A perfect example for fantasy baseball players: Marlon Byrd
Gimme some
Marlon Byrd is going to be a little under-priced in NL-only fantasy baseball leagues and overlooked completely in deep mixed versions. Thank Alfredo Aceves, a nutritionist and Muay Thai for that.
Last May, an Aceves offering struck Byrd in the head, and he spent a month and a half on the disabled list. This winter, the 34-year-old learned of some food allergies he had and altered his diet. Then, he took up the Thai martial arts discipline.
It's cliche to doubt "best shape of my life" stories, which were already cliche. Let's try not to clump them all together, shall we?
Byrd in the hand Tap your mouse here for more »
Hurry up, Tommy Hanson, before zee Germans get here
Danger: He's good
The series of unfortunate events that led to Tommy Hanson's placement on the disabled list in mid-August of 2011 and forced him to miss the remainder of the season seem to have made folks bearish on his roto stock. At Mock Draft Central, for instance, he's barely been a top-100 mixed-league pick.
In his final five starts (26 2/3 stanzas), the right-hander yielded 24 earned runs, 36 hits (eight home runs) and 11 walks. Something was wrong. Initial diagnosis: mild tendonitis in his right shoulder. Persistent discomfort led to a consultation with Dr. James Andrews and the revelation that Hanson had a small tear in his rotator cuff. Hanson shut it down in September for good.
Naturally, rotisserie managers should want little to do with such a wielder of red flags. Hanson is obviously pretty darn good - perhaps even elite - but the risk is obvious. Or is it?
It's for protection Tap your mouse here for more »
Think of the wonderful possibilities now that Michael Pineda and Jesus Montero have traded places
Savior in Seattle
It's not possible for the New York Yankees to feel the same way about Jesus Montero that the Seattle Mariners will. The Bronx Bombers play in a bandbox, their offense is rarely in crisis, and a problem in the batting order is easier to fix with moo-lah.
And Seattle probably couldn't appreciate Michael Pineda the way that the Yanks will. The M's have the kind of resource it takes to turn overachievers, busts and retreads into useful pitchers more easily than the average club.
But the Pinstripes are now in an unfamiliar position. And the Mariners don't have to toss any ol' bum into the rotation.
Cheap chumps on the bump Tap your mouse here for more »
Fantasy baseball players adore Kansas City Royals’ Eric Hosmer, but Mike Moustakas is more attractive
Moustakas is lookin' good
Don't get me wrong. Eric Hosmer is handsome. He looked better without facial hair, but his intense eyes and chiseled chin help to form the haunting mug that furnishes his dreaminess, which an indeterminately large portion of the ladies must appreciate.
Mike Moustakas is no ugly duckling, but he has nothing on his teammate. He has a by-gosh, D.B. Sweeney thing going on that appeals to no greater than a small faction of females. But if these babes are shallow, they've done their homework: He makes decent coin, and his earnings potential is ginormous.
In a charity date auction, Moustakas can't compete with Hosmer. In a rotisserie auction, the former has the goods, but even the depthless dames are disinclined to dabble. Damn, that's cold.
Show Moustakas some love Tap your mouse here for more »
