(1) David Wright back in the lineup for Mets.
(2) Ian Kinsler to get MRI on Monday.
(3) Dustin Pedroia out with sore foot.
(4) Lance Berkman to DL. Alex Rodriguez should be back soon for Yankees.
(5) Brad Hawpe released.
(6) Pedro Feliz to Cardinals.
(7) Ryan Howard (ankle) hopes to return on Monday.
(8) Roger Clemens likely to be indicted for lying to Congress.
By Ray Flowers
(1) A lot of star level players are returning this weekend: Ian Kinsler, Brad Lidge and Cliff Lee. Oh, and Ryan Madson is on DL with broken toe from kicking something.
(2) A’s get bad news with Justin Duchscherer and Kurt Suzuki.
(3) Jacoby Ellsbury takes swings off tee.
(4) Lance Berkman tweaks groin.
(5) Justin Morneau returns from back injury.
(6) Chris Getz returns for Royals forcing Alex Gordon to bench.
By Ray Flowers
(1) Ryan Howard backs up the money truck, and it’s fully loaded.
(2) Ian Kinsler to hit 5th upon return.
(3) Red Sox lineup in flux.
(4) Miguel Olivo gaining more looks at expense of Chris Iannetta.
*NOTE: After video was made, the club demoted Iannetta to Triple-A in the hopes that he will relax and rediscover his stroke.
(5) Jeff Suppan out of rotation, replaced by Chris Narveson.
(6) D’backs offense looks good with Johnson-Young-Reynolds.
By Ray Flowers
What is the deal with the massive amount of injuries to all-star caliber players in the opening month of the season? Here is a list of the players I’ll touch on today.
C: Miguel Montero
1B: Lance Berkman, Derrek Lee
2B: Mark Ellis, Aaron Hill, Ian Kinsler, Brian Roberts
3B: Ryan Zimmerman, Chipper Jones
SS: Jose Reyes, Jimmy Rollins
OF: Jacoby Ellsbury, Grady Sizemore, Carlos Gonzalez
SP: Cliff Lee, Scott Kazmir, Chris Young
RP: Joe Nathan, Brad Lidge
Also —
(1) Jack Cust accepts minor league deal. Does he have any value?
(2) Nelson Cruz bashing. Already has five homers leading to 38 HR, 85 RBI and 20 SB in his last 134 games.
(3) And Prince Fielder who wants at least $180 million, maybe more than $200, to sign long-term.
By Ray Flowers
(1) Brad Lidge progressing, will throw in a minor league game on Saturday.
(2) Mike Gonzalez really struggling in Baltimore.
(3) Chris Young’s shoulder barking again.
(4) Jose Reyes back on Saturday.
(5) Carlos Beltran suffers minor hiccup in knee rehab.
(6) Brian Roberts injures abdomen joining Ian Kinsler and Aaron Hill as injured second basemen.
(7) Chris Perez trying to take over 9th inning role for Indians.
By Ray Flowers
I’m all over the place today, but what better way is there to be when you want to read about everything that is fantasy related in the first week of the baseball season?
The average price for a major league ticket went up 1.5 percent this year to $26.74. That number pales to what is happening in Minnesota where the new stadium, and Joe Mauer’s $184 million deal, have helped lead to a 45 percent jump in ticket prices over last year to $31.47. The cheapest average ticket in baseball belongs to the D’backs, In addition if you are a fan of the NL West you’re in good shape – two of the six teams in baseball that saw their ticket prices go down for 2010 are the Padres (15.4 percent) and Giants (1.8 percent).
Bronson Arroyo allowed one run over eight innings against the Cardinals on Thursday. You may want to sit down before you read this, but according to Stats Inc., since July 10th of last year Arroyo has the best ERA in baseball for any pitcher who has tossed at least 100-innings at 2.01.
Frank Francisco blew the Rangers game on Thursday as he picked up a blown save and the loss as he allowed the Jays to score three times. Earlier in the game Neftali Feliz needed 13 pitches to strike out the side in his lone inning of work. It’s way too early to be talking about a changing of the guard in the 9th inning, but it’s certainly something to keep in mind.
The Yankees have been estimated to be worth $1.6 billion. You’ll only need to sell the Pirates ($295 million) five times to get close to that number.
Jonny Gomes had a walk-off homer on Thursday. Reds, please give this guy 500 at-bats. If you do, I can almost guarantee that he’ll sock 30 dingers.
Ian Kinsler is starting to make me nervous. He had a second cortisone shot today, meaning his goal of getting back on the field by mid week next week may or may not happen.
Victor Martinez likes hitting early in the year before his body gets beaten up from the rigors of catching. In April, his career batting average is .321 with 19 homers and 77 RBI in 126 games.
Don’t look now, but Magglio Ordonez has a 16-game hitting streak dating back to last season, and he has produced at least two hits in 6-straight outings. Adding his 7-for-14 start this season to his work from his last 28 games from last season nets you a .446 average. I don’t care if he hits as many homers as Juan Pierre if he can stay within 25 percent of that mark. Hell, over his last 63 games he is batting .383. Astounding.
Speaking of Mags, care to see my thoughts on the Tigers for 2010? You can also see a really serious picture of me if you click on the link to Tigers’ 2010 Season Prediction Roundup.
Vernon Wells hit his fourth homer of the year on Thursday to become the first Blue Jay in history to hit four homers in the first three games of the season. Wells hit only five homers in his final 64 games last season.
Dontrelle Willis allowed two runs over six innings on Thursday and hit 93 mph on a couple of fastballs. There is a caveat, it was against the Royals, but he walked only two batters – a very positive sign. I highly doubt he will be fantasy relevant in ’10, but it would certainly be a great story for baseball if he was.
By Ray Flowers
(1) Jim Edmonds continues to play over Corey Hart. For more take a look at By The Numbers – Hitters.
