Yoennis Cespedes Rumors

Now that Cespedes has officially been declared a free agent, some say the best free agent still available, it will be very interesting to see where he lands.  Unlike the Japanese players that come over, there will be no posting fee required for who ever wants to enter the bidding war for Cespedes.  Take away MVP caliber center fielders from the Red Sox, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Yankees, Curtis Granderson, and you would expect those two big market teams to play a roll in the bidding.  Word out there is that Cespedes & the Miami Marlins are scheduled to have a meeting within the next week.  If the Marlins could land him they would have a very solid lineup both defensively and offensively.  Another team I could see making a big push for Cespedes is going to be the Chicago Cubs.  The team is in need of another legit bat, and if he hype around Cespedes is real he just might be the one to answer the call for them.  Who do you guys think Cespedes will end up for the 2012 season?

Top 2nd Baseman in the American League

The American League East boasts two of the most exciting 2nd baseman in baseball, in Robinson Cano & Dustin Pedroia.  Cano, who many say has the top left handed swing in the game, comes off a great last couple of years, and the potential for him only keeps rising.  Pedroia, the former MVP, comes off a good 2011, and will be looking to be one of the ones to turn the Red Sox back around.  The American League West has one of the games more consistent 2nd baseman and a couple young exciting ones as well.  Ian Kinsler of the Rangers, continues to put up great offensive numbers and plays solid defense.  The Mariners and the A's both have two youngsters who are exciting to watch in Dustin Ackley and Jemile Weeks.  Both players are going to need to avoid the sophomore slump, but the upside both have is incredible.  Other top 2B's in the AL that come to mind are Howie Kendrick, Brian Roberts and Gordon Beckham.  Who in your minds is the top American League 2nd baseman?

Steroids in Baseball & The Hall of Fame

With the ballot for the Hall of Fame containing almost a dozen players who have been linked to steroids, it will be very interesting to see who gets voted in and who gets left out in the cold.  A lot of these players made a significant impact on the game, whether they were on the "sauce" or not.  Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa all were prominent home run hitters in their day.  McGwire and Sosa had the nation watching everyday and reading the newspapers to see who was leading the chase towards Roger Maris' 61.  Bonds made San Francisco's McCovey Cove a frequent spot for his monster shots to land, he made that ball park look like he was hitting at the Little League World Series.  No one has made that ball park look like that with the consistency that he did.  Roger Clemens was one of the top pitchers in his era, though he now is facing some legal issues, the guy one 7 Cy Young Awards, the most by anybody in league history. 
Now many of the voters for the Hall of Fame have publicly came out and said that they will never vote for any player who has been linked to steroids.  One of the things that is baffling to me is that the Hall of Fame is supposed to be the place people go to learn about baseball history, how can you leave out the steroid era of baseball from the Hall?  The HoF should add an area dedicated to the "Steroid Era," the game was so different before this and has changed a lot since all the new testing has been brought in to the game.  This would add plenty of deserving players to the HoF, they all made baseball better when they were playing, bringing people to the ball park and getting merchandise sold.  What do you all think of the steroid era in baseball?

Best Baseball Movie of All Time?

Last night I was watching "Major League" and it got me thinking of what everyone else thought was the best baseball movie of all time?  Some of the better ones that come to mind are "The Sandlot" & "Field of Dreams."  With the big splash that "Moneyball" made in 2011, it has to be at the top of most lists, especially those Oakland A's fans.  The list could go on for days, but let us know what you guys think is the top baseball movie of all time.

Best AL First Baseman for 2012

We all know about the big off season moves for the Tigers and Angels in landing two of the top first baseman in the league.  Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols are going to be at the top of most people's list for top first baseman.  Then again, you take a look at the AL East and you got two studs out there in Adrian Gonzalez and Mark Teixeira, both guys produce on offense and are Gold Glove caliber defenders.  Who knows maybe 2012 will be a good year for a young gun to emerge as the top dog in the American League, Justin Smoak out in Seattle has plenty of upside.  The rest of the American League is pretty wide open at the first base position, 2012 should be very interesting to see who emerges as a top gun at first base.  Let me know who you guys think will be the American League's main man at first.

Who is the Best First Baseman in the NL for 2012?

So with Albert and Prince leaving the National League for the ever so sweet American League money, the National League is now wide open for a new top first baseman to step in.  The first guy that comes to mind has got to be Joey Votto in Cincy, he is a former MVP, an All Star and a fan favorite.  Down in Atlanta Freddie Freeman turned a lot of heads in 2011, if he can avoid the "sophomore slump," he has to be one of the NL favorites.  Then you have the young guns who briefly saw some MLB action in 2011, can Paul Goldschmidt emerge in the desert?  Yonder Alonso was shipped to San Diego and will be the opening day starter, now that he is out of the Joey Votto shadow will he be able to prove himself?  In Chicago Anthony Rizzo should be the opening day starter and finally get the chance to prove himself after bouncing around from a few teams.  First base has always been one of the most productive positions on the field, who do you think will breakout in the National League for  2012?

2012 Campaign

The 2012 MLB season is on the horizon and like always baseball fans are in for another great one!  Will the Cubs finally be able to end the curse?  Are the Detroit Tigers going to take the AL with Prince now in Mo-Town?  Or is the AL going to the Angels with Albert? Then again you always have to keep in mind them darn Yankees and BoSox out East.  And how about them Miami Marlins?? Will they be able to make it work with Hanley Ramirez and Jose Reyes, and the always entertaining Ozzie Guillen leading 'em? I know I can't wait to see if the Diamondbacks can repeat as NL West champs. Here's to a great 2012 MLB season for everyone's team!
-BUDDY