After a few weeks of themed columns, Spikes Up goes unplugged this week, as we bring you Random Thoughts that are rattling around our brain (and believe me, there’s plenty of room to rattle in there).
Buffalo Aces Are on Fire
The Indians don’t have to look far should they need some pitching help. The Tribe has already reached down to Triple-A Buffalo to bring up Fausto Carmona to start, and more recently, pitch out of the pen. But should Jason Johnson continue to scuffle (although he looked good yesterday) or injury knock out one of the other rotation members, Cleveland has a pair of aces in Buffalo worth a look.
Lefty Jeremy Sowers is 6-1, 0.94 and has given up just four hits over his last 15 IP, and not a single earned run for the past 26.1 IP. In his 10 starts this season, the sixth overall pick in 2004 has yet to surrender more than one earned run. He turned 23 a couple of weeks ago, and looks to have a very bright future. Keeper league owners definitely want to latch on to Sowers.
And then there’s the righty in this two-ace rotation – Jeremy Guthrie, the Tribe’s first-round pick (22nd overall) in 2002. He was promoted through the organization aggressively, but has stalled at Triple-A over the past couple of years, struggling badly. This year, he looks like a completely different pitcher. He’s 3-0, 0.64 and has been scored on in just one of 28 IP for the season. International League opponents simply can’t touch Guthrie this year, managing just a .188 mark and no homers. He pitched in six games out of the bullpen for Cleveland earlier this year, but was sent down when Rafael Betancourt was activated from the DL. While with the Indians, Guthrie was fairly effective, although he did have some control issues. However, the 27-year-old has earned a shot to make his first major league start should the opportunity arise.
Mr. Rogers Enjoying Breakout
Ed Rogers is looking like a late bloomer, too late to ever have much of a career, but better late than never. Once considered the shortstop of the future for the Orioles, the 27-year-old had a five-game cameo with the O’s in 2002, but other than that until last year, he had never played above Double-A ball. Now he’s enjoying a breakout year at Triple-A Ottawa, enough that when Brian Roberts went down, it was Rogers summoned to see some action at second base. He saw about two weeks of action, getting a grand total of 10 at-bats, yet that represented the most action Rogers has ever seen in a big-league uniform. And he comported himself well, batting .300 with an RBI, so you have to believe he’ll get summoned again should Baltimore need some middle infield help.
What I like from Rogers this year is an improved strike zone judgment (9 BB/16 K), as this has always been a weakness throughout his minor league career. Thanks to this, his OBP is .369 this season, with a strong 806 OPS. Don’t expect much pop (36 career minor league homers), but he brings a bit of speed to the table (four SB in 30 games at Triple-A this year) and he’s batting almost 50 points higher than his lifetime average of .264. At the very least, Rogers could be a solid utility infielder.
These A’s Get a Failing Grade
The A’s are off to a much better start this season, but it’s hard to tell lately, as they were mired in a seven-game losing streak until Saturday. The team is getting almost no production from its middle infielders. Second baseman Mark Ellis has been a huge disappointment after a breakout year in 2005 and shortstop Bobby Crosby has been healthy, but sure isn’t hitting like he is. And then there’s outfielder Jay “play me or trade me” Payton. Uh, you might want to start producing a bit if you want someone to actually be interested in acquiring you, Jay. Dan Johnson is clearly not the answer at first base. OF/1B Nick Swisher is the team’s only .300 hitter and the next best regular is catcher Jason Kendall at .281.
On the mound, the Esteban Loaiza signing, which raised eyebrows in the offseason as a rather un-Oakland kind of move, has been a total disaster. Joe Blanton proved he’s not a first-half pitcher last season, but this is ridiculous. Kiko Calero, a key member of last year’s pen, is having horrible control problems. Swingman Kirk Saarloos is getting lit up like a Christmas tree and has already coughed up eight long balls in 35 IP after giving up just 11 in 160.2 IP in 2005. Of course, a wave of injuries to pitchers hasn’t helped.
The A’s are still in the race only because they reside in the weak AL West. But should things continue to disintegrate, it might be time for a blow up. If so, Oakland needs to farm out Johnson and let Swisher play first every day. They can send Payton adrift on an ice floe and give Matt Watson a shot. Kendall should be dealt to free up a spot for Jeremy Brown, who looks ready for a shot. Go ahead and finally peddle Barry Zito. In his stead, Chad Gaudin must be given an extended look as a starter (at least 10 turns through the rotation) until he proves he can’t do it. He has the stuff, but just needs some consistency and confidence. A steady gig would help. Finally, bring up former Tiger farmhand John Birtwell to help out the bullpen.
Fantasy Disappointment of the Week: Can someone please tell me what’s happened to Mark Teixeira? After driving in 144 runs last season and earning a big-money contract extension, he’s on pace to drive in just 79 runs this year. Teixeira has managed all of five home runs, and his slugging percentage is under .450. Yes, he’s being walked more than ever before (ninth in the AL), but not enough to warrant this precipitous a drop in production. Damn, where was that crystal ball on draft day that would tell you that in late-May such noted sluggers as Toby Hall, Curtis Granderson, Jose Lopez and Ty Wigginton would all have higher slugging percentages than Teixeira?
CALL FOR READER INPUT: Spikes Up would like to revisit an old series we used to run, our Fantasy Myth of the Week column. But we’d like to infuse some real reader experiences into the articles to add some spice. So what I’d like to know from any of our readers is the following:
In your opinion, what’s the biggest myth about fantasy baseball? For instance, before you started participating in fantasy leagues, what preconceptions did you have that have been proven wrong? What things did you think would be easy about building a team proved not to be? Or vice versa?
Please send your answers (with your name and city) to rob@creativesports.com. I will compile the best comments and ideas into an upcoming column.
NEXT: Spikes Up returns next week, June 5. Basketball fans should check out Three in the Key. It’s switching to Thursdays and will next appear on June 1.
Comments? Questions? Criticisms or witticisms? You can reach me at rob@creativesports.com if you’d like further information or have a question you’d like me to answer in an upcoming column. Have a suggestion for a column or want to hear analysis about a particular player? Feel free to write. I might even answer!
Rob Blackstien is a freelance writer and the principal of Pen-Ultimate (www.pen-ultimate.ca), a Toronto-based writing and editorial services firm. Position Battles, a column he writes for www.rotoworld.com, also appears on usatoday.com and foxsports.com.