Spring Flings: late-round aces and news you can use
Today looks like a list day. Read these quickies, then go out and enjoy March baseball.
Spring Flings
3 oughta knows
Phillies | Chase Utley sidelined indefinitely
Expanding on previous reports, Philadelphia Phillies 2B Chase Utley (knee) is being sidelined indefinitely with what the team is calling mild patellar tendonitis and chondromalacia, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. An MRI revealed bone inflammation in Utley's knee. At the moment, surgery is the last option. Utley could open the season on the 15-day disabled list, but general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. expects Utley to play this year. "It really is unknown," Utley said. "I'm doing everything I can at this point to get back on the field. There is no timetable. We're not going to look for the short-term solution. I want to be smart about this and realize I have three years left under this contract to fulfill."
Chase worth the risk/reward?
His durability has already taken a beating. Now a potentially chronic knee issue? My keeper team doesn't like this (I'm loading up on 2B reserves for my majors and minors squads), but my single-year self doesn't mind.
Second base is deep this season. I haven't been targeting Utley or Robinson Cano this year because of that. So, unless his price tanks, no changes on my end.
Rays | B.J. Upton's swing more consistent
Tampa Bay Rays OF B.J. Upton's offseason workouts with former IF Rod Carew are paying off as Upton's swing looks more consistent this spring, according to MLB.com's Bill Chastain. After Upton went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles Wednesday, March 9, skipper Joe Maddon said, "That's the loud sound we're used to, and I love it when he's in right-center hard like that...If he does that, he's going to have a very good year." "It's how it's supposed to be," said Upton. "When things aren't going well, I've got to stay where I'm at to find that consistency."
Feel that bubbling? That's that monster season we've been waiting for. It's not a bad thing when you're hoping he'll complement 20-30 with .260. Carew isn't a bad teacher when you're trying to increase your contact, either.
Cardinals | Kyle McClellan sharp Thursday
St. Louis Cardinals SP Kyle McClellan allowed one run and three hits while walking one and striking out one in four innings against the Atlanta Braves Thursday, March 10, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold. Only three of the 16 hitters he faced managed to get the ball out of the infield.
Dave Duncan ... ground balls ... !@#%!@% ... too much excitement to form a coherent sentence. OK, I'll try. NL-only and deep mixed post-draft territory here. McClellan is a prime candidate to be this year's C.J. Wilson.
9 late-round mixed aces
This list doesn't include Brett Anderson, Dan Hudson and Brandon Morrow (ADP spike since I expressed my man crush), but these arms prove you don't have to pay top dollar for pitching.
- Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants - Forget the overpriced Giants lefty. Here's the one to target. Bum's 2010 velocity recovery will make all the difference for his pristine control.
- Jhoulys Chacin and Jorge De La Rosa, Colorado Rockies - GB-K combos don't hurt.
- Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati Reds - Read.
- Gio Gonzalez, Oakland Athletics - The forgotten A's arm behind Anderson and the bustalicious Trevor Cahill. Gio's spring has reminded many of his once heralded potential. Deal with the walks, enjoy the K's.
- Jordan Zimmermann, Washington Nationals - Control, rebuilding arm strength post-TJ surgery an enticing ace profile that many have forgotten.
- Jake Peavy and Edwin Jackson, Chicago White Sox - Peavy has a fan club. And as for Jackson - man, you really should've read my blog last year. Nostradmus up in here.
KFFL Baseball
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