Bleacher Report - Articles by Forrest W. Kobayashi

BREAKING: Tiger Woods Seriously Injured in Car Accident

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:40:33 -0500

UPDATE: CNN is also reporting that a statement has been released by the hospital and Woods' publicist, both saying that he has been released from the hospital and in "good" condition.

UPDATE: Darren Rovell has reported via Twitter that Tiger's agent says he is OK.

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that golfer Tiger Woods has been seriously injured in a car accident.

Earlier this morning, Woods pulled out of his driveway, struck a fire hydrant, and ran into a tree.

More information to come as it is reported.

Shaquille O'Neal Pays For Girl's Funeral: A True Thanksgiving Moment

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:13:29 -0500

While Shaquille O'Neal is one of the most successful active NBA players, he never seems to sacrifice his character and personality through the fame and recognition.

After learning about a girl's tragic death through the national news, O'Neal was moved by what he saw. He stepped up to the plate and paid off the entire cost of the girl's funeral.

The kidnapped Shaniya Davis' funeral was held on Sunday, with more than 2,000 people gathered.

It is truly inspiring to see a professional athlete have the heart to provide monetary support to a meaningful cause. While athletes can quickly become known for their in-game achievements and highlight-reel plays, Shaq stands out as an athlete that has provided for fans on and off the court.

Shaq's kind gesture comes around Thanksgiving—a time when people step back and take time to appreciate all that they've been fortunate to have. O'Neal has had a profound impact on thousands of peoples' lives—especially those close to Shaniya—and will forever be remembered in those people's minds.

Some athletes and people make a significant amount of money, but take a selfish approach to how they use their assets. O'Neal has demonstrated—through this situation and other community events throughout his career—that he truly cares for others.

While Shaquille will go down as one of the best NBA centers to ever play the game, he will long be remembered and idolized by young fans for his contributions outside of the basketball arena.

Marian Hossa's Debut Puts Chicago Blackhawks Into NHL's Driver Seat

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:05:15 -0500

Coming into their game with the San Jose Sharks, the Chicago Blackhawks were considered one of the favorites in the Western Conference.

Now, they may have become the team to beat.

Marian Hossa made his debut with the Chicago Blackhawks after missing the beginning of the season with a shoulder injury. Needless to say, he made quite a statement.

Hossa tallied two goals on four shots, with a +1 rating—good enough for the first star in the game.

Hossa's return is huge for the Blackhawks, who signed him to a 12-year, $62.8 million deal this past July.

The team is in line for a massive offensive upgrade, and it showed tonight against a tough Sharks team. San Jose goaltender Evgeni Nabokov came into the game with a .926 save percentage and a 2.19 GAA, but it clearly did not faze Hossa.

After tonight's game, the Blackhawks are fifth in the league with 3.26 goals per game. Expect that to rise as Hossa continues to familiarize himself with his teammates and his surroundings.

Hossa is surrounded by a plethora of offensive talent—Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp will help Hossa maximize his scoring potential.

While projecting his line on any given night could be a difficult task, Hossa will undoubtedly get enough ice time to keep the Blackhawks scoring, night in and night out.

The Blackhawks look to continue their stellar play in California, with away games against the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings on Friday and Saturday.

Josh Beckett Can Solidify Cy Young Status With Win Tonight vs. Yankees

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:54:03 -0400

If Josh Beckett's surface statistics are any indication, he is firmly in the running for the American League Cy Young award in 2009.

On the season, Beckett has registered an impressive 14-4 record. He holds a 3.38 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and a 149/43 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Opponents are batting a mere .233 against him.

Beckett is going to face one of his fellow Cy Young Award candidates tonight, when the Red Sox take on the Yankees at Fenway Park. He will be facing CC Sabathia, the Cy Young Award Winner in 2007.

The Red Sox offense has been chugging along the past two games, scoring 11 and 14 runs. The bats will need to be present if Beckett wants a chance to beat the tough-as-nails Sabathia.

From a pure individual perspective, tonight's game is a must-win for Beckett. Beckett is in a position to become a favorite in the Cy Young race, and a win over the rival Yankees (and CC) would solidify his already-lofty status.

Boston, currently 6.5 games out of first place in the AL East, would also benefit greatly from a solid start from Beckett tonight.

First, it would help their cause in the tough American League Wild Card race, which is shaping up to be a three-horse race (Texas and Tampa Bay being the other two).

The Red Sox are somewhat of a long shot to catch the Yankees and win the Division, but crazier things certainly have happened.

The Boston bullpen will also get a big breather if Beckett can reach a solid pitch total for the evening. Let's face it: the Sox bullpen is tired.

Jonathan Papelbon and Daniel Bard are the Sox relievers who are likely to be used if they are in a winning position near the end of the game.

What impact do you believe a win for Beckett would have on his AL Cy Young candidacy?

Yankees-Red Sox: The Red Sox Domination Guide (Late August Edition)

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:24:28 -0400

The New York Yankees (76-45) will meet up with the Boston Red Sox (69-51) for a three-game series at Fenway Park starting tonight.

The Red Sox currently hold a one-game Wild Card lead over the Texas Rangers, and a four-game lead over the AL East's third-place team, the Tampa Bay Rays.

Undoubtedly, this is a huge series for the Red Sox, who need to take advantage of great pitching, solid hitting, and momentum sweeping Toronto in order to take down their hated rivals.

There are some intriguing pitching matchups in this three-game series. Let's take a look at who will be pitching.

Game 1: Andy Pettitte-NYY vs. Brad Penny-BOS

At the old age of 37, Andy Pettitte is proving he can still be a serviceable starter for the New York Yankees. With a 9-6 record and a 4.09 ERA, he is certainly keeping the Yankees in most of their games.

The Red Sox will counter with Brad Penny, who has shown he is purely an innings-eater at this point in his career. His 5.22 ERA and 1.50 WHIP are not good numbers, and he is barely maintaining a 2/1 K/BB ratio.

The Verdict: New York has the advantage in this pitching matchup, with Pettitte purely on fire over his past six starts. Despite a 1-1 record in the past month, Pettitte has posted a 2.23 ERA and 1.02 WHIP, with a 35/8 K/BB ratio.

The Key For Boston: The Red Sox must get out quickly in this matchup with the bats. In five out of the last six starts for Pettitte, he has thrown more than 101 pitches. If the Red Sox can remain patient at the plate and take plenty of pitches, they could sneak away with a win.

Game 2: AJ Burnett-NYY vs. Junichi Tazawa-BOS

A.J. Burnett's surface stats sure look attractive from the Yankees' standpoint. A 10-6 record with a 3.69 ERA defines a good pitcher, doesn't it? Take a closer look.

Over the past month, Burnett has averaged 7.4 K/9, with 3.8 BB/9. His command is actually worse than Pettitte's, both on the season and in the last month. Burnett has a good amount of downside the rest of the season, and the Red Sox could exploit his weaknesses in this matchup.

Junichi Tazawa is still much of an unknown as a Red Sox player. He came in for late-inning duty on August 7th against the Yankees - talk about being thrown into the fire! Tazawa has two starts on the season: one solid against the Detroit Tigers, and the other weak at The Ballpark in Arlington against the Texas Rangers.

With only 11.2 innings pitched on the season, it is tough to project how Tazawa will throw against the Yankees. A scary stat most Red Sox fans should be aware of is his opponent's OBP: a scary .354. Needless to say, Tazawa will have to perform better than that if he wants to beat the Yankees.

