Today's Fantasy Rx

Arizona: Mike Gosling, 23, LH Starter
9-5 on a 67:53 K:BB in 128.1 IP over 21 GS(24G)
with 160 H, 16 HR, and a 5.82 ERA at AAA Tucson(PCL).

Nearly across-the-board skill regression in his second straight season at Tucson severely reduces Gosling's long-term projection. The 2001 second round pick dominates few batters while allowing far too many hits. At least he doesn't allow many homers, and a 3.7 BB/9 isn't horrible. However, he likely needs at least another year in the minors unless Arizona unexpectedly decides to shift him to relief. I still expect him to emerge as a capable starter by the end of the decade, but ignore the southpaw now. While the Diamondbacks desperately need starting pitching and promoted him to the majors, he might not even pitch this month and doesn't currently possess the skills to succeed in any big league role.

Internet Challenge

SP(6)
Curt Schilling: Fri:@SEA(R.Franklin)
Randy Johnson: Fri:SF(N.Lowry)
Javier Vazquez: Fri:@BAL(Rod.Lopez)
Jason Schmidt: Sun:@ARI(B.Webb)
Roy Oswalt: Sun:@PIT(Da.Williams)
Kerry Wood: Fri:FLO(C.Pavano)
Jeremy Affeldt: 3 Home Games vs. TB.
Dustin Hermanson: 3 Road Games at ARI.

No starts: Pedro, Mussina, T.Hudson, Brown, Beckett.

Selecting Randy, Schilling, and Oswalt to join Affeldt and Hermanson makes significant sense, and then despite his recent struggles, Arizona's horrendous offense makes Schmidt a far better gamble than Wood or Vazquez.

Offensively, swapping Victor Martinez for Crede gets us under the cap; Fullmer, Kaz Matsui, Vernon Wells, Crawford, and Podsednik remain benched. Loretta stays in our lineup despite his injury questions as San Diego heads to Colorado for the weekend.

The Umpire Hunter(17th lg; 446th overall)
Week 23b: September 10-September 12

 
C	Mike Piazza		990
C	Jason Varitek		680 
1B	Lyle Overbay		400
1B	Mark Teixeira		760
2B	Alfonso Soriano		1930
2B	Mark Loretta		820 
3B	Scott Rolen		1460 
3B	Hank Blalock		850
SS	Alex Rodriguez		2010 
SS	Alex Cintron		450 
OF	Albert Pujols		1840
OF	Carlos Beltran		1760 
OF	Juan Pierre		1470
OF	Brad Wilkerson		690
OF	Adam Dunn		690
OF	Miguel Cabrera		570 
DH	Orlando Hudson		550 
DH	Victor Martinez		450

SP	Curt Schilling		1610 
SP	Randy Johnson		1550
SP	Roy Oswalt		1200 
SP	Jason Schmidt		1240  
SP	Jeremy Affeldt		650
SP	Dustin Hermanson	540
RP	Eric Gagne		1890
RP	Octavio Dotel		1250
RP	Danny Kolb		940 
RP	Joe Nathan		720 

Total Salary for Week 23b: 	29960

Today's Fantasy Rx: Another wave of prospects soon should reach the majors following the end of the minor leagues' regular seasons this weekend, followed by a third grouping once the upper-level playoffs conclude. Of the AL pitchers already recalled, the best long-term options include Chicago's Sergio Mitre, Philadelphia's Gavin Floyd, San Diego's Justin Germano, San Francisco's Kevin Correia and Jesse Foppert, and St. Louis' Rick Ankiel. Rebuilding teams in keeper leagues should prioritize this sextet when targeting young pitching as potential keepesr since all six easily could break camp next spring as big league starters.