Working the waiver wire

Getting help from the waiver wire
by Marc Normandin/Baseball Prospectus
August 13, 2008

The trade deadline has passed in all but the most lenient of fantasy leagues, meaning it's time to focus on the margins using free agency and waivers in order to bolster your roster during the remaining month and a half of the regular season. Those in head-to-head leagues have even less time to improve, with their league playoffs just a few weeks in the future, so with that in mind we'll take a look at pitchers (the most coveted commodity) using QuikERA, a favorite statistic of mine that you should familiarize yourself with. Using QERA should tell you which pitchers you can expect to see regression from, and which ones are safer bets to continue their success (or failures) going forward.

Scott Olsen began the year on fire, and his line on the season still looks solid enough because of it; over his first 10 starts he posted a 3.38 ERA, and now has a 4.04 ERA over a total 147 innings pitched. Given his peripherals at the time, it's a wonder that his ERA managed to stay as low as it did then. Olsen had an equal number of walks and strikeouts during that early run (29 of each in 64 innings) and gave up 1.1 home runs per nine, a rate of 24.4 every 200 innings pitched. Thanks to that early stretch, his current numbers look solid, though they go against his season's QERA of 5.47. In fact, the 1.43 difference between his actual ERA and his QERA is the sixth-largest spread for any starter with at least 50 innings pitched. He can thank his BABIP of .259 for that, as it's 65 points below his expected figure given his 20.4 percent liner rate.

His punch-out rate is one reason we can't expect his current actual ERA to last. Though he's striking out more batters since his first 10 starts, he's still at a below-average 4.9 K/9 for the season. Throw in that he induces grounders just 36 percent of the time, and it's easy to see why Olsen is not a favorite when it comes to this statistic (since ground-ball tendencies are another component of QERA). He's regressed closer to his QERA figure over his last 10 starts, with a 5.19 ERA over 59 innings pitched, even though he's put some space between his strikeouts (4.9) and walks (2.7) per nine, in part because he's started to give up far more home runs, with a 1.5 HR/9, or 34 per 200 innings, a significant increase. Opponents have knocked Olsen around for an ugly .286/.336/.524 clip, and it's tough to survive a ballgame when you're turning all of the opposition into this year's Vladimir Guerrero. Though Florida's defense is solid, with a .705 Defensive Efficiency that ranks sixth in the National League, they aren't so good that you can expect his low BABIP to last. If you have other options, skipping out on Olsen's starts or dropping him is a solid plan, and make sure not to overdraft him next year based on his final seasonal line, either.

Olsen isn't the only Sunshine State hurler who is pitching above expectations, as Tampa Bay's Edwin Jackson has also put together a season that, on the surface, appears to be more than solid. He has a 4.07 ERA over 137 innings, but has just 5.1 K/9 and nearly four walks per nine, as well as being on pace for 25 homers allowed over 200 innings. His 5.60 QERA is 1.53 runs higher than his actual ERA, putting him a spot ahead of Olsen in terms of the largest discrepancies between ERA and QERA. His actual BABIP is 21 points below his expected rate (.278), helped by his lower-than-average 17.9 percent liner rate, but the overall BABIP is also a product of his pitching in front of the second-best defense in the American League.

Thanks to his defense, Jackson can survive with his low K rates as long as he doesn't let the walks or homers get out of control. While the walks have not been as much of an issue as in the past, he's struggled with the long ball over his last 10 starts. Though he has a 4.10 ERA (and 4.25 RA) over the 59 1/3-inning stretch, he's given up 1.7 homers per nine, a projected total of nearly 38 home runs over 200 innings. That's a poor showing for anyone, never mind someone with the high walk totals and low strikeout rates he has. At this point, Jackson's defense makes him a worthwhile innings eater on a club desperate for that, but his recent stretch is worrisome, and he's of no help to someone who already has productive pitching in place. He's the kind of guy you dump into free agency if you're forced to make a move for help elsewhere.

Javier Vazquez's recent struggles have been surprising, given his strong start and his history as a quality pitcher. Lately though, he's pitched poorly: in 66 innings over his last 10 starts he's got a 5.32 ERA thanks to 1.5 HR/9, and that's in spite of a solid 8.3 K/9 against just 3.1 BB/9. If not for the homers, Vazquez would have come out ahead during this stretch, as he gave up a .262/.324/.461 line that was really only marred by the 11 homers that he gave up. Vazquez has had some poor luck, as the White Sox are in the middle of the AL in Defensive Efficiency, converting 70 percent of balls in play into out, but he hasn't received that kind of defensive support, as reflected by his .331 BABIP allowed on the season. Granted, his 20.2 percent liner rate means we should expect his BABIP to be .322, an insignificant difference, but with the defense playing as well as it has, you'd think he would have reaped some benefit.

Regardless, the defense can't catch the balls that Vazquez lets hitters put into orbit, and there has been far too much of that lately. QERA does not account for home runs, which makes sense when you see that it expects Vazquez to have a sub-four ERA, about a run better than his current numbers. Vazquez's career HR/9 rate is 1.2, and he's matching that this year despite his recent bad patch, but that career rate is somewhat misleading thanks to awful campaigns with the Diamondbacks and Yankees. During his better years, he's usually around the 1.0 mark, right where he was after his first 14 starts of this season. Even with the homers and ERA, Vazquez does plenty of good thanks to the low walk rates and multiple punchouts; if he manages to rein in his homer rate before year's end, it's all to the good for your club.

Carlos Silva hasn't been as bad as advertised this year, as his 5.93 ERA is almost a full run above his QERA of 4.92. The problem with that is that a 4.92 isn't any great shakes either, and when you combine his pitching style with Seattle's awful defensive play, it's no surprise that he's struggled the way he has. He's still one of those guys who usually floats to the top of free-agent leaderboards simply by virtue of throwing a lot of innings, and at this time of year, he's the kind of player who someone may be desperate enough to pick up. It's for that reason that I mention him, just to tell you that you are not desperate enough to acquire him for your stretch run, no matter how dire your need for pitching is.

Silva is striking out fewer than four per nine, continuing a streak that he's kept going since 2004, his first year with Minnesota. Luckily, walks are rare, as he's giving out just 1.7 BB/9 on the year, right around his career rate; the problem has been his BABIP of .331. With Seattle ranking second-to-last in the AL in Defensive Efficiency and converting a paltry 68.8 percent of balls in play into outs, it's no wonder Silva has been unable to pitch to his normal standards. When nearly 86 percent of your opponents end up putting the ball in play, you would like to have a defensive unit behind you that can catch a few of those. The right side of the infield hasn't had too much trouble with his grounders, as the opposition is hitting just .250 there on 25 percent of balls in play, but the left side is allowing a .301 average on 20.1 percent of balls in play, which is far too high for ground balls. The outfield isn't doing him any favors either, with .431, .500, and .531 averages from left to right. The lesson you should glean from these numbers is that Silva isn't the answer for you, no matter how hard up for pitching you may be, not unless Seattle's defense all of a sudden learns how to field. Given how unlikely that is, you'll want to avoid him.

Marc Normandin is an author of Baseball Prospectus.

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DL watch Crawford out may need surgery

DL watch Crawford out may need surgery
from CBSSports.com
posted by Tabloid Paige

Crawford could be out for year

The St. Pete Times reports that Rays OF Carl Crawford has tendon subluxation in his wrist, a problem with the tendon being out of its normal groove. He is likely out at least 6-8 weeks and could require season-ending surgery.

While Crawford hasn't done much for Fantasy owners this season, they would surely rather have him in their lineup than be on the DL and trying to scramble to fill his spot with someone else especially in AL only leagues. When healthy, he's a must start in all leagues that reward stolen bases, but it doesn't look like he'll be doing that any time soon. Hold onto him in deeper mixed and AL formats for now, but don't be surprised if he's no use to you the rest of the way.

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Hot Off The Waiver Wire

MLB Waiver Wire Wonders
by Tim Williams/AccuScore

Hot Off The Waiver Wire
posted by Tabloid Paige

The waiver wire can drive you nuts sometimes. You add a top prospect like Clayton Kershaw to your pitching staff to give you a boost, but in eight starts the highly touted rookie posts zero wins, a 4.42 ERA, and a 1.63 WHIP. Upon demotion to the minor leagues you cut Kershaw loose.

