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

Sean Marshall has lost both of his starts since joining the Cubs rotation, but has 13 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings. Marshall’s time in the Cubs rotation is about to end as Carlos Zambrano (shoulder) is ready to come off the DL as early as Friday. When active, Marshall is primarily a NL-only Fantasy SP. (CBS Sports)

Carlos Ruiz has struggled to hit left-handed pitching throughout his career. Last season, Ruiz batted .189 against left-handers, and after going 0-for-3 Tuesday night against Red Sox LHP Jon Lester, he is batting only .194 against lefties this season. “Chooch has to get better on lefties,” said manager Charlie Manuel, who could start to use backup C Chris Coste more often against left-handers. Ruiz has been a bust for Fantasy owners and nothing more than an NL-only option at this point. Coste can mash when he plays, so consider him the better option between the two in deeper Rotisserie formats. (CBS Sports)

FAAB Acquisitions:

• P Thomas Hanson, Braves [$3 bid, reserve]
• P Jared Burton, Reds [$2 bid, reserve]

Up:

• P Todd Wellemeyer, Cardinals
• P Charlie Morton, Braves

Down:

• P Brett Myers, Phillies

Cut:

• P Sean Marshall, Cubs
• C Carlos Ruiz, Phillies

Sean Marshall was solid in a loss to the White Sox on Sunday, allowing three runs in seven innings. The runs came on homers from Carlos Quentin and Brian Anderson. Marshall has lost both of his starts since joining the Cubs rotation, but has 13 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings. Marshall was likely making his last start for a while. Carlos Zambrano is set to return Friday, so Marshall should return to Triple-A or possibly the bullpen. Either way, Marshall would remain next in line for a rotation slot should Sean Gallagher or Jason Marquis need to be replaced. (Rotoworld, Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Sean Marshall took a loss in his first start of 2008 after allowing four runs in 4 2/3 innings on Tuesday. Marshall struck out seven Orioles, but he gave up a couple of big hits to lefties, including Luke Scott’s two-run triple in the fourth and Nick Markakis’ RBI double in the fifth. Marshall, who hadn’t pitched in the majors since he went two innings in relief on May 7 against the Reds, pitched fairly well despite the loss. He’s expected to make one more start before Carlos Zambrano returns. (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

Sean Marshall will start for the Cubs on Tuesday, taking the roster spot of Carlos Zambrano. In three starts since missing time with a hamstring issue, Marshall has allowed just five runs in 16 innings, including an eight-inning, one-run effort on Thursday. He’ll likely make just two starts, against the Orioles and White Sox, before Carlos Zambrano returns, but could have short-term value in NL-only leagues. (Rotoworld)

Marshall was also on the 2007 Atomic Roadrunners. He was acquired for $6 FAAB on May 29th, 2007 (OF Todd Linden was cut to create the roster spot). Welcome back Sean!

FAAB Acquisition:

• P - Sean Marshall, Cubs [$2 bid - Add to Actives]

Down:

• P - Charlie Morton, Braves

Cut:

• P - Greg Reynolds, Rockies

Notes:

Yes, Greg Reynolds was released last week as well.  But as part of the Jorge Campillo mess, Reynolds was kept due to an available roster spot for an additional week.

Part IV of my tour through the Roadrunner roster in search of protectables for 2008 leads us to the fourth group - “The Fringe.”  This group includes players that require a certain leap of faith to include on a protected list.  When faced with the choice of questionable unknowns or questionable knowns, you opt for familiarity.  If the Maximum Number of Protections was set lower, there is no way these players would make the cut.  You’re not sure if you could get them again for the same price, but you wouldn’t be heart-broken if your rival secured the player (and the ulcer that goes with it).  These are the guys you expose for expansion draft purposes.  Their inclusion haunts your offseason, as your auction strategy is dependent on something resembling production from these guys.  Here they are, in their glory, The Fringe.

The Fringe (This could go either way)

• Brandon Lyon
  • 2 Years - $5
  • 6 Wins, 2 Saves, 40 K’s, 2.68 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP
  • Why: With the uncertainty of the Diamondbacks’ closer role, Lyon could be in line for saves in 2008
  • Why Not: Not exactly durable, not exactly good, stuff isn’t exactly great
• Chuck James
  • 1 Year - $5
  • 11 Wins, 116K’s, 4.24 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP
  • Why: #4 starter on a good team, probable run support, doesn’t really kill you
  • Why Not: Doesn’t really help you, soft-tosser, injury risk/dead-arm late in season
• John Lannan
  • 2 Years - $5
  • 2 Wins, 10 K’s, 4.21 ERA with a 1.55 WHIP
  • Why: Well, he certainly seemed to be better than his numbers late in the season, mild prospect sheen
  • Why Not: Nationals, bad numbers, did you see the bad numbers above? And he could start in Single-A again
• Sean Marshall
  • 2 Years - $6
  • 7 Wins, 67 K’s, 3.93 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP
  • Why: Decent numbers, a chance to be #5 starter on a playoff team
  • Why Not: Signing of Jon Lieber, Moving Ryan Dempster to rotation, Jason Marquis’ contract
• Moises Alou
  • 2 Years - $12
  • .341, 13 HR, 49 RBI, 51 Runs and 3 Steals - in only 320 AB’s
  • Why: Obviously he can hit, imagine the numbers over the course of a season, great lineup
  • Why Not: He’s 42, he’ll never NOT be injured, a little pricey
• Ronny Paulino
  • 1 Year - $5
  • .263, 11 HR, 55 RBI, 56 Runs and 2 steals
  • Why:  Good numbers for catcher, seemingly guaranteed starter
  • Why Not: While HR went up, average dropped 50 points from 2006, questions about attitude, $5 may be pricey