The Verdict: While Burnett has to be considered the favorite pitcher here, Tazawa is not far off from being at least a comparable pitcher. Considering Tazawa is throwing at home and has the home crowd behind him, Tazawa has a better-than-average chance to throw a quality start and put the Red Sox out in front.

The Key For Boston: Tazawa's pitching. If Tazawa can put together a few quality innings (at least five good ones), the bullpen can go to work and attempt to finish the game the right way. If Tazawa implodes, the Boston bats better be extremely patient: Burnett's control is not all that great.

Game 3: CC Sabathia-NYY vs. Josh Beckett-BOS

Talk about a dream matchup. Two of the American League's elite hurlers will go to work on Sunday, creating what could be the most exciting pitching matchup of the entire regular season.

The southpaw Sabathia has been everything the New York Yankees had hoped for coming into the season. He currently holds a season record of 14-7, with a 3.58 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. Sabathia has absolutely been on fire the past month as well, throwing for a record of 5-1 with a 3.32 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. Yes, he is elite.

Josh Beckett is the ace of the Boston staff, and he is another elite hurler. Like Sabathia, Beckett has posted elite numbers to date this season, with a 14-4 record, 3.38 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. In the past month, Beckett has gone 3-0 with an incredible 3.24 ERA.

The Verdict: This is going to be a can't-miss pitching matchup. While both pitchers are elite hurlers, I have to give the edge in this one to Beckett and the Red Sox. While both teams are extremely strong at getting on base, this one is more of a toss up than anything.

The Key For Boston: The bullpen. In a game slated to be so close, the bullpen must hold up and pitch big time innings, whether the Sox are leading or not. Boston's bats are liable to catch on fire anytime, along with the Yankees', so neither team can be too comfortable with any kind of lead.

There should be plenty of solid pitching in this series: more than one would expect with two offensively-powerful teams.

Here are three keys for the Red Sox in their pursuit of the Evil Empire.

1. Jonathan Papelbon must be able to shut down hitters in big games

We all know how good Mariano Rivera is—once he enters the game, it is ridiculously difficult for bats to get going. But Papelbon has been merely above-average this year for the Sox, and he is walking a lot of batters.

Over the past three years, Papelbon has rates of 1.7, 2.1, and 1.0BB/9. This year, he's at 4.0/9. While he is still an extremely dominant pitcher, the walks could come back to haunt him.

However, if he can focus on controlling the baseball while maintaining dominance, the Red Sox will be well off, and will reap the benefits of having solid pitching at the end of their games.

2. The Red Sox have to limit the number of runners they leave on base

Over the past three games against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Red Sox left seven, nine, and seven men on base. In a series where every run will count, the Red Sox must capitalize on every single run-scoring opportunity that comes to them.

Expect Victor Martinez and Kevin Youkilis to be at the top of their games, batting as the first and second hitters early and often. The second-half of the order must produce as well, with Lowell, Kotchman, and even Ortiz. Poor plate decisions could end up costing the Red Sox dearly.

3. Terry Francona needs to know when to pull the plug...on his pitchers, that is

Francona has some big decisions to make with how he manages his bullpen in this series. More likely than not, Penny and Tazawa will need extensive bullpen support.

The key for Francona is using the right reliever at the right time and for the right duration. For a team that is very careful with pitch counts and how they handle their pitchers, look for Francona to make liberal switches with his relievers if he deems necessary.

Poor bullpen management in this series could really cost the Sox not only in this series, but in the upcoming Chicago White Sox series as well.

As sports fans, we should all be looking forward to one of the most exciting regular-season series of the year. Considering both teams are in the running for playoff positions, this should be a hard-fought series to the end.

What do you believe the keys are for the Red Sox are in this series?

Pretty Fly For an Old Guy: Why John Smoltz Will Soar for the St. Louis Cardinals

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:24:26 -0400

Let's face it: John Smoltz wasn't a very good pitcher with the Boston Red Sox.

In 40 innings pitched this season, Smoltz has posted a 2-5 season record with an 8.32 ERA and 1.70 WHIP. Opponents have posted an on-base percentage against of .340.

So why is there an immense amount of upside with Smoltz on his way to St. Louis, a contender in the National League?

Believe it or not, the skills are still there.

Much more than the surface statistics, it appears that Smoltz still has some skills left in the tank.

The one thing to consider is his strikeout-to-walk ratio, which is a solid 33 strikeouts to nine walks.

In fact, five-eighths of his starts were starts where he posted a 3-1 ratio or even better. This fact alone shows he still has the base skills to succeed.

His move to the National League Central will only help, with regard to opposing bats.

The American League East is the toughest to pitch in—considering all opposing bats and lineups involved. The Yankees, Rays, Blue Jays, and Orioles all feature solid lineups that would give any pitcher fits.

Since Smoltz will be pitching for the Cardinals (and in the NL Central now), he can avoid facing Albert Pujols and take his chances against fairly softer lineups. Let's not forget the pitcher batting spot in the National League, where Smoltz will get a bit of a break at the end of lineups.

All in all, the decreased batting talent in the division should greatly benefit Smoltz and allow him to prove his worthiness at the major league level.

Dave Duncan, St. Louis Cardinals pitching coach, should be able to help Smoltz recapture his dominance.

Duncan is one of the best in the game, and Smoltz is not a bad pitcher. A few simple changes to his mechanics could pay big dividends for the Cards in the long run.

Think about the pitchers that Duncan has been able to work with and improve immensely. Just this season, Ryan Franklin and Joel Pineiro are two of the names that have pitched big-time innings for the team.

Many people didn't expect Pineiro to pitch as well as he has this year, but it's encouraging to see that pitchers on the Cardinals are actively improving.

All in all, the signing of John Smoltz is a big one for the St. Louis Cardinals. If he can improve on his season numbers—more "when" than if—the Cardinals will be big-time competitors in October. They have an excellent chance to win it all in 2009.

Should Manny Ramirez Sit Out The All-Star Game?

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:14:24 -0400

OK, so we all knew this would happen.

Manny Ramirez currently sits outside the top three National League vote-getters for the outfield position and Joe Torre made his case known today.

Torre believes that the All-Star Game should benefit the players who experience the best first-halves of the season. He also stated that it has become a popularity contest.

The MLB's current rules for the All-Star Game allow for fans to select the starting lineups for the games. However, how does the league ensure that the players that deserve to be there, get there?

Manny Ramirez was caught using performance enhancing drugs and was suspended—and you're telling me that this guy deserves a spot on the National League All-Star roster?

Give me a break.

Sure, you could point to his .348 batting average and six home runs to make a case. Manny was suspended for 50 games—that is more than a significant part of the first half.

You could even take a different approach to it. Manny could have gotten injured for 50 games, and would you vote for him?

Let me take a step back. Of course, you would.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have immortalized Manny Ramirez in their city. They have the whole "Manny-wood" thing going on, and they are marketing him like crazy.

You can bet that even when he gets back, the marketing train will continue to chug along. And the fact that he has been marketed to the extent of making a ton of MLB fans sick, has also caused a huge dispute in the All-Star voting.

Fans are voting for Manny simply because they want to see him play in the All-Star Game—not because he has hit well in the first half. He could have batted .050 with one home run, and he would still be in the position he is in now.

Manny's potential presence in the All-Star Game means that one unlucky National League outfielder could get shafted. It would be a huge disappointment to see Manny in place of someone much more deserving after a strong first half.

