J.C. Romero

Philadelphia has come to terms with left handed pitcher J.C. Romero after declining his $4.5 million dollar option two months ago. The Phillies earlier this month had an apparent deal on the table with Dennys Reyes. However, it is believed to have fallen through when doctors had questions about Reyes' health.
Romero was limited to 36.2 IP in 60 appearances because of elbow problems in 2010. In addition, control problems once again continued to plague him. He struck out 28 batters (6.87 K/9) while walking 29 (7.12 BB/9). He still is able to induce batters into hitting ground balls (61% GB/12% LD/ 26%FB), and is effective against left-handed hitters holding them to a .174/.278/.251 batting line over the last three seasons.
At this stage of his career, however, the Phillies will have to contend with his wildness. He ended last season with a respectable 3.68 ERA. But because of walks, he posted a considerably higher 4.99 xERA and an ugly 1.61 WHIP. These are numbers that will find him on many fantasy waiver wires this coming year, even in leagues which count holds.

Andrew McCutchen

MLB Trade Rumors reports that the Pittsburgh Pirates may be contemplating a multiyear extension for 24 year old outfielder Andrew McCutchen. This follows on the heals of Jay Bruce's recently signed contract extension with the Reds. However, Luke Adams in his article rightly points out that McCutchen's extension should be modeled after that of Justin Upton's six-year $51.25 MM extension which he signed last winter. McCutchen finished last year with a .286/.365/.449 slash line, and 16 HR's, 94 R's, and 56 RBI's in 570 PA's, numbers very similar to Upton's pre-2010 signing. And like Upton, he is looked upon more for his speed than his power. McCutchen stole 33 bases in 2010, but also was caught stealing 10 times.

The question the Pirates now face is whether or not McCutchen's service time qualifies him for Super Two status. He has accumulated one year and 123 days of service. If the cutoff in 2011 is similar to last year's one year and 122 days of service, it can pose a problem for Pittsburgh's future payroll. Both sides will most likely opt, therefore, to wait for clarity on this issue before pursuing an extension. McCutchen is now under the Pirates control through 2015, and regardless of when arbitration may take place, he remains a vital key to the Pirates future hopes.

Brad Hawpe

Pending a physical, the San Diego Padres will sign 31 year old Brad Hawpe over the weekend to a one year contract. Hawpe, a Type B free agent, was traded mid season last year from the Rockies to the Tampa Bay Rays. He is expected to play 1st base for the Friars. The lefty swinger has a career .271/.367/.467 slash line, but is only a .245/.322/.438 career hitter against southpaws. The Padres are likely to find a platoon partner for him. Hawpe has patrolled the corner outfield positions most of his career but is considered a weak defender. As a matter of fact, per cumulative UZR, he ranks as one of the top ten worst fielders in the last decade (RF, -83.8). He has hit well inside Petco Field, and should be on one's fantasy radar in NL-only leagues.

Prospects

Fangraphs has been rolling out their 2011 preview of their top 10 prospects for every major league team. Their analysis is superb. This is a must read for all those in dynasty or keeper leagues.

NHL Happenings

New York Islanders winger Joshua Bailey has been called up from the AHL. Hopefully he has regained his confidence after scoring 18 points with Bridgeport. He will have to clear waivers if he is sent down again, so look for him to remain with the big club for the remainder of the year.

Pekka Rinne has been activated from the IR. However, Anders Lindback will start tonight. He has earned more starts for his stellar play in Rinne's absence. Rinne will be between the pipes in Nashville's next game against Ottawa tomorrow night.

Phoenix has called up winger Mikkel Boedker to fill in for injured Taylor Pyatt. Dobber believes that Boedker being drafted eighth overall is the sole reason he was promoted instead of Brett MacLean. MacLean was selected 32nd overall.

Flyers/Islanders November 6, 2010

The Philadelphia Flyers were not the opponent the New York Islanders wanted to see visit the Nassau Coliseum Saturday night. Losers of six straight games, the Isles had been especially listless in their last three contests, having been outscored 17-3. One of those losses came at the hands of the Flyers last week in Philadelphia, a humiliating 6-1 hammering. Add to this Philadelphia’s current five game winning streak, and the glaring 19-2-0 advantage the Flyers hold over them in their past 21 meetings, and it is easy to conclude that things did not bode well for the Isles entering into tonight’s play.
And so the night went. Andreas Nodl scored the game-winning goal for the Flyers with 6:25 left in the third period to give the Flyers a 2-1 victory and their sixth consecutive win. Meanwhile, the Islanders dreadful losing streak increased to seven games. With the score tied 1-1, Eric Wellwood unleashed a shot on goal which hit the mask of the upright Isles goaltender Dwayne Roloson. Nodl was right in the crease to scoop up the rebound and put the game-winner in the net. It was his third goal of the year.
Rookie netminder Sergei Bobrovsky was stellar once again for Philadelphia saving 31 shots. The Flyers were outshot 14-5 in the second period, but dominated the third, spending most of the period in the Islander zone. Bobrovsky made his only noticeable error when he cleared the puck over the boards for a game delaying penalty with less than two minutes remaining in the game. With Roloson on the bench and their net empty, the Isles tried to mount a comeback with a 6-on-4 man advantage, but were unable to score.
Mike Richards opened the scoring for the Flyers in the first period when he redirected a Chris Pronger shot past Roloson for his third goal of the season. The Isles Matt Moulson then tied the game in the second period on a wrist shot from the left circle after taking a beautiful feed from James Wisniewski. The power-play goal proved to be the only score the Isles could muster. It was Moulson’s sixth goal of the year.
The Isles have not led at any point during their current losing streak. All the losses have been in regulation, and they have not gained a point since October 21st, a 3-2 win in Tampa Bay. Since then, the team has had the most difficult time generating any type of offense. At least tonight they were in the game until the final buzzer. If they continue to play with the same intensity, the wins will eventually come.
Notes: The Flyers blocked 26 shots in the game…John Tavares has one goal, one assist, and a net -11 plus/minus since his hat trick in Florida against the Panthers on October 27.

Fantasy Frustration October 19, 2010

Every fantasy hockey GM (or any rotisserie player for that matter, be it baseball, football, etc.) must decide daily or on a weekly basis who on his roster to activate and who to put on the bench. Many times the results defy logic, leaving the GM snake-bit and dejected. Tonight it happened to me.

Faced with the choice of playing two goalies, I had to select among Pekka Rinne, Michael Neuvirth, and Roberto Luongo. Neuvirth was coming into tonight's game with a four game winning streak, and a stellar 1.95 GAA. Roberto Luongo is regarded as one of the NHL's top five goalies, and was up against the offensively challenged Wild, albeit in Minnesota. Rinne, recovering from a knee injury, was making his first start in over ten days. I feel Rinne is tremendously under-rated, and arguably one of the best net-minders in the league. Yet, I could not start him because of how long it has been since he played. So I went into the night having activated Luongo and Neuvirth, and benching Rinne.

Neuvirth was forced to leave the game against Boston after six minutes in the first period because of flu like symptoms, but not before allowing two goals on six shots.
Luongo was benched after the second period after giving up six goals on sixteen shots. And of course, Rinne played brilliantly pitching a shutout until Rene Bourque scored on him deep into overtime for the only goal of the game. Between Luongo's disaster and Neuvirth's illness my GAA and S% are shot for the week. Oh the joy of fantasy hockey!!!!!!