Fantasy Baseball: Spring Training Updates

The final days of spring training are forcing teams to make harder roster decisions and get final details in order. We're starting to see rotations take form and jobs be awarded to those that have put forth the effort in February and March. 

More often than not, there's impact to be had when managers open their mouths. This weekend left us nothing short of that. 

Following a week that saw Jeff Clement sent down to AAA along with Matt Wieters, further thinning the catching pool, closers roles were determined and rotations set. It's these factors that help those drafting late make the best decisions. 

What was important over the last few days? Let's go to the rundown. 

Jordan Zimmerman Earns Spot in Nationals Rotation 

Zimmerman is being raved about by scouts. He's getting tremendous hype, similar to what we saw from Johnny Cueto last spring. 

Zimmerman has plus-stuff. His fastball comes in around 94, and his breaking ball is a 12-to-6 knee buckler (one of my favorite baseball phrases). He's young, and should be in position to provide solid back-end rotation pitching for the Nats. 

While he'll start the season in AAA, it's simply because Washington has no need for a number five starter until the middle of April. He'll get the ball on Apr. 19.  

Young pitchers are bound to have growing pains, but I've found they can fool people the first time around the league with regularity. What happens after that point speaks to their true pitching ability, as they need to make adjustments to hitters who have learned their pitches. 

In deep leagues, Zimmerman is a decent player to monitor. NL-only leagues should keep his name in mind late in drafts. 

Brandon Morrow to close for Mariners? 

One of the issues for Morrow this spring has been arm problems. The Mariners have been looking to the young pitcher to start for them, and began that process toward the end of the 2008 season. 

Morrow acquitted himself well, flashing the dominance that had made him an effective reliever for the Mariners during that time. This spring, there was little doubt that he would be used in the rotation. 

That is, until he was shut down. 

The Mariners are now stuck in a position where Morrow is one of the better pitchers they have, yet he can't be used fully. The rumors state that Morrow will take the closer job during April, as he eases back in to form. 

Save vultures should take note, and all owners should monitor his progress and see if a move to the rotation is warranted. Note what the Red Sox did when Papelbon had shoulder issues. Not saying we're in the same boat, but the course could look the same. 

Kevin Gregg to Close for Cubs, not Carlos Marmol 

File this under the "I Don't Get It" folder. 

The Cubs have seemingly put a fair amount of stock in the spring pitching of Gregg. In my posts, I've made repeated points that you can't look at the final stats, you have to almost read all the quotes. 

Gregg has looked good, but Marmol is still the better pitcher. While I didn't necessarily like what I saw out of Marmol at points in the WBC, his velocity is better and he was working on shorter innings than most pitchers.

Gregg spent his time striking out guys that will be bagging groceries next week. 

In the end, save vultures should look at Gregg as a short-term solution. Marmol should have the job at some point, likely by May. 

My feeling is we see both these guys in the 20-25 save range, and the Cubs kicking themselves when Wood posts more than 35. 

Trevor Hoffman Will Not be Ready for April 

Ken Macha has given conflicting signals here. Hoffman is not going to be ready to start the season, that much we know. Who is going to be at the end of the bullpen until that point remains a question. 

Initially, I saw news reports indicating Seth McClung would get first crack. That report made sense, especially given the velocity he brings to the table. Could it have been short-sighted? Certainly, especially given McClung's ability to work multiple innings in a starting role. 

Now, reports are surfacing that Carlos Villanueva will get April saves. The fit makes more sense, but Villanueva has been far from spectacular this spring, and he doesn't have the dominant closer stuff. 

If I'm looking to steal saves, he's third on the list right now behind Gregg and Morrow. 

Justin Masterson Moving to the Bullpen 

On the surface, this doesn't seem all that big. The larger meaning will have some fantasy impact. 

The Red Sox, like many teams, will have no need for a fifth starter until the back end of April. Masterson likely would have been pitching out of the bullpen until that point anyway.

By putting him in this position and not optioning him to the minors, Boston seems to have made the decision that he won't start. 

When Boston does need a No. 5 guy, there are three other attractive options. John Smoltz likely won't be available until May, so we can take him off the list. Clay Buchholz is probably the third option, and could be used if the likely candidate isn't quite ready. 

Brad Penny, though, will get the ball for Boston once the rotation goes full. Penny has made his spring debut and that worked out well. He still has some issues to work out, but he's the most likely and logical candidate to finalize the Boston pitching staff. 

Masterson being put in the bullpen should underscore the Red Sox belief that Penny will be set to go. 

Kelvim Escobar Up, John Lackey Down 

There is good news and bad news coming out of Angels camp.  

Kelvim Escobar is progressing well from the injury that sidelined him for most of 2008. His velocity has returned, and his location has been sharp in several minor league outings. While Escobar is still likely to miss at least the season's first month, owners should look to him late in drafts.  

Escobar's work merits attention, and he has the upside to provide wins and strikeouts to fantasy teams as the season heads into the summer months. He's only throwing about 40-50 pitches right now, so stamina and strength will be the keys. 

John Lackey is still struggling. He's likely to open the season on the DL, with an elbow strain being the latest culprit. He's been in tremendous discomfort, and his return is likely going to be toward the end of April. 

Lackey is still a top option when it comes to starting pitching, but his recent health issues at the beginning of 2008 and now this season are tempering his value. Be wary in putting him on your roster. 

Andre Ethier Will Start in Right Field for Dodgers 

The Dodgers have come out to say that Ethier has the job, further devaluing Juan Pierre.  

The bigger question is the lineup for Ethier. He benefited from Manny Ramirez more than nearly any other hitter last season, but the changes in personnel likely move him out of a comfort zone. 

He hit .335 after the All-Star break, largely due to the presence of Ramirez in the lineup. His damage was done out of the number two spot in the lineup, and that may be otherwise occupied this season. 

If that's the case, monitor closely. He has upside to the .300 average with 20 home runs put up, but how high depends on the type of pitches he's seeing.

Collin Hager writes The Elmhurst Pub Fantasy Blog. You can have your fantasy questions answered by sending an email to [e-mail]. He's also on Twitter @TheRoundtable.