Fantasy Al East

In with the old and out with the new. And all that business. Pedro Martinez, making a rehab start in Single A, squared off against number one draft pick and uber-prospect David Price today, and Price got the better of him. Pedro went six innings, giving up four hits and two earned while striking out six. Price, meanwhile, gave up only two hits over six shutout innings while striking out nine.
Pedro was impressed.

'He's amazing, that kid. He's amazing,' Martinez said. 'That kid is very mature for his time in [the pros], and very talented.

'Oh my God.'

Pedro went on to say that Price was "superior" to the Cy Young winner at that age, which isn't that surprising when you compare their development throughout their careers, talent aside.

But Petey is still going to beat him to the majors, at least this year. Martinez could be back as soon as next week (this being his final rehab outing) while Price won't be in the bigs until later this year, at the earliest.

Fantasy Spin: Pedro is probably a free agent in your league and even at his age, pitching for the [would-be] contending Mets makes him a viable starter. If he's unowned, make a move. Price, for seasonal leagues, shouldn't be owned right now, unless you have a really deep bench. But keeper leagues should be all over him already, in anticipation of a call up should the Rays stay in the hunt.

The idea that Evan Longoria would be eligible at shortstop in fantasy leagues is almost too exciting to fathom. And certainly, if that became the case, he would be far more valuable than your normal, everyday Aubrey Huff three bagger (which I think he already is, based on upside alone). But naturally, this is mostly speculation, although it is certainly fun to think about, and quasi-realistic.

The Rays could send [Ben] Zobrist back to Durham and lean on Evan Longoria to spell Bartlett when needed. Longoria played shortstop full-time in 2004 at Rio Hondo Junior College and got about 20 starts there the following season at Long Beach State while starter Troy Tulowitzki was injured.

On Tuesday, Longoria said the Rays haven't asked him about playing shortstop in a pinch, but he said he thinks he could handle the job.

'It's obviously a different position, a little bit different role to fill," he said, "but with some work I don't think that I would have that much trouble adjusting to that position.'

Now again, speculation. So don't do anything silly like trading your still-injured Rafael Furcal for the youngster (unless you're in a keeper league, in which case you want Longoria anyway) because Tampa Bay has not come out and mentioned anything specific, insofar as I know. (Or mentioned calling up Reid Brignac for that matter ... )

But this is something certainly worth considering, especially if you have a roster spot open on your bench and Longoria is somehow out there, or you have an owner who is looking to upgrade elsewhere. Granted, it's not the premium time to trade for Evan, considering his recent heat check, but if the Rays actually follow through, you will probably want to try and make a move.

H/T: Behrens

There was not a substantial amount of preseason hype for Matt Garza. He was considered a good third starter in the Tampa Bay Rays rotation, but considering that the Minnesota Twins traded him for Delmon Young, it is reasonable to assume that many people thought he might not live up to those "next John Smoltz" hype-type statements. And certainly, fantasy owners couldn't think that Garza, having already been to the DL, could end up becoming a dominant starter for them.

But he looked flat out brilliant Wednesday, fanning 10 Rangers in 8 plus innings. And his manager, Joe Maddon, thinks that this might be a biscuit --> gravy type thing.

'He really stands out to me as the kind of a guy that when he gets his confidence rolling and really believes that what he's got going on is good, heads-up,' said Maddon. 'I think now he's starting to settle in, and against a good-hitting team, after a big night, to pitch that well, to me, is a good sign. I think as his confidence grows you can see him pitching like that more often.'

I would wholeheartedly concur. Garza -- as he mentioned -- is finally starting to show some confidence in his slider and other offspeed pitches. The Twins chastised him frequently for relying only on his fastball. And as we all know, you simply cannot just overpower major league hitters.

We always talk in fantasy baseball about upside, potential, selling high, blahblahblah. Even more time is spent discussing these things than the hours we spend each preseason yapping about how Daniel Cabrera is finally going to turn things around and become a fantasy ace and freakish strikeout monster.

Until this season, when, after Leo Mazzone's inability to help D-Cab cut down on his walks, people were relatively quiet. We gave up. And why not? There was no need to burn an early-mid round pick on a guy that would shatter your WHIP and consistently befuddle your lineup with his, um, inconsistency.

