Garland's performance this season with the Diamondbacks has been filled with peaks and valleys. In April and May, Garland was awful and one of the worst pitchers in the National League. But since then, Garland has emerged as an above average starting pitcher and his season stats reflect this: 8-11 with a 4.29 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Solid yet unspectacular numbers.

So what does Garland's trade to Los Angeles mean for his pocketbook? Well, all of a sudden, Garland has a fantastic opportunity to position himself for a better contract for 2010 and beyond. Instead of pitching in Arizona where the Diamondbacks are merely playing out the schedule, Garland has the chance to make an impact on a team that could possibly win the NL pennant.

And we've seen pitchers before parlay their postseason success into a big contract. Anyone remember Derek Lowe's contract with the Dodgers after his magical 2004 playoff performance? Or how about Jeff Suppan's contract with the Brewers after pitching the best baseball of his career with the Cardinals in the 2006 playoffs?

I'm not saying that Jon Garland will earn a huge contract this offseason. But what I am saying is now that Garland is a Dodger and will be exposed to pressure packed baseball and national TV audiences, the opportunity is there for him to make that 2 year/$12 million dollar contract turn into a 3 year/$25 million dollar contract...if he plays the best baseball of his life over the next two months.

Jim Thome Trade: Impact on Free Agency?

As most of us know by now, Jim Thome was dealt from the painfully mediocre White Sox to the NL West leading Dodgers two days ago. What I'm most interested in is not how this trade impacts the Dodgers, but instead, how this deal possibly impacts Thome's value on the open market. Let's take a look:

"No way in hell."..."That's a freakin' lie..."

Yes, those are just a few of the possible responses you would have gotten from me if you told me on Sunday that Jim Thome was going to be traded to the National League. I mean, the idea seemed to be stupid on the surface. Thome hasn't played first base consistently since the 2005 season and can't be counted on to be anything more than a DH these days. Sure Thome can still tear the cover off the ball, but it didn't seem logical to move him to the National League.

But not in the eyes of the Dodgers or Ned Colleti. The Dodgers acquired Thome, who is still one of the most feared power hitters in the American League, with no intention of giving him time at first base. Or regular playing time for that matter. That's because the great Jim Thome was going to be reduced to simply pinch hitting where the Dodgers could sit back and hope that one of the best power hitters of the past decade morphs into the second coming of Matt Stairs circa 2008.

So what does Thome's trade to LA mean to his wallet? In my view, probably not much. Even though most players/agents would be pissed to lose a month of consistent playing time when their about to become a free agent, I imagine that Thome will still be fine on the open market. His numbers speak volumes for Thome's consistency and ability.

-hit at least 20 homers in every season besides 2005 since 1994
-driven in at least 90 runs in 9 of the past ten seasons (not including 2008)

When you have a guy with the track record of Jim Thome, I really doubt that a month or two of pinch hitting is going to change anyone's opinion of him on the open market. At this stage in the game, Thome is what he is. Thome has to play in the American League where he can be a productive DH that hits for power, gets on base, and drives in runs.

Unless Thome completely tanks during his VERY LIMITED time (and VERY LIMITED at bats) with the Dodgers, I still see Thome potentially earning between $7-$8 million bucks next season as someone's primary DH.

Thoughts?

Random Afternoon Video: Just Choke Up On The Bat, Mr. Brett!

And now the 7 UP theme song will stay in my head for the next 44323 hours....

Free Agent at the End of the Season: Hank Blalock

If I could sum up Hank Blalock's career so far in a word, there's no doubt that I'd choose disappointing. It's disappointing to see a player of Blalock's ability fail to live up to his potential (in large part because of injuries). You have to remember just how great Blalock's first two seasons were with the Rangers; he tore the cover off the ball and looked like a guy, who could hit 40+ HRs a year and become the Rangers third baseman for at least the next decade.

But then, for some unexplained reason, Blalock's numbers began to decline. Sure his numbers in 2005 and 2006 were still good, but Blalock went from being an elite offensive third baseman to simply being above average.

And then, the injuries hit. Blalock failed to play in more than 65 games in each of the next two seasons and before you know it, Blalock was labeled as injury prone. It's a label that Blalock is still trying to shed today as he attempts to reestablish himself as a consistent presence at the plate? What exactly could Blalock be worth on the open market? Let's take a look:

The Case for Blalock

-power

There are lots of question marks surrounding Blalock these days, but his ability to hit for power is not one of them. In 407 at bats this season, Blalock already has 23 home runs to go along with 18 doubles.

