When last we left off, C.C. Sabathia and Ray Durham became Brewers, Billy Beane shipped Rich Harden to the Cubs and Joe Blanton to the Phillies, Jon Rauch came out west to Arizona and even good ol’ Randy Wolf got himself a new address.  The waiver wires were a frenzy as the NL got loaded up on starting pitching, leaving AL-only leaguers to fight for scraps.  Well, it’s gotten even better.  More trades, more league crossovers, more fantasy angst and excitement.  And just think…it’s probably only just begun.  Let’s take a look at the most recent deals and discuss how these trades are impacting your fantasy squads.  And while we’re at it, let’s talk about what could happen next… (more…)

So there I am. Just got the Gran Turismo out of the body shop (these hills in SF can do some serious damgae to the undercarriage) and who do I see as I’m rounding the corner past Fillmore? That’s right. In full length multi-colored, multi-patterned fur, with a wide-brimmed hat that put every lady at the Kentucky Derby to shame, it was my man Huggy. He’s been mysteriously absent the past few weeks so I knew this had to be good. I pulled over into a seedy little alley and here’s what I got… (more…)

So Keith and I were cruising around the Bay Area in my bright red Gran Turismo. You know…the one with the slick looking white stripe on the side? Anyway, we were going back and forth from checking out the A’s taking 2 of 3 from my Yankees at the Oakland Coliseum to the bridge on 3rd Street over by McCovey Cove where I have my kayak ready to catch Barry’s record breaker, and who do we run into? That’s right. The Pimp Daddy himself, all clad in bright florals, a wide-ass collar, some fur and a hat I thought only swashbucklers from 18th century France wore. That’s right baby. HuggyBear’s got his ear to the ground. He tells me he knows what going down in the baseball community and for a small fee of respect, he wants to share it. He was pretty reliable with his call on Joakim Soria closing in KC, so I’ll gave him another listen. Here’s what he had to say… (more…)

Yes, folks.  You read that right.  It looks as if Jonathon Papelbon is headed back to the closer’s role in Boston.  While he would likely have more value as a top starter, he is more likely to maintain elite status as (well as his health) if he is in the bullpen.  Either way, heads up.

It’s not every player that can say that their careers got screwed by Todd Helton and a bundle of deer meat, but Rockies SS Clint Barmes sure can.
By the end of May ‘05 he was sporting a .320 average with 7 HR and 4 SBs. He was on his way to a career breakout season. Then Helton turns around and gives him a bunch of deer meat to carry upstairs and BAM!!! Broken collarbone, surgery, and he’s never been the same since.
With Troy Tulowitzki slated to play short this year, it looks like Barmes will either go to Triple-A or possibly get traded. Apparently the Cubs and Rangers are interested in him as a utility infielder.

Apparently, the Baltimore Orioles have been watching Rockies’ starter Josh Fogg lately with the hopes of grabbing him in a trade. If it does happen, I don’t see it increasing Fogg’s value too much. Sure he’s moving from Coors to Camden, but the Yards are a hitter’s park too and it’s a move to the AL.
If it does happen, then it definitely knocks down the value of potential 5th starter, Steve Trachsel. Not that Trachs was going to succeed this year anyway.

J.J. Putz is scheduled to have an MRI on his sore elbow.  He says it isn’t a big deal, but if we had a nickle for every time a player said that my dog would be eating steak every day.  It certainly raises an eyebrow that the Mariners are looking at Armando Benitez as a “setup man”.  If it looks like they will sign him, he is good insurance for Putz owners.

Word out of Seattle says that the Mariners are interested in bringing in Armando Benitez to act as a set-up man for current closer J.J. Putz. It doesn’t look likely for now as the bats they are offering don’t interest the Giants much.
The interesting thing here to take into account is whether or not the Mariners are convinced that Putz’ current elbow problems aren’t going to hurt him later on down the road. Watch him (Putz, that is) through the rest of the spring if you are thinking about drafting him as one of your relievers.

To add to the rumor mill, the Marlins have also sent scouts to watch Benitez….details to follow…

Rumor has it that the Angels are setting up contingency plans in the event that OF Gary Matthews is suspended by the club, or worse, has his contract voided. Aside from prospect Brandon Wood being moved over to third base in the minors, the team is also looking at Erick Aybar as a replacement in center field. Angels owner Arte Moreno is still pretty upset that Matthews has refused to address the HGH allegations that have plagued him thus far.
Again, this is only specualtion as any suspension or voiding of a contract will be fought by the players’ union and since HGH is not on the banned substance list, ownership could have a tough time enforcing anything. Still, this is something to watch closely if you were considering drafting Matthews this year. He could be had for a nice bargain price and do well or you could end up wasting your time and money. The jury’s still out.

RP Tom Gordon left Spring Training today to go back to Philadelphia to meet with doctors up there for, what is being called a “routine checkup.” The Phillies say it’s routine, manager Charlie Manuel says it’s nothing and that Gordon should be pitching again on Friday, but with his history of elbow and shoulder problems, this is definitely something to monitor.