The Top South Atlantic League Players of 2009

I'm gonna try to finish off the minor league rankings over the next couple of days so we can get to reviewing the 2009 MLB season.

Top 25 South Atlantic League Batters (min. 50 at-bats)

Name	Team	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG	ISO	Spd	BABIP	wOBA
Kiel Roling	Rockies	10.20%	26.70%	0.331	0.401	0.593	0.262	2.7	0.405	0.44
Brian Pellegrini	Astros	14.20%	29.10%	0.291	0.396	0.578	0.288	4.2	0.338	0.431
Derek Norris	Nationals	17.10%	26.50%	0.286	0.413	0.513	0.227	2.8	0.342	0.417
Erik Morrison	Rangers	8.10%	22.70%	0.297	0.368	0.558	0.261	5.3	0.341	0.414
Ryan Lavarnway	Red Sox	11.00%	28.00%	0.285	0.367	0.54	0.255	2.7	0.348	0.403
Jordan Pacheco	Rockies	7.80%	9.80%	0.322	0.379	0.492	0.171	5.3	0.335	0.398
Jim Murphy	Phillies	12.90%	32.90%	0.279	0.393	0.467	0.188	3.1	0.383	0.393
Nate Recknagel	Indians	12.70%	21.70%	0.28	0.379	0.482	0.202	3.8	0.324	0.385
Ben Lasater	Marlins	7.50%	24.60%	0.29	0.352	0.468	0.178	3.9	0.356	0.375
Jeremy Synan	Marlins	8.10%	22.40%	0.291	0.353	0.483	0.192	3.1	0.345	0.374
Ronnie Welty	Orioles	9.60%	27.80%	0.29	0.373	0.425	0.135	4.8	0.382	0.37
Joshua Satin	Mets	14.20%	23.40%	0.284	0.385	0.418	0.134	1.7	0.358	0.37
Corban Joseph	Yankees	11.40%	16.10%	0.3	0.381	0.418	0.118	5.1	0.349	0.368
Tyler Moore	Nationals	8.70%	26.40%	0.297	0.363	0.447	0.15	2.7	0.385	0.368
Josh Mazzola	Giants	7.00%	25.30%	0.284	0.347	0.455	0.171	4.7	0.351	0.367
Andy D'Alessio	Giants	9.00%	25.10%	0.3	0.361	0.443	0.143	3.1	0.384	0.366
Calvin Anderson	Pirates	8.10%	29.60%	0.274	0.347	0.446	0.172	4.3	0.36	0.362
Donnie Webb	Indians	7.80%	23.40%	0.289	0.351	0.42	0.132	7.9	0.364	0.362
Scott Robinson	Rockies	3.80%	22.20%	0.309	0.349	0.415	0.106	8.1	0.393	0.361
Kevin Mattison	Marlins	8.20%	22.50%	0.25	0.323	0.422	0.172	7.1	0.284	0.361
Harold Garcia	Phillies	6.10%	22.50%	0.291	0.35	0.414	0.124	7.5	0.36	0.361
Stephen Lombardozzi	Nationals	11.10%	16.10%	0.296	0.375	0.395	0.099	6.5	0.349	0.36
Mark Thompson	Indians	11.10%	23.50%	0.257	0.358	0.408	0.151	4.9	0.304	0.358
Brandon Short	White Sox	7.30%	22.60%	0.284	0.342	0.417	0.133	6.5	0.35	0.356
Joseph Mahoney	Orioles	7.10%	23.50%	0.281	0.333	0.41	0.129	8.6	0.353	0.356
Robbie Grossman	Pirates	14.30%	36.40%	0.266	0.373	0.355	0.089	6.4	0.408	0.351
Ryan Dent	Red Sox	12.40%	32.50%	0.252	0.35	0.391	0.139	6.8	0.357	0.349
Will Middlebrooks	Red Sox	11.40%	32.90%	0.265	0.349	0.404	0.139	4.8	0.377	0.348
Abraham Almonte	Yankees	7.40%	18.40%	0.28	0.333	0.391	0.111	8.3	0.333	0.348
Isaias Velasquez	Rays	7.80%	17.30%	0.278	0.342	0.39	0.112	6.5	0.332	0.343
Sean Ratliff	Mets	6.20%	28.00%	0.265	0.312	0.451	0.186	6.2	0.339	0.343
Karexon Sanchez	Indians	13.40%	30.00%	0.234	0.35	0.375	0.141	6.5	0.31	0.342
James Cesario	Rockies	6.00%	15.60%	0.285	0.333	0.418	0.133	5.2	0.319	0.341
David Christensen	Rockies	5.70%	38.50%	0.234	0.293	0.452	0.218	8.3	0.336	0.341
Joel Campusano	Braves	6.80%	13.60%	0.288	0.343	0.387	0.099	5.8	0.323	0.34

