Fantasy Baseball 2014: Ranking Final Preseason Top 150 Big Board

Will the back inflammation that's pushing off Clayton Kershaw's Sunday night start hurt his fantasy stock?
Associated Press

With spring training finally over (yay!), the 2014 regular season is about to get under way in full (double-yay!!). And with your fantasy baseball draft in the rear-view mirror (triple-yay!!!), it's time to update the Big Board again.

On the pages that follow is a ranking of—count 'em—the top 150 players for the 2014 fantasy baseball season. With some circumstances and opinions changing since the last iteration, including transactions and injuries, a refreshing of the board is in order.

Before getting to that, though, some housekeeping is needed, as this lengthy list of the top talents comes with a few key qualifications. First, everything is based on 10- or 12-team mixed leagues with standard 5x5 rotisserie scoring for hitters (BA, R, HR, RBI, SB) and pitchers (W, ERA, WHIP, K, SV).

Second, lineup construction accounts for 22 active roster positions consisting of: one each for catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, corner infield, middle infield and utility, along with five outfielders and nine pitchers.

And third, to be eligible at a particular position, players must have either played at least 20 games there in 2013 or be in line to start there in 2014.

With that out of the way, get ready to count down, starting with No. 150 and working all the way to No. 1.

Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (March 30) – Updated Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images

Chris Denorfia got a pair of hits, drove in the go ahead run and an insurance run and made a nice running catch in right field, leading the Padres to a come from behind 3-1 win over Los Angeles.

Andrew Cashner looked sharp as San Diego’s opening day starter. He went 6 innings, letting up a single run, 4 hits and struck out 5. He got a no decision as the Padres beat the Dodgers 3-1.

Hyun-Jin Ryu deserved better than a no decision. In his second start of the season, the Dodger left hander threw 7 scoreless innings, surrendering just 3 hits and 3 walks, striking out 7. The bullpen coughed up the lead and the Padres won 3-1. But Ryu earned a 1/2 WOB.

They owned baseball on March 30, 2014.

My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found HERE.

At the end of the year, we will tally up who owned baseball the most individual days and see how it compares to the final MVP and Cy Young vote.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

So let’s update the tally taking into account their heroics last night.

Players with Multiple Votes:

Leaders for the National League Hitter

Leaders for the National League Pitcher

Hyun-Jin Ryu – 1 1/2

 

Leaders for American League Hitter

Leaders for American League Pitcher

 

Guys Who Owned Baseball For One Day:

Andrew Cashner, Chris Denorfia, Paul Goldschmidt (1/2), Dee Gordon, Clayton Kershaw, Mark Trumbo (1/2),  Scott Van Slyke

‘Sully’ Baseball (Paul Francis Sullivan) hosts a 20 Minute Daily Podcast Every Day – 365 Days a Year – unless its a Leap Year – and then he is going to do another one.

check out Sully Baseball’s 20 Min Daily Podcast Right here

Don’t forget to Subscribe on iTunes HERE. RSS Feed here

Check Out Sully’s personal website with thousands of archived articles visit http://www.sullybaseball.wordpress.com here

WOB Stands For ‘Who Owned Baseball’ It is based on a Daily Look at the best players from the baseball games the day before. Our Lead Writer – Paul Francis Sullivan – (feel free to call him ‘Sully’), keeps a running total for the yearly leaders every day – and we will update the standings here every day.

Agree or Disagree with him on the players he selects – leave him a comment at info@sullybaseball.com. Follow him on twitter.

Follow @sullybaseball

Tagged: 2014 Los Angeles Dodgers, 2014 San Diego Padres, Andrew Cashner, chris denorfia, Hyun-Jin Ryu, los angeles dodgers, Paul Francis Sullivan, san diego padres, Sully Baseball, who owned baseball, Who owns baseball?, WOB

Brian Wilson meltdown wastes Ryu gem, Dodgers fall to Padres in U.S. opener

San Diego took advantage of Brian Wilson's meltdown to beat L.A. 3-1 in MLB's latest opener.

Darvish opens 2014 on DL

Yu Darvish was expected to start Opening Day before coming down with neck stiffness.

Rick Yeatts/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Texas Rangers ace Yu Darvish was put on the 15-day disabled list Sunday, the same day he threw a 32-pitch bullpen session without any issues.

Darvish had been set to be the Rangers starter in Monday's opener against Philadelphia before having neck stiffness during camp. He last pitched in a game two weeks ago and didn't resume throwing until consecutive sessions this weekend.

Texas also put left-hander Matt Harrison, last year's opening-day starter, on the 15-day disabled list while setting its 25-man roster for the start of the season.

Harrison, who made only two starts last season before twice having surgery on a herniated disk in his back, had a setback early in spring training, when he felt neck and back stiffness. He could return to the rotation before the end of April.

