Monday, May 17, 2004
Do You Have to Let It Linger?
Do you have to? Do you have to? I’m dedicating this column to the 1993 Cranberries hit that my middle school friends and I would always sing when someone cut the proverbial cheese in our vicinity. I’m not condoning our stupidity, I’m just being nostalgic, I suppose. The Angels haven’t really had a gas problem to speak of, but they sure are finding ways to let their mounting injuries linger. Sure, they are 12-3 in May, so it hasn’t hurt the bottom line yet, but I and a lot of other Angels fans would feel much better to see more than half the Opening Day lineup on the field. In specific injury news, Garret Anderson is waiting for a doctor who knows how to use his stethoscope and that the Hippocratic oath has nothing to do with that fat animal with the buckteeth.
His back is still tight and no one knows why. The dreaded words “no timetable” still apply. Erstad looks to be out also for quite some time as well with a Double Hammy Strain with Cheese. The positive point there is that this isn’t a reaggravation; they’re in different spots from last year’s. The negative outlook? That’s just two more weak spots in an already torn up hamstring. Tim Salmon suffered a setback with his knee during his minor league rehab stint. He might be back this week, or the Angels may also decide to wait. It’s not like the lineup is starving for runs right now. Bengie Molina left yesterday’s with groin discomfort. Expect word today or early tomorrow on whether he will join the Cranberries Crew.
Perhaps the most interesting (and also the most ominous) lingering injury is that of Troy Glaus. It’s old news that he left the roadie to return to Anaheim for tests. Those tests showed that, “Yeah, you’re knee’s okay, but you know that whole shoulder deal that completely ruined your season a year ago? Well, guess what, your shoulder looks oddly like that again.” Dandy. Most have heard this by now, so you, Fantasy Owner, won’t get full value if you decide to deal. Scioscia has said don’t expect Glaus at 3B anytime remotely soon. He’ll either DH, or here’s something--he took ground balls at 1B over the weekend. He’s only seen action at SS and 3B, so this will be other interesting Scioscia Study. His hitting should remain okay (4 HR since the “re-tweak” in MIN). Stay tuned.
Is That the Way We Stand?
Where does all this leave us for PT? Well, Figgy’s gonna be seeing a whole lot of 3B, so high-five something if you picked him up. DaVanon now becomes the 3rd OF, so get him in AL-leagues. Depending on whether Glaus DHs, Salmon may have to sit. He’s not gonna be able to play OF on a regular basis with that knee. Kotchman? Yeah, he’s looked wonderful so far, but if Glaus can play 1B, who do you think is gonna be sitting the bench? It didn’t bode that well for Kotch anyway when Robb Quinlan came up last week to help out. However, with KC’s start, you figure he’ll get some periodic chances, more than anyone until Glaus can take over at 1B. What about Erstad? I don’t know--1B. . .Coach? Don’t look for him to go anywhere though. He’s signed to an overpriced contract through 2006.
Is It All a Game to You?
If Jarrod Washburn were a catcher, he’d be givin’ the fantasy player some pretty complicated signals out there on the mound right now. Numbers?
ERA: 4.68.
WHIP: 1.36.
HR/9: 1.26.
All bad (HR/9=ugly).
Wins: 7.
K/9: 6.5 (up from 5.1 in ‘03).
K/BB ratio: 3.0.
All very good.
The K/9, K/BB ratio, and JW’s excellent control give his owners hope that if the bats do cool off, he can still be a solid fantasy option. Don’t expect the HRs to cool off though. He’s thrown 5 gopherballs in 3 starts in May. So far, his G/F ratio is a very low 0.77. That’s somewhat disguised at ANA but not on the road. Nonetheless, he’s worth trading a mid-level player for. Recently he’s been traded for MacDougal, Mesa, and Rincon. All good deals. He’s also been traded for Freddy Garcia. Very bad deal.
Oh, I Thought the World of You
Chone Figgins certainly has the fantasy world’s attention this week. Who would’ve thought that six weeks into the regular season that Figgins would have 2 of the 4 pairs of wings awarded here? Not me. Vlad’s gonna get mad at me (not really) for skipping over him on two good weeks, but Figgins’ numbers are just too good to ignore again: 12-29 (.414), 1 HR, 8 RBI, 4 R. He’s got six 3B, on pace to become only the third hitter since 1950 to finish the season with more than 20. For the answer to who were the other two, you can check out the trivia section at Inside the Halo (http://insidethehalo.blogspot.com). So, scoring along at home with our silver pairs of wings? Figgins 2, Guillen 1, Erstad 1.
