| Vizquel recovering | Tuesday 10/7, 9:30 PM CT |
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Omar Vizquel is recovering from laser surgery that he had performed on his eye, according to the AP.
Our View: Vizguel was told by the Giants that there is zero percent chance that he would be back with the team in 2009. That doesn't mean the 19 year veteran is done. "There’s no doubt in my mind that I can still play." |
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| Sabathia in pin stripes? | Tuesday 10/7, 9:18 PM CT |
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On Sunday, CC Sabathia told SI.com that he would play "anywhere." With these recent developments, it appears that the Yankees might actually have a chance at landing the big fish in the free agent pond.
Our View: Previous reports have said that Sabathia would look to play close to his home on the west coast. Now that he says he will play anywhere, the Yankees are expected to throw a lot of money at the left-hander. |
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| Burgos turns himself in | Tuesday 10/7, 7:39 PM CT |
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Ambiorix Burgos turned himself in on Tuesday, a week after police say he was involved in a hit-and-run accident that killed two women, according to SI.com. Witnesses say Burgos was the driver, even though his cousin claimed to be behind the wheel, according to police. Burgos also faces an unrelated charge of illegal weapon possession and had recently been released after posting a $3,000 bond. He also has an Oct. 23 court hearing in the U.S. stemming from assault and harassment charges filed after he allegedly threw his girlfriend to the ground.
Our View: The 24-year-old reliever missed all of last season due to Tommy John surgery and it remains to be seen how long he will remain on an MLB roster. |
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| Scherzer still pitching | Tuesday 10/7, 7:30 PM CT |
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Max Scherzer allowed just one earned run over seven innings of his Arizona Fall League start, according to MLB.com. It's not often a pitcher throws seven innings in the Fall League. In fact, only two other pitchers in the league's 17 years have done it.
Our View: Scherzer is trying to show he has what it takes to be a part of the Diamondbacks' 2009 rotation. Despite an 0-4 major league record in 2008, Scherzer had a 3.05 ERA and recorded 66 strikeouts in 56 innings. |
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| Herges becomes free agent | Tuesday 10/7, 7:24 PM CT |
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The Denver Post reports that the Rockies declined picking up Matt Herges' option for next season.
Our View: The veteran right-hander went 3-4 with a 5.04 ERA in 58 games in 2008. |
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| Myers will go Game 2 | Tuesday 10/7, 5:55 PM CT |
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Right-hander Brett Myers will start Game 2 on Friday in Philadelphia according to MLB.com. Myers had it working in Game 2 of the NLDS as he only allowed two earned runs on two hits over seven innings over the Brewers at Citizens Bank Park, with three walks and four strikeouts.
Our View: Myers has fared significantly better at home than on the road, going 7-5 with a 3.01 ERA at Citizens Bank Park and 3-8 with a 6.21 ERA away from it. He shutout the Dodgers on August 25th over seven innings while scattering nine hits and three walks. |
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| Hamels will start Game 1 | Tuesday 10/7, 5:51 PM CT |
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Cole Hamels will start Game 1 of the NLCS according to MLB.com. The lefty tossed eight innings of shutout ball in Game 1 of the NLDS while allowing just two hits and striking out nine.
Our View: Hamels faced Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers on August 23rd and earned the win. He threw seven innings and allowed just two earned runs, both on a Russell Martin home run. |
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| Hafner may have shoulder surgery | Tuesday 10/7, 5:05 PM CT |
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The Cleveland Plain-Dealer reports that DH Travis Hafner appears to be headed for surgery on his ailing right shoulder. "Travis' end of the season physical did not end up where we thought it would end up," said General Manager Mark Shapiro. during his end-of-the-season address to the media today. "The strength in his right shoulder was not what we thought it would be." Shapiro said Hafner should be 100 percent by the time spring training opens in February, even if the surgery is necessary.
Our View: The shoulder injury kept Hafner on the disabled list from May 30 through Sept. 9 of this past season. He has been a fantasy disappointment the past two seasons after crushing the ball from 2004 to 2006. Many owners will steer clear of him next season but keep an eye on his strength in spring training. He may be a sleeper worth targeting. |
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| Marmol injured in car accident | Tuesday 10/7, 4:55 PM CT |
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The AP reports that reliever Carlos Marmol suffered minor injuries in a car accident early Tuesday in the Dominican Republic. A truck hit a car carrying Marmol, a cousin and a friend in his hometown of Bonao near 2 a.m. Marmol said in an e-mail to The Associated Press that the air bag deployed and he only suffered a cut and an “inflammation” of his forehead. “Out of precaution they did different studies on my body, and I don’t have any kind of serious injury,” he wrote.
