Last week on this site we had a preview the upcoming Cubs season, and I’m sure Jerod will at some point put together something on his beloved White Sox. For now however, let’s focus on a team that actually has a chance of winning something this year: the Minnesota Twins.

The Twins come into this season with two former MVPs, an increased payroll, and a new stadium. Expectations are as high as they have been in quite some time. Instead of figuring out how to fill roles vacated by Johan Santana or Torii Hunter like years past, the Twins showed aggressiveness in free agency.

Up until Joe Nathan’s (potentially) devastating injury, the Twins looked like the preseason favorite to win the almighty AL Central. Let’s take a look at the reasons why.

Minnesota Twins 2010 Preview: Infield

The Twins traded for former All-Star JJ Hardy in exchange for Carlos Gomez. Gomez was a huge fan favorite and a great energy guy, but it is hard to keep a guy around who weighs more than his batting average. Hardy has friends within the Twins organization and is looking to return to his All Star form and solidify the shortstop position.

Orlando Hudson was a great free agent pickup, signing a one year contract. Everything I’ve read about Hudson is that he has an infectious personality and never stops talking. Sounds like a great teammate to me.

Justin Morneau is healthy and back at first base, looking for his fourth 30 HR season in the past five years and a return to the AL MVP ballot. While the team didn’t show signs of a devastating collapse when he went down last year with a back injury, he is still a cornerstone of this team.

Third base is a huge question mark. Brendan Harris is slotted to fill the position for now. The Twins have a good prospect in Danny Valencia, but they are convinced he isn’t ready yet. Harris is a decent fielder, but not someone who is an everyday player on a World Series contending team. If the Twins are to make a trade this year, I think it will be to lock up the hot corner spot.

There is also this guy named Joe Mauer at the catcher spot. I don’t know much about him but apparently he swings a good bat. He has been compared to something called a Jonny Bench, whatever that is. He is definitely a player to watch this year.

Minnesota Twins 2010 Preview: Outfield

Denard Span is a name you NEED to get used to.

This is a guy who was stuck in the Twins farm club finally got called up a few years ago as an injury replacement and played so well that he convinced management to keep him around. He has developed into a solid leadoff hitter as well as one of the most versatile outfielders in the league, playing all three positions last year before settling in center for this season. He recently signed a 5-year extension.

Delmon Young and Michael Cuddyer will fill the rest of the outfield. Young is trying to prove why the Twins have kept him around, and he made a good case for himself after having a big role at the end of the season after the Morneau injury. Cuddyer showed signs of why he got a multi-year contract extension after a big 2006, leading the team in home runs last year with 32. He also stepped up last year after the Morneau injury, filling in at first place.

Minnesota Twins 2010 Preview: Pitching

Really Joe? WHY!?

The Twins came into Spring Training with four of the five starting spots filled. Fransisco Liriano and Glen Perkins were set to compete for the final spot, but so far it hasn’t been much of a competition.

Liriano had great outings in the Dominican winter league and has continued that hot streak, and with Nathan being hurt, word of Liriano filling that closing spot was starting to form. Unfortunately Perkins hasn’t shown he can fill the role of a starter, meaning the Twins will have to look elsewhere for a replacement.

Projected Batting Order

1. CF Denard Span
.311 BA, .392 OBP, .415 SLG, 8 HR, 68 RBI in 2009
2. 2B Orlando Hudson
.283 BA, .357 OBP, .417 SLG, 9 HR, 62 RBI in 2009
3. C Joe Mauer
.365 BA, .444 OBP, .587 SLG, 28 HR, 96 RBI in 2009
4. 1B Justin Morneau
.274 BA, .363 OBP, .516 SLG, 30 HR, 100 RBI in 2009
5. DH Jason Kubel
.300 BA, .369 OBP, .539 SLG, 28 HR, 103 RBI in 2009
6. RF Michael Cuddyer
.276 BA, .342 OBP, .520 SLG, 32 HR, 94 RBI in 2009
7. LF Delmon Young
.284 BA, .308 OBP, .425 SLG, 12 HR, 60 RBI in 2009
8. SS J.J. Hardy
.229 BA, .302 OBP, .357 SLG, 11 HR, 47 RBI in 2009
9. 3B Brendan Harris
.261 BA, .310 OBP, .362 SLG, 6 HR, 37 RBI in 2009

Projected Pitching Rotation

1. Scott Baker
15-9, 4.37 ERA in 2009
2. Carl Pavano
14-12, 5.10 ERA in 2009
3. Nick Blackburn
11-11, 4.03 ERA in 2009
4. Kevin Slowey
10-3, 4.86 ERA in 2009
5. Francisco Liriano
5-13, 5.80 ERA in 2009

As our friends at Dallas Sports Fans wrote about earlier this afternoon, word broke today that Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine during the 2009 MLB season. (The original report on Washington’s positive cocaine test came from Jon Heyman on SI.com.)

Surprisingly, the Rangers kept Washington on as manager last year despite the positive test, although you have to think that he will be on a very short leash this season.

The team’s expectations for 2010, combined with Washington’s now sullied reputation, basically makes this a playoffs-or-bust season for Washington.

It was obviously a dumb move by Washington, made all the more ironic and egregious by the fact that Washington is supposed to be a leader and mentor for noted former drug abuser Josh Hamilton.

Or not.

Beyond that, I don’t really have a lot to add to this story…but I did waste ten minutes playing with Google Image Search and Photoshop to create this:

The situation called for such an interpretation via photo manipulation, so there it is.

My prediction: I give Ron Washington two months before he is out.

I think the loss of Kevin Millwood will hurt the Rangers, who now have to rely on a lot of young and unproven pitchers. Plus, Josh Hamilton continues to be hampered by injuries and they need his bat in the middle of his lineup mashing like he did in 2008. And now, of course, they have to deal with this distraction. Add in the fact that they now have new management, and it all adds up to a very, very tenuous situation for the manager.

Hope the “one time” blow use was worth it Ron.

It’s finally baseball season.

Spring training has just begun, and it’s time for another chance for the “lovable losers” to make another run at ending their 100+ year World Series drought. But is this really the year for the Cubs to end that drought?

If you look at the Cubs’ players you see a lot of high class names: Derek Lee, Alfonsio Soriano, Carlos Zambrano, and Aramis Ramirez. The problem is all these guys, with the exception of Ramirez, have not fulfilled the expectations that the fans and general managers originally had for them.

In fact they have been big letdowns, failing to win a playoff game in the last six chances.

So how does it look for this year?

Nothing looks quite that different, so it’s very hard to say this team will make the playoffs, let alone win the World Series.

Chicago Cubs 2010 Pitching Rotation

The pitching staff is more or less the same. Rich Harden is now gone and former Notre Dame football star Jeff Samardzija is looking to take the 5th starting role. Based on what we have seen from Samardzija it doesn’t look like he has the stuff to be a high-caliber pitcher. He has a nice fastball but his off-speed stuff is really lacking.

