Yardbarker: Jake Peavy

Top 200 Players of All Time

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 05:58:27 -0500

FBHOF begins the process of ranking the best 200 fantasy players of all time.

THE PIRATES DEMAND OUR ATTENTION

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:58:35 -0500

Yes, I'm aware that Steeler training camp started today, and as I reported earlier, I'm tremendously excited. Just look at that schedule: New England, Dallas, San Diego, Phildelphia, the Giants, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Washington...and we haven't even broached the subject of their AFC North rivals. It's going to be interesting.

Usually, the start of training camp marks the unofficial end of the Pirate season around these parts. Bay, Sanchez, and Wilson gets replaced by Ben, Santonio, and Willie in the daily headlines.

But the Pirates are doing their best to retain fan interest at least for a short while longer, despite the start of Camp Tomlin.

Friday night was a wild ride of rumors that finally ended up in the trade of OF Xavier Nady and LHP Damaso Marte to the New York Yankees. The return on the trade was originally reported as OF Jose Tabata, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, LHP George Kontos, and LHP Phil Coke.

Pirates Nation quickly broke out their Management Disapproval Rubber Stamp throughout the internet, comparing the new regime to the Littlefields and Bonifays that preceeded them. But there was one problem: that wasn't the actual trade.

No, the Pirates actually received Tabata, Ohlendorf, and pitchers Daniel McCutchen and Jeff Karstens as compensation for their part in trying to help the Yankees get to the 2008 World Series. Predictably, statements were revised (by most) who felt that this trade was an improvement over the previously-reported haul. Although Joe Buck and Buster Olney still think the Yankees ripped us off, for what that's worth.

What do I think? Well, this is kind of like evaluating the NFL draft the morning after. It's pretty much just a guess on anyone's part, because no one can see into the future and know how a player will pan out, with the possible exception of Billy Beane.

I'm not going to lie: I do not scour minor-league sites and message boards and have very little knowledge of these prospects outside of what I've recently read. As the proprietor of a website whose audience takes nearly as much satisfaction from bizarre off-the-field news as on-the-field reports, I can say that a player like Tabata could be absolutely fascinating. A high-upside player with a Manny Ramirez-esque mentality? Where do I sign up? The Pirates haven't seen a personality like this in a long time. We're more conditioned to the bland personas and lack of ego that result in 68-win seasons. It's nice to have a potential sign of life down the road.

And tell me the possibility of a lineup populated by Tabata, Pedro Alvarez, and Andrew McCutchen doesn't intrigue you at least somewhat?

In addition to Tabata, the Pirates are receiving not one, not two, but three potential major league starting pitchers. For a team that was trotting John Van Benschoten out every fifth day, that's a step in the right direction.

Tabata is like a high-risk, high-reward stock. He might have a screw loose and he's had some injury issues, but he was considered untouchable for a long time by the Yankee braintrust. It's a different take on the usual high-risk, no-reward players the Pirates targeted, and I think a step in the right direction for at least trying something different.

The three pitchers will probably never be confused with Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz, but I'm hoping they won't be confused with Van Benschoten, Bryan Bullington, and Bobby Bradley either.

So life goes on for the Pirates and their fans. It was a bit surreal watching Nady and Marte immediately thrust into the heat of a Yankee-Red Sox matchup right off the bat on Saturday, but I guess that's something we'll get used to. We'll also be getting used to watching young OF Steve Pearce on a regular basis, which might be fun. And yes, with this move and others that may come, we'll be getting used to another losing season in pursuit of a winner sometime down the road.

More Pirate news:

--Despite the absence of Nady and Marte, the show must go on. Unfortunately, the Padres took another one with a 3-1 victory over Paul Maholm and the Pirates on Sunday. Jake Peavy struck out 10 and limited the Pirates to just four hits; Maholm pitched an equally strong seven innings, allowing four hits and one run while whiffing nine. Unfortunately, John Grabow offered up two gopherballs [Scott Hairston and Josh Bard], which left the Pirates at 48-57.

--I said it Friday, and I'll say it again: if you haven't checked out Dejan Kovacevic's new blog, you're doing yourself a great disservice. He's been all over the trade and everything else Pirate since its inception.

--Barney Dreyfuss, former owner of the Pirates who paid for the construction of Forbes Field out of his own pocket at a cost of $2 million, was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Dreyfuss ran the Buccos from 1900-1932 and oversaw six NL pennants, two World Series titles, and just five losing seasons. If you ask me, his legacy has been greatly overshadowed in Pittsburgh sports history.

