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0We at Razzball realize that exporting our views across the country has damaging consequences on the blogosphere. To help make amends, we are reaching out to leading team blogs and featuring their locally blogged answers to pressing 2010 fantasy baseball questions regarding their team. We feel this approach will be fresher, more sustainable, and require less energy consumption (for us anyway). The 2010 Twins Fantasy Baseball Preview comes courtesy of Minnesota native Sooze over at Babes Love Baseball.
1) Last year, the Yankees’ and Mets’ new stadia (or ‘stadiums’ for the bourgeois) had a huge impact on hitter values. Any word on whether Target Field will lead to some hitter bargains?
It looks like Target Field will actually be more of a neutral park, which favors neither hitters nor pitchers, but there are a couple interesting aspects: there is a ton less foul territory than there was at the Metrodome, and outfielders will actually be able to spot the baseballs in the sky as opposed to losing them in the whiteness of the dome. Also, it’s a three-foot longer trip to straight-away center field, which houses a few black spruce trees, so I suppose that makes it more of a pitcher-friendly stadium. I wonder how often it will snow there?
2) Joe Mauer turned on the power last year hitting one less HR (28) than he had in 2006-2008. He hit a ridiculous 16 of those HRs to the opposite field. The average on the projection systems is about 20. What do you think – over, under, or push on 20 HRs in 2010 for Mauer.
Over. He missed the entire month of April last season, and there is nothing — including his .429 batting average and .600 slugging percentage so far this Spring — which says he will under-perform compared to 2009. I say he nails 30 bombs and 100 RBI this year. And then proposes to me.
3) The Twins OF of Cuddyer/Span/Delmon Young with some Kubel thrown in projects to be rather awful defensively. Any concerns on how this might impact the young Twins pitchers?
4) Give me the over/under/push on the following:
Morneau 29 HRs — over
Kubel 80 RBI – push
Span 25 SB – push
Punto 1 HR — under (seriously. He’ll have negative 1 probably)
Slowey 150 IP — over
Liriano 4.50 ERA — under
5) Ron Gardenhire has an understandable weakness for light-hitting infielders given he was one during his playing career. Are you concerned he might gillooly Orlando Hudson or JJ Hardy to make sure he can get both Nick Punto and Brendan Harris into the lineup?
I hope Gardy doesn’t mess with the middle infield, I like it just the way it is. Punto and Harris are just going to have to deal with being mediocre at best, and thank their lucky stars they are even on a big league roster. And then they can high five each other on their way back to the bench during the platoon switch.
Nice, it’s the first time I stay up on the East Coast to witness a Razzball post being posted up!
I know this is a pretty dumb question, but what does the “push” in over/under/push mean?
@Eddy:
Over means he thinks the player will go over the number, under means he thinks the player will go under, push means he thinks the player will hit exactly that number.
Your correspondent may like O-Dog, but she probably didn’t have to sub him in at MI in a fairly deep 12-teamer…
Where are you on Rauch right now? I’m feeling like he’s about where Soria is…
hey rudy,kubel and cuddyer,which one has the most upside here,and what kind of ceilling
better pickup madson or morales?
@mikey boy324: I’d grab them both and pile up as many saves as you can while they’re both closing if you have a low grade SP or easy-to-replace hitters you can toss back.
this guy sounded more like he was trying to sell the twins to us than to give an objective opinion, a bit of a difference between this and other previews
oh boy…”The outfield is lucky the Twins are chock full of groundball pitchers”…looks like someone’s got Twins tunnel-vision. The rest of the league unfortunately does not play with the helium filled balls the Twins do; in fact, last year the Twins ranked dead last in GB/FB ratio (at an even 1.00). Plus, with Rauch becoming a prominent part of their staff as closer, he only adds to the aerial nature of this bunch.
That said, I think Liriano will have a great year in 2010, and could probably do so in a Little League park.
Hey Charlie Batch, maybe it would help if you read the intro to the preview before you get all high and mighty about the objectivity of the piece. There, I feel better…
Ha! Gillooly as a verb. Well played.
I liked this article. Compared to most Twins fans i know, she was reasonable.
Today is the last day we will be sitting here bored, offering terrible trade offers to other people in the league, reading about other peoples’ drafts even though we’ve done ours, and drooling over our awesome (or not so awesome) teams. Let the stats begin!!
Grey/Rudy: What are your thoughts on Jair Jurjjens right now? Once he got his MRI, Grey told us to back off him….but how should we handle him now? (Asking because someone is trying to trade him to me)
Gentlemen: So I had my one and only actual draft last night. I won’t bore you with the whole roster/rationales (that’s for the forums), but here are a few burning morning-after questions:
1) With both 2B/3B still open in Rnd 8, and Uggla, Jo-Lo, and IAN STEWART on the board, I reached for Stewart (pick 95). Mistake? Should I have taken Uggla instead of Might Be Uggla? UPDATE I just went back and re-read every Grey mash note to I-Stew and now feel fine about the pick. UPDATE 2: I also have Dunn so my team average is toast.
2) Nolasco and C-Bills, both on the board: What do you do? WHAT DO YOU DO?
3) In relation to Rudy’s fine post, above, I find myself curiously Twins-invested this year. With all the premier sluggos off the board (thanks a lot, picks #2 and #23!) I took Morneau in the 4th. I know Rudy thinks I overpayed, but I like the reliability of 30/100 as a floor. In the 15th, I took KEVIN SLOWEY, mostly to counteract the WHiP of my top-three starters, none of whom have started to shave. (Felix; Kershaw; SPOILER ALERT Nolasco.)
Then I took Rauch, that Tall Bastard, in Rnd 12 (I think he sticks all year, and the Twins are good enough to get him 35+ saves) and Francisco Liriano, flavor of ’08, at pick 215/Rnd 18. I feel okay about all that.
4) Sean-Rod of Rays Fame: How excited should I be about nabbing him? MVP? Is it in the bank? My personal projections have him at .320/120/45/150/30 — too low?
Thanks for the insights, mon freres.
Le Baron
@Baron Von Vulturewins: 1) Grey values Uggla slightly more than Stewart, but how can you NOT draft the Mini Donkey??????
2) Nolasco
3) Morneau seems really undervalued this season. I’ve gotten him in the 5th or 6th round sometimes! (Good pick with Nolasco)
Rd 12 was too early for Rauch…depending on what other closers were on the board. Good Liriano pick!
4) Those stats look about right….oh wait! I just woke up!!!
In a 14 Team league 5×5 roto I was offered the following:
My: Chris Davis and Brett Anderson
His: Billy Butler
My 1B are Davis and LaRoche, my only weakness and my team BA is in the low .270′s.
MY pitching staff right now is Josh Johnson, Hamels, Uballs, Anderson, Dirty Sanchez and Marcum.
Thoughts?
@Steve: Yeah, O-Dog is the epitome of a 12-team MI who looks kind of tempting as a FA and kind of tempting to replace with an FA if you own him.
@Matt: No way. Soria’s position is secure and he’s a better pitcher than Rauch ever was, is, or will be. I’d draft Rauch as the 28th closer at this point and he’d be #30 if it weren’t for the injury-caused saves split in Cleveland and Colorado. Guerrier is a must-own MR for 12-teams (either as a handcuff or speculative saves play) until Rauch gets out of April.
@AL KOHOLIC: Cuddyer has absolutely no more upside. Last year’s 93/32/94 is what he can do if everything breaks right. I think he’s a safer bet for 80/20/80. I like his 1B/OF eligibility and probably put him a little ahead of Swisher who might have a little more power but is a bigger AVG concern.
As for Kubel, I think last year’s .300/28/103 is the best case as well. Experts have been praising this guy from his days in the minors but last year was the first year he really put it all together. He’s best served as a DH but I think he’ll have to play the OF more than he should this year given that lineup and Thome on the team.
On expected value, I’d go Cuddyer. On likelihood to repeat last year’s numbers (which you can upside), I’d say Kubel. Either way, I’d expect 20/80 from either with better AVG from Kubel and better Runs and position flexibility from Cuddyer.
@mikey boy324: Both if possible. I think Madson’s the better pitcher but I think Street’s more likely to be out an extended period of time.
@charlie batch: Well, it wasn’t a ‘guy’ who wrote it…it was a lady. But I think it’s balanced. If she was a bigger homer, she’d have been all ‘over’ on the over/under section.
