What's the Buzz? 8/12/06
Is it just me or does the rookie impact this year look a lot greater than in years past? Everywhere you look there's another name popping up where you can hear the rejoicing of the owner that grabbed him and the groans from the guys that didn't. Whether it's Jered Weaver throwing another 6 shutout innings or Dan Uggla hitting another home run or Carlos Quentin hitting like a machine in Arizona, the number of producing rookies seems higher than normal. Think I just found an article for another day. Maybe I'll set you up with it tomorrow or Monday. But in the meantime...
Here comes the news...
Just like Matt Garza's, the debut for Astros rookie hurler Jason Hirsh was more hype than substance. After dangling the carrot (Hirsh) in front of the horse (the fans) for a few weeks, the team brought up the rookie for his first start this today and he was promptly removed after giving up 4 runs in 4 innings. He looked decent until the home run barrage he succumbed to in the 4th inning, posting 4 K's and 2 walks. This looks like another "give him another chance before laying judgment" scenario just like Garza, so watch his next outing. If today was just nerves, he could be useful in NL only leagues.
Get yourself ready for the next scoring period if you own Chipper Jones. The Braves will be activating him on Sunday and it should be atleast a few more weeks before he gets hurt again. The numbers he'll provide in that time span should prove to be very helpful down the stretch. Pretty nice for the Braves considering x-rays revealed a break in Willie Aybar's hand today. Aybar had been handling the hot corner since he arrived from L.A. via trade and has pretty much served his purpose.
Whew!!! All you Kip Wells owners can breathe a sigh of relief as x-rays came back negative on the foot he twisted the other day. He should be ready to make his next start. On the other hand, if you're using Wells on your team, perhaps a broken foot would've helped you out a little more than you think.
The latest on the ongoing Mark Prior saga has our hero, Mark, going on the DL yet again, with rotator cuff tendenitis. Looks like an immediate three week shutdown before we even start talking rehab assignment, so my guess is that he's done for the season. The Cubs aren't going to contend for a playoff spot this year, so maybe they'll just wait a while before ruining his 2007 season as well.
Hmmm. Seems like only yesterday that people (sorry, Mets fans) were hyping good ol' Preston Wilson as a potentially great 30-30 guy. A fixture for their outfield future one day. Well, since then injuries have done him in nowadays he's been working on bench duty for the Astros. Well those days are over...bench days for Houston that is as they cut Wilson and designated him for assignment. They'll probably try to trade him somewhere, but the market for underachieving, injury prone outfielders is saturated already. Besides, someone's only taking him if the Astros pick up the majority of his contract.
A few more tweaks in the Cincinnati pen as the Reds put old timer Kent Mercker on the DL with inflammation in his elbow and brought up 35 year old reliever Chris Michalak. I didn't even know that guy was still around. Who knows what this will do, someone's got a plan over there and the Reds are still looking like a playoff hopeful.
And finally, if you're a Rocco Baldelli owner, it looks like you're going to have to be very concious of your lineup moves. Manager Joe Maddon says that he plans to rest Baldelli regularly for the remainder of the season. If he's getting steady play, then he's a great option for you in the outfield, but if he's missing 3 games a week for no reason but rest, then you might want to find a healthier alternative.
Oh yeah. And the daily over/under for the number of bookies hanging out at Shea Stadium waiting to "talk" to Paul LoDuca is 7.
Catch you next time...
Here comes the news...
Just like Matt Garza's, the debut for Astros rookie hurler Jason Hirsh was more hype than substance. After dangling the carrot (Hirsh) in front of the horse (the fans) for a few weeks, the team brought up the rookie for his first start this today and he was promptly removed after giving up 4 runs in 4 innings. He looked decent until the home run barrage he succumbed to in the 4th inning, posting 4 K's and 2 walks. This looks like another "give him another chance before laying judgment" scenario just like Garza, so watch his next outing. If today was just nerves, he could be useful in NL only leagues.
Get yourself ready for the next scoring period if you own Chipper Jones. The Braves will be activating him on Sunday and it should be atleast a few more weeks before he gets hurt again. The numbers he'll provide in that time span should prove to be very helpful down the stretch. Pretty nice for the Braves considering x-rays revealed a break in Willie Aybar's hand today. Aybar had been handling the hot corner since he arrived from L.A. via trade and has pretty much served his purpose.
Whew!!! All you Kip Wells owners can breathe a sigh of relief as x-rays came back negative on the foot he twisted the other day. He should be ready to make his next start. On the other hand, if you're using Wells on your team, perhaps a broken foot would've helped you out a little more than you think.
The latest on the ongoing Mark Prior saga has our hero, Mark, going on the DL yet again, with rotator cuff tendenitis. Looks like an immediate three week shutdown before we even start talking rehab assignment, so my guess is that he's done for the season. The Cubs aren't going to contend for a playoff spot this year, so maybe they'll just wait a while before ruining his 2007 season as well.
Hmmm. Seems like only yesterday that people (sorry, Mets fans) were hyping good ol' Preston Wilson as a potentially great 30-30 guy. A fixture for their outfield future one day. Well, since then injuries have done him in nowadays he's been working on bench duty for the Astros. Well those days are over...bench days for Houston that is as they cut Wilson and designated him for assignment. They'll probably try to trade him somewhere, but the market for underachieving, injury prone outfielders is saturated already. Besides, someone's only taking him if the Astros pick up the majority of his contract.
A few more tweaks in the Cincinnati pen as the Reds put old timer Kent Mercker on the DL with inflammation in his elbow and brought up 35 year old reliever Chris Michalak. I didn't even know that guy was still around. Who knows what this will do, someone's got a plan over there and the Reds are still looking like a playoff hopeful.
And finally, if you're a Rocco Baldelli owner, it looks like you're going to have to be very concious of your lineup moves. Manager Joe Maddon says that he plans to rest Baldelli regularly for the remainder of the season. If he's getting steady play, then he's a great option for you in the outfield, but if he's missing 3 games a week for no reason but rest, then you might want to find a healthier alternative.
Oh yeah. And the daily over/under for the number of bookies hanging out at Shea Stadium waiting to "talk" to Paul LoDuca is 7.
Catch you next time...
posted by Howard Bender at
10:57 PM
