Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
In news that probably means a lot more to fantasy baseball players than real baseball fans -- with all due respect to the Pirates and their true fans -- Ryan Doumit is going to miss the next 8-10 weeks. He'll be undergoing wrist surgery and have some pins inserted. As fantasy owners, we must march on and look at how to replace the production of a very solid offensive catcher.
We just concluded our fantasy draft here at Fanhouse. I have to say that I like what I did here.
It's a 12-team, rotisserie mixed-league using standard 5X5 scoring categories and rosters that include two catchers, a first baseman, a second baseman, a shortstop, a third baseman, a corner infielder, a middle infielder, five outfielders, a utility hitter, nine pitchers and three bench players.
Here's the Extra Base Knox team:
Round 1(3) - Albert Pujols, Cardinals - Wright and Hanley Ramirez went with the first two picks. Pujols is the best remaining player so I went with him. I'll take his massive offense in four of the five categories and smile all the way.
Round 2(22) - Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners - I made a tough decision here between him and Justin Morneau. I love Ichiro's speed and great batting average. With such high batting averages from my first two picks, I should be able to grab a big home run hitter with a low average later in the draft if I choose.
Round 3(27) - Carl Crawford, Rays - I didn't go power, I went speed again. Crawford plus Ichiro will pretty much guarantee my team is near the top in stolen bases.
Nothing escapes YouTube! That's Jose Guillen getting into it with the fans at a Royals game earlier this week (via Hot Clicks). I read about the "incident" earlier this week and wondered just how bad it was. The audio in this video isn't that great, but I didn't hear any profanity or anybody talking about Guillen's family, which is what he told reporters after the game. No, it was just a lot of people booing Guillen, with some laughter mixed in the more upset he got.
Mind you, this happened at Kauffman Stadium, so these were ostensibly Royals fans. There was a lot of booing coming from that section, it's not like it was coming from just one heckler.
All in all, it sounds like the fans and the players are getting a little sick of each other, especially after hearing Miguel Olivo's response when asked about his future plans. From Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star:
"It's only, what, (29) more games?" he said. "I'm going to do my best during that and that's it." [...] He and the team hold mutual options for next year, and Olivo said there's no way he'll return. "Hell no," he said.
Being 21 games under .500 will do that to you, I guess.
While the umpire crew chief may have apologized for his ejection on Sunday, the commissioner's office was less understanding for Guillen's post-game comments. After Guillen admitted in a fit of anger that he's asked a pitcher to hit a batter on purpose in the past and warned the Royals that it could happen again, Major League Baseball decided to suspend Guillen two games. Unlike when a player gets suspended, Guillen cannot appeal the decision, meaning he won't be allowed in the building tonight and tomorrow as the White Sox host the Tigers.
If it makes him feel any better, at least MLB isn't singling him out: the Royals had three people suspended. Miguel Olivo got five games for rushing the mound and Zack Greinke got five games for hitting Nick Swisher with a pitch. Because Greinke's bean ball came after both benches were warned, skipper Trey Hillman was handed an automatic one-game suspension.
I'm sure Guillen can't be happy about the suspension, but it was completely predictable -- you just can't admit to hitting a batter on purpose and expect the commissioner's office to look the other way.
Well, this is hardly surprising: something Ozzie Guillen said may land him in trouble.
Guillen went on a verbal tirade following Sunday's brawl-filled game with the Royals, upset at being ejected in the fifth after umpire Tim Timmons decided that D.J. Carrasco was intentionally trying to hit Miguel Olivo. Guillen admitted that he's asked his pitchers to bean players in the past but denied doing it on Sunday, and then gave a not-so-subtle warning to the Royals, saying, "I signed a five-year deal with this club, and we're going to play Kansas City a lot."
The ironic thing is that Guillen was technically in the right -- the umpire crew chief eventually apologized to him after viewing the tape and realizing that Carrasco was simply erratic and not being a headhunter. But does being justifiably upset excuse what was said in anger? That's what the the league office is trying to decide.
