What's the Buzz? 3/22/06
So we're getting to that point in Spring Training when key decisions are being made. Managers are setting their rotations and their batting orders; position battles are being won and lost. If you haven't drafted yet, it'll be good to know some things...
Let's start in Anaheim where former super prospect 3B Dallas McPhereson is looking like he's going to start the year in AAA. With Casey Kotchman playing first and Darin Erstad moving to the outfield, Chone Figgins gets the start over at third. It's really a no-brainer for them as McPhereson has been having an awful spring dealing with nagging injuries.
On another Angels note, OF Garrett Anderson doesn't look to be returning to the field soon with his heel problem. He will probably DH to start the year, which increases the value of Juan Rivera who looks like the new left fielder in town.
In Atlanta, the 4th outfielder job is going to Matt Diaz. They may even use him in a platoon in left field which may make him an interesting late round choice.
In Boston, Jonathan Papelbon will start the year in the bullpen. I wouldn't worry though as he will likely be needed once the blisters start on Josh Beckett.
Keeps your eyes on Cubs 1B Derrek Lee as he has been cleared to play and should be in Thursday's lineup. No one really thought we was going to match last year's numbers anyway, but now we have to see if this shoulder has any further effect.
Manager Joe Girardi has announced the Marlins' 2-3-4 hitters to be Jeremy Hermida, Miguel Cabrera and Mike Jacobs. While it's not Carlos Delgado, Jacobs should do well enough to keep pitchers from pitching around Cabrera so easily. Hermida definitely benefits and should do well in the runs scored department. His RBI will be directly linked to how well SS Hanley Ramirez performs in the leadoff spot. Ramirez has "unofficially" won the starting job and will probably hit leadoff.
Trouble's brewing in Los Angeles as Grady Little dropped a bomb on Greg Gagne owners. In order to lighten Gagne's workload, he says he will be using Danys Baez in save situations. The dreaded closer by committe has officially begun. They'll both have value, but this definitely works out better for Baez' owners than it does Gagne's.
Little also backtracked on the status of catcher Dioner Navarro as it looks like he will be out with a hamstring longer than expected. He really should only miss the first week of the season.
So Alfonso Soriano caved....he's agreed to move out to left field for the Nationals rather than be put on the disqualified list. Something had to happen and management really had all the cards here. I still think they will actively look to trade him, so this defintiely isn't over. While Soriano remains a top option still at 2B, it will still be interesting to see how this ballpark affects his numbers.
In St. Louis, Sidney Ponson has won the 5th spot in the rotation, sending promising Anthony Reyes back to AAA. Ponson might be a nice sleeper pick as pitching coach Dave Duncan has been known to really turn guys around.
There are problems in the Cards' outfield though as Larry Bigbie waits on an MRI for his possible stress fracture in the foot, So Taguchi has a sore elbow and Jim Edmonds is experiencing pain in his non-throwing elbow and numbness in the forearm. None of this sounds good so check over the next few days to see who starts winning some jobs here.
2B Ian Kinsler appears to have won the starting job for the Rangers this year. Nothing officially announced, but Mark DeRosa seems to be conceding the job to him. I like Kinsler as a solid pick in both AL and mixed leagues. Leading off in Texas will be a great spot for him.
Baltimore announced its starting rotation of Rodrigo Lopez, Erik Bedard, Kris Benson, Daniel Cabrera, and Bruce Chen. I know people aren't high on Benson, but I think he will be just as valuable as Bedard or Cabrera, everybody else's sleeper picks.
A favorite of mine, as 1B Ryan Howard belted his 9th HR. I expect atleast 30 HR and 100+ RBI from him this year and I don't think I will be disappointed.
Brewers 3B Corey Koskie continues to look good this spring. They're already talking about him starting vs. righties over Bill Hall and he could overtake him for the job if he continues hitting.
Craig Counsell will probably return to playing shortstop tommorrow for the Diamondbacks and looks to be fine for Opening Day.
1B Conor Jackson continues to look good this spring although he will still have Tony Clark looming over him and taking away at-bats against lefties.
More stupid steroids stuff from "Game of Shadows" as now it involves Gary Sheffield and the injecting of HGH and testosterone. Enough already...I am done with this......we knew it already...look, if someone comes up with a positive test TODAY, then fine. We can deal with that when it happens. But the rest of this doesn't matter anymore. You can't suspend a guy for something that is written in a book.
Also in Yankeeland, catcher Jorge Posada looks to be out for the next 5 days or so as he recovers from a fractured nose. He got hit while playing catch in the pre-game. Nothing to worry about. He'll be fine.
Tom Glavine will get the Opening Day start for the Mets as Pedro Martinez is recovering from his toe injury. Martinez hopes to pitch in the first week of the season and nothing yet seems to show otherwise.
Pitcher David Bush has won a rotation spot in Milwaukee. He looks to be a nice sleeper choice as really the only guy that could push him for a spot is Rick Helling and c'mon...it's Rick Helling.
If 1B Ben Broussard continues to stink like this, the Indians will be looking for a new first baseman.
While the Astros may still look for a veteran arm to fill the spot, it appears that for now they will go with Taylor Bucholz.
It shouldn't be too much longer before the Twins announce Scott Baker as their 5th starter and send future star Francisco Liriano to the minors.