(2) Rockies outfield situation a fantasy landmine. For more read Around the Horn.
(3) Dallas Braden’s hot start.
(4) Edgar Renteria off to blazing start (8-for-11).
(5) Mike Morse to take over RF in Washington?
(6) Brad Lidge doing better since cortisone shot in elbow.
(7) Lance Berkman doing better since cortisone shot in knee.
(8) Brandon Webb in holding pattern after cortisone shot.
(9) Ian Kinsler likely 7-10 days away.
By Ray Flowers
(1) Eric Gagne to sign with Rockies?
*After this video was made, Gagne signed with the Dodgers on a minor league deal.
(2) Ted Lilly having knee issues.
(3) Brad Lidge struggles due to tipping pitches?
(4) Blue Jays arms on the mend – Dustin McGowan, Jesse Litsch, Shaun Marcum.
(5) Brian Roberts dealing with back spasms.
(6) Wade Davis – no IP limit with Rays?
(7) Cliff Lee’s foot progressing well. Should throw next week.
(8) Joel Hanrahan having elbow issues. May need surgery.
By Ray Flowers
Vladimir Guerrero has signed what appears to be a 1-year, $5-$6 million deal with the Texas Rangers (there is also said to be a mutual option for 2011). Was it a good move for the Rangers?
By Ray Flowers
We are still months away from the 2010 major league season, shoot, we aren’t even to the World Series yet, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not knee deep in baseball data right now as we are beginning to put together out first 2010 Baseball Magazine (it should be out in time to stuff your holiday stocking). Given that, combined with our recent purchase of the National Fantasy Baseball Championship which uses 15 team leagues, I thought I would run through my ideal first round for 2010. It won’t be the last time I do this leading up to the actual draft weekend, but sitting here today this is how I see things playing out.
1- Hanley Ramirez
How is this for a three year average from a shortstop: .325-29-85-117-38. His steal total is dipping (51, 35 and 27), but the average has been over .330 two of the past three years and he knocked in 106 runs batting third this season.
2- Albert Pujols
I know, I know. How could he not be #1? At this point I’m putting him #2 because of his most recent elbow operation and the slight concern I have about that. You can read my thoughts on the matter at Is Perception Reality?
3- Alex Rodriguez
Showing, once again, what he can do when the stars align. If we add in the eight playoff games he has played this year he has produced a .293-35-111-88-15 line in just 132 games this season.
4- Ryan Braun
Strikes out too much without drawing walks (his 0.35 BB/K mark for his career is well below the 0.50 major league average), but he has managed to hit .308 in his three seasons. Doesn’t have the speed of Kemp (though he had 20 steals in ’09), but of the two this is the guy would could hit 40 homers with 120 RBI and a .330 batting average.
5- Matt Kemp
I don’t like the large K totals (153 and 139 the past two years), but how can I argue with a guy who in his second full season hit .297-26-101-97-34? 30/30 is the next step.
6- Miguel Cabrera
The best right handed power hitter in the AL who hasn’t been linked to performance enhancing drugs, Cabrera has hit at least .320 in four of five seasons while also knocked in at least 112 runs five times in six years.
7- Chase Utley
Shrugged off the hip surgery to produce spectacularly. He went 20/20 for the first time (31 homers, 23 steals), scored 100-runs for the fourth straight year and has now gone at least .280-22-93-93 in each of the past five seasons.
8- Ian Kinsler
How many players went 30/30 this past season? One, and he plays second base for the Rangers (he had 31 homers and 31 steals). Even though he hit only .253 he still scored 101 runs with 86 RBI.
9- Tim Lincecum
The best pitcher in the game. Period.
10- Ryan Howard
Wildly deficient in steals (10 career) and average (only once over .280 the past four years), but with 4-straight 45 homer, 135 RBI seasons who cares?
11- Jacoby Ellsbury
Major league steals leader (70) doesn’t have the power of Crawford, but he has more steal upside, has scored at least 94 runs each of the past two years, and upped his average .021 points in just his second full season (.301).
12- Carl Crawford
Even with a late season fade he still set a career best with 60 steals, his fifth 50+ steal season in seven years, while scoring 96 runs, hitting 15 bombs, and batting .305.
13- Mark Teixeira
I don’t think he takes the next step to outright greatness, but in that park, and with that lineup around him, he is as close as a guy can be to a completely lock to hit 30 homers with 100 RBI and a batting average of .280+ (6-straight years).
14- Roy Halladay
Yes Zack Greinke was better last season, but at the same time Halladay has been the most consistently excellent pitcher in the game the past four years. There is also the growing specter of Halladay being dealt, and that would likely help him in the “W” category much more than Greinke will be aided pitching for the Royals.
15- Mark Reynolds
Reynolds was the only man who hit 40 homers while knocking in 100 runs and stealing 20 bases. Reynolds set a major league record with 223 Ks, so I still worry about his ability to match his .260 mark from last season, and honestly, I would never take him this high, though some might even put him higher on the list so I added him, grudgingly, to the list.
By Ray Flowers
The FSWA winner of the Best Baseball Series of 2011, BaseballGuys.com is the only source you will need for your fantasy baseball knowledge. OK, you might need other sources, but BaseballGuys.com should be on your daily list of must reads for the insights an analysis it provides on the world of baseball.
The co-host of The Drive on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87: M-F at 5-8 PM EDT), Ray has spent years squirreled away studying the inner workings of the fantasy game to the detriment of his personal life. Specializing in baseball, football and hockey, some consider him an expert in all three. Ray's work can also be found as feature writer for: Fantasy Alarm, Rotoinfo, Rotowire and Sports Illustrated.
You can contact Ray through e-mail at fantasyfandom@yahoo(dot)com or on Twitter.