@Sir Larry: Excellent point on GB/FB ratio (http://www.fangraphs.com/teams.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&type=2&season=2009&month=0). And I stand by my point that having any combo of Cuddyer/Kubel/Delmon in the corners (with an average CF in Span) makes for an awful OF. Those drafting Twins pitchers should note that the three most attractive SP candidates (Baker, Liriano, Slowey) are not groundball pitchers…http://www.fangraphs.com/winss.aspx?team=Twins&pos=all&stats=pit&qual=0&type=2&season=2009&month=0
@brett: See charlie batch. You were indexing her answers against the average guest responder. If you indexed it against the average Twins fan, you would’ve been pleasantly surprised!
@Baron Von Vulturewins: feel free to ignore; but heres my take.
1) i like ian stewart too, 8th rd is kinda early (went 6th in RCL). When I target Stewart, i use Uggla as the indicator as to when take him. Meaning, once/after I see Uggla off the board, then I know its time to target stewart. That may allow you to wait another rd or 2 before selecting him.
2) Nolasco – but i think u can get bills a few rds after nolasco this yr (atleast the next rd)
3) grey will like morneau pick in the 4th….and for the reasons you mentioned
4) yes, too low…bc if u take the SEN out of his first name you get A-ROD…..mind blowing
@Rudy Gamble: thanks,i was thinking about those numbers,got stuck with both them in one league as a starter and a sub,might lose one for a player with more hope
@GopherDay: Amen!
@GopherDay: I think Jurrjens is fine. Not as concerned about injury. Just cautious b/c he got real lucky last year in ERA (vs. his FIP).
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Only one actual draft? Man, that’s virtually prudish on the commenter board (yes, I called most of you a bunch of fantasy whores).
I go Uggla over Stewart b/c he’s a better bet for Runs/RBIs given his place in the lineup. I like Stewart’s 3B eligiblity bonus though. I’ve got Dunn and Uggla on one team – and that means my average is done and ugly! Oofa! I said it one post and will paraphrase b/c i’m too lazy to actually dig it up to research myself – for whatever reason, low Average guys are punished more for their flaw than guys with low power or low speed. I got Uggla ridiculously cheap 2 years in a row in NL-only play. I don’t like punting statistics but I play for total value and AVG seems to be the best one to virtually punt.
Back to your team…Morneau in 4th is solid….even though my 1B value crush this year is on Adam LaRoche (with Dunn #2). Felix, Kershaw, Nolasco is an awesome first three. Sean-Rod….who knows. It’s not unheard of for a 2B to blow up in his first full year of playing time (remember Jorge Cantu). He’s a great late game flier at this point b/c, assuming your league is 10 or 12 team, you can always get an O-Dog type off waivers if he flames out.
@quimmy: Hmm, that’s a tough one as I have issues w/ all three players. Chris Davis is an AVG liability that might get benched for Justin Smoak if he doesn’t have a good 1st half. Brian Anderson is super-hyped right now and I’m concerned about his dependence on sliders (more injury risk). Billy Butler keeps getting hyped every year and he’s drafted way higher than my projections in every draft.
All that said, you don’t need Anderson (your pitching staff is great w/o him in 14-team) and Butler seems good for .300/20/80 which Point Shares predicts will be 1.7 points better in team AVG vs. Chris Davis (http://razzball.com/2010-fantasy-baseball-rankings/mlb-14-team-2010-razzball-projected-point-shares/).
@quimmy: feel free to ignore. I like the butler side; more of a guarantee and fits your needs best. Altho i do like laroche as a sleeper 1b.
@matthole: submitted before i saw rudys response…
@Rudy Gamble: im a slut not a whore
@rudy: ty sir
@matthole: why would i ignore? its not me and u in a trade negotiation, ha!
@quimmy: to serve as disclaimer for when davis tears it up, anderson makes the all-star team, and butler goes on the DL to get his stomach stapled
@matthole: or breast reduction surgery……its ok for men too
@quimmy: TAGNOF – TITS AINT GOT NO FACE
@Baron Von Vulturewins:
I’ll chime in to if you don’t mind.
1) the Stewart pick is fine. Remember Grey has said that it’s OK to reach, especially if you really want a guy on your team. But more importantly, Uggla got hit on the hand last night (by our very own AA team, which kind of sucks when you’re a Marlins fan) and left the the game (although word is he’s doing ok).
2) Definitely Nolasco. I know we’re not supposed to get excited over spring training numbers, but a 21:1 K:BB ratio is kind of hard to ignore.
3) I like the Mourneau pick. Your draft position kind of forced your hand there, so it’s perfect. Now just cross your fingers that Target Field isn’t pitcher friendly!
4) Really? I had him at .397/61/158/125/34. Not to mention with his multiple position eligibility at 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, C, and closer. Should be a nice surprise
@GopherDay: Thanks — my rationale on Stewart was partly his 2B/3B eligibility, since I had both positions available. (Ended up with Beltre at 3B, drafted way late. That was kind of the plan, if I couldn’t get one of the top half-dozen 3Bs (who all went in the first 3 rounds) but any plan that results in Owning Adrian Beltre isn’t one to get too excited about.
Also, partly his Razzability. Having missed out on the Mini-Donkey last year, I went with a strict What Would Razz Do? philosophy.
@matthole: re: Uggs — see above
re: C-Bills: He actually went with the pick right after Nolasco in my league, picks 2 and 3 of Round 9. It was a third-tier starter run. No way either one was coming back my way (another problem with the 2/23 pick split in a snake) so I went with Nolasco and his awesome spring and 16K game to end last year. I do love C-Bills though, even though he kind of chuffed my WHIP last year.
@Rudy Gamble: Thanks — Uggla was head, Stewart was heart. Trying to play more heart this year, which will hopefully be more fun. Also, I loathed pairing Uggla and Dunn, even though Stewart/Dunn is not better, avg-wise.
I like LaRoche too, but didn’t love the other options in Rnd 4 behind Morneau. With Felix in the fold already, I didn’t feel the need for another SP; and my plan this year was to pass on overpriced IF like Pedroia or burners like Ellsbury. I figured that, batting behind Mauer, Morneau’s in about the most RBI-friendly position in baseball (maybe tied with Holliday) and he’s the kind of guy I never draft but always see carrying other teams.
It’s a 12-team mixed league w/ shallow rosters (3OF, no CI or MI) so lots of guys went undrafted: LaRoche, Chris Davis, etc etc.
In a related story, I went with the Great Jeff Clement Experiment at C in Round Last, but Ianetta is out there on waivers; might have to make that swap. Though I do love Clement’s guaranteed mid-lineup ABs, if he can actually do something with them.
@everyone: With the two pick, I actually considered Braun over Hanley, mostly b/c OF seems shallow in power this year and I was all set to draft a speedster like Alcides late.
But of course, I couldn’t pass up Hanley. Right? Stupid second pick.
@Eddy: Thanks — yes, chime in! Everyone! I love the chiming.
That S-Rod projections sounds about right. Slightly less optimistic than Bill James. Hoping SRod might throw a few holds in there as well.
Bow Before SRod!
@matthole: ha! or MAGNOF – moobs aint got no face (children appropriate)
@quimmy: My Stewart pick was SAGHOF: Stewart Assured of Going to Hall of Fame
@Rudy Gamble: Well i would have to drop either chris young of the padres or masterson if i wanted both should I drop either or just pick up 1?
@BaronVonVulturewins: haha! we can only hope
I am the one that picked S-tewart in the 6th. I thought it was S-Rod. Oh, I got him before my first SP pick!
S-UP: S-UPSIDE!
@Matt: @Rudy Gamble: @GopherDay: re: Rauch — I probably split the difference on all y’all — when I took him in Rnd 12 pretty much everyone through Billy Wagner was gone (one guy went closer-value crazy, drafting Broxton in RND 4 (!!) and Baily in RND 7 (!!!)). Next closer taken after Rauch was Qualls.
I know Rauch is on a short-leash, but he profiles well as a closer, had previous success over a half-season with the Nats, is very tall, and the Twins are a team that seems to generate a lot of save opportunities — i.e. a good team that wins close games. (The Twinks also always seem to have one MR every year who wins, like, 12 games — for the same reason.)
Also, I tend to prefer younger, hard-throwing closers over “experienced” aged guys who’s arms could fall off at any time, i.e. Valverde/Coco Cordero. I think Frank-Frank was still on the board when I tood Rauch, but I owned him last year and his Mr. Glass fragility scared me off. Plus I imagine Rangers fans will be howling for Neftali the first time Frank-Frank gives up a single.
