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BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Jay Gibbons could return later this week. He should mostly be used as a DH, with occasional starts at first base.
No surprise that Russ Ortiz was removed from the starting rotation. The next removal should be from a major league roster.
Hayden Penn has been activated from the DL and will make a few starts in the minors. Penn has been impressive in 7 Triple-A starts, averaging almost a K per inning, while posting a 1.79 ERA. He will definitely get a shot to start at some point and could be worth stashing on reserve.
Closer Chris Ray keeps rolling along, converting 24 of 25 save opportunities. The one area of potential danger was walks. But since June 1st, he has only issued 1 walk in 19.1 innings.
Click to continue reading American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. East
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TEXAS RANGERS
24 year-old rookie Ian Kinsler is firmly entrenched as the starting second baseman. The 7 home runs in 175 AB do not fully tell the story of his power potential. His low G/F ratio of .69, combined with 13 doubles and a triple show that his power is real. As he enters his power growth years while playing his home games in Ameriquest Stadium, the home runs should increase. There is 30+ home run potential here.
Brad Wilkerson expects to have shoulder surgery in the off-season. His shoulder must be bothering him as he has recently missed games and has produced only 3 extra-base hits in his last 15 games. Don’t expect big numbers from his second-half.
Click to continue reading American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. West
American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. Central
Posted by Tom Massimo Categories: Editorial, Fantasy, MLB,
DETROIT TIGERS
Marcus Thames continues to show that he deserves to be playing regularly. He now has 19 home runs, 43 RBIs and a .295 batting average. Until this year, he had always hit poorly against right-handed pitchers. But he seems to have solved them, as he is hitting .315 with 15 home runs against them. With a contact rate of 77%, he is most likely not a .300 hitter, but the power skills and gains against right-handers should keep him in the lineup full-time.
It took 8 starts, but Zach Miner finally had a bad outing against, of all teams, the weak KC Royals. Miner was shining with the mediocre skills of a 5.8 K/9, 2.9 BB/9 and a 1.46 G/F ratio. His 3.30 ERA could be in for a spike, especially as he faces teams a second time.
Justin Verlander is having a fine rookie season. Something to keep an eye on is his tiring down the stretch. Last season was his first season in professional baseball and he pitched 129.2 innings at three different levels. He has already logged 117.2 innings this season, putting on pace to exceed last year’s innings by a wide margin. Add in that in the past manager Jim Leyland has been known to overwork young pitchers and there could be some problems later in the year.
Click to continue reading American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. Central
Dealing To The Dish: National League 7.17.06
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Editorial, Fantasy, MLB,
Colorado Rockies @ Pittsburgh Pirates
B. Kim (5-5, 4.89) vs. K. Wells (0-4, 12.42)
I have to be honest here… I have no idea what to tell you about this matchup because it’s so bad. How about the fact that both teams are last in their respective division, although the N.L. West is so bad, the Rockies are only 4.0 games out of the lead held by the San Diego Padres.
Washington Nationals @ Florida Marlins
T. Armas (6-4, 4.44) vs. R. Nolasco (6-6, 5.00)
The Battle for the Bottom! Both teams reside at the bottom of the N.L. East, but the Marlins are showing some good signs to being ultra-competitive in a few years, if not sooner. However, for now, they’re just also-rans and probably pretenders for the N.L. Wild Card.
Atlanta Braves @ St. Louis Cardinals
H. Ramírez (4-3, 4.65) vs. J. Weaver (0-0, 0.00)
Uh oh… here we go. The Braves are 12.0 games away from the New York Mets, but they are in second place after some time of being in last place. Is it time to panic for the Metropolitans and the rest of the N.L. East? I don’t know. The logical person in me says, “Aw hell naw!” But, we can’t overlook the Braves winning eight of their last ten games, including five in a row. If they ever get bullpen help, I think them making a sweet turn to their season is wholly possible.
