I don’t like Brandon Webb. Why, Grey? Why the hard feelings? Did he have sex with your sister and then make you smell his fingers? No, you sick bastard. In 2004, I owned Brandon Webb in a league that counted Ks minus BBs and Webb had 119 walks that year, which is about twice his usual amount. I left that season vowing never to draft him again. So what did he do since my vow? He went on to become one of the top pitchers in the game. Did he become great as a personal vow of vengeance against me? Probably. Now just because Brandon Webb wants to be petty doesn’t mean I have to be, too. So while he has sucked dog balls over the last month, am I celebrating his struggles during Mojito Night at Case de Grey? No, it’s not necessary. A 6.05 ERA in June is bad. He knows. I don’t need to point out the obvious. Only 14 strikeouts in 22 IP is dreadful. In his last two games his ERA is 9.58. That’s 11 ER in 10.1 IP. Ugh and ugly. So this is great news for me because I get to see Webb struggle, but even better news for all of you that don’t own him. Not simply for the schadenfreude glee you get from seeing your friends miserable. (But that helps!) No, his recent struggles opens up a buying opportunity. Last year his Pre-All Star break ERA was 3.37; Post-All Star was 2.56. His three year average against is .256 before the break and .239 after. I’m not a huge fan of trading for pitchers, especially not top ones, but while Webb struggles, there might be a chance to get him cheaper than usual. So if you need to get a pitcher, Webb should get better. Anyway, here’s some other players to buy and sell in fantasy baseball:
BUY
Chris Davis – Mentioned this morning. How’s that for timeliness?
Fred Lewis – On one hand, he has a name that sounds like he should be an 80s sitcom character, on the other he has 6 HRs and 13 steals. Consider him a weak man’s 30/30. Say 10/30?
Steven Pearce – Starting to hit everything he sees out of the park. Pirates prospect should get a look soon once the Pirates realize they should be playing for next year. (Yes, they should’ve been playing for next year in March. That’s cute. Did you think up that one on your own?)
Vladimir Guerrero – He already made one Buy list. Guess what? I’m still buying. Not because I think he’ going to go 40/40 after the break, but I do think he will be better than he has been and his price tag is extremely low right now.
Jim Thome – I noticed he was on waivers in one of my ten team leagues. Hmm… Once interleague is over, I’m picking him up. As a utility guy, he’s that bad? (That was rhetorical!)
Wandy Rodriguez – Well you came and you gave without taking, but I sent you away, oh Wandy… Where else do you go to get your fantasy baseball and Barry Manilow fill in one place? (That’s not rhetorical.)
Ryan Church – He should be back this weekend from his concussion. (On a side note, I was hit by a truck in college, knocking me into a coma. Long story short, I was back within the week getting drunk on Lansdowne. The truck was bigger than Marlon Anderson. Seriously, Willie might have made a misstep chucking Church back in there the next day, but now Church’s moving close to pulling a Kotchman.)
Gary Sheffield – Sheffield hates you. He just does. There’s no rhyme or reason. He especially hates those who think he can’t play anymore. To prove your stupid face wrong, he will continue to hit and prove his worth. But Sheff has the distinction of being both a Buy and a Sell. See below why he’s a “Sell.” (Talk about hedging my bets!)
SELL
Gary Sheffield – He’s old and steroids are now banned. Nagging injuries become DL stints and “Sheff needs a day off.” It’s hard for me to hate on Sheff too much; Sheff talks about himself in third person. Grey likes that, but Grey also is not picking Sheff up in any league.
Carlos Pena – If Pena was dropped in any league while he was injured, he’s worth grabbing to see if he can get hot. But, like Chief Jay Strongbow, I have my reservations. Then again, I used to think George Michael was straight, so I’ve been wrong in the past. Wait, this sounds like a Buy. Yeah, it is sorta (Grey’s hedging again!), but I also think Pena will be a season long bust and if Pena gets hot I think he should be sold immediately before he gives you a .220 average.
Francisco Liriano – He might be a Buy again next week, but for now, I’m dropping him. He’s looked bad in his last two minor league starts.
Kurt Suzuki – He had two home runs in the last two weeks and now he’s a hot add. An arm wrestling match between Suzuki vs. Kendall would last for three hours with one of them quitting because of a broken nail.
Eric Stults – I loved him as Rocky Dennis. Is he some kind of wonderful? Eh.
J.D. Drew – He will break your heart, just ask Philly.
