David Schoenfield

  (1:01 PM)

I just want to let everyone know that my ankle is NOT in a boot right now and I'm able to conduct today's chat.

Marty (Fairfield, CT)

Hi David. Are the Rays keeping up with the big boys in the AL East? Their offense was anemic last year, and it doesnt look like they've done anything to add power this offseason.PS Was that the best tennis match you've ever seen or what?!

David Schoenfield

  (1:04 PM)

They added Carlos Pena and Luke Scott. Risky guys, but could pay off big. And would you believe Rays were eighth in AL in runs? Not great, but if they can find 50-60 additional runs they'll be that much tougher with their pitching and defense. And, yes, I think that may have been the best match ever. Quality of tennis after FIVE hours was incredible. Djokovic looked dead. How did he pull it? Amazing stuff.

Ziggy (NYC)

Chris Carpenter in 2012... How much is left in the tank, and what kind of numbers can he put up without having Pujols' bat powering him along the way?

David Schoenfield

  (1:06 PM)

He pitched 237 innings in the regular season and 36 more high-stress innings in the playoffs. It will be interesting to see. But he is a "warrior" (no, I don't like the term either) and his strikeout rate was still solid last season (7.2). I think it would make sense for Matheny NOT to push him quite so hard in the regular season. But otherwise, I think he'll still be a quality pitcher.

kenny(lbc) [via mobile]

What's dee gordons upside? Juan Pierre in his prime?

David Schoenfield

  (1:07 PM)

You know ... that's actually a pretty good comparison. Although as a shorstop that will make Gordon a much more valuable player than Pierre ever was.

Ricky (Miami)

Please rank in order you'd pick: Nova, Luebke, Holland, or Minor?

David Schoenfield

  (1:09 PM)

Holland, Luebke, Nova, Minor. Now if we're talking fantasy, Nova may get the edge due to wins. But in real baseball I go Holland barely over Luebke, if only because he's proven he can handle a 200-inning workload.

Justin (MD)

If the Nationals move Werth to CF, their lineup would have Werth, Zimmerman, Morse, Harper, and LaRoche. That's a good lineup if you ask me.

David Schoenfield

  (1:10 PM)

I agree. Davey Johnson has said he thinks Werth is a decent enough center fielder. Johnson also has a history of choosing the bat over the glove, and he LOVES Harper, so I think it's entirely possible the Nats break camp with Harper and Werth in the outfield alongside Morse.

Trey (Washington, D.C.)

How will Brad Lidge do as the setup man in DC? Also is the Nationals Big 3 (Strasburg, Gonzalez, Zimmermann) the best young group of starters on a team?

David Schoenfield

  (1:14 PM)

You're asking me to predict what Brad Lidge will do? Impossible! His fastball was way down last year upon his return (89 mph). His numbers though were very good in a small sample size. Could be a good sleeper pickup, and with Storen and Clippard around, there isn't pressure for him to be the main guy down there. Best young starters? Hmm ... Price, Moore and Hellickson are still young. Darvish is younger than Gonzalez, so how about Darvish, Holland, Feliz, Harrison?

Brian (Indy)

With all this talk about Cabrera playing third and his less than average defense, non-Tiger fans forget how awful at the plate Inge is. Taking his bat out of the lineup will be a bigger positive and the amount of errors Cabrera makes. Agree/disagree?

David Schoenfield

  (1:19 PM)

Well, what we're really talking about is the difference between whoever gets the DH at-bats and Inge's bat, versus the difference between Cabrera's glove and Inge's glove. If Cabrera is minus-20 runs on defense versus Inge being average (he's not as good as he once was), that means the DH dudes have to produce 20 or more runs to make it worth it. Which should certainly be possible considering how terrible Inge was in 2011. I haven't done the math, but if you're talking Delmon Young/Ryan Raburn, maybe the difference is 30 runs? So the net difference would be 10 runs ... or one win.

David Schoenfield

  (1:19 PM)

Now, you can slide the math. Maybe Cabrera will be only -10 runs on defense and the DH dudes will be plus 40 runs. Then you're talking a net of 30 runs or three wins.

Turner (Boise, ID)

Ichiro is in the last year of his deal. How do you think this plays out for him? The M's are going to be caught in a tough spot with one of the great icon's of the game it seems.

