SIGNINGS!!

The winter meetings in Vegas finally brought some news to the baseball world.


C.C. Sabathia - I had a 10% chance in my head that Sabathia would not sign with the Yankees this off-season and I guess the 90% was right. Sabathia signed for 7 seasons and is worth $161million. What I have read is Sabathia was a little reluctant to live in New York because he just didn't know what it would be like so the Yankees gave Sabathia a nice cluase in his contract, option to leave after 3 years. Fantasy wise, this is nothing big. As long as Sabathia stays healthy he is, in my eyes, the #2 pitcher in fantasy baseball behind Johan. The only thing to take note of is how hard the Brewers pitched him last year. He threw 130.1innings in 17 starts as a Brewer and most of those starts had him throw 100-120 pitches. In his career, Sabathia has thrown plenty of innings but you never know when this might catch up with him.

AJ Burnett - Where will you land? Reports are coming out that the Yankees are offering him a 5 year $90million contract. Minimal fantasy impact since he'd be staying in the AL East. Plus, with his health concerns and his "contract year" effort behind him, he won't be finding a place on my fantasy team in 2009.

Ben Sheets - Will you be a Yankee too?

Derek Lowe - Following Sheets?

K-Rod - The newly crowned single season saves leader did not get his Mariano money but he did find a home and team that is going to pay him nicely. The Mets will pay K-Rod $37million over 3 years. Fantasy wise, this is a great move for owners of any Mets starters. With all the problems the Mets had last year (let's not forget about two years ago) of blowups from the bullpen, Mets starters might now get the wins they deserved. K-Rod is a top notch fantasy closer and should be taken in the draft as a top-3 closer.

JJ Putz - Not a signing but the a trade. Putz was acquired from the Mariners by the........Mets! Omar and company really want to rebuild their bullpen from scratch so they won't have anymore of those September collapses again. Fantasy wise, great news for owners of Mets starters but bad news for people who had Putz as their closer. He will assume the set-up role.

New York Mets - Omar, what about signing Brian Fuentes too?

Kerry Wood - Reportedly has signed with the Indians for 2 years worth $20million. Fantasy wise, this is a good move. Wood finds a new home and a place where he can start over with a clean slate. Wood still has the ability to post huge numbers (K/9, decent ERA, and saves).

Edwin Jackson - A young 14 game winner in 2008 was traded to the Tigers by the Rays. This young starting pitcher has thrown a total of 456 innings in the bigs and looks like a solid 3/4 pitcher in fantasy leagues. This kid has a 5.3K/9 ratio, which is alright, but he has a fairly high career ERA of 5.15. I have Edwin on my surprise list for 2009.

More DL Stints

Moises Alou of the Mets is back on the DL after playing ONE game. In the fantasy world his stats are absolutely off the charts but the problem is he is never on the field because he spends every freakin' day on the DL. I picked up him up hoping that he could provide me another 150-200AB's for the rest of the season because he usually puts up a .310AVG, 10HR's, 60RBI's, and 1/2SB's. Now he is back on the DL it is absolutely over. I dropped him but if he is still available when he comes back off the DL I will try and pick him up again. This guy is worth it. But for now, drop him.


JJ Putz of the Mariners was placed on the DL because of numbness in his pitching arm. At this point in time Putz is looking towards a return before the all-star break. Owners should be a little worried at this point in time because of his injuries so far this season. This is extremely disappointing because most owners drafted Putz as their number 1 closer and did so early in the draft. Look for Morrow, Batista, and Smith to grab the saves while Putz is away. The Mariner's coach was reported as saying he will use a bullpen by committee approach.

Pitchers

BJ Ryan of the Blue Jays was ejected from the game last night after arguing balls and strikes. Of course this isn't the big news. Ryan gave up an ER which gave the lead to the Mariners and resulted in a Jays loss. This is the 3rd loss for Ryan in the past 5 appearances. With Ryan looking very normal and hittable, look to Scott Downs for more save opportunities. With Ryan's surgery repaired arm there just might be some problems or complications which is hurting his delivery and location.

Shaun Marcum of the Jays is doing very well on the mound as of late. In his last 5 starts he has given up a total of 5ER's over a span of 28.1 innings. Incredible. Pick him up if he is available.

Tom Glavine of the Braves is the on DL for the second time this season and for the second time in his entire career. I think the days of Glavine and Smoltz is over. Forget Glavine and drop him.

Billy Wagner of the Mets blew his second consecutive save opportunity last night by giving up 2ER's. As long as there is no physical pain/injury this won't be a problem. Wagner with all his experience will get out of this rut.

JJ Putz of the Mariners left the game with a sore right elbow. This is bad news for Putz owners. If you have Putz, go out and grab Morrow and/or Rowland-Smith.

DL

JJ Putz of the Mariners was placed on the 15-Day DL. As posted previously, the Mariners will be closer by committee. Look to Mark Lowe to be the main guy but since it is a committee he will not see all the opportunities especially since he's had 2 surgeries to his elbow in the past 19 months.

Pedro Martinez of the Mets was placed on the DL and well he'll be gone at least a month. Fantasy owners, just drop him. His body is aging and well he's not going to bring you much value right now. If happen to have a DL spot or a huge bench dropping him might not be the greatest choice but honestly, I wouldn't even keep him on my deep bench.

Putz

Blown save by Mariners closer JJ Putz. Nothing to jump over at the moment but as always with closers, keep an eye out on this situation.