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Break from the norm
Break from the norm  | | Vladimir Guerrero is off to one of the slower starts of his career. (US Presswire) | |
| Pouring over three years worth of stats should give owners a good idea whether or not a player is performing over his head. Our David Gonos did plenty of number crunching in his latest Around the Diamond. Full story | |
MLB Scores
| Most added players in CBSSports.com leagues (as of 5/9) |
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1.
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Greg Smith, SP, Athletics
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11.
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Mike Lowell, 3B, Red Sox
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2.
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Scott Kazmir, SP, Rays
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12.
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Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers
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3.
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Darrell Rasner, SP, Yankees
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13.
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Ryan Doumit, C, Pirates
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4.
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Andy Sonnanstine, SP, Rays
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14.
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Gavin Floyd, SP, White Sox
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5.
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Justin Duchscherer, SP, Athletics
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15.
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Cristian Guzman, SS, Nationals
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6.
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Ryan Church, OF, Mets
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16.
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Juan Pierre, OF, Dodgers
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7.
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Vicente Padilla, SP, Rangers
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17.
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Jose Bautista, 3B, Pirates
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8.
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Garrett Olson, SP, Orioles
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18.
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Sidney Ponson, SP, Rangers
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9.
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Aaron Cook, SP, Rockies
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19.
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Max Scherzer, SP, Diamondbacks
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10.
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Alfonso Soriano, OF, Cubs
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20.
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Joey Votto, 1B, Reds
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| Complete CBSSports.com player rankings |
Exclusive Features
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Mench traded to Blue Jays
Kevin Mench, OF TEX
News: The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that the Rangers have traded Kevin Mench to the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations Friday.
Analysis: The Jays needed a right-handed bat to platoon with DH Matt Stairs to go up against a large amount of left-handed pitchers in the upcoming schedule. Mench has spent the entire season in Triple-A after being one of the final spring training cuts by the Brewers. He was hitting .282 with three homers, 18 RBI and 18 runs scored at Triple-A Oklahoma. It wasn't too long ago, 2004-05, when he was an everyday major leaguer and hitting 25 homers. Consider picking him back up in AL-only play for now.
Profile
 F. German strikes out three
Franklyn German, RP TEX
News: Franklyn German had three strikeouts and no walks in 1 2/3 innings Thursday in the win at Seattle. He has just one walk in his past 5 2/3 innings.
Analysis: German has appeared in 13 games (16 innings) and has allowed one earned run (0.56 ERA). He has 14 strikeouts and 11 walks. He is a reliable option for Rangers manager Ron Washington out of the bullpen, and he should be looked at in larger AL-only Rotisserie leagues.
Profile
 Rodriguez throws bullpen session
Wandy Rodriguez, SP HOU
News: The Houston Chronicle reports that Wandy Rodriguez, on the disabled list since straining his left groin April 19, threw another bullpen session Thursday. General manager Ed Wade said Rodriguez would throw another bullpen Saturday in Los Angeles and a simulated game next week in San Francisco. "Then we'll have to start talking about being able to send him out on rehab," Wade said.
Analysis: Rodriguez has potential in deeper leagues, so keep him stashed on DL spots in those leagues -- especially since the Astros have a potent offense that can make him a winner for Fantasy owners. Rodriguez has a 2.31 ERA, 24 strikeouts and a 1.11 WHIP in four starts.
Profile
Max Ramirez homers again
Max Ramirez, C TEX
News: C Max Ramirez continues to impress for Double-A Frisco. He was 3-for-4 with two runs and his eighth homer of the season against Corpus Christi Thursday.
Analysis: Ramirez leads the Texas league in batting with a .398 average. He came to Texas in a trade last season for Kenny Lofton. He did not enter the season as an elite keeper prospect, but he's a 23-year-old catcher that is behind Gerald Laird, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden. Start looking at him in AL-only keeper leagues, since he could find himself on another team with a better opportunity through a trade.
Profile
Volstad takes first Double-A loss
Chris Volstad, SP FLA
News: The Sports Xchange notes that Chris Volstad -- the Marlins top pitching prospect -- suffered his first loss of the season Tuesday for Double-A Carolina when Jacksonville broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Analysis: Volstad (3-1, 2.45) is expected to be called up this season. In fact, it could be a matter of starts before he is recalled, so take the flier now to get the jump on your league mates. There are far less talented minor league pitchers with worse numbers and little hope for a call-up that are owned in more than a 3 percent of CBSSports.com leagues Volstad in owned in. He might not be a Max Scherzer, Nick Adenhart or a Clayton Kershaw, but he is a nice consolation prize to the elite trio.
Profile
SS Adams close to return?
Russ Adams, 2B TOR
News: The Toronto Star reports that the Blue Jays might be looking for a right-handed hitter to complement Matt Stairs in the DH spot -- especially with a glut of left-handed pitchers coming up on the schedule. Brad Wilkerson, who is left-handed but hits left-handers very well, was given his unconditional release by the Mariners on Thursday. "We're looking for someone who can serve us in a role that helps us do some things. I'm going to keep it vague. ... It's all pending on some things I can't say right now," Ricciardi said. "By (Friday), we'll have something, whether externally or internally."
Analysis: The Red Sox have also expressed interest in Wilkerson, so he might latch on with a new team before too long. He hasn't batted over .250 since 2004. He could be AL-only useful again at some point. Buck Coats, Russ Adams and Hector Luna remain options for the Jays at Triple-A Syracuse.
Profile
Jays could use Luna soon
Hector Luna, SS TOR
News: The Toronto Star reports that the Blue Jays might be looking for a right-handed hitter to complement Matt Stairs in the DH spot -- especially with a glut of left-handed pitchers coming up on the schedule. Brad Wilkerson, who is left-handed but hits left-handers very well, was given his unconditional release by the Mariners on Thursday. "We're looking for someone who can serve us in a role that helps us do some things. I'm going to keep it vague. ... It's all pending on some things I can't say right now," Ricciardi said. "By (Friday), we'll have something, whether externally or internally."
Analysis: The Red Sox have also expressed interest in Wilkerson, so he might latch on with a new team before too long. He hasn't batted over .250 since 2004. He could be AL-only useful again at some point. Buck Coats, Russ Adams and Hector Luna remain options for the Jays at Triple-A Syracuse.
Profile
Cantu enjoys facing Nationals
Jorge Cantu, 3B FLA
News: The Sports Xchange notes that Jorge Cantu, who hit his fifth home run Thursday against Milwaukee, is probably looking forward to the Marlins' three-game series that starts Friday in Washington. He is hitting .476 (10-for-21) with a home run against the Nationals this season.
Analysis: That's good news for the Fantasy owners who have taken a chance on him in NL-only formats. It's also good news long term, considering the Marlins and Nationals will play several more times this season with the unbalanced schedule and the two teams being in the same division.
Profile
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