David Schoenfield

  (1:22 PM)

This will be one of the toughest decision this upcoming offseason. Basically, the way Ichiro played in 2011 makes him a replacement-level player -- no power, no OBP, even his defense slipped. You can't pay $17 million for that, no matter the iconic status. But there will undoubtedly be pressure from the club's Japanese owners to keep Ichiro around. In the end, I predict Ichiro bounces back and hits around .300 and the team ends up signing him to a two-year deal at $10 million or so. That would bring him close to getting his 3,000 hit with the Mariners.

Darren (Lowell Ma)

Hi David, Kyle Seager is being discussed as the Mariners opening day 3B. His minor league stats look like he could hit, with a little pop and enough speed to not be a slug on the bases. His fielding doesn't seem horrible. So why have I never heard of him and why can't I find him on any list of Seattle's top prospects?

David Schoenfield

  (1:25 PM)

He played too much last season to still qualify as a prospect. He's a good player, profiles better as a second baseman but he's blocked there by Ackley. I like him quite a bit: .314 career hitter in the minors, gap-type power, good idea of the strike zone. Good player, although not really star potential. I think he's better than Alex Liddi, who has a lot more power, but big strikeout issues. Liddi should return to Triple-A.

Patrick (Chicago)

Or Cabrera could be -30 runs compared to Inge and Young/Raburn could be only +10 runs at DH v. Inge, leaving you at 2 wins worse.

David Schoenfield

  (1:26 PM)

I won't disagree with that. In the end, I still think Cabrera ends up DHing 50 games or so. Maybe Inge plays third against left-handers or when Porcello pitches. Now, if the team still had Victor Martinez to DH, that's a different matter. But when the option is Delmon Young, the net gain isn't going to be as large as Tigers fans may believe.

Just Asking (chicago)

I see Corey Patterson got a minor league deal from the Brewers. Why is it that he keeps getting chances when he's proven he can't hit, and a guy like Matt Murton outplays him but gets shuttled to Japan? Does his atheticism just keep fooling people into thinking he's a ballplayer?

David Schoenfield

  (1:28 PM)

Big difference is Patterson plays a pretty good center field and Murton is a corner guy. I'm not disagreeing with you, but Patterson gets work as center-field insurance policy and there just isn't a high demand for corner guys without big power.

David Schoenfield

  (1:29 PM)

And Murton's numbers in Japan aren't really all that great ... .311/.339/.423 in 2011.

Joe Maddon (Tampa)

Am I the best manager in baseball?

David Schoenfield

  (1:29 PM)

You would be the guy I'd hire if I won the lottery tomorrow and bought the Mariners.

Kenny Williams (Chicago)

IF Dunn can hit, IF Rios can play like 2010, IF Morel's September isn't a fluke, IF Beckam can tap into his talent, IF Phil Humber can build on last year's first half and IF we have a closer, the White Sox could challenge the Tigers, right?

David Schoenfield

  (1:31 PM)

You forgot a few others ... IF Viciedo can hit with power AND play right field ... IF Chris Sale can transition to the rotation ... IF Matt Thornton or Addison Reed can close ...

Jason (St Louis)

How exactly does Jim Tracy still have a job? He's terrible.

Kent (NYC)

Carl Crawford is starting the year on the DL.... If he doesn't come back with production, wouldn't this be one of the worst signings in history?

David Schoenfield

  (1:31 PM)

Kind of scary to think he'll be making $21 million in 2017, isn't it?

jeff (NY, NY)

I think that the Rangers staff really benefits from playing in the AL West where they didn't have to face the only good offense in the division. You really think that you would rather have a rotation with 2 pitchers who have never started a ML game over the rays 3?

David Schoenfield

  (1:33 PM)

I was just listing other young rotations. And I'm not sure if you're talking entire rotations are just "young" rotations. And Matt Moore has started ... two major league games. Why is that a strike against Yu Darvish but not Moore?

