Tough times for the members of the D’Backs rotation. In a recent six game stretch, the starters put up a 0.73 ERA in yet only came away with a 2-1 record. Arizona ’s offensive struggles will likely last all year if a trade isn’t made… Bobby Cox has yet to decide whether newly acquired CF Nate McLouth will bat leadoff or third. Expect to see him at the top of the Braves’ lineup whenever Chipper Jones is healthy… Matt Lindstrom , despite 11 S, is allowing too many men to reach base. An absurdly high 1.84 WHIP and a 5.92 ERA may have the Marlins looking elsewhere very soon… The injury suffered by J.J. Putz couldn’t have come at a worse time for the reliever. Signed through next year for $9 million, it is unlikely the Mets would cough up that much for a setup man. Now, it’s doubtful he has any trade value coming off elbow surgery… Pittsburgh ’s Ian Snell is 10-25 since the 2007 All Star break… Keep the faith, all of you expecting great things from Matt Wieters. They’re coming… Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland moved Curtis Granderson back to the leadoff spot after a week or so of batting him fifth…Don’t look now but B.J. Upton is getting healthy and playing like it… Boston hurlers Josh Beckett and Jon Lester have been lights out for the last month. Bad news for the rest of the AL East… Minnesota ’s Kevin Slowey has already allowed 12 HR…
Buy Low- Arizona ’s Stephen Drew has a 13 game hitting streak since returning from the DL. He’s hitting over .325 during that stretch… There’s no doubt that owners of Cleveland ’s Cliff Lee have been frustrated by his inability to recreate last year’s magic. However, despite his 3-6 record, his 3.17 ERA says he’s pitching well… Jose Lopez has started to turn it up in Seattle . He’s raised his BA to a modest .235 and has 6 RBI over his last 6 G. Middle infielders in the middle of the lineup are always Moonlight favorites…
Sell High- Don’t know if Sell High qualifies here but, based on reputation, there may be a market for Rafael Furcal . The Dodgers’ recently dropped him to 7 th in the order and his total of just 4 SB is extremely disappointing. As I always say, Back is a four letter word… Time to pull the plug on Jimmy Rollins , not so much for his .230 BA but his miserable .268 OBP. His new home in the six hole of the Phillies’ order won’t help his SB either… Yes, Juan Pierre has a .360 BA but it’s as Punch and Judy as they come. He’s only got another month before Manny returns, anyway so, dangle him out there and see if anyone bites…
Grab Bag- Antonio Bastardo has given the Phils a much needed lift over his first two starts. What I like about him is that he challenges hitters almost exclusively with his fastball… Mike MacDougal is the Nationals’ latest choice as closer. Probably won’t matter, as they don’t win much but, if you need S… Not many have noticed that Rockies ’ 2B is performing near the level that marked him as a Rookie of the Year front runner until he hurt his shoulder. Pick him up before they do… Pittsburgh ’s Andy LaRoche , (not him, the younger one), is starting to realize the potential that made him the Pirate’s biggest prize in the Jason Bay-Manny Ramirez deal… Since getting pounded for 9 R in 1 IP vs. Texas earlier in the season, Carl Pavano is 6-3 3.55…
Drop Zone- A.J. Pierzinski has just 12 RBI despite 5 HR and a .290 BA. If you’re in a mixed league, there has to be a more productive catcher on the free agent list… When Jim Tracy took over the Rockies , he vowed to stabilize the Colorado lineup and reinsert the struggling Garrett Atkins as the cleanup hitter. Atkins needed just four games to shake Tracy ’s confidence and now finds himself the odd man out as Ian Stewart gets the nod at 3B… San Fran’s Jonathan Sanchez is 2-5 5.19 and may be moved as the Giants desperately seek a much needed bat… The Milton Bradley experiment might be closing soon as rookie Jake Fox starts to get more AB for the Cubs. Last night, Bradley hit a new low, stranding a total of 10 base runners as his 0-for-6 dropped his BA to .208… Joel Hanrahan is no longer the Nats’ closer…
Sick Bay- Brad Lidge is on the 15 day DL with a bad knee. Don’t be so quick to blame his poor start on the injury, however, as he’s experienced meltdowns in the past; twice losing the closer’s job in Houston … Orioles’ SS Cesar Izturis had an appendectomy and is on the 15 day DL… Miguel Cabrera is dealing with a strained hamstring… Kelvim Escobar made his return to the Angels’ rotation from shoulder surgery over the weekend…
Farm Fresh- Matt Maloney was terrific in his MLB debut vs. the Cubs, allowing 2 R and 6 H over 6 IP. He’ll get at least another start in Edinson Volquez’s spot but may not remain thereafter. Wait for continued success before grabbing him… Todd Frazier , the Reds’ first round pick in 2007, is lighting up the AA Carolina League to the tune of a .343 BA. He leads the minors with 24 doubles and has logged time at 3B, SS and 1B. Look for the former Toms River Little League hero to hit Cincinnati later this year… Jesus Montero , 19 year old Yankees catching prospect was recently promoted to AA Trenton after posting a .356 BA in High-A with 8 HR and 37 RBI in just 48 G. Not much stands between him and Jorge Posada in the Yankees chain.
No comments:
Post a Comment