30 Teams in 30 Days: Baltimore Orioles (Day 1)

The next 30 blogs will be covering each individual team from the AL East to the AL Central to the AL West, and then the NL West to the NL Central to the NL East. Then it will be broken into each team from the bottom of the division to the top. First team obviously is the Baltimore Orioles, who made off season deals that are for the better. Yes it is hard to compete in a division where you have the Yankees and the Red Sox, but the Orioles start in the same place as each and every team. The O's are really looking to contend this year by trading for Mark Reynolds, signing Vladimir Guerrero, signing J.J. Hardy, and signing Derrek Lee, all for offensive purposes. The Orioles also managed to hang onto Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, Matt Wieters, and many other familiar faces. A person to return back to the lineup is Brian Roberts, who experienced many injuries last year. I know for sure, because he was my second baseman for fantasy baseball last year. Under Buck Showalter, the Orioles went over .500 so the O's have a chance. I know many Orioles' fans who are hopeful in the 2011 season and hoping that they are going to finish over .500 just like their Maryland neighbors, the Nationals. In the beautiful Camden Yards the Orioles will face many difficulties, but I hope they have more success than in previous years. I hope they return to what they used to be back in the 90s and make the AL East a little more interesting. I wish the Orioles luck in the 2011 season mainly because they have acquire a few personal favorites of mine, such as Mark Reynolds. I really hope that he and Vlad can bring the long ball to Baltimore and help them win a few more games.

2011: Designated Hitters

Rather than doing a third blog on outfielders, I felt as though the DHs needed a little bit of love. But if you are truly upset about the lack of another outfielder blog, be sure to let me know. They are very important to the American League, and when interleague play comes around, National League teams love the extra bat in the lineup. I feel as though the DH is just that one player who may be aging, or isn't the best fielder, or even on the hefty side, but still needs a place on the team. On more successful teams, they're the players who pack a punch and are in the middle of the lineup, other teams in the American League, it depends. The  DH can also play the field position and depending on injury, a slumping player, or even the opponent, they will play a field position. Adam Dunn will be making the transition from an everyday first baseman to the White Sox DH. The top ten ranked DHs are: Adam Dunn, Victor Martinez, Adam Lind, Billy Butler, David Ortiz, Vladimir Guerrero, Michael Young, Bobby Abreu, Jorge Posada, and Jason Kubel. All of which are solid players at the DH and their respective positions. I really do think that all of the DHs are solid players for the 2011 season. My favorite for this year is Bobby Abreu. With Vernon Wells most likely taking over his position in the outfield, Abreu will not have the physical part of the game patrolling the field. Abreu will be 37 on Opening Day, and is looking to bounce back from a bad 2010 season. I wish all DHs luck in the 2011 season.

Fantasy Outlook: Look for Adam Dunn to have the best year this year. Hands down, if you can pick him up somewhat early, get him because he has a little more offense behind him with the White Sox, and he already posts big numbers. Another person to look out for in my opinion, Bobby Abreu. Check. Him. Out. Billy Butler has proved himself in the fantasy realm with his large amount of doubles produced each year. I know that the Rays like ManRam's contributions to their team, and I would like him on mine.

2011: Outfielders (Part 2)

Since yesterday was a outfielder overview day, today is the day that I will specifically talk about the fantasy aspect of the sport. The top ten fantasy outfielders are: Ryan Braun, Carlos Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Josh Hamilton, Matt Holliday, Matt Kemp, Nelson Cruz, Justin Upton, Shin-Soo Choo, and Hunter Pence. With these outfielders you get the best, no doubt about that. But don't overlook the others in the game, just because they are not in the top ten. Keep Ichiro in mind because he always produces consistent hits and stolen bases, but you do not get the long ball from Ichiro. Jayson Werth's ranking really dropped this year after signing with the Nationals and losing the Phillies offense infront of and behind him. Second year ballplayer Jason Heyward is looking to continue what he had in his rookie season, but without the injuries. He has been stated saying he hasn't fully regained his flexibility, but that may change after Spring Training. And I'm saying rom personal experience, what happened to Jason Bay? I mean he gets into a Mets uniform and he immediately tanks. Shane Victorino is an outfielder not to forget because this will be his breakout year. I guarantee it. And in my opinion, Andrew McCutcheon is in the same position, all in speculation, but the two have proved themselves before and the two gain national attention with their offensive and defensive numbers. And if all else fails, go for Coco Crisp is always a funny pick to choose. Just for the name's sake. Good luck to all fantasy players in the 2011 season!

2011: Outfielders (Part 1)

In baseball, the outfield is key and since there are around 3 times as many outfielders, I will be dividing my breakdown on the outfield position into 3 blogs. Whether it be left, center, or right field, the outfield is full of talent in Major League Baseball. There are several types of outfielders, such as the power outfielders, the base stealing outfielders, the defensive outfielders, and the outfielders who are on the field as "fillers." All baseball parks have different outfield walls making it more difficult depending on the park, and if you are the away team. Just think about playing in Houston with the longest distance in center field, it would take a quick center fielder such as Michael Bourn to cover all that ground. But in places like Citi Field, you get the same thing. Ball parks can be dangerous in their layouts, bringing Michael Bourn back into this situation, look at his injury in 2007 because he tripped over a bullpen that is placed in the right field foul territory. Because of these differences, outfielders must always be on their game. Infielders really have no difference other than the grass layout around the pitchers mound, it must be easy. I really admire the outfield positions because of their ability to throw the ball home without difficulty. In regards to fantasy, that will be posted in the later blog because I realize that I did not post yesterday. But I do with all the outfielders luck in the 2011 season.

