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The Pittsburgh Pirates trail the St. Louis Cardinals by just half a game in the National League Central and they have a 4.5-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds in the NL Wild Card race. The Bucs have every right to be thinking big down the stretch.

With those high hopes comes the reality that the team must seriously consider tightening up the roster for the final two months of the season.

Pittsburgh has been active on the rumor scene and deals could be coming soon. Here’s a look at the latest news:

Alex Rios Could Be the Right Fit

David Kaplan of CSN Chicago tweeted that the Bucs and Chicago White Sox are seemingly getting close to a deal that would land Alex Rios in Pittsburgh.

Rios has a no-trade clause but is apparently willing to waive it to play for the Pirates. He is having a very solid season for a bad White Sox team. He’s hitting .272 with 12 home runs, 49 RBI and he’s also stolen 22 bases.

Rios would be a definite upgrade over the young Jose Tabata in right field.

A Pirates outfield of Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen and Rios would be solid. We’ll see if the Bucs and White Sox can close the deal.

Giancarlo Stanton Is a Long Shot

While Rios may be the more practical option for the Pirates, the team is apparently still sending out feelers on a player who could make a bigger splash down the road.

Per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Pirates are among the teams that have been regularly checking on the availability of Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins.

Up to now they have been turned away, but a change of scenery could ignite Stanton’s bat. He’s struggled this year in a lineup that has been monumentally horrible. He’s hitting .262 with 13 home runs this year, but at 23 years old, Stanton still looks like he’ll be one of the majors’ premier power hitters over the next 10 years.

Prying Stanton away from the budget-conscious Marlins is worth exploring.

Bud Norris Could Be On the Way

It seems as though the Houston Astros are close to dealing starting pitcher Bud Norris. Per Dayn Perry of CBS Sports, Norris has been scratched from his scheduled start.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports tweets he expects Norris to be moved soon and names the Pirates as a likely landing spot.

The 28-year-old is only 6-9 with an ERA of 3.93, but in a pitching-starved market, he’s become a fairly hot commodity. If the Pirates can walk away with Rios and Norris, they will have strengthened their ballclub.

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The Philadelphia Phillies have lost eight games in a row. They have slipped to 11.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East. There’s no question, then, they should be in selling mode.

Teams around the majors still in contention have begun to inquire about the availability of a few Phillies players, since there are still several talented players throughout the roster that can help some good teams get over the hump and make a serious postseason push.

Here’s the latest on those players who Philly might consider dealing before the deadline.

Cliff Lee Is Coveted

Per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Cliff Lee is on the wish list of a few contenders, but the Boston Red Sox may be at the front of the pack. He’s owed $70 million through 2015, which includes a $12.5 million buyout for 2016.

It is clear to see why teams fancy Lee. He’s 10-4 this season with an ERA of 3.05. He’s pitched over 200 innings each of the last three seasons and is on pace to equal that again this season.

Perhaps more appealing is Lee’s stellar work in the postseason. Even with an uncharacteristically bad postseason showing in 2011, Lee is still 7-3 with an ERA of 2.52 in the second season.

These qualities may even have the Phillies considering holding on to Lee for another run next year. MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki tweeted:

With information flying in all directions, it’s anyone’s guess what happens with Lee at this point. But one thing is for sure: if Lee does get moved, Philadelphia would like see a huge return.

Michael Young’s No-Trade Clause Is a Major Hurdle

Even if the Phillies desperately wanted to move Young, his no-trade clause is an issue. Per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Young is only willing to go back to the Texas Rangers or possibly to the Boston Red Sox.

That significantly handicaps the Phillies in a deal, thus it seems unlikely Young moves on—unless he has a change of heart.

The veteran infielder is having another steady season at the plate, and without many quality third basemen available, Young’s situation is going to be a key storyline through Wednesday.

Kevin Frandsen Drawing Interest

The Kansas City Royals have won six in a row, and that surge may have them thinking wild card. Danny Knobler of CBS Sports reports that the Royals may have some interest in Frandsen to play second base.

He’s hitting .280 with three home runs in 118 at-bats this season.

The Royals are now at .500, and while a run at the wild card still seems a bit of a long shot, Frandsen could be an upgrade at second over Chris Getz who is hitting .209 this season.

