Fantasy Baseball Advice

Kendry Morales could miss the rest of the season after breaking his leg during the celebration of his walk-off grand slam.  Too bad the Wide World of Sports isn’t still on.  They could’ve covered the agony and the ecstasy all in one full swoop.  This injury reminds me of the time Justin Duchscherer heard The Hokey Pokey and in celebration put his right hip out.  And didn’t put his right hip back in for six to eight months later.  In place of Kendry, the Angels could call up Mark Trumbo.  In AL-Only leagues, he’s worth grabbing for his power potential.  In 47 games, he has 11 homers, but it’s also in the PCL, so there’s your grain of salt.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:

Howie Kendrick – 2-for-5, 4 RBIs and two home runs.  Second home run was a game winner but there was no need for pylons around yesterday’s pile-on.  The celebration was kept in check by Scioscia.  He said under no circumstances is anyone supposed to injury another teammate in a celebration unless that player is Mike Napoli.

Mike Napoli – Hey, I was just talking about you!  He played first base yesterday.  Could see Scioscia going with this arrangement because I always felt he looked down on Napoli’s defense like an impossible to please probation officer.

Grady Sizemore – Having knee surgery so now he’s eligible for your POS slot.  I’d cut him in leagues just because it might make it feel slightly better, but if you’re like a battered housewife (which is delicious with ranch dressing) who likes the abuse, then DL Sizemore, you might get a couple of weeks of him in September.  Maybe then he can defecate in your priceless, game-worn Ivan DeJesus hat.

Joey Votto – Misses his fifth game with neck stiffness.  This is a hunch, but I think Votto just needs a hug.

Josh Beckett – Won’t return on the first day he’s able because, well, he’s not able.  His mechanics are still off.  On a non-humorous observation tip, it doesn’t seem right that teams can just say someone’s injured when they’re clearly on the DL simply because they’re sucking.  Shouldn’t there be a league doctor who has to okay DL stints?

Jacoby Ellsbury – Was D’Ellsburied once again.  Was told to rest and drink lots of fluids.  Actually, I have no idea what he was told but I feel like doctors always say the same shizz.

Ryan Zimmerman – Hit 2 homers yesterday to bring his season total to 10.  T-minus 8 days until he becomes Washington’s 2nd favorite player.

Buster Posey – 6-for-8 since his call up.  Capable of a .300 average and 10+ homers.  He’s playing 1st base so that makes him more desirable than some other catchers because he’ll get more counting stats.  Plus, he has potential for a breakout.  When in doubt, go for upside.  I’d grab him (in the non-perverse way) in all leagues.

Max Scherzer – 5 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 6 baserunners (4 BBs), 14 Ks.  Well, that’s one way to return.  Scherzer had a mechanics issue earlier in the year causing him to lose M’s on his PH’s.  A few weeks in the minors later and he looks cured.  He gets the peasant Royals next so he has a good chance of having another nice outing.  I don’t think he tears up the majors like he just did in the minors.  He suffers a bit from Kershawitis with short outings and deep counts.

Carlos Guillen – 1-for-5 with a homer.  Best case scenario is a 10/10 guy at 2nd base.  It’s a’ight.

Dontrelle Willis – Was designated for assignment.  His assignment is to “stop sucking.”  Whether he chooses to accept it is a whole another issue.

Justin Masterson – 6 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 8 baserunners, 8 Ks vs. the Yankees.  Figures the one game where he pitches semi-decent is against a team where no one would start him.  Nice, Justin Masterson:  The Passive Aggressive Fantasy Starter.

Anibal Sanchez – 6 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 6 baserunners, 7 Ks.  Now has a 2.89 ERA on the year.  Up until this start there were some easy matchups and a bunch of walks.  He goes to Metco next, which should be favorable but then he goes to Citizens Flank, where he could get assaulted by Philly hitters or fans.

Will Ohman – The child safety seal is off now that he gave up his first two runs of the year with back to back homers to Jose Bautista and Alex Gonzalez.  BTW, Jose Bautista leads the major leagues in homers.  Him and his stupid Hitler stache under his lip.