So I put Rauch sort-of mid-to-lower-mid tier — way after Soria, certainly, but alongside Qualls and Chris Perez and before guys like Dotel (who I also have) and Capps (who I also have — the Junk Store is open!)
BP: Marmol; Rauch; Frasor (also like, for reasons above); Dotel; Capps; FMorales
If I’m not leading the league in saves at the end of April, I’m doing something wrong.
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Also: Ron Gardenhire handles the BP well and he’s had a no-brainer, push-button system for years. My hunch is he’s not converting to a committee. If Rauch doesn’t implode, he sticks.
@Simply Fred: We will all laugh together, or all cry together.
But at least we’ll be together.
S-Rod is going to be drafted in round 1 next year. After going 40-40, the Angels go and release Kazmir because they couldn’t believe they traded S-Upside for him.
Hi, Grey or whoever wants to chime in, in a previous post I talked about Cantu with you and Grey brought up Juan Rivera. Juan Rivera gets no respect according to Grey which I agree with.
But in 500 plus at bats he SHOULD his close to .290 and 30 bombs. Isn’t he more valuable than guys like Rios, Bruce, Cargo…he’s very close to Bay’s value?
@Baron Von Vulturewins: I am your brother!
@Baron Von Vulturewins: I’ve also gone with Clement in one league where the choice is either him or Ianetta. I know Ianetta is the safer/better pick, but it’s not like anyone is going to rush out and grab him if he has a good start. If Clement has a good start, he might get some ink for being C-eligible and get on more owners’ radars. I think he’s a bigger risk to leave on FA if he has a hot April, whereas, I don’t think Ianetta is a risk at ALL to leave on FA regardless of his April.
Drop Wagner or Nunez for Rauch?
12 team 5×5 with IP limit of 1250. Pitching staff = Vazquez, Hanson, Wandy, Garza, Dempster, Floyd, Porcello. Pujols at 1B, Longoria at 3B.
I just traded Dempster for Chris Davis – good trade or bad trade? I peeped Davis’ platoon splits, and since there are deep benches, I figured I’d plop him in at Util every time he faces righties at home and sometimes on the road. I also drafted Konerko to stick in the lineup when he faces LHP (HR/14.8 AB over the last 3).Vs. RHP Davis hits a HR ever 16.5 AB with a stomachable .275 or so AVG.
If I never play him against LHP, is ~20 HR in 300 AB from my Util slot worth 200+ IP at 3.75/1.30 and 170 K from Dempster? There’s also the chance Davis breaks out, right? Or did I outthink myself?
im draftingt our razzball originals league tonight at 9,my 1st year with the originals and i dont see any of greys value picks being there when id hope,could be a weird draft,wont know my draft position till 8 and that alone is killing me,hoping for 8 to 10,will try to hold off on the heavy drinking till atleast 8
@Calogero: most leagues dont have enough spots to keep platoon players,if yours does it should work,dempster is a good pitcher not great,if your set at sp your fine
Anyone feel like weighing in on my keeper draft? 12 team mixed, H2H, keep 6 as long as you want. Standard 5 for hitters + OPS, Ks; W, L, ERA, WHIP, SV, K/BB for pitchers.
C – Pierzynski
1B – Fielder
2B – K. Johnson
3B – Chipper
SS – Tejada
LF – Carlos Lee
CF – Cody Ross
RF – Justin Upton
UT – M. Cab.
BN – Ad. LaRoche (1B)
DL – Beltran (CF)
SP – CC
SP – Vazquez
RP – Papelbon
RP – Hoffman
P – M. Gonzalez
P – Guerrier
P – Beckett
BN – Lilly
BN – Duchscherer
BN – Latos
BN – Strasburg
I traded away a bunch of mid-round picks last year in my championship run, which left me with kind of an hour glass draft….strong at the top, bunch at the bottom, not much in between. I think it’s led to some holes, but I’ll defer to y’all…
Which side in Grandy/cueto vs Ibanez/Kershaw?
@Sos: Really depends on if you need pitching or hitting more. If you have a solid staff, then take the Grandy/Cueto side, but if your pitching is lacking and you have plenty of good hitting then the Ibanez/Kershaw side is better.
@matthole: I think we are doing a great job at keeping Razzball an exclusive Men’s club… only tough broads need apply…
@AL KOHOLIC: miss contending against you. Good luck in the draft.
@Rudy Gamble: What do you think of Jake Fox in 14 team H2H? At Yahoo, he already is eligible at !B, #B, and OF. As he is backup catcher, all he needs is 5 starts/10 appearances to get C eligibility. I think that the A’s plan to use him on a fairly regular basis, spreading him all over the place so he doesn’t cause too much defensive damage. That guy certainly has pop.
Also, do you see a chance of Betancourt taking Morales’ job? He was the pre-season choice to be Street’s back-up closer, and is recovering from shoulder stiffness? Is he worth a pickup?
And last – Do you think that Barmes’ days are numbered as a starter, with Eric Young Jr breathing down his back?
Thanks
@Simply Fred: Sounds like the beginnings of rationalization to me
Buyer’s remorse for Stewart? We haven’t even begun the season yet! At least you don’t have half an infield on the DL… my whining is beginning already…
@Paulie Allnuts: yeah i own barmes at ss in our keeper league,spring numbers were pretty nice,so im hoping he takes a step up this year and holds his job,got evercab as a backup but not needing the steals
@Tyler: H2H you might be pretty weak until late May when you’d get Beltran and Strasburg into your roster. For the first couple weeks, you’re not going to have Lilly either and Duchscherer and Latos will only probably see one start a week (Latos might get skipped once or twice). I think your team will be solid from June on, but you don’t really want to dig yourself too much of a hole, so I’d recommend making a move.
What I would try to do if I were you is to trade Prince. Miggy is a stud and could very well put up better numbers than Prince this year but I bet Prince will get you a better return in a trade. And as long as you have both, there’s no point in having LaRoche since 1B and Util will always be filled. So I’d say deal Prince for someone like Zimmerman or Longoria PLUS another player you could use. So maybe Prince and Tejada for Zimmerman and Zobrist or Jeter or Cano something or Prince and Duchscherer for Longoria and Ubaldo or Nolasco or something similar.
This way you slide Miggy to 1B and get an upgrade at SS, 3B or 2B plus you can use LaRoche at Util. Either way you have to do something with your SP or you’ll get crushed for the first few weeks.
@Tyler: Small note: I like Duchscherer’s matchups the first couple out of the gate: both against power hitting Seattle squad. The first one especially at home against Rowland-Smith with a 6+ road era last year.
“Gardy”? “Cuddy”? Are those the worst and least creative nicknames ever? Do people in Minnesota just have NO creativity?
For realz, though, I’m looking forward to seeing if Mauery’s power is gonna continue. I also wonder how Morneauy’s back is.
Yes. The worst nickname in baseball is Cuddybear. After that it’s everything that comes out of Hawk Harrelson’s mouth in reference to Sox players.
@Baron Von Vulturewins: rauch doesnt hard. surprising for an amazon
@Baron Von Vulturewins: doesnt *throw* hard
@Paulie Allnuts: theres no crying in baseball!
@Calogero: Thanks much. I agree that a trade is probably in order. I tried shopping Fielder/Cabrera in the offseason, but this league puts an unhealthy amount of emphasis on position scarcity (eg. guy wanted Fielder PLUS something else for Mauer). With Beltran DL’d, I have one empty roster spot that I can use on a pitcher to make up for any innings that CC/Beckett/Vazquez/Duch don’t get, but I agree, there are some holes on this team.
@Simply Fred: Awesome – hadn’t even noticed that match-up yet.
@Rudy Gamble: Ha! In this league I prefer to think of him as the best (least worst?) of a raggedy-assed bunch.
One dog that may sit for a bit but certainly won’t be staying.
@AL KOHOLIC: 6 hours and counting…
Go on – start drinking now.
@ grey, @ rudy, @whomever
f-her and big panda or zimmerman and lester
thanks.
@herschel: I like the Zimmerman side. I see F Her and Lester both battling out for the ALCY this year, where as I see Zimmerman outproducing Panda in 4 of the 5 Cats.
Guys,
Aardsma has blown both save opps this spring, how much does that drop his value? Secondarily, do you put League or Lowe as next in line? I am gonna put a bid in for League, wise? How much should I go? 20? $1000 total budget
@herschel: It’s more or less apples and apples, but I’d take the Lester side by a hair.
What do you think of Mike Leake now that he has won the job in Cincinnati? Any value in a 12 team keeper?
@Nate Marcum: I don’t think spring training blown saves mean anything. $20 seems fine for Lowe, who should be next in line.
