“In the past when we win, it’s because Frank is hot, and when we lose it’s because Frank is not. He’s a big part, but he’s just another player. We’ve been winning with different people. Hopefully, we can continue to do that.”
–White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, on Frank Thomas’ return to the lineup (Chicago Sun-Times).
The second month of the season has come to an end, with some expectations being met, disappointments had, and some surprises. The best teams for the month were the Padres (22-6) and the Rangers (18-7), which shouldn’t surprise anyone. Both teams have good lineups, and the Padres pitching is very good. What is surprising it the pitching of the Rangers. One old guy and 4 young ones have shocked the baseball world by being effective at the AL Coors field (Texas has the best hitters park in the AL). Another surprise for the month was Brady Clark (OF, Brewers) led the league in hits in May with 45. He was also 3rd in runs with 24 at the top of the Brewers hot lineup. Everyone is still disappointed by the lack of offense for the Indians and Athletics. Both teams are still having troubles scoring.
The All Star votes have been released. If the game were held today, the rosters would look like this:
C – Jason Varitek, Red Sox and Mike Piazza, Mets
1B – Tino Martinez, Yankees and Albert Pujols, Cardinals
2B – Brian Roberts, Orioles and Jeff Kent, Dodgers
3B – Alex Rodriguez, Yankees and Scott Rolen, Cardinals
SS – Miguel Tejada, Orioles and Nomar Garciaparra, Cubs
OF – Manny Ramirez, Red Sox, Vladimir Guerrero, Angels, ICHIRO, Mariners and Carlos Beltran, Mets, Jim Edmonds, Cardinals, Ken Griffey, Reds
DH – David Ortiz
Did they hand out ballots out side of New York, Boston, and St. Louis? These 3 teams had a player in the top 5 of each position. Seriously, how can Tino Martinez be ahead of Mark Teixeira at first base? How can Nomar Garicaparra, who didn’t do a thing before he got hurt get votes over Cesar Izturis and Clint Barmes? Also, please tell me it was only little kids who voted for Barry Bonds (ranked 13th in the NL outfield).
Braves manager Bobby Cox and Giants manager Felipe Alou have begun to petition for Instant replay in baseball. Both teams lost games where a replay could have corrected the call. As much as this sounds like a good idea, I think some people would want to take this too far. Sure, it could change a home run to a foul ball, or vice versa, but a manager could try to use it on every tag, slide, and caught ball. People complain about game times as it is, but could you imagine an extra hour added to a game for replays. I think things are fine the way they are.
The Rumors
The Diamondbacks are expected to select Justin Upton, a shortstop who could move to CF, with the first pick in the up coming draft; Upton, the younger brother of BJ, is one of the top ranked high school players in the country…The Braves have had a scout watching Minnesota’s outfield…The White Sox may make a move for 3BEric Chavez, who wants out of Oakland; apparently they have offered current 3B Joe Crede and top pitching prospect Brandon McCarthy, with another prospect possible involved…The Rockies are anxious to trade OF Preston Wilson so they can sign Eli Marrero; interest has increased since he started playing without a leg brace…The Marlins are expected to have RP Danny Graves signed by next week; other teams are interested…Both Los Angeles teams are interested in 1B Mike Sweeney…The Angels are going to call up Casey Kotchman; many believe this will be to showcase him for a trade (possibly with KC)…Adam Dunn has said he would like to play for Houston; he is one of the people the Reds could trade this season due to arbitration concerns…The Brewers are currently taking offers for 2B Junior Spivey; they need to move him to bring up top prospect Rickie Weeks…The Mets still want to aquire RP Mike Gonzalez from Pittsburgh…The Nationals are interested in the recently demoted D’Angelo Jimenez as a replacement for the injured Jose Vidro…Roger Clemens name has been circulating in the rumors (going to New York); the Rangers are also interested and have more to offer the Astros…After Clemens (if he is moved), pitching will be sparse; Jason Schmidt could be moved, but the best name available is Barry Zito…The Tigers are talking of trading Dmitri Young to the Devil Rays for Aubrey Huff; the Rays think Young would be able to help his brother’s transition to the big leagues…
Manager Hot Seats: Sources have said that Jim Tracy would have been fired already, but the Dodgers didn’t want to pay his salary and one for a new manager…Buddy Bell has been name the new KC manager; his team greeted him by sweeping the Yankees…Don Mattingly is being questioned by Yankees management for the teams problems; don’t be surprised his he gets cut loose soon…
The week that was:
The Good
Diamondback and Angel Management – I have to give props to both organizations for not being held hostage by Scott Boras. Both team made offers to there first round draft picks (Stephen Drew and Jered Weaver, respectively) and stuck near their offers. Boras, in the past, would have an organization bid against themselves for their first round pick. The Diamondbacks signed Drew for a minimum of $5.5 million dollars (with a $4 million bonus paid over for years). This is just short of what Boras was wanting (a deal similar to Mark Teixeira’s $9.5 million dollar deal). The Angels signed Weaver to a minor league deal that had a $4 million dollar bonus (he was offered a flat $5.25 million Major League contract, but opted for the bonus). Boras was also asking for a Mark Prior like deal for Weaver ($10.5 million Major League contract). Both players were ranked top at their positions prior to the draft, but fell due to being represented by Boras.
