“And I miss looking that pitcher in the eye. I can’t look my son in the eye when he’s throwing me a Wiffle ball and say, ‘I’m going to rip one off your forehead.'”
–former A’s infielder and current sports radio talk show host F.P. Santangelo, on what he misses about playing professional baseball (Sacramento Bee)
The first few days are under our belts. Some expectations were met, surprises were had, and disappointments were seen.
The Rumors
Gabe Gross, of the Blue Jays, is expected to be sent to the minors when Ted Lilly comes off the DL. Gross, who surprised all with his monster spring, is currently platooning with Alex Rios. The Braves are also interested in Gross, since their outfield is weak…The Orioles are looking for a long-term centerfielder…Lloyd McClendon could be the first manager fired this year; his Pirates are off to 0-3 start…
The week that was:
The Good
– Dmitry Young – What a way to start the season. Young’s 3 homers on opening day might be seen as surprising, but he has always had the potential to be a great player. His one knock has been his health. Since he appears healthy, I would recommend taking him, if he is still available.
– Pedro Martinez – Pedro showed that he still is a good pitcher. 12 strikeouts in 6 innings in the season opener is pretty impressive. Too bad his bullpen blew it. There will be more days like that this season for Pedro. I still think he will be hurt by August.
– Brad Wilkerson – Wilkerson started the season in a grand fashion; he hit for the cycle to lead the Nationals to their first win of the season. Wilkerson homered in the third, singled in the fifth and tripled in the seventh before completing the cycle with a ground-rule double in the eighth in Wednesday night’s 7-3 win. He is emerging as one of the top fantasy players, and his value is increased since he qualifies at first base and the outfield.
– Randy Johnson showed that he is one of the games most impressive pitchers; if he pitches like last year, he could have 25 wins…Mark Buehrle looked good in the opener…Derek Lowe looked impressive in his debut but took a loss…Chris Carpenter was in mid-season form in his first start, showing no sign of the injury that ended his season…Brian Giles has 2 home runs and 8 RBIs after 2 games…Dan Haren pitched a strong debut with Oakland; he gave up 1 run on 3 hits in 6 innings…Jeff Weaver looked like his old self in his first start, pitching 8 strong innings…
The Bad
– John Smoltz – I know I will be abused for this, but Smoltz is not the starter he once was. I don’t think he is a solid play this year. He hasn’t had a full season as a starter since 1997 (a full season for a starter is 34-36 starts) and has missed time as a closer. I think he will break down before mid-season.
– Jermaine Dye – Dye, at one time a good player, has seen his career decline over the years. His decline should continue. He is also injury prone. He did have a game-tying homer this week. I don’t recommend starting him, but he makes a decent bench player.
– Cliff Lee – May have fooled everyone the first half last year. He was 9-1 in 18 starts with a 3.77 ERA in 107.1 innings. Post All-Star break, he went 5-7 in 15 starts with a 7.91 ERA in 71.2 innings. His first start this season wasn’t any better (13.5 ERA in 3.1 innings). Many thought he was the real deal and Jake Westbrook would fall apart. It’s still early in the season, but it currently looks like the opposite has happened.
– John Rocker, who hasn’t been seen in quite some time, has signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League; if he pitches well, I could see a struggling team (i.e. Royal) signing him.
The Ugly
– Woody Williams – The first start of the week was ugly, but he was pitching in Coors. At least he didn’t get the loss. His career line at Coors now is 1-1 in 5 starts, 23 innings, 50 hits, 34 earned runs, 11/5 k/bb ratio, 14 homers allowed, 13.30 ERA, 2.39 WHIP, and .417 average against. He should have a few more starts there this year, so avoid him on those days. He is a solid start most of the time (depending on the park and match-up).
– Closers – Jim Baker from Baseball Prospectus said many closers “…threw leads away like they were condom wrappers at an orgy.” Mariano Rivera blew two against the Red Sox, but he also got a win when Keith Foulke gave up a solo shot to Derek Jeter. Trevor Hoffman got tagged for 4 runs in the ninth for a blown save and a loss to Colorado. Braden Looper ruined Martinez’s gem (see above) by giving up 3 runs to the Reds. Bob Wickman gave up back-to-back homers, and then a sac fly to blow a lead for Cleveland. Fransisco Cordero blew a save against the LAAOA. Shingo Takatsu blew a save against the Indians. While they didn’t blow a save, Jason Isringhausen and Brandon Lyon looked shakey. K-Rod and Brad Lidge are of the few that haven’t melted down.