@Matt B: Very young, but good stuff. I’d grab him depending on who you’re dropping, of course.
@Grey: How do you rank Leake v. Gio Gonzalez or Jaime Garcia? This is assuming Gio gets a rotation spot, i’ll be dropping him if he doesn’t.
@Matt B: Leake last.
@Nate Marcum: Don’t pay attention to Spring Training stats….once the season starts….then go for it! (I say this while picking up League in my deep league)
Big article projecting what Target Park will do: http://katron.org/articles/
tl;dr version: It’ll be more pitcher friendly than the old field, especially when it gets cold out.
@GopherDay: I don’t trust ST stats, I think it would be wise to spend early on him just in case, my luck would be Aardsma losing his job on Monday where his FAAB goes up to over 100 and I am left high and dry.
Grey, you go with Lowe? I was hoping League would step in. Great stuff, but I guess Lowe has been there before. So would gambling 20 on League be worth it or not?
@Dr. Orlando Schadenfreude: Thanks for the tl;dr version.
@Nate Marcum: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/03/23/1120148/lowe-looking-to-crunch-numbers.html Says setup man.
Thoughts on Pujol’s SB totals this year? Think he’ll be more cautious with the sore back, or do you think he’ll match/surpass his 16 SBs from last year?
@Kazmere: He’s a 7 to 15 steal guy. If he got 5, it wouldn’t surprise me. Not really drafting him for steals anyway.
@Grey: Yup. Just curious. I dream of Albert and these are the things I ponder. I wonder how many protein shakes I’d have to drink, how many squats I’d have to do to fill half his thigh. I draft Albert for the warm fuzzy feeling he gives me after ever walk-off dinger.
@Grey: Thanks…You and him are definitely not compatible with his “I think strikeouts are selfish” mentality. Unless it’s the opposites attract theory. *to the tune of Paula Abdul’s song* You like strikeouts, he thinks they’re bunk….He hates Ian Stewart, you think he’s a hunk. Catchy……
@Nate Marcum: That’s hilarious.
What time is MLBs deadline for DL? Anybody? I’ve got to set my weekly roster by the end of tomorrow.
@Paulie Allnuts: @AL KOHOLIC: I was looking forward competing with you boys again, but alas, it was not meant to be.
@Grey: Ironically enough….Brandon league only last 2/3rd of an inning while giving up 4 runs and not recording a single K…
@Buge Hoobs: They’ll probably do it tomorrow or Monday morning.
Please help set my rotation for Week 1. I have two spots to fill.
Sheets vs. SEA Hernandez, at LAA Weaver
Cueto vs STL Wainwright
Slowey at LAA Pineiro
G. Floyd vs CLE Masterson
Thanks!
According to something I just read on Twitter, V-Mart has just been seen playing the accordion in the Red Sox’ clubhouse.
Most compelling reason yet not to draft him.
Aaack! My deadline is midnight tomorrow!!! I guess I might be looking at an incomplete roster for the first week. Damn you Kinsler!!
ETA for Pedro Alvarez this year?
@BKK: we shall meet again
@Yo Soy No Bueno: Floyd and Slowey.
@Steve: Hehe
@Slinky: Midseason at the earliest.
*****Andrew Bailey’s hurt again.
Andrew Bailey limped off the field in the ninth inning Saturday after suffering an apparent ankle injury.
@Grey: Thanks Grey. One other question. Do you blink for a second if you can move Strasburg for Wandy or is that just too good to pass up?
@Grey: re – bailey….wuertz>devine even tho wuertz is banged up too, right? thx
@matthole: Ziegler
@Yo Soy No Bueno: I want Wandy. No blink.
@Grey: hes already taken, forget it then?
I’ve got Soriano, Gonzalez, Dotel, Chris Perez, Frasor, and Morales. Is it even worth picking up Ziegler?
I would need to drop one of the above or Buchholz.
@matthole: Same predicament…Devine worth a speculative pick up if you have the space?
Grey, who many MR do you shoot for in a 12 team holds league? Roto
@matthole: Yeah, forget it.
@metsfan: Nah, looks like Bailey’s fine.
@GopherDay:Bailey’s saying he’s fine for Opening Day. As many as your team can fit/needs.
Trade question: Player then round they could be kept in the following year: Grandy(can’t be kept)/Cueto(13) for Blanks(16)/Kershaw(13). Really feelin down on Grandy with the lineup spot. These players can be kept minus 2 rounds for as many years as possible if that makes sense.
@Sos: I wouldn’t do it.
Travis Snider will hit ninth.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/8304/news;_ylt=AsxaH6n4UcqiHiQRakAaBHSFCLcF
@SamYo: Thanks for the heads up!
@Grey: Probably a good call. Grandy(can’t be kept)/Scherzer(14)/Vazquez(8) for Blanks(16)/Kershaw(13)/Hamels(can’t be kept). Tell me to just let my freakin team be. It’s only one day away!
Trade Mat Latos for Chris Davis?
@Commish Cauda (formerly Mike): Sure, if you need Davis.
Another one…Soria & Zimmerman for Teixeira
I need a 1B
Or would you rather have Loney than Chris Davis? I think I can trade Latos for either of them.
(H2H-POINTS League)
@Grey: 6th of 12,fielder howard,kemp,longoria?
@Grey: Don’t answer him!
@AL KOHOLIC:
In order…Fielder, Kemp, Longo, Howard
@Steve: get off here
@Commish Cauda (formerly Mike): Take Davis.
@AL KOHOLIC: I’m everywhere.
***Disclaimer, I didn’t read every single comment, just until the Twins hatin’ was over.
@brett and Rudy for that matter: Most Twins fans are extremely optimistic. I happen to love the Twins but am the most pessimistic fan every. Mauer will hit between 20 and 25 homers and will spend at least a brief part of the season with a nagging issue. I don’t think Liriano is going to pitch will this year and, to be honest, the Twins will under achieve this year. My expectations are much higher, but my guts says this team has failure written all over it. Morneau will have a back injury down the stretch (he has for two years in a row), Baker has to prove he is reliable, Slowey needs to hold up for the whole year, Blackburn is boring and should be the teams number 5 starter, Pavano needs to stay healthy and pitch like his FIP would indicate, and Liriano isn’t the savior. The bullpen is meh, the lineup can hit, and should be in the top 10 in the majors for their hitting, but their defense in the outfield will get old sooner rather than later.
*end rant.
Sorry for going on and on, but living in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St.Paul), the hype is unbearable, and after watching the Vikings choke, I don’t think my emotions could bear such high expectations again.
@Steve: at 6th,it doesnt matter,unless i have a real gameplan,cant really go wrong
***20-team H2H-POINTS Salary Cap Keeper League***
$70 cap per team. A player’s salary goes up a $1 per year
My trading partner has too many players, so he has to drop some to become legal, or trade a few for DL eligible guys to make room.
Alex Gorden $2 and Ted Lilly $1
FOR
Clay Buchholz $2
He’s not offering up Buchholz, and would never drop him, but with Gordon and Lilly going on the DL, it solves his problem.
He may still not go for it, but you like it for me?
***20-team H2H-POINTS Salary Cap Keeper League***
$70 cap per team. A player’s salary goes up a $1 per year
My trading partner has too many players, so he has to drop some to become legal, or trade a few for DL eligible guys to make room.
Alex Gordon $2 and Ted Lilly $1
FOR
Clay Buchholz $2
He’s not offering up Buchholz, and would never drop him, but with Gordon and Lilly going on the DL, it solves his problem.
He may still not go for it, but you like it for me?
sorry sorry for the double double post post
@Commish Cauda (formerly Mike): And you added a third post for good measure.
Grey, which, if any, should I drop for Gio: Hammel, Chapman, or Bailey
who do you like in a 5×5(obp) keeper: Grady or Justin Upton?
@Stephen: That’s more like it! Nah, you’re a good fan. I’m almost sorry that you feel that way. Almost. I’m still not over 2009.
What gets grating to me is the drooling all over Joe Mauer and the attitude that the Twins are some sort of elite ball club with the perfect formula for success. Twins fans seem to have this way of dissecting every front office decision like it was genius and far more strategic or something than anyone else could pull off.
To be fair, I don’t know many Twins fans. It’s just a vibe I get. Maybe it’s because Terry Ryan actually did stuff like that sometimes. Maybe it’s because i’m still getting over 2009.
