John Earnhart

MLB Blog Breakdown

November 4, 2009 5:39pm CST

CamdenCrazies.com: Clutchiest Orioles of 2009
Orioles correspondent Daniel Moroz analyzes Baltimore's best offensive options from 2009.

"I was going to say something like "I bet most of you expected it to be Brian Roberts - since he's really good in general - but it was actually Player X, who isn't that good but stepped up his game when it counted." That plan was ruined when I sorted by Clutch to find that Brian Roberts was indeed at the top of the list at +1.20. "

Impact: It comes as no surprise that Brian Roberts should win this award. He's hit double-digit home runs four out the past five seasons. He had a career year for RBI with 79. Roberts also managed to steal 30 bases with a .286 average. Nick Markakis came in a close second with 18 home runs, 101 RBI and a .293 average.

MoneyBallBlog.com: Should He Stay or Should He Go: Kennedy
Our Athletics correspondent, Josh Russell, reviews the future relationship of Adam Kennedy and the Oakland Athletics.

Adam Kennedy was surprisingly good for the A's in '09.

"Remember when Eric Chavez went down last year with an injury, the A's traded prospect Joe Dillon (not Matt's brother) to the Tampa Bay Rays for Kennedy. Kennedy had been pretty well-traveled, having played for the Cards, Angels, Cards again, and Rays. I think the A's were hoping for a stop-gap but ended up getting so much more. "

Impact: For the first time in two years, Kennedy improved in all offensive categories besides triples (.289 AVG, 11 HR, 63 RBI and 20 SB). His infield and outfield availability are also helpful. Russell's blog also has the latest scoop on all of Oakland's other free agents, including Justin Duchscherer.

BravesHeart.com: Braves Season in Review: Outfield
Joe Lucia, our Braves correspondent, examines the production of every Braves outfielder from this season.

"The Braves outfield came into 2009 looking like a mess...thankfully, it didn't really end that way. Garret Anderson was signed just after spring training started to serve as the starting left fielder, shafting Brandon Jones yet again. Rookie Jordan Schafer won the starting center field job coming out of the spring, beating out the anemic hitting speedster Josh Anderson and the on base wizard with a bat that couldn't knock out a flea, Gregor Blanco. "

Impact: While Garret Anderson's skills may be slightly declining, he still put up decent numbers (13 HR, 61 RBI and a .268 AVG). The move to Atlanta didn't affect Nate McLouth. He still hit 20 homers, had 70 RBI, swiped 19 bags and had a .256 batting average on the year. Matt Diaz hit .313 last year with 13 HR, 58 RBI and 12 stolen bases. Ryan Church was the "weak link" (.273 AVG, 4 HR, 40 RBI). However, Atlanta has plenty of young talent waiting in the wings should Anderson not re-sign or if Church should falter. Jason Heyward is waiting in the minors with a career .318 batting average and a .899 OPS.

RockiesAndRoll.com: The Huston Dilemma
Rockies correspondent Adam Bieda weighs in on what Colorado should do with Huston Street.

"While the Street supporters point to the fact that the Rockies wouldn't have made the playoffs without Street, the Street haters feel the Rockies would have won the series against the Phillies if Street hadn't pitched. It always comes down to the chicken or the egg dilemma. "

Impact: Street bounced back from the worst year of his career to record 35 saves in 2009, the most he's had since 2006. He also managed to have the best WHIP of his five-year career (0.91). Street remains to be a mid-tier level option at closer just as long as he can put his horrible postseason performance (0-2, one save, one blown save, 13.50 ERA) behind him.

GoldenGateGiants.com: Final Grades - Bullpen
Giants correspondent Dave Tobener hands out his 2009 grades for the Giants' bullpen.

"The Giants' two main goals heading into the 2009 season were to dramatically improve the bullpen, and to dramatically improve the lineup; well, 1 out of 2 isn't bad, right? The Giants' bullpen was a huge part of the team's success in '09, a welcome change from the God-awful relief corps of past seasons. "

Impact: Brian Wilson is the real story here. Aside from having three fewer saves and one more blown save than he had in 2008, Wilson improved in every way. He lowered his ERA from 4.62 to 2.74 and had an 83/27 K/BB ratio. Tobener's blog also the final grades for San Francisco's entire pitching staff.

PiratesProperty.com: Report: Bucs Close to Trade for Iwamura
Scott Lewis, our Pirates correspondent, analyzes the trade for Akinori Iwamura.

"While it's not yet completed, several reports have the Bucs sending right handed reliever Jesse Chavez to the Tampa Bay Rays for 2B/3B Akinori Iwamura. If the trade is in fact a done deal, then the Pirates have taken a great first step in addressing a glaring hole in the infield. "

Impact: Akinori Iwamura will fill more needs for the Pirates than he will for your fantasy team. While he was injured for the majority of '09, he's still a .281 career hitter. He remains a viable option in deep leagues, but remember that Iwamura's never hit more than 10 home runs and has never had more than 50 RBI. Stay tuned to Lewis' blog for all the details of this trade.

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