The Windup: Starting off strong
As the spring training clock winds down, teams are finally making important decisions about their final rotation spots. The Oakland Athletics made their fifth starter decision final on Thursday, naming left-hander John Halama the winner of that job.
The Windup focuses on developing trends in major league pitching. Check back every Thursday for the latest advice and info to help you build a quality Fantasy staff.
With just 10 days until opening day, here's how some of those final rotation battles are shaping up for each of the 30 major league teams:
Anaheim Angels: With Aaron Sele out until at least May, Mickey Callaway looks to have all but wrapped up the fifth starter's job. The 27-year-old might not have great stuff, but his strong control numbers make him worth a late-round selection or low bid.
Arizona Diamondbacks: It's all but assured Byung-Hyun Kim's shift to the rotation will stick, and it's now best to draft him assuming he'll be a starter all year. That severely lowers the Fantasy value of Miguel Batista, who will probably start the season in middle relief.
Atlanta Braves: It remains unclear whether Jason Marquis will hold the fifth starter job, or if spring surprise Horacio Ramirez will unseat him by opening day. But if Paul Byrd's elbow injury sends him to the disabled list, Marquis and Ramirez would probably join the rotation. Don't forget Ramirez as a $1 or late-round flier in an NL-only league.
Baltimore Orioles: Rick Helling and Jason Johnson appear to have the upper hand on the race for the final two rotation spots, but neither is a great Fantasy selection. Pat Hentgen, the third contender, might open the year in relief, and has no Fantasy value.
Boston Red Sox: While John Burkett and Casey Fossum haven't been too effective this spring, they should still occupy the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation. Still, their poor stats should convince you not to go overboard bidding for their services.
Chicago Cubs: The Cubs' rotation was fairly assured headed into spring training, and it remains that way since No. 5 starter Carlos Zambrano has looked fairly effective. He's somewhat risky due to a high walk rate, but is a sleeper worth considering.
Chicago White Sox: An injury to Dan Wright nearly allowed Gil Heredia to sneak into the Chicago rotation, but now that Wright is healthy, the fifth starter's job belongs to Esteban Loaiza. Loaiza, who has a history of inconsistency, warrants very little Fantasy attention.
Cincinnati Reds: Danny Graves hasn't looked great in his move to the rotation, while Paul Wilson needs to prove his hamstring is healed to assume the fourth starter job. Jimmy Anderson , however, has a leg up on the fifth starter competition, and is worth a flier in an NL-only league.
Cleveland Indians: Outside of ace C.C. Sabathia, the Indians have a host of inconsistent or unproven starters. Brian Anderson and Jason Bere probably will be hit hard, while Ricardo Rodriguez and Jason T. Davis are only worth a look based on their upside.
Colorado Rockies: Although Shawn Chacon has all but wrapped up the fifth starter's job, Fantasy owners know that Rockies starters warrant little to no attention. Don't get too excited about Chacon's 11 spring innings without allowing an earned run.
Detroit Tigers: After Mike Maroth, who knows who might win a rotation spot this spring? Jeremy Bonderman looks like a virtual lock, but he'll be rushed if he starts the year in the majors. The Tigers' offense will provide no run support, and the team will push its young arms early and often, so don't bother expecting great Fantasy stats from this team's staff.
Florida Marlins: The Marlins will go with Carl Pavano as their fifth starter, and he's worth a gamble as a reserve in an NL-only league. However, keep an eye on A.J. Burnett's elbow injury -- if he starts the year on the disabled list, Michael Tejera would be a smart early season pickup.
Houston Astros: Brian Moehler will start the year as the Astros' fourth starter, but he doesn't offer Fantasy teams any exciting statistics. Jeriome Robertson appears the leader for the fifth starter job over Tim Redding, but both pitchers have the upside to be worth a late-round pick or low bid in an NL-only league. They might even bump Moehler from the rotation early in the season.
Kansas City Royals: Top two starters Runelvys Hernandez and Jeremy Affeldt warrant late-round selections or low bids in AL-only leagues, but beyond those two, it's unclear who will round out the rotation. Even if Chris George, Miguel Asencio and Albie Lopez land the final three spots, none is a safe pick in any league format.
