El Guapo's Ghost Rambles on about the Red Sox

ALL TOGETHER NOW...EVERYONE TAKE THREE DEEP BREATHS.

Below is from rotoworld.com:

Pedro Martinez was tagged for seven runs in five innings tonight in a no-decision against the Orioles.
Martinez didn't look like he was hurting, but he clearly didn't have his best stuff on a cold night in Boston. He was also lit up by the Orioles early last season, giving up a career-high 10 runs on April 12, but that didn't have any lingering effects.

After his first three starts last season, Pedro's ERA was roughly 5.21 with his first game in a dome, the second in 52 degrees, then 64 degrees. Pedro's next start in the SkyDome will be very interesting.

Interesting tidbit from Bill James

Bear, Lawrence: Who would you say has the best "strike-zone eye" since Ted Williams? Is it Barry Bonds?
Bill James: Well, there's Rickey. . .he holds the walks record. But sure. . .Barry's phenomenal. And Kevin Youkilis, too.

FANTASY FRIDAY

For those of you roto folks that play in AL or NL only leagues, it is important to keep up on all trade rumors. If a player in a NL only league gets swapped to an AL club, he loose eligibility in your NL only roto world and vice versa. Mid-season trades can shift the balance of power in both MLB and fantasy standings.

MLB’s gossip queen, Peter Gammons, lists his top ten players most likely be moved. The list is repeated below with my comments:
1. Junior Griffey – no team is taking on that financial commitment with his lack of production, healthy issues and reported clubhouse baggage.

2. Jason Kendall – Seattle has been rumored to have interest, but again, his contract is huge. Kendall is owed $32.5 million from 2005-2007. It is unlikely that a deal gets done mid-season. Most club budgets are tight and every GM wants financial flexibility each winter.

3. Kris Benson – every team in the playoff hunt is looking for one more pitcher and Benson could be a name on the short list. Benson is due $6.1 million this season, but some combination of cash or a salary swap and prospects will be the asking price of Littlefield. The usual contending clubs will be interested in Benson’s service. Moderate roto impact.

4. Ben Sheets – huh? Has Gammons been hitting the bong with Manny at the Ritz? I guess anything is possible with Buddy or his daughter running the show. If Sheets is on the block, he is the July 31 top dog. He is a cheap, young, power pitcher with number #1 quality stuff who is three years from free agency. Every club will be salivating over Sheets. Two top prospects should be the ransom. Big fantasy impact.

5. Jose Cruz – it is more likely that Robert Fick with his one-year deal will get moved. Cruz’s two-year deal makes him less attractive to contending clubs in July. Roster and payroll flexibility come the winter is key. If he is moved, outfielders with Cruz’s production can be found on most free agent list.

6. Uggie Urbina – if UU is your closer, then go shopping now for someone else. Detroit will not continue to win games which should decrease the number of save opportunities for UU. Plus, he has not pitched for sometime. Check out every team in the AL Central and Toronto for saves.

7. Carlos Delagdo – loves Toronto, makes a ton, J.P. will want a ton; he is not going anywhere.

8. Jerry Hairston – rumors were floating around that the O’s had a deal in place with the MFY prior to his injury. It was sketchy internet chatter. Well, my own sketchy internet chatter has come to fruition. Hairston will likely be moved unless Roberts falls apart. They are rated about the same but Roberts has more potential and is cheaper. MFY, Oakland, Dodgers, Red Sox among others could be interested.

9. Jose Vidro – is probably not going to be on the move. Omar would need to be blown away with a deal. The trade would need to include at least a top upper level prospect without taking on any cash. Only Philly has a possible need at second, financial flexibility and prospects to deal. The MFY and Sox could strip their systems bare for Vidro as a part of the ongoing war but I think it is unlikely. Both superpowers could have bigger voids to fill in July. Even Billy Beane is unlikely able to find nearly $4 million to rent the second base All-Star. Vidro is a safe bet to stay in Montreal.

10. Steve Trachsel – no fantasy value.

Another “baseball insider”, Ken Rosenthal, writes

Moving Soriano to left field would enable the Rangers to return SS Michael Young to second base and pursue a free-agent shortstop like Edgar Renteria or Orlando Cabrera this winter. Soriano, projected to earn at least $8 million next season, remains a candidate to be traded. . . .

Soriano on the block is HUGE. Six teams could be in the running for his unique skill set:
• MFY – the PR for Texas and MLB would prevent this deal. Plus, the MFY don’t have any upper level pitching prospects.
• Red Sox – Is Henry willing to spend the cash? Would Theo part with the few prospects in the system for a player with a career OBP of 322? I think not.
• Dodgers – See Red Sox
• White Sox – Anything is possible with this direction less franchise – small market or large market, rebuilding or contending, Ginger or Mary Ann.
• Cubs – Carlos Zambrano for Soriano. If the Cubs could get another arm for the stretch run, I would do it. Sosa and Alou are coming to an end, terms of both production and contract. Soriano would provide the Cubs with the big bat they need in the short and long-term.
• Indians – Since Bradley is no longer Cleveland property, the organization lacks a franchise position player; Soriano would fill that void. The club may have to launder some salary (Omar Vizquel) but with the aging SS and Bob Wickman coming off the books after 2004, the Indians should be able to lock up Soriano. Jason Davis, Cliff Lee, and Jeremy Guthrie are also possible bait. The Rangers are desperate for young pitching.