If Manny Ramirez is voted into the All-Star Game (and he elects to play) it will be a disappointing day and a step back for baseball.

2009 Washington Redskins: Playbook Changes and Adjustments

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:52:39 -0400

Coming into the 2009 season, the Washington Redskins should not expect too many drastic changes to a successful offensive playbook from 2008.

With a new head coach, assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator in 2008, times undoubtedly changed significantly as the Redskins transitioned to a West Coast offense.

The changes to the playbook that could be imminent this season are more of a result of player personnel changes.

Offensively, don't expect the Redskins to change much. If wide receivers Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas can develop into worthwhile possession threats, the coaches could implement more four-wide-receiver situations.

However, this is somewhat unlikely, as Chris Cooley should stay in at tight end on most plays.

The running game should continue to be effective, and the Redskins may elect to use more two-running-back sets, with Clinton Portis and Mike Sellers in the backfield.

Expect the Redskins to spell Portis a tad more often, as he appeared worn out at the end of last season.

Without Shawn Springs and Jason Taylor on defense, the 'Skins will slightly alter the way their defensive attack takes place. The changes to the defensive playbook should be fairly significant.

Look for first round pick Brian Orakpo to be slotted into either a defensive end or strong side linebacker spot. No matter where he plays, the Redskins will utilize several blitz formations to maximize his pass-rushing abilities.

New star acquisition Albert Haynesworth will be relied upon as much in the run-stuffing department as the pass-rushing department.

Look for the dominant inside force to do a bit of both, and pressure both running backs and quarterbacks with his elite combination of size and speed.

The Redskins did not have a force like Haynesworth last season, so look for them to make the most of their $100 million investment.

With playmaking cornerback DeAngelo Hall becoming the primary cornerback on this defense, look for Hall to be left in more one-on-one situations, where he can make the most of his elite athleticism and propensity for bringing down interceptions.

The Redskins may utilize an additional safety along with Carlos Rogers for double-teaming wide receivers where necessary.

2009 Washington Redskins Coaching Staff Preview

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:17:07 -0400

The Washington Redskins have a talented, experienced coaching staff coming into the 2009 season. While Jim Zorn, their head coach, is not as experienced in his role, the coordinators have past experience that the players will lean on.

Here is a profile of the 2009 Washington Redskins staff.

Jim Zorn, Head Coach

Originally selected by the Redskins as the offensive coordinator, Daniel Snyder decided that Zorn was best as the head coach—just two weeks after he signed on. In his first year as head coach in 2008, Zorn experienced a moderately successful year, leading the team to an 8-8 record.

Jim Zorn's presence had a significant impact on Jason Campbell, the Washington Redskins' starting signal caller. Campbell ended up being a solid quarterback presence in Zorn's version of the West Coast Offense. Zorn is an intriguing offensive mind who should continue to coach the Redskins toward an excellent offensive juggernaut.

Before becoming the Washington Redskins head coach in 2008, Zorn served as quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks from 2001-2007. Zorn worked closely with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, and helped him develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback. Zorn was the quarterbacks coach for the Detroit Lions previous to that, from 1998-2000.

Zorn began his coaching career as an offensive assistant and quarterbacks/wide receivers coach at Boise State University from 1989-1991. From 1992-1994, Zorn was the offensive coordinator for Utah State. His final collegiate stop was at the University of Minnesota as a quarterbacks coach, from 1995-1996. He joined the Seattle Seahawks in 1997 as an offensive assistant.

Two notable coaches that Zorn worked under include Mike Holmgren and Dennis Erickson.

Stump Mitchell, Assistant Head Coach and Running Backs Coach

Stump Mitchell was brought over from Seattle when Jim Zorn departed, and became the Assistant head and running backs coach for the Redskins.

The rushing attack is a key component of Zorn's version of the West Coast Offense, and Mitchell has been instrumental in allowing Clinton Portis to develop into the system and find success.

Mitchell began his coaching career with the San Antonio Riders, of the NFL Europe league. The league is now defunct, ending operations in June 2007. He was the head football coach for Morgan State University from 1996-1998, and joined on with the Seattle Seahawks from 1999-2007 as the running backs coach.

Mitchell has had the chance to work with two successful Seahawks running backs in Ricky Watters and Shaun Alexander. His experience working with running backs of that caliber should ensure Portis' and the Redskins' running game success in 2009.

Sherman Smith, Offensive Coordinator

Sherman Smith is yet another close friend of Jim Zorn, whom he recruited to the Redskins when he became head coach last season.

As expected, Smith is a big-time proponent of the West Coast offense, which he runs under Jim Zorn's guidance. He puts together the offensive game plan for each week, and has had success with this in the past.

Before spending time with the Washington Redskins in his current role, he began his coaching career as a running back coach at the Miami University of Ohio in 1990.

He served as the tight end and running back coach at the University of Illinois from 1992-1994.

Smith spent 1995-2006 with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans of the National Football League as a running backs coach. He was given the title of assistant head coach in his final two seasons with the Tennessee Titans.

Smith is often credited with developing Eddie George into a Pro Bowl rusher. Smith's specialty is running backs, and along with Stump Mitchell, he should have a profound impact on the running game in 2009.

Greg Blache, Defensive Coordinator

Blache has spent six years with the Washington Redskins—by far the longest tenured coach out of the four that I've covered. He spent four years as the Redskins' defensive line coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator last season.

The Redskins had an extremely successful year on defense last season, and much of it can be attributed to Blache. The Redskins limited opponents to just 193 yards per game and were very difficult to move the ball on.

While the Redskins had some injuries on defense last year, Blache helped lead the defense to maintain a high level of play. One of the most significant moves Blache made last season was inserting DeAngelo Hall into the starting lineup, over former first-round pick Carlos Rogers.

Blache is an experienced coach who has spent time with a number of teams and collegiate programs. He spent 2001-2003 as the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears, and served as defensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts (1994-1998) and the Green Bay Packers (1988-1993) previous to that.

Despite losing Shawn Springs and Jason Taylor in the offseason, 'Skins fans should expect Blache to have another successful year at the helm with the team. Look for the defense to maintain a high level of play and limit opponents' yardage.

2009 Washington Redskins: Positional Needs/Weaknesses

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:47:25 -0400

The Washington Redskins have several holes on their 2009 roster that should be addressed in training camp and the preseason. Here is a rundown of each of the positions where the Redskins need to make adjustments to cover their weaknesses.

Offensive Tackle

Offensive tackle is the biggest team need for 2009, and the Redskins did little to address the position through free agency and the draft.

Chris Samuels, one of the most reliable and effective offensive linemen going into the 2008 season, ended up tearing his triceps in Week 14. Samuels should be healthy for training camp, but whether his injury will hamper his overall effectiveness is yet to be seen.

Jon Jansen is losing effectiveness as the other Redskins' starting tackle. At the age of 33, it may be time for the Redskins to put him into a full-time reserve role.

Replacements for the offensive tackle position are scarce. Second-year pro Stephon Heyer emerged last season as a potential starter for 2009. The 6'6”, 314 lb. force has size, and still has room to improve as a pass blocker.

Another second-year pro that could make an impact is Rueben Riley. A three-year starter at offensive tackle for the Michigan Wolverines, Riley is probably best suited as a situational/backup player.