Top 25 South Atlantic League Pitchers (min. 50 IP)

Name	Team	K/9	BB/9	HR/9	WHIP	BABIP	LOB%	ERA	FIP
Eric Surkamp	Giants	11.61	2.68	0.41	1.28	0.38	70.30%	3.3	2.2
Jordan Lyles	Astros	10.39	2.36	0.31	1.19	0.349	72.60%	3.24	2.42
Justin De Fratus	Phillies	8.26	1.31	0.25	1.13	0.334	69.30%	3.19	2.43
Stephen Sauer	White Sox	7.8	1.2	0.25	1.28	0.364	70.40%	3.36	2.53
Juan Nicasio	Rockies	9.24	1.85	0.48	1.19	0.341	72.30%	2.41	2.57
J.J. Hoover	Braves	9.92	1.67	0.6	1.19	0.353	70.60%	3.35	2.58
Jesus Sanchez	Phillies	7.94	2.78	0.26	1.32	0.335	68.80%	3.44	2.77
Matthew Moore	Rays	12.88	5.12	0.44	1.27	0.319	72.30%	3.15	2.83
Dexter Carter	White Sox	10.91	2.44	0.69	1.14	0.331	76.30%	3.13	2.84
Chris Schwinden	Mets	6.87	1.17	0.47	1.22	0.336	69.00%	3.28	2.87
Eric Beaulac	Mets	10.32	3.18	0.47	1.3	0.349	70.60%	2.95	2.87
Cole McCurry	Orioles	9.34	2.96	0.52	1.17	0.307	74.10%	2.71	2.88
Marcos Frias	Nationals	7.96	2.13	0.43	1.22	0.325	69.20%	2.91	2.97
Jeurys Familia	Mets	7.32	3.09	0.2	1.16	0.283	72.50%	2.69	3.16
Brock Huntzinger	Red Sox	7.32	2.3	0.5	1.27	0.323	64.90%	4.09	3.18
Randall Delgado	Braves	10.23	3.56	0.65	1.39	0.353	65.30%	4.35	3.2
Robert Bono	Astros	4.14	1.19	0.31	1.23	0.311	66.90%	3.2	3.23
Oliver Drake	Orioles	7.16	2.89	0.41	1.38	0.333	63.80%	4.34	3.26
Kyle Nicholson	Giants	6.11	1.62	0.51	1.08	0.282	69.40%	2.8	3.27
Charles Leesman	White Sox	6.68	3.31	0.23	1.41	0.329	73.40%	3.08	3.34
Ari Ronick	Giants	7.54	2.25	0.66	1.07	0.273	64.70%	2.65	3.34
Robert Carson	Mets	6.15	3.08	0.27	1.4	0.324	66.00%	3.21	3.37
Ezekiel Spruill	Braves	7.37	1.86	0.7	1.24	0.324	70.10%	3.03	3.37
Kyle Greenwalt	Astros	5.81	1.81	0.45	1.31	0.327	66.10%	4.2	3.4
David Phelps	Yankees	7.19	2	0.72	1.26	0.322	73.50%	2.8	3.41
Parker Frazier	Rockies	6.75	2.27	0.48	1.46	0.358	68.80%	4.48	3.43
T.J. House	Indians	7.3	3.28	0.54	1.31	0.306	73.30%	3.15	3.51
T.J. McFarland	Indians	6.34	3.13	0.45	1.41	0.323	69.90%	3.58	3.56
Stolmy Pimentel	Red Sox	7.88	2.22	0.92	1.39	0.35	70.10%	3.82	3.62
Kyle Kaminska	Marlins	7.07	2.27	0.63	1.39	0.344	61.50%	4.16	3.63
Ryan O'Shea	Orioles	6.54	3.07	0.52	1.31	0.303	70.90%	3.6	3.72
Chris Andujar	Rays	5.93	3.15	0.53	1.18	0.262	74.30%	2.7	3.74
Kyle Allen	Mets	7.97	3.66	0.57	1.28	0.294	71.30%	3.45	3.74
Mike Loree	Giants	5.11	1.9	0.66	1.34	0.319	62.30%	4.67	3.77
Johnny Dorn	Marlins	5.38	2.4	0.63	1.42	0.327	68.20%	4.18	3.87

