0
2
0Sometimes when you take the fielding coach a little too literal, this is what happens. Miguel Cabrera came face to face with his fielding fears and a baseball and the baseball won. A sharp grounder shattered his sunglasses, leaving his right eye a bloody mess. The good news for Miggy, the doctor prescribed a 15 ounce porterhouse. No word if Miggy put it on his eye with or without A1 Steak Sauce. Just thought of something. Since the 2012 All-Star Game is in Kansas City, I’m sure George Brett will throw out the first pitch. You thought he was mad during the Pine Tar Game, wait until he sees Miggy and Hanley playing 3rd. From early reports, it sounds like Miggy will be fine, but Tigers won’t release Miggy’s face X-rays until after this posts on Tuesday, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. An&yswy, hiacte’s– Sorry, I’ll cross my fingers after I’m done with the post. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in spring training for 2012 fantasy baseball:
Joakim Soria – Has UCL damage, which isn’t related to damage caused by a drunk UL Washington. Or as Van Morrison would say, “His elbow doesn’t feel good. His elbow doesn’t feel right. His name is Soria. S-O-R-I-A… And his name is Soria… S-O-R-I-A…” There was talk that Soria should’ve been traded a few years ago. I tend to agree, you don’t have a $12 salad if you can’t make your rent, but that’s neither here nor there now. Some reports are saying Broxton will fill in as the closer. I think Holland will close in Soria’s stead. If you’re desperate for saves, I’d grab both of them. At this point, it’s not clear who will take over the role. I think it’s only about a 55% chance for Holland to be the closer, so you better grab an umbrella.
Chase Utley – Phils are reporting that he won’t be ready for Opening Day. Well, they’re saying doubtful, but I’m saying he won’t be ready. He has lingering pain in his knee and hasn’t had one at-bat all spring. If you already drafted Utley, then you had to know this was gonna happen. Chase’s knee hit every branch on the way down the Utley tree. Or maybe his knee wore out hoisting strippers against a wall. If you haven’t already drafted Utley, I’d push him down a few rounds.
Hong-Chih Kuo – Mariners released Kuo after he gave up 14 runs in 6 2/3 IP. Guess the M’s weren’t happy with the *pinkie to mouth* status Kuo. This is the second time Kuo has battled the yips. Maybe it’s in honor of Yip Yip, the cartoon Taiwanese dog that likes to pickle his milk bones.
Carl Crawford – Yesterday, he took 20 swings off a tee. The day before, 10 swings. By June, the Red Sox are gonna have a portable fan.
Corey Hart – Could play as soon as Friday in a minor league game. No word on whether or not Corey Hart will be wearing sunglasses.
Michael Brantley – Left the game for “precautionary reasons.” He’s listed as “day-to-day.” He should be back in “a few days.” The preceding was brought to you by Zagat.
Jarrod Parker – Was sent down to the minors for a black man’s first name. That’s some cold sheeeeeeeeeet! We’ll probably be seeing Parker in a few months once Tyson Ross and Graham Godfrey, with his loud, piercing voice and penchant for roasting opposing players, overstay their welcome.
Brad Peacock – Things aren’t looking good for my sleeper pickock. Hoping he still makes the rotation, but at the moment it’s looking like a long shot. He’s a top fifty prospect and breezed through Double and Triple-A last year, so I’d hold tight for the time being. Though I am fully expecting the ax to fall on him. Sad emoticon.
Yoenis Cespedes – Will be the A’s starting center fielder to start the season. No word on whether Yoenis’s brothers, Nick and Joe, will travel to Japan to watch him play in the opener.
Gregor Blanco – Word is it would take a “cataclysmic event to keep” Blanco off the Giants roster. Like Bochy finding a hat that fits him at Lids.
Rich Hill – Talk about a name from the past. Red Sox are saying he may get in a game this month. You know what I always liked about Rich Hill? The Sniglets.
Travis Wood – Was shelled yesterday. Or to put it to you all punny like, Wood was knocked around. After the Cubs said Samardzija was set for the rotation, this isn’t great news for Wood. Or Wood’s going limp, if you will.
