Kuzul

There are prospects, and then there are mega-prospects.

When each new baseball season rolls around, teams and fans evaluate the talent that each organization holds. Each organization has its gems, some of whom get compliments as the next Alex Rodriguez or Roger Clemens. 

In recent years, players like Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, the Upton brothers, and Jason Heyward have been the league’s biggest attention-getters. Over the course of the last 30 or so years, there has been seemingly more and more attention given the apparent superstars of tomorrow.

Well hyped does not necessarily mean the future stars, just the players that were put under the microscope from a young age. Some players thrive in the spotlight and become superstars, while others wilt under the intense pressure and become busts.

But who are the most hyped prospects of the last three decades? And how does a mega-prospect from 20 years ago like Ben McDonald go up against a modern-day phenom like Stephen Strasburg? Take a look inside, where the most hyped prospects of recent memory are evaluated.

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The Colorado Rockies watched the San Francisco Giants celebrate a World Series championship, then watched the Los Angeles Dodgers solidify their pitching staff and second base spot within the month since the season ended. Now, they are doing their own moving and shaking.

The Rockies, according to multiple reports, have agreed to a contract extension with shortstop Troy Tulowitzki through the 2020 season, and have also agreed to pay roughly $32 million over three years to retain the services of free-agent starting pitcher Jorge de la Rosa. Both men will return to a Rockies club that made a strong, desperate September run in the NL West and Wild Card races last year before falling just short.

If it seems at all insignificant next to the outside acquisitions (notably Jon Garland and Juan Uribe) that the Dodgers have made this winter, or if it seems insufficient to overtake the stellar pitching staff of the Giants, then this pair of moves at least clears the way for Colorado to get serious about adding a solid hitter for one of their corner outfield spots, and gives them enough certainty in the starting rotation to aggressively pursue the closer or other relief ace they badly need to compete.

Tulowitzki is perhaps the best shortstop in baseball, and certainly the most well-rounded. He has hit .305/.379/.560 over the past two seasons, averaging 30 homers, 94 RBI and 16 steals in those campaigns. More importantly, he is perhaps the best defensive shortstop in baseball, and certainly one of the top five in that respect. Hanley Ramirez is as good a hitter, but not in Tulowitzki’s league defensively.

De la Rosa figures to be a solid complement to Ubaldo Jimenez in Colorado’s rotation for the foreseeable future. Though he struggles with control at times and battled finger injuries in 2010, he strikes out about a batter per inning and is one of the league’s most prolific ground-ball pitchers. That has obvious and tremendous value in an environment like Colorado, and de la Rosa’s ability (as a left-handed hurler) to get both right-handed and left-handed batters out is a huge bonus.

The Rockies overpaid a bit for him in what is becoming a player’s market for pitching salaries, but if he can stay healthy, he will offer plenty of return on their investment.

The next step for the Rockies is to beef up their corner outfield and/or first base spots.

Carlos Gonzalez is a monster in left field, but may move to center eventually if the team feels it can do better than Dexter Fowler by adding a left fielder. Still, the team has taken big strides toward seriously contending in 2011 just by locking down its two big contributors. Here is a look at all five NL West teams, and who would reign supreme if the season began tomorrow:

1. San Francisco Giants

Yes, the Giants still sit atop the heap for now, although their lack of offense is becoming conspicuous and the rumor mills are not friendly to the team’s insistence that it will add a big bat like Carl Crawford. They need a shortstop better than Edgar Renteria to balance the loss of Uribe to the division-rival Dodgers, but there are ample options out there for them in that respect.

If they can add even one impact bat (and it need not be an elite bat, just a better one than Renteria’s or Mark DeRosa’s), the pitching staff that so dominated the playoffs will be able to carry the team to another division crown.

2. Colorado Rockies

They were almost as good as the Giants in the second half, and they have a pair of aces to match anyone but the Giants in this division. Tulowitzki and Gonzalez are not merely great hitters, but versatile contributors on both offense and defense, with speed, power and range. No offensive duo in the division can match them. In fact, only Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday are a better top tandem in the entire league.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

Hot on the trail of San Francisco and Colorado, the Dodgers still have holes to fill. Catcher and left field remain very much in limbo, and even if Ned Colletti swings a clever deal of James Loney to address one of those spots, they will need to open the wallets wide enough for first baseman like Adam Dunn.

All in all, though, the Dodgers have taken some huge steps forward by locking up their pitchers for 2011 and adding Juan Uribe for a bit more pop in a lineup that needed it badly.