Derek Lee – The Cubs first baseman is on fire. He is a Triple Crown candidate right now. He went
Rafael Furcal is having shoulder problems; you wouldn’t know it by looking at his stats the past week…Roy Halladay threw a complete game this week with 10 Ks…Brad Lidge has converted his last 4 save oppotunites…Ugueth Urbina has also hasn’t blown a save in his last 4 changes, with a win thrown in; it may be hard to give Troy Percival the closer role unless a trade is in the works…
The Bad
Octavio Dotel – This guy is an amazing pitcher, but a decision maker. Dotel has opted for Tommy John surgery on his ailing elbow, even though he was told he didn’t need it. Dotel visited 4 doctors that advised him that all he needed to do was to rest the elbow, and maybe change his mechanics. Dotel decided to have the surgery which will put him on the shelf for at least a year, but some said it could be 2 years before he pitches again. This is even more risky since he is a free agent at the end of the season, meaning he could lose out on a big money contract. The A’s also loose out since they were planning on trading him. A rumor going around states he thinks if he gets the surgery, his velocity will increase (which has happened with SOME of the patients, but not all). He should be dropped, even in large keeper leagues (in favor of Huston Street, if available).
Alex Cintron – Ok, I admit I don’t like Cintron because of the 2002 playoffs where he ran into Scott Rolen and knocked him out of the playoffs. I point the finger at him for keeping the Cardinals from the World Series that year. Cintron is also not a great player. He has had attitude problems that have kept him in the dog house with D-Backs management. They were showcasing him for a trade, but he making it pretty hard. He is very light hitting and is struggling right now (3 for 13). I would not play him in any format.
It’s good to see the old Tino Martinez back (0 for his last 13)…I’m sorry to say it, but Craig Biggio has shown the last week or 2 that his time is coming to an end…Rey Sanchez is still playing baseball; that alone is bad news for the Yankees…
The Ugly
What did I say about Santana last week; he had 14 Ks in a no decision this week…Victor Martinez is starting to show signs of life…Paul LoDuca is starting his yearly cool down a little early this year…JD Drew is starting to show why he got a fat contract from the Dodgers; he was 9 for his last 25, with 3 homers…
Rookie Watch:
Dave Krynzel has been called up for the Brewers; the former first rounder pick is the Brew Crew’s top OF prospect…Nick Swisher had a career high 4 RBIs on Tuesday night; expect more nights like that in his career…Seattle called up SS Mike Morse this week; he came to the team in last years Freddy Garcia deal…Dan Johnson was called up by the A’s; he is off to a slow start, but worth watching…Chris Shelton was brought up by the Tigers to replace the struggling Carlos Pena; he is hot right now and worth a roster spot…
Injury Watch:
Oh, how the mighty have fallen; Juan Gonzalez lasted 1 at bat before he ended up on the DL again for his hamstring problem, and most likely ending his season…Barry Bonds has started to hit off a tee and is walking stairs and laps to work on his injured knee…Vladimir Guerrero (dislocated shoulder) should start swinging a bat next week; the Angels are projecting a mid-month comeback…Curt Schilling has begun working with a personal trainer; he is on track for an All Star return…Aramis Ramirez is battling 3 different injuries (hamstring, groin, and ankle) while rumors of back problems still linger; now would be the prefect time to trade him for either the struggling Eric Chavez or Aubrey Huff…Magglio Ordonez has resumed baseball activities; he is expected back mid- to late July…
