[Hache Man]

AL Team-by-Team Notes
Lyle Overbay keeps getting on base at a nice clip, but he's hit just three homers in 316 at-bats since returning from a broken hamate bone last year. He has a total of four extra-base hits this season, leaving him with a .337 slugging percentage. He's hitting more balls on the ground than ever before, and when he does get it into the air, he's not scorching liners like he used to. The injury Overbay suffered is known for reducing a player's power, but the effect tends to last an additional month or two after the player returns. In this case, it's stretched into the next year, creating doubt about whether he'll ever be the player he was. He looks through as a quality option in mixed leagues at this point. Maybe he'll yet turn it around, but the upside isn't there to make him worth waiting around for.

American League Notes

Baltimore - That the Orioles have boasted such solid results from their pitching staff is the biggest reason they're still over .500 on the season, but it's hard to see it lasting. The group currently has a 168/129 K/BB ratio to go along with a 4.19 ERA. Entering Saturday's game, the Orioles had the third-fewest strikeouts and fourth-most walks in the AL. Jeremy Guthrie, looking very solid once again this year, is the only starter with a 2:1 K/BB ratio. Brian Burres is off to the same kind of fluky start he had last year and is likely to fade just as rapidly. I think Daniel Cabrera has made real progress, but not to the point at which he's close to fulfilling his upside. If Garrett Olson can stick in the rotation over Matt Albers with Adam Loewen sidelined, he'd be an intriguing pickup in AL-only leagues. It was command that held him back after he debuted last year, but he impressed this spring and again in Triple-A last month. He's not worth playing yet, but he'd be nice to have stashed away. … It looked like this might be the week Alex Cintron was called up to help out at shortstop, but he had to go home from Triple-A following a death in his family. There's still a good chance he'll start taking time away from Luis Hernandez soon.

Boston - Jon Lester now has 33 major league starts (and one relief appearance) under his belt, the equivalent of one full season. In 184 career innings, he's allowed 190 hits, walked 97 and struck out 132. He's given up 22 homers. Expectations were that his velocity would improve more now that he's had a full year to recover from chemotherapy, but he's never touched 95 mph in the majors like he did in the minors. He's typically in the 89-92 mph range. His best offering might be his cutter, and his curve is a quality breaking ball. Even without the big-time heat, he looks like a potential No. 2 at times. However, the poor command makes him a No. 4 right now. It doesn't look like the breakthrough is coming, and the Red Sox will be hurting themselves in the short-term if they bypass him and send down Clay Buchholz when Bartolo Colon comes up. It might be the right decision anyway because of the need to monitor Buchholz's innings, but Buchholz is clearly the better pitcher right now. … Mike Lowell is trying to pull absolutely every pitch he sees and still doesn't have an RBI after 50 at-bats this season. Mixed leaguers should be able to do better at third base, at least for this week.

Chicago - Far be it from me to disagree with Joe Morgan, but I don't think Jermaine Dye is in for a great season or even a very good one. He's the White Sox's third-best outfielder both offensively and defensively right now. He does have a solid enough average after 24 games, but it comes with a 21/7 K/BB ratio. His power numbers are also rather unimpressive, mostly because he's hitting the ball on the ground more than usual. Good fastballs seem to be getting past him with more frequency than ever before. He'll make adjustments and end up with fair home run and RBI numbers, but he's just a fourth or fifth outfielder in mixed leagues. … Alexei Ramirez was placed on the restricted list for the trip to Toronto he couldn't make due to visa troubles. It'd have made a whole lot more sense just to option him to Triple-A. Ramirez is hitting .121 in 33 at-bats to date. He's not helping the White Sox, and he'd be a lot more likely to contribute later on if given regular at-bats in the minors. The White Sox will probably have him switch places with Jerry Owens sometime soon.

Cleveland - Travis Hafner's slow start has added to the doubt whether he's ever going to return to 2006 form. The especially scary thing is that his numbers are this bad even with all of his line drives falling in (12-for-16). As those who have watched him can attest, it's not poor luck that's done him in; he's really played this badly. I'm more concerned than I would normally be for someone with his track record. He still has significant value while batting in the middle of a lineup that's sure to improve, but he could be finished as a .300 hitter. If the Indians had it to do over again, they wouldn't have given him the $52 million extension last summer. … Even if Rafael Betancourt was perfect while Joe Borowski was on the DL, there's a good chance Borowski would have been given a chance to win back his job. Betancourt, though, has taken a loss and a blown save while giving up four runs in his last two appearances. Borowski is still a couple of weeks away from returning from his biceps strain, but all signs point to him returning to the closer's role before the end of the month.

