Nick Swisher scheduled to return Friday night - Nick Swisher | CLE

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Nick Swisher is scheduled to return on Friday.

Indians place Swisher on paternity leave list - Nick Swisher | CLE

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Indians placed 1B Nick Swisher on the paternity leave list.

Shuffle Up: Manny Machado, ahead of schedule

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Here are your Shuffle Up corners for the month of May. Dig into them, think about them, disagree with them. I'll be back with commentary later tonight.

Normal rules apply, of course. We're trying to project 5x5 value to come; what's happened to this point is an audition, not a mandate. Players at the same price are considered even. Don't worry about the prices in a vacuum - what matters is how the players relate to one another. Your intelligent and respectful disagreement is always welcome.

Please remember the golden rule of shuffling: a player doesn't gain (or lose) 15-20 percent of value simply because he's on your roster.

Courtesy injury ranks are at the bottom. I won't debate those (I'm generally not as

Mostly MLB Notes: Albert Pujols’ decline, Carlos Santana’s emergence and examining David Price

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

We held a mid-season draft Monday, and I ended up taking Albert Pujols with the 19th pick. Judging by Yahoo’s updated rest of season rankings, I guess this could be considered something of a reach. I’m not necessarily going to argue against that, but it’s remarkable someone who was a unanimous top-three pick last year and was generally considered a top-10 pick this year is now a

Shuffle Up: Carlos Gomez, the real deal

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

When it comes to fake baseball, the outfield is where the fun is. The first couple of rounds will always include some of these stat-grabbing giants, and yet the waiver wire in an average mixer consistently offers something for the discerning shopper. Add it all up and there's a lot to digest.

The prices you see in this piece are roughly how I rank the roto-eligible outfielders going forward. What we've seen to this point is merely an audition; if you want a list of the top players to this point, there are plenty of places you can access that.

Don't obsess over the prices in a vacuum: what really matters is how the players relate to one another. Assume a 5x5 scoring format, as always, and players at the same price

Shuffle Up: Carlos Gomez, the read deal

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

When it comes to fake baseball, the outfield is where the fun is. The first couple of rounds will always include some of these stat-grabbing giants, and yet the waiver wire in an average mixer consistently offers something for the discerning shopper. Add it all up and there's a lot to digest.

The prices you see in this piece are roughly how I rank the roto-eligible outfielders going forward. What we've seen to this point is merely an audition; if you want a list of the top players to this point, there are plenty of places you can access that.

Don't obsess over the prices in a vacuum: what really matters is how the players relate to one another. Assume a 5x5 scoring format, as always, and players at the same price

Swisher homers in return to Indians lineup - Nick Swisher | CLE

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Nick Swisher returned to the Indians' lineup with a bang on Saturday, blasting a first inning solo home run in the Tribe's 7-3 victory over the Twins.

Swisher (shoulder) returns to Indians' lineup - Nick Swisher | CLE

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Nick Swisher (shoulder) returned to the Indians' lineup Saturday.

Swisher (shoulder) sitting again Wednesday - Nick Swisher | CLE

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Nick Swisher (shoulder) is out of the Indians' lineup Wednesday for a second straight game.

Mostly MLB Notes: Buying Matt Cain and examining what’s wrong with Eric Hosmer

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

Matt Cain entered this season having allowed 129 homers over 1,536.2 innings (0.76 HR/9). This year, he’s already served up nine home runs over 34.2 innings. Put differently, he’s allowed the same amount of long balls this month as he did all of the 2011 season, which spanned 221.2 innings. Cain has never had a season in which his HR/FB% was higher than 8.4. That number currently sits at 19.1% in 2013. While some could view this as regression hitting hard, Cain’s previous sample was too big to be written off as a fluke, and it’s worth pointing out just two of his six starts this year have come at home. Cain’s fastball velocity is down slightly in the early going (about 0.5 mph less compared to last

Swisher out Tuesday with shoulder soreness - Nick Swisher | CLE

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Nick Swisher is not in the Indians' starting lineup on Tuesday because of left shoulder soreness.

Draft Day Challenge, April 18

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

Nick Swisher' or find free 'nick swisher' pictures via Wylio" href="http://www.wylio.com/credits/flickr/6091714918">

Daily baseball is all the rage in the fantasy sports world, so I will be covering the game a couple of times a week here at BaseballGuys.com. To that end, I’ve partnered with DraftDay.com to give all my wonderful followers, that’s you, the chance to play the game on a daily basis. On Tuesday and Thursday’s here at the site, every week, I’ll be giving you some insight

Shuffle Up: Michael Cuddyer gets his groove back

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Today's ranking assignment takes us down on the corner, the first basemen and the third basemen. Settle in, settlers.