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In just 16 games, Los Angeles Dodgers phenom Yasiel Puig has captivated the imagination and attention of the baseball world. He’s been called a five-tool talent by Jerry Crasnick of ESPN. The highlights and statistics he’s generated in a short time support that concept.

While major league pitchers will be sure to make adjustments to limit some of Puig‘s effectiveness, his talent level and passion are so high, the possibility that Puig will be a flash in the pan is unlikely.

Of all the eye-popping numbers Puig has registered in his short time in the majors, the following are the most startling.

At Bats Per HR – 10.3

The 22-year-old Cuban sensation has six home runs in just 62 at bats. At 10.3 at bats per homer, Puig is hitting home runs at a pace just behind current major-league leader Chris “Crush” Davis of the Baltimore Orioles. Davis has slammed 26 home runs in just 264 at bats for an at-bats-per HR average of 10.2.

Obviously Davis’ sustained success through 72 games is impressive, one has to wonder where Puig would be in the HR race had he been on the major league roster on opening day.

Total Bases – 49

Puig is averaging just over three total bases per game. If he maintained that pace—which is obviously quite unlikely—for a 162-game season he’d rack up a total of 496.

That total would shatter Babe Ruth’s single-season record of 457 set in 1921. Puig hasn’t hit a major slump, been injured, or simply cooled off at this point. But even with those realistic impediments, he’d have room to fall off and still find himself in rare air in this category.

Outfield Assists – 2

It may not seem like a big number, but if you’ve seen the throws Puig has made, you get the point. Not only does he have speed and a big glove—literally and figuratively speaking—he has a cannon for an arm.

Over 162 games, Puig would be on pace for 20 assists. He’d never get that many because runners and base coaches would simply stop testing him, but the skill is amazing. Check out Puig doubling up San the Diego Padres Chris Denorfia in the former’s major-league debut.

Walks – 1

To say Puig is a free swinger is like saying Jose Valverde is a little superstitious. In 65 plate appearances, Puig has taken only one walk. To further drive the point home, that free pass was issued intentionally. The Braves‘ Jordan Walden put Puig on in the bottom of the eighth inning of a tie game on June 7.

Puig had launched his fourth home run of the year in his previous at bat off Paul Maholm. With a runner on third, two outs and Mark Ellis on deck, the D’Backs wanted no part of Puig.

This was all part of Puig‘s first seven days in the majors that landed him NL Player of the Week honors.

At some point, Puig will have to be a little more disciplined, but he has the rare ability to get hits on pitches that are out of the strike zone. 

These numbers are all extraordinary, but something tells me we’ll soon expect nothing less from No. 66.

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It’s pretty clear that the Chicago Cubs have bullpen issues. For the third-straight outing, closer Carlos Marmol struggled in relief and the Cubbies lost a heartbreaker, 6-5, to the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

Despite leading 5-1 heading into the last two innings, the Cubs bullpen imploded to give this one away. The collapse culminated in home runs off the bats of B.J. and Justin Upton in the bottom of the ninth.

Facing Marmol to lead off the inning, B.J. launched a solo shot to tie the game before Justin’s long ball gave the Braves the walk-off victory two batters later. The game-winner was Justin’s second home run of the night and capped a three-hit, three-RBI performance for the younger Upton brother. 

It was the first time this season the brothers have gone deep in the same game, but considering both of their power, it’s likely that this will happen more than a few times as the season progresses.

For the Cubs, Marmol was not the only reliever at fault in this one. Japanese import Kyuji Fujikawa was just as bad in his one inning of work out of the bullpen, allowing three runs on four hits in the eighth inning.

Marmol and Fujikawa helped waste a strong outing from starter Carlos Villanueva, who lasted 6.2 innings and allowed only one run in his first start of the season.

Braves’ starter Julio Teheran was spared the loss despite allowing five runs and eight hits in five innings of work.

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Everyone knows players like Troy Tulowitzki and Miguel Cabrera are among the automatic selections in fantasy if you can get them, but finding sleepers in baseball is a tough task.

Opening Day in the major leagues is Sunday, and most fantasy baseball owners have already participated in at least one draft. If you’re like me, you’re likely open to joining a couple more leagues, even though you probably shouldn’t.

This stuff is addictive.

Scanning Baseball-Reference.com and other sources has proved fruitful for me in the past, as has watching statistical trends.

I’ve pinpointed three players you should definitely keep your eye on this fantasy season.

