Grapefruit League:
Detroit Tigers, Lakeland:
- La Russa arrives in Lakeland, raves about Fielder (Detroit Free-Press)
- USA Today follows Prince Fielder to "Tiger Town" in Lakeland (USA Today)
- A.J. Burnett happy to be out of New York (Sporting News)
- Will 2012 be the final season of Mariano Rivera's career? (Sports Illustrated)
- Jeff Passan from Yahoo Sports looks at the Yankees' two new pitching acquisitions, Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda (Yahoo Sports)
- Tommy Hanson suffers mild concussion after auto accident (Atlanta Braves Team Site)
- Braves ready to move forward after last year's historic collapse (Atlanta Braves Team Site)
- Astros ready to take on the 2012 season (Houston Astros Team Site)
- Washington Post columnist Thomas Boswell looks at the Nats as they head south to Viera (Washington Post)
- Wilson Ramos ready to put kidnapping behind him (Washington Post)
- Will there be a hard limit to Stephen Strasburg's innings this year? The terrific Nationals blog, "Federal Baseball" analyzes the situation (Federal Baseball)
- Ivan Rodriguez on the outside looking in, writes Mel Antonen (Sports Illustrated)
Arizona Diamondbacks, Scottsdale:
- Will the D'Backs regress or repeat in 2012? The blog "AZ Snakepit" breaks the team down position-by-position (AZ Snakepit)
- Stephen Drew fielding ground balls for the first time since injury (Sports Illustrated)
- Manager Jim Tracy gets an "indefinite" contract extension. Hmmmm. (Fox Sports)
- 49-year-old Jamie Moyer enters camp with a competitive fire (Aurora Sentinel)
- Rockies hoping for a repeat of 2007 and 2009 (The Coloradoan)
- Ryan Braun's status still in limbo (Janesville Gazette)
- Corey Hart and Rickie Weeks are the primary lead-off candidates (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
- The blog "Chicken Friars" looks at holding on to the tiny sliver of hope each fan has once Spring Training begins (Chicken Friars)
- Not really a Padres story (well, sort of), but cool nonetheless. There is an effort to have a statue of San Diego native Ted Williams erected in the city. Williams once played for the old version of the Padres that were part of the original Pacific Coast League. (Fox 5 San Diego)
On a random note...
Someone took the time out to look at the ten worst swings in baseball last year. It stinks that they are only .gif files, but it's still an entertaining look. Enjoy: (SB Nation)
Now, on to our top ten left fielders!
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| No Yankee picture of Raul just yet, so this will have to do. |
2011 stats: .245 avg., 20 HRs, 84 RBI, .707 OPS
The 39-year-old left fielder for the Phillies finally started to show signs of age last year, as his numbers have declined since his outstanding 2009 campaign, when he hit a career-high 34 home runs while driving in 93. His age is not limiting his durability however, as Ibanez still played in 144 games last year. The Yankees recently signed him to be their primary designated hitter, so his years of being a regular left fielder appear to be over.
9.) Logan Morrison, Miami Marlins
2011 stats (123 games): .247 avg., 23 HRs, 72 RBI, .797 OPS
If this were a top ten list of the most active players on a social medium, Morrison would be number one, hands down. If you are on twitter and are not following Morrison, it is your loss (you can follow him @LoMoMarlins, or check out his twitter page). Social media aside, Morrison showed some promise in his first full big league season, displaying modest power numbers in just 123 games. The only blemish in an otherwise decent season was when he was inexplicably sent to Triple-A for no good reason at all in August. For the Marlins to place themselves into playoff contention in 2012, they will need for Morrison to continue his ascent as one of baseball's best left fielders, which many are confident that he will do.  |
| Nothing of him in Twins garb, so here's a good ol' stock photo of him with Oakland. |
2011 stats: .246 avg., 29 HRs, 98 RBI, .810 OBP
Willingham is an underrated power hitter who provides more power than people realize. He is not a mega-power hitter, but his career average for homers per season is 27, which can be of value to any team needing a left fielder. Willingham took his talents to the East Bay last year, leading the A's in homers while finishing second among all left fielders in RBI. Now that the Twins have lost Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel, Willingham should provide an adequate bat to offset the loss of those two to free agency.
