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More PED suspensions coming?
We learned on Tuesday, from ESPN's T.J. Quinn, that there are more PED suspensions coming at some point, yet names have not been released.
Two law enforcement sources tell me investigation revealed previously unnamed MLB players. Names will be revealed. Expect more suspensions.
— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) August 5, 2014
Quinn tweeted on Wednesday saying we won't learn the names of the players implicated for weeks or months. Here is more from Quinn on Wednesday:
Doesn't sound like there are major names, but not borderline major leaguers, either. Fairly significant. Probably not more than a few.
— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) August 6, 2014
Fairly significant? This should get interesting over the next several weeks/months. Fairly significant could be anyone from Adam Jones, not a major name, to Brandon Moss, to any player who plays every day. Hitters who play every day are fairly significant.....but not all hitters are fairly significant. Time will tell.
Well, ESPN's Buster Olney gave us a little more to think about in his blog on Wednesday afternoonwith this excerpt:
At this point, a lot of folks in the game would not be surprised by a high volume of players linked to PED use; there has been a growing suspicion among some in the sport that a lot of players are currently using, particularly human growth hormone.
Yeah, it's pretty obvious the penalties are not stiff enough. I think we eventually see clauses in every contract that voids the contract if the player is caught using. Some day. Some day maybe real soon.
Roto Roundup
Jeremy Hellickson is one starting pitcher who I was always lower on than many of our readers. There are a number of starters I would shy away from in every draft, Hellickson, Brandon Morrow, among others. On Wednesday, Hellickson limited a very good A's lineup to just one run on two hits, no walks and 3 strikeouts in 7 innings, in the Rays 7-3 win. Hellickson has made four starts since returning from the disabled list, with Wednesday's start the first time he pitched more than 4.2 innings. He has given up just 6 runs in his 20.2 innings thus far, and is now 1-1 with a 2.61 ERA and 1.16 in the four starts. He could be undervalued in drafts heading into 2015.
Nationals starter Doug Fister was dominant on Wednesday night, limiting the Mets to one unearned run on 6 hits, now walks and 7 strikeouts in 7 innings in the Nationals 7-1 win. Fister moved his record to 11-3 with a 2.49 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and a 66-13 strikeout to walk rate in 104.2 innings this season. He has given up two runs or less in each of his last five starts, and in seven of his last ten starts as well.
Blue Jays young starter Drew Hutchison has had an up and down year, and has struggled in four of his last five starts, but last night he pitched a gem. Hutchison limited the hot Orioles lineup to just one run on ONE hit, a walk and 8 strikeouts in 8.2 innings of work in the Blue Jays 5-1 win. Hutchison came within one out of a complete game, and moved his record to 8-9 with a 4.39 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and a 119-42 strikeout to walk rate in 131.1 innings this season.
Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano has seen his power drop to career lows this season, and his runs scored and RBI totals are depressed with the move to Seattle, but he is on pace for a career high batting average and stolen bases. Cano went 2-3 with a walk and two runs scored in the Mariners 7-3 win over the Braves, raising his slash line to .332-.395-.463 with 8 home runs, 55 runs scored, 62 RBI and 8 stolen bases in 10 attempts. He has already tied a career high in stolen bases, but fantasy owners would prefer to see his power return to normal levels, or even 60% of his yearly average.
Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez is having a sub-par season at the plate and a terrible season in the field in 2014. Alvarez has something like 23-24 errors this season, and his power numbers are well below expectations, as he is hitting .234-.321-.401 with 15 home runs, 41 runs scored and 49 RBI. He is on pace to hit "just" 22 home runs and drive in 71 runs, his lowest totals since he became a big league regular. A few weeks ago, the Pirates had given some thought to sending him down to AAA, but decided against it. He is another hitter who could be undervalued in drafts next season.
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