Offensive tackle is undoubtedly a position of need, and the Washington Redskins will need their younger offensive linemen to grow up fast if they want to protect Jason Campbell successfully.

Outside Linebacker

The Redskins have solid depth at the outside linebacker position, but hardly any standout names. It is possible that the team may have top pick Brian Orakpo move to the strong side linebacker position, which would greatly bolster this position for them. However, if the 'Skins elect to keep Orakpo at his natural defensive end position, then they will be in real trouble.

The outside linebacker group is led by Rocky McIntosh, who has emerged as one of the leaders of the group. Questions continue to surround McIntosh and the health of his legs—if his legs are not healthy, he is not the same player.

H.B. Blades, a former standout linebacker for the Pittsburgh Panthers, provides good depth for the Redskins as a situational player. However, H.B. is a bit undersized for his position, and his 5'10” height may mean he will never develop into a top-tier outside linebacker. He has good potential, but should not be in a starting role.

Robert Thomas is a mid-aged veteran in this group, and his skill set is fairly average. While he is athletic, he is valuable as a reserve player. Thomas has good tackling ability, and is also a useful player for the Redskins special teams.

Cornerback

Cornerback is a position of potential need for the Redskins, especially after losing veteran CB Shawn Springs to free agency this year. The cornerback corps are led by DeAngelo Hall and former first round pick, Carlos Rogers.

DeAngelo Hall signed a six-year contract worth $55 million in the offseason, and he remains a huge risk for the Redskins coming into 2009. Some analysts have questioned Hall's work ethic and whether he will maintain his high level of play after getting a big paycheck.

Hall's play is one of the keys for the Washington Redskins in 2009—if he does not keep up a high level of play, this position could be in real trouble.

Carlos Rogers also got a pay-raise coming into the 2009 season, and it is yet to be seen how he will play. He was demoted late last season after Hall came into his own.

There were a few times in the offseason when his name was mentioned in trade discussions—but a starting spot opened back up when the Redskins let Shawn Springs go.

Rogers is a great athlete who should cover his starting spot adequately for the 'Skins. A fifth-year pro, Rogers still has some minor parts of his game he needs to polish up—namely, completing interceptions that should be made. All in all, the combination of Hall and Rogers could be great, or could be a complete bust.

The Redskins have a reliable backup in Fred Smoot, who has spent six seasons with the team—and knows the system very well. Former fourth-round pick Justin Tryon is the other primary backup, but he is still a fairly raw player. Losing Shawn Springs may be a bigger loss than most Redskins' fans think.

Ten Questions For The Washington Redskins' Jason Campbell!

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Thu, 28 May 2009 11:40:43 -0400

If given the chance to interview any player from the Washington Redskins, I would select quarterback Jason Campbell.

There were many questions surrounding Campbell's future with the Washington Redskins, especially around the 2009 NFL Draft.

There were rumors that the Redskins were attempting to replace Campbell with Jay Cutler, who is now with the Chicago Bears.

Before the draft, there was discussion that the Redskins were seriously considering taking USC quarterback Mark Sanchez.

The former Auburn signal caller was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft as the Redskins' “quarterback of the future.”

Here are my 10 questions for Jason Campbell.

1. Jason, you come into the 2009 NFL season as the starter for the Washington Redskins once again. Do you have any specific goals or aspirations for the upcoming season?

2. There was discussion around the time of the draft that the Redskins were looking for other options at quarterback, specifically Mark Sanchez. How did you react to this news?

3. Which player or players on your offensive unit do you believe will have a breakout 2009 season?

4. Which team's opposing defensive line gives you the most trouble? Is there a specific player that you really hate facing?

5. Wide receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly were considered massive disappointments in 2008. How do you see them adjusting and fitting into the 2009 offense?

6. In the offseason, have you taken any specific measures or steps to improve parts of your game for the 2009 season?

7. If you had to pick any quarterback from the history of the NFL that you best model your game after, which quarterback would you choose and why?

8. Off the field, what do you like to do in your free time? Do you spend time with your teammates and family?

9. The NFL has a strong connection with the United Way, as well as some other charitable organizations. Which organization or charity has had the biggest impact on your career and life?

10. In the perennially-tough NFC East division, how do you see the Washington Redskins performing in the 2009 season?

Washington Redskins in 2009: Team Expectations

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:36:54 -0400

The Washington Redskins should be an improved football team in 2009. After finishing in last place in the NFC East with a record of 8-8 in 2008, the team should be hungry for improvement over the likes of division rivals Dallas and Philadelphia.

If everything breaks right for the Redskins this year, it wouldn't be unrealistic to believe that they could end up with a record of 10-6, with a firm spot in the NFL Playoffs.

However, more likely than not, the Redskins will experience much of the same—possibly slight regression—from their 2008 numbers. The Redskins did not do an adequate job at fulfilling most of their needs in the offseason.

Albert Haynesworth was the big-name add for the Redskins from free agency, and he instantly becomes the best player on the Washington Redskins defense. If he can dictate the interior defensive line's level of play, Haynesworth and Orakpo together should create one of the best defensive line combinations in the game for years to come.

Haynesworth should come in extremely handy for the Redskins in the NFC East, due to the quality and depth of the other running backs in the division.

Even though DeAngelo Hall had a nice run last season with the Redskins, the question still remains for most fans—is he going to keep up his high level of play, and can he keep his behavior in check?

Hall got a stunning six-year, $54 million deal from the Redskins in free agency, so they expect him to do so. If Hall somehow implodes, the Redskins will be in big trouble at the cornerback position, so Hall is a must-produce player if the Redskins want to experience success in 2009.

The Redskins had an average showing in the 2009 NFL Draft. While they addressed a top need at defensive end in the first round—selecting Brian Orakpo out of the University of Texas—the rest of their draft was not intriguing.

Kevin Barnes, a cornerback out of the University of Maryland, was selected in the third round to replace Shawn Springs. While he can be a playmaker and a big-hitter, he is likely too raw to step into the lineup immediately as anything more than a nickel defensive back.

The Redskins also addressed needs at outside linebacker, but failed to draft an offensive tackle: something that the team desperately needed to protect their quarterback, Jason Campbell. They signed former Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Mike Williams to a free agent deal, but he is hardly the answer at that position.

He did not start a single game for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.

Even with the addition of defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth from free agency, the Redskins still have too many holes and mediocre position players to be considered a serious contender to win the NFC East in 2009.

Most fans should temper their expectations and expect a slight regression for the Washington Redskins.

Fantasy Baseball Impact: Manny Ramirez's PED Suspension

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:24:07 -0400

Manny Ramirez was suspended this morning by Major League Baseball for usage of performance-enhancing drugs. Manny's suspension has already had a profound impact on Dodger fans, personnel, and the entire league, as he is one of the biggest stars to be caught using these substances.

Manny's suspension also has a profound impact on fantasy baseball owners everywhere. The suspension affects not only his fantasy value, but also the fantasy value of many of the players around him.

For the purpose of this article, we will examine what Manny's positive test means to fantasy baseball owners, and what actions you should take if you have him on your roster.

In terms of strict statistical output, a 50-game suspension will result in plenty of missed at-bats, negatively impacting his counting statistics (runs, RBI).

In addition, one has to consider that some of his power was derived from using performance-enhancing drugs, but to what extent, we do not know. Expect a minor power drop-off, but be prepared for the worst.

Any owner of Los Angeles hitters has to be somewhat concerned with his suspension. Though the Dodgers have a fairly strong lineup top to bottom, Manny was the key asset in the middle of the lineup.