Carlos Zambrano is already on the decline and gets worse year after year. The guy has a temper and control problem. He’s not going to be that ace you need.

Carlos Silva is just plain bad. His record the last two years is 5-18. He has some serious ERA problems, posting a 6.46 ERA in 28 appearances in 2008. I don’t seem him having the kind of year that can help you win championships.

Ted Lilly is definitely the team’s most consistent pitcher, winning at least 12 games the last three seasons, but how well will he do after recovering from a knee injury?

The only for sure bright spot in the Cubs’ rotation is youngster Randy Wells. Like I said before, Wells is the up-and-coming Cub. He is a great young talent and it will be a disgrace if the Cubs didn’t capitalize on his abilities.

Chicago Cubs 2010 Lineup

The infielders might be the Cubs’ best group of players.

Third basemen Aramis Rameriz is by far the best hitter on the team. He has posted outstanding numbers his whole tenure with the Cubs.

First baseman Derrek Lee has shown he can still be a good hitter, batting .306 with 35 home runs and 111 RBI’s last year. But he is an aging player about to turn 35. Can he still post numbers like that?

Ryan Theriot always starts the season off really well, but cools off towards the middle to the end. He is the most likely pick to start the season off as the lead-off hitter and it suits him really well. As long as he can get on base for the Cubs in the lead-off role, Theriot  can be a really good table setter for the Cubs.

Jeff Baker will most likely get the nod to start second base as he was handed the starting role towards the end of the season last year. He put up some pretty good numbers: a .288 AVG with 4 HR’s and 24 RBI’s in 81 games.

Geovany Soto will get the nod for the Cubs this year at catcher, but he is coming off a sophomore slump in which he only batted .218. Soto admitted he had gained some weight, but he is supposed to lose some of it before the season begins. Soto adds some power to the Cubs’ offense as well as the ability to drive runners in. His bat will be much needed this year if the Cubs want to make the playoffs.

The staring outfielders for the Cubs are a given: Alfonso Soriano will be in left, Marlon Byrd in center, and Kosuke Fukudome in right.

Soriano’s stay in Chicago has been plagued by injuries and missing easy pop flys, leaving him on the bitter side of the fans. His average sunk all the way to .241 last year. His power and run driving ability have been over-shadowed by his high strikeout rate and his failure to produce during the playoffs.

Marlon Bryd is spending his first year wearing a Cubs’ uniform after spending three years with the Texas Rangers. Byrd is an average hitter who had his breakout season last year which landed him a three year contract with the Cubs. He doesn’t bring much power to the plate, but he can drive players, hit for contact, and get to fly balls in center.

Kosuke Fukudome, while not being a total bust, has, like most Cubs’ players, not met to expectations. He hasn’t batted over .260 in his two years in the league, but his defensive skills are better than average, saving some of the pain.

Overall the Cubs don’t have the team, on paper, that can win you a World Series, but you never know what these players will play like. Inconsistency will kill your chances at a division title.

Therefore, I see the Cubs coming in third this year with St. Louis winning the division. Sorry Cubs fans, but you’ll have to wait another year.

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* – Carlos Zambrano photo credit: Born Again Cubs Fan

* – Cubs fan doing what Cubs fans are so good at photo credit:Kap’s Corner

The Major League Baseball regular season is almost upon us, and between ESPN, TBS, Fox and elsewhere, you’re bound to find your favorite team on a television set near you.

Fox will broadcast their usual Saturday afternoon games, TBS will pick up on Sundays, and for the most part, you can expect ESPN to have games on Sunday and Monday evenings. (Mid-week, you might look for your local team networks and eventually, on Thursdays, the MLB Network will be back for their second season, though the schedule has yet to be released).

The MLB national TV schedule, which is always subject to change, is at the end of this post below.

Before getting to that, we provide the 11 “best” games during the first half of the season – at least so far as I can surmise in March.

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11 Best Early Season MLB Games on National TV

These are listed chronologically, not from best to worst or vice versa.

1. Yankees-Red Sox, April 4, 8pm EDT, ESPN2:

A baseball tradition unlike any other (cue Masters music — it’s that time of year too after all) — and on opening night, no less. You’ll probably see Sabathia vs. Beckett, Lackey or Lester. No further elaboration necessary.

2. Mariners-Rangers, April 10, 3pm, FOX (Regional):

Two major divisional challenges to the perennial champion Angels meet on the first weekend of the new season. Five days after the opener, the Mariners will be set to throw Cliff Lee or Felix Hernandez for certain in second 2010 start.

3. Rays-Red Sox, April 18, 130pm, TBS:

I cannot imagine the Red Sox have forgotten the upstart Rays ending their quest for back-to-back titles in the 2008 ALCS. Boston will probably also remember bold spring training predictions from Evan Longoria. These two teams now chase the Yankees, so every time they meet, it’s important.

4 & 5. Yankees-Angels or Mariners-White Sox, April 24, 4pm, FOX (Regional):

The Yankees and Angels have a lot of postseason history, with the Yanks finally topping Anaheim in the 2009 ALCS after losing to them in the 2002 and 2005 LDS – as well as constantly throughout the regular season this past decade.

The Mariners and White Sox have excellent and deep starting staffs, and both teams can potentially do damage in the 2010 AL.

6. Angels-Red Sox, May 3, 7pm, ESPN:

Look at the Angels recent history with New York and flip it versus Boston, all the way to the Halos finally besting the Red Sox in the 2009 ALDS — after losing to them in the same round in 2004, 2007 and 2008. These teams nearly always play stellar games. Former Angel icon John Lackey now pitching for Boston will up the intensity.

7. Twins-Yankees, May 16, 1pm, TBS:

The Yanks have stomped out Minnesota’s postseason dreams multiple times in the 21st century, including again in 2009. This will be their first series meeting in 2010.

8. Red Sox-Phillies, May 23, 1pm, TBS:

A matchup of two of the past three world champions based in big markets. A great regional interleague battle between two teams who’d love to unseat the Yankees come October.

9. Cardinals-Cubs, May 30, 220pm, TBS:

This is the only series these bitter rivals face off prior to the All-Star break. Few disagree that they are the two best teams in the NL Central as we look toward the 2010 campaign.

10. Angels-Mariners, June 5, 4pm, FOX (Regional):

Arguably the two best teams in the AL West match-up in the northwest. Chone Figgins, who played his entire eight year career with Anaheim, goes up against his former franchise.

11. Dodgers-Red Sox, June 19, 4pm, FOX (Regional):

Manny returns to Boston. That should say it all. Other than that, a great Interleague matchup between two legendary coastal clubs that just might meet in the Fall Classic.

MLB National TV Schedule (FOX, ESPN, TBS)

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* – Jake Peavy photo credit: Viva la Vidro

The St. Louis Cardinals’ newest addition to their coaching staff, Mark McGwire, has always been a hero to some and a villain to others.

