In CDM, the one expensive pitcher still worth his weight is Curt Schilling, along with his 12-1 or whatever is k-to-walk ratio (after he had the nerve to walk two batters in the eighth inning last weekend. Pedro Martinez has been less than his usual self, allowing 11 ER in his last three starts (18 innings) amidst reports that the shoulder may be bothering him again. Red flags are now developing over Randy Johnson as well, with 15 ER in his last 27 IP. Hell, someone named Marcus Thames (pronounced �Tims�) who was hitting .215 in AAA, took Unit to the Yankee Stadium monuments in the first MLB pitch he ever saw this week. As far as Oakland�s �big three� is concerned, Barry Zito has lived up to advance billing, winning his last six decisions and has respectable ERA/WHIP #�s of 3.33/1.27, with 77 K�s in 81 IP. However Tim Hudson (3-6, 4.04/1.38), and Mark Mulder (6-4, 4.62/1.40) have been fantasy disasters. Other higher priced pitchers such as Javier Vazquez (4-3, 3.23/1.10), Matt Morris (8-4, 3.35/1.28), Mike Mussina (9-3 4.43/1.12) and Kerry Wood (6-4, 3.33/1.25) have been decent but are not essential with all of the #�s much cheaper pitchers such as Lawrence (6-3, 3.36/1.21), Perez (6-3, 2.62/0.92), Halladay (7-3, 3.40/1.20), Gagne (22 saves 1.35/.63) and Lowe (10-2, 1.89/.86) are producing. Tom Glavine (11-2, 1.53/.99) is one of the higher-priced pitchers producing but his strikeout totals (only 64 in 105.2 IP) does not make him a highly-touted five category pitchers.

In other words, the usual strategy of utilizing higher-salaried pitchers is out the window this year. Schilling, Gagne, and a rotation of Lawrence, Perez, Hallady, Lowe, and a few others will do just fine along with a cheap and plentiful bullpen corps (don�t forget them) consisting of Eddie Guardado, Mike Williams, Jorge Julio, Byung-Hyun Kim, Vladimir Nunez, Juan Acevedo, Ugueth Urbina and Jason Isringhausen. This is allowing plenty of cap room for teams to utilize Todd Helton, Alex Rodriguez, and either Sammy Sosa, Vladimir Guerrero, or Barry Bonds on a weekly basis. This has proved to be the winning formula for Diamond Challenge teams thus far this season.

Then there is the complete rampage Minnesota Twin hitters went off on an offensive explosion during a 7-game home week in Week 10 � which many 2nd season teams took advantage of to get on the right foot. Partaking in the onslaught (including a 23-2 win over Cleveland) was Jacque Jones (14-26, 7 runs, HR, 10 RBI, SB), Torii Hunter (8-26, 9 RBI, HR, SB), Corey Koskie (5-21, HR, 6 RBI), and catcher A.J. Pierzynski (9-23, 7 runs, HR, 2 RBI). The offensive fireworks came to a halt on Monday when Atlanta pitching came to down, but look for Twinkie hitters to come alive once again this weekend when they visit Milwaukee. One other note on the Twins schedule, they have yet to play the White Sox this year, meaning that there will be 19 meetings between the AL Central�s two main contenders in the seasons final 90 games (labor situation permitting). In other words, the two teams will be seeing each other once every four-five games. Those figure to be fun matchups, in pennant race and fantasy purposes.

Speaking of labor negotiations, one ramification of the game�s uncertain future this season is how much this is cutting down on potential trade talk. Most years I recommend saving a couple of purchases until after July 31, as players suddenly find themselves in much better (or worse situations). At the very worse, you could always depend on a few new closers to come out of the trade maneuvering. However, there may be zero trade movement this year. The only trade talk I have heard is Cleveland possibly unloading Bartolo Colon, to Milwaukee of all places. When that is the only trade rumor going, that is a clear indication of how the labor situation is going. Not surprisingly, player reps will meet on July 8 (day before the scheduled All-Star Game), supposedly to set a strike date (probably early August).

HALFWAY THERE

Let�s fast-forward to a few weeks from now, where amidst the ever-deepening storm clouds of an impending labor stoppage, Luis Castillo, listed at 190 lbs sopping wet, makes a run at one of baseball�s most cherished (and some still think unbreakable) records. By going 2-5 (and scoring three runs and stealing) with a bruised hand yet, Castillo extended his hitting streak to 28 games, hitting .402 (49-122) during that span. Luis even managed to scratch out a hit in a rain-shortened five inning affair the night before. What continues to make the DiMaggio 56 game streak so remarkable, is that when someone like Castillo makes it to 28, we must be reminded that it is going to take �another 28 game streak� from this point forward to equal the mark. Still, many remember the excitement around baseball when players such as Pete Rose (44 games), and Paul Molitor (39 games) just got within spitting distance of the mark. And remember Rose holds the NL mark with that 44-game streak. If Luis, who has the advantage of speed to beat out base hits, can keep it going for just a couple more weeks, it could be a godsend for not only baseball, but for the Florida franchise itself. By the way, starting this weekend, the Marlins will be playing their next 23 games in the state of Florida, so keep that in mind when utilizing Castillo, Cliff Floyd, Mike Lowell, etc.

