This weekend's biggest news could be pitchers who won't throw in the major leagues in 2014.
The Cardinals confirmed that RHP Jake Westbrook is retiring after 13 major league seasons. He was supplanted by younger pitchers last season, when he was 7-8 with a 4.63 ERA for the National League champions.
A 16-year veteran, RHP Ryan Dempster, told the Red Sox that he won't pitch this season. He said he was concerned about a neck injury and about spending more time with his family. Dempster is forfeiting an otherwise guaranteed salary of $13.25 million.
LHP Mark Mulder's attempted comeback with the Angels has been short-circuited by a ruptured Achilles tendon. The 36-year-old's comments seemed to indicate a realization that he won't pitch in the majors again.
-- When the season opens, Reds RHP Mat Latos may not be ready to pitch. He underwent surgery Friday to repair torn meniscus in his left knee. He isn't expected to resume throwing until Feb. 24.
-- Giants RHP Santiago Casilla will be throwing in the Dominican Republic for a while, until his visa problem is solved and he can return to the U.S. Also caught in the annual "visa problem" trap is Giants LHP Jose De Paula.
-- The most important player to avoid arbitration by agreeing to a contract was RHP Craig Kimbrel, who will receive $42 million guaranteed for the next four years, with the possibility of earning $59 million for five years. Atlanta is paying big bucks for pitchers, with also a new 6-year, $3.24-million contract with RHP Julio Teheran. There's also a visionary option for 2020.
Also avoiding arbitration:
Mariners 1B Justin Smoak, who signed a one-year deal for $2.63 million, with a team option at $3.65 million for 2015 if he has 525 plate appearances this season.
Smoak's virtual twin, Rangers 1B Mitch Moreland, agreed for this season at $2.6 million.
Athletics OF Josh Reddick, for $2.7 million this year.
Red Sox LHP Andrew Miller, with a 1-year contract.
-- The Indians won their arbitration case with RHP Josh Tomlin, who will receive $800,00 this season.
-- Texas also announced its 1-year contract with free-agent RHP Tommy Hanson, who would receive $1.2 million plus expenses if he could make the major league roster.
-- The Indians signed RHP Aaron Harang, who could work his way into their rotation, to a minor league contract. Also getting a minor league deal was RHP Josh Roenicke with the Nationals.
-- 2B/OF Emilio Bonifacio's strong winter league season earned him a contract with the Cubs. They plan to use him s a utility man. He played seven positions in 2013.
-- The Orioles claimed OF/2B Jimmy Paredes on waivers from the Marlins. RHP Suk-min Yoon doesn't officially have a contract, but he is in their spring training camp in Sarasota, Fla., and supposedly will have a 3-year contract once he passes a physical exam.
-- Second base seems to be a problem position for a number of teams. The Dodgers are hoping Cuban SS Alex Guerrero could be their starter. There are plenty of other options, with varying degrees of desirability: Chone Figgins, Dee Gordon, Justin Turner and Brendan Harris among them.
* * *
Other sports:
The NBA remains off until Tuesday. You still have time to make player moves, even trades while the league and its stats are standing still.
You have more time with your fantasy hockey teams. NHL play resumes Wednesday, Feb. 26. You can be great if you don't procrastinate.
Showing posts with label Justin Smoak. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Justin Smoak. Show all posts
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Mariners' moves questionable
The Mariners, apparently tired of acquiring 31-year-olds with little or no possibility of improvement, traded RHP Carter Capps to the Marlins for 26-year-old 1B/OF Logan Morrison. There is room for improvement, even though his best season was at age 23. Would he be an improvement over incumbent 1B Justin Smoak, who finally seemed to have a clue in September about hitting major league pitching? Would either Morrison or 31-year-old free agent OF/1B Corey Hart be capable of playing outfield defense with three bad knees between them, carting around 480 pounds of ballplayer? Hart, a two-time All-Star, missed all of this season because of microfracture surgery on both knees. Perhaps the answer to the questions above is that Miami was willing to take a reliever with a 5.49 ERA for Morrison. (And don't tell me anything about ERA+ or win shares for Capps; he wasn't a good pitcher by any measure in 2013.)
Hey, at least Hart and Morrison cost a fraction of what 31-year-old 2B Robinson Cano will.
The only other moves in the last couple of days:
-- The Tigers gave one-trick-pony OF Rajai Davis $10 million for 2 years to platoon in LF with OF Andy Dirks.
-- The Pirates gave RHP Charlie Morton a new 3-year, $21-million contract through 2016, with a team option for '17. Morton was probably the greatest beneficiary of Pittsburgh's new emphasis on shifting its defense for almost every batter.
-- The Rangers made official a 1-year contract with free-agent C J.P. Arencibia.
-- The busy-with-the-little-stuff Marlins confirmed their 2-year contract with free-agent 1B/OF Garrett Jones.
-- Almost forgot. The Mets agreed on a 2-year, $20-million contract with RHP Bartolo Colon, pending a physical. What? Are they afraid he might not be in shape?
RHP Roy Halladay returned to his roots, signing a 1-day contract with the Blue Jays before announcing his retirement. I've seen a lot of support for Halladay as a Hall of Famer, but I'm not so sure. Doc had some great years, but interspersed with those were a succession of injuries and some bad seasons. It wasn't just a Greg Maddux 6-15 or whatever it was rookie season with a bad team followed by lights-out season after lights-out season. What Halladay, a great pitcher, lacked was reliability.
I'll be sending my thoughts about the AFL Top Prospects later.
