"While it is a bit premature to assume that [Los Angeles Dodgers SP Chad] Billingsley is going to be joining the starting rotation ASAP, it is not too early to take a flier on the talented youngster...he could definitely help fantasy teams this year if he gets his shot."
— The Lineup, 5-27-07
Comment: Billingsley ended up being a solid waiver add for fantasy owners as he sported a 8-5 record with a 3.38 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 101 SO in 112 IP. While his WHIP may have been a bit inflated, his SO rate and ERA were great additions to any fantasy squad. If the Dodgers are smart, they'll put Billingsley in the starting rotation at the beginning of the season. He could take his game to the next level with a full year of starting. The Dodgers should heed these words, as it's clear that Starbonell knows starting pitching.
"While we are only in the infant stage of the 2007 MLB season, it is looking like this is the year where we officially crown the king."
— The Lineup, 4-9-07, referring to Seattle Mariners SP Felix Hernandez.
Comment: In Hernandez's first start of the season he struck out 12 batters en route to an 8-inning shutout of the Athletics. Next, he pitched a complete game shutout against Boston, but King Felix was not the same after leaving an April 18 game against Minnesota with elbow trouble. After returning from the injury, Hernandez finished the season with 14 wins, but his 3.92 ERA and 1.37 WHIP were hardly the stuff of a breakout season. There is little doubt that he has the talent to become one of, if not, the best pitcher in baseball, but in 2007, he was just slightly above-average.
"Sharp 2006 for 38-year old resulted in 15 wins, 3.51 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. No reason to think he can't post similar numbers in 2007."
— Pitching Preview, 2-19-07, regarding New York Yankees SP Mike Mussina
Comment: There may have been many reasons for Mussina's disastrous 2007 (confidence loss, diminishing stuff, breaks from his "routine") but one thing is for certain, he won't come anywhere near my fantasy roster in 2008. A 5.15 season ERA?! Moose was a big time bust this season, but while he failed to live up to my expectations, another pitcher from a Yankee rival went on trump my projections.
"The move from NL to AL was a rough transition. Sure he had his first fully healthy season. But an ugly 5.01 ERA and 36 home runs are not what fantasy owners were expecting."
— Pitching Preview, 2-19-07, regarding Boston Red Sox SP Josh Beckett
Comment: 20 wins (and a bowl full of crow) later and Beckett is considered one of the elite pitchers in baseball. His success this season translated tremendously to fantasy ball as his 3.27 ERA and 1.14 WHIP will attest. And those home runs allowed? That number was cut in more than half to 17. Funny how the development of a change-up can turn things around in a hurry.
"Normally, I would say watch out for [San Francisco Giants SS Omar] Vizquel since he is in walk-year status at the moment. But I just do not trust that he can repeat those 2006 numbers in '07. Remember, those were his best stats since 2000!"
— The Lineup, 2-26-07
Comment: It's hard to take credit for predicting a poor year for a 40-year old infielder known primarily for his defense...but I will anyway. That quote was actually in response to the throngs of people who considered Vizquel to be a solid fantasy short stop heading into 2007. Sure he had a nice 2006, but come on, anyone who knows baseball should be aware that Vizquel is not the type of player that fantasy teams can count on.
"Fantasy owners tend to give up on batting average...but if you load up on players like [Pittsburgh Pirates SS Jack] Wilson, you might be surprised how quick you can catch up."
— One Category Winners, 9-13-07
Comment: If you listened to me as the season was drawing to a close this season, you may have saved your fantasy season. From the day that this feature hit the internet, Wilson hit .393 until the end of the season. Those of you who needed the push in batting average clearly benefited from the services of the Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop and former All-Star. But the successful late-season suggestions do not end there.
"[Chicago White Sox 3B Josh] Fields is a terrific option to help boost your HR totals."
— One Category Winners, 9-13-07
Comment: In the remaining 14 games that the White Sox played from the date of this article, Fields bashed five home runs to close out the season. For those of you who like projections, that extrapolates to a pace of about 57-58 home runs over 162 games. Just another example of your old friend Starbonell helping you get over the hump in the last leg of your fantasy baseball season. But wait, there is more...
"If you need [RBI] assistance, look no further than Mr. [Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman James] Loney."
— One Category Winners, 9-13-07
Comment: Yet another shining example of sound advice from your main man Starbo. Fantasy owners who desperately needed RBI during the last couple weeks got it from Loney, who put together 19 RBI in the 17 remaining games after this feature hit the UPDATE! site. Clearly I was on a roll with this feature, was there anything I couldn't get right?
"When you need wins...[Cleveland Indians SP Paul] Byrd is a perfect candidate, especially after winning seven of his last nine decisions (including two complete game shutouts)."
— One Category Winners, 9-13-07
Comment: To answer my previous question...yes. To put it lightly, Byrd was absolutely horrific after this story was published. He went 0-2 for the rest of 2007, allowing 14 runs in just 18 innings! Why the Byrd-man stunk up the joint late in the regular season, especially after his string of strong performances, remains a mystery to me.
"When you need wins...[Cleveland Indians SP Paul] Byrd is a perfect candidate, especially after winning seven of his last nine decisions (including two complete game shutouts)."
— One Category Winners, 9-13-07
Comment: To answer my previous question...yes. To put it lightly, Byrd was absolutely horrific after this story was published. He went 0-2 for the rest of 2007, allowing 14 runs in just 18 innings! Why the Byrd-man stunk up the joint late in the regular season, especially after his string of strong performances, remains a mystery to me.
"Feel good fantasy story of 2006 should not be counted on to produce similar numbers. He likely benefited greatly from AL to NL switch. Writer bias: I just can't trust someone who once had blonde cornrows."
— Pitching Preview, 2-19-07, regarding Cincinnati Reds SP Bronson Arroyo.
Comment: Arroyo came back down to earth in 2007, posting just nine wins with a 4.23 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. While he may have helped the Red Sox break the curse of Babe Ruth in 2004, the curse of the cornrows clearly came back with a vengeance in 2007. Speaking of the Red Sox...
"It does not take a giant leap of faith to imagine the Colorado Rockies improbably going from MLB basement dwellers to World Series Champions in 2007. Final UPDATE! prediction? Colorado in 6."
— World Series Preview, 10-21-07
Comment: Boy did I screw that one up. But can you really blame me? After the freaking St. Louis Cardinals won against a steam-rolling Detroit Tigers team in 2006, a Rockies championship seemed completely within reason. The bullpen depth and defense of Colorado also helped me make this prediction, but in the end the Red Sox brought me back to reality with an impressive World Series showing. They dominated the Rockies in every aspect of the game and helped restore stability in the world of baseball (hey, if the Rockies were named World Series champions this season, you could tell me the Tampa Bay Devil Rays were going to win it all in 2008 and I would have no problem hearing your case).
Starbonell is UPDATE! Major League Baseball Editor.
