MVN: Most Valuable Network

MLB Outsider -- All Stars, the NL Edition

With the All Star Game looming around the corner, we're at a time of the year in which there is traditionally a lot of in-fighting and complaining.  After all, rarely does the best player actually make the team or get to start.  Usually it's a popularity contest, just like high school all over again.

So, let's be fair.  If we were just going on the numbers, who would be the All Stars of 2009? 

In the NL, our starting eight would be as follows:

(Note: This team has been assembled without consideration of the "one player per team" rule)

C Brian McCann, Braves.  The 25-year-old slugging catcher is presently batting .311 with an OPS of .900.  There are other catchers out there who are putting up good numbers, but none have performed so well-roundedly as McCann -- and those that have come closest haven't really played often enough to justify a trip to the All Star Game.

1B Albert Pujols, Cardinals.  The cleanest player in baseball is presently out-hitting some third world countries.  Pujols already has 4 grand slams, 31 homers, 82 RBI, 10 steals, and is batting .336 with an OPS of 1.208.

2B Chase Utley, Phillies.  Utley is not the best defensive second baseman in the NL -- that title may go to Brandon Phillips this year -- but his offensive prowess more than makes up for it.  Utley is presently hitting .303 with 17 homers, 54 RBI, and an OPS of .980. 

SS Haney Ramirez, Marlins.  Unfortunately, the best fielding shortstop couldn't hit his way out of a wet paper bag (hi there, J.J. Hardy).  Ramirez, meanwhile, is just above defensively competent while he's also setting the world on fire with his bat.  Presently he's hitting .344 with 13 homers, 58 RBI, 12 steals, and an OPS of .972.

3B Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals.  He's bound to represent Washington, but not as a starter.  The thing is, Zimmerman has been a defensive marvel this year according to Fangraphs, making him one of the few third baseman to really shine on the field so far in 2009.  Combine that with his .295 AVG, 13 homers, 46 RBI, and .851 OPS and he's just a bit better than players like David Wright, Mark Reynolds, Pablo Sandoval, and Chipper Jones this season. 

LF Raul Ibanez, Phillies.  It's about a push between him and Ryan Braun.  Both players have been hitting the ball very well, with Ibanez coming out on top thanks to his 6 additional homeruns (22 to 16), despite Braun's superior batting average (.327 to .312), and ignoring that neither are exactly generals in the field.  Still, between the two Ibanez deserves it just a little bit more, although I don't think he -- or Phillies cans -- could feel robbed if Braun starts.

CF Matt Kemp, Dodgers.  With Beltran injured, this should be a no-brainer.  On top of Kemp's .303 AVG, 10 homers, 43 RBI, and 19 steals, he's also hands-down the best defensive center fielder in the NL this year.    (Well, maybe not hands down, Colby Rasmus has also been very good, but Colby is a mediocre hitter.)

RF Justin Upton, Diamondbacks.  He doesn't lead right fielders in any major offensive category, but Upton is a well-rounded hitter and a top defender.  Chances are, the starting gig may go to Brad Hawpe or somebody who regularly plays left or center field, but based on the numbers Upton deserves the nod.

SP Dan Haren, Diamondbacks.  There are a number of very talented pitchers in the NL this year, but Haren deserves the nod.  Of the top 20 pitchers (based on ERA), Haren has allowed the fewest hits per nine innings pitched, he's allowed the fewest runs (earned or otherwise), he's walked the second fewest per nine innings pitched, and - obviously - he has the best ERA.  

Other guys who deserve nods in backup roles:

C - Yadier Molina, Cardinals; Bengie Molina, Giants
1B - Adrian Gonzalez, Padres
2B - Freddy Sanchez, Pirates; Brandon Phillips, Reds
SS - Ryan Theriot, Cubs
3B - David Wright, Mets; Pablo Sandoval, Giants
LF - Ryan Braun, Brewers
CF - Scott Hairston, Padres
RF - Hunter Pence, Astros; Jason Werth, Phillies

SP - Tim Lincecum, Giants; Matt Cain, Giants; Johnny Cueto, Reds; Josh Johnson, Marlins; Yovani Gallardo, Brewers
RP - Heath Bell, Padres; Francisco Rodriguez, Mets; Francisco Cordero, Reds; Ryan Franklin, Cardinals

And just for kicks, here are the best-represented teams:

Giants (4), Padres (3), Cardinals (3), Phillies (3), Reds (3), Marlins (2), Diamondbacks (2), Mets (2), Brewers (2), Cubs (1), Dodgers (1), Nationals (1), Braves (1), Pirates (1), Astros (1)

That's 15 teams represented out of 16, leaving only the Rockies without representation.  (It would be fairly easy to drop Jason Werth and pick up Brad Hawpe, though.)

