Atomic RoadRunners

Trades:

Trade 1:

• Atomic Roadrunners receives:  Reds SP Johnny Cueto
• Cover Zero receives: Nationals OF Adam Dunn

Trade 2:

• Atomic Roadrunners receives:
  • Diamondbacks SP Max Scherzer
  • Dodgers SP Clayton Kershaw
  • Cardinals 3B Prospect Brett Wallace
• Misogynistic Padres receives:
  • Braves 3B Chipper Jones
  • Reds 2B Brandon Phillips
  • Giants Closer Brian Wilson
  • Braves SP Kenshin Kawakami

FAAB Acquisitions:

• Jon Rauch, RP Diamondbacks ($0 bid, reserve)
• Alex Romero, OF Diamondbacks ($0 bid, active)

Up:

• CM Emilio Bonifacio
• RP Nick Masset
• OF Andres Torres (to DH)

Down:

• RP Matt Lindstrom
• SP Shairon Martis

Move:

• 2B Matt Downs (from DH – replaces Brandon Phillips)
• 3B Mat Gamel (from CM – replaces Chipper Jones)

Cut:

• SP Mat Latos (prospect)

Notes:

• RP Matt Lindstrom was placed on the 15-Day DL on June 25th with elbow inflammation.  Will be out at least six weeks
• SP Shairon Martis was optioned to AAA Columbus on June 28th
• SP Antonio Bastardo was placed on the 15-Day DL on June 30th with a left shoulder strain
• Jon Rauch was originally protected by Misogynistic Padres for 2009, and was released on May 12th.  He retains his contract and salary – signed through 2010 for $1.
• Former RoadRunner Chad Gaudin was selected by X-Men for $6.  I had bid $5 to re-acquire Gaudin after two stellar outings.
• Former RoadRunner Jake Fox was selected by X-Men for $11 due to his strong interleague performance.
• The first big AL Free Agent joined the NL.  In this case, Mark DeRosa was traded to the Cardinals on Thursday.  Bidding was as follows:
  • $70 Stanimals
  • $46 X-Men
  • $45 Atomic Roadrunners (max bid)
  • $43 Shoeless Jews
  • $33 Get Off Kong!
  • $25 Cover Zero

STANDINGS through 06.29.09
 

STANDINGS through 06.25.09

Free Agent Acquisitions:

• Kyle Blanks, OF/1B Padres  ($17 bid) reserve
• Ryan Hanigan, C Reds ($5 bid) up to C
• Matt Downs, 2B Giants ($0 bid) 2B, active at UT
• Drew Stubbs, OF Reds ($0 bid) reserve

Up:

• CM Mat Gamel
• SP Kenshin Kawakami
• RP Matt Lindstrom

Down:

• RP Nick Masset
• OF Andres Torres
• CM Emilio Bonifacio
• C John Baker

Cut:

• John Grabow
• Carlos Ruiz
• Fernando Tatis
• Matt Maloney

Notes:

• Missed out on bidding for Kevin Correia.  I bid $2, and X-Men bid $1 and Misogynistic Padres bid $0, but Get Off Kong! bid $7.
• Blanks was originally a 3rd round pick by Misogynistic Padres, but was released last week.
• Blanks’ nickname is apparently the “Pillsbury ‘Fro Boy” – at least online

Brandon Webb’s (shoulder) Friday bullpen session has been canceled due to a setback. Webb’s setback during a throwing session has cast doubt on whether he’ll return to the mound for Arizona this season, the Arizona Republic reports. “He didn’t feel very good,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “So it’s a bad sign for us. We were so positive about where he was in his rehabilitation. He’ll have to get further tests and see our doctors.” We’ll have to wait and see if further tests determine that surgery or extensive rest is required to get Webb healthy again, but the odds of him getting back around the All-Star break appear to be very slim now. Webb has been sidelined since Opening Day with a shoulder injury, but was throwing from flat ground lately and was to step up his rehab to his first mound session Friday. However, he felt pain in his shoulder and the Diamondbacks decided to send him back to Phoenix where he’ll receive further treatment. It now looks like he won’t be anywhere close to returning when the All-Star break rolls around, which was his latest target for a return. (Rotoworld)

