Free Agent Watch

June 20, 2011

Andrea LaMont

Thanks to my boys over at Razzball.com, I now understand why the Tampa Bay Rays haven’t brought up Desmond Jennings.

 “The only thing in the way of Desmond Jennings, is not Sam Fuld or Ruggiano, it’s the Rays avoidance having him acquire Super-Two status; such status is acquired if a player receives more than 128 to 140 days of service time in first year of service acquisition; essentially while they are a rookie. After deep analytical research"...."Jennings has 33 days of service time in the majors. To avoid the evil Super-Two status, his ETA would be June 28th, 2011.” Thank you Razzball !!

Reed Johnson (OF-CHC) Activated from the DL last Tuesday, Johnson went 2-for-5 with a homer and three RBI on Wednesday and should see the majority of the time playing centerfield for the Cubbies until at least mid-July, when Marlon Byrd is expected back from a face injury.

Charlie Blackmon (OF-COL) In 12 games and 46 plate appearances with the Rockies, Blackmon is hitting .378,  Stealing five bases in five straight games, Blackmon will be batting from the lead-off spot in the Colorado line-up in the near future ,and should be owned in all fantasy formats.

Dioner Navarro (C-LAD) With Barajas injured, Navarro gets the first shot as the fill-in behind the plate. He hit two of the only six hits in the game, including his game winning homer. The switch-hitting Navarro will continue to get the at-bats for the short-term. If all else fails, there is always A.J. Ellis, right?..

Jonathan Broxton (RP-LAD) Pitched in a simulated game Friday, on track to rejoin team by week 13. Regardless of his poor numbers, Broxton should still be considered the Dodgers closer if healthy. He will most likely pitch out of the bullpen when activated, but be careful about investing too much in one of the following….

Hong Chih-Kuo (RP-LAD) "Wowed club officials with his velocity and command in bullpen sessions and should be picked up in all formats.” NOT

Dodgers’ manager Don Mattingly said “he's likely to use Kuo immediately in closer situations”, he didn’t say Kuo is the closer. There is a HUGE difference believe it or not.

Also, anxiety disorder is a serious illness, and doesn’t just go away. It is nice that Mattingly and the Dodgers are encouraging him, but fantasy owners beware.

Javy Guerra (RP-LAD) Earns his second save of the season  on the same day Kuo is activated from the DL. He shut down Houston in 13 pitches…and the Closer carousel goes round and round…

In my opinion, James Shields (SP-TB) should be the most traded player in fantasy baseball.

He is just not this good. Nobody is this good, bottom line.

I may be the only person who feels this way, but I just don’t get how a guy who has been completely MEDIOCRE in every way over the past four seasons, is now this elite pitcher. If I owned Shields, I could get some serious offensive talent right now. SELL HIGH, his value has peaked.

Just some Gut Feelings:

·         Johnny Venters (RP-ATL) will earn more saves than Kimbrell in the second half, and May be the best future closer in baseball.

·         Anibal Sanchez (SP-FLA) will end the season with a better K/9 ratio, and a Lower ERA than James Shields.