Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

I know you want to hit the panic button, Johan Santana owners.

Go ahead and do it because I'll be the owner that pounces on your sell theory and have an ace in my pocket for the rest of the season.

Granted, Santana's last performance on Sunday against the Yankees where he worked only 3 innings, allowing 9 hits, 9 earned runs, 2 walks and 3 strikeouts would make any owner want to barf, but this is Johan Santana people.

I know, I know ... but he allowed a career-high 9 runs. Big deal. There's plenty of pitchers who get roughed up from time to time, and even the elite don't always have their best stuff.

Santana still has the ability to be lights-out at any point.

He hasn't done it recently, however.

In his previous start, he allowed 5 earned runs to the Phillies and give up 3 runs both times against Pittsburgh and Washington on June 2 and May 27, respectively.

That's not ace material, I know.

So what, Santana's in a mini-funk. So trade him and they'll all laugh at you.

His stat line (3.29 ERA, 8-4 record, 1.22 WHIP, 94 Ks in 82 innings) so far isn't anything to cry about, either. 

I'll say it again, DO NOT SELL ON SANTANA.

Mind you, if you get a great deal do it, but don't do it because you're simply reacting to a bad start or a mediocre stretch of four so-so starts.

If you do, owners will pounce and take advantage of you. Plus, who really wants to be laughed at for the rest of the season?

MONTH OF MANY RETURNS

Here's a look at who's been red hot for the last month, with aces mixed in with some surprise arms that have been delivering the goods.

Tim Lincecum (3 wins, 1.19 ERA, 0.98 WHIP), Josh Beckett (4 wins, 1.91 ERA, 0.91 ERA), Justin Verlander (4 wins, 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP), Matt Cain (6 wins, 1.73 ERA, 1.15 WHIP), Chris Carpenter (3 wins, 1.98 ERA, 0.73 WHIP) and Jered Weaver (4 wins, 1.67 ERA, 1.07 WHIP).

CAN YOU GET SOMEONE OUT, PLEASE

Boy, White Sox closer Bobby Jenks has been a real killer in the last month, posting a dismal 6.30 ERA and 1.50 WHIP while nailing down 6 saves. Those numbers just aren't getting it done!

Don't you expect more from a front-end closer? Maybe Jenks isn't that good and should only be considered a middle-tier guy?