FanHouse WillyTaveras

From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday.

Every Hot Stove season, each team reshapes its roster in an attempt to better themselves. After each transaction, whether a free agent acquisition, trade or something else, writers and bloggers everywhere provide knee-jerk reactions on each particular move. Though the majority of the analysis is educated, it's still just conjecture. Today, we'll take the long view and look back at some of the maneuvering this past offseason and see how it played out on the field.

These Kids Are Alright is FanHouse's look at minor league prospects who could have a fantasy impact in the near future.

With the news that Willy Taveras is heading to the disabled list came some new fantasy blood -- at least if you are looking for a late surge in steals. Taveras will be replaced on the Reds roster by a 24-year-old speedster named Drew Stubbs. Stubbs was the Reds' first round selection (picked eighth overall) in the 2006 major league draft. He's a highly touted prospect in the organization due to his incredible athleticism. In his lanky (6-foot-4, 200 pound) frame, Stubbs is a stellar defensive player with great base-running skills.

The good folks of Cincinnati should probably start calling Great American Ball Park "The Infirmary," because this is just ridiculous. Willy Taveras and Johnny Cueto have both been placed on the disabled list. Taveras has a strained right quad -- so, a leg injury to a player whose strength is running fast. Cueto, a right-handed pitcher, has, naturally, a right shoulder injury.

Considering the way things have gone for the Reds this season, hearing the news of players falling injured isn't exactly a new experience.

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Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.

Max Scherzer, the 24-year-old fireballer for the Diamondbacks, has worlds of talent. He also takes a step back every time you think he's finally hitting his groove. This past week, he was a two-start pitcher in the fantasy baseball world. His first start was pure gold (that's gold, Jerry!). He threw 7 shutout innings and struck out 10 before getting chased in the eighth inning -- after allowing a few earned runs. He followed that up with an absolute catastrophe on Sunday. The light-hitting Braves touched him up for 10 hits and 8 earned runs in only 3 2/3 innings.

So, what gives?

Categorically Speaking is designed specifically for Rotisserie GM's. The information is great for all fantasy baseball formats, but for those of you who could use some help bolstering a specific roto category, this is for you. We're going to pay close attention to players who might be readily available on your waiver wire or who you might target in non-blockbuster trade talks.

Carl Crawford has a ten stolen base lead on the rest of the major league pack. If you have him on your fantasy baseball roster, you're probably in good shape in the steals category. But, what if you need some help? Here are some options.

Michael Bourn, Astros - Bourn is only owned in 41% of fantasy leagues, but his 15 stolen bases have him tied for fourth place among all hitters. Most of you avoided Bourn on draft day (and by the looks of it, still are) because of his craptastic .229 batting average last season. Bypassing Bourn at this point is a bad idea. He's sporting a .288 batting average and has cemented his place at the top of the Astros batting order.

I'd say the photo collection above accurately sums up David Ortiz's season so far. It hit rock bottom on Thursday as the Red Sox slugger (?) went 0-for-7 with three strikeouts, and left ... wait for it ... 12 men on base (Update: Ortiz was benched Friday night against the Mariners). On the Big Papi scale, this is a slump of appalling proportions. He's homer-less in his last 144 at-bats, one shy of his career-worst drought between 1998 and 2000. Is it time for fantasy owners to cut their losses with Ortiz?

Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.

When Luke Hochevar was summoned to the majors last season, he had started only 13 games at the triple-A level. He had compiled a 2-4 record with a 4.54 ERA in those starts. Translation: It appears the former number one overall draft pick had been rushed -- especially when you consider his ensuing major league numbers. In his rookie year, Hochevar went 6-12 with a 5.51 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. His strikeout rate was well below his capabilities as well.

From the Windup is Matt Snyder's extended look at some aspect of America's pastime each Thursday. It appears Saturday because of the A-Rod and Manny Ramirez news.

Heading into Saturday's action, the Cincinnati Reds have played pretty good baseball. They've taken some lumps, but overall it's been a good start for a team that finished 14 games under .500 in 2008. They've gotten good pitching, but their offense leaves something to be desired. Only the Diamondbacks and Giants have scored less runs in the NL.

Boy, they could really use Adam Dunn.

Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.

After a terrible first week, Texas first baseman Chris Davis was one of the hot topics of concern in fantasy baseball circles. My colleague Matt Snyder recently tried to put those fears to rest in Slump or Suck, and right on cue, Davis went ahead and smashed them with his bat.

MLB Power Rankings: Where we care what you've done for us lately when we break down the who's who and the what's what in the baseball world each week.

We're almost there. You can smell it in the air, can't you? That's right ... the NHL playoffs! Ha. I kid, of course. No one actually watches hockey (if it even exists). But people do get amped up for baseball, and the season is upon us. So, in that vein, we've got our final installment of preseason power rankings ready for your digestion. Play ball.