Our View: Marmol was gold in middle relief this season with 114 strikeouts in 87.1 innings. Kerry Wood is facing free agency and if he were to leave, Marmol would likely take over the closer's role in Chicago. |
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| Percival could join ALDS roster | Tuesday 10/7, 4:20 PM CT |
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The Tampa Tribune reports that Troy Percival completed another throwing session on Monday and he reported no problems with his back. It appears he is on his way to rejoining the Rays as they make their unprecedented run towards the World Series.
Our View: In four appearances against Boston this season, Percy has two saves and a 10.13 ERA. He threw 2.2 innings and allowed three runs. |
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| Towles not ready to be full-time | Tuesday 10/7, 4:14 PM CT |
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The Houston Chronicle reports that Astros' GM Ed Wade is not confident in going with J.R. Towles as the catcher for next season. "We’re going to pay attention to what’s in the catching market and see if there’s a guy out there who can make sense for us and slide in here and at the very least do a good job until J.R. gets his feet under him or until other things happen,” Wade said. “The catching market is always tricky because it’s usually thin and the guys that are out there seem to sign pretty quickly.”
Our View: Towles is 24 and he is expected to come around soon, but it appears Wade wants to bring in more spring training competition other than Humberto Quintero. The prospect hit just .137 over 146 at-bats. |
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| Bourn will remain in center for 2009 | Tuesday 10/7, 4:09 PM CT |
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The Houston Chronicle reports that Astros GM Ed Wade feels Michael Bourn should remain in center field next season. "The fact we’ve got (Darin) Erstad back and signed and people like (Reggie) Abercrombie and anything else we might be able to do during the offseason, there’s going to be some level of competition out there. But I think we saw the last week of the season what Michael can bring from performance and excitement to a ballclub,” Wade said.
Our View: In his rookie season, Bourn struggled at the plate. He hit just .229 with a .288 OBP. Once he got on, he was able to make things happen by stealing 41 bases and scoring 57 runs. He did improve as the season went on but he has a long way to go. His potential to steal 60 bases keeps him on the roto-radar. |
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| Harden to get shoulder looked at | Tuesday 10/7, 3:45 PM CT |
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Rich Harden will have his shoulder examined this week, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Cubs want to know if there are any problems before deciding whether or not to pick up his $7 million option for next season.
Our View: Harden's velocity dropped significantly towards the end of the season. He still had an outstanding season overall, with an ERA of 2.07 and 10 wins over 25 starts and 148 innings. He will always be a high-risk, high-rewards type of guy for fantasy owners based on his yearly injuries. |
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| Kuo throws well | Tuesday 10/7, 3:28 PM CT |
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L.A. reliever Hong-Chih Kuo threw a simulated inning on Tuesday, and came away from the session pain-free, according to MLB.com. "His command was much better than I anticipated," Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said.
Our View: Kuo should be available now for the NLCS. He has been battling pain in his triceps, but the matter seems to be resolved after his second pain-free outing in three days. |
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| Fukudome not guaranteed starting spot | Tuesday 10/7, 3:22 PM CT |
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Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome will have some form of competition for the starting job in right field next spring, according to the Chicago Tribune. He claims that he is confident despite his struggles the second half of the year, and as for fans booing him, he didn't seem to mind, proclaiming, "it was good that fans are very honest and straight."
Our View: Fukudome was flat awful the second half of the season, and he still has three years and $36 million remaining on his contract. Chicago is expected to try and acquire someone in free agency to challenge their expensive import. |
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| Cards interested in Lopez | Tuesday 10/7, 2:05 PM CT |
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The St. Louis Cardinals are said to be interested in bringing back Felipe Lopez to be their full-time second baseman next year, according to StLCardinals.com.
Our View: Lopez was fantastic for the Cardinals after being picked up from Washington. He hit .385 in 43 games and drove home 22 runs. He won't hit at that rate for a full season, but if he can perform to a level a few notches below that and steal a few bases, he will certainly be fantasy-worthy next season. |
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| Looper probably won't return | Tuesday 10/7, 2:01 PM CT |
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Starter Braden Looper is unlikely to return to the Cardinals this offseason when he becomes a free agent, according to StLCardinals.com.
