| For Better, For Worse -- May 3, 2007 |
| By Tony Finn |
Published
05/4/2007
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For Better-- For Worse - (2007)
| Unrated
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Tony Finn
Managing Editor and
Director of Operations for Sports Grumblings LLC, is nationally
published covering the National Football League, Major League Baseball,
College Football and has been a FSWA Writer of the Year finalist.
Involved with Fantasy Sports since 1973, Tony has hosted radio and
internet broadcasts that include the 'Dog and Tony Show' with NFL draft
analyst D.J Boyer, 'Football Central', 'Finn on Sports', 'Gridiron
Gamblers', and is the Senior NFL analyst for the PBS broadcast of "NFL
Intellect". Tony's
columns include 'The Finn Factor', 'Six Days to Sunday' and 'Sunday No Huddle' which are featured exclusively at Sports Grumblings and 'For Better, For Worse' a weekly feature for SportsIllustrated.
View all articles by Tony Finn
Can it get any Worse?
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Is that a grimace or is it one of the few smiles from Gordon in April?
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For Worse
1. Alex Gordon, 3B, Royals
The "can't-miss kid" isn't hitting his weight and it’s likely he’s
finally feeling some pressure to perform; something most believed was
impossible with his cool and calm posture. The breaking ball is his
current nemesis and until he learns to lay off he will not meet fantasy
expectations. That said the Royals have no plans to move Gordon
anywhere with the exception of down in the batting order. The youngster
is in the 'bigs' to stay.
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox
Boston had hoped it had found a defensive fixture at second base with
Pedroia, but his slow spring turned into a slow April and he is on pace
to record a .170 BA and 63 hits in 132 starts. Not exactly the David
Eckstein clone the team was looking for.
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Pedroia has not exactly been the David Eckstein clone the Red Sox were expecting
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3. Kei Igawa, LHP, Yankees
The Yankees' answer to Dice-K was sliced and diced by most
American League hitters One of Japan's best pitchers in
recent years, he was hit hard and deep far to often in April. The Yanks
actually went as far as to demoted him to the bullpen but injuries have
offered him a reprieve back into the rotation. Expect better
from Igawa as the season progresses.
4. Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B, Padres
While we predicted that Kouzmanoff would disappoint in his rookie year,
especially in the anemic lineup that is the Padres, his struggles have
been monumental. Rumors have it that Kouzmanoff could be sent back to
Triple-A this week. He's hitting just .119 and his struggles are
affecting his performance at the hot corner as well.
5. Scott Thorman, 1B, Braves
While his numbers are not bad, his early season struggles created a
platoon with veteran Craig Wilson at first base. The Braves rookie was
expected to start and register 500 at bats this season, but is
currently on pace to finish with a paltry 340 plate appearances. The
lack of opportunity is most disappointing for fantasy owners.
Honorable Mention
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies – The 22-year old is beginning to heat up,
but he was one of the many who struggled mightily in April.
Chris Iannetta, C, Rockies – Yet another Colorado sleeper candidate at
catcher has disappointed. Think the Rockies wish they could rethink the Javy Lopez release?
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