Category Archives: Uncategorized

Fantasy Ramblings : Closer Merry-Go-Round

May 7, 2015 Craig Kornacki Leave a comment

Is it just me or is it getting harder to find a closer for your fantasy team lately? Going into the season this year, I thought I was all set. I actually had 3 closers that were declared and ready to go: San Diego’s Joaquin Benoit, New York Met Jennry Mejia and the Dodgers’ Joel Peralta. Three closers in an NL only league could win you a championship!

Then BAM!

On Sunday, April 5, the Padres traded for Craig Kimbrel demoting Benoit from closer to setup man. The exact next day, news was released that Mejia had taken a banned substance and would be suspended. Kind of a punch to the gut, but I still had Peralta who was set to close with Kenley Jansen being out.

Peralta was OK for a little while, he got 3 saves. Then, he was put on the DL on April 26. Geez. A week or so before Peralta went down, I took an $11 waiver chance on Bobby Parnell. He was shelved for a little while since he’s returning from Tommy John surgery.

I picked up one-time closer Jim Johnson, but he hasn’t been closing for Atlanta. I passed on John Axford. I was worried if I picked him up his arm would fall off or something.

So, by accident this year, I am punting saves. I’m not going to try to get a closer from the waiver wire for a little while. It was just not meant to be. Maybe Joaqim Soria will come over to the NL in a trade. Perhaps Billy Wagner will come out of retirement. I can only dream.

Guess I’ll take solace in the fact that my record is 2-1-1 and I’m tied for second place in my division.

Book Review, Uncategorized

Book Review: The Matheny Manifesto

March 24, 2015 Craig Kornacki 3 Comments

Title/Author: The Matheny Manifesto: A Young Manager’s Old-School Views on Success in Sports and Life

Rating: 4 bases out of 4 (Outta the park!)

Review:

Hey, Mike Matheny wrote a baseball book! Who? Mike Matheny, the former Major League Baseball catcher who played for thirteen seasons. Who is that? Mike Matheny, the current St Louis Cardinals manager who is trying to bring character and class back into sports. Oh! Exactly.

The Matheny Manifesto, written by Matheny with Jerry B. Jenkins, is an excellent read. The book starts off with “The Matheny Manifesto”, a five page letter Matheny wrote to the parents of the little league team he coached after his playing career ended because of concussion issues. The letter is a direct, impassioned appeal to the parents- Sports should be all about the kids!

Matheny’s book is part-coach primer, part-self help book, and part biography. Matheny writes about his coaching philosophy which is based on UCLA basketball coach John Wooden’s approach – Team First, Character Counts. Matheny then offers a few tips along the way for succeeding in life and on the field. In his basic style, Matheny intersperses stories from his playing career, youth league coaching experience, and pro coaching career.

The first section of the book talks about what is wrong with youth league sports: know-it-all parents and misguided coaches. In the next section, Matheny details his ideas for improving youth leagues which include: allowing all players to try every position and having each player volunteer in the community. Lastly, Matheny discusses his keys to success. One of the keys is “Nothing Worth Doing Right Is Easy”, where Matheny details his battle with concussion symptoms which ultimately ended his career.

The Matheny Manifesto is not only a book, but also a movement. Matheny is a proponent of servant leadership and serving the community. In addition, he is a proponent of protecting athlete’s heads and assisted with the implementation of the block home plate rule which protects runners and catchers. Matheny has written a noble book which will entertain and hopefully inspire coaches and others to become leaders with character.

Style: The book is under 250 pages and has a very no-nonsense, but entertaining style.

URL to find Book:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Matheny-Manifesto-Managers-Old-School/dp/055344669X

Uncategorized

The League of All-Time Greats: The World Series

March 20, 2015 Chris Schreiner 1 Comment

Previously we posted on the setup of our league pitting the all-time greatest single seasons for batters against one another and on the outcome of the regular season. 1921 Babe Ruth and 2001 Barry Bonds both ran away with their respective divisions and were set to face each other in a 9-game World Series to determine who had the greatest single season of all time.