Jordan Schafer – Due to a sprained hand, Schafer won’t be back into action until Thursday. Need to put your Zimmermania on hold for now.
Skip Schumaker – Sticking with the newly established theme of guys that sound Jewish but aren’t, Schumaker has an oblique tear. Vague! In related news, Allen Craig’s rehab has been progressing well. Here’s Oregon Nut Cups’ Allen Craig fantasy. He wrote it while chasing the dragon.
Chris Carpenter – May make his spring training debut this weekend, so he might still be back for Opening Day. I’m still no fan; not in the Carl Crawford sense either.
Tsuyoshi Nishioka – Was optioned to the Rochester Red Wings, which will soften the blow since that sounds like a Japanese baseball team name.
Vladimir Guerrero – Sounds like he might play in Japan. If someone signs him, that’ll say something since Japanese teams are limited to only one non-native player with an L in their name. While over there, maybe he can record an album, “Live at Vladokan.”
hi, grey.
i’m damn Soria owner. and he’s my second highest pick at RP. (between Storen and Motte)
Holland or Broxton? should i trust big fat Broxton again? that wouldn’t be happy at all. as you wrote, some reports saying Broxton is closer to be a closer.
i think i should choose ASAP. if you can grab only one for Soria, who’s your pick?
@Pirahnaman, i know grey says holland, im saying Brox, he’s got closer experience, he’ll be given the ball first, im 60% sure, thats better than greys 55% on holland! they’ll go with experience…. even if its the wrong choice.
@Pirahnaman, Broxton hasn’t been good since 2009…
MMBraying
@Wake Up, weirder things have happened. they’re going to look to brox to close first tho i’d almost bet my hat on it….
I thought you just said Spring Training doesn’t matter? But you are already in mid season form! Don’t burn out or get Valley Fever on me Grey.
@Bourne, Aw, thanks!
Jeez – can it just be opening day already?
@Steve, For reals…
Looking to replace an owner in Razzball League 4. Draft is Thursday, 7pm EST. Email me if interested…gbromelia@hotmail.com
@Bada Bing, ….when’s the draft???……I’m interested since the razzball league 3 I’m in only has 3 teams and no one responds to update whats going on……I’ll be back on in 2 hours if the league draft isn’t this friday or saturday…..I’ll e-mail you….
@Curt, What league are you referring to that only has 3 teams? Both RCL 3 and the Fantasy Razz 3 leagues appear to be full.
Grey-
Capps,Fuentes, or Myers to replace Soria? Not really in the mood to play guessing game with Holland/Broxton. I’m leaning towards Capps for the simple fact of job security.
What do you think?
@Steven, Myers
@Grey, Myers still over Balfour? Has Myers def been named closer?
“Sticking with the newly established theme of guys that sound Jewish but aren’t, …..”
they should trade guys like this , (and the Hebrew Hammer) ,
and trade them to the Nippon Ham Fighters .
cust kosherin’
@chata, Hehe
So who is your new favorite 6th/7th starter to draft if Peacock isn’t likely to get a rotation slot?
@Fman99, Sale
@Fman99, Sale’s solid… http://razzball.com/chris-sale-2012-fantasy-sleeper/
“Live at the Vladokan”… I laughed
@Bas, Hehe
A “Not Necessarily the News” reference! Another piece to the Grey puzzle. Not only have you dated yourself but lookee who’s parents could afford HBO back in the day!
I can remember one single sniglet – “accelo-yellow”: what drivers used to do at yellow traffic lights (before cameras).
@Jef, Nice.
“whose parents…”
Wanna hire me to edit your next e-book?
@Jef, Ha!
Hahaha love the Crawford as portable fan joke.
@Matt, Thanks!
@Grey, I couldn’t possibly hate my team more, so please lay it on thick, but I do just want to hear your thoughts for the sake of it.
The one thing I will say is that closers are WAY overvalued in this league (not a single veto for straight up trades for top 50ish hitters a few times, etc.) – so from that point alone it looks odd (i actually wish i drafted even more saves, if that makes the point further).
