2007 Positional Rankings: Shortstop

Rank	Player	Team
1	Jose Reyes	NYM
2	Miguel Tejada	BAL
3	Derek Jeter	NYY
4	Jimmy Rollins	PHI
5	Michael Young	TEX
6	Rafael Furcal	LAD
7	Hanley Ramirez	FLA
8	Carlos Guillen	DET
9	Edgar Renteria	ATL
10	Felipe Lopez	WAS
11	Julio Lugo	BOS
12	Orlando Cabrera	LAA
13	Omar Vizquel	SF
14	Stephen Drew	ARI
15	Khalil Greene	SD
16	Troy Tulowitzki	COL
17	Jhonny Peralta	CLE
18	Jason Bartlett	MIN
19	David Eckstein	STL
20	Juan Uribe	CHW
21	Bobby Crosby	OAK
22	Alex Gonzalez	CIN
23	Yuniesky Betancourt	SEA
24	Angel Berroa	KC
25	J.J. Hardy	MIL
26	Jack Wilson	PIT
27	Adam Everett	HOU
28	Cesar Izturis	CHC
29	Cristian Guzman	WSH
30	Ben Zobrist	TB

Santana: The Earlier the Better

Johan Santana told the Twins through ESPNdeportes either sign me now, or I'm gone: "If Minnesota wants to keep me, the earlier the better for a contract negotiation. The closer I get to free agency the more difficult it will be." Santana won his second AL Cy Young award in three years in 2006 going 19-6 with a 2.77 ERA. "I'm happy the way things have gone in Minnesota and I'd like to stay here for a long time, but if I do opt for free agency, my agent will be the one in charge of the next contract," said Santana. "I'm not really concerned with the specifics of what we'd ask for right now, because I've still got two years left with the Twins … but after that, whatever has to happen will happen."

2007 Positional Rankings: Third Basemen

	Rank	Player	Team
	1	Alex Rodriguez	NYY
	2	Miguel Cabrera	FLA
	3	David Wright	NYM
	4	Aramis Ramirez	CHC
	5	Garrett Atkins	COL
	6	Chone Figgins	LAA
	7	Ryan Zimmerman	WAS
	8	Chipper Jones	ATL
	9	Scott Rolen	STL
	10	Freddy Sanchez	PIT
	11	Hank Blalock	TEX
	12	Troy Glaus	TOR
	13	Melvin Mora	BAL
	14	Mike Lowell	BOS
	15	Joe Crede	CHW
	16	Eric Chavez	OAK
	17	Mark Teahen	KC
	18	Adrian Beltre	SEA
	19	Morgan Ensberg	HOU
	20	Wes Helms	PHI
	21	Brandon Inge	DET
	22	Edwin Encarnacion	CIN
	23	Chad Tracy	ARI
	24	Pedro Feliz	SF
	25	Akinori Iwamura	TB
	26	Andy Marte	CLE
	27	Wilson Betemit	LAD
	28	Cory Koskie	MIL
	29	Kevin Kouzmanoff	SD
30		Nick Punto	MIN

Grudzielanek Out Indefinetly

The Royals announced today that Mark Grudzielanek will have knee surgery Monday, and there is no timetable for the injury. He will return to Spring Training the following week for rehabilitation. Grudzielanek, 36, hit .297 with 7 HR and 52 RBI. He also one his first Gold Glove. Esteban German will take over in the mean time.

Top Trade Canidates

Spring Training is the time when general managers meet with contract year players to discuss long term deals to avoid problems in the upcoming off season which could potentially effect their chances of signing other players. However, after an off season like we just had, you cannot avoid the possibility that big name players will come up in trade rumors so their team can unload them to avoid forking over too much cash. With players like Gil Meche getting 55 million dollars a year, a player like Jake Westbrook can't help but be the subject of trade talks. The Indians are also faced with potential problems with C.C. Sabathia and Travis Hafner, both who have their best years ahead of them. Todd Helton, who has declined as of late, is the subject of trade talks with Boston. He met with Rockies owner Charlie Monfort and that could suggest that a trade is in the works. Mike Sweeney, who is finally reaching his contract year, could also be traded. However, I don't think too many teams would take on his 11 million that he is owed this season. Although Jacque Jones had a great year last year and is not in a contract year, he is the subject of some trade rumors. Mostly because of top prospect Felix Pie is just a year away is showing great potential. Ichiro Suzuki, who is entering his final year with the Mariners, will probably be traded in the middle of the season because of his known desire to test the market. And after Jermaine Dye turned his career around in Chicago setting career highs in home runs and RBI's in his stay. Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano and the Cubs are supposedly working on a deal but nothing has been reported. It is likely that if a deal is not reached, Zambrano will test the market, unless the Cubs can pull of a World Series, who Zambrano is predicting. If the Cubs cannot finalize a deal with Carlos Zambrano before the season, it is unlikely to see him get traded because of he is the most dominant pitcher for the Cubs right now and has been the most dominant in recent memory. For the rest of the 2007 free agent class and all other possible trade candidates, check out Cot's Baseball Contracts.

