"March 2009" Monthly Archives

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep - April 1st, 2009

    Reds deal Jeff Keppinger, Alex Gonzalez’s role even more solidified: Alex Gonzalez’s starting role was never in jeopardy in Cincinnati, but the trade of Jeff Keppinger yesterday but with inexperienced Paul Janish and Adam Rosales behind him, Dusty Baker and...

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep - March 31st

    Daisuke Matsuzaka - Matsuzaka's first spring start looked remarkably like last year's action, as the Red Sox hurler tossed five innings, allowing only two hits and two runs (one earned) with three walks and two K's. Matsuzaka's ERA was expected...

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep - March 30, 2009

    Preseason Outlook - March 30, 2009 1. Jason Motte (RP - Cardinals) - The Cardinals have yet to officially name a closer for the start of the season, but Jason Motte certainly seems to be the obvious front-runner heading into...

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep - March 28, 2009

    Manny Corpas: Manager Clint Hurdle will name his closer sometime this weekend or early next week. It is between Corpas and Huston Street. Corpas’ 1.29 spring training ERA is misleading as he has only pitched 7 innings and has a...

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep - March 27, 2009

    The Dodgers’ Chad Billingsley is still having problems regarding his strained groin. He will not start Sunday but will partake in a bullpen session today. Hopefully Billingsley’s groin problem won’t linger too much longer or it could impact the start...

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep - March 26, 2009

    The Angels' Torii Hunter left yesterday's game in the first inning after getting hit in the face by the baseball when Jeff Bakers blast rebounded off the center field wall. Baker circled the bases with Hunter on the ground in...

  • Entertainment
    2009 Preseason Prep- March 25, 2009

    Stephen Strasburg- WAS- Rookie- Strasburg is not a National yet and can’t officially be one until at least June, when he will be eligible for the draft. The most highly touted college pitcher since maybe ever, Strasburg is about as...

  • Entertainment
    2009 Preseason Prep - March 23, 2009

    Preseason Outlook - March 23, 2009 1. Alex Gordon - (3B - Royals) - Gordon was held out of the lineup for the second straight day with some hamstring issues. The injury doesn't seem too serious and the Royals are...

  • Entertainment
    The UMA draft strategy - Unappreciated Mound Aces

    Recently I had a discussion with an industry colleague on the trend and effectiveness of passing on the top pitchers in this years draft, despite their discounted prices. I feel that this is a trend that needs to be...

  • Entertainment
    2009 Preseason Prep - March 21st

    Eric Chavez: Chavez has been fielding ground balls and should be ready to start hitting in 4 to 5 days. There was a time when Chavez was a consistent, legitimate power source at the hot corner, 2002/2003/2004/2005 home runs of...

  • Entertainment
    2009 Preseason Prep - March 20th

    Chris Volstad Paul had mentioned keeping an eye on Chris Volstad earlier in the spring and it might be time to start paying closer attention. Volstad is typically a prime candidate we’d warn you about coming into the season as...

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep - March 19, 2009

    David Wright fouled a ball off his left big toe hard enough crack a toenail in last night's 10-6 loss to Venezuela in the WBC. Yesterday's loss of Kevin Youkilis to injury (see below) left the US team without an...

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep- March 18, 2009

    Cole Hamels- PHI- Inj Update- No structural damage was found in Hamels’ elbow. He got an anti-inflammatory injection and should be cleared to throw again tomorrow. Even with that, he is still not a guarantee to be ready on Opening...

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep - March 17, 2009

    Josh Hamilton (OF-TEX) - We all know Hamilton has All-Star type ability and is a borderline first round fantasy pick in 12-team mixed leagues. However, I got to see Hamilton up close and personal in Arizona this week and let’s...

  • Entertainment
    DC First Base Preview

    An apology to the CDM/Fanball audience. I am on vacation, so the 1st Base preview will be posted next Monday (the 23rd) along with the Starting Pitcher preview on that day. Thanks!...

  • Entertainment
    2009 Preseason Outlook - March 16, 2009

    Preseason Outlook - March 16, 2009 1. Chase Utley - Its looking more and more like Opening Day is a reality for Chase Utley. After off-season hip surgery, he played in his first game of the preseason on Sunday and...

