A’s Kneel Before Payton
What a season for Jay Payton! Angry about his playing time with the Red Sox, Payton complained to the press. Eventually the Sox conceded and designated him for assignment. The A’s needed some right-handed power with Bobby Crosby hurt. For the small price of Chad Bradford, Payton became an Athletic. As an Athletic, Payton was to be used in a similar role as he was used in Boston, but in less than two weeks he found himself an everyday player. He carried the team through July and August, but cooled off in September.
With the A’s declining their option with Scott Hatteberg, and Erubiel Durazo becoming a free agent, there is more possibility of Payton returning as an everyday player. Payton played over his head in July and August and should return to normal in 2006.
Royals Claim Half a Pitcher
The Royals claimed starting pitcher Bobby Madritsch from the Mariners despite the fact that he recently had surgery to repair a torn labrum and will not be available until the All-Star game at the earliest. This is Madritsch’s second labrum surgery.
Madritsch will be remembered for his 2004 debut with the Mariners when he went 6-3 with 3.27 ERA in 11 starts. The Royals hope they found someone in the scrap heap that with a little help can play a major role in 2007.
Giants Earn AARP Discounts with Recent Signings
Feeding a 25-man active roster for 81 road games is expensive. Throw in a coaching staff, some trainers, and players on the DL traveling with the team, and you have a financial nightmare. Money does not grow on trees. What is the Giants’ solution? Sign players who are eligible to eat off the senior citizen menu!
The Giants exercised their options on starting pitcher Jason Schmidt (32) and outfielder Randy Winn (31) and re-signed Jeff Fassero (42), while Moises Alou (39), Ray Durham (33) and LaTroy Hawkins (32) all exercised their player options.
Despite a slow start, Schmidt is still the ace of the Giants. He was 6-2 with a 3.66 ERA after the All-Star break. The big difference between the first half and the second was a significant decrease in the number of home runs Schmidt gave up – he gave up 11 in the first half, but only five in the second half.
Winn enjoyed coming to San Francisco. He was having a normal season in Seattle, hitting around .280 with a .345 OBP and a .400 SLG. Once he came to the National League, he feasted. He hit .359 with a .391 OBP and a Bond-esque .680 SLG. Because his performance is so predicable, a return to his career norms is likely. He’ll start in center and play about 150 games with good defense.
Fassero was used mostly as a reliever in 2005; however he did make six starts. His days as an effective starter are over (1-4 with a 6.43 ERA). As a reliever, he pitched much better. As long as he continues to dominate left-handed hitters (.194 BA, .286 OBP and .204 SLG), he will have a job.
Alou was signed to give the Giants the one thing they had been missing to take them over the top, someone to provide protection for Bonds. With Bonds hurt for most the season, the team looked to Alou. Age is caching up to Moises, however. His power was down and he missed a number of games due to minor injuries. Alou can still hit, although his defense is terrible. He will be rested and replaced for defense more often in 2006, further reducing his numbers.
Durham avoided the DL for the first time in three seasons. He put up the numbers you expect from him, however, his speed is diminishing. Once a sure bet for 25 stolen bases, he only stole six last year. As long as Durham is healthy, he will start. You just can’t look for him to provide 20 steals.
Hawkins was traded to the Giants from the Cubs for Jerome Williams and David Aardsma. He had some rough outings with the Giants. With Armando Benitez healthy, Hawkins will return to being the primary setup man, a role he is best suited for. If Benitez becomes hurt again, Hawkins is the primary person who will take over as closer.
Cubs Pick Up Walker’s Option
Todd Walker had a solid season despite missing 37 games with a sprained MCL. He hit .305 with 12 home runs in 397 at-bats. As a second baseman, he is below average defensively, so there is always the concern that he will be platooned or replaced with someone better with the glove. As it stands, he is the starter for the Cubs. If he starts off slow, be quick to look for other options as he’s not there for his glove.
Cubs Sign Rusch
The Cubs and Glendon Rusch agreed to a two-year, $6 million contract and threw out his old contract as a reward for his two years of service. In those two seasons, Rusch has gone 15-10 as a starter, reliever and closer. This contract means that he will be used primarily as a starter. As a starter, he’s someone in the middle of the pack.
A’s Sign Witasick Long Term
In a bold move, the Athletics signed journeyman reliever Jay Witasick to a two-year deal worth $2.75 million. He will be the primary setup man behind Huston Street and as such, he’ll get a couple of saves over the course of the season when Street needs rest. But you don’t fill a fantasy roster slot with a guy like him.
Baltimore Pulls All Stops to Get Leo Mazzone
The Orioles pulled off quite a coup when they signed elite pitching coach Leo Mazzone to a three-year deal for more than many players receive. Mazzone is considered in a class among himself.
The question on every fantasy player’s mind is “What affect will that have on the Baltimore rotation?”
Mazzone’s strength is his ability to communicate complex adjustments in simple terms that pitchers are able to easily perform. Because of this, it is very likely that all the starters will show some improvement in 2006. Mazzone ignores the radar gun and works on pitch movement. Rodrigo Lopez, whose fastball doesn’t hit 90 MPH but has good movement, is a good candidate for significant improvement.