AJ a Free Agent

Well, AJ Burnett is a free agent and is looking for a team to throw some cash at him.

In my eyes, AJ took a big step in 2008 by proving he can stay healthy and be a big time contributor to a baseball club. Only problem is why the hell should anyone take him seriously when it comes to his health. This guy has proven over his entire career that his body doesn't seem to like going out there every 5th day to pitch.

Okay, as some of you might start thinking, where is the fantasy angle. Here it is.

No matter what team he lands on he is going to produce big numbers, as long as he is healthy, because look at his stats while pitching in the hardest division in baseball, CLICK HERE for his stats. If are you targeting him as a player in the 2009 draft, make sure to take caution. I would advise most people to stay away from him unless he is available in the early teen rounds.

With AJ it is always about big risk big reward. Just like his fellow partner in crime, Rich Harden.

Rich Harden

On and off again injured Rich Harden finished his 2008 season with 148 regular season innings and 4.1 playoff innings, which comes to a total of 152.1 innings pitched. This is great news because he has not reached this since 2004 when he threw 189.2 innings.

After looking over his stats for his entire career I am still scared shitless when it comes to Harden. I will never draft him, unless he is available during the last few rounds, because there is always the possibility he will only give me 20 innings because of injuries. I am absolutely thrilled he was able to throw 152.1 innings this year but will this be a normal thing from now on? Will he be able to throw every 5th day? Will he be able to stay healthy for an entire year? Does he have management that will take the chance and let him throw 100+ pitches every outing?

There are too many questions when it comes to Harden and that is why I would suggest not drafting in the 2009 fantasy season unless it is a complete bargain, last few rounds. In my eyes, I always let Harden become someone elses problem. Don't let this season blind you and make you a believer because one single season means nothing.

Why not make him a dominating 2 inning closer? There are so many questions surrounding Harden that it just makes no sense in my mind to draft him.

Harden (a Cub)

Rich Harden of the A's was traded to the Cubs for a handful of other players that don't have too much fantasy value as of right now (Gallagher, Murton, Patterson, and a minor leaguer Donaldson). This is great news for owners who have Harden because, as you know, I love pitchers moving into the NL from the AL, why you ask? Well, for one the NL is an easier league to contend with on a day to day basis. Second, they have the pitcher batting instead of a heavy hitting DH. This gives the pitcher kind of a rest every 2-3 innings.

For a pitcher like Harden, who throws smoke, this is a great move for him on the field. I predict, if he stays healthy, a strong second half. WAIT WAIT, the problem with Harden is his health. The A's have had to live with his health issues and have learned what to do with respect to precautions and I am no too sure the Cubs will know how to baby Harden. The likes of Lou as a coach should give Harden a break but we have seen how pitchers in the Cubs organization react to pitching (Wood and Prior).

If I were an owner of Harden, I would immediately sell high on him. His value is almost as high as it will get. Harden can get you a premium bat that can carry your fantasy team, especially if you can get a Hanley or Chase Utley who can contribute in all five categories. I will keep saying this until Harden shows me he can last an entire season...TRADE HIM WHILE HE IS HEALTHY!

Rich Harden

Rich Harden of the A's is bringing fantasy owners exactly what they have wanted from this Canadian born pitcher. Owners have watched Harden throw gem after gem this season and for those who have taken a chance and kept him or traded for him are feeling a sense of euphoria right now with his 5-0 start to the season. Last night was nothing new, Harden went 8 innings while allowing 0ER, striking out 11 batters, and bringing his ERA down to 2.15 (which is eye boggling).

Harden has made 9 consecutive starts and his showing everyone around the league that he might finally be over his healthy concerns that seem to have plagued this tremendous talent for his entire career. If owners are feeling a little risky, yes I still say there is risk, try to see if the current owner of Harden might want to send him in a trade and basically take what he has received so far from Harden. I am always afraid to have this guy on my roster because at any given moment he can go on the DL and never return. Maybe this is the year that Harden stays healthy and provides owners a Johan Santana type of fantasy year. I hope so because this kid has the stuff to be a fantasy stud.

Bottom line for fantasy owners. Harden can pitch and if you have the stomach to deal with the DL issues go out and try to find his services from another owner. Please don't try and give up too much for him because the injury risk is too high. If you can grab him for like 85/90 cents to the dollar you will have a good chance of taking some huge leaps in your pitching categories.