Yasmani Grandal

I know he has to serve a 50-game suspension for using a banned substance, per USA Today, but this kid can hit.

In just 60 games in 2012, the 24-year-old switch-hitting catcher hit .297 with eight home runs and 36 RBI. Hitting from both sides of the plate is always a plus because he should get more at-bats.

Many will shy away from him because he probably won’t play until late May. But were it not for the suspension, he’d be one of the hottest young players in baseball.

Something tells me his quick admission of guilt and acceptance of his punishment will allow him to move on with his career without a major hiccup.

I wouldn’t take him early, but if I had the opportunity to grab him as a second catcher, I’d do it.

Allen Craig

Craig is not one of the major names that people mention when the best offensive first basemen are mentioned, but if you look at what he’s done over the last two seasons, it is clear he is on the upswing.

His numbers have improved in every season he’s been in the major leagues. In 2012, he hit .307 with 22 home runs and 92 RBI. At 28 years old he is reaching his peak.

If Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder aren’t available, you won’t find a better first basemen from a fantasy standpoint.

Tyler Flowers

Flowers isn’t going to challenge for a batting title, but he does have significant power potential. A.J. Pierzynski is gone and Flowers will get the bulk of the time behind the plate for the Chicago White Sox.

He only hit .213 in 2012, but he did hit seven home runs in just 74 at-bats. If you stretch that out to a full season, it is logical to think Flowers could hit 20 or more long balls in 2013.

With the pickings so slim at catcher, a player with 20-HR potential is like gold.

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The Josh Hamilton’s and Zack Greinke’s of the world are off the free-agent market, but there are still some quality guys available.

Why are quality guys still available?

It’s a mixture of things that serve to complicate the situation. One major hurdle is the draft-pick compensation baggage. Some players that have turned down qualifying offers from their 2012 club, require the surrender of a draft pick for other teams to sign them.

Age is another concern for teams. Each of the players listed has already turned 30.

Perhaps the biggest issue is agents placing high price tags on their client’s services.

Many players are getting rude awakenings when they compare their initial asking price to the current interest level from teams.

All of them will eventually find a home.

Though these players may be late signings, they could still be valuable assets in a pennant race in 2013. Here is the latest on the top four free agents available, and the best spots for them to sign.

Michael Bourn – OF

Obviously, Bourn‘s best quality is his speed.

His stolen base total dipped a bit in 2012 to 42, but he is still one of the three best thieves in the game. I wouldn’t call him a conventional leadoff hitter because his OBP is just .339 for his career and he struck out 155 times in 2012.

However, he’s as good as most teams will get at the top of the order. Ideally, he could be a No. 2 hitter in front of boppers in a balanced lineup.

Possible Suitors: Texas Rangers (ESPN), New York Yankees (Hardball Talk), Chicago Cubs (ESPN)

Best Fit: Rangers

Texas will be looking to replace Josh Hamilton in center field, and though Bourn will never be the run producer Hamilton was, he has value as a table-setter.

He could bat leadoff and deally get on base for Ian Kinsler, Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz. 

This would still be a very solid lineup in Arlington.

Kyle Lohse – SP

Lohse was 16-3 in 2012 and with starting pitching always at a premium, that type of recent production from a starter will always draw interest.

He’s 30-11 in the last two seasons; that consistency will also tell teams that 2012 wasn’t a flash in the pan. Lohse is 34 years old, so teams may not be interested in inking him to a long-term deal.

He is a proven innings eater, though. He has given the St. Louis Cardinals just under 200 IP per year over the last two seasons. The downside is that he isn’t a dominant pitcher.

He only strikes out 5.6 batters per nine innings, but he may ultimately command a salary above what his talent can produce because of the pitching shortage. Being attached to draft pick compensation further muddies the free-agent outlook on Lohse.

Possible Suitors: St. Louis Cardinals (Sporting News), Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers (CBS Sports)

Best Fit: Cardinals

Lohse has had a great run with the Cardinals. Though he had two good seasons with the Minnesota Twins, the last two years in St. Louis have been the best of his career.

The Cardinals have a solid defense behind him, and Lohse‘s contact-based pitching style doesn’t get exposed too often at Busch Stadium. His 0.8 HR allowed per nine innings could jump in a more hitter-friendly ballpark.

Lohse would be better off staying in familiar surroundings.

