AL EAST FANTASY PREVIEW

Tick…tick….tick…tick…..That sound you hear is your prep time wasting away as March has now rolled around and fantasy drafts are happening, whether you are ready or not.

The season itself starts on March 25th, with Oakland taking on Boston in the asinine Tokyo series.

I think Theo and the gang actually volunteered the Sox for this trip as a ruse. I keep picturing him and Larry Lucchino going all Jason Bourne on us and sneaking around the office of the Seibu Lions, trying to find the 50 million they paid to sign Dice-K.

I have to give it up to the Philadelphia Soul. My first arena football game was something NOT to remember. (And thanks to the Jager bombs, a good chunk of my memory has graciously been erased)

This just wasn’t a fun time and I cannot recommend it to anyone. Even sitting 10 rows from the action didn’t save us.

The best part of the night was sitting behind the family members of one of the Soul players. Apparently, this guy had a good game and at the end it was announced he was the two way player of the game.

Now, where I come from, going both ways is not a good thing. My friends and I pointed this out upon the announcement and were given a stern looking at by the family.

The Soul Mates were hot and one of my buddies actually taught one of them while she was in high school. I tried to get her to come up in the stands and give her former math teacher a private dance, but apparently she is too classy for that. But she did tell me she would be appearing at the Go-Go-A-Rama after the game if we wanted to stop by.

And could someone please explain to me all the Jon Bon Jovi jerseys? How about a Ron Jaworski jersey? At least he played football. For some reason I get the feeling if somebody threw Bon Jovi a football, it would look like it does when I throw a ball at my 7 year old daughter. It’s terribly awkward, but still it makes you laugh.

Some quick baseball developments before the AL East.

Remember what I said about Dusty Baker last week? Well, he did it to us again. Reds’ fans, please give a warm welcome to your opening day centerfielder, Corey Patterson. Throughout his career, Patterson has been compared to Willie Mays, minus the power, batting eye, plate patience, defensive ability, passion, respect for the game, and all around athletic ability.

Next, a name I failed to mention last week, but turns out I should have. Yorvit Torrealba is the starting catcher right now for the Rockies, but he’s got no discernable skills. Chris Iannetta has been a prospect for a while, but he punked out when given a chance last season and seems to be forgotten. A week into spring and Iannetta is stepping up and it wouldn’t take much to turn Yorvit into the new Geno Petralli.

Yovanni Gallardo and Brad Lidge are both getting ready to return to the pitching mounds. Both can be had on the cheap at your upcoming drafts. Neither of them have had arm troubles, so talk up the injuries at your draft, then snag them.

Jair Jurrjenns. I told you about him before. He’s started the spring off strong….don’t miss the boat.

Did any of you happen to catch Adam Eaton’s spring debut vs. the Yankees on last weekend? I wish they would broadcast everyone of his spring games, just as a disclaimer for fantasy owners. Even in the deepest of NL leagues, EATON MUST NOT BE DRAFTED!!!

The D-Backs have shaken up their projected lineup, going Chris Young, Orlando Hudson, Conor Jackson, Eric Byrnes. This should mean more steals for Young, but I still don’t see how a guy with a .295 OBP can be your leadoff hitter.

Bobby Crosby and Eric Chavez are both hurt already. I had February 27th in the pool, so I was off by a week.

Onto the AL East. Remember, the teams will be listed in predicted order of finish.


Boston Red Sox

The defending champs return almost the exact same roster as in 2007, so the only thing standing in the way of a repeat is a lost spark. The lineup is also starting to show some age, which could be another chink in the armor. Still, the Sox pitching staff is prime time with more youngsters on the cusp.

Projected Lineup

1-Dustin Pedroia-2B
2-Kevin Youkilis-1B
3-David Ortiz-DH
4-Manny Ramirez-LF
5-Mike Lowell-3B
6-JD Drew-RF
7-Jason Varitek-C
8-Coco Crisp-CF
9-Julio Lugo-SS

Despite being the relatively same lineup as last year, there is a lot you need to know about the 2008 version.