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
Randy Johnson (@ Mil, @ StL), Brad Radke (@Ari, @ LAD), Brandon Webb (@ Phi, KC), Derek Lowe (Det, Min), Ben Sheets (NyY, @Phi)
Don’t Start
Gustavo Chacin (@ ChC, @ Hou), Mark Hendrickson (@Cin, @ Pit), Jeremy Bonderman (@LAD, @ Col), John Koronka (Tor, Bos), Joe Kennedy (ChW, Det)
Sleepers
Cliff Lee (@SD, @SF), Barry Zito (@ Was, @ Atl), Victor Zambrano (Hou, LAA), Tony Armas (Oak, Sea), Ryan Franklin (@ Fla, @Was)
Other Possible 2 Starts:
Sidney Ponson (@ Pit, @ Cin), Tim Wakefield (@ StL, @ ChC), DJ Carrasco (@SF, @ Ari), Freddy Garcia (@ Col, @ SD), John Lackey (@ Atl, @NyM), Ryan Drese (@ Phi, @ Fla), John Smoltz (LAA, Oak), Brian Moehler (Sea, Tex), Cory Lidle (Ari, Mil), Brandon Backe (@ NyM, Tor), Doug Davis (NyY, @ Phi), Matt Morris (Bos, NyY), Josh Fogg (Bal, TB), Ramon Ortiz (TB, Bal), Kirk Rueter (KC, Cle), Brian Lawerence (Cle, ChW), Jon Lieber (Tex, Mil), Derek Thompson (Det, Min)
League Leaders
Rank, Player, Team, AVG
1, Derrek Lee, Cubs, .379
2, Brian Roberts, Orioles, .368
3, Carlos Guillen, Tigers, .361
4, Miguel Cabrera, Marlins, .352
5, Johnny Damon, Red Sox, .347
Rank, Player, Team, Home Runs
1, Alex Rodriguez, Yankees, 17
1, Derek Lee, Cubs, 17
3, Miguel Tejada, Orioles, 14
3, Adam Dunn, Reds, 14
3, Carlos Lee, Brewers, 14
3, Alfonso Soriano, Rangers, 14
Rank, Player, Team, RBIs
1, Derrek Lee, Cubs, 50
1, Carlos Lee, Brewers, 50
3, Alex Rodriguez, Yankees, 49
4, Miguel Tejada, Orioles, 46
5, David Ortiz, Red Sox, 44
Rank, Player, Team, Runs
1, Derek Lee, Cubs, 43
1, Alex Rodriguez, Yankees, 43
3, Johnny Damon, Red Sox, 42
3, Brady Clark, Brewers, 42
5, Alfonso Soriano, Rangers, 41
Rank, Player, Team, SBs
1, Scott Podsednik, White Sox, 28
2, Rafael Furcal, Braves, 20
3, Chone Figgins, Angels, 19
4, Willy Taveraz, Astros, 17
5, Tony Womack, Yankees, 16
Rank, Player, Team, Wins
1, Dontrelle Willis, Marlins, 9
1, Roy Halladay, Blue Jays, 9
3, Jon Garland, White Sox, 8
3, Livan Hernandez, Nationals, 8
3, Chris Carpenter, Cardinals, 8
3, Adam Eaton, Padres, 8
Rank, Player, Team, ERA
1, Roger Clemens, Astros, 1.30
2, Kenny Rogers, Rangers, 1.65
3, Mike Hampton, Braves, 1.83
4, Dontrelle Willis, Marlins, 1.85
5, Glendon Rusch, Cubs, 1.96
Rank, Player, Team, Saves
1, Francisco Cordero, Rangers, 16
1, Joe Nathan, Twins, 16
1, Trevor Hoffman, Padres, 16
1, Jason Isringhausen, Cardinals, 16
5, Jose Mesa, Pirates, 15
5, Eddie Guardado, Mariners, 15
Rank, Player, Team, Ks
1, Johan Santana, Twins, 105
2, Pedro Martinez, Mets, 92
3, Jake Peavy, Padres, 78
4, Roger Clemens, Astros, 76
4, Brett Myers, Phillies, 76
Rank, Player, Team, WHIP
1, Pedro Martinez, Mets, 0.71
2, Roger Clemens, Astros, 0.86
3, Jake Peavy, Padres, 0.92
4, Brett Myers, Phillies, 0.94
4, Johan Santana, Twins, 0.94
Links
RotoChamps can take care of all your fantasy needs.
Oli goes over the end of the soccer season.
Nick continues his draft recap and shows everyone’s favorite couple.
Steve gives us double duty this week (since no one else is around) with columns on the Indy 500 and everything else in racing.
The Forums
This Tuesday-Wednesday is the Baseball draft. I’ll try to get a small blurp up on the first round picks.
Wheeling and Dealing
This weeks trade was made possible with the help of C-Murda. I gave him Carlos Lee, John Lieber, Danny Graves (before the demotion), and Jimmy Rollins for Jim Edmonds, Freddy Garcia, AJ Burnett, and Carlos Guillen.
E-mail or post questions, trade scenarios, and comments. Thanks.
