Do the White Sox have a plan for dealing with Jim Thome being out? Don Visco doesn't think so.

Hello SportsGrumblings readers!  My name is Don Visco and I would be considered an “expert” in the fantasy baseball world.  I use those quotes around “expert” only partially in jest.  I am not Ron Shandler or Jason Grey.  I don’t write my own book nor do I visit ballparks and interview players.  What I am, however, is an experienced fantasy baseball analyst, almost exclusively for the American League.  I have been playing fantasy baseball for 15 years now and have participated in a wide variety of multi-site expert leagues.  In fact, in one expert league this year (12 team CBS SportsLine Analysts League AL) I am in second place.  This league is has a lot of what is considered “fantasy experts” so, by default, you can consider me an expert.

At any rate, the paragraph above is to try to introduce you to who I am with the knowledge that the advice I give in this column during the season has behind it 15 years worth of experience. 

So…for my first column for SportsGrumblings I will take a stroll through the Junior Circuit, team-by-team, to discuss certain fantasy implications.  Note that I am not a writer who discusses big name players like Manny Ramirez or Vlad Guerrero.  If you need me to tell you that they are good, you probably aren’t ready to best utilize the advice I give you.  I like to work near the margins…in essence, suggesting penny stocks that could return dollars.

American League East

Baltimore Orioles

With Jaret Wright hitting the DL, expect Brian Burres to take over the fifth spot in the Orioles rotation.  He is not recommended for your fantasy team at this point.

Boston Red Sox

Julian Tavarez was, in his words, pitching for his life on Sunday against the Yankees.  He has pitched poorly this season while Jon Lester is making progress on his rehab.  Short of a no-hitter in his next start, expect Tavarez to get bumped from the rotation and Lester to take over.  Lester can be a better-than-average pitcher in the AL, so make plans to acquire him in the free agent pool. 

New York Yankees

I thought it was interesting that David Ortiz, who managed to ground into two double plays versus Kei Igawa on Saturday, commented that Igawa threw very hittable pitches and that he (and his teammates) just missed them.  Yes, Igawa pitched well in relief on Saturday, but I would stay away in the short term.

If Phil Hughes does not perform well tonight (Tuesday), I would certainly expect him to return to Triple-A.  After all, the guy is 20 years old.  If the fate of your team rests on whether a 20-year old pitcher is successful, I suspect you are towards the bottom of your league.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

I truly believe that the Rays have enough to be a 0.500 team this year.  The problem is that their bullpen is missing a key set up player (Chad Orvella) and the back end of their rotation (really…No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5) is just not good.  Andy Sonnenstine is coming on strong at Triple-A and would be more effective that either Edwin Jackson or Jae Seo.  In fact, I’d get rid of both Seo and Jackson, and bring up Sonnenstine and Jason Hammel.

Toronto Blue Jays

During Spring Training the most impressive pitcher in Blue Jays camp was the resurgent Dustin McGowan.  The former No. 1 pick will take over for the injured Gustavo Chacin and will look to improve on his first two trips to Toronto (he owns a career 6.69 ERA in 72 innings with the Blue Jays)