I feel the best feature of MLB 2K11 was the My Player Mode when you get to create a player and do what you can to make him a superstar. This trailer shows from the minors all the way up to what we all dream of , facing off against the best.

@Enrique_Rojas1: Deal done between Fernando Rodney and #Rays. Rodney get $1,75 million in 2012, $2.5 million option in 2013 and 250K buyout

I’d expect the career reliever to either serve in a setup role, possibly even just middle relief. Rodney throws hard and gets a lot of groundball outs but gives up way too many runs for a contender like the Rays to hand over their closer role.

Yes, in 2009 he was pretty successful with the Detroit Tigers by saving 37 games but even then he had an ERA of 4.40. That’s not something you want from your closer, it’s even worse when you realize his career ERA is 4.29. He’s best suited to be a supporting member of the bullpen.

Regardless, I like the signing for the Rays. The price tag isn’t that high on they’re only on the hook for one full season. If he doesn’t work out that’s fine. If he does well the Rays bullpen is that much deeper.

@Ken_Rosenthal: Sources: Saunders receiving one-year and multi-year offers. Three-year deal possible. #Tigers, #Marlins among logical fits. #MLB

Some will argue that Saunders doesn’t deserve a multi-year deal, me I’m not against it if it’s at the right price. Saunders actually stayed healthy for the entire 2011 season, throwing a career high 212 innings over 33 starts. His ERA of 3.69 was also the second lowest of his career.

His career ERA is slightly over four and he does tend to give up the long ball at a high rate. So if I were say the Tigers or Marlins I’d say it’s buyer beware. For a contender he’s not a bad choice to put in the middle to back end of your rotation, they just have to judge how much they want to risk in hopes of a repeat performance.

@ScottMCBSSports: Phillies, Jimmy Rollins continue “dialog” but the sense is that a deal is not close.

The good thing for Phillies is fans is that the team hasn’t set a deadline on an agreement, at least as of yet. Honestly though how could they? There are no other viable options out there.

@ScottMCBSSports: Heard that Phillies so far have not set a deadline on J-Roll. But both sides reaching point where something needs to happen.

If I were the Phillies I’d start pushing to make a deal happen. I know they don’t want to go more then two or three years but like Miller said they’re “reaching point where something needs to happen”. Jayson Stark of ESPN did tweet yesterday that there are other options for Rollins. His first choice may be Philadelphia but I’m sure his mind will change soon if something doesn’t happen.

@jaysonst: Jimmy Rollins’ agent, Dan Lozano, has told #Phillies he’s having dialogue w a 2d team on Rollins. Other clubs believe #Tigers have interest.

“When you think of a player that can either score runs or keep the other team from scoring runs, both of them are very important,” Granderson said. “Those are some of the highest-paid guys, so they’re definitely very important. There’s a reason why they get paid as much as they do and a reason why there’s so much focus on the No. 1 starter on every team. Teams don’t want to face those guys.” (Blogging the Bombers – NY Daily News)

“It’s great,” he said. “You look at a lot of different reasons why the person should be voted in that, and Verlander did anything and everything to help his team win as many ballgames as possible. Being a former teammate of his, a friend of his, I just have to give congratulations to him – not only for that, but for the Cy Young Award. It couldn’t have gone to a better guy.” (Bombers Beat)

I’m glad that one of the players to speak up on the issue was Granderson and it’s not because he’s a Yankee. It’s because he was one of the guys that Verlander beat out.

While some fans think pitchers shouldn’t win this award it shows that the players, well at least some, think otherwise. They don’t take pitchers for granted and Curtis at least knows how important that elite starting pitcher is to a team.

The Rockies have talked with Atlanta. Multiple executives said that the Braves are still in a fact-finding stage, trying to determine what they want in return a player who could start at second or third base for the Rockies. The discussions are expected to restart at the general manager’s meetings that begin Tuesday in Milwaukee. (Troy Renck – Denver Post)

With a weak market at the position and Ellis off the board, you would have to think the Rockies are reaching the desperation point right? General Manager Dan O’Dowd would like you to believe other wise “We had interest in both players, but we have other things going on and there is a lot of winter left. “We are very comfortable with our in-house options.”