By the time Kershaw gets recalled, you are content with options like Manny Parra, who posted a 2.57 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP in the 21 days Kershaw spent in the minors. When Kershaw returns you look at his horrible ratios from when you had him, and you look at Manny Parra’s success, and decide that you’ve got the better pitcher. So you decide to hold on to Parra and let Kershaw ride it out on the wire.

Your guess was right, as on June 22nd, Kershaw returns to pitch three innings, allowing ten hits, three walks, five earned runs, with just two strikeouts. However, from June 23rd until now, Kershaw has posted two wins in three starts, with an 0.47 ERA, and 0.89 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts in 19 innings. Parra, in the meantime, has zero wins, a 7.27 ERA, and a 1.73 WHIP, with the only benefit being 16 strikeouts in 17.1 innings.

Now I think Manny Parra is in a slump, and I won’t hold these three games against him, at least not as much as Prince Fielder would. That being said, I added Kershaw in a few of my leagues a few weeks before his first call up. I waited for him to show his top prospect status from May 25th until July 1st. When he was demoted to the minors, I was finally able to cut ties with him. And now he is showing what I was waiting for all along, only he’s doing it on other teams.

Although I guess it all comes full circle. I did not own Brett Myers at the start of the season, and after torturing his owners for months, following by a near month long demotion to the minors, Myers has returned to post a 2.50 ERA and an 0.94 WHIP in three starts. I now own Myers in just as many leagues as I dropped Kershaw in. So if you are regretting losing a guy like Kershaw or Myers due to their recent success, maybe you can redeem that mistake with one of this week’s Waiver Wire Wonders.

Batters

Lastings Milledge – Milledge has been on a tear recently, with a .407 average, four homers, and a stolen base in the last week. So far this season he has 11 homers, 14 stolen bases, and a .250 average. He has hit eight homers since the start of June, which is good considering he only had 23 at bats in July. At 23 years of age, he could finally be seeing his potential.

Mike Cameron – The thing that has been holding Cameron back has been the batting average. Cameron has 17 homers and 10 steals on the season, but a .237 average to go with those numbers. Cameron seems to be rebounding, with a .263 average in the last month, and a .279 average in the last two weeks. I don’t think he is anything better than a .250 hitter, but considering his other numbers, that will be enough.

Jason Kubel – He has 16 homers on the season, and four in the last month. The drawback to Kubel is that he only has a .268 average this season, making him this year’s version of Chris Duncan. Kubel is still a decent option for deeper mixed leagues, or if your team is in search of power.

Billy Butler – I consider him the Clayton Kershaw of offense. Butler is only 22 years old, and came in to this season with high expectations. After hitting .295 with one homer in April, he hit .233 with no homers in May, before being sent down in June. In the last month, Butler has hit .301 with five homers, showing that he may finally be living up to the early season hype.

Denard Span – Since being called up at the end of June, Span has a .330 average, two homers, three steals, and has been a great source of runs. Those are some pretty solid numbers in such a short…span? Sorry, I couldn’t resist. He will resume batting leadoff when Michael Cuddyer returns, which makes him a solid option if you need stolen bases and a boost in batting average.

Marlon Byrd – Byrd is batting behind Michael Young and Josh Hamilton in the Rangers lineup, which could give him a lot of chances for production. In the last two weeks he’s hit .362 with three homers and 11 RBIs, showing just what he’s capable of in that lineup.

Emilio Bonifacio – The Nationals traded Jon Rauch for Bonifacio straight up, and since getting the call to the majors, Emilio has hit .318 with three steals, eight runs, and six RBIs. He’s a great add in NL only leagues, and a solid option for your middle infield spot in deeper mixed leagues, especially if you need steals.

John Baker – The Marlins may finally have a catcher, with Baker hitting four homers with a .254 average over the last month. Baker’s production has bought him more playing time with Matt Treanor returning from the DL. He’s really only an option if you start two catchers, or in an NL only league.

Kelly Shoppach – Only two catchers have more homers than Shoppach, and that is Brian McCann and Geovany Soto. The difference is that Shoppach has about 150 fewer at bats than each of those guys. In the last 30 days, Shoppach has received a lot of playing time, posting a .328 average and five homers.

Pitchers

Clayton Kershaw – What else needs to be said? If you’ve got him, I’d ride it out and see what he can do.

Brett Myers – Myers has taken a different route than Kershaw. He was a reliever all of last season, and now has moved back to the rotation. I believe his problems stemmed from his habits as a closer. As a starter you need to mix your pitches up, while a closer relies on a fastball and an out pitch. Then there’s the issue of getting his arm stretched out. I think we will see a nice turnaround for Myers the rest of the season.

Gil Meche – Meche has been a decent pitcher this year, with a 4.17 ERA, a 1.32 WHIP, 10 wins, and 115 strikeouts. Then he will go on amazing stretches like the last month, where he has posted four wins, 28 strikeouts, a 2.45 ERA, and a 1.09 WHIP. He’s only owned in a third of leagues, but that should be a lot more considering how good his numbers have been pitching for the Royals.

Kevin Slowey – Slowey has struggled in the last month, but I think he is a much better pitcher than his 5.63 ERA over that stretch indicates. Even during that bad run he has a 1.29 WHIP, and on the season he has a 1.10 WHIP. I like his strikeout totals, and I think his bad ERA is just a bit of bad luck.

Zach Miner – In his last four starts, Miner has a 2.31 ERA, and 1.16 WHIP, and a 3-1 record. The Tigers have been surging lately, and if Miner is going to pitch this well, then he becomes a great option in deeper leagues and AL only leagues.

Nick Blackburn – Blackburn is owned in less than a fifth of leagues, and the reason is that he doesn’t put up earth shattering numbers. When you look at what he has done so far (3.60 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, nine wins, 71 strikeouts in 140 innings) you have to wonder why he isn’t owned in as many leagues. My guess would be the low strikeout numbers, which makes Blackburn a great option if you don’t desperately need strikeouts.

Brian Moehler – In the last month Moehler has a 3.72 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP, and three wins. This season he has seven wins, a 4.01 ERA, and a 1.33 WHIP. He’s barely owned, but he’s a great NL only option, and a decent option if you stream pitchers.

Jeff Karstens – In his first two starts with the Pirates, Karstens has pitched 15 innings, allowing seven hits, five walks, and zero earned runs, with two wins. He took a perfect game in to the eighth inning in his last start before allowing a two out double to Chris Young. I don’t think he’s this good, but he’s unknown by NL hitters, which makes him a good option until other teams get a book on him

Anibal Sanchez, SP, Florida

Analysis: Sanchez is on the verge of resuming his major league career after having not pitched in the majors since May 2007 because of a torn rotator cuff. The Marlins were expected to evaluate Sanchez after his final rehab start Wednesday and decide whether or not he will return to the rotation Monday against the Mets. However, his game at Double-A Carolina was postponed and his return to the majors could also be delayed a few days. Sanchez is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in his first four rehab starts. He also has struck out 18 in 21 innings. The right-hander looks a lot like the kid who threw a no-hitter in 2006 and posted a 10-3 record, 2.84 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. Sanchez has topped out at 93 mph in his rehab outings. It's always tough to come back from a serious shoulder operation, but Sanchez has defied the odds thus far. He could be a second-half sleeper if he finds his pre-surgery form.
Hot Off The Waiver Wire

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Glavine could rejoin rotation next week.

Glavine could rejoin rotation soon

Veteran to have one more rehab start

By DAVID O'BRIEN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 08/05/08

San Francisco — Reports on Tom Glavine were all good after the veteran lefty pitched four solid innings Monday in an injury-rehab start for Class A Myrtle Beach, his first minor-league appearance in 22 years.

Braves manager Bobby Cox said Glavine would more rehab start Saturday for Class AA Mississippi "to build endurance." Provided that goes well, he would activated from the disabled list and rejoin the Braves' rotation next week.