Darvish's move to the disabled list was retroactive to March 21, meaning he could be eligible to return next weekend. Harrison's move was retroactive to March 29. Left-hander Derek Holland was already on the 60-day disabled list and not expected back until at least June after surgery on his left knee, injured during the offseason when he was tripped by his dog on stairs in his home.

Texas said Darvish reported feeling strong after his bullpen session with pitching coach Mike Maddux on Sunday, a day after 30 throws off flat ground. Darvish, who last season led the majors with 277 strikeouts and finished second in the AL Cy Young Award voting, will get a day off from his throwing program before resuming Tuesday.

Texas also selected the contract of infielder Josh Wilson from Triple-A Round Rock, and he could start at second base. Infielder Adam Rosales was designated for assignment, giving the Rangers 10 days to trade him, release him or send him outright him to the minor leagues.

Second baseman Jurickson Profar (muscle tear in right shoulder) and catcher Geovany Soto (torn meniscus cartilage in right knee) are both expected to be out up to three months. Profar was put on the 15-day disabled list, and Soto on the 60-day list.

The opening 25-man roster includes only four starting pitchers: Tanner Scheppers, Martin Perez, Robbie Ross and Joe Saunders, the left-hander signed after camp opened and who earned an increase in his base salary from $500,000 to $1.5 million by being on the active roster for one day. The Rangers don't need a fifth starter until the second week of the season, and will make a move then.

Texas will start the season with seven relief pitchers and three catchers: J.P. Arencibia will start and be backed up by Robinson Chrinois and Chris Gimenez. The six outfielders include Mitch Moreland, who also is a first baseman and designated hitter.

Wilson likely will split time at second base with Donnie Murphy, claimed off waivers last week from the Chicago Cubs. The only other listed infielders are first baseman Prince Fielder, shortstop Elvis Andrus and third baseman Adrian Beltre.

Copyright 2014 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Could The Toronto Blue Jays Turn Into The Canada Blue Jays? Play In Montreal And Vancouver As Well?

Olympic Stadium was a building catastrophe from the get go. It was a contributing factor of the Expos leaving Montreal. Having said that, it would have been really cool if the North America opener were to have been opened in Montreal, with this past series with Toronto and the New York Mets. Instead it was just an exhibition. At least the Canadian park has hosted regular season MLB games  unlike the Sydney Cricket Ground.  Will another city other than Toronto ever host a regular season game again?

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports

I must be out of my mind right?

Having the Toronto Blue Jays play in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver during a regular season – and re-brand the team to a national team in the MLB.  But stop and think about this for a minute.

The club just drew almost 50K fans for both exhibition games in Quebec.  This just reaffirmed my stance of last week.  I admonished the MLB for not starting the season with this series in Montreal.

Having thought about it further this weekend, I came up with a new idea.  Why not play some games in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver – and name the club the Canada Blue Jays?

Newly renovated BC Place Stadium, with $600 Million Dollars in upgrades, re-opened on Sept.30/2011 with and features a 100 by 85 retractable roof. The lights also illuminates different colors both inside and outside of the building. The stadium could be converted to meet MLB specifications.  The Lower Mainland has 4 Million People to draw from and a growing baseball fanbase.  In the last 20 years, Larry Walker, Ryan Dempster, Justin Morneau. Jeff Francis, Brett Lawrie and James Paxton have all come from the area.  While it may not be able to sustain a full attendance over a full year, this place could net the Blue Jays some cash if they were to play some games.

On the surface, again people might say I am nuts.. but consider this.

Toronto has a tough time drawing attendance right now, and lets face it, they have been speedbagged by the Yankees and Red Sox 38 times a year for 15 years – knocking the competitive balance down a peg.

Expansion discussions have been running rampant in Montreal after this series.  But lets all just look at some cons for expansion in Canada.

While it is nice the Blue Jays drew that many fans for a 2 game set, having a team in the city for 81 games is a different story.

Olympic Stadium while serviceable, is not a beacon of greatness to play in.  During the last couple of seasons with the MLB, it was tough to draw well with the Expos.

There is no doubt the city was jobbed by Jeffrey Loria and sold a bill of goods by the league as well.  if you want to read and hear more about that, click here.

But lets fast forward to 2014.

The stadium issues still presents itself prominently.  There is no way a team could move to Montreal longterm – and play out of that facility.

Building in any new park in Montreal is also pipe dream.  Between the park and a team relocation – or expansion, you are talking a Billion Dollars.  A tough maneuver to privately finance, and no way to be done privately.

Even if you can cram those scenarios, there is no proof you could have sustainable success in the city.

Among the problems the team had when they left were Broadcast rights.  With more than half of the population speaking Fench – and nearly half English, you need to have 2 main rights holders for TV.

The second problem is that the Jays have cornered the market for a decade, and are owned by the Rogers Media Group.  Having 2 Eastern Time Standard Times would cut into ratings for one for sure

Another problem back a decade ago was the Canadian Dollar.  Canada’s teams take in revenue in Canadian Dollars and pay out player salaries in U.S. Funds.

