Price is right; Phillips screwed; Ike dicey

Just a few random fantasy notes as you spend your Saturday watching the devestation of Ike on Texas:

David Price: The Rays finally, and yes, I mean finally, called up Price, the last of the high-praised pitching phenoms this year. We've been tracking Price since, oh, seemingly the Reagan Administration, and now he's finally here. Price went 12-1 in three levels of minor league ball, posting 1.82, 1.89 and 4.50 ERAs in A, AA and AAA ball. For good measure, he went 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA in 2 playoff appearances.

Here's Price throwing in spring training. A little rigid with his motion, but you can tell he throws gas.



Now what? Price will undoubtedly be stuck in the Rays bullpen for the stretch run and he probably won't be used in a closer role, although you never know, as Troy Percival is bothered by a bad back. Still, his main value lies in keeper leagues, as he projects to be a front-of-the-rotation starter for years to come, probably as soon as 2010.

Brandon Phillips: Trying to put down a bunt this week, Phillips was hit in the finger, breaking it to the point it required two screws. And yes, if you're in the playoffs with Phillips at 2B, you're also screwed. Phillips has been decent (.261, 21 HR, 23 SB, 78 RBI), but even at a full season, he would've fell short of most owners expectations. Could be a nice 7th round sleeper next year, so keep him in mind.

Hurricane Ike: The Cubs wisely stayed in Chicago, letting Ike make his way through Texas and boy is it a big one. Friday and Saturday games between the Cubs and Astros have been postponed, not to mention the Rays-Yankees and Brewers-Phillies games (also weather-related, but not Ike). If you're like me, you had about a third of your team ppd'd tonight, leaving you with a line like 1 run, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, .174. OK, maybe that's about right every night. Anyway, look for the Rays-Yanks to play two today and the Brewers-Phillies and Cubs-Astros to play a doubleheader on Sunday, weather-permitting. This is of particular interest to all you streamers out there.