Sunday was a pretty frustrating day for the Chicago White Sox. Not only were they getting their butts kicked by the Kansas City Royals, and saying goodbye to their position atop the AL Central in the process, but there was also a bench-clearing incident in the fifth inning of the game.
With the Sox down 7-0, reliever D.J. Carrasco threw three straight pitches at Royals catcher Miguel Olivo's head. All three missed making any contact (because nobody in the White Sox bullpen should be expected to hit their target these days) but after the third one, Olivo took exception and charged the mound. The typical baseball fight ensued where there's a lot of pushing and shoving, but aside from Olivo's haymaker on A.J. Pierzynski (who was trying to play peacemaker), not much happened.
The best part of the scrum was probably Ozzie Guillen's tirade after being ejected in which he slammed his hat on the ground and got into the umpire's faces. Luckily for all of us, Ozzie still had plenty to say after the game, and the never shy manager shared his thoughts for the world to hear.
Guillen said his eruption was due to the fact that the umpires ejected him because they said he brought in Carrasco for the sole purpose of plunking Olivo, which Ozzie firmly denied.
Mark Teixeira, Braves Buzz: Though Atlanta has denied a willingness to trade Teixeira over the last few weeks, the club appears to be moving toward becoming a seller. How the Braves play over the next week will likely determine whether or not the team moves the slugger.
Jeff Zelevansky, Getty Images
A.J. Burnett, Blue Jays Buzz: Though several teams have scouted Burnett, trade movement remains slow as teams balk at the right-hander's uncertain contract status. He has great stuff and would be a quality No. 2 starter for a contender down the stretch.
Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
Brian Fuentes, Rockies Buzz: The closer has reportedly been scouted by seven different clubs over the last few days, but Colorado's asking price -- rumored to be a top pitching prospect -- might be scaring potential suitors off. Florida will not deal Chris Volstad for Fuentes, but is still pursuing a deal for the southpaw.
Doug Pensinger, Getty Images
George Sherrill, Orioles Buzz: The Cardinals and Angels are among the teams who have asked about the closer, while the Brewers are not. Baltimore's rumored asking price is said to be two or three prospects.
Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images
Barry Bonds, Giants Buzz: The Yankees are the latest team to say they won't rule out pursuing the all-time home run king now that Hideki Matsui could miss the rest of the season. Hank Steinbrenner has admitted that the team will discuss Bonds in the next few days as they go over their options.
Lisa Blumenfeld, Getty Images
Jarrod Washburn, Mariners Buzz: The Seattle left-hander is drawing interest from the Yankees, who could use him to bolster their rotation. While not an ace, Washburn is a reliable innings-eater.
Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images
Huston Street, Athletics Buzz: Though some teams are worried about the recent drop in his arm angle and velocity, Oakland's closer seems to have no shortage of suitors. The Reds are the latest team believed to have expressed interest in Street. The Brewers have also made inquiries about his availability.
Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images
Greg Maddux, Padres Buzz: San Diego would ideally like to move the future Hall of Famer, but he has a full no-trade clause and is rumored to only be willing to accept a deal to a West Coast team.
Marc Serota, Getty Images
Brian Giles, Padres Buzz: Giles is an on-base machine and a solid defender who could give a contender looking for a corner bat a boost. Getting out of pitcher-friendly Petco Park could lead to a power spike.
Doug Pensinger, Getty Images
Andy LaRoche, Dodgers Buzz: LaRoche, L.A.'s No. 2 prospect entering the season according to Baseball America, is reportedly being showcased for a potential deadline deal.
Christian Petersen, Getty Images
If ever there was an omen that it might be time to let go of this season, wouldn't injuries to the team's best pitcher and hitter on the same night be it? Teixeira is certain to leave this winter and if Atlanta holds on to him all it will get is a pair of early draft picks. They stand to get much better talent in a deadline deal, even considering Teixeira's rental status.
