MLB Hot Stove Special Top 40 Free Agents Part 5 (Ranks 16-20)

As Scott Eastment & Tru School Sports crack the Top 20 MLB Free Agents, just about all of the big-name free agents are still on the market, save for Brian McCann and Jhonny Peralta. With the Baseball Winter Meetings coming up from December 9-12, expect things to really pick up in the next few weeks for the bigger names. This time of year is where the GM’s make their money, so expect the relatively tepid MLB Hot Stove to get turned up a couple notches in the coming weeks. Make sure to check out the previous rankings 36-40, 31-35, 26-30, and 21-25 to see if your favorite team is interested!!


20.) Jesse Crain, RP (2013 stats: 2-3, 0.74 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 46/13 K/BB in 36.2 IP):

This guy is the relief pitcher that nobody is talking about but should be. Jesse Crain has been eating through innings in the bullpen over the past 10 years (532 appearances with a 3.04 career ERA) without receiving much adulation whatsoever. 2013 was looking to be his best year yet until he was sidelined with a shoulder injury. Crain’s loss is a GM’s gain as the reliable set-up man will not be very expensive (expect a one-year, incentive laden deal around $2.2 million) to sign and could provide immense upside to a struggling pen. The signing of Crain will be a no lose situation for whatever teams acquires him, and if 2013 was any indication of his abilities, he could be one of the biggest steals of this offseason. 

                                   Possible Suitors: Red Sox, Rockies, Orioles, Rays

19.) Bronson Arroyo, SP (2013 stats: 14-12, 3.79 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 124/43 K/BB in 202 IP): 

While his statistics won’t blow you away (and neither will his fastball), Bronson Arroyo has become the model for an inning-eating middle-of-the-rotation starter who never misses a start and relies on changing speeds and precision control (1.7 BB/9 IP) in order to succeed. Consider Arroyo’s proven ability to pitch in both the American League and National League, on top of his playoff experience and veteran presence, this right-hander makes sense for not only contending teams but ones looking to bridge the gap between rebuilding and contending. Current rumors have Arroyo in heavy talks with the New York Mets, along with having received initial offers from several other teams. Expect his deal to likely be in the 1-2 year range and for roughly $8 million per.

     Possible Suitors: Mets, Twins, Reds, Phillies, Dodgers, Angels, Orioles, Giants



18.) Brian Wilson, RP (2013 stats: 2-1, 0.66 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 13/4 K/BB in 13.2 IP):

One of the less discussed studs on the market this offseason, closer/set-up man and famed beard man Brian Wilson proved in his return from arm surgery that he still has his nasty stuff. With a full offseason to continue to get stronger again, Wilson could sign as somebody’s everyday closer in the next few weeks, however it is more likely that he takes one more season as a set-up man in L.A., while being paid closer money of course. Wilson’s eccentric ways pose potential marketing opportunities for teams, a boost to the locker room, and an electric back of the bullpen-type arm. The Tigers and Dodgers are likely the front-runners right now for Wilsons’ services, but the Yankees have bowed out of the race because the wild man said he would never shave his beard for them.

                  Possible Suitors: Dodgers, Angels, Indians, Rockies, Tigers, Mets, Mariners



17.) Scott Kazmir, SP (2013 stats: 10-9, 4.04 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 162/51 K/BB in 158 IP):

As one of the best young prospects in the game and a key cog in the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays young rotation, Scott Kazmir had some of the most electric stuff in MLB. He posted a 45-34 record over a four-year span in Tampa that saw the team win 70 games only once, but they things started to fall apart. His incredible slider began to flatten out as he lost control of it and his power fastball began to flirt with the high-80s instead of the mid-90s. Kazmir basically fell off the map for a half-decade, but this last season in Cleveland proved he may very well be back. There are several things to really like about Kazmir: he is a lefty who can shoulder a serious innings load, his arm is relatively fresh for his age, he will not be asking for exorbitant contract, and he still feels as if he has a great deal to prove to both himself and his peers. 