2007 Positional Rankings: Second Basemen

Rank	Player	Team
1	Chase Utley	PHI
2	Robinson Cano	NYY
3	Dan Uggla	FLA
4	Brian Roberts	BAL
5	Ray Durham	SF
6	Tadahito Iguchi	CHW
7	Jeff Kent	LAD
8	Josh Barfield	CLE
9	Ian Kinsler	TEX
10	Rickie Weeks	MIL
11	Brandon Phillips	CIN
12	Marcus Giles	SD
13	Mark DeRosa	CHC
14	Jorge Cantu	TB
15	Placido Polanco	DET
16	Craig Biggio	HOU
17	Luis Castillo	MIN
18	Orlando Hudson	ARI
19	Felipe Lopez	WSH
20	Jose Lopez	SEA
21	Howie Kendrick	LAA
22	Mark Grudzielanek	KC
23	Jose Castillo	PIT
24	Aaron Hill	TOR
25	Adam Kennedy	STL
26	Mark Ellis	OAK
27	Dustin Pedroia	BOS
28	Jamey Carroll	COL
29	Jose Valentin	NYM
30	Kelly Johnson	ATL

2007 Positional Rankings: First Basemen

Rank	Player	Team
1	Albert Pujols	STL
2	Ryan Howard	PHI
3	Justin Morneau	MIN
4	Mark Teixeira	TEX
5	Lance Berkman	HOU
6	Derrek Lee	CHC
7	Prince Fielder	MIL
8	Paul Konerko	CHW
9	Jason Giambi	NYY
10	Carlos Delgado	NYM
11	Todd Helton	BOS
12	Adam LaRoche	PIT
13	Nomar Garciaparra	LAD
14	Kevin Youkils	BOS
15	Nick Swisher	OAK
16	Adrian Gonzalez	SD
17	Richie Sexon	SEA
18	Conor Jackson	ARI
19	Nick Johnson	WAS
20	Lyle Overbay	TOR
21	Mike Jacobs	FLA
22	Ryan Shealy	KC
23	Shea Hillenbrand	LAA
24	Sean Casey	DET
25	Ty Wigginton	TB
26	Rich Aurilia	SF
27	Scott Hatteberg	CIN
28	Kevin Millar	BAL
29	Dan Johnson	OAK
30	Scott Thorman	ATL

The Devil Rays Future

For players like Carlos Zambrano and Andruw Jones, its great to see players like Barry Zito or Vernon Wells getting eighteen million dollars a year for a seven years. However, for a team like the Devil Rays, it makes it almost impossible to snag a player that is one of the best in baseball, and still improving. They must focus on acquiring cheap veteran players that might have one good year left, trading for prospects in hope they turn into something great, or establishing their top prospects into ball players. Last year, they brought in veteran Ty Wigginton who turned out a good year for the Devil Rays, but was unable to lead the team out of last place for the second straight year. They posted the highest bid for third basemen Akinori Iwamura and they hope his numbers from Japan can carry over like they did for Hideki Matsui or Ichiro. They groomed Rocco Baldelli and Carl Crawford into potenial All-Stars but still lack good pitching which might be the only thing holding this team back. With Delmon Young taking over the reigns in right field and Elijah Dukes waiting in the wings, it is possible Rocco Baldelli or Carl Crawford might be on their way out to acquire pitching. It would also avoid going through a lanky negotiation process leading to a long term deal for a preposterous amount of money. They brought in Scott Kazmir a couple years back in hopes that he would turn into a great pitcher. Yes he has had back to back double digit wins (10), but when you are backing a rotation, you would hope that would turn into something more. But he is still young so there is still a lot of hope he can turn into something. They are doing the same thing with once Cubs prospect Jae Kuk Ryu, who is starting today. It is possible I am over exaggerating their possibility of becoming a contender in the AL East; however, it is possible that within a few years, that they could give teams like the Yankees or Red Sox a challenge to add wins to the win column.

