Rick Wilton Will Be Chatting Here Today At 2 ET

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 5:03 am

We're happy to welcome Rick Wilton from BaseballHQ.com to the NFBC boards for a chat today. Rick is one of the top figures in the industry and his injury info is second to none. He'll be here for an hour today so bring your questions and let's have some fun as we get closer to the 2008 NFBC.

JamesH · Post by **JamesH** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 5:57 am

What are the odds that Jason Schmidt gets 25 starts this year? Also, what is your feeling on Chris Carpenter, Mark Mulder, and Matt Clement?

ALL-IN JD · Post by **ALL-IN JD** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:04 am

Rick, what are your thoughts on saves potential for Matt Lidstrom, Al Reyes, Guardado/Fukumori. Also, as a diehard Yankee fan (and Mussina hater at this point), and chance both Kennedy and Joba start the year in the rotation?

Top Dawg · Post by **Top Dawg** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:08 am

Rick - Early round 3 and you've started with David Wright and a nice 25-25 type outfielder. You see another 25-25 OF sitting there along with Eric Bedard, Guillen/Jeter/Troy at SS and one of the M catchers. Which do you pull the trigger on?

Thanks.

freddiezee · Post by **freddiezee** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:19 am

What would your KDS be and why?

Joe Sambito · Post by **Joe Sambito** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:26 am

Some speculate that the large innings increase by Fausto Carmona in 2007, will result in a subpar 2008. What do you think? And in general what are your thoughts on significant innings spike?

Raskol · Post by **Raskol** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:48 am

Your thoughts on these players:

Liriano--100% out of the gate or will they bring him along slowly?

Percival--Can he throw 50 innings and remain a closer all year?

THANKS.

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:54 am

Do you see a rebound to 12+ SB from Vlad in 2008?

He's the same age as A-Rod (and both are listed as 6'3" 225)...do his legs look OK to you?

~Lance

[ March 04, 2008, 12:56 PM: Message edited by: sportsbettingman ]

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:59 am

Is there an OFFICIAL weigh in when these players come to spring training?

...or can they just tell them what to list in the magazines, like we do for our drivers licenses? (Like Manny Ramirez saying he's 6 foot 200lbs...riiiiight)

There are way too many round numbers to be accurate. I know their weight may fluctuate anyway throughout the season...but if a slow starter like Lance Berkman always reports to Spring Training heavy, has poor first halves, plays into good shape, and has solid 2nd halves...if he showed up to ST in great shape...it would be nice to know officially.

It would be really nice to see (in numbers) what kind of shape these guys are in. With the modern baggy uniform...many can hide their weight.

~Lance

[ March 04, 2008, 01:10 PM: Message edited by: sportsbettingman ]

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:06 am

better value this year?

A) Tejada or M.Young or Renteria

B) Liriano or Sheets

C) M.Ramirez or Abreu

Thanks!

headhunters · Post by **headhunters** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:06 am

who plays more games this year hanly ramirez or albert p. and why?

headhunters · Post by **headhunters** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:08 am

can you play baseball at 350 lbs? who will be 1st to hit that weight- sabathia, nick johnson or demitre young. just saw a piccture of the latter 2- they both must be 300.

rjwilton · Post by **rjwilton** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:09 am

Originally posted by Cool Hand Luke:

What are the odds that Jason Schmidt gets 25 starts this year? Also, what is your feeling on Chris Carpenter, Mark Mulder, and Matt Clement? 'Luke: The chances of Schmidt, recording 10-15 starts this season are the best case scenario. Of the three other pitchers you list it, I’m guessing Mulder. At this point is the best bet. But all three are risky investments this year.

rjwilton · Post by **rjwilton** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:12 am

Originally posted by fireballs:

Rick, what are your thoughts on saves potential for Matt Lidstrom, Al Reyes, Guardado/Fukumori. Also, as a diehard Yankee fan (and Mussina hater at this point), and chance both Kennedy and Joba start the year in the rotation? Is starting to look like Mussina is that the end of his career but I am sure the Yankees will try to get one more season out of him…If Guardado has retraining regained most if not all of his arm strength he should be able to handle the Reds job. So far reports are positive. I think he’s the best bet for saves right now of that group

rjwilton · Post by **rjwilton** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:14 am

Originally posted by Top Dawg:

Rick - Early round 3 and you've started with David Wright and a nice 25-25 type outfielder. You see another 25-25 OF sitting there along with Eric Bedard, Guillen/Jeter/Troy at SS and one of the M catchers. Which do you pull the trigger on?