– Johan Santana did not look sharp in his first start, but got better as the evening went on…Javier Vazquez had a bad start against the Cubs; apparently he was tipping his pitches…
Rookie Watch:
Gustavo Chacin was impressive in his first start, allowing 1 run on 3 hits in five innings…Scott Kazmir (Baseball America’s #7 prospect) got a no decision (5in, 3h, 1r, 2k) to Chacin…JJ Hardy (BA’s #28 prospect) is showing he was ready for the call up, going 2 for 8 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs in 2 games…Colorado SS Clint Barmes has 2 homers in his first 2 games…Nick Swisher had 2 homers Wednesday night…
Injury Watch:
Matt Morris (shoulder) is going to have at least 1 rehab start in the minor and should be back mid-April…CC Sabathia (strained oblique) made his first rehab start (1 run on 2 hits in 4 innings); his target date to be back is in May…Wade Miller (rotator cuff) is still in extended Spring Training; he is expected back in May…Johnny Estrada took a foul off his throwing hand Tuesday; he is listed as day to day…Kris Benson (strained pectoral) is being pushed back from starting; he should be ready by May…Bobby Crosby was put on the DL with a fractured rib; he is expected to be out at least a month…Curt Schilling made his first rehab start in AAA; he gave up 7 runs in 6 innings…Mark Prior also gave up 7 runs in 6 innings in his AAA rehab start…Zach Greinke is listed as day-to-day after taking a line drive off his arm…
Upcoming 2 start pitchers: (DISCLAIMER: All of these should be checked on Sunday to make sure they are 2 start pitchers. Go to 2 start pitchers link on RotoChamps to check.)
Must Start
Jake Peavy – ChC, LaD
Andy Pettitte – NyM, Cin
Kerry Wood – SD, Pit
Tim Hudson – Was, Phi
Doug Davis – Pit, StL
AJ Burnett – Phi, NyM
Mike Mussina – Bos, Bal
Don’t Start
Brett Myers – Fla, Atl
Jason Jennings – Ari, ChC
Kip Wells – Mil, Pit
Jose Contreras – Cle, Sea
Eric Milton – Cin, Hou
Daniel Cabrera – TB, NyY
Tim Wakefield – NyY, TB
Sleepers
Dan Haren – Tor, LaA
Al Leiter – Phi, NyM
Brandon Webb – Col, Was
Bobby Madritsch – KC, ChW
Zach Grienke – Sea, Det
Gustavo Chacin – Oak, Tex
Scott Kazmir – Bal, Bos
Other Possible 2 Starts:
Other Possible:
Ryan Dempster (SD, Pit), Tom Glavine (Hou, Fla), Zach Day (Atl, Ari), Mike Hampton (Was, Phi), Kirk Saarloos* (Tor, LaA), Jarrod Washburn (Tex, Oak), Kenny Rogers (Ana, Tor), Kevin Millwood (ChW, Min), Esteban Loiaza (Atl, Ari), Randy Wolf (Fla, Atl), Mark Redman (Mil, Pit), Chris Capuano (Pit, StL), Adam Eaton (ChC, LaD), Jason Marquis (Cin, Mil), Kirk Rueter (LaD, Col), Odalis Perez (SF, SD), Jeff Francis (Ari, ChC), Shawn Estes (Col, Was), Mike Maroth (Min, KC), Carlos Silva (Det, Cle), Josh Towers (Oak, Tex), Chris Young (Ana, Tor), John Lackey (Tex, Oak), Runelvys Hernandez (Sea, Det), Freddy Garcia (Cle, Sea), Aaron Harang (StL, Hou)
| Rank | Player | AVG |
| 1 | Brad Wilkerson | .643 |
| 2 | Aaron Miles | .636 |
| 3 | Clint Barmes | .600 |
| 4 | Todd Walker | .583 |
| 5 | Chad Tracy | .545 |
| Rank | Player | Home Runs |
| 1 | Dmitry Young | 3 |
| 2 | Many | 2 |
| Rank | Player | RBIs |
| 1 | Brian Giles | 8 |
| 2 | Joe Randa | 7 |
| 3 | Pat Burrell | 6 |
| 3 | Jose Valentin | 6 |
| 3 | Dmitry Young | 6 |
| 3 | Richie Sexson | 6 |
| Rank | Player | Wins |
| 1 | Many | 1 |
| Rank | Player | ERA |
| 1 | Many | 0.00 |
| Rank | Player | Saves |
| 1 | Danny Kolb | 2 |
| 1 | Miguel Bautista | 2 |
| 2 | Many | 1 |
That’s it for this week. E-mail or post questions and comments. Thanks.
Eugene Tierney
