“If you come to watch a baseball game, the team to watch right now is the White Sox because we’re in first place. If you want to visit another museum, go to Wrigley Field.”
–Ozzie Guillen promoting his team over the cross town Cubs (San Diego Union Tribune)
The draft signing period is underway. 20 of the 48 first round picks (including the supplemental round) have signed. Most notably Wade Townsend, a starting pitcher for Rice, who was drafted last year by the Orioles. He felt the offer the O’s made was an insult. The ironic part is Townsend signed this year for less, because he had less negotiating ability since he hasn’t pitched in a year. To see some of the recent draftees, watch the College World Series, which starts this week. Nebraska is sporting the #2 draft pick and Baseball America’s College Player of the Year in third baseman Alex Gordon (taken by the Royals).
I don’t know how people could play with Jose Guillen. He always seems to be a problem. This week he had a run-in with his former manager. Guillen informed current manager Frank Robinson that Brendan Donnelly used pine tar on his glove in the past. Robinson asked the umps to check Donnelly’s glove (before he even threw a pitch) and got him tossed for the tar. This upset Angels Manager Mike Scioscia and led to a confrontation between the 2 managers. As a result, the benches cleared and Guillen made a run at his former manager and hitting coach. Teammates restrained him; otherwise we could have seen Pedro-Zimmer part 2. The Angels suspended Guillen last year when he threw a hissy fit when he was pulled for a pinch runner; it also lead to him being traded this past off-season. Guillen needs grow up and start acting like a ball player. Nothing pisses me off more than seeing someone act like this. It’s like Lloyd McClendon pulling the same act with his former pitcher, Julian Tavarez, last season. Donnelly is getting the same suspension as Tavarez, 10 games.
The Rumors
Time for the seller to put out feelers…The top 5 talked about pitchers that could be on the market: Aaron Harang (Cin), Joe Kennedy (Col), Ted Lilly (Tor), Mike Maroth (Det), and Mark Redman (Pit); pretty uninspiring…The Reds are going to wait another week before deciding who will be moved; names that have been tossed around have been Adam Dunn, Austin Kearns, Wily Mo Pena, Joe Randa, and Sean Casey…Jay Payton is unhappy as a fourth outfielder and has requested a trade…Keith Foulke believes he could be traded within the next year…The Cubs are looking at Kirk Rueter…The A’s and the Dodgers have contacted the Rockies about starter Kennedy, and the Rangers…The Dodgers like Jennings, but would rather have Harang (they believe he is a Derek Lowe clone)…The Preston Wilson market is starting to move, especially after he said he would move to a corner outfield position; the Nationals, Cubs, Rangers, Braves, and Orioles have shown interest…The Blue Jays have said they will not trade Shea Hillenbrand, but are willing to move Eric Hinske and/or Orlando Hudson…Word is the Yankees said anyone other than Randy Johnson, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez are available for trade…The only player the Rangers may attempt to trade for right now is Roger Clemens, but the likelihood of that is slim…Pedro Astacio may be released from the Rangers…The Phillies are looking for a starter; Ryan Howard is being offered in return…Barry Zito’s name keeps apprearing in rumors, but GM Billy Beane said he is not offering him…The Mets are willing to trade pitching for hitting; Jae Seo and Yusmeiro Petit are 2 of the popular names…The Mets want a first baseman, but the won’t take on the huge Todd Helton contract and the Brewers aren’t ready to move Lyle Overbay…Jose Mesa has made demand for if he were traded; he is to remain the closer, he wants the team to pick up his option for next year, and he want to go to an east coast team.
Manager Hot Seats: Lou Pinella is fed up in Tampa and has criticized the organization for the direction they are taking; rumors of his leaving are early, but many think he would be a great fit with the Yankees (if they change managers)…There are still rumblings about Dave Miley, Phil Garner, and Lloyd McClendon.
The week that was:
The Good
Randy Johnson – It looks like Johnson finally woke up. After spending most of the season looking like an average pitcher, Johnson has been pretty dominant as of late. After dismantling the Redbirds last week, Johnson pitched a gem against the Pirates. Johnson pitched a complete game 5-hitter, giving up 1 run, and striking out 11. He was always a solid start, but he is a must for any league right now.
Chris Carpenter pitched a gem against his former team (1 hit, 1 walk, 0 runs, complete game; I forgot to set my lineup that day and didn’t have him in…If anyone questions Alfonso Soriano as the greatest second baseman playing today, they must be on crack; I can’t stress enough to start him.