Ricky Romero – 9 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners, 7 Ks.  The Blue Jays somehow lost Roy Halladay and got better.  Insert confused emoticon.

Derek Holland – Left the game with shoulder soreness.  I’d lose him in all but the deepest leagues.  And since we’re on Texas and their myriad of injuries…

Nelson Cruz – Headed to the DL.  So much upside out there in Arlington but can’t avoid injuries.  They have the eternal flame-outs.

Jake Peavy – Got the Win!  Gave up 5 runs in 5 and 1/3 innings.  Got hit hard!

Alex Rios – Another game, another homer and steal.  He was in Friday’s Buy/Sell as a Sell.  I stand by that.  I am standing too.  And wearing no pants.  Do you bet on the career year where he far exceeds expectations or do you trade him for someone who is a safer bet like, say, Adrian Gonzalez?

Matt Thornton – Got the save on Friday then Ozzie removed him from a save situation on Sunday.  Cause, really, what’s a closer shituation without some confusion?  Oh, want further wagon circling on your closerousel?  Jenks says he’s healthy enough to return.  Though who’s listening?

Jayson Nix – Hit a grand slam yesterday.  Nothing to see here unless you’ve got some inside dope that the Nix brothers got the same ’strength trainer’ as the Giles brothers used to employ.

James Shields – 5 1/3 IP, 7 ER, 12 baserunners, 3 Ks.  There’s a warm feeling I can’t describe in the pit of my stomach.  Wait… I know what it is.  Schadenfreude and it feels so good!

Albert Pujols – 3 homers yesterday.  Guess he’s not done, though the only one who was manufacturing that crap was ESPN as they tried to sell pageviews.

Geovany Soto – Hit a homer just as his fantasy owners began to drop him.  Obviously, Soto and Masterson got together to come up with ways to make their fantasy owners cry.

Rickie Weeks – 3-for-4 and 2 homers.  Now has one more homer than Prince Fielder.  And 17 extra open holes on his belt.

Jose Reyes – 2-for-5 as he made the June 1st milestone of .255.  Do I hear .275 for July 1st?  .280?  Be even better if he stole 15 bases this month.

Angel Pagan – Batting around .350 with 4 steals and 1 homer in the last week.  I actually picked him up in one league.  It’ll probably be a short layover on his way to the waiver wire, but there ya go.

Jeff Francoeur – 4-for-5, 3 Runs, 2 RBIs and a steal as he also heats– Actually, the entire Mets team is hot for the first time since The Curse of the Shirtless Bernazard.

Chad Qualls – 1 IP, 2 ER for his 4th blown save.  This was the 2nd straight 2 earned run outing for Qualls.  At some point, he should be replaced as closer, and that point was probably about a month ago.

Roy Halladay – Threw a perfect game on Saturday.  After the game, Vice President Joe Biden called to congratulate him.  Afterwards, Halladay put Moyer on the phone so he could talk to his old high school friend.

No, there’s probably no cast in Andre’s future.  I’m not even sure they make casts small enough for the pinkie finger.  That was Pingping‘s downfall, that and the chain smoking.  After Andre Ethier broke a bone in his pinkie, he said something was seriously wrong.  Seriously?  You got a boo-boo on your pinkie!  What, you can’t make shadow animals now?  When he found out what it was, he said that it’s the leverage point of his swing and it would prevent him from holding the bat the way he normally does.  Who’s leverage point is their freakin’ pinkie?!  This is like the pea under the princess’s mattress.  His biggest concern is probably how he can stick his pinkie out while drinking tea.  Ethier could be out for a few weeks or he can play through it.  So he’s damned if he does or a half dozen of the other… Or however that cliché goes.  If it is his leverage point, you don’t want him playing through it.  If he doesn’t play through it, he could be out at least a few weeks.  And here I thought the only time Ethier and the word pinkie would be associated would be from this picture.  Draw your own conclusions, but I’m guessing he’s in Key West.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:

Chad Billingsley – 7 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 6 Ks.  What every pitcher needs, a trip to Petco.

