Dexter Fowler, the Colorado Rockies speedster has been placed on the DL. Will this hurt the Rockies run scoring machine? NO! All they had to do was pick up the phone and Eric Young Jr (minor league steal leader), who might be even faster than Fowler was on his way to the big leagues. Rockies manager Jim Tracy had this to say about Young: "He's quite an asset at the top of the lineup if he reaches base. If he reaches base, I think you'd be hard-pressed to come up with the name of a guy that's faster than he is. I realize this is a little bit of a baptism by fire." In a handful of games Young has yet to flash his speed, and has been striking out at high rate however we like his game and potential. Keeper leaguers will also want to watch his performance closely.
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Here we go again, entrenched in the final stretch of the fantasy baseball season and along comes a huge deal involving All Star pitcher Scott Kazmir! This is the type of intangible post-trade deadline transaction that can put a team over the edge. But, is Kazmir really going to step up his game up in LA? He has not been so good of late posting a 5.10 ERA over the last month. We are not so sure he will be turning things around for the Halos in September. However, come playoff time this could spell danger for the New York Yankees. The Angles have always given the Yanks trouble in the post-season, and now with the addition of Yankee killer Scott Kazmir things are looking even worse for the Yanks. Not only is Kazmir a lefty (ideal to protect the short porch in Yankee stadium) but he holds a 2.53 career ERA against New York. In any case, Kazmir has struggled of late and it will be interesting to see if a change of scenery helps him to regain his focus.
If you thought Michael Crabtree was the receiver with the most upside on the Niners this year you are wrong. Rookie wide receivers who miss training camp rarely contribute. However, what a star rookie’s lack of presence in camp does allow is for another player to step up and show his goods. Josh Morgan has done just that, emerging as San Francisco’s deep threat for the 2009. "The guy has unbelievable talent," quarterback Shaun Hill said. "He's such a hard worker and a good kid -- a good young man, I should say. I can't say enough good things about him." At 6’0” and 220 lbs Morgan is a beast in the Megatron mold waiting to break out. While the quarterback situation is very concerning, the Niner’s should trail frequently and be forced to go to the air. If Morgan is around in the later rounds he is certainly worth taking a flier on.
Heee’s back and looking to do some damage. After an unsuccessful trip to the big leagues this spring LaPorta is back with the Indians and ready to show the power we have all been waiting for. LaPorta is widely regarding as a cant miss prospect – one of the best hitters in the minor leagues, with legitimate major league power. He has had at least one hit in each of his appearances since being called up again. The power will be there I promise you – this guy is a legitimate keeper in all fantasy baseball leagues and needs to be picked up immediately. As a side note and word of caution – “that guy” in my fantasy baseball league that has ruined the careers of many would be professional athletes claimed LaPorta off waivers after his first round pick Joan Santana went out for the season. We still say go for LaPorta but beware that he is now cursed. 
BCRT recommends drastically discounting Jay Cutler in 2009. In ’08 he went wild passing for over 4,000 yards, almost creating two 100-catch receivers. That was a different time and a different place. Keep a close eye on Kyle Orton this year in Denver, as comparing Cutler to Orton will emphasize just how much the type of offense/system a player is in dictates his final statistics. Cutlers new #1 could potentially be Devin Hester – so don’t expect crazy numbers this year. Cutler is currently being drafted around the 6th round – we recommend letting someone else take Jay Cutler this year. The quarterback is a very deep position in 2009 and you can afford to take a risk on someone else like a Carson Palmer, Eli Manning or Ben Roethelsberger all of whom should be around at that point in the draft.
Like many in the fantasy baseball world we love Marmol. He has all the makings of a dominant setup man that steps into the closer scene a la Brad Lidge & Heath Bell. After a ridiculous 2008 season for some reason he was denied the chance to close after spring training. Marmol then went on to have arguably his worst season ever. The man has had stretches of his former “untouchablness”, but for the most part has been wild and let up runs - certainly not the type of performance you want out of your closer. Which makes his placement into the closer role even more shocking. What is Piniella thinking? When he pitches lights out he can’t close, when he get roughed up he can??? In Marmols first appearance as a closer he was lights out notching the save. However, last night he was back to his old ways, giving up giving up two earned runs and walking three. In his defense, the Cubs had a seven run lead and some make the argument that a closer is not really in “closer mode” when they enter a game in a non-save situation. In any case, Marmol cannot afford to lose focus as his job security is very shaky. We would not be surprised to see Angel Guzman getting save opportunities by the end of September.
In a previous
Hitting .256 with 8 HRs and 2 SB does not sound like the kind of line from a cant miss 30-30 lock prospect does it? I was tricked, and am sure many of you were as well. After keeping Delmon for two years and watching him struggle to hit 10 HRs I finally decided to stay away this year.
