Playing the Waiver Wire: Sid pitching like a kid

Sidney Ponson's retirement papers were all but signed after washing out with the Minnesota Twins in 2007. The right-hander made seven lackluster starts for Minnesota and the result was a 6.93 ERA and 1.89 WHIP. The former 17-game winner was running on fumes.

"Mentally and physically I wasn't there," said Ponson, who battled injuries when he pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees in 2006. "I told my agent, 'I ain't playing. I'm going to go home, chill and relax, get everything out of my mind.'"

Ponson headed back to his native Aruba after his last major league game May 12, 2007 against the Tigers. He was blasted for six runs and six hits in four innings. It all but signaled the end of a career that began in 1993 as an amateur free agent with the Orioles. Only problem -- Ponson didn't get the memo.

Sidney Ponson has a 1.33 ERA through three starts in Texas. (US Presswire)

Ponson would resurface in the majors April 26, almost a year to the date after he walked away from the game, as a starting pitcher for the Rangers. Ponson signed a minor league deal in March and made four starts for Triple-A Oklahoma before a Texas team devastated by injuries gave the 31-year-old another shot in the majors. His first test would come against, who else, the Twins. Ponson could not lead Texas to a win, but allowed just one earned run in 5 1/3 innings. Texas felt he showcased enough to earn another start. He wouldn't disappoint.

Ponson went pitch-for-pitch with Royals right-hander Zack Greinke on May 1 and came out victorious after allowing one run in eight innings. The win was exactly a year after his previous victory against Tampa Bay. Still, the question beckoned: Could the Rangers really trust Ponson? Apparently, they can.

Texas soundly defeated Seattle 10-1 Tuesday and Ponson earned his second win after allowing just one run in seven innings. Rangers manager Ron Washington is even surprised after telling Ponson in March that this is likely his last chance in the majors.

"That's just the way he thinks," the veteran right-hander said, bristling when reminded what Washington told him when Texas signed him. "Everyone's entitled to their opinion. Can't do nothing about it."

Not the case. Ponson is doing something about it -- turning his skipper and Fantasy owners into believers after posting a 2-0 record and 1.33 ERA through three starts.

"I told him this could be his last opportunity, to take advantage of it. He's doing that," Washington said smiling after Tuesday's win.

Grin all you want now, but just how reliable can Ponson be in Fantasy play? He has managed to avoid major catastrophes thus far despite allowing 20 hits in 20 1/3 innings. He is playing with fire, and the end result could get ugly down the road.

The righty has allowed 1,775 hits in 1,586 1/3 career innings. He owns a career 4.89 ERA, and while he has an effective changeup and slider working right now, just wait until teams start watching film on the forgotten hurler. Add in that Ponson calls one of the best hitter's parks in the majors home, how long can his ERA sit below 2.00?

A major reason Ponson walked away from baseball in 2007 was because of a cranky pitching elbow. Leading up to his injury woes, Ponson dealt with some off-the-field issues that helped in the decline of his career. Ponson had two DUI arrests in 2005 and was even charged with assaulting an Aruban judge in 2004.

Trouble and injury free, Ponson has carved out a comfortable niche in Texas, where he hopes to continue to defy the odds.

"Last year, I thought that was my last chance. That's what it said in the Minnesota papers," he said. "I could be through. I could not be. We'll see."

Call to the Bench -- We feel this player might be worthy of adding to Fantasy rosters for the long haul

Jeff Clement, C, Seattle
Owned: 32 percent of leagues
Analysis: It's not often we recommend a guy that is hitting below .150, but we don't expect Clement to struggle for long. A gem of the Mariners' system for the last few years, Clement is finally getting his shot in the majors. He is not being asked to catch, but rather focus on hitting as the team's DH. But the best news for Fantasy owners is that they can nab a 20-homer potential guy at a thin position like catcher. If you can afford to stash Clement, it's highly suggested you add him to your Fantasy roster.

You're Out! -- We feel this player might have already peaked and his value could be on the decline, so Fantasy owners might want to cut bait ASAP

Chris Duncan, OF, St. Louis
Owned: 39 percent of leagues
Analysis: Duncan had his 27th birthday Monday against the Rockies and celebrated by committing two crucial errors and going hitless in four at-bats. His average has dropped to .257 and his at-bats might continue to dry up with the emergence of Skip Schumaker, Ryan Ludwick and Brian Barton. Add to the fact that Duncan is no longer hitting in front of Albert Pujols -- that job has gone to the trio of Adam Kennedy, Aaron Miles and Brendan Ryan -- and he loses more Fantasy appeal because he won't see the kind of pitches he saw during his rookie season in 2006 when he stroked 22 homers.

