Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Dog Days of Summer
The term was coined because early Greeks and Romans thought that Sirius, the Dog Star, which rises with or just before the sun during this time of year, actually was the cause of the extra heat as well. It's also been described as a period of inactivity, which if you've been checking this page any lately, you know that that's certainly been the case here. Whether it was the Olympics (which I've been consuming in large bites), mail order movies (free trials are great), or the resurgence of my comic book collecting (Batman, is, and probably always will be, my hero), I've had a little time to recharge my batteries. My ears haven't been glued to the baseball news wire as they've been for much of the year, but I've kept an eye on things for you. Let's get started.
Is Troy Back or Is This a Trojan Horse?
First, he started swinging. Then murmurs of him returning to Anaheim. Then he does--and wows everyone exhibiting several launching-pad home runs. Is Troy Boy really gonna suit up soon? The chances seem a lot greater than before. I've said numerous times that it was unlikely--and believe me, BP is still just that. . .BP--but TG started his minor league rehab tonight. With the minor league season ending soon, he's a sure bet to be in the dugout in September. He'll only DH, but that's all fantasy owners care about. If your IR's empty (and mine was), adding Troy would cost you nothing and might just net you some key power for the stretch drive. In H2H, you may just have the boost your team needs for the playoffs. He can only do so much with a few weeks, but he's a difference maker.
Rotation Preparing to Do Just That
Jarrod Washburn is one good simulated game away from starting a rehab stint of his own. It could be a couple of starts, but AL owners who own Aaron Sele or Ramon Ortiz should be watching closely. Scioscy wants to delay the decision of who to relegate the pen as long as possible, but you have to think he wouldn't be silly enough to keep Sele in the rotation. Since the Break, his ERA is higher, he's fanned 10 and walked 16 (!), and his BAA is .322. Ramon Ortiz's numbers don't shine, but it takes very little to top those scary-looking stats. As far as Wash is concerned, it's tough to say how he'll do in the short term. This injury caused him a lot of pain, and he's been almost totally inactive for a month. His numbers weren't great before, but a rest could've been good medicine.
Fatman as Fearsome as His Gotham Counterpart?
Bart is 8-2 since July 1 following his much-maligned tank job in the first half. But has he really returned to his pre-Anaheim ace status? Not really. His ERA in the same span is just north of 4, while his K/BB ratio is a non-acelike 1.8. That's not killing anyone, but nothing to boast about. His control, which was actually much better in the first half (2.93 BB/9 compared to his post-Break 4.02), is a culprit, although he has seen his K/9 up as well, just not as much. He's taken the air-it-out approach and it's worked pretty well so far. What has changed dramatically since the first half? His HR fortune, that's for sure. He posted a 2.06 HR/rate in the first half--only 0.84 since. Much closer to his career averages. He's doing well, but he's still not the Fatman of old.
The Fireball is Firin' Away
Jose Guillen "won the fight" with Scioscy over the weekend about whether he'd play or not against the Yanks. Scioscy wanted to give him a day off, but Jose "told him he was going to [play]". Situations like this are becoming common. If he were a superhero, he'd be The Fireball or the Griper or Complaining Man or something to that effect. Scioscy defused Jose's remarks like any manager who's worth his salt will. The issue here is that the Angels are winning. If the Angels were sitting where Seattle is right now, he becomes a clubhouse problem. Stats aside, he's gotta be a pain. Stats not aside, he's absolutely mashing the ball to the tune of 31 RBI and a .572 SLG since the Break. He's has exceeded all expectations and believe it or not, he's for real.
September Help
Not only will Glaus most likely be gracing the Angel dugout soon after the rosters expand in a week, but there are other Halos who will be lurking nearby to give those owners looking for help an extra push as well. Andres Galarraga will most likely be back in the majors and has been hitting well at AAA. Casey Kotchman, whose earlier stint brought some unbelieving "overrated" mutters, is blistering the pill at a .377 clip in AAA also. Casey may have only hit .218 in his 28 games earlier this season, but he will very likely be a regular in the Angel lineup within 2 years (a very good one too). It's not clear whether Dallas McPherson will see the majors soon also, but don't rule it out. Will any of these guys get significant PT? Maybe Kotchman. Maybe not.
Odds and Ends
Very interesting 6 games ahead after the KC series. Three with MIN at home and 3 in Fenway. Either series could be a potential playoff preview. . .Darin Erstad continues to make me eat crow with his .316 AVG and 14 SB along with 2 dingers and 6 RBI in the past week. Don't believe the hype, though. In OPS, he's 19th among 22 MLB 1B with enough ABs to qualify for the batting title. He's also getting hits at 35% clip. That's too high to last. . .Figgins' move to 9th may have been the best thing for his speed. He's swiped 3 bases in 9 games in the bottom slot. Something to note if you know an owner who's upset about less ABs for him. . .I'd bail on Robb Quinlan unless you're in a very deep keeper. He won't be back in time to really help in '04. For the Angels, Matt Allen--ESPN.