@Paulie Allnuts: I’m eh on Jake Fox right now b/c he’s got so much competition for indefensible slugger (w/ cust). and i don’t believe he’ll see Catcher eligibility until all-star break if at all.
wow…just read that the A’s dumped Cust so Fox will likely see more ABs…intriguing bench player in 14 team or any 2 C league…
Was wondering if you guys would be so kind as to take a look at my team. I’m in a 6X5 (+OPS), 7 keeper league, ten team. I’ll be switching Figgins to 2B once he gains eligibility.
C: Mike Napoli, LAA C
1B: Prince Fielder, Mil 1B
SS: Hanley Ramirez, Fla SS
2B: Rickie Weeks, Mil 2B
3B: Pablo Sandoval, SF 3B
MI: EverCab, SD SS
OF: Jason Bay, NYM OF K
OF: Curtis Granderson, NYY OF
OF: Grady Sizemore, Cle OF
OF: Torii Hunter, LAA OF
Util: Carlos Pena, TB 1B
SP: Jake Peavy, CWS SP
SP: Kevin Slowey, Min SP
P: Ubaldo Jimenez, Col SP
P: Gavin Floyd, CWS SP
P: Tim Lincecum, SF SP K
RP: Francisco Rodriguez, NYM RP
RP: Heath Bell, SD RP
BENCH:
Stephen Strasburg, Was SP
Johnny Cueto, Cin SP
Phil Hughes, NYY SP
David Aardsma, Sea RP
Johnny Damon, Det OF
Ben Sheets, Oak SP
Chone Figgins, Sea 3B
Niemann or GIO GONZALEZ?
@Tom Emanski: what do you think tom? since you’re looking at niemann too….
@Matt B: Upton.
@Stephen: Good rant. Just hope the Twins don’t end up in a one-game playoff, up one with the bases loaded in the 9th, and they bypass Rauch to bring in Favre to close and, on a bootleg, he throws a pitch into the stands.
@Baron Von Vulturewins:
“This isn’t Detroit!”
Unless, of course, they end up in a one game playoff in Detroit.
DL just opened up a slot on my team, who to grab?
Cueto or Latos?
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Haha that comment made me laugh.
@Commish Cauda (formerly Mike): I’d want Buchholz.
@Tom Emanski: Chapman, if not a keeper. Hammel if a keeper.
@Mojo the Helper Monkey: Looks like a real solid team. Really nice pitching and the only headaches I see are EverCab.
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Hehe
@Slinky: Gio
@The Dude: Cueto
@Grey: Owe a lot of it to you, Grey. You brought me out of the Stone Age of fantasy baseball. Thanks for all your help.
@Mojo the Helper Monkey: No problem, just don’t forget the draft is only the first step.
Gio or kennedy for upside pitcher on the bench?
@Grey: I hear that. I would have been a week or two too slow on Zo last year had I not found this site last year. Retroactive thanks for that too.
@jj: Gio
@Grey: Dynasty league, which side do you like? Pujols/Ichiro/Rauch or Hamilton/Reyes/Bucholze
@GopherDay: albert all day
this season needs to start already; like, yesterday
@Grey: or anyone,whats the games played/started requierments foe espn and rcl leagues?
ok my one and only real draft this season as well:
5×5 12-team H2H (QS instead of wins) league has a pretty deep bench with 26 roster spots but there seems to be a lot of talent left over
Roster:
C Jeff Clement (Pit – C)
1B Nick Johnson (NYY – 1B)
2B Ian Stewart (Col – 2B,3B)
3B Ryan Zimmerman (Was – 3B)
SS Ian Desmond (Was – 2B,SS)
OF Ryan Braun (Mil – OF)
OF B.J. Upton (TB – OF)
OF Curtis Granderson (NYY – OF)
Util Raul Ibanez (Phi – OF)
Util Jay Bruce (Cin – OF)
Util Alcides Escobar (Mil – SS)
Util Travis Snider (Tor – OF)
BN Franklin Gutierrez (Sea – OF)
SP Felix Hernandez (Sea – SP)
SP Josh Johnson (Fla – SP)
BN Ricky Nolasco (Fla – SP)
BN Jonathan Sanchez (SF – SP)
BN Johnny Cueto (Cin – SP)
BN Mat Latos (SD – SP)
RP Carlos Marmol (ChC – RP)
RP Rafael Soriano (TB – RP)
P Billy Wagner (Atl – RP)
P Octavio Dotel (Pit – RP)
P Jason Frasor (Tor – RP)
DL Jose Reyes (NYM – SS) DL
DL Carlos Beltran (NYM – OF) DL
With Reyes and Beltran on the DL to start the season these are the guys of interest available to pick up:
Closers:
F. Morales
M.Capps
SPs:
Masterson
Joba Chamberlain
Gio Gonzalez
Hitters:
Kyle Blanks
Sean Rodriguez
Austin Jackson
Ianetta
LaPorta
Prado (I know 1B is hurting)
what two would you pick up? I’m leaning towards Blanks and S. Rodriguez or the closers and try to flip them.
oh and would you switch anybody out based on the list of availables…like drop FraGu for Blanks?
@danimal35: sean then blanks if me,but i like both alot
@AL KOHOLIC: 180 GS (normally 200 for standard ESPN) as listed in the RCL post here on Razz. ESPN has a standard 1000 minimum innings pitched (which I don’t think was addressed in the Razz posting).
@AL KOHOLIC: The 1000 IP is to counteract punting SP. If you don’t get the 1000, you get 1s assigned in 2 cats at the end of the season.
@Simply Fred: thanks but what about position players?
15-20 games?
@danimal35:
How the hell do you go through that deep of a draft (grabbing a lot of solid players along the way) and end up with such crap at 1B? First, I’d pick up Blanks. Then I’d do something to try to get a better 1B and help at the end of your rotation. You don’t have many starters for such a deep league. Someone in your league has to be real weak on closers – I’d look to trade with them. The problem seems to me that you’re starting the year with 5 donkeycorns and 2 guys on your DL, which leaves you almost no wiggle room on your roster. I think you’ll be OK – your utility guys are solid. Just kind of looks like a clusterfuck. Never seen someone punt first base.
@Terrence Mann: Every time I had somebody queued up and ready to take, they got sniped and early in the draft I had it in my mind that 1B was deep and I could wait a bit…then I refused to draft guys like Berkman and Pena…that I feel like I could trade a donkey-corn for after the first couple of weeks of the season…I was actually gonna risk the season with Robot Jones but he got snagged the round before i was gonna draft him and I actually moved him up a couple of rounds because of the need…after he got taken, i resigned myself to completely punting 1B and who knows if Nick Johnson can for one season of his life stay healthy…I like to trade and I will probably try to package a closer and Ibanez (if he starts out hot) for a upper tier 1B…that was my logic in the most illogical paragraph structure ever
@AL KOHOLIC: From ESPN rules:
“Roto SEASON games started maximums
Batters – Unlimited starts – No maximums
Pitchers – Limited starts – Maximum of 200 games started
NOTE: If a team exceeds the 200 games started max in the middle of a day, the team will continue to accumulate stats until the end of the day.” Again, we have our own RCL 180 GS for pitchers.
BTW: Paulie verified something he found out the hard way last year. Once the GS maximum is hit, ALL pitching is frozen from the end of that day–including RP.
@danimal35:
I guess I can see that happening. With so many utility spots, you probably could have seen 1B going quick, though.
I’d grab Blanks, like, yesterday. If somebody else get him, you may be forced to follow the ESPN perts and get Mike Jacobs as your “sleeper 1B”.
After looking again and seeing Capps and Morales as FA, I dunno if you’re going to be able to move a donkeycorn so easily. Are three guys in your league punting saves, or something?
at least two were on autodraft and i know them to be active on the wire during the season but they obviously had life interrupt their draft
One team has Street, Aceves and Howell as his only relievers
Another has Feliz and Qualls
Another has only Soria, and Adams (SD) and Moylan
Another has Nunez, Thornton, & Angel Guzman
some others have only two good closers or two good and a brain freeze
these guys took SAGNOF to a whole new level
I won’t pay early for saves but I like DKs because I usually can flip them by pairing them with a position player…like last year I traded Broxton and Brian Roberts for Utley (from the guy who has Nunez this year)
I have a feeling that these guys are gonna want to buy some saves after a few weeks
@danimal35:
I just saw that you can add two guys without having to drop anyone. Makes it pretty tempting to pick up one of those closers and Blanks. With three or four guys needing closers I think I agree that someone will want saves after a few weeks.