Manny and Varitek are both entering contract years. The team has a 20 million dollar option on Manny for 2009 and Manny is fully aware. If he comes out this year and goes .300-40-120, the team will have no option but to resign him. The fanbase will all but force them to, as they did with Mike Lowell after last season. Bank on Manny putting together one more HOF caliber season.

Varitek is still a viable mixed leaguer, but only because he’s a catcher. The Sox will not let the Captain go, unless he suddenly turns into Rod Barajas. But how much money he gets will be based on how much he produces in ’08.

The Sox overpaid following Mike Lowell’s career season. Don’t make the same mistake. There’s no chance Lowell bats .324 again…and no chance he drives in 120 again. Does that mean he’s terrible? No, but it does mean there are around 10 other third baseman that should be drafted ahead of him.

As long as Coco Crisp is on the team, he’ll be the starting centerfielder. Unfortunate, but true. While everyone clamors for Jacoby Ellsbury to be starting over Crisp, it’s forgotten that Coco is just two years removed from hitting 16 homers and batting .300. The worst thing that could happen would be a platoon. Cross your fingers that Tito gives one of these two guys the full time gig.

Dustin Pedroia is one of those guys in the mold of Walt Weiss and Jody Reed. A lot more valuable to the team itself than to us fantasy geeks. If he bats leadoff all season, he’ll score 100 times and bat around .300. But fantasywise, that’s about all you can expect. Maybe 10 steals?

A guy I like a lot who is slipping under the radar is Julio Lugo. Julio couldn’t buy a hit in the first half last season. He ended up batting just .237, but look at the rest of the numbers. 33 steals, 73 RBI’s, 71 runs. Considering his average has never been that bad, we’ll chalk it up as an anomaly. Add 50 points to the average and get all those other numbers and you’ve got yourself a decent shortstop.

Papi is Papi. I don’t really need to expound upon his track record. A second round steal if I ever saw one.

J.D. Drew’s numbers will improve across the board. Considering how putrid he was, that isn’t saying much. But he will be better.

Starting Rotation

1-Josh Beckett
2-Daisuke Matsuzaka
3-Tim Wakefield
4-Jon Lester
5-Clay Buchholz

Just the other day I was looking at some of my drafts from last season and was disgusted at how far Beckett fell in every instance. I know he was lousy in 2006, but what were we thinking? Plus, he’s still just 27 years old. Lots more to come.

Daisuke is a guy everyone has an opinion on. Projections are all over the place, some positive, some negative. I think a slight uptick is likely, mainly in the walks department. The one thing Dice-K has going for him is he’s a smart pitcher. A year learning the league and the strike zone should allow him to trim the 80 walks he had in ’07, while still striking out 200.

Can you believe Wakefield won 17 games last year? 8th best in the AL for the guy who no fantasy owner seems to ever want. Once again, with the injury to Curt Schilling, the Sox will be relying heavily on the 41 year old Wakefield and once again, 15 wins are possible. He won’t post an ERA under 3, but how bad do you want the wins?

Lester and Buchholz will be given every opportunity to stick in the rotation, especially in the early going. But tons of fun Bartolo Colon is lurking in the background and will be ready to sit at the big kids table if called upon.

Bullpen

CL-Jonathon Papelbon
SU1-Manny Delcarmen
SU2-Hideki Okajima

Papelbon joins the ranks of Cole Hamels and Prince Fielder as players who feel they are getting hosed by management and deserve big money. They are probably right, but that’s too bad. I’ll never side with a player who says he’s not making enough money. Even these guys who are whining are making hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The reason I mention this is because, to date, there has been nothing that could phase Papelbon. He’s been infallible in his first two full seasons and the thought of a contract squabble messing things up has to be a concern. John Smoltz recently spoke about his similar situation nearly 20 years ago and how it completely ruined him for half a season. Papelbon seems to have the mental toughness to work through it, but money does funny things to people. He’s the top closer until proven otherwise. Those who say K-Rod are mentally deficient.

