Worst Injury Ever -- the Update

Matsui needs surgery for fissure
CBSSportsline.com
Updated 3/15/08

Matsui, Kazuo 2B HOU Free Agent

News: Astros 2B Kazuo Matsui will undergo surgery to
repair an anal fissure Monday in Houston. Matsui has
struggled with the health problem for much of spring
training and was diagnosed with the condition earlier
this week. The expected recovery time after the
surgery is two weeks. Although the season opener on
March 31 is just more than two weeks away, manager
Cecil Cooper wants to try and avoid placing Matsui on
the disabled list. "We'll go down to the wire and see
how he's progressing," Cooper said. "We want him on
the roster and active so he can play."

Analysis: The problem started as a case of hemorrhoids
for Matsui and only grew from there. The second
baseman gives Fantasy owners a nice selection for
batting average and stolen bases in the late rounds,
but he's had trouble staying healthy over the course
of his career. Continue to draft him late, but
understand that he might miss a week or two to start
the season.

Keeper League Prospects

In a keeper league, not only do you play for the current season but it's critical to accumulate quality players that will produce in the near future.

In our competitive keeper league, one owner had the foresight to draft Ryan Braun last spring for a measly $8. Braun had a torrid spring training, hitting .450 with 4 HRs, but still began the year in Triple-A. Craig Counsell and Tony Graffanino began the year as a third base platoon for the Brewers which seems ridiculous in retrospect. In two months in the minors, Braun was mashing the ball with a .340 average, 10 HRs and 22 RBI in 34 games. Finally, in late May, the Brewers brought Braun to the big leagues. Braun rewarded the Brewers by hitting .324 with 34 HRs, 97 RBI and claiming the NL Rookie of the Year award. That $8 investment turned into about $35 earned.

So it pays to keep an eye out for the youngsters in spring training and drafting those phenoms who could pay off early in keeper leagues. Baseball Prospectus released their Top 100 Prospects list this winter. Will one of these guys be "the next Ryan Braun"?

Here are some of the key players that I think will help your keeper team sooner rather than later:

3. Evan Longoria - He might start the year in AAA because of the Ray's frugality, but once he is promoted to Tampa, he should provide a great average and decent power.

8. Colby Rasmus - Is he the new Sizemore? I think he'll be a mainstay in St Louis for many years.

10. Cameron Maybin - He didn't do too much in his brief time in Detroit but he tore up minor league pitching.

16. Jacoby Ellsbury - The new Damon sans caveman look.

22. Daric Barton - Remember when Jason Giambi was just a doubles hitter?

23. Chase Headley - No relation to Chase Utley.

37. Geovany Soto - Everybody is raving about the next great catcher

43. Steve Pearce - Dave Mast is a big fan. He must be for real.

86. Jair Jurrjens - Performed well in Detroit. Pitchers become gods in Atlanta.

In the end, nobody knows. That's why it's fun to watch.

LABR Prices

Auction results from the most recent LABR drafts are beginning to be posted on their websites.

 

LABR AL-only: http://allstar.rotoworld.com/scb/lm/reports/rosters.asp?Sport=BB&Leaguenum=9587

LABR NL-only: http://allstar.rotoworld.com/scb/lm/reports/rosters.asp?Sport=BB&Leaguenum=9592

 

About one-third of the rosters have been posted as of this morning. Here are some interesting auction prices from those rosters:

 

From the AL Draft (12 teams, $260 cap, 5x5)

Grady Sizemore $37 - This could be his monster stat season. Cleveland fans are appreciating him while they have him.

James Shields $25 - Way overpriced considering he plays for Tampa and will face Boston/NYY many times.

Rocco Baldelli: $8 - Too bad this guy could never stay healthy.

Ichiro $38 - Can't buy a hit in spring training but will get 200 of them again this year when it counts. His manager wants him to run this year but those legs must be getting tired.

Joe Crede: $5 - Will he earn his value in Chicago?

Nick Markakis: $29 - I'm surprised the bidding went this high after his breakout '07 season. But he just might earn it. Certainly not a bargain though.

Aaron Hill: $20 - Was a $1 flyer in '07. Where did this power come from?

Miguel Cabrera: $42 - Probably a bargain at $42. Potential Triple Crown winner.

Asdrubal Cabrera: $14 - Most overrated fantasy infielder. 5 HRs 5 SBs?

 

And from the NL (13 teams, $260 cap, 5x5):

Mark Teixeira $35 - What a bargain. Could easily earn $45.

Eugenio Velez $7 - Look out for this speedster if he starts.

Matt Kemp $27 - Still fighting for an OF spot. Was there a bidding war?

Jason Kendall: $5 - It's no longer 1999. Save your money.

HanRam: $39 - Is the power for real? Is 25 HR/70 SB possible?

Chase Utley: $36 - I'd rather have Utley at $36 than Kemp at $27.

Nate McLouth: $12 - Could reward owners if he improves his average.

 

 

Worst Injury Ever.

As evidenced from the photo, Felix Pie is having misplaced ball issues. This is on ESPN.com's spring training update:

PIE OUT 3-5 DAYS (9:03 a.m. ET)
Cubs center fielder Felix Pie will miss the next three to five days while he recovers from an outpatient surgery to fix a twisted testicle.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the surgery is a minor one but if Pie didn't deal with this soon he was in danger of losing the testicle.

Manager Lou Piniella said that the missed time from camp shouldn't keep Pie from competing for the starting center field job. Pie currently is the favorite to start for the Cubs in center on Opening Day.

UPDATE: The surgery involves sewing the outer layer of the testicle to the scrotum wall. The Cubs said it was a minor procedure, and if the problem was not corrected soon, Pie would risk losing the testicle.

My dad's early tee time in Ohio