* * *
Football. I took a 25-point lead in the first of two rounds in my scoring-plus-yardage ESPN league consolation semifinal. I've made some preliminary minor moves for this week, with more possible Thursday. In the scoring-only Andy Memorial Football League I got 1 point out of QB Matthew Stafford (for a 2-point conversion pass). In the same snowy game, my opponent received 10 from Eagles QB Nick Foles. That was enough for me to lose by 1 point, 33-25. That knocked me two games behind the co-leaders with three games left. I'm in a tie for third place, but would lose a tiebreaker. There are something like five teams one game behind us. So I'm figuring that I'll need to win all three weeks (possibly two) to get into the top-division playoffs during the NFL postseason.
* * *
Hockey. I'm mismanaging my goalies again. Here's my current story. On Saturday afternoon, I got to watch in person as Flyers goalie Steve Mason allowed 3 goals in 1:02 against the Stars. My thinking at the time was that Mason has been playing somewhat over his head. Even though he had made a number of outstanding stops (25 saves in two periods), that barrage seemed to be the type of thing that could damage his confidence. Confident goalies are like confident closers; if they're not confident, you can't count on them. I gave Mason another chance Monday, but he gave up four goals again -- to Ottawa!
At the same time, I was figuring it was no longer prudent to keep riding Toronto G James Reimer. To replace him, I picked up tried-and-true free agent Martin Brodeur. So I started Brodeur Tuesday, and he gave up five goals! He's no longer on my team. I've now added Jonas Gustavsson from the Red Wings. Hope he doesn't give up six goals in his first start for me.
Bottom line: I lost 3 more points, mostly in the goalie categories. I'm still in third place, but now much closer to fourth place than second.
* * *
Basketball. After Monday, I was 0-7-1, with a tie in steals. I realized that I had only one player -- Victor Oladipo, who didn't play very well -- active that night. My opponent had three players -- including Stephen Curry, who went for 40-some points.
On Tuesday, I had eight or nine players in action; he again had three. So now I'm ahead 6-1-1. We're still tied in steals, and I'm behind by only one assist. The other head-to-head competiti0ons are pretty close, so if the results stay the same, I'd move up only to seventh place. But I'd be over .500 and within five games of the lead.
Hey, at least Hart and Morrison cost a fraction of what 31-year-old 2B Robinson Cano will.
The only other moves in the last couple of days:
-- The Tigers gave one-trick-pony OF Rajai Davis $10 million for 2 years to platoon in LF with OF Andy Dirks.
-- The Pirates gave RHP Charlie Morton a new 3-year, $21-million contract through 2016, with a team option for '17. Morton was probably the greatest beneficiary of Pittsburgh's new emphasis on shifting its defense for almost every batter.
-- The Rangers made official a 1-year contract with free-agent C J.P. Arencibia.
-- The busy-with-the-little-stuff Marlins confirmed their 2-year contract with free-agent 1B/OF Garrett Jones.
-- Almost forgot. The Mets agreed on a 2-year, $20-million contract with RHP Bartolo Colon, pending a physical. What? Are they afraid he might not be in shape?
RHP Roy Halladay returned to his roots, signing a 1-day contract with the Blue Jays before announcing his retirement. I've seen a lot of support for Halladay as a Hall of Famer, but I'm not so sure. Doc had some great years, but interspersed with those were a succession of injuries and some bad seasons. It wasn't just a Greg Maddux 6-15 or whatever it was rookie season with a bad team followed by lights-out season after lights-out season. What Halladay, a great pitcher, lacked was reliability.
I'll be sending my thoughts about the AFL Top Prospects later.
* * *
Football. I took a 25-point lead in the first of two rounds in my scoring-plus-yardage ESPN league consolation semifinal. I've made some preliminary minor moves for this week, with more possible Thursday. In the scoring-only Andy Memorial Football League I got 1 point out of QB Matthew Stafford (for a 2-point conversion pass). In the same snowy game, my opponent received 10 from Eagles QB Nick Foles. That was enough for me to lose by 1 point, 33-25. That knocked me two games behind the co-leaders with three games left. I'm in a tie for third place, but would lose a tiebreaker. There are something like five teams one game behind us. So I'm figuring that I'll need to win all three weeks (possibly two) to get into the top-division playoffs during the NFL postseason.
* * *
Hockey. I'm mismanaging my goalies again. Here's my current story. On Saturday afternoon, I got to watch in person as Flyers goalie Steve Mason allowed 3 goals in 1:02 against the Stars. My thinking at the time was that Mason has been playing somewhat over his head. Even though he had made a number of outstanding stops (25 saves in two periods), that barrage seemed to be the type of thing that could damage his confidence. Confident goalies are like confident closers; if they're not confident, you can't count on them. I gave Mason another chance Monday, but he gave up four goals again -- to Ottawa!
At the same time, I was figuring it was no longer prudent to keep riding Toronto G James Reimer. To replace him, I picked up tried-and-true free agent Martin Brodeur. So I started Brodeur Tuesday, and he gave up five goals! He's no longer on my team. I've now added Jonas Gustavsson from the Red Wings. Hope he doesn't give up six goals in his first start for me.
Bottom line: I lost 3 more points, mostly in the goalie categories. I'm still in third place, but now much closer to fourth place than second.
* * *
Basketball. After Monday, I was 0-7-1, with a tie in steals. I realized that I had only one player -- Victor Oladipo, who didn't play very well -- active that night. My opponent had three players -- including Stephen Curry, who went for 40-some points.
