The RotoWire Blog has been retired.

These archives exist as a way for people to continue to view the content that had been posted on the blog over the years.

Articles will no longer be posted here, but you can view new fantasy articles from our writers on the main site.

News and Notes on The Baseball Front

It seems like there is something happening every day this off season. Some good, some bad.

I don't know about you, but I'm concerned about Mark Trumbo's foot injury. He isn't healing and he may miss time in Spring Training. We've heard that before from Angels camp, haven't we? That's why I'm concerned. Trumbo is a very good fantasy option and he got better with the addition of King Albert. It also made either Kendry Morales or Trumbo available in trade (to the Indians maybe?) But that certainly won't happen if both of those guys are crippled with leg injuries. Remember-nobody really knows if Morales can run. Of course we'll know more in February and March, but it's a concern.

I'm happy for Anthony Rizzo. I'm happy for any power hitter that can get out of Petco. Not that I think Rizzo will start for the Cubs. I don't think he will. That job will go to Bryan LaHair. Rizzo, however, will get a chance to learn how to hit all over again in the Minor Leagues. He'll start the season in AAA and learn how to speed up and shorten his swing. At the end of last season, Rizzo got no playing time as Jesus Guzman took over at 1B and raked. And by the way, what happens to Guzman now that Yonder Alonso is in the Padres house?

I wish I could be on Andrew Cashner, but I'm not. His shoulder is a major concern. It has also led him to rely too heavily on his fastball. He throws hard, but he's turned in to a fastball machine. I saw him get hit hard in Arizona this past fall.

Looks like Garza is off the trading block. Now with Chris Volstad in the Cubs rotation, the pitching staff gets a bit of new life. It would be silly to trade Garza unless the Cubs can get a haul of players that make a difference for the future. One such pitcher may just be Jacob Turner. Turner didn't pitch well in short tryout starts with Detroit (he actually hurt my AL fantasy team) but he projects to be a mid to back of the rotation starter. It would have to be Turner plus to get Garza. The Tigers don't have many pluses to trade away.

How many bombs will Mike Stanton hit this year? Can you just imagine what this guy is going to be like with more men on base than in the past? They could use one more power hitter to help out the lineup, but man, the Marlins are building quite a team. Until of course they tear it apart to pay the rent and heat and lights and air conditioning, etc. etc. etc. in say.........3 or 4 years from now. Haven't we seen this movie before?

The Yankees have been awfully, awfully quiet.

I'm still not ruling out the Mariners as Prince's landing spot. My second choice has changed to Texas. I'm not buying Washington yet. Not yet. But it's true that the Nationals and Boras have a great relationship. OK, so maybe it is the Nationals. I just want him in the American League.

What do you make of Joe Torre in on the sale of the Dodgers? Why would he leave his job with MLB before he became an owner of the team? Why not wait until he actually owned the team and then resigned? I'm asking you. I don't know the answer to that question. I still like the group headed by Dennis Gilbert (that includes talk show host Larry King) as the group that wins the Dodgers. But maybe two of the proposed groups will get together and make one large bid of say....1.2 billion with a b dollars $$$.

And guess what? Even if they pay a billion two, they'll make $$$. Lots of it.

The Mariners have been awfully quiet so far.

Baseball has major heart burn with Oakland and Tampa Bay. How will they settle the issue of the San Francisco territorial rights with San Jose? What do they do about people staying away by the tons in Tampa? Ever try to cross the bridge from Tampa to St. Pete in the evening-say around rush hour? Yikes!

The Indians have gotten the power hitter they badly needed. Yep, they signed Andy LaRoche. Keep me away from sharp objects or straight razors. Andy LaRoche? C'mon people. Who are we kidding here?

The Reds need a closer. Ryan Madson anyone? Imagine being Ryan Madson. Early this off season he thinks he's going back to Philly to close. Then Ruben Amaro lines up the pitchers and says..."Whoever is our closer next season, please step forward." Oops, "not so fast Ryan." He pulled the deal off the table and here we are, months later and Madson is still on the table. What is it we don't know? His price has to drop, right?

Ozzie and Zambrano in the same clubhouse. Oh how I wish they trained in Phoenix. Can you imagine what that'll be like?

Chris Volstad was promoted to the big leagues too soon. Zeng-He is a poster child for the development model of letting players learn their craft in the Minor Leagues. He is just now learning how to pitch. His walk rate should get better. Good pick up for the Cubs and it only cost them millions and millions and millions and millions and Zambrano.

Prince to the Cubs? Not now. Not with LaHair and Rizzo.

Why hasn't Joe Saunders landed with the Yankees? I think he's a very good 5th starter for them in the AL Central.

OK-I'm out. That's it for tonight.

Follow me on Twitter @BerniePleskoff and at MLB.com in the Voices section. As always, please feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. I'll be on with Jeff and DDD on Wednesday morning on Sirius/XM Fantasy Radio.