Huston Street – Huston, we have a setback.  We should just call them streetbacks.  This time he strained his groin.  Straining your groin is so adolescent!  Corpas stays the number one option for saves.  He’s by no means safe, but he’s safer than the other options.  Those really hurting for saves can look at Cuddle Boy, Rafael Betancourt.

Jeff Francis – 7 IP, 1 ER, 9 baserunners, 6 Ks.  Definitely worth grabbing in NL-Only and deeper mixed leagues, but, in the end, he’s a mid-4 ERA, 6 K/9 pitcher.  It’s just a’ight.

Brad Lidge – You know those signs that say, “If you lived here, you’d be home right now?”  How about the sign, “If you were Brad Lidge, you’d be injured right now?” Lidge returns to the DL and Jose Contreras continues to fill in the closer role.  Those is desperate need of saves can look at Danys Baez and J.C. Romero too.

J.C. Romero – And J.C. turns a close game into a save.  There were lefties batting and Contreras had pitched two days in a row, so that’s what went on here.  Though it does give you an idea of the pecking order when you’re vulturing.

Jimmy Rollins – To return on Monday.  Assuming he doesn’t share a doctor with Brad Lidge.

Kila Ka’aihue – Was sent back down.  Too bad he couldn’t make the best of his time.  Then again, he was only given 4 at-bats in almost two weeks.  Here’s a prospect, here’s the Royals stunting a prospect’s growth.

Justin Duchscherer – This Justin, probably out for the season with his grandma hip.

Jack Cust – 2-for-3 as he returns to the A’s.  He missed almost 40 games, so how long until you think he leads the club in homers?  Week and a half?  2 weeks?  If you need power, I’d grab him.  Also, everyone in OBP leagues should obviously pick him up.

Scott Hairston – Looks to be headed to the DL with the dreaded strained hamstring.  This will free up playing time for Venable and Gwynn.  Though I’m not sure that’s a good thing.

Carlos Guillen – As reported here first after reading it elsewhere, Guillen will play 2nd base when he returns next week.  Scott Sizemore is no more as he was optioned to the minors.

Brennan Boesch – Now batting .380 over 71 ABs.  Member when I effused praise, but hedged that Boesch had no playing time when Guillen returned?  Yeah, that’s old news, friend.  Boesch should play every day as long as he continues to hit.  I’d grab him in most 12 team leagues and deeper.

Max Scherzer – The Tigers weatherman called for a flurry of moves this weekend, huh?  Scherzer was sent to the minors.  If you owned him, it’s your own fault.  I couldn’t have been more vocal about why I was avoiding him this year.  At least now he’s done Pwnsoning you.  Replacing him…

Armando Galarraga – 5 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 5 Ks.  He’s a 4.50+ ERA pitcher with a bleh K-rate.  I’d ignore in all leagues, except AL-Only ones.

Scott Olsen – 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 3 Ks.  Very respectable start against a team that is good vs. lefties and even better at home.  I’d own Olsen in the shallowest of leagues.

Tyler Clippard – 1 1/3 IP, 1 ER as he got the loss.  What a decision hog!

Willy Taveras – The Nats DFA’d, which is baseball’s acronym for “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.”

Drew Storen – Called up to the majors.  Storen won’t see any saves unless there’s a total collCapps.  Not if there’s just some hicCapps.

Carlos Quentin – I don’t know what’s worst, that Quentin missed his third straight game with a stomach problem or that I was glad Quentin missed three straight.

Gavin Floyd – 6 IP, 5 ER, 11 baserunners, 4 Ks and now has a 7.00 ERA on the year.  I think change gonna come, nephew, but I wouldn’t wait for it with him on my team.  Let him correct himself on waivers.

Alex Rios – 3-for-4, and his 7th homer while he has 12 steals.  It is my belief that James Shields and Alex Rios are conspiring to drive me crazy.

