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Trading away top prospects is never an easy pill to swallow. As an organization, you have gone to great lengths to scout, train and mentor the young talent in your farm system. They are the lifeblood and future of your team and your legacy as a general manager.  So how do you know when it is time to pull trigger and let a prospect go. Walt Jocketty, GM of the Cincinnati Reds is in this position now. Billy Hamilton, a 6’ 1” switch-hitting shortstop with speed to burn is quickly making his way up through the minor leagues.  His most recent accomplishment was breaking the all-time single season stolen base record in the minor leagues. He is currently sitting at [...]

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• Category: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics, Rumors
• Tagged as Archie Bradley, Billy Hamilton, brandon phillips, Otis Nixon, Paul Janish, Todd Frazier, Trevor Bauer, Tyler Skaggs, Vince Coleman, Walt Jocketty, Zack Cozart

The chase for the elusive defensive and offensive star catcher is a constant issue for most teams. Usually a GM doesn’t have a choice and elects to take the defensive back stop. This offseason there will be some interesting options on the table. The first name that jumps off this list is Mike Napoli. He has a reputation of being a poor defensive backstop. Mike Scioscia, a good defensive catcher in his own day, had the option of holding onto Napoli when he was with the Angels back in 2010. Scioscia cited Napoli’s durability and injury history as a main source for choosing to go a different direction. There is no argument that when healthy Napoli is a top tier [...]

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• Category: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Free Agents, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays
• Tagged as A.J. Pierzynski, Brian McCann, Carlos Ruiz, Chris Iannetta, David Ross, Humberto Quintero, Jeff Mathis, Miguel Olivo, Mike Napoli, Ronny Paulino, Russell Martin, Wil Nieves, Yorvit Torrealba

The 2013 third base free agent class has some potential compared some of the other infield positions. David Wright’s contract option will be picked up without question. Chipper Jones has been adamant that he will retire at the end of the season. I don’t see him going back on this and if he did he would never sign anywhere other than Atlanta. Kevin Youkilis on the other hand is intriguing. He is having a subpar season hitting only .239 in 301 at bats. He had a falling out with Bobby Valentine and the Red Sox earlier in the season prompting Kenny Williams of the White Sox to swoop in and scoop him up. His numbers have improved some with the [...]

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• Category: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Free Agents, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies
• Tagged as Brandon Inge, Chipper Jones, David Wright, Geoff Blum, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Kevin Youkilis, Manny Machado, Mark Reynolds, Miguel Cairo, Placido Polanco, Scott Rolen, Todd Fraizer

The potential shortstop marketing this coming offseason is a little light. The only two bright spots have options on their contracts. Stephen Drew is a servicable shortstop but like his older brother J.D., Stephen has been very injury prone over the course of his career. Jhonny Peralta has always provided a decent offensive threat at shortstop however, I am not conviced that this potential threat is worth the defensive liability Peralta brings to the table. Detroit will most likely retain him. * – player whose currently has an option for the 2013 season. Jason Bartlett * Geoff Blum Stephen Drew * Jhonny Peralta * Luis Rodriguez Ryan Theriot

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• Category: Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Free Agents, San Diego Padres
• Tagged as Geoff Blum, Jhonny Peralta, Luis Rodriguez, Ryan Theriot, Stephen Drew

Baseball is like no other sport in terms of its fans embracing their favorite teams young talent making an impact in the big leagues. Already in this brief season, Jason Heyward of the Atlanta Braves and Ike Davis of the New York Mets have sent their teams fans into a frenzy over their successful debuts. Later this year, we should see even more highly anticipated debuts as such names as Stephen Strasburg, Aroldis Chapman, Justin Smoak, and Starlin Castro are expected to make the jump to the big leagues. I am just like most baseball fans and love to see young talent succeed in the big leagues and with that I decided to compile a list of the top 25 [...]

