News: The Blue Jays returned RHP Lance Carter to minor league camp Friday.
Analysis: Carter is nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of AL-only leagues if he ever gets called up this season. Ignore him on Draft Day.
News: On Wednesday, Toronto agreed to minor league contracts with right-hander Lance Carter and left-handers John Parrish and Ryan Ketchner. Carter was 3-5 with a 4.48 ERA last year with Orix of Japan's Pacific League, and Parrish went a combined 2-2 with a 5.72 ERA for Baltimore and Seattle. Ketchner was 1-11 with a 5.62 ERA at Triple-A Portland, a San Diego farm team.
Analysis: None of these pitchers figures to make a Fantasy impact even if he makes the team. Consider all low-end options in the deepest of leagues that use true middle men.
News: Free agent Lance Carter reportedly will sign with the Orix Blue Wave of Japan.
Analysis: Carter was nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of Fantasy leagues when he was on a big league roster. Ignore him in 2007.
News: The Dodgers sent RHP Lance Carter outright to Triple-A Las Vegas. This ostensibly removes him from the 40-man roster.
Analysis: Carter, a former All-Star closer, is nothing more than a minor league journeyman middle reliever at this point. Ignore him in Fantasy leagues, even if called up.
News: Running short on position players, the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday purchased the contract of outfielder Matt Kemp from Double-A and started him in center field for his major league debut. The Dodgers also optioned pitcher Lance Carter to Triple-A Las Vegas and transferred infielder Cesar Izturis (right elbow) from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list. Kemp was needed because J.D. Drew missed his second consecutive game Sunday with a sore shoulder, and Kenny Lofton was given a day off to rest his hamstrings. Also, second baseman Jeff Kent sat out with a sprained left wrist, which he injured in Saturday's game. All three could return Monday for the start of a three-game series at Atlanta.
Analysis: Carter shouldn't have been on many Fantasy rosters even while he was up. He should not be owned in any leagues at this point.
News: The Dodgers recalled RHP Lance Carter from Triple-A Las Vegas and optioned RHP Franquelis Osoria to Las Vegas on Friday. Carter was 1-1 with three saves and a 1.08 ERA in eight games for the 51s.
Analysis: Despite the promotion, Carter will have minimal Fantasy value as a middle reliever. Ignore him in most Fantasy formats.
News: Carter was assigned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, one day after he was pounded in San Diego for three runs, two hits and a walk without retiring a batter on Sunday.
Analysis: Carter was replaced by Jonathan Broxton to work in middle relief. Neither of the pitchers are worth any Fantasy consideration.
News: The Pirates' two-run sixth Tuesday started when Craig Wilson, in the lineup only because Sean Casey was a late scratch with a bruised rib cage, hit a tying homer off reliever Lance Carter (0-1). Carter, like most of the Dodgers' relievers, is being used in various roles. But he said the unsettled bullpen alignment didn't contribute to his ineffective outing. "I need to go pitch when they tell me to pitch," he said. "What my role is, that's not my job to determine."
Analysis: Carter is nothing more than a low-end middle reliever for the deepest of NL-only leagues at this point in his career.
News: The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired relievers Danys Baez and Lance Carter from Tampa Bay for two pitching prospects Saturday.
Analysis: Carter was an AL All-Star in 2003, when he had a career-high 26 saves in 62 appearances. Last season, he appeared in 39 games, going 1-2 with a 4.89 ERA in 57 innings. He no longer has Fantasy value, even in 12-team NL-only leagues.
News: Relief pitcher Lance Carter agreed to a $550,000, one-year contract to remain with the Devil Rays. The right-hander was 1-2 with one save and a 4.89 ERA in 39 appearances last season. In parts of five major-league seasons with Tampa Bay and Kansas City, he is 13-11 with 29 saves and a 3.94 ERA. Carter was an All-Star in 2003, when he saved 26 games.
Analysis: Carter is nothing more than a middle reliever for the deepest of Fantasy leagues at this point. Despite being a former All-Star closer, his value is rather limited since he won't see any save opportunities.
News: The Devil Rays did not offer contracts to relievers Joe Borowski, Lance Carter and Trever Miller before the midnight EST deadline, making them free agents.
Analysis: Carter is nothing more than a middle reliever for the deepest of Fantasy leagues at this point. Despite being a former All-Star closer, his value is rather limited since he won't see any save opportunities.
