| Players of the Week: Sept. 22 - 28 |
| American League |
| Ben Zobrist / Hank Blalock |
Zobrist | Team: Tampa Bay Rays / Texas Rangers |
| Pos: SS /3B |
| Stats: Zobrist: Hit .455 (10-22), with a double, a triple, four home runs and seven RBI. Blalock: Hit .400 (10-22) with three doubles, four home runs and nine RBI last week. |
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| National League |
| Albert Pujols |
 | Team: St. Louis Cardinals |
| Pos: 1B |
| Stats: He led the N.L. with a .588 (10-17) batting average and a 1.235 slugging percentage, and tied for the league-lead with 10 RBI, a .680 on-base percentage and seven walks. |
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Alphabetical Listing
Position Listing
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Fantasy Updates
Cubs pick up option on Harden
Rich Harden, SP CHC
News: SP Rich Harden's $7 million option for next year has been exercised by the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs acquired the hard-throwing right-hander from Oakland on July 8. He was the losing pitcher in Game 3 of the NL playoffs on Saturday night as the Cubs were swept in three games by the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 26-year-old Harden went a combined 10-2 with a 2.07 ERA in 25 starts for the Athletics and Cubs this season. Harden, who has battled arm problems throughout his career, was 5-1 with a 1.77 ERA in 12 starts with the Cubs.
Analysis: Harden broke out as a Fantasy stud this season, managing to stay relatively healthy. Making 25 starts, he looked like arguably the best pitcher in the majors, but because of his long injury history, expect to draft him as a No. 2 Fantasy SP next season.
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 Schilling could have been in playoffs
Curt Schilling, SP BOS
News: Red Sox SP Curt Schilling's surgeon is saying the right-hander probably would have been ready for this postseason if the pitcher's shoulder operation was performed in January. Dr. Craig Morgan wanted to operate then and said in spring training that the only way Schilling might pitch this season would be if he had surgery. Team physician Dr. Thomas Gill recommended rehabilitation. Schilling reluctantly agreed, then had surgery on June 23. Morgan says Schilling's shoulder is "phenomenal" and that his health would not prevent him from pitching at the start of next season. Schilling has said that if he does play again, he would want to return in the second half of next season.
Analysis: Schilling said earlier this week that retirement is a strong possibility. "If I had to make that decision today, yes, I'd retire," he said. Coming back from a serious injury at his age, you shouldn't have much confidence in Schilling next season even if he does return. Let him go undrafted outside of the deepest of leagues.
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Hafner might need shoulder surgery
Travis Hafner, DH CLE
News: Indians DH Travis Hafner might need right shoulder surgery after a disappointing end-of-the-season physical exam. Hafner spent more than three months on the disabled list with a strained shoulder. During his exit physical, team doctors found the strength did not return to levels that the club had hoped following the extended rehab, general manager Mark Shapiro said Tuesday. Hafner and the team are now examining "alternatives" including offseason arthroscopic surgery. "The strength in his shoulder was not what we had hoped it would be," Shapiro said. "It was a little bit disappointing. Progress was not as great as we would have hoped to have seen."
Analysis: At the time he went on the DL in May, Hafner was batting just .217 with four homers. Tests showed the left-handed power hitter had mysteriously lost nearly all the strength in his shoulder. Shapiro would not answer specific questions about Hafner's shoulder or if the DH had visited other doctors outside the club for more opinions. However, Shapiro did reiterate that an operation has always been possible. "We talked all along that the options are continuing to rehab and strengthen or to get a scope," he said. "We're looking at our alternatives right now." Hafner didn't impress in his return late in the season, and you obviously shouldn't draft him expecting to return to his .300-hitting, 40-homer ways. In fact, he's nothing more than a late-round flier going into 2009.
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Arredondo favored to replace K-Rod?
Jose Arredondo, RP ANA
News: The Angels may be willing to let closer Francisco Rodriguez, who recorded a record 62 saves, walk as a free agent this offseason because Jose Arredondo has shown he could take over the closer's role. Rodriguez is likely to command a five-year deal worth at least $75 million on the free-agent market.
