Spring training is such a crazy time for not only players but for fans, as well. Casual fans can just sit back and wait for April, whereas fantasy pros have to be progressive in their attitude if they expect to win. The worse thing? I absolutely hate more than anything is going into a draft and watching my rival grab someone I am unfamiliar with, only to research that guy and be completely jealous that he snagged him.
I recently watched Midnight in Paris, and my favorite quote came from Hemingway, “If it’s bad, I’ll hate it. If it’s good, then I’ll be envious and hate it even more.” That statement seems very fitting to fantasy players, as well. If your team is bad, I will hate it; if your team is good, I will hate it even more. I try not to be jealous of other teams, but rather they be envious of me. And without further ado, here is the weekly headlines.
I have been talking a lot about Trevor Bauer and his unique approach to the game. Here is an article showing off his long-toss routine to get warmed up before a game. It is very cool.
One of the 10,000 questions I have floating around in my head as I prepare for another season of fantasy baseball is, “Can Bartolo Colon produce?” He injected stem cells last year, which revitalized his career, now the move to Oakland may provide him with another year in which he his fantasy relevant.
I am always in search of the next big pitcher to break out. This article breaks down some of the guys who could be this year’s Clayton Kershaw or Ian Kennedy. A name this article, as well as everyone else on the planet seems to, throws out into the discussion is Madison Bumgarner.
Manny Ramirez is going to start the year with a 50-game suspension but it is not stopping him from being a mentor to Yoenis Cespedes. Hopefully, he is just teaching him cool handshakes and not showing him how to inject PED’s. Whatever Manny may be doing to help his young padawan, it seems to be working.
I like guys that are playing for a paycheck next season. I am glad someone else does, as well, because here is a list of the top 10 free agents to be. Tops on that list is Andre Ethier.
Guys who own David Price may soon be sending teammates, as well as staff members, death threats if they even get near Price with a towel again. Luckily for owners, as well as Price, it was only neck spasms … This time!
Other than loving guys who are in a contract year and guys who want to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases, I also love guys who come into the season with something to prove. Hanley Ramirez says, and I quote, “To all those who sent messages criticizing me, I want to apologize for not having replied yet,” he says. “I was busy with this bat and this marker, writing your names.” I love it! I may have temporarily jumped from team Hanley, but now I am back aboard!
Yu Darvish was lights out in his first debut but then gave us a glimpse of what is to come. This homer tries to paint a nice portrait of the god-awful performance laid out by the newcomer, but I am not buying. I do not like guys with shaky command in spring training. When it is 101 degrees down in Arlington and Yu is pitching to guys who have made the show, instead of the minor-leaguers he is pitching to now, how do you think he is going to fare?
What if I told you that an older pitcher who has been eilte for so many years may be having velocity issues in spring training? Yes, it may be sad times for Roy Halladay owners. This guy has been lights out for so long, and it is hard to say if this is just a bump in the road or if this is a serious issue. I would be on high-alert if I am someone with Roy or if I plan on drafting this guy.
I love the fact that one of the big stories of the spring so far is Michael Pineda may regress this season and that his velocity is down. After digging a bit deeper, this guy is more focused on the pitch that could elevate his game, the change-up. I am hoping he falls in drafts so I can buy-low.
Question: Please name me one player you could get near the end of your drafts that could smash 30+ homeruns? Answer: Kendrys Morales. He will start in the minors this season, but expect him to be up as soon as possible. He could be a very sneaky grab in late rounds. I am, for one, a huge fan.
Like I have said earlier, I’m monitoring Jason Heyward‘s progress. Thus far, it has been very up and down. He has cranked home runs off of the likes of Stephen Strasburg and then turned in 0-for-3 nights. If I can get a .280 batting average with 25 home runs this season, I would call him a sleeper; however, I may be reaching even with those numbers.
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