You need another starter pretty bad but the guys you show being available are the suck. Grey would prolly tell you to pick up Gio and Blanks.
so morales or capps?
i think i could sell morales to the street owner but his only 1B is Berkman…who is hoarding all the 1B (cuz another team punted 1B with only taking Robot Jones & Branyan)
@danimal35:
I’d wait for Grey’s advice. If it were me, I’d go with Morales. He could get saves in the first two weeks and be worth something to someone starving for saves – plus, who knows how long Street will really be out? I hate to tell you to pick up another closer for trade bait when you have so few starters. You sure there aren’t any other starters worth picking up?
Another question. What does the guy with Garrett Jones need (and when was he taken in the draft)? Dude is batting 3rd and hit 20 HRs in about 80 games last year. He could be a 1B you might pry away for relatively cheap.
@Terrence Mann: Well, looking at the rest of the league the average team has 6 starters or 6+ starters with the other one or two on the DL with a couple of teams that have 7-9 starters…i think I can survive with six and pick something up as the season goes on…i think my closers will pick up some K slack as well
Jones was taken in the 15th round but he only has Branyan as a backup…i wanted him and had him in the queue as my next pick
Granderson lasted till the 6th round though so I was stoked about that
@danimal35:
Yeah, I like your team. You just need a fucking first baseman.
The Qualls team is probably going to want to trade with you. Feliz ain’t getting him saves. He was gone from the draft and probably has some holes. If he’s active like you say, he’d be ideal.
Once you pick up Blanks, your strength is power out of utility. Bruce should be a badass this year. I don’t know if he’ll have much value in a trade for a few weeks, though.
1) What does the Qualls team have at 1B and what does he need?
2) What 1B did the hoarder grab late and what does he need?
Like I said, I think Grey would tell you to pick up Gio. Guess you’ll see tomorrow.
I’d go for Morales and Blanks and try to make a trade with one or more closers. Street isn’t even allowed to play catch right now.
http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_14797018
I’m going to bed. Whatever you do, pick up Blanks before someone else has the chance.
@Terrence Mann: Thanks TM…enjoyed the conversation and appreciate the advice
ahhhhaaaaa!!! I found the culprit….one team has Pujols, Votto, Kendry Morales, Moobs Butler, Cantu, & Big Papi…Thing is he can start them all because of all the UTIL spots and Cantu at 3rd…his SS is Orlando Cabrera and his only RP with a closer job is Nunez…Is there a deal to be made here? or do I ride it out for a bit and let him pine for a SS and rob him of Votto?
I want to buy into the I. Desmond hype, I really do.
But I just can’t see them leaving him in the lineup all year with all of the errors.
Are you worried about that?
I just finished a 12-team 5×5 (obp) weekly Head-to-Head draft. 25 rounds so deep benches. We are keeping 7 as well
C M Wieters (98)
1B/OF A Dunn (50)
2B D Uggla (74)
SS H Ramirez (2)
3B/1B P Sandoval (47)
OF G Sizemore (26)-regretting not picking J Upton
OF N Cruz (95)
OF H Pence (119)
Util-OF J Bruce (146)
BN 1B A LaRoche (263)
BN 3B/OF C Headley (242)
SP F Hernandez (23)-reach but 4 SPs already gone +6 more would go in rds 3&4
SP C Kershaw (71)-again 21st SP taken
SP S Baker (122)
SP J Danks (167)
BN SP K Slowey (170)
BN SP E Santana (215)
BN SP J Sanchez (218)
BN SP A Harang (287)
RP L Nunez (191)
RP O Dotel (239)
BN SP/RP P Hughes (143)
BN RP J Rauch (266)
DL-SP T Lilly (194)
DL-SP E Bedard (290)
Available:
OF T Snider, SS I Desmond, OF M Bradley, 3B/OF/C? J Fox
SP/RP B Morrow, SP K Correia, SP M Latos
Morrow is tempting with dual SP/RP eligibility. Always fun to run 5SP when opponent has 4. Snider could be huge and so could Fox in an OBP if he gets 5 games at catcher. Any thoughts on add/drops or areas you would look to improve after week 1? I like the team, had to reach in a few spots due to the SP rush for a weekly one win format.
I have 2 roster slots to fill due to DL. I think Morrow is 1 of them
@Simply Fred: Regarding all pitching being frozen once the max starts has been hit, was that on ESPN?
@Awesomus Maximus: most leagues are set up where,the day you reach your max innings all stats from that day count but no mas after that,if your 3 innings shy of the limit and start 4 pitchers,all stats count
Hey, sir Matthole picked up NYY’s Aceves and Boston’s Scutaro from the waiver wire. My first time to roto. I kind of expected pitcher streaming, but is it advantageous to stream hitters on a game-by-game basis from FA list as well?
Seems as if one could gain on some matchups without losing much if limiting action to FA bench-typers??
@Awesomus Maximus: Validation question in to Paulie. Pretty sure it happened to him in RCL (run through ESPN) last year. He’ll tell us for sure.
@AL KOHOLIC: Just wondering if the RP stats getting frozen has been proven to be the case on ESPN. I have 7 roto leagues there and it will definitely affect my overall gameplan for the season if that’s the case. I’ll probably just assume it’s the case anyway, but it would be nice to have confirmation.
@Simply Fred: Thank you, kind sir.
@Awesomus Maximus: Paulie: “That was last year at ESPN, not Yahoo. I never played with a pitching limit at Yahoo. That was last year, in Razzball. I saw nothing in the rules as well. That was just the way it turned out.”
@Awesomus Maximus: BTW: fitting moniker: “Awesomus” that you can manage SEVEN roto leagues. What is your “Maximus” anyway?!
The great Gonzalez by default is the 5th starter for Okland
Cousin Brandon Morrow is the 4th starter for the Blue Jays
Which one of these two gems do you like better
@Simply Fred: Ha! Yeah, seven roto leagues, two H2H leagues. I didn’t intend to get into that many, but I found the mock drafts to be polluted with false bidders and jerk offs trying to screw things up (guy buys Pujols for $160, then leaves). I needed some concrete info for the research I was doing regarding auction drafts and the only way I was going to get it was through real drafts.
Thanks for the info. I scoured the rules at ESPN and didn’t see anything, so it’s nice to know that RP freeze could be in effect. I already planned on trying to rack up saves early, keep only a select few (4-6) mid-top tier SPs on staff until second half. Then, when I feel I’m in good shape on saves, trading away any stud closers for top SPs to work on Ks and Ws and putting in some good MRs to bulk up (down) ERA and WHIP, if necessary. This glitch in ESPN’s system shouldn’t affect that plan, but it’s still good to know.
Alberto Callaspo – the number 3 hitter – ha
80 rbi’s from a real Schmohawk – Billy Butler owners beware he is going to take away from Butler’s RBI production
hey he is my 2nd basedud or basedude in my 20 team league – do you feel like I do
@Awesomus Maximus: Would like to share thoughts if you want to email me:
fred_barker@comcast.net
@GopherDay: Pujols
@danimal35: I’d go Sean-Rodriguez and LaPorta, due to Nick Johnson’s health. Lack of flexibility is the only thing downside I see on your team. FraGu for Blanks is good. Morales if you can sell him, sure.
@jj: Yeah, and strikeouts. He could be gone by mid-April, but that’s okay. I’m not telling you to play him at 1st and draft him in the 1st. He’s an MI. They’re a dime a dozen if he doesn’t work out.
@Matt B: Grab Morrow and Latos. Looks like a real solid team, well done.
@mrbaseball: This your dynasty league? I’d go Gio.
@Grey: Can you weigh in on #169. Is this a practice (streaming hitters) I should be considering, or eh…?
Grey or Anyone—
2nd year of keeper league H2H (OBP/BB league)
Which side do you want?
Longoria, Kinsler, Wainwright or Zimmerman, Ichiro, Carpenter, Hanson
@Simply Fred: If I have room I stream hitters on off days for other teams.
@Swass: Longoria’s side.
I was offered Rollins for Lester/Theriot. Am I correct in thinking this is a slam dunk accept?
@Grey
12-team auction league: R, RBI, RC, OBP, SLG and K, QS, ERA, WHIP, SV/HD. I’d like to keep all three 1B. What OF makes more sense to move for MI/SP help?