When Montreal left the MLB in 2005, the dollar was about .75/every US Dollar, and it has been near par for the last half-dozen years, before recently trending downwards again – hovering at about 90 cents right now.

Without any equalization payments given by the MLB, it would make it tough if this trend continued.

There is no doubt it would be cool for the Expos to return to the MLB, it just wouldn’t come via this route.

BC Place has been retrofitted with incredible renovations that feature spacious seats, a huge modern scoreboard, and a football sized retractable roof that beams down sun in the summer. BC Place used to hold exhibition games in the mid 90′s for Seattle, but haven’t come back since Edgar Martinez tore his knee up on the old Astroturf.  The field surface has now been updated with “Field Turf.”

Vancouver, B.C. Canada probably has a better chance to land a team, because they have B.C. Place Stadium.

A renovated gem of a park, that saw $600 MIL in renovations in 2011, and I would rank as a top 15 venue if they were currently in the Majors right now.

But even though the population base has about 4 Million people in the Lower Mainland, baseball is just not the #1 sport in town.

Having said that, with the recent influx in players in the MLB from the area over the last 20 years, the popularity is increasing.

Much like Montreal, the intrigue would be great for a year or 2, however the sustainability would not be able to last the more time went on.

One advantage Vancouver would have over Montreal is that they are located on the West Coast.  it is great because you feature doubleheaders nightly between Toronto and Vancouver for broadcasting TV/radio rights.

You could start the Toronto games at 7:07 PM EST, and then Vancouver could start at 10:10 PM EST.

Again, that article I wrote, talks about that here.

So that Vancouver and Montreal don’t work individually, and Toronto just can’t seem to gain enough steam own their own either.  Why not amalgamate all 3 cities into the fold for one team?

My proposal for 81 home games.

Toronto – 41 games hosted.

Vancouver and Montreal Combined – 40 Games.

Vancouver 20 Games Hosted (BC Place Stadium)

(vs Seattle, Oakland, LA Angels, Texas, Houston, Kansas City – 6 series).

There are many fans in Seattle that would be able to drive the 3 Hours the I – 5 to watch the team play.

it is not like the West Coast teams draw as well in the Rogers Center.

Toronto 41 Games Hosted (Rogers Center)

22 versus combination NYY, BAL, TB, BOS,

13 versus the AL Central (Chicago, Minnesota, Cleveland, Detroit) and then 6 games in Interleague. 

All of these teams remaining would be within earshot drive of Toronto.  DET – 4 hour drive, CLE: 4.75 hours drive. CHI is 8 hours. 

Minnesota is the only outlier – but that would be the same for Vancouver and Montreal anyway.

Montreal – 20 Games Hosted – (Olympic Stadium)

Tampa Bay (4 games), Baltimore (4 Games), NY Yankees  6 hours drive (4 games), Boston ( 5 hours 15 minutes away) (5 games) Natural Rivalry Philly 7 hours drive (3 games).

Those are 4 division rivalries and a natural rivalry.)  It is not like the team wouldn’t be okay still playing their division rivalries for more than one series.

It is only a 5 hour drive from Toronto to Montreal.

Having the team as the Canada Blue Jays would unite the whole country to bond the entire nation.

I am thinking this new configuration could net the club over 3 Million in attendance yearly.

Nat Bailey looks like a mini-version of Wrigley Field and is currently the home field of the Toronto Blue Jays single A Affiliate (The Vancouver Canadians.)

Vancouver already has the single A Affiliate for the Blue Jays.  As such, they have been building up the interest in the province for the Blue Jays for several years.

Compromise if not 20 games in Vancouver and Montreal – How about 6?

Montreal

6 games

vs TB – 3 games and BAL – 3 games.

Vancouver 6 games

vs SEA – 3 games and OAK – 3 games.

Not that any of these would ever happen.  But the fact we can even entertain the thought is due to the weekend success in Montreal

Traveling baseball fans would love to go to all 3 parks. These venues have held championship matches in the Canadian Football League – and would be huge events to host regular season MLB games.

One can dream right?

The Blue Jays drew almost 100K fans in the two exhibition season games in Montreal. At the very least, why not host a few series in early April to help drive up attendance? Olympic Stadium could host a series versus the Rays/Orioles, or you could make it more accessible to the New York and Boston fan bases – by hosting series against the Red Sox and Yankees.  Both cities are about a 7 hour drive from Montreal.  The Blue Jays could really cash in on the whole country rallying behind one team.  If they remain just in Toronto, this would be less achievable.  However covering the three biggest cities in Canada, and hosting some games certainly would.

 

 *** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their partners***

For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries Posts that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.

Please e-mail me  at: mlbreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback.   To subscribe to our website and have the Daily Reports sent directly to your inbox, click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.

