Mock Draft #2 and Trade Options

At the halfway point of the 2010 Winter Meetings there has been a tremendous amount of activity. Huge names changing teams and lots of picks flying around. Much more active than in recent memory. A lot of this must be attributed to having an influx of new blood. The league is really starting to come together. Perhaps with just a few more tweaks we may have an unbelievable league that will be together for years to come.

The Michigan Miracles have made a couple of moves and are poised to make a few more perhaps. We are currently in a position to award 4 contracts after our draft which will allow us to have two extensions at the end of the season. Taking on another contract is possible (but doubtful) unless one or more contracts are moved. I am happy with how my team is currently set up so if no other moves are made, no worries. That being said I still have some contracts available for those interested. Also some have inquired about my first round pick 1.3 I will consider trading this pick with my asking price starting at your first round pick and second round pick. That won't change. This draft is topheavy....picks 1-5 are worthy of 5 yr contracts, after that the dropoff is dramatic and quick.

Rick Ankiel>>OF>>10th rounder>>projection>> .250/20HR/60RBI
Matt LaPorta>>1B/OF>>7th rounder>>projection>> .270/20+HR/70+RBI>>Huge Upside
Travis Snider>>OF>>5th rounder>>projection>> .275/20+HR/80+RBI>>Huge Upside
Rick Porcello>>SP>>5th rounder>>projection>> 12W/4.00ERA/1.30WHIP/100+K
Javier Vasquez>>SP>>2nd rounder>>projection>>15W/3.60ERA/1.20WHIP/200+K

Here is my updated mock draft. I'm sure this will probably change by tonight the way things are going.

#1 Wisconsin Brewers--Evan Longoria--3B. He still remains at the top of the draft and I don't see this pick changing at all.

#2 Julian Javelina--Ryan Zimmerman--3B. Hoyle has stated that this is his pick, period. I believe him. Outstanding choice.

#3 Michigan Miracles--Kevin Youkilis--1B/3B. I have stated all along that this will be my choice. Ian Kinsler is an interesting option with tremendous upside but I have tried this approach before with poor results. Youkilis is a much safer choice and you know what you will get with him. Is Kinsler a possible choice here, yes. Right now it's 60/40 Youkilis.

#4 Carolina Yankees--Ian Kinsler--2B. If I decide at game time to select Kinsler at #3, this mock could change quite a bit in the next few picks. At this point Kinsler is still the choice here.

#5 South Texas Heat--Joey Votto--1B. With the trading of Konerko, Votto is an easy choice here. I don't believe Berg wants to have Swisher or Davis at 1B for the entire year. If either of them shows they can bat above .240 maybe that changes but right now Votto becomes his new man crush.

#6 Dallas Redbirds--Zack Greinke--SP. I still think Doyle goes SP here. Who better than Greinke? Really, I don't think he would go wrong with 2 or 3 of the big stud SP's, but Greinke is the choice today.

#7 Flying Squirrels of Republic--Brandon Phillips--2B. Similar to Kinsler but a notch below. Injuries and average are still a concern with him. New owner Adam will be very happy with this selection.

#8 Mid Michigan Tigers--Ichiro--OF. Lots of opinions on which OF the Tigers will choose. I still see Ichiro going here. He has returning power but little speed. There is little downside to Ichiro, you know exactly what you will get and it's damn good.

#9 North Texas Rangers--Felix Hernandez--SP. If Adrian is unable to trade up in the first round Felix is an excellent option. Felix gives him a true stud with lots of ???? still surrounding Webb this would be an easy choice.

#10 Encinitas Beach Bums--Brian Roberts--2B. Still don't understand the Aviles trade but he will need a 2B at the beginning of the year and Roberts is the clear choice at this point.

#11 Wisconsin Brewers--Carlos Lee--OF. I don't see this choice changing either. He will consider Ethier at this point but may stick with the longer track record.

#12 Encinitas Beach Bums--Shin-Soo Choo--OF. Not much discussion about this guy but at 27 and coming off an outstanding season, this would not be a stretch.

#13 Olivet Killer Eagles--Justin Verlander--SP. Changed my mind on this one. Originally had Bourne here for speed on a team with little if any but I'm going with the homer pick instead and pair him with CC to make a deadly 1/2 punch.

#14 Julian Javelina--Dan Haren--SP. After selecting Zimmerman earlier in the round Haren will be on his way to Julian. A hammer is needed as a SP and Haren is it.

#15 New Jersey Mets--Billy Butler--1B. An additional big bat to add to his already potent line-up. Reynolds has some options but this makes good sense to me.

#16 ES Blacksox--Andre Ethier--OF. A young stud OF will be signed by the defending champs. In this scenario there are lots of ways he could go but it would be difficult passing up on Ethier. I still see the champs making a trade down or up. The silence from the champs has been deafening.