Finally! Last night was the first time that Big Papi has homered this season. He joins the one homer list led by Rocco Baldelli, Micheal Bourn, Willie Bloomquist, and Ryan Church. To be honest, it feels good to get number one off his back, considering he is my utility player in the lineup. Let’s just hope that this homer woke up a sleeping giant. Besides that homer, David Ortiz also doubled in the eighth inning. All good signs as we head into the end of May. Well despite it seeming that is the only news going on around the league, We’ve got more for you! Let’s move on to the rest of the MLB news.
White Sox and Padres agree on deal for Peavy- The A.L. Central could of just gotten a bit less clear in who was going to pull out of it unscaved. According to various reports the White Sox and Padres have agreed on a deal for Peavy, but both teams are waiting on the approval of Peavy. For some reason, I assume that Peavy will accept this trade, despite having reservations to pitch for the crazy Ozzie Guillen. Top Prospect Aaron Poreda would most likely be heading to San Diego. When Ozzie Guillen saw Poreda for the first time in spring training, he called him a “real number one guy.” Poreda matches Peavy in terms of stuff, and has gotten up to 100 miles an hour with his fastball. If you have Peavy on your squad, you are hoping this deal falls through. Peavy has not faced much of the A.L. Central. I also think it makes it that much more interesting. It would arguably put three of the game’s top five pitchers this season in the Central.
Carpenter has the tools to go scoreless- If you have been following my baseball coverage at all this season, you know that I love Mr. Chris Carpenter. I thought he could get back into the form he found in 2006, where at times he was nearly un-hittable. It seemed he was back on the way towards that success, until he went down with a strained left oblique muscle five weeks ago. Yesterday he took the mound and shut down the Cubs for five innings. His fastball was clocked at 94. He looked like Chris Carpenter. If I were you, I would get on the bandwagon. Through five, he struck out three and mixed his cutter well with his curveball.
“I’m just trying to go out and stay healthy,” he said. “I know if I’m healthy that my ability has a chance to come out, and I have a chance to give my team a chance to win. Unfortunately I haven’t been healthy a whole lot, and that’s all that concerns me.”
If Carpenter does remain healthy, he could be just the boost you need in your starting rotation for those of you that still have him on your waiver wire (15%).
Jose Reyes to the Disabled List?- It’s been a week since Reyes has been on the field for the Mets, and now it looks like he could be out for much longer. Reyes has headed back to New York for testing on his calf. Alex Cora filled in at short for him, but now with him injured, it seems that Ramon Martinez will take over for him. Martinez isn’t going to have any fantasy value, so if your looking to replace Reyes, I would look at Yunel Escobar, Ben Zobrist, or Christian Guzman.
Votto is Dizzy; Volquez to miss start- Joey Votto’s current dizziness has finally been diagnosed. The first baseman has had an inner ear infection, which has thrown off his balance. Now that his dizziness has been diagnosed the Reds hope to get him in the lineup as soon as possible. He will be out of today’s lineup for sure though. So will his teammate Edison Volquez. Volquez told his manager that he would like to skip his start on Friday:
”I talked to Dusty and told him that for me it would be better to miss a start. I don’t want to go out there at 70 percent. That’s no good for me and no good for the team.”
Bronson Arroyo will move up in his place for Friday’s start. Volquez tried to throw on the side yesterday, but said that it was a no go for his start on Friday. Originally manager Dusty Baker wanted Volquez to go Saturday to push him back a start. Baker had the opportunity to give most of his starters an extra day off, but now everyone will be back to the regular four days of rest.
Mets to acquire Mark DeRosa?- If the Indians are really looking to deal the utility infielder, than the Mets are probably the perfect fit. DeRosa, who is owed just over four million dollars, could play all over the infield for New York. The Mets could really use help while dealing with injuries to Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes. Returning to the National League would help DeRosa’s average, but I would not expect to see his power climb any. Fantasy wise, I am watching this move, because DeRosa could add shortstop to his positions, making him an ultimate utility player.
