Danks was a hard luck loser again. For the third consecutive start, he gave up three earned runs or less and pitched through the seventh inning at least. With a three-game ERA of 2.908 and a WHIP of 1.154 to go with the 18 K’s, he deserved better, but I guess that is live with the ChiSox. Jared Weaver got STUNG in Texas, but rebounded very nicely at St. Louis. Garza pitched well, but lost to the Astros of all teams, and Shields man-handled the hapless Yankees. Early, I was extremely luck with Wins. This week I had eight good to great starts, but walked away with only three wins. I have now entered the “Unlucky” zone.
With so many games last week, I need to exceed my targets. I did not and therefore in relation to other teams, I lost ground. Thanks in large part to having too many part timers (Infante, Andruw Jones, Max Rameriz) and weak play by my Cubbies, Aramis Ramirez and Geo Soto, I never got out of second gear. I ended up with a respectable 292 AB, but hoped for more with so many games. I hit three targets and fell just short on two, but like I mentioned earlier, I need to excel. For the year and for all categories, hitting and pitching, I am a week ahead in K’s, seriously behind in Saves, slowing climbing in BA but still not at .270 even yet, and right on or just below my other seven, though I need a good week in RBI’s to feel good about that category.
Week Eight Free Agents – The injuries to my team are really showing the cracks in my teams make-up. I decided to cut bait on Infante (will never be more than filler anyway) and Max Ramirez (Texas has no faith in him as every time someone mentions another team may trade a catcher, Texas resides at the top of the rumor mill). I got both players I wanted. With a modest $31 bid, I got Jason Donald who is struggling in his audition with Cleveland. There were a couple of other mediocre MI available, but I thought Donald had a chance to at least be adequate. If he doesn’t work out, I will cut him loose quick.
I guess I liked Josh Bard, SEA, chances better than most as my $51 bid was about five or ten times the second place bid. He had a couple of decent years a few years back in San Diego and has four extra base hits already in his first six games up with Seattle, so since Moore and Johnson offer nothing special, maybe he can stick and produce.
I also dropped Juan Gutierrez, ARI. At one time, I thought he had a legitimate chance to replace Qualls, but the big guy has been pretty bad himself. After his latest meltdown versus the Bluejays, I knew his was no longer worth a roster spot. My starters are pretty set for this week, but with Homer maybe missing what could be a prime start against Houston, I picked up PJ Walters, STL. Not a star, but he could get a start in place of Penny at San Diego, so I took a $18 gamble. He was actually my first conditional, as I (heaven help me) bid $21 on Bonderman. Thank goodness I was not even the bridesmaid on that pick. The pundits keep pushing Bonderman, saying “…if you throw out his one bad start at Seattle…” while forgetting that only luck and rain kept a real stinker against, of all teams, Cleveland on May 7th. He certainly handled the Yankees recently, but you just cannot trust him.
Week Eight Planning – After watching “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” again, my mantra is “Hold Fast”. The number of great to solid producers I have on the DL is really holding me back. I keep getting mixed information on when Ethier will be back. Some say mid-June, but he is already hitting off the team with a special splint. I know I will not have him this week, but with good luck, maybe next. I think Andruw Jone’s time in the sun is about done, so I would love to get Ethiers’ full time AB back. Carlos Guillen will not win the league for me, but if he comes back (and gets 2B eligibility) to a full time role, that will be another full time stick. I am doggedly (foolishly) holding on to Brian Roberts. I cannot believe that above all else, the guy gets pneumonia. I know he will get an extensive trip to the minors for rehab, so mid-June is the earliest I could get him back. Likewise against all conventional wisdom I am holding onto Brandon Webb. Now he has to reverse his muscle memory and get back to his preferred arm slot. Since my big four starters are keeping me at or near my starting pitching stats, I feel I can afford this gamble.
There are rumors around that Putz or Jenks will be traded by July. The sooner would be better for me as I have Putz. One of the proposed landing sites is Philly, which would tickle me spitless.
I was in the top 10, but fell. Then I fell out of the top 10%. Now I have fallen out of the top 100. There is still a lot of baseball to be played, so I have not given up hope. Look out Quahogs, I am coming for you!
... Blue Jays designated 3B Edwin Encarnacion for assignment.