Glavine, 42, has been out eight weeks recovering from a partially torn flexor tendon near his left elbow. He threw 53 pitches and reported no pain Tuesday while allowing three hits and one run with one walk and four strikeouts.

• The Braves had no updates on closer Rafael Soriano, whose sore elbow landed him on DL on Sunday for the third time this season. Past MRIs and other exams have shown no ligament tears or other structural damage.

"There's something in there, and we've got to find it," Cox said. "It's there. Just can't locate it."

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Maine To DL Wagner Still Out. Kunz Who?

Maine To DL Wagner Still Out. Kunz Who?
Updated: August 4, 2008, 5:21 PM EST
Posted by Tabloid Paige

HOUSTON (AP) - Billy Wagner has a strained left forearm and will have his second MRI in two weeks on Tuesday, leaving the New York Mets without their closer and starter John Maine.
Maine was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a mild strain in his right rotator cuff. He left Monday's game in Florida after 4 1-3 innings because of pain in his shoulder.
Wagner said he felt pain in his forearm on Tuesday, when he earned his 27th save with a scoreless ninth in the Mets' 4-1 win over Florida. He blew a save chance on Saturday night and said his arm felt strong, but he struggled to locate his pitches.

The Mets didn't make a move with Wagner but the left-hander was unavailable for their game against Houston on Sunday. New York is off Monday before hosting San Diego in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday night.

"When you lose Billy Wagner, that's very critical for us," manager Jerry Manuel said.

The Mets purchased right-hander Eddie Kunz's contract from Double-A Binghamton to fill Maine's roster spot. Manuel said the 22-year-old Kunz might be his closer on Sunday.

Kunz was 1-4 with 27 saves in 44 games with Binghamton. He threw 17 scoreless innings over his last 16 appearances dating to June 20.

Wagner had an MRI on July 22 that showed muscle spasms around his shoulder joint. But he had tossed 10 consecutive scoreless innings over nine appearances before Saturday night.

"It got to the point where I couldn't locate the ball inside," Wagner said. "The pitches didn't have much finish on them."

The Mets were in third place in the NL East entering play Sunday, two games behind Philadelphia and a half-game behind Florida. Wagner was hoping to avoid the disabled list, but also didn't want to come back too soon.

"It's a situation where we're at this part of the season, where you have time to take some time off," Wagner said. "I don't want to hamper the team and continuously fight an uphill battle when we've got it close in the division. There's no use going out there and hurting the team by being something that you're not right now."

Maine's DL stint is retroactive to July 29 and Manuel tentatively plans to start him again at Washington on Aug. 13. Oliver Perez started Sunday's series finale in Houston on regular rest in Maine's spot.

Maine threw a light bullpen session on Sunday and said the shoulder felt fine. Manuel said the Mets are just being cautious.

"We know he could use that rest," Manuel said. "The more rest we give him, the better off he'll be."

Maine insisted the injury was nothing serious.

"There's no setback," Maine said. "It's just precautionary. I still feel it a little bit. But it's 100 times better than it was before."

Eddie Kunz Minor League Stats:
1-4 W-L: ERA 2.87: 43 Games: 26 SV: 47.0 IP: 38 Hits: 19 R: 15 ER: 23BB: 41 SO:

analysis:
He might be some help if your in desperate need he does have some upside.

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Fantasy Deadline Trade'in Think Twice

From AM New York
Last-minute fantasy baseball trade? Think twice first
By Kyle Stack Special to amNewYork
July 30, 2008
Fantasy Baseball
posted by: Tabloid Paige

Major League Baseball's non-waiver trade deadline looms Thursday, but that doesn't mean it should necessarily have an impact on fantasy leagues.

With fantasy trade deadlines typically set for the first couple weeks in August, many owners might feel the need to shift players based on real-life changes of address.

Here are four strategies for single-year and keeper league players to consider before signing off on a trade.
Nearly every season, effective closers on losing teams are traded to playoff-contending teams to replenish tired and slumping bullpens. Already this month, Washington's Jon Rauch (17-for-22 in save opportunities) and Pittsburgh's Damarso Marte (5-for-7) of the Pittsburgh Pirates were sent packing to serve as setup men; Rauch for the Diamondbacks and Marte for the Yankees.

While the moves strengthen the real-life recipient teams, they throw a wrench into the operation of fantasy pitching staffs. If you own a closer who is rumored to be on the trading block, protect yourself from losing saves by adding his potential successor.Keeper leaguers shouldn't hastily trade Holliday out of fear his production will decrease with a new address. Sometimes the best trades are the ones you never make, so try not to outthink yourself.

Starters are still tough to predict
Seattle Mariners lefty Erik Bedard was the toast of the fantasy world last summer after riding a nine-start streak in which he posted a 7-0 record, a 1.71 ERA and a 84/16 K/BB ratio in 63 1/3 innings. Once he was traded to the Seattle Mariners in February, it was assumed that Seattle's pitchers' palace of a ballpark – Safeco Field – would elevate Bedard to a staff ace. However, the 29-year-old has weathered multiple injuries, little run support from a pitiful offense to pitch a solid, yet disappointing, season.

For every CC Sabathia, who has thrived at his new address with the Milwaukee Brewers, there is a Bedard. When it comes to starters, it is truly buyer beware.

Dangle reliable veterans for promising prospects
Keeper leaguers who own struggling teams should follow the path blazed by real-life general managers of below-average teams: trade older, reliable players for young, promising "keepers." Just about every fantasy league has a team on the cusp of the playoffs, but in need of a veteran who can give the squad a shot in the arm. Identify any appealing veteran players on your squad and turn them into highly-touted youngsters who aren't yet producing at the rate they will in a couple years.

Target future stars such as outfielders Adam Jones of the Baltimore Orioles and the Arizona Diamondbacks' Justin Upton, as well as Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw.
Real-life trades affect relievers' fantasy values, but have less of an effect on position players
Well, at least elite position players. They're the ones who can typically make adjustments no matter their hitting environment. Take Colorado Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday, an elite fantasy player who has just a career .278 batting average and a .792 on-base plus slugging percentage away from Colorado's hitter-friendly Coors Field. MLB teams are balking at trading for Holliday, but that's due more to Colorado's high asking price than whether the three-time All-Star can maintain his high level of play with a new team.

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Fantasy News Two Start Pitchers Wk. 18

Fantasy News
Two Start Pitchers
Week 18
posted by Tabloid Paige

Dallas Braden+ improves to 2-0 on season: Dallas Braden allowed one run over five innings as the Oakland Athletics ended a six-game losing streak with an 8-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night. Braden (2-0) allowed four hits, walked four and struck out one. Braden was making his first start of the season, replacing Joe Blanton, who was traded to Philadelphia last Thursday, in the rotation.

Scott Feldman+ gets spot start, wins game: Rangers SP Scott Feldman, expected to move to the bullpen but forced to start because Eric Hurley has stiffness in his left shoulder, won his third straight decision Monday at the White Sox. He gave up one run on four hits in six innings, walking three and striking out one. "I sort of got into trouble a couple times, but I was able to make a good pitch and get a ground ball," he said. "I was trying to get ground balls, and when you're doing that you have to have a good defense, and we had a great defense tonight turning those double plays."


TWO START PITCHERS

AL:
Dallas Braden+, Mark Buehrle, A.J. Burnett, Paul Byrd, Scott Feldman+*, Armando Galarraga, Matt Ginter, Zack Greinke, Jeremy Guthrie, Felix Hernandez, John Lackey, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Luis Mendoza*, Mike Mussina, Glen Perkins+, Darrell Rasner, Clayton Richard, Kenny Rogers, Carlos Silva*, James Shields, Kevin Slowey, Jered Weaver*.

NL:
Collin Balester, Kevin Correia, Johnny Cueto, Doug Davis, Tim Hudson, Hiroki Kuroda, Ted Lilly, Braden Looper, Greg Maddux, John Maine, Brett Myers, Ricky Nolasco, Scott Olsen, Roy Oswalt, Micah Owings*, Jo-Jo Reyes, Glendon Rusch*, CC Sabathia, Ben Sheets, Ian Snell, Todd Wellemeyer, Carlos Zambrano.