Follow @mlbreports

Like us on Facebook here

More discussion about this topic available with MLB Reports Daily Podcaster Sully

It is The Sunday Request on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

@sullybaseball how cool would the AL East be w/Sox,Yanks,Orioles,Jays, #MontrealExpos? Lots of rivalries there! #movetheraystoMontreal #MLB

— Mike (@Boston_Braves) March 30, 2014

That is an interesting idea for potential rivalries in the AL East.

And the bar for an improved baseball situation in Montreal is kind of LOW!

 

 

 

 

Tagged: AL East, AL West, american dollar, bc place stadium, boston red sox, brett lawrie, Canadian Dollar, Canadian Football League, cleveland indians, Grey Cup, houston astros, james paxton, jeff francis, jeffrey loria, justin morneau, kansas city royals, la angels, Larry Walker, mlb expansion, mlb relocation, montreal expos, olympic stadium, philadelphia phillies, rogers center, rogers media group, ryan dempster, seattle mariners, tampa bay rays, texas rangers, toronto blue jays, vancouver

Dodgers, back from Sydney, to take on Padres

Colorado Rockies State Of The Union For 2014

This club often reminds me of an aging heavyweight fighter. You may beat on them for a time, but there is always that chance the team will land a haymaker on you. 2007 was one of their days in the sunshine. 2014 may see them at least make the postseason again. With a 20 – 1 odd for the club, the value is there for a longshot pick – should you be allowed to gamble on this chance.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports

The Colorado Rockies brass were a busy bunch in the 2013 winter, heading into the 2014 year.  They have picked up several solid players for the upcoming campaign.

I simply hate that this club plays in the NL West with the Dodgers and Giants.

This year, just like any in recent memory, will depend heavily on whether the team can keep Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki.

When both are clubbing it, this 3 – 4 punch may be the best in baseball now that Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera have been separated.

Even with playing teams in the NL West with Parks like Petco, Dodger Stadium and AT &T Park, Rockies player gets 81 games of AB at home versus 27 against the other parks or 75-25 % with pitcher advantage situations in the NL West. The Rockies continue to lead the MLB for Home Averages year in and year out, having accomplished the feat over 85% of the time.  Even the post – humidor days have only seen a 10% reduction, but it is not enough for hem to be usurped most seasons.  The Coors Field fans are one great fanbase, drawing in between 2.5 MIL – 3.0 MIL despite only having 6 winning seasons out of 21 franchise campaigns.

Coors Field provides so many weird anomalies because of the climate on the players.

Pitchers have a tough time with the air, while the hitters have superhuman efforts in Denver, and tend to struggle abroad.

Walt Weiss comes back for a 2nd year to manage the club, trying to improve on the 74 victory mark of 2013.

He should be skippering a team with the best offense in the NL.

The biggest question will be who will hit 1st?  With Michael Cuddyer (RF) hitting 2nd, Carlos Gonzalez (LF) hitting 3rd, Troy Tulowitzki (SS) batting cleanup, followed by Justin Morneau (1B), Wilin Rosario (C) and Nolan Arenado (3B) batting between 2 and 7, so that leaves the 2B and CF slot.

We are talking about D.J. LeMahieu, Corey Dickerson or possibly Drew Stubbs, but I think the most logical choice has to be Dickerson.

If Stubbs makes it into any lineup, he simply doesn’t have the OBP to hit 1st.

Dickerson has hit at every level – including bouncing 23 base hits of the extra bag variety during the 2013 season (13 – 2B, 5 – 3B and 5 HRs) in just 194 AB.

The 2010 Rockies Draft Pick also features a Minor League OBP of .379, and what is good, is his Strikeout rate isn’t horrible.

Yes he K’d 41 times in 213 Plate Appearance for the big team last year, but he may be able to cut the down with his 2nd time through the league.

MIchael Cuddyer was probably the most unlikely candidate to win a NL Batting Championship in 2013, but that s exactly what he did with a .331 BA. He is only a .277 career hitter.

Out of the 2nd slot will be NL reigning Batting Champion Michael Cuddyer.

The RF hit a career high of .331 during 2013, however I am thinking a slight regression may come in 2014.

If he could maintain an average around .300, with an OBP in the .360′s, then it should pave the way for CARGO and TULO.

Carlos Gonzalez is latest in the long list of players to take advantage of the thin air in Denver. CARGO has destroyed the cover off of the ball at a 3 Slash Line of .339/.403/1.033 – with 79 HRs and 253 RBI in just 1168 (or the equivalency of playing 2 full seasons at Coors Field. His road 3 Slash is .269/.324/.774 – with 48 HRs and 148 RBI in 1248 AB. To be fair, 2013 he has evolved to hit everywhere finally, sporting a .987 OPS on the Road – to a .930 mark at home.

If Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki played a full year each right now, it could be assumed both would hit north of .300, with 30+ HRs and 100+ RBI – with OPS’s and Gold Glove defense.