Adam Wainwright, Meet Tommy John

It's sad to say, but Adam Wainwright will not be playing in the 2011 season because he is undergoing Tommy John surgery. This surgery could also cause him to miss some of the 2012 season because it takes approximately 12-15 months to recover. Wainwright was second this year in the NL Cy Young with an amazing season at the age of 29. The Cardinals are the real losers in this because let's face it, they lose an ace. An ace isn't someone you can replace with anyone. The Cardinals are now looking at a few different pitchers such as Joe Blanton and Chad Durbin. But neither are likely to go to St. Louis, because it wouldn't fit the Cardinals' rotation. Kevin Millwood is the front-runner to fill the position for Wainwright, but the Cardinals are placed in a very bad position. But in my mind, they could be in a perfect position. If they trade Wainwright, or do not "vest" his 2011 option, they would have approximately $11 million to toss around. Either to another pitcher, save it for a rainy day, or in my opinion, throw that $11 million at Albert Pujols. I mean, you were already looking to spend that money, so why not spend it well on the first baseman you decided not to sign! A pitcher who wins 20 games is a tough player to replace and I don't think the Cardinals will have the pitching staff they did in 2010. This also puts a majority of the pitching pressure on Chris Carpenter to perform and be their one and only ace. This also puts me in a position where I cannot draft the Cardinals as a reliable pitching staff. I really hope that Adam Wainwright recovers as soon as possible and I wish him luck in his recovery.

2011: Catchers

A catcher calls the game for the pitcher, makes huge plays at the plate, and this year, the position hasn't really had a lot of moves. Pitchers look to catchers for support, someone who can walk out to the mound to figure something out, or their most reliable player. Catchers' knees take a major toll, squatting for hours at a time. They are always there to run out into foul territory, rush to get the bunt, and cover so many positions while doing a routine play. This year the change ups in the catching position were: Mike Napoli was first traded to the Blue Jays and then to the Rangers, and Russell Martin to the Yankees (and those who follow baseball John Buck to the Marlins). But really, look to the catching position to produce similar offense and defense from the 2010 season. Buster Posey, current National League Rookie of the Year, made an impressive stretch with the Giants to help them enter the post-season and then win the World Series. In other news, there isn't much to discuss with the catching position, other than the fact that Joe Mauer has been chose to be on MLB's the Show 2011 cover, even though he was on the 2010 cover. Good luck to all catchers in the 2011 season, and good luck with a healthy and successful year.

Fantasy Outlook: Good catchers are good to have in fantasy baseball. There are star catchers who produce "first baseman" like numbers like Joe Mauer, Victor Martinez, Brian McCann, and Mike Napoli. But there are solid catchers to have who anyone would settle for like: Matt Wieters, Kurt Suzuki, Miguel Montero, and Miguel Olivo. I would be hesitant to pick up Jorge Posada, Russell Martin, or Jesus Montero, because all of them will be sharing time at the catching position with the Yankees, but it does look like Posada will be the Yankees DH. But, he is old, I'm just saying. Any of the Molina brothers would be a good option, and we cannot forget Chooch. Try and get Chooch. And be sure to pick up Buster Posey, especially before Karen does. ;)

Jayson Werth: Shut Up!

For the past few years, I have looked to Jayson Werth as a favorite, a person I can look up to, a right handed bat that really can support the Phillies lineup, someone who looks like Michael J. Fox in the movie "Teen Wolf," and even someone who will yell at my girlfriend. But right now, I just want him to go away. Seriously! If you haven't heard, Jayson Werth signed a 7-year, $126 million contract with the Washington Nationals and is geared to play. He has been on the record several times talking about his signing, talking about being with the Nationals, and talking about the 2011 season. He's ready for the Nationals to stop constantly losing because the Nationals signed Jerry Hairston Jr., Adam LaRoche, and Rick Ankiel. Yes the Nationals have Ryan Zimmerman as well, and Bryce Harper rising through the ranks, and Stephen Strasburg recovering from an injury. I get it, but 3 players don't make a successful team Jayson, that's why I don't understand your "Everyone starts at the same position, we haven't played one game." (Not a direct quote). That doesn't change the fact that your new team's goal for the past few years is to win 81 games. All of that is in the past, but now you want to talk about the Phillies even more? The Philadelphia Inquirer had a story on Werth where he was stated saying that if the Phillies signed Cliff Lee at the end of 2009, they could have signed him after 2010. Boo-hoo Jayson Werth, you took money over your team. Don't you think they would have made some sort of offer? No? Couldn't you have found a better team with to sign with? "I obviously know the situation that I'm in," Werth said. "I chose this situation. There were other suitors and other deals. This was the one I wanted to be in. I wanted to be in that ground up situation and be part of something [good in the long run]. We build a team from where it was and take it to where I think it's going to go. That's the type of situation I wanted to be in." What a load of BS? All I know is that I look forward to the 18 game that the Phillies play against the Nationals, just so he can realize what he's missing. I will not "Boo" Jayson Werth, when he takes the field, I will cheer for him just like every other former Phillie who takes the field at Citizens Bank Park. Good Luck Jayson Werth, you're going to need it.