Chacon’s arrival figures to put Sampson in the pen to start the year, though I think the Astros might be better off with Chacon helping to set up for Jose Valverde.

Justin Duchscherer (Athletics)
Dana Eveland (Athletics)

Duchscherer seems to be healthy, so he picked up a few innings at Eveland’s expense.

Gustavo Chacin (Blue Jays)
Casey Janssen (Blue Jays) - Up $1

All signs point to Chacin being on the outside looking in at the start of the year. Janssen, who will battle Jesse Litsch for the fifth spot, is a major sleeper.

Yovani Gallardo (Brewers) - Down $2
Carlos Villanueva (Brewers) - Up $1

I have Gallardo’s injury costing him two starts. Villanueva’s chances of opening the year in the rotation seem to be a little better.

Matt Clement (Cardinals)
Todd Wellemeyer (Cardinals)

Wellemeyer and Brad Thompson, who is listed with the relievers, gained innings with Clement seemingly likely to start off on the DL.

Miguel Batista (Mariners)

The announcement that Batista would be the Mariners’ fifth starter cost him a few innings. He’s not recommended anyway.

Anibal Sanchez (Marlins)

Sanchez (shoulder) appears set to miss the entire first half.

Tony Armas Jr. (Mets)
Orlando Hernandez (Mets) - Down $1

El Duque still hasn’t thrown at close to 100 percent. It’s time to start getting concerned.

Tyler Clippard (Nationals) - Down $1
Odalis Perez (Nationals)
Tim Redding (Nationals)

I still like Clippard as a sleeper, but the odds of him starting the year in the rotation are pretty long.

Garrett Olson (Orioles)
Troy Patton (Orioles)
Steve Trachsel (Orioles)

Trachsel’s arrival took innings away from the two young lefties. Patton has bigger problems with his shoulder holding him back. Fantasy leaguers may want to write him off for 2008.

Kris Benson (Phillies)
Adam Eaton (Phillies)

Since Benson isn’t likely to be ready for Opening Day, Eaton still figures to start off at the back of the Phillies’ rotation. How long he’ll stay there is anyone’s guess.

Scott Kazmir (Rays) - Down $2

Kazmir (elbow) remains a definite candidate for a catastrophic injury, so the Rays will want to be extra careful here. I’d recommend shying away in early spring drafts.

Bartolo Colon (Red Sox)

I had Colon at $1 before he signed, and I’m keeping him there now. He’ll get plenty of offensive support if he joins Boston’s rotation at some point, but it’s doubtful that he’ll help in ERA unless he regains a lot of arm strength.

Homer Bailey (Reds) - Down $1
Josh Fogg (Reds)
Edinson Volquez (Reds)

Fogg’s addition could cause the Reds to go with an all-veteran rotation also including Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Jeremy Affeldt and Matt Belisle. Ideally, one of the youngsters will force Affeldt or Belisle to the pen, but I’m not counting on it.

Kyle Davies (Royals)
Brian Lawrence (Royals)
Mike Maroth (Royals)
Matt Wright (Royals)

It looks like Brett Tomko will have a rotation spot whether he deserves it or not, so I’ve dropped the inning totals of some the other candidates.

Brian Bass (Twins)
Livan Hernandez (Twins)
Philip Humber (Twins)

Joba Chamberlain (Yankees) - Down $1
Ian Kennedy (Yankees) - Up $1

Though the Yankees haven’t confirmed that Chamberlain will start off in the pen, I took a dozen innings away from Joba and gave them to Kennedy. Joba remains the far more valuable pitcher in my rankings.