Jeff Keppinger, Hubie Brooks, Jason Kipnis, Beltran Giants Update, Jordany Valdespin

Jeff Keppinger:


Let's discuss Keppinger first. He won't be a savior, but he will be an upgrade and he is arb eligibile for next year as well where he could fit well as depth. Offensively he is a high contact hitter with more walks than strikeouts in his career. He also will likely hit for a high batting average, though it will likely be pretty empty. He walks a little bit (career IsoD of .053) and very little power as he has a career SLG of .395 and an IsoP of .111, while playing most of his games in the bandbox parks of Cincinnati and Houston. Now this is not to say that he is bad-He is almost certainly better than Manny Burriss/Miguel Tejada/Bill Hall and is probably similar to a right handed version of Mike Fontenot. I think going forward the best middle infield the Giants can run out on the field is some combination of Keppinger, Fontenot, and Brandon Crawford, depending on the opposing pitcher's handedness and the GB rates of the Giants SP. - http://gmpotential.blogspot.com/



Hubie Brooks:


Brooks made his debut in 1980 and batted .309 with one home run and 10 RBI during his September call-up. He then became the Mets' starting third baseman for the next four seasons. In 1981, he batted .307 with four home runs and 38 RBI. In 1982, Brooks' average dropped to just .249 and he finished with only two home runs and 40 RBI. Despite batting .251 in 1983, Brooks became a more productive hitter, as shown by his five home runs and 58 RBI that year. Brooks finally started to turn the corner in 1984. He raised his average up to .283, hit 16 home runs and drove in 73 RBI as the Mets all of a sudden turned into a serious contender. - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/770405-new-york-mets-top-10-third-basemen-in-team-history#/articles/770405-new-york-mets-top-10-third-basemen-in-team-history/page/4  


Jason Kipnis:


Indians purchased the contract of INF Jason Kipnis from Triple-A Columbus. Kipnis, 24, earned the promotion after batting .281/.363/.485 with 12 home runs, 12 stolen bases and 54 RBI in 90 games for the Columbus Clippers. He's likely to take over starting second base duties in Cleveland down the stretch and has immediate relevancy in mixed fantasy leagues. - http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/mlb/333890/baseball-headlines?r=1  


Beltran Giants Update:


According to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News, the Giants and Mets are having difficulty matching up on a trade involving Carlos Beltran. The Giants are willing to assume most or all of the $6 million left on Beltran's contract, but won't give a high-end prospect in exchange for a rental. Of course, this won't help their chances of landing him. The Mets are hoping to land a top prospect, not salary relief, in a deal for Beltran. - http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/mlb/333890/baseball-headlines?r=1  


Jordany Valdespin:


7-22-11: - Following minor leaguers is all about trying to find someone that will become a start in the majors. No one ever questioned Valdespin’s talent since the day he signed on as a Met. It was always his work ethics and attitude; however, it looks like the kid is becoming a man and may be a futre peg in the Mets infield some day. He’s batting .304 for Binghamton, with 13-HRs, and 29-SB. Make that .324 in the past 10 games.