Every week Update! will be putting together a list of noteworthy performances, events and going-ons in the baseball world. We'll get you up to speed on what to get excited (or nervous) about while providing useful fantasy insight:
Comment: Cleveland manager Eric Wedge has appointed Betancourt the interim closer and fantasy owners raced to the waiver-wire like a pack of mad dogs. His 2007 season was tremendous (5-1, 3 SV, 79.1 IP, 1.47 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, 80 SO) and he could really take off this year if he runs away with the closing gig. However, fantasy owners should temper their expectations a bit simply because Joe Borowski may only miss a couple of weeks. And the stubborn Wedge may insist on putting Borowski back in the ninth inning role when he returns. Hopefully, Betancourt is too dominant and / or Borowski makes it an extended stay on the DL. Betancourt is clearly the best reliever in Cleveland's bullpen.
Comment: Viva Gallardo! Yes, he was uninspiring in his minor league rehab starts, but his season debut on Sunday against the Reds proved he is back at full strength (1 W, 7 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 1 ER, 4 SO). This is a prime-time talent we are talking about that could be a major boost to fantasy pitching staffs. Start Gallardo with the utmost confidence.
Comment: Being benched seemed to do wonders for Big Papi. He owns a .438 AVG in his last four games to go along with 10 RBI. Many of his fantasy owners were in full-on panic mode over the past couple of weeks. Some of you even wondered if he was suffering a Mo Vaughn-like end to his career. I guess now you can all breathe a sigh of relief as Ortiz, with a re-born Manny Ramirez in tow, is poised for a monster season.
Comment: It seems as if Santana has finally slain the road dragon that has dogged him during his short career. In 2006, Santana sported a 5.95 road-ERA. In 2007, his mark stood at an appalling 8.38. This season, however, Santana owns a reliable 3.46 ERA in two road starts. This could help lead to a real breakout campaign from the talented 25-year-old. As long as he can perform on the road without imploding, fantasy owners could be treated to a No. 3-type season from Santana.
Comment: To be fair, anyone not named Helton, Holliday or Atkins is struggling big time at the plate for Colorado. Unfortunately for Nix, he's playing a position that Colorado has options for. With the way Clint Barmes is swinging a bat off the bench, it might not be long before Nix is displaced from the starting second base gig.
Comment: The Phillies were insisting that Rollins' tweaked ankle was not going to land him on the DL, but clearly that estimation was bunk. J-Roll relies on his legs and with the way he was laboring to first base in pinch-hit situations this past week, a lingering injury could prove troublesome to fantasy owners over the course of the season. Through his career, Rollins has been a symbol of durability, missing just 34 games total between 2001 and 2007 (missing no more than eight games in any of those seasons). History indicates he should be fine, but follow his status closely.
Comment: Why Soriano does his stupid little hop to accompany his fly-ball catches is beyond me, but I have a feeling he may be curbing the skipping shenanigans after what happened this week. He suffered a calf-injury Tuesday night following this customary maneuver and while he vehemently denies that "the hop" caused the injury, this still goes down as one of the weirdest DL stints in recent memory. He missed 27 games last season with a quad injury and stole just 19 bases last season. This injury may similarly sap his speed in 2008.
Comment: In his first eight appearances of 2008, Valverde gave up 10 (ten!) earned runs. Set-up man Doug Brocail even snagged a save this past Wednesday. While manager Cecil Cooper was quick to state that Valverde is still the closer, one can't help but wonder how long the animated reliever can hang onto the job if he keeps giving up runs. Those of you in deeper leagues should take the flier on Brocail now.
Comment: I was wondering how long it was going to be before Jason Botts started to get more playing time, but it is finally starting to happen at the expense of Broussard. It makes sense as Broussard is a .225 career hitter against lefties and is, at best, a platoon player. If Botts stays hot, don't be surprised if Broussard goes from platoon to pine.
Comment: Fantasy owners and Mets fans alike are probably not going to see Pedro until June, if they even see him at all. But don't tell that to Pedro Martinez, who has been in the Dominican Republic claiming that he is ahead of progress in his rehab. Last time I checked he did not go by Pedro Martinez, MD. Don't expect him to arrive any earlier than the end of May and keep in mind that 2005 was the last time he was an effective and healthy starter.
Comment: Moose is finished. With a fastball that barely touches the mid-80s, Mussina has looked incredibly hittable in all of his starts in 2008. Manny Ramirez alone has three home runs of Mussina this year! Fantasy owners should not even consider him for their rosters, despite the fact that he pitches for the win-friendly Yankees. His season is not going to get any better.
Comment: Sabathia has looked oaf-ish in his starts this season and it looks like the heavy (no pun intended) workload from last season (241 innings pitched in 2007) and the pressure of playing for his next contract may be wearing him down. You obviously can't cut him outright, but you should try to package him in a deal to someone that is hoping he regains his 2007 form. Remember, he's only had one elite fantasy season in seven years of big league service.
