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Check in often as F.I.C.'s Mike Timberlake answers your questions and adds his two cents. No topic is off-limits in the column you help to create.

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March 30, 2004

Trade

03/30/04 Posted: 08:14 PM PST

Question: In a 5x5 ML rot. League, I've been offered Jason Giambi and Roy Oswalt for Albert
Pujols and Russ ortiz. What u think? Should i trade my superstar and iffy Ortriz for
two solid fantasy players??????

Name: Joost Knapen
location: Deurne, The Netherlands

Answer: Goeiendag Joost!

Joost Do It! There are some variables, which I'll get to, but ultimately, you have to make this deal.

The guys you're dealing are more of a sure thing than what you're getting back, but not by that much. I expect Ortiz, who isn't as iffy as you may think, to have less wins and have his numbers down overall as the Braves look like they're in decline. Pujols is just scary and tough to part with. You know what, though. It isn't that bad.

Jason Giambi had an off year last season. His .250 average was his lowest since his first full season in 1996. He hit .291 that year. Last year was an aberration as Giambi has consistently hit at or above .300. Two years ago, he put up numbers that rivaled Pujols' last year. These guys aren't too far apart. Pujols is nice because of his OF and 1B eligibility, but if you're set in the OF, it's no big deal.

Here's where the variable comes in. I am not saying Jason Giambi has taken steroids. Yet, didn't he look just a tad bit slimmer when Spring Training started? Now, he looks somewhat large again. Is it muscle or fat? Maybe he just took the Subway diet to heart and followed in Jared's footsteps before he reported to camp. That may have gone over your head, Joost. I don't know if Jared has walked to any Subways in the Netherlands with Jason Giambi. I don't know if there even are Subways in your country. Anyways, if he hasn't, he should. Then they can stop and smoke all the weed they want legally in Amsterdam and hook up with a couple of legal prostitutes in the Red Light District. I have to say, America is really slacking here. Vegas is the closest thing to Amsterdam, but where's the legal pot? This has to be looked into by the Las Vegas Board of Tourism. Sorry, what were we talking about?

Ah yes, Russ Ortiz. His Braves are crumbling around him. Roy Oswalt, on the other hand, is the ace of a very impressive Astros staff. The numbers he puts up at the launching pad that is Minute Maid Park are fantastic. Across the board he is head and shoulders above Ortiz. He was hurt last season but has looked sharp so far in Spring Training. He's even getting his own personal catcher! Can Russ Ortiz say that? I think not!
~M.T.

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March 28, 2004

I'm A Cheater: Two Questions

03/28/04 Posted: 06:40 AM PST

Question:
First Question: Boxers or Briefs?

Second Question: Are Brewers fans better than Cubs fans?

Name: Gordon Lee
location: I-94 Northbound

Answer:
First Answer: Why wear either?

Second Answer: I didn't know the Brewers had any fans. I thought they just went to the ballpark to get drunk. Though I think you'd have to be drunk before even going to see that team.

I say Cubs fans, because they take the 10th man concept to a whole new level. Just ask Steve Bartman.

By the way, is it noisy living on the Interstate?
~M.T.

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March 27, 2004

Closer Situations

03/27/04 Posted: 06:08 AM PST

Question: From one Mike to another, I've got to ask: Which closer will be the first
to lose his job this season. My personal sentiment is that it will be Koch, but I'd
like to hear what you think.

Name: Mike W.
location: St. Charles, MO

Answer: Koch seems to be a popular pick. He hasn't done particularly well this Spring, but he is the closer heading into the season. He has had some lingering injuries that probably caused him to lose his 40 save form. If he can stay healthy, I think he'll hold onto the job.

I have two guys I think will be prime candidates to lose their job. Joe Nathan of Minnesota and Mike MacDougal of Kansas City. Nathan has been smacked around at times this Spring and has never closed out games. After seeing inexperienced closers all last season in Boston, let's just say I have an eye for these things. Nathan's primary replacements, Juan Rincon and J.C. Romero, are pitching lights out so far. Nathan was 0 for 3 in save opportunities last season and is 1 for 5 lifetime. Last season was his first successful season and he's 29. I'm not saying last year was a fluke, but handing a guy the closer riegns of a playoff contender after one good year is a risky move.

