What's the Buzz? 3/20/06
Tonight's the night....World Baseball Classic finals...Japan vs. Cuba, and only 2 MLB participants remain -- Ichiro and Akinori Otsuka. The game starts at 9 PM EST, so we'll update you later on in the night. In honor of my friend Hiro I will be pulling for the men from the far east...
(time passes)
Congratulations to Japan -- the first ever WBC Champion
The Japanese jumped out to a 4 run lead before Cuba even got to bat in the 1st and stayed on top all game. The Cubans rallied back to come within 1 run after the eighth but the Japanese roared back with another 4 spot in the top of the 9th and left no doubt. They went on to win 10-6. Kudos to Ichiro who went 2-4 with a walk, 3 runs and an RBI. He continues to show that he is a complete player and why you want him on your fantasy team.
In Spring Training news...
Red Sox closer Keith Foulke threw against live batters and says that he is confident that he will be pitching on Opening Day. Manager Terry Francona isn't totally sold on the idea yet, but he does like what he hears. Whether he likes what he sees is a different story. Be very wary of drafting Foulke this year as his knee will probably be an issue all season.
And speaking of the Red Sox, they traded pitcher Bronson Arroyo to the Reds today for OF Wily Mo Pena. This deal actually looks good for the Sox as they were really only going to use Arroyo for middle relief. Pena will probably fall into a straight platoon with Trot Nixon leaving his value relatively unchanged. Arroyo, on the other hand, leaves for the NL and one of the worst parks for a pitcher. For the Reds, it means that Adam Dunn officially moves back to left field leaving Scott Hatteberg to play first base. Not the best move for the Reds but it does leave Hatteberg with a slightly higher value if he is indeed the regular starter.
The Indians are planning to give catcher Victor Martinez some rest this year, but will keep his bat in the lineup as he will play a little first base. He is, without question, the top catcher out there, but don't go selling the farm for him. There is a significant drop off in talent after him, but if you check out what I had to say about catchers a few weeks ago, then you know you won't suffer in your league without him.
What's going on with Royals' pitching here? Mike MacDougal is out 6 weeks, Zack Grienke is out atleast until June and Mark Redman is out until mid-April. Maybe this increases Runelvys Hernandez' value as he will probably soon have to pitch every other day...
Brewers "ace" Ben Sheets will resume throwing, but his status for Opening Day is still in question. I'd rather spend less and get Doug Davis or Chris Capuano anyway.
I just don't understand this whole personal catcher business. Aren't major league pitchers supposed to be professional? Greg Maddux couldn't deal with Javy Lopez, Randy Johnson couldn't deal with Jorge Posada and now apparently Phillies pitcher Jon Lieber can't work with Mike Lieberthal. His personal catcher is now Sal Fasano.....yes....Sal Fasano.....didn't he play Fish on Barney Miller years back?
The Padres, while they continue to search for a viable backup to Khalil Greene, may have to expand their search for a better fourth outfielder as well. Termell Sledge has been battling an assortment of injuries and his status for Opening Day is in question. If he's out, then look for Ben Johnson to take his reserve role.
The return of Alfonso Soriano (1-12 in the WBC) is imminent and the Nationals still want him to move to the outfield....let the fur fly!!! They had him slated for left field today, but he refused to take the field. Unless he gets traded or Jose Vidro gets hit by a bus, this could be a disaster in the making.
In a fairly insignificant trade, the Mariners sent LHP Matt Thornton to the White Sox for OF Joe Borchard. Neither will make any kind of fantasy impact this season.
Twins OF Jason Kubel is in an 0-10 slide over the last three games this spring, increasing his chances of starting the year in AAA as Michael Cuddyer takes the open OF slot and Lew Ford becomes the DH/4th outfielder.
I'm not really sure I understand Phillies' manager Charlie Manuel here, but it looks like he will be going with 3B Abraham Nunez as his #2 hitter bumping OF Aaron Rowand down to the 7 hole. This lineup would look so much better idf that were reversed. Nunez owns a career .248/.314/.326 and doesn't look like he's getting any better.
Oakland A's pictcher Rich Harden looked good today striking out 7 in five innings today. He will be a top pitcher this year provided he stays healthy.