Big Mac started his career in 1986 playing for the Oakland Athletics, where he stayed until being traded to the Cardinals mid-season in 1997.  He ultimately retired in 2001 as one of the most talked about baseball players of all.

For reasons both good and bad.

His achievements are well known and numerous:

McGwire was:

• selected to the All-Star team 12 times in 16 years,
• was a 3 time Silver Slugger award recipient,
• a Golden Glove winner in 1990,
• had 2 World Series appearances (one in 1988 and then winning in the Earthquake series in 1989),
• and he also won the Rookie of the Year in 1987.

However, most people remember McGwire most the Home Run Race he staged with Sammy Sosa in 1998 and the ensuing fallout once the steroid whispers started. The most infamous and oft-quoted even occurred at the Congressional Hearings that were held in Washington D.C., during which McGwire said:

“Asking me or any other player to answer questions about who took steroids in front of television cameras will not solve the problem. If a player answers ‘No,’ he simply will not be believed; if he answers ‘Yes,’ he risks public scorn and endless government investigations…. My lawyers have advised me that I cannot answer these questions without jeopardizing my friends, my family, and myself. I will say, however, that it remains a fact in this country that a man, any man, should be regarded as innocent unless proven guilty.”

Ever since the hearings concluded, and the whole steroid scandal exploded, very few players have really been left unscathed.

After retreating out of public sight for a while, McGwire is now back in the headlines and this past January he came out and finally admitted his use of steroids. This preceded Big Mac accepting a position from Tony La Russa as the Cardinals’ hitting coach, the fifth one since La Russa took over the team.

Personally, I think that McGwire’s behavior, coming out and admitting his steroid use now, is a little weak especially when he could’ve made an apology years ago. Still, with that said, I think that it is now time to move on and play ball!

Prediction: St. Louis ends up as the NL Central Champions, maybe even NL champs.

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* – Mark McGwire photo credit: Getty Images via Chicago Now

I have to admit, reading about this on Twitter last night shocked me.

One of the hot rumors making the rounds right now is that White Sox GM Ken Williams is so enamored with Padres 1B Adrian Gonzalez that he might – might – be willing to include 2B Gordon Beckham in a deal for the lefty power hitter.

Via the fine folks at MLB Trade Rumors (my favorite site for important baseball news and rumors like this), who wrote about the White Sox interest in trading for Adrian Gonzalez last night, I stumbled upon an article by Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com that discusses how well Jake Peavy is fitting in with the White Sox (Yeeesss!).

In the article, Peavy is quoted expressing his desire to bring his former teammate to the South Side. He has also reportedly discussed it with Williams, who we all know would probably trade his soul for a young, power hitting, lefty bat.

Here is the key excerpt from the Knobler article:

“I want Adrian [Gonzalez] to be my teammate over here,” Peavy said.

Interesting thought.

Peavy said he has already discussed the idea with White Sox general manager Ken Williams. Williams didn’t really need the suggestion, because the talk in White Sox camp is that whenever the Padres decide to move on trading their first baseman, Williams will be one of the first in line to make a deal.

“That’s really what we need, a big left-handed hitter,” one Sox person said. “They’re saying Kenny would give anything to get him, maybe even [Gordon] Beckham.”

As any White Sox fan knows, the minute you start talking about a realistic possibility of Beckham being involved in a trade, it’s something to pay attention to. I cannot remember another White Sox youngster since Frank Thomas having as much hype, obvious ability, and immediate success as Beckham.

Now, the obvious caveat before I go any further is that we really have no idea just how serious any of this is, at least regarding Beckham. We know that Adrian Gonzalez will most likely be made available, and we know that Ken Williams would chop off his own finger to get him, but trading the anointed future of the franchise is a whole different story.

Still, for purposes of fun blog discussion, let’s assume that Williams really would trade Beckham. (And if there is any GM who would make a move that bold, it’s Kenny.)

Pros for White Sox of trading a package that includes Gordon Beckham for Adrian Gonzalez

1) Adrian Gonzalez is young, proven, durable, and very, very good at the plate and in the field. Take one look at his numbers and you can see why Williams probably starts hyperventilating any time Gonzalez’s name comes up:

• He’s played in at least 156 games for four straight seasons.
• His HR totals have gone from 24 to 30 to 36 to 40 over the past four years, all while playing in a stadium that is usually awful for hitters.
• In 2009, Gonzalez walked ten more times than he a struck out, a huge accomplishment for a guy whose previous BB:K splits had been 52:113, 65:140, and 74:142.
• In addition to his .506 career slugging percentage while playing his home games in a pitcher’s park, Gonzalez has won two straight Gold Gloves.

2) Adding Gonzalez to the roster would give Ozzie and Kenny the everyday, non-DH, middle-of-the-order, lefty bat that they have coveted for so long. And he’d be entrenched there for the foreseeable future.

3) Young Gordon is as “can’t-miss” as they come, and had an auspicious debut last season, but is still young and significantly unproven in comparison to Gonzalez.

Cons for White Sox of trading a package that includes Gordon Beckham for Adrian Gonzalez

1) The reason why San Diego would trade Gonzalez is because they won’t be able to afford him, whereas the White Sox will have Beckham under contract for the next few years for a lot less than Gonzalez will demand. For a team that is already committed to large salaries for guys like Mark Buehrle, Jake Peavy, Alex Rios, and others, can the White Sox afford another mammoth contract and still maintain enough financial flexibility to sign guys like Carlos Quentin long-term and fill out the rest of the roster with solid players?

2) Gonzalez’s power numbers are great, but it is easier to find power at the 1B position than it is to find the offensive production everyone expects from Beckham at the 2B slot. Thus, you cannot simply make an apples-to-apples comparison between the expected offensive output of the two. You have to consider the opportunity cost of who would play 1B next to Beckham after this season (if Paulie is gone) against who would play 2B if the Sox traded Beckham for Gonzalez.

Additionally, while Gonzalez’s Gold Gloves are an added bonus, the White Sox have done just fine with a guy of Paul Konerko’s defensive abilities – solid, but not GG-worthy – at 1B.

3) Gordon Beckham is still only 23 years old and we won’t know what his true power potential is for another 2-3 years. His best years are still to come. And while I have no doubt that Adrian Gonzalez has some very, very good years ahead of him, we may have seen his career year last season.

A lot of players peak at age 27, which is the age that Gonzalez played at last year. Although I would assume that Gonzalez could play similarly well for at least the next 2-3 years, and certainly playing in the hitter’s haven of U.S. Cellular Field would make his numbers look better, the question is do you want to pay a massive contract to a guy when you might have missed his best season? (Remember, Gonzalez’s .958 OPS last year crushed his career average and previous career high of .871. Will he revert back to his career mean?) Or, is more prudent financially to enjoy Beckham’s growth – and his career years – for what will most likely be significantly less money?