But is this season any different? And am I required by fantasy writer law to address him this week? "Yes, kind of" on both counts.

Note that his BB/9 of 3.21 is substantially down from his previous best season in the majors (4.76 last year), but his K/9 has also seen a dip, although not as steep, down to it's lowest point in his career at 5.48. This means he is pitching much more to contact than he has in the past.

And this has led to, in conjunction with a 57.5 GB%, Cabs averaging over 6 and two thirds innings pitched per start.

On the positive side of things, there is the obvious decrease in walks, as well as increase in HR/FB, up to 14.5%. That is "positive", only because it should, in theory, come back down. But if D-Cab is pitching to more contact, as he appears to be, we really have to readjust what we think we know about how many yardballs he's going to give up.

Roy Halladay had a streak of four complete games earlier this season, and he tacked onto the weirdness of his season when he picked up a hold tonight. Yes, you read that correctly. Roy Halladay picked up a hold.

The Blue Jays and Phillies game experienced multiple rain delays tonight, and as a result, Doc apparently volunteered to pitch relief and then somehow ended up batting as well.

'I ain't pinch-running you, I'll tell you that right now,' [John] Gibbons said. 'He said, 'No,' and he pointed out to the bullpen.'

Gibbons was laughing as he told the story, but his tone was almost reverential. Halladay, his ace starter, had volunteered for relief work after the first of two rain delays halted the game with only one inning in the books. After the second downpour, Halladay came in to turn back a Phillies threat, ultimately working 2 1/3 shutout innings in Toronto's 6-5 victory.

Funny story indeed, and kind of cool. B.J. Ryan picked up the save, Halladay picks up the hold and the Jays pick up the win. The only problem is ... now Halladay can't make his Tuesday start. Which might mean a lot more to fantasy baseball players, but it's still kind of a big deal, considering that his value as a starter >>>>>>>>>> his value as a middle reliever.

Fantasy Spin: If you own Halladay in a fantasy league, you may now begin punching things. Especially if that league is H2H, because you just lost a start next week, meaning two of the top five fantasy two start guys have been taken off the list. Still, you have to start Halladay. And probably put some ice on that swollen hand.

New Studs takes a look at players ready to make the leap from "possibly productive fantasy player" to "must-have fantasy stud." This is not a "you've never heard of this dude, but ... " series -- these should be names you already know.

When the Tampa Bay Rays pay a guy, it's time to pay attention. They have been -- for the past decade or so -- one of the cheapest teams in the majors (still 2nd cheapest in the great State of Florida, though!). So when the Rays announced a contract extension for rookie Evan Longoria, the news was shocking on two levels.

First of all, the Rays granted someone a six year extension, which could grow into nine years depending on several factors (Scott Boras' level of involvement at any time throughout the process being a significant one). Secondly, though, was the fact that any major league team would offer this level of commitment to a guy that only had amassed 20 big league at-bats at the time. Think about it, this isn't the NFL where you can tear up someone's contract on a whim. These things don't expire early.

This wasn't on a whim, though ...

When the Blue Jays released Frank Thomas this past week, a gaping hole in the lineup was opened. It doesn't matter that he wasn't even hitting above the Mendoza line, nor does it matter that he's about to turn 40. Nope, what does matter is that the stature of a hall-of-famer just vacated a lineup slot and someone has to fill it.

For now, we're being treated to a rousing rendition of "Matt Stairs is our DH ... and we really think we are going to compete in the AL!" Good luck with that, Blue Jays brass.

You know what's funny? Stairs' numbers are never bad. Maybe it's that he used to have a mullet, that's he's 5'9" 220 (and it ain't "muscle"), or that he has less charisma than Eric Young on Baseball Tonight (seriously, have you seen that crap?). Whatever the reason, he's not sticking as the DH of the Blue Jays all season. We all know that. I don't need any other evidence than the fact that you don't cut The Big Hurt to play Matt Stairs all season. You just don't.

Those of us with foresight in Fantasyland know what to do ...