On Tuesday, I had eight or nine players in action; he again had three. So now I'm ahead 6-1-1. We're still tied in steals, and I'm behind by only one assist. The other head-to-head competiti0ons are pretty close, so if the results stay the same, I'd move up only to seventh place. But I'd be over .500 and within five games of the lead.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
How new will Rangers' new look be?
Good news for all of you! And for us.
1. We have received payments from a number of you and are in the process of adding you to a new Email list for this season.
2. PayPal has sent out requests for payment for those of you who have expressed interest in subscribing to our Emails. We are adding to our new mailing list those of you who have made the payment.
3. Because the new mailing list hasn’t been set up entirely, we still are sending out free Emails to everyone on our preseason mailing list. That free lunch will end soon. We encourage all of you who have been receiving our Emails to subscribe for the remainder of this year.
You or any of your friends – or even you signing friends as gifts to them – can subscribe. You can see below how to do that.
In our normal schedule, the Tuesday Emails contain Minor League updates, letting you know which players you could look for to move up from the minors or up through an organization.
Players of the Week
Class League, Team (Organization)
Pos. Name H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
Triple-A International, Harrisburg (Nationals)
OF Roger Bernadina 13-28 .464 1-6 3
Triple-A Pacific Coast, Iowa (Cubs)
OF Brad Snyder 12-25 .480 3-7 1
Double-A Eastern, Bowie (Orioles)
DH Paco Figueroa 13-27 .481 1-7 2
Double-A Southern, West Tenn (Mariners)
CF Carlos Peguero 8-24 .333 3-6 0
Double-A Texas, Northwest Arkansas (Royals)
3B Mike Moustakas 8-17 .471 3-8 0
High Class A California, Inland Empire (Dodgers)
RF Kyle Russell 9-24 .375 2-6 0
High Class A Carolina, Salem (Red Sox)
SS Oscar Tejeda 11-25 .440 3-7 1
High Class A Florida State, Tampa (Yankees)
2B Corban Joseph 10-26 .385 2-6 0
Low Class A Midwest, Great Lakes (Dodgers)
CF Jerry Sands 9-20 .450 5-7 0
Low Class A South Atlantic, Greenville (Red Sox)
C Daniel Butler 9-20 .450 2-7 0
Bernadina raised his season average to .377 with eight RBI and seven stolen bases in 14 games, earning a promotion to Washington.
Sands repeated as the winner of both Midwest League Player of the Week awards for this season.
Moustakas and Russell both were first-round draft choices. Moustakas hadn’t played before last week because of a strained oblique muscle. Russell and Sands both represent part of the Dodgers’ future.
Pitchers of the Week
Class League, Team (Organization)
Hand Name IP W-L ERA WHIP K/W
Triple-A International, Durham (Rays)
RHP Aneury Rodriguez 14.0 2-0 0.00 0.57 10:3
Triple-A Pacific, Portland (Padres)
RHP Radhames Liz 6.0 1-0 1.56 0.83 11:2
Double-A Eastern, Reading (Phillies)
RHP Phillippe Aumont 17.0 2-0 0.53 0.47 11:6
Double-A Southern, Huntsville (Brewers)
RHP Amaury Rivas 13.0 2-0 0.69 0.85 9:6
Double-A Texas, Northwest Arkansas (Royals)
LHP Edgar Osuna 7.0 1-0 0.00 0.86 6:0
High Class A California, Visalia (Diamondbacks)
RHP Joshua Collmenter 5.0 0-0 0.00 0.40 9:1
High Class A Carolina, Wilmington (Royals)
LHP Michael Montgomery 12.2 1-0 1.42 1.03 14:3
High Class A Florida State, Clearwater (Phillies)
RHP Austin Hyatt 11.0 2-0 0.82 0.91 15:5
Low Class A Midwest, Beloit (Twins)
LHP Daniel Osterbrock 13.1 1-0 1.35 0.83 14:3
Low Class A South Atlantic, Charleston (Yankees)
RHP Graham Stoneburner 14.0 0-0 1.29 1.00 16:3
Rodriguez was making his first two starts in Triple-A.
Osuna made it through the first 2 ½ weeks of this season with an 0.00 ERA. He succeeded as Texas League Pitcher of the Week Federico Castaneda, who already has moved up to Triple-A Omaha. We already told you he’s likely to be pitching out of Kansas City’s bullpen during this season.
Montgomery has won both Carolina Pitcher of the Week awards this season. He, Osuna and Castaneda show there is pitching talent in the Royals organization.
News and Notes
The face of the Rangers’ farm system changed today more than at any time since Texas discovered that pitching is part of baseball. The Rangers optioned underperforming Cs Taylor Teagarden and Salty to Triple-A Oklahoma City, removing Salty from his injury-rehab assignment with the Redhawks early and taking him off the disabled list. C Max Ramirez, a far better offensive threat than any of the other three backstops Texas has used this season, was recalled. With RF Nelson Cruz going on the DL, the Rangers recalled OF Craig Gentry from OK City. He’s primarily a center fielder, and Texas could give the overachiever from the University of Arkansas an extended trial to decide whether to send slumping CF Julio Borbon back to the minors to straighten himself out. Here’s another indictment of the free-swinging Rangers: Rookie 1B Justin Smoak set a team record for the longest streak with at least one walk in a game to start a major league career by walking in each of the first four games after he was recalled to replace 1B Chris Davis.
