Albert

It usually isn't good news when a player pulls out of a competition, especially one where they would be representing their country. But, Albert Pujols of the Cardinals will not represent his country in the upcoming WBC and for you fantasy owners, this is might turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

Coming off a monster year with a bad elbow and now coming off surgery, the absence from the WBC might be a turning point for the 2009 fantasy season. Less time at the WBC gives him more time to prepare and be 110%. He said he is 100% healthy and if insurance issues weren't getting in his way he'd be representing the DR.

For owners of Pujols, you should be extremely happy to see him on the sidelines and slowly preparing for the 2009 season.

Just thinking about the numbers he could produce in 2009 makes me drool.

Huge DL Day

Alfonso Soriano of the Cubs was officially placed on the DL. He will be out for 6-8 weeks but he does hope he'll be back sooner.

Albert Pujols of the Cardinals will be gone for 3 weeks.

Victor Martinez of the Indians is out for 6-8 weeks after going through surgery on his elbow.

Josh Barfield of the Indians, who was just called up, was placed on the 15-Day DL.


With all these injuries, except Barfield, you are going to be in some trouble. These three big time players are all fantasy studs so how should you fill in these spots. Look at your current needs with respect to stats and pick one stat that you need help in. This will be your stat category where you should focus on with picking up someone to replace your DL player. With all these important players heading for the DL this is the time where your season will go down the drain or for your to tread water until reinforcements comes. Just focus on one category at a time and you should be able to keep afloat until these guys come back.

Hitters

It was a pretty bad day for hitters.

Albert Pujols of the Cardinals will be out for 3 weeks with a calf injury. Chris Duncan was called up and will take over for Pujols. This is a huge blow. Just hope he can recover and come back 100%.

Alfonso Soriano of the Cubs can't buy a break (no pun intended). He was hit on his hand and broke it. He will be out for 6 weeks maybe longer. Can't swing a bat without a hand. This is terrible news since owners lost him earlier this year and after his return he was absolutely scorching hot with the bat.

DL/Injury Player Updates

Albert Pujols of the Cardinals was helped off the field in the 7th inning with a strained left calf. Earlier in the game, Pujols hit his 16th HR of the season. More information will be available tomorrow.

Jake Peavy of the Padres will return to the mound from the DL on Thursday.

Chad Cordero of the Nationals is 2-3 weeks ago from returning to the lineup and when he returns, according to the Nationals coach, he will be the once again close games. This will move Jon Rauch, who is doing a great job filling in for Cordero, back into a set-up role. Owners, if you have room, try and grab Chad Cordero from the wire and stash him on your bench.

Back in The Saddle

Albert Pujols and Jorge Posada both returned to their respective lineups after.

Albert of the Cardinals has hit two home runs in his past 3 games (3 at-bats) and seems to be fine after hurting his calf. This is great news for owners because the Cardinals are now wasting time and putting him straight on the DL. If he was really hurt, the Cardinals wouldn't take the chance with their superstar and trotting him out there.

Jorge of the Yankees returned to the lineup after an extended period on the DL with a sore shoulder. Posada went 1-3 with a BB. Owners should be ecstatic with his return.

Big Albert

Albert Pujols of the Cardinals was not in the starting lineup on Wednesday due to a tight calf. At this time there is nothing to worry about since it is not an injury to his elbow which caused him to drop in the opening draft. Just wait for more information about his injury and sit tight.

Trades

It is the first week of May and you've had a chance to see your hitters have around 100AB's and your pitchers having 5-7 starts. This is a great chance to look at your team, with an HONEST eye, to see what you need to compete for the championship. The season is still very early and some hitter like Ryan Howard will start to mash the ball and bring in the 40HR's you drafted him for.

After taking a subjective look at your team it is time to send out some trade offers. Trading is one of the hardest things to do in any fantasy league that has owners who know what they are doing. People never want to send a struggling player in a trade and then watch him hit .350, 25HR's, and another 90+RBI's. So, be careful on trading because most people will decline your offer or send you offers that are absolutely absurd.

What I am trying to get at is, make sure to make value trades. Look at the categories you are strong in and of course weak in. My bottom line is, trade for and with value. If you are in need of saves and you have an abundant amount of starters, send a starter for a closer. But make sure the other team needs a starter in return. This is where trading is difficult, trying to meet the needs of both teams.

Please don't ever offer trades like A-Rod for Pujols. This is a challenge trade and it does nothing but add a number to your transaction number.

To conclude, look at your team with a subjective eye and see what you have and what you need. Then go out and send out some fair value trades, don't go out and try to rip someone off. Would you like someone sending you Fred Lewis for A-Rod? I didn't think so.

Pooooooooeeeeeyyyyyy

Mr. Albert Pujols had 2HR's on Wed night. Is this a start of a HR binge?!?! Owners surely hope so. Albert was draft in the late first round and even slipped into the early part of the second round. Owners who ended up with Albert in the second round might be in for a HUGE and MASSIVE return. Just hope his elbow stays strong.

First Day Notes

The first day of full action is finally finished.

Eric Gagne - He blew his first save opportunity (1IP, 3ER, 1BB, 1K, 1HR) but luckily he was on the right end of the stick and came out with a vulture win. Keep an eye on this situation in case this is the start of more blown saves. If you have space, grab Turnbow who might become the new Brewers closer.

Albert Pujols - Does this silence some of his critics? Big Albert hit a HR in his opener, which ended up being deleted due to rain, but shows us the upside he holds especially when he was drafted in the late first round and even into the early second.

Kosuke Fukudome - Had a great day at the plate for his first game in the big leagues (3Hits, 1HR, 3RBI, 1BB). Don't expect him to give huge power numbers but what was a nice sign was his attempt at stealing. He was thrown out but it does show that he will run. Add 15-20SB's this season while hitting 20+HR's. Would you like that on your team?

Erik Bedard - Allowing a HR in the first inning didn't seem like his spring numbers were just that, spring numbers. But after the HR he settled down and finished with 5IP, 3H, 4BB, 5K, 1HR. This was a positive step after a terrible spring.

Chris Young (OF) - Hit a HR in his first game. Taking a quick look at his 2007 stats (32HR in 569AB) shows he has power. But along with the power he has 141K's, 43BB's, and a disgusting .237AVG. Only if he could lower his K's and up his BB's because when he does find the bases he steals, evident by his 27SB's. Young might grow into a mold like Adam Dunn. Not a bad person to have on your fantasy team except for the fact you have to balance the low average with a very high average player like an Ichiro.

Alex Gordon - The highly touted 2007 rookie started his 2008 campaign with a HR and 2RBI's. After starting extremely cold last year fantasy owners hope he can bring the second half of 2007 into this year.