Ask the Reports

 Follow @mlbreports

Please send all your questions to mlbreports@gmail.com and please include your first name and City/Country.  You can also leave your comments & questions at the bottom of our website.  You can message us on Twitter and post on our Facebook wall.  With so many ways to connect with MLB reports, we look forward to hearing from you!

We will be compiling a list of your questions from all of our social media and posting the responses every weekend.

 

ASK THE REPORTS ARCHIVE:

 

Sunday February 19th, 2012

The Angels, A’s, Phillies and Marlins in 2012, Teixeira’s batting average, six contenders in the AL, future of Johnny Damon, knuckleball pitchers, David Wright trade and toughest Spring Training camp


Monday February 13th, 2012

Highlights from some of the best messages we have recently received in our e-mailbag. These questions will blow you away!

 

Sunday February 5th, 2012

Tigers looking for pitching, Chapman/Feliz/Sale in the rotation, MLB realignment, Phillies fans locked out of Washington, Jose Bautista as the home run king, Arbitration Hearings, Marlins in 2012, Brett Lawrie in the top 100 and 2012 World Series picks

Sunday January 29th, 2012

Bud Selig to expand the Wild Card teams, Edwin Jackson future, Roy Oswalt to Cardinals, Tyler Pastornicky to lead-off for the Braves, How to get autographs and Prince Fielder hitting bombs in Comerica

Sunday January 22nd, 2012

Justin Verlander deserves the MVP, Pirates chances in 2012, Red Sox rebuilding, Barry Bonds to the HOF in 2013 and A’s going to the Playoffs this year

Sunday January 15th, 2012

Derrek Lee, Roy Oswalt and Casey Kotchman; Vance Worley as sophomore; Ryan Howard returns from injury; Yoenis Cespedes in Detroit; Jesus Montero compared to Arencibia and d’Arnaud; 2013 Hall of Fame class; Marlins “fun” and Brewers as contenders in 2012

Monday January 9th, 2012

Prince+Washington=playoffs; Beltran taking over for Pujols; Madson to the Phillies; Tolleson and Hutchinson getting the call; Favorite Baseball Movie; Royals 2012 Opening Day Starter; Return of Pudge;$200 million contracts; Hamels/Cain to the Yankees

Sunday January 1st, 2012

Top MLB teams in 2012, Fielder to the Mets, Royals chances in 2012, Tim Raines to Cooperstown and Red Sox Revamping their Roster

Sunday December 25th, 2011

2012 MLB Playoff Predictions, Darvish Posting, State of NL Central Sans Pujols and Fielder, Top-5 rotations, Ubaldo Jimenez in 2012, Wheeler and Smith for Prado or Jurrjens, Prince Bumps the Power Rankings and Baseball Writing as a Niche

Saturday December 17th, 2011

Gio Gonzalez trade, New York Mets moves, Yu Darvish posting, New York Yankees roster, Danys Baez, Jesus Montero stats, Life during the MLB offseason

Sunday December 11th, 2011

Performance Enhanding Drugs, Gio to Yankees, Willingham to Indians, WBC venues, Michael Choice and MLB Expansion

Saturday December 3rd, 2011

MLB Realignment and Expansion, WBC Eligible Countries, Pujols to Cub, Frustration of Phil Hughes and Iannetta for Chatwood

Sunday November 27th, 2011

AL vs. NL, Report on Valbuena, Alonso and Nady to Indians, Gio Gonzalez as Scott Kazmir and Kurt Suzuki’s future

Saturday November 19th, 2011

The Next Cy Young, Darvish and Cespedes, Burrell after Retirement, Matt Kemp Contract and the End of Brandon Inge

Sunday November 13, 2011

The Future of the DH, The History of Baseball, Pujols to the Marlins, Baseball as the Only Sport and the New Owner of the Dodgers

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011:

Thome to Cooperstown, Wade Miley joins the Diamondbacks, Report on Peter Bourjos, Indians chances to win the AL Central and Future of Yu Darvish

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011:

Rendon position, Rangers to World Series, Phillies add to bullpen, taking out the catcher and MLB realignment and expansion

Wednedsay, August 3rd, 2011:

Atlanta Braves needs, Tigers-Mariners trade at deadline, Phillies to the World Series, Player to build a MLB team around, Yankees trade inactivity

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011:

All Star Edition:  Home Run Derby Contestants, Olympics/WBC as substitutes, boycotting the game, Prospects Game, predicting the winner

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011:

Prince vs. Pujols, Orioles as contenders, announcement date for MLB All-Star rosters, popularity of the Phillies, joining MLB reports

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011:

 Dee Gordon/Rafael Furcal, last names in MLB, Astros in the AL, Twins rebound in 2011, what happened to Aroldis Chapman

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011:

Betemit, Hershiser/Garvey, Dodgers, Hosmer, Francisco and Jays closer, Venters, Uggla, Williams and Purke

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011:

Best hitting pitchers of all time, Latos is back, status of Eric Thames, Will Rendon go 1st overall and best food/drink at a ballpark

Wednesday May 25th, 2011:

Favourite major league ballparks, international baseball, Jose Bautista for real, Mariano Rivera continuing forever and to love or hate the Chicago Cubs

Wednesday May 18th, 2011:

The effect of Citi Field on the Mets, placing Starlin Castro in the Cubs lineup, to keep or not to keep Jeter and Yunel Escobar as a replacement and Aaron Hill as Bautista protection

Wednesday May 11th, 2011:

Predicting the Boston Red Sox of 2011, Keep or Dump Jorge Posada, Pitching to Jose Bautista and Bay/McCarthy for Ramirez/Soriano.         

Wednesday May 4th, 2011:

The future of Magglio Ordonez, Jeff Francouer underrated, Danny Duffy on the verge for the Royals, what to do with jesus Montero and who is Rubby De La Rosa? 

Wednesday April 27, 2011: 

Pineda vs. Jurjjens vs. Masterson, Gio Gonzalez vs. Philip Humber, Zach Britton emerging, what to do with Ian Kennedy, Morrow and Scherzer head-to-head, Peter Bourjos and catchers becoming managers

Wednesday April 20, 2011:  

Ozzie Guillen as General Manager, the health of Jake Peavy, Jonathan Broxton as closer, Yankees/Jays preview and Jhoulys Chacin for the NL Cy Young. 

Follow @mlbreports

Older Editions of the E-mailbag:

April 13, 2011

MLB reports:  I feel like a mechanic about to tune up a car.  Thank you for putting your fantasy team in my hands Maury.  Taking a look at your roster, here are my immediate thoughts:

1)  Mauer, Votto, Jeter, Choo and Werth need to be started on your team every week, period.  Those guys are steady, your bread and butters that should produce.  Johnson, Cain, Hudson, Kuroda, Drabek and Papelbon similarly must be started without thinking. 

2)  I would like to see some tweaking for some hitters.  Between Aaron Hill and Cabrera, pick one that you will play go-forward.  The other one package in a trade.  Try to get a more solid third baseman, but if possible, you can do a lot worse than Aaramis.  Many people are high on Delmon Young, I am not.  If you can pull a solid outfielder back or an arm and a closer, dump him in a trade.  Gaby Sanchez is still high on my list, keep him no matter what as a util or bench player.  Many people are high on Neil Walker right now.  With second being at such a premium, time to move him is now.  Again, you cannot release him…so either play him at util as long as he is hot or save a bench spot.  A trade is preferred.  Same goes for Utley, as I do not see him likely playing much, if at all this season.  If someone wants to take the risk and carry him for a season, let them. Get something back, even a solid closer for Utley I would take at this point.  Ian Stewart and Lee are fillers for you. I hope something comes up better on the wire and if it does, consider releasing them.  A Chris Carter on Oakland could be a great second-half player so keep an eye on him.  Similarly Lawrie on Toronto.  But if a steady veteran that gathers the impatience of another team owner is released, grab him on the wire.  Finally Austin Jackson is good for some steals.  I would hang onto him unless a great offer is made in a trade, in which case he can go.  My main hitting concerns for you is to pick up 1-2 stronger outfielders and similarly 1-2 stronger utility players.

3)  I really like your pitching staff.  At this point I would run your starting pitching staff out as-is, including Braden, with little changes.  Kennedy, Braden and Drabek though me get a little streaky and you should consider finding 1-2 good starting pitching options to keep on the bench to rotate.  With the flakiness of pitching, you need more options and fresh arms to succeed.  Pitchers are more volatile and injury prone than hitters, so your bench should have mostly pitchers, not hitters.  Papelbon is still solid no matter what people tell you, I would have him as my main closer with no reservation.  Start keeping your eye on the waiver wire though, as you do not have a 2nd closer or a backup option.  If Rodney or Francisco are available nab them, as they are likely the most available closers in most leagues.  Try not to trade for a closer unless it is one of your filler hitters as discussed.  The waiver wire always makes closers available, just be quick on the trigger.