Alexei Ramirez – Now 5 for his last 7.  It took him until around this time last year to get hot.  Cust kayin’.

Grady Sizemore – Should be day-to-day after he left the game with a left knee contusion.  No word on how he suffered it, but my guess is one of his fantasy baseball owners Tonya Harding’d him.

Russell Branyan – Hit his 4th homer on the year yesterday and his 3rd this week.  Trust me, I wouldn’t mention some of these guys if they weren’t worth owning immediately.  I grabbed Branyan in a few leagues last Thursday, if that helps the medicine go down.

Jake Westbrook – 9 IP, 1 ER, 10 baserunners, 8 Ks.  Before this start, he had a 23:19 K:BB rate, which is bad.  His WHIP is 1.51.  I wouldn’t own him with your team.

Luke Scott – 3-for-4, as he hit his 7th homer yesterday and his 4th homer in his last 7 games.  Another guy who is only worth owning while he’s hitting.  Currently, he’s hitting.

Brad Penny – 5 IP, 7 ER, 14 baserunners, 7 Ks.  That’s not a pretty Penny.

Jonny Gomes – 2-for-3 and batting .350 on the week.  He’s been playing every day and, even if he wasn’t, interleague is coming up so he’d play then.  (BTW, a interleague post is coming this week about guys to start and sit.)

Bronson Arroyo – 9 IP, 2 ER, 10 baserunners, 4 Ks vs. a slumping Cards team.  I’d continue to avoid Arroyo until after the All-Star Break.

Brandon Morrow – 6 IP, 2 ER, 9 baserunners, 8 Ks.  His WHIP is hideous (1.68), but I’d grab him in leagues where you need Ks.  Right now, 54 Ks in 41 innings.  For you noobs, that’s really good.  In fact, it’s the best K-rate in the major leagues.  Yes, better than Lincecum.

Mariano Rivera – 1/3 IP, 2 ER.  Oh, Mo.  Hasn’t saved a game in May then this dreckitude.  Joba wasn’t much better in this game, but continue to hold Joba just in case Rivera’s hurt.  On an amusing side note, my grandfather’s real name is Mariano.  Not Panamanian, but Italian.  Hey, paisan!  But he hasn’t gone by Mariano since he was a kid, opting for Joe.  He says Mariano sounds too Italian, even though he has no problem wearing self-tanning lotion to “darken his complexion.”  Yes, my grandfather is C. Thomas Howell from Soul Man.

Gaby Sanchez – Went 9-for-17 this weekend, Maybin went 5-for-12 with 6 RBIs.  As I told someone in the comments this weekend, I have no idea if this is a good sign for the Marlin youngsters or a bad sign for the Mets pitching.  And that’s me paraphrasing me!

Dan Haren – 4 1/3 IP, 6 ER, 11 baserunners, 2 Ks.  Did he see his shadow and think it was after the All-Star Break?

Martin Prado – 4-for-6, 2 Runs, 3 RBIs and 2 Homers.  I wouldn’t own Prado just because of the complete lack of speed, but if you need average or Runs, that’s what Prado gives you.  Pretty yawnstipating, but he is what he is.

Troy Glaus – 3-for-5, 2 Runs, 2 RBIs as he was another guy who homered that showed up in Friday’s Buy/Sell.

Jon Niese – Left the game yesterday after getting hamstrung.

Jose Reyes – Moved back to the leadoff spot, which left a void in the heart of the lineup.  Batting 4th for the Mets?  It’s a sci-fi mystery scripted by Chris Carter.

