Every so often I like to rant about anything that is on my mind as it relates to Fantasy Baseball. Most of my friends would say that it is a very empty place, and so nothing of value will come out of this. That is what they think…

• Since returning from the Disable List, Brad Hawpe has been hitting like everyone expected him to do at the start of the season. Since returning he has popped 6 homeruns and hit .327 while doing it. So if someone dumped him because of the slow start and the DL stint, it is time to grab him before someone else does.

• Since being called up, Mike Aviles has been hitting great. He is being added everywhere. Hold the horses for a few minutes. This start is nice, but a 27 year-old just getting to the major leagues after the team exhausted all other available options is not a good sign. Aviles is a good contact hitter, and doesn’t strikeout, nor walk often. So basically, he is Jose Lopez clone, who is available on the waiver wire in each of my leagues. Ride the hot start and get the extra production at the shortstop position, but expect him to be on the waiver wire within a month.

• Seriously, Billy Butler needs to be called back up to the majors. Since being sent down, he has hit .369 with 5 homeruns, and more importantly, 12 walks to only 4 strikeouts. What is Ross Gload hitting? How about a smooth .235 with no homeruns.

• David DeJesus is quietly putting together a respectable season. In doing an evaluation on the Royals, CBS Sportsline called him the poor mans Johnny Damon. Really? It may seem to be the case. I looked at both players’ rate stats, and they are virtually identical. What is the main difference? The money each player makes, and the team they are on. So yes DeJesus is the poor man’s Johnny Damon… Literally and figuratively.

• Xavier Nady will continue to hit well this year. the shoulder injury is a bit concerning, but the Pirates are ranked 6th in offense. That is right… SIXTH! The only thing that will destroy Nady’s value is a trade to a team where he might serve as the 4th outfielder.

• I wish Rafael Furcal will make up his mind. either you are coming back in a week, or after the All-Star break. One day you are only running at 60% and the next you are talking about a rehab assignment. It doesn’t matter anymore… I traded your butt away, because I am tired of waiting. So I guess I can guarantee that he will be back in a week, and steal 25 bases the rest of the season. Why? Because that is my luck with trades. Grrrrrr!

• I sure hope Seattle starts getting their act together. I need Jeff Clement to start playing regularly so that I can promote him from my minor league roster. As sad is it may sound, even if he hit .240 he would be an upgrade over Jokejima.

• Brett Myers needs to get his head out of his… I will stop there, because kids might be reading this. What a great pitching effort last night, and then proceeds to throw batting practice to Vlad. I mean those two pitches Vlad hit were mid 80’s and laid right across the heart of the plate. Why must you frustrate me so!?!

• The year of the injury is continuing. Do not forget to rummage around the waiver wire for injured players that are returning. I have already mention what Hawpe has been doing since retuning. Eric Byrnes is returning this week, as is possibly Hank Blalock. Gary Sheffield is on a rehab assignment, and Andruw Jones may be doing the same shortly. I don’t think that they will all perform at an All-Star level, but if you are mid-pack in your roto league, What do you have to loose?

• I sure hope that you were not one of those who acquired Jay Bruce by trading a top tier player for him. If you did… well I will address you in a later post. Seriously though, what did you expect? He is a rookie, and these ups and downs are to be expected. Is Jay Bruce good? YES! Is he really good? YES!!! Is he going to be the savior of your team? Uh, no! He will end up with very good numbers by the end of the year, but fluctuations in his production should expected. I know that most of you know this, but some don’t.

• Good Grief, what in the world has happen to Rich Hill? He may get shutdown for a mental break. Can that even be used as a reason to go on the Disabled List? What is you called it a disability to throw a pitch in the strike zone? Hey give him time, he will reappear as an outfielder in a few years.

Those are my thoughts, feel free to post your thoughts in the comments section.