+ = Check Wavier wire consider picking up.
* = Two-start status is in question.

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Second Half Studs

Second Half Studs
After the break pickups
by Dennis Paige/tabloidpaige.com

As the second half of the 2008 season begins, lets look at the pennant race as of July 17th.
American League East
Boston, is in 1st place by a 1/2 game over Tampa Bay and in 3rd place the New York Yankees, are 6 games back.
Hot 2nd half players:
Bos: Manny Ramirez OF, TB: Carl Crawford OF, NYY: A. Rodriguez , Robinson Cano ,

AL Central
Chicago, are in 1st by 1 1/2 games over Minnesota and 3rd at 6.5 games back sets Detroit.
Hot 2nd half players:
CWS: C. Quentin, LF , Minn: None, Detroit: Placido Polanco ,

AL West
Los Angeles is in 1st place by 6 games over Oakland and Texas is back 7.5 games from the leader.
Hot 2nd half players:
LAA: Howie Kendrick , Chone Figgins , Casey Kotchman , OAK A's: Frank Thomas , Mark Ellis , Texas: Ian Kinsler , Josh Hamilton , David Murphy ,.

These players should have a good 2nd half most have a 3 year average that show their BA, OBP and slugging percent increases after the mid summer break.
Check your wavier wires if they are still available pick'em up.

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Fantasy Baseball 7 Day DL Watch List

Fantsy Basball News
7 day DL List
By Scorbe
June/21/2008

6/21/08 Crisp, Coco CF BOS 7-game suspension. Appeal to be heard June 23
6/16/08 Casey, Sean 1B BOS 3-game suspension. Appeal to be heard June 23
6/15/08 Jackson, Edwin SP TB 5-game suspension. Playing amid appeal
6/8/08 Iwamura, Akinori 3B TB 3-game suspension. Playing amid appeal
6/21/08 Jones, Chipper 3B ATL Quadriceps Out until at least June 23-25 series vs. Milwaukee
6/21/08 Cameron, Mike CF MIL Toe Questionable for June 21-22 vs. Baltimore
6/21/08 Laird, Gerald C TEX Hamstring 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/21/08 Inge, Brandon 3B DET Questionable for June 21-22 at San Diego
6/21/08 Kouzmanoff,Kevin 3B SD Back Doubtful for June 21-22 vs. Detroit
6/21/08 Durham, Ray 2B SF Ankle Questionable for June 21-22 at Kansas City
6/21/08 Barmes, Clint SS COL DL On Triple-A rehab assignment. Might return for June 21-22 vs. N.Y. Mets
6/21/08 Boone, Aaron 1B WAS Questionable for June 21-22 vs. Texas
6/21/08 Izturis, Cesar SS STL Doubtful for June 21-22 at Boston
6/21/08 Escobar, Yunel SS ATL Questionable Hip Questionable for June 21-22 vs. Seattle
6/21/08 Clement, Matt SP STL 15-day DL. On Triple-A rehab assignment
6/20/08 Doumit, Ryan C PIT Concussion Questionable for June 21-22 vs. Toronto
6/20/08 Byrnes, Eric CF ARI Hamstrings 15-day DL. On Class A rehab assignment. Expected to return for June 23-25 series at Boston
6/20/08 Bradley, Milton OF TEX Questionable for June 21-22 at Washington
6/20/08 Mulder, Mark SP STL 15-day DL. On Triple-A rehab assignment
6/20/08 Macri, Matt 3B MIN Calf Questionable for June 21-22 vs. Arizona
6/20/08 Hairston, Jerry LF CIN 15-day DL. Out until at least late June
6/20/08 Bedard, Erik SP SEA Questionable for June 25 start at N.Y. Mets
6/20/08 Schilling, Curt SP BOS DL Shoulder Out for season
6/20/08 Nady, Xavier RF PIT Doubtful for June 21-22 series vs. Toronto
6/20/08 Mathis, Doug P TEX Shoulder 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/20/08 Blalock, Hank 3B TEX Wrist 15-day DL. On Triple-A rehab assignment. Might return for June 24-26 series at Houston
6/20/08 Cuddyer, Michael RF MIN Personal Probable for June 21-22 vs. Arizona
6/20/08 Edmonds, Jim CF CHC Foot Questionable for June 21-22 series vs. Chicago White Sox
6/20/08 Punto, Nick 3B MIN Hamstring 15-day DL. On Class A rehab assignment. Might return for June 23-25 series at San Diego
6/20/08 Pena, Carlos 1B TB Finger 15-day DL. Might return for June 24-25 series at Florida
6/20/08 Johnson, Reed LF CHC Back Available to pinch hit. Questionable for June 21-22 series vs. Chicago White Sox
6/19/08 Kuroda, Hiroki SP LA Shoulder 15-day DL. Out until at least late June
6/19/08 Zambrano, Carlos SP CHC Shoulder Out until at least June 29 start at Chicago White Sox
6/18/08 Duchscherer,Justin RP OAK Hip Probable for June 22 start vs. Florida
6/18/08 Abreu, Tony 3B LA Groin, hip 60-day DL. Out for the season
6/18/08 Blackburn, Nick SP MIN Elbow Probable for June 21 start vs. Arizona
6/18/08 Konerko, Paul 1B CHW Oblique 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/18/08 Wang, Chien-Ming SP NYY Foot 15-day DL. Out until at least early September
6/18/08 Hafner, Travis DH CLE Shoulder 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/18/08 Wellemeyer, Todd SP STL Elbow Out until at least June 25 start at Detroit
6/18/08 Stauffer, Tim SP SD Shoulder 60-day DL. Out for the season
6/18/08 Choate, Randy RP MIL Finger 15-day DL. On Class A rehab assignment
6/18/08 Johnson, Josh SP FLA Elbow 60-day DL. On Class A rehab assignment
6/18/08 Bard, Josh C SD Free DL Out until at least early July
6/18/08 Young, Chris R. SP SD Nose 15-day DL. Out until at least late July
6/18/08 Bennett, Gary C LA 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/18/08 Pujols, Albert 1B STL Calf 15-day DL. Eligible to return June 26 at Detroit
6/18/08 Estes, Shawn SP SD Thumb 15-day DL. Out until at least late July
6/18/08 Jones, Andruw CF LA Knee 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/18/08 Albaladejo, Jonathan RP NYY Elbow 60-day DL. Out for the season
6/18/08 Furcal, Rafael SS LA Back 15-day DL. Out until at least late July
6/18/08 Wells, Kip SP COL Hand 15-day DL. Out until at least late July
6/18/08 Garciaparra, Nomar 1B LA Calf 60-day DL. On Triple-A rehab assignment
6/18/08 Loewen, Adam SP BAL Elbow 15-day DL. On Double-A rehab assignment
6/18/08 Bowie, Micah SP COL Forearm 60-day DL. Out until at least late July
6/18/08 Wainwright, Adam SP STL Finger 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/18/08 Bonderman, Jeremy SP DET Shoulder 15-day DL. Might be out for the season
6/18/08 Roberts, Dave LF SF Knee 15-day DL. Out until at least late July
6/18/08 De Aza, Alejandro OF FLA Ankle 60-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/18/08 Iguchi, Tadahito 2B SD Shoulder 15-day DL. Out until at least late July
6/17/08 Colon, Bartolo SP BOS Back 15-day DL. Out until at least late July
6/17/08 Penny, Brad SP LA Shoulder 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/17/08 Barfield, Josh 2B CLE Finger 15-day DL. Out until at least early August
6/17/08 Matsuzaka, Daisuke SP BOS Shoulder 15-day DL. Expected to return for June 21 start vs. St. Louis
6/17/08 Soriano, Alfonso LF CHC Hand 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-July
6/17/08 Martinez, Victor C CLE Elbow 15-day DL. Out until at least early August
6/17/08 Baldelli, Rocco CF TB Illness 60-day DL. On Class A rehab assignment
6/17/08 Sheffield, Gary DH DET Oblique, shoulder 15-day DL. On Class A rehab assignment
6/16/08 Bierd, Randor RP BAL Shoulder 15-day DL. Out until at least late July
6/16/08 Duffy, Chris CF PIT Shoulder 15-day DL. On Double-A rehab assignment
6/16/08 Alou, Moises RF NYM Calf 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/16/08 Kotsay, Mark CF ATL Back 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/16/08 Escobar, Kelvim SP ANA Shoulder 60-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/16/08 Pagan, Angel LF NYM Shoulder 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/16/08 Vargas, Jason M. SP NYM Hip 15-day DL. Out until at least early August
6/16/08 Glavine, Tom SP ATL Elbow 15-day DL. Out until at least late July
6/16/08 Bootcheck, Chris RP ANA Forearm 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/15/08 Carpenter, Chris SP STL Elbow 15-day DL. Out until at least early August
6/15/08 Fox, Chad RP CHC Hand 15-day DL. Out until at least late June
6/15/08 Putz, J.J. RP SEA Elbow 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/15/08 Cameron, Kevin RP SD Elbow 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/15/08 Zimmerman, Ryan 3B WAS Shoulder 15-day DL. Out until at least late July
6/15/08 Schmidt, Jason SP LA Shoulder 60-day DL. Out until at least late July
6/15/08 Soriano, Rafael RP ATL Elbow 15-day DL. Out until at least late June
6/15/08 Kearns, Austin RF WAS Elbow 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/15/08 Cordero, Chad RP WAS Shoulder 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/15/08 Everett, Adam SS MIN Shoulder 15-day DL. Out until at least late June
6/15/08 Perez, Odalis SP WAS Shoulder 15-day DL. Out until at least late June
6/15/08 Valdez, Merkin RP SF Elbow 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/15/08 Gardner, Lee RP FLA Elbow 15-day DL. Out until at least late June
6/15/08 Ward, Daryle 1B CHC Back 15-day DL. Out until at least late June
6/15/08 Bale, John RP KC Shoulder, hand 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/15/08 Westbrook, Jake SP CLE Elbow 60-day DL. Out for the season
6/15/08 Johnson, Nick 1B WAS Wrist 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/15/08 Brackman, Andrew SP NYY Elbow 60-day DL. Out for the season
6/15/08 Gagne, Eric RP MIL Shoulder 15-day DL. Out until at least late June
6/15/08 Mitre, Sergio SP FLA Forearm 60-day DL. Out until at least late July
6/15/08 Devine, Joey RP OAK Elbow 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/15/08 McCarthy, Brandon SP TEX Elbow 15-day DL. Out until at least late July
6/15/08 Nunez, Leo SP KC Latisimus 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/15/08 Denorfia, Chris LF OAK Back 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/15/08 Carroll, Brett OF FLA Shoulder 15-day DL. Out until at least late June
6/15/08 Estrada, Johnny C WAS Elbow 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/15/08 Kennedy, Ian SP NYY Ribcage, shoulder 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/15/08 Wagner, Ryan RP WAS Shoulder 60-day DL. Out until at least late July
6/14/08 Willingham, Josh LF FLA Back 15-day DL. On Double-A rehab assignment
6/13/08 Loaiza, Esteban SP CHW Shoulder 15-day DL. Out until at least late June
6/13/08 Hughes, Phil SP NYY Rib 15-day DL. Out until at least late August
6/13/08 Thomas, Frank DH OAK Quadriceps 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/13/08 Reyes, Al RP TB Shoulder 15-day DL. Out until at least late June
6/12/08 Fogg, Josh SP CIN Back 15-day DL. On Class A rehab assignment
6/12/08 Wilson, Vance C DET Elbow 15-day DL. Out for the season
6/11/08 Hernandez, Orlando SP NYM Foot 15-day DL. Out until at least late July
6/11/08 Keppinger, Jeff SS CIN Knee 15-day DL. On Class A rehab assignment
6/11/08 Prado, Martin 2B ATL Thumb 15-day DL. Out until at least late June
6/11/08 Wise, Matt RP NYM Shoulder 15-day DL. Out until at least late July
6/11/08 Accardo, Jeremy RP TOR Forearm 15-day DL. On Class A rehab assignment
6/11/08 Stewart, Shannon LF TOR Ankle 15-day DL. Out until at least early July
6/11/08 Kinney, Josh RP STL Elbow 60-day DL. Out until at least late July
6/10/08 Church, Ryan CF NYM Concussion 15-day DL. Out until at least late June