Adam LaRoche – First Base

LaRoche rebounded from another injury-plagued season in 2011 to hit 33 HR and tally 100 RBI for the Washington Nationals in 2012. Despite being a power hitter, LaRoche struck out 17 fewer times than Bourn.

The fact that he offers this type of production from the left side of the plate is just an added boost to his free-agent appeal.

The two biggest concerns about LaRoche should be his durability, and the draft-pick consideration attached to him for teams aside from the Nationals.

Possible Suitors: Nationals and Boston Red Sox (Fox Sports)

Best Fit: Nationals

LaRoche reportedly still wants to return to the nation’s capital (Washington Post), and the Red Sox are reportedly looking at LaRoche as a secondary option. Mike Napoli appears to be tops on their list of available first basemen.

LaRoche would be best suited returning to the Nationals. That organization is building something special, and LaRoche‘s left-handed bat can be a major part of the next step in 2013.

Rafael Soriano – Closer/Reliever

Soriano has been consistent as a closer, saving 45 and 42 games in his last two seasons. He is still looking for a job because of the trend against paying top dollar for premier closers.

Gone are the days where the top closers command huge contracts. Soriano tuned down a qualifying offer of $14 million dollars from the Yankees (ESPN insider account), obviously thinking he’d get more on the open market.

Good luck with that.

He and Jose Valverde are finding themselves victims of the closer squeeze this offseason. Soriano also carries draft-pick compensation parameters for every team except the Yankees.

At 33, he still has something left in the tank. Someone will give him a shot, and likely reap the benefits.

Possible Suitors: New York Yankees (CBS Sports), Los Angeles Angels, Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays (ESPN, referenced link)

Best Fit: Yankees

The Yankees are the only team that won’t have to give up a piece of their future to sign Soriano. Though he’s been productive, he isn’t exactly a missing piece to a championship puzzle.

It will be hard to substantiate giving up a high draft pick for him. The Yankees will likely bring him back, but it’ll be for much less than what was originally thought to be his asking price.

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Raul Ibanez is 40 years old, but apparently the Seattle Mariners still believe that the left-handed power-hitter can contribute.

Ibanez appeared in 130 games for the New York Yankees in 2012. He faced right-hand pitching almost exclusively in that time.

According to The Associated Press (via ESPN), “A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that Raul Ibanez and the Seattle Mariners have agreed to a $2.75 million, one-year contract.”

Per Baseball-Reference.com, 85 percent of Ibanez’s at-bats came with a platoon advantage.

He posted a batting average of .240 with 19 home runs and 62 RBI for the Bombers. The last two seasons have seen Ibanez’s batting average dip dramatically. He’s a lifetime .271 hitter, but at this stage of his career, that is a long shot.

He hit .275 in 2010 and .245 in 2011.

He still has some pop from the left side, as he hit 19 home runs in the 2012 season. That is likely the quality that endeared him to Seattle. Power from the left side of the plate is still a rare commodity.

When there is an experienced player with a proven track record availale, he’ll always have suitors.

Ibanez’s power came exclusively against right-handers. He hit all 19 of his home runs against right-handed pitching. Though he played the field the majority of the time for the Yankees, he is not one of the most fleet outfielders.

He could hold his greatest value as a designated hitter, especially in a platoon situation with right-handed slugger Jesus Montero.

Ibanez brings a wealth of playoff experience to the table as well. Over his time with the Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, Ibanez has appeared in 44 postseason games.

Overall, this is a good veteran bat to add to the fold.

As long as a team can hit Ibanez seventh or even sixth against right-handed starters, he can certainly help.

Because Ibanez has had two previous stints with the Mariners organization, he fits the team perfectly. He can split time with Montero as a designated hitter, or he can provide depth in the outfield. 

Above all else though, he will provide proven leadership on an unproven team.

That’s exactly what the Mariners are hoping for, and what they need. He’s not a superstar, but Ibanez still gives his new team solid value at this point in his career.

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I would personally love to see a Pittsburgh Pirates player on the cover of MLB 13 the Show. With the announcement that Andrew McCutchen is one of the candidates for the game’s cover vote, that thought may actually come to fruition.