4. San Diego Padres

The Padres have been conspicuously quiet this winter, and not moving at all is about the same as going backward in the current climate of the NL West. Adrian Gonzalez may now be a true goner, since GM Jed Hoyer’s staff seems highly pessimistic about the team’s ability to sign Gonzalez beyond this season and since the Padres (who lost Garland to Los Angeles) are a fistful of moves from viable contention in 2011.

5. Arizona Diamondbacks

Kevin Towers is a great team-builder, but he has more than one winter’s worth of construction ahead of him. Even if Rome were built in a day, Towers would be at a loss. The organization he inherits looks more like Chicago circa 1800, a vast swamp with only the barest signs of potential. Trade rumors abound around this team, with Mark Reynolds and Justin Upton the hottest commodities.

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MLB trade rumors are picking up steam as the annual Winter Meetings are set to begin next week.

While free agent signings will most likely take precedent after salary arbitration is complete, teams that missed out on the offseason action will surely look to make a splash in the trade market.

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There has been a lot of talk recently about the Rockies acquiring outfielder Justin Upton from Arizona in return for more than the 22-year-old’s worth in talent.

The trade talks probably went no further than D’Backs GM Kevin Towers asking Colorado’s front office for half a lineup’s worth of minor league All-Stars, followed by the click of the phone being hung up. 

Rockies fans were disappointed when they heard the asking price, and quickly dismissed the idea of Upton playing right field for Colorado next season.

Even if the asking price was fair, it would be foolish to go after Upton.  Gonzalez, Fowler and Smith/Spilborghs make quite the outfield already, and the Rockies have much bigger holes to fill. 

Seth Smith is a young player with power and matched Upton for home runs last season.  Ryan Spilborghs is a versatile outfielder who has shown he can hold his own as a starter.  He had a better average than Upton last year over 134 games (Upton played in 133). 

The Rockies could use a starting pitcher, catcher or middle reliever much more than a fifth outfielder.  Chris Iannetta will be questionable at catcher to say the least, while the rotation may have to rely on two unproven starters if Dan O’Dowd cannot bring in a replacement for Jorge De La Rosa.   

Speaking of Iannetta, he and Upton share one major problem: attitude.

When Iannetta was sent down to AAA this past season, he was angry at the team for making him fix his swing.  Upton came up in 2007 as one of the most advanced 19-year-olds to ever play the game.  He was understandably disappointing in his first two big-league months, and only hit .250 with 16 home runs the next year in 108 games. 

Justin always had the talent, but never could turn it into superstar success on the field.  In 2008, Scout.com writer Tyler Hissey said, “B.J.’s little brother, Justin, has more talent, but does not have the same advanced approach.”

Justin has been content to try when he feels like it on the last-place Diamondbacks the past two years.  After he was drafted first overall in 2005, Upton shot up the minor league system and landed in the bigs two years later. 

He fulfilled his lifelong dream of being a major league player that he shared with his brother B.J., but apparently did not intend to pile on the accomplishments.  Justin said he uses his sibling rivalry with B.J. as motivation during his workouts, but that does not provide much motivation these days. 

Upton has been known to be an underachiever throughout his career, and if he comes to play with the likes of Eric Young, Jr., Ian Stewart and Carlos Gonzalez, the team may become a little too lax.

Even without Upton, the Rockies already have enough stubborn, underachieving young players who need a good, old-fashioned bat-beating from Tulo to fix their attitude problems.  The Rockies would be much better off trading for James Shields or Jesse Crain.

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The New York Yankees have once again failed to reach their goal of winning a World Series Championship.  While the team was solid, it won nothing last year but a single playoff series.  Granted, it sounds pretentious to 29 other teams to call a trip to the ALCS a failure, but in Yankee town, that’s all it is.

However, in the offseason, youth springs eternal, and the Yankees will no doubt look to reload.  They already made the mistakes this offseason of resigning emotionless Joe Girardi (aka Joe Torre Jr without the great baseball mind and with a silly notebook) and passing on legendary pitching coach Leo Mazzone for their vacant opening.

That being said, the Yanks could still rebound this offseason and become champions in 2011 and beyond by making these moves:

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As baseball’s offseason heats up, one of the more intriguing names on the market is former No. 1 overall pick and current Arizona Diamondback outfielder, Justin Upton.

Numerous teams are interested in the very young and talented outfielder and, as usual, one of the teams to make an inquiry is the New York Yankees. Although the Yankees do not have Upton at the top of their wish list, he could certainly become an option.

For the right price, this could be a great move for the Yankees in both the short term and the long term. Here are the top 10 reasons the Yankees should make this deal.

