Sgt.Cradnial's

Behind the law degree of Tony Larussa the Saint Louis Cardinals won the World Series last night. I guess congratulations are due? David "Not Jewish" Eckstein won the MVP because, much like Jermaine Dye, he had a high batting average, even though Scott Rolen was probably the Cardinals best hitter going 8-19 with five runs scored, three doubles and a home run.

It's cold and I want to take a shower, but i'll get to this before I do. Second base rankings for 2007:

NL
1) Chase Utley, Phi
2) Marcus Giles, Atl
3) Jeff Kent, LAD
4) Dan Uggla, Fla
5) Ryan Theriot, ChC - I was surprised by this kids bat. If Piniella can tolerate a youngster in the lineup, he'd better do it with Theriot. Could arguably be ranked as high as #2 simply because I don't like any of the other NL 2B besides Utley
6) Julio Lugo, FA
7) Jose Valentin, NYM
8) Jose Castillo, Pit
9) Brandon Phillips, Cin
X) Bill Hall, Mil - His enormous k/bb rate determines where he falls here. I just can never, ever trust a guy like this because he's far too prone to slumps

AL
1) Ian Kinsler, Tex - I'm high on him in that I think he's could be the best 2B in the AL in terms of fantasy production; HR, SB, and AVG. But there's also a slight possibility that Texas realizes Michael Young isn't that good of a SS and moves him to second, putting Kinsler at his original position. It would give Kinsler 2B/SS elig. for two more years with possible 15-20 HR/15-20SB seasons ahead of him makes him a very attractive piece.
2) Robinson Cano, NYY
3) Howie Kendrick, Ana - I'll have to see more power from him before I rank him any higher, even if he can hit.
4) Brian Roberts, Bal
5) Luis Castillo, Min
6) Tadahito Iguchi, ChW
7) Jorge Cantu, TB
8) Dustin Pedroia, Bos
9) Mark Ellis, Oak
X) Placido Polanco, Det

MLB
1) Chase Utley, Phi - It's undeniable how good Utley really is. Even if he were an outfielder or first baseman his value wouldn't diminish much. The fact that he's a second baseman makes him a legitimate first round pick.
2) Ian Kinsler, Tex
3) Robinson Cano, NYY
4) Marcus Giles, Atl
5) Jeff Kent, LAD
6) Ryan Theriot, ChC
7) Howie Kendrick, Ana
8) Brian Roberts, Bal
9) Dan Uggla, Fla - Sorry, I just really don't see him being able to build on last year. Guys who break the majors at 26 and do that don't come along very often, and there's a good reason for it.
10) Julio Lugo, FA - Cound change depending on where he ends up; i.e. staying in LA makes him almost worthless, just as it did last year. But going to a team like the Red Sox or White Sox rates him much higher.
11) Jorge Cantu, TB
12) Luis Castillo, Min
13) Bill Hall, Mil
14) Tadahito Iguchi, ChW
15) Jose Valentin, NYM