Fortunately, the NCAA tornament is winding down and baseball is finally about to start. Good thing, because Chelsea � the chick softball catcher (her rough side) majoring in Marine Mammal Rescue (her soft side) was moving quickly up my draft charts. But then again it isn�t like Piazza, Pudge, Varitek, Lieberthal, etc are looking any more gorgeous these days.
But after nearly a month�s worth of exhibition games, we find that some of the potential rookies and breakthrough candidates may not be as attractive as they did in the supermarket magazines that printed back in January. And then again there are circumstances which warrant a second look with some players. Here is a last-minute rundown which may help you with those last minute draft decisions�
Carlos Beltran � The debate on whether he or Pujols is the best outfielder continues � Beltran has been on fire this spring hitting 24-48, with two home runs and 11 extra base hits. One small negative is that manager Tony Pena plans to hit Beltran second, which means more AB�s, runs, and steals, but fewer RBI opportunities.
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THE GAME IS OVER FOR BRADLEY IN CLEVELAND... |
Milton Bradley - We knew he was tempermental, perhaps even controversial Bradley was, pissing off everyone from Jason Giambi to Paul LoDuca to senior umpire Bruce Froemming along the way. But no one had any idea just how fed up the Cleveland organization was with Bradley until he failed to run out a spring training pop-up one time too many, and manager Eric Wedge told him to get out of town and not come back. I don't think the organization even got to this point with Albert Belle. Milt's chances of ever playing for the Tribe are about as good as Notre Dame coach Tyrone Willingham and Paul Hornung having lunch together in the near future. Management has said Milt will be traded before Opening Day, with the Dodgers, Padres, A's, and Mets appearing to be the most interested parties. .
Eric Chavez � Noticeably bulked up this spring, this may be the Javy Lopez homer breakthrough of this year � and has five home runs in 42 AB�s this spring. Of course this is a Bay Area player so the cynics will immediately wonder if Chavez made a visit to BALCO in the off-season. A more likely explanation is that Chavez is in his sixth full season and at that magic age of 26.
Tony Clark - Just a situation player for the Yankees, but we are still reminded of the former hoopsters incredible power. In an exhibition game v. a Japanese League team Clark hit a 521-foot homer that would still be going had it not taken a chunk out of a center field video board.
Jose Contreras � He may only be the Yanks #4 pitcher, and might not go as deep into games as Mussina or Javier Vazquez � but Contreras is a huge strikeout pitcher with 23 K�s in 14.2 IP this spring. What�s there not to like???
Carl Crawford � Showed up at camp with six percent body fat, that should speak volumes. Don�t be surprised if the former footballer leads the world in steals this year. If you�re not convinced, you get a couple of free looks this week in Tampa�s two-game set v. the Yankees in Tokyo.
Juan Cruz - Long time Cub prospect was recently dealt to Atlanta, where he will be a setup man to John Smoltz. The upshot is that if Smoltz goes down (always a possibility), Cruz could perhaps become an attractive lights-out closer.
J.D. Drew � Five early spring home runs got him on a lot of radar screens. The chronically bum knee remains a concern, but it looks like the change of scenery will be a good one.
David Eckstein - If your skitterish over Kaz Matsui's spring, take a look at Eckstein who should get some steals and runs galore at the top of Anaheim's lineup.
Jason Giambi - Bum knee was already giving him fits during Yankees two-game set in Tokyo. Don't over-react too much as the games were played on old-fashioned AstroTurf, but two teams in the division play on the fake stuff.
Ben Grieve - Hitting .279 on the spring, which is OK. However Green had all of two extra base hits (both doubles) in 67 AB's, anemic even for Brewer standards.
Ken Griffey Jr. � Is hitting under .200 this spring and now is hampered by a bum calf - which is actually good news, for I won�t put him on my roster and get burned for the 95th time. There are just too many other cheap outfield options to make it worth your while. Even if Griff somehow makes it through the season unscathed, there will still be frequent days off.
Rich Harden � Another pitcher with massive hype whose expectations should be tempered for the time being. Latest word is that the A�s might want to give him some AAA starts to begin the year.
Aaron Heilman - Mets #1 draft pick from 2001, struck out more than a batter per inning in the spring, but was still sent down to Tidewater. Good name to pick up off the waiver wire when he's brought back up, which will happen sooner rather than later.
Geoff Jenkins - The Brewers Bell-cow was sidelined for a week by strep throat, he should be fine, but stay away for Week 1.
Billy Koch - Hopefully you got my read on the latter-day Rob Dibble earlier in the spring. Not surprisingly, Billy has been getting rocked on a regular bases and manager Ozzie Guillen is coming to his senses. Damaso Marte and ex-Blue Jay Cliff Politte are quickly becoming candidates to close some games.
Paul Konerko - Has had a decent spring highlighted by a 4-4, two home run game this week. A rebound looks like a good possibility.
