J.R. Towles’ fourth chance?
Towles ever gonna show himself?
I drafted J.R. Towles in the reserve round of mixed Tout Wars figuring that he'd be my first drop come the initial FAAB period. Sure enough, he was.
I took a shot on the Houston Astros' split-duty squatter because many of the fantasy baseball players available at that point didn't hold a lot of intrigue for me. I was aware of my offense's shortcomings.
Towles, and upside? Isn't that concept sooooo 2008? And sorta 2009? Maybe a bit 2010?
Towles takes trip in time machine Tap your mouse here for more »
John Axford and the mild-mannered Milwaukee Brewers
Are you sleeping, Brother John?
I've been trying to figure out when John Axford earned a huge pass. I'm guessing, for some fantasy baseball players, it was around the year he struck out 11.79 dudes per nine innings in the majors. I remember it like it was 2010. ...
The Milwaukee Brewers are in no hurry to make a change, per Ron Roenicke. Completely understandable, since the regular season campaign isn't even three weeks old. Captain Ron keeps assuring us that it'll get better.
But is Skip's word good enough for you?
Closer commotion a-Brewin'? Tap your mouse here for more »
Charlie Morton, or Roy Halladay? Pittsburgh Pirates digging up buried treasure
Halla-- errr, Morton may be onto something
I was doing a little mining on Charlie Morton this past weekend, after seeing the results of his first three starts (particularly that 1.64 ERA) and catching wind of some fantasy baseball naysaying. You can't not be skeptical of a pitcher who entered 2011 with a 5.98 ERA in 251 1/3 big league innings split between the Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Being a devout Bucs fan, I haven't watched one live plate appearance of a 2011 Pirates contest. But I was incredibly curious after I read that he'd lowered his arm angle to keep his shoulder closed. That sounded familiar, I thought. I then pulled up the bogarted highlight videos of his starts on MLB.com. I was absolutely astonished at what I saw.
Today, Ken Rosenthal confirmed some ambitiously amateur assessments of Morton. Relax your throat, because I'd hate to see you choke on your chimichanga.
From Doc Halladay to Morton the Mortician? Tap your mouse here for more »
Kyle Farnsworth’s monopoly money
Folly is fleeting faith in Farnsie
Few fantasy baseball players could imagine Kyle Farnsworth as a component of the Tampa Bay Rays' closing crew for long. His effectiveness, along with Joe Maddon's use of the right-hander, may be changing that.
Thankfully, you haven't let the scenario that Farnsworth entered in the ninth on Friday mislead you. With one out to go and Michael Cuddyer strolling to the dish, the right-hander replaced Jake McGee, who had done his job for the most part. The rookie allowed an inherited runner to score when he faced and retired only Jim Thome on a fielder's choice ground-out.
Posthaste to Park Place Tap your mouse here for more »
Sergio Santos awaits chance from fantasy baseball players, not Ozzie Guillen
Soon, Santos saves Sox
I put in a bid for Sergio Santos in mixed Tout Wars this past Sunday, but I didn't get him because I landed both of my top priorities, Matt Harrison and Desmond Jennings. In hindsight, maybe I should've rearranged.
Maybe I was too hot to trot for Jennings. Maybe Harrison won't pan out the way I expect. I don't regret either of those moves, though, because I think the upside is worth the risk. If not, at least I learned something.
Really, it just would've been nice to have another roster spot available for Santos.
Santos sans superior statistical support? Tap your mouse here for more »
Whether we’re crusading for Walden or anti-Scioscia, Angels offer fantasy baseball lesson
Walden breathes deeply, waits patiently
It's been ... one week since Scioscia looked at Rodney, cocked his head to the side and said he's angry.
I saw a paucity of criticism of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim skipper making the move so quickly. I saw scoffs at Mike Scioscia's insinuation that Fernando Rodney could regain favor and again work in the ninth. I saw her standing there.
I didn't see any evidence for either reaction. I did see things that pointed to its imminent occurrence. I did see reasons to watch what happened afterward. I did see a lesson.
Helping Halos Tap your mouse here for more »
Rich Harden could get all A’s in bullpen, and Mark Melancon is back on course
Andrew Bailey has played long toss on several occasions, with no issues, since that March 14 exhibition game in which he winced, grabbed his elbow and was eventually diagnosed with a strained forearm. He should throw off a mound sometime within the next handful of days, and he could be on the Oakland Athletics' active roster before the end of this month.
P.S.: Rich Harden (strained lat) has taken positive steps, on a similar timeline, too.
Can Rich get Richer? Tap your mouse here for more »
Playing it safe with Matt Holliday, and Magglio Ordonez’s tough break
Matt Holliday's return isn't far off. That summarizes media interpretation of comments from GM John Mozeliak, skipper Tony La Russa and even Holliday. He has been cleared for baseball activities.
The St. Louis Cardinals are certainly no longer facing the doomsday scenario of the speculative three- to six-week timetable that accompanied the news of Holliday's appendectomy when it first broke. But is the construal a bit optimistic? Or, perhaps more purportedly, why are they in a rush?
Credit Cards statements Tap your mouse here for more »