The funny thing is that, while the Dodgers have run away with the NL West, they are dramatically outnumbered by the Giants and Padres in terms of representatives.  Dodgers fans, consider that a shining example of how your team is getting there through a group effort, rather than through the actions of a single star (although your single star did recently return).

Early next week we'll take a look at the deserving AL All Stars.

NFL Top 10: Most Valuable Indianapolis Colts

Happy Independence Day, readers!  Nothing says July 4th quite like fireworks, and analysis pieces on the best team in the nation's heartland.

The Indianapolis Colts continue to produce a nearly unhealthy streak of double digit win seasons, and the two men most responsible for this success are undeniable.  One graces the top of our list, the other, will not be on the list.  For Bill Polian is not a player, he merely has perfected his craft over the last ten years to become the league's best personnel guy.

But, as not to waste your time today, or whenever you may be reading this column, lets get right into the ten most valuable Colts.

10.  DE Robert Mathis
Mathis is a rush end playing on the left side of the Colts DL in deference to Freeney, but it's because of the Colts' defensive scheme that he can be so productive.  A lot of teams are averse to creating such an obvious weakness against the rush as the Colts are, but the team knows that having athletes on defense is unlikely to backfire in the NFL simply because it's tough if not impossible to commit to the run for a full game.  As such, Mathis ends up with good run defense numbers, annually.  Those are mostly product of system, but the guy's pro bowl pass rush ability is unquestioned.

9.  LB Gary Brackett
Brackett is one of the few vocal leaders on the defense, and he's a smallish middle linebacker now in the peak of his career, still with some upside.  He's underrated in the same way that London Fletcher and Keith Bulluck are, he has little weakness in his game, but isn't the explosive, headline grabbing linebacker that would garner much national attention.  Add to that the fact that Indy isn't a huge media market, and the national coverage given to the other side of the football, and it's understandable that you may not have heard about this pro bowl level performer.

8.  RB Joseph Addai
The still No. 1 running back for the Colts finds himself somewhat dispensable after the selection of Donald Brown in the first round, but Addai is still the best back on the team, and should go a long way towards proving that this season.  It's up to him whether he creates a great tandem with Brown, or gives way to him.

7.  WR Anthony Gonzalez
The Colts might have been the only team that would have taken Gonzo Jr. in the first round, because he was viewed as little more than a complementary receiver around the league.  Of course, where most of the league sees "just a complementary target", the Colts saw "a potentially great complementary target."  Early returns on Anthony Gonzalez were good enough to get him on this list.

6.  TE Dallas Clark
Dallas Clark is neither a tight end or a receiver, he's an offensive 'tweener.  He's somewhat limited as an in-line blocker, but can run all the routes and even adds a vertical element to the offense.  Clark is famous for emerging in the middle of seasons as Manning's go to guy, and then giving way to his receivers as the playoffs begin.  He's the prototype for a safety blanket, in that he has no limitations as a receiver, and thusly, fits in whatever role the team needs at the current moment.

5.  DE Dwight Freeney
Dwight Freeney is really just a one move player, which is essentially why he was available in the middle of the first round in the 2002 draft, and why he's never really mentioned in the conversation of best defensive ends in the game.  And it's true that you can only be so good without developing a second move.  But Freeney's spin move is unquestionably the best spin move in the history of the NFL.  It is to the 21st century what the Deacon Jones head slap was to the 1960's.  The best offensive tackles in the game can't seem to keep him from getting inside.  Freeney is undersized, and without the spin move, he wouldn't have any sort of an interior game, but with it, he's one of the most dyamic defenders in the game.

On a small tanget, isn't Freeney the posterchild for a Bill Polian selection?

4.  WR Reggie Wayne
There will never again be another Marvin Harrison, but Reggie Wayne might be the greatest consolation prize in NFL history.  Harrison's effectiveness declined sharply following the 2006 SB season, and since then, Wayne has been the go to guy on the Colts.  Wayne has always been one of the most valuable receivers in the NFL, and while a considerable amount of that is the Manning effect, Wayne is also good player, pure and simple.

