Good News – Bad News 3/10

By nichols33

Good News:
Bobby Crosby (SS/3B, OAK): Surprise, surprise, Eric Chavez is hurt. Chavez is out “for the time being” according to ESPN and Bobby Crosby will be filling in at 3B.  FANTASY BASEBALL ADVICE: With rumors surrounding Crosby being traded to the Yankees or Cardinals it looks like his best bet might be to stay in Oakland. Chavez can’t stay on the field and Crosby could be a useful player in AL only leagues as a 3B or a SS.

Pedro Martinez (SP, Free Agent): Pedro threw 3 innings of one hit ball on Saturday with 4 Ks versus the Netherlands in the WBC. He followed that up with 3 perfect innings tonight with 2 Ks. FANTASY BASEBALL ADVICE: Pedro is pitching for a job and his results in the WBC (Dominican Republic was eliminated tonight) probably secured him a spot on some major league roster. Depending on where he signs, Pedro is somebody to keep an eye on, especially if he signs with the Dodgers or Mets, both rumored suitors.

Francisco Liriano (SP, Twins): Liriano threw four perfect innings the other day improving his spring stats to 9 innings pitched, 2 ER, 7 Ks and 1 BB. FANTASY BASEBALL ADVICE: Liriano is showing he is healthy and has his command and can still be effective with a slightly slower fastball. His spring stats combined with the way he finished last season should erase all worries in prospective fantasy owners. He may never be the fantasy ace he once was, but he could very well be a very solid #2. Take him before Justin Verlander, Dice-K, Eric Bedard, Chien-ing Wang and Matt Garza among others.

Bad News:
Ervin Santana (SP, Angels): The LA Times reported today that Santana may miss the entire month of April with a sprained ligament in his pitching elbow. FANTASY BASEBALL ADVICE: This is horrible news for a guy coming off a monster season. I had him ranked as the #17 Starting Pitcher before this news. He certainly needs to be moved down all lists and should not be considered until you have at least 3 other healthy options in your rotation.

Chipper Jones (3B, Braves): Chipper pulled his oblique muscle in WBC action this week. It does not appear too serious as he is staying with Team USA with hopes of playing in the next round. FANTASY BASBALL ADVICE: Get used to this if you are going to be an owner of Larry. When he’s in the line-up Chipper is as good as they come at 3B minus the guys in the Big Apple. He can be absolutely maddening for leagues with weekly lineups….he could get hurt on Monday or Tuesday and you are playing a player short for that week. Chipper is my 5th 3B with Wright, Longoria, Ramirez and ARod being ahead of him. If you think ARod will be out longer than Mid-May and it’s not a keeper league, move Chipper to #4. I wouldn’t hold it against you if you passed on Chipper and took Adrian Beltre, Michael Young or Garrett Atkins with a later pick or less auction dollars.

Fausto Carmona (SP, Indians): Keith Law of ESPN.com  had a great note on Carmona today. He is throwing great out of the wind-up but as soon as he allows a base runner and has to throw from the stretch his fastball is elevated and he becomes far less effective. FANTASY BASBALL ADVICE: Carmona still has plenty of time to refine his mechanics but this is some great data that you won’t see in the box scores this spring. Carmona had a dreadful season last year and he is a very nice bounce back candidate. Don’t buy too high on him. I have him as the #55 SP behind Scott Baker, Jered Weaver & Brandon Morrow and right ahead of Aaron Cook, Joe Saunders and Armando Galarraga.

Joe Mauer (C, Twins): Mauer’s back is acting up on him and he was going in for some magnetic tests that required him to be injected with dyes. He is out indefintely. FANTASY BASBALL ADVICE: Mauer has had his fair share of injuries in his young career. Catcher is not a very forgiving position and it appears that Joe has a little “Mr. Glass” in him. A back injury is never good for a guy who makes his living with a bat. I immediately move him behind Russell Martin and Brian McCann and strongly consider Geovanny Soto over him until I hear some more news.

Good News – Bad News 3/7

By nichols33

Good News:
Travis Hafner (DH, Indians): Hafner returned to action yesterday going 0 for 2 in his first spring action this year. Travis saw Dr. James Andrews this offseason for his shoulder. FANTASY BASEBALL ADVICE: I don’t see Hafner ever getting back to his MVP-caliber days of .300 with 35 HRs. But if his shoulder is healthy and he shows something this spring, he is certainly worth a late round flyer.

Todd Helton (1B, Rockies): Helton is scheduled to return to action tomorrow at 1B. Helton underwent back surgery on Sept. 30th and is expected to be ready for opening day. FANTASY BASEBALL ADVICE: If healthy, Helton is a solid back-up 1B for leagues with benches. He should go right around the same time as Paul Konerko, Jason Giambi and Casey Kotchman. A healthy Helton keeps Garret Atkins at 3B and Ian Stewart looking for ABs in the OF.

Tim Redding (SP, Mets): Redding has yet to throw a pitch in a Spring Training game but he is winning the Mets’ 5th starter spot by default. Jon Niese gave up 2 runs in 2 innings yesterday while Freddy Garcia and Livan Hernandez have been atrocious. FANTASY BASEBALL ADVICE: Redding, Garcia or Hernandez should not be on any fantasy rosers outside very deep NL only leagues. If Jon Niese wins the job there is some upside there and he could be a very useful fantasy starter.

Bad News:
Vlad Guerrero (OF, Angels): The MLB Network is reporting that Vlad Guerrero admitted that he was born in 1975 in his upcoming biography. That would make Vlad a year older than the 33 he is on record for. FANTASY BASEBALL ADVICE: Vlad’s numbers have been on the downturn for sometime as he has not hit over 30 HRs since 2006. Vlad has yet to play in a spring game and is targeting Mid-March for his first game. He should no longer be one of the Top 10 OFs off the board but don’t let him fall too far. He is in a contract year and still very capible of hitting .320 with 27 HRs, 120 RBIs.