Click to continue reading Dealing To The Dish: National League 7.17.06
Dealing To The Dish: American League 7.17.06
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Editorial, Fantasy, MLB,
Oakland Athletics @ Baltimore Orioles
J. Windsor (0-0, NA) vs. A. Loewen (0-2, 7.12)
Young prospect versus young prospect! Those in fantasy leagues should keep an eye on this matchup, especially those in keeper leagues. We’ve seen some of Adam Loewen who has shown he can K batters (25 in 30.1 innings), but also walk them (21). Jason Windsor is 12-1 in the minors this season, including 8-0 in Triple A. Will he be the next in line of great young pitchers to come out of the organization?
Seattle Mariners @ New York Yankees
J. Washburn (4-9, 4.58) vs. C. Wang (9-4, 4.00)
I cannot believe that the Yankees swept the defending world champion, Chicago White Sox over the weekend. This bodes well for the injured Yankees… although, you have to admit that even with Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui out til possibly September, a team of Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon, Mariano Rivera, Mike Mussina, and to every now and then Randy Johnson is pretty good.
Kansas City Royals @ Boston Red Sox
L. Hudson (2-3, 5.79) vs. T. Wakefield (7-8, 4.05)
The Red Sox’s lead in the A.L. East is starting to get smaller, but thank goodness for them and Red Sox Nation, the lackluster Kansas City Royals come into Beantown. Nothing like a rag doll to beat around and add a few W’s on the board. Of course, if the Royals sweep the Sox, it’ll be a sure sign that the unraveling is beginning.
Click to continue reading Dealing To The Dish: American League 7.17.06
BOSTON RED SOX
The Red Sox quickly found out that Jason Johnson was not the solution to their 5th starting pitcher problem. Royal castoff Kyle Snyder was called up for a start on Sunday against the A’s, where he up 5 runs in 4.2 innings. He is likely not the answer either. The Red Sox believe that David Wells could be back in a few weeks to claim that starting spot.
Coco Crisp, who has been very ordinary since returning from a broken finger, could be a good buy low candidate. His power improved steadily in his first three seasons. At 26 years of age he was at the right age to take his power up another level this year. The finger injury has probably affected his poor power production so far this season. With his G/F right around last season’s output, the power should return as his finger becomes less of an issue. An added bonus is that he has 9 steals for a team that supposedly does like to run.
Click to continue reading American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. East
Kobe Bryant Has Surgery - Out 8 to 12 Weeks
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Championship, Editorial, Fantasy, NBA,
Lakers shooting guard and the NBA’s leading scorer last season, Kobe Bryant, had minor surgery on this right knee on Saturday and is expected to miss the World Championships later this summer. The normal recovery time for the surgery performed on Bryant is usually 8-to-12 weeks.
While Kobe will not be able to play on the World Championship United States squad, he will still travel with the team to China and South Korea for exhibition games and to Japan where the tournament is taking place. This is an excellent public relations move for Bryant, still showing his support of his U.S. teammates and the country itself.
Of course, he just might conveniently be skipping out on “daddy duty” with his young baby girl, whom I doubt will travel with Bryant. And, of course, he’ll also get out of “hubby duty” and be able to hang with the fellas. Naturally, this is pure speculation on my part, but it’s easy to be cynical of Bryant ever since his shenanigans in Colorado.
Don’t get me wrong, I hope Bryant is sincere in everything he does and he’s shown no inkling otherwise. But, in order for Bryant to get back in my heart (and McDonalds-loving belly), he’ll have to be on top behavior for as long as he plays. Unfair or not, this surgery will see Bryant NOT playing for some time.
However, Lakers fans and fantasy basketball fans, have no worries - Bryant should be ready by the time the regular season comes around. Barring any setbacks, of course… like, say, someone that just wants to “love Kobe long time” getting very wild.
LeBron, Dwyane, and James: Four Years From Now
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Editorial, Fantasy, Front Office, NBA,
As most of you probably know by now, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will be signing three-year extensions with their respective teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. For both, there will be a fourth year player option…
... but I really don’t think they’ll be taking it.
Yes, yes, yes, I know. It’s four years from now, that is to say 48 months or 1461 days from now (there is a leap year, right?), or about the time it takes your fat mama to put a belt around her waist. Ugh, sorry for that last comment, but I have to admit that I actually watched MTV’s Yo Momma hosted by Erik Estrada’s love child, Wilmer Valderrama, but I promise you I hated myself every second. Anyway, back to the talented ballers and not the non-talented wannabe’s that somehow still get prime babes like Mandy Moore and Lindsey Lohan. WTF?