What you'll see below are prices for most of the Yahoo-eligible cornermen going forward. There are a few rules here: if you're in the minors or on the DL, you don't make this list. Too variable in worth, league to league. If you're catcher-eligible, you don't make the list – everyone's probably going to use you at catcher anyway. Don't obsess over the actual dollar amounts – what matters is how the players relate to one another. When players are at the same number, they're considered even.

The games to this point are merely an audition. We're trying to figure out who's worth the

The Top Sleeper Teams In Major League Baseball For 2013

Source: Fantasy Baseball Dugout by BeeZee

It was a busy and chaotic offseason for many Major League Baseball teams. There were some unexpected signings, while other teams didn’t experience much movement at all. 2013, promises to be an exciting season. The balance of power may finally be shifting in several divisions, giving hope to fans of teams who have not tasted success in a long time. Here are some teams to keep an eye on in 2013:

San Diego Padres

With manager Bud Black at the helm, the Padres have a leader that is one of the most respected men in baseball. Third baseman Chase Headley could have an MVP award in his future. The team is most

Over/Under: Is Chase Utley Rocky Balboa in disguise?

Source: Roto Arcade by Brad Evans

Fantasy is a speculative game. Predict the future, and you look like a genius. Don't, and you're painfully human. Gazing into the crystal ball, here's our view on nine intriguing over/unders entering spring training.

Chase Utley, apparently sipping from the fountain of youth after finding the cheap seats twice in Atlanta, total home runs on year 22.5

Dalton – OVER. And by a lot. I have him in almost every league I'm in this year, so I might as well go all in. He felt better (and actually played) during spring training this year more so than the past few seasons, and watching him sprint during a triple in Philly's first game gave me more confidence than his homer. I've gone on

Shuffle Up: Choose your sophomore, Mike Trout vs. Bryce Harper

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

The outfield is the fun place to go shopping in fantasy baseball. Power, sure, you'll find it here. Plenty of guys run. A few players do everything. And the two most exciting young position players in the game happen to reside here, too. Everyone likes picking out their outfield.

The goal today is to rank all the mixed-league worthy outfielders going forward in 5x5 fantasy value, 2013 only. Don't read too much into the dollar values in a vacuum - they're merely used as a tool to compare players. And when commodities share the same price, they're considered even. (Players on the DL and minor-league prospects are not eligible for ranking.)

I reserve the right to tweak this list as the day goes along,

Fantasy Baseball: Top Outfielders – 31 to 45

Source: Fantasy Baseball Dugout by BeeZee

There are still some good fantasy baseball outfielders picks in the later rounds that you can choose in your cash fantasy baseball or free fantasy baseball league. Here are the picks for those later rounds:

31. Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers

Cruz played in 159 games (previous high was 128) so his 24 HR were disappointing for him. Cruz hit under .265 (.260) for the third time in four seasons and did not reach double-digit steals for the second straight year. Cruz turns 33 in July.

32. Carlos Gomez, Milwaukee Brewers

Gomez stole 37 bases and hit 19

Fantasy Baseball 2013: The Love List

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

The snarky comments will have to wait for another day. The red pens won't come out of the desk drawer today. It's time to get shiny, happy and target-driven on blog, unveiling a handful of players we can't wait to point-and-click on. Make sure you've got these guys queued up.

The 2013 Love List will keep us together. Who wants to ride shotgun?

[Baseball 2013 from Yahoo! Fantasy Sports: Join a league today!]

In the

Player Profile: Dayan Viciedo

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

Last season Dayan Viciedo of the White Sox had 25 homers, one more than Hunter Pence,

Player Profile: Nelson Cruz

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

A forgotten player, that’s what we could call the Rangers’ Nelson Cruz. A power hitter that used to have speed, Cruz has lost his ability to steal bases due to continuing leg issues, and

Fantasy Baseball: Player Volatility

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

Nick Swisher' or find free 'nick swisher' pictures via Wylio" href="http://www.wylio.com/credits/flickr/3514852694">

Sometimes people miss the point. We’re all guilty of this (even the great Oracle isn’t always understanding of everything that is presented to him). In this piece I thought I would try to explain a few things that might be missed when people look at players and try to discern what is going on with their value.

There is no certainty in baseball. Yes

Spin Doctors: Jason Kipnis vs. Ben Zobrist

Source: Roto Arcade by Brandon Funston

Second basemen that can make positive fantasy contributions in power, speed and run production don't grow on trees. Well, maybe they do on some awesome far off undiscovered planet, but here on Earth they are rare exceptions limited to a select few at the top of the 2B pool. Jason Kipnis and Ben Zobrist are two such gems, and both find themselves jockeying for top 5 status at their position on draft-day cheat sheets. Yahoo! experts Brandon Funston and Andy Behrens land on opposite sides of the "who should be ranked higher" debate, and state their cases below for your consideration.

