What's with the NL Central trading for all the good pitchers on the market? Let's start things off today with a look at the fantasy impact of the Rich Harden deal in the same way we addressed the Brewers' acquisition of CC (No Periods) Sabathia.
Cubs: There's actually not much affected here in fantasy terms. The rotation is Carlos Zambrano, Harden, Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis. Sean Marshall loses some value because he had just joined the Cubbies' rotation, and now there's no room for him. When Harden goes on the DL again - and he probably will, Cubs fans - Marshall and new arrival Chad Gaudin are the fill-in candidates.
A's:Sean Gallagher (1.2 percent owned) benefits the most from this deal, going from the Cubs' bullpen to the A's rotation - he'll start Friday, and with his strikeout numbers (49 in 58 2/3 IP) he could be worth a shot in a deep mixed league.
OF Matt Murton and 2B Eric Patterson will initially head to Triple-A Sacramento. Murton has been a decent hitter until this season, and if he comes up in the second half he'll probably be worth an AL-only league pickup. The same goes for Patterson, who's got some pop and some speed (.320, six HR, 11 SB at Triple A), and could get some playing time if the A's go into full-blown selling mode and deal Mark Ellis. C Josh Donaldson is struggling (.625 OPS) in A ball, and you don't need to worry about him for at least a couple of years.
And now, we rejoin your regular fantasy blog, already in progress.
Who's off: Nobody
First pitch: There are a couple of 1:05 p.m. ET starts in the AL, while the Marlins and Pads get the NL slate going at 3:35. Here's the full schedule.
Pitcher to start:Way to hook a brother up, Randy Wolf! Today, with a dearth of options available, let's take another ride on the Padre train with Cha Seung Baek (1 percent owned). He's been very inconsistent, but has struck out 19 batters against just two walks in his last three starts. Yes, I know he's allowed 10 runs in those starts.
On to the news:
The White Sox put closer Bobby Jenkson the DL with an injury that I've seen described as both left shoulder pain and upper back tightness. Either way, it should be a brief absence, with Jenks returning as soon as the All-Star break ends next week. Scott Linebrink leads the closer committee while Jenks is out, but he blew a save last night.
Finally! Mark Muldermakes his first start of the season tonight for the Cardinals. I'm in wait-and-see mode here - there have been too many bumps in the road during Mulder's recovery for me to recommend him right away.
Mets OF Ryan Church is back on the DL with post-concussion issues. Looks like a lot more time for Fernando Tatis in the Mets' outfield.
Good news for D'backs C Chris Snyder - his testicle is apparently badly bruised rather than fractured (OUCH!). He hopes to be back right after the break.
Eric Hurley is on the DL and Vicente Padilla is hurting for the Rangers, who are planning to debut a starter I've never heard of tonight. Michael Ballard is 8-3 with a 3.97 ERA in Double A. Ballard wasn't included in this season's editions of Baseball Prospectus or the Baseball America Prospect Handbook. I think he might be a robot the Rangers constructed in a bunker under their stadium or something.
The Blue Jays' Web site reports that SP Dustin McGowan left last night's start after four innings with a sore shoulder - he'll have an MRI today.
The Mariners are going to give Erik Bedard some rest and start him again on July 21. If you see news of him going on the DL, don't worry. Yes, you can be mad about the whole idea of your fantasy ace being so fragile, but the DL part will just be a roster move.
Could the Brewers also add Yovani Gallardo to their rotation late in the season? Probably not, but there's a tiny bit of hope.
The Astros will reactivate 2B Kaz Matsui in time for today's game.
Rockies OF Ryan Spilborghs injured an oblique last night, and went on the DL after the game.
The Yankees are giving away Jason Giambi mustaches at today's game. Please, please, PLEASE vote for the Giambino to get into the All-Star Game so FOX can show that 'stache in high definition.