3.  C Jeff Saturday
For as good as Peyton Manning has been, he couldn't overcome the loss of Saturday for the first month of last season. The Colts offense was struggling, the team lost 4 of it's first 7 games which was basically unheard of.  Then, Saturday returned.  Needless to say, the team won the rest of it's regular season games, and Peyton Manning won the MVP.  A lot of the credit for that goes to Jeff Saturday, who is now healthy, and after re-upping with the team this offseason, plans to make another run or two at a second title before leaving Manning to his own devices.

2.  S Bob Sanders
The defensive enforcer would be a common NFL position, although when you have a safety who handles that role, it's certainly a bonus exclusive to a few teams.  When you consider that Sanders dropped in the draft because of size and durability concerns, it's just a remarkable scouting job by the Colts to find him when they did.  He hasn't been the most durable character in his five year tenure, but when he's in the lineup, he's a elite player.

1.  QB Peyton Manning
So much has been written about Peyton Manning that anything I added here would be rehashing old points.  He's the greatest player of his generation and arguably the greatest player of all-time.  No one in history has been better more consistently and longer.

Manning won his third NFL MVP last season, but he did not win the award in his two best seasons, 2005 and 2006.  Shaun Alexander and LaDainian Tomlinson each enjoyed career years respectively, but Manning was simply more valuable based on his position and level of historic greatness, and while Manning is tied for Brett Favre for most MVPs in NFL history, Peyton could easily be a 5-time MVP.  That hasn't been done in any major sport, and no one would ever have come close in football.

Lest we think that Manning's actually done playing at an MVP level, he's bound to do remarkable things in this league yet.

NBA Rumor Mill: Kidd May Be a Knick, Rubio Refuses to Play in Minnesota & Size Matters to Suns

There is every reason to believe that the 2009-2010 NBA season will be one of the most exciting of this decade, if not longer. While you try to predict who will challenge the incredibly stacked Los Angeles Lakers, we're going to hit you with the latest rumors circulating in what has been a fruitful free agency period for the big dogs of the NBA.

Kidd Wants a Piece of the Big Apple?

Jason Kidd may not be the best point guard in the league anymore but that isn't stopping teams from bidding on him with fury. The New York Knicks want the current Dallas Maverick to take over the reins and Kidd is reportedly considering it. He would have to take a $12 million pay cut to do so. The Mavericks are offering a reported three-year contract worth up to $30 million, while the Knicks are only offering $18 million, says the New York Daily News.

Several league executives don't believe Kidd wants to go to New York and are convinced that Kidd is using the Knicks in order to get a big pay day from Dallas. But close friends think Kidd is intrigued by the chance to be the savior for the Knicks' franchise, a task he would try to take on by luring LeBron James to the Big Apple. Good luck with that.

For what it's worth, there is at least one former teammate who really thinks this deal could happen for Kidd. Former Net Richard Jefferson said on The Dan Patrick Show that Kidd's "gonna be a Knick."

The only way Kidd should take the New York deal is if LeBron signs a contract in blood saying he will come to New York. The Mavs finally got a decent big man in Marcin Gortat and look to at least be able to go to the second round of the Playoffs. The Knicks will be lucky to get to the Playoffs in general next season.

Rubio Staying in Spain?

You can say many things about the Minnesota Timberwolves, and we all have, but one thing you can't accuse them of is being afraid to take risks. Their draft pick of Ricky Rubio now looks like a risk that has blown up in their face, whether they will admit it or not.

According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, "The Minnesota Timberwolves' top draft pick, Ricky Rubio, 18, will remain in Spain to play for his DKV Joventut basketball team for the remaining two years of his contract rather than try to move to the NBA this season." The Barcelona newspaper El periodico also reports that Rubio,  plans to withdraw his contract lawsuit against DKV Joventut.

At least they have Johnny Flynn, right? Rubio's decision only makes it obvious that Minnesota should have traded him to a team like the New York Knicks.

Suns Look for Size after Trading Shaq

The Phoenix Suns helped free up some cap room by giving up Shaquille O'Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but now they have a huge hole in the center of their roster. The Arizona Republic reports that the Suns General Manager Steve Kerr spent a few hours with Grant Hill at his Orlando house Wednesday in an attempt to lure the resurrected Sun back to Phoenix.

In the meantime team personnel put in calls to Antonio McDyess, Channing Frye, Sean May, Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox. If Kerr is interested I will be happy to play for Phoenix for a much lower price than any of those guys will, and here's the thing. None of the listed players are going to make a big impact in Phoenix. So why waste the money?

The Suns better make something happen if they plan to keep Steve Nash. They seem to be in rebuilding mode, a bad sign for a player who doesn't have many more years to make a championship run.