I will admit that this is a really tough one to analyze and take a position on. My gut reaction upon hearing it was hell no, both in terms of whether I’d do it and whether or not I thought the White Sox would actually do it. But the more you read about Williams’ affinity for Gonzalez and lefty power bats, plus the presence of Peavy, plus the relative youth and production of Gonzalez, the more such a trade becomes not only plausible…but down right possible and attractive.

Still, my personal position upon considering everything written above and trying to remove all subjectivity (which is, admittedly, probably impossible), is no.

Having Adrian Gonzalez would be wonderful, but I believe that there have to be other avenues to get power and solid defense at the 1B position that would not require such a significant financial investment and the loss of Beckham. Gordon is not just a terrific prospect; he is also the kind of player/personality combo that could become a star in the city of Chicago along the current lines of Derrick Rose or, long-term, like a Ryne Sandberg.

I’m not smart enough to know how you specifically value this quality – part of the reason why I’m a blogger and not a front office exec – but I do know that it’s important to the long-term value of the franchise. Of course, if you think acquiring Gonzalez gives you a better chance to win another World Series, with all of the financial impact considered, that obviously trumps Beckham’s potential Windy City star power.

On the diamond, having Beckham at a middle infield slot gives you a real luxury of getting power and offensive production, plus adequate-to-good defense, from a spot where you don’t always get offense. It is a lot harder to find a potential .300-20-100-20 player at 2B than it is to find a guy who could hit .270 with 25-30 HR at 1B. And if you’ve got the premium production at 2B, you can live with those numbers at a corner infield position.

So no, at this point, I don’t want the White Sox to lose Gordon Beckham’s love tonight, or any night, in exchange for Adrian Gonzalez. I do, however, remain open to alternate opinions, stats, or points of view, because I know they are probably out there. The comment section is yours to agree or disagree, and please do. I certainly do not claim to have all the answers, and the answer to this question could very well shape what the next decade looks like on the South Side of Chicago.

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* – Gordon Beckham photo credit: Sun-Times

* – Adrian Gonzalez photo credit: Live from California

If there was a single ray of hope that shined last year for the Cubs, it was pitcher Randy Wells. In a year full of disappointments and distractions, the Cubs had one player who looked to be growing in talent and not wasting it.

Wells’ numbers were very good for a rookie season: 12-10 with a 3.05 ERA and a 5.65 K/9 rate.

With those numbers alone there is hope that Wells can become a #2 starter in the future. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story.

There were multiple times were Wells would have a great outing and go 6 or 7 innings and only gave up one run, but the Cubs’ offense would fail to put any runs on the board, leaving Wells with a no-decision in a game that should have been a W.

In Wells’ first two starts he pitched 11 scoreless innings. Both were no-decisions. His next four starts he went 0-2 but pitched at least 6.2 innings and never gave up more than three runs.

Wells’ record didn’t show how well he pitched during those games.

There were plenty of chances for him to get many more wins than 12, but the offense was just unable to produce for him, something that can be frustrating for both the pitcher and the fans.

With spring training here, and the status of Cubs pitchers still hanging in the balance, Wells has a chance to prove himself worthy of a top starting position.

Carlos Zambrano hasn’t played like a #1 starter, and Ted Lily is coming off of a shoulder injury.

With Zambrano underachieving and Lily’s status hanging in the balance Wells has a great opportunity to wow the coaches this spring training.

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* – Randy Wells photo credit: Cubs Nation

Yesterday, my series on 2010 fantasy baseball sleeper picks was introduced here on MSF. I provided my methodology and a couple of high value picks at the catcher position: Geovany Soto and Ryan Doumit.

Today, we take a trip around the infield and highlight a few more players who could provide you with significantly more value than their current average draft position suggests.

Among the Midwesterners highlighted in today’s edition: Alberto Callaspo of the Kansas City Royals and Asdrubal Cabrera of the Cleveland Indians, both of whom could be primed to surprise at the middle infield spots this season.

Also included is the answer to a trivia question that will interest the Colts fans out there: who was the QB at the University of Tennessee before Peyton Manning took over midway through his freshman season? Hint: he’s a potentially strong value play at 1B this season and plays his home games in Coors Field.

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Pick: 1B Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies

• #19th Drafted First Baseman ADP – 221 (High 140 / ND)
• Category: Forget Me Not

Todd Helton was a great Bounce Back pick last year after an injury plagued 2008.  Gone are the days of 30-35 HRs / 120-140 RBIs / .350/1.000 OPS, but Helton still has value in fantasy baseball when you look at his ADP.  Helton is the perfect player for your Utility slot.  He saved me last year when Justin Morneau went down with back issues.

The key for you drafting Helton is your league MUST count OBP (On Base Percentage) as a category.  Other players being drafted ahead of Helton are Russell Branyan (unsigned), Jorge Cantu, Carlos Delgado, and Chris Davis.  If Helton is able to put up his typical 500 at bats he should outperform them and come in with around 160 ADP value.

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Pick: 2B Kelly Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks

• #22nd Drafted 2^nd Baseman – ADP 325 (High 209 / Low ND)
• Category: Bounce Back Candidate

When Johnson was DFA by the Braves, he had a few choices of where to land.  Going to Arizona is a great change of scenary as the ballpark is more hitter friendly.  Johnson’s struggles in 2008 were part injury and the sudden dropoff on his batting average from .275-.285 down to .224.  His BABIP went from .344 in 2008 to .249 in 2009.  Johnson should bounce back and get 500 AB / 12 HR / 65-70 RBI / 8-10 SB in 2010.

Other 2B being drafted ahead of him are: Freddy Sanchez, Felipe Lopez, Alexi Casilla, Clint Barmes, and Jeff Baker putting him at 275 ADP value; 50 picks higher than his current ADP.  Johnson is a nice MI option in a 12 team Mixed League.

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Pick: 2B Alberto Callaspo, Kansas City Royals

• #27th Drafted 2^nd Baseman – ADP 330 (High 199 / Low ND)
• Category: Primed for PrimeTime

I’ve had my eye on Callaspo since he put up monster numbers in AAA for the Diamondbacks in 2006.  He didn’t get much playing time with them in 2006; went back down to AAA in 2007 hit again, and still didn’t get much of a shot.  He was then dealt to the Royals for SP Billy Buckner.  Finally in 2009, Callaspo got the 500-600 AB needed and he put up monster numbers for his position.

Callaspo must now be asking “What do I have to do?” as the Royals dealt for Chris Getz.   I don’t think Getz will steal many AB from Callaspo, but the one thing Getz does do is steal bases and usually you want that from your MI players.

I’m very surprised that Callaspo is not being drafted higher.  True, the power numbers really jumped due to GB/FB going from 1.69 to 0.98 and they might slide a tad in 2010.  But 2B who hit .300 plus with double digit HRs and 80 RBIs don’t grow on trees.  Again looking at the 2B being drafted ahead of Callaspo (see above) I see no reason why he doesn’t out perform them and give you a 275 ADP value.

