Fantasy Baseball News Get'em Set'em

Fantasy Baseball News

Going Gangster - 06/20/2008

BY Aaron Gleeman


Mariners fire McLaren, turn to Riggleman

Mets manager Jerry Manuel: 'I'm a gangster'

Zambrano to have shoulder examined

Report: Yankees bring Ponson back to AL East

Report: Mariners plan to release Sexson next

Reyes tweaks hamstring, hopes to play Weds.

Report: Rays reach deal with top pick Beckham

Jerry Manuel's first game as Mets manager became an eventful one Tuesday when Jose Reyes resisted when asked to leave after tweaking his hamstring. Reyes apologized for the modest act of insubordination afterward and returned to the lineup Wednesday by going 3-for-5 with a stolen base and three runs, but Manuel's amusing take on the situation is definitely worth passing along anyway. Asked what exactly happened with Reyes, Manuel (seemingly) joked: "I told him next time he does that I'm going to get my blade out and cut him. I'm a gangster. You go gangster on me, I'm going to have to get you. You do that again, I'm going to cut you right on the field." Manuel then explained that he's "not here to make friends or for people to like me," which is good because the New York media isn't exactly known for its friend-making ability. Whatever happens with Manuel and the Mets-my guess is that he probably finishes out the season with a winning record, yet still gets replaced-he's provided my early pick for Managerial Quote of the Year. There's still plenty of time for Ozzie Guillen to reclaim the top spot and Jim Leyland is always a good darkhorse pick, but for now at least the thought of Jerry "American Gangster" Manuel going after Reyes with a sharpened blade is the leader in the clubhouse.While Manuel tries to change the laid-back image that he had while managing the White Sox to a .515 winning percentage from 1998-2003, here are some other notes from around baseball .

As of this writing Carlos Zambrano has avoided the disabled list, but he's expected to miss his scheduled start Tuesday at the very least after leaving Wednesday's game with a sore shoulder. Zambrano is slated to undergo an MRI exam with a dye injection Friday, at which point the Cubs should have a better idea about his status. Rather than shifting veteran Jon Lieber from the bullpen to the rotation, the Cubs may choose to replace Zambrano with Sean Marshall. Marshall logged over 100 innings with the Cubs in each of the past two seasons, but has spent much of this year at Triple-A. He has a 4.18 ERA and 21-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in six starts there and the 25-year-old southpaw has a 4.81 ERA in 237.2 career big-league innings. Marshall projects as a solid mid-rotation starter long term, but a mediocre strikeout rate will keep him from having big-time fantasy value and he's unlikely to be an asset in the short term.

It was only a matter of time once Eddie Guardado took over as the Rangers' primary setup man, and sure enough manager Ron Washington hinted following Thursday's game that C.J. Wilson is in danger of losing ninth-inning duties. Wilson blew a save Wednesday, but was asked to work Thursday for the third straight day anyway and retired just one of the four batters he faced before being yanked in favor of Jamey Wright (Guardado had already pitched a scoreless eighth inning). At 37 years old and with his injury history Guardado is far from a sure thing to remain healthy and effective, but he's looked solid through 28 appearances, posting a 3.70 ERA and .202 opponent's batting average. Washington said Thursday that the Rangers "still have trust" in Wilson and he's converted 14-of-16 save chances, but a 5.04 ERA and lack of consistent command seemingly have the team considering a switch. For now, Guardado is a solid pickup in AL-only leagues.

Continuing his season-long trend of going public with a plan only to change his mind days later, manager Lou Piniella announced Wednesday that Kosuke Fukudome will take over as the Cubs' primary leadoff man until Alfonso Soriano returns. Piniella initially said that Reed Johnson would lead off with Soriano out, but perhaps thought better of it after noticing Johnson's .325 career on-base percentage against right-handers, which includes a measly .292 mark this season.Fukudome's power has been disappointing thus far, but he's done a fantastic job getting on base against all pitchers, posting a .413 OBP against righties and reaching at a .375 clip against lefties. He's homered just five times through 70 games, but has drawn 47 walks and is on track to score 105 runs, which is a pace that will rise if he remains atop the lineup. Meanwhile, with righty James Shields pitching Johnson was out of the lineup Thursday in favor of Micah Hoffpauir.

Eric Gagne threw a bullpen session Thursday and reported no problems, saying afterward that he hopes to return from the disabled list on June 27. Gagne has been sidelined since May 21 with rotator cuff tendinitis and struggled prior to the DL stint, which is why manager Ned Yost revealed Thursday that Salomon Torres will remain the Brewers' closer even after Gagne returns. "Closing, setting up, third inning, I don't care," Gagne said. "I just want to compete, get back on the mound.

AL Get'em Set'em:

Days after canning general manager Bill Bavasi, the Mariners fired manager John McLaren and replaced him Thursday with ex-Cubs skipper Jim Riggleman . Meanwhile, with rumors of his impending release swirling, Richie Sexson remains on the roster for now . Joba Chamberlain turned in his best start Thursday, allowing one run while racking up nine strikeouts over 5.2 innings . Rocco Baldelli went deep twice in a minor-league rehab game Wednesday at Single-A . Jason Bartlett was scratched from Thursday's lineup after fouling a ball off his foot during batting practice, giving Evan Longoria his first career start at shortstop . Mark Teahen went 3-for-4 with his seventh homer Thursday, matching his total from all of last season . Scott Feldman tossed seven innings of two-run ball in a no-decision Thursday, giving him a 4.33 ERA in 10 starts after spending the first five years of his career as a reliever . Jermaine Dye homered twice Thursday, including his seventh career grand slam . No. 1 overall pick Tim Beckham agreed to a quick deal Thursday, accepting a $6.15 million signing bonus from the Rays.

NL Get'em Set'em:

Jay Bruce struck out three times Thursday before being ejected for arguing balls and strikes, and is now in a 7-for-42 (.167) slump . Dave Bush took a no-hitter into the eighth inning Thursday, but the Brewers' bullpen almost blew a seven-run lead before hanging on to win 8-7 . Despite going 9-for-21 (.429) to begin his minor-league rehab assignment, Dusty Baker said Wednesday that Jeff Keppinger (knee) isn't ready to return from the disabled list because "his legs are still sore" . Willy Tavares collected three hits and a stolen base Thursday, giving him a dozen steals in 16 games this month . Aaron Harang coughed up five runs on 10 hits Thursday to join Barry Zito and Joe Blanton as MLB's only 10-game losers, which is interesting given that all three pitchers began their careers with the A's . Kris Benson (shoulder) made his first rehab start Thursday at Single-A, serving up three homers in two innings . Russell Branyan homered again Thursday, giving him 10 long balls (and 24 strikeouts) in 20 games since being called up from Triple-A.