The Athletics plan to have Sean Doolittle work the 9th inning with Ryan Madson working the 8th (they also added John Axford who could see some 9th inning work depending on how everything shakes out). “I promised I wouldn’t tell anybody I’m in the best shape of my life because I’ll never be 21 again,” Doolittle said Sunday. “But I think this is the most important offseason of my career, and I’ve been going about it with that mentality.” Doolittle was limited to just 13.2 big league innings last season after reaching 60-innings in back-to-back seasons. The lefty has a dominating arm when healthy, but shoulder woes cost him two mph on his fastball last season and it’s unclear where he is at physically as of this writing. If you roster Doolittle, and I rarely suggest handcuffing in baseball, it would be wise to add Ryan Madson to your roster as well.

Dylan Bundy is back to throwing after being shut down when his forearm tightened up at the Arizona Fall League. He threw 20 heaters last week at about 70 percent and reportedly felt pretty good. "I just got on a mound this week for the first time. Arm's healthy and I'm feeling good… "I knew it was just a little inflammation, nothing to be worried about.” Bundy will be a starter long-term, but after all his arm woes the past few years he’s likely to be a reliever this season after throwing a total of 65.1 innings the past three seasons. Why not allow him to start in the minors and build up innings there? Because his minor league options are out meaning he has to remain with the big league club or be lost to another club.

Doug Fister and Alfredo Simon are two of the top free agent starting pitchers still on the market. If you’re thinking about roster both pitchers, don’t. Fister is the only one you should have an interest in. Fister will be 32 in February and is coming off his worst season in five years as he threw a mere 103 innings and lost velocity (in fact, his velocity has gone down 4-straight seasons). Fister still didn’t walk anyone last season, 2.10 batters per nine, but he posted a second straight season with a K/9 rate under 5.55 and his 1.31 GB/FB ratio was a six-year low. So why him over Simon? Because Simon stinks. Simon will be 35 in May and is coming off a 31 start season of junktastic work: 13-12, 5.05 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 5.63 K/9 and a 1.72 K/BB. He hurts more than he helps. Don’t expect a return to 2014 levels.  

Monday the 25th just happens to be National Irish Coffee Day.

Shane Greene bombed last year. I had egg on my face after saying he would break out. He was hurt so it’s not completely fair to bash him. OK, he still stunk. The good news is that he’s recovered from the surgery he had last August for ulnar neuritis and pseudoaneurysm. “Once I got my range of motion back, after that, it was just strengthening,” he said. “The hardest part was the range of motion, but I’m 100% for my range of motion now. I’m glad I feel really good.” He should be able to throw all of his pitches with no after effects and he continues to work on refining his curveball. Whether he starts or relieves is still to be determined though it certainly seems more likely than not that a bullpen job will be waiting for him on draft day.

Tim Lincecum is working his way back from hip surgery. He still wants to start but whether or not his new team will allow him to fill that role or not is an open debate. What we do know is that the former Cy Young winner is a free agent who will throw for clubs next month in Arizona (the Giants reportedly remain interested). Lincecum had his best ERA in four years last season at 4.13 as his WHIP climbed to a career worst (1.48). His career is certainly at a crossroads.

The 2016 MLB Draft Guide from Fantasy Alarm is available. Check it out. You’ll be happy you did.

A final note on a hitter for those of you looking for some offensive news…

Howie Kendrick is tied to draft pick compensation and that likely is one of the major reasons he still doesn’t have a club. A perennial threat to hit .300 with 10 homers and 10 steals, he can still get er’ done at the dish. A club that is known to have an interest is the Diamondbacks, though they have balked at the draft pick they would have to send out of town to add Howie. Another hold up is that Aaron Hill is on the books for $12 million this season so unless the D’backs can find someone to take on the 34 year old, and at least part of his salary, it’s tough to envision a scenario where Kendrick is brought to town. Deal Hill D’backs, and do it now. 

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday through Friday, 7 PM EDT and Friday on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 6 PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).