      Possible Suitors: Orioles, Athletics, Cubs, Rockies, Twins, Mets, Blue Jays
AS OF 12/2/13, KAZMIR HAS SIGNED A 2-YEAR, $22 MILLION DEAL WITH OAKLAND



16.) Kendrys Morales, 1B/DH (2013 stats: .277 BA/.226 OBP/.785 OPS, 167 H, 23 HR, 80 RBI):

This 30-year-old switch-hitting first baseman will not be one of the more well-known signings of the offseason, but Kendrys Morales will make some GM a very happy man. Not only does Morales have the ability to hit both lefties and righties at a fairly high clip, he also has a better strikeout to home run ratio than either of the other power bats in free agency (Mark Reynolds & Jarrod Saltalamacchia). With a WAR of 2.7 in the 2013 season and his injury issues behind him, Morales could provide a contending team with an additional middle-of-the-order bat as well as reliable play at first base when called upon. He is not going to be the focus of any lineup, but he has all the tools necessary to post a 30 HR/100 RBI type season if put in the right place. 

       Possible Suitors: Rangers, Yankees, Rockies, Marlins, Mariners, Brewers, Twins

Scott Eastment is a MLB/NFL/Sport Business writer for Tru School Sports and MLB contributor for Baseball Hot Corner, as well as a digital sports marketing associate with Beyond Sports Network. He is a former college baseball player at Frostburg State University and has his Masters of Business Administration in both sport business and marketing. You can follow him on Twitter, Facebook,Google+, and LinkedIn. 

Fantasy Football Turkey Day Special

So, as you settle in with your family and relatives for a fun-filled and festive Thanksgiving holiday, can you really tell me that the football game going on in the room right around the corner does not have your attention? This 2-part special will break down both the Thanksgiving Day games, as well as the Sunday contests in an effort to help your team either cruise or squeak its way into the playoffs.

While the Turkey Day slate of Green Bay (likely w/o Rodgers) vs. Detroit, Dallas vs. Oakland, and Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore does not scream “exciting football," there are still numerous fantasy football implications. @SportsGeek02 will take a quick look at some players and defenses you should start and sit, as well as a possible breakout sleeper that nobody is talking about. 

Start 'Em

Tony Romo has been a
consistent QB1 all year.

Tony Romo, Cowboys QB (vs. OAK): Tony Romo is just about always a must-start these days considering how skittish his team is to consistently run the football, but this week screams of big-time numbers for the Cowboy signal caller. The Oakland Raiders are ranked 25^th in the league when it comes to giving up fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and with Oakland having learned how to play offense in recent weeks, this game may be a bit more of a shootout than you might think. Considering the fact that Miles Austin is back in the mix and Jason Witten is healthy, expect big things in the coming weeks. Weather played a crucial role in many games last weekend, but have no fear folks as dem Boys come home to play in Jerry’s ‘domed’ World.

Sit 'Em

Its been a rough year for
Ray Rice owners, thats
for sure.

Ray Rice, Ravens RB (vs. PIT): In Week 12, I told you to sit Mr. Biceps, but did you? If you did, you should be thanking me; if not then well maybe I've gained the trust of just a few more of you. While Ray Rice is still a good to great running back, it appears that someone needs to remind offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell that Rice is a top 10 back and Joe Flacco is a bottom 15 QB. While the Steelers do rank 24^th in the league against the rush, they have allowed 78, 80, and 54 yards on the ground respectively since New England torched them for 198 in Week 9. While it will be cold tomorrow night in Baltimore, the wind should not play a big factor, so expect Flacco to keep on chucking it and Bernard Pierce to swipe 5-10 touches from Rice. Bottom line, call your friends who own Trent Richardson and C.J. Spiller, because he's been a bust just like them.

Sleeper

67 yards and a TD for Nate
Burleson in his first game
back from injury. 