BULLISH
RAFAEL BETANCOURT
Cleveland Indians, RPComment: Cleveland manager Eric Wedge has appointed Betancourt the interim closer and fantasy owners raced to the waiver-wire like a pack of mad dogs. His 2007 season was tremendous (5-1, 3 SV, 79.1 IP, 1.47 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, 80 SO) and he could really take off this year if he runs away with the closing gig. However, fantasy owners should temper their expectations a bit simply because Joe Borowski may only miss a couple of weeks. And the stubborn Wedge may insist on putting Borowski back in the ninth inning role when he returns. Hopefully, Betancourt is too dominant and / or Borowski makes it an extended stay on the DL. Betancourt is clearly the best reliever in Cleveland's bullpen.
YOVANI GALLARDO
Milwaukee Brewers, SPComment: Viva Gallardo! Yes, he was uninspiring in his minor league rehab starts, but his season debut on Sunday against the Reds proved he is back at full strength (1 W, 7 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 1 ER, 4 SO). This is a prime-time talent we are talking about that could be a major boost to fantasy pitching staffs. Start Gallardo with the utmost confidence.
DAVID ORTIZ
Boston Red Sox, DHComment: Being benched seemed to do wonders for Big Papi. He owns a .438 AVG in his last four games to go along with 10 RBI. Many of his fantasy owners were in full-on panic mode over the past couple of weeks. Some of you even wondered if he was suffering a Mo Vaughn-like end to his career. I guess now you can all breathe a sigh of relief as Ortiz, with a re-born Manny Ramirez in tow, is poised for a monster season.
ERVIN SANTANA
Los Angeles Angels, SPComment: It seems as if Santana has finally slain the road dragon that has dogged him during his short career. In 2006, Santana sported a 5.95 road-ERA. In 2007, his mark stood at an appalling 8.38. This season, however, Santana owns a reliable 3.46 ERA in two road starts. This could help lead to a real breakout campaign from the talented 25-year-old. As long as he can perform on the road without imploding, fantasy owners could be treated to a No. 3-type season from Santana.
BEARISH
JAYSON NIX
Colorado Rockies, 2BComment: To be fair, anyone not named Helton, Holliday or Atkins is struggling big time at the plate for Colorado. Unfortunately for Nix, he's playing a position that Colorado has options for. With the way Clint Barmes is swinging a bat off the bench, it might not be long before Nix is displaced from the starting second base gig.
JIMMY ROLLINS
Philadelphia, Phillies, SSComment: The Phillies were insisting that Rollins' tweaked ankle was not going to land him on the DL, but clearly that estimation was bunk. J-Roll relies on his legs and with the way he was laboring to first base in pinch-hit situations this past week, a lingering injury could prove troublesome to fantasy owners over the course of the season. Through his career, Rollins has been a symbol of durability, missing just 34 games total between 2001 and 2007 (missing no more than eight games in any of those seasons). History indicates he should be fine, but follow his status closely.
ALFONSO SORIANO
Chicago Cubs, OFComment: Why Soriano does his stupid little hop to accompany his fly-ball catches is beyond me, but I have a feeling he may be curbing the skipping shenanigans after what happened this week. He suffered a calf-injury Tuesday night following this customary maneuver and while he vehemently denies that "the hop" caused the injury, this still goes down as one of the weirdest DL stints in recent memory. He missed 27 games last season with a quad injury and stole just 19 bases last season. This injury may similarly sap his speed in 2008.
JOSE VALVERDE
Houston Astros, RPComment: In his first eight appearances of 2008, Valverde gave up 10 (ten!) earned runs. Set-up man Doug Brocail even snagged a save this past Wednesday. While manager Cecil Cooper was quick to state that Valverde is still the closer, one can't help but wonder how long the animated reliever can hang onto the job if he keeps giving up runs. Those of you in deeper leagues should take the flier on Brocail now.
BUST
BEN BROUSSARD
Texas Rangers, 1BComment: I was wondering how long it was going to be before Jason Botts started to get more playing time, but it is finally starting to happen at the expense of Broussard. It makes sense as Broussard is a .225 career hitter against lefties and is, at best, a platoon player. If Botts stays hot, don't be surprised if Broussard goes from platoon to pine.
PEDRO MARTINEZ
New York Mets, SPComment: Fantasy owners and Mets fans alike are probably not going to see Pedro until June, if they even see him at all. But don't tell that to Pedro Martinez, who has been in the Dominican Republic claiming that he is ahead of progress in his rehab. Last time I checked he did not go by Pedro Martinez, MD. Don't expect him to arrive any earlier than the end of May and keep in mind that 2005 was the last time he was an effective and healthy starter.
MIKE MUSSINA
New York Yankees, SPComment: Moose is finished. With a fastball that barely touches the mid-80s, Mussina has looked incredibly hittable in all of his starts in 2008. Manny Ramirez alone has three home runs of Mussina this year! Fantasy owners should not even consider him for their rosters, despite the fact that he pitches for the win-friendly Yankees. His season is not going to get any better.
C.C. SABATHIA
Cleveland Indians, SPComment: Sabathia has looked oaf-ish in his starts this season and it looks like the heavy (no pun intended) workload from last season (241 innings pitched in 2007) and the pressure of playing for his next contract may be wearing him down. You obviously can't cut him outright, but you should try to package him in a deal to someone that is hoping he regains his 2007 form. Remember, he's only had one elite fantasy season in seven years of big league service.
