Signings keep coming

John Smoltz is now a part of the big boys in Boston. After spending his entire career wearing a Braves uniform he is now going to, or most likely going to, finish his career as a Red Sox and maybe add another World Series ring to his collection. Even though he is going to be on the DL when the 2009 draft happens I would recommend you drafting him and placing him on your DL. Of course you can draft this guy later in drafts. He will always put up the numbers you want from a pitcher. He won't be a closer and depending on his health he could be the 5th starter behind a very strong starting rotation. Conclusion, have him on your 2009 team.

Rocco Baldelli will find himself wearing a new uniform as well after spending his entire career in Tampa Bay. Albeit a shorter career than Smoltz. Rocco will be a back-up to Ellsbury and Drew but will find plenty of at-bats against lefties and also days off from both players. Rocco has value in AL-Only leagues at the moment but if Rocco can get over his midocondria condition and find a way to hit like his rookie year he could easily take over for either Ellsbury or Drew. Plus, injuries always seem to haunt Drew making more playing time for Baldelli. AL-only guys, have Baldelli on your team. Mixed leaguers should wait.

Brad Penny finalized his contract with the Red Sox and will be in their rotation. If he can stay healthy this is a guy that can find himself very usefull to fantasy owners. With an offence like the Red Sox scoring plenty of runs expect Penny to produce plenty of wins. Penny is a guy you can grab very late in fantasy drafts and should be picked as an upside pick.

Koji Uehara is another Japanese player trying to make it big in the major leagues. After a very successful career in Japan Uehara will be making the jump at the young age of 33. This is not a guy you want to really pick for your team. In my honest opinion his numbers are great but at the age of 33 and also pitching in the toughest division in baseball and adding in a terrible offence he probably won't be getting a lot of wins.

Trevor Hoffman is staying put in the National League and will close out games for the Brewers. This is great news for fantasy owners becauase one, he is staying put in the NL where he knows the competition and two, he is still going to be a closer. As with every draft, this guy should be drafted. He is a mid-tier closer.

Jason Giambi will return to his old stomping grounds in Oakland. The A's have signed him and for fantasy owners nothing new. He should be draft but later in drafts because of his decline and lack of ability to produce a decent AVG. With the likes of Holliday in the lineup expect Giambi to produce his usual numbers, if he stays healthy.

Notable Pitchers

Broxton of the Dodgers is still bringing the heat. He will give you a nice boost in K's, WHIP, ERA, and the occasional win and on the rare occasion a save. Too bad Saito is still pitching extremely well. But never keep Broxton far from your roster. Saito is old and well, closers can change in a week.

Trevor Hoffman of the Padres had 1ER in his last appearance which gave him his 2 loss of the season. Like I said, owners shouldn't worry just yet but this is not a good sign.

Lyon of the Diamondbacks blew a save but ended up with the W. If he continues to blow saves in the next two weeks, start looking Pena, he should take the saves if Lyon is incapable of holding a 9th inning lead.

Fuentes of the Rockies held the closers role last year until he lost it due to poor performance. But this year he's tearing things up with a stat line of 3IP, 2K, 0ERA, and a 1.33WHIP. I would grab Fuentes and stash him away since Corpas just blew a save.

Wang of the Yankees just had a second great outing of the year with a stat line of 6IP, 4H, 0ER, and an amazing/uncharacteristically striking out 6 batters!! Through his major league career Wang hasn't been high in the K department so don't expect this to continue. But this is a great pitcher for wins since he pitches for the stacked lineup of the Yankees.

Ben Sheets of the Brewers had an incredible outing with a 5 hit complete game shutout with 8K's. Sheets is a must own for all fantasy owners but just like Harden of the A's he's prone to injury. Owners, just hope this is the season where he stays healthy.

Erik Bedard of the Mariners is expected to pitch on Tuesday after skipping his start over the weekend with a sore hip.

Blown Saves

Trevor Hoffman of the Padres blew a save (0.2IP, 4ER) but I do expect him to bounce back. With his reputation in the ninth, owners shouldn't panic.

Brandon Lyon of the Diamondbacks blew a save (3ER, 1HR 0IP) and unlike Hoffman, this should be looked at cautiously. Owners should keep him in the lineup but if he continues you might need to look for another closer on the Diamondbacks.