What's the Buzz? 3/25/06
Ok then.....here's some news that should be helpful as you move closer to your drafts. For me it's 1 down and 3 to go.....very busy next few days coming.....very well deserved Vegas vacation to follow. I will be also be getting married on my trip...she even picked the date so that we would be back home for the start of the season. But I digress....let's get to the news...
A bigger competition than expected for the Pirates' center field position as manager Jim Tracy announced that Nate McLouth is very much in the running for the job. We all thought Chris Duffy was a lock for the job, but this makes things a little interesting. Duffy will still probably win the job as he is definitely the better glove, but we could see a decrease in ABs if they Pirates need a little more pop in the order.
In Houston, 2B Craig Biggio has been given the leadoff spot this year and OF Willy Taveras will hit second. If this is the case, look for Taveras' stolen base production to decrease. It may change back if Biggio can keep up last year's power numbers and needs better RBI chances.
Dodgers cather Dioner Navarro seems to be recovering nicely from his hamstring strain and will most likely be back for Opening Day.
There is speculation that Yankees' backstop Jorge Posada could miss Opening Day with his fractured nose. I think we're jumping the gun here a bit. It happened 2 days ago and they said he should be out for 5. Let's just wait the next 3 days and then see where he is. Until then, I like #20 behind the dish for the Yanks on Opening Day.
Devil Rays' OF Rocco Baldelli still hasn't played the field yet, but not because of his Tommy John surgery, but for a hamstring issue. His slow recovery makes it look more likely Joey Gathright continues to start. Johnny Gomes moves to play right and Aubrey Huff stays at third while Gathright plays center. Maybe I should send them this link just so they can see how they should do it.
So it's official....Jeff Bagwell is done. After another trip to Dr. James Andrews, it was announced that he had bone spurs in his shoulder and needed to be surgically removed. If the Astros want to recoup the 15 million from the insurance company, Bagwell must stay on the DL all season. That seems to be the way it ends here for the Killer B's.
Remember OF Alex Sanchez? Our first major leaguer suspended for steroid use? Well he's signed on with the Reds now and he just jumped into the mix for backup outfielders. If Chris Denorfia was sent down, so will Sanchez. Maybe he gets the call if Ken Griffey....well...I don't need to say it.
Barry Bonds was out of today's lineup with an elbow strain. It was supposedly a precautionary move. C'mon Barry...don't crap out on us now!!
The Royals announced that Jeremy Affeldt and Denny Bautista will be their 4th and 5th starters. It may be a moot point for Bautista as he will start the year in AAA and won't come up until April 14th when the Royals need a fifth starter. On top of that, Mark Redman is due back shorty after that so he may really only get 2 starts in the whole month and then go back.
Well, if Bobby Jenks is going to be one of your closers, then it'd be best to also pick up Neal Cotts as well. Jenks is in manager Ozzie Guillen's doghouse for showing up in poor condition this spring and his performance hasn't helped him out. Cotts looks real good and will find himself in the mix for some saves early on. I still think Jenks will put it together and return to last year's form.
With Brandon Webb, Orlando Hernandez, Miguel Batista and Russ Ortiz locked into the rotation, Brad Halsey and Claudio Vargas continue to fight for the 5th starter spot. It's pretty close, but I think Vargas may edge out the admiral.
Mets closer Billy Wagner is still experiencing stiffness in the middle finger. They are talking about being careful with him, so if he sits, Duaner Sanchez would be next in line for saves. Wagner is still a solid pick in mixed and NL-only leagues.
Brandon Duckworth and Victor Santos are still battling for the 5th spot in the Pirates' rotation. I think Santos will edge him out, but Duckworth would have better K's. With so many young arms, there is a chance both could still see some decent starts this season.
Yankees OF Johnny Damon made his first appearance in center field since the WBC. He went 1 for 2 with 2 walks. He will be a great pickup as he leads it off for the Yankees this year.
Keith Foulke pitched a perfect inning today as he looks to return to the closer's role in Boston. We'll just have to see how his knee holds up. He is still a risky pick.
Orioles' 2B Brian Roberts is making his way back very nicely. He was 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored. He'll be high on people's draft boards again this year.
Staying with Baltimore, pitcher Erik Bedard is quietly having an outstanding spring after his WBC return. He struck out 8 Marlins in 6 innings today and with K/BB ratio is fantastic.
Jim Leyland has announced that 1B Chris Shelton will start the season hitting 8th, but I really don't see that lasting....look for him to be moved up a few weeks into the season if he gets off to a nice start or when Dmitri Young goes into one of his patented slumps with a minor injury.
The Mariners will go with a probable platoon of Willie Bloomquist and Joe Borchard in center field as there is no plan to move Ichiro, in the wake of Jeremy Reed's injury.
Brad Wilkerson will have an MRI to confirm, but Dr. Lewis Yocum said there was no sign of structural damage. Monitor this as Wilkerson was supposed to be a big sleeper this year when he came to Texas.
Continuing with the Rangers...manager Buck Showalter has announce Ian Kinsler as the starting second baseman. I like Kinsler for this year, not because I own him in one of my leagues, but because who doesn't like hitting in Arlington?
And finally, Marlins manager Joe Girardi said that Josh Willingham will play left field when he's not catching. He is the primary guy behind the plate, so when he does play left it will be at the expense of Reggie Abercrombie. Regular left fielder, Chris Aguila, would move over to center field.