But i digress – check out this turd pile and let me know your thoughts. (Daiquiri is on me for even having to look at this one):
1 8 Adrian Gonzalez
2 21 Jose Reyes
3 36 Nelson Cruz
4 49 Dan Uggla
5 64 Kevin Youkilis
6 77 C.J. Wilson
7 92 Daniel Hudson
8 105 Mariano Rivera
9 120 Emilio Bonifacio
10 133 Mat Latos
11 148 Carlos Marmol
12 161 Mike Moustakas
13 176 Kenley Jansen
14 189 Nick Markakis
15 204 Colby Rasmus
16 217 Aaron Hill
17 232 Jose Tabata
18 245 Jarrod Saltalamacchia
19 260 Jhoulys Chacin
20 273 Jesse Crain
21 288 Mike Carp
22 301 Miguel Olivo
23 316 Jair Jurrjens
24 329 Danny Valencia
25 344 Ryan Dempster
26 357 Jon Rauch
14-team standard 5×5 mixed league
2 catchers, 1B/2B/3B/SS, CI/MI, 5OF, 1 Util, 2 SP, 2 RP, 5 P and 3 Bench
1500 inning cap
Thanks, as always.
@mcbainus, For a fourteen team league I’d be more than happy with your squad. You drafted a solid core and sprinkled in a few upside picks in the middle rounds. Some of your end game picks were solid, but yawnstipating. In a two catcher league, I’m surprised that you waited until Round 18 to make a move. Otherwise. I wouldn’t beat yourself up.
@Pops, It was round 7, pick 77 and McCann was still on the board. I REALLY wanted to take him but hadn’t taken a pitcher yet, and CJ was the last of his tier, so i reluctantly took him. Probably shoulda taken McCann and just made up for pitching the next few rounds. If Olivo does start 120 or so games like Wedge is indicating, he could actually be considered my #1 catcher, but with J. Montero, who knows what’ll happen.
Thanks for the opinion though, much appreciated.
@mcbainus, Yeah it’s pretty bad. Request a do-over
Would you drop Peacock or Matusz if you could get Pomeranz off waivers right now? It’s a pretty deep league, 16 teams, 28 rostered. I’d do the math for you, but somehow I think we all understand it better this way!
@PublicEnemy#1, Hold for now…
@Grey,
I had my first and only money lig draft of 12 past 20 this weekend and was hoping I could get your quick take.
12 team, 5×5 roto, keeper lig (with 3 OF and 2 UTIL), 1400 inning cap:
C: Napoli (k)
1B: Pujols (k)
2B: Phillips
3B: Lawrie (k)
SS: Aybar
OF: A. Jones
OF: Gardner
OF: Delmon
Util: Fielder (k)
Util: Duda/Goldscmidt
SP: Lester, Latos, D. Hudson, Gio, Chacin, Cahill
RP: Santos, Capps, Thornton/Crain, Pestano
Overall, it looks balanced to me. Thoughts? Need to improve in any particular categories? As always, thank you in advance.
@The Situation, Solid lineup, more than enough pitching to compete. Not a huge fan of Aybar, but he could benefit from hitting atop that Halos lineup.
@The Situation, Less Sauce. More meatballs.
Grey, drafted my second team last night.
12-team, H2H, OBP instead of AVG.
C- Geovany Soto
1B- Mark Teixeira
2B- Brandon Phillips
3B- Evan Longoria
SS- Zack Cozart
OF- Matt Holliday
OF- Hunter Pence
OF- Adam Jones
Util- Jayson Werth
Util- Adam Lind
BN- Lorenzo Cain
BN- Alfonso Soriano (hot streaks!)
SP- Madison Bumgarner
SP- Daniel Hudson
SP- Anibal Sanchez
SP- Ubaldo Jimenez
SP- Mike Minor
SP- Chris Sale
SP- Jonathan Niese
RP- Jose Valderde
RP- Brett Myers
RP- Jim Johnson
RP- Jonathan Broxton
I know I have no speed, so I’m going to try and swing a trade for Ellsbury and Price in exchange for Lind, Werth and Jimenez.
Anyways, what are your thoughts?
@Eddy, It’s amazing..you drafted a bunch of Greys favorites/sleepers.