Detroit - Not that he's been a stud at the beginning of his starts, but it's late in outings that Justin Verlander is getting killed. He's given up seven runs in 2 2/3 innings when asked to go beyond the sixth this season. His velocity still isn't quite where it should be, at least not consistently, but command has been the bigger problem. His curveball and changeup have still looked pretty good most of the time. It wouldn't come as a complete shock to find out that he's hurting, but I don't really believe that's the case. It's not the time to make a big play for him if you don't have him, but those already in possession of him should stand pat. … According to MLB.com, Dontrelle Willis (knee) hit 95 mph on the radar gun while throwing 71 of his 92 pitches for strikes during his rehab start on Friday. I'm skeptical, but if it's true, he'd suddenly look like a much better bet in AL-only leagues. Even if the fastball wasn't there, the improved control was a good sign. … Armando Galarraga has been a nice stopgap for the Tigers, but he'll probably be booted from the rotation after Willis makes one more rehab start. The Tigers might be better off if Kenny Rogers suffers an injury as conveniently times as Willis's.



Kansas City - How much longer can the Royals live with Tony Pena Jr.'s .157/.174/.205 line when Alberto Callaspo is hitting .368/.429/.447 in 38 at-bats off the bench? Pena may be the AL's best defensive shortstop, but he's still no one's ideal solution as a long-term regular. The Royals likely will go shortstop hunting again this summer after trying in vain to pick up Chin-Lung Hu from the Dodgers last year. In the meantime, Callaspo looks like their best option. Pena isn't this bad, but Callaspo should best him in OPS by 100-150 points the rest of the way. … With two solid outings following a poor season debut, Luke Hochevar has made a case to stay in the rotation. John Bale (arm) could come off the disabled list as a reliever, displacing the struggling Yasuhiko Yabuta. Brett Tomko still shouldn't feel particularly safe, though, as the Royals do have Kyle Davies in Triple-A. I'm not yet very fond of Hochevar for fantasy purposes.

Los Angeles - Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana are off to incredibly similar outstanding starts. Both are 5-0. Saunders has allowed 31 hits and 10 walks in 43 1/3 innings. Santana has given up 30 hits and nine walks in 40 innings. Both have surrendered three homers. The only real difference is that Santana has nine additional strikeouts. Both should be considered sell-high candidates at this point. I think Saunders is the better pitcher, but the strikeouts aren't going to come and he does have a history of shoulder problems. With the Angels relying on him to be a horse, I could see him going down with an arm injury. Santana probably doesn't have quite as much perceived value, and there are no flashing red lights saying he has to be moved now. Still, he is in somewhat over his head. He will begin giving up more homers once his schedule gets tougher. I certainly wouldn't suggest dropping either in a shallow mixed league, but parting with one for a quality hitter off to a disappointing start would be a good idea. … That the Angels recalled Reggie Willits and gave him two straight starts shows how little faith they have in Juan Rivera right now. The Blue Jays, Braves, Astros and maybe the Yankees are teams that should be interested if the Angels make him available. They certainly don't need both he and Willits. … If Howie Kendrick (hamstring) plays in a minor league game as hoped on Sunday, he should be fine to activate for this week.

Minnesota - Nick Blackburn does get a few more grounders than the average hurler, but that he's allowed just one homer in 38 1/3 innings this season is a fluke. He's given up 47 hits and struck out only 19 in 38 1/3 innings. His cutter should serve to keep him in the majors, but once American Leaguers get more used to it, it's not going to be such an effective weapon. While he probably has a month or two left as a solid starter in AL-only leagues, he isn't likely to last as more than a bottom-of-the-rotation guy. … Carlos Gomez will apparently avoid the DL after a scary head injury on Friday. He's fine to leave active for this week. … Scott Baker aggravated his groin injury during his start on Saturday and could be forced to the disabled list. With Phil Humber struggling, Glen Perkins and Kevin Mulvey would seem to be the top candidates to take his spot in the rotation. Perkins is the better sleeper for this year. … Kevin Slowey (biceps) will rejoin the rotation this week regardless of what happens to Baker. He should be activated immediately.

New York - With Alex Rodriguez (quad) and Jorge Posada (shoulder) on the shelf, the Yankees really need Robinson Cano to snap out of it. Cano has fanned only 15 times in 113 at-bats, so it's incredible that he's hitting just .150. The slump can't last for much longer, and he's pretty much the ultimate buy-low candidate at this point. … Morgan Ensberg has just one extra-base hit in 55 at-bats, so the Yankees could give Wilson Betemit (eye) a look at third base if he comes off the DL this week. With Alberto Gonzalez also in the mix, it's possible none of the Yankees' options at third base will get enough playing time to generate value with A-Rod sidelined. … Darrell Rasner will be the choice to replace Phil Hughes (rib) in the rotation on Sunday. He shouldn't be an every-week option in AL-only leagues, but with the run support he'll get, he'll be worth using most of the time. He had a 4.01 ERA in six starts for the Yankees last year. … The Yankees are sending out signals that they won't demote Ian Kennedy following his loss to the Tigers. It's surely in part because they have no one else in Triple-A they'd like to turn to. Kennedy can't be used with a rematch against the Tigers next on the schedule, but I'm still guessing that he'll be able to work through his command problems in the majors. He's not as far off his game as Hughes was.