Ruth was confident going in, having gone 17-7 against Bonds during the regular season outscoring him 151-107. Ruth also finished the season 17 games better than Bonds, going 110-52 compared to 96-69 for Bonds.
Game 1 at Yankee Stadium continued the trend as in the bottom of the 2nd Ruth took advantage of five walks from Orval Overall and an error by Bonds trying to play catcher to take a 4-0 lead. However Barry hit a solo shot in the 3rd and played small ball in the 4th scoring three on a walk, four singles, and a sac fly to tie it up. Ruth regained the lead singling in a run in the bottom of the 4th.

That lead held until the 8th when Bonds doubled, tripled, and hit another sac fly to take a 6-5 lead. Ruth answered in the bottom of the 8th seemingly blowing the game open hitting five singles and working three walks to score 5 times to take a 10-6 lead going into the 9th.

But in the top of the 9th, Barry loaded the bases and hit a seeing eye single(likely due to Ruth’s limited range at both second base and shortstop) to knock in one before a pop out and strikeout left Ruth one out away from taking game one. But Barry wouldn’t go down that easy. A hit-by-pitch and two-run single tied the game up and we went to the bottom of the 9th.

Ruth singled to open the bottom of the 9th, then popped up. An error by Overall put runners on first and second. Ruth then grounded out advancing the runners to second and third with two down. Ruth then knocked a 1-0 pitch over Bonds playing 2nd base to bring in the game ending run to win it 11-10 and take a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2 was just as dramatic and high scoring. Bonds scored four in the top of the first frame but Ruth answered with two of his own. A grand slam highlighted a 7-run 4th for Bonds as he jumped out to a 12-5 lead. Ruth fought back with a 2-run HR of his own in the bottom of the 4th and a solo shot in the 5th. Another solo blast in the 8th made it 12-11.

Bonds went into the bottom of the 9th needing three outs to tie the series, but with one out Ruth again homered to tie the game. Bonds answered in the top of the 10th with his own one out solo shot to take the lead. In the bottom of the 10th, Ruth struck out with the tying run on second, and Bonds escaped with a 13-12 extra inning victory.

Game 3 shifted to San Francisco and also went into extra frames. Ruth hit two homers and went ahead 5-2 but Bonds hit a solo shot in the 7th and scored another in the 8th. In the bottom of the 9th down one, a one out single up the middle knocked in the tying run. It stayed 5-5 until the 11th when a two-run single with one out gave Ruth a 7-5 edge. Bonds got a 2-out single in the bottom of the 11th but that was all, and Ruth took a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4 was a relative pitcher’s duel as both Barry and the Babe combined for only 15 hits. A 6th inning solo blast from Bonds making it 3-2 was the difference as Overall shut down both teams from the 7th through the 9th. The series shifted back to New York all knotted at 2.

Game 5 saw Barry jump out in front first. A four-run 4th highlighted by a 2-run double had Bonds in front 4-0 but a solo blast from Ruth in the bottom of the frame and 2 homers in the bottom of the 8th had Ruth up on top 6-5 going into the 9th. Once more, a 9th inning lead evaporated as Bonds singled himself in to tie it at 6.

In the top of the 11th with two out Bonds scored four times with three walks, two singles, and a double to go up 10-6. While Ruth threatened by putting two on, Overall struck out the side and Bonds had his first series lead.

Thanks to 2-run homers in the bottom of the 1st and 2nd innings, Ruth took a quick 4-0 in the pivotal Game 6. But once again Bonds would not go down easy scoring one in the 3rd and three in the 4th on a single and three doubles to tie it up. Ruth scored once in the 7th and twice in the 8th and held off a 9th inning Bonds rally to win Game 6 7-5 and once again tie the series – now at three games apiece.

Back in San Francisco for Game 7, Ruth once more pulled out in front early going up 4-1 after two innings. And once more Barry came back hitting two homers in the bottom of the 3rd to tie it, then scoring two in the 4th and three more in the 7th to pull away in the first game of the series that wasn’t decided in the later innings. Bonds, who had struggled to beat Ruth all year now found himself one game away from winning it all, and had Game 8 on his home turf.

In Game 8 Ruth continued his early-inning success hitting a 2-run jack in the 1st and a solo blast in the 2nd to go up 3-1. He added another run in the 6th, and while Bonds made it interesting by hitting his own solo shot to lead off the 9th, he could do no more damage, losing 4-2. The series would indeed go the distance.