The Missed Call

I was rooting for the New York Yankees but this was a terrible call. I'm not sure it would have made a dramatic difference in the game but the umpires should not miss calls that are this clear.

Around Baseball: News, Links, and Observations

Want a job working for a Major League Baseball team? Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus shares an attempt by a major League team to tap into the knowledge of baseball fans. You can win your chance by sending your answer to the following question (send it by November 9th, 2009) to mlbquestion@gmail.com just don't expect an answer unless you are in the running.

If you had access to all of the information available to a major league team - both public and proprietary data, such as scouting reports, training reports, video, etc - what question(s) would you attempt to answer with that data? How would you go about that process? What potential problems do you foresee?

David O'Brien runs the excellent Atlanta Journal Constitution, Atlanta Braves Blog. This is one of the better sources for information on the Braves and the thinking of their management team. In the post linked above, O'Brien discusses the Braves' priorities for the 2010 season. They have placed a right-handed power hitter at the top of their list of needs. Closely followed by re-signing Adam LaRoche (or another power-hitting first baseman). Interestingly, O'Brien seems to think the Braves could pry outfielder (and right-handed power hitter) Nelson Cruz away from the Texas Rangers and I think he may be right.

But anyway, Cruz is right-handed and hit .260 with 33 homers, 20 stolen bases and an .856 OPS in 128 games, and while his .931 OPS at hitter-friendly Arlington was a lot higher than his .778 on the road, he hit almot as many homers (15) on the road than at home (18) in virtually the same number of at-bats.

Nelson Cruz had a fantastic season in 2009 but found himself on the bench frequently in the second half. This is partly due to minor injuries and a few slumps but manager Ron Washington seemed to like his other options much better. The Rangers are very deep in the outfield. They have rookie Julio Borbon (who looked a lot like a junior version of Carl Crawford) projected as the 2010 center fielder. Josh Hamilton is moving to right field (he's still a stud in case you were wondering). That leaves left field open for one of Nelson Cruz; Marlon Byrd, who hit 20 home runs and who the Rangers want to re-sign; 0r lesser possibilities like David Murphy, Brandon Boggs, and Greg Golson.

