Fantasy Baseball Dugout

Jays Make Pitch for Cuban, But No Cigar

Cuban southpaw Aroldis Chapman has reportedly signed with the Cincinnati Reds.

MECHANICAL FAILURE: Chapman's arm often lags behind his legs in his delivery.

Cincinnati Reds for five years and $30 million.  That price is twice what Steven Strasburg, 21, was signed for by the Nationals.  Of course, Chapman had the advantage of not being an American and not having to go into the major league draft.

The Reds were one of many teams to see Chapman throw on December 15 when Chapman threw for numerous major league scouts in Florida.  The 22-year-old was clocked at over 100 MPH while pitching for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic.

In our last report on Chapman, we identified the Blue Jays as the favorites to land the Cuban defector and we believed he would sign on New Year’s Eve.  That did not happen and reportedly several big market teams like the Red Sox and Yankees ultimately passed on Chapman. Read the rest of this entry »

The New York Daily News reports that Rachel Uchitel, the first of Tiger

Rachel Uchitel -- Tiger's Hottest (Available) Tail

Woods’ mistresses to be discovered, has been living with the Tiger on his yacht Privacy in Palm Beach, Florida.  Tiger was also reportedly seen holding hands with Uchitel at a party in front of 300 people at a private mansion in Palm Beach.

So much for taking time out to become a better husband and father.

Tiger’s decision to hole up with Uchitel shows that Fantasy Baseball Dugout readers are once again on par with the greatest golfer of all-time.  In FBD’s Vote for Tiger’s Hottest Tail competition, wife Elin Nordegren is in first place with 20% of the vote, but Uchitel is on Elin’s thonged ass in second place with 14% of the vote.

And, since Tiger obviously is in no position to be driving his woods with Elin right now, he’s obviously listened to FBD readers and trapped the next best thing–Uchitel.

There’s still time to vote for Tiger’s Hottest Tail.  Take a look at the pictures of Tiger’s girls and place your vote now.

“If it’s possible, and if anyone can do it, it would be Jamie,” said general manager Ruben Amaro when commenting about 47-year-old Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer who went down last year with abdominal and groin operations.

If Moyer is not able to return to his spot in the Phillies rotation that he gave up to Pedro Martinez last year, whom will become Philadelphia’s fifth starter?

Kendrick Likely Fifth Starter

Kendrick increases fantasy baseball value as fifth starter

The odds on favorite at this point has to be Kyle Kendrick.  Kendrick, a Phillies starter in 2007 and 2008, spent most of 2009 in the minors.  A strong September, however, likely assures Kendrick of the number 5 spot in the rotation.

“If we had our druthers,” said Amaro, “we’d sign someone else plus maybe one or two other pitchers to fight for one of those jobs.”

Vote for Pedro

But, signing returnees Pedro Martinez or Brett Myers seems unlikely.  (By the way, why did Phillies fans so easily forgive Myers for the domestic abuse incident in Boston?)

Read the rest of this entry »

On the news that Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp is dating Rihanna, we figured now is as good a time as any to drop a little 2010 fantasy baseball knowledge on the dude.

It’s way too early to speculate on whether or not Rihanna could one day be one of Baseball’s Hottest Wives – but we’re pretty sure she’d give Heidi DeRosa a run for her money were she eligible. However, that’s a whole ‘nother fantasy all together

In 2009, Kemp batted .297 with 26 home runs, 101 RBI, 97 runs scored and 34 steals – turning him into a fantasy baseball superstar and MLB Silver Slugger. And while the team at Fantasy Baseball Dugout doesn’t really care about fielding accolades – he won a freakin’ Gold Glove too.

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New Year’s Eve has come and gone and left-handed flame thrower

Aroldis Chapman pitching in Cuba

Aroldis Chapman is still available and will apparently pay the American (or Canadian) taxman when he signs a lucrative bonus in 2010.

According to a report from ESPN.com, the Toronto Blue Jays held a private workout for Chapman on New Year’s Eve in Florida. After the session, Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos met with Chapman’s agents Randy and Alan Hendricks to discuss what it would take to get the Cuban flame-thrower to sign with Toronto.

Under Anthopoulos, the Blue Jays plan to increase the effort and money it has invested in the past in scouting and player development. Its the best way to compete in the same division with the big money Red Sox and Yankees. The Jays also have a huge hole to fill with the departure of Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay to the Phillies.

Read the rest of this entry »

What a year 2009 was for Fantasy Baseball Dugout. We want to thank all of our readers for making this year so memorable for us. We also highly appreciate your attention this year.

Just like 2008, we learned a lot about the game of fantasy baseball right along with our readers. We crushed on young aces like David Price, Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann… and none of them loved us back nearly as much. We were wrong when we told you to get rid of Zack Greinke and we undervalued Derek Jeter all season.

That said, we were right on the money all season when we told to trust your inner Pujols. In total, almost 90,000 hits came into the Dugout for our 2009 Preseason Rankings. Plus, over 50,000 people chose FBD.com as their destination for fantasy baseball sleeper information.

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