Baseball

Normally a rookie third baseman who batted .308 with 11 HR and 52 RBI in only 341 at-bats is someone I target in drafts.

Chris Johnson is someone I’m avoiding.

We here at Baseball Professor think about our readers first and ourselves second—albeit a close second. That’s why we decided to reach out to other bloggers (who follow their respective teams more closely than we do) to give you a deeper look into the important issues every fantasy owner has to come to grips with this season.

Andy Pettitte will not, and should not, become a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Jim Clancy, Doyle Alexander, Dave Stieb, Jimmy Key, Pat Hentgen, Roger Clemens and Roy Halladay. 

Whether by accomplishment or leadership attributes, when one thinks of the all-time Toronto Blue Jays starters, they usually top anyone’s list. 

Gone is Billy Wagner, the 16-year MLB veteran, and in is Craig Kimbrel, a 22-year-old protege of the veteran southpaw.

When Andy Pettitte's name hits the ballot for the Hall of Fame in five years, the Baseball Writers of America Association (BBWAA) will have a very difficult decision on their hands.  His candidacy touches on so much of what has happened in the last 20 years in baseball. 

It has been three months since the Giants won their first World Championship since their move to the Bay Area from New York, and not a day has gone by that I have not been reminded.

While the A's have been busy all off season and gearing up for a serious run at the American League pennant in 2011, the Bay Area continues to ignore the A's accomplishments in favor of their love-fest with the Giants.

Before I am labeled a Giants "hater" allow me to give you a little background.

Mets owner Fred Wilpon owes lots of people lots of money. According to published reports, his total sports-related investment debt exceeds $1.5 billion dollars. Add to that a $300 million-$1 billion exposure in lawsuits filed against him by the victims of Bernie Madoff, and he finds himself in a significant hole.

The Super Bowl, the greatest event in sports, is only moments away. Which means baseball, my humble submission for the greatest sport, is just around the corner.

Spring training is fast approaching, and with it, Albert Pujols' self-imposed deadline for a contract extension with the St. Louis Cardinals. By Feb. 18, Pujols expects to be the highest paid player in baseball history, relevant to his status in the game today, or else.

The “or else” part of that is getting very interesting.

Baltimore Orioles' owner Peter Angelos has been widely known as a stickler when it comes to spending money on players. Instead of going out there and paying big bucks for solid players, it seems as though he decides to just sit around and wait until the big-name players have already been signed to contracts with other teams.

Not this off-season, though.