Word is that if something were to happen to Papelbon, that Delcarmen would be the guy who gets first crack at closing. Something to consider when the team is as good as the Red Sox.


Toronto Blue Jays

What sets Toronto apart from others in the AL East is their pitching staff, which is stocked with the two big guns and three breakout candidates. The entire Blue Jays season likely hinges on two players: Ryan and Rolen. If these two can get healthy, the Jays will be an impact team.

Projected Lineup

1-David Eckstein-SS
2-Alex Rios-RF
3-Vernon Wells-CF
4-Frank Thomas-DH
5-Lyle Overbay-1B
6-Scott Rolen-3B
7-Aaron Hill-2B
8-Matt Stairs-LF
9-Gregg Zaun-C

Like I said, this lineup hinges on one player: Scottie ‘I’m too good for Philadelphia’ Rolen.

David Eckstein isn’t anything special, at least fantasywise. But he’ll bat close to .300 and get on base a lot for the big boppers, which is all that matters.

Rios is a star in the making and I think this is the year he turns himself into a first round pick. You know outfield isn’t the deepest position out there. Rios could go 30-30, while batting .300. I’m thinking more 30-25, but I won’t whine over 5 steals.

Wells is just 29 and 2007 was a fluke. A complete aberration. Blame it on the injured shoulder and get ready for 35 homers. Steal him in the 8th round.

Frank Thomas couldn’t outrun my fat Uncle Steve, but he can still jack. I wish he would have played at least 5 games at first base, but I’m petty.

Overbay went from 22-92-.312 to 10-44-.240. He might not ever hit 22 homers again, but his average has to come up. And if all goes according to my master plan, he won’t have to be hitting fifth for long.

That’s because my comeback player of the year will soon be hitting there. Rolen needed to get out of St. Louis and Toronto is the perfect laid back clubhouse for him. Rolen is 32 and seems like he has been around forever. And though he has a history of shoulder problems, things are looking good so far this spring. I’m banking on his shoulder holding up and Rolen eventually taking his power to the five hole, behind the Big Hurt.

Aaron Hill gets no respect, despite a tremendous year in ’07. And only being 26, those numbers could actually go up. A 20 home run season could be in the works. Throw in an average close to .300 and you’re looking at a top 5 AL only second sacker.

Did you know that Matt Stairs is 40 years old!? I’m not sure why, but when I read his age, I was completely blown away. He’s been in the league for 16 years!!! That being said, don’t draft him. If you got last year’s 21 home runs, shame on you.

And don’t even get me started on Gregg Zaun. Three straight years of double digit home runs, preceded by 10 straight years where he never hit more than 7. Somewhere in the bowels of Toronto is the fountain of youth and Stairs and Zaun are sitting on it.

Starting Rotation

1-Roy Halladay
2-AJ Burnett
3-Shaun Marcum
4-Dustin McGowan
5-Jesse Litsch

Take two seasoned veterans who know how to win (Halladay and Burnett), sprinkle in two young’ens with potential out the wazoo (Marcum and McGowan), and you’ve got the makings of a nasty front four.

We know what Halladay brings, but don’t mark him down as a true fantasy number one. Look at those K’s: 2006-132 in 220 IP, 2007-139 in 225 IP. Doc will get you wins, ERA and WHIP, but he’s not a 4 category stud anymore.

Burnett, on the other hand, can strike out the best of them, but only can do it 22-25 times a year. Those ten starts that he misses year in and year out are the only reason he isn’t a top 5 starter.

Now onto the M and M boys. Both are 26, both broke out in their third year in the bigs and both should win 15 this year. McGowan will get you more strikeouts, but Marcum has better control. The Jays rotation is set for the foreseeable future.