Aardsma getting it done in Seattle- Eric Karabell of ESPN.com has a great article out on David Aardsma. Did you know Aardsma has six holds already this season, despite being the closer? That shows how well he is pitching o far this season. Karabell goes on to note that the Mariners have three young guys prepared to work that bullpen in September (mainly Joshua Fields). Until then fantasy owners, I say enjoy what Aardsma is bringing you. He is still available in 2/3 of fantasy leagues. Karabell also thinks that Kyle Farnsworth is back in the picture as the closer for the Royals. With Soria out and Farnsworth pitching extremely well, the job could soon go to what he calls “everybody’s favorite Royal.” Juan Cruz is the current closer, but look out. The body slamin’ haymaker landin’ Farnsworth could be someone to watch.
NFL:
Chad Ochocinco out?- Pro Football Talk has an article out suggesting that Carson Palmer is comfortable without the artist formerly known as Chad Johnson. Palmer talks throughout the article like his former number one Receiver isn’t part of the team.
“I haven’t talked to him. I haven’t talked to anybody that has talked to him. He wasn’t here last year so I’m expecting him not to be here at all this year. Last year I think he was here for the mandatory camp but didn’t participate in it. So I’m planning on him not being here just because he hasn’t been here yet so we’ll prepare.”
Palmer commented told Pat Kirwan and Tim Ryan of the Movin’ The Chains radio show that it will be strange not throwing to T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson, but he seems to be looking forward to his new receiving core:
“We re-signed Laveranues Coles
from New York and he’s been a pleasant surprise, everything we’ve expected and more. We’ve got some up-and-comers, some guys that people don’t know about, a guy named Jerome Simpson, a second round pick from a year ago. Andre Caldwell, a guy out of Florida, a third round pick from a year ago. Both guys we’re expecting to make big plays and another guy, Antonio Chatman, who hasn’t had a ton of balls thrown his way but he’s an explosive player. So it’s definitely a new look for the Bengals receiver corps but I couldn’t be happier with the guys we’ve got. . . .
“T.J.’s gone and Chad’s pretty much gone, he hasn’t been here, so we’ve got guys that want those two spots, guys that compete day in and day out, when we’re out there on the field, running, conditioning and in the weight room
lifting. They’re guys that want to take over for those two spots. They look every bit capable of doing what we’re going to ask them to do.”
Everyone should chuck those notes onto your upcoming draft strategy. If he isn’t playing for the Bengals, I have no idea where he would go.
Vick to remain Silent- Mike Vick is out of Prison, but that doesn’t mean he is going to be speaking out anytime soon. According to his attorney, Vick has to remain silent until he isn’t technically imprisoned. That means no softball interviews with ESPN, or no hardcore punishment interviews with Oprah. At least not yet. Here is what his attorney had to say this morning:
“He had his initial meeting with the probation officer and he’s begun that process and that went fine. Mike is on a furlough and he is still under the control of the Bureau of Prisons. One of the terms and conditions of that furlough is that he is not able to give any interviews or make any statements without the prior approval of the Bureau of Prisons, any more than he would have been able to grant an interview when he was in Leavenworth. So, he is not going to be making any statements. The process to be able to say something and give some interviews is underway, but we have to get that approval. Obviously, Mike takes that rule as all the rules seriously. He’s going to spend the day with his family and he will not be making any statements.”
After listening to talk radio the last few days, it seems everyone assumes this guy is going to land on a club in 2009. I guess it doesn’t hurt when you have the god of Head Coaches and representatives for the NFL on your side.
Chiefs lack fantasy value?- Chris Wesseling of Rotoworld.com has an interesting article out listing position by position the fantasy value on the Kansas City Chiefs. Wesseling goes on to point out nearly every flaw at every position. I tend to agree with what Chris is saying, but what do you think?
FanSided