(1) Jacoby Ellsbury might be headed back to the DL.
(2) Bobby Jenks continues to struggle in 9th. Is it time for Matt Thornton?
(3) Brian Roberts to report to work on Friday.
(4) Carlos Ruiz dealing with some shoulder pain.
(5) J.A. Happ still a ways away from return.
(6) Max Scherzer finding his groove in minors.
By Ray Flowers
(1) Jose Reyes visits doctor, but still healthy. Turns out it had nothing to do with his hamstring.
(2) Hank Blalock deciding between Rays and Marlins. Neither is offering full-time role.
(3) David Aardsma tweaks groin. Not a major issue, but brings up how useful Brandon League might end up being.
(4) Ike Davis Mets’ first basemen of future. Can Daniel Murphy hold him off in the present?
(5) Max Scherzer struggles for Tigers in first outing.
(6) Brandon Webb frustrated with speed of comeback from shoulder surgery. No setbacks reported but he feels like he has “stagnated” in the process.
Here are some links to a few of my most recent pieces at Fanball.com which are free to view.
Average Bases Allowed – Starters.
Average Bases Allowed – Relievers.
By Ray Flowers
(1) Phil Hughes in battle with Joba Chamberlain, Chad Gaudin and Alfredo Aceves for Yanks 5th starters spot.
(2) Jason Heyward greatest player of all-time. Just ask around
(3) Tim Hudson and Jeremy Bonderman throw two shutout innings apiece.
(4) Brad Lidge continues to show improvement with knee/elbow.
(6) Jair Jurrjens shoulder showing improvement.
(7) Lance Berkman’s knee not that bad. Should be fine.
(8) Aaron Harang named Reds’ Opening Day starter.
By Ray Flowers
(1) Alfonso Soriano to hit 6th for Cubs.
(2) Troy Glaus says his shoulder is doing well.
(3) Josh Hamilton still dealing with sore shoulder.
(4) Miguel Cabrera quits drinking, ready to mash on field.
(5) Jose Reyes plays/runs with positive results for Mets.
(6) Bobby Jenks – what does 2010 hold in store? You can hear my thoughts in the video and augment that with my Breaking Down: Jenks article.
By Ray Flowers
(1) Johnny Damon finally signs with Tigers: 1-year, $8 million.
(2) Jonny Gomes signs with Reds.
(3) Mets – Jose Reyes to hit third, Carlos Beltran to miss April?Former Met Carlos Delgado has second hip surgery.
(4) Khalil Greene out in Texas. Will the Mike Lowell trade to be revisited?
(5) Rich Harden hopes to make 180 innings with Rangers.
(6) Alfonso Soriano dealing with knee – he is concerned.
(7) Brian Roberts – is his back injury serious?
By Ray Flowers
(1) Chien-Ming Wang signs with Nationals: 1-year, $2 million ($3M in incentives).
(2) Chase Utley getting faster on the bases?
(3) Russell Branyan to Indians?
(4) Johnny Damon still talking with Tigers.
(5) Geovany Soto loses 40 lbs., stops junk food.
(6) Jose Reyes back at practice, looks good.
(7) Cody Ross wins arbitration case with Marlins, will make $4.45 million in 2010.
By Ray Flowers
Tim Lincecum and the Giants agreed to a last minute deal to avoid arbitration as the two sides agreed to a 2-year deal worth $23 million. What are the ramifications of the deal for the Giants, Lincecum and baseball as a whole?
Just to further what was said in the video, here are the numbers between the three hurlers under discussion for the past two seasons (2008-09).
Lincecum: 33-12, 2.48 ERA, 1.11 WHIP
Hernandez: 28-16, 2.93 ERA, 1.25 WHIP
Verlander: 30-26, 4.08 ERA, 1.28 WHIP
Lincecum: 10.47 K/9, 3.46 K/BB, 452.1 IP
Hernandez: 8.03 K/9, 2.60 K/BB, 439.1 IP
Verlander: 8.82 K/9, 2.88 K/BB, 441 IP
Oh, and if you can’t stand the wait over the weekend to hear more of my thoughts you can go ahead and click on the link to The Fantasy Buffet where you’ll find the archive to all the shows that Kyle Elfrink of Royals With Cheese and I do every day, live, 8-9 AM PST.
By Ray Flowers
(1) Is Johnny Damon nearing a deal with the Tigers? White Sox and Braves still in the mix.
(2) Elijah Dukes signs 1-year deal with Nationals.
(3) Looks like Giants and Tim Lincecum will go to arbitration on Friday.
(4) Stephen Strasburg says his knee is healthy, ready to go for Nationals.
(5) Chad Qualls healthy, a sleeper closing option in 2010.
(6) Who will close for Astros – Brandon Lyon or Matt Lindstrom? You can read more about this battle at Breaking Down: Lyon/Lindstrom.
By Ray Flowers
(1) Orlando Cabrera signs with Reds.
(2) Willy Taveras to A’s, then designated.
(3) Johnny Damon wants to play for Tigers?
(4) Ryan Garko signs with Mariners.
(5) Jose Reyes running sprints.
(6) Orlando Hudson still undecided – Nationals, Indians, Rockies in the mix.
(7) Joe Mauer deal all rumors at this point.
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 Sirius 210, XM 87 (M-F, 5-8 PM EDT), Ray Flowers has spent years squirreled away studying the inner workings of the fantasy game to the detriment of his personal life (yep ladies, that means he is still single if you are interested). 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: Daily Joust, Fantasy Alarm, Rotoinfo, Rotowire and Sports Illustrated.
You can contact Ray through e-mail at fantasyfandom@yahoo(dot)com or on Twitter.