Brett (Colorado)

I find the outcry from fans and analysts about large contracts absurd. Isn't the owner's opinion the only thing that really matters when a team offers a large contract? It seems people forget owner's are big business CEO's with a focus on profit. I imagine if an owner offers a large contract, he is speculating the return on the player will outweigh cost. In addition to people paying to see him play, how much money can David Montgomery expect to make on Ryan Howard merchandise sales. Common sense says a smart businessman, even a baseball owner, only makes an investment he can likely expect a return on. Am I completely wrong here?

David Schoenfield

  (1:36 PM)

I'm not sure if the analysis is absurb, but your point isn't necessarily off base. But take the Phillies: What if they hadn't signed Ryan Howard? That would give them more money to lock up Cole Hamels or maybe they could have gone after the younger, better Prince Fielder this year, for example. I think when people talk about the large contracts it's mostly in terms of: Is that the best to spend the money?

Tim (NY)

Will Jay Bruce take another step forward this season and bring Votto/Bruce into top 5 in 3/4 hitter combos??

David Schoenfield

  (1:38 PM)

I've been meaning to write something about Jay Bruce. He'll be 25 in April, but he does have over 2,000 PAs now in his career. I looked at this last year and we sometimes assume players who are good at 21/22/23 will take a big leap as they enter their peak years. But this doesn't always happen. I fear that may be the case for Bruce. Not that he can't have a career season in there somewhere.

Jason (St Louis)

Matt Moore costs 100 mil less than Darvish. I know that has nothing to do with the argument, just wanted to note that.

David Schoenfield

  (1:41 PM)

Right, I wasn't considering money. What Darvish has done in Japan is just as impressive (if not more so) than what Moore has done in the minors. I'm not knocking Moore, but I got a lot of comments from Rays fans about "Darvish hasn't pitched in the majors yet!" It's just a little ridiculous to knock Darvish for that and not knock Moore for the same thing.

We Never Learn (Valhalla)

Every off-season we all crown a few teams, and lambast others, and time and time again one of the teams we crown fails and one of the lambasted rise to playoff contenders. Why is baseball so hard to predict?

David Schoenfield

  (1:42 PM)

It's funny ... we know more about the game than ever before, how to project players, what the numbers means, and make smarter predictions. And yet it IS hard to predict. That's just one of many reasons we love the game. We know everything ... and yet we don't. And thank goodness for that.

Jake (OH)

So Votto is going to get about $27-30 million a year when he hits free agency. Yeah?

David Schoenfield

  (1:44 PM)

Crap, that reminds me ... I was going to do a Votto post. I'm not sure he'll get that much: Prince got $24 million a year, but Votto will be two years older when he hits free agency. So I think he'd get something similar, or if the Tigers' deal was WAY above the other offers (definitely possible), probably a similar per-annual average but fewer years.

Hey Kenny (Wake Up)

IF should be a four letter word.

Loghan (NYC)

what are your projections for youngsters like Homser and Lawrie? Is Arod finished or will he boune back?

David Schoenfield

  (1:47 PM)

Love Lawrie. I think he's going to be a beast. And maybe this year. I could see .285, 25-30 HRs, .500 slugging this year. Hosmer: No reason to think he can't mature into an MVP candidate in a few years. Not saying that will happen, but the tools are there and he's so young. A-Rod: Not done, but certainly not an elite player anymore. Wonder if the Yankees need to DH him 40-50 games. I'll predict something like 2010: .275, 30 HRs.

Barry Zito (SF)

Why absolutely Carl Crawford is the worst free agent signing in history. Yep, couldn't agree more. Just awful. No one else even worthy of consideration.

David Schoenfield

  (1:48 PM)

And you still have a World Series ring! (Well, sort of.)

Ken (Spokane)

Brett (Colorado) -The problem isn't that the Phillies spent so much on Howard, but that they spent so much more than they needed to.

Patrick (Chicago)

Do you think there will ever be a manager to think totally outside the box to construct a pitching staff. Something like 2 aces who get 40 starts and pitch approx 250 innings, 3-4 quasi-starters who pitch 3-4 innings to cover the first 7 innings in the other 82 games, and a bunch of specialists and closers for the back end of games. Goal would be to skip the quasi-guys in favor of aces when days off allowed and to limit the lesser starters' times through the lineup to 1-2 so the opposing hitters don't adjust as easily.