Is Troy Back or Is This a Trojan Horse?
First, he started swinging. Then murmurs of him returning to Anaheim. Then he does--and wows everyone exhibiting several launching-pad home runs. Is Troy Boy really gonna suit up soon? The chances seem a lot greater than before. I've said numerous times that it was unlikely--and believe me, BP is still just that. . .BP--but TG started his minor league rehab tonight. With the minor league season ending soon, he's a sure bet to be in the dugout in September. He'll only DH, but that's all fantasy owners care about. If your IR's empty (and mine was), adding Troy would cost you nothing and might just net you some key power for the stretch drive. In H2H, you may just have the boost your team needs for the playoffs. He can only do so much with a few weeks, but he's a difference maker.
Rotation Preparing to Do Just That
Jarrod Washburn is one good simulated game away from starting a rehab stint of his own. It could be a couple of starts, but AL owners who own Aaron Sele or Ramon Ortiz should be watching closely. Scioscy wants to delay the decision of who to relegate the pen as long as possible, but you have to think he wouldn't be silly enough to keep Sele in the rotation. Since the Break, his ERA is higher, he's fanned 10 and walked 16 (!), and his BAA is .322. Ramon Ortiz's numbers don't shine, but it takes very little to top those scary-looking stats. As far as Wash is concerned, it's tough to say how he'll do in the short term. This injury caused him a lot of pain, and he's been almost totally inactive for a month. His numbers weren't great before, but a rest could've been good medicine.
Fatman as Fearsome as His Gotham Counterpart?
Bart is 8-2 since July 1 following his much-maligned tank job in the first half. But has he really returned to his pre-Anaheim ace status? Not really. His ERA in the same span is just north of 4, while his K/BB ratio is a non-acelike 1.8. That's not killing anyone, but nothing to boast about. His control, which was actually much better in the first half (2.93 BB/9 compared to his post-Break 4.02), is a culprit, although he has seen his K/9 up as well, just not as much. He's taken the air-it-out approach and it's worked pretty well so far. What has changed dramatically since the first half? His HR fortune, that's for sure. He posted a 2.06 HR/rate in the first half--only 0.84 since. Much closer to his career averages. He's doing well, but he's still not the Fatman of old.
The Fireball is Firin' Away
Jose Guillen "won the fight" with Scioscy over the weekend about whether he'd play or not against the Yanks. Scioscy wanted to give him a day off, but Jose "told him he was going to [play]". Situations like this are becoming common. If he were a superhero, he'd be The Fireball or the Griper or Complaining Man or something to that effect. Scioscy defused Jose's remarks like any manager who's worth his salt will. The issue here is that the Angels are winning. If the Angels were sitting where Seattle is right now, he becomes a clubhouse problem. Stats aside, he's gotta be a pain. Stats not aside, he's absolutely mashing the ball to the tune of 31 RBI and a .572 SLG since the Break. He's has exceeded all expectations and believe it or not, he's for real.
September Help
Not only will Glaus most likely be gracing the Angel dugout soon after the rosters expand in a week, but there are other Halos who will be lurking nearby to give those owners looking for help an extra push as well. Andres Galarraga will most likely be back in the majors and has been hitting well at AAA. Casey Kotchman, whose earlier stint brought some unbelieving "overrated" mutters, is blistering the pill at a .377 clip in AAA also. Casey may have only hit .218 in his 28 games earlier this season, but he will very likely be a regular in the Angel lineup within 2 years (a very good one too). It's not clear whether Dallas McPherson will see the majors soon also, but don't rule it out. Will any of these guys get significant PT? Maybe Kotchman. Maybe not.
Odds and Ends
Very interesting 6 games ahead after the KC series. Three with MIN at home and 3 in Fenway. Either series could be a potential playoff preview. . .Darin Erstad continues to make me eat crow with his .316 AVG and 14 SB along with 2 dingers and 6 RBI in the past week. Don't believe the hype, though. In OPS, he's 19th among 22 MLB 1B with enough ABs to qualify for the batting title. He's also getting hits at 35% clip. That's too high to last. . .Figgins' move to 9th may have been the best thing for his speed. He's swiped 3 bases in 9 games in the bottom slot. Something to note if you know an owner who's upset about less ABs for him. . .I'd bail on Robb Quinlan unless you're in a very deep keeper. He won't be back in time to really help in '04. For the Angels, Matt Allen--ESPN.
