On today's episode of The Alex Rodriguez Saga ...
The New York Yankees slugger, who has yet to make his 2009 debut as he recovers from hip surgery, is currently on rehab assignment in Florida. He went 1-for-6 with a walk Friday against Pittsburgh Pirates minor leaguers in an extended spring training game, as the Bradenton Herald's John Lembo reported. He followed that up with another exhibition Saturday in Tampa, playing the field for the first time.
A-Rod's official return date had been penciled in as May 15, but the Yankees say he is ahead of schedule and could return as early as New York's May 8-10 series against the Orioles. That's pretty remarkable, considering some of the dire predictions that popped up when word of Rodriguez's injury first surfaced. It's also an encouraging bit of news for his fantasy owners, who've had to endure endless stories about A-Rod's alleged steroid use (as far back as high school!) while keeping one of the game's best players on their benches.
If you're one of those owners, start clearing room on your active roster. You should be putting A-Rod in your lineup as soon as the Yankees do, no matter how he hits in these meaningless spring games.
The Steinbrenner boys and their braintrust will not risk bringing back their multi-million-dollar man before he's ready, and the team actually isn't desperate for A-Rod's offense; the Yanks are currently second in the league in runs scored without him. Once he eases his way back into game shape, that offense will be even more dangerous. So back off that ledge, Mark Teixeira owners - brighter days are around the corner. A-Rod's almost here.
Photo by The Associated Press
4 comments:
Jay -
What do you think about Brad Ziegler from the A's for Carolos Pena of the Rays?
It depends on your team's needs, because you're essentially trading saves for home runs. Ziegler isn't quite a top-tier closer because he's not a huge strikeout guy and he'll be limited in how many save opportunities the A's give him. I put his ceiling somewhere around 30-35 saves this year.
Pena, meanwhile, is easily capable of 40 homers - he's already a quarter of a way there - though he won't help you much in batting average because he strikes out too much.
I'd say this deal is a little slanted toward whoever gets Pena, especially if he comes closer to his 2007 stats than his 2008 stats. And I think that will be the case. But on the whole, it's not totally unfair.
What about Erik Bedard for Pena?
Pena-for-Bedard is probably a better deal, if you need a top-line starter. Bedard is pitching like the ace he was supposed to be last year for the M's. It appears he's over the injuries that ruined his 2008 season and he's picked up where he left off in 2007 - when he was one of the most promising young aces in the game. There's still injury risk obviously, but you're talking about a guy who's on pace for more than 230 Ks and 20 wins.
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