4)  Sam Fuld hit four home runs in AAA last year.  Avoid him like the plague.  Dan Johnson is a guy who has started slow who might pick it up.  Keep an eye on him.  Also with Hamilton’s injury, Murphy will get a lot of playing time and would be a great guy to nab.  Same with Chris Davis if you can get your hands on them.  If you cannot trade Cabrera, he will become the player that you are most likely drop if you can get your hands on a stud player for your roster on the wire.  Aaron Hill is more baffling.  You will have to ride him out, but if a trade is there, take it.  Hope that helps and good luck on your season!

Q:  In my fantasy league, would you recommend that I should trade J.P. Arencibia for Leo Nunez? C: Suzuki, TSanchez. RP: Axford, motte, francisco, farnsworth, CRay, Frieri, Uehara.  Joseph from Nashville

MLB reports:  Its becoming a fantasy day here in the e-mailbag!  Interesting dilemma Joseph.  Taking a look at your roster, there are several dilemmas.  In a keeper league, you cannot make that deal.  Catchers as young and powerful as Arancebia do not come around often and he will be a good one for years to come.  With Suzuki and Sanchez on your roster, you would be playing from a position of strength for a solid future trade.  Closers like Nunez are a dime-a-dozen who could be injured or lose their job in a moment’s notice.  But if you are in a non-keeper league, Arencebia is likely redundant for you with Suzuki on your roster.  My gut?  Try to move Suzuki and get back a solid #1 closer for him.  Otherwise, play Arancebia at util or keep on the bench for security until a better deal comes along.  The more I think about it, your catching situation is not that bad.  You have Francisco and Axford right now as definites, with Farnsworth as the Rays closer for now.  You have enough of these average to ok closers, ride them out until some start losing jobs and then go trolling on the waiver wires.  But get more value for Arancebia if he doesn’t fit on your team, but do not consider releasing him at this point either.

Q:  Hey @MLBreports, has anyone ever asked how Youkilis started that weird batting stance? Craig from Texas

Howdy Craig.  Nice question to end the E-mailbag.  I analyzed the Youkilis stance extensively during the World Baseball Classic in 2009.  That stance has been around forever and as he kept practicing in the on-deck circle, the stance absolutely amazed me.  The origins of the stance is not known on our planet at this time, although I do see quite a bit of Julio Franco in it.  For the best resource, I consulted with Batting Stance Guy, the only known person to be able to perfectly replicate the stance of the Greek God of Walks.  For some good times and humor, click on the link to be taken to video footage of The Batting Stance Guy interviewing Youkilis.  Classic baseball stuff!

 

Thanks for the e-mails and keep them coming!  mlbreports@gmail.com

 

E-MAILBAG ARCHIVE:

April 6, 2011

Q:  This is your number one fan, Larry ( Tribefanz25 ) from Laughlin, Nevada. My question for you. Has there ever been a number one pick to go right from the draft to the Major League’s?

Thanks in advance and glad to see a site like this up.

Larry

MLB reports:  Thank you for the question and I’m glad that you are enjoying the site! I always tell people that if I had 5000 fans like you, MLB reports would be set   The draft actually originated in 1965, with Rick Monday of the Kansas City Athletics out of all people being the first ever #1 MLB drafted player.  There used to be three drafts each year, which became narrowed to one draft in 1986.   Interestingly, no first overall pick has ever been elected to the hall of fame to my recollection (although the pressure is on Harper already sadly enough).

Plenty of players have gone straight to the majors without spending time in the minors, twenty-one actually.  There are no first overall picks to my knowledge that have ever gone straight to the majors.  The last player to by-pass the minors was last year, Mike Leake for the Cincinnati Reds.  Despite tremendous play in spring training, last year’s top overall pick Bryce Harper will still the year at A-ball.  Thank you for the question Larry! 

Q:  Do you like Valencia, Callaspo or Inge as longo (Evan Longoria) replacement?  Thx in advance!  Ryan from Los Angeles

MLB reports:  I love the fantasy baseball questions- great one Ryan!  Well, firstly, Evan Longoria is presumably the top player on your team and will be next to impossible to replace (tough blow, sorry man).  That being said, you have scraped the waiver wire and come up with three decent options.  Valencia had a nice little season in 2010 and is the Twins starter at third.  He does not have enough experience yet to know where he is headed, but the upside is there.  Alberto Callaspo, while off to a hot start is known more for defense than his .725 career OPS.  Brandon Inge, while playing for the offensively balanced Tigers, is also more of a glove man and is extremely streaky to boot.  For greatest upside at this point, my gut says Valencia.  You know what you will get with Callaspo and Inge otherwise….not much.