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Pick: Asdrubal Cabrera, Cleveland Indians

• #12th Drafted Shortstop ADP – 156 (High 87 / Low 201)
• Category: Primed for PrimeTime

Cabrera was a Bounce Back guy for me last year so much that I was able to package him before the season started in a deal to land Mark Teixeira in my AL only league.  It helped push me over the top and win the league.

Cabrera came up in 2007, when he was only 21 years old and held his own hitting .283.  2008 saw him only hit .259.  People forgot about the talent that got him to the Bigs so quickly.  He was on a lot of sleeper lists last year and if you owned him then it paid off nicely.  Another plus for Cabrera in 2010 is that he keeps the 2B/SS eligibility intact.  Also, his post All Star game line of .315/.362/.463 showed an even more improved bat in 2009.

Comparables being drafted ahead of Cabrera: Yunel Escobar, Miguel Tejada, Rafael Furcal.  I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t outperform this trio and give 120 ADP value.  If all goes right, he could push to be a top 5 SS by the end of 2010.

Follow the links to view the other posts in MSF’s 2010 fantasy baseball sleeper series:

• Fantasy baseball sleepers: catcher
• Fantasy baseball sleepers: outfielders
• Fantasy baseball sleepers: starting pitchers
• Fantasy baseball sleepers: closers

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* – Todd Helton football photo credit: Bleacher Report

* – Alberto Callaspo photo credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images North America via Zimbio.com

[Editor's note: I am really pleased this morning to introduce a new contributor to the MSF team: Michael Rathburn, aka The Cooler Guy. He and I have talked a lot of sports and a lot of fantasy baseball via Twitter, and we are really fortunate that he's agreed to share his expertise and insight with us for the upcoming fantasy baseball season. So be on the lookout for his articles here, as well as on his site Around the Cooler.]

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It is February and we are only a couple weeks away from Pitchers and Catchers reporting for Spring Training.  This also means that mock drafts are starting to gear up in full swing.  Some bigger leagues are even starting their league drafts right now.

Top 100, Top 200, Sleepers, Rookies – all are valuable parts of a successful fantasy baseball owners’ season. Today and over the next few days we will be analyzing sleepers and projected high value picks for the 2010 fantasy baseball season.

My definition of a Sleeper/Value Pick is a player being taken in the 10^th round or later who will provide you with value of at least 2-5 rounds higher.  I love Matt Wieters this year, for example but he is already in the top 100 and a top 5 catcher so he did not make this list. Geovanny Soto, however, a guy who greatly underperformed expectations last year, did make the list, as you will see below.

I starting doing fantasy baseball leagues on ESPN in 1997 and each year I identify a list of players, depending on the league format, who I want to target late in drafts.  I have been able to consistently finish in the top tier of fantasy baseball leagues by taking chances on positional scarcity early on in drafts and drafting players later on who bring higher value vs. their draft position.  Aaron Hill, Fernando Rodney, and Ben Zobrist were all guys that carried me last year while Grady Sizemore, Jose Reyes, and Troy Percival were on the DL or underperforming.

Over the course of the next few days, I will be rolling out a top 15 list of players that I feel will provide you the best value considering their current average draft position vs. what I project will be their actual performance in 2010.

I categorize Sleepers/Value Picks into 5 categories:

• Bounce Back Candidate – A player coming off injury or a down year who looks primed for a bounce back year
• Change of Scenery – A player who was traded or who was a free agent signing that puts him in a better park, league, team, etc.
• Opportunity Knocks – A player who is now in a starting role
• Forget Me Not – A player whose performance used to be in the upper echelon of fantasy baseball players but has dropped, but still has value versus where they are being drafted.
• Primed for PrimeTime – A younger player who showed flashes of brilliance and is ready to move into the upper echelon of fantasy baseball players.

Here are a few players that fell into these categories last year: Aaron Hill, Ben Zobrist, Javier Vazquez, Troy Tulowitzki, Kendry Morales, and Heath Bell.  Chances are if you had at least two of these players on your team in 2009, you finished in the top 3 of your fantasy baseball league.  These are all players now being drafted in the top 100 for 2010.

My two favorite positions to land a value pick on are Catcher and Closer, the former because the position is so scarce that if you can land a top 5 guy without having to pay the price, it’s a really great thing.  So let’s start there, and then over the next few days I will reveal my 2010 fantasy baseball sleeper picks at the other positions.

2010 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Pick: C Geovany Soto, Chicago Cubs

• #9th Drafted Catcher ADP 152 (High 109 / Low 209)
• Category: Bounce Back Candidate

We see it all the time in every sport.  A rookie comes out of nowhere and exceeds expectations only to have that dreaded, clichéd “Sophomore Slump”.  Soto was exactly that in 2009.  After being a top 5 catcher in 2008, winning the NL ROY, and helping the Cubs to the NL Central title – Soto bombed out in 2009.

Battling injuries and off the field issues, along with most of his Cubs teammates disappointing, it was a forgetful year for Soto.  That being said, I can’t see Soto being this bad again.  One key stat was Soto’s BABIP (Batting Average on Balls in Play): in 2008 it was .337 versus .251 in 2009.

There should be a bounce back factor for him here and he is worth taking a flyer on with an ADP of 152.  The High and Low Variances tell me that there is confidence from the smart guys he can re-establish himself as top 5 catcher.

2010 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Pick: C Ryan Doumit, Pittsburgh Pirates

• #13th Drafted Catcher ADP – 206 (High 137 / Low ND)
• Category: Bounce Back Candidate

Doumit’s 2009 was almost identical to Geovany Soto’s.  Marred by injuries, the year was a waste for Doumit and he came close to being dealt at the trading deadline.

One of the toughest injuries to come back from as a hitter is the wrist.   It normally takes a full year to come back from it.  The issue with Doumit is that he has been injury prone throughout his career, so you are taking a chance here.  But looking at the catchers being drafted ahead of him — Iannetta, Napoli, and Molina — I like Doumit to outperform them in 2010 and hit the high ADP value of 143.

For more 2010 fantasy baseball sleeper picks, follow these links (once the stories are posted):

• 2010 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Picks – Infielders
• 2010 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Picks – Outfielders
• 2010 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Picks – Starting Pitchers
• 2010 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Picks – Closers

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* – MLB logo credit: 30 Ballparks & a Baby

* – Geovany Soto photo credit: FreeFantasyMagazine.com

Here are your Monday links.

I know that I’ve gone back and forth between having a daily link dump, and then doing a weekly one, and pretty much every iteration in between. Well here is what I’ve decided: I’ll do link dumps whenever I have enough good links that it makes sense. It might be once a day, it might be once a week. But whenever it is, you’ll get plenty of tasty sports web goodness to feast on.

First up today? Big news in Minnesota where the Twins have inked Joe Mauer for the next decade. And then after that, a link to Guyism’s very nice gallery of Super Media Day hotties. You’re welcome guys.