And let’s not forget Mr. Litsch who moved from Double A to the majors and posted a tidy 3.81 ERA in 111 IP. With Burnett’s eventual sprained coccyx, Litsch will get his fair share of starts this year.

Bullpen

CL-BJ Ryan
SU1-Jeremy Accardo
SU2-Casey Janssen

Count me among the ones who thought BJ Ryan wouldn’t be the closer in 2008. Accardo was very strong last year, saving 30 out of 35 and chipping in an ERA of just over 2. Why would they rush Ryan back?

But then I looked closer and realized Ryan is already 32 years old. He didn’t start closing until he was 30 and now, it was being taken from him.

But BJ would have none of that. It’s looking more and more like Ryan will be back and pitching in the 9th come April. All that does is leave us with a draft day conundrum. Ryan and Accardo both warrant drafting, but where should they go?

When in form, Ryan is a four category beast. Not many closers can say that and for that reason, I will take Ryan ahead of Accardo. And then cover your butt and take Accardo in the next round.


New York Yankees

The Yankees made a furious run in the second half of 2007 and made it to the playoffs. Granted, it was as a wildcard, but they had just enough to squeeze in and then get wiped up by Cleveland. This year, they return almost the same squad, man for man. And I have to say, I don’t like it. There are a lot of holes on this team and I’ll point out each and every one of them.

Projected Lineup

1-Johnny Damon-LF
2-Derek Jeter-SS
3-Bobby Abreu-RF
4-Alex Rodriguez-3B
5-Hideki Matsui-DH
6-Jorge Posada-C
7-Jason Giambi-1B
8-Robinson Cano-2B
9-Melky Cabrera-CF

Let’s start with the whole Damon-Matsui thing. Neither of these mutts want to play the field. Wait, let me rephrase that. Neither of them can play the field.

Damon is still valuable thanks to his 25-30 SB’s. But .270 hitting outfielders who can’t give you more than a dozen homers do not a fantasy team make.

Matsui went from being the Iron Samurai, to be Glass Yoshi. Still, he scored 100 and drove in 100, so his value is there. But a stiff neck, a bum knee, some bad sushi. I worry about him holding up for the entire season. Sticking as the DH will help, but how long until Hank throws a seven because of Johnny’s nasty defense?

I’ve had Derek Jeter on my share of fantasy squads over the years. But last year, I was glad I didn’t. 12 home runs, 73 RBI’s and 15 steals. That is just plain ordinary. The .322 average was nice, but seeing him draft in the third or fourth rounds of mixed leagues just turns my stomach.

A-Rod is the king. You don’t need me to tell you that. If you are in a league where someone DOESN’T take him with the first overall pick, consider yourself blessed.

Posada can’t take that .338 average of his in 2007 and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine. Now that he’s got his new contract, it’s back to .270 ville.

After years of abuse, all the steroids finally evacuated the body of Jason Giambi in ’07. It took five years, but the Giambino finally sweat them all out. The fact that he might lose playing time to Shelley Duncan or Wilson Betemit boggles the mind.

Outside of A-Rod, the guy I like best on this team fantasy wise is hitting 8th. Robinson Cano is a damn good hitter and should probably switch places in the lineup with Jeter. 97 RBI and 93 runs from your number 8 hitter is stellar. The number 3 second baseman overall behind Utley and Upton.

Now, let me say a few words about Melky Cabrera. I have a fantasy baseball magazine at home that lists Cabrera’s value as 17 dollars. Upon reading this, I decided the mag would serve me better as toilet paper.

Does Melky Cabrera have some sort of mind control that he uses to make people think he is better than he is? 15 homers over 1000 at-bats the last two season. An average of .275. OBP-.340.

And then, this piece of trash was supposed to be a centerpiece in getting Johan Santana to the Bronx. How could the Twins turn it down?

