Here's some random thoughts from my last few weeks of combing through the available player pool, furtively looking for hints of gold amongst the bales and bales of chaff.

-- Jordan Zimmerman looks amazing in spring training. His K/BB ratio is off the charts. I suspect he is being picked up in every league. You may even be tempted to start him. I predict he will have a dominant first three to six starts particularly at home. Before teams get a second crack at him, trade high, if he's done well.

-- How could I forget that Mark Teahen is likely to be second base eligible this year! He already has 1B/3B/LF/RF in most leagues. Egads! He's what -- 27? 28? Decent lifetime batting average, hit 18 homers or so a year or two ago. Holy crap, deep leaguers, be aware. We may have a new Ty Wigginton-esque super-sub!

-- Pedro Martinez, Leo Nunez, and Jason Motte are being snapped up in most leagues. I think the last two should be 100 percent owned, and the first 0 percent except in NL-only leagues.

-- Oliver Perez is a whip killer. Whip. Killer.

-- You could probably assemble a decent staff of five guys available on a shallow league's waiver wire. Paul Maholm and Hiroki Kuroda would be good places to start.

-- Brandon Inge ... 3B/C/CF eligibility? I'm starting to drool. Oh shit, look at that batting average. Lifetime OPS below 700, for a corner infielder . . . MY EYES, THE GOGGLES DO NOTHING!

-- I am despairing of Kelly Shoppach getting more than 300-350 at-bats this year. Then again, I look at his lifetime BABIP, notice he should have a BA of around .245-.250, and maybe that's a good thing.

-- I can't believe I'm picking up Pudge Rodriguez in the hopes he bats .290 and steals 5-10 bases. Then again, for a catcher, that's basically a two-tool player with no damage in the other categories (if he gets 450+ at-bats). Good luck finding that on the waiver wire in a month. He did absolutely light it up in the WBC. Back on the juice? A guy can dream.

-- Dave Bush's WHIP always looks so good. You can't help but think: "With a WHIP of 1.14-ish in two of the last three years, the other numbers have to come into line, right?" Well, I'm starting to think he's just hittable.

-- Cole Hamels: Crisis averted?

-- If you are actually relying upon someone to come out of the Seattle bullpen and save your team's relieving corps, you may want to consider punting the category for a month or so and focus on middle relieving studs.

-- I hear Tampa Bay is considering Isringhausen if Percival gets hurt. Isringhausen? Is he even on the team? Was someone misquoted? I don't even see him in the player pool. Oh crap, looks he joined the Rays with the promise they'd get him the seven saves he needs to reach 300, and be the 22nd player to do so. You've got to be kidding me. 

-- Manny Corpas looks great. Huston Street-owners, perhaps you should have handcuffed?

-- I only care about spring training stats in one of four circumstances:

1. Relievers who are battling for a closing job;

2. Players eligible at scarce positions (CF, 2B, SS, C ... maybe 3B this year) who are battling for a starting job;

3. Players coming back from a serious injury;

4. Player who are on my team ... and are doing very well during spring training.

Otherwise, I don't pay much attention.

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