The Nationals Farm Authority is repeating a rumor first tweeted by ESPN’s Jose Arangure which suggests that Jeff Zona, currently a Nats Cross Checker could be promoted to Director of International Scouting. Zona was a scout for the Boston Red Sox in 2004 when they finally broke The Curse. I have a good feeling about the direction of the Nationals. Since Mike Rizzo took over they've almost exactly what I would have wanted them to do. The Nats have a powerful lineup that should be even better in 2010. Their bullpen is beginning to look like a potential strength with Sean Burnett, Tyler Clippard, Garrett Mock and Mike MacDougal forming the heart of it. They are quickly building a formidable farm system featuring players with true star potential such as Stephen Strasburg, Derek Norris, and Michael Burgess. I suggest that Fantasy Owners look very deeply at Mike Rizzo's moves this off-season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks completed the Jon Garland trade when the D'Backs accepted infielder Tony Abreu as the player to be named later. There has been some controversy over Abreu's service time but apparently not enough to force the Dodgers to change the compensation. Abreu is a strong contact hitter who does not draw many walks. He has good pop for a middle infielder and decent speed, but does not steal many bases. I think of Abreu as a Howie Kendrick-lite who could have some value in NL-only leagues in 2010, if he wins the starting job at second base. He will definitely be in the mix.

If you have ever found yourself bitching about the price of tickets to the best sporting events you needs to read Seats of Gold. Hell, even if you haven't the insanity that is the Legends Suite at the New Yankee Stadium is worth reading about. I'm pretty certain I won't ever be going to Yankee Stadium ever again. I want to, but I don't think I'll ever be able to do it.

In the downstairs half of the suite, there are all the same food stations -- plus dessert. Ice cream served in little blue Yankees helmets. Or maybe an entire pint for your seat. Pan-sautéed whoopie pies. I get three or four of those and take them to the bar, where I order a $60 glass of Johnnie Walker Blue Label (food's free, booze isn't). A house ad airs on the television in front of me. Apparently, I can buy Kobe beef to take home from the stadium. Yes, there's a butcher here. And an art gallery. I can get sushi and lobster rolls and Scottish salmon in another nearby lounge, along with duck pasta. On the first- and third-base side of the room, hidden from common view behind home plate, sit gigantic tables covered with every snack imaginable. There's Cracker Jack and peanuts, Twizzlers and Twix, Skittles and Starburst, plus five or six other kinds of sugar-coated goodness.

I watch a kid, maybe 8 years old, stand in front of the spread. He's paralyzed. His dad is trying not to laugh, and the boy can't figure out what to take. He's never seen anything like this.

The dad finally laughs. "It's all included," he tells his son. "It's like Willy Wonka."

Welcome to the new America, kid. Too bad you can't save a bag of Skittles in your wallet for 50 years. Luckily, you'll never know what you're missing.

2009 Top Midwest League Prospects

The Midwest League rankings feature the up and coming Jaff Decker who will reach San Diego far too late to save Kevin Towers his job. I never had a huge problem with Towers. He was far more handicapped (and successful despite this) by his team's ownership and budget than a frequent complainer like J.P. Ricciardi and his $100 million dollar losing squads.

MLB Fantasy Prospects wrote a great piece on Jaff Decker that I may have mentioned previously, but if you missed it you should certainly check it out. the site is an excellent resource for the prospect crazy or just the committed Advanced Fantasy Baseball Shark in need of an edge.

The big boy was no slouch this year at Low-A hitting .299, with 16 HRs, a .442 OBP, and a .514 SLG. Decker has a phenomenal eye that is indicative of a future fantasy star. He had a 19.2% walk rate and .92 BB/K rate batting third in the Fort Wayne (Padres’ Low-A affiliate) batting order. Notably, Decker has had a fairly high Batting Average on Balls in Play [BABIP] (.364 at Low-A /.432 in the AZL). Usually, such a high BABIP suggests a lucky hitter. In this case, there’s no luck involved, as Decker’s BABIP is sky high because he hits the ball freakishly hard.

MLB Fantasy Prospects has recently reported on prospects like Derek Norris of the Washington Nationals, Hector Rondon of the Cleveland Indians, and Brian Matusz of the Baltimore Orioles.

