Fantasy Baseball Dugout

One player that will be under the radar in the 2010 fantasy baseball draft is Rockies’ left-hander Franklin Morales.

Morales will be a tough setup man in 2010.

Pitching is all about angles and deception and Morales has mastered  both of these traits.  He throws high off of the mound which helps contribute to a 96 MPH fastball.  Add to that a herky-jerky motion with a slight hesitation in his delivery, and you can see why the Rockies pitchers are no longer considered the Rockies Horror Pitching Show.

The 24-year-old Venezuelan began the year as a starter, but was sent down to Colorado Springs after just two appearances.  When Morales returned to Denver, it was in the bullpen where he made his mark.

When Huston Street went down late in the year, Morales and Rafael Betancourt shared the closer role until Street returned in September.  Morales saved 7 of 8 attempts and finished the year with a 3-2 record, 4.50 ERA, and 1.52 WHIP.

Those are not exactly stats that turn fantasy baseball managers’ heads for a late inning reliever, but clearly manager Jim Tracy has faith in Morales.  He pitched in all four round one playoff games versus the Phillies and Morales was perfect — 2.2 innings pitched with no runners reaching base.  Morales proved to be a mighty weapon against the port-side heavy swinging Phillies.

Street’s performance against Philly was not so memorable.  He had two blown saves and helped propel the Phillies into the NLCS. 

You might think that this means that Morales is destined to take Street’s closer role in 2010.  Not a chance.  The Rockies signed Street for three more years at $22.5 million.  With Morales near the major league minimum, the Rockies are not going to put the veteran Street in a setup role and give the job to Morales.

FLIPPED: Cabrera flopped in late season 2009.

Tigers’ slugger Miguel Cabrera is the latest MLB superstar to admit to substance abuse.  But, this time, it isn’t steroids, its’ alcohol.

Cabrera, entering the third year of a $153.3 million 8-year contract, is currently on the Tigers’ caravan after admitting to spending the past three months in alcohol rehab.

Sobering Finish

You’ve heard the story by now.  On October 3, 2009, as the Tigers were attempting to hold off the surging Minnesota Twins, Cabrera showed up for the Saturday game with scratches on  his face.  He said that they came from the family dog, but the police report from the night before showed a domestic dispute occurred at the Cabrera house between Miguel and wife Rosangel (named Roseanne in the police report).

Police took Miguel to jail with a blood alcohol level of .26–more than three times over the legal driving limit in Michigan.  Later reports showed that Cabrera was out drinking the night before after going 0 for 4 in a 8-0 loss to the White Sox.  Worse yet, he was out drinking WITH the White Sox players!

In Saturday’s 5-1 loss, Cabrera took the collar again and left six runners on base.  On Sunday, he went 0 for 3.

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If you paid attention to the Arizona Fall League this season, then there’s no doubt you are familiar with Oakland A’s prospect Grant Desme.

Many of you watched Desme this fall and took note of the fact that he is one of Oakland’s top 10 prospects, according to Baseball America. You probably were hoping to be on the inside track for 2010 fantasy baseball prospects by keeping tabs on his status with the A’s through spring training. You may have even been tempted in some deeper mixed or AL-only leagues to draft the promising outfielder as a low-risk, low investment backup outfielder.

However, instead of being a top prospect to watch in 2010 fantasy baseball, Desme has other plans for his future. On Thursday, he announced that he is leaving baseball to join the priesthood.

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To hear the votes from the readers of Fantasy Baseball Dugout tell the story, Tiger lost a great thing when he was chasing other tails.

While most of the media obsesses over whether or not the world’s greatest golfer has admitted himself into rehab for sex addiction, your buddies at FBD wanted to find out who you thought Tiger’s greatest victory was in the bedsheets.

Shameless, you say? Yeah, maybe a little. Interesting? Sure.

A topic you know you and your buddies have talked about at the bar, the gym, or the watercooler on more than one occasion since Thanksgiving? Definitely.

Whether they were sympathetic votes or not, FBD readers believe that estranged wife Elin is Tiger’s Hottest Tail.

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What the heck should one think about Asdrubal Cabrera as the Indians shortstop heads into the 2010 season?

The 24-year old had a breakout campaign last year, hitting .308 with 6 home runs, 68 RBI, 81 runs and 17 stolen bases. He was owned in just 59-percent of ESPN leagues in 2009 but his stock is quickly rising in status among shortstops as the position remains pretty thin after superstars like Hanley Ramirez and Jimmy Rollins.

Coming into the season, ESPN recommended that Cabrera drop his status as a switch hitter and move to the right side of the plate thanks to his .349 average against lefties. At the end of ‘08, he put together a stretch of time where he batted .320. So, over his last 162 games, he’s batted well over .300.

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Granderson Made for New Yankee Stadium

Curtis Granderson, acquired from the Tigers in a three team trade in December, projects to a much bigger season in 2010 in the friendly confines of The Bronx.

Take a look at Fangraphs to see where Granderson hits the ball and you’ll be moving him up in your 2010 outfield

Granderson should enjoy a record year for homers in 2010.

projections.  Granderson is a dead pull left-handed hitter and he will LOVE his new home; its ideally suited for his power.  Granderson is already dreaming about the 314′ right field line and the 360′ right-center power alley.

Yankees’ hitting coach Kevin Long can’t wait to get a hold on Granderson.  Speaking at a recent baseball coaches convention in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Long said that he plans on working with Granderson to “don’t even think about going the other way.  Our park is just so right field friendly.”

Not So Grand Versus Lefties

Granderson struggles against left handed pitchers.  He hit just .183 versus southpaws last year and is only .210 lifetime against lefties.  “He coils in verus left handed pitchers,” said Long.  “We need him to open up, don’t go the other way.”

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