--Could Bay, Grabow, or Wilson be the next to go? As Branch Rickey would say, "You can finish last without them."

--The Pirates rank 20th in Paul Meyer's latest Power Rankings.

--The Pirates Charities auction on Saturday night was a huge success and will assist in the building of the region's first Miracle League Field, a baseball field designed to accommodate children with special needs.

SEND YOUR TIPS, LINKS & FEEDBACK: mondesishouse@gmail.com

Fantasy Baseball Weekly starters: Volstad's a hot commodity

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:28:50 -0500

Who are the top 2-start pitchers this week? One is Rich Harden, who had an impressive debut as a Cub. Possible sleeper in Florida's Chris Volstad. Also, compete pitching rotations for the upcoming week for every team to help your fantasy team.

Cards' four-of-a-kind beats Peavy and the Padres

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:44:45 -0500

Kyle Lohse got just enough help from the offense to help the Cardinals start off the second half of the season on track. (photo by SD Dirk)

NoteCARDS v Padres 7/17/08

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:55:45 -0500

An inning by inning, batter by batter game descriptionof the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Diego Padres.

Redbird Randoms ... Probables: Padres series

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:53:41 -0500

News regarding the St. Louis Cardinals.

Week 9 Diamond DL Report

Fri, 30 May 2008 08:49:55 -0500

In this weekly fantasy column, FIO co-founder & editor Matt Hinzpeter takes a look at the walking wound in the world of fantasy baseball. Find out which guys are set to return, news and updates concerning some key players, as well as the newest additions to the DL.

Clearing The Bases: This week's look around the majors

Thu, 29 May 2008 21:42:42 -0500

A look at what's happening around the majors this week, including a commentary on the state of official scoring in baseball.

Peavy begins to throw

Wed, 28 May 2008 14:17:23 -0500

San Diego Padres pitcher Jake Peavy has resumed throwing a baseball around again. Although, it is not from a mound. Peavy hasn't pitched since May 14th due to an elbow injury. Peavy was originally scheduled to begin throwing Saturday, but after some tests the doctors pushed that back a couple days. Peavy underwent an MRI on his elbow Tuesday, and was then cleared to begin playing catch. On Tuesday, Peavy even took batting practice for the first time in about a week. "I'm excited," Peavy said.

Sizzlers and Fizzlers, Week 7

Sun, 25 May 2008 23:39:28 -0500

In a season comprised of streaks and slumps, Fantasyfanatics.com baseball expert helps us sort through the latest trends. Here's a look at the players who are hot and some who are not. Our first sizzler is Lance Berkman (1B, Houston Astros): Berkman has really been on fire the entire season, but I thought he deserved his due. Over his past 6 games, Berkman has posted a .348 BA, .423 OBP, a HR, 2 RBI, 4 R, and 2 SB. He also hit 4 HR last week. In total, Berkman is hitting .387, with a .466 OBP, 16 HR, 45 RBI, 50 R, and 9 SB. Obviously he's having a fantastic season, and fantasy owners have got to love those 9 SB.

Week 8 Diamond DL Report

Fri, 23 May 2008 22:44:43 -0500

The Daily Whine: Lester's no-no

Tue, 20 May 2008 09:46:04 -0500

It's tough for even the most cynical sports observer such as, say, myself, not to get a little choked up at Jon Lester's no-hitter last night. The crying continued when I realized the first-place team in my league has him, and even picked him up a few weeks ago when he was dropped by someone else.

Public Knowledge

Mon, 19 May 2008 14:00:28 -0500

The Cincinnati Reds, Ryan Braun and Big Papi. All this and more in Public Knowledge!

Peavy elbow concerns

Sun, 18 May 2008 20:26:48 -0500

The San Diego Padres have been hit with some devastating news. Star pitcher Jake Peavy has experienced elbow soreness in 3 of his past 4 starts, and has been scratched from his Monday start. The latest of elbow pains came Wednesday, when Peavy had his shortest outing of the season, pitching only 4 innings, giving up 4 runs on 7 hits, and having no command of his fastball. The start before that, it was all fastball and no breaking ball. "Obviously I haven't been sharp," Peavy said. "And the discomfort hasn't been improving." Jake will now undergo an MRI Monday.

The Daily Whine: Ticked off by an Angel

Thu, 15 May 2008 10:24:22 -0500

In the kind of news that would never happen to me if I owned him, John Lackey returned and was terrific last night for the Angels.