Kuzul

It was announced on Saturday that the MLB suspended Miguel Tejada for multiple positive tests for amphetamines, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

While the ramifications across baseball, which is continually dealing with PED and other drug violations, remain to be seen, the effect that Tejada’s suspension will have on the Royals is also an issue that needs attention. 

The Royals are one of the hottest teams in baseball as of late. They’ve put themselves in the playoff hunt, and after Friday’s sweep of a double-header against the Detroit Tigers, they’re just five games out of the Wild Card. 

Tejada had already been placed on the 60-day disabled list for a strained calf prior to the announcement of his suspension, per Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. So the Royals aren’t necessarily losing a player that they have been relying on. 

However, prior to being placed on the DL, Tejada had been hitting .288 this season with 20 RBI in just 156 at-bats. The 39-year old had also been a tremendous leader in the clubhouse for the Royals. 

And perhaps that is what will be missed the most in Kansas City. Tejada’s leadership. 

The former AL MVP has dipped off over the past few years in talent, ut having a guy who’s had a great deal of success was a welcome presence for Kansas City, a team that’s been a doormat in the AL since most people can remember. 

Another effect that Tejada’s suspension could have on the team is that of distraction. All the attention surround Kansas City in the previous weeks has been positive considering the team’s midseason turnaround. 

But now, at least for the next few days, the focus will be shifted from how the team is playing on the field to how one of its players has been acting off it. The Royals are in the middle of a push to grab that second wild card spot. They’re also in the middle of a five-game series against Detroit, a series they almost have to leave as winners of. 

If the team lets this issue distract them from playing well on the field, then the Royals’ recent success could all be for naught. 

To replace Tejada on the roster following his placement on the DL, the Royals went out and acquired Jamey Carroll from the Twins and Emilio Bonifacio from the Blue Jays. Both those veterans will have to step up in leadership roles if this team wants to stay focused and energized for the rest of the season. 

Guys like Billy Butler and James Shields will also have to step up in the clubhouse and make sure this team stays zoned in on the now realistic goal of making the playoffs. 

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After just nine days in the show, Nolan Arenado is already becoming a household name in the world of fantasy baseball. 

In fact, if Arenado is still on the waiver wire in your league, stop reading this and go pick him up this instant. 

While Arenado is probably the hottest player flying off waivers, there are plenty of others that are worthy of looks right now as well. 

3B Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies 

In just 31 at-bats in the majors, Arenado has 10 hits with three homers and eight RBI. On May 4, he belted a grand slam off of a slider from Tampa Bay Rays ace David Price. 

Arenado is certainly proving himself as one of the best blue-chippers to come out of the minors early in the season. If he’s available in your league, picking him up is a must. 

SP Jeremy Guthrie, Kansas City Royals

With the Rockies last year, Guthrie had a 6.35 ERA before being traded to the Royals. 

However, this year Guthrie has been a primary reason the Royals are just one game out of first place in the AL Central.

Last week, Guthrie pitched his first complete-game shutout of his career to put his record at 4-0 and ERA at 2.40. If Guthrie is still up for grabs in your league, he’s a terrific starter to plug into your rotation for someone who might be struggling out of the gates. 

RHP Justin Grimm, Texas Rangers

The AL’s Rookie of the Month for April is certainly worth taking a look at in your league. 

As a reliever, Grimm has been outstanding through the first 30 games of the season. His ERA is 2.28, he has 24 strikeouts and a 2-1 record through just 23.2 innings pitched. 

Like Arenado, Grimm is a rookie playing like a hardened veteran in the early going. If he’s available, he’s worth the waiver pickup. 

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On Tuesday evening, baseball’s best team in the early going hosts a two-game stint against one of baseball’s biggest surprises.

The Braves currently hold the best record in the majors at 11-1. Meanwhile, the Royals are sitting atop the American League Central standings at 7-5 following a 4-2 homestand. 

For Atlanta, this two-game tilt will be their second tough test in a row. They’re coming off a road sweep of the Washington Nationals, who were 8-2 on the season before taking on the Braves. 