Funston to open: In his first full season as a major leaguer, Jason Kipnis finished top 5 among second basemen in

Damned Yankees: Who Plays 1B In Teixeira's Absence

Source: Fake Teams by Craig Goldstein

It seems the tables have turned on the Evil Empire. This time around it's Yankee fans who'd sell their soul for a long ball hitter. This Yankees team was already unlike any other, relying on fewer power hitters after the injury to A-Rod last season and the departure of Nick Swisher. Add in Curtis Granderson's 8-10 week injuries and we were looking at a severely depleted Yankees lineup that would rely heavily on stalwarts Derek Jeter,

Rookies & Prospects – Are They Worth It?

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

So you want to be one of those “smart” people in fantasy baseball that takes the hot shot rookie for the “upside” play early in the draft OK, maybe you aren’t that person, but let’s say you are more than willing to scoop up that prospect in the 15th round because of the “boring” options that are available. As I point out all the time, give me a team of

Spin Doctors: Joe Mauer vs. Carlos Santana

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

You're going to draft a catcher or two this year, it's unavoidable. No one wants a summer littered with passed balls. There are pros and cons to the name-brand catchers, but if you don't mind paying a big ticket for your backstop, Joe Mauer and Carlos Santana are names to strongly consider. Who's the top pick in the American League? Andy Behrens and Scott Pianowski have a difference of opinion; let the sparring begin.

Behrens to Open: The great thing about having the Mauer side in this debate is that I can base my argument on things that have actually happened in the very recent past. I don't need to convince anyone that Joe Mauer is going to make a leap in

AL LABR 2013

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

Phoenix Arizona.

Not many fantasy baseball leagues mean more than LABR in the world of fantasy sports. Started by John Hunt 20 years ago, it was the first exposure many of us had to fantasy baseball, at least the first chance to really dig into the mind of the experts in the field to find out why they did what they did on draft day (for more on the history of the event see Steve Gardner’s wonderful piece). I’m honored that I’ve been asked to be a part of the event.

Last

Seventh-Inning Stretch: Exploring the Tigers bullpen; is Bryce Harper a first-round pick?

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Pitchers and catchers have finally reported to their respective Florida and Arizona camps, and the baseball wire is finally springing with some news of note. It's time for a lap around the diamond.

The Tigers have an obvious vacancy at their closer position and manager Jim Leyland isn't in any hurry to settle things. In fact, it's possible the Tigers might break camp without naming their bullpen chairman.

Rookie Bruce Rondon has the highest theoretical upside on the roster, but we're still talking about a 22-year-old who's never thrown a pitch in the major leagues.

Let's pick up the story from Steve Kornacki of

2013 Rankings: Outfielders

Source: Fantasy Baseball 365

You can find a bit of everything in the outfield. There are players who contribute across the board, and others who make waves in single categories. There are established veterans with lengthy track records, and young players on the cusp of becoming superstars. Oh, and the position is also home to two players who are going one and two overall in many fantasy drafts.

Rank First Name Last

2013 Rankings: First Basemen

Source: Fantasy Baseball 365

Next up in the positional rankings is first base. The position offers a lot of offensive talent, young and old. Players will be drafted out of this player pool to fill more than first base, they'll also fill corner infield spots and utility positions as well. 

Rank First Name Last Name Organization 1 Albert Pujols Angels 2 Joey Votto Reds 3 Prince Fielder Tigers 4 Edwin Encarnacion Blue

Pressing Questions: The Boston Red Sox

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

The 2011 Red Sox crash landed in the final frames; chicken and beer seldom break anyone's fall. The 2012 Olde Town Team was a beat-the-traffic special, dead in the water before high tide.

Last year's messy results speak for themselves. Boston finished dead last in the AL East (69-93), its first basement tape since 1992. The offense didn't score (734 runs, worst showing in two decades), the pitchers couldn't get people out (4.72 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 190 homers allowed), and too many players couldn't stay healthy. If you came to Fenway Park in the summer, you were there for the park, the atmosphere or the opponent. (I attended one game and spent three innings in the concession area talking Fantasy Football with my buddy Cuozzo.

