What's the Buzz? 3/27/06
Here's a few notes that may help you out in the later rounds of your drafts...
The Orioles and Melvin Mora have not reached any kind of settlement on a contract extension for the third baseman. In a slightly revamped lineup, Mora should do well in his contract year and produce above average 3B numbers.
Dustin Hermanson will likely start the season on the DL. This really doesn't affect the closer situation in Chicago as Bobby Jenks and Neal Cotts remain the main candidates to get saves. Jenks still probably has the edge as Cotts has been beaten up a little, ever since Ozzie Guillen announced the possible committee.
Kerry Wood is still on target for a late April return but hasn’t faced live hitters yet and Mark Prior still looks to be missing the first 3 weeks of the season with a shoulder problem. The Cubs, in the meantime, will probably announce that Carlos Zambrano will have to start 4 games per week as he seems to be the only reliable arm on the mound in Chicago. Glendon Rusch is the #2 guy?!?!? Ugh.
OF Eli Marrero has locked up a roster spot in Colorado as a reserve outfielder. He also may get an occasional day behind the plate which would increase his value tremendously if he qualifies there soon.
Dodgers’ closer Eric Gagne is still a very risky pick this year as his velocity is down and his command is way off. Danys Baez and even Yhency Brazoban could find themselves in the mix for saves early on.
Reports out of Minnesota say that Francisco Liriano will make the Opening Day roster. He will come out of the bullpen as either a long reliever or a lefty specialist. If he becomes the lefty specialist, it may be harder for him to find his way into the rotation.
Twins SS Jason Bartlett sat out today with a strained hamstring. Not good as apparently manager Ron Gardenhire is looking for any excuse to bench him. He just doesn’t like him. Nick Punto and Juan Castro look to be the beneficiaries of playing time in his absence.
The Devil Rays continue to shop OF Joey Gathright with the Marlins being a likely destination. They want a pitching prospect in return, and Scott Olsen’s name has been thrown around. It would be a great move for Gathright as he would probably replace Reggie Abercrombie and hit leadoff instead of SS Hanley Ramirez.
Speaking of Gathright, he was involved in another Red Sox inspired incident on the field. As if it wasn’t bad enough that Josh Beckett was looking to get his ass kicked by Phillies 1B Ryan Howard yesterday, reliever Julian Tavarez connected with a right to Gathright’s chin after getting spiked at the plate today. Benches cleared without further incident, but Tavarez will be looking at a suspension for his actions. Atleast it wasn’t another roundhouse kick to the head like last time.
Homeless 1B Carlos Pena might be a Devil Ray soon as the Rays are always looking to upgrade from Travis Lee.
The Rangers are shopping OF/DH Dave Dellucci. Unless he goes to a team and has a starting job available for him, any move away from Texas will significantly hurt his value.
Also with Texas, 3B Hank Blalock is dealing with a stiff back and some soreness in his throwing arm this spring. He still remains a top quality draft option at the hot corner.
The Reds signed OF Terrence Long to a minor league contract today. He will start the year in AAA but may have some value later on if the Reds need to bring him up as an injury replacement.
Xavier Nady is not helping his cause to be the regular right fielder for the Mets with his 1 for 25 slump -- 0 for 4 today with 3 K's. If he doesn't click soon, the team may opt for Victor Diaz instead.
The 5th starter role in Houston appears to have gone to Taylor Buchholz as Carlos Hernandez was sent down to a minor league camp. The role could be short lived as the Astros are still awaiting a decision from Roger Clemens.
The Texas Rangers have released DH Erubial Durazo. He should land somewhere else, but that is still lup in the air.
Atlanta closer Chris Reitsma is day to day with a strained hamstring. If you have him or were planning on drafting him, take a look at Joey Devine and the rest of the bullpen for insurance purposes.
And finally, Runelvys Hernandez will be starting the season on the 15 day DL with, what is being called, a "lack of stamina". Perhaps he should give ex-major leaguer Rafael Palmiero a call and get that little blue pill to help him out. He should be ok when he gets back, but watch him first before picking him up as command and velocity have been a huge problem.
Hope your drafts went well and if you haven't gone yet, good luck.