@Eddy, Agree with The Jerk and you. Great team, there’s no speed… That trade would be great for you, doesn’t seem fair at all.
@Eddy, yeah i would be pissed if someone offered me poop for gold…
@beardcrabs,
New guy who’s never played fantasy baseball, auto drafted, and has too much pitching and no offense.
How can I NOT take advantage?
@Eddy,
what fun is that ?
I feel so naiive hearing about those Chase Utley shenanigans. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. He is a big boy after all, he can do what he wants but man, its just something that you don’t really expect to hear. I didn’t know he and Jimmy Rollins were that close but a double play combo like that only gets so good by spending lots of time together. Getting to know one another more than I would think. “Welcome to the show kid. You get sloppy seconds. See ya later tonight.” I kind of want to pick your brain now with all the behind the scenes dirt you probably know but I won’t pressure you. Definitely an eye opener though.
@Ringo, I don’t know that much behind the scenes dirt with baseball players…
Good morning Grey,
I picked my keepers with a coin, as you told me, and that’s the result. I didn’t want to pick a stud pitcher and wait long to get my Catcher. But I think I couldn’t move on without Timmey at 31 or McCann in Round 9. And for the record, most of the time I used your War Room.
So, what do you think of this team? Should I keep them or drop someone? On the market (based on your ranking, best available): Alcides Escobar, Thames, Reimold, Bernadina, Gamel or speedy guys like (well, Alcides) Morgan, Pierre, Revere, Torres, Davis.
Pitcher: Cahill, J.Sanchez, Minor, Peavy, Vogelsong, Sale or even Clippard, Abreu, Francisco Rodriguez, Broxton (if I should drop a batter).
Thank you very much for looking at my team.
1. (10) Matt Kemp (LAD – CF) KEEPER
2. (11) Justin Upton (Ari – RF) KEEPER
3. (30) Pablo Sandoval (SF – 1B,3B)
4. (31) Tim Lincecum (SF – SP)
5. (50) Eric Hosmer (KC – 1B)
6. (51) Howie Kendrick (LAA – 1B,2B,LF)
7. (70) Madison Bumgarner (SF – SP)
8. (71) Aramis Ramirez (Mil – 3B)
9. (90) Brian McCann (Atl – C)
10. (91) Adam Jones (Bal – CF)
11. (110) Mat Latos (Cin – SP)
12. (111) Brian Wilson (SF – RP)
13. (130) Logan Morrison (Mia – LF)
14. (131) Jose Valverde (Det – RP)
15. (150) Anibal Sanchez (Mia – SP)
16. (151) Erick Aybar (LAA – SS)
17. (170) Ubaldo Jimenez (Cle – SP)
18. (171) Huston Street (SD – RP)
19. (190) Danny Espinosa (Was – 2B)
20. (191) Derek Holland (Tex – SP)
21. (210) Vernon Wells (LAA – LF,CF,RF)
22. (211) Brandon Belt (SF – 1B,LF)
23. (230) Danny Valencia (Min – 3B)
24. (231) Lorenzo Cain (KC – OF)
25. (250) Aaron Hill (Ari – 2B)
@Steve 2.0, Ehh, you probably don’t know my league settings.
10 team, H2H, 4 OF, 1 MI and CI, 2 SP and RP, 4 P, 5 BN. TB, BB as offensive cats. Probably won’t change much for your opinion but who knows.
@Steve 2.0, I can’t tell what your lineup looks like when you posted it like this, so not sure who to drop. If you have extra bats, drop them for extra arms…
@Grey, my lineup.