Oakland - Incredibly, the A's have managed to find roster space for Jack Cust, Frank Thomas and Mike Sweeney so far. Travis Buck's DL stint has helped out, and with Emil Brown driving in runs like crazy, one has to wonder whether Buck will have a spot when he's ready to return from shin splints. The A's can demote Chris Denorfia to make room for him, but it'd be pointless unless they were willing to start him against right-handers. As is, they might prefer Cust and Brown in the outfield corners. … Rich Harden (back) is set to return after one more rehab start Tuesday. He might face the Rangers next Sunday, so AL-only leaguers with limited options could consider activating him for the week. … Since the A's currently have five starters with sub-4.00 ERAs, they'll have a tough call when it comes to making room for Harden. Greg Smith is pitching as well as anyone on the team, but he still might be the top candidate to go. It'd only be a short-term demotion anyway, as it's not like there's any chance of both Harden and Justin Duchscherer going a month without getting hurt.



Seattle - Just how much money are the Mariners swimming in? Obviously, it was enough so that they could cut Brad Wilkerson a month into a $3 million contract and call up Jeff Clement and Wladimir Balentien a week ahead of when they would have ruled out any chance of the two top prospects becoming a free agent after 2013. Of course, the person who will receive credit for the latter moves, GM Bill Bavasi, has no chance of still being with the team then, so what does he care? Clement will get the opportunity to be a part-time catcher as well as a DH against right-handers, making him a particularly good bet. He'll definitely be worth using in two-catcher mixed leagues once he qualifies behind the plate. Balentien probably isn't as ready for the majors. He'll drive some fastballs out of the park, but coming up with singles will be a problem. It was worth giving him a look. I just don't think it was necessary to cut Wilkerson to make it happen. Miguel Cairo is still on the roster, after all. … J.J. Putz's command problems aren't very worrisome. He was essentially on a rehab assignment his first couple of appearances back from a rib-cage strain. His velocity is fine, and the rest should come along soon enough.

Tampa Bay - So far, it's the Carlos Pena of old who has showed up for the Rays. He does have six homers, but those come with a .214 average and just one double. Jonny Gomes has about 100 points of OPS on him. Because he bats in a premium position in what's shaping up as a solid lineup top to bottom, Pena is still a pretty good bet for this season. He's always been streaky, and even if his average ends up around .250, he'll likely get his 100 RBI to go along with 30 homers. I wouldn't suggest paying a hefty price for him in fantasy leagues, but there's also no reason to sell. … Andy Sonnanstine's strong showing against the Orioles has allowed him to retain his rotation spot with Scott Kazmir back. Jason Hammel still has a better ERA than Edwin Jackson or Matt Garza, but sending him to the pen was the right move. He's not as good as Sonnanstine right now, and he doesn't have Jackson's upside. … Cliff Floyd (knee) could return before the end of the week, but it's nothing anyone should count on. When he does get back, both Gabe Gross and Jonny Gomes will lose playing time. Nathan Haynes could be bumped from the roster.

Texas - I received plenty of complaints about Josh Hamilton's ranking last week, and I'll probably look pretty silly if he ends up playing 150 games. However, he was injury-prone before his drug problems and he was limited to 90 games last year. He may be a worse bet to stay healthy than any AL position player. Selling high wouldn't be a bad idea. … The Rangers called up Jarrod Saltamalacchia, but aren't giving him any time at first base or DH, even though they have plenty of at-bats available with Ben Broussard in a horrible slump. Instead, they're mixing in Chris Shelton at first and giving Brandon Boggs time in left. Salty is in line for more at-bats eventually, but he's not going to be an asset in mixed leagues in the short term. … The Rangers should seriously consider forgetting about Marlon Byrd (knee) and keeping Boggs around as a four-game-per-week starter in the outfield. Whichever way they go there, it looks like Frank Catalanotto's role is only going to be further reduced. With about $9 million left on his contract, he has no trade value at all. … Ramon Vazquez is the better bet in AL-only leagues than German Duran while Hank Blalock (hamstring) is out, though he has little in the way of upside. Duran at least has some pop in his bat, but as bad as the Rangers' infield defense has been, it's hard to blame Ron Washington for wanting to go with the superior glove at third.

Toronto - Adam Lind is up, but he's off to an awful start as the replacement for Thomas. Just 1-for-16 after five games, he's now sporting a .251/.294/.418 line in 366 at-bats as a major leaguer. Part of the problem is that seven of his at-bats this season have come against lefties. Lind won't be an asset versus southpaws anytime soon, and the Jays would be better off using Matt Stairs if one of the two has to play against left-handers. Lind is likely to do just fine against righties. He could get to 20 homers even after the late start, and he'd probably hit at least .260 as a true platoon player. With no other internal options and seemingly no desire at all to pursue Barry Bonds, the Jays will have to remain patient. … Diminished velocity hasn't prevented B.J. Ryan from throwing seven scoreless innings and striking out 10. It appears that he's still at least a week away from pitching on back-to-back days for the first time, but things are definitely looking up. If he needs to, he can be successful all year while throwing 88-90 mph.