LorfTVP

While there is a very good chance of the Mets reaching the NLCS and even the World Series, the Brewers have some catching up to do. I compare this year's Brewers to the the Indian's team of two years ago. When Shapiro first took over he said that the Indians were building for the year 2005. In 2004, the Indians competed and in 2005 they almost got into the playoffs. This is the Brewers rebuilding year and they're doing a good job. They've made some smart moves and have a good young core with the likes of Fielder and Weeks and even uber-utility man Bill Hall (draft him). The Brewers need these young guys to get acclimated to the majors and another impact starter to go along with Sheets and Davis. They also need Kolb to regain form and stability at the back end. I see the Brewers with a record comparable to the Astros but not playoff material just yet.

I think that out of those three, Clement is the best bet, but I'm not a big fan of pre-season trades either. You never know what to expect until these guys take the ball. It's another month-plus until baseball season so a lot can happen. Keep an eye on how these guys do during spring training and then make a decision. Is there a deadline for a possible deal here? Does he want someone you have in particular?

Sorry guys, Bonds Takes It Back

From ESPN.com Breaking News

Yah, I agree, Clemens won't start (if he even plays) until the middle of this year so he's out. Clement is known for fast starts and slowing down but last year he was hit in the head by a line drive. I think that you could get Clement for a lesser value if you tell the person that he always falls off. Bonderman on the other hand has a lot of potential and his asking price may be higher. Most important thing, DON'T GET CHEATED. People may tell you you need pitching but don't let them convince you to trade Pujols for a Jeff Weaver or something. Okay, that's an extreme example, but people try to cheat you. It's usually not a good idea to take the first offer but better to discuss the trade. Coco should have a career year if you check his three year averages. He is increasing every year and now he's on an even better offensive team. His position isn't fully set yet, the team would like him to lead off but he tends to have a lower OBP and Spring Training should decide that. "Worst" case scenario, Youkilis leads off, followed by Loretta, Ortiz and Manny, and then Crisp. Either way, as long as he bats from the top to middle of the order, he should get a lot of runs and rbi. His value has skyrocketed because of this trade and it isn't all totally undeserved. Your offense is a good running team, with about 80 stolen bases between Pierre and Beltran at least. Keep an eye on Gagne because Baez is waiting in the wings in case he falters returning from his injury. Your team lacks a high impact strikeout pitcher. Both Bonderman and Clement will give you 150. Thing about Bonderman is that he still hasn't reached his potential while we already have an idea about what kind of pitcher Clement is. I think they'll finish close but Clement with about four more wins (better team) and better statistics.

Considering people draft off of lists pretty much (which though it helps, it isn't the smartest thing in the world). If you're in Yahoo Fantasy Baseball, do not, for any reason, use their draft list. They have a computer that compiles the data and lists them with a mix of their rankings from this season and the last. I suggest the list at TheSportingNews.com or ESPN, but that's just me. Just Yahoo is severely skewed. Anyway, as for Felix Hernandez being a "steal" or lack thereof, I'm going to show you his ranking for the main ranking sites. Yahoo-58th The Sporting News-66th MLB.com-63rd ESPN.com-43rd Considering that anyone is using any of those sites, there's no way you can snag Felix Hernandez anywhere past the 5th or 6th round. I suggest making a list of "Steals" but don't wait too long before getting them. Don't take them too early either, because that defeats the purpose of the steal. Just keep track of all the news around...think back to last year when steals like Huston Street weren't even drafted. My one suggestion for your team now is to find an impact basestealer. I realize that you are littered with 10 steal guys but with one "speed" guy you could win the category. Dump Kearns, he's not really worth it. He's been flashing potential for years but has never delivered. True he has a starting job now, but I wouldn't bank on it. Who is available in your league? Willy Taveras(34 in 152 games)? Ryan Freel (36 SB in 103 games)? I'd love to help whoever I can in FB, especially since I'm not playing any of you, but my advice also mostly corresponds to my strategies too. For instance, I'm not the biggest closer guy in the world. Regardless, I look forward to the baseball season where we can see how all our intuitions take us.

