A NEWS BLURB

A Short One About Player Moves

THEY REPORTED!

Pablo Lopez, possible TJ? How many times have the words torn, UCL, and possible been used in the same sentence and the player has not had TJ of one form or another? Keep an open mind until the surgery is done and reported, but even if he chooses to “rehab” it, don’t fall for it.

Marcel Ozuna, signed with the Pirates: Ozuna is getting older and is coming off a very down year, but he had hip pain last year and played through it and is supposedly past that. So, I like his chances to bounce back, especially if his cost stays low.

Luis Rengifo, signed with the Brewers: After trading all their third basemen away they went out and got another one. He was on a streak of three solid fantasy seasons heading into 2025, but last year he lost the power and the stolen base acumen and he was also unlucky on balls in play. His xBA was .260, much more typical of him. The Brewers aren’t paying so much they won’t promote Cooper Pratt or Jett Williams if they show they deserve it, so mixed leagues can ignore Rengifo and NL only leagues can hold out for a bargain or let him go, too.

Nick Castellanos, signed by the Padres: The Phillies are paying about $19.22M and the Padres are paying him $780,000. If another team offered him more it would just reduce what the Phillies pay so I guess he liked the situation in San Diego. What situation he preferred would be the difference maker. What impressed me about his fight in Philly was the way the players didn’t like his insubordination, but they admired his ability to remain a giving and helpful teammate while everything was falling apart. He’s old enough you have to worry about the aging curve, but young enough he might be able to beat it this year.

Ben Rortvedt, claimed by the Mets: His change of teams was noted earlier this year in the newsletter, but since then he’s been claimed many times. Actually, three times. First by the Reds from the Dodgers. Then the Dodgers from the Reds. Now, the Mets from the Dodgers.

Nathaniel Lowe, signed by the Reds: It’s hard to see Lowe cracking the Reds lineup, even if he recaptures his skills. But maybe he signed a minor league contract in the hopes that a job will open elsewhere. His problem last year was swinging more and making contact less, which could be an indicator of pressing, hence a slump, or of a slowing bat that needs to decide more quickly. His bat speed as measure by Statcast was good, but the other components not so hot. He’s a decent bounce back candidate if he can get regular at bats. At least against righties.

Gary Sanchez, signed by the Brewers: I’m down for Jeferson Quero as a sleeper candidate this year, and this signing makes that less likely, but I’m not giving up yet. But maybe on draft day Quero moves into the reserve round.

Chris Bassitt, signed by the Orioles: Seems like a safe bet. He had 11 quality starts and that’s probably what should be expected this year. For fantasy he’s earned a total of $4 the past two years combined, and it’s reasonable to expect another $2 of earnings this year. Though he could also do a lot of damage in a hurry.

GIVE HIM A HAND

I used to live out at the end of Long Island, in the town of Orient, and I got to know Bill Hands, the former Cubs pitcher, a little. Bill owned the heating oil company out there and the service station on the main road headed to the ferry. He was a friendly guy but I was just getting into the fantasy baseball industry and was a little embarrassed to talk to him about it. I became better friends with his son Billy, who now runs the station. Billy’s a poet and we shared an interest in that and the rock ‘n’ roll music.

Another friend was out there over the weekend and took a picture of the shrine that Billy has set up to honor his father in the service station office. You can check it out if you’re not late for the ferry to New London. And let Billy know Pete says hi.

Photo: D. Schlager

HOUSEKEEPING

Tomorrow, Outfielders Pt. 2.

Any questions, ask them here.

There’s lots more to come. I’m just juggling a lot of things this week. All good, but all requiring a finite amount of time. Thanks for your understanding.

One issue was the lag between sending off the spreadsheet and getting back the Patton software. I missed time keeping up with team changes and the like, and spent more time on that than I’d hoped, which led to me falling short on the outfielders. But they’re in the works, with starting pitching right after that.

I have to put a subscribe button in or they put in two.

Sincerely,