Fantasy Baseball: Who are the Colorado Rockies?

We’re about 30 days or so away from pitchers and catchers reporting to their various teams spring training camps which means we are about 30 days away from Fantasy Baseball season and your Fantasy Baseball draft. I personally like to do the draft a little closer to April so you know when you’re drafting who is injured, who looks like they are going to make the team and who is going to find themselves without a club to start the season but that’s just me and to each their own. With this in mind this is why I find myself starting earlier and earlier on my draft preparations and Fantasy Baseball advice blog posts, a blog post like the one below covering the Colorado Rockies.

In this post we won’t cover Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, D.J. LeMahieu or Carlos Gonzalez as they are primetime Fantasy Baseball players but we will cover a few sleepers and a few players that can bring you home a league championship. Players like the recently acquired Gerardo Parra, the multiple position eligible power hitting Mark Reynolds and Jose Reyes.

Parra landed a nice deal with Colorado after having a career season with the Milwaukee Brewers and Baltimore Orioles in 2015. Parra posted career highs in batting average, .291, home runs, 14, and runs scored with 83 and those numbers should improve in the thin air inside Coors Field. Another hitter who should see vast improvements in his power numbers is Reynolds who is your stereotypical home run or nothing type hitter. Reynolds, who is eligible at first base and third base, is going to strike out 200 times a season and is going is hit about .230 with marginal defense at both positions but he has true 20-30 home run power, especially in Coors Field, over the course of a season.

Reyes did not seem very comfortable nor very happy in Colorado last season after his trade from the Toronto Blue Jays. Now he’s facing a potential suspension from his arrest on domestic violence charges and could be one of the first to be suspended under MLB’s domestic violence policy. What does this mean for you? Reyes may go down to the final round or two in your draft, especially if you draft before the suspensions are announced. Even in a down year he could provide true value for a shortstop or second baseman, especially with your last pick or two. If his suspension is lengthy you can always place him on the waiver wire without losing much from your core squad but if the suspension is, say, 25 games you could get the steal of your 2016 Draft.

That’s all I’ve got for now, I hope this helps you dominate the later rounds of your draft. Enjoy and good luck. 

Chase Headley for James Shields?

How did we ever make it back even in the 1990’s without cell phones, the internet at the touch of our fingers and social media? Honestly I’ll never know but I know one thing for sure, I don’t want to go back. Facebook is nice, Google+ was okay for a minute but I truly cannot get enough of twitter. The absolute interaction and user interface just gets me and I love it. I love interacting with everyone who reads the blog. You float me your thoughts on my articles and you, either directly or indirectly, float ideas for articles there as well. Much like this article I am about to tackle as one of my good friends, Michael Brogna, suggested trading third baseman Chase Headley back to the San Diego Padres for right-handed starting pitcher James Shields. Would it work?

My immediate question to Mike was who would play third base and replace Headley? Currently the only Yankees player I would “trust” at the position defensively is Brendan Ryan, yuck. Sure it’s easy to just say “add Yangervis Solarte” in the deal or “take on Jedd Gyorko’s salary (who has since been traded to the St. Louis Cardinals) and play him there” or even “just trade for Trevor Plouffe” but the league doesn’t work like that. Solarte was one of San Diego’s better hitters in 2015 and it’s going to take a lot more than just Chase Headley to pry him away, again. Jedd Gyorko is not a third baseman, never has been and likely never will be. He held his own at shortstop last season but he’s not going to get better the more he ages, he’s going to get worse. He was used as a shortstop out of necessity and out of desperation, not because his bat dictated him being there. Finally, simply trading for a young and controllable guy isn’t that easy. Especially for a young team that plans on contending as soon as the 2016 season. It’s just not that easy.

Looking at the third base market I don’t see much available right now for the Yankees to acquire. The most attractive pieces are Juan Uribe, Will Middlebrooks, David Freese and Mark Reynolds. No, on a minor league deal then maybe, interesting but still probably a no and who wants 15 home runs and 200 strikeouts this season with defense that will make Headley’s look Gold Glove caliber? And while we’re on the subject who wants James Shields and that incredibly back loaded and overpaid contract? Isn’t this team trying to get away from deals like these?

Mike, I love you bro and I appreciate and respect your input and opinion on this but I just can’t back you on it. Only way I’m taking Shields is on a salary dump where the team loses nothing. This plugs a hole that wasn’t really a problem to begin with and makes a huge hole at third base and in the lineup. As it stands today I have to say no thank you. 