If somebody bids double digits for Melky in my AL only draft, I will get out of my seat and smack them across the face as hard as I can.

Starting Rotation

1-Chien-Ming Wang
2-Andy Pettitte
3-Phil Hughes
4-Mike Mussina
5-Ian Kennedy

Wang is a solid, yet unspectacular pitcher who is a lock to get you 17 wins. He doesn’t get hurt, he pitches 7 innings, gives up 3 runs and strikes out 4. Nice, but don’t break the bank on him. 15 bucks in auction, 10th round in a draft.

Pettitte’s numbers have been around league average the last two years. Actually, his WHIP has been pretty lousy….1.44 and 1.43. He gets a decent amount of K’s, but when you draft, keep in mind the extracurriculars. Andy will be spending a lot of time this summer discussing his juice buddy Roger. And if Andy is called into court, look out. He could fold like a house of cards.

Hughes is going to be a sweet pitcher. But much like Buchholz, fans have to keep their expectations in check. Only 21, Hughes has yet to go throw the rigors of a full, 200 inning season. That’s okay if you are the team’s fifth starter. But Hughes is being counted on for much more than that. I think 2009 will be the year you want Phillip. But if you are in a league with Yankee fans, bid him up. He might go for more than Wang.

Do you realize that the Yankees haven’t won a World Series since Mike Mussina came to town? And you can also bank that they won’t win one until he leaves. Either via trade or via body bag. The Moose ain’t going nowhere unless you make him. Just keep on doing what you’re doing Mikey. I learned my lesson last year. Never again!

Kennedy is a nice number five, but again, people are getting a bit carried away. He pitched 3 games last year people! Versus Tampa, Kansas City, and Toronto.

Bullpen

CL-Mariano Rivera
SU1-Joba Chamberlain
SU2-Kyle Farnsworth

I understand that saves are a flukey category and you can’t control the number of opportunities you receive. But 30 saves for Mariano last year? His highest ERA in 12 years and his highest WHIP in 10! And for that he gets the highest annual salary for a reliever in MLB history.

Chamberlain might be on the verge of ruin. The kid has tremendous stuff. And even though he showed in last year’s playoffs that his mental toughness is the equivalent of a spider monkey, he can still hit triple digits on the radar gun.

What worries me and should worry Yankee fans, is the fact that the team doesn’t seem to know what to do with him. Is he the closer of the future? If so, why even toy with putting him in the rotation? Granted you sorely need him there, but what is the long term plan? A lot of young arms have been ruined by moving them here and there. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the same fate befalls the skinny lad from Iowa.


Tampa Bay Rays

A dynamic, young lineup. Two potential aces atop the pitching staff. A new name and a new look. The Rays have all these things going for them, yet they still will stink in ’08. Let’s try to figure out why.

Projected Lineup

1-BJ Upton-CF
2-Carl Crawford-LF
3-Rocco Baldelli-DH
4-Carlos Pena-1B
5-Jonny Gomes-RF
6-Akinori Iwamura-2B
7-Evan Longoria-3B
8-Jason Bartlett-SS
9-Dioner Navarro-C

Right off the bat, you may as well remove Rocco Baldelli from the lineup. Rocco played only 20 games last year because of hamstring issues.

So, he entered training camp under the notion that he would primarily DH. The Rays would work him back into the outfield. Apparently, 10 months off wasn’t enough for him to properly recover from a sore hammy.

The other day, Baldelli saw his first action in the outfield and promptly reported soreness the next day and thus was unavailable, even as a DH.

I’m telling you now, one friend to another, don’t bother. Just keep your distance. Somebody else will definitely take a chance, but there are plenty of other guys out there who have learned how to properly stretch. Save yourself the trouble.

B.J. Upton is a guy who has shot up draft boards this year, mainly due to his second base eligibility. He easily could go 30-30 and to get that out of your second baseman is clutch. Late second or early third round pick.