Q:  Best pitcher from this bunch: Scherzer, Hellickson, Anderson?  Brad from Alaska

MLB reports:  Sizing up the young pitchers…always tough to look into a crystal ball.  This one though seems pretty straightforward to me.  Jeremy Hellickson, final answer.  If I had to pick in order, it would be Hellickson, Anderson (Brett Anderson on Oakland I presume you meant) and Max Scherzer of the Tigers.  Hellickson to me has the potential to be an ace, Tim Lincecum type pitcher for the Rays that can eat innings and just win game-after-game.  Anderson has some nice numbers pitching for the A’s in that ballpark and will likely be an ace himself, but Hellickson is just a couple of cuts above for me.  In my estimation, Hellickson has the potential to top David Price on the Rays staff, he is that good.  Scherzer is the wild card of the group.  While showing glimpses of domination at times, he is still too inconsistent to rank higher.  Scherzer actually has the best pure “stuff” of the group but factoring in all other aspects of pitching, he still has ways to go.

Q:  Who would you say has the best starting rotation in the AL…I’m saying Oakland my roomy says Bsox?  James from London, Ontario

MLB reports:  Hello James, great question.  You and your roommate are both on the right track as far as the best rotation in the American League, but the correct answer is…….the Tampa Bay Rays.  I would take the combination of Price, Shields, Niemann, Davis and Hellickson over either Boston or Oakland’s five man staffs.   Pitcher for pitcher, based on age and ability, nobody in the American League or baseball for that matter (except San Francisco) can touch this staff. 

Ok folks…time for one more question…..

Q:  Thoughts on Javier Vazquez. NL only league (fantasy baseball). Can he put up numbers like he did 2 years ago? Ryan from Viera, Florida

MLB reports: Talking Vazquez on a final note.  I think its very fitting.  Javier Vazquez has put up many great seasons in his baseball career.  But issues have arisen:  mainly age and arm wear and tear.  Javy is turning 35 this year and while getting out of the AL and to the NL was a positive move, last year’s numbers in New York were simply terrible.  At some in a pitcher’s career, the arm just starts to go.  Vazquez with 2,650 innings pitched in his career is starting to show his wear.  The arm is not what it was and if he hopes to continue in baseball, a move to the pen is likely.  Javier might make a fantastic closer one day, but as a starter he is extremely risky.  For a NL-only league, I would risk a late pick on him in fantasy, but glue him to my bench until I saw two to three great starts in a row from him.  A great guy in the clubhouse and to mentor young pitchers in real life, but a potential fantasy baseball suicide choice. 

March 30, 2011

In the premier edition of the E-mailbag, Michael from upstate New York sent in the following selected e-mail:

“This e-mail contains 4 questions: the first two pertaining to fantasy moves I have made and the last 2 concerning my worries as a Yankee fan. Even if not posted to twitter, I’d appreciate your inputs on these in a response email. Thanks. You guys are awesome.”

Thank you very much for the e-mail Michael, you certainly know how to get on my good side!  Based on your polite and courteous manner, you are in luck- I will answer ALL of your questions.  For ease of reference, I have listed each of Michael’s questions with the corresponding answer directly below.

  
Michael:  1. Which high profile injury risk do you have more faith in for the upcoming season: Chris Carpenter, or Ian Kinsler?

MLB reports:  Michael…Michael….starting off the e-mailbag with a loaded question…well done!  To choose between Chris Carpenter and Ian Kinsler is to really ask me to pick my poison.  There are three certainties in life:  death, taxes and Carpenter/Kinsler going on the disabled list in any given season.  Comparing the two players, Carpenter when healthy is a true baseball ace and a #1 pitcher on almost any team.  Kinsler has the speed/power/average potential to be the top second baseman now that Utley is on the shelf.   My answer to this question without hesitation is Ian Kinsler.  For several reasons.  Firstly, never trust pitchers.  Ever.  For whatever reason, throwing baseballs for a living tends to wreck the arms of many pitchers in the game.  Carpenter, a Tommy John survivor, has been on the DL for many ailments over the years.  To me, pitchers in general represent injury risks.  Carpenter, is a complete nightmare.  Every year, every start, I literally wait to hear that his arm will fall off.  Kinsler, on the other hand, to me has benefitted from his time on the DL to be much fresher and less-worn out based on the number of games he has played in his career.  Kinsler to me represents greater certainty and thus greater faith going into 2011.