Chris Davis was sent down as a tear rolls down Bill James’ cheek.  Coming up to take his place, Justin Smoak.  Back in June, Stephen took out his incisors, chewed up and spit out some Justin Smoak fantasy value.  For those too lazy to go back and read that post, it says, “(Smoak) has a great swing because his hands move together with his body producing a short, solid swing with few holes (his plate coverage is great). His hips and hands rotate simultaneously which is where all that power comes from.”  His hands move together with his body while his hips and hands rotate simultaneously?  Okay, so Smoak’s a salsa dancer.  Sexy!  Last year, Justin Smoak was promoted through the minors with relative speed.  Stopping off at Rookie Ball for a minute (not an Urban Dictionary minute, which is actually a long time), checked in at Double-A for 183 at-bats and a .328/.449/.481 line then took a prolonged dump in Triple-A.  The numbers there aren’t important; he was dealing with an oblique issue.  It was a quick trip through the minors and Smoak might need some more Old Bay.  We (you and I — hey!) could still expect a big impact.  Think Chris Davis’s rookie year.  Say 65/22/75/.265.  So that’s 5 months of solid production.  That’s Rookie of the Year numbers.  Yes, please!  Fin.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Psyche!  Before we jump into the roundup, there’s announcement.  Our fantasy baseball forums got a Bruce Jenner-like face lift.  Thanks to Friend Of Razzball, Bob, for the work he did.  Big ups!  Anyway II, here’s the roundup:

Prince Fielder – 2-for-4, 3 RBIs as he finally hit his 1st HR.  Nothing heals a sore hand like some Pirates pitching.  Now only one homer behind Eugenio Velez!

Ryan Braun – 3 for 4, 3 Runs, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 1 SB in a 20-0 laugher.  If Randy Wolf got this type of support last year, he would’ve had 25 wins.  Manny Parra would’ve had 7.

Octavio Dotel – 1 IP, 6 baserunners, 2 ER.  Kazaam!  There were two errors in the inning.  The first error was bringing in Dotel.

J.A. Happ – Placed on the DL with soreness in his forearm.  Guess J.A. stands for Jimmy Arm.

Justin Verlander – 5 IP, 4 ER, 10 baserunners, 4 Ks.  He’s been terrible for the past three Aprils.  Maybe when he was a kid he lost his kitten in April and it’s some repressed shizz.  I don’t know.  But practice patience, doc.

Jake Peavy – 4 1/3 IP, 7 ER, 14 baserunners.  I hate to bring out the I told you so’s.  But I told you so.

Jason Bartlett – 0-for-4 as the Rays scored ten runs.  Ticker tease!

Daisuke Matsuzaka – Dice-K will return to the rotation and knock out Tim Wakefield.  Don’t worry SAGNOF lovers, at least V-Mart is still behind the plate.

Clay Buchholz – 6 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 7 baserunners, 10 Ks.  He has 16 2/3 IP and 18 Ks overall.  He’s rocking a 2.70 ERA.  Sure, his WHIP’s a little ugly, but why have I been getting comments asking if people should drop him?  I don’t get this.

Jacoby Ellsbury – Has four broken ribs.  If he put some of that Salt Lick spice rub on them and threw them in the smoker… Oh, those ribs.  Yeah, this is pretty bad news.  He might be out for a few weeks now.  I wouldn’t try and buy low.

C.J. Wilson – 6 2/3 IP, 6 baserunners, 0 ER, 2 Ks, now has a 1.37 ERA on the year.  Member all those days when he was blowing saves in Texas?  Yeah, they should’ve been bringing him in the 1st.

Darren Oliver – 1 2/3 IP as he recorded the save.  The Rangers have no idea what to do with their bullpen.  When Wilson moved into the rotation, a setup man void was created.  Now when their closer stunk up the joint, spraying his scent all over the field, they had a “Lucy, I’m home” uh-oh moment.  They turned to their uber-nasty, Neftali Feliz (nasty as in good, not nasty as in bad).  The problem there:  Feliz can’t pitch too many innings in a row.  Which brings us back to Cousin Oliver.  I’d own Feliz and hold Frank-Frank.  I’m not jumping in bed with a third Ranger closer.

Ike Davis – 3-for-4, 2 Runs.  He’ll be in this afternoon’s Buy/Sell.  No, he won’t. Don’t start with that, random italicized voice.

Ubaldo Jimenez – 7 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 5 Ks.  Johnny Vander Meer’s family can stop following him around now.

