Kicking off the 2011 Fantasy Focus tab is my latest article for The Hardball Times regarding Ted Lilly's fantasy prospects for 2011. This post was referenced on ESPN Los Angeles last week, one-upping TBO's Sports Illustrated fame for the time being.
The bottom line of my analysis is, before Los Angeles' defense is considered, 196 innings of 3.94 ERA, 174 strikeouts, 1.15 WHIP baseball. Los Angeles has one of the worst defenses in baseball (and last year had the absolute worst outfield defense, though Manny was part of the 2010 Dodgers), so take that ERA/WHIP with a grain of salt. Until the free agency dust settles, who knows what the Dodgers' 2011 defense will look like outside of Casey Blake, Rafael Furcal, James Loney, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier.
Showing posts with label Ted Lilly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ted Lilly. Show all posts
Lilly has Unexpected Shoulder Surgery
Yesterday Chicago Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly had surgery on his left shoulder, his pitching shoulder. He had a left shoulder arthroscopy and debridement. If his rehab goes well they say he will be back in April. That is only if the rehab goes well. This surgery seemed to come out of nowhere and could be a big blow to the Cubs depending if Lilly has to miss much time. Lilly was the Cubs best pitcher last season and most dependable starting pitcher with rookie Randy Wells. I am surprised that there hasn’t been a bigger deal made out of this in the media. During last season Lilly did make a DL stint because of knee and shoulder problems, but he was fine a few weeks later and seemed to be fine. Obviously he wasn’t fine and the shoulder was something more serious. Lets just hope it isn’t too serious and he makes a speedy recovery and is back at the start of the season. Lilly is starting a range of motion and strengthening program. He will be re-examined around Jan. 1 so we should know around then of his status. He will also start a throwing program in January if he is ready. No one seems to be talking about this and think it is a minor “clean me up” I keep hearing. Surgery is surgery and I just hope it is as minor as the Cubs are saying.
Cubs have an All-Star
Last year the Chicago Cubs had a great year on their way to winning 98 games and their division! They had a great first half in which they seemed unstoppable having multiple games coming back from behind to win. They had eight All-stars last year and Lou Piniella on the coaching staff for the National League. This season has been much different for the Cubs and they only have one All-star. The Cubs are currently third in the central division and aren’t the favorite to win the central anymore after a disappointing first half. This year the Cubs only have two players that haven’t been terrible. One is rookie pitcher Randy Wells who has made 11 starts, including winning his last four games, and has a microscopic 2.48 ERA in 69 innings pitched. He has been the best player on the Cubs, but they aren’t going to send a rookie to an All-star game. Thus, Ted Lilly gets to go to St. Louis and represent the Cubs. Lilly has been the only consistent player on the team the entire season. Ted Lilly is 8-6 in 17 games pitching 111 innings (leads Cubs staff), with 97 strikeouts. This is Lilly’s second All-star game and he has quietly had a very solid season, just like the rest of his time in Chicago.
The Cubs in the World Baseball Classic
The World Baseball Classic starts March 5th. The Chicago Cubs have four players on the 25 man roster in the World Baseball Classic. They are Ted Lilly (USA), Carlos Marmol (Dominican Republic), Kosuke Fukudome (Japan), and Geovany Soto (Puerto Rico). They also have minor league prospects Alex Maestri (Italy) and Vince Perkins (Canada) playing in the World Baseball Classic.
Carlos Marmol was not going to play in the World Baseball Classic, but decided the other day he wanted to. This was after Lou reassured him that he would not loose the closer’s job if he went. He will compete against Kevin Gregg for the closer’s job when he gets back from the World Baseball Classic now. I think Kosuke Fukudome playing in the World Baseball Classic is a good thing. Hopefully playing with his fellow country men in a comfortable environment will get him starting off on the right foot. Then hopefully this will carry over into the season.
I think the World Baseball Classic is a great place for prospects to play and showcase what they can do. This is a good thing for Alex Maestri playing for Italy and Vince Perkins of Canada. Both should get good playing time and help their development.
Lets hope team USA does better than they did in the inaugural World Baseball Classic.
Carlos Marmol was not going to play in the World Baseball Classic, but decided the other day he wanted to. This was after Lou reassured him that he would not loose the closer’s job if he went. He will compete against Kevin Gregg for the closer’s job when he gets back from the World Baseball Classic now. I think Kosuke Fukudome playing in the World Baseball Classic is a good thing. Hopefully playing with his fellow country men in a comfortable environment will get him starting off on the right foot. Then hopefully this will carry over into the season.
I think the World Baseball Classic is a great place for prospects to play and showcase what they can do. This is a good thing for Alex Maestri playing for Italy and Vince Perkins of Canada. Both should get good playing time and help their development.
Lets hope team USA does better than they did in the inaugural World Baseball Classic.