Another shakeup is taking place in Colorado, where the Rockies put two starting pitchers, LHP Jorge De La Rosa (torn flexor band in his middle finger) and RHP Jason Hammel (strained right groin muscle), on the disabled list. They also demoted a catcher, Chris Iannetta, to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Joining the major league team are RHPs Jhoulys Chacin, who will take De La Rosa’s rotation spot, and Juan Rincon, who will go to the bullpen, and journeyman C Paul Phillips.
We’re especially disappointed to see De La Rosa injured. We always like any player who makes us look good, and he has been our greatest hit since LHP Johan Santana in 1995. Since we recommended DLR as “a pitcher to seek” when he was 0-6 last season, he has won 19 games, more than any other pitcher in the majors. We also really like Chacin, who was part of one of the best group of pitchers to graduate from the Double-A Texas League since who knows when. He has begun the season 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA at Colorado Springs.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
If you’re looking for even more change in Texas as the result of RHP Frank Francisco’s first save this season, forget it – at least for now. Rangers manager Ron Washington said that RHP Neftali Feliz remained their closer, but that he had pitched in two consecutive games (blowing a save himself) and needed a day off. As a result, Francisco, who began the season as Texas’ closer, pitched the ninth inning of Texas’ 4-2 victory over the White Sox.
Similarly, Red Sox RHP Ramon Ramirez received his first save of 2010 in a 2-1 win at Toronto. Boston’s closer, RHP Jonathan Papelbon, had pitched in five of its previous seven games.
Another unfamiliar name earning a save was that of Cardinals RHP Jason Motte. He entered their game against the Braves in the eighth inning and picked up his first save this season with a pitching line of 1 2/3 00020. St. Louis’ closer, RHP Ryan Franklin, wasn’t available because he had pitched each of the two previous days.
The Orioles haven’t really established a closer, and RHP Alfredo Simon doesn’t seem to be the man despite his first save in a 5-4 victory over the Yankees. Shortstop Julio Lugo’s error led to two unearned runs in the top of the ninth, leading to a line of 122012. Baltimore manager said that at least until the nominal closer, LHP Mike Gonzalez, returns from the disabled list the team’s closer would be “whoever can get outs.”
Other saves went to Nationals RHP Matt Capps, ninth, 3-1 at Wrigley Field; Twins RHP Jon Rauch, seventh, 2-0 at Detroit; Mariners RHP David Aardsma, seventh, 3-2 at Kansas City; Padres RHP Heath Bell, fifth, 4-1 at Florida, and Rays RHP Rafael Soriano, fifth, 8-6 against the Athletics.
The most notable blown save was Brewers RHP Trevor Hoffman’s third this season. Milwaukee led 3-2 when he entered the game to begin the ninth inning against the Pirates. Hoffman gave up a game-tying home run to SS Ronny Cedeno and C Ryan Doumit’s grand slam to take a 7-3 loss.
Promotion
Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Include your name, address and phone number so we could contact you with any questions, and (most important) tell us the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. You then would receive an invoice from PayPal, which you could pay by following simple instructions within that Email. Once we receive your payment, we’ll add you to the subscription list so you would receive all of this year’s Emails and have access to any other features from fantasybaseballscout.com.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
1. We have received payments from a number of you and are in the process of adding you to a new Email list for this season.
2. PayPal has sent out requests for payment for those of you who have expressed interest in subscribing to our Emails. We are adding to our new mailing list those of you who have made the payment.
3. Because the new mailing list hasn’t been set up entirely, we still are sending out free Emails to everyone on our preseason mailing list. That free lunch will end soon. We encourage all of you who have been receiving our Emails to subscribe for the remainder of this year.
You or any of your friends – or even you signing friends as gifts to them – can subscribe. You can see below how to do that.
In our normal schedule, the Tuesday Emails contain Minor League updates, letting you know which players you could look for to move up from the minors or up through an organization.
Players of the Week
Class League, Team (Organization)
Pos. Name H-AB BA HR-RBI SB
Triple-A International, Harrisburg (Nationals)
OF Roger Bernadina 13-28 .464 1-6 3
Triple-A Pacific Coast, Iowa (Cubs)
OF Brad Snyder 12-25 .480 3-7 1
Double-A Eastern, Bowie (Orioles)
DH Paco Figueroa 13-27 .481 1-7 2
Double-A Southern, West Tenn (Mariners)
CF Carlos Peguero 8-24 .333 3-6 0
Double-A Texas, Northwest Arkansas (Royals)
3B Mike Moustakas 8-17 .471 3-8 0
High Class A California, Inland Empire (Dodgers)
RF Kyle Russell 9-24 .375 2-6 0
High Class A Carolina, Salem (Red Sox)
SS Oscar Tejeda 11-25 .440 3-7 1
High Class A Florida State, Tampa (Yankees)
2B Corban Joseph 10-26 .385 2-6 0
Low Class A Midwest, Great Lakes (Dodgers)
CF Jerry Sands 9-20 .450 5-7 0
Low Class A South Atlantic, Greenville (Red Sox)
C Daniel Butler 9-20 .450 2-7 0
Bernadina raised his season average to .377 with eight RBI and seven stolen bases in 14 games, earning a promotion to Washington.
Sands repeated as the winner of both Midwest League Player of the Week awards for this season.
Moustakas and Russell both were first-round draft choices. Moustakas hadn’t played before last week because of a strained oblique muscle. Russell and Sands both represent part of the Dodgers’ future.