Make Garrett Jones a St. Louis Cardinal

If it seems like I may or may not be picking on Garrett Jones today there is probably a pretty good reason for his, he deserves it. His stat line has been less than impressive, albeit in a small sample size, offensively and he adds almost zero to the team defensively making him a liability and a waste of a roster spot. You guys and girls know me by now, I’m not one to equivocate (words with friends for the win), and I don’t like to beat around the bush. The St. Louis Cardinals lost their everyday first baseman Matt Adams to a quad tear and the Yankees have a first baseman in Jones that they really don’t use or need, is it time to make a deal?

The Cardinals have Mark Reynolds, former New York Yankee, currently taking up the position and at worst Jones and Reynolds could platoon at the position giving the Cardinals enough offense and defense to get by until the trading deadline. The Cardinals could also use Jones in the outfield and off the bench against right handed hitters adding some much needed versatility to a team that loves versatile players.

In return I’m sure the Cardinals have some sort of bullpen pitcher or minor league power arm to give back to the Yankees that can make an immediate impact in New York. If not, who cares? Jones is off the team and the Yankees can upgrade in a trade, with another prospects call up or by keeping Slade Heathcott on the roster. It’s a win, win, win.

2015 Free Agency Royal Rumble – Third Baseman

Ladies and gentleman welcome to the 2015 Major League Baseball free agency Royal Rumble brought to you by The Greedy Pinstripes. Tonight we have all the potential third base options for the New York Yankees heading into this winter in one ring vying for the contract of a lifetime, let’s go down to the ring.

In the red corner stands former World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval, in the blue corner stands Hanley Ramirez, in the green corner stands Chase Headley, and in the black corner stands Mark Reynolds. Let’s get it on!

Hanley Ramirez hurts himself getting into the ring but tries to fight through it. When things did not go his way against Pablo Sandoval he threw a temper tantrum hurting himself even more and had to forfeit his chance at the contract. Chase Headley steps into the ring boasting his AL East and New York Yankees experience and mixes it with his ability to play first and third base and steps to Mark Reynolds. Reynolds laughs at Headley as he also has experience both in the AL East and in the Bronx and boasts that his defense at first base is better than Headley's. Reynolds takes his above average third base defense and right handed power bat and uses it to throw Headley over the top and out of the ring. Sandoval tries to throw Reynolds out of the ring while he is celebrating but gets distracted looking at all the question marks regarding his weight and his durability and Reynolds takes advantage as he throws him out to win the match and the contract.

Congratulations to Mark Reynolds and welcome to the 2015 Yankees on a one year deal worth $10 million.

Mark Reynolds is a Suitable Plan C

Mark Reynolds was a member of the New York Yankees during the 2013 season as Brian Cashman tried to acquire some much needed right handed power. Cashman's plan was to bring in Reynolds and have him lead the team along with Alfonso Soriano to the postseason. Obviously that plan did not work and Cashman did not bring Reynolds back for 2014 as he signed with the Milwaukee Brewers on a one year deal worth $2 million even though he made a ton of sense for the Yankees this season, will New York bring him back to the Bronx in 2015?

The Yankees are not planning on Alex Rodriguez playing 100+ games at third base this season and may not expect that total out of first baseman Mark Teixeira either making the need for a backup player at both positions even more dire. Chase Headley played the second half with the Yankees this season and is being viewed as a Plan A or Plan B on the team in my opinion. Reynolds is actually a better first baseman than Headley in defensively and is considered to be above average at third base, both a need for the Yankees. Reynolds is also a power hitter, although it is more of a power or nothing type of attack, and is right handed which balances the lefty heavy Yankees lineup.

Reynolds may not be the Yankees Plan A or even a Plan B but he would be a pretty good Plan C this offseason.

Kevin Long Needs To Be Fired, Now!

The Yankees offense has struggled and has struggled mightily for more than one season now. Far too many times has Kevin Long been praised for making a .210 career hitter like Brendan Ryan into a .230 hitter, also see what he "did" for Mark Reynolds. Far too many times has the fact that career .280-ish hitters come to New York and struggled. Far too many times has Kevin Long opened up his mouth and trashed players past and present, see Robinson Cano, and far too many times has Long gotten away with it all. Time's up Long, time to go.

Carlos Beltran was a career .281 hitter before his 2014 season produced a .216 average to date. Brian McCann was a .273 hitter before coming to New York to become a .220 former shell of himself. Mark Teixeira hit over .300 five times before Kevin Long, none after Long and has instantly become a .250 hitter. I can keep going but you get the point here, right?