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Working The Waiver Wire Get'em Set'em

Fantasy Baseball News

Pickup Lines:

Sifting through the streaks

June 20, 2008

By Matthew Lutovsky

This happens all the time when you search by raw numbers or overall rank.
The key to searching by time-span is knowing what to look for (and what to ignore). Here are the pros and cons of the seven-day, 15-day, and 30-day searches:

Seven-day

Pro:

You find out who's hot right now. If you're looking for immediate help, this is the search for you. Sure, anyone can have a good week, but there's a decent chance that player will continue their hot streak into the next week.

Con:

Stats can be skewed. This pertains to what I talked about last week -- one game can inflate a player's totals. Sometimes, a player might have only had one good game in the seven-day span, but it's enough to get them near the top of the search results. The most untrustworthy stat for this is RBIs. Just one three-run double or a random grand slam can make a player's RBI total look a lot better than normal. The best stats to look at are hits and runs. They give you a good sense of how "locked in" the player is at the plate and what kind of protection he has hitting behind him.
Stats can also be skewed based on where a guy played that particular week, so it's important to check out his game log. If he had games in Colorado, Philadelphia or Cincinnati (to name a few hitter-friendly parks), that could have inflated his numbers.

Pro:

It's the best way to find the most recent call-ups and guys returning from injury. Even a 15-day search might omit some of these guys. Of course, if it's a top prospect (such as Chase Headley) or high-profile player, chances are you'll be aware of them. Nonetheless, it's easy to overlook/forget about some lower-profile but still helpful players.

Case in point:

Earlier this year, I was looking for a middle infielder who could help with steals. After doing a search, I settled on sticking with Felipe Lopez, who was slumping at the time. Had I narrowed my search to "past seven days," I would've surely seen Alexi Casilla's name and added him. Trust me when I say Casilla would've been far more helpful than Lopez.

Con:

It's pretty useless for pitchers. Often, the seven-day search for pitchers will only cover one start. That doesn't help you much. Reserve this type of search for offensive players.
15-day

Pro:

Lets you know who's hot and has some staying power. This is probably the best overall way to search for immediate offensive help. Many of the guys on the 15-day list also will be on the seven-day list ... only they've been hot even longer.

Con:

The hot streak could be coming to an end. If it's a random player, 15 days of solid baseball might be all they have in them. Thus, they might be at their expiration date when you get around to picking them up. In fact, they might already have started their decline five days ago, but they're still on the list because of the first 10. Nevertheless, I still think this is the "best" time-span to search by.
30-day
Pro: Find out who's had sustained, consistent success. As discussed in a previous column, the 30-day search is better for those looking for long-term help. It's useful when you're simply looking for upgrades as opposed to the next "superstar." By filtering your search by the past 30 days, you get more useful results than you'd get by simply using "season rank" as your search criteria.
Con: Less likely to find significant, immediate offensive help. Let's face it -- if a player is really performing well, they'll be claimed before 30 days are up. So, like I said, this search is better suited for long-term upgrades.
Pro: Works great when searching for pitchers. The 30-day search will usually encompass five or six starts -- a good number when searching for productive pitchers. Seven days is too small of a sample size, and even 15 days usually doesn't get the job done. But 30 days is a far better indicator of who's been pitching well lately and who's worthy of adding. It's definitely a better indicator of a pitcher's value than searching by season rank. A lot of guys have rough starts but round into form later in the year. The 30-day search filters out those rough starts and gives you an idea of who you can count on.
Now that we know what to look for, let's put it into practice by analyzing some of the highest-ranked, likely available players based on each time-span.