GDIPs -- We feel this player might not warrant as much Fantasy consideration as he is receiving and should be avoided in most instances

Mark Kotsay, OF, Atlanta
Owned: 9 percent of leagues
Analysis: Kotsay is carrying an eight-game hitting streak into Thursday and has hit homers in consecutive games to bring his season total to three. Add 15 RBI and a .309 average to the mix, and Kotsay appears Fantasy worthy. However, we caution Fantasy owners because we don't think this torrid pace will continue. He has hit more than 15 homers once in his 12-year career and totaled more than 70 RBI just once as well. Also, if he does struggle, the Braves might be prompted to promote either Brandon Jones or Jordan Schafer from Triple-A Richmond to replace him. Kotsay's Fantasy value still lies in NL-only formats.

Scouting -- We feel this player is on the verge of being a Fantasy reliable option, but still needs to be monitored over the next few weeks

Clint Barmes, 2B/SS, Colorado
Owned: 36 percent of leagues
Analysis: Barmes is the Rockies' choice to replace Troy Tulowitzki at shortstop while the NL Rookie of the Year runner-up is out until mid-July with a quadriceps injury. Barmes is off to a nice offensive start in 2008 (.309, 2 HR, 11 RBI), but he doesn't carry the same offensive potential as Tulowitzki. When Barmes had a full-time role in 2005 and 2006, he combined for 17 homers and 102 RBI. It's not hard to imagine that Tulowitzki can produce those numbers down the road and it might only take him one season. Barmes will likely provide a nice average and drive in some runs, but he might only be a temporary Fantasy solution and not long term.

Stopgap corner -- We feel this player might be worth using for the upcoming scoring period

Kyle Lohse, SP, St. Louis
Owned: 49 percent of leagues
Analysis: Lohse is lining up for two home starts in Fantasy Week 7 (May 12-18). He will first take on the Pirates Tuesday and then square off with the Rays on May 18. Lohse has been good at home in 2008 with a 2-1 record and 3.19 ERA in five starts. Opponents are hitting just .221 against him at Busch Stadium. Lohse will also be pitching on regular rest; he is 3-0 with a 2.82 ERA in four starts on regular rest. The right-hander also had a lot of success last season against Pittsburgh, going 1-0 with a 2.30 ERA and one complete game shutout in two starts. Add to the fact that both Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh are both hitting under .255 as a team, and Lohse could be a nice stopgap option Week 7.

Farm Boys -- This segment is for those long-term keeper owners looking for the next Fantasy superstar

Terry Tiffee, 1B/3B, L.A. Dodgers
Owned: 0 percent of leagues
Analysis: The 29-year-old Tiffee is practically running away with the Pacific League (Triple-A) MVP title. Through 32 games, he is hitting .458 with 31 runs, 19 doubles, three homers, 29 RBI, a .500 OBP, .672 slugging percentage and an OPS of 1.172. Any Fantasy owner would love that stat line. But the former Twins' farmhand isn't likely to be a Fantasy star anytime soon. Tiffee has played minor league baseball since 2000 and practically has mastered the farm system. His only problem -- he hasn't been able to crack the majors with the same success. Tiffee is a corner infielder, but the Dodgers just don't have a spot for him right now. Blake DeWitt is doing a fine job at third and James Loney has far better potential at first. Tiffee could grab a bench spot down the road, but if he wants to start, he needs to find a distressed organization similar to how Emil Brown resurrected his career.

Doctor's Report -- This segment highlights a player on the verge of coming off the DL and ready to make an immediate Fantasy impact.

Jimmy Rollins, SS, Philadelphia
Owned: 62 percent of leagues
Analysis: Rollins hasn't had a problem with his sprained left ankle during his rehab assignment and it appears the Phillies are ready to activate the reigning NL MVP, possibly as soon as Thursday. If you are one of the fortunate souls in a league that Rollins is available, don't waste any time in adding him to your roster. He is one of the premier Fantasy options that fill the stat sheet, including stolen bases.

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