What's the Buzz? 4/15/06
We can start today with a tough loss for the Yankees. They were facing Twins' ace Johann Santana today and quickly found themselves in a quick 4-0 hole as Yankees' starter Jaret Wright continues to disappoint the New York fans. But the Yanks came back with some tough hitting and even tougher pitching from Scott Proctor and overtook the Twins 5-4. Unfortunately it didn't last as the real Sandman, Mariano Rivera blew his first save of the season. Credit where credit is due, regardless of Hideki Matsui's defensive blunder (second runner shouldn't have been on 2nd), Twins' 1B Justin Morneau came through with a clutch hit to win it in the end. On a side note, while Santana looked pretty good to start, he wore down a little in the 5th and 6th and showed some vulnerability. Did his overthrowing in the WBC have some hand in it? We'll see...
Sticking with the Yankees, they have signed underachieving 1B Carlos Pena to a minor league contract. He could be an intriguing addition if he can get his bat going again. He may push Andy Phillips out of his backup role, so keep tabs on him.
Dodgers manager Grady Little says that Nomar Garciaparra is at about 85% right now. I still don't recommend starting him. Find some sucker that is still looking to trade for him based on what he used to do.
Don't worry about Devil Rays' RP Shawn Camp. While you might see him and his 2 inning save again later on this season, he is by no means the closer or should be counted on as one. Dan Miceli still has the job here.
Cubs' OF Juan Pierre is off to a similarly slow start as last year. If his owners are down on him again, buy low on him. He will find his groove and turn it around. 40-50 SBs remain within his reach.
Braves' starter Horacio Ramirez threw off a mound today and looks like he could be back in a couple of weeks depending on Sunday's bullpen session. I still like him, so I'm going to have faith in my scouting of 3rd year guys and hold onto him for now. C'mon...the Erik Bedard pick has looked genius so far...
The Vicente Padilla Explosion countdown officially began today when he gave up 5 runs in 5 innings including back to back to back HRs to Eric Chavez, Frank Thomas, and Milton Bradley. Can't say I told you so fast enough...
Rangers' slugger Phil Nevin raised his average today to .273 and now has 3 HR and 11 RBI. With Gary Matthews returning and Nevin surging, Brad Wilkerson could find himself losing at bats if he doesn't pick it up.
If Cardinals 2B Aaron Miles wants to know what that is breathing down his neck, it's Hector Luna. Miles is playing well for now, but one bad slump and a surge from Luna and we could be seeing some changes in St. Louis. If Luna ever overtakes him, you should definitely pick him up. He could be an excellent stolen base threat with a respectable amount of power.
Another Jorge Julio disaster today at Shea Stadium. Maybe they should've just kept Kris Benson after all. I'm sure Anna Benson likes N.Y better than Baltimore anyway.
So the Indians' Fausto Carmona made his long awaited debut today giving up 1 run in 6 innings, allowing 5 hits and 2 walks with 4 K's. He apparently had more fly outs than ground outs which goes against his minor league numbers, but he still remains a viable option while fat boy C.C. Sabathia recovers from his strained oblique and oversized gut.
It was announced today that Pirates' 1B Sean Casey will miss the next 6-8 weeks with 2 fractures in his lower back. Maybe this was the chance Craig Wilson needed to prove he is worthy of a fantasy roster spot.
Last but not least, P David Wells and 1B/DH Dmitri Young were both placed on the disabled list by their respective clubs. I think with the time off these two should take some acting lessons. I's tune in for CBS' newest crime drama Boomer and the Meathook.
Catch you next time...
Sticking with the Yankees, they have signed underachieving 1B Carlos Pena to a minor league contract. He could be an intriguing addition if he can get his bat going again. He may push Andy Phillips out of his backup role, so keep tabs on him.
Dodgers manager Grady Little says that Nomar Garciaparra is at about 85% right now. I still don't recommend starting him. Find some sucker that is still looking to trade for him based on what he used to do.
Don't worry about Devil Rays' RP Shawn Camp. While you might see him and his 2 inning save again later on this season, he is by no means the closer or should be counted on as one. Dan Miceli still has the job here.
Cubs' OF Juan Pierre is off to a similarly slow start as last year. If his owners are down on him again, buy low on him. He will find his groove and turn it around. 40-50 SBs remain within his reach.
Braves' starter Horacio Ramirez threw off a mound today and looks like he could be back in a couple of weeks depending on Sunday's bullpen session. I still like him, so I'm going to have faith in my scouting of 3rd year guys and hold onto him for now. C'mon...the Erik Bedard pick has looked genius so far...
The Vicente Padilla Explosion countdown officially began today when he gave up 5 runs in 5 innings including back to back to back HRs to Eric Chavez, Frank Thomas, and Milton Bradley. Can't say I told you so fast enough...
Rangers' slugger Phil Nevin raised his average today to .273 and now has 3 HR and 11 RBI. With Gary Matthews returning and Nevin surging, Brad Wilkerson could find himself losing at bats if he doesn't pick it up.
If Cardinals 2B Aaron Miles wants to know what that is breathing down his neck, it's Hector Luna. Miles is playing well for now, but one bad slump and a surge from Luna and we could be seeing some changes in St. Louis. If Luna ever overtakes him, you should definitely pick him up. He could be an excellent stolen base threat with a respectable amount of power.
Another Jorge Julio disaster today at Shea Stadium. Maybe they should've just kept Kris Benson after all. I'm sure Anna Benson likes N.Y better than Baltimore anyway.
So the Indians' Fausto Carmona made his long awaited debut today giving up 1 run in 6 innings, allowing 5 hits and 2 walks with 4 K's. He apparently had more fly outs than ground outs which goes against his minor league numbers, but he still remains a viable option while fat boy C.C. Sabathia recovers from his strained oblique and oversized gut.
It was announced today that Pirates' 1B Sean Casey will miss the next 6-8 weeks with 2 fractures in his lower back. Maybe this was the chance Craig Wilson needed to prove he is worthy of a fantasy roster spot.
Last but not least, P David Wells and 1B/DH Dmitri Young were both placed on the disabled list by their respective clubs. I think with the time off these two should take some acting lessons. I's tune in for CBS' newest crime drama Boomer and the Meathook.
Catch you next time...
posted by Howard Bender at
10:18 PM
