Friday, April 23, 2004
MFY ISSUES
It has been reported nearly everywhere that the MFY have yet to select a starter for Sunday’s game to oppose Pedro. It has come down to Donovan Osborne (no relation to Ozzy?) and Javy Vazquez on three days rest. I think either pitcher will be ripe for the pickin’ come Sunday. The bigger problem for the MFY is beyond Sunday’s game versus the Sox.
In the short term, the MFY have only a need for a fifth starter once or twice before Jon Lieber is likely ready in mid-May. It becomes a huge problem if Lieber has a set back in one of his rehab starts. Regardless of Lieber, the long-term implication of the season ending injury to Jorge DePaula is it eliminates one of the two trading chips for Ca$hman. Dioner Navarvo would have to be included in any deal for a Randy Johnson, Ben Sheets, Odalis Perez type of starter. On the negative side, it probably speeds up the likelihood that Boy George flat out buys Kris Benson from the Pirates.
Even though Mussina performed well after the first inning last night, the MFY have to be concerned. When excluding his first two starts - in and post Japan, Mussina’s line is below:
19.1 innings, 23 hits, 12 runs, 10 earned, 3 dingers, 9 BB, 13 K
Those are not good numbers for any pitcher; let alone your club’s #1. At 35, is age beginning to catch up to Moose? Is it the number of innings the horse has thrown over the years (Mussina has not pitched less than 200 innings since 1994) starting to affect his performance? Is the pressure of being the #1 guy in NY getting to him; the rumor was he did not like being the GUY in Baltimore? Let’s hope the answer is D) all of the above.
FANTASY SLEEPERS
Two out of three is not bad. I am not counting Carl Everett since he has spent most of the season on the DL. Only Everett’s teammate, Brad Wilkerson, has had a tough start to the season hitting 229/373/354 with four runs scored, one homer and stolen bag. The plate discipline is still apparent. He will break out of this slump.
Adam Dunn has been on fire hitting 356/525/867 with 11 runs, seven big flys, 11 ribbies. It is unlikely that his average will remain above 300 but his runs and rbi numbers should increase once he is moved up in the batting order. Dunn is for real.
Craig Wilson is 352/417/685 for the Pirates with four homers. Since Wilson is the only real bat in the lineup, his run and rbi numbers are likely to be below your average fantasy outfielder or first baseman but he is a steal at catcher.
SCHILLING SHELLING
A buddy writes:
What's up with Francona leaving Shilling in last night to pitch the 8th? After how many pitches, 115? Should have been out after 7.
El Guapo’s Ghost reply:
It is easy to make that call now. Schilling did not appear to be fatigued. Foulke and likely Embree were not available. One would think that Timlin and Williamson were the guys for final two innings, but Malaska was warming up which makes me think that Tito did not want to use Timlin (don't know why and should be the real question) and Williamson was only good for an inning. If this is the case, it comes down to Schilling or Baked mAlaskan. I'll take Schilling.
UPDATE
I decided not to write about my last two weekends following the Sox live. Other than a couple of funny moments in the stands, it would just be recycling what other bloggers have done. No need folks. The site format should be revised over the weekend with new links.
SOX TICKETS
Click on link for a pair of Loge Box seats at Fenway versus the Blue Jays on Saturday, May 22nd.
It has been reported nearly everywhere that the MFY have yet to select a starter for Sunday’s game to oppose Pedro. It has come down to Donovan Osborne (no relation to Ozzy?) and Javy Vazquez on three days rest. I think either pitcher will be ripe for the pickin’ come Sunday. The bigger problem for the MFY is beyond Sunday’s game versus the Sox.
In the short term, the MFY have only a need for a fifth starter once or twice before Jon Lieber is likely ready in mid-May. It becomes a huge problem if Lieber has a set back in one of his rehab starts. Regardless of Lieber, the long-term implication of the season ending injury to Jorge DePaula is it eliminates one of the two trading chips for Ca$hman. Dioner Navarvo would have to be included in any deal for a Randy Johnson, Ben Sheets, Odalis Perez type of starter. On the negative side, it probably speeds up the likelihood that Boy George flat out buys Kris Benson from the Pirates.
Even though Mussina performed well after the first inning last night, the MFY have to be concerned. When excluding his first two starts - in and post Japan, Mussina’s line is below:
19.1 innings, 23 hits, 12 runs, 10 earned, 3 dingers, 9 BB, 13 K
Those are not good numbers for any pitcher; let alone your club’s #1. At 35, is age beginning to catch up to Moose? Is it the number of innings the horse has thrown over the years (Mussina has not pitched less than 200 innings since 1994) starting to affect his performance? Is the pressure of being the #1 guy in NY getting to him; the rumor was he did not like being the GUY in Baltimore? Let’s hope the answer is D) all of the above.
FANTASY SLEEPERS
Two out of three is not bad. I am not counting Carl Everett since he has spent most of the season on the DL. Only Everett’s teammate, Brad Wilkerson, has had a tough start to the season hitting 229/373/354 with four runs scored, one homer and stolen bag. The plate discipline is still apparent. He will break out of this slump.
Adam Dunn has been on fire hitting 356/525/867 with 11 runs, seven big flys, 11 ribbies. It is unlikely that his average will remain above 300 but his runs and rbi numbers should increase once he is moved up in the batting order. Dunn is for real.
Craig Wilson is 352/417/685 for the Pirates with four homers. Since Wilson is the only real bat in the lineup, his run and rbi numbers are likely to be below your average fantasy outfielder or first baseman but he is a steal at catcher.
SCHILLING SHELLING
A buddy writes:
What's up with Francona leaving Shilling in last night to pitch the 8th? After how many pitches, 115? Should have been out after 7.
El Guapo’s Ghost reply:
It is easy to make that call now. Schilling did not appear to be fatigued. Foulke and likely Embree were not available. One would think that Timlin and Williamson were the guys for final two innings, but Malaska was warming up which makes me think that Tito did not want to use Timlin (don't know why and should be the real question) and Williamson was only good for an inning. If this is the case, it comes down to Schilling or Baked mAlaskan. I'll take Schilling.
UPDATE
I decided not to write about my last two weekends following the Sox live. Other than a couple of funny moments in the stands, it would just be recycling what other bloggers have done. No need folks. The site format should be revised over the weekend with new links.
SOX TICKETS
Click on link for a pair of Loge Box seats at Fenway versus the Blue Jays on Saturday, May 22nd.
0 Old Comments:
Thank you - Red Sox!
This site is not associated with the Boston Red Sox, Major League Baseball nor Major League Players Assoication
© 2003-2010 Thomas J. Fratamico, III
All Rights Reserved