-defense?

For years, Blalock has been ranked by fangraphs as one of the worst defensive third basemen in baseball. Not much appeared to change last season when Blalock moved over to first base, but this season he's been a revelation defensively. Blalock's UZR/150 this season is a a stunning 7.3, which would make him one of the better defensive first basemen in baseball. But is he a treu everyday first baseman? He's only played first base in 53 games this season....

The Case against Blalock

-average

The most concerning part about Blalock's struggle this season has been the massive drop in batting average. Blalock went from hitting .291 last season against RHP to hitting .239 against RHP this season. In addition, in recent seasons Blalock has hit for a respectable average against left handed pitching (.270-.290), but this year, the average has bottomed out to .229 this season. Those are not good signs.

-decline

Make no mistake about it, even though hank Blalock is a name player, he is nothing close to the player he once was. His offensive skills have been on the decline and one has to wonder if he will ever be able to turn it around,

-walk rate

Even in his best seasons, Blalock was never much of a walker. However, this season Blalock's inability to walk is especially concerning. Last season, Blalock walked 19 times in 258 at bats. This season, Blalock has walked 21 times in 407 at bats. Obviously, that ratio is very unproductive especially for a "power hitter." As a result, his OBP has bottomed out this season to .276 and his OPS currently sits at .745. Ouch

Competition

The pool of free agent first basemen is quite deep this offseason. While this group is not top heavy, the reality is that this group is quite similar (Russell Branyan, Aubrey Huff, Adam LaRoche, Nick Johnson, and Blalock). The best thing that Blalock has going for him at this point is his age because he will be only 29 when the 2010 season begins. However you have to remember that Blalock is a relative "newbie" at first base, so his inexperience go against him on the open market.

Prediction
(1 year/$4.5 million)

Here are some comparable contracts:

Russell Branyan (1 year/$1.4 million)
Jason Giambi (1 year/$4 million)

You can say that Blalock is in a category all by himself. Even though Blalock is a young guy, I get the feeling that he is not in a position to receive a long term contract. Blalock still has a ways to go before he's back to his 2003-2004 self, so I can see a team taking a chance on Blalock for a year hoping that he rediscovers his old form.

Given his "potential",ability to play first base, inability to get on base, and low OPS, I'm sure the Royals will go all in to land Blalock.

Thoughts?

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The Race for Bryce Harper, Week 3

Well another week has passed by, which means that the race for Bryce Harper is heatin' up! What team will lose enough games in 2009, and in turn, receive the privilege to draft one of the most hyped up young talents in the past decade? Let's take a look at the "other important race" going on in baseball, one that has nothing to do with the playoffs or pennants.

1. Washington Nationals

-This team is just too good....at losing. A 2-6 record since last Monday cements the Nationals stronghold on top of the Harper Sweepstakes, but even though the Nationals have a hold on the race right now, they're one winning streak away from potentially being upended.

2. Kansas City Royals, 4.5 games back

-I was pulling for the Royals to make a strong run at Harper...really I was. But then yesterday word came down that GM Dayton Moore was given a four year contract extension for no reason at all. And that was the end of that. If the Royals want to make a run at Harper, they should shut down Zack Greinke for the remainder of the season because this guy is incredible and actually gives the Royals a chance to win when he pitches.

3. Pittsburgh Pirates, 8 games back

-Are the Pirates no longer contenders for Harper? Hard to say. The Pirates schedule down the stretch isn't that overwhelming (Cubs, Reds, Astros, etc.), but they still have seven games left against the first place Dodgers. Can they make up 8 games in September to put themselves in a position for Harper? Doubtful, but keep the hope alive Pittsburgh!

4. Baltimore Orioles, 8 games back

-Are the Orioles no longer contenders for Harper? Not in my eyes. Their next 17 games are all against American League contenders (Yanks, Red Sox, Rangers, Rays) so the potential for a massive tank job is there. But there simply might just be too much talent on this team for that too happen,

5. San Diego Padres, 10.5 games back

-How much longer will it be before the Mets have overtaken the Padres for the #5 spot in the Harper standings? They're only three games back!!!!!!!

Thoughts?