By Greg Fox
Rotowhine.com Assistant Editor
March 21, 2008
A mere 10 days from opening day, Greg updates the goings on in the wild and woolly National League. Actually, it’s not wild, just woolly.
Let me first say that even though we’re still four days from my draft, I’ve never been more annoyed. In the last two days, I’ve heard the following three things that will negatively impact my own NL-only team in 2008:
1. Tony Gwynn Jr., and not Gabe Gross, will be the everyday outfielder in Milwaukee until Mike Cameron returns - I hung on to Gross, who is .50, because I thought for sure I’d get a good month out of him as a starter until Cameron returns from suspension. The other day, a fantasy baseball writer claimed that Gwynn will get the nod. I debated wasting a spot on Gross even when I thought he was going to start. If it turns out to be Gwynn I’m going to be impossible to live with (Editor’s note passed to him by Greg’s wife: And things will be different how?). In retrospect, a better strategy would have been to draft a guy like Moises Alou for a discount, hope that Gross wasn’t drafted and then replace Alou with Gross until Alou was healthy. Here’s to stupidity.
2. Justin Upton will be batting eighth for the Diamondbacks - What kind of manager hangs his prized 20-year old out to dry in the dreaded eight hole? Bob Melvin, that’s who. For some reason I can’t fathom, he’s had catcher Chris Snyder batting fifth in Spring Training. Snyder split catching duties last year with Miguel Montero and put up respectable numbers, but in my wildest dreams I never thought he’d be hitting fifth. With that said, what are the chances that he’d have a strong Spring and stay in the five spot? Well, it’s about a million percent since I think he’s 32-for-30 thus far. Chris Young had a .270 on-base percentage last year, but he’s going to bat leadoff.
3. Freddy Sanchez is feeling discomfort in his surgically repaired shoulder - I have the only player in history to have arthroscopic shoulder surgery still be unable to throw a ball six months later. All I hear out of new Pittsburgh manager John Russell is that it’s no big deal. I’m officially waiting for word that Sanchez will need another surgery. He’s been hitting the ball pain free this Spring. Can’t he still play second base with some discomfort in his shoulder? Steve Sax and Chuck Knoblauch couldn’t even reach their first basemen and they never left their lineups. Why is this manager so blase about it? Yesterday, Sanchez said that if he continues to feel like this he won’t be ready for opening day.
Ok, back to the generic National League updates before I combust.
Chicago Cubs Closer
Forget what we said last week. Carlos Marmol is currently second in the running for ninth inning duties in Chicago. Kerry Wood, who probably can’t be stretched out for more than one inning, is currently the favorite for this role. Marmol is probably still the better bet for the long term since Wood is already suffering some back discomfort. My guess is that it will be Marmol in the seventh, Bobby Howry in the eighth and Wood in the ninth. But this could change 12 times in the next week.
Chicago Cubs Starters
Carlos Zambrano is the clear #1 and Ted Lilly is no doubt the #2. After that, it’s a crapshoot. I have no faith in #3 starter Rich Hill and I proved my distaste by trading him this winter. I have no idea why I ranked him No. 20 in my NL starting pitcher rankings. Jason Marquis was handed a big contract in the offseason, but by no means is he assured of a rotation spot. He’s probably the most likely to be dealt. Ryan Dempster was thankfully moved out of the closer’s role and should have one of the five spots solidified. He’s not very good, but he is a battler. Jon Lieber returns to the North side and, thanks to a strong Spring, probably has a rotation spot secured. He is hittable, but he keeps the ball down and in the yard. Left hander Sean Marshall will likely not have a rotation spot until injuries strike. Stay tuned.
Milwaukee Brewers Starters
No one was a bigger disappointment for me last year than Ben Sheets, who has been disabled more times in his career than my ‘75 Cutlass Supreme, but he remains the Brewers’ #1 starter. When the talented Yovani Gallardo returns from minor knee surgery, he is set at #2. Jeff Suppan, of the famous large contract, is the #3 man in the rotation, despite the fact that he throws puss on a consistent basis. Stay away from Suppan unless you’d like to break your league’s WHIP record. The final two spots will be fought among Dave Bush, Carlos Villanueva, Claudio Vargas, Chris Capuano and Manny Parra. Bush throws strikes and I feel pretty confident that he’ll claim a spot and be halfway decent. Villanueva was mediocre as a starter last year, but he’ll probably get the nod until Gallardo returns. Capuano is officially awful, but he will definitely receive an opportunity to start upon his return from a sore elbow. Vargas has terrific stuff, but has been so-so at best throughout his career. He probably doesn’t have a shot despite a decent Spring. Parra is easily the most talented of the group. Unfortunately for the lefty, he still has options remaining and will likely be sent down. For the long term, Parra is definitely the way to go.
St. Louis Cardinals Starters
Wow, what a shovel of crapola. After the solid Adam Wainwright, stay far far away from this putrid group. If you’re in a keeper league and could purchase injured ace Chris Carpenter at a discounted rate, then by all means do so. He is due back from TJ surgery after the all-star break, but probably won’t have real value until next season. I actually think Anthony Reyes has quality stuff and can provide pretty good value. I’m just not sure if he will stick in the rotation upon the return of Joel Pineiro, Mark Mulder and Matt Clement. They might actually be better than No. 2 and 3 starters Braden Looper and Kyle Lohse. Writing those last five names as possible starters is jarring. Best of luck Dave Duncan and Tony LaRussa. Has a team ever gone 4-158?
Writing about the Cardinal pitching made my head hurt. Tuesday is the big day. Wish me luck.