Both teams will be putting their No. 3 and No. 4 starting pitchers on the mound, so it will be important for each lineup to take advantage at the plate. 

It is crucial for the Braves to remain consistent in the series. The Royals are a pesky team, but certainly beatable.

However, they are coming in with their emotions running high after avoiding a sweep against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. In that contest, Royals left fielder Alex Gordon hit a walk-off single to win the game 3-2. 

If the Braves allow the Royals to come into town and beat up on them, it could easily take away all of the momentum that they have built up in the season’s first 12 games. 

But sweeping two teams in a row that have winning records is a tough thing to do in baseball, at any point in the season. So if the Braves split the series with the Royals or even lose both games, they shouldn’t let that take away from the success they have had so far. 

As for the Royals, they are looking to prove themselves early on an eight-game road trip that includes stops in Atlanta, Boston and Detroit. 

If the Royals can grab a win or even two against baseball’s best team, they can gain some major headway going into the rest of the road trip. 

However, if they allow the red-hot Braves to take both games, then it will be an uphill battle for the remaining six contests. The Royals have two tough series at Boston and Detroit after leaving Atlanta. Their three-game series against the Tigers will be extremely important, as the Tigers are tied with the Royals for first place in the AL Central. 

The most crucial aspect for both teams will be their hitting. 

At the plate, the Braves have been terrific to start 2013. They have scored four or more runs in eight of their 12 games, and have won three of the four games in which they didn’t. Atlanta’s top performer has been Justin Upton, who is hitting .348 and leads his team with seven home runs. 

For the Royals, Billy Butler has been their top batter. He leads the team with 11 RBI and a .435 on-base percentage. 

Kansas City’s biggest problem is runners left on base. Despite being seventh in team batting average (.269), the Royals are in the bottom half of the MLB in runs scored. 

Bottom line, the Braves will want to keep up the momentum they’ve built up early in the year, while the Royals will be looking to turn the positive energy from a 4-2 homestand into a strong road trip. 

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With Opening Day just five days away, fantasy baseball players are busy studying mock drafts and figuring out who they should select with their picks. However, there are certain players that look good to the eye, but who simply cannot be trusted to perform well on your fantasy team. 

SP James Shields

The new ace in Kansas City may have fans excited for an upgraded rotation, but his numbers may significantly drop as he transitions to the AL Central. In spring training this year, Shields was rocked by the Angels, giving up eight earned runs on 11 hits in just five innings. His ERA this spring is currently at 7.90, certainly not a good mark for a pitcher who is looking to establish himself as the staple of a franchise. 

Last year, Shields was an inconsistent fantasy option. According to CBS Sports, he exceeded AccuScore projections for 15 weeks, but also failed to meet them 11 times. In 10 weeks alone, he scored five or less points, including two weeks of negative production. 

OF Mike Trout

He may have been baseball’s consensus Rookie of the Year last year, but Trout may be due for a sophomore slump this season. It was already reported that he showed up to spring training upwards of 15 pounds heavier than when he showed up last year. Trout’s agent also voiced his displeasure with the Angels’ decision to pay him just $20,000 above the major league minimum. 

Teams also began to figure out Trout to a certain degree as the season ended. He hit fewer home runs in August and September then he did in July, and he only batted .257 and was limited to six RBI in the final month of the season. As more teams begin to adjust to Trout, expect the rookie sensation to experience more struggles in his second year. 

2B/SS Danny Espinosa 

The Nationals are the talk of the town in Washington, D.C., as they are coming off a year where they had the best record in the MLB and pitcher Stephen Strasburg will pitch a full season. 

However, their middle infielder, Danny Espinosa, is certainly a risk for fantasy baseball owners. According to ESPN.com, he posted terrible numbers in his walk-to-strikeout ratio (0.24) and his miss rate on swings (32 percent). 

He is also a huge risk when it comes to batting average. Last year, he only hit .300 or above during the month of July.  He also started the season off poorly, hitting .226 in the first three months. Power numbers aren’t his specialty either, as he accounted for only 17 home runs and 37 doubles.  

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