7.) Brett Gardner, New York Yankees
2011 stats: .259 avg., 7 HRs, 36 RBI, .713 OPS, 49 SBs
The speedy left fielder for the Yankees is establishing himself as one of the top stolen base threats in all of baseball, as his 49 steals tied for the AL lead and was second only to Michael Bourn's 61 in all of baseball. The only flaw in his game is that he does not get on base as much as you would like for him to, as his on-base percentage was just .345 last year. 
6.) Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs
2011 stats: .244 avg., 26 HRs, 88 RBI, .759 OPS
Soriano's time on the North Side has been nothing short of disappointing. Despite this, he still had a solid year at the plate, as his 26 homers were the most he hit since 2008. He also managed to drive in 88, which was the first time he had at least 80 since 2006, when he manned left field for the Nationals. While he was never one to hit for average, his .244 clip last year was still disappointing, as his average has declined sharply since 2008. Not only has his batting average fallen the last several seasons, his stolen base total has fallen even further. After stealing a career high 41 bases in 2006, he has yet to top 20 since arriving in Chicago in 2007. He still provides power in the middle of the Cubs' order, but if you were to poll die-hard Cub fans on their feelings regarding Soriano, many of them are probably eager to see someone new in left.
2011 stats: .303 avg., 23 HRs, 87 RBI, .879 OPS, 45 doubles
The patience the Kansas City organization has shown with their former first round pick finally paid off last year. At age 27, Gordon broke out, setting career highs in all major batting categories, while also earning his first career Gold Glove. He was a part of the Kansas City quartet that smashed doubles like mad men last year, hitting 45, which was the second-most on his team (Jeff Francoeur led the team with 47, while Melky Cabrera and Billy Butler each hit 44). Fans in Kansas City are excited for the future, and they will certainly need for Gordon to continue to have seasons like this if they wish to witness the end of the team's 27-year playoff drought.
4.) Matt Holliday, St. Louis Cardinals
2011 stats: .296 avg., 22 HRs, 75 RBI, .912 OPS, 36 doubles
Holliday provided a rock-steady bat and protection behind Albert Pujols last year, but he will have to be the man all by himself in St. Louis' lineup entering this season. His .912 OPS was second among all MLB left fielders trailing only Ryan Braun, and his 36 doubles ranked fourth, trailing Carlos Lee, Ryan Braun and Alex Gordon. While not a big base-stealer, his stolen base figures have fallen since moving to St. Louis, as former manager Tony La Russa rarely utilized that style of play. In 2008, Holliday had 28 steals in 30 chances; that number dropped to just two in three chances last year. He features an average glove and arm in left, however many unfortunately remember his gaffes in the field during big games (2007 one-game playoff, 2009 NLDS, 2011 World Series Game 6). 3.) Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies
2011 stats (127 games): .295 avg., 26 HRs, 92 RBI, .889 OPS, 20 SBs
"CarGo" took a slight step back from the gaudy numbers he put together in 2010, however he still had a terrific year at the plate for the Rockies. His 26 homers tied for third among all left fielders, while finishing in third by himself in OPS. He also displayed some speed, stealing 20 bases in 25 opportunities. Do not let the step back fool you; he's here to stay as one of baseball's elite left fielders. 
2011 stats (121 games): .298 avg., 25 HRs, 94 RBI, .882 OPS
You have to wonder what kind of numbers Hamilton can put up during the course of a season if he can ever stay of the disabled list. Arguably the best hitter in the Rangers stacked lineup, Hamilton actually finished fifth on the team in homers, trailing Nelson Cruz (29), Mike Napoli (30), Ian Kinsler (32) and Adrian Beltre (32). Despite this, he still led all AL left fielders in OPS (.882). Hamilton also provides solid defense in left to go along with a great arm.
2011 stats: .332 avg., 33 HRs, 111 RBI, .994 OPS, 38 doubles, 33 SBs
Yes, I am well aware of the possible 50 game suspension the reigning NL MVP is facing right now, but show me a better left fielder in the game that can actually stay healthy. We are still awaiting a verdict regarding whether or not Braun has to serve his suspension, so until MLB hands down their decree, I am still placing Braun at the top of this list. He finished second in the Senior Circuit batting race to Jose Reyes, and his 33 home runs, 111 RBI and .994 OPS were tops among all left fielders. Oh, did I mention that he went 30/30 last year? Again, I am erring on the side of caution right now and will call him innocent until proven guilty.
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