Extra Innings

New Faces: A.L. Central

The American League Central this year saw a plethora of moves in the off season. Every team made a significant change. The Cleveland Indians and the Detroit Tigers are by far the leaders of the pack. Coming off a disappointing season, the White Sox look to regain their form that led to a World Series in 2005. The Twins are in rebuilding mode with the trade of SP Johan Santana; the Royals it seems are always in a rebuilding mode. It should be a competitive year in the Central and with the Tigers or Indians both having the capability of winning the division.

Chicago White Sox

SS Orlando Cabrera:

Last year, Cabrera had an all around fabulous year. He hit a career high in batting average (.301), hits (192) and runs scored (101). Not only did Cabrera produce at the plate, but on the field. Cabrera won the Gold Glove in 2007, making him a 2-time winner of this honor.

Fantasy Analysis:

Entering the final year of a contract, Cabrera will have some extra motivation to excel in 2008. His numbers across the board were very good, but his SLUG% of .397 and lack of power 8 home runs in 638 at-bats did not hurt his value as a fantasy player. He did manage to steal 20 bases in 2007, but look for that number to drop in 2008. Chicago’s philosophy is getting men on and waiting for the long ball; where as in L.A. it was small ball. Look for Cabrera’s numbers to drop across the board. If fortunate last year to draft Cabrera, do not expect the same year from the veteran. He far exceeded expectations and will be the player he was the previous years in 2008. At 34, he is entering the post-prime of his career and look to draft Cabrera in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts.

OF, 1B Nick Swisher:

Last year was supposed to be his breakout year, yet it never came. Can 2008 be Nick Swisher’s breakout year? Well, for one, he is moving to a hitter’s park and secondly, he will have better protection in the lineup. It all adds up to a good year for Swisher.

Fantasy Analysis:

Looking back at 2007, Swisher did not live up to the hype. He only had 22 home runs and drove in only 78 RBI’s. Looking back two years ago in 2006, he had 35 home runs and 93 RBI’s. Draft Swisher for his power, OBP and eligibility. Look for Swisher in Chicago to hit over 30 home runs and drive in over 100 runs. As a full-time starter the last three seasons, Swisher’s OBP has risen each year. He had a career high .381 OBP in 2007. He can either play 1B or the OF in all fantasy formats, which makes him a valuable player for any roster. A definite sleeper for 2008, do not let him go beyond the six round of any draft. In mixed-formats he is a number 2 outfielder with the potential to become a number 1. As a 1B, he is a solid number 2.

Detroit Tigers

Miguel Cabrera:

He was the most valuable piece in the biggest trade in the off-season. One of the most talented young players in the game, Cabrera will now be one of the youngest players on his new team. He should have an outstanding year in Detroit.

Fantasy Analysis:

He is among the best players in the game, Cabrera should explode in 2008. He should be drafted among the first 20-picks in all fantasy drafts. 3B is a very deep position, but with the protection in the lineup, Cabrera could easily post career highs in every offensive category. Look for him to become in 2009 a top 10-pick because of his numbers in 2008.

SP Dontrelle Willis:

He had career highs in ERA and losses. He posted career worst numbers in: earn runs, runs allowed, hits allowed and home runs allowed. He finished 2007 with a record of 10-15 with a 5.17 ERA. As bad as last year was in Florida, he will now switches leagues and enters a rotation without the pressure of being the number 1 starter.

Fantasy Analysis:

Look at last year as a lost season for Willis. At only 26, he should bounce back this year and have an excellent year. With the team around him, he should easily have over 17 wins this season. Look for him to have an ERA under 4.00 and be able to pitch over 200 innings. He should be a top 30-pick as a starter pitcher because of the opportunity he has in Detroit because of the capability of the offense scoring over 6 runs per game.

SS Edgar Renteria:

Coming over to the American League is not a strange occurrence for Renteria. Signing a contract with Boston in 2005, Renteria had a difficult time adjusting to the A.L. How will he do in his second chance in the American League?

Fantasy Analysis:

Fantasy owners should be wary about this deal. In 2005, Renteria had a career low in home runs (8) and struggled on the field. His numbers should dip even more this year in Detroit because he will be batting 7^th in a deep lineup. He will not have the opportunity to drive in many runs. Having a lineup that includes Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez Carlos Guillen and Gary Sheffield will not allow Renteria many opportunities to drive in runs. While with Boston in 2005, he hit .276 his lowest average since 1999. Look for him at the end of the year to be outside of the top 10 for shortstops. Do not make the mistake and draft Renteria as the player he was in Atlanta.

Minnesota Twins

OF Delmon Young:

The Minor League Player of the Year in 2005 will now escape the horrible franchise in Tampa Bay. He had a very good year last year as a full-time starter at the big league level at only 22 years of age. The best years are ahead of him and Young should be even better in 2008.

Fantasy Analysis:

Last year in Tampa Bay he had 13 home runs with 93 RBI’s. He hit .288 and had 186 hits. He needs to be more patient at the plate (last year he only had 26 in 645 at-bats) and improve his poor OBP of .316. Despite those numbers, Young is easily among the top 25 prospects in a deep outfield class. Hitting behind Cuddyer, Mauer and Morneau will make Young a great find this year in fantasy baseball. Look for him to post career highs in every offensive category.

2B, SS Brendan Harris:

He had a surprising year last year with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He is a versatile player in fantasy formats. He is eligible at two positions, but must battle for the second base job in Minnesota.

Fantasy Analysis:

He is on track to beat out the incumbent starter Nick Punto, but do not expect a great year for Harris. Before the All-Star break, Harris hit .310 and had 8 home runs with 39 RBI’s. After the break, he hit a mediocre .256 with only 4 home runs and 20 RBI’s. After June he did not hit a home run until September and only had 25 RBI’s in the final three months combined. Look for him in AL-only leagues towards the late rounds.

Kansas City Royals

OF Jose Guillen:

He will be serving a 15-day suspension for violating baseball’s drug policy, which translates to only 12 games. He received a very generous offer from the Royals (3 years $36 million) in the off-season and will look to have another good year.

Fantasy Analysis:

Entering his 12th professional season in the Major Leagues, Guillen will be playing for his 9^th team. The talented, yet disgruntled outfielder will try to make the same splash in Kansas City as he did one year ago in Seattle. A stud or bust the last two seasons, he should see his numbers drop from a year ago, but not as much as one may think. Last year, he had 23 home runs with 99 RBI’s. He hit a respectable .290, while slugging .460 and had an impressive .353 OBP. In 76 games away from Safeco Park, Guillen had 11 home runs and 52 RBI’s, while batting .303. Consider him a good power bat in the latter rounds on Draft Day.

Questions or Comments send them to jca112@yahoo.com. In the weeks to come I will have similar articles that I had last year. Also, look for my Start/Sit column each week for the entire season.