Major League Mongering will look at players rumored to be on the move between now and the July 31st pseudo-trade-deadline.

Why does this need to happen? It's pretty simple really. Jermaine Dye is in the last season of his contract, and the White Sox need to make some changes if they're going to compete for the AL Central again anytime soon. There's also the fact that Dye has become distant from the rest of the team ever since the White Sox gave Mark Buehrle a contract extension.

He wants to know why the team hasn't talked to him about an extension, and it's because they want to trade him.

The Dodgers need some power in their lineup, and though Dye has struggled this season, his bat has start to come to life again since the break. He's hitting .367 with 4 home runs and 7 RBI in his last seven games and looks to be on the verge of busting out of his slump.

Also the change of scenery would probably do Dye well. I'm sure he feels unappreciated in Chicago where he won a World Series MVP in 2005, and was the team's best player last season. Getting a fresh start on the west coast could be exactly what he needs.

Major League Mongering will look at players rumored to be on the move between now and the July 31st pseudo-trade-deadline.

Why does this need to happen? Because Reggie Sanders is 39 years old and in the last year of a two-year contract. I mean, seriously, the Royals are in the middle of a youth movement, have been vying for the worst record in the league since Opening Day, and are still giving at-bats to someone five years shy of middle aged?

Besides, it's no secret that Sanders wants to be dealt to the Red Sox -- in fact, he's outright campaigning for it. From the Boston Herald:

"No, not at all," Sanders said when asked if he would be adverse to a trade to the Red Sox. "It's a great group of guys over there. I have never played there, but I have felt like I have just because of the way they embrace everybody."

Sanders has relished his role of elder statesman on this ultra-youthful Royals team for the past 1 1/2 seasons. But he also has heard about the euphoria that can come with playing in Boston from his friend Curt Schilling. And there is also the prospect of making a fourth World Series appearance.

"I think so," Sanders said when asked if the Red Sox would be among the teams at the top of his list, if traded. "(Schilling) is probably over there trying to make it happen right now."

Sanders certainly wouldn't be anything more than a fourth outfielder for the Sox, but it's not like he's racking up the playing time in KC -- he's played in just 18 games, missing two and a half months with a torn hamstring.

Question: Who is 6 feet tall, weighs 210 pounds, is getting paid $15.6 million this season, and is hitting a woeful .239/.317/.307 (AVG/OBP/SLG)?

Answer: Rob Kelly Abreu.

One of the biggest disappointments of a disappointing Yankees season has been the play of Bobby Abreu, who is suffering through the worst season of his career. The normally patient Abreu went a career-record 61 straight plate appearances without a walk, and has been the target of fans, media, and even scouts.

"He looks old. He's playing old. He's overweight," a scout says of Abreu. "He's back to being the passive Bobby Abreu. And he's not throwing very well, either."

Old and overweight? Ouch!! Even though the guy went .333/.412/.400 in the playoff series loss to the Detroit Tigers just a few months ago, and is only 31 years of age, he's suddenly an over-the-hill fatty?

"Wow. Overweight. Wow," he said softly, as if to himself.

And with that, he pulled up his navy blue T-shirt and exposed his stomach.

He doesn't have a six pack, but the guy is no jelly belly, either.

He slapped his stomach twice, and then pinched a piece of it between thumb and forefinger.

He smiled, giggled. "Hey, listen, I don't know who said that," he said. "But, look at me, I'm fine. I'm 209. It sounds like someone is looking too hard for reasons why I didn't get off to a good start."

Being a bit overweight has not stopped many players from being effective major league players (see Fielder, Cecil), nor has it stopped Abreu from stealing bases this season (he's got six). Hasn't Abreu had a fine career despite not being chiseled from stone?

What really ought to concern Yankees fans is the dwindling patience Abreu has shown this season and his sudden Ozzie Guillen-like penchant to swing at pitches that are outside the strike zone.

With Abreu's power dwindling slowly season-by-season, his true value comes from his patience and excellent ability to get on base. At this rate, it'll be an easy decision for the Yanks not to exercise Abreu's $16mil option for next season, even if they can easily afford the contract.