Milton Bradley – He hates you more than Sheff. Larry King seems to think Milton Bradley should add “Fun For All Ages” at the end of his name. I think Milton Bradley would Chacon the air from your lungs if he heard you say that.
How do you feel about Alex Gordon for the rest of the year? Also, what order would u rank these SP for possible adds to your roster…. Nolasco, Litsch, Ollie, Wakefield, Padilla, Parra.
@wakeNbake: I like Gordon. Feel like he will continue to get better. Parra, Nolasco, punt.
@Grey: I trade away Josh Willingham for Ryan Church?
@Zebo: No
@Grey: Drop Renteria or Keppinger for Gordon?
@Steve: Either. Dealer’s choice!
@Grey: Neither of ‘em are aces, that’s for sure. Boom-tish!
@Steve: Kinda like a pair of deuces. And I’m not talking about cards. Oofa!
trade Bruce for Willingham?
i understand the risk of harden and injuries but if i can pick him up for Krispie Young i’m gonna do it
@Commie-tment Issues: Yup.
@nick: Krispie’s such a negative, I could understand that.
EDIT: I mean, everything’s within reason. I don’t want Carlos Pena, but in a deep enough league I’d take him.
@Grey: you seem to really like Willingham, why? His numbers the last two years are solid but not overly impressive. He started hot this year, then was out for a while, and he looks not the same right now.
@Zebo: Cause I liked him over Bruce and Church? Bruce looks overmatched and Church has been dizzy for two months. Willingham has 10-steal speed and 20 home run power right now. Bruce is not getting to 20/10 and Church had never done what he was doing up until the concussion. He might continue but he might not. I want both over Bruce and Willingham’s a hair over Church.
Pierzynski having a nice year so far, you could do alot worse at catcher…..still no love for big A.J Grey?..haha
davis over headley? i have 1B (teixeira and fielder) and 3B (wright) covered, so really would be grabbing one for a potential IF or UTIL, or just to make others wonder why i tower above mere mortals… anyhow, any thoughts?
Nice coaching by yours truly tonight. Bench Nick Swisher in favor of Helton because I didn’t like him against Dempster and I liked The Todd vs. some guy named Bonine. So Swisher goes 2 for 3, with a HR and 4 RBI and I don’t think the game is over. Why does this make me hate Helton more? Is he responsible? Literally, the first time I’ve played him in a week. Fucking moron.
@knightown: ouch… and helton’s not even in the starting lineup.
well, if it makes you feel any better, after being unable to find anyone who wanted to trade for him, i started dempster. i expected a regression. just not in 2.1 IP.
oh, and benched teixeira in favor of beltre. now that i think about it, i’m not sure if i’ve ever made a lineup decision that proved correct… why am i doing this again? to learn humility?
@wakeNbake: AJ? Eh.
@royce!: Headley and Davis are apples and apples. Not much point.
@knighttown: That’s a sonavabench!
@Everybody
Hold your Franklins and Perezes.
Mozeliak just said Izzy woke up with swollen knee, to be evaluated before deciding on DL.
Doesn’t sound good for Izzy.
@Grey: drop Josh Willingham for Eva(n) Longoria?
EVAN LONGORIA DEMANDS YOUR RESPECT.
@Zebo: Personally I like Longo, especially after he has hit three dingers in three days. I traded Kinsler and ARam for Utley/Longo and have been pleased so far. Being a rookie makes him risky but I don’t think any moreso than Willingham coming off a DL that CBS is reporting that it is an issue with his back that may not go away without surgery.
That’s my worthless two cents. I would at least want to see what Willi does here after returning from the DL.
@Zebo: I wouldn’t drop Longoria for Willingham. Why drop a guy that’s hot for one who is just returning from the DL?
Would you trade Atkins and Kerry Wood for Rios, Beckett, and Edwin Encarnacion?
@Get Figgy With It: Yeah, I would.
Trade Loney and Maggs for Youk and Sherrill?
@BigFatHippo: Nope.
My hitting is tops in the league and im a little thin at pitching but someone offered me Gordon for Oswalt. Oswalt has been pitching better but I do like Gordon. My SP is Oswalt, Harang, McGowan, Nolasco, Weaver, Parra, Chris(leaky Brain) Young and Wainwright. Do you think I could afford to do this move?
@Grey: is Jon Lester a safe spot start @HOU? By the way, I would be dropping Willingham for Eva Longoria.
@wakeNbake: I don’t think you should.
@Zebo: Lester @HOU is solid. Start him.
