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Fantasy Baseball 2011: Adam Wainwright, Jesus Montero, and Other Offseason Thoughts

By Ray Guilfoyle
TAMPA FL - FEBRUARY 21: Jesus Montero #83 of the New York Yankees works out during the second day of full teams workouts at Spring Training on February 21 2011 at the George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Florida. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
TAMPA FL - FEBRUARY 21: Jesus Montero #83 of the New York Yankees works out during the second day of full teams workouts at Spring Training on February 21 2011 at the George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Florida. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
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It's official. Adam Wainwright will have Tommy John surgery on Monday and will be out 12-18 months. The best case scenario is he returns to form by June-July 2012. The Cardinals have alot of choices to replace Wainwright, including Ian Snell, Kyle McLellan, and PJ Walters, and if they look outside the organization-they could sign Kevin Millwood or Jeremy Bonderman. Either way, I think they are at best a 3rd place team in the NL Central behind the Brewers and Reds.

I read yesterday that Hanley Ramirez wants to steal more bases in 2011. Is that due to the fact that his power has dropped the last two years? He stole 32 bases in 2010, and has stolen 51, 51, 35, 27 and 32 in his five full seasons in the majors. Could he steal 35-40 in 2011?

More offseason thoughts after the jump:

Speaking of Hanley running more. I assume with him batting 3rd, ahead of Mike Stanton, who will bat cleanup, Stanton should see more fastballs in 2011.

Yankees catching prospect Jesus Montero will be getting a long look this spring and he could break camp with the team this year. That is what Joe Girardi is hinting at in this article written by Jack Curry:

As Manager Joe Girardi discussed Montero’s future on Wednesday, he offered indications that Montero will be Russell Martin’s backup. Girardi wants to study Montero’s catching abilities across full Spring Training games to see if Montero maintains defensive consistency, but he sounded enthused, not reluctant, about having Montero in the big leagues.

Girardi said Montero could benefit playing twice a week with the Yankees because he and Tony Pena, a former Gold Glove catcher, could tutor Montero every day.

If this is true I would bump Montero into the Top 10 AL-only catchers, with a chance he is in the top 5 if he plays everyday.

Mets manager said yesterday that we could see pitching prospect Jenrry Mejia in New York later this season as a starter or reliever. Here we go again. Do either of the New York teams know how to handle their pitching prospects?

Speaking of Yankee pitching prospects, Yankees GM Brian Cashman had the following quote yesterday, via Jack Curry:
When asked if Brackman could be factor Yanks this yr, Cashman said yes. "U might see all of them," he said, of Brackman,Noesi,Warren, Phelpsabout 12 hours ago via web
@NYCJayhawk The Yanks are really high on Brackman. Cashman and Girardi both raved about him. Betances prob has best future as #1 or 2.
about 7 hours ago via web in reply to NYCJayhawk
Betances as a 1 or 2? I am not sure if the prospect experts are saying the same. I thought I read he would be end up in the bullpen.

I don't know about you, but I saw the Miguel Cabrera interview on ESPN last night, and he appears to have put on some weight compared to this time last year.

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa had offseason surgery to remove his hammate bone. Apparently, he broke it a few years ago and did not know it. And he still showed power, hitting 40 HRs and stealing 54 bases the last two years in the minors. He now says his right hand is stronger. Does this mean he will hit for MORE power in 2011?

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