Top 25 Midwest League Batters (minimum 50 at-bats)

Name	Team	BB%	K%	AVG	OBP	SLG	ISO	Spd	BABIP	wOBA
James Darnell	Padres	20.40%	23.00%	0.329	0.468	0.518	0.189	4	0.402	0.449
Brett Jackson	Cubs	8.90%	28.60%	0.295	0.383	0.545	0.25	8.2	0.356	0.436
Jaff Decker	Padres	19.20%	25.70%	0.299	0.442	0.514	0.215	4.8	0.364	0.434
Chris Dennis	Brewers	12.60%	29.50%	0.318	0.409	0.538	0.22	4.2	0.427	0.432
Xavier Scruggs	Cardinals	15.10%	33.30%	0.295	0.409	0.527	0.233	3.4	0.392	0.427
Jermaine Curtis	Cardinals	14.50%	18.80%	0.304	0.426	0.438	0.134	5.3	0.367	0.417
Kyler Burke	Cubs	14.40%	21.30%	0.303	0.405	0.505	0.202	5.8	0.359	0.417
Kyle Russell	Dodgers	13.00%	37.40%	0.272	0.371	0.545	0.272	7.6	0.382	0.416
Joseph Becker	Dodgers	10.60%	20.30%	0.339	0.403	0.492	0.153	3.9	0.413	0.407
Sawyer Carroll	Padres	13.80%	22.80%	0.316	0.41	0.464	0.148	5.1	0.394	0.406
Josh Vitters	Cubs	2.50%	15.60%	0.316	0.351	0.535	0.219	4.4	0.33	0.402
Conner Crumbliss	Athletics	18.00%	18.00%	0.28	0.438	0.4	0.12	6.5	0.341	0.401
Kris Sanchez	Mariners	13.60%	27.20%	0.291	0.391	0.496	0.205	1.7	0.366	0.401
Billy Nowlin	Tigers	8.10%	16.00%	0.311	0.39	0.483	0.172	3.9	0.346	0.399
Chris Swauger	Cardinals	7.30%	20.00%	0.296	0.357	0.522	0.226	6.7	0.341	0.397
Jerry Sands	Dodgers	12.60%	30.80%	0.26	0.361	0.51	0.25	5.9	0.328	0.395
Grant Desme	Athletics	7.50%	31.30%	0.274	0.334	0.49	0.216	8.4	0.359	0.394
Charles Cutler	Cardinals	9.00%	10.30%	0.351	0.41	0.455	0.103	2.8	0.38	0.393
Byron Wiley	Reds	16.60%	29.80%	0.275	0.395	0.461	0.186	5.4	0.363	0.392
Brian Van Kirk	Blue Jays	14.00%	25.70%	0.278	0.389	0.451	0.173	4.1	0.344	0.392
Alexia Amarista	Angels	9.50%	12.80%	0.319	0.39	0.468	0.149	7.8	0.359	0.391
Nick Van Stratten	Royals	9.90%	12.50%	0.318	0.393	0.447	0.129	7.7	0.36	0.39
Blake Ochoa	Mariners	7.50%	20.20%	0.318	0.379	0.48	0.162	3.6	0.376	0.387
Josh Harrison	Cubs	5.00%	8.30%	0.337	0.377	0.479	0.142	7.3	0.358	0.386
Marc Krauss	Diamondbacks	10.90%	18.30%	0.304	0.377	0.478	0.174	3.1	0.359	0.386
Luis Flores	Cubs	20.00%	22.90%	0.208	0.387	0.458	0.25	1.9	0.229	0.385
Brendan Duffy	Diamondbacks	11.10%	20.90%	0.308	0.414	0.393	0.085	7.7	0.39	0.384
Anthony Delmonico	Dodgers	11.20%	23.60%	0.285	0.383	0.43	0.145	4.4	0.352	0.382
Andrew Cumberland	Padres	12.10%	12.40%	0.293	0.386	0.41	0.117	7.9	0.329	0.382
Matt Carpenter	Cardinals	13.90%	12.40%	0.295	0.405	0.39	0.095	4.6	0.337	0.381
Matt Clark	Padres	11.60%	28.60%	0.266	0.352	0.484	0.218	1.6	0.331	0.381
Ramon Santana	Twins	11.90%	25.30%	0.296	0.384	0.453	0.156	4	0.377	0.379
Anthony Hatch	Dodgers	9.60%	14.60%	0.294	0.363	0.463	0.169	5.4	0.327	0.379
Jarrod Dyson	Royals	6.90%	20.90%	0.343	0.397	0.403	0.06	8	0.434	0.377
Scott Savastano	Mariners	11.90%	17.90%	0.3	0.39	0.404	0.104	6.1	0.354	0.377

