The Rays might have sent Evan Longoria down to start the season to avoid arbitration, but it looks like they found a better answer this week.

Longoria Locked Up

After just six days in the big leagues the Tampa Bay Rays gave stud third base prospect Evan Longoria to a six-year deal worth $17.5 million. The deal includes three club options years that could boost the overall value of the extension to $44 million over nine years. Since the Rays called him up from Triple-A Durham, Longoria is hitting .304 with one home run and four RBI. During his brief minor league career, Longoria hit .318 with 44 home runs and 153 RBI. While this contract has received heavy criticism, the Rays might save themselves millions by buying out Longoria’s arbitration years and possibly his first three years of free agent eligibility. Because the Rays are a small market team they have to try and lock up their potential stars early so they can try and save money later on down the road when the player reaches a level of stardom like Carl Crawford has. In my mind, they should have waited until at the very least the All-Star break. Longoria is likely going to be the everyday third baseman for the rest of the season. Longoria is a must-have fantasy player in long-term keeper leagues.

2009 FA Stock Market

• C.C. Sabathia is off to an awful start this year, and there has been lots of speculation as to what is causing him to pitch so poorly. So far this season Sabathia is 0-3 with a 13.50 ERA and batting-average-against of .390. I do not know if the Fausto Carmona contract or the crushing defeat to Boston in the ALCS is causing Sabathia to lose his focus, but something is causing him to either throw pitches down the middle or into the backstop. Heading into last years ALCS Sabathia must have been full of confidence and felt like he was on top of the world, then he went 0-2 with a 10.45 ERA in two games against the eventual world champion Red Sox. As if that was not enough the Indians did not give him a contract after the season and then gave a long term deal to Carmona two weeks in. If Sabathia is not able to snap out of this funk soon it may affect his free agency this winter. Right now is the time for fantasy owners to take advantage of disgruntled owners, as we have faith that Sabathia will bounce back soon and finish the year with 15-17 wins and an ERA around 4.00.


• After a disappointing 2004 season with the Boston Red Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers gave Derek Lowe a four-year contract worth $36 million. The Dodgers received criticism for the deal, but Lowe has earned his money. Since signing the deal, Lowe is 41-37 with a 3.42 ERA. So far this season there has been no contract discussion between the Dodgers and Lowe but he is 1-0 with a 2.59 ERA since the start of the season. Lowe is going to be 35 years old when he hits free agency this winter, but if he can keep pitching the way he has so far this season, he will be a hot commodity this December. Lowe will continue to put up good numbers this season and finish with 15 or so wins season and an ERA once again around 3.70.

Not Worth It

The Brewers signed tee-ball pitcher Jeff Weaver to a minor league contract. If Weaver makes the 40-man roster, the contract will then improve to $1.25 million for the year. Last season Weaver was 7-13 with a 6.20 ERA. The Brewers brought in Weaver to add some depth to pitching staff due to the elbow injury to Chris Capuano this spring. The Brewers are about to bring Yovani Gallardo back for the disabled list, and in my mind they do not really need a pitcher that is a career loser when they are trying to bring a club filled with young players to the playoffs. Look for Weaver to make a few horrible spot start for the Brewers during the season. Fantasy owners should stay as far away from weaver as possible.

Noteworthy News

• Free Agent Ryan Klesko is retiring from the MLB after 16 seasons. During his 16-year career Klesko hit .279 with 278 home runs and 987 RBI.


• The Braves might be looking to trade for a reliever after learning that Peter Moylan may need season ending Tommy John surgery. Some names that might be in the trade mix are Brian Fuentes, Doug Brocail, Derrick Turnbow, and possibly Jon Rauch.


• Instead of accepting assignment, pitcher Bryan Corey has chosen to become a free agent.


• The Philadelphia Phillies just signed Steve Kline a week ago, now there are rumors that Phillies are interested in signing Mike Stanton.