Seesaw Report

Another week's worth of transactions in the books, let's take a look at the (roster) ups and downs in the majors

Pitchers Up

Rodrigo Lopez - Lopez must have been a cat in another life because he continues to appear in the majors without having been useful since 2007 (seriously, he hasn't had an ERA+ higher than 90 since then). He's with the Cubs for now.

Bryan Villareal - Noted here moreso because of the man he's replacing (Doug Fister) than for the help he can provide you. He'll provide middle relief for Detroit for now.

Full report after the jump..

Drew Smyly - Always happy to be here, Smyly was called up to the big leagues and made his major league debut to mixed results. He only gave up one run, but walked three and struck out four in four innings. He was the Tigers fifth starter before Fister's injury, but he's likely to stick no matter what with Fister on the DL. If you're looking for innings with not much else, Smyly is for you.

Charlie Furbush - I actually think Furbush would be an intriguing option in deep mixed or AL only leagues if he was in the rotation, but instead it looks like he'll be pitching out the pen, replacing George Sherrill as a bullpen lefty. He'll also join Hisashi Iwakuma as guys who are better SPs than Kevin Millwood, but are still not starting over him.

Pitchers Down

Rick VandenHurk - I speculated that the Orioles might take another ride on the VandenHurk Express, but it's the Pirates who decided to take a ride this time around. Given their rotation, I wouldn't be surprised to see him make an appearance this season.

Joel Carreno - Carreno had a decent though not impressive start against the Indians in his major league debut. I actually picked him up in my 20-team mixed league and optioned him to the minors. Seems like a guy who could fill in for some starts later in the year and the stuff wasn't bad. I did the same thing with Cory Luebke 2 years ago.

Hitters Up

Justin Maxwell - The Astros claimed him off waivers from the Yankees and he made quite the first impression in Houston, smashing a pinch-hit home run. Always long on tools but short on production, Maxwell has as good a chance of any to accrue value in talent starved Houston. I'm not optimistic on his value, but if you're desperate in a deep NL-only, he's got some talent.

Jarrod Dyson - Another player on this list more because of the player he's replacing (Lorenzo Cain; DL), Dyson is an intriguing option if he gets playing time. He's got speed and knows how to use it, racking up 11 SB (1 CS) in a mere 44 ABs last year. Worth a look if you need speed.

Jed Lowrie - The always talented, and slightly less than that injured Lowrie makes his return from the DL. He'll be the starting SS in Houston and if you're desperate could be worth well over replacement value, until he gets hurt again.

Brandon Inge - Another MI activated from the DL, Inge was making a strong case to be the starter out of Spring Training with everyone in Tigers camp raving about his defense. He's always had power, and almost never makes contact, so if that's what you're looking for in a fantasy player, you've met your mate.

Hitters Down

Luis Valbuena - You'll know him from when he spent time in with the Indians and was a half-decent deep league option. Now he goes to make room for Rodrigo Lopez on the 40-man roster. That has got to hurt.

Jack Cust - Remember when everyone made a big deal about Jack Cust signing a 2-year deal with the Astros? Well now he's with the Yankees on a minor league deal.

Brandon Allen - Surely the starter for a few AL-Only league teams, Allen was given the boot to make room for Daric Barton (no separate item for Barton, I don't think he'll do much). Allen was designated for assignment so we'll see if he ends up with a new organization, and thus new value in the next few weeks.

Jose Constanza - America's favorite almost Seinfeld character was optioned to AAA Gwinnett to make room for the return of Chipper Jones from the DL. If you were relying on Constanza, you're season is likely already over.