News: The Devil Rays recalled RHP Lance Carter from Triple-A Durham Thursday.
Analysis: Carter will return to the Devil Rays' bullpen, but he has little Fantasy value because he doesn't strike out many batters.
News: GM Chuck LaMar said former AL All-Star closer Lance Carter will be brought back from Triple-A Durham for the final month. Carter has been converted to a starter in the minors.
Analysis: Carter might see some spot starts before the end of the season, but he has been struggling in that role in Triple-A. His 6.66 ERA in Durham is scary on multiple levels. Consider him a flier only in the deepest of AL-only leagues.
News: Former All-Star reliever Lance Carter was scheduled to make his fifth start for Durham on Saturday night. He went 0-4 with a 7.78 ERA in his first five Triple-A games, including four starts. The struggling right-hander was sent to the minors July 22 to make the conversion from reliever to starter.
Analysis: Carter doesn't appear to be anything more than a flier in the deepest of keeper leagues. It looks as if he will be destined to spend the 2006 season in Triple-A, trying to pick up being a starting pitcher after a conversion from the closer role.
News: The Tampa Tribune reports that Carter made his first career start since 2002 for Triple-A Durham Friday. He pitched four innings and allowed one run on three hits with six strikeouts.
Analysis: Carter has no Fantasy value at this point, but if the Devil Rays keep using him as a starter, he might get spot starts in St. Petersburg later this year.
News: The Tampa Bay Devil Rays optioned RHP Lance Carter to minors.
Analysis: My how the former closer has fallen. He is nothing more than bullpen depth at this point in his career now and not worth a roster spot in any Fantasy league while he toils in the minors.
News: Lance Carter will no longer be called on to close games for the Devil Rays with the return of Danys Baez (shoulder).
Analysis: Carter (1-1. 3.73 ERA) has no value in Fantasy Baseball.
News: Lance Carter, who will return from a suspension Friday, will close games while Danys Baez (shoulder) is out.
Analysis: The Devil Rays don't expect Baez to be out past this weekend, so Carter's time as the closer will be short.
News: Lance Carter's suspension was reduced from five games to three games after his appeal to the league. He'll start serving his sentence Tuesday.
Analysis: Carter has been decent in the setup role this year -- going 1-1 with a 3.90 ERA. He'll return to the bullpen on Friday.
News: The Tampa Tribune reports Lance Carter remained active Wednesday, still having heard no word from Major League Baseball about a possible reduction of his five-game suspension for his role in the April 24 brawl with Boston. "We're waiting for a decision on that," manager Lou Piniella said. "They can forget about it if they like, but I don't think they will."
Analysis: Carter, who hit Red Sox DH David Ortiz with a pitch, was suspended five games and fined $3,000. He has little value in Fantasy Baseball.
News: The Tampa Tribune reports Lance Carter pleaded his case Tuesday to reduce the penalty for his role in the brawl against the Red Sox on April 24.
Analysis: Carter, who hit Red Sox DH David Ortiz with a pitch, was suspended five games and fined $3,000. A decision is expected within a week to 10 days.
News: According to MLB.com, Carter has been suspended five games for his participation in on-field incidents during the April 24 game vs. the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Analysis: Carter is expected to appeal the suspension, so what games and how many he misses remains uncertain.
News: Devil Rays' reliever Lance Carter was ejected from Sunday's game against Boston for throwing at David Ortiz. The previous hitter was Manny Ramirez, who took Carter deep.
Analysis: A suspension is likely for Carter, who clearly was trying to send a message.
News: Carter left Wednesday's game in the ninth inning due to an injury to his left knee.
Analysis: Carter's X-rays were negative. He is considered day to day.
News: Carter (shoulder) was able to throw two perfect innings in Tuesday's game at Toronto.
Analysis: Carter is only worth using in larger AL-only Roto leagues to help out in the ERA and WHIP categories.
News: Carter has performed well in the middle relief role this season. He currently has a 3.20 ERA and a solid 1.145 WHIP.
Analysis: Carter's Fantasy value decreased a lot when Danys Baez replaced him as the team's closer. Carter will not give you many wins or strikeouts, but he does post respectable ERA and WHIP numbers.
News: Following Tuesday's signing of Danys Baez, Carter is expected to serve in a setup role for the Devil Rays this year.