The Bad
The Giants – Many questioned why this team signed older player like Mike Matheny and Omar Vizquel this off-season, but it was the right thing to do. Coming into Spring Training, the Giants were making one of there last runs for a Championship with Barry Bonds as the anchor. They brought in a defensive SS and Catcher who were know as club house leaders. They had the best hitter in baseball (based off reputation, Bonds is far superior than Pujols; Bonds put up comparable numbers with half the at bats last year). They brought in a real hitter to try to protect Bonds in the lineup. They had Jason Schmidt as their ace. Everything should have been in place. Until Bond’s knee kept him out, Schmidt and Alou spent time on the DL, and many people under-performed. Now the Giants are going to do the right thing; work on next season. As bad as the NL West is, they are too far out to compete. The have already begun to call up players for auditions (Jesse Fopert, Adam Shabala). Don’t be surprised to see Edgardo Alfonso, JT Snow, Jason Schmidt, and other veteran players to be moved.
Who would have thought that the Royals could sweep the Yankees and the Dodgers – in the same year…Mike Piazza broke his homerless streak at 98 at bats; this was the longest drought of his career…The Mets signed Benito Santiago to a minor league deal; seriously, the Mets don’t need to waste a Triple A roster spot on a washed up 40 year old catcher.
The Ugly
Kevin Millwood – Millwood was once on track to be a great pitcher, but his injury problems and his ego got in the way. Millwood, after seeing inflated contracts this off-season, settle for a 1-year deal to prove he was still a good pitcher. Millwood made his first start this week after a DL trip. He pitch 5 innings of shut out ball. Millwood is a great pitcher to have in roto leagues, but he is not as strong in head-to-head leagues (he does well in ERA, WHIP, and Ks, but doesn’t get win).
On the other end of Johnson’s gem Thursday night was Oliver Perez, who struggled; many people need to start thinking of benching Perez until he is straightened out…Hee Seop Choi has been on a tear (5 HR in 20 AB); he is worth using during his hot streak…Like the Indians didn’t have enough to worry about; one of the few bright points of their offense (Ben Broussard) has been struggling (1 for his last 14)…Wily Mo Pena struck out in 7 of his 11 at bats against the Red Sox this week…Zack Greinke will start to dominate once he leaves KC; start him in favorable matchups.
Trades
No trades this week.
Rookie Watch:
Chris Shelton got his first home run of the season on Thursday; keep an eye on how he performs…
Injury Watch:
Kevin Brown will miss his next start due to back spasms…Kerry Wood will have 1 more rehab start before coming back to the Cubs…Rich Harden is supposed to make a rehab start this weekend; no word yet if he will have another…Tim Hudson is on the DL with a strained oblique; he has had a history with oblique problems, so don’t be surprised if this will cost him at least a month…Eric Gagne is back on the DL with elbow problems; his season could be over if he needs to have another Tommy John surgery…Curt Schilling threw a batting practice session to ex-pro and college players; the All Star break is his target…Randy Wolf may join Gagne on the operating table; his elbow problems from the last few season are hinting at TJ also and will cost him the season…Josh Beckett may be headed to the DL; his yearly blister problem has started…Rafael Furcal’s bum shoulder may cost him some time in the field; the problem is effecting his swing still…Carlos Guillen will be out for the minimum…Erik Bedard started the season hot before a knee injury sideline him; the Orioles are being cautious, and an All Star return is in the works…Barry Bonds is working out, but is being watched by his doctor closely; there is still no ETA…
We’re going streaking…
Troy Glaus, 9 game hit streak (15 for 38); Carlos Delgado, 12 game hit streak (15 for 43); Paul Konerko, 13 game hit streak (18 for 49); Pirate Hitters, an extra base hit in every game this season.