Expect fewer at-bats for the entire lineup as batters get stranded on base, but the impact shouldn't be too overwhelming.

It is noted that Manny's exit opens up a hole in the outfield. Juan Pierre will step in and gather at-bats from his absence. Pierre still has the ability to bat .290-.300 and steal bases fairly frequently.

Depending on where he hits in the lineup, he could be a real short-term force for any fantasy owner looking to make up ground in the steals category. Keep an eye on him.

For owners of Manny in mixed leagues, the question as to whether you should keep him around is debatable. The first thing to consider is how many bench spots you have on your roster and how deep your league is.

For owners in shallow mixed leagues (with few bench spots), you could realistically cut Manny and end up profiting from another option on the waiver wire.

If you have enough bench spots to warrant keeping Manny around, it may be worth benching him for the duration of his suspension. Since Manny is not technically injured, you probably won't be able to utilize your disabled list spot to place Manny. Make a note of this, and decide for yourself if the potential reward outweighs the risk of lost home runs and RBI.

Owners in National League-only leagues also have been affected by Manny's loss—probably to a much greater extent than owners in mixed leagues. While owners should not panic, NL-only owners must act quickly to solidify the power and the RBI lost by Manny in the duration of his suspension.

Look for sleeper power options on your waiver wire. If there aren't many options available, look into a minor trade with another owner to cover your short-term power needs (it may be at the expense of your pitching staff or closers).

No matter what, act diligently to solidify the temporary hole in your lineup. Just a few missed RBI or home runs could mean the difference in your league.

Head-to-head owners obviously need to plan for Manny's absence as well. These owners can take a different approach and look to solidify different parts in the lineup to make up for the missed power and RBI.

For instance, picking up a speed-based player to bolster the batting average and steals category could make for a good strategy. Obviously, looking for a power-based player like Manny on the waiver wire is also a viable solution.

All in all, Manny Ramirez's absence has thrown a lot of fantasy baseball owners for a loop. Realize that just because this took place does not mean your fantasy baseball season is sunk. Plan carefully, and take a route of action that you feel would best benefit your team in the short term.

Check out my fantasy baseball blog at Fantasy Baseball Flash for all the latest and greatest in fantasy sports information and analysis. Also, please feel free to find me on Twitter @forrestfanatic.

Phil Hughes: An Immediate Fantasy Baseball Pickup

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:59:27 -0400

With Chien-Ming Wang possibly going to the Disabled List for being terrible, former top prospect Phil Hughes could have an opportunity to be recalled to the big team for next Tuesday’s start against Detroit.

Not only that—he has the chance to be a two start pitcher, and if he can keep up the high level of performance from the minors, we could be a looking at an immediate breakout pitcher.

You’ve probably heard of Phil Hughes before, but what are his strengths and weaknesses?

The first half of last season can surely be written off, as Hughes’ stellar pitching abilities showcased themselves in the second half of last year. In 12 innings pitched (admittedly, a small sample size), Hughes posted an ERA of 2.25 and a WHIP of .92.

In addition, his K/BB ratio was 7.5/1.5—if anything, a showcase of just how good he can perform in a few starts.

If Hughes gets starts for the Yankees, expect immediate strikeout numbers. He should be able to strike out seven or eight batters an outing: something that will undoubtedly help you if you are in a 5×5 or any other format that credits strikeouts. The thing you should watch with Hughes (and any other rookie pitcher), is how well he controls the plate.

If he can limit his walks to three or four per nine innings, he could make an immediate impact with the Yankees offense behind him. The wins will come if he can bring the skills.

I have my questions about how many home runs Yankee stadium has given up as of late—and until more research is done on the ballpark itself, we cannot jump to any conclusions about how the ballpark will affect Hughes.

The bottom line is that Hughes is an incredible talent who could be a frontline starter for the Yankees as early as 2010 or 2011. For this year, he is a solid add as an immediate breakout pitcher in any format.

Check out Fantasy Baseball Flash for all your latest fantasy baseball news, analysis, and information. Also, feel free to find and follow me on Twitter: forrestfanatic.

Toronto Blue Jays Bullpen/Closer Watch: Scott Downs and Jason Frasor

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:48:31 -0400

The Toronto Blue Jays have had issues with their current closer this year.

BJ Ryan, a formerly established closer, has not done very well to date this season. Ryan blew his second save of the season last Tuesday, and there is chatter that his job could be on the line.

Ryan has also had velocity issues, with his fastball speed down to the 85-87 range. If Cito Gaston makes a change at the closer role, who will he turn to?

There are two established relief pitchers in the Toronto bullpen that could potentially take the job from Ryan. Scott Downs and Jason Frasor are the favorites in this bullpen, while Brandon League could possibly see some saves himself.

What can Downs and Frasor contribute from the closer role?

Downs is a 33-year-old southpaw who has had stellar 2007 and 2008 seasons. In 2007, Downs had a K/BB ratio of 8.8/3.7, which is fairly strong and closer-worthy. While the strikeout rate dropped slightly in 2008, his control slightly improved. His K/BB ratio was 7.3/3.4 in 2008.

With these outstanding skills, Downs was able to post ERAs of 2.17 and 1.78—obviously a bit lower than should be expected, but strong nonetheless. Downs looks like a great add as a middle relief pitcher in any league, as he will deliver great middle relief numbers at a real value.

Upon close examination, Frasor has the potential to be better than Downs, but his recent stats don’t lead us to believe that he is a better overall pitcher. While Frasor had a stellar 2007 season (9.3/3.6 K/BB ratio), his 2008 season was not nearly as good as that.

The one stat you need to take from 2008: 6.1 walks/9 innings. If he cannot harness his control, his excellent stuff really doesn’t mean much. In fact, it could lead to a lot of blown saves.

Another thing to consider with Frasor is his propensity to give up the longball. About 38 percent of the hits off Frasor were flyballs—not good news for a potential closer. Likewise, Downs had a stellar 65-66 percent groundball rate—a great indicator that Downs has the advantage in this situation.

Both pitchers have got off to great starts this season, but Downs is the guy you want to roster if you are trolling your waiver wire for saves.

Check out Fantasy Baseball Flash for all your latest fantasy baseball news, analysis, and information. Also, feel free to find and follow me on Twitter: forrestfanatic.

Catcher Risers and Fallers: Top Fantasy Baseball Adds

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:43:29 -0400

The catcher position is one of the toughest positions to fill on a fantasy roster if you miss out on the top players.

With Ryan Doumit and Kenji Johjima ailing, many owners have been forced to run to their waiver wire to roster for new catchers.

Here is a look at ESPN.com’s most added catchers, and whether they are a worthwhile add for your team.

Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals

Molina has started off the season on fire, batting .348 with a home run and 10 RBI. Molina has always been strong in the contact department, and his batting average alone will certainly not hurt your team.

That being said, over the past four seasons, Molina has hit eight, six, six, and seven home runs respectively. The power upside is not here, but you could certainly do worse for a second catcher.

He is a nice fill-in if you have lost your catcher to injury.

John Baker, Florida Marlins

Like Molina, Baker has started off the season hot. At the prime age of 28, many owners are taking a chance on the guy to fulfill their catcher role. Baker is batting .308 with nine runs and nine RBI, but don’t expect him to maintain his batting average.

If you look for a line of 50-10-50-.270, then you won’t be disappointed. Baker is a borderline add in a standard 5×5 league.

