A few more updates on news from Spring Training camps.
1. Carlos Marmol appears to be the front runner to be the Chicago Cubs's closer. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Marmol has been strong in his two outings, while Howry has struggled (three runs, five hits in one inning of work on Monday), and Wood has made only one appearance. Chicago Sun-Times
2. The Reds signed outfield Corey Patterson to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. Patterson had an atrocious year in 2007, but in previous years has been a fantasy baseball dynamo. For example, in 2006 Patterson hit .276 with 16 homers, 53 rbi's and 45 steals. With Patterson, Ryan Freel and Norris Hopper all vying for a starting centerfield job, we expect manager Dusty Baker will stay true to his preference for veterans and send rookie phenom Jay Bruce down to AAA for the start of the season.
3. Working his way back from an array of shoulder maladies, Rich Harden made his first appearance of the spring on Monday against the Angels. He let up two runs in three innings and appears to be in good health. Keep a closer eye on him because if he remains healthy he has the talent to be an elite fantasy baseball pitcher.
4. Mike Mussina was tagged for five runs in just over two innings pitched on Monday. Mussina, who did not have a single strikeout, started right where he left off in 2007. Roto owners banking on a comeback year may be disappointed if Mussina cannot adjust to his age, the way fellow AARP card holders like Greg Maddux and John Smoltz did.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I don't know what to make of the Patterson situation just yet. If he plays regularly, he could be fantasy gold. But Dusty isn't likely to be patient with his low on-base percentage and penchant for strikeouts. I think at best, Patterson works his way into a platoon with Hopper/Freel, most likely Hopper as Freel can play elsewhere. We'll see. I hope Patterson gets the job, as I have him in my keeper league.
Post a Comment