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 (TB, NyM), Chris Carpenter (@Cin, Pit), Livan Hernandez (@ Pit, Tor), Derek Lowe (@ SD, @LaA), Jake Peavy (LaD, Sea), Javier Vazquez (@ SF, Det)
Don’t Start
Oliver Perez (Was, @ StL), Jose Lima (@ChW, @ Col), Victor Zambrano (@ Phi, @NyY), Joe Kennedy (@ Hou, KC), Casey Fossum (@NyY, Fla), Aaron Harang (StL, @ Cle)
Sleepers
Orlando Hernandez (KC, ChC), Dan Haren (@ Sea, SF), Joel Pineiro (Oak, @ SD), Brad Penny (@ SD, @LaA), Noah Lowry (Ari, @ Oak), Woody Williams (LaD, Sea)
Other Possible 2 Starts:
David Wells (@ Cle, @ Phi), CC Sabathia (Bos, Cin), Mark Redman (Was, @ StL), Hideo Nomo (@NyY, Fla), Kevin Brown (TD, NyM), Bruce Chen (@ Tor, @ Atl), Rodrigo Lopez (@ Tor, @ Atl), Ted Lilly (Bal, @ Was), Jason Marquis (@ Cin, Pit), Greg Maddux (@ Mil, @ ChW), Tomo Ohka (ChC, Min), Victor Santos (ChC, Min), Andy Pettitte (Col, Tex), Ryan Glynn (@ Sea, SF), Aaron Sele (Oak, @ SD), Pedro Astacio (@ LaA, @ Hou), Bartolo Colon (Tex, LaD), Russ Ortiz (@ SF, Det), Brett Tomko (Ari, @ Oak), Vicente Padilla (NyM, Bos), Jeremy Bonderman (@ Min, @ Ari), Kyle Lohse (Det, @ Mil), AJ Burnett (@ Atl, @ TB), John Smoltz (Fla, Bal)
League Leaders
Rank, Player, Team, AVG
1, Derrek Lee, Cubs, .385
2, Brian Roberts, Orioles, .359
3, Johnny Damon, Red Sox, .341
4, Miguel Cabrera, Marlins, .339
5, Clint Barmes, Rockies, .329
Rank, Player, Team, Home Runs
1, Alex Rodriguez, Yankees, 19
2, Andruw Jones, Braves, 18
2, Miguel Tejada, Orioles, 18
2, Derrek Lee, Cubs, 18
2, Alfonso Soriano, Rangers, 18
Rank, Player, Team, RBIs
1, Alex Rodriguez, Yankees, 58
2, Carlos Lee, Brewers, 57
2, Derrek Lee, Cubs, 57
4, Pat Burrell, Phillies, 55
4, David Ortiz, Red Sox, 55
Rank, Player, Team, Runs
1, Alfonso Soriano, Rangers, 52
2, Alex Rodriguez, Yankees, 51
2, Derrek Lee, Cubs, 51
2, Albert Pujols, Cardinals, 51
2, Mark Teixeira, Rangers, 51
Rank, Player, Team, SBs
1, Scott Podsednik, White Sox, 35
2, Rafael Furcal, Braves, 23
3, Chone Figgins, Angels, 22
4, Ryan Freel, Reds, 18
4, Jose Reyes, Mets, 18
4, Carl Crawford, Devil Rays, 18
Rank, Player, Team, Wins
1, Jon Garland, White Sox, 11
1, Dontrelle Willis, Marlins, 11
3, Roy Halladay, Blue Jays, 10
4, Adam Eaton, Padres, 9
4, Chris Carpenter, Cardinals, 9
4, Mark Buerhle, White Sox, 9
4, Kenny Rogers, Rangers, 9
4, Livan Hernandez, Nationals, 9
Rank, Player, Team, ERA
1, Roger Clemens, Astros, 1.53
2, Kenny Rogers, Rangers, 1.98
3, Dontrelle Willis, Marlins, 2.04
4, Brett Myers, Phillies, 2.19
5, Roy Halladay, Blue Jays, 2.33
Rank, Player, Team, Saves
1, Chad Cordero, Nationals, 21
2, Jason Isringhausen, Cardinals, 19
3, Bob Wickman, Indians, 18
3, Joe Nathan, Twins, 18
3, Billy Wagner, Phillies, 18
3, Eddie Guardado, Mariners, 18
Rank, Player, Team, Ks
1, Johan Santana, Twins, 121
2, Pedro Martinez, Mets, 107
3, Jake Peavy, Padres, 94
4, Roger Clemens, Astros, 93
4, Chris Carpenter, Cardinals, 93
Rank, Player, Team, WHIP
1, Pedro Martinez, Mets, 0.73
2, Johan Santana, Twins, 0.90
3, Roy Halladay, Blue Jays, 0.94
4, Jake Peavy, Padres, 0.95
4, Roger Clemens, Astros, 0.95
Links
RotoChamps can take care of all your fantasy needs.
Tal
Patrick
Slayer
Nick
Steve
The Forums
This weeks trade was made possible with the help of the Choke Artists. I traded him Bobby Abreu, David Wright, Freddy Garcia and Dustin Hermanson for Carlos Beltran, Aubrey Huff, Ben Sheets, and Trevor Hoffman.
I will not be putting up a column next week. I will be in Arizona catching a Diamondback’s game (my first at the BOB). I will give you my thoughts on the ballpark next week.
E-mail or post questions, trade scenarios, and comments. Thanks.