Analysis: Carter's Fantasy value takes a considerable hit, although it's not out of the question he might move back into the role should Baez falter for the second straight season.
News: Lance Carter pitched a perfect ninth inning on Tuesday to notch his 20th save of the season.
Analysis: Carter has converted his last seven save opportunities successfully.
News: Carter allowed an earned run in 2/3 of an inning on Monday against Anaheim and might be in danger of losing his closer's role. "We're going to start using different combinations with Carter being the principal guy," manager Lou Piniella said after the game.
Analysis: Travis Harper closed out Monday's game for his first save of the season. He appears to be the immediate beneficiary of Carter's struggles.
News: The St. Petersburg Times reports that Lance Carter will work more in earlier innings based on matchups, according to Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella. The entire bullpen will be worked according to the situation. "Now that we've seen them for half a year, we're going to start using them a little different," Piniella said. Carter will still handle closing duties, but will also be used in earlier innings to keep him fresh between save opportunities.
Analysis: Carter was a decent option among American League closers this season. But more innings without save chances means he'll have more opportunities to raise his ERA and WHIP without reward. Consider trading him before the All-Star game, while his value is at its highest.
News: All-Star Lance Carter will have his load lightened a bit, as he has struggled of late. "He's struggling. We might lessen his role a little bit, get him back sharp and use a combination. We'll see," Piniella told the Tampa Tribune. "Sometimes the best thing to do when a guy is struggling somewhat is to back him off a little bit and get him back together."
Analysis: Carter has yielded 10 runs in his past 10 innings. He might lose save opportunities over the next couple of weeks, but it does not appear he is in danger of losing the closer's job altogether.
News: Lance Carter relieved an ineffective John Rocker on Friday and converted his first save opportunity since April 26.
Analysis: Carter had blown his previous two save chances and will need to pitch consistently to maintain a stranglehold on the closer's job.
News: After Lance Carter blew his second consecutive save over the weekend, Lou Pinella told the Tampa Tribune he will not use carter in any more two-inning save situations. ``What we're going to do with Carter is use other pitchers to get out of the inning and try to get him to start innings - bring him in clean,'' Piniella said. ``He's more of a contact pitcher.''
Analysis: Carter remains a respectable option for saves despite his recent struggles.
News: Carter tossed one scoreless inning on Tuesday night to earn his second save of the season against Toronto.
Analysis: The save was Carter's first since April 9. He does not get enough save opportunities to be useful in AL-only leagues.
News: Carter pitched 1 2/3 perfect innings on Sunday at N.Y. Yankees and the Devil Rays won the game in the top of the ninth inning to give him his third win.
Analysis: Carter is 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA and one save. He is worth adding in AL-only leagues.
News: Carter pitched a perfect ninth inning for his first save of the season on Wednesday.
Analysis: Carter is an average Fantasy closer in AL-only leagues.
News: Carter allowed one earned run in two innings, yielding three hits and a walk, but picked up the win at Baltimore on Tuesday.
Analysis: Carter is 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA in three games this season. He is the team's closer, but has yet to record a save.
News: Manager Lou Piniella told the Tampa Tribune that Carter has emerged as the team's closer.
Analysis: Carter is worth adding to an AL-only roster if you are desperate for saves. Do not count on much, as he pitches for a team which might only average one save opportunity per week, if that.
News: Lance Carter will be the main setup man to start the season, according to the team's website. Jesus Colome will reportedly get the first shot at closing games.
Analysis: Carter might see some save opportunities if Colome falters early. He has no Fantasy value unless he can secure the closer job.
News: Carter(sore left side) made his spring debut on Wednesday. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
Analysis: Carter is a sleeper closer candidate for Tampa Bay. He is worth a roster spot in AL-only leagues once the core of your Fantasy staff has been filled out.
News: The Tampa Tribune reports that Carter (side) will make his spring debut on Wednesday against Pittsburgh.
Analysis: Carter remains a sleeper closer candidate for Tampa Bay, and he's worth a flier in AL-only leagues.
News: Carter was scratced from Saturday's game after feeling soreness in his left side, according to the St. Petersburg Times. He is considered day to day.
Analysis: Carter is competing for the closer job with the Devil Rays and might be the front-runner. Monitor his progress in the spring and consider adding him as a low bid or late round selection in AL-only leagues.