C: Brian McCann (Atl – C)
1B: Pablo Sandoval (SF – 1B,3B)
2B: Howie Kendrick (LAA – 1B,2B,LF)
3B: Aramis Ramirez (Mil – 3B)
SS: Erick Aybar (LAA – SS)
CI: Eric Hosmer (KC – 1B)
MI: Danny Espinosa (Was – 2B)
LF: Logan Morrison (Mia – LF)
CF: Matt Kemp (LAD – CF)
RF: Justin Upton (Ari – RF)
OF: Adam Jones (Bal – CF)
Util: Vernon Wells (LAA – LF,CF,RF)
BN: Brandon Belt (SF – 1B,LF)
BN: Danny Valencia (Min – 3B)
BN: Lorenzo Cain (KC – OF)
BN: Aaron Hill (Ari – 2B)
SP: Tim Lincecum (SF – SP)
SP: Madison Bumgarner (SF – SP)
RP: Brian Wilson (SF – RP)
RP: Jose Valverde (Det – RP)
P: Mat Latos (Cin – SP)
P: Anibal Sanchez (Mia – SP)
P: Ubaldo Jimenez (Cle – SP)
P: Huston Street (SD – RP)
BN: Derek Holland (Tex – SP)
@Steve 2.0, Wow, you have a lot of extra bats. What you doing? Gonna sell them at a flea market? You should have extra SPs in H2H… Team looks really solid though, great hitting and pitching… Well played…
@Grey, haha…well, somehow I must have thought to pick as many bats as I can. I blame ESPN for that.
I missed Beachy and Luebke by a hair, though, made me angry and I stopped going for a starter! Gonna see if it makes sense to add one now. Could also wait and add/drop during each week. Thanks anyway.
Bevimeter: noun
The distance you can raise a pint glass and a coaster stuck to it before the coaster falls off
Carperimeter: noun
The thin strip where the carpet reaches the wall that cannot be reached by the vaccuum cleaner
These things have been stuck in my mind for like three decades. The Rich Hill thing released them like repressed memories.
I don’t think Cespedes is going to hit but about .230 this season. Worried about him.
@OaktownSteve, Ha!
I was offered in a non keeper leauge
Matt Holliday
Jordan Zimmermann
[ View Trade ] for
Andrew McCutchen
Chris Sale
@Mr Baseball, I like the Holliday side better. Zimm is a better option than sale at this point, and I’m not a huge fan of cutch. He’s a bit overrated. His counting stats will suffer on that team and if he replicated last year I’m not terrible excited.
@Mr Baseball, zimmerman should be a pretty big upgrade over sale but holliday is a downgrade from cutch…. i’d want the cutch side, holliday slid to the 5th or 6th round in my 12 teamer last night, i think the days of him stealing are gone zapping some/alot of his value, and the days of him hitting .330 are gone…..
@Mr Baseball, McCutchen side, it’s fair though…
@Grey, good stuff tony – and always good stuff grey – did anyone notice that grey never ages
Ha!
Allegedly, Soria got his elbow caught in his T.B. Sheets. Now he’s on ice, in a cool room, Lord, it’s a fool’s room. Go into the kitchen and get me a drink of water…
@Wake Up, Ha!
I am in a 20 team h2h dynasty league. I was offered fielder and lester for my bautista beckett and brothers. I like how this trade makes me younger and strengthens my sp staff. Anyway is there something I am missing here. Do I accept this before the other guy changes his mind?
c jp arencibia
1b miguel cabrera
2b neil walker
ss yunel escobar
3b evan longoria
inf jose bautista
lf carl crawford
cf peter bourjos
rf justin upton
of carlos lee
util vernon wells
bn ryan lavernway
Bn miguel Sano
Bn mat gamel
sp clayton kershaw
sp cliff lee
sp ubaldo jiminez
sp josh beckett
rp jason motte
rp matt throton
rp rex brothers
rp matt capps
p scott downs
p brad peacock
bn aaron harang
bn scott downs
bn garrett richards
bn blake beaven
bn brian matusz
@Ryan, Sounds good for you…
@Grey, Do you think I might be giving too much or is this a awesome deal for me?
15team league (5×5 + OPS, 5×5+K/9), empty bench spot, who do you like?
SP’s: Bedard/Pomeranz/Guthrie/Sale/niese
or
Batters: Gamel/Reimold/cain/soriano
oops scratch Sale…he is taken
@nightpandas, Cain
@Grey, sorry two other guys:
Delmon Yound and Dexter Fowler just dropped, either over Cain?