WBC Finals are starting....here we go....MATSUZAKA!!!!!!!!!!!
Catch you next time....
(time passes)
Congratulations to Japan -- the first ever WBC Champion
The Japanese jumped out to a 4 run lead before Cuba even got to bat in the 1st and stayed on top all game. The Cubans rallied back to come within 1 run after the eighth but the Japanese roared back with another 4 spot in the top of the 9th and left no doubt. They went on to win 10-6. Kudos to Ichiro who went 2-4 with a walk, 3 runs and an RBI. He continues to show that he is a complete player and why you want him on your fantasy team.
In Spring Training news...
Red Sox closer Keith Foulke threw against live batters and says that he is confident that he will be pitching on Opening Day. Manager Terry Francona isn't totally sold on the idea yet, but he does like what he hears. Whether he likes what he sees is a different story. Be very wary of drafting Foulke this year as his knee will probably be an issue all season.
And speaking of the Red Sox, they traded pitcher Bronson Arroyo to the Reds today for OF Wily Mo Pena. This deal actually looks good for the Sox as they were really only going to use Arroyo for middle relief. Pena will probably fall into a straight platoon with Trot Nixon leaving his value relatively unchanged. Arroyo, on the other hand, leaves for the NL and one of the worst parks for a pitcher. For the Reds, it means that Adam Dunn officially moves back to left field leaving Scott Hatteberg to play first base. Not the best move for the Reds but it does leave Hatteberg with a slightly higher value if he is indeed the regular starter.
The Indians are planning to give catcher Victor Martinez some rest this year, but will keep his bat in the lineup as he will play a little first base. He is, without question, the top catcher out there, but don't go selling the farm for him. There is a significant drop off in talent after him, but if you check out what I had to say about catchers a few weeks ago, then you know you won't suffer in your league without him.
What's going on with Royals' pitching here? Mike MacDougal is out 6 weeks, Zack Grienke is out atleast until June and Mark Redman is out until mid-April. Maybe this increases Runelvys Hernandez' value as he will probably soon have to pitch every other day...
Brewers "ace" Ben Sheets will resume throwing, but his status for Opening Day is still in question. I'd rather spend less and get Doug Davis or Chris Capuano anyway.
I just don't understand this whole personal catcher business. Aren't major league pitchers supposed to be professional? Greg Maddux couldn't deal with Javy Lopez, Randy Johnson couldn't deal with Jorge Posada and now apparently Phillies pitcher Jon Lieber can't work with Mike Lieberthal. His personal catcher is now Sal Fasano.....yes....Sal Fasano.....didn't he play Fish on Barney Miller years back?
The Padres, while they continue to search for a viable backup to Khalil Greene, may have to expand their search for a better fourth outfielder as well. Termell Sledge has been battling an assortment of injuries and his status for Opening Day is in question. If he's out, then look for Ben Johnson to take his reserve role.
The return of Alfonso Soriano (1-12 in the WBC) is imminent and the Nationals still want him to move to the outfield....let the fur fly!!! They had him slated for left field today, but he refused to take the field. Unless he gets traded or Jose Vidro gets hit by a bus, this could be a disaster in the making.
In a fairly insignificant trade, the Mariners sent LHP Matt Thornton to the White Sox for OF Joe Borchard. Neither will make any kind of fantasy impact this season.
Twins OF Jason Kubel is in an 0-10 slide over the last three games this spring, increasing his chances of starting the year in AAA as Michael Cuddyer takes the open OF slot and Lew Ford becomes the DH/4th outfielder.
I'm not really sure I understand Phillies' manager Charlie Manuel here, but it looks like he will be going with 3B Abraham Nunez as his #2 hitter bumping OF Aaron Rowand down to the 7 hole. This lineup would look so much better idf that were reversed. Nunez owns a career .248/.314/.326 and doesn't look like he's getting any better.
Oakland A's pictcher Rich Harden looked good today striking out 7 in five innings today. He will be a top pitcher this year provided he stays healthy.
WBC Finals are starting....here we go....MATSUZAKA!!!!!!!!!!!
Catch you next time....
posted by Howard Bender at
8:06 PM
