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Fantasy Value: Carlos Lee to Texas Rangers
Posted by Tom Massimo Categories: Editorial, Fantasy, MLB,
Pending the results of physicals, the Texas Rangers pulled off a big trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, acquiring slugger Carlos Lee, minor-leaguer Nelson Cruz and a player to be named later for Kevin Mench, Francisco Cordero, and Lance Nix.
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American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. West
Posted by Tom Massimo Categories: Editorial, Fantasy, MLB,
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
One of the reasons why Robb Quinlan will probably sit against most right-handers is that the Angels have to find ways to get rookie Howie Kendrick’s bat in the line-up. Last week, Manager Mike Scioscia said that Kendrick would platoon with Adam Kennedy at second base. Being on the bad end of the platoon, Kendrick has also seen action at first and third base. The 23 year old’s future is as a starter so there is no reason to platoon him, especially since his righty/lefty batting split is .370/.174 in his first 50 major league AB. Kendrick should see enough AB to justify being used in mixed leagues.
It remains to be seen how the playing time shakes out now that Kendry Morales has been sent to the minors. Righty swinging Quinlan, who was platooning at first base figures to see some extra AB. Quinlan mashes left-handed pitching. His 2004/2005/2006 averages against southpaws is .390/.289/.347. The jury is still out on how he will fare against right-handers. His 2004/2005/2006 averages against righties is .317/.137/.259. There is one solid year, a disaster year and one right in the middle. Look for Quinlan to play full-time against lefties and occasionally against righties. This will increase his value in AL-only leagues.
For the time being Adam Kennedy should play regularly against right-handers. Kennedy’s power has been in decline since 2004. He still hits some doubles but can only be counted on for a handful of home runs. There is some speed left in his legs as evidenced by the 4 triples that he has hit this year. However the 6 caught stealing in 15 tries is not exactly awe-inspiring. He can still be used in AL-only leagues, but you can do better in mixed leagues.
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Floyd Landis Tested Positive For Steroids
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, News,
Tour de France winner, Floyd Landis tested positive for steroids during cycling’s most prestigious race and now his title could be stripped from him, depending on the results of a back-up sample that still needs to be tested. If the result is positive again, Spain’s Oscar Pereiro would be the new Tour de France winner. Naturally there is already a lot of politicking on both sides from those that believe the first test is proof enough and from Landis himself who believes that he did nothing wrong and has requested to have the back-up sample to be tested to prove his innocence. The results of that test would not be made public until two weeks from when the test is done, so it could be a few weeks before Landis is cleared of any charges for doping or if he is proven to have cheated. Stay tuned.
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American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. Central
Posted by Tom Massimo Categories: Editorial, Fantasy, MLB,
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Just as quickly as he was demoted from the closer role, Ambiorix Burgos is back in it after the Royals traded Mike MacDougal. While Burgos’ 9.0 K/9 is impressive, a BB/9 rate of 4.9 and 10 home runs allowed in 48 innings has led to 9 blown saves and a 5.25 ERA. He is just 22 years old and there is talent here, it just won’t happen this year.
Mike Sweeney is heading for a rehab assignment and could be activated from the DL next week. He will almost certainly be used exclusively as the full-time DH upon his return. His injury history will always make him a risky play, but he does own some very nice offensive skills.
The Royals acquisition of second baseman Jeff Keppinger from the Mets could be a sign that they will move Mark Grudzielanek by the August 1st trade deadline. Keppinger makes good contact and has a strong batting eye, but lacks the power or speed to be a fantasy asset.
Reggie Sanders went on the 15 day with a right thigh strain, almost eliminating the possibility of a trade by August 1st. Because he is owed $5 Million for next season, he should be able to pass through waivers, so a trade in August is still possible. The Royals recalled Shane Costa to take his spot on the roster. Costa was hitting .377 in Triple-A, but in 134 AB with the Royals this year he has a .20 batting eye and a 1.47 G/F ratio. Stay away from him, as he will hurt your batting average.
The Royals acquired left-hander Odalis Perez and a pair of minor leaguers for Elmer Dessens. Perez has not pitched as bad as his 6.83 ERA would indicate. 9 home runs allowed in 59.1 innings and some poor bullpen support has hurt him. That being said, his K/9 is down to 5.1 from the 6.20 to 6.90 area where it was when he had his greatest success. Moving to the American League and baseball’s worst team won’t help either.
