MLB Fantasy Baseball: Thursday News and Notes

We'd love to get into the whole thing now, but, really, it deserves it's own post. The whole Manny Ramirez saga in Boston has been horrendous to follow, and last night was the bottom of the barrel. It's to a point where the team needs to make a move strictly for the sake of making a move. Yes, it's that bad. Four errors last night and multiple plays that should/could have been made lead you to that conclusion.

One major trade yesterday that does have fantasy impact in one way or another. We'll be checking in all day with updates regarding the various trades. For now, the notes!

• Putting this together and just heard that Ken Griffey is likely on his way to the White Sox. Great move for them and for fantasy owners. He'll be a more-than-stellar DH in the AL and provide outfield depth. Huge boost to his fantasy value right now.
• The Yankees lose one of the better offensive catchers in the game and go out to get a 36-year-old Pudge Rodriguez, who is in the middle of quite the streak. Rodriguez is hitting .295, but not producing much in the way of power at all. New York, though, doesn't need the power. They need him to get on base, which he has done all season. Expect him to be a lower-third-of-the-lineup guy, so his at-bats will be more limited. He will maintain similar fantasy value.
• Kyle Farnsworth will likely be a set-up guy in Detroit, but could step in to a closer's role if there are further problems with Todd Jones. Farnsworth has always had the fastball, and a bigger ballpark may help. Comerica is much more friendly to right-handed pitchers than Yankee Stadium.
• It is highly likely that Tim Hudson is done for the season. Hudson has gone for two opinions on his ailing pitching elbow and both have found major ligament damage. Surgery is a major possibility at this point. As a fantasy owner, it would be wise not to rely on him the rest of the way. Keep him in your DL spot until we get definitive word, but if you don't have the room, cutting him makes perfect sense.
• There are rumors swirling around potential Manny Ramirez trades. Most of them have him ending up in Florida. It seems to be a solid change of scenery for him. He's from there and could provide some solid pop in a young lineup. Sure, he would double their payroll, but it would be an interesting fit.
• Jason Bay and Jeremy Hermida are the two names mentioned that could come to Boston in various scenarios of the trade. Big question marks here. Both would immediately become everyday players in Boston, so that wouldn't be the same issue we see with Xavier Nady. Neither, though, have performed on big stages. Bay has spent his entire career in Pittsburgh and is nearly 29. He has some power years left, so that would help Boston. Hermida is young and would be under control for several years. For a team that could use help elsewhere, this is the "safer" move. He's young enough not to be dazzled by the lights.
• Cris Carpenter's return was largely successful. He's going to have to build up stamina again, but his four inning performance was encouraging. In deep leagues, he's a good add now in order to make sure you have him on the roster. Carpenter is likely a safe start next time out.
• The reason you don't rely on fringe starters, or you call them spot starters, is because of what Tim Redding did last night. Everything was pointing toward success for the Nationals pitcher, but he literally blew up. Redding couldn't get anyone out, and the Phillies offense continued to swing well against everyone. It's always a gamble when we talk spot-starters. This one came up craps, to say the least.
• Gavin Floyd pitches better against Minnesota than any other team in the majors. His outing last night helped to improve his overall record against them to 3-1 this season with a 1.86 ERA and .168 BAA. Certainly, a matchup to remember later this season.
• Kelly Shoppach recorded five extra-base hits last night to equal a record. Shoppach has filled in admirably for Victor Martinez. You can still get a week or two good use from him before Victor Martinez is healthy enough to rejoin the team. If you're in need of a catcher, there are worse options on waivers.

Notes for today's games:

• Limited slate of games, with a couple afternoon tilts as well. Make sure you set lineups early.
• As pointed out yesterday, there are very few road options all season that make sense to use when it comes to pitching. Today, that's especially true. Keep Justin Verlander, Rich Harden, John Danks, and Brandon Webb active, but there is no need to start any other visiting pitcher. The numbers just don't add up to a reliable answer.
• Anibal Sanchez is going to get the start for the Marlins tonight. Sanchez was considered an early stud when acquired in the Hanley Ramirez trade. He has the stuff to be successful, but the surgery will likely limit his early effectiveness in this comeback from the DL. Watch him carefully, but don't get too carried away with one good start. He will need time to adjust back to major-league hitters.
• Dave Bush is 4-2 at home this season, posting a 2.85 ERA. His one start against the Cubs was on the road, so the poor performance isn't as good an indicator as it could otherwise be. Bush is a solid option if you're looking for good peripheral stats, even if he can't get the win.
• Mike Hampton is starting for Atlanta. This is not a guy worth trusting until he actually proves he can pitch an entire month healthy. Once that happens, then we'll talk about adding him to any roster.
• John Danks has been lights out on the road, and should certainly be started. His 5-1 road record and 2.31 ERA put him over the top. He's struggled against Minnesota at home, but pitched well against them in the Metrodome. Scott Baker should be owned and started against everyone. EVERYONE. He's still only 65 percent owned. Our target is at least 80. Spread the good word!!!
• Spot-starts today? Go with Danks, Bush, Baker, and John Lannan.

Notes for tomorrow's games:

• Frank Thomas will likely be activated for the series against Boston. If that's the case, he has great career numbers against Tim Wakefield, sporting .283/7/13 numbers in 53 career at-bats.
• Justin Duchscherer was roughed up last time out, but has had too much success to bench him against the Red Sox. The Sox offense is just sputtering right now. Unless they make a major move that rejuvenates them, you always start your aces.
• Other options for David DeJesus should be explored, as he's just 3-21 against Vazquez. Every other Royal should be in the lineup though. Vazquez's ERA is over five and the Royals have hit .320 against him in two starts this season. He's also just 2-6 on the road this season with an ERA over five.
• Garrett Olson has been a fine pitcher, but he has struggled recently, and that has been compounded on the road. Yes, the Mariners are a weaker offense, but they still represent enough of a threat that this is a borderline play at best.
• Jeff Suppan, and most Milwaukee pitchers, are good starts at home. On the road, not so much. Suppan's differential in ERA is nearly three runs from home to road. He's pitched well against Atlanta, but the current trends indicate otherwise for this start.
• Hard to believe that a guy with a 2.44 ERA at home can be 0-4, but Odalis Perez is exactly that. Perez is a decent play against a Reds offense that could be without Griffey and doesn't travel well. He's a sneaky play for peripheral stats alone.
• If you're going to start Clayton Kershaw, doing so against a division opponent at home is a good place to do it. Randy Johnson has been good this season, but Kershaw has more upside in this start.
• Spot start calls? Go with Perez, Kershaw, Luke Hochevar, and Sidney Ponson.

Back as the need arises. Check back throughout the day for trade deadline updates. Check out the full Roundtable blog.