Okay, I am making a prediction here, folks. I am looking four years ahead when James and Wade’s contract will be over. Are you ready? Strap yourself in for this monumental statement… LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will be playing together on the New York Knicks.
OH SHIZNIT! WHAT? YOU ARE DUMB, D! STRAIGHT UP BANANAS!
Click to continue reading LeBron, Dwyane, and James: Four Years From Now
Fantasy Baseball First-Half-Bests: National League
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Editorial, Fantasy, MLB,
BEST FANTASY HITTER: Alfonso Soriano, 2B/OF, Washington Nationals
.272 BA, 27 HR, 56 RBI, 63 R, 20 SB, .887 OPS
I’m a huge Albert Pujols fan and it pains me to choose someone other than Pujols, but you can’t deny the value that Soriano has as a 2B. Unless Soriano gets traded to another team and plays second again, this will be his last season to qualify as a 2B, so let’s all bow down and praise him. Of course, if Pujols didn’t get hurt, he probably would have better numbers and this Best Hitter designation… sorry, just had to make an argument for my main man.
Others considered: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals; Jose Reyes, SS, New York Mets; Carlos Beltran, New York Mets
BEST FANTASY PITCHER: Chris Capuano, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
129.0 IP, 10 W, 3.21 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 112 K
What? Who? Sure Capuano isn’t really a “top” name, but he’s getting results like one. If you were like me and thought that Capuano’s 2005 season, especially the wins total, were fluky, you and I were wrong to doubt Capuano and his abilities. If anything, he’s just gotten better from last season.
Others considered: Brandon Webb, Arizona Diamondbacks; Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds; Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs
BEST FANTASY ROOKIE: Dan Uggla, 2B, Florida Marlins
.307 BA; 13 HR; 51 RBI; 57 R; 5 SB; .875 OPS
Dan Uggla. Dan Uggla? Yes, Dan Uggla. Uggla came out of nowhere (just like the rest of the young Marlins) to actually be considered as one of the best players at his position… as a rookie. Uggla is on pace for the following numbers - .300/25/100/110/10. By far, he is the best waiver wire pick-up of the season.
Others considered: Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins; Josh Johnson, Florida Marlins; Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals; Takashi Saito, Los Angeles Dodgers
Click to continue reading Fantasy Baseball First-Half-Bests: National League
Fantasy Baseball First-Half-Bests: American League
Posted by Tom Massimo Categories: Editorial, Fantasy, MLB,
BEST FANTASY HITTER: Carl Crawford, OF, Tampa Bay Devil Rays
.319 BA, 13 HR, 46 RBI, 55 R, 32 SB, .880 OPS
Is he the best hitter in the American League? Certainly not, pitchers fear David Ortiz much more. But for fantasy production, nobody puts up points in all five categories like Crawford.
Others considered: David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox; Alex Rodriquez, New York Yankees; Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners; Grady Sizemore, Cleveland Indians
BEST FANTASY PITCHER: Johan Santana, SP, Minnesota Twins
131 IP, 9 W, 2.95 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 138 K
He is as close as you can get to a five category pitcher. Too bad they can’t bring him in on off-days to close games.
Others considered: Jon Papelbon, Boston Red Sox; B.J. Ryan, Toronto Blue Jays; Bobby Jenks, Chicago White Sox; Francisco Liriano, Minnesota Twins
BEST FANTASY ROOKIE: Francisco Liriano, SP/RP, Minnesota Twins
88 IP, 10 W, 1.83 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 102 K
Tough call with Jon Papelbon converting 26 of 29 saves opportunities, while sporting a microscopic 0.59 ERA. But Liriano’s complete dominance is too hard to ignore.
Others considered: Jon Papelbon, Boston Red Sox; Kenji Johjima, Seattle Mariners; Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers; Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels
Click to continue reading Fantasy Baseball First-Half-Bests: American League
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