Update: Hang on just a second about that Joe Mauer contract extension…

MLB:

• Minnesota Twins Ink Joe Mauer for 10 More Years — (Sports Untapped)

NFL:

• The Hottest Women of Super Bowl Media Day — (Guyism)
• The Pro Bowl doesn’t suck…do you? — (Style Points Blog)
• Oh Jimmy Mac, why don’t you shut your trap — (i94 Sports)
• Unfortunately, this is still legal in Wisconsin and Minnesota — (Blog Down, Chicago Bears)
• Super Bowl pre-gaming with Craigs List — (Hugging Harold Reynolds)

College Football:

• Great post about Big Ten Expansion — (Frank the Tank)

NBA:

• Charles Barkley’s new Taco Bell spots are pretty good — (That NBA Lottery Pick)
• The New Four Horsemen: LeBron, John Wall, John Calipari, and Worldwide Wes — (Waiting for Next Year)

MISC:

• 15 sexy demotivational posters for the dork in you (NSFW) — (Uncoached)
• Best “Super Bowl Shuffle” parody you’ll see all week — (Tremendous Upside Potential)
• Chicago athletes that should definitely keep their shirts on — (Chicago Sports Mob)
• Cheerleaders of the 2010 Pro Bowl — (Gunaxin)
• Man blows up car trying to defrost it — (MoonDog)
• 15 Worst Birthday Gifts to Give Your Girlfriend — (Manolith)

February is the worst month of the year for sports.

When I was younger I always thought the summer was the worst time because the only thing on TV was baseball, but with age comes more appreciation for the national pastime. These days I can’t wait for the Twins to get started and see if signing ANOTHER player who is late into his career will pay off. Is there any way we can get Jim Thome to be 35 again?

Now that my beloved Vikings have gracefully bowed out of the playoffs all I have left to watch as a sports fan are NBA highlights, college basketball (which is only good if Kansas is playing), NFL draft coverage, and tennis. Golf is starting soon, but I usually only watch that on Sunday afternoons when I need to take a nap.

Just recently I was up to the wee hours of the morning watching the Nadal – Murray Quarterfinal match at the Australian Open. As this is being typed it is nearing 3 in the am and Andy Murray is on once again, this time in Semifinal action against Marin Cilic.

I have no clue why tennis is so watchable in the early hours of the day. Maybe it is the simplistic nature of watching two people confined in a relatively small area hitting a ball back and forth. I’m glad men’s tennis is on this late by the way because I don’t like hearing the women grunt like hippos every time they hit the ball. I’m really only interested in the strange clothes their wear, and as an added bonus this year, what kind of clothes they aren’t wearing (Hi Venus!).

The NBA is not watchable on TV at this time of the year. It is getting to the middle of the season where players start to go on cruise control, especially right before the All-Star break. Highlights are always the way to go for me because that’s when things actually happen. The rest is boring. College basketball is much better in that area.
The knock that fans of the NBA have on college basketball is that they would rather watch the best athletes perform consistently rather than have a teenager screw up a simple play, like a layup or outlet pass.

Isn’t that what makes college sports so great though? Games have so much more suspense and are so much more unpredictable because of those things. That’s how a South Carolina team can beat undefeated Kentucky, and how George Mason makes the Final Four in 2005. I don’t think I will ever see any team under a four seed in the NBA playoffs win the Finals. The way the playoffs are set up prevent that.

However, I am more of a fan of college basketball, not a follower. I have no interest in watching a game between Notre Dame and Villanova. I don’t know anyone on the teams. If it is within ten points in the last five minutes, you best believe I’m not going anywhere until the game is over, but until then I don’t pay attention.

The All-Star break in the NBA is sort of fun. Dunk contests, skills competition, and the glorified street ball game that goes on during the last night are definitely things I have on my DVR by the end of the weekend, but they usually get skipped over for the good parts. I think the best part of All-Star weekend is the trade rumors. Everyone loves a good trade. Not salary dump trades like Devin Brown for Aaron Gray. I’m looking to see where T-Mac goes or if Washington will get rid of Gilbert.

NFL draft coverage is something that has always been something that I could watch for days on end. I have the Senior Bowl practice specials on my DVR waiting to be watched. I snuck away during Prom supper my junior and senior year of high school to see where Brady Quinn landed, who Sidney Rice is and what a Tarvaris Jackson was. Needless to say my cell phone was banned from entering the gym on both occasions.

Something about finding a player that isn’t high profile but could be a solid choice in the mid to late rounds has been something I am obsessed with doing. I don’t go crazy and memorize all of the players, but if I see a report on a certain player I will follow him the rest of the way. Already I am on the Pat Paschall bandwagon, a running back from North Dakota State. Sure it’s a homer pick since I am from North Dakota, but he impressed scouts at the East-West game and is stock is on its way up.

You read it here first. Pat Paschall ladies and gentlemen. Get your popcorn ready.

Even though I just listed four different sports and reasons for watching them all, there is always something about them that prevents me from enjoying the whole thing. I can’t watch full NBA games, I get distracted from college games if they aren’t Kansas or are in the final five minutes, I only watch men’s tennis and that’s only for background noise while I am writing, and NFL draft coverage really doesn’t involve much football actually being played.

Wake me up in March so I can see T-Mac’s new jersey, Kansas hoist another trophy dressed up in netting, if Pat Neshek has recovered from surgery, and so I can read a new mock draft every other day about the Vikings drafting a cornerback.

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* – Bored sports fan photo credit: European-Open-Betting.com

* – Venus Williams photo credit: Deadspin

* – Pat Paschall photo credit: InForum.com

Throughout the course of the day I engage in or passively read various email and forum conversations with other sports fans of the Midwest variety. A lot of these conversations tend to center around Chicago sports because, well, it’s the biggest market in the MSF realm.

One recent conversation that particularly piqued my interest is the question of how Cubs fans should/would receive Sammy Sosa in the event that he returns to the team or city in a manner similar to how Mark McGwire has returned to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Allow me to present a few of the more compelling arguments that I read on both sides. I will then give my opinion and provide you with an opportunity to give yours.

First, the original post from Another Cubs Blog that started the “should Cubs fans receive Sammy warmly” debate (because, as I’ve learned, there is always an “original post that started it all“):

We already know what Cubs fans would do if Sammy Sosa showed up at a Cubs Convention. There would undoubtedly be a large round of boos and I’m pretty sure some of those in attendance would throw knives at him. Unlike every other fan base, the Cubs fans are incapable of appreciating good players. Instead, they like the Ryan Theriot’s and Mark DeRosa’s…

…I don’t know what it is about Cubs fans, but they are a weird bunch of people. If Sammy Sosa spent the majority of his career with the Cardinals, he’d already be getting standing ovations by the Cardinals fans. Actually, I’ll put money on the Cardinals fans giving Sosa a standing ovation before the fucking Cubs fans do.

And here are a few of my favorite responses, from some of your and my favorite Chicago bloggers:

JD from Not Qualified to Comment:

I like Sammy.  He is a victim of his era and while I’m not  saying I condone what he did, he definitely saved baseball. At what cost is another issue, but if it wasn’t for him I honestly wouldn’t have come back to the game.