I think he’s blowing smoke so the Braves don’t try to rape his organization of it’s talent. It’s been known that the Braves are interested in outfielder Seth Smith, while also having interest in Charlie Blackmon and Tim Wheeler (two guys they’d like to not move). They’ve also expressed interest in Dexter Fowler, an Atlanta native.

Personally, if I was the Rockies giving up Smith and Blackmon or Wheeler may be worth it. Prado is a legitimate talent who can help solidify the middle of the Rockies infield for years to come.

Prado had an off year in 2011, batting .260 with 13 homers and 57 rbi. For his career though he’s got a .293 average with career highs of 40 doubles and 15 homers.

The problem for the Rockies though again, is how much the Braves are going to ask for. As more teams get interested, the Detroit Tigers are now in the mix, the price will only go up. Which means the Rockies need to strike fast and get things done before the Baseball Winter Meetings in December.

“I saw that written somewhere, but we’re not going to do that,” Dombrowski said Tuesday afternoon. “He’s our bullpen lefty.” (James Schmehl of MLive.com)

The numbers COMPLETELY back up the decision. Here’s his 2011 splits.

Starter: 14 appearances with a 4.82 ERA and a 1-7 record.
Reliever: 34 appearances with a 3.71 ERA and a 2-2 record.

I know, earned run average isn’t the end all be all when it comes to judging a pitcher. Here’s where I think Coke is better in the bullpen and it doesn’t involve him being a lefty. His control is insanely better in the relief role.

Starter: 1.47 WHIP, 4.5 SO/9 and a 1.23 SO/BB… 30 walks in 74 innings.
Reliever: 1.38 WHIP, 8.5 SO/9 and a 3.2 SO/BB… 10 walks in 34 innings.

As you can see he’s just got so much better control of his stuff as a reliever. He’s better when he can just air his arm out. It does also help that he ends up pitching against lefties more then righties.

The Tigers are lacking a fifth starter after the departure of Brad Penny and they’ve got no lefty in their rotation. That’s something they can address in free agency, the team is just better off leaving Coke in the pen as he’s their best lefty option back there.

Smirnoff and Penny are actually engaged. They recently postponed their wedding which was to be January 21, 2012. The reason being Dancing With the Stars. She’s currently near the top of the leaderboard so there is a good chance she’ll still be dancing.

“I’m contemplating playing Alex a game at third. I had him quietly take some grounders (at third) yesterday. It’s just a thought I’m having to get his and Victor’s bat in there. I’m trying to be a little creative. It’s not a major story.

“I’m trying to be creative because it’s six in a row. I hate to lose those bats. I’m not saying I’m even going to do it. I’m just thinking. I’m wracking my brain so I can have those bats in there.

“There are a lot of catches to it. If you play Alex at third and then you want to take him out for defense in the seventh inning, then you’re naked at catcher.

“There are a whole lot of things that go on. You’ve got to say, ‘I’m willing to live with the consequences,’ and you’ve got enough guts to do it, or you don’t. I’m not sure.” (per Detroit Free Press)

I have to say I love the idea, even if Leyland only uses the move for a game or two. Avila and Martinez are the two of the Tigers best hitters this season and they need to be in that lineup, especially with the team fighting for a division title.

There are two reasons I like the move:

1. The Tigers wouldn’t be throwing their catcher or DH into a position they’ve never played. Avila did play third base for the University of Alabama so the hot corner wouldn’t be anything new for him. During the later stages of his college career he did switch to catcher and it worked for him, but the bottom line is he does have experience with the position. Also Alex is only 24 so it’s not like those days are that far behind him, I’m sure he remembers how to play third.

2. The Tigers current starting third baseman is Don Kelly. Yes, exactly.. Who? Kelly is in the starting role while Brandon Inge is on the disabled list, normally Don would be the teams utility man, their very weak hitting utility man. In my opinion, I’d sacrifice the defense to get the stronger bats of Avila and Martinez in the lineup especially when three games of the trip are against the Colorado Rockies.

Yep, three games against the Rockies at Coors Field. Those are three games you without a doubt want your best hitters in the lineup. Your pitchers are going to give up some runs so you better give yourself the opportunity to score as much as possible.

Now when they visit Los Angeles, Leyland would have to think about things a little bit.