Mark Reynolds (1B-CLE)

Source: TG Fantasy Baseball

Pressing Questions: The Cleveland Indians (Roto Arcade). The Cleveland Indians haven't made the playoffs since 2007 and that was their last winning record as well. It could be a few years before a foundation is in place that can seriously contend. But we'll say this for the Cleveland front office, it's not afraid to go forward with a new plan. The Indians tried the contact route on offense in 2012 and weren't happy with the results. Despite being the third-hardest team to strike out last summer, Cleveland finished a paltry 22nd in the majors in runs. Only the Mariners had a lower American League slugging percentage. And when you combine a pop-gun offense with probably the worst pitching staff in the AL (4.79 ERA, 4.39 xFIP), you're not

Pressing Questions: The Cleveland Indians

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

The Cleveland Indians haven't made the playoffs since 2007 and that was their last winning record as well. It could be a few years before a foundation is in place that can seriously contend. But we'll say this for the Cleveland front office, it's not afraid to go forward with a new plan.

The Indians tried the contact route on offense in 2012 and weren't happy with the results. Despite being the third-hardest team to strike out last summer, Cleveland finished a paltry 22nd in the majors in runs. Only the Mariners had a lower American League slugging percentage. And when you combine a pop-gun offense with probably the worst pitching staff in the AL (4.79 ERA, 4.39 xFIP), you're not going anywhere. Call it a season up in

Nick Swisher (OF/1B-CLE)

Source: TG Fantasy Baseball

No. 24 Indians: Now equipped to score runs, Cleveland's rotation takes center stage (Yahoo! Sports). The addition of Nick Swisher will help, but the Indians are still in trouble if pitching doesn't improve. Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com

Swisher, Tribe finalize four-year, $56M deal - Nick Swisher | CLE

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Indians signed OF Nick Swisher to a four-year, $56 million contact with a $14 milion vesting option for 2017.

Nick Swisher: Gets Four-Year Deal with Cleveland

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Nick Swisher: Swisher has signed a four-year, $56 million deal with the Indians, the New York Daily News reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Indians sign Swisher to four-year, $56M deal - Nick Swisher | NYY

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reports that the Indians have signed Nick Swisher to a four-year, $56 million contract.

Shin-Soo Choo (OF-CIN)

Source: TG Fantasy Baseball

Indians tap former Ohio State football head coach Jim Tressel to recruit Nick Swisher - THE INDIANS called upon a proven recruiter to land free-agent outfielder Nick Swisher. Former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel was among a group who had lunch Tuesday at Progressive Field with Swisher, who is considering a multiyear contract offer from the Indians. Swisher would fill a hole in rightfield for Cleveland, which traded Shin-Soo Choo to Cincinnati last week and has been trying to improve a team that collapsed in August and finished 68-94. Source: http://www.philly.com

Swisher won't visit with Mariners this week - Nick Swisher | NYY

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that Nick Swisher will not visit with the Mariners this week.

Indians 'making a push' to land Nick Swisher - Nick Swisher | NYY

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Buster Olney of ESPN.com hears that the Indians are "making a push" in their effort to land Nick Swisher.

Swisher to visit multiple teams next week - Nick Swisher | NYY

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reports that Nick Swisher will visit multiple teams in person next week.

Tribe in 'aggressive pursuit' of Nick Swisher - Nick Swisher | NYY

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

ESPN's Jim Bowden reports that the Indians are "continuing their aggressive pursuit" of Nick Swisher.

Red Sox still interested in OF Nick Swisher - Nick Swisher | NYY

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

According to ESPN Boston's Gordon Edes, the Red Sox are still interested in free agent Nick Swisher.

Indians 'in best position' to sign Swisher - Nick Swisher | NYY

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Indians are "in the best position" to sign Nick Swisher.

Mariners, Tribe are primary Swisher suitors - Nick Swisher | NYY

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, the Mariners and Indians are Nick Swisher's primary suitors.

O's unlikely to make serious push for Swisher - Nick Swisher | NYY

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Orioles are unlikely to make a serious push for Nick Swisher.

Tribe, M's, O's, BoSox, Giants in on Swisher - Nick Swisher | NYY

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Indians, Mariners, Orioles, Red Sox and Giants "have interest or potential interest" in free agent Nick Swisher.

Report: Indians interested in Nick Swisher - Nick Swisher | NYY

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Indians are one of the teams involved for free agent outfielder Nick Swisher.

Red Sox 'talking to' outfielder Nick Swisher - Nick Swisher | NYY

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Red Sox are "talking to [Nick] Swisher now" about a deal.

Red Sox targeting Napoli, Swisher and Ross - Mike Napoli | TEX

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Red Sox are pursuing Mike Napoli, Nick Swisher and Cody Ross.

Talks between Red Sox, Swisher are 'ongoing' - Nick Swisher | NYY

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, talks between the Red Sox and Nick Swisher's representatives have been "ongoing."