Matt Maloney was tagged for six runs in 5 2/3 innings by the Braves on Thursday. Maloney has taken back-to-back losses since a nice outing against the Cubs in his major league debut. If he’s not better next time out, the Reds may opt to go back to Homer Bailey. Maloney has now lost back-to-back starts, allowing 10 runs in 11 2/3 innings. He is taking Edinson Volquez’s slot in the rotation and is not someone who should be considered a long-term option in Fantasy. His next start is tentatively slated for June 24 in Toronto. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Braves reliever Mike Gonzalez pitched a scoreless inning in relief Thursday afternoon in Cincinnati after giving up four runs — all unearned — in his previous outing Tuesday against the Reds. Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano are splitting the closer role in Atlanta at the moment. Neither player has gotten a save since Soriano notched one on June 9 against Pittsburgh. This situation severely limits each player’s Fantasy value since we won’t be able to predict when the save opportunities will come for each. If only one were closer, they’d be a nice No. 2 Fantasy option. Together, each is only worth using as a stopgap. (CBS Sports)

Braves OF Matt Diaz went 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs scored Thursday afternoon against the Reds in Cincinnati. It was his third home run of the season. Despite the home run, Diaz is not a player we recommend starting in any Fantasy league. He does not play every day and is more of a reserve outfielder for the Braves. He should only be considered in the deepest of NL-only leagues. (CBS Sports)

Giants prospect Madison Bumgarner has allowed nine earned runs in 34 innings of work since being promoted to Double-A Connecticut, giving him 2.38 ERA through six appearances. He has 32 strikeouts with 10 walks in that span. Bumgarner has progressed quickly through the minor league system and could be a late-season call up at this point. He is a must-own in long-term keeper leagues and a decent stashee in larger leagues, especially NL-only formats. Remember, he is only 19 years old. (CBS Sports)

STANDINGS through 06.18.09
 

Tim Lincecum lost for the first time since April 12 after giving up four runs — three earned — in eight innings Wednesday against the Angels. Lincecum took a 3-1 lead into the eighth against a lineup missing Torii Hunter, Bobby Abreu and Vladimir Guerrero, but he couldn’t hold it after giving up four straight hits to start the frame. Two of those were delivered by Hunter and Guerrero as pinch-hitters. Lincecum dropped to 6-2 with a 2.72 ERA. Lincecum had nine strikeouts, and his numbers across the board are looking a lot like his Cy Young effort from a year ago. (Rotoworld)

Todd Wellemeyer improved to 6-6 on the season, holding the Tigers to two runs over 5 1/3 innings in a 4-3 win on Wednesday night. Wellemeyer allowed six hits, but the only runs scored from two Curtis Granderson home runs. He fanned five and walked two in his first victory since May 27. Wellemeyer has a less than impressive 51/32 K/BB ratio in 80 2/3 innings this season. With the drop in velocity, he’s nothing more than an occasional spot starter in fantasy leagues right now. Wellemeyer is back at .500 after snapping a two-game losing streak. He’d been pretty poor in his last three outings but pitched well against Detroit. Wellemeyer starts twice in Week 12 (June 22-28) so get him active in deeper mixed leagues. His first start comes Monday at the Mets against Tim Redding and he’ll end the week against the Twins. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Adam Dunn launched his 18th home run in a win over the Yankees on Wednesday night. Dunn was 1-for-3 with a walk. The fourth inning homer was his first since June 6. Even with the brief hiatus, he currently ranks fifth in the National League in homers. It was a solo shot off of Chien-Ming Wang to open the scoring in the game. Dunn also drew a walk in the game and struck out once.Dunn is having a poor month of June, hitting only two home runs and sporting a paltry .209 batting average. He’s struck out 69 times this season and drawn 51 walks. He’s still a must-start option however, considering his power potential and ability to draw walks. He typically is able to make up for the overabundance of strikeouts. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Manager Jerry Manuel said on Wednesday that Jose Reyes will have to rest for about another week before he begins a rehab program. A couple weeks ago the Mets had some hope that Reyes could return during the second half of June, but clearly that won’t be the case. There’s still no definitive timetable for his return. (Rotoworld)

John Baker’s struggles at the plate continued Tuesday, as he went 0-for-3. He hasn’t homered since May 24, and is just 5-for-41 (.122) since then with all five hits being singles. He seems to be wearing down as the everyday catcher, so don’t be surprised if Ronnie Paulino gets more work in the short term. (Rotowire)