So often, the first take takes. In other words, whatever prognostication came first, it’ll stick long after the data has taken a new turn. In most respects, when it comes to the games on the field, Addison Russell, Masahiro Tanaka, and Homer Bailey all started on the wrong foot this year. The trick is finding out — quickly — if there’s a chance that first look is obscuring the true value of these guys.

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Cursing at the injury Gods already? Yeah you are. Let’s see what your free agent pool might offer in your deep league.

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If anyone ever wanted to see Ike Davis pitch, well, last night was your lucky night. Unless you’re an Oakland A’s fan.

On today’s agenda:
1. Drew Smyly may return Friday
2. Take note of Michael Saunders
3. Zack Cozart’s big day
4. Streaming Pitching Options
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Episode 220

The latest episode of “The Sleeper and the Bust” is live!

In this episode, Paul Sporer and Eno Sarris discuss the rash of catcher injuries while offering up some potential replacements and also talk about the two hot new call-ups: Addison Russell and Carlos Rodon

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The new high-strikeout, pitching-focused environment has changed the game in many ways, but one of the more significant ways is the rising value of middle relievers. For years I used to roster 2-3 middle relievers in an AL- or NL-only league to supplement my staff instead going with the fourth- or fifth-starter from some middling team. The linked article was done in 2011 when it was still kind of a niche strategy that maybe a couple of teams could pull off. There wasn’t the overwhelming volume of viable relievers that we see now with gaudy strikeout rates and microscopic ratios.

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For the first time in a couple of seasons the San Diego Padres have a healthy Yonder Alonso on their hands. And for the first time in as long as I can remember, the Padres have mortgaged a decent portion of the farm in attempt to win now — or, at least put more of a competitive product on the diamond and around Alonso in the lineup. The former first-rounder’s health along with the idea that these newly acquired stars could be reducing some of the pressure from the Friars’ first baseman could be a recipe for the breakout season we’ve been waiting for.
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• Well it looks like a time line exists for a possible return of Josh Hamilton to the Angels.

The Angels have mapped out a comeback regimen for Josh Hamilton, under which the troubled out-fielder could rejoin the team in early June.

Under the tentative plan, Hamilton would report to the Angels’ Arizona training complex for two to three weeks of work with the team’s extended spring program. He would then proceed to a minor league rehabilitation assignment and could rejoin the Angels thereafter.

Hamilton is expected to report to Arizona “sooner rather than later,” according to a person familiar with the plan but unwilling to discuss it publicly until the Angels announce it. The person spoke before the Angels’ 6-3 loss to the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium on Monday.

The plan does not guarantee that Hamilton plays again for the Angels, but at the least it buys time for owner Arte Moreno. If Hamilton appears sound enough that his presence on the roster could give the Angels their best chance to win, the players might be discouraged if Moreno lets Hamilton go.

The best case scenario is an early June return. Worst case seems to be a legal nightmare with Hamilton not playing this season. This situation could get really ugly.

• Jonathan Lucroy big toe broke on a foul tip. No information on a return time is available yet.

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Rougned Odor, slight of frame and young in age, impressed in his debut last season despite playing just 62 games above double-A. Forced into a role due to injuries to Jurickson Profar, a 90 wRC+ is not world beating but he did hit nine homers and steal four bags which is certainly appealing for fantasy purposes given he played in just 114 games.
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Episode 12 – A Good Baseball Player By All Accounts

The latest episode of “Field of Streams” is live!

In this episode, Dylan Higgins and Brad Johnson discuss plenty of options in a full slate of games tonight, the decline of Trevor Cahill, numerous solid picks at third base, trying to find value at shortstop, looking for guys with high ceilings compared to their DFS prices, and the debut of Addison Russell.

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Agenda

1. Farnsworth on Moustakas
2. Daily DFS – Archer
3. GB / FB Splits
4. Tomorrow’s Targets – Kelly, Sanchez, Mayberry, Marisnick
5. Factor Grid

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