Fantasy baseball notes

Before someone else in your league does it - and no matter how shallow your league is - you should probably make some room for Rangers outfielder Nelson R. Cruz.

Fantasy alert - and some human interest, to boot

Fantasy pundits have thrown Cruz's name around a good bit in recent weeks. Some have tooted this fella's horn to the point that fantasy owners might think he seems a surefire bet to carry you to a league title, end world hunger, reduce gas prices by 75 percent and, most importantly, rid you of that weird rash you developed a couple of weeks ago.

There's reason to believe. (Other than for that skin irritation problem. You're going to have to put some steroid cream on it - make sure it didn't come from Barry Bonds' locker - and give your family doc a ring-a-ding-ding.) Cruz was hitting .342 with 37 home runs, 99 RBIs and 24 stolen bases for Triple-A Oklahoma before Texas purchased his contract. Top prospect, you're probably thinking. Well, he used to be.

Cruz is 28 years old, long past the age when players are still considered top prospects. He was on the rise in the Oakland organization earlier this decade before he landed with the Brewers entering 2005. That season, he gained more steam, becoming one of the top talents in baseball when he hit .289 with 27 dingers, 81 ribbies and 19 steals between Double-A Huntsville and Triple-A Nashville. The organization named him its player of the year.

In 2006, he was hitting .302 with 20 home runs, 73 RBIs and 17 thefts with the Nashville Stars when the Brew Crew traded him, along with Carlos Lee (because, obviously, they always need more offense), to the Rangers in a deadline deal for closer Francisco Cordero and bust outfielders Laynce Nix and Kevin Mench.

Power-hitting outfielder who steals bases plus Arlington, Texas, equals: Yes, please. At least, one would think. In 442 major league at-bats before 2008, though, Cruz has batted a measly .231, although he has belted 15 round-trippers, with 56 RBIs. He has stolen just three bases and been caught four times.

Herein lies the fantasy dilemma: Do you pick him up? The answer, of course, is YES.

Cruz may completely flame out; in fact, there's a pretty good chance he will. If you have any player on your roster you know you'll be dumping at some point, though, you have to pick up Cruz. The potential reward is too great. He went 3-for-5 with a jack and three RBIs in his first game up. Let's just hope the Royals and the Orioles aren't the only teams that bring such great things out of him. Any player who can have a large impact this late in the season deserves a chance on your roster before he does someone else's.

Face it: This is Cruz's last chance to prove himself, at least with Texas, and he knows it. He passed through waivers near the end of spring training. When your dream is the Big Show and you're running out of chances, it tends to put things in perspective. You're willing to admit your faults and figure out what you can do overcome them.

Before his first game back (per The Dallas Morning News):

"My mind is different," Cruz said. "Being on waivers and not getting claimed was tough. I think I'm mentally tougher. I know what it takes. I'm not going to try to do too much here. Whatever I do, I don't have to impress myself. I'm just going to do what they ask."

And after (per MLB.com):

"I've been waiting for this all year," said Cruz. "I'm glad to be back."

Cruz's problem has been handling off-speed stuff, and, according to at least one source, he has made great strides in that department. He's getting a shot, so you should give him one, too. A Rangers beat reporter for The Dallas Morning News is helping us follow him pretty closely.

Besides, if he's terrible for a couple of weeks, you can drop him like a bad habit. Maybe you can drop the bad habit, too - it'll help get rid of that rash.

Spot starters

It's no fun picking spot starters who are heavily owned, or even lightly owned, to be frank. Where's the joy and daring in that?

Kevin Millwood was outstanding (nine innings, six hits, an earned run and four K's) in his second start back from the disabled list. A groin problem has nagged him all year, but if he's over it, he's an intriguing play again today at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals still have the worst OPS against right-handers in the AL, and they're struggling big time. Of course, Millie was awful in two starts against them this year despite netting a win.... Hey, if you're not living on the edge, why live?

I haven't been a big Greg Smith guy because of his poor strikeout rate, but he has been outstanding against the Angels (2.70 ERA, 0.94 WHIP in three starts - 23 1/3 innings). That has even been the case at Angel Stadium (1-1, seven hits and three earned runs allowed in 17 innings). The southpaw hasn't given up more than two earned in his last four outings, and the Halos offense has been on vacation. They're also in the bottom third in OPS versus left-handers. It doesn't hurt that the Angels will be without outfielder Vladimir Guerrero (legs) for a few days.

Jason Marquis is better on the road (3.49 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) and has been solid against Pittsburgh (10 earned runs and 25 hits allowed in 23 1/3 innings) this season. He's a good bet for a win against the Pirates, whose once surprising offense has tailed off a bit now that Jason Bay and Xavier Nady are gone. They haven't been as good at PNC Park, a pitchers' haven, where Marquis owns a career 3.86 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 10 appearances, including eight starts.

Moreover, I don't know if I could go on living with a Jorge De La Rosa recommendation (a Tuesday start at AT&T Park) on my conscience. It wasn't the case last night against the Rockies' Jeff Francis, but the Giants are, believe it or not, kind of hot right now. They have a .753 OPS in the past seven days. San Fran is playing without a net - several youngsters, including a few switch-hitters, are getting plenty of at-bats but little press. Look for a KFFL impact report on the not-your-father's Giants soon.

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