Eric Byrnes: Byrnes is back and says he is healthy enough to steal bases again. Prior to his injury, Byrnes was not running at all, 4 for 7 in steals covering 46 games vs. 50 steals in 57 attempts in 2007. If he is fully healthy, he will provide a nice boost in steals, but keep in mind that he had tears in both of his hamstrings, which increases the chance that he could get hurt again. If he puts together a couple of good weeks on the basepaths, it could be a good time to deal him.
Dmitri Young: Young is not hitting for much power, 3 home runs in 124 PA and it is easy to see why, an extremely high 64% GB%. In past seasons, Young has hit a lot of ground balls, 2005/2006/2007 GB%’s of 47%/52%/42%, but this is Joey Gathright territory. Without any speed, all these ground balls are worthless. His power has no chance of returning unless he begins to get more loft on the ball.
Aaron Miles: Miles has to be the most useless .300+ hitter in baseball, .313 average in 163 AB. Without any power or speed, 1 home run and 0 SB, and not being able to draw many walks, 6% BB%, the best thing that can be said about Miles is that he puts the ball in play, 90% Ct%. However, it doesn’t matter that much when you don’t hit the ball hard. If his .319 BHIP% normalizes, he won’t even carry the benefit of his empty batting average.
Reed Johnson: Johnson, who has been out for a week with a stiff back, could be making a trip to the DL, which will keep him out for another week. Picked up by the Cubs off the scrap heap on the eve of the season, Johnson has been fairly productive, 3/31/.271 with 4 steals. However without much power, being a poor % basestealer (4 CS in 8 attempts), and with a below average approach at the plate, 7% BB% and a 85% Ct%, there is no upside to rostering Johnson.
Randy Johnson: With an 8.4 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, and a 42% GB%, Johnson has pitched much better than his 5.09 ERA would indicate. He can blame a 66% strand rate for the inflated ERA. If he can keep these skills up, a big question mark given his age and injury history, there could be some nice upside to carrying Johnson on your pitching staff.
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