David Schoenfield

  (1:51 PM)

Good question. I know a lot of sabermetric analysts would agree with a proposal like this. I do think there are starters out there who could be pushed a little harder, those guys who have proven they can stay healthy and handle a larger workload (Halladay, Sabathia, etc.) But no manager wants to be the guy who does that and have your $100 million pitcher hurt his shoulder. Anyway, worth going into this more in a deeper discussion instead of a chat.

Dan (Washington, DC)

IN follow up the Best Young Rotation question -- are you taking Darvish over Strasburg?

David Schoenfield

  (1:52 PM)

Let me throw this out to everyone. Who would you take: Darvish, Strasburg or Matt Moore?

Mike (Mission Viejo, Ca)

So we know the Dodgers are going to have Yankess type money shortly. What are the chances fo the following soon to be free agents ending up in LA?: Hamilton, Napoli, Hamels, Cain, Votto?

David Schoenfield

  (1:53 PM)

I think the Giants end up signing Cain, but Hamels (San Diego kid) and Votto (two more years of James Loney?!?!) would seem perfect fits for Dodger blue, no?

Oakley (Largo,FL)

If you did win the lottery and bought the Mariners, who would be you pitching coach. Or your GM?

David Schoenfield

  (1:55 PM)

You have to appreciate what Mike Maddux has done in Texas, constructing a good staff in a difficult place to pitch. GM: Hard to single anybody out these days, so many smart guys who know what they're doing. Certainly you have to respect Andrew Freidman in Tampa with two division titles and three playoff appearances the past four years in a tough division and limited payroll against baseball's big boys. And there's no immediate sign of decay coming to their win totals in upcoming seasons.

Tyler (Seattle)

Matt Moore

Kevin (Orlando)

I would take Matt Moore....hands down!!!

Dale (KY)

Strasburg, Moore, Darvish in that order.

Ken (Spokane)

I'll take Strasburg. Darvish and Moore are too unproven, and Strasburg has already had his injury.Not that I wouldn't be happy with any of the 3, money issues aside.

Jason (St Louis)

I'll take Strasburg. Seems like more of a proven commodity, out of that group at least.

BassmanUW (Chicago)

Matt Moore. Darvish is already expensive and you never know how Japanese pitchers will deal with the MLB workload. Strasburg has already had injury problems. Combination of service time, cost, less injury issues and being left handed make me favor Moore.

David Schoenfield

  (1:57 PM)

I should have said not to factor in money. Obviously, that probably makes Darvish third on this list with Moore making the league minimum.

Neil ((DC) )

Strasburg, and then Darvish/Moore on a level below. I'll bet on a recovery from TJ over slim to zero experience facing MLB hitters.

David Schoenfield

  (1:58 PM)

I know it was only five starts and limited innings, but Strasburg did look pretty awesome in his return at the end of 2011 (24 K's, 2 BB). I think I'd list him No. 1 as well.

Brett (Colorado)

Ken (Spokande) - Ryan Howard was just an example. And who's to say they paid too much? Only the outsider with limited information on the team's financials. I would say the same thing about Pujols, Fielder, Darvish, even Helton. It's all about profit and loss.

Patrick (Chicago)

Matt Moore. Talent across the board is roughly equal, but Strasburg has been injured and Darvish has more miles on his arm. Thus, Moore has the least risk.

Matt (DC)

Strasburg's has the best pure stuff, IMO; and I now how competitive he is... Stras, baby!

James (San Antonio)

I'd take Darvish. I know everyone is down on him, but what he has done in Japan is indeed impressive (his WORST year better than Dice-K's best). He is built a lot differently than other Japanese pitchers, and he also appears to be more aggressive whereas Dice-K is a serial nibbler. Just my 2 cents =)

Loghan (NYC)

Strasburg..bigger name, bigger draw

Dale (KY)

Strasburg is going to be the best pitcher in baseball very shortly.....probably for the next 8 - 10 years.

Mike (Brooklyn)

Moore. Kid can flat-out pitch, and since pitchers are always a crapshoot, might as well go with the freshest one.

young pitchers (ranking)

for just this year: Darvish, Strasburg, Moorefor five years: Strasburg, Moore, Darvish

Travis (Boston)

I'm taking Kershaw over any of those three. Without hesitation.