Michael:  2. What would you project to be the end of season lines for Logan Morrison, and Domonic Brown? Which would you rather have?

MLB reports: The battle of two of the most touted prospects for 2011.  LoMo and Dom Brown.  My money is on LoMo.  I expect to see LoMo with a .275 avg, .355 obp, .450 slg, 14 hrs, 70 runs and 70 rbis.   Brown on the other hand may see some additional time in the minors this year and will finish at approximately  a .260 avg, 10 hrs, 45 runs and 40 rbis.  To me LoMo is the more polished hitter, combining my two favorite attributes in a hitter:  power and patience (the Nick Swisher effect).  LoMo is the second coming of Will Clark and Mark Grace in my opinion.  Having already sipped his cup of coffee in the majors last year, LoMo is ready to have a steady first full year.  Brown, has already started on the wrong foot with an injury.  Combined with his major league inexperience, Brown will have a greater hill to climb.  Long-term, Brown is seen as having the greater power potential and playing in Philly, he certainly has the advantage over in that department over LoMo.  But until both give me a reason to believe otherwise, pick LoMo.

Michael:  3. What are the chance of A.J. Burnett putting it all back together this season for the Yankees?

MLB reports: As a Yankee fan, I am not surprised that you are losing sleep over this one.  Having watched A.J. pitch in Toronto, I can tell you that your team is likely in trouble.  I do not believe that Burnett frankly has the heart to make it this year.  There will be much pressure on him to perform and if there is one thing that A.J. does not get along well with, its pressure.  If this was his free agency year, I would tell you there is hope.  But based on his track history in all his other stops, I would tell you that the Yankee faithful will be calling for his head by the end of April.  If you are not sure, rent the DVD “Carl Pavano- the Yankee Years”.  One of the scariest baseball horror flicks of all time.  Burnett will be the sequel.

Michael: 4. There has been much debate with the Yankees that “batting Jeter anywhere but leadoff sacrifices lineup flexibility,” and that “batting Gardner 9 would give a double lead off situation after the lineup resets.” If you cannot lead off Gardner bc Jeter grounds into too many double plays, how does batting Gardner 9 and Jeter 1 do anything different than batting Gardner 1 and Jeter 2 to remedy that situation? Why not just bat Gardner 1 Swisher 2 and Jeter at the bottom of the lineup, forcing starters to go through 2 difficult, high pitch count at bats before reaching Teixeria, A Rod, Cano, Granderson?

MLB reports: Did everyone get that?  Michael, I think one would need an engineering degree to follow that question.  Fortunately, I know what you are asking and where you are going with your dilemma.  Derek Jeter represents a quandary for the Yankees on a couple of levels.  He will be too stubborn to move from short, even though his range is deteriorating rapidly and he will be a distraction if dropped in the lineup.  Jeter plays at the top of the lineup because Jeter is Jeter.  Is batting Swisher in the 2nd hole the answer?  Maybe.  Swish has an incredibly high obp and lots of power. To me, Swish has to be anywhere from 2nd to 5th.  I think at the end of the day, the Yankees need to play the team that will give them the best chance to win.  When Gardner is hot, leading him off is a great idea.  When he gets on base, this kid makes things happen.  In that scenario, batting Jeter 7th or so is not the worst idea.  On the other hand, where Jeter is the hot hand, stick him in the leadoff spot and drop Gardner to anywhere from 7th to 9th.  That would be the ideal situation…but not likely to happen.  Girardi, like most MLB managers, is loyal and plays the lineup as it is supposed to be, not what it should be.  Meaning you will see Jeter bat 1st or 2nd and Gardner 1st or 9th most of the year.  If Gardner bats 9th, I have no issue with Jeter batting leadoff.  Jeter usually has a solid average and a knack for timely hits, which would make him almost into another #2 hitter.  At the end of the day, if you asked me for the Yankees lineup that I had to prepare on any given day, it would likely read: Gardner, Swisher, A-Rod, Teixeira, Posada, Cano, Granderson, Jeter and Martin, one through nine.  But what happens in fantasy and reality are often two very different things.  No matter which way the lineup blows, your team is very stacked- Enjoy it!

Follow @mlbreports