Posted on May 18, 2010 by Andrew Flynn
Say Goodbye To: Diaz, Gutierrez, Hawkins
Braves OF Matt Diaz was protected by the Roadrunners for 2010 based on his ability to hit .300, and register 10+ homers and steals in a platoon arrangement. Well, like the rest of the Braves this season, he has faltered. Diaz hasn’t cracked the Mendoza line, and only rookie Jason Heyward has provided any punch in the outfield. Making matters worse, utility man Eric Hinske has been playing left field, and Diaz went and injured his thumb, to the point where it became infected, required surgery, and had to be placed on the 15-Day DL.
| AaRr Stats – 2010 | AVG | R | HR | RBI | SB |
| Active Weeks 0-5 | .178 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| Reserved Week 6 | .333 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Juan Gutierrez was a 9th-round minor league selection in 2010 by the Roadrunners. He saved 8 games in September of 2009 when Diamondbacks closer Chad Qualls was out with a knee injury, but he hasn’t been himself this season. He has 1 save (in minors) and multiple blown saves. Manager A.J. Hinch finally lost his patience with his struggling bullpen. Hinch said over the weekend “all bets are off” regarding relief roles after both right-handers Juan Gutierrez and Chad Qualls were charged with blown saves in a 6-5 loss in Atlanta on Friday. “I want everybody to be ready all the time,” Hinch said. “I don’t think there should be any expectations down there at this point. I think they should be ready to go after the starter and we’ll do our best to patch it together.” Gutierrez has one save and two blown saves with a 9.20 ERA so far this season, and has 4 losses and two blown saves.
| AaRr Stats | W | ERA | WHIP | K | S |
| Active – Weeks 0, 1, 6 | 0 | 13.50 | 1.800 | 3 | 0 |
| Reserve – Weeks 2-5 | 0 | 7.94 | 1.418 | 9 | 1 |
LaTroy Hawkins was a 11th-round minor league selection in 2010 by the Roadrunners. He saved 1 games in 2009 when Astros closer Jose Valverde was out with a knee injury, but he hasn’t been himself this season. He was unable to take advantage of closer Trevor Hoffman’s woes, and is now on the 15-Day DL with a bum shoulder. He will be limiting the stress on his shoulder until he undergoes a strength test on Monday, restricting his activity to conditioning work and shoulder strengthening exercises. This makes it likely that Hawkins will not be ready to rejoin the Brewers on May 22, the day he is eligible to be activated. Hawkins has been battling this shoulder issue since spring training, which would explain his ineffectiveness this season. Looking at the active/reserve splits below, you can see why I like him, but am tired of him as well – bad timing.
| AaRr Stats | W | ERA | WHIP | K | S |
| Active – Weeks 0, 2, 5 | 0 | 29.70 | 4.200 | 4 | 0 |
| Reserve – Weeks 1, 3-4, 6 | 0 | 1.08 | 0.720 | 11 | 0 |
Versatile to play four infield positions, Brian Barden, the former Diamondbacks prospect, is in a good situation with the Cardinals. He’s half of the 3B platoon while Troy Glaus is out (through June, at least), and he’s also capable at SS and 2B. He can play 1B, but usually Chris Duncan will fill in for Pujols first. Barden has been seeing some time at short and will find himself in the lineup as long as he can remain productive. His ceiling is not very high, so this could end fairly quickly. However, anyone on this type of run is worth taking a flier on in NL-only play at least. He already has 3 HR and a .391 average in just 23 at-bats so far.
Braves OF Matt Diaz is finding his way into more playing time in Atlanta. Diaz will continue to make on-and-off starts for the Braves this season. He’s an excellent contact hitter with above-average pop, but because he doesn’t get regular at-bats, he’s not worth owning outside of deeper NL-only leagues. However, with platoon-mate Garrett Anderson hitting the Disabled List for a strained quadriceps, Diaz looks to be the go-to-guy in left, at least through April.
Diamondbacks reliever Juan Gutierrez wasn’t high on the closer food chain, but he has already moved past Jon Rauch to sit closer to manager Bob Melvin in his bullpen Circle of Trust. (Rotowire) Gutierrez has long-term potential, but he is nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of NL-only leagues that use true middle men at this point. Acquired from Houston in the Jose Valverde-Chad Qualls del, Gutierrez has been very solid this season, and he struck out five in two scoreless innings Sunday, and looked good doing it.
Houston starter Felipe Paulino has teased us in the past. Once a high-profile (at least for the Astros) starter, injuries have cost Paulino most of 2007, and he was ineffective last season. However, in a spot start filling in for the injured Brian Moehler, he did not allow a run on three hits over six innings on Sunday against the Reds but still didn’t pick up the win. Paulino was saddled with a no decision as the Reds ended up winning by besting Geoff Geary later in the game. Paulino walked two and had six K’s. “We got a great start from Paulino,” manager Cecil Cooper said. “I think he did a terrific job today. He just kind of ran out of pitches a little bit, but I thought he was really overpowering, and he opened a lot of eyes.” Paulino was called up to make this start from Triple-A. If it was up to us, Paulino would not be going down to the minors again so soon after Sunday’s performance. He was dazzling while in the game. Paulino had only three career starts coming in to Sunday’s game and he was 2-1 with a 7.11 in 2006. Paulino was a top pitching prospect before arm injuries set him back. It seems his career is on track and now Houston will give him a shot. Consider him a NL-only Fantasy SP unless the matchups are great in his favor. That won’t be in Week 3 (April 20-26) however as he only pitches once against the Brewers and Yovani Gallardo on Friday. (CBS Sports)