Back home at Yankee Stadium, Ruth wanted to put the 9th and decisive game away quickly, once again scoring early on. A walk followed by a 2-run blast gave him a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd. Two more walks, a single and sac fly made it 4-0 after 2. Two doubles made it 5-0 in the 4th, then Bonds botched a routine grounder at second base bringing in a sixth run.

Bonds knew things looked bleak, but as through the whole series, he didn’t give up. He loaded the bases with none out in the top of the 5th and got plunked to bring in a run. A fielder’s choice made it 6-2 but there still was a long way to go.

Ruth stranded himself on third in the bottom of the 5th, and both teams were retired in order in the 6th. Bonds led off the 7th with a walk and lined a single to right-center. Then Bonds again stepped to the plate and blasted the first pitch he saw for a three-run homer to make it 6-5.

Ruth escaped further damage and maintained his one-run lead going to the 9th, just three outs away from being crowned as champion.

Once more Bonds had some late inning heroics. First he lined a 1-0 pitch into left and followed that with a single to center. Bonds then worked a walk and suddenly the bases were loaded with no one out. Bonds then sent the next pitch past the diving glove of Ruth playing first base to bring one in and tie the game. Bonds could do no more though as Overall struck him out and induced two weak popups. A golden opportunity to take the lead was squandered.

That brought up Ruth in the bottom of the 9th. He fouled two pitches off in between looking at two others that were off the plate. He stepped back and pointed to the centerfield bleachers as the crowd came to their feet. On the 2-2 pitch he took probably the hardest swing of his career…and missed. One down.

Ruth’s next at-bat also made it to the same count. On this 2-2 pitch however he connected. The ball went high and deep to the opposite field, 414 feet away from home plate. All 8 Barry Bonds clones playing the field could only stand helplessly and watch and then with heads down make their way to the dugout. Meanwhile the 1921 version of Babe Ruth circled the bases and was mobbed by himself over and over again as he crossed home plate and was crowned with having the greatest single season for a hitter of all time.

Uncategorized

2015 NL Team Free Agent WAR Analysis

Image February 28, 2015 Craig Kornacki Leave a comment

Pitchers and catchers have reported. People need reasons to look toward spring especially if you live in the Eastern half of the country. So, let’s evaluate some ballplayers!

In this post, I will be evaluating the offseason free agent acquisitions for the National League. I will be using WAR (Wins Above Replacement) to evaluate the fifteen NL teams and its players. (WAR stats are courtesy of www.fangraphs.com – if you click on the player’s name, it should direct you to their website.)

Braves

Name	Position	2014 Team	Age	2014 WAR	2015 WAR	CS Years	CS Salary	New Team	Date	Years	Salary
Nick Markakis	RF	Orioles	31	2.5	0.9	3	$33.00	Braves	12/3/2014	4	$44.00
Jason Grilli	RP	Angels	38	0.3	0.6			Braves	12/23/2014	2	$8.30
Josh Outman	RP	Yankees	30	0	0			Braves	1/7/2015	1	$0.90
Jim Johnson	RP	Tigers	31	0	0.2			Braves	12/3/2014	1	$1.60
Jonny Gomes	LF	Athletics	34	-0.3	-0.3			Braves	1/22/2015	1	$4.00
A.J. Pierzynski	C	Cardinals	38	-0.4	0.7			Braves	12/27/2014	1	$2.00
Alberto Callaspo	2B/DH	Athletics	31	-1.1	0.6			Braves	12/9/2014	1	$3.00

Nick Markakis seems to generate the same WAR every year. His projected WAR this year is a quite a bit lower (a 64% decrease) probably because he’s coming over to the NL where there’s better pitching and his home park is historically a pitcher’s park. He’s past peak age and he has Freddie Freeman’s company as the only other true power threat in the Braves lineup. Should be an interesting year for Mr. Markakis.

Jonny Gomes has a cool name. That’s about all I can say about him.

AJ Pierzynski is now 38 years old. When the heck did that happen? He goes from the Cardinals to the Braves. Fangraphs predicts him to be above replacement level with a projection of 0.7. Pierzynski’s best days seem to be behind him, but you could do worse at the catcher’s spot.

Brewers

Rangers

0.8

0.5

Brewers

1/30/2015

$3.00

Neal Cotts is still playing?!? His K/9 last year was 8.51. Not bad, but not dominant for a reliever. He’s a lefty so he’ll probably play for about 8 more years.