Crawford is only 26, but he’s been a fantasy darling for years now. Funny thing is, I’m not sure if he has actually lived up to his potential. 11 home runs last year is a bit alarming, but it also means he will probably slide into the second round of most drafts. I also don’t quite get how a guy this fast doesn’t score 100 runs annually.

When it comes to Carlos Pena, I’m kind of at a loss for words. Pena had more home runs in 2007 (46) than at bats in 2006 (33). To say he came out of nowhere is an understatement. So what does that bode for 2008? Confusing, right?

Pena is only 29 years old and has always been considered a big time power prospect. It just took him seven years to figure it all out. You’re kidding yourself if you think he’ll hit 46 again, but 35 isn’t out of the question. A definite mixed leaguer, but don’t overpay for last season.

I would really like to see what Jonny Gomes could do with a 500 at bat season. I know his average stinks, but he seems to hit 20 homers annually, with only part time work. Even this year, the Rays have brought in Cliff Floyd of all people to take playing time away from Jonny. Talk about a slap in the face! We all know Floyd can’t play, so take a stab at Jonny late in your AL drafts. A couple bucks could earn you another 20 homers.

Iwamura did a whole heck of a lot of nothing last year. He qualifies at third and in a few weeks second, so he deserves AL only consideration. Mixed leagues, you’ve got many more options.

Why not take a chance on Evan Longoria? Somebody will, as he is this year’s version of Alex Gordon. Top notch prospect getting his big opportunity. Third base is basically all his, unless he completely flops in exhibition. 25 and 80 are both possible, so get on board.

Bartlett is a toad. If you are desperate for steals, go for it. Do Not Touch in mixed leagues….no average, no power, no likey.

Navarro had a decent second half, so take a chance that something clicked. He’s been a prospect for a long time…maybe the switch finally flicked on. If not, big deal. He won’t cost more than a buck.

Starting Rotation

1-Scott Kazmir
2-James Shields
3-Matt Garza
4-Edwin Jackson
5-Andy Sonnanstine

Kazmir and Shields are two premiere fantasy pitchers, both in the top 20 of starters. But starters 3 through 5 are the reason the Rays are who they are.

The twinge which has shut Kazmir down for a couple weeks this month is apparently just that. A twinge with no real damage. Somewhere, Victor Zambrano is laughing, while he cleans some guys pool.

If Kazmir could just cut down a little bit on the walks, he’d approach the top 5 starters. It’s all there for him. Let’s see if he puts it together.

Shields is an amazing story, because he wasn’t supposed to be anybody. He came out of nowhere in ’06, then blew up in ’07. I’m a big believer in the third year trend for young pitchers. That being the case, 2008 could be the year Shields goes over the top.

Garza comes with the pedigree, he just has yet to put it together. Another guy entering his third year in the show, Garza only has 133 innings of major league experience so far, so he might not be ready to shine.

But the Rays gave up Delmon Young for Garza, so it’s time to put up or shut up. He’s guaranteed a spot in the rotation and could be a sleeper. Definite AL only material.

Edwin Jackson is rotten to the core. Sonnanstine could end up having some AL only value, but why would you bother drafting the fifth starter on the Tampa Bay Rays? Stop and think about that when you’re on the clock.

Bullpen

CL-Troy Percival
SU1-Al Reyes
SU2-Dan Wheeler

Percival retired in 2005 after an MRI on his elbow showed up negative. As in ‘that’s one god awful elbow you’ve got there’. A stint in middle relief for the Cardinals last year manifested into a closer role for the Rays in ’08. Do you really want him on your team?

I find it hard to support any of these guys. Reyes got 26 saves last year, but in actuality was pretty lousy.

Wheeler was given the keys to the closer’s position in Houston last year and wrecked. Either take all three of these stiffs or don’t take any. I hate saves.


Baltimore Orioles

One of these days this proud franchise with a storied past will return to glory. But it absolutely, positively will not be in 2008.