@nightpandas, Tomato-tomahto… Depends what you need… Hold Cain…
@Grey, would love your thoughts on my team, 12-team H2H, drafted last night (I picked 12th):
C Wieters
1B Prince
2B Espinosa
3B Longoria
SS Elvis
OF Bruce
OF Kendrick 1B,2B
OF Bonifacio 3B,SS
UT Lind 1B
UT Mous 3B
B Rasmus OF
B Belt 1B,OF
SP Gallardo, Bumgarner, Gio, Jimenez, Scherzer, Cahill
RP Madson, Motte, Clippard, Jansen, Holland
…pretty sure I could get Giancarlo for Gallardo. Is that something you’d do?
@Jon, I’d take Stanton. Your team is very light on power and heavy on speed. Your pitching is solid, can handle the trade.
@Grey @vinwins
We’re having some draft issues with RCL #33
The commish (Boaz Chan) originally put up a post saying potential draft dates on the weekend would be at midnight Eastern time.
He proceeded to put up a poll with an option for Sunday March 25th at noon, Eastern time. That option got the most votes.
He then said it was a mistake and it was meant to be midnight Sunday (i.e. Monday morning) and set the draft date / time for that.
Because of that, several people have posted that they cannot make the draft. I assume they will autodraft or drop out entirely.
I don’t really care – I can make that draft date and time. I just thought you should know what’s going on.
@hawk, If you or the commissioner wants to post in a new post’s comments, as you see above, people fill up a league…
Any reason to hang on to A. Chapman with my pitching staff or would I be ok to drop him? (12 team, 5×5, roto)
Y. Gallardo
C. Wilson
G. Gonzalez
A. Sanchez
J. Chacin
M. Minor
J. Soria
F. Francisco
M. Thornton
M. Adams
S. Romo
A. Chapman
@Don Johnson, Can lose him if you like…
Any outside of the top 300 names for a 12-team NL-only league? Hitters.
Thanks!
@Hemmo, About 500… http://razzball.com/2012-point-shares-12-team-nl-2-catcher/
Miggy news courtesy of Buster Olney: “Miguel Cabrera has a small fracture under his right eye, but they have told him he’ll be out only a couple of weeks. He needed eight stitches.”
That should get him back by Tigers’ Opening Day. Still take him over Pujols?
Thanks for the heads up! Gotta go Pujols before him…
@Charles, Wait, it’s saying he’ll be ready for the opener… I’d still go Miggy then…
Looks like Miggy expected to miss “a couple weeks” with fracture under right eye.
Officially he’s been diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture in the orbital bone and will be evaluated further in one week after the swelling subsides, according to general manager Dave Dombrowski.
After watching that clip, I guess it could have been a LOT worse… hopefully it doesn’t turn in to be any worse than a couple weeks though.
@Scottie O., I wonder if having MCab in a body cast would improve his fielding or not? I think it would be a wash: decreased mobility, but armored to stop all balls hit directly at him.
Ouch… That’s a bummer…
Listening to the Podcast, good stuff Grey and Rudy.
Ideas on this team? RCL league, so it was fairly competitive.. had to zig a lot (i.e. Cliff Lee)
Lots of risk, lots of potential upside.. probably too strong on pitching (aside from missing out on the lower tier closers)
5 Joey Votto, Cin 1B
20 Giancarlo Stanton, Mia OF
29 Cliff Lee, Phi SP
44 Elvis Andrus, Tex SS
53 Eric Hosmer, KC 1B
68 Carl Crawford, Bos OF
77 Chase Utley, Phi 2B
92 Brian McCann, Atl C
101 John Axford, Mil RP
116 Tommy Hanson, Atl SP
125 Brandon Beachy, Atl SP
140 Shaun Marcum, Mil SP
149 Chris Carpenter, StL SP
164 Mike Moustakas, KC 3B
173 Yoenis Cespedes, Oak OF
188 Jhoulys Chacin, Col SP
197 Brandon Belt, SF 1B
212 Francisco Cordero, Tor RP
221 Zack Cozart, Cin SS
236 Yonder Alonso, SD OF
245 Mitch Moreland, Tex 1B
260 Jonny Venters, Atl RP
269 Joaquin Benoit, Det RP
284 Francisco Rodriguez, Mil RP
293 Mark Melancon, Bos RP
Thanks! Lee puts you a bat back then you drafted straight pitchers for a while towards the end of the top 100… So you’re gonna be weaker on hitting…
@Grey, yeah, I knew I had a terrible draft. I just kept looking at the names there and trusted I would get some breakouts from the Belt/Alonso/Moreland/Cespedes/Moustakas types. Not going to be a good year.