Top 25 Midwest League Pitchers (minimum 50 IP)

Name	Team	K/9	BB/9	HR/9	WHIP	BABIP	LOB%	ERA	FIP
Andrew Taylor	Angels	14.55	3.33	0	0.94	0.32	85.40%	1.23	1.08
Brad Brach	Padres	11.59	1.55	0.14	0.74	0.264	82.70%	1.27	1.54
Cheyne Hann	Mariners	9.75	1.05	0.26	0.82	0.279	83.30%	1.32	1.85
Chris Huseby	Cubs	12.17	1.67	0.5	0.98	0.335	86.90%	1.83	1.94
Vladimir Veras	Angels	9.83	3	0	1.13	0.316	68.30%	3	2.13
Matt Daly	Blue Jays	9.59	3.55	0	1.09	0.283	76.80%	1.95	2.31
Bryan Woodall	Diamondbacks	9.86	2.3	0.27	1.35	0.382	68.00%	3.24	2.34
Blaine Hardy	Royals	9.16	1.66	0.29	0.95	0.29	76.00%	2.05	2.37
Zachary Herr	Padres	12.71	3.18	0.64	1.24	0.366	62.70%	4.13	2.41
Bayron Zepeda	Diamondbacks	7.3	2.04	0	1.43	0.375	62.00%	4.58	2.43
Henderson Alvarez	Blue Jays	6.66	1.38	0.07	1.13	0.317	63.60%	3.47	2.43
Nick Schmidt	Padres	10.28	4.01	0	1.18	0.305	67.70%	2.79	2.48
Nick Schumacher	Padres	8.74	2.22	0.16	1.08	0.305	88.20%	1.11	2.49
Barry Bowden	Royals	11.22	3.86	0.35	1.01	0.257	75.70%	2.28	2.56
Ezequiel Infante	Reds	7.91	1.55	0.34	1.15	0.325	69.30%	3.44	2.57
Robert Boothe	Dodgers	12.46	4.63	0.32	1.49	0.396	62.20%	4.95	2.65
Kenn Kasparek	Mariners	8.51	2.03	0.32	1.12	0.313	73.50%	2.41	2.68
Liam Hendriks	Twins	8.37	2.03	0.41	1.32	0.357	65.30%	3.51	2.69
Ryan Buchter	Cubs	11.66	5.02	0.15	1.15	0.273	77.10%	1.33	2.69
Jamie Richmond	Athletics	7.2	0.9	0.54	1.06	0.308	74.30%	2.7	2.74
Tyler Stohr	Tigers	8.11	2.36	0.3	1.23	0.328	69.20%	3.54	2.76
Casey Crosby	Tigers	10.06	4.13	0.26	1.13	0.273	72.80%	2.41	2.8
Tyler Conn	Tigers	7.97	2.31	0.39	1.19	0.314	72.70%	3.21	2.8
Simon Castro	Padres	10.07	2.37	0.58	1.1	0.313	68.20%	3.33	2.8
Anthony Shawler	Tigers	8.19	2.59	0.33	1.23	0.321	66.50%	3.76	2.89
Daniel Merklinger	Brewers	9	2.89	0.51	1.17	0.303	76.10%	2.55	2.9
Austin Bibens-Dirkx	Cubs	6.37	1.15	0.51	0.91	0.255	77.10%	2.04	2.9
Brayan Villarreal	Tigers	10.28	2.96	0.44	1.15	0.316	73.60%	2.87	2.91
Steven Blevins	Twins	7.87	3.05	0.23	1.37	0.34	66.90%	3.52	2.97
Michael Montgomery	Royals	8.07	3.72	0.16	1.14	0.269	73.60%	2.17	2.98
Geison Aguasviva	Dodgers	6.61	2.87	0.14	1.16	0.285	80.20%	1.58	2.99
Wily Peralta	Brewers	10.24	3.99	0.43	1.32	0.33	71.60%	3.47	3
Christopher Archer	Cubs	9.83	5.45	0	1.32	0.293	72.90%	2.81	3.03
Ramon Delgado	Cardinals	7.46	1.87	0.55	1.06	0.285	74.40%	2.41	3.03
Luke Putkonen	Tigers	6.93	2.83	0.18	1.31	0.321	70.60%	3.13	3.05

