Dustin Hermanson: This ain't 2005 no more

Dustin Hermanson was asked by the Cincinatti Reds to go down to AAA. He said he wouldn't pitch for AAA and he was released. Hermanson was thought to be the leading canidate for the 9th inning job but a lousy spring forced the Reds to either demote him or release him. The simple truth was he wasn't pitching well enough to make the team despite his 2005 season when he helped the White Sox win the World Series as the closer. Last season was almost completely lost to injury and he still hasn't returned to anywhere near the 2005 form. It is likely he will sit out the season and may announce his retirement. It didn't seem like there were many teams vying for his services before and if he is unwilling to pitch in the minors I don't see anything happening. Perhaps Cleveland might have some interest in him? Whatever the case may be, if you picked up Hermanson...drop him.

Additionally, avoid the Reds closer job at all costs. It looks like its going to be another messy closer by situation.

Blockbuster deal going down in Chicago

Jim Hendry is at it again. With no regard for the salary or the team needs, he again struck a deal. It had been rumored that the Mets would have interest in Zambrano if he hit the open market but with the deadline to resign Zambrano coming to a close, instead they nabbed him before he hit the open market. In return for Zambrano the Cubs will recieve OF prospect Lastings Milledge, Starting Pitcher Mike Pelfrey and a Minor Leaguer to be named later. The deal is contingent on the Mets reaching a long term deal with Zambrano in the 48 hour time frame the Cubs have allowed. Upon hearing that Zambrano would not sign a long term deal with the Cubs, the offers for Zambrano went way down and this was the one that the Cubs deemed to be the best. The other interested parties are rumored to have included the New York Yankees, the Detroit Tigers (who recently lost Kenny Rogers), the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the surprisingly the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox names surfaced as well. Pelfrey will join the Cubs rotation as the #4 starter. Ted Lilly will start opening day. Milledge will start the season in AAA unless the Cubs can swing Jones before tomorrow -- which is unlikely. The Minor Leaguer to be named later is expected to be Single A pitcher Kevin Tomasiewicz. Hendry and Minaya both declined comment because the trade is not official yet.

Remember you heard it at MLB Front Office First! Bringing you all of your April Fools day news.

MIA in LA

Chone Figgins and Jered Weaver will both start the season on the DL. Make sure you pick up a replacement before todays game. Neither should be out for more than the 15 days but make sure you pick up someone to fill their spot in the lineup. Neither of their replacements on the Angels are really fantasy worthy although Macier Izturis was decent last year.

Can Cantu?

Jorge Cantu, pushed out of a starting job at 2nd by BJ Upton was sent to the minor leagues. He immediately asked to be traded. He really isn't a minor league player and isn't too far removed from that 28 HR season back in 2005. He is still only 25 and has a lot of potential despite a very dissapointing season last year (he was battling a foot injury all last year). Most managers will probably drop him so if he does get traded make sure you jump right on him and pick him up. Tampa Bay would be smart to trade him for a pitcher of some sort.

Tampa Bay Surprise

In two surprise moves, both Elijah Dukes and BJ Upton will be starting on opening day. They could both provide late round value in fantasy leagues and are both certainly worth a mid-round pick in Dynasty and very large Keeper leagues. Dukes will be starting in center and Upton will be starting at second. If Upton can gain eligibility at 2nd, he could be money in that position. Think Ian Kinsler, Josh Barfield grouping with the potential be even higher. As for Dukes, he pushed Rocco Baldelli out of the outfield but don't worry, Baldelli will be the DH and will get plenty of time in the outfield.