Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2010.
After an awful start to 2009, the Rockies fired Clint Hurdle, promoted Jim Tracy and proceeded to play like the best team in the National League for the rest of the regular season. They lost an exciting playoff series to the eventual NL champion Phillies, but there is no reason to think the Rockies are going away with all their young talent.
In fact, the Rockies are in position to make themselves a candidate to be a dynasty. Seriously. They can move forward with a starting lineup of Todd Helton, Clint Barmes and six proven guys who are 27 or younger. The pitching staff and minor-league talent are equally as impressive. Now it's simply a matter of cultivating their young talent while making sure they don't halt any momentum.
Poppin' out of the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
While the main drama happened on Heinz Field last night, there was plenty of drama to be found in Washington D.C. No, President Obama didn't sign a health plan into law. But the Phillies entered the ninth inning down six and ended up losing by one after having the tying run on third base with only one out. Let's see how we got there.
Joe Blanton has been fantastic this year, and he entered the game with a 3.80 ERA and a 136/43 K/BB ratio in 166 innings. That's why it was surprising to see him perform so terribly in Thursday's game, where he gave up eight runs in less than five innings of work. The big blow came in the fifth inning, when Blanton gave up two homers to hitters at very different points in their careers.
Poppin' out of the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
By now we all know of the greatness of San Francisco pitcher Tim Lincecum. He's the best pitcher in baseball this season, with a 2.34 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 233 strikeouts in 200 1/3 innings. But there's another hard-throwing young kid in the Giants organization that, like Lincecum, has a shot to be one of the league's best very quickly. He's a guy you want to burn that No. 1 waiver priority on, in case he sticks in the rotation for the rest of the season. He is Madison Bumgarner.
Wondering which young players could have an impact in the majors this year? Let MLB FanHouse guide the way in Better Know a Prospect. In this edition we look at three players from the mostly either-already-there-or-far-away Colorado system. Dexter Fowler, CF:- The crown jewel of the Rockies' system, he'll likely take over center from Ryan Spillborghs by the end of May. Fowler will turn 23 just weeks before the season begins, and he's already made his major league debut. He got a quick cup of coffee last season after tearing through Double-A to the tune of a .335 average. There's also some yet untapped power potential to go with his blazing speed for this possible future All-Star.
LeBron James knows better than any of us: There is no way the Cleveland Indians can overcome the dynastic onslaught of the New York Yankees. I mean, even if we win all of the games they're still moving on in the playoffs, and everyone in Cleveland will have to go back to watching Drew Carey and dying in the burning river or whatever it is we do here.
I, for one, support our new ant overlords. More after the jump.
Well, ESPN has tried to replace Reynolds with a variety of former players, including Tino Martinez (horrible) and Orestes Destrada (slightly less horrible). The newest edition? Eric Young, who is so bad he inspired The Juice Blog to come up with a drinking game:
I have figured out a way to make Eric Young nights somewhat fun. Next time EY is on, listen to how he starts almost every sentence with "I tell you what." It really is amazing that a professional broadcaster could continue to do this 2 months into his career. To make the most of this inarticulate style, ESPN needs to promote the Baseball Tonight Drinking Game. Every time that Eric Young says "I tell you what" it's time to do a shot.
Maybe Jagermeister and Red Bull could sponsor the promotion? Actually, the show would really be fun, if everyone on set would drink as well. I could see John Kruk high-fiving EY everytime he says it, as you know he must be able to slam it down. A few jager-bombs and I bet Tim Kurjian would really loosen up. I have to guess that if you go by the first name of Buster (Olney), you might not be Frank the Tank, but you have to be able to hold your own. Have Steve Phillips bartend, as he would look good flipping drinks like he was in Cocktail.
This has loads of potential. I'll tell you what -- I'm calling friends and telling them to bring over the Jager. Let's do this.
Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2010.
Poppin' out of the box scores and right into your cubicle, the 
Poppin' out of the box scores and right into your cubicle, the 
Wondering which young players could have an impact in the majors this year? Let MLB FanHouse guide the way in 
LeBron James knows better than any of us: There is no way the Cleveland Indians can overcome the dynastic onslaught of the New York Yankees. I mean, even if we win all of the games they're still moving on in the playoffs, and everyone in Cleveland will have to go back to watching Drew Carey and dying in the burning river or whatever it is we do here. 
ESPN is still struggling to fill the hole left by Harold Reynolds, whose on-screen presence was somehow magnetic, and 