The Player’s Choice for NL Outstanding Player @thecutch22 is now also a choice for the MLB 13 cover. mlb.com/covervote #MLB13Cutch

— MLBTheShow (@MLBTheShow) December 18, 2012

McCutchen is the third star to learn his name is in the running for the honor. Needless to say, he’d be the first Pittsburgh Pirates player ever on the cover of the MLB the Show series—or any other series for that matter.

Despite the team’s history of futility, McCutchen deserves consideration. If the Pirates had made the playoffs, he would have had a great shot at winning MVP.

He hit .327 with 31 home runs, 96 RBI and 20 stolen bases. Those numbers landed him third in the NL MVP voting, but local radio stations and news media are hoping to see their star finish first in this voting process.

Joe Kapp, the producer of Pittsburgh’s 93.7 The Fan took to Twitter to start McCutchen‘s campaign:

Andrew McCutchen Needs Your VOTE For Video Game Cover #fanmorningshow @937thefan « CBS Pittsburgh cbsloc.al/RCtH9u

— Joe Kapp (@937Catfish) December 18, 2012

McCutchen joins the New York Yankees‘ C.C. Sabathia and the Washington Nationals‘ Bryce Harper as players that are in the running for the honor. Sabathia would be the first pitcher ever to appear on the cover and Harper would be the youngest player to ever appear.

If any of the three known candidates are chosen, there is some history to be made. Per MLB.com, there is at least one more candidate to be named later. Miguel Cabrera and/or Mike Trout would make sense, but that’s just me talking.

The voting begins on January 7, and the game releases on March 5, 2013. Stay tuned for more information on the next candidate for the MLB 13 the Show cover, and more information about the game.

With a cancellation of the MLB 2K series looming per Kotaku.com, this may very well be the only virtual ball game available. 

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In baseball, holding the top pick in the draft has proven to be more of a curse than a blessing.

Matt Bush‘s path from high school baseball star to MLB No. 1 overall pick by the San Diego Padres in 2004 to his current legal predicament is hurtful. Per ESPN, Bush is slated to serve a three-year sentence—in addition to time already served—for a DUI hit-and-run in March.

The incident likely cost Bush his baseball career, nearly cost the victim his life and will undoubtedly change Bush’s life forever. We can only hope the change is for the better.

This case is not the only sad story about a former No. 1 overall pick. We’ve seen teams hit home runs with the selections of Alex Rodriguez, Ken Griffey Jr. and Joe Mauer. However, we’ve seen far more failures than successes from the top picks.

Bush’s story bears some resemblance to that of Brien Taylor or even Josh Hamilton. Taylor’s career fizzled out after he suffered a catastrophic arm injury while in the minors, per the Fay Observer. He was the top pick in the 1991 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees.

His career and life spiraled out of control after the injury. Today he is also serving a prison sentence, per ESPN.

Hamilton has recovered from his early personal issues that also included alcohol abuse, per the New York Times. He recently signed a huge free agent deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and he is one of the game’s best players. However the Tampa Bay Rays—the team that drafted him in 1999—never got an opportunity to see him shine in a Rays uniform.

Hamilton was losing the wrestling match with his demons at that point. Even as recent as this year, he admitted to having a relapse, per ABC News.

This is not a knock on Hamilton as no one is perfect. Godspeed to him and every other recovering alcoholic and addict struggling to overcome addiction.

It’s not just personal problems that have impeded many of baseball’s top picks, though.

Since the MLB Draft began in 1965 (not counting the top selections in 2011 and 2012, who haven’t had ample time to reach the majors), only two players taken No. 1 have won the Rookie of the Year award.

Only 22 of the 45 applicable players have made an All-Star team. Only 14 of them were named All-Stars while with the team that drafted them. Counting Bush, three of the players taken with the first pick never played in a regular season major league game.

According to those numbers, teams that hold the top pick in the draft have just over a 31 percent chance to see their selection represent their club as an All-Star. Darryl Strawberry and Chipper Jones are the only former No. 1 picks to be a part of a World Series champion with their original clubs.

As of now—though Griffey Jr. and Jones are likely to change this—no former No. 1 pick has reached the Hall of Fame. These are staggering facts when you consider we’re talking about 47 years of history.

At least 13 of the players taken with the top pick could be considered complete busts (Bush, Steve Chilcott, Taylor, Danny Goodwin and more). And while the NFL and NBA have also had their share of top draft choice busts, both leagues have seen more successful top picks than MLB.