J.P Howell, Fernando Rodney or Grant Balfour for a better MR
Young players are a funny thing… I’ve had Headley stashed away for a while – waiting for a call up. Then, I’ve benched him while he strikes out and works out a few bugs. Sad thing is, he has hit three home runs and I have reap’d the rewards of exactly ZERO.
Chipper is hurt. Do you play Headley and let him role? I had been, but I stuck Hairston Jr. in there tonight for some stupid reason.
Would u get whatever you could for Wainwright? say maybe an Alex Gordon or a player of similar value??
@Mike: Howell right now.
@Mike: I’d take Gordon for him.
@RT: Sonavabench!
chris davis gets called up on thurs…it’s fri night and he’s not even on yahoo waivers…wtf? if i wanted the rest of the league to catch up to me i’d email them links to this site
@Grey:
Ka-zing!
Anyone starting Parra against the red hot Twins? In Minny, no less.
Trying to get Aramis Ramirez – person who has him wants starting pitching. I’m thinking of offering either Cliffie Lee or Verlander. Thoughts? Also have Webb, Joba (and, shamed to admit) Jeff Francis and Cabrera; but my offense is worse – it’s sad all around.
@danimal35: Yeah, I don’t get it either. He actually got in the game on Thursday too.
@RT: I would if I owned him.
@jimmyz: Cliff Lee would be a great move.
@jimmyz:
I’d take a bat like that over Lee or Verlander in a minute. Actually, I’d take a bat like that over any SP in a minute.
@Zebo: @Grey: Just so you know…I might be going to the Astros game… and i will be running onto the field with a jackhammer aiming for John Lester…be weary. Also, the astros will put a 7 spot on him in the 2nd. How you like them apples?
@Chase: Awesome. Thanks for the heads up.
@ Grey: Got a question for you. I’m considering dropping Elijah Dukes for another pitcher. I already have Lackey, Peavey, Zambrano, Jurrjens, and Garza (and Carmona is on my DL). However, I’m still about 35 innings under my pace for the season, and wouldn’t mind adding another starter so long as it’s going to be someone with a high ceiling.
I can’t decide if I want to drop Dukes b/c he’s been playing well lately, but as someone that followed his career locally in Tampa, I just feel it’s a matter of time until he goes mental and implodes. Plus, I already have Hamilton, Bay, Rowand, and Bruce in my outfield (and Alexi Ramirez and BJ Upton both qualify there). So…. (a) would you drop Dukes at all in this situation, and (b) if so, who do you feel is the better bet to have a great second half as a starter: Liriano or Buckholtz?
@RT: No sir, no how. I have an edge in the peripheral stats in a h2h league with Parra, I’m not throwing him out there for a 6 BB 9 H, 3 ER win.
@G-Ram: I would look to drop Dukes, but I’m not crazy about what I’m seeing from Liriano lately. This could change. So I’d go for Buchholz but only for a lack of choices you’re giving me.
Well Day 1 of the great Washington Nationals expiriment is complete and it did not go well. My evil genius plan is to trade traditional starting pitchers for bats and spot start mediocre pitching against crappy hitting. I can afford to be creative b/c I have a huge lead in all pitching categories. So far I have traded Hudson, F-Her and Haren for Rollins, Fielder and Dunn. This weekend I am spot starting twice against Wash with Baltimore and it was Daniel Cabrera’s time to shine.
His line:
6.3IP, 0W, 5.69 ERA, 1.9WHIP and 4 k’s.
I’m skipping Olson today but throwing Guthrie out there tomorrow.
My other spot start yesterday was Wolf vs. Seattle and it was even more craptastic.
3.3IP, 0W, 5.4ERA, 3.9WHIP and 3 K’s.
Maybe I’ll hold Hamels for awhile…
Just threw alot of assets at Pujols and we’ll see what sticks. Guy is dead last and even wose in pitching (is that possible?). Offered Hamels + Bruce + Helton (who is my O-Cab…dead to me) + O-Dog. The guy has some serious holes and all these guys might help. TOo much?
@ Pork Bun — I second that emotion regarding Parra. His road stats, including recent road stats, are far from stellar — in fact they suck. Plus, the Twinkies have been putting up some runs recently. I’ve decided that I’m benching Parra and starting Duchscherer and J. Vasquez. I’m figuring Javy at home against a team that was relatively quiet last night is a better bet than Parra….we’ll see.
