BCFP Roto-Round Up

Weekly News and Notes

* A's 3B Scott Sizemore Out For Season. Scott Sizemore wasn't a Top 15 or maybe even 20 3B option but for the A's this injury was huge. For as deep as the OF talent is on this roster the IF depth is just as shallow. Assuming the A's fill the position in house (they have been rumors of brining Miguel Tejada back) Josh Donaldson and Adam Rosales are the top choices. Interestingly neither got the Opening Spring Training start. Donaldson does have double digit power to offer but little else. BCFP Projections for 2012 .252 13HR 53Runs 59RBI 4SB. Rosales seems to be more of a UTILITY option given his ability to play SS and 2B. Should Rosales win the job a empty 270 hitter is the high side.

* Indians Closer Chris Perez sidlined for 4-6 Weeks. The injury all but guarantees Perez starts the season on the DL. Vinnie Pestano is the favorite to close games to begin the season. Pestano certainly has the skill set to succed and has been deemed the closer of the future. Given Perez's track record look for him to regain the role once healthy however I suspect Pestano returns to the role at some point.

* Pirates AJ Burnett out 2-3 mos. The Pirates finally seem to be heading in a good direction. Such a shame a bunting drill has to shorten the season for the biggest acquisition of the offseason. I really liked Burnett to have a very solid season moving to the NL and although he will miss around 15 starts or so he should be a solid Free Agent addition upon his return. Jeff Karstens will remain in the rotation and continue to be unexcitable to Fantasy owners.

* Grady Sizemore out 2-3 mos. I know everyone is shocked to hear about a Sizemore injury but why should this season be any different than the previous three. Even when healthy Sizemore is a plus HR hitter with AVG risk and Replacement level Run production. So before you head into the draft room with the plan to nab Sizemore as a late round sleeper the silence you hear isn't shock it's everyone laughing inside. Indans have been rumored to be seeking outside help but nothing available should wet your pallett in the Free Agent market. In house Ryan Spillborghs, Matt LaPorta, and Shelly Duncan are in the mix. Duncan offers plus pop, LaPorta at one time was one of the top hitting prospects in the game, at 27 could the stars allign, and Spillborghs had a killer Fu Man Chew last season. Unaware of his facial dressings heading into camp this year.

* Red Sox OF Carl Crawford had a minor setback while bunting. He knew bunting could be so violent? Crawford was initially thought to begin the season however many feel as though he could be the Opening Day LF.

* Phillies 1B Ryan Howard has infection from surgery. Certainly figures to keep Howard on the shelf longer than expected. This situation has the Kendrys Morales feel to it. Most inital thoughts had Howard missing perhaps the first month of the season. Recent reports vary between the same time frame up to mid-season. Those who take a gamble on Howard will be rewarded handsomely or return .25 or less on the dollar.

* Brewers OF Corey Hart to have knee surgery. The injury is expected to have Hart out 3-4 weeks therefore a DL stint to begin the season is highly likely. Hart is expected to bat behind Braun and apply a band-aid to the huge gash that is the loss to Fielder. One would have to question how much value Hart will have on the base paths this season also with the move to the four hole combined with the surgery. My updated projections for Hart is a .274/22/65/77/9 slash line. Look for additional playing time for Carlos Gomez or Nyjer Morgan and continued fantasy irrelevance in the meantime.