Bonds Chase Begins

Barry Bonds smacked one out of the park today. Actually, about 5 minutes ago...Now Thats Good Content! The 42 year old will break Aaron's record unless he has a career ending injury...#735 went to deep center. He needs 21 to pass Aaron and as many people don't want him to do it, I'm sorry HE WILL! In the future however, I truly believe that people will see it as two different records: The Pre-Steroid Era record and the Steroid Era record. When Bonds breaks the record it will be a huge deal but it won't be long lived...A-Rod isn't far behind him and then Pujols will probably break it after that so don't fret...Bonds won't have it for long.

MLB signs deal to keep "Extra Innings" on Cable TV

My cell phone just alerted me that the MLB has signed a 7 year deal to keep the Extra Innings package on Cable TV. It's not exactly fantasy news but it is certainly news worthy and many people should be happy with this. You have no idea how many emails I got complaining about this. Anyway, thats all I got.

Quick Tip

I haven't posted much recently but the season has gotten underway. I have a quick little tip for all of you: Don't Worry! If your players aren't performing as you would like, don't panic. Don't drop your guys and add someone until you've given them a fair chance. A great example of this is Chris Carpenter. Carpenter had a less than good first start but that doesn't mean he is going to struggle. On the same note, just because a player has one good game doesn't mean they are going to break out. Give the guy a chance to prove some consistancy before you add him.

That's all I have for you for now. I'll update you as players impress or dissapoint. Just because the season has started doesn't mean you stop doing research! That is one philosophy I talk about in my article over at sportsblurb (out tomorrow). If you haven't gotten the Xtra Innings package to read that article I suggest you do. There is some other great content over there including an article by The Fantasy Man.

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.

Josh Towers

A sleeper I mentioned earlier was Josh Towers and today he won the 5th spot in the Blue Jays rotation. In deep AL only leagues he is worth picking up. He could be good for an ERA around 5-5.5 and a decent amount of wins. He's not much of a fantasy machine but it wasn't too long ago he was posting very decent numbers as a decent pitching prospect. He is worth a shot to return to that though in deep AL only leagues. Give Towers a chance.

Gearing up for the season

The season is quickly approaching and my content has been...going down?!? I appologize but I have been very busy preparing myself for the season and haven't had a lot of time to post.

A couple of relevant notes:

- Roto Hog opened the market today. If you are playing Roto Hog, there has been a lot of fluctuation already so you should check it out.

- If you haven't bought Xtra Innings on Sports Blurb yet you should do so...otherwise you won't be able to read my weekly Head 2 Head article over there!

- Be sure to check out the Fantasy Man F.E.E.D over at Fantasy Baseball Express

- Subscribe to get MLB Front Office every night via email on the right hand side bar!

- Kenny Rogers had surgery and will be out for a long time. If you have him, drop him.

- Seth McClung was sent to the minor leagues, he was thought to be the front runner for saves in Tampa -- I guess not.

- Eric Gagne will start the season on the DL. Otsuka owners rejoice!

Thats all for now. Feel free to email me any and all fantasy or baseball related questions you have!