Nate Burleson, Lions WR (at GB): After his breakout Week 12 performance, one would expect Nate Burleson to be much more popular choice, however he is only owned in 12.7% of all ESPN leagues as of noon on Wednesday. With teams simply deciding that they will do everything in their power to shut down Calvin Johnson, Burleson is a legitimate WR #2 for most fantasy owners. With Reggie Bush and Joseph Fauria also drawing a decent amount of attention, Nate can easily get lost in the shuffle; and he knows how to make you pay for that mistake. Considering the fact that he is going to be in single coverage all game and that the Green Bay defense is ranked 25^th when it comes to giving up points to opposing wide receivers and this is a pretty simple decision. 

Up in the Air

Even with McFadden back,
Jennings appears to still be
the man in Oakland.

Rashad Jennings, Raiders RB (at DAL): Considering what Rashad Jennings has done in recent weeks, combined with the fact that his Raiders will be going up against the 32^nd ranked run defense in the league, and you would expect him to be a must-start this week. Not so fast, as the man, the myth, the lack of a legend Darren McFadden is back and ready to steal some carries. While Oakland insists they will go with the hot hand, they have also said that Run DMC will get his ‘touches’ and nobody really know what they may lead to.  If you have a week RB core, Jennings is certainly a viable option, however do not come yelling to me when he gets 12 carries for 60 yards and no TDs.

Scott Eastment is a MLB/NFL/Sport Business writer for Tru School Sports and MLB contributor for Baseball Hot Corner, as well as a digital sports marketing associate with Beyond Sports Network. He is a former college baseball player at Frostburg State University and has his Masters of Business Administration in both sport business and marketing. You can follow him on Twitter, Facebook,Google+, and LinkedIn.

MLB Hot Stove Special Top 40 Free Agents Part 4 (Ranks 21-25)

As the MLB Hot Stove continues to slowly heat up, GM's and front offices around the league are beginning to become more transparent in terms of their offseason goals and targets. Brian McCann (Yankees) and Jhonny Peralta (Cardinals) are the two most recent big names to find new homes, but there is still a great deal of work left to do in free agency for just about every team. Scott Eastment and Tru School Sports continue their MLB Hot Stove special by cracking the top-25 free agents, along with their potential suitors, and what each of them will bring to the table. While checking to see if your team is in the running to land any of these guys, check back on our previous articles highlighting those ranked 36-40, 31-35, and 26-30. Enjoy!

25.) James Loney, 1B/DH (2013 stats: .299 BA/.348 OBP/.778 OPS, 164 H, 13 HR, 75 RBI):

After resurrecting his career in Tampa Bay, James Loney may have guaranteed himself a relatively lucrative one or two-year deal from his future employer. While not your typical first basemen power-wise, Loney brings a unique skillset to the plate, as well as slick fielding skills at first base which will ultimately save his team runs. As a left-handed hitter, Loney is one of the few players who hit lefties virtually as well as he hits righties (he hit .299 against both). What makes Loney even more intriguing is that at age 30 he is relatively inexpensive when compared with his production (made $2 million in 2012). He should have a decently list of suitors and will not cause any team to really break the bank for him; expect something for either 1 or 2 years at around $4 million per.

                                                 Possible Suitors: Brewers, Twins, Pirates, White Sox

24.) Fernando Rodney, RP (2013 stats: 5-4, 37 SV, 3.38 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 82/39 K/BB in 66.2 IP):

After an absolutely dominant 2012 season, Rays closer Fernando Rodney fell back to Earth this last year, posting far more human-like numbers. When you really look at his statistics, there are certainly red flags out there to go along with the fact that Rodney is 37 years old and likely will only be worth a 2 year deal tops. His 2012 season was an anomaly in the sense that his ‘effectively wild’ approach worked night in and night out. In 2013, his BB/9 IP spiked up to 5.0, which was reflected in a horrific 1.34 WHIP. Having said that, closers certainly do not grown on trees and Rodney will undoubtedly get a considerably lucrative deal (likely around $8 million per) considering the teams that are pursuing him.

