Mock Draft #1 and Trade Options

On the eve of the eMLB Winter Meetings, Michigan Miracles General Manager Chris Renner weighs in with his version of the first round of the draft. Here is one mans opinion of how this plays out....

#1 Wisconsin Brewers--Evan Longoria--3B. Most have felt that this pick was a forgone conclusion for quite some time. Wisconsin doesn't disappoint and locks Longoria up for 3 years.

#2 Julian Javelina--Ryan Zimmerman--3B. Another strong corner infielder to play opposite Adrian Gonzalez. He should also be locked up for 3 years. Eric Byrnes anyone???

#3 Michigan Miracles--Kevin Youkilis--1B/3B. As stated in his blog Renner selects the best 3B available. Even at 30 years old, Youk will get a 3 year contract slapped on him.

#4 Carolina Yankees--Ian Kinsler--2B. The top 2B available is too much to pass up. The upside on Kinsler is through the roof, just stay on the field. With a Hamilton bounce back and Cruz and Vlad behind him, how many runs will he score?

#5 South Texas Heat--Joey Votto--1B. The upside on this kid is too much to pass on. Berg is collecting multi position eligible players so he will figure this out. Word has it Berg will trade Konerko for a case of Leinenkugel.

#6 Dallas Redbirds--Zack Greinke--SP. If Doyle is unable to trade up in the first round he will have his choice of stud starting pitchers. Greinke's overall numbers are simply outstanding. Question is what kind of contract does he put on Zack.

#7 Flying Squirrels of Republic--Brandon Phillips--2B. The first of our three new owners selects the next best 2B in this years draft and drops a 3 year contract on him.

#8 Mid Michigan Tigers--Ichiro--OF. With 9 players under contract already this year (no OF's) Baker selects the best overall outfielder available. Believe it or not there was a Mid Michigan sighting on AIM this afternoon. No really, there was.

#9 Encinitas Beach Bums--Brian Roberts--2B. With only 4 players under contract the Bums need.....well, everything. Roberts is into his 30's but will still probably warrant at least a 2 year contract.

#10 Rochester Red Sox--Felix Hernandez--SP. Our second new owner, already having shaken up his roster selects a flat out manster in King Felix. 3 year seems reasonable with this kid.

#11 Wisconsin Brewers--Carlos Lee--OF. Along with already having selected Longoria at #1 the Brewers add some more thump to his lineup with Lee. Only question is does he really want two Astro OF's in his lineup?

#12 San Antonio Fire Ants--Dan Haren--SP. The last of our new owners has 10 players under contract and who knows what Sankey will do. I see him selecting Dan Haren here and week after week will trot out Santana/Johnson/Haren. That is quite the trifecta.

#13 Olivet Killer Eagles--Michael Bourn--OF. Olivet has put together an interesting collection of players whose speed is measured not by a stopwatch but by a calender. Bourn will inject some much needed speed into this lineup.

#14 North Texas Rangers--Justin Verlander--SP. North Texas selects the anchor of the Tigers staff who will become the anchor of the Rangers staff for at least 2 plus years.

#15 Gaylord Dingers--John Lester--SP. Another team in need of a #1. John Lester fits the bill for Gaylord although he would prefer to have one of the previous 4 SP's drop to him.

#16 ES Blacksox--Billy Butler--1B. The defending champions have no corner infielders and will select Butler who can flat out rake. At the end of round 1 this is an outstanding pick.

Again this is one mans opinion.

With the Winter Meetings beginning tomorrow I have the following players available and what I will be looking for in exchange for them. At most I would trade one of the OF and one SP.

Rick Ankiel--OF--10th rounder
Matt LaPorta--OF--7th rounder
Travis Snider--OF--5th rounder
Rick Porcello--SP--5th rounder
Javier Vasquez--SP--2nd rounder

My first round pick is also there potentially for the right price. If you draft in the top half of the round I will consider trading you my pick for your first and third rounder. If you draft in the bottom half of the round I will consider trading you my pick for your first and second rounder. This would be the minimum cost and we can go from there. With this being said I anticipate still having this pick at draft time. For those serious about moving up shoot me an I.M., being retired I am on there more often than not, although I will be out of town from Sat. morning until Mon. afternoon.