Daily Thoughts

For anyone who is hungover after celebrating St. Patrick's Day, just know that Wade Boggs is better than you. 

• Spring training stats mean very little, and we all know that. But, it's still fun to see Mike Trout hit two homers. Trout's by far the best player and I'm not sure who even comes in second to compare him to while he is in his prime. At least A-Rod had Bonds and Pujols had A-Rod. I suppose Miguel Cabrera, since he did steal two MVPs, but Trout has (knock on wood) seven more years before he's even 30 years old. Sheesh.

• Ryan Howard has one of the worst contracts in baseball, but apparently he has some value? Even if the Phillies take on $50 million of the remaining $60 million owed to Howard, I'm not sold he would have any value. Over the last three seasons, Howard has produced -1.0 fWAR. That's right, since 2012 Howard has been below replacement level. In that time frame, Howard ranks 220th in fWAR. Howard is owed $60 million, the Phillies would have to pay a team $70 million to take on his contract. That would provide some value. Maybe.

• The Yankees will need CC Sabathia to be healthy and respectable this year so it was nice to see him throw two innings yesterday. Sabathia apparently "hovered around 90 mph" and was happy with his command. Hovering around 90 might actually be an improvement on his velocity last year too. Although he's put back on some weight, Sabathia returning to his younger self isn't going to happen. However, his biggest problem of late besides health is the long ball. If he could keep the ball in the park (no easy task in Yankee Stadium) he can still be successful. 

• Alex Cobb left his last spring start with forearm tightness. The Rays have now called it forearm tendinitis and Cobb won't be making his Opening Day start and could miss the first few weeks of the season. Cobb has long showed the potential to be an ace of staff but he hasn't been able to throw for an entire season yet. This is the first Cobb injury that is arm related as previous injuries were an oblique and concussion, but it's not a good sign for Cobb or the Rays. Here's to hoping he gets right this season, I'm tired of losing years of young pitchers.

• Keith Law (insider) has his annual list of breakout candidates out now. Law always comes from a real baseball slant, but these can certainly double for fantasy. In respect to Law I won't out all of his picks but you can bet I want Drew Hutchinson as a late round pitcher on all my fantasy teams and I'm certainly in on the Jason Heyward breakout train.