Will Manny be being Manny in Boston in 2009?

Payday

Ryan Howard became the first player to win an arbitration case this year with a record setting ruling. The arbitration committee awarded the former MVP $10 million, which set a record for the highest ruling in favor of a player. Last season, Howard hit .268 with 47 home runs and 138 RBI. Howard saw all of his numbers drop a bit last season, but that does not mean 2006 was a fluke. Watch for Howard to work on his patience at the dish this spring and try to cut down on his record setting 199 strikeouts. If Howard can cut his strikeouts down by 50, his batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage will rise significantly. Even if he continues to strikeout at an amazing pace, he will be the top first baseman in the upcoming fantasy drafts. Look for Howard to hit .285 with 50 home runs and 145 RBI.

Francisco Rodriguez also received $10 million from the arbitration committee, but it came in a losing decision. Rodriguez is coming off a solid year in which he was 5-2 with a 2.81 ERA and 40 saves. K-Rod is going into a contract year will be looking to bounce back from the late inning home run he gave up to Manny Ramirez in the playoffs last year. K-Rod is one of the top closers in baseball, and will close 40-50 games with an ERA under 2.80.

Trouble Brewing in Beantown

Coco Crisp you do not have to ask for a trade, they do not want you anyways. The Boston Red Sox have openly talked about shipping center fielder Coco Crisp off to another team since the end of the World Series. Crisp has finally spoken out about his situation in Boston, and he would welcome a trade if he does not get the starting job. Crisp lost his starting job last year in the post-season and as it stands, he is not going to get it back. Last season, Coco hit .268 with six home runs and 60 RBI. Since coming to Boston, Crisp has not shown the same ability at the plate that showed when coming up with Indians. The Red Sox could ship him off to a team willing to give up either prospects or starting pitching. The one problem the Red Sox may run into his finding a team to take the contract. Whether he is traded or not, Crisp will not be roaming the triangle next season. If traded, Crisp is a fantasy sleeper; his speed and ability to get on base could help a fantasy owner win two categories.

Manny Ramirez has one more guaranteed year in Boston, and wants to finish his career there. Ramirez also says that will not ask Boston to pick up his 2009 option. If Boston does not pick up the option, Ramirez will then become a free agent. Now while this problem will not affect the team until the 2008-09 offseason, this could pose a distraction to the team if it is not resolved soon. Ramirez is coming off his worst season since 1997 and is showing signs of aging. Last season, Ramirez hit .296 with 20 home runs and 88 RBI. Even at the age of 35 and coming off an injury-plagued year, one should still consider Ramirez to be one of the top outfielders in the American League.

Being Blackballed

No one wants Barry Bonds out of baseball more than Bud Selig. Yes, he has the indictment following him everywhere he goes, and steroid allegations will continue to haunt him, but look at his numbers. Last season, Bonds hit .276 with 28 home runs and 66 RBI in just 126 games. Bonds would have much better numbers in the American League as a Designated Hitter due to stress on his knees from playing left field causes. No body can deny the fact that he is one of the best hitters in baseball, and he gets on base in almost half of his at bats. Last season Bonds had an OBP of .480 and a SLG of .565, which is good for first and eleventh in the MLB respectively. Bonds will likely be forced into retirement and end up in jail for perjury, but the man should get a chance play until he is found guilty.

Mediocreville, Ohio

Josh Fogg, a barely .500 pitcher, and the Cincinnati Reds, a below .500 team has agreed on a one-year deal that will add another arm to an already underachieving rotation. Fogg last year was 10-9 with a 4.94 ERA with just 94 strikeouts. Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo have locked up the top two spots in the rotation, but the final three spots are still up in the air. Watch for Fogg to improve a touch, win 12 games, and bring his ERA down to 4.90. Fogg could be a late round sleeper on draft day but use him only as a number two or three starter.

Noteworthy News

• The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed right fielder Trot Nixon to a minor league contract. Nixon shows lots of heart and hustle but that equal talent. Nixon still has the power to smack some home runs out of the park, and his leadership will be a huge addition to the young D-backs clubhouse. With all that said, his back wont allow him to be an everyday player anymore and he will likely spend the majority of the season on the bench.
• Tomo Ohka and the Chicago White Sox have agreed on a minor league contract. Ohka had yet another rough year last season. Watch for Ohka to be back in the free agent market or in the minors by the end of April.
• Jason Tyner and the Cleveland Indians have agreed on a minor league contract.
• The Houston Astros added yet another arm to an already deep pitching staff by signing free agent Shawn Chacon.
• The Washington Nationals and veteran free agent pitcher Odalis Perez agreed to a minor league