Archive for March, 2008

Because Doug Davis is due to have surgery for thyroid cancer in mid-April, Edgar Gonzalez will have to make more than just the one start early on.   Although John Smoltz (shoulder) will go on the disabled list, he’s still expected to start April 6 against the Mets, making him fine to have active this [...]

What do a hand fracture, a chronic bad back, a broken cheek bone and a broken leg have in common? They are all injuries that have kept Nationals 1B Nick Johnson out of the lineup for a significant period of time during his career. Johnson is back and healthy and by all reports will be [...]

Rich Hill Rich Hill’s horrid outing on Thursday raises some red flags. Hill’s spring has been littered with control problems, walking 14 batters in just 12 2/3 innings. Such wild control issues for pitchers who don’t usually exhibit control problems can often be indicative of some latent injury concerns. While this is the first thing [...]

Every year some players are taken too early for the production they give. This doesn’t mean these players are bad, it means their value isn’t equal to their ADP. Ryan Braun, 3B, MIL ( ADP = 15) Braun may hit 35+ Homeruns in 2008, but for him to reach the value of a top 15 [...]

Daric Barton, 1B, Oakland Daric excels at getting a good pitch to hit. His zone command and contact skills are outstanding (120 walks/106 Ks in his last 735 AB over the last two seasons). The problem is that he looks too much like Sean Casey … without the power. His career high SLG% above AA [...]

Make what you want out of my opinions. Here they are…. Papelbon, Jonathan No rotation v. closer talk this spring. He’s the man in Boston and the best in the game at his role. Putz, J.J. Last 2 years: 186:26 K:BB. Has argument for #1 on this list. Rodriguez, Francisco In line for huge pay [...]

Oakland’s Justin Duchscherer has been pitching well this spring, yesterday he threw 3 innings of 1 hit ball. So far this spring he’s only allowed 4 hits, 1 walk, and 1 run in 7 innings of work. Justin has maintained a 3yr average K/I ratio of .95, which is almost a K per inning. Additionally [...]

Jose Contreras is throwing well with new arm angle. His fastball was clocked between 91 and 93 MPH on Tuesday. We’re now expecting a comeback season for Jose. Ryan Dempster threw an impressive 3 innings, he attacked hitters by throwing strikes. Japanese import Hiroki Kuroda pitched decently in his second start of the spring, he [...]

Justin Upton to include SB in his repertoire As the Arizona Republic reports, “Outfielder Justin Upton, who has swiped two bags in his first four exhibition games, says stealing bases is an emphasis for him this spring training. “It’s something I definitely want to work on,” he said. “I have the speed to steal bags [...]

Tom Gordon If Lidge is not ready to go by opening day, Tom Gordon will step in to the Phillies’ closer role. Gordon does have experience closing, 34 saves in 2006, but is now 40 years old and his skills declined last year Barry Zito Zito was pounded by his ex-team. The A’s blasted him [...]