Seven-day

OF/1B Marcus Thames, Tigers. There's a good chance Thames has already been picked up in your league (he's owned in 51 percent of SN leagues). After all, he has hit six home runs in his past six games. Thames did it in tough hitters parks -- Detroit and San Francisco. He is certainly hot right now, but don't expect it to last. Not only is playing time a concern, but there also are these two telling numbers from his seven-day splits: seven runs scored and eight RBIs. When a guy has hit six homers, you'd expect his runs and RBIs to be higher.
3B/OF Russell Branyan, Brewers. Branyan also is on a tear. He's homered in each of his past three games, giving him four overall in the past seven days. He's only scored five runs, but he does have eight RBIs (to go along with a .389 average). Branyan looks to be a great quick-fix, but the odds of him lasting are very slim. This is the same guy who has bounced around seven organizations in the past 10 years, failing to hit higher than .257 in any of his seasons in the majors. He strikes out a ton (eight in the past seven days), and he's much better at home than on the road. Eight of his home runs -- including all four this past week -- have come at Miller Park. After a three-game home series with Baltimore this weekend, Milwaukee goes on the road for 10 straight. Uh-oh. Plus, he might lose playing time when Rickie Weeks comes back from his knee injury.

OF Coco Crisp, Red Sox. Crisp has been doing a bit of everything over the past seven days. He's hitting .313 with four runs, three homers, seven RBIs and two steals. It should be noted both steals came in one game, and all of his games in that time span have come in three of the best hitters parks in baseball -- Fenway, Great American Ball Park and Citizens Bank Park. However, it is encouraging that he's put up those solid numbers while not even starting two games because of interleague and a hand injury. If his hand isn't seriously hurt (Red Sox officials don't think it is), grab Crisp and ride out this hot streak. It's going to end sometime, but as long as David Ortiz is hurt and the Red Sox are playing in AL parks (they only have one more road interleague series), Crisp should play almost every day. He has the all-around game to help your squad.
15-daySP Braden Looper, Cardinals. Over his past three starts, Looper has gone 1-1 with a 1.23 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 11 Ks in 22 innings. And it wasn't as if he had overly favorable matchups. Sure, facing the Royals at home was nice, but Houston and Cincinnati on the road weren't exactly cakewalks. Looper is one of those inconsistent pitchers who can get into grooves and really help a fantasy team. Of course, when he's bad, he tends to be really bad. His next start is at Detroit, and he's at Kansas City after that. He actually pitches considerably better on the road (3.60 ERA and 1.10 WHIP compared to 4.50 ERA and 1.54 WHIP at home), so have no fear about grabbing him and putting him in your rotation. You won't get many strikeouts, but the peripherals will help.

15 day
OF Jason Kubel, Twins. It seems like we're always waiting for Kubel to be a consistent producer, yet he keeps disappointing. But he's hot right now, hitting .359 with 11 runs, four homers and nine RBIs over the past 15 days. Playing time will always be an issue -- Twins' manager Ron Gardenhire hates lefty/lefty matchups with Kubel -- but, as we all know, Kubel has the potential to help fantasy teams over the long haul. Is he finally putting it together? I have my doubts, but he's still worth a flier.
2B/1B/OF Jeff Baker, Rockies. Yes, Baker's 15-day splits look impressive -- .414, 10 runs, three homers, six RBIs, one SB -- but you have to look a little deeper to see he's only played in nine games during that time span. Some might say that makes his numbers even more noteworthy, but I say that shows he's on the bench far too often. Yes, the fact he's hit a homer in each of his past three games might buy him some more playing time, but it's far from a lock. Baker's versatility gives him value, but it's tough to count on a platoon player who hits significantly better at home than on the road.

30-day

SP Ricky Nolasco, Marlins. I've written about Nolasco before, but the guy just keeps pitching well. He's had one bad start since May 3, and if you take that outing away, his stats over the 30 days are even more impressive. As it stands, he's 5-1 with a 3.46 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 30 Ks in 39 innings. Without that start at Atlanta on June 5, he's 5-0 with a 2.16 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 28 Ks in 33.1 innings. Yes, the kid is pitching great, and he deserves to be owned by more than 23 percent of teams in SN leagues.
OF David DeJesus, Royals. I've never been a big fan of DeJesus -- he does some things well, but nothing spectacular -- but there's no denying how hot he's been the past month. DeJesus is hitting .342 with 17 runs, five homers, 19 RBIs and three steals over the past 30 days. That kind of all-around production is worth a starting spot on most teams. DeJesus is a poor bet to keep this up -- after all, his career-high in homers is nine -- but maybe this is the year he finally breaks out, stays healthy and has a solid season. Either way, he certainly should be owned by more than 55 percent of teams in SN leagues.
SP Kenny Rogers, Tigers. The old man is up to his old tricks. Rogers has gone 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 13 Ks in his last 41.1 innings. Obviously, the K rate is poor, but it's tough to fault a guy pitching that well. He's gone at least seven innings in each of his past five starts, and he hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of those contests. However, you shouldn't get too excited over Rogers. He's faced the Giants, White Sox, Indians, A's, Angels and Mariners during the past month, and only the White Sox have an above-average offense in that group. Rogers is worth an add right now, but monitor him closely.

Associate editor Matt Lutovsky is a fantasy baseball expert for Sporting News

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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.

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MLB News Dodgers Eric Stults helps get victory

Fantasy Baseball News
CINCINNATI, June 19 (UPI)

Eric Stults gave up three runs and six hits in six innings Thursday helping the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 7-4 victory at Cincinnati and a three-game sweep.
Stults (1-0) replaced Brad Penny after he was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas in the Pacific Coast League Tuesday. Penny is on the 15-day disabled list with mild tendinitis in his right shoulder.
LA's Matt Kemp hit a solo homer and a two-run double for three RBI.
Four others had one RBI each, including James Loney, who went 3 for 4 and scored twice.
The Dodgers' Angel Berroa and Andre Ethier also had two hits apiece, while closer Takashi Saito earned his 10th save.
Cincinnati's Brandon Phillips had two hits and two RBI.
Norris Hopper and Paul Bako had one RBI apiece for the Reds, who have dropped five in a row.
Losing pitcher Aaron Harang (3-10) gave up five earned runs and 10 hits in five innings.

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Fantasy Sports Latest News and Get'em Set'em

Fantasy Sports Baseball News

Clement: Take Two - 06/18/2008

BY Aaron Gleeman

Reyes tweaks hamstring, hopes to play Weds.

Dodgers'KurodatoundergoMRIonshoulder

Red Sox place Colon on DL with stiff back

Konerko placed on DL with oblique strain

Mets fire Randolph, Peterson

Mariners adding Clement, demoting Balentien

Ichiro plays right for first time since 2006

Moving Ichiro Suzuki back to right field in order to get Willie Bloomquist's horrible bat into the lineup is a mistake, but the Mariners made a good decision Tuesday in the wake of firing general manager Bill Bavasi by recalling Jeff Clement from Triple-A. He got all of 56 plate appearances to prove himself last time and struggled, but hit .287 with nine homers, nine doubles, 23 RBIs, and a .670 slugging percentage in 24 games at Tacoma following his demotion. Clement didn't start Tuesday because the Mariners were facing a left-hander and clearly needed Jose Vidro to go 0-for-5 while dropping his OPS to .578, but should see the bulk of the action at designated hitter against right-handers. He has a strong all-around offensive game that includes 25-homer power and could emerge with mixed-league value wherever he's eligible at catcher. For now, count on him being an asset in AL-only leagues if the Mariners show some patience.While the Mariners hopefully allow Clement more than 15 games to sink or swim this time, here are some other notes from around baseball .

Brandon Webb was pulled from his start last Wednesday after just five innings and 58 pitches amid concerns about decreased velocity, saying afterward that he may be going through a "dead arm" period. If that outing caused worry among his fantasy owners, Tuesday's start against the A's may cause something a little closer to panic. Webb allowed seven runs without making it out of the fourth inning, once again showing diminished velocity and shaky command.Webb served up multiple homers for the first time in 39 starts and walked five batters for the first time in 31 starts. Since beginning the season 9-0 with a 2.56 ERA, Webb has gone 2-3 with a 4.54 ERA. That's hardly disastrous, of course, but something clearly isn't right with him right now. He's scheduled to face the Twins in Minnesota on Sunday, but pushing him back wouldn't be such a bad thing given his recent struggles and 5.11 career ERA on turf.