Miguel Olivo – 2-for-3 and his third homer.  Iannetta was overheard on the phone receiving words of encouragement from Napoli.

Willie Harris – Hit third in the order.  When pundits say “America has lost faith in Washington,” this is why.

Derek Lowe – 5 IP, 4 ER, 8 baserunners, 3 Ks.  Said this in the preseason, still saying it.  Wouldn’t own Lowe anywhere.

Carlos Guillen – Left the game with a hamstring injury.  He’s headed to the DL.  Too bad, so sad.

Manny Ramirez – Left the game after reaggravating his calf strain.  His “doctor” gave him some “fertility” medicine, but Selig and his “rules.”  Now Manny has an aggravated calf strain and impotency.

Chris Perez – Managed a scoreless inning!  Hurray.  It was 8-1.  Ho-hum.  Unless your league credits KKB SV (King Kong Bundy Saves).

Rajai Davis – With his 8th SB and 13th Run against the Yanks, owners hoping for 2-stat production have to be giddy for the love of Rajai.  With his low AVG (.220), OBP (< .300), and 1 HR, anyone hoping for more will be as sorely disappointed as anyone who watched Ray Jay’s famous video.

Ray Liotta – Hosting a 5-part series on MLB Network.  Each episode starts with him saying:  As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a narrator.

With more outfielders than G-Unit feuds, we take it to the top 60 outfielders for 2010 fantasy baseball.  These guys may seem like they’re not worth the effort, but remember last year Adam Jones, Nelson Cruz and Justin Upton were found here.  As with the other 2010 fantasy baseball rankings, where tiers start and stop are mentioned and my projections.  Anyway, here’s the top 60 outfielders for 2010 fantasy baseball:

41. Michael Cuddyer – This is a new tier.  This tier goes from here to Kubel.  I call this tier, “Yawnstipating power outfielders.”  Cuddyer probably could’ve/should’ve/Elliott Gould’ve ranked higher than this, but I think he had a career year that won’t be repeated.  A career year that I went over in the top 20 1st basemen for 2010 fantasy baseball, where you’ll also find his projections.

42. Brad Hawpe – Maybe it’s just me but Brad Hawpe screams a platoon player to me.  A platoon player that only plays the 1st half of the year? Ah, cute, random italicized voice.  No, he shouldn’t play vs. lefties.  Also, watch out if he’s shipped out of Coors.  (An idea that has me foaming at the mouth.  Well, that and my Diet Coke and Mentos diet.)  2010 Projections:  70/25/85/.280

43. Jason Kubel – I liked Kubel going into 2009.  He’s more or less the same this year, but the only difference is how people are perceiving him.  Kubel had value when he was a last round draft pick.  There’s no value when you have to draft him like he’s actually going to stay on your team.  Trust me, he won’t.  2010 Projections:  70/25/85/.285

44. Vernon Wells – He had wrist surgery in November.  Blech.  I’m really only ranking him because I don’t want people to ask me if I forgot him.  I didn’t, but you should.  2010 Projections:  65/17/75/.265/10

45. Corey Hart – This is a new tier.  This tier goes from here to Snider.  I call this tier, “Back into outfielders that I would draft.”  Hart will be 28 in March and 2009 was a lost season; he battled injuries for almost two months.  His declining HR/FB is cause for some alarm, so he doesn’t come without risk.  But when you’re choosing between Kubel or Wells or Hart, I trust you’ll make the right choice.  2010 Projections:  75/20/80/.260/17

46. Dexter Fowler – I went over my Fowler fantasy already.  2010 Projections:  85/10/55/.285/35

47. Colby Rasmus – I went over him in a Colby Rasmus sleeper post.  2010 Projections:  85/17/65/.265/14

48. Travis Snider – I’m randy on Travis.  As long as the Blue Jays don’t Kemp him all season and move him up the order then he could be in for a huge breakout.  There was also a Travis Snider sleeper post.  2010 Projections:  70/27/85/.265/3