Cardinals

Name	Position	2014 Team	Age	2014 WAR	2015 WAR	CS Years	CS Salary	New Team	Date	Years	Salary
Mark Reynolds	1B/3B	Brewers	31	1.6	0.3	1	$4.00	Cardinals	12/11/2014	1	$2.00
Carlos Villanueva	RP	Cubs	31	1.1	0.3			Cardinals	2/4/2015	1	$0.20
Matt Belisle	RP	Rockies	34	0.5	0			Cardinals	12/2/2014	1	$3.50

The Cardinals have picked up the MLB single season strikeout leader in Mark Reynolds. But, he did hit 22 HR last year. His fellow power lineup mates are Matt Holliday and Jhonny Peralta. He may have a decent year power-wise.

I keep waiting for Carlos Villanueva to do something exciting like: throw a no-hitter, be an ace starter, or a become a closer. His career averages: K/9 – 7.77, BB/9 – 3.0, HR/9 – 1.21. Ah, that’s the problem… gives up too many long balls. STL’s home park will not help with that.

Belisle is your average joe middle reliever. His career HR/9 is below 1.0. Not bad!

Cubs

Name	Position	2014 Team	Age	2014 WAR	2015 WAR	CS Years	CS Salary	New Team	Date	Years	Salary
Jon Lester	SP	Athletics	31	6.1	3.8	6	$132.00	Cubs	12/9/2014	6	$155.00
Jason Hammel	SP	Athletics	32	1.7	2.3	3	$27.00	Cubs	12/8/2014	2	$20.00
Chris Denorfia	RF/LF	Mariners	34	0.4	0.9			Cubs	1/6/2015	1	$2.60
David Ross	C	Red Sox	37	0.2	0.9			Cubs	12/23/2014	2	$5.00
Jason Motte	RP	Cardinals	32	0	0			Cubs	12/15/2014	1	$4.50

Jon Lester is an above average pitcher, but wow, that’s a lot of moolah. Well, good for him. He’s a left-hander. He’s in his prime. And he’s pitching half his games at Wrigley Field. He should have a solid year. But maybe not as good as last year according to projected WAR.

Hammel had a great year last year. His WAR was 1.7 . FanGraphs predicts 2.3. I predict a worse year. He’s prone to the long ball and his career HR/9 is over 1.0

Looks like the Cubs picked up a couple of veterans to fill out the roster in Denorfia and Ross.

Jason Motte did not pitch in 2013. He pitched some last year, but he’s still trying to shake the rust off. We’ll see if he can help out the Cubs in ’15.

Diamondbacks

Name	Position	2014 Team	Age	2014 WAR	2015 WAR	CS Years	CS Salary	New Team	Date	Years	Salary
Gerald Laird	C	Braves	35	-0.1	0.7			Diamondbacks	2/2/2015	1	$0.20

Gerald Laird is your prototypical backup catcher. Good D, no bat.

Dodgers

Name	Position	2014 Team	Age	2014 WAR	2015 WAR	CS Years	CS Salary	New Team	Date	Years	Salary
Brandon McCarthy	SP	Yankees	31	3	2.6	3	$36.00	Dodgers	12/16/2014	4	$48.00
Brett Anderson	SP	Rockies	27	1.1	2.1	1	$7.00	Dodgers	12/31/2014	1	$10.00
Erik Bedard	RP	Rays	35	0.2	-0.6			Dodgers	1/18/2015	1	$0.20
Sergio Santos	RP	Blue Jays	31	0	0.4			Dodgers	12/30/2014	1	$0.20
Dustin McGowan	RP	Blue Jays	32	0	-0.1			Dodgers	2/23/2015	1	$0.50
Brandon Beachy	SP		28		0.7			Dodgers	2/21/2015	1	$2.80

Slight dip in Projected WAR for Brandon McCarthy. His best WAR year was 4.5 with Oakland. He is the magical prime age of 31 which is half of the success formula for pitchers coming to the NL. Too bad he’s not a lefty.

Brett Anderson, another former A, is a lefty, but he’s only 27. His WAR totals are rather erratic : 2009 – 3.6; 2010 – 2.4; 2011- 1.0 2012 – 0.9; 2013 – 0.3; 2014- 1.1 . Maybe he’ll get things going in the right direction for Dodger Blue. Moving from Colorado to LA should help.