Catch you next time...
The Orioles and Melvin Mora have not reached any kind of settlement on a contract extension for the third baseman. In a slightly revamped lineup, Mora should do well in his contract year and produce above average 3B numbers.
Dustin Hermanson will likely start the season on the DL. This really doesn't affect the closer situation in Chicago as Bobby Jenks and Neal Cotts remain the main candidates to get saves. Jenks still probably has the edge as Cotts has been beaten up a little, ever since Ozzie Guillen announced the possible committee.
Kerry Wood is still on target for a late April return but hasn’t faced live hitters yet and Mark Prior still looks to be missing the first 3 weeks of the season with a shoulder problem. The Cubs, in the meantime, will probably announce that Carlos Zambrano will have to start 4 games per week as he seems to be the only reliable arm on the mound in Chicago. Glendon Rusch is the #2 guy?!?!? Ugh.
OF Eli Marrero has locked up a roster spot in Colorado as a reserve outfielder. He also may get an occasional day behind the plate which would increase his value tremendously if he qualifies there soon.
Dodgers’ closer Eric Gagne is still a very risky pick this year as his velocity is down and his command is way off. Danys Baez and even Yhency Brazoban could find themselves in the mix for saves early on.
Reports out of Minnesota say that Francisco Liriano will make the Opening Day roster. He will come out of the bullpen as either a long reliever or a lefty specialist. If he becomes the lefty specialist, it may be harder for him to find his way into the rotation.
Twins SS Jason Bartlett sat out today with a strained hamstring. Not good as apparently manager Ron Gardenhire is looking for any excuse to bench him. He just doesn’t like him. Nick Punto and Juan Castro look to be the beneficiaries of playing time in his absence.
The Devil Rays continue to shop OF Joey Gathright with the Marlins being a likely destination. They want a pitching prospect in return, and Scott Olsen’s name has been thrown around. It would be a great move for Gathright as he would probably replace Reggie Abercrombie and hit leadoff instead of SS Hanley Ramirez.
Speaking of Gathright, he was involved in another Red Sox inspired incident on the field. As if it wasn’t bad enough that Josh Beckett was looking to get his ass kicked by Phillies 1B Ryan Howard yesterday, reliever Julian Tavarez connected with a right to Gathright’s chin after getting spiked at the plate today. Benches cleared without further incident, but Tavarez will be looking at a suspension for his actions. Atleast it wasn’t another roundhouse kick to the head like last time.
Homeless 1B Carlos Pena might be a Devil Ray soon as the Rays are always looking to upgrade from Travis Lee.
The Rangers are shopping OF/DH Dave Dellucci. Unless he goes to a team and has a starting job available for him, any move away from Texas will significantly hurt his value.
Also with Texas, 3B Hank Blalock is dealing with a stiff back and some soreness in his throwing arm this spring. He still remains a top quality draft option at the hot corner.
The Reds signed OF Terrence Long to a minor league contract today. He will start the year in AAA but may have some value later on if the Reds need to bring him up as an injury replacement.
Xavier Nady is not helping his cause to be the regular right fielder for the Mets with his 1 for 25 slump -- 0 for 4 today with 3 K's. If he doesn't click soon, the team may opt for Victor Diaz instead.
The 5th starter role in Houston appears to have gone to Taylor Buchholz as Carlos Hernandez was sent down to a minor league camp. The role could be short lived as the Astros are still awaiting a decision from Roger Clemens.
The Texas Rangers have released DH Erubial Durazo. He should land somewhere else, but that is still lup in the air.
Atlanta closer Chris Reitsma is day to day with a strained hamstring. If you have him or were planning on drafting him, take a look at Joey Devine and the rest of the bullpen for insurance purposes.
And finally, Runelvys Hernandez will be starting the season on the 15 day DL with, what is being called, a "lack of stamina". Perhaps he should give ex-major leaguer Rafael Palmiero a call and get that little blue pill to help him out. He should be ok when he gets back, but watch him first before picking him up as command and velocity have been a huge problem.
Hope your drafts went well and if you haven't gone yet, good luck.
Catch you next time...
posted by Howard Bender at
10:46 PM