Garret Anderson (OF, Braves): Anderson was pulled from yesterday’s spring game before it began with a pulled calf muscle. It was to be Anderson’s first spring action. FANTASY BASBALL ADVICE: Avoid Anderson in most leagues. He is a 36 year OF switching leagues and looks to be in a platoon situation with Matt Diaz. Expect Anderson to miss time here and there this year with a couple trips to the DL. Don’t waste a pick on him outside NL only leagues.

Good News – Bad News 3/4

By nichols33

Good News:
Manny Ramirez: Scott Boras and Manny have worked out a deal with the Dodgers. It appears to be for 2 years with an opt-out clause after the first year. FANTASY BASEBALL ADVICE: This is great news for Manny owners in keeper leagues. Manny is a fantasy stud and one of the top OFs on all lists.

Clay Buchholz & Justin Masterson: Brad Penny is having shoulder issues, which should not shock anybody. FANTASY BASEBALL ADVICE: If Penny isn’t ready to go when the season starts, Masterson or Buchholz will most likely be the 5th starter. Each have huge upside if they have a spot in the rotation.

Jeremy Hermida: Herminda is hitting .416 this spring with 3 HRs. FANTASY BASEBALL ADVICE: People have been waiting for this talented OF to bust out and become a fantasy stud. Although his results have not caught up to his talent, he is still only 25 years old. He could be a huge find on draft day.

Robinson Cano: Off to a torid start this spring hitting .556 with 10 total bases in 4 games. FANTASY BASEBALL ADVICE: Cano was a disappointment last year with many expecting him to be a top 3 2B. Fantasy experts are quick to point out that if you removed his slow start in April last year he had a pretty good year. I like Cano this year but I will take Utley, Kinsler, Pedroia, Roberts & Phillips over him.

Joey Votto: The 25 year-old 1B for the Reds is making a statement early in the spring. He’s hitting .538 with 2 HRs thus far through 5 games. FANTASY BASEBALL ADVICE: Most people are not aware of the numbers Votto put up last year. He hit .296, 24 HRs, 84 RBIs and stole 7 bases. At 25, this kid is about to bust out. At the end of this year he will be a top 6 1B, maybe crack the top 5. Don’t be the last to know about this future stud.

Bad News:
Juan Pierre: With Manny signing on again in LA, Pierre is back to being a 4th OF. FANTASY BASEBALL ADVICE: Manny, Matt Kemp & Andre Ethier will get the bulkload of the playing time leaving Juan Pierre virtually useless in all fantasy leagues. Unless one of the other 3 get injured or the NL installs the DH, do not go near Mr. Moustache.

Alex Rodriguez: Arod WBC stint is in jeopardy with news about a sore hip. Word is that Arod has a cyst in his hip that is causing the stiffness. Joe Girardi said that this problem goes back to last year. FANTASY BASEBALL ADVICE: If Arod had this problem last year it doesn’t look like this cyst will impede his performance too much. I have Wright #1 at 3B, if you have Arod, you may want to make the swap, but I wouldn’t let this news change your thoughts on Arod all that much.

Bobby Crosby: Orlando Cabrera signed a one year deal with Oakland this week moving Crosby into what the A’s are calling a “super utility role.” FANTASY BASEBALL ADVICE: Crosby’s performance in recent years should show you he warrants little to no consideration outside of AL only leagues. With this news, drafting him in AL only leagues would be a mistake.

Good News – Bad News 3/2

By nichols33

Good News:

Johan Santana: He will not fly to New York for a MRI after all. Bullpen session on Sunday appears to have gone well. FANTASY BASBALL ADVICE: Still a Top 5 SP, my #1 if healthy.

 

Brandon Webb: The Arizona Republic quoted Webb as saying he “felt great” after a Sunday bullpen session. Webb will throw again on Wednesday and appears to be fine. FANTASY BASBALL ADVICE: Stiffness is very common early in spring, and this good news should erase all fears on Webb. Take him before all pitchers but Sabathia, Lincecum and Santana.

 

Carl Crawford: Crawford hit 2 triples on Sunday and has started the spring off hot. FANTASY BASBALL ADVICE: Crawford suffered through bum hamstrings last season and was a major fantasy disappointment. Crawford is still young enough (27) to have his best season yet. If he’s healthy he will be a top 10 OF in all leagues.

 

 

Bad News:

Jeremy Bonderman: The Tigers are shutting him down for 2 to 3 days after experiencing stiffness in his pitching shoulder. Bonderman had surgery on the shoulder last year. FANTASY BASBALL ADVICE: If you had thoughts of taking a flyer on Bonderman hoping he returned to his 2006 form (he threw 214 innings with 202 Ks and an ERA of 4.08) hold off until he shows he’s healthy. At this point he should not be drafted.

 

Justin Duchscherer: Duchscherer has reported a sore elbow and has yet to throw in a spring game. FANTASY BASBALL ADVICE: Huge surprise last year as he converted from a reliever into a starter and had great success early on. His season ended abruptly with hip surgery. Only draft him if you play in a league with plenty of bench spots. If you are expecting anything better than last years stats (10-8, 2.54 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) please join one of my leagues!

 

Rich Hill: He was scratched from his Sunday start with elbow and forearm stiffness. Early rumblings don’t sound good. FANTASY BASBALL ADVICE: Rich Hill ruined a number of fantasy owners’ drafts last year as going into last season he was a potential stud and ended up in the minors. Hill should be avoided at all costs. If he does pitch this season, he’s now pitching in the AL East.