And lastly, both Barry Bonds and Vladimir Guerrero went back to their HR hitting ways today, so all seems to be normal again with the universe.
Catch you next time...
Let's start in Anaheim where former super prospect 3B Dallas McPhereson is looking like he's going to start the year in AAA. With Casey Kotchman playing first and Darin Erstad moving to the outfield, Chone Figgins gets the start over at third. It's really a no-brainer for them as McPhereson has been having an awful spring dealing with nagging injuries.
On another Angels note, OF Garrett Anderson doesn't look to be returning to the field soon with his heel problem. He will probably DH to start the year, which increases the value of Juan Rivera who looks like the new left fielder in town.
In Atlanta, the 4th outfielder job is going to Matt Diaz. They may even use him in a platoon in left field which may make him an interesting late round choice.
In Boston, Jonathan Papelbon will start the year in the bullpen. I wouldn't worry though as he will likely be needed once the blisters start on Josh Beckett.
Keeps your eyes on Cubs 1B Derrek Lee as he has been cleared to play and should be in Thursday's lineup. No one really thought we was going to match last year's numbers anyway, but now we have to see if this shoulder has any further effect.
Manager Joe Girardi has announced the Marlins' 2-3-4 hitters to be Jeremy Hermida, Miguel Cabrera and Mike Jacobs. While it's not Carlos Delgado, Jacobs should do well enough to keep pitchers from pitching around Cabrera so easily. Hermida definitely benefits and should do well in the runs scored department. His RBI will be directly linked to how well SS Hanley Ramirez performs in the leadoff spot. Ramirez has "unofficially" won the starting job and will probably hit leadoff.
Trouble's brewing in Los Angeles as Grady Little dropped a bomb on Greg Gagne owners. In order to lighten Gagne's workload, he says he will be using Danys Baez in save situations. The dreaded closer by committe has officially begun. They'll both have value, but this definitely works out better for Baez' owners than it does Gagne's.
Little also backtracked on the status of catcher Dioner Navarro as it looks like he will be out with a hamstring longer than expected. He really should only miss the first week of the season.
So Alfonso Soriano caved....he's agreed to move out to left field for the Nationals rather than be put on the disqualified list. Something had to happen and management really had all the cards here. I still think they will actively look to trade him, so this defintiely isn't over. While Soriano remains a top option still at 2B, it will still be interesting to see how this ballpark affects his numbers.
In St. Louis, Sidney Ponson has won the 5th spot in the rotation, sending promising Anthony Reyes back to AAA. Ponson might be a nice sleeper pick as pitching coach Dave Duncan has been known to really turn guys around.
There are problems in the Cards' outfield though as Larry Bigbie waits on an MRI for his possible stress fracture in the foot, So Taguchi has a sore elbow and Jim Edmonds is experiencing pain in his non-throwing elbow and numbness in the forearm. None of this sounds good so check over the next few days to see who starts winning some jobs here.
2B Ian Kinsler appears to have won the starting job for the Rangers this year. Nothing officially announced, but Mark DeRosa seems to be conceding the job to him. I like Kinsler as a solid pick in both AL and mixed leagues. Leading off in Texas will be a great spot for him.
Baltimore announced its starting rotation of Rodrigo Lopez, Erik Bedard, Kris Benson, Daniel Cabrera, and Bruce Chen. I know people aren't high on Benson, but I think he will be just as valuable as Bedard or Cabrera, everybody else's sleeper picks.
A favorite of mine, as 1B Ryan Howard belted his 9th HR. I expect atleast 30 HR and 100+ RBI from him this year and I don't think I will be disappointed.
Brewers 3B Corey Koskie continues to look good this spring. They're already talking about him starting vs. righties over Bill Hall and he could overtake him for the job if he continues hitting.
Craig Counsell will probably return to playing shortstop tommorrow for the Diamondbacks and looks to be fine for Opening Day.
1B Conor Jackson continues to look good this spring although he will still have Tony Clark looming over him and taking away at-bats against lefties.
More stupid steroids stuff from "Game of Shadows" as now it involves Gary Sheffield and the injecting of HGH and testosterone. Enough already...I am done with this......we knew it already...look, if someone comes up with a positive test TODAY, then fine. We can deal with that when it happens. But the rest of this doesn't matter anymore. You can't suspend a guy for something that is written in a book.
Also in Yankeeland, catcher Jorge Posada looks to be out for the next 5 days or so as he recovers from a fractured nose. He got hit while playing catch in the pre-game. Nothing to worry about. He'll be fine.
Tom Glavine will get the Opening Day start for the Mets as Pedro Martinez is recovering from his toe injury. Martinez hopes to pitch in the first week of the season and nothing yet seems to show otherwise.
Pitcher David Bush has won a rotation spot in Milwaukee. He looks to be a nice sleeper choice as really the only guy that could push him for a spot is Rick Helling and c'mon...it's Rick Helling.
If 1B Ben Broussard continues to stink like this, the Indians will be looking for a new first baseman.
While the Astros may still look for a veteran arm to fill the spot, it appears that for now they will go with Taylor Bucholz.
It shouldn't be too much longer before the Twins announce Scott Baker as their 5th starter and send future star Francisco Liriano to the minors.
And lastly, both Barry Bonds and Vladimir Guerrero went back to their HR hitting ways today, so all seems to be normal again with the universe.
Catch you next time...
posted by Howard Bender at
11:59 PM