Projected 3 Slashes for both.  Gonzalez .305/.370/.555, Tulowitzki – .310/.400/.525.  I am not going to put up power totals, as I sort of said it already up above.

Troy Tulowitzki is one of the best all-round shortstops in baseball. he plays Gold Glove caliber defense, and he actually hits well pretty much anywhere whether home (.935 OPS) and Away (.819 OPS). The team always plays better with their franchise Shortstop is in the lineup – and they have a punchers chance to compete in their Division. Tulo is owed $134 MIL over the next 7 years, and could easily command that type of salary on the open market

Justin Morneau should have a comeback year at .290/.340/.475 – with 27 HRs and 95 RBI.

At the time of his concussion in 2010, Morneau had made 5 straight ALL-Star teams and had made 526 RBI in 4 and a half seasons. His 2010 OPS was 1.055. He fell off to .613 in 2011, before a slight rebound of .773 in 2012 – and .736 OPS in 2013 – where he played his 1st full season since his 2006 AL MVP year. A move to Coors Field should see him put up better numbers, and at least provide the power Todd Helton had in the last few years.

Wilin Rosario may hit 30+ HRs, have a high Batting Average and also an OPS of above .800.

If you don’t know how good Wilin Rosario is yet, you will very soon. This guy is putting up monster numbers from the Catchers position. In his 1st 899 Career At – Bats, he has launched 52 HRs and driven in 158 RBI. The 24 Year Old finished 4th in NL Rookie of the Year Voting in 2012 with 28 HRs in just 396 AB. 2013 saw him drop to 21 big flies, but he should jump to over 30 HRs this year.

Nolan Arenado will win a Gold Glove, club 55+ XBH, reach nearly 20 HRs, and improve on his 2013 slash of .267/.301/.405.

This team is totally dangerous through that part of the lineup.

Guys in the 8th slot like Drew Stubbs, or the team’s 2B are the only real players that may be less than ideal.

Stubbs can even clock you an odd HR.  Other guys who will see bench duty include Brandon Barnes, Charlie Blackmon, Jordan Pacheco and Charlie Culberson.

The Pitching Staff has been bolstered by several new additions.

Starters Franklin Morales and Brett Anderson were acquired via trade, while Relievers Boone Logan and LaTroy Hawkins will join the Relief core.

Jorge De La Rosa is already 6th on the ALL – Time Franchise Win List with a Record of 53 – 34. Where so many Pitchers have struggled to have success – he has a 35 – 12 Record and a 4.21 ERA in Denver.

The staff was much better in 2013 with the return of  Jorge De La Rosa – and the emergence of Jhoulys Chacin and Tyler Chatwood.

It is important to note the Chacin and Bullpen arm Logan are on the Disabled List to start the year.

De La Rosa is the best chucker on the starting staff by far.  He went 16 – 6, with a nice 3.49 ERA.

The man knows how to pitch in Coors Field, and is a veteran of 6 seasons with Colorado – and is a Free Agent after this upcoming season.

Tyler Chatwood is one of the promising young pitchers that the Rockies have on their roster. He won 8 games for the club in 2013, with a 3.15 ERA. He was acquired for Chris Iannetta. A great deal when you consider the team had a young Wilin Rosario waiting in the wings anyway.

Chatwood was an awesome steal job from the Angels for Chris Iannetta in return.

In his 1st full season, he went 8 – 5, with a 3.15 ERA.  The Right Hander held down a 3.50 ERA in 11 Game Starts at Coors, while he served up a 2.72 ERA on the road.

To start the year, Chatwood is questionable for his 1st start the year, nursing a strained left hamstring.

Brett Anderson was once hailed a can’t miss prospect in baseball.  Suffering through many injuries has slowed down his development.

Dealing back Drew Pomeranz (one of the main pieces in the Ubaldo Jimenez 2012 trade) was what it took to land the LHP.

He should significantly help the rotation this season.  Anderson has a 3.81 ERA for his 450.2 IP worth of experience thus far.

Oakland did give some cash, but Anderson makes only $8 MIL in 2014 anyway.  He does have a $12 MIL Team Option for 2015 too.

This kind of deal is a nice way to compliment a lower salaried team with an additional arm without being locked down long-term.

Think of the Pirates trading for Wandy Rodriguez or A.J. Burnett.

The departed team picked up some salary, and the exchange was a liveable contract, that would not cripple you should it not work.

If Anderson works out, the team should have no problem absorbing that 2015 Option.

This also provides insurance against Jorge De La Rosa fleeing for Free Agency after this year.

Pomeranz had not worked out in his time, so it was a nice deal for both clubs.

Juan Nicasio lugged 157.2 IP out of the 5th Starters slot last year.  While his ERA was not that great at 5.14, this is to be expected from whomever is at the back end of Colorado’s rotation.