Analysis: As a rookie, Arredondo compiled a 1.62 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP, so he certainly looks like a future closer. He might have to fend off Scot Shields for the role, though, which will only make him a better bargain on Draft Day. Of course, if Rodriguez re-signs with the Angels, all of this speculation means nothing.
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SS Vizquel has laser eye surgery
Omar Vizquel, SS SF
News: Omar Vizquel, the 11-time Gold Glove shortstop who will be looking for work this winter, is recovering from laser surgery on his right eye. "All went well," Vizquel said in an e-mail. He had the procedure last week once the season ended, then had to wait several days as the eye healed before returning to his home in the Seattle area.
Analysis: The 41-year-old Vizquel played the past four seasons for San Francisco, but Giants general manager Brian Sabean said after the season ended there was "zero" chance of bringing him back. The Giants are committed to a youth movement and went with speedy rookie Emmanuel Burriss at shortstop most of the time in the season's second half. Vizquel handled himself well through the demotion and turned his attention on helping teach the young infielders. But he's ready to get another shot, somewhere. "There's no doubt in my mind that I can still play," he said. "I want to play, and that's what I'm going to do." Unfortunately, Vizquel doesn't look like he can play anymore from a Fantasy perspective. Don't draft him in any leagues.
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Burgos turns himself in to police
Ambiorix Burgos, RP NYM
News: Mets RP Ambiorix Burgos turned himself in Tuesday night, a week after police say he was involved in a hit-and-run accident that killed two women. Burgos is accused of abandoning the victims and fleeing, charges that can carry six months to two years in prison.
Analysis: Burgos' major league future is up in the air at this point. The Tommy John surgery returnee could have been a prominent setup man or even a closer next season, but now you might have to figure he might not pitch at all. Track his news in the coming weeks.
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Shields likely to remain setup man?
Scot Shields, RP ANA
News: The Angels might be willing to let closer Francisco Rodriguez, who recorded a record 62 saves, walk as a free agent this offseason because Jose Arredondo has shown he could take over the closer's role. They also have long-time setup man Scot Shields. Rodriguez is likely to command a five-year deal worth at least $75 million on the free-agent market.
Analysis: Shields has 20 career saves, including two this year. Meanwhile, Arredondo has none. Still, the Angels might prefer to groom a kid for the role long-term than rely on an aging veteran for a year or two. Of course, if Rodriguez re-signs with the Angels, all of this speculation means nothing.
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Marmol OK after minor car accident
Carlos Marmol, RP CHC
News: Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol suffered minor injuries in a car accident early Tuesday in the Dominican Republic. A truck hit a car carrying Marmol, a cousin and a friend in his hometown of Bonao near 2 a.m. The All-Star right-hander had just arrived in the Caribbean nation after the Cubs were swept by the Dodgers in the playoffs. Marmol said in an e-mail to The Associated Press that the air bag deployed and he only suffered a cut and an "inflammation" of his forehead. "Out of precaution they did different studies on my body, and I don't have any kind of serious injury," he wrote. A Cubs representative in the Dominican Republic, Jose Serra, said Marmol received seven stitches in his forehead but is otherwise healthy.
Analysis: Marmol pitched in 82 games this season, going 2-4 with a 2.68 ERA. With Kerry Wood locked in as the closer now, Marmol is relegated to being one of the best setup men in baseball. Consider him a solid option in all Rotisserie leagues and a sleeper for saves if anything happened to the injury-prone Wood.
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Likely FA Griffey plans on playing
Ken Griffey, CF CHW
News: The White Sox looked for a lift and run production when they acquired Ken Griffey from the Reds, but the 38-year-old hit just three homers and batted .260 in 41 games. Griffey passed Sammy Sosa for fifth on career home run list, finishing the year with 611, but there is little chance the White Sox will pick up his $16.5 million option for next season. Griffey said he has no plans to retire and wants to keep playing. "We'll find out soon enough. I'm just going into the offseason, and we'll wait and see what happens," he said.
