• Guru Database: Deep Stats- 5 Years, customizable
• Customized Projections
• Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets, SOS Tool, Points Allowed Tool
• Best Fantasy Football Strategy Articles around
• Tons of News & Inside information
• Trade/Roster Analyzers
• Blogs, Message Boards, Expert Chats, Informative Podcasts, Video Reports, more
• Free Baseball Content

• Credibility & track record
• Content quality & uniqueness
• Comprehensiveness & content delivery
• Our advanced statistical tools and technical features
• Longevity since 1995
  
  
   

Friday Tip Sheet (2008 Sample)
Posted: 3/28/08
By Greg Shea
Staff Writer, FantasyGuru.com
 

Every year, spring training ends and you think that most of the big issues were resolved. Two weeks later, you realize that there’s a lot still up in the air. Baseball is a fluid game and there aren’t a lot of conclusions that are ever set in stone. However, we revisit the gems of the spring and the most intriguing items we’ve seen in March.

Rising

Dan Haren (SP, Ari) - Haren was one of the most impressive starters this spring. He struck out six in seven innings Thursday to beat the White Sox. He has struck out 21 while walking only four in 21 innings this spring. He’s had pretty dominating stuff so far and looks like an ace.

Rich Harden (SP, Oak) – Harden struck out nine in six innings to beat the Red Sox on Wednesday in Tokyo. He looked great, but every time you get a glimmer of his talent, you have to remember his elbow injury in 2006 and his shoulder injury in 2007. Still, the talent gives you pause to consider the possibility of getting him on  your team. If this price is right, grab him.

Grady Sizemore (OF, Cle) – You couldn’t be more pleased with Sizemore’s spring. He hit .317 with five home runs and a .780 slugging percentage. With his speed and power combination, he’s one of the most exciting players in the game.

Josh Beckett (SP, Bos) – Beckett threw four scoreless innings and 47 pitches in a minor league game Thursday and looks to be about a week away from being ready, which is good news for his owners. He is expected to join the Red Sox in Toronto for the April 4-6 series, and could start in the last game.

Edinson Volquez (SP, Cin) – Volquez won a rotation spot in Cincinnati after striking out 26 in 20 innings, while walking only four this spring. He’s slotted into the fifth spot in Cincinnati’s rotation, but he could turn into more and is a long-term player in keeper leagues. He struck out 29 in 34 innings for Texas last year.

Scott Podsednik (OF, Col) – Podsednik has 10 steals in spring training and should nail down a roster spot with the Rockies over Cory Sullivan. Any guy that once stole 70 bases in a season is worth a look as a speed source.

John Maine (SP, NYM) – Maine really impressed us in March. He struck out 28 in 25 1/3 innings with a 1.78 ERA. He walked only five. He is an impressive No. 2 starter behind Johan Santana in New York.

Nick Johnson (1B, Was) – Johnson has won the starting first base job for the Nationals. Despite injuries the last few years (including the devastating broken leg that cost him all of last season), Johnson still can hit for power and average. He looks like a sleeper for NL-only leagues and deep mixed leagues.

Juan Uribe (2B, ChiW) – Uribe has won the starting second base job in Chicago after hitting .388 in spring training. He’s not going to hit much more than .250, but he hits for power and could top 20 homers.

Willy Taveras (OF, Col) – Taveras has nine steals in 18 games this spring and looks like a good bet to swipe 40 bags this year.

Chris Snyder (C, Ari) – Snyder is hitting .390 with five home runs in spring training. He was a sleeper for the year entering March, but could he hit more than 20 home runs this year?

Manny Ramirez (OF, Bos) – The "New" Manny looked a lot like the Manny of old this week, igniting the new season with some fireworks over Tokyo. Whether it’s the two-month stay at Athletes Performance Institute, his new agent, his embrace of yoga, or the enticement of a contract year (the most likely incentive), Ramirez looks happy, healthy and ready to deliver a big season.

Falling

Scott Rolen (3B, Tor) – Rolen could miss up to six weeks with a broken middle finger on his right hand. Did he really not even make it to Opening Day?

Kelvim Escobar (SP, LAA) – Escobar has a tear in his shoulder and may need season-ending shoulder surgery. Definitely cross him off your list for this year. A shame, because he was going to be a solid second-tier starter.

Felix Hernandez (SP, Sea) – Look at this as a buying opportunity. He’s given up six home runs during the exhibition season and has a 4.43 ERA, but also is healthy and has 19 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings.

