MLB Fantasy Baseball: Thursday News and 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 sti

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