Remember when Sergio Santos was a shortstop prospect? No? I do.

Dustin McGowan reminds me of Carlos Villanueva. Scouts rave about his arm and talent. Well, when’s he going to something with it? Last great year was 2007 – WAR – 3.5. Move to the NL might bump him up some, but it’s gotta be close to his last chance.

Giants

Name	Position	2014 Team	Age	2014 WAR	2015 WAR	CS Years	CS Salary	New Team	Date	Years	Salary
Nori Aoki	RF	Royals	33	2.3	1.6	2	$14.00	Giants	1/16/2015	1	$4.00
Jake Peavy	SP	Giants	33	1.9	1.2	2	$24.00	Giants	12/19/2014	2	$24.00
Ryan Vogelsong	SP	Giants	37	1	0.6	1	$7.00	Giants	1/23/2015	1	$4.00
Sergio Romo	RP	Giants	31	0	0.3	2	$12.00	Giants	12/22/2014	2	$15.00

Nori Aoki is the poor man’s Ichiro Suzuki. Guy knows how to rake. He can steal a bit- probably needs to be given the green light more. WAR is projected to go down, but not much. His WARs are 2012 – 2.3; 2013- 1.6; 2014 – 2.3; Projected 2015 – 1.6. Consistent.

Jake Peavy should be a 100 years old by now. Just kidding. Just seems like he’s been around forever. His K/9s are slowly trending downward, but not a bad option for a #3 starter.

Sergio Romo is the Giants closer. He saved 38 games in 2013 and dipped down to 23 last year. His HR/9 last year was 1.40. He will have to correct that if he wants to remain closer.

Marlins

Name	Position	2014 Team	Age	2014 WAR	2015 WAR	CS Years	CS Salary	New Team	Date	Years	Salary
Michael Morse	1B/LF	Giants	32	1	0.8	1	$7.00	Marlins	12/17/2014	2	$16.00
Ichiro Suzuki	RF	Yankees	41	0.4	-0.7	1	$5.00	Marlins	1/23/2015	1	$2.00
Reid Brignac	3B	Phillies	29	-0.3	-1.1			Marlins	11/19/2014	1	$0.20

I always think that Michael Morse is overrated. He hit 31 HR in 2011, so he has power. He’s an OK power hitter and his 2015 Projected WAR agrees: 0.8

ICHIRO! The MLB single season hit leader will be taking his farewell tour to Miami. ICHIRO struck out 3 times as often as he walked last year, which seems very un-ICHIRO-like. He stole 15 bases last year probably mostly on brains and guile alone. But, he is 41.

Reid Brignac. Likely trying to win a bench spot with the Marlins this year.

Mets

Name	Position	2014 Team	Age	2014 WAR	2015 WAR	CS Years	CS Salary	New Team	Date	Years	Salary
Michael Cuddyer	1B/RF	Rockies	35	1.5	0.7	2	$18.00	Mets	11/10/2014	2	$21.00
John Mayberry	1B/LF	Blue Jays	31	0.2	-0.2			Mets	12/15/2015	1	$1.50

Michael Cuddyer signed with the Mets. Did the Mets move those fences in yet? Cuddyer is a nice hitter at his age, but his home park will not help him.

Nationals

Name	Position	2014 Team	Age	2014 WAR	2015 WAR	CS Years	CS Salary	New Team	Date	Years	Salary
Max Scherzer	SP	Tigers	30	5.6	4.1	7	$168.00	Nationals	1/21/2014	7	$210.00
Casey Janssen	RP	Blue Jays	33	0.1	0.2			Nationals	2/2/2015	1	$5.00
Heath Bell	RP	Rays	37	0	-0.2			Nationals	12/27/2014	1	$1.00
Dan Uggla	2B	Giants	34	-0.8	-0.3			Nationals	12/26/2014	1	$0.20

The Nats made a big splash in the offseason signing Max Scherzer to a 7 year, $210 million contract adding him to an already loaded pitching staff. This guy is a dynamite pitcher already and now he’s coming to the NL. Projected WAR says 4.1, but I say sky’s the limit, folks.