Harden and Mussina

Rich Harden of the A's is showing everyone in the world what kind of pitcher he can be when he is healthy and able to pitch. He just threw his 6th straight start and was dominating as usual going 6innings with 9K's and only allowing 3ER's. I am still not sold on this guy and will suggest everyone to try and sell high on him. He has never completed a season without going on the DL. If you have a deep hitting team you can afford to take a chance on Harden but if you are dying in the hitting area, Harden can grab you a high price bat that will help you. Keeping or trading Harden is a decision you have to make due to your personal circumstance. For me, I would trade him no matter what and get something more predictable in return.

Mike Mussina of the Yankees is throwing very well lately. In his past 10 starts he has 8 wins, 1 loss, and 1 no decision. That is some ace like numbers. In those 10 games he has pitched 55 innings, allowed only 19ER's, struck out 35 batters, and only walked 8. Do I smell contract year?

Big Ben

Ben Sheets of the Brewers has some soreness in his tricep which caused him to leave his last start. The bigger news here is he's been pushed back from his next scheduled start and is now on track to pitch next Tuesday.

Owners should be worried because Sheets is injury prone and finds a place on the DL every year. So far, owners have been blessed with his 2008 start (3-0, 28IP, 14H, 3ER, 1HR, 4BB, 24K, and a 0.96ERA). If you drafted him and had no back-up plan in case he did go to the DL you are in a little trouble. Well, not just yet but with his history this tricep injury might get more serious.

The only thing you can really do is wait this out. You won't get fair/full value if you try to trade him. Kind of reminds you of Rich Harden and Chipper Jones.

Harden

Mr. Harden of the A's is on the 15Day-DL. I can't say much to comfort Harden owners but there is nothing you can do about it now. He's injured and you won't get any value for him.

You are officially stuck with Harden, you can't drop him and you won't get full value for him. This is what you get for drafting Harden. He's either injured or dominating opponents.

Just keep him on the bench and better hope he's going to be healthy after the 15day DL stint.


My thoughts...I think it's time for Harden to move into the bullpen and come in for long relief or become a dominating closer.

quick look @ pitchers

Lincecum of the Giants had his first real start and was strong like usual but was left with a no decision (like usual). 6IP, 7H, 1ER, 1BB, and 7K's (nice).

Harden of the A's was bumped from his start and is scheduled to pitch on Saturday. This is terrible news for Harden owners. This guy dominates the Red Sox in his first two outings and now is left with wondering if he'll be on the DL. Injury doesn't sound bad but any injury with Harden is not good. Keep an eye on this guy. He has a sore upper back.

Phil Hughes had a rough outing. 3IP, 6H, 3ER, 4BB, 2K. For the Yanks to do anything this year, they need him to step up and pitch better than this. Owners should keep him and monitor his starts closely. I would pitch him against favourable match-ups for the time being.

Daisuke had another dominating outing. The only thing I want to say is his 4BB. He needs to lower his BB but I'm only being picky right now. Owners should be happy with his stuff.

Bedard of the Mariners pitched in his return from a sore hip (something he woke up with...sounds like an 80 year old). Only thing to note is 2HR's allowed. He's giving up the long ball and that's not a good sign.

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.

RICH HARDEN!!!

What a way to start this year. In his second game Rich Harden pitched 5IP, 4BB, 6K, and 0ER!!!

Fantasy owners, just hope he stays healthy.

Harden pt. 3

Harden is finished after pitching 6 innings.

6IP, 3HITS, 1ER, 3BB, 9K, 1HR.

Nice start to the season.

Harden pt. 2

Harden's average draft position (ADP) according to the guys over at www.mockdraftcentral.com is 212. That's the 17th round!!! Wow, if you get him in the 17th round and get 200IP, 12-15W, 180K's+, 3.90ERA, and a 1.2WHIP.

Can you say a fantasy championship in September?!?!

Rich Harden

With all the arm problems Rich Harden has had throughout his career this may be the year he stays healthy. So far Rich Harden is showing what he can do when he is healthy. Through 6 innings in the second of a two game series, in Tokyo Japan to open the MLB season, Harden is throwing a 1 hitter...his one mistake a HR to my main man, Manny Ramirez.

As of the 6th inning. 6IP, 1R, 3HITS, 9K's, 3BB, 1ER.

Make sure to look at the K's. He's a prime example of the prototypical pitcher from my strategy, heavy on K's.

Only if Harden could stay healthy. He is a great late round pick in drafts and because of his upside. I have found that many people shy away from Harden because of his injury risk. If you already took a top 5 pitcher (Johan, Webb, Beckett, Peavy, or Sabathia) you have some room to take a chance on a pitcher like Harden.

If he stays healthy he has the potential to be a top 5 pitcher! Now that's upside!