John Buck, Kansas City Royals

Buck is also at the prime age of 28, and for most owners, many expect a breakout with this guy. While fantasy owners are adding the guy like crazy, don’t drink the Kool-Aid.

This guy swings and misses way too much, and he hasn’t batted above .245 since 2004. Sure, the power is nice, but you would be making a bigger sacrifice with your batting average.

Watch someone else buy the .409 batting average—he is bound to go cold.

Check out Fantasy Baseball Flash for all your latest fantasy baseball news, analysis, and information. Also, feel free to find and follow me on Twitter: forrestfanatic.

Brandon Wood Recalled by Angels: Worth a Fantasy Pickup?

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:57:04 -0400

Brandon Wood, one of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s top prospects was recalled to the Major League team.

He had an average second half of the season last year for the Angels. What can he contribute to your fantasy baseball roster if you pick him up?

There is a lot to like about Wood, despite questionable second half statistics from last year. One thing that he does have is incredible power. The guy has the potential to be a 40-home run hitter in the future. This season, he should be able to help your team out immediately if you need help in the HR or RBI categories.

Wood batted .296 and hit 31 home runs at the Triple-A level last year in 395 at-bats.

395 at-bats!

Wood has a tendency to strike out fairly often, so it would not be a big surprise to see his batting average initially struggle at the Major League level. However, once he is able to harness his plate discipline, we could be looking at a legitimate perennial All-Star bat.

Wood should play third base and shortstop for the Angels this season, and if he plays enough games to qualify at both positions, he could quickly emerge and become a great asset to any fantasy team. If you are in a deep mixed league, this guy is definitely worth taking a chance on. Anything deeper: Roster this guy immediately.

Check out Fantasy Baseball Flash for all the latest fantasy baseball information, analysis, and updates. Also, please follow me on Twitter: forrestfanatic.

Is Chien-Ming Wang a Buy Low Opportunity?

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:23:56 -0400

Chien-Ming Wang, a starting pitcher for the New York Yankees, has had an absolutely terrible start to the season. In three starts this season, his record is 0-3 with an ERA of 34.50 and a 2/6 K/BB ratio. Is this guy worth taking a chance on in your fantasy league?

Prior to the start of this season, Wang had been showing declining control.

2006: 2.1 BB/9

2007: 2.7 BB/9

2008: 3.3 BB/9

It is not good that he has struggled so much with his control at the beginning of the 2009 season. Already with six walks, it does not look like he is locked in.

That being said, Wang’s pure stuff (strikeout skill) appeared to have been on the upswing, averaging close to 5.1 strikeouts per nine innings just last season.

It is too early to diagnose a walk problem for Wang, but he could be in serious trouble here. If a lingering injury is to blame and the strikeout skill is not there, Wang is not "rosterable" in any format.

That being said, three terrible starts in a row is not very common. Wang should rebound eventually, but to the extent of being a reliable fantasy pitcher? That remains to be seen.

In terms of rostering Wang, it depends on your league format, first and foremost. If you are in a league with 10 teams, five by five, 29-man roster setups, this guy is a borderline bench add.

But you have to keep him in reserve until he proves that his strikeout rate is back in line and can limit the walks.

Wang may not be a helpful fantasy commodity for the first half of this season—possibly longer—so be prepared to wait it out if you do roster the guy.

Check out Fantasy Baseball Flash for all the latest fantasy baseball information, analysis, and updates. Also, please follow me on Twitter: forrestfanatic.

Nick Swisher Bats Fourth For Yankees: Worth a Fantasy Baseball Pickup?

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:15:47 -0400

Nick Swisher started today’s game for the Yankees, batting in the four-slot behind star slugger Mark Teixeira. With Xavier Nady out, Swisher steps into a full-time role in the outfield for the Yankees. Is he a worthwhile fantasy pickup for owners in need of hitting?

Swisher is an interesting player, to say the least. He started out with the Oakland Athletics, and you may have remembered him being profiled in Moneyball. He is a high on base percentage guy, but his batting average has historically been low.

Looking at Swisher from a pure 5×5 rotisserie standpoint, this guy has a decent bat. The power is undeniable—he has hit more than 21 home runs every year since 2005. For 2009, if he can accumulate the at-bats in prime spots in the Yankee lineup, this guy has the ability to hit 25 home runs, which is great if you are in need of power.

Hitting in the middle of the order should produce great run and RBI numbers for Swisher, so if you are in need of either of these categories, he will also be able to help you.

One thing you need to consider when looking at Swisher is that he does not make great contact. His bat contact rate has either been 73 percent or 76 percent the past four seasons—not very good numbers for maintaining a batting average.

Swisher will probably hit for a batting average anywhere from .240-.260, considering that he does not always make constant contact. Also because of this, Swisher is prone to going into major hot and cold streaks—making him a risky choice if you are in a head-to-head format.

All in all, Swisher seems to be a hot pickup at this point in time. As a fantasy owner, you should only consider Swisher as a long-term option if you are in a mid-to-deep sized Roto or AL-only league.

Check out Fantasy Baseball Flash for all the latest fantasy baseball information and analysis. Also, feel free to find me on Twitter—forrestfanatic.

Jason Kubel: A Potential Breakout Player in 2009

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:45:52 -0400

Jason Kubel, an outfielder and designated hitter for the Minnesota Twins, broke out last night. He hit for the cycle, including a grand slam home run that won the game for the Twinkies. Most people have never heard of the guy, considering that he plays in Minnesota, but Kubel is an interesting player that deserves a second look by most fantasy owners.

What can Kubel contribute to your fantasy roster in 2009, if you decide to roster him?

Simply put, Kubel has legitimate power. In 2007 (and 418 at bats), Kubel smashed 13 home runs. In 2008, he got a few more at bats (463), and proceeded to hit 20 home runs. Those numbers represent developing power, and Kubel has an upside of 25-30 home runs this season if he can continue to take the at-bats.

Kubel won’t hurt your batting average, either. He has had contact rates of 81 and 80 percent the last two seasons, which is solid. His batting averages during the past two seasons have been .273 and .272, respectively. At the prime age of 26, expect a slight improvement on that end. He should bat .275-.280 this season.

Speed? No, Kubel does not steal bases. In 2007, he stole five, but in 2008, he didn’t steal a single one. Don’t expect to get any steals from this guy.

All that being said, Kubel is a nice developing designated hitter who should have some big games for the Minnesota Twins this year. He is worth speculating on, and is a solid pickup in all formats. He could have a breakout season this year, so don’t hesitate to put him on your reserve list and monitor how he continues to hit.

Check out Fantasy Baseball Flash for all the latest fantasy baseball information, analysis, and strategy! Also, feel free to follow me on Twitter: forrestfanatic.

Fantasy Baseball Early Drops: Whom To Target

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:13:46 -0400

Many owners are panicking early on in the fantasy baseball season, and it is your chance to buy low on some great players that are experiencing slow starts. Here is a list of a few of the players that are being dropped in a ton of leagues, but can still turn a nice profit for your roster and contribute meaningfully in 2009.

Jason Motte, Relief Pitcher - St. Louis Cardinals: Motte lost the closer job early, and he is being cut like crazy in most fantasy baseball leagues. Take advantage of the chance to buy him low, especially if you are in a deep league.

The STL closing situation is still far from settled, and Motte is the most talented guy in the bullpen (see my previous post on this).