@scott: Minnesota isnt that far from Milwaukee….maybe Parra will feel right at home. I dunno tho Ive been going back and forth all day. Usually if I have 2 pitchers going and I like one of their matchups Ill start the other one as well, In hope that the one pitcher will do good enough to bring down the other’s ratios. I also have Weaver @ LAD which I like so I may start Parra also.
Who would u rather stash on your roster…Clay Buchholz or Max Scherzer?
@knighttown: First, your maniacal with your Nationals Experiment. I love it. You’re crazy like a fox. Second, it’s not too much for Pujols.
@wakeNbake: Keeper or regular? For this year, I prefer Buchholz.
EDIT: Typo.
think Masterson is a good spot start @ TB for his upcoming start?
@Mike: I would not.
Here’s a little tidbit for Manny Parra owners, just read this…… The Twins can barely get a bat on the ball versus left-handers, with only the Blue Jays and A’s posting a lower OPS so far this season against southpaws. Although Parra’s ERA is much better at home (2.75 at Miller Park, 7.24 away), Minneapolis isn’t too far away and he still gets to pitch indoors….
Im must have taken Parra out and put him back in my lineup 5 times already.
@wakeNbake: did you play him? I just checked on him after one and he has a respectable start. I may regret not playing him.
Uggla just rolled his ankle, hopefully its nothing serious. Looks like it could be a sprain worst case scenario but it didn’t look that bad.
Parra doing great after 5 and Javy V. shit the bed….again….oy vey!!
@BSA: yeh I played him, I woulda been pissed right now after checking how he did. I must have took him out of my lineup at least 5 or 6 times. After I read that the Twins suck against lefties I started him.
Drop Bruce for Hawpe? Running out of patience.
@SaltyBiscuits: I dont think Id do that Salty. When Bruce first came up pitchers didnt know how to pitch him so he was doing well. Now pitchers have some knowledge on how to get him out so hes struggling, its just a matter of time before Bruce makes adjustsments and starts hitting again, in my opinion Id wait on him a little longer.
@SaltyBiscuits:
On another note, if Hawpe is still available in your league, drop a MR to get him.
Drop Hideki for Hawpe, Vernon or Victorino?
@SaltyBiscuits: I’d give it a couple of days. He might be going under the knife, true, but he’s worth keeping if he can play through it. He’s not really known for his speed and seems to manage at the plate with issues normally. If you don’t see signs of him coming back or getting substantial PT I’d make that move for one of those guys. I doubt all three of them are getting picked up between now and then in your league.
@everyone: what is going on with Torii Hunter this year? I drafted relatively high in 8th round or so, but he has been giving me waiver wire numbers all year. Can I drop him?
Which is the better spot start tomorrow?
Slowey vs. Brewers
Guthrie @ Washington
@Zebo: 9/9 after 82 games? He’s a 20/20 guy, right on track. That’s what he does. He might get a little hotter at some point and get you 25 to 28 HRs. I wouldn’t drop him.
@cruisinkc: Guthrie
I dont know why you would want to drop Torii Hunter? Look at Markakis’s numbers and compare them to Hunter’s, their literally almost exactly the same. Markakis has 3 more HR. Dont drop Torii…every season he goes on hot streaks at some point and youll be glad you kept him.
the Angels RP Jose Arredondo is filthy….
Someone just dropped Franceur.
It’s hard to determine if he’s in a huge slump or he’ll hit .260 again. I have the #3 waiver spot…worth using it on him?
Bench Slowey ag. Brew Crew today, right?
Trade Escobar for Ervin Santana? I have Figgins 2B, Wright 3B & Rollins SS. Escobar is my backup to any of those guys as he is eligible for all those positions
@Teef: He’s been dropped twice now in one of my leagues by the same person. This time I picked him up when he cleared waivers. There probably isn’t going to be a rush on him. I wouldn’t use your waiver priority on Frenchy, but if he comes out the otherside pick him up if you need the speculation.
To be honest I don’t know what I’m going to do with him. The league is a differentiated outfield and I have Markakis in right. Murphy was my generic outfield backup but now that Godzilla is out indefinitely I guess I have a back-up for rightfield.
@Teef: I agree with P0rk. If he comes out the other end, grab him.
@scott: Yeah, I would.
@nick: I’d grab Ervin there. Yup.
Perez is pitching well so far against the Yanks. Would you give him a shot on your roster if he was on waivers in your league? His next start is against the Phillies, so I wouldnt start him then but he also gets Cincy and some other not so great offenses in the coming weeks.
also do you think Pedro is done?