Possible Suitors: Tigers, Indians, Cubs, Yankees, Rangers, Astros, Rockies



23.) Stephen Drew, SS (2013 stats: .253 BA/.333 OBP/.777 OPS, 112 H, 13 HR, 67 RBI): 

After a disappointing postseason at the plate, Stephen Drew’s stock may have dropped somewhat in the eyes of his possible suitors. Having said that, he made good on his one-year deal with the Red Sox by showing that he is all the way back from his hamstring injury and is ready to sign a multi-year deal (likely 4 years at $10 million per). The postseason slump was a bit of an eyesore, however with Jhonny Peralta having signed with the Cardinals, Drew is really the only viable shortstop left on the market. Teams know he still provides an above-average bat for his position to go along with solid fielding, so expect him to have several qualifying offers in the coming weeks. 

                        Possible Suitors: Mets, Pirates, Yankees, Dodgers, Angels, White Sox


22.) Joe Nathan, RP (2013 stats: 6-2, 43 SV, 1.39 ERA, 0.897 WHIP, 73/25 K/BB in 64.2 IP): 

With the Rangers having declined the 2014 option on him, 39 year-old Joe Nathan is going to be looking for a new home this offseason and it will likely be with an instant contender who is willing to give him a 2-year deal and overpay for his services. Lucky for him, after his extremely impressive 2013 campaign that proved his arm was structurally sound and playing at a position of constant need around the league, Nathan should have no trouble finding what he is looking for. While his age has led to a decrease in his fastball velocity, Nathan is brushing that aside and becoming a more complete pitcher with impeccable control. His 2013 numbers were superior to his career averages and his workmanlike attitude and way of going about his business would be welcome in any clubhouse. Now it is time for the big dogs to start bidding, but expect him to sign in Detroit. 

                            Possible Suitors: Tigers, Yankees, Angels


21.) Joaquin Benoit, RP (2013 stats: 4-1, 24 SV, 2.01 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 73/24 K/BB in 67 IP): 

Getting up there in age, Joaquin Benoit is not the big-name acquisition you can expect fans to get excited about, however he will be a key signing for sure. While he will play second-fiddle to former Athletics closer Grant Balfour on the open market, Benoit will be a quality back-end of the bullpen option for whoever signs him, and he will be relatively cheap (3 years at $5.5 million per most likely). His fastball is starting to lose some of its velocity, but his changeup is a remarkable pitch that keeps hitters off-balance at all times. Combine this with his postseason experience and the fact that he continues to keep his WHIP hovering around an impressive 1.00 and you have a reliable bullpen guy for the next few years. 

Possible Suitors: Cubs, Orioles, Yankees, Indians, Mariners, Phillies, Brewers

Scott Eastment is a MLB/NFL/Sport Business writer for Tru School Sports and MLB contributor for Baseball Hot Corner, as well as a digital sports marketing associate with Beyond Sports Network. He is a former college baseball player at Frostburg State University and has his Masters of Business Administration in both sport business and marketing. You can follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn. 

Week 12 Fantasy Tips: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em, Sleepin on 'Em

With Week 12 of the NFL season upon us, fantasy football owners around the world are scrambling for any tips that can help propel them to the playoffs. With injuries and bye weeks ruining your day,  you are going to have to dig a bit deeper these next few weeks in order to host your league’s version of the Shiva (The League reference, you all better have known that). With that being said, let’s check out a few of @SportsGeek02 suggestions for today.

Start ‘Em:

Colin Kaepernik, 49ers QB (at WSH): These days, fantasy owners should blindly throw whatever offensive players they have into their starting line-up any week they play the Redskins, especially those involved in the pass game. Washington’s porous defense gives up the 4^th most fantasy points to opposing QBs and have allowed 18 or more points to them in each of the last four weeks. The combination of this young quarterback's legs and arm should simply be too much for a defense that simply does not have the talent to keep up. Chalk him up as a top 10 quarterback this week.

Mike Glennon, Buccanners QB (at DET): Virtually any time you see your quarterback with a match-up against the Lions defense, you better be plugging that guy in. Coming off his best game as a professional (231 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT), Glennon is looking primed to keep that momentum going against a defense that has allowed five straight weeks of 20 or more fantasy point for signal callers. With the emergence of RB Bobby Rainey, his pass attempts have been down a bit, but have no fear this week as the Bucs are likely to be playing from behind. And what does that mean? Pass attempts, very good.

