Strange times. Strange names, with the end of the line for some, a new beginning for some, and well, a beginning for most of the players in whom we are interested.
To start, in looking at the transactions for the week, the following players, who now seem like they have been around forever, got ink.
Jim Edmonds, released by the Padres. Brad Wilkerson, released by the Mariners, then mercifully grabbed by the Blue Jays. Kevin Mench, released by the Rangers (hmm, former home of Wilkerson) and signed by the same hurting Jays. Shawn Estes, brought back by the same Padres that were weary of oldster Edmonds. And, Kent Mercker, to the DL for the Reds. Huh? I mean, who knew--or cared--that Mercker and Estes were even in the gene pool?
Well, I guess if you team is struggling in spots like some big league teams, you have to appreciate just about any move that will mitigate a free fall in the standing.
Take the Brewers. Who, in the same week sent former closer Derek Turnbow packing and then pulled closer Eric Gagne from his gig closing games. Of coure Gagne had nine saves, but also five blown conversions and an ERA of 6.88 and a ration of 1.85. So, where do they look in this new bullpen by committe? David Riske? Salomon Torres? Both of those guys have at least worn the closer moniker before. How about Brian Shouse who earned his first save of the year and fifth of his career Sunday?
Well, Milwaukee management can say what they want (like they are giving Gagne the "mental break" he needs), but Gagne is getting $10 million a year, and he will indeed close, or get the bulk of chances until his arm falls off. So, he may get a respite for a week, but, think of it like San Francisco's Barry Zito, who was pulled from the rotation two weeks ago, and sent to the pen. Where, he appeared exactly zero times before getting a start. Because, the truth is, Zito and Gagne simply make to much money for their teams to justify much of a change now, or even this year. Period. So, if you have Gagne, sit on him. He will get more than a few more chances to right himself.
Speaking of which, don't dump Jason Isringhausen, either. If you can grab Ryan Franklin to gain saves while Izzy is getting it together, do, but Franklin has never established himself as a closer before, and while he could do that now, the odds are against it. I mean, if it were easy, there would be a lot more closers. So, Franklin may be the hot hand, but chances are Izzy will be back at it sooner rather than later (unless there is something physical going on).
My association with Marlins hurler Logan Kensing is related to my XBOX 360. I have the 2006 2K baseball game for my game, and as I was learning to use the controller, I played the Yankees or Red Sox as my team, versus the Royals and Marlins as the worst teams, and, well, Kensing, with his 11.20 ERA in 2005 was as good a bet for someone to hit as I thought I would get. Well, Kensing has settled down pretty well to a middle reliever role with 2-1, 2.70 totals over 12 games this year for the surprising Fish. On a team where Kevin Gregg is the closer, Kensing could see more and more time towards the end of the game, with his 81 whiffs over 85 major league innings (50 walks, though).
22-year Greg Reynolds, the #2 selection of the 2006 draft made his major league debut on Sunday, and was beaten by the Padres. While the prospect sheen will be shining on Reynolds, he is probably not a hurler you want to chance if you are in the midst of your pennant race and have an opening. Reynolds is not really a power pitcher (90 whiffs over 133.1 minor league innings) and until he proves he can keep the ball down at Coors, well, let someone else take a chance.
There are a couple of AL outfielders who copped full time gigs over the past week, and I really like both. First, the Tigers Matt Joyce, who was called when Jacque Jones was designated has been getting regular playing time in left field in deference to the brittle Gary Sheffield who should just DH. Joyce, .267-1-2 will get at least a chance over the next few weeks and in a deeper AL only format, those at-bats can be precious.
Then Cleveland cut ties with Jason Michaels--now a Buc, and see below--Ben Francisco is getting a chance. Franisco, 26, has a solid (.347) spring and has a minor league OPS of .811 over six season with a good middle of the road .355 OBP and slugging around .464, which means he gets on base and has a little power. He also has some speed with .121 minor league swipes and is a solid pick-up in an AL only format.
OK, to Jason Michaels, now on the Pirates, where his long term contribution will be minimal. But, Michaels has always been a decent platoon player, and he also enjoyed his greatest success in the National League, across Pennsylvania, with the Phillies. In a deeper NL, Michaels is a good selection. Since I have Michaels in the AL Tout, I can keep him and get his stats on the Bucs. Which I am doing. For now.
With Luis Hernandez not too effective, the Orioles racalled Freddie Bynum, who had not only been injured, but pretty much playing in the outfield (27 games there last year at Camden, as opposed to 15 at short), and gave him the starting shortstop gig. Bynum, a former Athletic, has very good speed (176 minor league swipes) and could do a good job playing short and hitting leadoff. Bynum has become bother a more patient, and better hitter cutting his strikeouts incrementally and increasing his walks in the minors over the past five years. He is a good pick-up in an AL only format.
The Orioles also signed Alex Cintron, who could similarly prove to be a good play in a deeper league. Cintron can hit for average with a little power, and he can steal. The issue is Bynum has the job for now, so it is his to lose. However, if Bynum falters, look for the gig to go to the veteran Cintron, and don't expect it to go anywhere else until August or September, if then. That is because if the Orioles are still in any kind of hunt, Cintron will have become part of it. If not, then time for Baltimore to check out other options.
The Angels recalled first sacker Kendry Morales to fill the spot vacated by the injured Chone Figgins. Morales was hitting. .297-5-31 at Salt Lake this year, but with Casey Kotchman ensconced at first, Brandon Wood and likely Robb Quinlan will get time at third base which means Morales will not get a lot of playing time right now. In fact, I like Wood a lot right now.
Finally, the Twins advanced Alexi Cassilla Sunday when they put Nick Punto on the DL. Cassilla can do very little offensively at the major league level save steal a base. Last year he swiped 11 for the Twins despite a .256 OBP and a .222 batting average. In fairness, Cassilla has fared much better as an on-base threat in the minors with a career OBP of .350 to an average of .219 (over 1507 at-bats). And, he has 177 swipes. Still, we are talking deep AL only right now, and if he sticks, maybe a mixed format where a handful of steals can help and a dip in average won't hurt.