Spring disappointments: Fields may start in minors
We watched upset after upset and the top seeds certainly sent hearts racing. How many of you broke into cold sweats while wolfing down handfuls of candy during the UCLA and Memphis games? Both teams withstood huge charges to advance to the Sweet 16. I do have to wonder how Kevin Love's use as a fullback doesn't count as a moving pick (I know there was little contact, so save the e-mails), but I digress.
Anyway, let's circle back to the diamond. In my last preseason piece, I reviewed some of the top positive stories to come out of the spring. This time out, I'm identifying several of the more disappointing stories as we head toward opening day.
I was expecting a huge breakthrough season from Josh Fields in the power department, but it appears that White Sox fans and fantasy owners will have to wait. The White Sox appear set to name Joe Crede as their starting third baseman. Manager Ozzie Guillen's openly questioned the weak trade market for Crede, questioning the place of experienced and talented veteran players in the current budget-conscious game. Crede will win the job despite batting .159 (seven-for-44) with one home run and one RBI this spring. Fields, who hit 23 home runs last year in place of the injured Crede, will likely open the year in the minor leagues. Fields has recorded nine hits in his past 21 at-bats while showing improved glove work, but Crede's experience wins out. Stash Fields on your bench. He'll produce big power numbers upon his return.
Hot prospect Chase Headley of the Padres was inexplicably shipped to the minor leagues over the weekend. This sweet-swinging youngster was batting .349 (15-for-43) at the time of his demotion, but like Ryan Braun last year, he needed more repetitions in the field. Headley hit four home runs and drove in 14 runs during the spring. If you can stash him on your bench, do so. He'll be ready to mash in the big leagues before long.
The Rays are expected to determine Evan Longoria's fate early this week. The highly touted prospect appears resigned to the move. He's batted .282 with three home runs and 10 RBI this spring, adding two stolen bases for good measure. Be prepared to pounce if the short-sighted owners in your league should release him.
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| Frank Thomas never seems to get off to hot starts early in the year. (Al Messerschmidt / Getty Images) |
The Blue Jays expect to contend with the Red Sox and Yankees this season, and they'll need the offense to click out of the gate. Frank Thomas has started slowly in recent years, and he's struggled mightily this spring. He entered the final week of spring training with a miserable .108 batting average (four-for-37) with one double and no RBI.
Cardinals outfielder Chris Duncan's one of the leading candidates to supply power alongside first baseman Albert Pujols following his 21-home run campaign in 2007. One of the worries about Duncan was his huge strikeout rate. He continues to strike out at an alarming pace (12 in 43 at-bats this spring) and has batted .140 (six hits) with one home run and four RBI.
The Angels anxiously await the evolution of infield prospect and former No. 1 pick Brandon Wood. Unfortunately, Wood continues to struggle with major league pitching. Relax, folks. He just turned 23 at the beginning of the month. Through Sunday's action, he's batting .132 (5-for-38) with 17 strikeouts and no walks this spring. To put a positive spin on his numbers, three of his five hits left the yard (three home runs and six RBI).
One of my pitchers to watch ahead of spring training was John Patterson, who was attempting to return from an elbow injury. Patterson was released by Washington at the end of last week after struggling in his early spring outings. He allowed seven earned runs on 13 hits in his nine innings of work. He's signed a minor league deal with the Rangers and will begin the year at Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Milwaukee starter Chris Capuano reportedly has a torn ulnar collateral ligament and may require "Tommy John" surgery for the second time. He joins Yovani Gallardo on the disabled list.
Toronto released outfielder Reed Johnson over the weekend. He struggled in 2007, appearing in only 79 games with two stints in the minor leagues following a strong 2006 campaign (.319 with 12 home runs and 49 RBI). Beer league softball hero Matt Stairs (we all look up to him) and Shannon Stewart will platoon in left field for the Blue Jays. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Cubs may be interested in picking up Johnson for their outfield rotation.
One of the players on our radar this spring has been Royals starter Brian Bannister. He's struggled this spring, having allowed 27 hits and 13 earned runs in 17 2/3 innings pitched (6.62 ERA). To his credit, he's struck out 10 batters while issuing only two walks, but that hit rate portends to big problems in 2008.
Left-hander Barry Zito's eager to forget his horrible 2007 season, but his spring totals haven't been very encouraging. He's allowed 21 earned runs in 18 1/3 innings pitched (10.31 ERA) while walking 13 hitters against four strikeouts. How about the fact that this total includes 5 1/3 scoreless innings pitched against the White Sox in his last start?
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| Todd Jones has big name guys ready to take his spot, and he didn't help himself with a slow spring. (Jamie Squire / Getty Images) |
Detroit closer Todd Jones has struggled terribly this spring, pitching to a rough 10.24 ERA in 9 2/3 innings. He's been one of the last closers off of the board as owners grapple with his low strikeout rate and increasing hit rate. However, his huge save total of the past three seasons can't be denied.
Jones' new teammate Dontrelle Willis hasn't fared very well. He surrendered five runs on seven hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings in his last turn against the Blue Jays and owns a sizable 6.59 spring ERA. Most disturbing is the fact that he's walked 11 batters while recording only nine strikeouts. I've been reticent to put the stamp of approval on Willis for 2008, and this rough spring isn't helping sway my vote.
All I can say is that I'm speechless. Off-season big ticket trade target Erik Bedard has been shelled repeatedly this spring. He's pitched to a brutal 9.50 ERA in 18 innings of work. He's surrendered 30 hits (1.67 per inning), including seven home runs. I'm not saying I expected him to obliterate opponents in his spring tune-ups, but Mariners fans have to be a tad nervous.
The Diamondbacks named Brandon Lyon their closer early in camp, but he's struggled terribly in limited work this spring. He's allowed 12 earned runs in 6 2/3 innings of work (16.20 ERA) while striking out only a single batter. Keep an eye on the back of the bullpen in Arizona as the season begins. I'm still not convinced Chad Qualls and/or Tony Pena doesn't slide into the role for a spell this year.
I'd be remiss if I failed to acknowledge the frightening number of injuries that have befallen fantasy stars past and present this week. I'll spare you the cable television speedy credit roll of all of the names, but there are some players who warrant mention. Richie Sexson, Eric Chavez, Scott Rolen, Robinson Cano, Nomar Garciaparra, Jeff Kent, Troy Glaus and Curtis Granderson are among the hitters battling injuries during the final week of spring training. John Smoltz, Josh Beckett, B.J. Ryan, Scott Kazmir and Andy Pettitte lead a veritable parade of pitchers experiencing arm and back issues as opening day approaches.
Be sure to keep an eye on the pages of FOXSports.com for all of the latest player news and injury information as the 2008 season gets underway.
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