Brian Lawrence - Padres staff looks promising, but Lawrence's stock has gone steadily down, and has been getting totally lit up this spring. His stuff is not exactly electric these days.
Mike MacDougal - A stomach virus has landed the would-be Royals closer on the DL, expect Curtis Leskanic to take over in that role for at least the first week.
Matt Mantei � Has major heat and is still a nice CDM value, but still a fragile one at that. The latest setback involves torn fingernails of all things. That may be all the excuse the D-Backs need to give Jose Valverde some save opps while desperately trying to find a taker for Mantei�s salary.
Kaz Matsui � Ichiro and Godzilla may have set the bar way high for star Japanese rookies, and the jury is out on whether Kaz can follow in that tradition, and has struggled hitting under .200 for the spring. But patience must be used here as Kaz will still be one of the better SB options at the position and still has an attractive salary in the challenge games.
Phil Nevin - It appears that his oft-injured shoulder will be ready for opening day, but word out of San Diego is that this is turning into a chronic problem. Don't tell me you haven't been warned.
Corey Patterson � Returning from a torn ACL, Patterson has seen regular time hitting .300 with three homers and even a steal. All Systems Go here.
Jake Peavy � My best pitching bet for a breakthrough this year, in his most recent start the Padre right-hander K�d seven in six shutout innings. Peavy will be on CDM�s first free-agent list after Week 3.
Joe Nathan � Twins new closer identified as a possible RP bargain this year. But before thinking that Nathan is cemented in his role, look out for prospect Jesse Crain who throws mid-90�s with a wicked slider. Crain is Minnesota�s closer of the future.
Mark Prior � Tough roster decision on CDM right now. In addition to his Achilles heel, Prior is now also being slowed by back spasms and now a stiff elbow. Prior's timetable seems to be set back more by the day. Word now is that Prior will now miss all of April, which means I don't expect him full-throttle until Mid-May - and that's the best case scenario. I would keep Prior off CDM rosters for now, by the time he's back you will know doubt find a bum off your roster to drop.
David Riske � With Bariatric Bob Wickman again shelved along with free agent Ugeuth Urbina inking on with Detroit, playing Riske is no longer that. Riske saved eight games late last year while striking out more than a man per inning along with a .96 ratio. On an improved Cleveland team, Riske appears more than up to the task and very attractive salary-wise in CDM.
Johan Santana - Considered questionable for most of the spring, Johan closed out with consecutive solid starts and is on track to start the second game of Minnesota's season.
Curt Schilling � Perhaps the most focused player (at any position) in the game, Schill has a 21-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio this spring along with an ERA just over 2. My pick to win the AL Cy Young.
Jason Schmidt - Had a very encouraging outing in minor league game this week, topping off at 95 MPH. Optimisitcally the Giants are looking to bring Schmidt off the DL sometime during Week 2.
Ben Sheets - Experimented with a new delivery in the off-season and is sporting an ERA near eight. Will the Brewers patience wear thin???
Alfonso Soriano � Being traded to the Rangers shouldn�t hurt his offensive production, but another trade might � and the Rangers might be inclined to do just that before Soriano�s asking price gets to be too much. And when teams such as the Mets and Dodgers become involved in trade rumors, that is cause for concern. For the moment however, Alfonso is still a top-five overall pick.
Justin Speier - The company line out of Toronto right now is closer by committee, but Speier had by far the most impressive spring. Definitely gets the upper hand over Aqualina Lopez.
Mark Teixiera � His future remains bright, but there may be a detour this year. Tex has been slowed by a bad back for most of the spring and started the exhibition schedule only going 3-23. There may be more slumps in his future, as was the case last year. Temper your expectations.
Frank Thomas � If you are skitterish with Teixiera�s back, Thomas may be the safer option right now. Tex and the Hurt�s auction values are virtually the same, along with their CDM value.
Ugueth Urbina - This was getting to be like Jeff Shaw a couple of years back, with every team that had a question as far as closer was concerned, the possibility of UUU getting a look was brought up. Finally, Urbina inked with Detroit citing his friendship with catcher Ivan Rodriguez. Urbina will be getting some work in the minors before taking over as Detroit's closer.
Ryan Wagner - Prospect has been lights out with a sub-1 ERA this spring, he will be the Reds closer sooner rather than later.
Vernon Wells � Showed up at camp noticeably lighter, and hasn�t done much this spring hitting under .200 before closing out with a 4-4 day with a home run. There could still be a dropoff though.
Preston Wilson - The Rockies best power threat and an RBI machine in 2003, Preston is dealing with a bum knee that appears will affect him all season. Surgery is not an option, but don't expect much more than 130 games as his running game will go away as well.
Kerry Wood - While concern grows daily over Prior, K-Wood has been lights out with a 1.05 ERA on the spring, this may be the year he really puts it together.
Now for my team previews�
AL EAST