Though the NBA has had a longer draft history, 14 former No. 1 picks have already been elected to the Hall of Fame, and there are more on the way with Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, LeBron James and Dwight Howard either not yet eligible or still active.

The NFL is the closest in bust-potential, but even they have sent 12 former No. 1 picks to the Hall of Fame. It’s a low number considering the draft began in 1936, but the NFL’s top yearly pick has still, on average, been able to accomplish more than MLB’s top pick.

Obviously, the differences in the sports play a role. NBA and NFL rookies aren’t sent directly to the minors, so they are almost assured of some action with the professional team, but it doesn’t account for every aspect.

Success in baseball is about physical talent, yes. But maybe more than any other sport, a player’s development and success in baseball is based on his mental state. Many of the young men I’ve discussed haven’t had that aspect of their being intact.

Beyond the sad stories of legal problems and substance abuse, the returns of on-field success for MLB’s former No. 1 draft picks have been the lowest in the history of team sports.

(stat references from Baseball-Reference, Pro-Football-Reference and Basketball-Reference)

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The Boston Red Sox succeeded in dumping the salaries of Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez, Nick Punto and Josh Beckett on the LA Dodgers. But Red Sox fans will still have to wait a few years to find out if they got a good deal.

The established players in the deal will get most of the press, but often times the prospects involved will dictate who got the better of a trade in the long run.

The Red Sox picked up James Loney, Ivan De Jesus and Jerry Sands in the deal. But there is another prospect that holds the key to the potential success of this swap for the Red Sox.

Rubby De La Rosa is in position to make the salary dumping move look even better down the line.

Here is a breakdown of De La Rosa for fans unfamiliar with what he could potentially bring to Red Sox nation.

(Profile info from ESPN.com)

Profile

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 185 pounds

Age: 23

Position: Starting Pitcher

Pitches

Fastball – (average velocity of 95.2 mph, per David Golebiewski of Baseball Analytics)

             – On pure velocity this is higher than Justin Verlander’s average.

Curveball

Slider

Changeup

Tendencies

According to the ESPN Insiders Edge chart, De La Rosa works both right-handed hitters (10 percent of his total pitches to the outer portion of the strike zone) and left-handed hitters (13 percent) away more than any other zone.

Before De La Rosa added some much-needed weight, he was physically similar to Pedro Martinez. But he hasn’t begun to take charge of the inside portion of the plate the way Martinez used to.

That is especially the case against left-handed hitters, where he only works on the inside of the plate four percent of the time.

With his velocity, it would seem he has the stuff to go right at hitters a bit more.

The fastball is clearly his bread and butter.

He throws it 72 percent of the time, and 80 percent of the time on the first pitch. A little more variance of his pitches could make the big fastball even more formidable.

Major League Experience

In 13 appearances during the 2011 season, De La Rosa was solid. He started 10 games and he maintained an ERA of 3.71 while going 4-5.

He’s only pitched in one game this season, and he was roughed up, yielding two earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning.

Injury History

De La Rosa did undergo Tommy John surgery last August, but he was recently activated by the Dodgers, per Hardball Talk.

This was likely done to show that the fire-baller was indeed healthy enough to deal.

Tommy John surgery is not the cause for panic like it used to be.

As Alex Remington of Yahoo reported, pitchers like Tommy John, David Wells, John Smoltz, Ryan Dempster and Stephen Strasburg (the subject of Remington’s piece) have returned as good as they were before.

While it is a notable issue, it certainly shouldn’t dull De La Rosa’s shine.

What Experts Say About De La Rosa

Golebiewski of Baseball Analytics said this of De La Rosa:

De La Rosa’s fastball is lighting up the radar guns in the majors.

The 22-year-old has thrown his heater at an average of 95.2 MPH, besting Justin Verlander by the slightest of margins for the highest velocity among starting pitchers. And that extra gear? De La Rosa has topped out at 99.8 MPH.

That high-octane fastball has produced plenty of swings and misses.

Chad Moriyama echoed Golebiewski’s sentiments:

Rubby De La Rosa is truly one of the few young Dodgers who projects as a potential impact player, so his ability to bounce back from this injury and get back to his old self will be well worth following for the duration of 2012.

The Red Sox have pushed reset, but we’ll see if they have better luck once they start the game over. De La Rosa will have a lot to say about the outcome.

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