Yikes!

It's been a while since my last post -- don't worry I'm not dead. I feel the need to explain myself a little bit. This blogs purpose is to provide fantasy advice. I don't think that it is really necessary for me to post every day with all of the call ups etc. I know everyone gets that news from MLB.com, ESPN.com, or Yahoo! anyway. That being said, the offseason is going to be a much more busy time for posting and you can expect my posts to be significantly less often during the season. As always, feel free to send me questions and I will happily answer them.

(FYI if Phil Hughes is still on the wire in your league you need to add him -- he is starting on thursday)

That's all I've got to say, hopefully I'll come up with something good sometime soon. As always, you can find my weekly column every thursday at sportsblurb.com.

3 up/3 down: SP

3 Up:

Felix Hernandez - I already wrote about him but there really isn't much to say besides this kid is the next big thing. Scratch that -- he is the big thing NOW. Him and Santana will be competing for AL Cy Young at the end of the year. When he keeps the ball low he is unhittable.

Daisuke Matsuzaka - So far the biggest import of the year looks like a great deal. I'm a little bit worried about fatigue from this guy down the stretch because he has logged so many innings in his career but he certainly looks like he is here to stay. He could be the best yet -- and no, I'm not forgetting about Ichiro and Matsui.

Zack Greinke - This kid WAS the next big thing before he went a little crazy. He's back in the majors and seems to have his head back on straight. His fastball has gained a little speed because of a leg strength program he is on and he certainly looks like he could dominate hitters all season.

3 Down:

Chris Carpenter - If I hear the words Tommy John I'm going to cry. No seriously, this time it's his elbow. He shouldn't miss much time but if this thing lingers fantasy owners who drafted them are going to be in trouble. He was the concesus number 2 starter in most fantasy drafts.

Carlos Zambrano - I wouldn't get too worried yet but in 3 starts he's given up 14 ER, thats 2nd in the MLB. Look for Z to rebound but if this keeps up he could be out of the running for Cy Young before the All-Star Break.

Brett Myers - The only pitcher to have more ER than Zambrano? Brett Myers. He does have 19 SO in his 3 starts so atleast he is helping fantasy owners in that way. Like Big Z, look for Myers to rebound.

Felix Hernandez Lights Out

Felix Hernandez vs. Dice-K. My oh my. Wasn't Dice-K getting all the hype. It was crazy. You know what was even more crazy? Felix Hernandez. I'm not going to go into details here about the game but this guy is for real. When he keeps the ball low, he is nearly unhittable. If there is one guy in all of the majors that could contend for AL Cy Young with Santana its Hernandez. I know that it is still early but this kid is the real deal. I will soon be releasing an updated version of my top 250 I hope. I can guarantee one thing, this kid is going to be on his way up the board. I had him ranked 62 in my preseason rankings. You should expect to see him after the Oswalt/Zambrano/Peavy/Halladay group but before last years NL Cy Young Brandon Webb. Just off the top of my head right now, that would put him in the top 50.

Lidge out as closer

Brad Lidge was given the chance to close and he lost it. Dan Wheeler will take over the 9th inning duties and should be a solid closer. Think about the level of Tom Gordon. I'm sure Wheeler is gone in your leagues already because he was being drafted in most leagues but if your playing with a bunch of idiots...be sure you pick him up!

In other news, Jose Valverde has looked good in Arizona and Bob Howry has been giving the Cubs no reason to consider moving Dempster out of the job in Chicago.

I'll try to get that closer list updated soon and put a link to it on the sidebar. My goal is to keep it updated through out the season.

2 Start Starters

Here are a couple of 2 start starters for the upcoming week...

AL

Rich Harden
AJ Burnett
Boof Bonser
Josh Beckett
Jeremy Sowers
Ervin Santana
Jon Garland
Brandon McCarthy
Carl Pavano
Jake Westbrook
Jose Contreras
Nate Robertson

NL

Matt Cain
Chris Young
John Maine
Jason Schmidt
Tim Hudson
Ian Snell
Anibal Sanchez
Cole Hamels
Ted Lilly
Braden Looper
Doug Davis

If you have these guys on your team they are probably worth starting in weekly lineups because they are starting twice, if you are in a daily lineup change league then make sure you stay on top of your lineup. Active Managers are Winning Managers!

Q & A

Have questions about who to play? Have questions about fantasy in general? Send 'em to my email: stew0610@ameritech.net. I'm always happy to answer any questions you have and you might just see your question on the blog!

Jorge Julio -- Bust?

Jorge Julio has been nasty in Florida -- and not the way the Marlins wanted him to be. He has looked absolutely terrible. As noted in previous posts, there are many options for Florida to pitch in the 9th. Owens and Gregg are the too front runners with Owens looking like the better choice of the two right now. Tankersley and Lindstrom could fill in if neither Owens or Gregg jumps on the opportunity. Petit hasn't done anything in Arizona yet but it certainly looks like the Diamondbacks made out like bandits on the deal. Julio will still provide some veteran support in the bullpen and could get another shot in the 9th if he is solid in a setup role and the other options struggle as well.

10 Things I Think I Think Based on the 1st Week

10. I think I think I'm not worried about Carpenter, he'll be okay. On the other hand, if I was a Cardinal's fan, I'd be worried about that bullpen.
9. I think I think Brad Lidge will be on a short leash but both him and Wheeler struggled so maybe it won't be that short.
8. I think I think that although K-Rod blew a save it might be the only one all season.
7. I think I think that Michael Barrett finally got his first hit but I don't worry about slumps...until they reach 100 AB its hard to tell much.
6. I think I think the Cubs starters have all looked good besides Zambrano whos contract talks are currently on hold. I don't think its related but who knows.
5. I think I think Mark Derosa is on fire although its only been a couple days with 2 home runs.
4. I think I think thats enough about the Cubs but I am a Cubs fan so its not my fault.
3. I think I think that the Dodgers, Reds and Twins should all bring up their young pitchers but hey what do I know?
2. I think I think that Grady Sizemore is the next big thing but theres no way he can keep up the pace hes currently at.
1. I think I think that Santana will have some competition for AL Cy Young although he will win in the end. Dice-K, Halladay, and Hernandez all should be great.

Mark Buehrle Booboo

Mark Buehrle left the game early today and if he is out for an extended period of time there are a couple of interesting options for the White Sox.

- Gavin Floyd came over from Philly in the Freddy Garcia trade and was considered the leading canidate for the #5 spot until John Danks won it.

- Charlie Haeger is an intruiging option. He has a nasty pitch although projection systems don't expect very much from him.

- My very very outside super sleeper canidate is David Aardsma. He just pitched 2 innings and had 5 Ks. He came over from the Cubs in the Cotts deal and I think the White Sox definately got the better end of the deal there.

None of these guys are really gonna be much help in mixed leagues but in AL only leagues they could be decent replacements if you had buehrle or are in need of SP.

Breakout Bound?

Players who had a .200 plus slugging percentage differential from their career norms could be in line for a break out season. This method last year predicted many breakouts such as Adrian Gonzalez. Over at Baseball Prospectus, they have an article about a couple of players who did the same feat and could be in line to break out. It's an interesting read and could help with your fantasy team. Check it out.