Tino Martinez is a Yankee, a former hitting coach, and more of a hitting guru then Long ever thought about being. Call Tino and make the guy Cry again by giving him a job with the club and watch the offense instantly improve.

Pitching struggles as Yankees drop rubber game to Brewers, 6-5

It's losses like this that really sting. 

When a team scores three first inning runs and hits a game-tying homer with two outs in the ninth they usually win, but in this case that just didn't happen, as the Yankees dropped today's rubber game to the Brewers by a frustrating score of 6-5.

In that top of the first, the Bombers were all over Milwaukee Starter Matt Garza, crossing home three times thanks to a two-run double from Kelly Johnson and an RBI Sac Fly from Yangervis Solarte. At that point, this contest looked like it'd finish in the same fashion as Wednesday's game in Anaheim, but since Phelps ended up surrendering four trips around the bases in his 5+ plus frames it didn't. 

After exiting this one, obviously, #41 had blown that relatively big lead, making the Yanks look done. They weren't, however, as they did tie the game late thanks to a seventh inning single from Solarte and that homer from Teixeira in the top of the ninth.

In the bottom of the ninth, perhaps unintelligently, the Pinstripes went with Adam Warren, their reliable MR who had already tossed a scoreless eighth. Warren got the first two outs in Milwaukee's final at-bat, but still ended up getting the loss due to a two-out, RBI Single from former-Yankee Mark Reynolds.

The decision, surprisingly, was #43's first of the year, and probably one that he wishes he didn't get.

Should The Yankees Be Interested In Juan Francisco?

We all heard and read that the Brewers were among the teams scouting the Yankees excess catching depth recently. Milwaukee is said to be dangling Rickie Weeks or Aramis Ramirez but why not Juan Francisco? I think we could use Francisco more for a plethora of reasons, especially if it only costs Austin Romine or John Ryan Murphy.

Francisco would give us another power hitter in the lineup and a huge bat coming off the bench from the left side of the plate. Francisco split time with the Brewers and the Atlanta Braves last season and hit 18 home runs in 348 at bats, that's a home run every 19 at bats for those without a calculator. Over a 162 game season that ranks 11th best in the American League, who couldn't use that?

Francisco also gives us a legitimate backup at both third base and first base. He won't win a Gold Glove award at either position but he is probably a better candidate than Alfonso Soriano at first and Eduardo Nunez at third base defensively right now.

Francisco also looks like he is the odd man out on the Brewers roster thanks to former Yankees Lyle Overbay and Mark Reynolds signing deals with Milwaukee over the winter. The Brewers have excess infielders and we need infielders, the Brewers need a backup catcher and we have more than a couple. Let's make a deal Brian Cashman.

Lyle Overbay Lands Minor League Deal w/ Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers are doing their best Pittsburgh Pirates impersonation by grabbing up all the former New York Yankees they can. First they signed Mark Reynolds to probably be their every day first basemen and today they signed Lyle Overbay to a minor league deal. The deal comes with an invitation to spring training and likely includes numerous opt out dates if he does not make the major league roster. This one does not hurt as much as the Reynolds signing since we really had little use for Overbay in 2014. Thanks for the memories Lyle.

Brewers Close To Signing Mark Reynolds

Source: #Brewers close to signing Mark Reynolds.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 16, 2014

The Milwaukee Brewers are close to signing third basemen Mark Reynolds to a major league deal tweets Ken Rosenthal. Whether Reynolds would play third base or first base remains to be seen but it is more likely that Reynolds would play first for the Brew Crew. And another one down...

Do The Yankees Need To Replace Alex Rodriguez Now?

Right after arbiter Fredric Horotiz decided to suspend Alex Rodriguez or the entire 2014 season, Yankee fans turned their attention to what the team should do at third base. Do they change their stance on Mark Reynolds and offer him a major league contract, as opposed to the minor league deal Reynolds turned down? Do they sign Michael Young, who they tried to trade for last season? Do they really turn over regular third base duty to a guy that's hit .226/.307/.395 in the previous three seasons?

"Ronery... I'm so ronery." *

Say what you will about Alex Rodriguez. Call him a lair, a cheat, misunderstood, or a victim of a witch hunt, but one thing you can't say about ARod is that he sucks. Even last year, his worst offensive season since he became a regular player in MLB in 1996, he was still better than average (111 OPS+). Going from ARod to somebody like Kelly Johnson, whose OPS+ between 2011 and 2013 was 91, is certainly a downgrade. But can the current Yankees offense take the hit?