Projected Lineup

1-Brian Roberts-2B
2-Luke Scott-LF
3-Nick Markakis-RF
4-Melvin Mora-3B
5-Aubrey Huff-1B
6-Ramon Hernandez-C
7-Adam Jones-CF
8-Kevin Millar-DH
9-Luis Hernandez-SS

Brian Roberts’ days in Balimore are numbered and he could be dealt by the time you read this. Wherever he goes, he’ll be a top tier second baseman. 40 steals are a lock and the rest of his stats are solid as well. In other words, he doesn’t hurt you in any major category.

Luke Scott seems like a prospect, but in reality he’s 29 and probably as good as he’s going to get. No speed, no average, a little pop. Should be way down on your AL only lists.

Markakis is the shimmering light in what is otherwise a big pile of dung. The young lefty even snuck in 18 steals last year, turning into a five category gem. The only thing to watch out for is team’s pitching around Markakis, now that protection Miguel Tejada is gone. ‘Hmmm, pitch to Markakis or pitch to Melvin Mora? What to do, what to do.’

I feel nauseous just looking at this lineup and a big reason is cleanup hitter Melvin Mora. He of the 14 home runs and 58 RBI’s in ’07. That’s worse than what Miguel Olivo did last year and he’s a backup catcher for the Royals.

After playing all those years on terrible Devil Rays squads, Aubrey Huff has now been passed off to the lowly Orioles. Makes you start to wonder if it’s the team or him. Huff has some pop, but little else. Notice a trend forming.

Ramon Hernandez….ibid.

Ahhhh….finally, an actual prospect! Adam Jones is going to be good. This year? I doubt it. Especially when surrounded by these stiffs. But he was the integral piece in the Erik Bedard deal and he’s got a world of talent. A 2009 breakout.

And onto Kevin Millar and we’re right back where we started.

And finally, there is Luis Hernandez. Back in the day, you used to be able to get away with having middle infielders who were all glove, no hit. Somebody needs to tell the O’s that those days are gone. Manager Dave Tremblay called Hernandez ‘the best defensive option’ for his squad. In other words, ‘we’ve got nobody who can play this damn position.’

Starting Rotation

1-Jeremy Guthrie
2-Adam Loewen
3-Daniel Cabrera
4-Garrett Olsen
5-Matt Albers

Do any of these five guys excite you?

Guthrie was rocked steady his second time around the league last year. Does that mean he can’t pitch? I don’t know. But I’m not going to pay to find out.

Loewen was doing okay last year until he fractured his elbow!! Not exactly reassuring. He is, however, a third year pitcher, even though last year kind of sucked.

Cabrera is fantasy poison. AVOID!!! DANGER!!!

Garrett Olsen had an ERA of 7.79 in 7 games last year. A WHIP over 2. See what I was talking about?

Albers came over in the Tejada trade. He started 18 games last year and had an ERA of 5.86. The Orioles are hopeful he could lower that by at least half a point this year.

Bullpen

CL-George Sherrill
SU1-Chad Bradford
SU2-Jamie Walker

It’s almost comical when you truly go over this team’s roster and break everything down position by position. George Sherrill? Nice numbers last year in a setup role in Seattle. Prior to that….crap. Hey, let’s make him our closer!!!

He’s a 30 year old situational lefty who has 4 saves over the last 3 years. The same amount as he has blown. Suddenly, Troy Percival is looking like a safe bet.

If there was some kind of track record to indicate he was a premiere guy, I could understand. But he’s just not that guy! And even though I know Adam Jones was the main piece in the Bedard deal, the O’s demanded Sherrill as well. So what if Bedard is actually younger than Sherrill. It’s very important that we have a closer for our 60 wins this year.

Not to brag, but I’m pretty sure I could do a better job than a quarter of the GM’s currently employed in MLB. Baltimore, you deserve better.