David Schoenfield

  (2:01 PM)

I think Kershaw is in a different category: ie, he's already awesome. (Though, yes, still young.)

jeff (NY, NY)

I may have underestimated the Rangers staff - but if you look at the difference in WAR between Baseball Reference and Fan Graphs its pretty remarkable for both the Rays and Rangers staffs

David Schoenfield

  (2:04 PM)

FanGraphs WAR for starting pitchers in 2011: Rangers 19.8, Rays 13.8. Important to factor in that Tampa plays in a pitcher's park and by the defensive metric FanGraphs uses had the second-best defense in the majors in 2011. Rays fans killed me for ranking Texas' rotation better, but if he put them all in a neutral environment, I still give a slight edge to Texas. And that's not meant to criticize the Rays' rotation which, yes, could be better this year with Moore. But remember Davis and Niemann were nothing special last year and Shields is one year removed from a 5.18 ERA.

Kent (NYC)

Tell Patrick (chicago), from management perspective it may be a good idea, but financially it won't. Starters want to get paid the big bucks. Also, from roster standpoint it would mean you have to carry more pitchers in case of injury. No one will do that and sacrifice their batters...

Oden (Motown)

Re: Cabrera at 3rd. First, Prince will get at least one DH day a week to help keep him fresh (that's how Leyland will sell it), giving Cabrera at least 30 starts at first. Add to that the at least 50 starts Miguel will get at DH, and I'd be shocked if Cabrera plays more than 60 games at third. Now, 2013 when Martinez is back may be a different story, but it isn't likely Cabrera starts 100+ games at third this year. It isn't nearly the big deal everyone is making it out to be-although i'd hate to be the Tigers starter any days the IF is Cabrera, Peralta, Raburn, Fielder around the horn.

David Schoenfield

  (2:07 PM)

I guess the only question would be if Leyland thinks it's better just to stick Cabrera at third and live with it -- maybe moving him back and forth between third/first will end up hurting him. Remember, Leyland won a World Series with 34-year-old Bobby Bonilla playing third base every day.

BassmanUW (Chicago)

In regards to Patrick's out of the box pitching staff: that's putting a ton of faith in an ability for the 2 aces to stay healthy. If one of them goes down for any extended period of time, you're in a lot of trouble.

Dale (KY)

Ok, lets play a little what if? Lets say Cubs re-sign Garza, Stewart finally starts tapping his potential, Rizzo has a solid year, and so does Brett Jackson. Going into next year, if the Cubs take some of that money (Dempsters, Zambranos, Byrds) and sign Hamels and Cain or Greinke, can they contend?

David Schoenfield

  (2:09 PM)

Well, sure, I'd say a rotation of Hamels, Cain and Garza would make you a contender in the NL Central. :-)

Bennett (Chand Town)

I agree with Oden, but now you're looking at 80+ games with someone else at 3B, possibly limiting the gains on the offensive side.

Paul (Cleveland)

Did the Indiand get a steal in Canzler?

David Schoenfield

  (2:09 PM)

I just wrote a short post on this. I'm not sure he's a steal, but I think he can play and he's likely better than Matt LaPorta. Nice little pickup.

Drew (Mpls)

Brett, you're missing the point. They signed Howard to this contract 2 years before it was necessary. So they didn't really have any idea WHO they were signing. Turns out they signed an offensively declining, defensive albatross. They could've spent the money more wisely. Yes, we can't see their balance sheet but as fans, it's about Wins. So could the money have been put to better use in order to create wins. I think the answer is undoubtedly yes.

Matt (DC)

Not only would I take Stras over the other two...I'd take Jordan Zimmermann over Darvish (but not Moore).

David Schoenfield

  (2:10 PM)

I think Matt is a little down on Darvish ...

Dale (KY)

Wade Davis is at that magic 26 years old. Is his stuff still great, or has it regressed enough that he won't ever be the top tier guy that was imagined by Peter Gammons a few years ago, or does he just have to put it together like Shields did this year?

David Schoenfield

  (2:13 PM)

He's just not a big swing-and-miss guy and wasn't in the high minors. I always thought he was a little overhyped as a prospect. His fastball last year averaged 91.4, so it's not like he owns an A fastball anyway.