  • Entertainment
    Runners Stranded Percentage - 2009 Edition

    Runners Stranded Percentage (RS%) Measures the percentage of batters that reach base but do not score (more specifically, are not credited to a pitcher’s Earned Runs). The average stranded percentage for starters is .71. Pitchers with Stranded Percentages of...

  • Entertainment
    2009 Preseason Prep - March 14th

    Cameron Maybin: Talent has never been the question with Maybin and he’s flashing it again this spring. A 3-3 performance on Friday raised his spring average to .414 (10-29). Maybin came into camp being handed the everyday CF job and...

  • Entertainment
    2009 Preseason Prep - March 13th

    Kansas City David Dejesus – The Royals are considering shifting Dejesus from the leadoff role to the number 3 slot in the lineup. That would boost Dejesus’ values, when he seems poised to have one of his best professional seasons....

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep- March 12, 2009

    Joe Mauer- MIN- Inj Update- Mauer’s MRI of his lower back showed inflammation in the sacroiliac joint. He has been prescribed some heavy duty anti-inflammatories (presumedly not including anything with steroids). Still, Mauer is not going to be participating in...

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep - March 11, 2009

    The Red Sox are trying to tie up Jon Lester to a 5-year, $30M contract which would be the the richest contract ever given to a player with his service time status. Jon wouldn't have to even match his 2008...

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep - March 10, 2009

    Preseason Outlook - March 10, 2009 Ryan Franklin (STL) - Not surprisingly, Tony La Russa isn’t quite ready to hand the closer job over to “unproven” rookies Chris Perez and Jason Motte, leaving the door open for Ryan Franklin to...

  • Entertainment
    2009 DC Preview - 3B/Catchers

    Third Base The must have Evan Longoria 970 – If Longoria comes anywhere near our projection: .290, 87 RS, 104 RBI’s, 34 HR, and 9 B, then he is a must have. In draft leagues Longoria is a bit of...

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep - March 9, 2009

    Preseason Outlook - March 9, 2009 1. Joe Nathan - Nathan's shoulder soreness kept him from participating in the WBC games this spring, but it certainly seems like its more precautionary than a serious concern. He struck out two in...

  • Entertainment
    Consistency Factor

    Consistency Factor Consistency Factor: an indicator designed to measure a player's Weekly and/or Daily quality production output using Fantistics Fantasy Production Indicator (FPI). For anyone who has played in a Head to Head league, you probably already know the importance...

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep - March 7th, 2009

    Cha Baek: Baek appears to be the No. 3 starter for the Padres this year. He could be the poster child for average skills; 5.9 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, and a 41% GB% in 2008. Pitching his home games in Petco...

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep - March 6th, 2009

    Alex Rodriguez – An update on the Alex Rodriguez hip situation: It appears this injury is more serious than originally thought. Not only did A-Rod have a cyst in his hip, but he also has a torn labrum. By moving...

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep- March 5, 2009

    Alex Rodriguez- NYY- Injury- ARod may end up not playing for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic after all. No, the Dominican doesn’t have a policy barring admitted steroid users from playing for them. An MRI this past...

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep - March 4, 2009

    By all appearances the Dodgers and Manny Ramirez have reached agreement on a 2-year, $45M contract .. or thereabouts. While we could hold out hope that an owner would finally stand up to both Ramirez and Boras, we had the...

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep - March 3, 2009

    Juan Cruz (KC) – A depressed market leads the Royals to a nice free agent bargain in Juan Cruz, giving him a two-year $6 million deal. Cruz will set up Joakim Soria and is the proverbial heartbeat away from closing...

  • Entertainment
    Diamond Challenge Preview - The Middle Infielders

    MIDDLE INFIELDERS SHORTSTOP SS is a position where you are taking 3-4 players. With the high amount of quality 1B and OF (as we saw last week), I’m probably sticking with just 3. Taking that into account, it appears to...

  • Entertainment
    Preseason Prep - March 2, 2009

    Fantistics Preseason Outlook - 3/2/2009 1. Johan Santana - One of this week's biggest stories (non-steroid related of course) was Johan Santana's elbow strain and missed throwing sessions. Doctors have pinpointed a slight irritation in his triceps that is causing...