Analysis: Griffey has pop in his bat still, but he cannot be counted on regularly in mixed leagues. Track his offseason destination before considering him much more than a late-round flier at this point.
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Semi-retired Bonds enjoying his 'freedom'
Barry Bonds, LF SF
News: Barry Bonds made a rare public appearance Tuesday and said he is enjoying life away from baseball. "I'm happy now that I have more time," Bonds told the crowd at the kickoff event of the Macy's Christmas tree lighting. "I've actually enjoyed myself immensely." Bonds was questioned by a young patient about potentially returning to baseball. "I had fun," Bonds said. "But I like my freedom."
Analysis: Bonds pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of making false declarations to a federal grand jury and one count of obstruction of justice, and his trial is scheduled to start March 2. Bonds is accused of lying when he said he never knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs during 2003 grand jury testimony. The 44-year-old Bonds hit 762 homers, seven more than the previous record set by Hank Aaron. Barring something unforseen, we don't see Bonds playing baseball again. Although crazier things have happened, ignore him in all Fantasy leagues at this point.
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 Reds' Cabrera elects to be free agent
Jolbert Cabrera, SS CIN
News: The Reds sent RHP Jon Adkins and LHP Adam Pettyjohn outright to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday and utility man Jolbert Cabrera refused his assignment to become a free agent.
Analysis: Cabrera has some pop in his bat, but he is nothing more than organizational depth at this point in his career. Ignore him in all Fantasy leagues right now.
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Reds outright Adkins, Pettyjohn
Jon Adkins, RP CIN
News: The Reds sent RHP Jon Adkins and LHP Adam Pettyjohn outright to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday and utility man Jolbert Cabrera refused his assignment to become a free agent.
Analysis: Adkins and Pettyjohn are nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of leagues that use true middle men at this point in their careers. Ignore them in all Fantasy leagues.
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Padres outright two to minors
Luke Carlin, C SD
News: The San Diego Padres outrighted C Luke Carlin and SS Sean Kazmar to Triple-A Portland and announced catcher Josh Bard and LHP Shawn Estes cleared waivers and have elected to become free agents.
Analysis: Carlin and Kazmar are not true prospects and are nothing more than organizational depth at this point in their careers. Ignore him in all Fantasy leagues right now.
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Rivera should be OK after surgery
Mariano Rivera, RP NYY
News: Yankees closer Mariano Rivera had surgery Tuesday on his right shoulder and is expected to resume throwing in three months, a month ahead of spring training. Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek operated at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Altchek also operated on catcher Jorge Posada's shoulder last summer. Altchek shaved a calcified joint on the top of Rivera's shoulder.
Analysis: The 38-year-old Rivera had 39 saves this year, and his 1.40 ERA was his best since 2005. Consider him the No. 3 closer to have in Fantasy, right behind Francisco Rodriguez and Jonathan Papelbon on Draft Day.
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Lester again shuts down the Angels
Jon Lester, SP BOS
News: Red Sox SP Jon Lester, who defeated the Angels in Game 1 of the ALDS, pitched brilliantly again in the series-clinching Game 4 on Monday even though he didn't factor in the decision. He allowed only four hits and two walks in seven shutout innings, recording four strikeouts.
Analysis: Lester won 16 games in 2008 to become a top 20 Fantasy starting pitcher, according to our initial rankings for 2009. He is a near-ace for all formats already and has the upside to improve at age 24.
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Lackey dominant, but not victorious
John Lackey, SP ANA
News: Angels SP John Lackey, pitching to keep his team alive in the postseason, allowed only two runs in seven innings Monday in Game 4 of the ALDS at Boston. He gave up seven hits and one walk, recording one strikeout. He didn't factor in the decision.
Analysis: Lackey has had a frustrating season for a true Fantasy ace, but he still checks in at No. 11 in our initial rankings for 2009. He is an ace to have in all formats and should prove to be healthier and steadier next year.
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