4
8
0Now that Lance Berkman is on the DL, I’m going to read from your rankings. Random Italicized Voice, I’m not here to talk about the past. Is it true or is it not true that after Mr. Bungling Berkman in 2011, you said to avoid him this year? I’m not here to talk about the– Oh, yeah, that is true. See, I wasn’t setting you up to fail *cough* Vernon Wells is a sleeper *cough* Thanks. Now, instead of the past, let’s look into the future, specifically Matt Carpenter. Right now, he’s filling in for Berkman and he’s hitting .321 with a donk and 11 ribbies — hey, give one to Eve! (The rapper. She likes barbeque.) In Triple-A, Carpenter hit 12 homers and .302, while his eye makes his OBP’ing gaudy by nature. I’m not gonna say he’s the wickedest man alive because, well, interjection, he’s not. In 500 ABs, he’d be lucky to hit 10 homers and contribute a handful of steals. He can hit for a solid average and get on base. In deep leagues, if you’re in a bind, man, pick up Carpenter and saw. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Adam Wainwright – 5 IP, 4 ER, 8 baserunners, 5 Ks; his ERA is now at 9.88. Where’s everyone that was crazy excited for drafting him in the preseason? Probably too soon to tell me in the comments what an idiot I am for ignoring him in my rankings, huh? Also, too soon to say he’s going to win the Cy Young? C’mon, it wasn’t too soon last month when you were saying it. What’s the matter? I hear the Wainwright for Cy Young in 2012 bandwagon is now giving two for one rides because of the empty seats.
Jon Jay – The Federalist sprained his shoulder when he tried to run through fence like he was a stunt double from Naked Gun. His run-in with the fence has landed his arm in a sling. It’s swing for the fences, Jon Jay. Swing! Sounds like he’s headed to the DL.
Jason Hammel – 6 IP, 2 ER, 9 baserunners, 10 Ks. Last year, he had a 3.23 ERA in April and a 1.80 ERA in September. In like a lion and out like a lion. Way to turn an idiom on its head, which I guess would be !p!ow. The interesting thing right now is his 18 Ks in 19 IP. I wouldn’t go to him outside of certain matchups, but he’s moving onto radars.
Adam Jones – 2-for-4, 3 RBIs, 1 run and his 5th homer. Make it rain!
Bronson Arroyo – 8 IP, 3 ER, 5 baserunners, 5 Ks. Usually a 2nd half starter that I can’t find the energy to pick up, but has a 2.91 ERA so far making him someone I still can’t build enthusiasm to own.
Brandon Phillips – 2-for-5, 1 run, 2 RBIs and his 1st homer. Old school great sign: He looks like he’s playing hurt so it’s good he was able to still swing the bat with authority. New school great sign: Yesterday, was the last day of Aries, which is a ram, and Phillips homered in St. Louis where the Rams play. Booya!
Drew Stubbs – 3-for-5, 1 run, 1 RBI and his first homer. Maybe Stubbs was tending to his BBQ empire for the last two weeks, but it’s nice to have him back.
Todd Frazier – 0-for-4, as he got the start over Rolen (was just a day off, but Rolen’s a sneeze away from getting confused with Glass Chipper). Frazier should be watched for now in NL-Only leagues, but if he can get playing time he could be a 15/15-type guy with a terrible average.
Ryan Zimmerman – 1-for-5, 3 RBIs and his first homer. Hey, look what the cat, who is prone to drag in players who I’m beginning to think are overrated, dragged in.
Jeff Samardzija – 3 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 13 baserunners (5 BBs), 3 Ks. Last week I said of Samardzija, “With upside comes downside, i.e., sex is nice, but now she’s emotionally attached and she just called you “Poopsie” around your friends.” And this start was the poopsie.
Emilio Bonifacio – 1-for-4 with his 8th and 9th steals. I will now call him Emilio Estealthes.
Curtis Granderson – 5-for-5, 3 runs, 4 RBIs and 3 homers in the first four innings as he made me look like a schmohawk. He was 5 for his last 23 before tonight and he hit the three homers against two weak righties, and wasn’t looking good against a tough lefty in the ninth (Perkins) when hit a dribbler for an infield single. Huge night, for sure. Can’t take anything away from that (even as I try to), but I’ll stand by my prediction that he disappoints this year.
Phil Hughes – 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 8 baserunners, 4 Ks and 4 unearned runs for the ticker shock. More on Hughes in Doumit’s blurb.
Ryan Doumit – Hey, Hughes blurb readers, what’s up? Chillin? Doumit went 2-for-4, 2 runs, 4 RBIs with his first homer. He was pretty fooled by the pitch that he hit for a homer off Hughes. I like Doumit to Ron Popeil, but he’s not that incredible. I think this calls into question starting Hughes. His home park is a launching pad and his stuff lets Doumit homer even when he’s out in front of it.
Brandon Allen – The Rays claimed Allen off of waivers to backup Carlos Pena, which makes no sense since they’re lefties. Guess he could spell the other lefty Luke Scott occasionally at DH, or in Luke’s case gospel.
Evan Longoria – 3-for-4, 2 runs, 4 RBIs and his 2nd homer. I’m was gonna say it’s nice he’s coming alive, but his OBP is .431 and is hitting .327. So, uh, just hit some more homers. Thank you.
Desmond Jennings – 3-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and feasted on a slam & legs while us commoners hoped Denard Span would steal a base on a short schedule day. Jennings, “Take your diseased Span away from my fantasy outfield, and next time I steal I want to take the buggy!”