The Zoner from Zoner Sports:

If you had to “come back to the game”, I’m not sure if you were truly into it in the first place. I cheered my brains  out in ‘98 and was at a bunch of those games. But after the cork, the  walkout and the increased realization that he was full of roids, I have absolutely no reason to cheer him ever again. At least not now.

Rex Jaybels from i94 Sports:

I cheered for him too, but I don’t see him as a victim of his era. He made a decision to do what he did and he is making the decision not to come clean about it. He will always be a part of some fond memories I have of the Cubs, but as for giving him some rousing standing ovation now, I’m not sure that I would. Then again, I’m not sure when I would ever have the opportunity as I find conventions and things of that nature a tad creepy. It just seems like the author was trying to condemn all those who don’t have this overriding love of Sosa. He seems to be a self-hating Cub fan.

Joe Cubs Fan from <<<insert any link to any Cubs forum/blog here>>>

I just want to see the Cubs win a World Series title before I die. But I know it won’t happen. Boo-hoo. At least our stadium rocks! Ivy…yeah!

Okay, so I made the last one up. But the other three are real responses from real Cubs fans/observers that I think sum up with disparate opinions that the Cubs fan base holds about the greatest statistical achiever in its franchise’s history.

Here is my opinion, which I will frame by bringing the discussion a little bit closer to home: what if it came out that Frank Thomas had used steroids during his time with the White Sox?

(And, for the record, Frank is one of the few people left for whom it would absolutely shock me if any reports surfaced that he’d used ‘roids. Read this if you want to know more about my feelings for the The Big Hurt.)

Now, I know that it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison between Frank Thomas and Sammy Sosa, but it’s relatively close.

No, White Sox fans did not have to suffer through the ignominy of Frank’s final years being dogged by steroid speculation. In fact, Sox fans have always been able to stick their noses up in the air just a little bit with the knowledge that our greatest hitter is almost universally assumed to have been clean.

However, reports of Frank’s selfishness throughout his career and the way that he left town – at odds with GM Ken Williams – on his way to becoming a Designated Hitting Mercenary for the A’s and Blue Jays did rub some fans the wrong way. So in that sense, there are at least some similarities between the two cases.

For me, even if it was revealed now that Frank Thomas had been juicing his whole career, I would stand and cheer for him…once. I would want to thank him for the time, energy, hard work, and especially the memories he provided me over the years. Steroids or not, those moments were real, even if something happens now to make me look back on them differently.

But that’s where it would end. As they say, “fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.”

Once trust is broken between a fan and a player, the onus is on the fan to allow or disallow the player back into their good graces. I wouldn’t actively hate or admonish Frank, but I would certainly keep him at arm’s length…after I left him know, one time, that I appreciated the achievements he was able to attain. Over time, I’m sure that the memories of Frank as Sox star and his accomplishments would mean far less than they do now, but not so much so as to be rendered totally insignificant or negative.

So obviously I understand and can relate with both sides of the Cubs fans’ arguments, and in this case I don’t think the middle ground is such a bad place to be. Like most things in life, the ultimate resolution for most people probably lies in the gray area.

It’s a little bit like when a relationship ends, even if it ends badly. Hopefully, after time has been able to heal the most exigent post-breakup wounds, two people can remember what brought them together in the first place and at least appreciate the good times that were shared. You never really forget a betrayal, and sometimes you may not even be able to forgive, nor do you need to actively participate in the person’s life anymore, but hate, anger, rancor, and regret are viruses that infect the soul. So even if you don’t believe logically or mentally that a person deserves forgiveness, it ironically is often the best action you take from a selfish standpoint.

So why not take it?

My advice to Cubs fans if Sammy Sosa does ever make a Big Mac-like return to the Windy City: at least cheer the man once and show some appreciation for the his achievements as a Cub.

That closes a squeaky, creaking door and allows you to either a) open up a new one and forge a new fan-player relationship, or b) keep it closed and move on. Either response is correct, all based on your personal feelings.

Forgive, don’t forget, as they say. And despite all of his faults and transgressions, even Sammy Sosa deserves to cheered and thanked by Cubs fan for one – and probably only one – more day.

What do you think? (The first question is for Cubs fans, the second question is for everyone else. Obviously you can answer both and screw up the final totals, but why in the hell would you want to do that?)

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* – Sammy Sosa cheater sign photo credit: AP via SI.com

* – Sammy Sosa ovation photo credit: Al Tielemans via SI.com

[Editor's Note: What follows is the third edition of a new series of regular posts that you will start to see here on MSF called Wendell Willkie's Spam Cleansing (WWSC for short).

Throughout the day I participate in email conversations with friends about hot sports topics. One of my friends in particular is very active in these conversations. This is that friend.]

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The back pages of the virtual espn.com newspaper this morning report Adam LaRoche signing a 1 year contract with the AZ Dbacks for $4.5M.

Why should you care?

Well, LaRoche is not an All-Star caliber 1B despite mashing 25 deep flies in ‘09, but remains a very quality 1B for most MLB teams. In 2009, LaRoche made $7M and began this off season seeking a $10M multi-year deal.  Certainly the $10M is a debatable starting point, yet you would anticipate the floor to be around $7M for a guy just turning 30.

Considering the Cubs paid slightly more for Marlon Byrd, who is two years older and has a weaker career OBP, and who also has 76 LESS career home runs with only 211 less career ABs, indicates the Cubs’ hastiness to find a mediocre OF option.  The Cubs are entering ANOTHER season not addressing their ongoing (several years now) lead-off challenge.

Soriano hitting lead-off (again) on opening day? Please.

Co, LaRoche takes a huge pay cut and the Cubs give Byrd a 66% raise. Does anyone honestly believe more players will be getting raises in salary this year? The only good thing about the Cubs’ lack of financial prudence is it is NOT my money!!!

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Who is Wendell Willkie? Wouldn’t you like to know.

The pseudonym was inspired by the very Wendell Willkie who is an Indiana University legend and democrat turncoat who ran for president against FDR in 1940; however, the man behind the pseuodonym shall otherwise remain nameless.

Jerod simply posts WW’s ramblings here to help unclog his inbox (hence, the spam cleansing) and because there are occasional nuggets of insight that provide good jumping off points for conversation.

So go, converse. WW will undoubtedly be back soon with more email ramblings…

Unless you were actively avoiding sports news today, you now know that Mark McGwire has officially come clean regarding his steroid use while playing Major League Baseball.

Big Mac issued a statement through the Associated Press early in the day, and then sat for a very compelling hour-long interview with Bob Costas earlier this evening on the MLB Network.

Here is the gist of McGwire’s story, if I can be so presumptuous as to summarize it in one sentence:

McGwire began using steroids to combat the well-chronicled rash of injuries that periodically derailed his career, but he believes that he derived no tangible baseball benefit from his PED use other than better health.