- I got a chance to see A.J. Burnett's rain-shortened start last night in Baltimore. There were plenty of scouts in attendance, though some of them were probably there in hopes of seeing Orioles closer George Sherrill. Burnett has good raw stuff -- a fastball he gets to 95 mph with ease and a tough curveball in the low-80s. Still, Orioles hitters made good contact on him. He's a very good, but fragile No. 2 starter, who could help a number of contenders, but his uncertain contract status continues to make potential suitors cautious. Don't put too much stock into the Roy Halladay rumors, Burnett is still the most likely to get moved of any of Toronto's pitchers.
Today: the debut of a new Dugout feature which may or may not end up visiting every clubhouse in baseball. I would wager that I read about a half hour's worth of Wikipedia every day, but if you dig deep enough, you can find molten rivers of hilarious, transparent, terrible writing. As such, these Dugouts will feature ballplayers unearthing their own Wikipedia entries.
This one concerns the Kansas City Royals, flaming tennis balls, and an ominous secret society of watercolor painters. Read it after the jump.
On Tuesday afternoon, after a meeting of a player-management safety committee, Major League Baseball announced they will start testing maple bats. The bats, popular with hitters, have a propensity to shatter and create an injury risk. Tom Fornelli addressed the concerns yesterday and I agree with his closing words, "It's better that baseball do it now and force it's players to deal with it rather than waiting for someone to get seriously hurt first."
Especially since we no longer have to wait for someone to get hurt. Last night in Kansas City, home plate umpire Brian O'Nora got hit in the head by a piece of Miguel Olivo's maple bat. Blood poured out and O'Nora had to leave the game and head to the hospital. Royals manager Trey Hillman sounds like he's ready to see maple go the way of the spitball.
"They are very, very dangerous. I'm surprised that this is the first incident we've seen. It could have been worse, a lot worse. It looked a lot worse than it was. There was a lot of blood. My understanding is that he is OK."
O'Nora does seem to be OK but if anti-maple enthusiasts were looking for a smoking gun, they've got one. Olivo might be willing to testify on their behalf. He switched to an ash bat after the second inning incident and singled home a run in his next at-bat.
The Mariners will be finishing up a six-game road trip this afternoon at Yankee Stadium, and they'll be hoping to avoid going 0-6. Still, you have to wonder, despite the fact that they haven't won a game on this trip, do they really even want to go back home to Seattle? At least while they're in New York, the home fans can't kill them, so they're safer on the road.
There's probably also some fear in manager John McLaren and general manager Bill Bavasi that they may not hold those titles for much longer. The fans wouldn't exactly cry themselves to sleep at night knowing those two were gone, and they may be getting their wish soon as both have received the dreaded votes of confidence from team president Chuck Armstrong.
"Their positions are secure," Armstrong told MLB.com from his Bellevue, Wash., home. "They are not to be blamed for what's going on.
"In my 23 years, I have never ever seen anything like this. We saw it the other way in 2001. I mean, you have to ask yourself, 'How did the Mariners win 116 games that season with that roster, compared to this roster?' This is just as inexplicable the other way."
Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.
Even when 
Well, this is hardly surprising: something 
Sunday was a pretty frustrating day for the Chicago White Sox. Not only were they getting their butts kicked by the Kansas City Royals, and saying goodbye to their position atop the AL Central in the process, but there was also a bench-clearing incident in the fifth inning of the game.
Today: the debut of a new Dugout feature which may or may not end up visiting every clubhouse in baseball. I would wager that I read about a half hour's worth of 
On Tuesday afternoon, after a meeting of a player-management safety committee, Major League Baseball announced they will start testing maple bats. The bats, popular with hitters, have a propensity to shatter and create an injury risk. 
The Mariners will be finishing up a six-game road trip this afternoon at Yankee Stadium, and they'll be hoping to avoid going 0-6. Still, you have to wonder, despite the fact that they haven't won a game on this trip, do they really even want to go back home to Seattle? At least while they're in New York, the home fans can't kill them, so they're safer on the road.