As for MacDougal, remember Charlie Sheen in "Major League"? Well, here's the statistical equivilant. He's only pitched 3 innings this Spring, but he managed to give up three runs and surrender five hits (one being a homer) for a sparkling 9.00 ERA. Last season, he lost the job because of his high walk rate (1.50 WHIP), eight blown saves, eight hit batsmen, and six wild pitches. Oh, and did I mention his .369 OBP against? Kind of hard to close games when you're handing out free bases. Maybe this guy needs contact lenses? At any rate, he's not missing any bats this Spring, so at least there's some progress. Curtis Leskanic or Jason Grimsley would likely fill in again should MacDougal continue to have control issues. Neither of them are a sexy option, but the Royals have a host of good young arms. I think the deadline will bring a more proven closer if the Royals are in the hunt. I wonder how Ugueth Urbina will look in Royal blue?
~M.T.

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March 26, 2004

Red Sox questions...

03/26/04 Posted: 08:05 PM PST

Question: Mike! How are you feeling about the Sox this spring? My specific
question is in regards to Trot Nixon and Mark Bellhorn.

How serious is Trot's back problems and has he had back problems in the past?

How do the Sox plan to use Bellhorn? His OBP was decent (.353) last year but his
SLG (.293 - ouch!) was pitiful.

Thanks...

Name: Chris
location:

Answer: Chris! I am definitely excited with the Red Sox. I wouldn't be a Sox fan if I weren't. Isn't this the year? It's only been...ah, screw it. I can't count that high.

Injuries could play a big part in what happens to this team. Like you noted, Nixon is on the shelf until May with a herniated disc in his back. This is his first major injury, so there isn't too much concern. Yet. Back injuries have a way of sneaking up on you later on. Just ask Juan Gonzalez.

Gabe Kapler has had an outstanding Spring and will share some of Nixon's at-bats while he's out. Dave McCarty has also been pounding the ball and will see time in right field. He conjures images of Babe Ruth by being a southpaw pitcher and dangerous hitter. Well, this Spring anyways.

Obviously the other major injury is Nomar Garciaparra's achillies heel. He's back on the field and due to be back by Opening Day. He'll have to shake off the rust fast because he's seen very limited action so far. Byung Hyun Kim's inflamed right shoulder is a blessing in disguise, I feel. Bronson Arroyo will be a solid #5 and may make Terry Francona think a long time about giving the job back to Kim when he's ready.

As for Bellhorn, he hasn't looked very good thus far. He's hitting .207 and slugging ....... .207. They felt he could play second and Pokey Reese move to shortstop with Garciaparra's injury. Now, they have Kapler taking grounders at third base, presumably to have Bill Mueller play second. Nothing is written in stone, but that has to make you nervous. What makes Bellhorn's low SLG last year so bad is that it was lower in Colorado than when he was with the Cubbies. We all know Theo Epstein is a slave to OBP, though. While Bellhorn looks shaky at best, he's just going to be a spare part on this team and won't affect the fortunes of Red Sox Nation much.
~M.T.

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Should I Punt Saves?

03/26/04 Posted: 07:36 PM PST

Question: I have Kevin Brown, Mussina, Pedro Martinez, and Colon as my top 4
starters. I also have a stacked offense. My question is should I give up on saves
(no closer) if I can dominate in all other categories in a 5X5 league?

Name: Scott M.
Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Answer: You never want to give up on a category completely. Your rotation is solid, but Brown and Pedro are two very big injury risks. However, either one can bring a premier closer in return. With the talk around Pedro's lack of velocity this Spring, I'd be more inclined to deal him. His labrum (shoulder muscle) was never operated on and is still partially torn. It's just a matter of time before his arm literally detatches from the rest of his body. Now that I've scared the hell out of you, wouldn't Billy Wagner look nice on your team in exchange for Pedro? Plus, you may net a valuable bench player, as well.

My reasoning behind getting something in the saves category is that when the end of the year comes and your dead last in saves, you lose those points. Even if you finish second to last in saves, that's still one extra point that could bring you a championship. If you have the offense and a good rotation, don't be afraid to deal from your strength and shore up a weakness.
~M.T.

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