Felix Pie (CF, ChiC) – It wasn’t a good sign that the Cubs signed Reed Johnson to back up Pie in centerfield this week. Do the Cubs not have full confidence in him or are they just trying to bring him along slowly? Pie is hitting .350 this spring, but his value takes a small hit with Johnson expected to take starts away from him.

Juan Pierre (OF, LAD) – There’s still a chance that Pierre could be traded, but you have to think he may just get benched in favor of Andre Ethier. Pierre is hitting .178 and looks out of place in left field with his weak arm. The Dodgers would probably take a bag of balls for Pierre at this point. Still, he remains a major fantasy player because of his 60-steal potential.

J.D. Drew (OF, Bos) – The injury watch has started early for Drew, who missed both games in Japan after feeling tightness in his lower back during batting practice. He has experienced back and shoulder issues in the past but had talked earlier this spring about how good his back was feeling. He is coming off a disappointing first season with the Red Sox, and even if this injury is minor, it’s a bad start.

 

Jarrod Saltalamacchia (C/1b, Tex) – The switch-hitting Saltalamacchia, acquired by the Rangers in the Mark Teixeira trade last year, was optioned to the team's minor-league camp Wednesday, leaving the catching duties (for now) to the sharp-fielding, light-hitting Gerald Laird. They want Salty to play every day rather than share time with Laird, but it won't be long before the 22-year-old is up for good.

Prospecting

Carlos Gomez (OF, Min) – Gomez won the centerfield job this week and zooms on to everyone’s radar screens. He had 12 steals in 125 at-bats last year, but could really light up the basepaths this year. He has the potential to steal 50.

Manny Parra (SP, Mil) – Parra has nailed down a rotation spot after the Brewers released Claudio Vargas. Parra struck out 19 in 20 2/3 innings in spring training, but had a 6.10 ERA. He impressed enough to force the Brewers to make the tough decision of cutting Vargas, who won 11 games last year.

Johnny Cueto (SP, Cin) – Cueto started like a house on fire in March, but cooled down at the end. He’s 22 and probably still needs some seasoning to work on his control. He struck out 12 in 13 2/3 innings, while walking 9. He has a 5.27 ERA in spring ball. Last year he pitched in three levels of the minors and struck out 170 batters in 161 1/3 innings, while walking only 34. The Reds sent undisciplined top prospect Homer Bailey down to Triple-A for more work, but they plan to put Cueto in the rotation right away, so it will be interesting to see how that works out.

Keep an eye on …

Early-season trades – The same names bandied about in spring training will be tossed around in April. Joe Crede could still be moved so that the White Sox can call up Josh Fields. The Brian Roberts trade rumors to the Cubs have cooled, but could pick up again as the Orioles refocus on efforts to trade him. The Dodgers may get serious about moving Juan Pierre and reduce their asking price as it becomes clear that they have better options in left field. Boston may be waiting for the market for Coco Crisp to rise, but he’ll be moved because Jacoby Ellsbury is the better player. The rumor mill may have stopped momentarily, but expect it to pick up again quickly as teams realize that they need help a few games into the season.

Players to Trade/Trade For

 

Trade:

Dontrelle Willis (SP, Det) – Willis has struggled in March with an 8.64 ERA in 16 2/3 innings. He is a high-risk for injury with his herky-jerky motion and the number of innings he’s pitched in the past, but his poor spring is fueling rumors that he’s already hurt. One would think that his unorthodox delivery, a pitchers’ park in Detroit, and the abundance of offensive support would bode well for a comeback season. But something’s just not right – maybe you can get something for him now before everybody catches up.

Trade For:

Erik Bedard (SP, Sea) – Bedard is a repeat option in this category after giving up two more home runs Wednesday. He’s served up nine homers this spring and maybe that will scare off some owners. We still think Bedard will be worth this year due to his potential for 15 wins and his strikeout numbers.

Greg Shea has been playing fantasy baseball since his high school years in the late-80s. A previous FantasyGuru.com contributor earlier this decade, Shea was one of the first fantasy baseball columnists on ESPN.com. His column "Tip Sheet" debuted on that site, and now continues here at FantasyGuru.com. Shea pitched for St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, NY. He had a good curveball, but couldn't hit one to save his life, which is just one of the reasons he appreciates the game.

So what are you waiting for? Subscribe for 2008 now!

Back to the top