Had a draft on Sunday in a new head-to-head league that I joined (I know… head-to-head is a stupid luckfest, but at this point, I admit to fantasy baseball addiction. I’ll snort/play anything!).
After the draft, my friend asks me “why’d you take Espinosa in the 10th round?” I reply “I wanted to fill my MI and I really like the kid. 20/20 ain’t bad for your MI”. He replied, “This league doesn’t have an MI or CI position. Research fail.” Ugh.
So, when you judge my team, know that nothing you say will be as harsh as the internal verbal berating I gave myself!
C – Yadier Molina
1B – Eric Hosmer
2B – Dan Uggla
SS – Erick Aybar “The Admiral”
3B- Evan Longoria
OF – Carlos Gonzalez
OF – BJ Upton
OF – Mike Morse
U – Mark Reynolds or Austin Jackson, depending on match-up
SP – Madison Buttgardner
SP – Jeremy Hellickson (I know, I know)
SP – Anibal Sanchez
SP – Max Scherzer
SP – Mike Minor
SP – Juan Nicasio
RP – Joe Nathan
RP – Javy Guerra
RP – Brett Myers
My judgement: good in power, okay in speed, terrible in BA. On the pitching side, I need a few guys to come through pretty big, including a non-disaster from Hellickson, and opportunity for Minor and Nicasio.
Considering I wasted two top 10 picks on an MI and CI I didn’t need, I don’t think it turned out TOO badly.
Do your worst!
@JoeC, BTW, this is a 12-team, mixed league
@JoeC, I agree with your assessment… Not much to add. I would’ve drafted that team, outside of Hellickson…
20 team. Would you pick up Jordan Pacheco and put him on your bench? You’d be dropping Nate Mclouth. Thanks
@Giant JJ, Sure
Kinda random ranking question here and wondering your professional opinion:
Can you rank the following guys in the order in which you think they have the best chance to keep a closer gig until October?
Myers, Farnsworth, Thronton, Guerra
I have them ranked this way, but just kind of wondered your opinion. I can’t imagine that the ‘Stros would take their second best starter and convert him into their closer (I know he has experience there) to not keep him in that role all season. I don’t trust the Farns to hold down the gig simply because I’m a Cubs fan, and the best thing he ever did for them was spear Paul Wilson. Thornton and Guerra obviously have sick competition, but who knows how that will play out.
Thanks.
@Wilsonian, Myers has a $10 million option for next year which vests with 50 games finished. I feel like if he is still the closer this makes him a likely trade candidate at the deadline – similar scenario to K-Rod last year. I agree he’ll keep the role until the trade deadline though.
@Wilsonian, Farns, Myers, Thornton…
@Grey, what if you added Balfour to the mix? Ahead of Thornton, or ahead of Guerra? Personally, I like him a little more than Guerra, but that’s just because I fear the Kenley.
@Wilsonian, Ahead of Thornton…
Grey/Rudy, I know Rudy updated his Point Shares once so far; does he intend on updating them any more before Opening Day? And how much would you guys discount Miggy now in an auction league? Rudy already had Miggy ranked kind of low, only the seventh best hitter.
@Rabbit, I’ll update them one last time but very close to opening day so they could be used for the rest of the season. I wouldn’t change Miggy’s value at this point – but I also wouldn’t count on him getting 10 games at 3B anytime soon.
@Grey, is there a reason you’re predicting Maybin to steal 30 this year when he stole 40 last year?
@Random Collmenter, I think last year was a career year…
grey/rudy – at this point, do you think de aza gets platooned or does he keep a full-time gig? can he succeed over the year in way he has done in smaller sample sizes?
