DETROIT TIGERS

Zach Miner continues his hold on the number five starting spot, with a 3-1 record and a 2.08 ERA.  However, with just 13 K’s in 26 innings and a G/F ratio hovering around 1.0, there could be some bumps in the road. 

Carlos Guillen looks like he has recovered from the knee injury that plagued his 2005 season.  The numbers he is putting up is consistent with his breakout 2004 season.  He provides nice power for a middle infielder.  The eight stolen bases look good until you see that he has been caught 5 times.  If that continues, the green light will not be given often.

The difference in Kenny Rogers home ERA of 1.76 versus his road ERA of 4.17 can be explained by just 1 home run allowed at home against 11 on the road.  While he is obviously a must start at home, this does not mean you need to bench him on the road.  Those with the roster flexibility may want to consider sitting him in road starts in extremely hitter friendly stadiums such as Texas. 

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Juan Uribe is in the midst of a mini-streak, 10 for his last 29, with 3 homers and 9 RBI.  What is worth noting is that he has started seven of the last nine games over Alex Cintron.  This shows that the Sox prefer Uribe as long as he is producing.

Joe Crede has started the last eight games so his back issues do not appear to be a problem.

There is nothing in Jermaine Dye’s underlying stats that suggest his great season cannot continue.  His batting eye is solid and his power has been steadily growing over the last 4 years.  The only negative is with a 79% contact rate, his .313 average could dip about 15 to 25 points.

CLEVELAND INDIANS

With Casey Blake on the DL and Jason Michaels possibly joining him, Todd Hollandsworth, Franklin Gutierrez and Eduardo Perez could all see increased playing time.  At this point in his career Hollandsworth offers some power, but with a 68% contact rate and a .05 batting, he will hurt your batting average.  Gutierrez is a good prospect with power/speed potential.  But he is just 23 years old and the power is not there yet.  He makes good contact, which will help him take advantage of his speed.  Eduardo Perez has seen some AB against right-handers but he should not.  He is 1 for 11 this season when facing righties and was 6 for 26 last year.  Those in daily transaction leagues should bench him whenever a right-hander is starting.

Aaron Boone needs to start looking over his shoulder.  After a slow start in Triple-A, Andy Marte has homered in five straight games and raised his average to .269.  Boone’s power has completely evaporated and he could be traded or head to the bench, especially if the Indians continue to fall out of the AL Central race.

The Indians designated disappointing pitcher Jason Johnson for assignment.  GM Mark Shapiro confirmed that Jeremy Sowers will replace Johnson in the rotation.  Sowers is a finesse type pitcher who will not blow anyone away, so don’t count on him for strikeouts.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

The Royals traded 23 year old left-handed pitcher J.P. Howell to the Devil Rays for speedster OF Joey Gathright.  It is surprising that the Royals would trade a nice prospect, especially a lefty starter, for a one-dimensional player.  Gathright’s one skill is speed, which does potentially give him fantasy value.  He will play regularly in CF, moving David DeJesus to LF and Emil Brown to the bench.  His batting average should rise from the paltry .201 that he hit for the Rays, as some more of the many groundballs off his bat find holes or he legs out for hits.  If he makes better contact than his current 81% rate, his average could really rise. Obviously the more he gets on base, the higher his value will be because once he reaches safely, he knows how to use his speed.  Those in need of steals should go and get him.

Mike MacDougal in rehabbing at Triple-A and should immediately take over the closer role upon his return.  If he can hold the gains that he made with his control last season then he is worth owning.

It is hard to believe that even the Royals cannot find anyone better to play first base than Doug Mientkiewicz.  With a G/F ratio of 1.34, he hits the ball into the ground way too much to generate any kind of power. 

Even though his is 38 years old and misses games with various minor ailments, Reggie Sanders is still productive.  With 9 homers in 196 AB, the power is still there.  For those in need of a power boost, you could do worse and can probably get him on the cheap.

MINNESOTA TWINS

The Twins cut ties with 3B Tony Batista and traded SS Juan Castro.  Jason Bartlett was handed the SS job.  The key to him keeping the job will be his defense.  Manager Ron Gardenhaire was not enamored with his defense in spring training and he will probably be on a short leash.  As a hitter, Bartlett does not offer much in the power department and despite flashing nice speed skills in the minors, he has been caught stealing in his first two attempts.

As for 3B, Terry Tiffee and Nick Punto have been splitting time.  Tiffee makes good contact but with a career G/F ratio of 2.74 in 213 AB, it is apparent that he offers nothing in the power department.  Punto is a better choice.  His greatly improved batting eye will get him on base where he can take advantage of his greatest skill of speed.  There is also the possibility that Michael Cuddyer could be moved back to third.

Shannon Stewart is set to begin his minor league rehab assignment.  When Stewart returns, expect hot-hitting rookie Jason Kubel to stay in the line-up with Rondell White being the odd man out.