Big draft day for me tomorrow....my primary league...blind bid auction draft.
Gotta go re-adjust those draft sheets...
Catch you next time...
A bigger competition than expected for the Pirates' center field position as manager Jim Tracy announced that Nate McLouth is very much in the running for the job. We all thought Chris Duffy was a lock for the job, but this makes things a little interesting. Duffy will still probably win the job as he is definitely the better glove, but we could see a decrease in ABs if they Pirates need a little more pop in the order.
In Houston, 2B Craig Biggio has been given the leadoff spot this year and OF Willy Taveras will hit second. If this is the case, look for Taveras' stolen base production to decrease. It may change back if Biggio can keep up last year's power numbers and needs better RBI chances.
Dodgers cather Dioner Navarro seems to be recovering nicely from his hamstring strain and will most likely be back for Opening Day.
There is speculation that Yankees' backstop Jorge Posada could miss Opening Day with his fractured nose. I think we're jumping the gun here a bit. It happened 2 days ago and they said he should be out for 5. Let's just wait the next 3 days and then see where he is. Until then, I like #20 behind the dish for the Yanks on Opening Day.
Devil Rays' OF Rocco Baldelli still hasn't played the field yet, but not because of his Tommy John surgery, but for a hamstring issue. His slow recovery makes it look more likely Joey Gathright continues to start. Johnny Gomes moves to play right and Aubrey Huff stays at third while Gathright plays center. Maybe I should send them this link just so they can see how they should do it.
So it's official....Jeff Bagwell is done. After another trip to Dr. James Andrews, it was announced that he had bone spurs in his shoulder and needed to be surgically removed. If the Astros want to recoup the 15 million from the insurance company, Bagwell must stay on the DL all season. That seems to be the way it ends here for the Killer B's.
Remember OF Alex Sanchez? Our first major leaguer suspended for steroid use? Well he's signed on with the Reds now and he just jumped into the mix for backup outfielders. If Chris Denorfia was sent down, so will Sanchez. Maybe he gets the call if Ken Griffey....well...I don't need to say it.
Barry Bonds was out of today's lineup with an elbow strain. It was supposedly a precautionary move. C'mon Barry...don't crap out on us now!!
The Royals announced that Jeremy Affeldt and Denny Bautista will be their 4th and 5th starters. It may be a moot point for Bautista as he will start the year in AAA and won't come up until April 14th when the Royals need a fifth starter. On top of that, Mark Redman is due back shorty after that so he may really only get 2 starts in the whole month and then go back.
Well, if Bobby Jenks is going to be one of your closers, then it'd be best to also pick up Neal Cotts as well. Jenks is in manager Ozzie Guillen's doghouse for showing up in poor condition this spring and his performance hasn't helped him out. Cotts looks real good and will find himself in the mix for some saves early on. I still think Jenks will put it together and return to last year's form.
With Brandon Webb, Orlando Hernandez, Miguel Batista and Russ Ortiz locked into the rotation, Brad Halsey and Claudio Vargas continue to fight for the 5th starter spot. It's pretty close, but I think Vargas may edge out the admiral.
Mets closer Billy Wagner is still experiencing stiffness in the middle finger. They are talking about being careful with him, so if he sits, Duaner Sanchez would be next in line for saves. Wagner is still a solid pick in mixed and NL-only leagues.
Brandon Duckworth and Victor Santos are still battling for the 5th spot in the Pirates' rotation. I think Santos will edge him out, but Duckworth would have better K's. With so many young arms, there is a chance both could still see some decent starts this season.
Yankees OF Johnny Damon made his first appearance in center field since the WBC. He went 1 for 2 with 2 walks. He will be a great pickup as he leads it off for the Yankees this year.
Keith Foulke pitched a perfect inning today as he looks to return to the closer's role in Boston. We'll just have to see how his knee holds up. He is still a risky pick.
Orioles' 2B Brian Roberts is making his way back very nicely. He was 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored. He'll be high on people's draft boards again this year.
Staying with Baltimore, pitcher Erik Bedard is quietly having an outstanding spring after his WBC return. He struck out 8 Marlins in 6 innings today and with K/BB ratio is fantastic.
Jim Leyland has announced that 1B Chris Shelton will start the season hitting 8th, but I really don't see that lasting....look for him to be moved up a few weeks into the season if he gets off to a nice start or when Dmitri Young goes into one of his patented slumps with a minor injury.
The Mariners will go with a probable platoon of Willie Bloomquist and Joe Borchard in center field as there is no plan to move Ichiro, in the wake of Jeremy Reed's injury.
Brad Wilkerson will have an MRI to confirm, but Dr. Lewis Yocum said there was no sign of structural damage. Monitor this as Wilkerson was supposed to be a big sleeper this year when he came to Texas.
Continuing with the Rangers...manager Buck Showalter has announce Ian Kinsler as the starting second baseman. I like Kinsler for this year, not because I own him in one of my leagues, but because who doesn't like hitting in Arlington?
And finally, Marlins manager Joe Girardi said that Josh Willingham will play left field when he's not catching. He is the primary guy behind the plate, so when he does play left it will be at the expense of Reggie Abercrombie. Regular left fielder, Chris Aguila, would move over to center field.
Big draft day for me tomorrow....my primary league...blind bid auction draft.
Gotta go re-adjust those draft sheets...
Catch you next time...
posted by Howard Bender at
11:48 PM
