Atomic RoadRunners | Andrew Flynn’s High-Energy Fantasy Baseball

Well, that sucks.

Tonight the Phillies traded another marginal starter to Texas - this time it was Robinson Tejeda, who did well in a limited role as a starter when Randy Wolf went down last year.  Also traded to Texas was Jake Blalock, younger brother of Texas slugger Hank.

How does this affect the RoadRunners?  The return was David Delucchi - a former Dback - and now the definite 4th OF for Philadelphia, which all but relegates Shane Victorino to 5th OF status, though he’s the only backup for center field.

Some early musings from around the Net (the trade was only two hours ago):

Phillies acquired OF David Dellucci from the Rangers for RHP Robinson Tejeda and OF Jake Blalock.  OK, we take back the whole punchless bench remark. Dellucci is a huge upgrade as the Phillies’ fourth outfielder, so much so that it’s going to be a shame how few at-bats he’ll get. This obviously makes Shane Victorino much less of a sleeper, as Victorino is only the backup at one spot — center field — now. Since Dellucci may struggle to reach 250-300 at-bats, he’s not going to have a lot of value in NL-only leagues. He should do enough in limited action to be worth owning, though. (Rotoworld) 

Dellucci was traded to the Phillies for pitcher Robinson Tejeda and minor leaguer Jake Blalock, the Associated Press reports. Dellucci’s value takes a pretty big hit here, as he’ll presumably serve as the fourth outfielder behind Bobby Abreu, Aaron Rowand and Pat Burrell. (Rotowire) 

Dellucci played in 235 games over the past two seasons in Texas, and had quickly become a fan favorite. He hit .251 with a career-high 29 homers and 65 RBIs last season, when he also drew a career-best 76 walks as the primary leadoff hitter.  The acquisition of Dellucci gives the Phillies five outfielders and completes their 25-man roster. Philadelphia was going to enter the season with only Shane Victorino behind starters Pat Burrell, Aaron Rowand and Bobby Abreu. (Yahoo!/Associated Press) 

From Rotoworld (both good and bad):

Khalil Greene hit second with Mike Cameron out of the San Diego lineup today and went 0-for-3, dropping his spring average to .225.  Also, he has a 15/2 K/BB ratio in 67 at-bats. Considering that he was also terrible at getting on base last year, he shouldn’t be a candidate to step in for the injured Cameron. Both Josh Barfield and Terrmel Sledge are better bets, though Sledge’s presence would give the Padres three straight left-handed hitters at the top.

Brandon Watson finished the spring batting .307 (23-for-75) with eight steals in nine attempts. He also walked six times while striking out only six. Watson likely won’t maintain that pace on the basepaths (or at the plate, for that matter), but he could still be a valuable endgame pick-up as the Nationals leadoff hitter.

As per Rotoworld (a few hours apart):

Armando Benitez (knee) will begin the season on the 15-day disabled list, manager Felipe Alou said following today’s game.  “He’s not throwing the ball well,” manager Felipe Alou said. “We know he’s not 100 percent. He took it well. He’s a battler. He wants to be on the hill, but he also knows he’s not there yet.” Alou didn’t name a replacement for Benitez. Tim Worrell should be the favorite for saves, but he’s also struggling, as is Tyler Walker. Scott Munter looks the Giants’ best reliever right now, so NL-only leaguers could consider picking him up. Benitez indicated that he hopes to be back two weeks into the season.

Armando Benitez gave up four more runs in an inning Saturday to conclude the spring with a 23.88 ERA.  And Tim Worrell allowed three runs, leaving him with an 8.44 ERA. The Giants may have to go with their younger relievers in key situations early on. Benitez isn’t going to be yanked from the closer’s role right away, but manager Felipe Alou may want Scott Munter warming up behind him. 

Not news, but Tim Kurkjian has some highlights from Spring Training:

Best position move: The Reds decided this spring that Adam Dunn wasn’t going to be comfortable at first base, where he really hadn’t played since high school, so they moved him back to the outfield with the trade of outfielder Wily Mo Pena to the Red Sox for pitcher Bronson Arroyo. Dunn wasn’t overly interested in playing first, so now he can concentrate on what he does best: hit. Last year, he hit 40 home runs and, one teammate said, “I think he played most of the season with a broken hand and didn’t tell anyone about it.”

Also amusing: Brewers third baseman Jeff Cirillo laughed and said “I took BP in a group with Rickie, J.J. (Hardy), Prince (Fielder) and Bill Hall and I felt like Steve Fisher with the Fab Five at Michigan.”

Mark Mulder improved to 3-1 by allowing two runs in six innings Friday against the Mets. Mulder wasn’t at his best, but two pickoffs at first base and two more caught stealings meant he didn’t need to be. He ends the spring with a 2.49 ERA.

Jose Reyes went 2-for-2 with a double and two walks Friday against the Cardinals. Of course, he had to go and ruin some of the good feelings from an extremely rare multiwalk game by getting picked off first base once and thrown out on his only steal attempt. Still, the Mets have to be happy to see him 16-for-30 with a 4/4 K/BB ratio.

The Mets have decided to keep Victor Diaz on the Opening Day roster rather than another reliever. “I was so stressed,” Diaz said. “Every at-bat’s been like the World Series for me.” Diaz won’t see much time unless Xavier Nady struggles or the Mets decide to platoon Cliff Floyd. Idiots. Looking to life as a pinch-hitter, Diaz said, “It’s going to be hard, it’s going to be real hard,” Diaz said. “I’ve never played that role. I’m going to stick around Julio Franco trying to get some pointers.

Armando Benitez walked two in a hitless sixth inning against the Athletics on Friday night. Quite an improvement from giving up nine hits and nine earned runs in his previous appearance. Benitez, coming back from knee problems, is throwing in the low-90s, which is down from where he should be. Still, it might be enough to make him an adequate closer at the start of the year. Just don’t expect any ERA help for a little while.

Kerry Wood faced hitters for the first time this spring in a 25-pitch batting practice session on Friday. “It’s nice to get a hitter in there, just to have something in the box,” Wood said. “I’m pleased with the way things are going. Today was another step. We got some hitters in there, and we’re just progressing.” Wood is expected to miss the first month of the season. The Cubs still haven’t set a timetable for his return to game action, though his surgically repaired knee is not expected to delay his recovery from the shoulder procedure. “He looked good,” pitching coach Larry Rothschild said.

Padres outfielder Mike Cameron strained his left oblique muscle during batting practice, and may have to go on the disabled list. If so, Dave Roberts will shift to centerfield, and Ben Johnson and Terrmel Sledge will platoon in left to start the season. UPDATE: Cameron was placed on the 15-day DL, and is probably going to come back in 3-4 weeks.  Eric Young might play CF for Roberts against certain lefties.