(Note: You can watch the first part of McGwire’s interview with Bob Costas here, and I’m sure they’ll be posting more of it later this evening and tomorrow.)

I don’t completely buy what he’s selling – I think he’s being disingenuous or at least delusional by not acknowledging that PEDs helped him hit for more power – but I do give him credit for at least facing some of the music.

As you’ll see in the video below, there are still plenty of McGwire contemporaries who have yet to do the same thing.

Video: Cheating Liars (originally created for Flash Sports Tonight)

Little did I know when KVB and I wrote this song some 4-5 years ago – before Roger Clemens’ name had ever been officially linked with steroid/PED use – that we’d still be talking about it in January of 2010.

And if Sosa or Bonds or Clemens, among others, decide to speak publicly about their steroid use like ARod and Big Mac have this year, we’ll all be talking about it then too.

At which point I can trot out this video again, and why not? Our ode to steroids in sports just gets more relevant by the year.

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* – Mark McGwire photo credit: Deadspin

Recently I had the opportunity to sit down and speak with Joshua “Colt” Hynes.

Colt is a 2006 graduate of Texas Tech University and drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 31^st round of the 2007 June draft. It was insightful to learn about what a player experiences once being drafted and their progression through the organization.

Colt has achieved success at the various levels that he has played.  He graduated Weatherford High School 2003.  He was an All-District selection in his senior year.  Before attending Texas Tech he spent two years at North Central Texas College. He went 8-3 with a 2.96 ERA and 49 strikeouts in his freshman season. In his sophomore season, Hynes went 6-3 with a 2.70 ERA and 70 strikeouts. He was selected to the All-Conference team in both of his years at North Central Texas.  After transferring from junior college to Texas Tech University he went 5-3 with a team-low 2.93 ERA. His two saves were good enough for second on the team. He saw time as both a reliever and a starter.

In 2007 Colt began his professional career with the Short-Season Eugene Emeralds of the Northwest League. He went 3-2 with a 1.54 ERA, four saves and 50 strikeouts. He was then promoted to the Class-A Fort Wayne Wizards of the Midwest League in 2008. He went 0-2 with a 4.60 ERA, 38 strikeouts in 32 games.

In 2009 Hynes split the season between the Class-A Fort Wayne Wizards and the Class-A Advanced Lake Elsinore Storm of the California League. He went 2-0 with a 1.62 ERA in 13 game with Fort Wayne before his promotion to Lake Elsinore. With the Storm he went 3-3 with a team leading 2.90 ERA giving him a record of 5-3 with a 2.62 ERA, two saves and 61 strikeouts in 75²⁄₃ innings pitched.

You can see from our discussion that Colt has a career plan in place.  Showing this kind of maturity and knowing what has to be done to succeed are just a couple of Colt’s assets that will help him on his way into the big league.  His insight to what a player goes through that we don’t see on ESPN was enlightening.

While he is currently playing in the California league he will soon be playing in the Texas league as he continues to improve.  This is for two reasons.  One, this is an indication of his progress within the organization.  Two, is his drive to obtain his goals.

Bill K: Colt thank you for taking the time to sit down and speak with me.

Colt:  You’re welcome.

Bill K:  When did you graduate from Texas Tech and get drafted?

Colt:  I graduated in December 2008, and was drafted in June 2007

Bill K:  Do you have an agent?

Colt: No, not at this time.

Bill K: So, at this point you do not have an agent but as you move up within the organization you will to have one.

Colt: I have to get an agent as I move up in the organization.  It is really based upon the size of the contract that the organization offers.

Bill K: How do things work at spring training when the whole organization is in one place?

Colt: We are set schedule during spring training.  For us we had a couple of rules.  We were not allowed to be in the weight room at the same time.  The cafeteria was an open friendly environment.  As with many places the various groups of players stay among themselves.  Sometimes it is based on position but most of the time it is based upon the country they came from.

Bill K: Do the veterans provide any insight or guidance to the younger players?

Colt: Yes the veterans provide insight; it is mostly advice on how to deal with movement in the organization and how to prepare yourself for the levels ahead.  Most often nothing too technical is ever talked about.  We did, however have a Q&A session with Chris Young.  He talked to the whole minor league pitching staff and basically told us what he does to prepare for each start.

Bill K: You mentioned that you had the chance to speak with Cliff Floyd

Colt: Yes I did. He was on rehab assignment with us in Lake Elsinore.  Our conversations were mainly non baseball related, given that he is a DH type and I am a pitcher.  He was a great guy, just like any of us.  He is still a kid living his dream.

Bill K: What is the pitcher / catcher dynamic like?

Colt: Personally, I have a good relationship with the various catchers that I have played with.  Of course, there are the pitchers out there who have not established a good working relationship with the catchers.

Bill K: What are you doing when not playing, while a game is going?

Colt: Taking notes on the hitters.  Their tendencies and potential weaknesses.

Bill K: Do you do video study of the hitters you will face?

Colt: No, we are very low-tech.

Bill K: How difficult was it to handle a mid-season change in teams?

Colt:  Not very hard at all.  The time I saw most the guys on the new team was back at spring training.

Bill K: What type of exercise or nutritional guidance does the team provide?

Colt: They give us a nutrition guide as well as a weight lifting program for the in and off season.

Bill K: What sort of restrictions does the team put on you during the season on and off season?

Colt: None really, I just have to be careful as the team does not pay for non-baseball related injuries.

Bill K: During the “off” season there are other leagues going on.  Why did you decide not to participate in those?

Colt:  Money.  Playing in the minors doesn’t really pay that well.

Bill K: So, you are back home working.  Making some money and keeping busy.  Besides work what else are you doing?

Colt: Working out and helping out with local pitching clinics.

Bill K: You mentioned that you had an off year, 2007.  What did you do to correct that?

Colt: I went back to my high school pitching coach and reworked my pitching motion.  It helped me get back to where I need to be.

Bill K: So, you maintain contact with your previous coaches at the previous levels that you have played?

Colt: Yes, it has been good for me and it allows me to give back when the opportunity comes around.

Bill K: What are your short-term career goals?

Colt: I have been working on my pitch selection when dealing with right handed batters.  In the past I have been used primarily as a situational type pitcher and I recognize the need to be more than a so called “lefty specialist”

Bill K: With what is currently going on in the Padres front office what are your thoughts and feelings?

Colt: I am just sitting back and waiting to see how things are going to play out.

Bill K: Some of your friends have gone through “the system” rather quickly.  What have they experienced and what are your thoughts?

Colt: I have seen a couple of guys with some great talent fly through the system.  They made some choices along the way that didn’t help their career.  Due to this they are no longer playing ball.  Of course, I do have some friends that have moved up from the minors due to hard work and skill.

Bill K: Is this a common occurrence in professional baseball.

Colt: Only for certain people.

Bill K: Colt, thank you again for your time.  I wish you continued success with your baseball career and I look forward to seeing you playing in the Texas league soon.

Colt: You are welcome.