@wakeNbake: re: Perez — Unless desperate, I try to avoid Perez even if pitching well. He’s too erratic.
re: Pedro — I think he’s unusable right now. Need to see a decent back-to-back start from him before I’d start him.
so Adrian Beltre was dropped in a league, and even when he sucks he seems to have a good July and August overall, and sometimes even extends his usefulness to September. Also I love missing shutouts from having no internet
@cockyphoenix: He’s usually better in the 2nd half. I’d grab him if you’re in need.
Chris Davis just homered again…..would u use your waiver claim on him? Im only hesitant becuase he might get sent down again i hear.
@wakeNbake: If I needed a slugging corner man, I would use my waiver and will in one my leagues.
Fausto Carmona & Aaron Laffey were just dropped to Waivers…worth a pickup? I Have the 7 of 8 so might not get them but worth a try?
do you trust Dave Bush as a spot start tommmorow against the D-backs?
@Grey: whos better for short term: Chris Davis or Billy Butler?
@wakeNbake: I picked up Arredondo after I saw him pitch. He looks like another Marmol in the making.
if you could only pick 2 out of billy butler, chris davis, & chase headley, what’s your pick by order?
futhermore, if you could only pick 1 (uno), does any of them resemble clear distance between the other 2?
@nick: Definitely Carmona.
@Mike: Nope.
@Zebo: Butler is a bit safer, Davis has more risk/power.
clay buchholz or francisco liriano?
a non-keeper league i might add… which keeper consideration value doesn’t apply….
@goknick: Davis, Headley then Butler. No clear cut number one.
Buchholz
Im trying to package Torii Hunter and Wainwright for an upgrade over Hunter. Im trying to get Manny or Corey Hart. Would you make the deal for either? If so which one do you like more going forward?
since i’m on a roll here, i figure i need you to spell me some of my “inner demons”….
this is my 1st year taking on fantasy baseball, and of course i’ve made plenty of my mistakes in draft, choosing bunch of DL players at the time (Granderson, Lackey, Kazmir, Liriano, Pughes, Buchholz), and then after bunch of trial wheeling & dealing, I’ve also endured some DL stretch from Bradley, Church, Wang, Ortiz, Willingham, Pujols (now adding C. Zambrano & Mag Ordonez).
I’m in 10-team head-to-head (win by most category) non-keepers league, which I luckily hold 8-5 record overall; just when things started to look alright on getting Pujols back, Ordonez started braking down….
My demon now consists many, but I’m going to list the most obvious one: 1) Struggling between Veteran pick-ups (like Huff/ Thames/ Branyan for short-term solution) VS. rookie pick-up (I’ve picked up on Bruce, Headley, Butler & Davis, dropping Headley recently for Huff, but still thinking to get Headley back for Huff); after some thoughts, I’ve firmly believed that veteran players can probably help me more, because I could forecast their performance, but yet I can’t help but take high fliers on exciting rookies!!!!
Can you help me relieve my demon, by advising me which way is more solid: veteran vs. high-impact rookies??
@Mike: I would make the deal for either. I like Hart then Manny.
@goknick: I try to balance each team. For instance, I’ll usually have a rookie as my utility man (Headley or Davis) or a rookie as a fifth starter (Volquez or Parra). Everything else should be as predictable as possible.
Just traded Atkins Diet and Kerry Wood for Beckett, Rios, and Edwin Encarnacion….thoughts?
@Get Figgy With It: Think it’s solid for you. Nice trade.
ya SP was my biggest weakness and I helped that pretty nicely but I still need more SPs…I have Paps, BJ Ryan, Borowski, Fuentes, and just picked up Mike Gonzalez at RP so I’m fine there and I got Longoria who I will move to my everyday 3B now plus Edwin to fill in (about to drop Kouz)…I’m thinking about picking up some more SP…specifically Garza and Guthrie as you mentioned in one of the forum topics…is Liriano droppable for one of them?
@Get Figgy With It: I’d drop Liriano for either of them.
i just found out that Tejada is dragging my team down, especially last month; 19 Hits/ 98 AB + 12 R + 4 HR + 33 TB + 6 RBI + 7 BB + 2 SB + .194 AVG + .591 OPS; he’s dragging my team down… should I bother dropping him or trade him? or should i wait for him to come around?
since i have no other alternative @ SS, is it relevant to pick up the likes of Ramon Vazquez for insurance?