Trust me, King Felix will not be a steal in any draft. For some pitching steals, look at Felix Hernandez type players, amazing minor league starters who will be coming to the big leagues. My three main suggestions are Matt Cain of San Francisco, Justin Verlander of Detroit, and Francisco Liriano and Scott Baker of Minnesota. Mark my word, these three may not match King Felix, but you can draft them near the very end and they will surpass the performances of many drafted rounds ahead of them. I think that with your SP depth, you can maybe trade for a stronger outfielder and maybe pick up one of the aforementioned pitchers. MLB.com Fantasy Baseball on Matt Cain, ranked #4 top prospect for 2006 "Cain's Major League splash may have been as surprising as any other's in 2005. It's not that Cain doesn't have upside; he's the most exciting pitching prospect this side of King Felix. But the 21-year-old struggled with his command mightily in Triple-A, walking 73 in 145 2/3 innings (he did also whiff 176 and held hitters to a .218 average). He'll be the Giants' No. 4 starter and should continue to rack up the K's. Beware of the walks, though his low hits total should keep his WHIP from escalating. He's a keeper worth holding onto long-term." On Francisco Liriano: "Cain's Major League splash may have been as surprising as any other's in 2005. It's not that Cain doesn't have upside; he's the most exciting pitching prospect this side of King Felix. But the 21-year-old struggled with his command mightily in Triple-A, walking 73 in 145 2/3 innings (he did also whiff 176 and held hitters to a .218 average). He'll be the Giants' No. 4 starter and should continue to rack up the K's. Beware of the walks, though his low hits total should keep his WHIP from escalating. He's a keeper worth holding onto long-term." On Justin Verlander: "It's hard to believe Verlander has just one year under his belt, not when you consider he made it all the way to Detroit before what amounted to a tired arm shut him down late in 2005. Before then, he posted silly numbers: 1.29 ERA, 136 K's, 26 walks and a .197 batting average against in 118 2/3 innings at two levels. The command was the most surprising, and is the biggest reason why he may be the front-runner for the No. 5 spot in the Tigers' rotation. Pitching in Comerica behind a couple of soft-tossers only increases his value."

Well, has an exact batting order been established yet? I think odds are he'll be setting the table for Wright and Delgado rather than bat behind them. His spot in the order either adds an extra 15 rbi or an extra 15 runs.

Beltran will definitely get back to 20/30 but hoping for an MVP is hoping too much. In fact, he is surpassed by two hitters on his own team in Delgado and Wright. Beltran was hampered by a quadriceps injury throughout the year and then that nasty collision business messed him up. If healthy, expect a normal Beltran back. My predictions are .280-25-100-30 at the least. On that team he will definitely be able to score runs and knock 'em in and the Mets will make sure to use his speed along with that of Reyes and Wright. Remember, Rickey Henderson is a coach :lol:

The Yankees strengths are as follows: Lineup - This year the Yankees should surpass the Red Sox in terms of offense with All Stars at C, 1b, SS, 3b, LF, CF, and RF...basically every position except 2b. And **ahem** Bernie was an All Star. So everybody is or was an All Star. You have power up and down the lineup and even if you mistakenly lead off with Johnny Damon, your offense will still win games. Starting Rotation Depth - I agree with you here, you have the depth...but there are problems which I will go over below. Bullpen - The Yankees have the best closer in the game and a bullpen shored up by the likes of Farnsworth, Myers, and Villone. Farnsworth's mind in high pressure situations and big cities is in question though. Weaknesses: Bench Depth and DH - The Yankees bench is the weakest it has been in years and Bernie Williams, with his pity contract, isn't getting any younger. Starting Rotation - While the depth is present, the ability is questionable. Randy Johnson, though he won't perform as badly as last year, still won't get back to where he was years ago. He is 42 years old and not getting any younger. Same for Mussina, he's getting older, and his stats have increased in the past years and it's not all because of the injuries. Wright and Pavano were busts as predicted and both are slightly above average pitchers who have shown flashes of brilliance but have been mediocre throughout most of their careers. Chacon won't dominate as he did last year for sure, for as soon as hitters get used to him and he realizes that he's in the offensive AL East. Wang, on the other hand, may be the second best starter on your staff and will perform solidly. Age - Johnson, Giambi, Mussina, Williams, Posada, and Sheffield are all a year older now.

Okay, as a fantasy baseball nerd, here's my take. You have an incredible infield, over 120 homeruns at least. The outfield is a bit on the weak side but it looks like you're going more for HR/SB threats rather than pure power. Dunn will hit you at least forty while Crisp and Bradley are 15/15 players at least. Mike Jacobs is still moderately unproven in a full season...too bad he doesn't have catcher eligibility. Offensively, you are strong on power, will do average in average (the only standout is Helton who will hit his normal .330 this year), and have possible double digit steal guys in Wright, Dunn, Crisp, and Bradley. I know, but Dunn did "promise" steals one year and can run. Strong bench too, but maybe you should consider throwing a speed guy on it. I'm not sure who is still available, but look for someone like Ryan Freel, Willy Taveres, Joey Gathright...people who are probably available. Your starting rotation is pretty strong but it has a lot of questions. Schilling's ankle, Burnett in the AL and will he put it all together, Willis' lack of run support, Vazquez in a park known for homeruns, etc. At it's peak, it will dominate as a rotation. Gordon will get his saves but his peripherals are rising. Baez is a smart insurance policy for Gagne. **Gives thumbs up**

**Ahem** Worst trade for the Padres, incredible steal for us.

The only Lima worth talking about is Adriana.

That girl is Scarlett Johannson who is an incredibly gifted actress. I admit she's not the hottest in the world but you can't help but fall in love with her characters which boosts her a couple of points.

Well, there was that nasty problem of being hit in the head with a line drive. I know he has a history of slowing down in the second half but people can't write this guy off immediately. When on, he can be an incredible pitcher. Sure he's streaky, but odds are he will be part of our rotation (at least until the trade deadline) and I think he'll do okay.