From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday.
I think we can all agree that it's far too early to start voting upon who the best 2009 players are when it's only the middle of May. That being said, there are certainly some shining stars at this point who deserve some props. Plus, Major League Baseball recently released their All-Star ballots for our voting pleasure -- we vote on who will start the All-Star Game. If that's not important, I don't know what is. Let's take a gander.
Categorically Speaking is designed specifically for Rotisserie GM's. The information is great for all fantasy baseball formats, but for those of you who could use some help bolstering a specific roto category, this is for you. We're going to pay close attention to players who might be readily available on your waiver wire or who you might target in non-blockbuster trade talks.
Over the past few weeks nobody has been driving in runners like Evan Longoria. His 28 RBI over the last 14 days is tops in Major League Baseball, and head and shoulders better then anyone else. But, he's not available in any fantasy leagues and you're not prying him away from the owner who drafted him for anywhere close to fair value.
Let's look elsewhere for some help if your rotisserie team needs some more RBI.
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
At least we know Alex Rodriguez will have plenty of help from Yankee Stadium as he makes his way back from hip surgery.
Just ask Johnny Damon, who's suddenly turned into one of the hottest power hitters in baseball after hitting only 17 home runs all of last year. Damon has already knocked seven out this season, including three this month. The Rays joined in on the ball-smashing fun Thursday, launching six homers as a team. So is a trip to Yankee Stadium the same as visiting Arlington now?
Fantasy baseball draft season is coming, so you best be prepared by delving through every major player on each team. Fantasy FanHouse is here to help with a quick once-over.
Meet the ... Team desperately needing a bat in the middle of the order. It's too bad money is so tight right now, because the Giants could certainly use a certain eccentric slugger in the middle of their order. They still aren't altogether out of the running for Manny Ramirez, but I believe he's staying put in Los Angeles. Too bad they wasted all that money on Barry Zito and Aaron Rowand.
FanHouse positional rankings were compiled by averaging the individual rankings of each member of the Fantasy FanHouse staff.
What happens when a 24-year-old hits over .300 with 23 bombs, drives home 87 and even manages to swipe five bags? Well, in fantasy baseball he becomes known as a pretty solid young player. When he plays the most shallow position in fantasy leagues, though, he becomes fantasy gold. Brian McCann was that man last year, and he sits atop FanHouse's 2009 fantasy catcher rankings as a 25-year-old.
Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2009.
The Giants were not a disappointment in 2008 as far as I'm concerned, because they only lost 90 games and did not finish in last place. Going into the season, in looking at the rosters, Giants fans had to expect 100 losses and a definite last place finish. Moving forward, there is hope for a quick franchise turnaround.
Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, and even the injury-prone Noah Lowry have the makings of a quality young starting rotation. They could be above average with offensive support and an improved defense. Bengie Molina and Aaron Rowand can be helpful players on a good team, but they cannot be the centerpieces of the offense, as they were this past season. Randy Winn and Fred Lewis are viable starters for '09, but they need to be slotted at the end of the batting order.
The key to the approach for 2009 is to try and compete without foregoing the future. The rotation, closer Brian Wilson, and potential stars like Madison Bumgarner, Conor Gillespie, and Buster Posey are too valuable to deal in a trade just to land one player.
Brian Sabean, ever tactful, made an error in judgment following this year's MLB draft by pointing out that Bengie Molina, enjoying one of his best offensive seasons for the surprisingly not terrible San Francisco Giants, was on his way out. Or at least he used a statement about sunsets that reflected on Molina's contract status and made the catcher upset.
Sabean said that [Buster] Posey 'is on the fast track and Bengie's clock is winding down.' On Friday, Sabean clarified he was referring to the end of Bengie Molina's contract after 2009 and the uncertainty of the free-agent market, not on Molina's career. Still, Molina did not like to hear that.
'I respect whoever they pick,' said Molina, who turns 34 next month. 'I understand they don't have too much catching down in the system. I'm not upset or anything like that. The only thing that really hurt my feelings was when he said my clock was running down.
'It hurt my feelings because I came here to work hard every single day. I give them everything I have. I've got to talk to him first and see what he meant before I say anything else. I'd like to know, because if I'm not in their plans for the future, then what am I doing here?'
To say that something like this out of Giants camp, and stemming from Sabean's mouth, is surprising would be a lie. Particularly when you consider his obsession/affinity with veterans and how poorly Posey really fits into his long term gameplan for the Giants organization.
You know, because of his upside and potential and everything.
I've always been a Bengie Molina fan since his days with the Angels. And by the way, it was a horrible decision for them to let him walk as a free agent. Why? Well, because he's an absolute gamer, and even more importantly, he's a winner. That sentiment was echoed on Friday when Bengie ripped into the Giants for their poor performance and losing attitude this year -- his first with the club. From the San Francisco Chronicle:
"It's a freakin' embarrassment what we're going through right now, losing so much, being in last place," Molina said. "I don't take that lightly. I don't take it as nothin'. I'm embarrassed. I can't even pick up my head because we're in last place. I can't take it no more.
"I'm freakin' tired of being embarrassed. I just hate losing. I'm sorry. I'm not a big guy on anything else but winning. If nobody likes the way I take it or go about it, come and see me. I just like winning. That's why we're here."
...
"I don't care with who or without who, but winning needs to be our priority," Molina said. "We came here to win. We didn't come here to be part of a country club just to pass the time, just to get paid. At least I didn't come here for that. I didn't come here to frickin' lose.
"People have got to understand, if you think only for yourself and your numbers and not the team, you're probably going to have a so-so year. But if you play for the team, to win, you're going to have way better numbers. If we have people here who are worrying abut getting paid or just happy to be here and not worrying about winning, they're on the wrong team - or I am.
That was one heck of a tirade. I wish I could have been there in person to witness it. And let me just say this -- a tear drop fell down my face for every sentence I read. Oh Bengie, how the Angels miss you so. Where art thou, Bengie?
I'm pretty much convinced that the only positive development from the All-Star game is that it gives people like us something to debate during the middle of generally uneventful summers. And of course, this year is no exception; there were many All-Star snubs. Here are some players from the NL West that definitely deserve to be in San Francisco, along with players they should have replaced (which so often is overlooked): Eric Byrnes, Diamondbacks: Just compare Byrnsie and Aaron Rowand, who was named to the team, across the board. Their stats are eerily similar, as as their personalities. But one thing stands out -- Byrnes is superior (by small margins) to Rowand in almost every statistical category. They're each fan favorites and they each play with a balls out style. Given Byrne's statistical superiority this year, and the fact that the D-Backs have been far more successful than the Phillies this year, I think Byrnes over Rowand is a no-brainer.
Chris Young, Padres: Being on the final vote list is an insult to Young's mastery of NL hitters this year. Really, the fact that he wasn't selected is a total joke. Young is 8-3 with a 2.14 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 96.2 innings pitched. Opposing hitters are batting .197 against him. .197. That's lower than what Andruw Jones is hitting this year. The guy has only allowed three home runs in 16 starts. Young should be there over every starter except Brad Penny and Jake Peavy, and of course, over reliever Brian Fuentes.
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the 
Fantasy baseball draft season is coming, so you best be prepared by delving through 
FanHouse positional rankings were compiled by averaging the individual rankings of each member of the Fantasy FanHouse staff. 
I've always been a 
I'm pretty much convinced that the only positive development from the All-Star game is that it gives people like us something to debate during the middle of generally uneventful summers. And of course, this year is no exception; there were many 