NBA Rumor Mill: Kidd May Be a Knick, Rubio Refuses to Play in Minnesota & Size Matters to Suns

There is every reason to believe that the 2009-2010 NBA season will be one of the most exciting of this decade, if not longer. While you try to predict who will challenge the incredibly stacked Los Angeles Lakers, we're going to hit you with the latest rumors circulating in what has been a fruitful free agency period for the big dogs of the NBA.

Kidd Wants a Piece of the Big Apple?

Jason Kidd may not be the best point guard in the league anymore but that isn't stopping teams from bidding on him with fury. The New York Knicks want the current Dallas Maverick to take over the reins and Kidd is reportedly considering it. He would have to take a $12 million pay cut to do so. The Mavericks are offering a reported three-year contract worth up to $30 million, while the Knicks are only offering $18 million, says the New York Daily News.

Several league executives don't believe Kidd wants to go to New York and are convinced that Kidd is using the Knicks in order to get a big pay day from Dallas. But close friends think Kidd is intrigued by the chance to be the savior for the Knicks' franchise, a task he would try to take on by luring LeBron James to the Big Apple. Good luck with that.

For what it's worth, there is at least one former teammate who really thinks this deal could happen for Kidd. Former Net Richard Jefferson said on The Dan Patrick Show that Kidd's "gonna be a Knick."

The only way Kidd shoudl take the New York deal is if LeBron signs a contract in blood saying he will come to New York. The Mavs finally got a decent big man in Marcin Gortat and look to at least be able to go to the second round of the Playoffs. The Knicks will be lucky to get to the Playoffs in general next season.

Rubio Staying in Spain?

You can say many things about the Minnesota Timberwolves, and we all have, but one thing you can't accuse them of is being afraid to take risks. Their draft pick of Ricky Rubio now looks like a risk that has blown up in their face, whether they will admit it or not.

According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, "The Minnesota Timberwolves' top draft pick, Ricky Rubio, 18, will remain in Spain to play for his DKV Joventut basketball team for the remaining two years of his contract rather than try to move to the NBA this season." The Barcelona newspaper El periodico also reports that Rubio,  plans to withdraw his contract lawsuit against DKV Joventut.

At least they have Johnny Flynn, right? Rubio's decision only makes it obvious that Minnesota should have traded him to a team like the New York Knicks.

Suns Look for Size after Trading Shaq

The Phoenix Suns helped free up some cap room by giving up Shaquille O'Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but now they have a huge hole in the center of their roster. The Arizona Republic reports that the Suns General Manager Steve Kerr spent a few hours with Grant Hill at his Orlando house Wednesday in an attempt to lure the resurrected Sun back to Phoenix.

In the meantime team personnel put in calls to Antonio McDyess, Channing Frye, Sean May, Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox. If Kerr is interested I will be happy to play for Phoenix for a much lower price than any of those guys will, and here's the thing. None of the listed players are going to make a big impact in Phoenix. So why waste the money?

The Suns better make something happen if they plan to keep Steve Nash. They seem to be in rebuilding mode, a bad sign for a player who doesn't have many more years to make a championship run.

Fantasy Baseball: Toronto Blue Jays P Ricky Romero

With the various injuries that the Toronto Blue Jays have suffered within their pitching staff, the team has had to look to unexpected sources for help.  Rookie left-hander Ricky Romero has answered the call so far.

Romero is 6-3 with a 2.85 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP in 11 starts (72.2 innings) this season.  He has shown good strikeout ability (7.6 K/9) and exhibited solid control (3.0 BB/9) as well.  Romero spent some time on the DL himself earlier in the season due to an oblique strain, but has shown no lingering effects of the injury.

Over his last three starts, Romero has gone 3-0 with a 0.82 ERA along with a 20/8 K/BB ratio over 22 innings and over his last six starts he is 4-1 with a 1.91 ERA with a 40/14 K/BB ratio over 42.1 innings.  In his most recent outing on Wednesday, he went eight innings while allowing only four hits as he struck out seven and walked four and got the win against the Tampa Bay Rays.

In nine of Romero's 11 starts, including his last six outings, he has delivered a quality start by going at least six innings and allowing three runs or less.

Romero is definitely worth adding in all leagues if you need the help and he is available, which is becoming increasingly unlikely.  The Blue Jays' offense seems capable of providing adequate run support even if he doesn't continue his recent streak of 15 scoreless innings.