Los Angeles Dodgers: The way Darren Dreifort has been pitching, it's hard to see the Dodgers keeping him in the bullpen instead of Andy Ashby, who has been hit hard all spring. Dreifort is a candidate for a huge rebound year, while Kevin K. Brown and Kazuhisa Ishii have proven themselves healthy and safe Draft Day selections.
Milwaukee Brewers: The fourth and fifth starter's jobs are down to Matt Kinney, Wayne Franklin and Ruben Quevedo, but none of the three is worth more than a flier in an NL-only league even if he wins a starting job. Quevedo appears least likely to win a rotation spot.
Minnesota Twins: If recent signee Kenny Rogers isn't ready by opening day, Johan Santana will assume his rotation spot to start the season. Otherwise, the Twins' rotation is set, and Santana will only be worth sleeper consideration as a long reliever.
Montreal Expos: Orlando Hernandez is likely to miss the first two weeks of the regular season with rotator cuff tendinitis, meaning two from fifth starter contenders Sun-Woo Kim, Britt Reames, Zach Day and T.J. Tucker might open the year in the rotation. Day and Kim offer the most Fantasy upside.
New York Mets: It's likely that Pedro Astacio will start the year on the disabled list with biceps tendinitis, allowing Mike Bacsik and David Cone to win rotation spots. Whoever lands in the Mets' rotation is certainly worth a flier, although Bacsik is the one you want in a Fantasy league.
New York Yankees: The recent revival of Jose Contreras is too little, too late in the race for the fifth starter job, although the Cuban import is still a great sleeper to consider. Jeff Weaver might enjoy a breakout year now that he looks assured of being in the rotation all season.
Oakland Athletics: The Athletics have named Ted Lilly and John Halama their fourth and fifth starters, although the former is an injury risk and the latter has been hit hard this spring. Don't go too crazy expecting a huge year from either Oakland starter, but each should get enough run support to be worth considering to round out your Fantasy staff.
Philadelphia Phillies: Assuming Brandon Duckworth's elbow is fine in time for opening day, the Phillies' rotation is set. However, since the team's young starters are no guarantee to hold the jobs all season, Joe Roa and Hector Mercado might be wise pitchers to stash on your reserve list.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Jeff Suppan, who warrants minimal Fantasy attention, is likely to hold down the No. 4 starter job, leaving Jeff C. D'Amico and Salomon Torres as the only realistic candidates for the final rotation spot. D'Amico has a fair amount of upside, but wait until he's officially given the job before you invest much in him.
St. Louis Cardinals: It wasn't realistic to expect comeback candidate Cal Eldred to start the year in the rotation, especially after Jason Simontacchi and Garrett Stephenson have outpitched him this spring. If you have to pick the final two St. Louis starters today, go with the latter two.
San Diego Padres: The Padres are likely to use Brian Lawrence , Adam Eaton, Oliver Perez and Jake Peavy as their top four starters, but the identity of the fifth starter is still in question. Interested in a potential sleeper? Consider Clay Condrey , who looked strong in a late-season trial.
San Francisco Giants: The Giants have yet to decide between Ryan Jensen or Kurt Ainsworth as their fifth starter, but it's possible that Damian Moss, who has endured a poor spring, might get bumped sometime during the season. Almost any of San Francisco's rotation hopefuls this spring are worth at least a flier in NL-only leagues, including Jesse Foppert.
Seattle Mariners: Gil Meche, whose career was sidetracked by shoulder problems, looks all but assured of winning the fifth starter job this spring, and is a great sleeper in AL-only leagues. Ryan Franklin, who will be the fourth starter, also is useful to round out your Fantasy staff.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Do you really want to draft a Devil Rays pitcher for your Fantasy team, other than perhaps Joe Kennedy? With Dewon Brazelton ailing, it appears that Nick Bierbrodt , Jim Parque, Victor Zambrano and Steve Parris will round out the rotation. All four are far too risky to count on right now.
Texas Rangers: Colby Lewis and Joaquin Benoit are the only fourth and fifth starter candidates worthy of Fantasy attention, but neither is a safe weekly starter since The Ballpark at Arlington is so hitter-friendly. Don't even bother with Ryan Drese or C.J. Nitkowski if either wins a rotation spot.
Toronto Blue Jays: Mark Hendrickson appears the likely fourth starter and is a potential bargain in AL-only leagues. That leaves the fifth starter job to either Justin Miller or Pete Walker. Walker is the one you want in a Fantasy league.














