Los Angeles Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton has struggled of late, prompting manager Joe Torre to give him a break from high-leverage situations. His choice to spell Broxton? Left-hander Hong Chih Kuo, who has been lights-out in a setup role. Kuo will add saves to an already-impressive fantasy game, but when will Broxton return to closing duties? Read more »
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Edwin Jackson has impressed catcher Miguel Montero early in spring training, according to the Arizona Republic.
Jackson, at least according to his new catcher, is no one-year wonder. He was traded to Detroit from Tampa Bay last season for little more than a bucket of baseballs (Matt Joyce) and went 13-9 with a 3.62 ERA, to the surprise of most. Read more »
We will be rolling out plenty of 2010 fantasy baseball coverage in the coming days, weeks and months, but let’s start right here with player-by-player profiles of our rough top 100 preseason rankings. Stay tuned to the site for more player profiles, draft kit information, rankings, sleepers, busts, etc. as Spring Training approaches.
Andre Ethier, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Overview: Set career highs in a number of offensive categories … 2009 was his second straight season with over .500 slugging percentage and .850 OPS … average dipped, but power numbers increased in ‘09 … drop in average was likely a result of abnormal .292 BABIP (.322 career) … not an elite outfield option, but a very strong No. 2/3 outfielder with .300-30-100 potential.
2009 numbers: .272 avg, 31 HRs, 106 RBIs, 92 runs, 4 SBs in 160 games
Key splits and trends: Hit nearly .300 after the All-Star break, including .333 in August … was a much better hitter at home as evidenced by his .307/22/67 line at home compared to .238/9/39 on the road.
Strengths: Can hit in a number of different spots in the Dodgers lineup, including in front of Manny Ramirez like he did in the playoffs … no injury concerns after three straight years of at least 140 games … will be only 28 and his power numbers have increased every year.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t draw as many walks as most would like (career-high 72 walks in ‘09) … not a lot of opportunities to drive in runs with shaky top-of-the-lineup hitters in front of him.
Bold prediction for 2010: Ethier’s trend of increased power numbers will continue in ‘10 and he will hit 35 HRs and drive in 110 runs.
All indications are that recently acquired Jim Thome will come off the bench for the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to the Los Angeles Times. Thome told Dodgers general manager that “first base probably isn’t an option,” and manager Joe Torre said of Thome, “we have some threat off the bench now.”
Fantasy spin: Of course, the move to a National League team just zapped much of Thome’s dwindling fantasy value. Without regular at-bats as a designated hitter, his substantial power is nearly useless. This is a move that, coupled with the acquisition of starting pitcher Jon Garland, has a much more positive impact in reality than in fantasy.
If Thome can handle the physical grind of playing first base once or twice a week, he drags James Loney’s fantasy value down with him. For now, though, count on Thome to exclusively come off the bench and take his hacks that way. The veteran shouldn’t be cut immediately in standard fantasy leagues, but owners should put their fingers squarely on the trigger.
Make sure there are no surprises in store for Thome, like regular time at first base, then send him packing.
The last month has been good to Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw.
Despite his usual walks and extreme pitch inefficiency, Kershaw has won five straight decisions and held five of his last seven opponents scoreless. Kershaw has used his unhittable fastball-curveball combination to move his season record to 8-5 and lower his season ERA from a lofty 4.50 to a tidy 2.95. Read more »
Manny Ramirez is 30 games into his 50-game suspension. In 20 games, or just prior to the All-Star break, the dreadlocked slugger will return to his familiar post in left field at Chavez Ravine. Fantasy stardom should come with him immediately.
Most fantasy owners, myself included, haven’t paid much attention to the timeline of Ramirez’s suspension. If he’s not on your roster, then why should you care? Well, just take one moment to consider a buy-low trade for the disgraced Hall of Famer now. Any more than that, and the opportunity will pass you by. Read more »
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Juan Pierre never did anything wrong. He aged a bit and lost a step in center field, which ultimately led to his being benched in favor of the team’s crop of young, talented outfielders last season. The Dodgers simply didn’t have much use for a corner outfielder with 13 career home runs.
Pierre, still just 31 years old, was a victim of circumstance. But, one twist of fate, a silly, stupid twist that led to a 50-game suspension for regular left fielder Manny Ramirez, and Pierre is back and relevant in fantasy again. He’s playing every day in left field and jumpstarting one of the deepest lineups in baseball. Read more »
At 34 years old, Orlando Cabrera may no longer offer Gold Glove defense at shortstop or a true impact bat at the top of a lineup. But, at a low, low price of $4 million for one season, his signing was still a big exclamation point on an eventful offseason for the Oakland Athletics.
Gone are the organization’s days of relying on brittle, underachieving Bobby Crosby every day in the middle infield. In are the days of bringing versatile athletes Crosby and Nomar Garciaparra, also signed this week, off the bench in utility roles. Cabrera was a big addition, both in what he brings to the table and what his arrival allows manager Bob Geren to do with his lineup. Read more »
Alex Rodriguez made an unprecedented admission to steroid use, and yet he wasn’t even the most exhausting story of the winter. No, that honor goes to Manny Ramirez and Scott Boras, who helped turn Major League free agency into, what else, another Manny circus.
Ramirez and Scott Boras, truly a match made in Hell, tried time and time again to take the Los Angeles Dodgers hostage in bizarre, lengthy negotiations. Well, reports are, those negotiations are ending with Manny agreeing to a 2-year, $45-million deal on Wednesday. Read more »
The Los Angeles Daily News had some glowing words for 20-year-old left-hander Clayton Kershaw Monday. Terms like “poise” and “maturity” were used when describing Kershaw, who the Daily News says has all but locked up a spot in the Dodgers’ rotation already.
Kershaw’s arrival in the majors last season was a big deal. We at ImaginaryDiamond.com made an early comparison to Philadelphia Phillies lefty Cole Hamels, saying:
“Their arsenals are different, but their deliveries are similar and the results, at least through one start, are looking very much the same. Kershaw is armed with a live fastball and a deadly curveball, where Hamels features a quality fastball and a plus-changeup.” Read more »
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| « Aug | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | |||