Pitchers of the Week
Class League, Team (Organization)
Hand Name IP W-L ERA WHIP K/W
Triple-A International, Durham (Rays)
RHP Aneury Rodriguez 14.0 2-0 0.00 0.57 10:3
Triple-A Pacific, Portland (Padres)
RHP Radhames Liz 6.0 1-0 1.56 0.83 11:2
Double-A Eastern, Reading (Phillies)
RHP Phillippe Aumont 17.0 2-0 0.53 0.47 11:6
Double-A Southern, Huntsville (Brewers)
RHP Amaury Rivas 13.0 2-0 0.69 0.85 9:6
Double-A Texas, Northwest Arkansas (Royals)
LHP Edgar Osuna 7.0 1-0 0.00 0.86 6:0
High Class A California, Visalia (Diamondbacks)
RHP Joshua Collmenter 5.0 0-0 0.00 0.40 9:1
High Class A Carolina, Wilmington (Royals)
LHP Michael Montgomery 12.2 1-0 1.42 1.03 14:3
High Class A Florida State, Clearwater (Phillies)
RHP Austin Hyatt 11.0 2-0 0.82 0.91 15:5
Low Class A Midwest, Beloit (Twins)
LHP Daniel Osterbrock 13.1 1-0 1.35 0.83 14:3
Low Class A South Atlantic, Charleston (Yankees)
RHP Graham Stoneburner 14.0 0-0 1.29 1.00 16:3
Rodriguez was making his first two starts in Triple-A.
Osuna made it through the first 2 ½ weeks of this season with an 0.00 ERA. He succeeded as Texas League Pitcher of the Week Federico Castaneda, who already has moved up to Triple-A Omaha. We already told you he’s likely to be pitching out of Kansas City’s bullpen during this season.
Montgomery has won both Carolina Pitcher of the Week awards this season. He, Osuna and Castaneda show there is pitching talent in the Royals organization.
News and Notes
The face of the Rangers’ farm system changed today more than at any time since Texas discovered that pitching is part of baseball. The Rangers optioned underperforming Cs Taylor Teagarden and Salty to Triple-A Oklahoma City, removing Salty from his injury-rehab assignment with the Redhawks early and taking him off the disabled list. C Max Ramirez, a far better offensive threat than any of the other three backstops Texas has used this season, was recalled. With RF Nelson Cruz going on the DL, the Rangers recalled OF Craig Gentry from OK City. He’s primarily a center fielder, and Texas could give the overachiever from the University of Arkansas an extended trial to decide whether to send slumping CF Julio Borbon back to the minors to straighten himself out. Here’s another indictment of the free-swinging Rangers: Rookie 1B Justin Smoak set a team record for the longest streak with at least one walk in a game to start a major league career by walking in each of the first four games after he was recalled to replace 1B Chris Davis.
Another shakeup is taking place in Colorado, where the Rockies put two starting pitchers, LHP Jorge De La Rosa (torn flexor band in his middle finger) and RHP Jason Hammel (strained right groin muscle), on the disabled list. They also demoted a catcher, Chris Iannetta, to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Joining the major league team are RHPs Jhoulys Chacin, who will take De La Rosa’s rotation spot, and Juan Rincon, who will go to the bullpen, and journeyman C Paul Phillips.
We’re especially disappointed to see De La Rosa injured. We always like any player who makes us look good, and he has been our greatest hit since LHP Johan Santana in 1995. Since we recommended DLR as “a pitcher to seek” when he was 0-6 last season, he has won 19 games, more than any other pitcher in the majors. We also really like Chacin, who was part of one of the best group of pitchers to graduate from the Double-A Texas League since who knows when. He has begun the season 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA at Colorado Springs.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
If you’re looking for even more change in Texas as the result of RHP Frank Francisco’s first save this season, forget it – at least for now. Rangers manager Ron Washington said that RHP Neftali Feliz remained their closer, but that he had pitched in two consecutive games (blowing a save himself) and needed a day off. As a result, Francisco, who began the season as Texas’ closer, pitched the ninth inning of Texas’ 4-2 victory over the White Sox.
Similarly, Red Sox RHP Ramon Ramirez received his first save of 2010 in a 2-1 win at Toronto. Boston’s closer, RHP Jonathan Papelbon, had pitched in five of its previous seven games.
Another unfamiliar name earning a save was that of Cardinals RHP Jason Motte. He entered their game against the Braves in the eighth inning and picked up his first save this season with a pitching line of 1 2/3 00020. St. Louis’ closer, RHP Ryan Franklin, wasn’t available because he had pitched each of the two previous days.
The Orioles haven’t really established a closer, and RHP Alfredo Simon doesn’t seem to be the man despite his first save in a 5-4 victory over the Yankees. Shortstop Julio Lugo’s error led to two unearned runs in the top of the ninth, leading to a line of 122012. Baltimore manager said that at least until the nominal closer, LHP Mike Gonzalez, returns from the disabled list the team’s closer would be “whoever can get outs.”
Other saves went to Nationals RHP Matt Capps, ninth, 3-1 at Wrigley Field; Twins RHP Jon Rauch, seventh, 2-0 at Detroit; Mariners RHP David Aardsma, seventh, 3-2 at Kansas City; Padres RHP Heath Bell, fifth, 4-1 at Florida, and Rays RHP Rafael Soriano, fifth, 8-6 against the Athletics.
The most notable blown save was Brewers RHP Trevor Hoffman’s third this season. Milwaukee led 3-2 when he entered the game to begin the ninth inning against the Pirates. Hoffman gave up a game-tying home run to SS Ronny Cedeno and C Ryan Doumit’s grand slam to take a 7-3 loss.