Tuesday was rough on the Dodgers' rotation, as Brad Penny landed on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis and Hiroki Kuroda was scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday with shoulder soreness of his own. An MRI on Penny's shoulder revealed no structural damage and for now the injury is expected to sideline him for just 2-3 starts, but returning after the minimum 15 days on the DL is far from a sure thing given that he's been complaining of soreness all month. Kuroda is scheduled to undergo an MRI instead of pitching Wednesday, at which point the team should have a better handle on his status. Derek Lowe will take his place, with recent call-up Eric Stults taking the mound Thursday and Clayton Kershaw getting the call Friday. Saturday's start may go to either Chan Ho Park or Hong-Chih Kuo unless the Dodgers want to call up another prospect. Stults has minimal fantasy potential, but the injuries give Kershaw more job security.

Bartolo Colon surprised everyone by looking like his old self through five starts for the Red Sox, going 4-1 with a 3.41 ERA. Unfortunately, Colon struggled in his sixth outing Monday and was placed on the disabled list Tuesday with back soreness. He apparently tweaked his back while taking a big cut at the plate, meaning that like Chien-Ming Wang he's sidelined thanks to interleague play. Unlike Wang, he's not expected to miss a huge chunk of time. In fact, Colon indicated Tuesday that he may have been able to avoid the DL altogether, but the Red Sox understandably chose to play it safe. Colon's injury means that Justin Masterson will now remain in the majors once Daisuke Matsuzaka returns from the DL this weekend, giving the Daily Dose favorite at least a couple more starts to impress. Masterson is 3-1 with a 2.90 ERA through five starts and has induced a grounder on an outstanding 54 percent of his balls in play.

AL Hits:

Closing with J.J. Putz (elbow) sidelined, Brandon Morrow slammed the door on a one-run lead Tuesday to give Felix Hernandez his fourth straight win . Jon Lester tossed seven shutout innings Tuesday, allowing three or fewer earned runs for the 10th straight start . Milton Bradley is considered day-to-day after leaving Tuesday's game with a strained quadriceps, but given his injury history some time off should be expected . Jason Giambi homered twice Tuesday and is now sporting a ridiculous .376/.485/.788 line since mid-May . Livan Hernandez came into Tuesday's game 0-3 with a 9.38 ERA and .438 opponent's batting average over his last six starts, but held the Nationals to one run over seven innings . Scott Kazmir was on track for his eighth streight Quality Start before being pulled from Tuesday's game in the fifth inning due to a high pitch count . Mike Aviles smacked a game-winning solo homer Tuesday and now has nine extra-base hits in a dozen games . Mark Ellis reached base five times Tuesday, homering twice and scoring four runs . Edgar Renteria collected his 2,000th career hit Tuesday and is still nearly two months shy of his 33rd birthday.

NL Hits:

Jose Reyes is considered day-to-day after leaving Tuesday's game with a strained hamstring . Much to Bill Hall's chagrin, Russell Branyan homered Tuesday for th! e eighth time in 18 games . Chase Headley made his season debut Tuesday, starting in left field and batting sixth while going 2-for-4 with two strikeouts . Manager Joe Torre said Tuesday that he doesn't expect Rafael Furcal (back) to return before the All-Star break, clearing the path for Nomar Garciaparra to see time at shortstop soon . Chris Carpenter (elbow) was cleared to resume throwing after Dr. James Andrews found no structural damage during an exam Monday . Ryan Braun went deep twice Tuesday, giving him 15 homers over the past 34 games after homering a total of five times through his first 35 games . John Lannan tossed seven innings of two-run ball Tuesday against the Twins, but took the loss as the Nationals failed to give him more than two runs of support for the sixth straight start . Manny Parra allowed a career-high 10 hits in his last start, but bounced back Tuesday with seven shutout innings against the Blue Jays.

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Tabloid Wire: Fantasy Baseball News to Use

Fantasy Sports Baseball News

Bad News for Wang, Bavasi

06/17/2008

BY Aaron Gleeman


Ichiro plays right for first time since 2006

Mariners relieve GM Bavasi of duties

Wang out at least ten weeks, possibly season

Cards' Molina suffers concussion in collision

Konerko could land on DL with rib-cage strain

Wang to undergo MRI for foot injury

Nady suffers sprained shoulder, day-to-day

Monday brought just about the worst possible news on Chien-Ming Wang's right foot injury. He may miss the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with a mid-foot sprain of the Lisfranc ligament, which fantasy football owners no doubt recognize as a dreaded injury. Wang is likely to avoid surgery and a late-season return hasn't totally been ruled out, but he'll wear a protective boot while walking on crutches for at least six weeks. Even before official word on Wang's injury came out the newspapers in New York were filled with speculation about the Yankees going after C.C. Sabathia, so now that Wang is likely done for the season the Sabathia gossip can be expected to intensify dramatically. Indians general manager Mark Shapiro spent all winter saying that the Indians wouldn't trade Sabathia despite his being an impending free agent, but has recently backed off that stance somewhat. After missing out on Johan Santana this offseason it certainly makes sense for the Yankees to make a strong push for Sabathia and the Indians' disappointing season is surely behind Shapiro's changing tune. With that said, the Yankees either couldn't or wouldn't put together a package for Santana that enticed the Twins. They're probably more willing to part with Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes now, but both pitchers have also seen their stock decline somewhat of late. For now the Yankees will replace Wang with journeyman Dan Giese, who'l l make his first MLB start Saturday against the Reds. Giese is 31 years old and has spent a decade in the minors, going 25-12 with a 3.25 ERA and 297-to-60 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 343 innings at Triple-A. Aaron Small going 10-0 before sliding back into obscurity is proof that strange things can happen when the Yankees call up a minor-league veteran, but Giese is at best a passable fifth starter. While the Yankees lose a pitcher who's gone 46-15 (.754) over the past three seasons compared to the rest of the staff going 182-151 (.546), here are some other notes from around baseball .

Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi deservedly got the ax Monday after guiding the team to a pitiful 322-395 (.449) record in parts of five seasons at the helm of the one of the game's largest payrolls. Bavasi spent much of his tenure simply making the Mariners older by pulling off several misguided trades and overpaying mediocre veteran free agents, leading to an MLB-worst record despite a $110 million payroll to build around Felix Hernandez and Ichiro Suzuki. Manager John McLaren will almost surely follow Bavasi out the door soon enough, but before that happens he decided to make a big lineup shift Monday. McLaren moved Ichiro from center field back to his old spot in right field, which is a questionable enough decision on its own. Not only did Ichiro win a Gold Glove in center field last season, during his career he's hit almost exactly as well in center field (.332 with an .800 OPS) as he has in right field (.331 with an .814 OPS). Toss in the fact that MLB right fielders as a group out-hit MLB center fielders by 50 points of OPS and the move seemingly makes zero sense. So why did McLaren make the switch? To get Willie Bloomquist and his .256/.312/.322 career mark into the lineup in center field, naturally. He's long been among the worst hitters in baseball and is far from a great defensive center fielder, yet Ichiro changed positions so that Bloomquist could start there Monday as Seattle fell to 24-46.

Mike Gonzalez has posted a sparkling 0.82 ERA and 12-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio during his minor-league rehab assignment, which apparently convinced the Braves that he's ready to return from Tommy John elbow surgery. Gonzalez is expected to come off the disabled list Wednesday and manager Bobby Cox replied "yes, absolutely" when asked Monday night whether he could quickly be in the mix for saves given the team's bullpen struggles."We may put him in a game just to see, we'll play it by ear," Cox said. "Hopefully we can count on him for the very end, eighth and ninth innings. If he's back to his old form, it's a huge plus." Gonzalez has been sidelined for 13 months, but already appears to have rediscovered his stuff and has some past experience closing within his 2.29 ERA over 186 big-league appearances. If he can put together 2-3 strong outings right away, expect Gonzalez to be in the mix for saves.