NCAA Crystal Ball: MWC Football Preview

We've already covered the Sun Belt Conference and the WAC...this week it's the Mountain West Conference, perhaps the most loaded non-BCS conference in the FBS.

BCS Busters No More?
Even though most people weren't expecting much from Michigan last year, when Utah marched into Ann Arbor and stole a win from the Wolverines in front of 100,000+ hostile fans, you had a feeling that they would go onto big things in 2008.  They did exactly that, not only knocking off then-12th ranked TCU in a battle of the MWC unbeatens and then-14th ranked BYU in a blowout, but also destroying Alabama in the Sugar Bowl to complete an undefeated season.  Utah may have trouble replicating that success in 2009, though, due to many of last year's impact players graduating.  Quarterback Brian Johnson?  Gone.  Top receiver Freddie Brown?  Gone.  All-everything kicker/punter extraordinaire Louie Sakoda?  Also gone.

Will it be impossible to repeat as Mountain West champions?  Far from it.  There are some key players returning, including last year's leading rusher, Matt Asiata (707 yards, 12 TD in '08).  Linebacker Mike Wright is the team's leading returning tackler, making 81 stops last year.  Defensive back Robert Johnson, who picked off 4 passes last year, also returns.  With so many new faces on offense, the Utes will need their defense to step up if they're going to win the conference again, let alone think about making another BCS appearance.

Don't Call Them Also-Rans
TCU is also coming off a very impressive season in which they only suffered two losses -- one to the Utes, and the other to the eventual BCS runner up, Oklahoma.  Not to be outdone, BYU also hit the 10-win mark last year, with their only two regular season losses coming to TCU and Utah.

The Horned Frogs, like the Utes, are facing a mass exodus of talent, but their holes are going to be on the defensive side of the ball.  Gary Patterson has led the Horned Frogs to a ton of success thanks to that incredibly tough defense, but he'll have to deal with the loss of two safeties, two linebackers, two defensive tackles, and a defensive end.  Luckily, defensive end Jerry Hughes is returning after terrorizing quarterbacks for 15 sacks in 2008.  Offensively, leading passer Andy Dalton and leading rusher Joseph Turner are both back, and you can expect TCU to put up huge yardage totals once again.

BYU is also returning a bit of firepower.  Known for a high-powered offensive attack, the Cougars get quarterback Max Hall (3957 yards, 35 TD) and running back Harvey Unga (1132 yards, 11 TD) back, despite losing leading receiver Austin Collie.  I doubt they'll fret much, though, as tight end Dennis Pitta is returning after racking up 1083 yards and 6 TD on 83 catches last year.  The defense is returning 8 starters from last year following a stellar season.  They had a disappointing end to last season in the Las Vegas Bowl against Arizona, but there's no doubt it looks like they're headed towards another 10 win season.

How It'll Go Down
Definitely a top-heavy conference...

1. TCU
They ended the year on a very high note with a win over Boise State.  The defense will be fine, and they'll edge out everyone else for the conference title.

2. Utah
Breaking in a new quarterback will likely cost them a game or two...an undefeated season seems unlikely.

3. BYU
They'll score a ton of points again, but the defense won't stack up against the other conference contenders.  10 wins still a possibility.

4. Air Force
It's always good to have the reigning conference freshman of the year on your squad.  QB Tim Jefferson will help the Falcons post big yardage numbers again.

5. UNLV
It'll be tough to replace Frank Summers in the backfield, but leading passer Omar Clayton and leading receiver Ryan Wolfe both return.

6. Colorado State
Never a good sign when your best defensive player gets suspended for the season before you even play a game.  There's experience throughout the roster, but a new quarterback could make for a rocky season in the Rocky Mountain state.

7. San Diego State
New coach Brady Hoke comes over to the Aztecs after leading Ball State to an improbable 12-1 season in 2008.  SDSU finished dead last in the MWC last season, but with a new high-priced coach ($3.5 million over 5 years) things may be looking up for the Aztecs, who haven't had a winning record since 1998.

8. New Mexico
A season of transition for the Lobos, as they adapt to a new coach and new offensive scheme.

9. Wyoming
New coach Dave Christensen made a name for himself at Missouri, but he'll have a lot of work to do with the Cowboys.  It's hard to imagine them being able to rise up above the bottom two or three in the conference this year.

Upcoming Schedule: 7/9 C-USA, 7/16 MAC, 7/23 Big East, 7/30 ACC, 8/6 Big Ten, 8/13 Pac-10, 8/20 Big 12, 8/27 SEC, 9/3 Picking a Champion