Trevor Hoffman Close to Re-Signing with Brewers

According to a report in the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel, Trevor Hoffman is very close to re-signing with the Milwaukee Brewers. Both sides have been quoted as interested in another deal so this should come as no surprise to Brewer fans. In fact, ESPN's Buster Olney is saying that the deal is done. A one year deal for $8 million that keeps the closer in a Brewer uniform.

Hoffman had another very solid season despite common belief that his skills were fading at the end of the 2008 season. Hoffman converted 37 of 41 save chances and finished with a 3-2 record, 1.83/2.63 ERA/FIP, 8.00 K9, 2.33 BB9, 0.33HR9, and a 0.85 GB/FB ratio. He should be a solid mid-range closer for fantasy owners in 2010.


Under Not Fantasy Sports But Still Awesome:

Joe Posnanski is my favorite baseball writer. He is the favorite of a lot of serious baseball fans. He has a new book out called "The Machine" which you can buy through the link below. You'll not only be buying a great book but supporting this site (and a great baseball writer) if you use this link. Thanks.

Rob Neyer: (interviewing Joe P.)

Some people root for baseball teams. I root for baseball books, for two reasons. One, a fair number of my friends have written baseball books, so rooting for a book is like rooting for a friend. And two, I've written a few books myself, and know what it's like to pour one's life into something for many months and wind up eliciting hardly a yawn from the Big Wide World. Anyway, I'm rooting for Joe Posnanski's new book, The Machine, about the 1975 Cincinnati Reds, which was officially published today. Joe and I haven't yet met, but I do know he's an easy guy to root for, all the more because I've read his book. Well, I thought I knew Pete Rose and Johnny Bench already -- and I did -- but now I know them better.

There are memorable teams in baseball—and then there are utterly unforgettable teams like the 1975 Cincinnati Reds. From 1972 to 1976, the franchise known as the Big Red Machine dominated the National League, winning four division crowns, three league pennants, and two World Series titles. But their 1975 season has become the stuff of sports legend. In The Machine, award-winning sports columnist Joe Posnanski captures all of the passion and tension, drama and glory of this extraordinary team considered to be one of the greatest ever to take the field. Helmed by Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson, the lineup for the '75 Reds is a Who's Who of baseball stars: Pete Rose, Ken Griffey, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, George Foster, Cesar Geronimo, and Dave Concepcion. Like a well-oiled engine, the '75 Reds ended the regular season with 108 wins and finished a whopping 20 games ahead of their closest division competitor, the Los Angeles Dodgers. But that remarkable year was not without controversy. Feuds, fights, insults, and run-ins with fans were as much a part of the season as hits, runs, steals, and strikeouts. Capturing this rollicking thrill-ride of a story, Posnanski brings to vivid life the excitement, hope, and high expectations that surrounded the players from the beginning of spring training through the long summer and into a nail-biting World Series, where, in the ninth inning of the seventh game, the Big Red Machine fulfilled its destiny, defeating the Boston Red Sox 4-3. As enthralling and entertaining as the season and players it captures, The Machine is the story of a team unlike any other in the sport's glorious history.