If you�re looking for even more speed (besides Luis) and your roster, try Milwaukee�s Alex Sanchez (I have finally decided to recommend him!!!), who now has 18 stolen bases in 182 AB�s, along with a .308 average. Be warned that he gets himself picked off about as often as he successfully steals, but the Brewers have become committed to playing him everyday. What the hell, you�re already 22-43, so you might as well keep slow, heavy, Matt Stairs on the pines. I sure gave great advice two weeks ago saying that Jason Isringhausen was a better reliever option than Byung-Hyun Kim. When it seemed that Izzy was finally going to get his first save opp in nearly two weeks in Seattle, LaRussa Litigation reared it�s ugly head and Dave Veres was allowed to close out the 7-4 win. Never mind that Izzy hadn�t thrown a pitch in anger for eight days. Like I said, there�s either an injury we don�t know about or just plain LaRussa head-games. Meanwhile, Kim struck out four in two innings and actually closed out a game in Yankee Stadium. And who would had thunk this a year ago, or even two months ago � Keith Foulke (0-4, only eight saves, 5.26/1.40) has been removed from the White Sox closers role, at least temporarily. Also, if you had been able to act quickly Sunday Night or Monday, you could had added Steve Karsay to your mix as Mariano Rivera (groin) has landed on the DL. However, Karsay was shaky in his one appearance this week, and it was actually Ramiro Mendoza who got the save opp this week. And just to prove that no closers job is ever safe (unless your name�s Trevor Hoffman or Rivera), there is talk out of Minnesota about throwing some other relievers a bone in closing out games instead of Eddie Guardado (18/20 in saves, 2.64/.88).

Jacque Jones indeed proved to be one of the key players who helped Second Season teams make their way to the top, as he is currently starting on 53 of the top 100, and 110 of the top 250 rosters. The most popular Second Season players (starts out of top 250 teams this week) is as follows�

Possible bad news for Kenny Lofton owners, but potential good news for those who have Paul Konerko. Kenny re-aggravated his hammy pull on Wednesday, and the DL is a possibility. If that�s the case, it would enable Konerko to get some outfield time as White Sox head for National League Parks for the next ten days. And to the surprise of no one, Ken Griffey Jr�s hammy is acting up as well. But just to make things a tad-more crowded, the Reds acquired power-hitting (but low average) 3B/OF Russell Branyon from Cleveland for a minor-league and some athletic tape. Look for Russ to play part-time, spelling Aaron Boone at third as well as Sean Casey at first, along with occasional time in the outfield and pinch-hitting duty. Also, just as speculated in this column last week, Marlins SP Josh Beckett (blister) is expected out until after the all-star break.

All National League teams (except Houston) are home for the entire week with everyone playing six games with the exception of Milwaukee and Houston, who plays seven. Obviously all games will be played under NL rules (i.e. no DH). Two start pitchers should include Roy Oswalt, Mark Prior, Brian Lawrence, Roy Halladay, Mark Mulder, and Chan Ho Park

CDM's free agent purchases for the week is as follows (recommended purchases in bold)...

FINAL NOTE

I don't know if the Japanese internet vote has suddenly thrown sanity into this or what, but the public has actually got the all-star voting right - perhaps for the first time ever. Too bad there might not be an All-Star Game. But anyways, the current AL vote has Jose Posada with a slight lead over Ivan Rodriguez at catcher (alright, it's probably the New York vote), with Jason Giambi at first (agree), Alfonso Soriano at second (agree), Shea Hillebrand actually leading at third (imagine, someone who's just emerged this year - surprised that Cal Ripken isn't leading), and the top three outfielders consisting of Ichiro, Manny Ramirez, and Torii Hunter (a Twin being voted by the fans - who would had thunk). The NL voting has Mike Piazza at catcher (a perennial), Jeff Bagwell at first (I'd vote Helton myself), Robby Alomar at second (NY vote), Mike Lowell at third (a Marlin leading the voting, even more amazing), Jimmy Rollins at short (weak field, Furcal probably the only other option), and an outfield of Bonds, Sosa, and Vlad Guerrero (an Expo, has to be the first time since Gary Carter/Andre Dawson). Again, a shame that there might not be a game (per possible player boycott).