Casey Janssen’s Projected WAR for 2015 went up by 50 percent from his actual WAR in 2014. It’s that NL effect, I tell ya. Will compete for the closing job in Washington.

Dan Uggla has an eye condition, according to RotoWire News, which may put his 2015 in jeopardy.

Heath Bell is trying to turn his career around. His K/9 as recently as 2013 was 9.87.

Padres

Name	Position	2014 Team	Age	2014 WAR	2015 WAR	CS Years	CS Salary	New Team	Date	Years	Salary
James Shields	SP	Royals	33	3.7	2.7	5	$90.00	Padres	2/12/2015	4	$75.00
Brandon Morrow	RP	Blue Jays	30	0.4	-0.2	1	$6.00	Padres	12/16/2014	1	$2.50
Clint Barmes	2B/SS	Pirates	35	0.3	0			Padres	12/3/2014	1	$1.50
Josh Johnson	SP		31		2.1	1	$5.00	Padres	1/7/2015	1	$1.00

James Shields has pitched 200+ innings 8 seasons in a row. He’s a good pitcher. How much more can the arm take? Stay tuned.

Brandon Morrow’s BB/9 for his career is 4.16. Pass.

Clint Barmes seems to be coming towards the end of his career. He’s a decent fielder so he’ll be probably be brought in for defensive purposes.

Josh Johnson has had 2 Tommy John surgeries. The odds of coming back from this are long. Hopefully, luck is on his side.

Phillies

Aaron Harang is a serviceable starting pitcher. He’s going to Philadelphia which could make things tough considering their recent history. His projected WAR this year is 0.0. On the plus side, Philly’s home park is a pitcher’s park, which could bail him out of HR trouble.

Billingsley’s had surgeries in two straight years: TJ and torn flexor repair. His career total WAR is 17.2. Best season was 2008 9.01 K/9; 4.1 WAR.

Pirates

Name	Position	2014 Team	Age	2014 WAR	2015 WAR	CS Years	CS Salary	New Team	Date	Years	Salary
Francisco Liriano	SP	Pirates	31	1.6	2.9	3	$36.00	Pirates	12/12/2014	3	$39.00
A.J. Burnett	SP	Phillies	38	1	1.9	1	$10.00	Pirates	11/14/2014	1	$8.50
Corey Hart	DH	Mariners	32	-1.2	0.7			Pirates	12/19/2014	1	$2.50

Fangraphs is predicting quite the bump up in WAR for Francisco Liriano 1.6 to 2.9. He’s a lefty and he’s 31. Could be a big year!

Burnett is back with the Pirates after a lost year with the Phillies. PNC is surprisingly more of a hitter’s park than Citizen’s Bank so Burnett’s HR total might increase. Keep an eye on it.

Hart is quite injury prone lately with knee and hamstring problems. He will be platooning with Pedro Alavarez at first base. But, he’s got some punch in that bat. Might be a sneaky good pickup for the Bucs.

Reds

Name	Position	2014 Team	Age	2014 WAR	2015 WAR	CS Years	CS Salary	New Team	Date	Years	Salary
Burke Badenhop	RP	Red Sox	32	1	0.2			Reds	2/7/2015	1	$2.50
Kevin Gregg	RP	Marlins	36	0	-0.1			Reds	2/7/2015	1	$0.20
Paul Maholm	RP	Dodgers	32	0	0			Reds	2/3/2015	1	$0.20

Kevin Gregg. Hmm. He threw a cutter 21.5% of the time last year. Might help him in his new home digs in Cincy.Burke Badenhop before been better? A bad attempt at an alliterative sentence. What I mean to say is… has Badenhop ever been good? Last year was his best WAR year at 1.0. Half his home games in Fenway Park! Wow.

Paul Maholm. He’s a lefty. He’s 32. About the best I can say about him is his GB% last year was 54.4%.

Rockies

Axford had a couple of high save total years with the Brewers in 2010 (46) and 2011 (35). He had two WAR years of 1.8. Seems to have fallen off a cliff somewhat. Could bounce back in Colorado, but he’s gotta keep the ball in the park.

Betancourt has had some crazy command years. 89 Ks to 8 BBs in 2010 for the Rockies for a K/BB ratio of 11.25. He’s fallen off in recent years. He signed a minor league deal and hopes to hang for a last year of glory in the Mile High City.

Next Up: The American League!