Bullpen

LaTroy Hawkins at age 41, will start his 20th MLB season as the club’s projected Closer.  This guy is an ultimate professional and will not be overwhelmed by throwing in Denver.

Hawkins has appeared in 172 games over the last 3 years, and has had his best stretch of throwing in his career.

In 2013 alone, he pitched his most innings since 2004, with 70.2 frames tossed.  He was the Mets lock down arm at the end of the year with 13 Saves and 2.93 ERA.

Rex Brothers was one of the more dominant LHP in the game of baseball, and was notably robbed of an ALL – Star Game at Citi Field for his efforts in 2013.

Rex Brothers will be the primary setup guy for Hawkins, and could seamlessly be the go to guy later in the year.

The 26 Year Old should have been an ALL – Star selection with his 1st half numbers (0.91 ERA in 39.2 IP.)

Brothers will be with fellow LHP Boone Logan in the Relief Core through this year.

Paying $16.5 MIL/over 3 years for any Reliever not your Closer or setup guy is strangely odd for the franchise, having said that Logan is a workhorse.

He also will be starting the year on the DL with left elbow inflammation.

Logan has appeared in 256 Games covering the 2010 – 2013 years, and has been quite effective with a 3.38 ERA and a 19 – 7 record.

Keep in mind his numbers hailed from the AL East..actually good comparisons to Coors Field.

Adam Ottavino, newly Rule 5 Draft Tommy Kahnle, may join Wilton Lopez and Matt Belisle as others who will see late inning action.

The Rox must have good production from these guys considering they will be working lots.

When all is said and done, it should be a normal year in Colorado, if you call it either an under .500 season, or near a post season berth.

I, for one, think they will improve on 74 victories.  Maybe an 80 – 83 win campaign should be in the cards.

If Tulo and Cargo stay healthy, they should play meaningful games into September.

The Rockies have struggled to compete after making the playoffs in 2011. Colorado has battled injuries, and has watched the Giants and Dodgers begin to pull away from the rest of the Division in terms of payroll.  The Rockies being their 2nd year under the tutelage of skipper Walt Weiss.  The team had improved four games from 2012 – 2013, however will need a huge improvement to compete in 2014.

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com ***

For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries Posts that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.

A big thank-you goes out to Our ‘Chief Writer‘ Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s featured article.

Please e-mail us at: mlbreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox, click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.

Follow @mlbreports

Like us on Facebook here

Tagged: 25 man roster colorado rockies 2014, 40 man roster colorado rockies 2014, a.j. burnett, adam ottavino, arizona diamondbacks, boone logan, boston red sox, brandon barnes, brett anderson, carlos gonzalez, charlie blackmon, charlie culberson, chris iannetta, colorado rockies, Coors Field, Corey Dickerson, d.j. lemahieu, drew pomeranz, drew promeranz, drew stubbs, Franklin Morales, jhoulys chacin, jordan pacheco, jorge de la rosa, juan nicasio, justin morneau, LaTroy Hawkins, los angeles angels, los angeles dodgers, matt belisle, miguel cabrera, nl west, oakland athletics, pittsburgh pirates, prince fielder, rex brothers, san francisco giants, todd helton, tommy kahnle, tyler chatwood, ubaldo jimenez, Walt weiss, wandy rodriguez, wilin rosario, Wilton Lopez

San Diego Padres State Of The Union For 2014

The Padres have not made the playoffs since 2006, and have only authored 2 winning seasons in the last 7 years. It is not from a lack of the coach, rather the NL West has far superior talent, while the San Diego franchise has been trying to replenish the farm, went through an ownership change, and now the team needs to make some decisions this offseason, that will shape the fortunes of the club for the next several years.  I think the Pad Squad are in the mid 60′s wins range by the time it is all said and done this year.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports

This season could get real ugly for the Padres in 2014.

As of right now, here are the injuries the team has endured for Spring Training.

Cameron Maybin is out till mid to late April with ruptured biceps tendon.  Josh Johnson will miss a month with a strained right forearm, Corey Luebke is gone for the year with his 2nd Tommy John Surgery, and Joe Wieland also had an elbow surgery.

Among the latest issues, Carlos Quentin is doubtful for the opener today with a sore knee, Catcher Yasmani Grandal is questionable, recovering from knee surgery – while Chase Headley (strained right calf) and Chris Denorfia (sore right shoulder) are probable for tonight’s North American MLB Opener.

Joaquin Benoit had done everything the Tigers have asked him, This man has been in 268 games over the last 4 years, and featured a mid 2 ERA. His success early in the year may see him take over the Closers role, and free up the team to trade Huston Street for long-term assets.  Benoit inked a 2 YR deal with San Diego in the winter, that will see him earn a minimum of $15.5 MIL during that time.  The club pays him $14 MIL in salary for 2014 -2015, and retains a $8 MIL salary in 2016 – if he finished 55 games.  The club could buy him out for $1 ,5 MIL in that even

This team has a lot going against it to begin with in the NL West, with the powerhouse Dodgers and Giants already residing in the Division.