AL Quick Hits

David Ortiz (wrist) had his cast removed in favor of a splint Monday, but there's no timetable established yet for his return . Travis Hafner has suffered a setback in his recovery from a strained shoulder and appears unlikely to be activated this week . Ramon Vazquez came into this year as a! .250/.3 19/.343 hitter in 490 career games, but after going 3-for-4 with a homer Sunday he's now batting .336/.404/.534 in 48 games this season . Bartolo Colon allowed four runs over four innings Monday before leaving his start with back soreness . Fernando Rodney came off the disabled list Monday, with Joel Zumaya set to join him in the Tigers' bullpen later this week . Curt Schilling (biceps) has been shut down for a few days following what was described as a "sluggish" bullpen session over the weekeend . After sending a personal letter to every MLB team pleading for a job, Jay Gibbons has signed with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League . Kevin Youkilis was scratched from Monday's lineup with back spasms, giving Sean Casey a start at first base.

NL Quick Hits

As expected, manager Manny Acta said Sunday that Jesus Flores will remain the Nationals' starting catcher even after Paul Lo Duca (hand) returns from the disabled list . Micah Owings struggled Sunday for the fourth straight start, making him 0-3 with a 9.95 ERA during that stretch after beginning the season 6-2 with a 3.73 ERA through 10 outings . Cole Hamels held the Red Sox to two runs over seven innings Monday despite serving up solo homers to J.D. Drew and Dustin Pedroia . Xavier Nady has been diagnosed with a sprained shoulder after colliding with the outfield wall Saturday, meaning that a trip to the DL is possible . About a month into his 4-6 week recovery timetable, Nick Johnson (wrist) is scheduled to be examined Tuesday . Ryan Church (concussion) is aiming to return on June 23, saying Sunday that he hasn't "had any spells or anything like that" recently . Eric Byrnes (hamstrings) is hoping to begin a minor-league rehab assignment this week, with manager Bob Melvin saying Sunday that he'll be back by June 23 at the latest . Despite an ugly looking collision at home plate Sunday, Yadier Molina appears to have avoided serious injury and may stay off the DL.

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Dreadlines: Pujols Headed to DL

Pujols Pulls up Lame 06/11/2008

BY Aaron Gleeman

Pujols to have tests on injured calf

Glavine to return to DL with elbow strain

Furcal likely to miss rest of June

Tulowtizki set to begin rehab assignment

Tigers option Willis to Single-A Lakeland

Brewers 2B Weeks lands on disabled list

Cardinals to place Wainwright on 15-day DL

Albert Pujols has remained in the Cardinals' lineup while posting his usual 1.000 OPS despite a series of nagging injuries dating back to last season, but may have finally found something that even he can't play through. Pujols had to be helped off the field Tuesday night after aggravating the calf injury that's been bothering him for some time, and is now scheduled to leave the team in Cincinnati and fly back to St. Louis for further testing."Based on what I saw-and I'm not a doctor-it was pretty bad," general manager John Mozeliak said. Pujols has certainly shown in the past that he can play through various injuries and continue to dominate, but at first glance that seems unlikely in this case. Rookie Joe Mather replaced him at first base Tuesday and sliding Troy Glaus across the diamond is another option, but recalling Chris Duncan from Triple-A would also seemingly be a good fill-in choice. Duncan was demoted last week after batting just .252/.356/.386 with his usual shaky defense in left field, but he posted an .802 OPS against right-handers and wouldn't be nearly as stretched at first base. Given their handedness a Duncan-Mather platoon would be a natural fit while allowing the Cardinals to leave Glaus at third base and thus avoid weakening the offense even further. In that scenario, Duncan would reclaim solid value in NL-only leagues.While Pujols waits to see if he's headed for the first extended absence of his career after playing in 96.3 percent of his team's 1,200 games, here are some other notes from around baseball .

Scott Baker stopped the bleeding for Minnesota's pitching staff Tuesday, holding the Indians to one run over seven innings after the Twins coughed up 40 runs while being swept in a four-game series against the White Sox. Unfortunately for Baker he was matched up against C.C. Sabathia, who tossed a complete-game shutout. Handed a first-inning run to work with, Sabathia breezed through the Twins' lineup, throwing 77 of his 106 pitches for strikes while walking none.Sabathia's overall ERA remains at a mediocre 4.34 thanks to a string of brutal April outings, but since then he's been every bit as dominant as he was while winning the AL Cy Young last year. If you set aside Sabathia's first four starts, he has a 2.09 ERA and 73-to-14 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 73.1 innings. It takes a long time for a stat line to recover from beginning the season 0-3 with a 13.50 ERA, but Sabathia is definitely back to being a fantasy stud.

After being examined by doctors over the weekend, Rafael Furcal was told that his injured back won't allow him to see game action for at least two more weeks. Furcal had been hoping to return next Tuesday, but now figures to miss the remainder of the month and is far from a sure thing to be back prior to the All-Star break. Meanwhile, Nomar Garciaparra is set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment this week and is eligible to return from the 60-day disabled list on June 25. If Garciaparra beats Furcal back from the DL, the Dodgers have indicated that he'll get a chance to start at shortstop despite not having played the position since 2005. Since then he's played 1,588 innings at first base and 416 innings at third base, so returning to his old posit ion at the age of 34 may prove to be a disaster. Of course, when the alternatives are Luis Maza or Angel Berroa suddenly taking a hit defensively doesn't sound so bad.

Dontrelle Willis started Monday versus the Indians, allowing eight runs while throwing just 27 of his 64 pitches for strikes and walking five of the 12 batters he faced. That gave him a 10.32 ERA and 21 walks in 11.1 innings overall, and the Tigers decided that they'd seen enough, demoting him all the way down to Single-A. It's been a gradual decline followed by a sudden collapse for Willis, who saw his ERA rise from 2.63 in 2005 to 3.87 in 2006 and 5.17 in 2007.Now he can't even find the plate, which perhaps isn't shocking given his odd throwing motion and 190 walks over the previous two seasons. Willis clearly needs to throw a whole bunch of innings in an effort to find some semblance of command and if they still have any notion of contending the Tigers simply couldn't afford to keep running him out there. Willis was one of my "bust" picks coming into the season, but that merely assumed that he'd pitch poorly, not completely implode.

AL Quick Hits:

Manager Jim Leyland said Tuesday that Ivan Rodriguez and Brandon Inge will alternate starts behind the plate, suggesting that Rodriguez may not be long for Detroit . Called up from Triple-A to replace Asdrubal Cabrera at second base, Josh Barfield left Tuesday's game with a sprained finger and is considered day-to-day . Jose Contreras came into Tuesday's game against the Tigers at 4-0 with a 1.50 ERA in his last six starts, but took the loss while allowing six runs on 13 hits . Dustin McGowan allowed one run in Tuesday's complete-game victory over the Mariners, matching a season-high with seven strikeouts . Rocco Baldelli went 1-for-4 in an extended spring training game Monday and could be close to beginning a minor-league rehab assignment . Curt Schilling (shoulder) threw 40 pitches off a mound Tuesday and reported no problems . Asked Monday about a rumor that the Cubs are interested in dealing for him, Gil Meche responded by asking "how's that going to happen?" while indicating that he'd block any move with his no-trade clause.

NL Quick Hits:

Jake Peavy (elbow) is scheduled to come off the disabled list with a start Thursday against the Dodgers . With Rickie Weeks (knee) on the DL, Bill Hall started at second base Tuesday for the first time since May of 2006 . Meanwhile, general manager Doug Melvin denied a rumor that the Brewers are interested in Brian Roberts . Initially expected to miss most of the season, Josh Johnson is ahead of schedule in his recovery from Tommy John surgery and could return around the All-Star break . With Jerry Hairston (finger) heading to the shelf Tuesday, the Reds are hoping that Jeff Keppinger (knee) is able to return by this weekend . Manager Bob Melvin said Monday that Chad Tracy isn't ready to play the outfield yet following knee surgery, but that "it certainly could be a consideration down the road" . Ryan Ludwick came into Tuesday's game hitting just .219 this month, but went 4-for-5 with a homer, two doubles, and four RBIs . As expected, Matt Holliday (hamstring) returned to the lineup Tuesday after the minimum stay on the DL.

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