Kent (NYC)

David - Explain how the Tiger homers can remotely justify Miggy moving to 3B for even 1 game? I wish Klaw saw those comments!

David Schoenfield

  (2:13 PM)

It's the new Moneyball: Score runs, forget defense!

Oden (Motown)

Leyland won with Bonilla at third, but he didn't have the DH to play with either. When Fister/Porcello start, get one of Fielder or Cabrera to DH, and play a better defensive IF (Santiago in at 2nd, too). It isn't rocket science!

Mike (San Diego)

I would say Matt Moore gets extra points because his left-handedness. People love dominant lefty starters.

Kent (NYC)

Yankees hire Hendry? This can be a bad move or a curse if it comes with a goat right?

David Schoenfield

  (2:14 PM)

Yankees fans now have an excuse if things fall apart this season!

David Schoenfield

  (2:15 PM)

This just in: Rob Gronkowski is day to day!

Domes (Lunch Room)

Can we expect Hellickson to continue to progress this year? Also will his Ks go up?

David Schoenfield

  (2:16 PM)

If he wants to come close to a 2.95 ERA he better strike out more than 5.5 batters per nine.

Neil (DC)

If you had to make an AL/NL MVP & CY pick with the caveat being you could not select a previous winner, who you got? I pondered this for a bit and would say Miggy

David Schoenfield

  (2:17 PM)

Yep, gotta guy Miggy for AL MVP. Hmm ... give me one second ...

David Schoenfield

  (2:19 PM)

AL MVP: MiggyAL Cy Young: David PriceNL MVP: Troy Tulowitzki or Justin UptonNL Cy Young: Madison Bumgarner

Patrick (Chicago)

NL = Kemp

Scrapper (Chicago)

I'm a Cubs fan and I see that Hendry just got hired by the Yankees. How does he fit in there? I was glad to see him go. However, I do believe he deserves a spot somewhere in baseball, just not running a team. (and without the power to tell players not to take a walk)

David Schoenfield

  (2:21 PM)

Special assistant to the GM ... that role can vary. Somebody for the GM to bounce trades off. Could be a guy who does some scouting ("We're thinking of trading for this guy, go check him out"). Doesn't really mean he'll have a big say in matters, but he's very well-liked and it never hurts to have another opinion, I guess.

Oden (Motown)

Kent (NYC) this is how we can justify it (from the Sweetspot blog, on the average player at 3rd):Third Base: One of the funny things about the field is that youa??d be hard-pressed to find a truly average regular at third, but the closest might be Casey Blake with the Dodgers (.268 EqA) or Jack Hannahan with the Indians (.263), so leta??s call it a platoon and punt on picking a runner-up.

Brett (Colorado)

Drew (Mpls) - I talked about fans wanting wins and owners wanting profit. It didn't get posted. You don't have to win to make a profit. The Pirates are a great example. In a strict business scenario, wins only matter a little.

Patrick (Pittsburgh)

Scoring points and ignoring defense is working for the Super Bowl participants

Tyler (Seattle)

Come trade deadline what do you see the Mariners doing? They keep preaching this patience build it right foundation talk...yet we've had pitching for years, its the anemic offense that is still light years away...

David Schoenfield

  (2:24 PM)

I'm not sure there's much on the roster that would be of interest to contending teams. Jason Vargas, if he pitches well and team misreads his performance (boosted by Safeco). If Chance Ruffin develops as a reliever that could make Brandon League expendable.

Patrick (Chicago)

Aren't you in a lot of trouble if one of your aces misses extended time with a traditionally arranged pitching staff? And if your ace gets hurt, you could always revert to the traditional 5 starter + pen arrangement then. I think maximizing your aces' IP and minimizing fringe starters' time in any given game increases the effectiveness of the staff. I agree that the back end starters would throw a fit....but don't you think LOOGYs threw fits when Tony LaRussa first decided to use guys to get one guy out?

Mike (San Diego)

AL MVP-Miggy, NL MVP-Stanton, AL Cy-Jered Weaver, NL Cy-Bumgarner

David Schoenfield

  (2:26 PM)

Oh, yeah .. Stanton. I mentioned that when I wrote my NL East position rankings. Maybe a year too early and if the Marlins DO make the playoffs, that probably means Reyes and Ramirez have big years as well and will get a lot of credit.

