Joel Pineiro: Pineiro, who has been out of action with an inflamed left shoulder, could pitch in a minor league game by the end of this week. If that happens it would put him on schedule for a major league start in three weeks. Last season, Pineiro improved after he was traded from the Red Sox, 5.03 ERA, to the Cardinals, 3.96 ERA, with better skills, 5.3 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 in the AL and a 5.7 K/9 and a 1.7 BB/9 in the NL. It is odd that the better skills came in 11 starts, whereas the lesser skills were in 31 relief appearances. If Pineiro can maintain the pinpoint control that he exhibited with the Cardinals and continue the gains that he has made inducing ground balls, 2004/2005/2006/2007 GB%’s of 44%/45%/48%/48%, he could have success. However, it will be hard to keep his BB/9 that low over a full season, which makes him more of a play in NL-only leagues rather than mixed leagues.
Omar Vizquel: Vizquel, who has been out after knee surgery, could be back with the Giants by April 7th. Vizquel’s 2007 batting average of .246 was depressed by a .230 BHIP%. At 40 years of age, he still showed an excellent approach at the plate, 91% Ct% and a .92 BB/K, however his speed declined, 14 of 20 in steals and 3 triples vs. 24 steals in 31 tries and 10 triples in 2006. Since he never had power to lose, without the speed, he only has the potential to provide an empty batting average. Since the Giants’ lineup is very weak, don’t count on many RBI’s or runs scored from Vizquel.
Rudy Seanez: The Phillies signed Dodgers’ castoff Rudy Seanez to work in their bullpen. The 39 year-old Seanez was a workhouse in the Dodgers’ pen last year, 73 appearances, and pitched well; 3.79 ERA and an 8.6 K/9. However the combination of shaky control, 2004/2005/2006/2007 BB/9’s of 3.7/3.3/5.4/3.2, and a growing FB%, 37%/39%/45%/44%, could prove to be dangerous when pitching in tiny Citizens Bank Park.
Doug Brocail: It looks like the Astros will use Brocail as their primary set-up man. Brocail, who turns 41 years old in May, saw a career revival while pitching for the Padres last year, 2004/2005/2006/2007 ERA’s of 4.13/5.52/4.76/3.05. But it appears it was done more with luck, .238 BHIP% and a 78% Strand rate, rather than good skills; 5.1 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, and a 42% GB%. Don’t count on him being that fortunate again.
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