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• Category: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Fantasy, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Teams, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals
• Tagged as Adam Jones, Alcides Escobar, Andrew McCutchen, Aroldis Chapman, Asdrubal Cabrera, Austin Jackson, Billy Butler, Cameron Maybin, Carlos Gonzalez, Chris Coghlan, Chris Davis, Colby Rasmus, Cristian Guzman, Curtis Granderson, Delmon Young, Dexter Fowler, Elvis Andrus, Evan Longoria, Everth Cabrera, Gordon Beckham, Ian Desmond, Ike Davis, Jason Heyward, Jay Bruce, Julio Borbon, Justin Smoak, Justin Upton, Kyle Blanks, Matt Wieters, Pablo Sandoval, Reid Brignac, Sean Rodriguez, Starlin Castro, Stephen Strasburg, Tyler Colvin

Whether you like him or hate him, I think we can all agree that the Yankee’s Alex Rodriguez is the best third basemen in baseball. I think we can also agree that Rodriguez is going in the top 5 picks in most fantasy drafts. If you are planning on drafting a third basemen in the first several rounds of the draft, you do have some options (and I recommend that you do, as it is a fairly weak position this year). Four amateurgm.com analysts break down who they feel is the 2nd best fantasy option below. Andrew Swanson (Evan Longoria) – Evan Longoria is one of the best third basemen around. In just two major league seasons Longoria has averaged 30 HR, [...]

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• Category: Arizona Diamondbacks, Fantasy, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Teams, Washington Nationals
• Tagged as Alex Rodriguez, Aramis Ramirez, ARod, Ben Zobrist, Carl Crawford, David Wright, Derek Jeter, Erin Andrews, Evan Longoria, Mark Reynolds, Pablo Sandoval, Ryan Zimmerman

The Arizona Diamondbacks and right fielder Justin Upton have agreed to a 6-year $51.25 million deal.  This deal is the second largest in club history. The contract buys out Upton’s arbitration years and his first two eligible years of free agency.  Upton said he considered going year by year in arbitration and eventual free agency before choosing security. He probably would have made more money if he went year to year. Upton has a bright future ahead of him. At 22-years-old Upton has drawn comparisons with many Hall of Fame caliber players such as Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. He broke out last season with a .300 batting average, 26 home runs, 86 RBI and 20 stolen bases. While the [...]

• 3 Comments
• Category: Arizona Diamondbacks
• Tagged as Andruw Jones, Hank Aaron, Justin Upton, miguel cabrera, Willie Mays

After taking a look at the bounceback candidates in the AL last week, it’s time to take a look at the NL, where some quality names are in line for bounceback seasons in 2010. Brandon Webb (RHP) Arizona Diamondbacks – The former 2006 NL Cy Young winner made only one appearance last season after experiencing shoulder pain during his Opening Day start. After a few months of rest and rehab, Webb finally decided to undergo arthroscopic right shoulder surgery last August, which ended his season. In his last full season in 2008, Webb almost added his second NL Cy Young Award as he finished the season with a 22-7 record to go along with a 3.30 ERA in 226.2 IP. [...]

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• Category: Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Fantasy, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, Teams
• Tagged as Brandon Webb, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Carlos Zambrano, Corey Hart, Dan Haren, David Wright, Jason Bay, Jose Reyes, Ricky Nolasco

Yesterday, I took a look at some potential breakout candidates in the American League for 2010. Today, I want to focus on the National League, where the chances for some breakout performances are great. Last season, such names as Jayson Werth, Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, Mark Reynolds, and Adam Wainwright had breakout seasons that have their future fantasy owners excited for what they might bring to their teams this year. Here are some players who have the chance to breakout this season in the NL. Joey Votto (1B) Cincinnati Reds – The player who has arguably had the most success of any player on this list is the most likely candidate to have a breakthrough performance this season. Despite missing [...]

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• Category: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Fantasy, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Teams
• Tagged as Adam Wainwright, Andrew McCutchen, Carlos Gonzalez, Clayton Kershaw, Grady Sizemore, Jay Bruce, Jayson Werth, Joey Votto, Justin Upton, Mark Reynolds, Matt Kemp, Tommy Hanson, Yovani Gallardo

It’s that time in free agency where the unsigned are left scrambling to find a new team in time for Spring Training or have to settle for a one-year deal with the hopes of establishing value for a bigger payday next off season. Over the past few days some quality free agents have found new teams for 2010. Ben Sheets – The former Milwaukee Brewers right-hander signed a one-year deal worth $10 million plus incentives with the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday. Sheets is looking to prove to the A’s that he is fully recovered from elbow surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2009 season. The A’s were in attendance for Sheets throwing session last week and came away impressed [...]

• 8 Comments
• Category: Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, Free Agents, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Rumors, San Diego Padres, Teams
• Tagged as Adam Jones, Ben Sheets, Billy Beane, Denard Span, Jason Giambi, Jason Kubel, Jim Thome, Joe Mauer, Jon Garland, Justin Morneau, Kosuke Fukudome, Matt Wieters, Michael Cuddyer, Miguel Tejada, Nick Markakis, Nolan Reimold, Xavier Nady