Jonathan Papelbon is the top closer in fantasy baseball, and on his way to the top in MLB.

Decision Time

In just three weeks the Tampa Bay Rays have to make a decision on their young, but fragile right fielder Rocco Baldelli.  On April 1^st the Rays have to decide whether or not to pick up a $6 million option for 2009, or pay a $4 million buyout.  In the last three seasons Baldelli has played in just 127 games due a long list of injuries.  When healthy he has shown that he can maintain a solid batting average and some pop in his swing.  If the Rays pick up his 2009 option they will then be in the same position next spring, when they will be faced with a two-year option on Baldelli.  Don’t expect a trade any time soon either; because of Baldelli’s injury history his trade value is very low.  If Baldelli has a good first half, then the Rays may try to move him in a deadline deal.

What a Crybaby

With three years and $19 million left on his contract, Brandon Inge is not happy, and the Tigers are not having any luck finding a good trade partner.  One year after the Tigers giving Inge a monster contract extension, Detroit went out and traded for Miguel Cabrera.  The team offered to let Inge stay and make $6.2 million a year to be a utility man, but Inge is unhappy with that role, and wants to play every day.  Look for Inge to start the year with Detroit as a back up catcher and utility infielder.  If a starting third baseman gets injured sometime in the early part of the year, the Tigers should get a solid offer to pick him up.

Blocked

The Chicago White Sox have a prize prospect in Josh Fields, just waiting for a chance to play in the big leagues, but he is currently blocked by third baseman Joe Crede.  Over the last couple of weeks the Chi-Sox have quietly shopped Crede around, but they may have better luck moving Paul Konerko.  The New York Mets and Yankees have both shown interest in Konerko, but neither team would be willing to give up their young starting pitchers for the first baseman.  If Konerko is traded, the White Sox would likely move Fields over to first base since his defense is not as good as Crede’s.  A dark horse in the Konerko-Crede sweepstakes would be the Cincinnati Reds.  The Reds have said that are willing to listen to offers for youngster Homer Bailey.  Bailey, a 22-year-old right-handed prospect, has shown the ability to rack up some strikeouts.

Closing Games and Closing Contracts

The Boston Red Sox, and fiery closer, Jonathan Papelbon, have agreed on a one-year deal worth $775,000.  Last season, Papelbon was 1-3, with 37 saves and a 1.85 ERA.  Papelbon was supposed to be a starter last season, but instead opted for the closer’s job and got it.  With a dynamite fastball reaching as high as 99 MPH on the radar gun, and a splitter that falls completely off the table in the mid-90’s, he has become one of the best closers in the game.  Fantasy owners should draft Papelbon as the top relief pitcher in the game, and just sit back and watch him rack up strikeout after strikeout, and post a ridiculous WHIP somewhere around .80.

Noteworthy News

As it stands this hour, the Orioles have decided to hold onto Brian Roberts instead of sending him off to the Chicago Cubs.  As of right now it not known which side is holding the deal up.  One thing is certain though, I not going to talk about this again until it actually happens.

Baltimore outfielder Nick Markakis had his contract renewed this week, but it was nowhere close to the amount he wanted.  Players with less than three years of service are not eligible for contract arbitration.  The O’s gave Markakis a one-year deal worth $455,000.  Last season Markakis batted .300, with 23 home runs and 112 RBI. 

Now that left fielder Moises Alou will be out for 4-6 weeks with a hernia, the Mets may be forced to pick up a fourth outfielder.  Names like Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, and Marcus Thames have all been mentioned as potential targets.  The Mets have been known to let the steroid issue slide in the past, so they may go for Bonds’ big time bat. Bonds proved last year that he still has what it takes to put up solid numbers, and consistently get on base Alou’s injury could open the door for the controversial slugger to ply his trade in the Big Apple come Opening Day.