Promotion
Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Include your name, address and phone number so we could contact you with any questions, and (most important) tell us the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. You then would receive an invoice from PayPal, which you could pay by following simple instructions within that Email. Once we receive your payment, we’ll add you to the subscription list so you would receive all of this year’s Emails and have access to any other features from fantasybaseballscout.com.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Red Sox have turnaround despite injuries
We’re getting back toward our regular schedule for our five weekly Emails, including the Wednesday evening Injury Updates.
The free period for these Emails will end Sunday, April 25. After that date, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
The good news is that you now CAN subscribe. Here’s how:
Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Include your name, address and phone number so we could contact you with any questions, and (most important) tell us the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. You then would receive an invoice from PayPal, which you could pay by following simple instructions within that Email. Once we receive your payment, we’ll add you to the subscription list so you would receive all of this year’s Emails and have access to any other features from fantasybaseballscout.com.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
Willis, Blackburn expected to make next start
The Red Sox have been struggling at or below .500 in part because of injuries to starting OFs Mike Cameron (strained lower abdominal muscle) and Jacoby Ellsbury. That hasn’t mattered the last two nights as prospect Josh Reddick and especially journeyman Darnell McDonald have been producing at bat. McDonald arrived from Triple-A Pawtucket Tuesday in time to hit a game-tying home run and a game-winning single. Against the Rangers He homered again in a game Boston won in 12 innings. Don’t run out and pick up McDonald figuring he’s some phenom. His total major league experience before this year was fewer than 150 at-bats and just two homers.
OOO Diamondbacks 3B Mark Reynolds (quadriceps) is questionable for this weekend’s series against the Phillies. OF/1B Conor Jackson (knee) is eligible to come off the disabled list May 4.
OOO Also questionable for the weekend is Marlins C Ronny Paulino (quad). RHP Brian Sanches (hamstring) could go on an injury-rehab assignment Monday.
OOO Despite a finger injury, Tigers LHP Dontrelle Willis is expected to be able to start Saturday’s game at Texas.
OOO Also likely to start Saturday is Twins RHP Nick Blackburn (back). 2B/3B Nick Punto (groin) is questionable for the weekend series in Kansas City.
OOO Phillies RHP Joe Blanton (strained oblique muscle) is scheduled to make a rehab start for Double-A Reading Friday.
OOO Mariners LHP Cliff Lee could make a rehab start Sunday at Tacoma. If that goes well, he could start at home Friday, April 30, against the Rangers.
OOO The Rangers are hoping 2B Ian Kinsler (high ankle sprain) could be back “next week.” But then, they’ve been saying that every week since he was hurt during spring training.
Due dates
This is a rough idea of when teams expect to have some injured players back.
Thursday – Blue Jays 2B Aaron Hill (hamstring).
Friday – Cubs LHP Ted Lilly (shoulder, knee, back).
Late April – Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins (calf), Pirates RHP Ross Ohlendorf (back), Orioles RHP Koji Uehara (hamstring).
Early May – Orioles 2B Brian Roberts (abdominal muscle), Indians RHP Kerry Wood (back), Rockies LHP Jeff Francis (shoulder), Royals 3B Josh Fields (hip) and 2B Chris Getz (oblique), Athletics OF Coco Crisp (finger) and 2B Mark Ellis (hamstring), Phillies LHP J.A. Happ (elbow), Padres RHP Chris R. Young (shoulder), Blue Jays 3B Edwin Encarnacion (shoulder) and LHP Brian Tallet (forearm) and Twins C Jose Morales (wrist) and LHP Jose Mijares (elbow).
Mid-May – Mets CF Carlos Beltran (knee), 1B/OF Daniel Murphy (knee) and RHPs Sean Green (rib) and Ryota Igarishi (hamstring); Giants CF Aaron Rowand (head) and 2B Freddy Sanchez (shoulder, knee); Braves OF Jordan Schafer (hand) and LHP Jo-Jo Reyes (knee); Orioles LHP Mike Gonzalez (shoulder); Red Sox CF Mike Cameron (abdomen); Rockies RHP Huston Street (shoulder); Rays LHP J.P. Howell (shoulder) and OF Matt Joyce (elbow); Rangers RHP Tommy Hunter (a very large oblique muscle); Blue Jays LHP Marc Rzepczynski (finger); Nationals RHPs Garrett Mock (neck) and Jason Marquis (elbow); Astros 3B Chris Johnson (side); Angels RHP Anthony Ortega (triceps), and Brewers 3B/2B Mat Gamel (shoulder).
Late May – Diamondbacks C Miguel Montero (knee surgery), Angels C Jeff Mathis (wrist), Mariners LHP Erik Bedard (shoulder) and Nationals LHP Ross Detwiler (hip).
Early June – Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Webb (shoulder), Blue Jays RHP Dustin McGowan (shoulder, knee), Nationals RHP Chien-ming Wang (shoulder), Tigers LHP Bobby Seay (arm), Twins RHP Clay Condrey (elbow), Mets RHP Kelvim Escobar (shoulder) and Rays C Kelly Shoppach (knee).
Mid-June – Red Sox SS/3B Jed Lowrie (mononucleosis), Giants SS/2B Emmanuel Burriss (foot), Blue Jays RHP Scott Richmond (shoulder), Nationals C Jesus Flores (shoulder), Rockies RHP Taylor Buchholz (elbow) and Pirates RHP Jose Ascanio (shoulder).