If you go by the regular starters at each position last season, you'll find that their average OPS+ was a pathetic 87. Four, yes four, of their regulars had an OPS+ at or under 75 (Chris Stewart - 57, Jayson Nix - 71, Vernon Wells - 72, and Ichiro Suzuki - 75).

So what would the Yankees offense have looked like in 2013 had they gone into the season with their current lineup? Well let's see each man's OPS+ last season (or their last healthy season)...

Catcher - Brian McCann 115
First Base - Mark Teixeira 115 (going by 2012, as he missed 147 games in 2013)
Second Base - Brian Roberts 89
Third Base - Kelly Johnson 99
Shortstop - Derek Jeter 114 (going by 2012, as he missed 145 games in 2013)
Left Field - Carlos Beltran 128
Center Field - Jacoby Ellsbury 114
Right Field - Brett Gardner 108
Designated Hitter - Alfonso Soriano 112

Unlike in 2013, when they had four players at or under a 75 OPS+, not one of the current projected starters hit under 89. That lowest OPS+ was actually two points higher than the 2013 Yankee regulars averaged. And to be totally fair, that "89" comes from Brian Roberts, who was far from healthy last year, and hasn't been healthy since the 2009 season.

By the way, the average OPS+ by those nine players is 110. Just a tad bit better than last year's regulars.

Just a bit.

To say that the offense has gotten worse, or isn't significantly better, is plain ignorant. It's not even close. Which is why I shake my head every time I read or hear someone say the Yankees need to get Mark Reynolds, or need to get Michael Young, or need any other hitter. The only thing the Yankees need to do is add a starting pitcher or two. Going into the season with a starting rotation of CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Ivan Nova, and two of David Phelps, Michael Pineda, Adam Warren, or Vidal Nuno would not be good.

The only thing I can figure is that people are blinded by the team going from Robinson Cano, the best second baseman in the game, to Brian Roberts, a guy that shouldn't be counted on to play more than 50 games. While that's a legit concern in and of itself, that alone is not a reason to be concerned about the team's ability to score runs next season. It takes a heck of a lot more than one man to carry the offense, and in this blogger's opinion the Yankees have addressed that fact quite well.

*if you don't understand this quote, you sir... are beneath me.

Mark Reynolds Unlikely To Return To Yankees

Doesn't look like Mark Reynolds will be back with Yankees. NYY only offered him minor-league deal according to source. He won't take that.
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) January 12, 2014

It has been reported this morning by our very own Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News that Mark Reynolds is unlikely to return to the New York Yankees. Citing the good ole unnamed source Feinsand claims that the Yankees only offered Reynolds a minor league deal and I am in agreement with Mark when I say "he won't take that."

Reynolds played in 36 games for the Yankees last season hitting six home runs and compiling a slash of .236/.300/.455. Reynolds is entering his age 30 season and still strikes out a ton and that may be turning the Yankees in other directions now that we know Alex Rodriguez will miss the entire 2014 season. Michael Young is still available as is Stephen Drew so stay tuned.

Yankees Now Interested in Young & Reynolds

Now that the Yankees know the Alex Rodriguez decision is for 162 games plus any postseason games we would play New York has turned their attention to Mark Reynolds and Michael Young. Left handed hitting Kelly Johnson is currently penciled in as the starting third basemen along with Eduardo Nunez but the Yankees really need an upgrade, especially since they just saved $25 million by switching their third basemen.

Young hit .279/.335/.395 with the Phillies and the Dodgers last season and has diminishing skills and power. Reynolds hit .220/.306/.393 with the Indians and the Yankees last season and handled first and third base adequately for New York. Neither are very attractive options but they are better than what Alex Rodriguez is going to give us next season, nothing.

Yankees Moving Closer To Deal With Mark Reynolds

According to multiple sources, which I will link and quote when I am not sitting in the waiting room at my sons doctor, the Yankees are moving closer to a deal with Mark Reynolds. Reynolds would give us another right handed option at the plate who can play both third base and first base. Reynolds did well for us in limited opportunities and would be a welcomed addition to the team that is becoming more and more left handed friendly. 

I would not expect Reynolds to get any more than a one year deal and a salary at or around $8 million. 

There Is Always Michael Young

I feel like I have already done this post before, oh yeah that is probably because I did, when I said the Yankees should target Stephen Drew to play third base now that Omar Infante was signed with the Kansas City Royals. Why not Michael Young? Young is right handed and can play third base, second base, shortstop, and would not be a total loss at first base defensively. The Yankees need right handed power, a second basemen, a third basemen, someone to give Mark Teixeira a day to a day and a half off a week, and the versatility that Michael Young brings to the team.