49. Drew Stubbs – This is a new tier.  This tier goes from here to Brantley.  I call this tier, “Upside speed picks to make Ron LeFlore proud.”  I’ll like Stubbs more when he definitely has the job in center.  Though, even with the job, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him lose time to other outfielders, especially if Taveras is still there.  Stubbs also has a problem with Ks.  2010 Projections:  80/7/50/.255/35

50. Michael Brantley – It’s the Riverdance guy!  This ranking is really contingent on playing time and the speed he offers.  Don’t expect much else.  2010 Projections: 55/5/65/.275/30

51. Elijah Dukes – This is a new tier.  This tier goes from here to The Big FraGu.  I call this tier, “Your back’s against the wall and you really need upside.” Last year was the first time in his career that Dukes didn’t have any trouble with the law.  He also didn’t hit.  Let’s hope in 2010 he catches manslaughter charges and hits 25 homers.  2010 Projections:  75/17/80/.270/15 <– optimistic but whatever

52. Chase Headley - I like him way better at 3rd base.  In fact, I already went over him there at the top 20 3rd basemen for 2010 fantasy baseball post.

53. Chris Coghlan – Looking at Coghlan’s numbers, he looks like a cheap Denard Dawg.  That’s neither a compliment nor an insult.  To put that in overused slang terms, it is what it is.  Coghlan just needs to show more of that speed he showed in the minors.  Would I want Coghlan in my outfield?  Not unless I had a lot of speed and power on my team and felt I needed average and Runs.  2010 Projections:  100/10/55/.310/15

54. Franklin Gutierrez – The Big FraGu probably gets more pub on Razzball than he should because of his most excellent nickname.  His ceiling is what he did last year, but he could do it again.  2010 Projections:  60/15/75/.270/13

55. Carlos Guillen – This is a new tier.  This tier goes from here to Mags.  I call this tier, “Old guys with no upside.”  Listen — or read as the case probably is — a lot of these guys will probably outperform some of the guys above, but that doesn’t mean I’d necessarily want them on all teams.  I tend to go for steady performers in the early slots of the draft, then I take fliers later on.  But if you have an outfield of, say, Justin Upton and Adam Jones, I could see taking Carlos Guillen to balance upside with stability.  As for Guillen, he was injury-prone when he was young.  Now he’s 35 years old.  Oy.  2010 Projections:  75/15/70/.285/6

56. Ryan Ludwick – Wait, wasn’t Ludwick in a promising tier last year? Yeah, and now he’s  in an over-the-hill one.  2010 Projections:  60/24/85/.270/3

57. J.D. Drew – He’s actually stayed relatively healthy recently and the numbers have been pretty yawnstipating.  Hopefully, his brother, Stephen, can step it up Michael Voltaggio-style and help Mother Drew choose a favorite.  2010 Projections:  75/20/85/.275

58. Milton Bradley – He has the inverse Elijah Dukes thing going on.  When he’s good, he’s good, when he’s bad, he’s so bad.  (<–That would mean the exact opposite if you were to hear it in an R&B song.)  2010 Projections:  65/16/70/.280/5

59. Mike Cameron – Went over Mike Cameron for fantasy when he was signed by the Sawx.  2010 Projections:  70/20/85/.245/14

60. Magglio Ordonez – You can pretty much tell how stodgy a fantasy baseball site is by where they rank Magglio.  CBS has him 49th.  Barring his insane BABIP year of ’07, he hasn’t really been great since 2002 and now has been below average and down right bad the last two years, respectively.  He’s AARP Mags.  2010 Projections:  75/15/95/.310