This website has picked San Diego to bottom feed both in the NL West, but we also all feel that the Padres may challenge the Cubs for the worst overall record in the NL.

Betting them under their 79 wins total was one of the biggest bet wagers on the board for us.

The franchise has left Xavier Nady on the roster to start the season.  I am all for giving out chances, but this guy hasn’t seen good days in the MLB for over 4 seasons.

Granted the 35 Year Old has put together a nice Spring Training in earning it, however to have him part of the opening day roster is scary.

He might thrive in a smaller role like a PH.

I hate most of the moves the club has done since the conclusion of the 2013 season.

Trading Luke Gregerson for 4th OF Seth Smith has to be one of the dumbest moves I have come across.

Giving away a setup Reliever – who has fashioned a 2.88 ERA in 347 IP during his career for a guy who is not going to see 500 AB this season is bad business.

Smith and Gregerson are near the same age, are both Free Agents in 2015, and when the club is out of contention later in 2014, Smith will not fetch nearly as much in a trade that Gregerson would have.

Look for Smith to go .240/.325/.400 in his AB for San Diego.

Carlos Quentin is hurt….there is a surprise right?  He has missed 158 games over the last 2 years for the Pod’s.

Granted he has played decently for the time he has been on the field, with 29 HRs and 90 RBI for the 560 AB in 2012 – 2013, the problem is that he has injury problems.

San Diego is paying this man $ 9 MIL per year to be sidelined half of the time.

I am sure when Quentin is in the games, he will hit .260./.350/.500 – and will wear several baseball off his body for HBP’s.

Patrolling CF for the hurt Maybin will be 31 Year Old Will Venable.

This Lefty was one of about a dozen players to go 20 HRs/20 SB last season with 22/21 respectively.

He has a nice amount of speed and power, and will adjust back to LF when Maybin is taken off the DL.

Venable has a career OPS of .753 – and should provide more of the same in 2014.

Chris Denorfia will get the call in LF to start with if Quentin can’t go tonight.  RF would go to Seth Smith probably.

Giving even more credence to my earlier statement of the Gregerson for Smith trade, this guy was already going join Quentin, Venable and Maybin as the 4 to play beyond the grass.

Smith was an unnecessary piece to bring in.

Back to Denorfia, he has a decent career BA of .280 – and has shown he can put the bat on the all, while drawing the odd walk.

Chase Headley should be the team’s top offensive player in 2014, but that was also the case in 2013.

This guy was out of his head in the 2nd half of 2012, which has made it impossible to sign him long-term because he is seeking too much money.

After leading the NL in RBI in 2012 (115) and smacking 31 HRs, the 29 Year Old Switch Hitter managed just 12 HRs and 50 RBI for 2013.

Headley career 162 Game Average says he is a 16 HRs and 72 RBI man, with  a 3 Slash of .269/.350/.415.

I think this is more reflective of who he is – and that Post ALL – Star Headley of 2012 was more of an aberration.

The franchise can’t delve into risky long-term deals – and as such, should trade this player before they lose him at the end of the season.

Jedd Gyorko can easily over to 3B and the organization has depth with Alexi Amarista listed as the 2B backup.

Yasmani Grandal and Everth Cabrera both try to move past campaigns they were both suspended for PED use during 2014.

While I think Cabrera will fare fine, (Steal 45 bags, plate 90 Runs – and be the teams leadoff man), I am worried about Grandal.

The Catcher only saw 108 AB in 2013, and connected on just 1 HR, losing his gig to Nick Hundley.

The new backstopper Hundley should hit in the teens for HRs, but he will Strikeout well over a 100 times, without bringing forth many walks.

First Base sees Yonder Alonso begins his 3rd year as the Starter.  He has only netted 20 HRs and 125 AB in his 1st 1000 MLB AB.

His offensive output has to improve quickly – or he could be riding pine.

Tommy Medica has made club based on his strong March output, and he has a more thunderous stick from the position.

My prediction is that these two guys may end up in a platoon until the man with better numbers win the job outright.

Second Base has the aforementioned Jedd Gyorko manning the post.  This sophomore player led the team in HRs (23) and RBI (63) last year – en route to a 6th place finish in the NL Rookie Of The Year Voting.

Gyorko is a huge key to the lineups success.  If Headley can hit for a decent clip of power, all of a sudden there could be a 2B who could help offset the HRs they may miss from the rest of the offense.

Gyorko will need to improve on his walk rate for the upcoming season, (after a .301 OBP rate in 2013, with only 33 BB’s in 486 AB.)

I expect this man to put up similar power stats as last year, but with a full season worth of plate appearances.

Here comes the 2nd year struggle.

If most of the offensive pieces can perform decently enough, than this won’t be the clubs down part of the team.