Our View: Looper had a decent season, winning 12 games and posting an ERA of 4.16 along with a WHIP of 1.31. He got better as the season went along, and with starting pitching at a premium as always, he should obtain a tidy sum by a pitching-starved team this winter. |
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| Twins to let Guardado walk | Tuesday 10/7, 1:42 PM CT |
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Reliever Eddie Guardado will probably not be resigned by the Minnesota Twins this offseason, according to TwinsBaseball.com.
Our View: Guardado is still a commodity because he throws left-handed and has a pulse, but he is certainly not a dominant reliever like he once had been. |
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| Everett likely won't be back with Twins | Tuesday 10/7, 1:40 PM CT |
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Shortstop Adam Everett will be a free agent after the season, and the Twins are unlikely to resign him, according to TwinsBaseball.com.
Our View: Everett has never been a good hitter, and his average was .213 this year. His penchant has always been fielding, and he didn't even do that very well in 2008, sporting a fielding percentage of .967. |
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| Saarloos, Murphy optioned | Tuesday 10/7, 12:37 PM CT |
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A's reliever Kirk Saarloos and infielder Donnie Murphy were outrighted off the team's 40-man roster, according to Scout.com.
Our View: This means the two players can either accept a demotion to the minor leagues or choose to become free agents, which is the likelier thing to happen. |
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| Griffey would like to remain with Sox | Tuesday 10/7, 11:37 AM CT |
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Ken Griffey Jr. has stated that he will not retire in the offseason, and that he would enjoy playing for the White Sox next year, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. "It was a great ride. A lot of fun. I've had more ups than downs. The city, the fans, it's been great for me. This team fought all year. They were fun to be around. We'll see what happens," he said.
Our View: Griffey did not have a strong year, and his days of being a fantasy stalwart appear over. Nonetheless, if he can accept playing a part-time role, he would have use somewhere as left-handed pop off the bench. |
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| Reds want Hairston back | Tuesday 10/7, 11:31 AM CT |
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The Cincinnati Reds will make an attempt to re-sign free agent Jerry Hairston Jr., according to MLB.com.
Our View: Had Hairston not gotten injured, his good season would have turned into a great season. Instead, he played just 80 games, but hit .326 with six home runs and 15 steals. |
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| Patterson won't be back with Reds | Tuesday 10/7, 11:29 AM CT |
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The Cincinnati Reds will not bring back outfielder Corey Patterson, according to MLB.com. "I don't think he'll be back. We'll turn the page." Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said.
Our View: Patterson was awful this year, hitting .205 with a worse than pathetic .238 on-base percentage. It probably didn't help that there were rumors in the media that Patterson was dating manager Dusty Baker's daughter. Baker was so unhappy with the rumor, that he took time out to squash it publicly. |
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| Houston wants Wolf back | Tuesday 10/7, 10:19 AM CT |
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The Houston Astros would like to re-sign pitcher Randy Wolf in the offseason, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Our View: Wolf won six games and had an ERA of 3.57 after being acquired from the Padres last year. Though far from elite, he is always an attractive option to fantasy owners, at least in part because of his strikeout potential (7.66 K/9 this year). |
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| Rivera will have surgery | Tuesday 10/7, 10:12 AM CT |
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Yankees closer Mariano Rivera will have right shoulder surgery Tuesday, according to the New York Post.
Our View: The surgery is going to be performed by noted shoulder guru Dr. David Altchek. He will remove calcification from the top of the future Hall of Famer's shoulder. |
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| Burnett expected to opt out | Tuesday 10/7, 10:10 AM CT |
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A.J. Burnett will likely opt out of his contract with the Toronto Blue Jays and hit the free agent market, according to the New York Post.
Our View: Should the situation come to fruition, the New York Yankees will make a big push, which makes that his most likely destination. |
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| Conine will be Ironman | Tuesday 10/7, 10:06 AM CT |
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Jeff Conine has retired from baseball and has moved on to a new challenge - completing an Ironman event, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "Crossing that finish line is my goal. That will be a major accomplishment," he said.
Our View: It sure will. Contestants have 17 hours to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and then run a marathon, which is 26.2 miles. And hey, who knows, maybe there will be fantasy Ironman one day. |
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| Mussina still undecided | Tuesday 10/7, 10:01 AM CT |
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Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina says he has not yet decided whether or not he will pitch next season, according to the New York Daily News. "The playoffs are still going on and it still seems like the season just ended. I'm not rushing after it, but I know sooner or later I'm going to have to figure out what I want to do," he said.