Late June – Dodgers RHP Cory Wade (shoulder) and Rangers RHP Eric Hurley (shoulder).
Early July – Brewers RHP David Riske (elbow) and Blue Jays RHP Jesse Litsch (forearm).
Late July – Orioles LF Felix Pie (shoulder), Indians RHP Anthony Reyes (elbow), Reds RHP Edinson Volquez (serving a suspension while rehabbing his elbow) and Athletics LHP Josh Outman (elbow).
Early August – Dodgers C Brad Ausmus (back).
Mid-August – Nationals RHP Jordan Zimmerman (elbow).
Smoakin’ hot
Much more than a year ago when fans clamored for his promotion, Rangers 1B prospect Justin Smoak has been showing that he’s ready for a major league trial. With 1B Chris Davis struggling to make contact and producing very little, Smoak has presented an attractive alternative. In his first 12 games this season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, he batted .333 (13-for-39). More important, he had a whopping .509 on-base percentage, with 14 walks and just five strikeouts. The one reason keeping Davis in Texas’ lineup has been his superior defense.
OOO Rays 2B Sean Rodriguez, who had a power surge during spring training, hit his first regular-season homer in a 12-0 victory over the White Sox. If he hits more than a homer every two weeks or so, consider that a bonus.
OOO Dodgers OF Matt Kemp has been on fire. His seventh homer helped LA outscore the runs its pitching staff gave up in a 14-6 win over the Reds.
OOO There’s no pitching problem for Phillies RHP Roy Halladay. He improved to 4-0 with an 0.82 ERA by shutting out the Braves 2-0 with a pitching line of 950017.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
The blowups were far more spectacular than the saves.
Angels LHP Brian Fuentes returned from the disabled list, assumed a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth against the Tigers and left with a 4-3 loss, a blown save and a pitching line of 2/3 22221. Included was a home run by Detroit 1B Miguel Cabrera. RHP Fernando Rodney saved five games for LA/Anaheim while Fuentes was out, so his job might not be safe.
Diamondbacks RHP Chad Qualls entered with a 4-4 tie in the top of the ninth against the Cardinals. The line in his loss was 1/3 33300, including OF Colby Rasmus’ second homer of the game. RHP Bob Howry, a potential candidate to replace Qualls as closer, finished the game with a line of 2/3 22200, including a homer by 2B Skip Schumaker.
Earning saves were Nationals RHP Matt Capps, seventh, 6-4 over the Rockies; Yankees RHP Mariano Rivera, sixth, 3-1 at Oakland, and fourth saves for Royals RHP Joakim Soria, 4-3 in 10 innings at Toronto; Tigers RHP Jose Valverde in the game at LA/Anaheim, and Astros RHP Matt Lindstrom, 5-4 against the Marlins.
Promotion
To subscribe for our five-times-weekly Emails and anything else we’re able to provide this season, Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Through Sunday, May 2, you can subscribe for just $20, a 20 per cent savings from our established price of $25.
Include your name, address, phone number and the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. PayPal then would send you an invoice that would allow you to pay in one step.
The free period for these Emails will end Sunday, April 25. After that date, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
The good news is that you now CAN subscribe. Here’s how:
Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Include your name, address and phone number so we could contact you with any questions, and (most important) tell us the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. You then would receive an invoice from PayPal, which you could pay by following simple instructions within that Email. Once we receive your payment, we’ll add you to the subscription list so you would receive all of this year’s Emails and have access to any other features from fantasybaseballscout.com.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
Willis, Blackburn expected to make next start
The Red Sox have been struggling at or below .500 in part because of injuries to starting OFs Mike Cameron (strained lower abdominal muscle) and Jacoby Ellsbury. That hasn’t mattered the last two nights as prospect Josh Reddick and especially journeyman Darnell McDonald have been producing at bat. McDonald arrived from Triple-A Pawtucket Tuesday in time to hit a game-tying home run and a game-winning single. Against the Rangers He homered again in a game Boston won in 12 innings. Don’t run out and pick up McDonald figuring he’s some phenom. His total major league experience before this year was fewer than 150 at-bats and just two homers.
OOO Diamondbacks 3B Mark Reynolds (quadriceps) is questionable for this weekend’s series against the Phillies. OF/1B Conor Jackson (knee) is eligible to come off the disabled list May 4.
OOO Also questionable for the weekend is Marlins C Ronny Paulino (quad). RHP Brian Sanches (hamstring) could go on an injury-rehab assignment Monday.
OOO Despite a finger injury, Tigers LHP Dontrelle Willis is expected to be able to start Saturday’s game at Texas.
OOO Also likely to start Saturday is Twins RHP Nick Blackburn (back). 2B/3B Nick Punto (groin) is questionable for the weekend series in Kansas City.
OOO Phillies RHP Joe Blanton (strained oblique muscle) is scheduled to make a rehab start for Double-A Reading Friday.
OOO Mariners LHP Cliff Lee could make a rehab start Sunday at Tacoma. If that goes well, he could start at home Friday, April 30, against the Rangers.
OOO The Rangers are hoping 2B Ian Kinsler (high ankle sprain) could be back “next week.” But then, they’ve been saying that every week since he was hurt during spring training.
Due dates
This is a rough idea of when teams expect to have some injured players back.
Thursday – Blue Jays 2B Aaron Hill (hamstring).
Friday – Cubs LHP Ted Lilly (shoulder, knee, back).
Late April – Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins (calf), Pirates RHP Ross Ohlendorf (back), Orioles RHP Koji Uehara (hamstring).