Starters

Andrew Cashner had a nice 2013 campaign finally, posting a 3.09 ERA in 175 IP, with most of them being Game Starts.

The key will be to stay on the field.  The RHP has fought through a myriad of injuries in his young career.

Having consecutive decent years will go a long way to silence the critics that hated the trade involving Anthony Rizzo.

Ian Kennedy fits right in with the club’s mantra.  A guy who plays well for spurts, but you just don’t what you have with this RHP.

In 2011, the guy led the NL with 21 Wins, had a 2.80 ERA – finishing 4th in Cy Young Voting.

Subsequent 4.02 and 4.91 ERA’s in 2012 and 2013 have shown a rapid regression.  This has to be concerning.

At 29 years old, this is a crucial time for Kennedy to rebound.  Petco Park should be a better park to chuck in as oppose to Chase Field in Arizona.

This move by the management (for Joe Thatcher in return) will turn out well if Kennedy can put it together again.

He has one more year of team control, whereas Thatcher was a Free Agent in the 2015 season.

Eric Stults, 33, came from relative obscurity in 2013, to throw 200 innings, and put up respectable ERA’s and WHIP of (3.93 and 1.272).

This LHP provides great depth.  Not bad for a Waiver Claim wire.

Signing Josh Johnson may have looked okay at 1 YR/$8 MIL at the onset, but his latest injury has got to be concerning.

I am not sure he would have been poised for much success in the year anyway, but that clause of the team having for next year (2015, for $4 MIL based on 7 Games Started or less in 2014 may occur.)

I implore the Padres to just walkaway in that event.

Johnson is a longtime away removed from his 2009 and 2010 form, where he was 26 – 11 combined, and won the NL ERA title with a 2.30 ERA mark in 2010.

He has shown to have struggled in years he doesn’t work a full campaign, highlighted by his 6.20 ERA in 16 Game Starts for Toronto last year.

Tyson Ross and Robbie Erlin are the back end starters.  Both are young and could continue to improve.

If these guys can stay around .500 with a mid 3 ERA combined, this team would be happy.

The Relief Core is still anchored by 233 Save man Huston Street.  The 9 Year Veteran has a lifetime ERA of 2.98, that includes 3 years of playing in Colorado.

With the team also possessing Joaquin Benoit on the roster, I fully expect Street to be traded through the year sometime.

Speaking of Benoit.  He was the clubs main offseason Free Agent Signing.  This guy received a raw deal by the rest of the fans in Detroit for his 2013 ALCS performance.

The man had his best year in Motown, with a 2.01 ERA in 67 IP – and nailed down 24 Saves.

Benoit has appeared in 268 games over the last four seasons, and has a mid 2 ERA for that time frame.

Alex Torres was a great steal by management, in a deal that saw Logan Forsythe head to Tampa Bay.

The RHP had a brilliant season in the Rays pen, with a 1.71 ERA and 0.897 WHIP in 58 IP during 2013.

Bullpen help is hard to find, and this guy had some dominant stretches last year.

Dale Thayer and Tim Stauffer offer veteran leadership in the late innings, and Nick Vincent has a 1.98 ERA after lugging his 1st 72 frame worth of work round out the top 6.

The Relief Core should be good in 2014, but that has never been a problem with the Padres stemming back the time to Trevor Hoffman.

The team needs too many variables to go right for a playoff spot in 2014.  They play 76 games versus the tough NL West.

The injuries will probably play as a negative on the squad, and I am not sold in any of their Starters remaining consistent.

I am projecting 63 – 66 wins for the club.  Then again I could be wrong.

Chase Headley had an incredible 2012 – where he led the NL in RBI, and cracked the 30 HR Barrier. The club did not sign him to an extension – nor did they trade him before the 2013 campaign, which has meaning. While it is great they didn’t make a long – term mistake, they also de-valued their asset, should the team decide to trade him before he hits Free Agency in 2015. The Padres 3B hit for a 3 Slash Line of .247/.350/.397 – with 13 HRs and 50 RBI in 520 AB for 2013. Headley is probably gone out of San Diego no matter what happens this year.

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com ***

For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries Posts that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.

A big thank-you goes out to Our ‘Chief Writer‘ Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s featured article.

Please e-mail us at: mlbreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox, click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.

Follow @mlbreports

Like us on Facebook here

Tagged: 2014 Arizona Diamondbacks, alex torres, alexi amarista, Andrew Cashner, anthony rizzo, cameron maybin, carlos quentin, chase headley, chris denorfia, colorado rockies, cory luebke, dale thayer, eric stults, everth cabrera, huston street, ian kennedy, jedd gyoko, joe wieland, josh johnson, la dodgers, logan forsythe, luke gregerson, nick vincent, nl west, petco park, robbie erlin, san diego padres, Tim Stauffer, tommy john, Tommy Medica, trevor hoffman, tyson ross, will venable, xavier nady, yasmani grandal, yonder alonso