C Russell Martin
1B Prince Fielder
2B Alberto Callaspo
3B Chase Headley
SS Hanley Ramirez
MI Alcides Escobar
CI Adrian Gonzalez
OF Andre Ethier
OF Carlos Lee
OF Carlos Gonzalez
OF Josh Hamilton
U Joey Votto
B Carlos Quentin
B Carlos Beltran
P Clayton Kershaw
P Jonathan Sanchez
P Jorge De La Rosa
P Mat Latos
P Ben Sheets
P Johnny Cueto
P Scott Downs
P Mike Adams
P Todd Coffey
H2H Points league with weekly lineups. I need to start 2 of these 3 SP:
Shawn Marcum v. Tex/Feldman and Bal/Millwood
David Price v. NYY/Vasquez
Kevin Slowey v. Ana/Pineiro
Thoughts?
@anyone!
Have an open spot now and will have a second spot opening soon once Webb hits the DL. Starters are Lester, King Felix, Bucholtz, Latos, and ugh…Carmona.
Any of these names look interesting for a couple of weeks? Brad Penny, Gio Gonzales, Netfali Perez, Chris Young, Homer Bailey.
*Neftali Feliz
@Juice: id take rolins
@David: I personally like Homer Bailey. Pitched really well down the stretch last year and looks like he finally figured it out.
@AL KOHOLIC: Thanks for your input. I’m in an obp league so Rollins’ value is slightly lowered but his obp probably won’t be much lower than Theriot’s and he’ll beat him in every other category. I think Lester is going to have a big year but I’d rather have the regular player and I think my team has some pitching depth.
@scrotum: Quentin, Hamilton or CarGo, whatever gets you a better SP.
@Chris: Marcum, Slowey
@David: Gio and Bailey.
@Grey: What would you think about A-Rod for Reyes?? My team is really old: (Ichiro, Manny, A-Rod, Hoffman, Chipper, Tejada)
@GopherDay: I’d want A-Rod.
Grey 10 team h2h matsusz or kuroda?
@Grey: u start price home vs yanks this week….has good home splits
Seems like we all have the same type of questions today, with the guys going on the DL and opening up spots. I just missed out on Ervin, grr!
This is my team (12-team, roto)
C Jorge Posada
1B Kevin Youkilis
2B Jose Lopez
3B Alex Rodriguez
SS Miguel Tejada (blech)
OF Matt Holliday
OF Curtis Granderson
OF Raul Ibanez
Util Alfonso Soriano
Util Carlos Gonzalez
BN Alcides Escobar
BN Juan Pierre
SP Clayton Kershaw
SP Phil Hughes
RP Carlos Marmol
RP Bobby Jenks
P Jason Frasor
P Octavio Dotel
P Chris Perez
P Franklin Morales
BN Ricky Nolasco
BN Josh Johnson
DL Cliff Lee
The following guys are available:
Hitters: FraGu, Everth, CoJack, LaPorta, Glaus, Aviles, Avila, Sean Rod
Pitchers: a few HodgePadres: Chris young, Garland, Latos.
I’m tempted to pick up Chris Young, but Sean Rod is also tempting. Thoughts?
@DrEasy: upside with sean is awesome,
@Mikey boy324: Depends on the staff makeup, but probably Matusz.
@matthole: Nope
@DrEasy: Sean-Rod
h2h 12 team
would you start these guys or change one…..
we can play rp or sp
our starters and relievers score about the same..only diff is starters can get extra for cg,pg,etc….so dont see that being a factor for ozwalt this week!!
my sp weaver,wandy,and de la rosa,then rp papelbon,h.bell,and aardsma
just thought aardsma cause seattle plays 7 times this week…heres my other choices…..
ozwalt…ya i know 2 starts but lincecom and halladay? dont want to come out of that losing points..lol
phil hughes,david price,marmol and h street is out
thanks!
grey…my team is as follows..
C vmart
1b miggy
2b utley
3b longo
ss asdrubal
of j-up
of holliday
of c.lee
util span
util helton/n.morgan/pierre/reimold
sp lester
sp nolasco
rp bell
rp qualls
rp soria
p oswalt
p hudson
p hughes
bn frank francisco/downs/sherrill/mike adams/colby lewis/masterson/
what do you think? any areas of weakness?
also, would you pick up prado? hes good @ 1/2/3…or cojack?…or ryan rowland smith?
@Grey: figured….thanks
I have one OF, CI, util spot to fill out of the following players:
maybin, delmon young, reimold (havent given up hope)…..freese, garrett jones
I have jones slated in CI, but i like freese this week so i could put him at util or put him at CI and move jones as my 5th OF and then use maybin/young as util……
howd u play this hand? thanks
do you think my bats are pretty good? spent most of my money on them this year….still feel like i did ok on pitching?
spent 216 of the $275 on bats
c – martin russel
1b- b butler
2b- utley
3rd- wright
ss- rollins
of- adam jones ,adam lind,werth
2 dh can be anyone…t hunter and tejada
bench is c-ianetta,ian desmond
Wow it took a really long time to read all those comments! As far optimism goes, it’s hard not to be an optimist when Spring begins in Minnesota after being snowed in for roughly the past six months. Also, Cuddy and Cuddybear aren’t the worst nicknames for Cuddyer — I believe “Cuddles” tops them both. [vomit] Morneau is generally referred to as the Canadian Crusher and Mauer as Man Muscles… but that’s an entirely different post.
HAPPY OPENING NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@robertloblaw: Your team looks solid for now, I’d go with CoJack.
@matthole: I wouldn’t start Young anywhere or Reimold if he’s not starting.
@chiasports: Your bats look like solid power and speed guys. I’d start Oswalt.
So who do you like more from the waiver wire: Duchscherer or Latos?
Thanks!
@Sooze: Minnesotans seem like the rugged-type from the movies I’ve seen, so I kinda like Cuddles. Makes all Minnesota fans sound like bears, in the Tom Collico sense.
@K Krazy: I own both in different leagues. Probably go Latos if both were there.
@AL KOHOLIC: @Grey: Can’t argue with two of the great minds of Razzball! I picked up Sean-Rod! I still need to find room for a HodgePadre or two, maybe when some of my numerous relievers lose their closer role.
I’m thinking of offering Kershaw and Aardsma for Verlander.
Is it a good deal? I have 5 closers and Rauch is still in the pool.
We count QS
@Eddy: I’d take Verlander.
@Eddy:
Thanks for the quick response. If he rejects it, would it be wise to throw in another closer, say Jenks, for a total of Kershaw, Aardsma and Jenks?
Or is that too much?
@Eddy: Sure
Pick 4 starters for Week 1 out of this group:
Pettitte vs. Bos(Lackey)
Buchholz vs. KC(Meche)
Pelfrey vs. WAS(Hernandez)
Kuroda vs. FLA(Volstad)
Duchscherer vs. SEA(Rowland-Smith
Kennedy vs. SD(Correia)
Hammel vs. SD(Latos)
Carmona vs. CHW(Peavy)
@Graham: Buchholz, Kuroda, Dook-sheer and Kennedy…
Thanks Grey! Gonna be a great season!!!
Just felt the most intense earthquake I’ve ever felt here in San Diego…it started just as I was buying Grey a daiquiri…coincidence?
for many of you – this will be the last time you will be in first place this year
@danimal35: Thanks and I felt it too. Not that strong where I was.
@mrbaseball: Ha!
@danimal35: Ha! I’m in San Diego as well and would like to thank you for making life interesting. Gimme a warning next time you are thinking of buying Grey a drink.
14 team h2h counting 5×5 plus OBP, XBH, K/BB and Holds. Just got this offer-
I get Abreu and Branyan
I give JD Drew and Billy Wagner.
I have 4 other closers- Broxton, Capps, Gonzalez and Rauch. Took Drew at 226 and Wagner at 167. I have an extra DL spot so I could stash Branyan and grab some other schmo.
Thoughts?
@royce!: @Grey: @mrbaseball: Whoops I think that was me….oh you think it was Grey? Uhh…Yeah it was him!….
On a different note, I can’t wait for this season to begin!!!
in what order do you like these DL stashees?
(SP) wang, mcgowan, meche, (RP) kuo, hanrahan, kelvim escobar, uehara…thanks
@danimal35: I just bought Grey a daiquiri and the ground did NOT shake. Scientific method, snitches!
I am thinking about making a trade to bring in some saves and have been offered this.
Zimmerman(3B), Everth Cabrera, and Jason Motte, with me receiving Derek Lee, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Carlos Marmol.
Lee, Zimmerman, and Marmol all have contracts that expire at seasons end making them draft eligible. I don’t know what to think about Motte, I feel like hes in line to vulture at least 10 saves. I am also not a big fan of having Derek Lee on your team coupled with the fact that I live in Milwaukee.
@royce!: I think you can do better, but the deal is good for you.