Chris Ivory, Jets RB (at BAL): Ivory has clearly solidified himself as the primary back for Rex Ryan in New York, and with a banged up Ravens defensive line, he could flourish this week. With Haloti Ngata a game-time decision (knee), Ivory will look to take advantage of a line that is below 100% just like Bears RB

Matt Forte (125 total yards, TD) did last week. The Ravens defense has given up double digit points to opposing running backs in the past 2 weeks, and even if Ngata does go this week, his explosiveness to disrupt the middle of the line will surely be hampered. With Rex Ryan going up against his former team with a rookie signal caller, expect him to try and slow the pace of this game down and pound the rock.

Sit ‘Em:

Phillip Rivers, Chargers QB (at KC): Much like you always want to start your QB against the likes of Washington and Detroit, you just about always want to sit your guy against Kansas City. At the beginning of the year, Rivers was fantasy gold; however he has only posted one 20 point game in his last five starts. Heading into Arrowhead against a ball-hawking Chiefs defense coming off a frustrating loss does not appear to be the ideal situation to turn his play around.

Robert Griffin III, Redskins QB (vs. SF): As much as it pains this Redskins fan to say, RED ALERT!!! While RGIII has begun to show flashes of the player who won the Rookie of the Year award, it does not take a red-faced Mike Shanahan to tell you he is not all the way back yet. It appears his focus on being “all in for Week 1” blinded his mind from working on passing accuracy. With San Francisco coming to town (only 2 QBs scored over 20 points on them all season) and two of his top three targets (TE Jordan Reed, WR Leonard Hankerson) out, expect a poor day from Bob.

Ray Rice, Ravens RB (vs. NYJ): Rice has been a disappointment all season for the defending Super Bowl Champions, however he showed signs of what makes him such a fantasy beast last week after running for 131 yards with a TD and adding 3 receptions for 17 yards. Fantasy owners should not expect that short string of success to continue this week against a stout Jets defense that is allowing the 2^nd fewest points to opposing running backs.

Sleepers:

Green Bay Defense (vs. MIN): In a week where solid scoring defenses like the Seahawks, Bengals, and Bills are enjoying their byes, many owners may need a quick play before the clock strikes 1 today. Going up against the Vikings, expect an ‘average’ Green Bay defense to play well above average. All-World RB Adrian Peterson has been hampered by a groin injury and is not himself, and the quarterback situation is laughable. Playing against an offense ranked 27^th in the league that has allowed 22 sacks, the Packers defense should keep you from losing your league this week and may actually help you win it.

John Carlson, Vikings TE (at GB): Yes, I realize I just told you to pick up the GB defense, but this TE pick has me giddy. In the past two weeks, Carlson has been the most targeted receiver on the Vikings team, and with a banged up AP, expect a great deal of play-action from Minnesota. Combine this with the fact that the Green Bay defense has given up back-to-back weeks of double digit points to opposing tight ends, and this one is a no brainer.

MLB Hot Stove Special: Top MLB Free Agents (Ranks 26-30)

Part 3 of @SportsGeek02 and Tru School Sports look at the Top 40 MLB Free Agents is here. This section breaks down the free agents ranked from 26-30 and provides a quick look at where they are projected to go, as well as what they will bring to their new team. Each of these players brings his own unique set of tools to the table, making them desired commodities on the open market. As we get closer to the top 10, the stove is getting hotter, the numbers get bigger and so do the dollar signs. If you have not done so yet, make sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2 as well.

 30.) Corey Hart, 1B-OF (2013 stats: DNP due to injury): Coming off a year in which he did not step foot on the field, Corey Hart is still widely considered a solid corner outfielder mainly due to his bat. In 2012, Hart hit 30 HRs and had an OPS of .841, which simply cannot be ignored. While he has the ability to step into the infield at first base, expect Hart to get one more shot at being a corner outfielder in the majors before he is relegated to either first base or DH. There are many teams looking into Hart’s health, and whoever signs him will likely give him roughly half of his 2013 salary of $10 million and only one-year as a means of seeing how things go. If healthy, Corey Hart could be one of the steals of this off-season.

