7/11 RoY question - Marcum

[Tampa Bob]

We've just completed our midseason draft where our league can have free drops. Normally a player must be on the DL or sent down to drop him.

I am sitting on a recently acquired Matsuzaka and now see that Marcum is also rehabbing in Double A. You hadn't listed Marcum on your 7/11 RoY projections and wonder if you have any thoughts about him?

Thanks ~ TB

[Todd Zola]

He's on my list to add to the next set, probably for 40 or so innings. There is no telling how one performs post TJS as there are both mental and physical hurdles to overcome. Control is usually the primary issue off the bat. The smart play (some may call it conservative, but history suggests it is smart) is to assume lots of walks early on. the Jays will likely use the 6-8 starts to knock the rust off Marcum and build up his confidence, then hope for a return to form in 2010. As a keeper? Sure. As a second half 'sleeper' to bolster a staff, even Al only? Not a good bet, but anything can happen and sometimes all you can do is throw darts and hope.

[Tampa Bob]

Thanks, Todd. That's pretty much the way I was looking at it too. Guys rehabbing always say they feel strong or pain free but they don't have Teixeira at the plate waiting to crush their stuff.