Our View: Mussina is at 270 wins, and though he would not get to 300 career victories next year, getting to 280 or 285 would certainly help his iffy Hall of Fame candidacy. |
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| Saito may not close | Tuesday 10/7, 9:52 AM CT |
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The Dodgers will use Takashi Saito as their closer in the NLCS if the match-ups favor him, according to the L.A. Times.
Our View: Saito did not get an out in his lone appearance in the NLDS, and he just came back from elbow problems. In all likelihood, Broxton will be the guy in the ninth inning for L.A. |
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| Kuo may return | Tuesday 10/7, 9:48 AM CT |
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Dodgers reliever Hong-Chih Kuo may be in the team's bullpen for the NLCS after missing the NLDS due to elbow pain, according to the L.A. Times.
Our View: Kuo threw 30 pitches in a simulated game on Sunday, and everything went well. He'd certainly be an asset to the Dodgers, and had a great season, striking out 96 in 80 innings and sporting a WHIP of 1.01. |
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| Kershaw may start | Tuesday 10/7, 9:46 AM CT |
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The Philadelphia Phillies feature prominent left-handed hitters such as Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, so Dodgers manager Joe Torre may move lefty hurler Clayton Kershaw into the starting rotation for the NLCS, according to the L.A. Times.
Our View: Kershaw would only start Game 4 of the series if he is put in the rotation. As is often the case with young pitchers, he had an inconsistent year, but still finished with a 4.26 ERA and 100 Ks in 107.2 innings. |
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| Angels looking to extend Lackey | Tuesday 10/7, 9:42 AM CT |
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The Los Angeles Angels are looking to extend the contracts of outfielder Vladimir Guerrero and hurler John Lackey, according to the L.A. Times. However, Lackey warned that he would need to see the direction the team goes in the offseason before those talks start.
Our View: Lackey was not his usual dominant self for fantasy owners this season, with an ERA of 3.75. He did not have a bad season by any stretch, but he did miss time to injury and gathered only 12 wins. |
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| Angels may go after Uggla | Tuesday 10/7, 9:39 AM CT |
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The Los Angeles Angels may make an attempt to acquire current Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla in the offseason, according to the L.A. Times.
Our View: Uggla had a nice season, hitting 32 home runs with 92 RBI. The Angels could install him at first base if Mark Teixeira departs in free agency. |
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| Lowell out for year | Tuesday 10/7, 9:31 AM CT |
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Even if the Red Sox advance to the World Series, they will likely be without third baseman Mike Lowell, according to the Boston Globe.
Our View: Lowell will need surgery in the offseason to fix his injured hip. He tried to make it through the ALDS, but was in far too much pain to continue. |
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| Braves to try and acquire Peavy? | Tuesday 10/7, 9:24 AM CT |
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The Atlanta Braves could make an effort to acquire Padres ace Jake Peavy in the offseason, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Our View: Padres GM Kevin Towers recently said that there was not an untouchable in his organization, which has set off a frenzy of speculation from numerous teams. |
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| Howard won't be traded | Tuesday 10/7, 9:19 AM CT |
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Despite probably receiving a large raise in arbitration, the Philadelphia Phillies will not be trading first baseman Ryan Howard this season, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.com.
Our View: There had been speculation that because Howard will probably set a record for the highest arbitration ever awarded that the team would look to move him, but that does not seem to be the case. |
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| Longoria struggles | Tuesday 10/7, 8:25 AM CT |
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Rays third baseman Evan Longoria had three hits, including two home runs in the team's first ALDS game against the White Sox, but then went cold, collecting just one hit in his final 12 at-bats, and struck six times, according to the Tampa Tribune.
Our View: The probable Rookie of the Year looked lost at the plate in the team's final three games of the series, and will need to be more consistent if Tampa is going to knock off Boston and advance to the World Series. |
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| Cabrera won't be back with Sox | Tuesday 10/7, 8:13 AM CT |
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Chicago shortstop Orlando Cabrera is almost certainly not going to be re-signed by the team when free agency begins, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Our View: The issue wasn't with Cabrera's play, as he turned in a solid season, hitting .281 with 57 RBI and 19 steals. The problem was in the clubhouse, where he did not mesh with his teammates. |
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