Evaluating Major League Baseball Managers

There is a huge story brewing in Toronto. Stories are breaking that the team has started to rebel against Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston. But there is also serious doubt as to where this story is coming from. First, as Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star points out, it is unusual that a team that has been lost by its manager does so while on its best streak of the season. They've won their last six games and nine of their last ten. Ken Rosenthal who blew this story up has been (to put it gently) annoying a lot of people with unsubstantiated rumors and exaggerations (exactly what he generally accuses all bloggers of doing) this season. Griffin points out that Rosenthal generally gets his stories (at least in Toronto) from the front office and not the players in the clubhouse. Thoughts are that J.P. Ricciardi (fired today) planted the story on his way out the door.

Managers always seem to get either too much credit or none at all. Many stat guys will tell you that a good major league manager has an impact on very few games. I haven't decided whether I believe that or not. I think a good manager might have a huge impact everyday that is simply not quantifiable. But just because we can't (or it is hard to) count it does not mean it doesn't exist. As fantasy owners we are a little more likely to see the things managers do that affect our games. We notice that Matt Kemp is batting seventh in the lineup despite being the best hitter on the team. We can read between the lines and realize that Cito Gaston has a problem with B.J. Ryan in Spring Training. We know that Dusty Baker will give his favorite veterans many opportunities but that rookies and younger players had better perform one way or another if they want to stay in the lineup.

Fantasy owners can get a huge jump on their competition by getting to know managers and how they do things. This is not simply reading what they say to the press. Most of us know that we can't take their words for much. But if we listen to their words and watch what they do we can build a very good picture of what they really think. This is hugely important to owners that want to play Advanced Fantasy Baseball. Your player evaluations are not complete if you haven't taken the time to consider what the team's manager and front office personnel think about him. I have made this mistake at times this season. Drew Sutton and Kevin Frandsen might have better skills than the players in front of them but unless they win the approval of their respective managers they would be lucky to make their teams out of Spring Training.

There have been various attempts by very smart people at Baseball Prospectus, Hardball Times and a few other sites to quantify a manager's impact on the game. But it's remains difficult to measure but there has been progress. Recently, Jeremy Greenhouse wrote an article for the Baseball Analysts that examines the impact managers have on major league bullpens. The results are very interesting. It includes some very good graphics that make the difference between some teams very clear.

Here's a small sample:

...La Russa does a fantastic job of platooning. Both lefties he’s utilized out of the pen have had the benefit of facing a majority of same-handed batters. Trever Miller has put up great numbers this year, and La Russa would be well-served to use him as the southpaw in a righty-lefty combination with Kyle McClellan who has been holding his own as La Russa's go-to guy after Franklin. There is a dilemma in the case of Miller, who is truly exceptional against lefties to the tune of 37 strikeouts to six walks this year. So in a relatively close game, should La Russa bring him in once the starter is out and a lefty is up to ensure quality innings from Miller, or should La Russa at times wait and hope that Miller might have the chance to face a couple lefties in the 8th or 9th when the leverage is highest, but risk not pitching Miller at all?

The Baseball Analysts is a great site that every fantasy owner interested in increasing their understanding of the game of baseball should be reading. They regularly evaluate pitchers and hitters in great detail, they study prospects and release lists that are very underrated by those that get intense about minor leaguers. If they do what they usually do you can expect very nice reports on the non-tenders, Rule V, and Arizona Fall League players.

Press Release: Toronto Blue Jays management change

ROGERS today announced that J.P. RICCIARDI will be leaving his position as Senior Vice President, Baseball Operations & General Manager of the Toronto Blue Jays effective immediately. Mr. Ricciardi joined the Blue Jays in 2001.

"This was a tough decision and a difficult one for me personally as I have enjoyed J.P.'s friendship and his perspective on the game," said Paul Beeston, acting President, and CEO. "J.P. has put an incredible amount of effort into improving the team and he has brought along a number of great young players. However, I feel that it is time for a change and accordingly we have decided to move on."

Alexander Anthopoulos, Vice President, Baseball Operations & Assistant General Manager will fill the role commencing today.