@robertloblaw: McGowan, Kuo…
@royce!: Thanks!
My question in should I pull the trigger
@Trevor: I’d want Zimmerman.
@Grey: Yeah, thanks for confirming my suspicions. I had originally told him Wagner for Abreu OR one RP (Capps, Gonzalez, or Rauch) plus one OF (Drew, Bradley, Headley) for Abreu. I think I can get him to come around to the wisdom of one of the latter trades.
never saw this coming – Cust angry after demotion
@royce!: well somebody is creating these aftershocks…must be some happy hour special drinks!
I enjoyed how Bobby Valentine said Steinbrenner will bring the World Series trophy to Tampa like it’s passed around like the Stanley Cup.
@danimal35: Yah, this shizz has been crazy. Maybe Blanks is going jumping jacks?
“doing” not “going”
@royce!: Ha!
@royce!: now that is comedy!!
@danimal35: I’ll be here all year! Remember to tip your bartender!
Welcome to NY, Grandy! Too bad I’m starting Beckett in two leagues…
@royce- same exact situation, own both grand and beckett. Honestly though thanks a lot grey for the grand advice! (pun)
Has anyone tried Yahoo’s stat tracker/gamechannel? Its acting really crappy for me, and I was wondering if it was doing anything like that for anyone else.
And sweet with Grandy! I seem to own him in nearly all my leagues…(Except one) This is a good start!
ya i dont think stat trackers workin
@GopherDay: Yea stattracker isn’t loading for me. It keeps saying a script is messing it up.
@Martin: Its given me a flash warning thing on every one of my computers. So, its probably an error on their part. I guess its the downside of free stat tracker…
Man, that was a monster home by Grandy…455 ft!
I’m curious as to how other people would rank the following pitchers based solely on who will accumulate the most fantasy points this season. How off am I?
Duchscherer, Wade Davis, Carmona, Ian Kennedy, Cueto, Chris Young, Clayton Richard, Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Homer Bailey, Chapman, Marcum
@GopherDay: Grandy! It’s gonna be a good year to own him.
@Bichette Happens: Cueto, Dook-sheer, Gio, Kennedy, Bailey, Davis… It’s Cueto and then coin flips.
@Grey: Grey, you really have no faith in Carmona, eh?
@Bichette Happens: Yup
Got this trade offer the other day, Morneau and Broxton for Fielder. I have Fielder. I probably should do it, but I just love Fielder and its hard to see myself parting ways with him, haha.
@GopherDay: Yep same with me, same error.
@Flyin: It’s fair, I’d hold tight.
@GopherDay: Being from Boston and owning Granderson, it makes me both happy and sad. Got the feeling he’s gunna give me lots of pains and joys
would u trade: jj, alonso, dwyln young, pelfrey for
kubel, bourbon, j. rivera, lilly
in dynasty?
@Grey: Thanks man. I know he wants him so I’ll prob be able to get something better later on.
@big al: JJ who? Hardy? Johnson?
***Why isn’t Dr. Dre in the lab working on Detox?
josh johnson
@big al: I’d want Johnson.
Brett Gardner just stole home…opening day, nice!
@Grey: Maybe he’s trying to talk Girardi into making a cameo? He’s got one gangsta grill!
@Grey: Detox is long overdue. Miss when he was in the lab with a pen and a pad tryin’ to get this damn label off.
@GopherDay: Damn, was making dinner and missed. Gardner! Wait, I’m fingercuffing him. Damn!
@royce!: Better be remixing Take Me Out to the Ballgame.
@Van Hammersly: Yeah, everyone’s forgot about Dre.
@Grey: Well Austin Jackson better show him up by stealing 3 bags and hitting a homer, cuz I SAGNOF’d him instead of Gardner.
6×6 league with obp and holds. would u add maybin, austin jackson, gardner, snider to stick in at utility until kinsler’s back OR add one of these sp’s for now: latos, gio, duch, rowland-smith, bucholz, morrow, penny. dont have much depth on offense…
C Jeff Clement
1B Justin Morneau
2B Ian Stewart
3B Kevin Youkilis
SS Alexei Ramirez
LF Ryan Braun
CF Torii Hunter
RF Bobby Abreu
OF Carlos Quentin
Util Conor Jackson
BN Colby Rasmus
DL Ian Kinsler
SPs: wainwright, hamels, nolasco, haren, oswalt, cueto, e.santana
@paulzone: Just put Colby in at Util, then pick up a pitcher.
@Grey: In a 10 team keeper you like Pineiro over DLR, GioGonz, or Correia?
I know, extremely exciting question.
@grey, @rudy, @whomever
12 team, 5 x 5 roto, standard catagories, weekly changes.
c – m. napoli
1b – p. fielder
2b – a. cabrera
3b – r. zimmerman
ss – t. tulowitzky
of – m. kemp
of – n. cruz
of – j. bruce
dh – c. pena
sp – j. lester
sp – j. johnson
sp – u. jimenez
sp – s. baker
sp – j. cueto
rp – j. soria
rp – b. wagner
bench hitters – c. gonzalez, c. davis, d. fowler, c. ianetta, a. jackson, j. fox
bench pitchers – j. sanchez, m. latos, g. gonzalez, m. lindstrom
any thoughts would be appreciated.
Good thing the scoring starts tomorrow.
(started Beckett)
@GopherDay: i dont feel that good about rasmus and conor yet…plus austin jackson is peaking my interest.
which pitcher you like?
man, i have a boatload of rps too: aardsma, rauch, saito, medlen, sherrill, okajima, bard, motte.
Who should be my first drop in case of a stupid drop by some other team? I’m thinking Franklin Morales or Clay Buchholz. I have 5 other closers but 2 are temporary (Chris Perez and kinda Frasor).
***16-team, H2H-POINTS League***
I drafted Hammel and Rowland-Smith as late round flyers for my 5th starter spot. Felipe Paulino and Anibal Sanchez are available. Please pick the best two to start the season.
Thanks.
@paulzone: Well if you aren’t comfortable with CoJack or Colby then pick up Jackson. You look like you could use some speed in there.
Out of that group, if I picked up a pitcher I would most likely go with either Latos or Bucholze.
@danimal35:
Grey surprised me. What did you end up doing? I’d definitely try to pry a 1B away from the hoarder. Maybe give him a closer and one of your utility guys (but not Bruce unless he’s giving you an elite 1B).
@paulzone: You don’t feel good about Rasmus but Jackson is peaking your interest? Gardner for steals, Snider for power. Latos as the pitcher.
@timSTi: Nope
@herschel: Looks like a solid team, but a little light on steals, unless you can work some of those bench hitters in. Your pitching looks fine.
@metsfan: Buchholz
@Commish Cauda (formerly Mike): Hammel and Paulino.
Well the first game of the season is completed. I give my condolences to all who started Sabathia, Beckett, or both!
@GopherDay:
Good time to trade for either one of them.
Rockies have announced they’re using this lineup in the opener:
1. Carlos Gonzalez, CF
2. Seth Smith, LF
3. Todd Helton, 1B
4. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
5. Brad Hawpe, RF
6. Chris Iannetta, C
7. Ian Stewart, 3B
8. Clint Barmes, 2B
9. Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP
I’m benching Fowler this week for Brett Gardner. Tracy is talking about a platoon between Fowler and Smith.
I forgot about how Tracy is the most annoying manager in fantasy baseball. I think he would have rested 1927 Babe Ruth against some tough lefties.
@Brian:
Haven’t commented about it, but Fowler doesn’t seem to be an ideal #2 hitter. Lots of strikeouts and I’m not convinced of his AVG and OBP from last year. Denver Post is already talking about him being traded for a pitcher like Sheets later in the year for a playoff push, which makes sense to me.
@Grey: Which SS/MI combo you like better – Tejada/The Riot or The Riot/Kelly J?
Chris Young (the pitcher) or Hughes?
@Grey: I will accept your apology re: Pedroia whenever you are ready. Right now, he is far and away the best 2nd baseman in the game. Please make it fast, there are a bunch of other teams playing tomorrow!
@GopherDay: Hehe
@Brian: Thanks for the heads up!
@Terrence Mann: Fowler had a .400+ OBP in the minors.
@Steve: Johnson side.
@DrEasy: Hughes
@Grey: Mattew Barry is writing like you more and more everyday…Hate that feeling.
@Grey: So, the high SO numbers don’t concern you? Not ideal for a #2 hitter, anyway.
what do you predict the line for co-jack will be?
yahoo just posted that he will leadoff in the opener…