Atomic RoadRunners

With protected rosters due in six days, it’s time to review the options for the 2009 Roadrunners. As I did last season, I’ve broken the list into five groups:

• The No Doubters
• The Almost Automatics
• The Probables
• The Fringe
• Not So Much

These should be self-explanatory. First up, the No Doubters:

Tim Lincecum
1 Year – $7
18 Wins, 2.62 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 265 K’s
Seabiscuit was ridden hard by Manager Bruce Bochy, wrapping up a Cy Young award and an All-Star appearance. He was first in strikeouts, K/9, hits/9, shutouts, and wild pitches. He was 2nd in ERA, Wins, and won-loss percentage. For $7.

Ryan Theriot
1 Year – $1
.307 Average, 85 Runs, 1 HR, 38 RBI, and 22 steals
Theriot again earned his salary with the high average and runs, and 22 steals were nice as well, though he was caught 13 times. Gained 50 points of average to offset 6 fewer steals and 2 fewer homers.

Brandon Phillips
1 Year – $16
.261 Average, 80 Runs, 21 HR, 78 RBI and 23 steals
Considered a “down” year for Phillips, he didn’t match his 2007 30/30 totals, but still was possibly the second-best 2B after Chase Utley. 20/20 is still very nice, but the drop in AVG and batting cleanup are both concerns.

Chris Iannetta
2 Years – $1
.264 Average, 50 Runs, 18 HR, 65 RBI, 0 Steals
Iannetta finally broke-out in his second season, stealing playing time away from the presumptive starter Yorvit Torrealba to start in 104 games. With additional playing time, counting stats should improve, but the average is a problem. Still, for $1, he’s the 4th or 5th-best catcher in the NL.

Josh Johnson
2 Years – $5
7 Wins, 3.61 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 77 K’s
Picked up mid-season as he came back from Tommy John surgery, Johnson went 7-1 in 14 starts, with 77K’s in 87 innings. Better yet, reports indicate that he gained 2-3 mph on his fastball. Very good for $5.

Chipper Jones is hoping to receive a contract extension from the Braves sometime in the near future, the Braves’ official website reports. Jones and general manager Frank Wren have not discussed a new deal since September; so though Jones says he is not worried, it’s understandable that he’s getting anxious. (Rotowire)

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Reds are likely “going to give Chris Dickerson every chance to win at least the left-handed part of a platoon” in left field. “If we started right now, it would probably be a platoon situation with him and a right-handed bat, whether it’s [Jonny] Gomes or Jerry [Hairston Jr.],” manager Dusty Baker said. Dickerson played way over his head in a 31-game stint with the Reds last season, but is capable of producing 10-15 homers and 20-plus steals in regular playing time. (Rotoworld)