Yesterday, Rafael Furcal went 2-for-4 with a steal.  I thought Furcal was overvalued in the preseason because I thought he was more fragile than Alanis after a breakup.  Well, he’s actually played the whole season, albeit terribly.  He’s been on base over 200 times.  He has 10 steals with 6 times caught.  Who gave him Kirk Gibson’s fist-pumping legs for five months?  But, and here’s the head turner, he has 4 steals in the last seven games.  Not sure what happened to Furcal the first 95% of the season, 10 steals used to be a good month for him.  Maybe he’s a Latin 31.  But never us mind, he’s hot right now.  If he was dropped anywhere, he’s currently hitting over .500 in the last week with 4 steals.  Go fur it!  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Bobby Jenks – I might’ve misspoke when I said Linebrink would be the closer.  Grey wrong?  Get outta here this instant! Yeah, I know, random italicized voice, the guy who traded for Jose Reyes in one league in May being wrong is crazy.  I originally said Linebrink because of how Ozzie had used him recently.  But Linebrink has been awful.  No disputing that.  Then again, I don’t think Matt Thornton’s going to suddenly become Franklin Morales of last week.  Either way, I don’t think this is a great situation for saves.  Okay, correction done.

Jermaine Dye – 2 HRs yesterday as he came down with a case of Furcalitis, a disease that boosts one’s stats when games no longer matter.

Michael Aubrey – HR yesterday.  I also really love him on Real Estate Intervention.

Matt Wieters – Hit another homer yesterday.  Member all that (lack of) work he did over the summer to make him underrated next year?  Yeah, he’s been outta his mind recently.  I knew it would happen eventually, I was kinda hoping eventually was next April.

Travis Snider – HR yesterday.  4 for his last 7, but it was against Orioles pitching and, as I tell my girlfriend, beware the small sample size.

Francisco Liriano – Should start against the Royals on Sunday.  He’ll get to face Greinke.  Sometimes it just ain’t your year.

Carlos Guillen – 3-for-4, 4 RBIs with 2 HRs yesterday.  With the way he’s played since returning from injury, he should sit out two months every year.  Oh, wait, he does.

Chad Billingsley – 6 IP, 3 ER, 9 Ks vs. the Nats.  I think they call this a tune-up for the playoffs.  Considering how broken down he’s been lately, they would be right.

Ryan Zimmerman – Hit his 31st homer yesterday and so did Miguel Cabrera.  I mention that for symmetry and because, other than the average, Zimmerman’s been just as valuable.

Drew Stubbs – 2-for-6, 2 steals.  What, no homers?

Homer Bailey – 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 0 Ks.  Blech, but he got the win.  I’m gonna have to get over not liking him because I think I’ll probably own him in some leagues next year.

Jonathan Sanchez – 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 9 Ks.  I pegged him as a borderline starter to take a gamble on for yesterday, along with Homer Bailey.

Randy Choate – Got the save yesterday.  So that’s who the closer is!  Choate came in to get two lefties and a righty (which turned into two righties and a lefty – Wakamatsu is a magician!)

Wade Davis – 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 6 Ks.  He gets Baltimore and supposedly the last start of the year vs. the Yankees, which will be the B lineup.  And there is no A lineup on the Orioles.

Gaby Sanchez – HR yesterday.  (S)He’s a decent name to look at in deep NL-Only keepers.  Keepers only though, (s)he’s not playing much at all right now.

Tim Hudson – 6 IP, 2 ER, 11 baserunners as he tied his owners to the WHIPping post.  As someone who watched 75% of this game, Hudson looked terrible.  Got very lucky, even with Kelly Johnson mucking up a double play ball.

Chris Narveson – 5 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 10 Ks.  Anyone who’s read this blog for even a short period of time knows I got excited when I saw 10 Ks in under 6 innings.  Unfortunately, he gets the Rockies in Coors next time out so there’s nothing to see here.

Bud Norris – 6 IP, 0 ER.  Nice, but in the same boat as Narveson with a tough next matchup (@Philly).

Julio Borbon – Stole his 17th base yesterday in only 119 ABs.  I have a feeling someone’s value is going to be inflated next year.

Brad Lidge – 2/3 IP, 2 ER and his 11th blown save.  Imagine if Scioscia managed the Phillies.  Lidge would be in the Phanatic costume doing belly flops during rain delays.

Rich Harden – Now the Cubs are saying he may get shut down.  Yeah, I said that last week.  Read the blog, doode!

Milton Bradley – Has a new game, Pin The Blame On The Cubbies.