                                                       Possible Suitors: Brewers, Giants, Mets

29.) Phil Hughes, SP (4-14, 5.19 ERA, 121/46 K/BB in 145.2 IP): Looking at those numbers, you are probably wondering what Phil Hughes is doing in the top 30 of all MLB free agents. Once one of the top prospects in baseball, Hughes has had an up and down career in which he has shown flashes of being a reliable number two or three starter in a rotation. He also has struggled mightily with his consistency in New York, but considering his devalued stock and impressive repertoire of pitches, he may be too good for a sub-.500 team to pass up. Personally, I feel as if the confines of Yankee Stadium were not the kindest to a fly-ball pitcher such as Hughes, meaning that regardless of where he lands it will likely be a big ballpark that is friendly to pitchers without sinking stuff. 

                                Possible Suitors: Royals, Twins, Giants

28.) Nate McLouth, OF (2013 stats: .258/.329/.399, 137 H, 30 SB in 531 AB): While certainly not a household name to people outside of Baltimore and Pittsburgh, Nate McLouth is simply one of those players that does not grow trees. Having been a top-notch prospect with Pittsburgh, McLouth has flown underneath the radar in recent years with the Orioles. Combine his extremely cheap salary ($2 million in 2012) and his ability to play Gold Glove caliber defense with his prowess for getting on base, stealing bases, and scoring runs and you have yourself one heck of a bargain. Coming of a one-year feeler contract, McLouth is looking for a multi-year deal around what Marlon Byrd and David DeJesus received (probably cheaper). Expect the Orioles to throw in the towel on Carlos Beltran, re-sign McLouth, and get back to focusing on their starting rotation. 

                                                     Possible Suitors: Orioles, Angels, Tigers, Yankees


27.) Tim Hudson, SP (2013 stats: 8-7, 3.97 ERA, 95/39 K/BB in 131.1 IP): 

Before a gruesome ankle injury derailed his season, Tim Hudson was doing what he always does: winning ball games by keeping his team in the game and generating constant ground balls. At 38, Hudson has at most one or two years left in the league. However, his pitching style allows him to be a middle of the rotation guy until the day he retires. He is a seasoned professional who will go about his business and present a veteran presence in any dugout. While there is a slight chance of retirement, it sounds like Hudson is looking for a one-to-two year deal with an incentive-laden contract on an instant contender. I expect the Braves to bring him back so that he can allow some of their young pitching a bit longer to develop, while also giving him his proper send-off. 

                     Possible Suitors: Giants, Orioles, Braves, Indians
   BREAKING: Officially signed a 2 year, $23 million contract with the San Francisco Giants

26.) Ricky Nolasco, SP (2013 stats: 13-11, 3.70 ERA, 165/47 K/BB in 199.1 IP): After posting an impressive second half with the Dodgers, Ricky Nolasco has become one of the more talked about starting pitchers on the market this off-season. While he will provide a team with a guaranteed middle-of-the-rotation starter who eats up innings and likely will finish with a record over .500, I have a feeling he will be getting a deal that simply does not reflect his future contributions. If you really break down the numbers, Nolasco can be compared to #10 ranked free-agent Hiroki Kuroda when it comes to innings pitched, but not ERA (although ERA estimators show Kuroda’s 3.40 and Nolasco’s 4.30 being much closer together over the past 5 seasons). His plus command and ability to go deep into games are attributes you do not see every day, so expect a four-year, roughly $50 million deal for Nolasco. 

                                        Possible Suitors: Blue Jays, Twins, Dodgers, Yankees

Scott Eastment is a former college baseball player at Frostburg State University and has his Master of Business Administration degree in both sport business and marketing. He is the lead MLB writer for Tru School Sports while also covering the NFC East and various sport business topics. He also is a MLB contributor and Nationals lead writer for @MLBHotCorner as well as a die-hard DC sports fan, avid extreme skier, and close personal friend of Mr. Ron Burgundy. Catch up with him on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, & Google+.