LATEST TEAM INFO:
If you need advice between posts you can email me at amp118@yahoo.com or attend the weekly chats on Fantasyinfocentral.com. The Yankees starting rotation is tearing apart AL hitters. The Yankees have won six straight and their starting pitchers have only given up 4 ER in that span. Mussina, El Duque and Pettitte did not give up any runs in their first starts. As I mentioned last week, Clemens is fine and showed no ill effects from his bruised hand. He gave a nice pitching line from his last start (7 1/3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K). Last night Wells pitched excellently until he loaded the bases with no one out in the 7th inning. Choate came in and allowed two of the runners to score. Nonetheless, Wells definitely seems rejuvenated his 2nd time around in NY, and he’s a wild card worth taking a flyer on if he’s still available.
RUMOR MILL:
Relax, fantasy managers and NY fans. There was no reason to be booing Giambi after a few games. This guy has put up better numbers than any other AL hitter over the last two years and he will be fine. He’s already showing signs of heating up after this mini-slump, getting his first RBI this weekend (a bloop single which got a standing ovation). Last night he went 2 for 3 (singles) with one walk and one RBI.
INJURIES:
Hitchcock is on rehab training as a starter. Nonetheless, he’ll be in the bullpen when he returns because all the Yankee starters have pitched well.
ON THE FARM:
I’ll give info on the minors in the coming weeks.
LINEUP CHANGES:
Soriano has really responded in the leadoff role and is trying to be more patient at the plate. Torre is still not settled on a lineup. I’ll write (new) next to any changes here.
1. Soriano
2. Jeter
3. Williams (new)- Torre flipped Giambi and Bernie. Probably not a permanent move.
4. Giambi (new)- he responded with 2 singles last night (and an RBI).
5. Posada (new)- he has been batting here against left-handed pitchers. This is where he belongs in the lineup. He bats 6th against right-handed pitchers.
6. White (new)- bats 7th against left-handed pitchers.
7. Ventura (new)- bats 5th against right-handed pitchers. He went 3 for 4 with 6 RBI last night. That makes 3 HR and 10 RBI on the season. If he keeps hitting like this he will bat fifth over Posada. I don’t know if Ventura will return to his 1999 form, but enjoy the ride for now.
8. Spencer
9. Johnson- banged out his 2nd homer last night. I project him with a .370 OBP, 15-20 HRs, 70-75 RBI. He’s a good option in AL-only leagues.
QUICK VIEW:
Add:
Wells (ML) (new)- I didn’t have much faith in Boomer returning from back surgery, but he looks committed (with a much smaller gut). He’s been solid in his 2 starts and is worth taking a chance on, his trade value is still low.
Ventura (ML) (new)- I had told you to pick him up in AL leagues. Now it’s time to grab him in all leagues. He’s batting 5th or 7th and has been performing beyond expectations (granted it’s only been one week).
Drop:
Hitchcock (ML)- you can DL him if you want, but he’ll be in the bullpen when he returns.
Hold:
Giambi, Jeter, Posada, Soriano, Williams, Mussina, Pettitte and Rivera.
Trade:
Clemens - will push hard for 20 wins so he can get 300 this year, but it won’t happen. Clemens was ranked 10th for pitchers on ESPN. Don’t be fooled by last year he won’t out produce Kerry Woods, Javier Vazquez, Barry Zito, or Kevin Brown. Trade him if you can get one of these guys.