Justin Upton, Outfielder - Arizona Diamondbacks: Upton is a solid young outfielder who has not swung well coming out of the gate. However, he is young; at the age of 21, he may need a little more time to develop his swing.

That being said, the upside on Upton is 25-30 home runs with a .280 batting average. Buy low.

Randy Johnson, Starting Pitcher - San Francisco Giants: Age 45. 144 DL days in the last three years. Scared away yet? Of course not! Johnson is a great strikeout pitcher who still has a great skill set behind the scary early-season numbers.

The numbers you should focus on: 12/4 K/BB. He could be a nice fifth starter for your team this year, so get him!

David DeJesus, Outfield - Kansas City Royals: Why people are cutting this guy, I don’t know. DeJesus is at the prime age of 29, can bat .300, and can contribute 10-15 home runs and 10 stolen bases in a prime spot in the emerging KC lineup.

DeJesus has always been an under-appreciated commodity, but he could heat up quickly. Get ahold of him if you can!

Check out Fantasy Baseball Flash for all the latest fantasy baseball news, strategy, and analysis. Also, feel free to follow me on Twitter: forrestfanatic.

Denver Post: Manny Corpas Could Close for Colorado Rockies

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:14:04 -0400

The Denver Post is reporting that Manny Corpas could take over the closer role for the Rockies from Huston Street. Street, who has gotten off to a slow start in the 2009 season, closed for the Oakland Athletics before being traded to Colorado.

Does Corpas have what it takes to hold the closer role?

The short answer...maybe. Corpas does have skills that are, at minimum, setup-worthy. Corpas spent some time in the closer role for the Rockies in 2007, saving 19 games for the team in 78.2 innings. He also had very nice peripherals in that season, with a 6.7/2.3 K/BB ratio.

2008 was a different year for Corpas, however, and his skills were not apparent in the first half. His walk rate ballooned close to four, and his strikeout ability fell.

However, he seemed to put things together in the second half of last year, dropping his walk rate to just below two walks per nine innings.

Corpas is also a groundball-first pitcher, which is great considering that he pitches in the launching pad that is Coors Field.

If he can avoid a slow start like last season, Corpas could end up being a tremendous value. If you need saves, or even a solid middle relief guy for the ratios, you will want to roster this guy.

For owners in more shallow leagues, Corpas is not a must-add, but keep a close eye on the guy.

If Corpas proves that he can pitch in a dominant manner like he did in the second half of last season, we could be looking at an upside of 30 saves on the season. A worthwhile pickup in mid-to-deep leagues and a definite add in NL-only leagues.

Check out Fantasy Baseball Flash for all the latest fantasy baseball news, strategy, and analysis. Also, feel free to follow me on Twitter: forrestfanatic.

Is Francisco Liriano's Slow Start a Reason for Concern?

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:28:28 -0400

The Minnesota Twins boast one of the best young rotations in all of Major League Baseball. Francisco Liriano is the ace of the rotation, but he has started off the season slow, with a 0-2 record with a ERA of 6.94.

Does Liriano have what it takes to rebound from these numbers?

Once heralded as one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball, Liriano is starting back up full-time in 2009 as a starter for the Twins (after Tommy John surgery). One thing benefited Liriano was his ability to overwhelm hitters with his stuff. Liriano averaged 12.8 K/9 and 10.7 K/9 in 2005 and 2006, respectively. In 2008, however, the strikeout-per-nine innings dropped to a career-low 7.9. Will his pre-Tommy-John stuff return?

So much of Liriano’s value is based around his ability to strike hitters out, and if he can only post eight strikeouts every nine innings, we may have a bit of an issue here. Liriano has always had average control, which is acceptable for a guy who can fan as many as 13 batters every nine innings. Liriano also has to limit the number of fly balls he gives up, but that is something that should improve as he accumulates the innings.

Something else you may want to consider when considering Liriano on your roster is the fact that the Twins simply do not have a good offense. With the exception of Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer, there are few bats that are game-changers, and Liriano is bound to lose games he should win.

All in all, Liriano is a solid buy in 2009, but be advised that he comes with a bit of risk.

Check out Fantasy Baseball Flash for all of the latest fantasy baseball information and analysis. Also, feel free to find me on Twitter: forrestfanatic.

Jason Motte and Chris Perez Lead the Way: The Cardinals' Closer Situation

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:06:00 -0400

People have been asking me over the past few days: Who is in line to get saves for the St. Louis Cardinals?

Closers are obviously at a premium in any fantasy baseball league (unless your league doesn’t count saves), and the Cardinals bullpen always seems to be in flux.

Manager Tony La Russa has looked in a lot of directions to find a closer for his team, but the bullpen situation still remains extremely unsettled.

Let’s take a look at each of the candidates who could potentially step into the closer role and try to decipher which reliever you should roster now for the most value down the road.

Jason Motte

Motte started the season as the Cardinals closer, but he quickly imploded, giving up four earned runs against Pittsburgh and one earned run at Arizona on April 14.

Despite the earned runs, Motte is among the most talented relievers in the St. Louis 'pen. In five innings pitched on the season, he has recorded five strikeouts with only one walk.

Think about it this way: In 2008, Motte recorded a 13/2.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio. If that isn’t dominant, I don’t know what is.

Sure, it was done in 11 innings of work, but he was truly special.

Motte has likely suffered some early season jitters, but has a skill set that you need to consider tucking away for later. He won’t get saves in the short-term, but is near the best from this bullpen.

Chris Perez

Perez was initally optioned to Triple-A to begin the season, but has been recalled to the big team. In 41 innings pitched last season, Perez had a 3-3 record with seven saves.

Does he have the goods to close? That is questionable, but he sure has stuff.

He averaged nine strikeouts per nine innings last year. The walks, however, were high. He walked close to five batters per nine innings, a walk rate that will hurt his chances of being a shut-down closer.

That being said, there is significant room for growth. Perez is only 23 years old, and the walk rate could improve this year if he works on his control.

When looking at the two candidates side-by-side, Perez looks like the better short-term option. La Russa seems to have lost confidence in Motte for the time being, allowing Perez to pick up some recent saves.

If he can limit his walks, however, Perez could hold the closer role for the entire year. He should be rostered in all formats in the event that he puts his control together.

Check out Fantasy Baseball Flash for all your fantasy baseball information and advice. Also, please find me on Twitter if you'd like: forrestfanatic.

Tim Wakefield: An Easy Fantasy Baseball Pass

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:06:30 -0400

In the Boston Red Sox-Oakland Athletics game today, Tim Wakefield had a stellar performance.

He took a no-hitter all the way into the eighth inning, and was a mere five outs away from recording it.

Kurt Suzuki broke up the almost-no-hitter with a nice single to center field.

Aside from Brett Anderson’s great game, Tim Wakefield seemed to steal the show. Is this a once-in-forever kind of start for Tim Wakefield, or can he really contribute to your fantasy baseball team in 2009?

Let’s take a look.

Wakefield has always been a league-average pitcher, and even at the age of 42, he looks to be just average once again.

He averages anywhere from five to six strikeouts per nine innings. The control is also remarkably consistent—about three walks per nine innings over the past few seasons.

Looking at his career peripherals, it shows just how much of an anomaly today’s performance was.

If he had actually no-hit the Oakland Athletics, this would have gone down as one of the biggest underdog no-hitters in MLB history. While he was extremely effective on the surface, his true skills lined right up with his career numbers. He had a 4/2 strikeout to walk ratio today.