@ivebeenupthreedaysstraight, Probably get 400 ABs…
Grey/Rudy…The next round of my draft I am debating between Castro, Andrus and Jennings. I do have slightly more power than speed at this point. We keep players for three years. I do not have a shortstop yet and have Braun as my first pick at outfield. It is a 5×5 14 team roto. Who would you go with? Point shares go Jennings, Castro, Andrus and Grey’s ranking goes Andrus, Castro, Jennings.
@boomer19, I’d take a SS…
Miggy not gonna make it 3rd. There’s just no way they can feel good about him at that position in the playoffs.
@Mike, Nope
Balfour chosen as A’s closer. melvin on choosing grant balfour as closer: “if you’re profiling the demeanor of a closer, you’d find a picture of grant balfour.”
@schlitzy, Damn, that hurts me across a few leagues…
@Grey, well then you’ll love this one. A’s Option RHP Brad Peacock to Triple-A Sacramento
@schlitzy, Bad day to like A’s pitchers…
Grey,
In a h2h 10 team league….how’s this look?
Round Pick Player Position
1. (1) Miguel Cabrera 1B
2. (20) Ian Kinsler 2B
3. (21) Jose Reyes SS
4. (40) Pablo Sandoval 1B,3B
5. (41) Zack Greinke SP
6. (60) Madison Bumgarner SP
7. (61) Jay Bruce RF
8. (80) B.J. Upton CF
9. (81) Howie Kendrick 1B,2B,LF
10. (100) Shane Victorino CF
11. (101) Mat Latos SP
12. (120) Brett Gardner LF,CF
13. (121) Geovany Soto C
14. (140) Peter Bourjos CF
15. (141) J.J. Putz RP
16. (160) Carlos Marmol RP
17. (161) Danny Espinosa 2B
18. (180) Adam Lind 1B
19. (181) Bud Norris SP
20. (200) Erick Aybar SS
21. (201) Wilson Ramos C
22. (220) Allen Craig 2B,LF,CF,RF
23. (221) Delmon Young LF
24. (240) Brandon McCarthy SP
25. (241) Jonny Venters RP
@Golfnuts, You look like you have too much speed and not enough power, and your pitching is much stronger than it needs to be…
@Grey, Thanks daiquiri man……time to push for power……sounds like diarrhea to me.
@Golfnuts, Ha!
Grey – Please rate Balfour, Holland, Broxton.
Thanks
@Ken Plane, You did…
So yeah, I took your advice yesterday and waiver claimed Holland for Mike Adams after the Soria news came out, and then for good measure, I put a second claim on Broxton for Addison Reed (since Ventura ruled him out of the closer spot to start, though I still think he gets it at some point sooner than later). So now my RP on that team consists of Sergio Santos, Kyle Farnsworth, Grant Balfour, Greg Holland, and Jonathan Broxton. Figure that gives me a very strong chance of at least three closers and a decent shot at four (if Balfour wins the gig on Oakland), at least to start the year, plus a free roster spot when I figure out who I can drop between Broxton and Holland (though if Broxton wins, Holland might stay anyway) or even a second if Balfour loses the job.
Moochoes grassy-ass as usual Grey.
@Mark, No problem…
With Kuo dunzo, who’s going to the set up man in Sea / handcuff for League?
@Goose, Heilman…
@Grey, Yucko.
@Goose, Yup
Grey
20 team, H2H keeper points (no limits)
Which side do you want?
Kemp & Adrian Gonzalez or Votto/Hosmer/Ja Weeks/Jennings
Thanks — btw, great podcast we should we expect another?
What are you thoughts on David Wright’s health? Are you moving Beltre, Zimmerman, and/or Sandoval past him?
@Batman, I wrote about him three of the last four posts…
Balfour is the closer. Melvin announced it.
BTW, was just doing some research on the “world wide web” and saw this:
“Chris Resop, who has a 3.60 spring ERA in five innings, will likely serve as Pittsburgh’s eighth-inning set-up man.”
***THERE’S A NEW POST FOR FOLLOWUPS****
Jose Tabata or Kendrys Morales? Who gets the best of that trade?