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MLB Rumors: The Latest on Derek Jeter, Prince Fielder, Cliff Lee and More

With the hot stove heating up there are a lot of trade rumors and free agency rumors flying around.

In this countdown we take a look at five free agents and five possible trade pieces.

What is the latest on these players? And more importantly, where are they headed?

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According Ken Rosenthal, one of my faithful sources for Jays Rumors of Fox Sports, has reported the Jays also have strong interest in outfielder Justin Upton. Rosenthal confirmed that the Blue Jays were the one “mystery” team that

The D’Backs are believed to have a very high price tag for this 23-year-old all-star asking for as many as five major league ready talents off of a roster. Depending on the talent level of the players involved, that number should go down.

An example I’ll give you is the Bartolo Colon deal in 2002 with the Cleveland Indians in which they dealt Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips and Lee Stevens in exchange for Colon and Tim Drew. The Indians dealt their staff ace just entering his prime at 29 and received the Indians top two prospects and their starting first baseman—although Lee Stevens ended up being the third wheel in the deal.

The Blue Jays, lucky enough, have the depth in the minors to trade some pretty great prospects and not really affect their long term future. However, The Jays with outfield prospects such as Anthony Gose, Jacob Marisnick, Eric Thames and you could even say Travis Snider, as a result, they are fairly loaded when it comes to outfield talent for the future. Some of them are ready now for everyday major league play such as Snider and possibly at some point this year Thames.

Upton right now—if traded for—would assume the role of right fielder and it would shift Jose Bautista to third base.

A relatively easy to see deal with the Diamondbacks would have to include Travis Snider, at least two good to great pitching prospects and possibly at least one more good prospect.

A deal that makes sense for both sides could be Travis Snider, Marc Rzepcynski, Zack Stewart and Eric Thames for Justin Upton. The Jays give up their outfielder of the future, one of their starting pitchers from last year and two top 15 prospects from their roster for Upton.

Rzepcynski, who is currently pitching the of all places, the Arizona Fall League, is pitching very close to the Diamondbacks who I’m sure are keeping close tabs on him. “Led Rzepplin” is currently 4-0 with 1.16 ERA in six games with the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League.

A steep price to pay, but one that could put the Jays over the top if they do indeed sign Manny Ramirez to be the teams DH.

The Jays however will not be the only team in hot pursuit of Upton, and not the only team in the AL East, as the Red Sox are believed to be willing to offer some pretty great players for Upton, as I’ve heard Jacoby Ellsbury, Daniel Bard and even Jonathon Papelbon’s names bandied about. I’ll add the Yankees are said to be interested, but what fun is that when the $200 million dollar payroll big wigs want in on a trade such as this.

Now, I’m trying to be realistic here, and when the likes of Upton, and even Colby Rasmus become available, at their age and skill level, the price is going to be high.

From an outsider point of view, and looking at the Diamondbacks roster, I would hazard to believe that they would ask for an elite level prospect, a pitching prospect with closing upside (since they really have no closers), another top 15 prospect and a decent starting pitcher, all of which are covered in my proposed deal to the Diamondbacks.

But if the D’Backs opt for the more flashy Red Sox deal where it may include Ellsbury and one of Papelbon or Bard, then the Jays can easily move on and say they at least tried. The Red Sox are believed to be making a very aggressive push to add Upton to their relatively aging outfield that last season included the likes of oft-injured Mike Cameron and JD Drew.

Upton last season in 495 at bats hit .273 with 17 home runs and 69 RBI and adding 17 stolen bases with Arizona last season.

Thoughts on the Jays possibly pursuing Upton and whether the Jays can put together a more attractive trade package over the likes of the Red Sox?

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The Florida Marlins have been making extreme tidal waves thus far this offseason with the trades of Dan Uggla, Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller and are about to make even more with their reported interest in Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton. 

For the Marlins, their interest has come from left field, never have they been this active in trying to improve their team, this early in the offseason in quite a while. Part of it could be attributed to the eerily quiet offseason last year, where the Marlins made no big additions and ended up paying for it in the standings with a 80-82 record after their lofty expectations of a playoff berth. 

According to reports and sources, a package of Logan Morrison and Ricky Nolasco would be enough to land the 23-year-old outfielder from Arizona, who was the first pick in the 2005 First Year Player Draft. 

Nevertheless, the Marlins have been in negotiations to sign Ricky Nolasco to a long-term extension. Back in October, Nolasco’s agent Matt Sosnick said the sides had agreed on the number of years, but were “about 20 percent” off on the salary. He also anticipated talks to pick up again in November or December.