Marty (Fairfield, CT)

Lots of talk about defensive value at third base. Here's a more abstract question: why are there so few third basemen in the Hall?

David Schoenfield

  (2:27 PM)

In part, because third base is kind of a half-offense, half-defense position. So the best third basemen don't up the numbers of first basemen or corner outfielders, but they don't carry the defensive reputations of Ozzie Smith or Luis Aparicio (Brooks R. being the exception).

Mike (Detroit)

I get all the Tigers D questions.... but they are still the class of the central and going to be in playoff mix. My question do you think Cabrera will get the same, or less, or more Intentional Walks with Fielder as opposed to V-Mart

David Schoenfield

  (2:28 PM)

I think he gets fewer -- he had 22 last year. I think *Prince* may end up with a lot of IWs, however.

Dan (Washington, DC)

I'm with Matt (DC) -- Jordan Zimmermann has already had as much success in the majors as most Japanese pitchers. His next good season, he'll have more success...

Ken (Cleveland)

Couldnt one argue that after 120 years of baseball that anyone in the top 10 of a posoition all time should be a hofer...if I have posada at #8 all time then he is a hofer, no?

David Schoenfield

  (2:30 PM)

Personally, I do agree with that assessment. Top 10 = HOFer. I wrote on Posada last spring and believe I had him around 12 or 13. He's borderline and not sure the writers will ever vote him in, but he's a good Veterans Committee candidate in 2038.

Vladmir Guerrero (HOF)

How long till I can't effectively hit in the majors?

David Schoenfield

  (2:30 PM)

You're still effective?

Oakley (Largo,FL)

If you stumbled across an oil vein and bought Mariners, would Safeco Field still serve Ichirolls?

David Schoenfield

  (2:32 PM)

Sure. Every ballpark should have something that reflects the local cuisine. For instance, if Hartford ever got a team, every concession stand would just serve grinders and pizza.

Loghan (NYC)

AL MVP: CAno; NL MVP: Reyes, AL CY: Weaver; NL CY: Hamels

Kent (NYC)

Last thing on Miggy playing third - read Stark's R&G on what Execs think of it!

Mike (Brooklyn)

No Ted Simmons, no Posada.

Ken (Cleveland)

For the record - aheead of hiim - Berra, Fisk, Carter, Bench, Piazza, Simmons, Irod...

David Schoenfield

  (2:34 PM)

I'd throw in Mickey Cochrane, Bill Dickey, maybe Gabby Hartnett and Campanella (short career).

Chris (Fairview Heights)

When can I expect the NLC Rankings? Kind of left us hanging out there and moved on the AL.

David Schoenfield

  (2:35 PM)

Yes, I'm all over the place. Doing one a week heading into spring training. Held off an NL Central this week since it appeared Oswalt may go to St. Louis.

Robert (Vancouver)

Can I make one point: I'm tired of hearing how people wonder how Darvish will deal with the Texas heat. I know they play a lot of indoor games in Japan, but summer in Japan tends to be very, very hot and humid. Just sayin'.

Todd (Trenton, NJ)

If you needed a DH right now,which free agent would you sign, Damon, Guerrero, Matsui or Ibanez?

David Schoenfield

  (2:36 PM)

I'd go Damon. At least he can play the field if you need him.

Nick (PA)

Do you think Werth can actually play CF for the Nats? I find it hard to believe he can provide average defense there.

David Schoenfield

  (2:38 PM)

He's a good athlete and has played there before. I think for a year or two, he's OK out there. Now ... the better option could be Werth in left, Morse to first base and sign a flychaser. You could make the argument that having an elite defender in center would be more valuable than LaRoche's bat.

Travis (Boston)

Your rankings by division got me thinking...would I be correct to assume Choo>BJ Upton>Werth? Similar players with the offensive edge to Choo, defense to Upton?

David Schoenfield

  (2:39 PM)

I think so. No reason not to think Choo won't bounce back in 2011. He was a terrific player in 2009 and '10.

David Schoenfield

  (2:39 PM)

OK, that's going to be a wrap. Thanks for taking time out on your busy Super Bowl Media Day to talk some baseball. Same time next week!