Don’t run to your waiver wire to get this guy if you are in a mixed league. His performance, while appearing great today, is not sustainable after a close look at his skill set.

If you are in an AL-only, or fairly deep mixed league, he should be able to contribute quality innings and help out in the win column.

Check out Fantasy Baseball Flash for all your latest fantasy baseball information!

Elijah Dukes: A Fantasy Baseball Must Add

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:04:11 -0400

With Lastings Milledge getting demoted to the minors, Elijah Dukes has become the top center fielder for the Washington Nationals.

The question now becomes should you go out and roster him?

My answer: absolutely! You have to get this guy on your reserve list or on your bench, even if you are in a standard mixed 5×5 league. What can he bring to your team?

Dukes has legitimate power and speed, and it could turn into a lethal combination depending on where he is batting in the lineup. The potential is there for him to post 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases. He can help your team in two of the categories that many owners would die to bolster.

The knock on Dukes is his batting average. It probably won’t be any higher than .240-.250.

That being said, Dukes is a stellar value just waiting to be plucked from the waiver wire. If you can stomach the batting average—and that even has upside with all of his power—Dukes is worth a pickup in all formats.

Check out Fantasy Baseball Flash for your latest Fantasy Baseball information.

Auto Club 500—California Fantasy NASCAR Picks

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 18:24:02 -0500

Here is my preview of my Yahoo Fantasy NASCAR selections for the Auto Club 500.

A List: Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards

RUNDOWN: I will be starting Jimmie Johnson this week. Coupled with his second place qualifying effort and strong practice sessions, this guy has to be the odds-on favorite. Edwards has not impressed thus far this weekend, but he should still have a strong finish this weekend.

B List: Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart

RUNDOWN: Going with Busch and Hamlin. Kahne has had past success on the track, but his car looks extremely unstable this race weekend in the practice sessions. Stewart is too good of a driver to use a mediocre start on.

Busch has looked good in practice—the top Dodge in the field, from the practice times. Hamlin has been nothing special, but his times are similar to Stewart’s, and they both have had about the same amount of success.

C List: Bobby Labonte, AJ Allmendinger

RUNDOWN: Starting Allmendinger. Labonte has been very average and was more of an insurance policy. Allmendinger qualified well, and his car looks extremely fast. He had a strong race last year in the second Fontana race, so it makes sense to start him.

Good luck this weekend in your Fantasy NASCAR pool!

SportsJudge has a great detailed preview of the race weekend.

Fantasy Fallout: Jason Isringhausen and Adam Kennedy Sign with Tampa Bay Rays

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:35:58 -0500

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired two former St. Louis Cardinals players in Jason Isringhausen and Adam Kennedy.

Jason Isringhausen, the former closer for the Cardinals, agreed to terms on a minor-league deal.

Adam Kennedy, the disgruntled second baseman who was released about a week ago, also agreed to terms on a minor-league deal.

So what, if anything, will Isringhausen and Kennedy bring to the Tampa Bay Rays? From a fantasy baseball perspective, it doesn’t really look like much.

Simply put, Jason Isringhausen was done four years ago, but he managed to find extremely good luck in his final numbers. From 2005 to 2008, Isringhausen failed to record a K/BB ratio of above 2.0. This makes his season ending numbers in each of those seasons very impressive, at least from 2005-2007.

His luck finally ran out last season, but his surface stats in K/9 and BB/9 ratios were strikingly similar to those of past seasons. Isringhausen is done—he will not contribute to the Rays in 2009 in any positive or meaningful way.

Adam Kennedy could end up being a decent middle infield option for the Rays. He rebounded nicely in batting average last season, but this was expected, considering that his bat contract rate was actually higher in 2007 (88 percent) than 2008 (87 percent). If he ever became a full time player for the Rays, you could look for 100 runs, 10+ steals, and a batting average around .285. However, Kennedy does not have any power left, and he won’t drive in a ton of runs.

More than likely, he will play a part-time role on the club, or may not make it up at all. If he plays well in spring training and gets a part-time role, he could be a solid option in a deep league. Tampa Bay probably sees the signing as a defensive-first signing anyway, but they could be pleasantly surprised at Kennedy’s contact bat.

Fantasy Fallout: Brian Roberts Signs Extension with Baltimore Orioles

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:00:04 -0500

Brian Roberts agreed to terms today with the Baltimore Orioles on a four-year extension worth $40 million dollars.

I have to hand it to Roberts—not many players in today’s day and age would stick around with losing organizations. Apparently, Brian Roberts has other ideas.

In fact, he stated today that he wants to remain with one organization for his entire career, if at all possible. During Friday’s news conference, Roberts brought up the name of Cal Ripken Jr.

Brian, I hate to break it to you, but you will never come close to the greatness of Cal Ripken. However, it is truly admirable that you aspire to that kind of greatness.

The hard part for me to grasp is that Brian Roberts is clearly among the top lead-off batters in today’s game. Why wouldn’t he want to keep his options open, and sign on with a winning organization at the end of his current contract? His actions go against the grain, and I am sure many fans are in the same boat with me.

From a fantasy standpoint, Brian Roberts offers a lot for owners who decide to fill their second base position with his name. At the age of 31, he is clearly no spring chicken. However, his numbers are encouraging.

Generally, Roberts has been light on the power, but immensely helpful in the runs, stolen bases, and batting average categories. The Baltimore Orioles do not have a terribly bad lineup, so he should remain fairly productive batting at the top of the lineup.

Roberts should be able to post slightly above 100 runs and 35 stolen bases, making him a valuable commodity alone. His batting average will probably be closer to .290 than .300, but it certainly also qualifies as an asset to any fantasy baseball team.

Look for Roberts to short out on the power category (anywhere from 6-12 home runs), as well as the RBI numbers (50-60).

He is a rock-solid choice this year for your second base position, and is a true leader on the Baltimore Orioles. Pick him up as the third or fourth second baseman off the board, and you will be good to go.

Is Mark Sanchez Ready for the NFL?

Forrest W. Kobayashi — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:54:54 -0500

Mark Sanchez, the star USC QB, declared for the NFL Draft today at 1:00 pm EST. His decision was carefully evaluated by USC head coach Pete Carroll, as well as Sanchez himself.

Sanchez felt he made the right decision at the right time. He is set to graduate from USC, so he will receive a degree before entering the NFL. However, Carroll was not happy with Sanchez's decision, and made this clear in a separate press conference.

"Mark is going against the grain, and he knows that," Carroll said.

What are some things that may have influenced Sanchez's decision?

First, highly touted QB Sam Bradford decided not to come out for the 2009 NFL Draft, despite being one of the top two quarterbacks in the draft class. With Bradford electing to stay at Oklahoma, Sanchez may believe that he has a chance to go first overall to a team in need of a quarterback—the Detroit Lions.

Sanchez had a very productive year in the competitive Pac-10 Conference, and he may have felt that he had little left to prove at the collegiate level. The surprising thing is that USC has nine offensive starters returning. Sanchez would have had the chance to work with a great offense to improve his passing mechanics and decision making skills.

While Sanchez has made his official decision, I have to side with Carroll. Sanchez does not seem like a "polished" product—not close to a sure thing. With the fairly high rate of quarterback busts, Sanchez could be right in line to struggle initially in the National Football League.

Whether he can catch on quickly, or ever learn the position effectively is yet to be determined.