If contract talks go south (the Dan Uggla route), expect for trade talks to pick up with Nolasco’s name attached. Back in July, Nolasco had his name mentioned in trade rumors in when the team was hovering around .500 coming out of the All-Star Break but after pulling together a win streak they kept Ricky Nolasco and saw themselves as buyers. 

Nolasco was 14-9 with a 4.51 ERA in 26 stars in 2009 and can become a free agent after the 2012 season.

The Marlins would rather make a deal like this now than next offseason ahead of their new ballpark when they would would themselves as a championship-caliber team. 

Yet any such trade is seen as a long shot because the Marlins value pitching and would be lacking in that department after Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez, and Chris Volstad. Acquiring Justin Upton at the cost of trading Morrison would likely mean that Chris Coghlan remains in left field versus going to center field if no trade occurred. 

On the other hand, acquiring Justin Upton would be benefical for the Marlins since he is locked up through the 2015 season (five years at $49.5 million left), with a similar dollar amount offered to Dan Uggla (four years, $48 million). Upton is expected to earn $4,250,000 in 2011 and along with John Buck’s $6 million annual salary would almost total up to the $12 million allocated for Dan Uggla had he signed a long-term deal. 

The Marlins expect to raise payroll after the upcoming season to be aligned with the middle of the pack which is expected to be anywhere from $75 million to $85 million so Upton’s latter years of the deal which rise into $14-15 million a season shouldn’t be a holding point. 

At the end of the day if any deal happens, it probably wouldn’t be until December when Winter Meetings roll around and when the Marlins have had enough time to iron out contract talks with Ricky Nolasco but the way this offseason has gone you just never know what might happen next. 

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Ever since the Yankees were defeated by the Rangers in the 2010 ALCS, General Manager Brian Cashman has been taking steps to re-tool the team for 2011.

He’s already been in contact with Cliff Lee and his agent in Arkansas.

He’s also in negotiations to keep Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, and waiting to hear back on Andy Pettitte’s decision for 2011.

Now, there is a new name that is coming up regarding the Yankees’ interest.

According to Newsday, the Yankees have been in contact with the Arizona Diamondbacks inquiring about right fielder Justin Upton.

Apparently, Upton is on the trading block and several teams have reached out to Arizona to find out what they are looking for.

The new Diamondbacks GM, Kevin Towers, just spent all of 2010 working with the Yankees, so his relationship with Cashman is a good one.

But according to the Newsday report and Bob Nightengale, Arizona turned down an offer from the Yankees for the 23-year-old Upton, and is still listening to offers, one of which is coming from the Boston Red Sox.

The offer that the Yankees made to Arizona is unknown to the public and media, so it’s really hard to judge how fair the Yankees offer really was.

Upton might be a young and up-and-coming player, but some of his numbers are cause for concern.

First, his strikeout totals are through the roof. In 2010, he struck out a career high 152 times. He also struck out 137 and 121 times in the previous two seasons as a full time player.

While Upton strikes out a lot, his walk totals are not nearly as high, walking anywhere from 54-64 times per season, with his on-base percentage being around .356.

The Yankees build their team around guys who can work counts, draw walks and grind out at-bats, which current right fielder Nick Swisher does a great job at. Upton seems to be the opposite of that trend.

Upton does have a lot of upsides—being only 23 years old with home run power and only making $4.25 million in 2011, plus playing on a last place team, which makes him a very attractive target for teams looking to add through the trade market.

The Yankees also have a crowded outfield to begin with. They already have Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson and Swisher as the current starters, so one of them would have to be moved if Cashman decides to pursue Upton.

From what it looks like right now, the Red Sox seem to be more interested in pursuing Upton than the Yankees, who have their main sights set on Cliff Lee this offseason.

As much as it is a plus to add an offensive bat to the Yankees lineup, they need pitching more, which makes getting Lee a priority over Upton.

The Yankees already have Swisher, who hits around 30 home runs and 80 RBIs, plus can get on base and work counts. Now Swisher does strike out as well, striking out 139 times in 2010 and walking only 58 times, but in 2009, he drew 97 walks with 126 strikeouts, but got his average up from .249 in 2009 to .288 in 2010.

I think for the moment, the Yankees are set at right field with Swisher and should not pursue a trade for Upton.

I know a lot of people might disagree with that decision, especially because Upton is only 23. But I think right now, the Yankees need to concentrate on upgrading the pitching staff first before adding on to the offense.

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