The Royals also traded infielder Tony Graffanino to the Brewers for left-hander Jorge De La Rosa. De La Rosa is out of options so he will stick around in middle relief. Poor command will keep him there and off of the fantasy radar. Graffanino’s departure will give Esteban German some more AB. He could be a cheap source of steals in AL-only leagues.
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A Hack Job: The “Big Things” in Sports
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Championship, Editorial, Fantasy, Front Office, Golf, Kudos, MLB, NBA, NFL, Playoffs, Tennis,
As sports fans, we love and want to witness feats of athletic, methodical, and powerful achievement. The grace of Barry Sanders stopping on a dime, running back five yards, then going forward 80 yards while evading all 11 defensive players for a score was soemthing you felt lucky to see, mouth agape, drool making a half necklace around your neck. The devastating display of homerun power in 1998 as Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa chase of Roger Maris and his single season home run record and the way they chased each other had even your grandmother paying attention to the home run race. And, how about Tiger Wood’s assassin-like taking of the PGA at the turn of the century, and most recently this past weekend at the British Open.
Face it, folks, we want to know and be blessed with witnessing, to steal from LeBron James and Nike, the “big things” in sports. And, I’m here to help you all figure out what those things are.
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Odalis Perez Traded To The Kansas City Royals
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Editorial, MLB, Trades,
Disgruntled Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher, Odalis Perez, was finally traded away from L.A. to the Royals for pitcher Elmer Dessens. Along with Perez, two minor leaguers - Blake Johnson and Julio Pimental - and cash considerations were sent Kansas City’s way. Perez has been particularly vocal this season about how unhappy he was with the Dodgers and their use of him, and even though the organization said that they weren’t going to trade him, off Perez goes on his merry way to the baseball equivalent of Hell. And, let’s be honest - the Dodgers overpaid big-time to get Dessens. The moral of the story? If you’re going to bash your club, at least perform well because a 6.83 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, and .346 BAA does not validate anyone mouthing off, so they, that is Perez, deserves to play with the Royals. Out of the frying pan into the fire.
Derrek Lee Goes On The Disabled List
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Injuries, MLB, News,
The Chicago Cubs placed 1B Derrek Lee on the 15-day disabled list in order for last season’s Triple Crown threat to get some rest for his sore right wrist. Since coming back from his first stint on the disabled list, Lee was batting a poor .227 with only one home run and four RBI in 20 games. Compared to last season when Lee hit .335 with 46 home runs, it is a striking difference and perhaps Lee came back too soon from his April 19th injury when the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Rafael Furcal collided with Lee, breaking two bones in Lee’s right wrist. However, it isn’t any news that the Cubs would treat injuries ineffectively as both Mark Prior and Kerry Woods suffered injury, came back, and in a bit of time only, went right back on the shelf. The Cubs have no plans to put Lee on the DL for the whole season, despite not really having anything to play for, postseason-wise.
Mike MacDougal To The Chicago White Sox
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: MLB, News, Trades,
The defending World Series champion, Chicago White Sox, made a big and perhaps bold move in acquiring Kansas City Royals closer, Mike MacDougal, who has only appeared in 4.0 innings of work this season after starting it on the disabled list. Howver, the White Sox were sorely in need of middle relief pitching to bridge the gap between their starters to closer, Bobby Jenks and MacDougal could prove to be a very effective set-up man. The Pale Hose’s bullpen was the least used in the majors thanks to a lack of faith in the relievers, but to be fair, also because of the effectiveness of the starting rotation. However, if the White Sox plan to go deep in the playoffs, they’ll need to rest their staff for the long stretch. In return, the Royals received two minor league pitchers - Tyler Lumsden and Daniel Cortes, who do not project to make it into the majors for at least one or two more seasons.
Americans Rule The World (Or At Least Europe) And That’s Good Enough!
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Editorial, Golf, Kudos, News,
Sunday’s sheer domination by Americans, Tiger Woods and Floyd Landis, in their respective sports displayed the raw power of our American athletes. With a U.S. team ousting in the recent World Cup and the U.S. Basketball squads not exactly tearing up the court in international play in the past several years, Woods winning the British Open and Landis taking the Tour de France was a much needed shot in the arm for our sports ego as a country. But, we all know we were going to win eventually, right? After all, we’re American!
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American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. East
Posted by Tom Massimo Categories: Editorial, Fantasy, MLB,
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.
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