Chicago Fantasy Baseball Week In Review - 8/28

With the White Sox hitting a low point, and that’s saying something, a bright part about the season may turn out to be the signing of Jermaine Dye. Although Dye got off to a horrific start, he may have a couple of good years left in him. Whether it’s continuing to play right field or transitioning into the White Sox DH, he has a solid reputation for hitting as well as being a quiet leader. Injuries killed some of his prime, but in 2005 and 2006, he returned to form by playing in at least 140 games.

A couple of weeks ago, we discussed injuries derailing the early portion of Dye’s season. Perhaps a trip to the disabled list would have alleviated some of the problem, but he showed himself to once again be a team player by continuing to play with his injuries most of the season. And even through a rough season, Dye will end up with some decent numbers. He’s hitting .249 with 25 home runs and 65 RBIs. July and August have been the months where Dye has seen his best production. And with the White playing the role of spoiler, Dye could be finding himself in some important games down the stretch. But what about in future years?

The reality is Dye will never carry your fantasy team again like he may have last year. But barring injury problems, he’s almost guaranteed some very good numbers. Of course, injures might be what turn you off. He will be 34 next year and 35 in the second year of his contract. Age could become a factor, but the success of some other older players should encourage to look seriously at Dye as a back-up outfielder the next two seasons.

In Carlos Zambrano’s head, who knows what was going on? If Barry Zito could get $120 million, then what could a pitcher who’s actually good get? Now $91 million is still a lot of money, but he could have easily commanded a higher salary and possibly two or three more seasons. Zambrano is an innings eater when he pitches well, doesn’t get injured, and can even swing the bat when asked It’s amazing and almost a little scary to think of Zambrano in the same rotation with a healthy Kerry Wood and Mark Prior.

2003 was Big Z’s break-out season as despite being in the number four spot in the rotation, he won 13 games and took a no-hitter into the 8th inning of a game against Curt Schilling’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Although he struggled in a couple of postseason starts, Zambrano still was regarded as a highly talented individual to be watched. In 2004 he won 16 games. In 2005 he won 14 games. In 2006, he again won 16 games. Now he’s 14-7 with a 3.47 ERA. While he has never won 20 games, at the age of 26, Zembrano could have some Cy Young winning seasons ahead.

The next five years will see Zambrano as the ace of the staff and he will almost be a shoo-in for 15 victories. Occasionally, he will be prone to bad starts as he showed in the early part of this season and a couple of starts in the month of August. But with such a low quality of starting pitching, Zembrano is still very valuable to have. He will always be among the league leaders in strikeouts, and a stabilizing force in anyone’s rotation. Look for Zambrano as a first round pick, even as a pitcher.

Next week, we take a look at the guys who’ve been brought up because of the expanding rosters and the impact they could have this season and for next season. In two weeks, we add the Bears and make turn this into a weekly look at Chicago fantasy sports baseball and football.