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…)

I feel like a deer in the headlights as I watch the bullpen movement for the Florida Marlins.  It’s like a train wreck.  So awful to look at, yet I just can’t seem to pry my eyes away.

The Florida Marlins traded away reliever Randy Messenger to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for beleaguered closer Armando Benitez throwing yet another gallon of gasoline onto the fire that is the Marlins pitching staff.  According to manager Fredi Gonzalez, Benitez will not be put in the closer’s role immediately.  Kevin Gregg will remain in that spot for now…atleast until his already short leash gets yanked.  If there is a shake-up…..or should I say when there’s a shake-up in the pen, I’m sure Benitez will get the opportunity. 

And don’t forget about recently activated Henry Owens.  Not likely to get the save opps from the get go here, but he was fairly solid in his short stint as the team’s closer until his shoulder flared up.  This whole situation has committee written all over it.

Continue to use Gregg, stash Benitez away if you can, you can probably, truth be told, ditch Owens, close your eyes and hope for the best.

For the Giants, it’s time to grab reliever Brad Hennessey.  He’ll be the first choice to get the save opportunities and should be a solid play if he holds down the job. 

What about Messenger? 

Exactly.  What about him?

There have been quite a few moves in the past couple of days that are shaking up some of the owners in your league. Maybe they’re shaking you up a bit. Players are being sent down to the minors and sending fantasy owners running for the scrap heap. If you’ve been able to make daily pickups, then I’m sure (oh please tell me you did) you’ve found a quick fix. If weekly pickups are the way it is in your league, then you’ve got some looking to do before the end of the weekend. Here’s what’s going on… (more…)

After weeks of speculation, the Florida Marlins finally made a move and traded RHP Yusmiero Petit to the Diamondbacks for Jorge Julio and some cash.

At first glance, it bumps up the value of Julio who will now be the full time closer. It also drops the value of Marlins RPs Matt Lindstrom, Henry Owens and Kevin Gregg who will no longer be in line for save opportunities. It also diminishes the value of Taylor Tankersley, who was supposed to be the first in line for save opps but is currently hurt.

As for my own personal analysis…Julio’s decent. Worthy of a pick when all of the big time guys are off the board. I also think that pitching in Florida could help him out. The parks in Baltimore and Arizona are hitters’ parks and when Julio is off, or experiencing one of those patented meltdowns, a pitchers’ park like Florida could be beneficial. Of course it won’t help if some dude smacks a 450 ft. shot, but hey…worst case scenario…maybe.

I like him with the Marlins. Bid wisely though. Oh…and don’t rule out Tankersley altogether. He’s useful as a reliever in deep mixed leagues, and if anything ever happens to our man Jorge, Tanks is the next in line.

As for Petit, he remains a decent possibility for someone’s back enbd of the rotation, but he’ll start this year in Triple-A. Maybe he’ll come up if an injury occurs or if Doug Davis really forgot how to pitch.

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Cuban defector and former Met Alay Soler to a minor league contract. This should be a much easier road for him to travel down. He’ll finish the Spring with the Pirates and most likely start the season in either Double or Triple-A. Look for him to get called up sometime in the first half as a reliever and possibly make a start or two depending on injuries.

The New York Mets released 27 year old Cuban defector Alay Soler today. Kind of a bonehead move, if you ask me. Soler didn’t pitch at all in 2005, but filled in nicely for the Mets last season. It’s possible that they know something we don’t but it’s hard to imagine that they wouldn’t keep him around as a middle or long reliever. He’s in the last year of a 3 year, $2.8 million dollar contract. Someone will pick him up.

The Rockies have cut Javy Lopez from the roster today leaving the veteran backstop without a job less than 3 weeks to the start of the 2007 season. He says he does not want to go back to the AL as a DH and he doesn’t want to be a back-up anywhere. If that’s the case, it looks like retirment is his best option as the 36 year old doesn’t seem to fit into anyone’s starting plans. So long, Javy. It was fun while it lasted.

On a side note, it looks like things are getting better and better for Colorado rookie backstop, Chris Ianetta. I’ve got him tagged as a nice sleeper this year.