Early May – Orioles 2B Brian Roberts (abdominal muscle), Indians RHP Kerry Wood (back), Rockies LHP Jeff Francis (shoulder), Royals 3B Josh Fields (hip) and 2B Chris Getz (oblique), Athletics OF Coco Crisp (finger) and 2B Mark Ellis (hamstring), Phillies LHP J.A. Happ (elbow), Padres RHP Chris R. Young (shoulder), Blue Jays 3B Edwin Encarnacion (shoulder) and LHP Brian Tallet (forearm) and Twins C Jose Morales (wrist) and LHP Jose Mijares (elbow).
Mid-May – Mets CF Carlos Beltran (knee), 1B/OF Daniel Murphy (knee) and RHPs Sean Green (rib) and Ryota Igarishi (hamstring); Giants CF Aaron Rowand (head) and 2B Freddy Sanchez (shoulder, knee); Braves OF Jordan Schafer (hand) and LHP Jo-Jo Reyes (knee); Orioles LHP Mike Gonzalez (shoulder); Red Sox CF Mike Cameron (abdomen); Rockies RHP Huston Street (shoulder); Rays LHP J.P. Howell (shoulder) and OF Matt Joyce (elbow); Rangers RHP Tommy Hunter (a very large oblique muscle); Blue Jays LHP Marc Rzepczynski (finger); Nationals RHPs Garrett Mock (neck) and Jason Marquis (elbow); Astros 3B Chris Johnson (side); Angels RHP Anthony Ortega (triceps), and Brewers 3B/2B Mat Gamel (shoulder).
Late May – Diamondbacks C Miguel Montero (knee surgery), Angels C Jeff Mathis (wrist), Mariners LHP Erik Bedard (shoulder) and Nationals LHP Ross Detwiler (hip).
Early June – Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Webb (shoulder), Blue Jays RHP Dustin McGowan (shoulder, knee), Nationals RHP Chien-ming Wang (shoulder), Tigers LHP Bobby Seay (arm), Twins RHP Clay Condrey (elbow), Mets RHP Kelvim Escobar (shoulder) and Rays C Kelly Shoppach (knee).
Mid-June – Red Sox SS/3B Jed Lowrie (mononucleosis), Giants SS/2B Emmanuel Burriss (foot), Blue Jays RHP Scott Richmond (shoulder), Nationals C Jesus Flores (shoulder), Rockies RHP Taylor Buchholz (elbow) and Pirates RHP Jose Ascanio (shoulder).
Late June – Dodgers RHP Cory Wade (shoulder) and Rangers RHP Eric Hurley (shoulder).
Early July – Brewers RHP David Riske (elbow) and Blue Jays RHP Jesse Litsch (forearm).
Late July – Orioles LF Felix Pie (shoulder), Indians RHP Anthony Reyes (elbow), Reds RHP Edinson Volquez (serving a suspension while rehabbing his elbow) and Athletics LHP Josh Outman (elbow).
Early August – Dodgers C Brad Ausmus (back).
Mid-August – Nationals RHP Jordan Zimmerman (elbow).
Smoakin’ hot
Much more than a year ago when fans clamored for his promotion, Rangers 1B prospect Justin Smoak has been showing that he’s ready for a major league trial. With 1B Chris Davis struggling to make contact and producing very little, Smoak has presented an attractive alternative. In his first 12 games this season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, he batted .333 (13-for-39). More important, he had a whopping .509 on-base percentage, with 14 walks and just five strikeouts. The one reason keeping Davis in Texas’ lineup has been his superior defense.
OOO Rays 2B Sean Rodriguez, who had a power surge during spring training, hit his first regular-season homer in a 12-0 victory over the White Sox. If he hits more than a homer every two weeks or so, consider that a bonus.
OOO Dodgers OF Matt Kemp has been on fire. His seventh homer helped LA outscore the runs its pitching staff gave up in a 14-6 win over the Reds.
OOO There’s no pitching problem for Phillies RHP Roy Halladay. He improved to 4-0 with an 0.82 ERA by shutting out the Braves 2-0 with a pitching line of 950017.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
The blowups were far more spectacular than the saves.
Angels LHP Brian Fuentes returned from the disabled list, assumed a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth against the Tigers and left with a 4-3 loss, a blown save and a pitching line of 2/3 22221. Included was a home run by Detroit 1B Miguel Cabrera. RHP Fernando Rodney saved five games for LA/Anaheim while Fuentes was out, so his job might not be safe.
Diamondbacks RHP Chad Qualls entered with a 4-4 tie in the top of the ninth against the Cardinals. The line in his loss was 1/3 33300, including OF Colby Rasmus’ second homer of the game. RHP Bob Howry, a potential candidate to replace Qualls as closer, finished the game with a line of 2/3 22200, including a homer by 2B Skip Schumaker.
Earning saves were Nationals RHP Matt Capps, seventh, 6-4 over the Rockies; Yankees RHP Mariano Rivera, sixth, 3-1 at Oakland, and fourth saves for Royals RHP Joakim Soria, 4-3 in 10 innings at Toronto; Tigers RHP Jose Valverde in the game at LA/Anaheim, and Astros RHP Matt Lindstrom, 5-4 against the Marlins.
Promotion
To subscribe for our five-times-weekly Emails and anything else we’re able to provide this season, Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Through Sunday, May 2, you can subscribe for just $20, a 20 per cent savings from our established price of $25.
Include your name, address, phone number and the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. PayPal then would send you an invoice that would allow you to pay in one step.
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