Closer Conundrums........

By Fantasy Boyz Editor in Chief Corey Bugenhagen

Don't drink the water.....in the bullpen

Is there something in the water down in the bullpen? We are barely a week and a half into the season and fantasy teams are scrambling to fill their saves category.  What is an owner to do?  Hopefully you were lucky enough to be near the computer when the announcement of your closer visiting Dr. Andrews came through.  If this is the case you probably were able to gain first crack at the next in line for the job.  The problem is many of these situations are very cloudy.  The only one that seems to be sorted out already is in Tampa.

Kyle Farnsworth:
As mentioned above Farnsworth, who is slated to miss 4 to 6 weeks, has a direct replacement.  Fernando Rodney, who is a former closer himself, has nailed that job down.  Most thought that Joel Peralta was the guy but Rodney stormed past him early and has a tight hold.  Rodney is owned in only 52 percent of ESPN leagues and we feel that number is way low.  Add him immediately if you can.

Brian Wilson:
News broke yesterday that the flamboyantly bearded fireballer is going to undergo his second Tommy John procedure.  Word is Santiago Casilla is the odds on favorite to assume the role, but don't sleep on Sergio Romo if only because his beard is nearly as fantastic as Wilson's.  Casilla is the guy to grab and Romo only if you were a Wilson owner who missed on Casilla.

Andrew Bailey:
What a mess in Beantown.  After letting Papplebon walk the Sox decided to roll with the oft injured Bailey, who didn't even make it to the regular season before breaking down.  Yes we know this injury was of the freak variety but still.  In his place is two Yankee castoffs in Mark Melancon and Alfredo Aceves have been getting rocked ever since.  The call for Daniel Bard has begun.  I give it a couple more weeks of ineptitude for Aceves and Melancon before Bard's starting days are over.  Since Bard is probably already owned in over 90% of ESPN leagues you are probably out of luck.

Drew Storen:
Storen recently had chips removed from his aching bow and has a due date to return somewhere near the All Star Break.  Henry Rodriguez and Brad Lidge are alternating in the meantime.  It does seem to be a pretty even split so adding either is a good plan to get you an extra save or 2 a week.

MLB Free Agent Report

By Fantasy Boyz Editor in Chief Corey Bugenhagen


With our first week of match-ups coming to a close you may already be experiencing some lineup concerns.  With injuries to Ellsbury, Bailey, Pineda, and Berkman, to name a few, the waiver wire may already be in full swing.  Below we list some players that may be out there for you that you might want to pounce on right away.

Jordan Schafer - This speed demon isn't going deep very often but with 5 steals already he could be a steady source of steals.


Omar Infante - While you may already be late to this party if Infante is still on your wire snatch him up immediately.  He is producing big time and is in a powerful lineup.

Rodney is a #1 pickup

Jon Jay - After years of part time duty Jay is getting a full time nod in center for the Cards.  He has an all around game that could be plugged in as your last outfielder and not miss much of a beat.


Clayton Richard - Richard is 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA and a sub 1 WHIP in 2 starts.  While Richard has had success before he is someone you would start when the match-up is right

Fernando Rodney - Another guy who may not still be around but he looks to be in line for a bunch of saves until Farnsworth returns

Brad Lidge/Henry Rodriguez - Will alternate save attempts for the season as Storen looks to be out with elbow troubles.  Lidge blew a save his last attempt so we are not sure if that will hurt his chances going forward.  If you need saves add either or both if you have the room.

Yoenis Cespedes's BOMB!!!

Those wondering about Cespedes's power potential have your answer!!!!

Thanks to Yahoo Sports for the video....

Pineda out until May

Your owners feel the same way

By Fantasy Boys Editor in Chief Corey Bugenhagen 

The Blockbuster trade of two young phenoms is not off to a good start, at least for the Yankees. News out of the Big Apple today is that Michael Pineda is out until May. This news is just as bad for fantasy owners grabbing the young fireballer in the mid rounds of their recent drafts. The situation is eerily similar to Josh Johnson last year. Johnson complained of a sore shoulder early on last year and was thought to only be out a month. Fast forward a year and Johnson is just made his first start since he was shut down. We obviously don't know if Pineda will face the same fate but we are certainly worried. It is smart to DL Pineda if the spot is available and monitor his progress. If this thing drags out too long you have to decide when you need to cut your losses. Targeting Pineda in a trade is something to think about as well. You might be able to get him for a low end starter if an owner is panicking. While we are nervous about Pineda his upside is worth that kind of gamble.

Ahhhh Real Opening Day

By Fantasy Boyz Editor in Chief Corey Bugenhagen

Already mashing.........

FINALLY we hear the crack of the balls hitting the bats and the snap of fastballs hitting the catchers mits.  Was there anything more annoying than the almost week layover between the Mariner/A's series in Japan?   Ok I get opening things in Japan, in fact it was pretty cool to be getting up for work to see a live MLB game in progress.  The issue I have is why make me wait a full week before the rest of the league gets going?  I don't care if the A's and Mariners are jet lagged, it is their call to accept playing in those games. 

In league action today could this be the beginning of another year of the pitcher?  Roy Halladay, Justin Verlander, Stephen Strasburg, Justin Masterson and Kyle Lohse for christ's sake have already thrown gems.  I for one hope the bats wake quickly.  I love a pitchers duel just as much as the next guy but mashing is what gets the blood flowing.  Thank you Jose Bautista for getting it going early.  Keep it up will ya?