Thanks. If Curtis Granderson is available I would definitely target him. I think this is the year. He starts to hit left-handers, and that will only increase his numbers. If you end up taking a shortstop, I would go with Troy over Guillen only because Guillen has a history of knee problems.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:14 am

will hank blaylock be healthy this year?

rjwilton · Post by **rjwilton** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:16 am

Originally posted by Joe Sambito:

Some speculate that the large innings increase by Fausto Carmona in 2007, will result in a subpar 2008. What do you think? And in general what are your thoughts on significant innings spike? ‘Joe: I once had you on one of my fantasy team, that shows you how long I’ve been playing this game.

Carmona is on my warning flag 2008 list, which is pitchers that are at greater risk to break down physically or suffer some sort of burnout to a huge jump in workload. I think his injury risk going into 2008 on a scale of one to 10 is a 6-7.

Quack · Post by **Quack** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:17 am

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko:

will hank blaylock be healthy this year? any relation to Mookie BlaYlock?

I know Hank Blalock will be fine

Joe Sambito · Post by **Joe Sambito** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:17 am

Which Oakland A would be in on your left side of the infield this year, Eric Chavez, Bobby Crosby, or Carney Lansford?

rjwilton · Post by **rjwilton** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:19 am

Originally posted by Raskolnikov:

Your thoughts on these players:

Liriano--100% out of the gate or will they bring him along slowly?

Percival--Can he throw 50 innings and remain a closer all year?

THANKS. Liriano is now 16 months (on Opening Day) passed his Tommy John surgery. Most starters regain all their strength by 18 months. We will see flashes of his 2006 form this year but he also will struggle at times. I think if he’s able to work 170 innings and post a 3.85 ERA and 1.28 or so WHIP that would be a successful season.

I have my doubts about Percival being able to remain healthy all year. Remember, he retired from baseball because of the pain in his elbow and he never had surgery to correct. He is a huge risk on draft day.

rjwilton · Post by **rjwilton** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:21 am

Originally posted by sportsbettingman:

Do you see a rebound to 12+ SB from Vlad in 2008?

He's the same age as A-Rod (and both are listed as 6'3" 225)...do his legs look OK to you?

~Lance It looks like Vlad’s days of double-digit steals our about over after this season. As far as his legs, early reports from the Angels camp is that he looks better this year than last year.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:21 am

Rick - With this news just developing, where would you consider drafting C.Lee in a 15 team league, late first round?

Astros manager Cecil Cooper confirmed Tuesday that he's considering batting Lance Berkman third, Carlos Lee fourth and Miguel Tejada fifth.

Joe Sambito · Post by **Joe Sambito** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:22 am

Originally posted by Baseball Injury Report:

quote:Originally posted by Joe Sambito:

Some speculate that the large innings increase by Fausto Carmona in 2007, will result in a subpar 2008. What do you think? And in general what are your thoughts on significant innings spike? ‘Joe: I once had you on one of my fantasy team, that shows you how long I’ve been playing this game.

[/QUOTE]I hope it was a 20-team NL only league?

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:23 am

What's the risk factor on Kelvim Escobar and Huston Street on that scale of 1 to 10?

~Lance

rjwilton · Post by **rjwilton** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:23 am

Originally posted by sportsbettingman:

Is there an OFFICIAL weigh in when these players come to spring training?

...or can they just tell them what to list in the magazines, like we do for our drivers licenses? (Like Manny Ramirez saying he's 6 foot 200lbs...riiiiight)

There are way too many round numbers to be accurate. I know their weight may fluctuate anyway throughout the season...but if a slow starter like Lance Berkman always reports to Spring Training heavy, has poor first halves, plays into good shape, and has solid 2nd halves...if he showed up to ST in great shape...it would be nice to know officially.

It would be really nice to see (in numbers) what kind of shape these guys are in. With the modern baggy uniform...many can hide their weight.

~Lance I usually take the news "he is in great shape" with a grain of salt in ST. However, Manny does look a lot trimmer after spending six weeks in Phoenix at the 'fat farm.'