This is Young's age 37 season and will only see his 38th birthday in uniform if the Yankees went to the World Series as his birthday is late in October so he doesn't exactly make the Yankees any younger. Baseball Reference has him listed as a shortstop, second basemen, and third basemen but like I said I could see him doing well at first base if we needed him there a day a week or so and what the Yankees need right now is his versatility. Young garnered MVP votes, an 8th place finish, just three seasons ago in 2011 and hit a combined .279 in 2013 with eight home runs. While Young has not hit 20 home runs since the 2010 season he may be a better option then all the other options out there, including Mark Reynolds.

My main concern with signing Young is the fact that he made $16 million last season so you are always concerned on how much he would want for next season. Also you have to wonder if Young wants to sign a one year deal and do this whole free agency thing all over again after all the stability he had in Texas for 11+ seasons. Does Young want to get paid and does Michael want to sign the last contract of his career? The problem with this idealistic thinking is nobody but Michael Young knows but if it's close, sign him and worry about next season next season.

Yankees Finally Showing Interest In Mark Reynolds

The Yankees are finally interested in Mark Reynolds cementing the idea that Brian Cashman is a Greedy Pinstripes reader. Just the other day I mentioned letting Kelly Johnson start at second base for us, signing Mark Reynolds for third base, and shoring up the pitching and calling it a day. The Yankees are now showing interested in Reynolds to provide some right handed power as our starting third basemen and part time first basemen.

Reynolds hit .236/.300/.455 in 36 games with the Yankees this season after posting a .215/.307/.373 with the Indians before being released. His defense is horrid at third base, let's not mince words, but he may end up being the best option we have outside of Alex Rodriguez at third this offseason. The Twins, Brewers, and Rays are also said to be interested in Reynolds who made $6 million last season.

Winter Meetings Day Two Mid-Day Quick Hits

It's day two in Orlando at the yearly Winter Meetings and the Yankees are still seemingly interested in everybody. Rather then typing out 100 different posts let's put all the quick hits here.

The Nationals are "balking" at trading Danny Espinosa even though the Yankees are interested.

The Yankees are interested in bringing back Mark Reynolds which makes a ton of sense because he can either start at third base or provide right handed power off the bench. Not to mention he can give Mark Teixeira a day or a day and a half off a week at first base.

The Yankees are "heavily interested" in Michael Young for the same reasons as Mark Reynolds.

Tommy Kahnle and Fred Lewis are likely to be selected in Thurday's Rule 5 Draft after being left unprotected.

Poll Results: Starting Third Basemen For 2014

On Thursday while everyone was out either trick or treating or eating their kids, brothers, families, etc candy we asked the readers who they wanted to be their starting third basemen in 2014 and the results are in. HERE is the original post and HERE is the results page. For all those wondering Alex Rodriguez was included on the poll and surprisingly he did not win but Mark Reynolds did with about 30% of the votes. David Adams got as many votes as Alex and Derek Jeter only got one vote less than A Rod, the Yankees fans have spoken.

Poll: Yankees Starting Third Basemen In 2014

Yankees Starting Third Basemen In 2014?
	Michael Young
	Mark Reynolds
	Kevin Youkilis
	Alex Rodriguez
	Eduardo Nunez
	Stephen Drew
	David Adams
	Derek Jeter
	Other -- Please Specify
pollcode.com free polls

Who should be the starting third basemen for the New York Yankees when Opening Day comes around in 2014? Will Alex Rodriguez beat his suspension handed down from Bud Selig? Will Eduardo Nunez finally step up and get to showcase his skills at one position for a full season? Will the Yankees bring in a free agent like Michael Young or will they bring back one of their own in Mark Reynolds or Kevin Youkilis? Please vote here and the results are to follow. Thank you for your continued support and participation on the blog. 

Yankees Do Not Seem Interested In Kevin Youkilis Return

The New York Yankees do not seem willing or interested in bringing back Kevin Youkilis for the 2014 season and Youk's agent Joe Bick confirmed as much. Bick claims that Youk is healthy and ready to go and would have been if the Yankees had made the post season. Still Youk is 24 years old and has multiple seasons with back injuries, he is a huge question mark.

Youk only saw 118 plate appearances in 2013 and put up a weak .219/.305/.343 triple slash with only two home runs. Youk only saw 28 games after the back kept him out and missed a ton of Spring Training as well with another injury. Mark Reynolds gave us everything that Kevin Youkilis was supposed to last season so if anyone comes back it will be Reynolds and not Youkilis.