2007 Positional Rankings: Catchers

Rank	Player	Team
1	Joe Mauer	MIN
2	Victor Martinez	CLE
3	Michael Barrett	CHC
4	Brian McCann	ATL
5	Kenji Johjima	SEA
6	Jorge Posada	NYY
7	Ramon Hernandez	BAL
8	A.J. Pierzynski	CHW
9	Ivan Rodriguez	DET
10	Jason Varitek	BOS
11	Johnny Estrada	MIL
12	Russell Martin	LOS
13	Paul Lo Duca	NYM
14	Bengie Molina	SF
15	Javy Lopez	COL
16	Josh Bard	SD
17	Ronny Paulino	PIT
18	Jason Kendall	OAK
19	Miguel Olivo	FLA
20	Gregg Zaun	TOR
21	David Ross	CIN
22	Rod Barajas	PHI
23	Gerald Laird	TEX
24	Mike Napoli	LAA
25	Brian Schneider	WSH
26	John Buck	KC
27	Brad Ausmus	HOU
28	Dioner Navarro	TB
29	Chris Snyder	ARI
30	Yadier Molina	STL

Spring Training Day 15

Transactions
- Phillies sign Ryan Howard
- Michael Young signs extension with Rangers

Controversies
- Hairston Jr. used steroids?

Injuries
- Isringhausen out til Monday (hip)
- Eckstein status uncertain'

Rumors
- A-Rod to Cubs?

Game Highlights
TOR defeats BOS
PHI defeats CLE
DET defeats HOU
BAL defeats FLA
NYY defeats TB
NYM defeats STL
ATL defeats PIT
LAD defeats WSH
CIN defeats MIN
BOS defeats Boston College
LAA defeats CHC
ARI defeats CWS
OAK defeats MIL
MIL defeats SF
SD defeats SEA
KC defeats TEX

Highlights from Spring Training

Phils Give Howard 900 K

One of the biggest bargains for a player coming off an MVP year ever, the Phillies announced today that they reached a one year agreement with Phillies first baseman and MVP Ryan Howard. Howard said he was upset about not reaching a long term agreement, but it won't effect him. "It's a little frustrating and a little disappointing that we didn't get it done, but that's the business aspect," he said. "Now you use it as a starting point. It's over. Now you go out and play." Howard, who hit .313 with 58 home runs and 149 RBIs last season, is now the highest payed player who has endured under two years or service, beating Kerry Wood's old record for a 690 K.

Spring Training Day 14

Transactions
- No transactions to report

Controversies
- Barry Bonds receiving death threats
- Rockies won't hesitate to send Barmes back to Triple A





Injuries
- White Sox Jenks hurt (shoulder)
- Cubs Wuertz hurt (shoulder)
- Gabe Gross hurts calf
- Cubs Floyd out for week (foot recovery)
- Reed Johnson out (back)
- Kielty out for six weeks (knee)
- Mike Hampton out (shoulder)

Rumors
- Giants near extension with Cain
- Rangers near extension with Young
- Cardinals interested in Clemens

Game Highlights
STL defeats FLA 6-3
(STL) Pujols 0-3
(STL) Ankiel 2-2 2 RBI
DET defeats NYM 5-4
(DET) Raburn 1-3 HR (2)
(NYM) Delgado 1-2

MIN ties BOS 4-4
(BOS) Murphy 2-3
(MIN) White 2-3 1 RBI
(MIN) Mauer 1-3 3-run HR

COL defeats CHW 12-4
(CWS) Crede 2-2
(COL) Ja. Lopez 2-3 2 RBI
(COL) Hawpe 3-3 2 RBI
(COL) Holliday 2-3 2 RBI HR

PIT defeats Manatee C.C.
(PIT) Herrera 2.0 IP, 0 H, O R

ATL defeats Georgia Tech 5-0
(ATL) Langerhans HR
PHI defeats Florida State University
(PHI) Utley, Dobbs HR

Highlights from Spring Training