Inside the Halo
In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve changed the e-mail and web address. The e-mail is now insidethehalo@insightbb.com. Use it. ITH’s address is listed just above. There are instant polls, trivia, important fantasy links, as well as all the drivel that I’ve shoveled out this young baseball season. Head over and check it out. Also, if you want to be notified when I’ve updated here at ESPN , click the e-mail notification link toward the top-right corner of the page. Three big ones against the Bronx Bombers comin’ up. Fun series. Then 3 more versus the Orange Birds. Then it’s North of the Border for the end of the AL East run against the Jays. So far 7-3 against what was hyped to be the best division in baseball. Gotta like that. Reporting for the Angels, Matt Allen--ESPN.
His back is still tight and no one knows why. The dreaded words “no timetable” still apply. Erstad looks to be out also for quite some time as well with a Double Hammy Strain with Cheese. The positive point there is that this isn’t a reaggravation; they’re in different spots from last year’s. The negative outlook? That’s just two more weak spots in an already torn up hamstring. Tim Salmon suffered a setback with his knee during his minor league rehab stint. He might be back this week, or the Angels may also decide to wait. It’s not like the lineup is starving for runs right now. Bengie Molina left yesterday’s with groin discomfort. Expect word today or early tomorrow on whether he will join the Cranberries Crew.
Perhaps the most interesting (and also the most ominous) lingering injury is that of Troy Glaus. It’s old news that he left the roadie to return to Anaheim for tests. Those tests showed that, “Yeah, you’re knee’s okay, but you know that whole shoulder deal that completely ruined your season a year ago? Well, guess what, your shoulder looks oddly like that again.” Dandy. Most have heard this by now, so you, Fantasy Owner, won’t get full value if you decide to deal. Scioscia has said don’t expect Glaus at 3B anytime remotely soon. He’ll either DH, or here’s something--he took ground balls at 1B over the weekend. He’s only seen action at SS and 3B, so this will be other interesting Scioscia Study. His hitting should remain okay (4 HR since the “re-tweak” in MIN). Stay tuned.
Is That the Way We Stand?
Where does all this leave us for PT? Well, Figgy’s gonna be seeing a whole lot of 3B, so high-five something if you picked him up. DaVanon now becomes the 3rd OF, so get him in AL-leagues. Depending on whether Glaus DHs, Salmon may have to sit. He’s not gonna be able to play OF on a regular basis with that knee. Kotchman? Yeah, he’s looked wonderful so far, but if Glaus can play 1B, who do you think is gonna be sitting the bench? It didn’t bode that well for Kotch anyway when Robb Quinlan came up last week to help out. However, with KC’s start, you figure he’ll get some periodic chances, more than anyone until Glaus can take over at 1B. What about Erstad? I don’t know--1B. . .Coach? Don’t look for him to go anywhere though. He’s signed to an overpriced contract through 2006.
Is It All a Game to You?
If Jarrod Washburn were a catcher, he’d be givin’ the fantasy player some pretty complicated signals out there on the mound right now. Numbers?
ERA: 4.68.
WHIP: 1.36.
HR/9: 1.26.
All bad (HR/9=ugly).
Wins: 7.
K/9: 6.5 (up from 5.1 in ‘03).
K/BB ratio: 3.0.
All very good.
The K/9, K/BB ratio, and JW’s excellent control give his owners hope that if the bats do cool off, he can still be a solid fantasy option. Don’t expect the HRs to cool off though. He’s thrown 5 gopherballs in 3 starts in May. So far, his G/F ratio is a very low 0.77. That’s somewhat disguised at ANA but not on the road. Nonetheless, he’s worth trading a mid-level player for. Recently he’s been traded for MacDougal, Mesa, and Rincon. All good deals. He’s also been traded for Freddy Garcia. Very bad deal.
Oh, I Thought the World of You
Chone Figgins certainly has the fantasy world’s attention this week. Who would’ve thought that six weeks into the regular season that Figgins would have 2 of the 4 pairs of wings awarded here? Not me. Vlad’s gonna get mad at me (not really) for skipping over him on two good weeks, but Figgins’ numbers are just too good to ignore again: 12-29 (.414), 1 HR, 8 RBI, 4 R. He’s got six 3B, on pace to become only the third hitter since 1950 to finish the season with more than 20. For the answer to who were the other two, you can check out the trivia section at Inside the Halo (http://insidethehalo.blogspot.com). So, scoring along at home with our silver pairs of wings? Figgins 2, Guillen 1, Erstad 1.
Inside the Halo
In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve changed the e-mail and web address. The e-mail is now insidethehalo@insightbb.com. Use it. ITH’s address is listed just above. There are instant polls, trivia, important fantasy links, as well as all the drivel that I’ve shoveled out this young baseball season. Head over and check it out. Also, if you want to be notified when I’ve updated here at ESPN , click the e-mail notification link toward the top-right corner of the page. Three big ones against the Bronx Bombers comin’ up. Fun series. Then 3 more versus the Orange Birds. Then it’s North of the Border for the end of the AL East run against the Jays. So far 7-3 against what was hyped to be the best division in baseball. Gotta like that. Reporting for the Angels, Matt Allen--ESPN.