Tommy Milone – 5 IP, 2 ER, 8 baserunners, 3 Ks. I saw nothing yesterday to make me think he can’t be a solid ratio helper. Also, something about his name makes me wish he was from Bayonne and hung out with Joey Fatone.
Freddie Freeman - Hit two homers yesterday. Eh, even a broken clock is right twice a day, which is still more times than Matthew Berry.
Mike Minor – 8 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 9 Ks. I was saying this in the comments yesterday, but I feel no love for Minor this year. I think if more people watched him, they’d understand how filthy he is.
Ryan Howard – Earlier this week, he went to see a specialist who told him there wasn’t enough progress in his healing to be cleared for baseball activities. Now, today, he’s going to see the same specialist to see if he’s ready to go. Only today he’s going in a Big Momma’s House Halloween costume.
Yu Darvish – 6 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunners (5 BBs), 5 Ks. I didn’t watch this game (because the color of Yu’s hair makes me think something wrong with my TV tube and that gets annoying), but two hits in six innings is solid. Obviously 5 walks is a bit of a concern, and 13 BBs in 17 2/3 innings is terrible. Will someone wake me when this insanely hyped pitcher shows up?
Henderson Alvarez – 6 1/3 IP, 6 ER, 8 baserunners, 4 Ks. Just think, after this start he’ll have a solid FIP.
Matt Kemp – 2-for-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI, his 7th homer and Matt becomes the number one baby boy name in LA surpassing Edhardy.
Rasmus or Cozart for UTIL spot while Gardner out? Start Cahill v Braves?
@Barry Waves, I wouldn’t start Cahill. Braves are red hot right now (10 runs last night) and AZ is a hitter’s park. Also, Rasmus, IMHO.
@Barry Waves, Rasmus… I’d start him…
12 team h2h, i give up david wright, johan, and a 6th round next year, i get bautista and a 15th round pick.
do i pull the trigger? (already have power heavy offense longoria, fielder, uggla, konerko)
@a1rfann1ng, Sounds solid…
Matt Adams worth a stash in case Jay does hit the DL? He worth dropping Nicasio for if so?
@jazzballs, Sure…
Before the season started, I lobbied for a 2nd DL slot in the 12 team H2H money league I’m in with a bunch of my roommate from law school’s friends. I was successful and a 2nd DL slot was added. Apparently I should have lobbied for 4 instead. Krispine, Gardner, Young and Farnsy are all on the DL now.
I currently have 4 closers. (aceves, meyers, santiago, frank frank) Should I dump Farnsy to open up a DL slot or should I play 2 spots short handed for a few weeks?
@letsgobravos, Drop Farnsy!!
@HighUpside, I dunno — Aceves and Santiago are both pretty shaky closers. Maybe you can try to trade one or both to open up roster space?
@dingbat, Remember, Farnsworth didn’t even get to build any arm strength in spring training before he felt discomfort (again). Even if everything goes perfectly for him (he hasn’t even started throwing yet), I feel like the 4-6 weeks was waaaay too optimistic. I dropped him in 2 12 team mixed leagues already.
@Jack, I would never flat out drop a closer.
G’morning. I don’t know how you keep coming up with such great puns. As we say here in Roma: Complimenti!
My question: I’ve been rostering a hot Luke Scott in both my 14- and 16-team leagues over the last few days and have been aptly rewarded. But now that Brandon Belt seems to be playing (though not starting) Belt regularly, would you drop Scott to pick up Belt?
In the 16-teamer, I also have LaRoche: if you wouldn’t drop Scott for Belt, how about LaRoche?
Grazie.
@Enrique, You’re in Italy? Is that a new development? I’d hold Scott for a few more days… I’d lose LaRoche for Belt…
@Grey, Thanks, Grey.
No, Italy isn’t a new development. I’ve been here for years. That’s why I’m usually one of your first readers each day — midnight or so in California is 9 a.m. here.
Ah… Well, ciao!
FINALLY 2 of my big bats get off the schnide.
Zimmerman finally homers and Andrus finally steals.
Only need Dread Pirate to homer now and I’ll be able to enjoy the rest of the season!
No love for The King? 8 IP, 0 ER, 6 baserunners, 12 Ks.
Followed by a Brandon League blown save.
You must have went to bed early.
@Jon, Yeah, beddy bye.
i liked wainy, wasnt screaming it from the heavens, but none the less i took him in one league…. i still think there’s time for a turn around…. i hope. He’s eff”d me two weeks in a row now so we’ll see. Just disturbing that he was against a good reds offense, that was slumping badly, and he woke them up…..
@Tony, not til next year friend…
@Wake Up, I dont know, still too soon to tell. He’s taken a year off, maybe its his arm, maybe its just mental right now. I wanna see more before I write him off. I guess I have to see more, lol. I’ll be cautious though. I can always watch him from my bench.
@Tony, I had Wainwright really cheap in one league so I kept him. I had him benched for the start against the Reds. I did watch much of the game, though. He didn’t look dominant at all, but he didn’t look terrible. He’s not walking guys, which is good. His K rate is still good. It’s the HRs. I’m not going to pretend to know enough about pitching to explain if that’s fixable, but it did seem like hitters are jumping all over his first pitch. Usually he’s a first-pitch-strike kinda guy. Interesting.
Also, for what it’s worth (not much!), his career ERA against the teams he’s faced so far I think have all been 4.00+. Whatever.
grey- which one DONT you start?
Nova @ BOS
Lilly @ HOU
Lynn @ PIT
Beachy @ ARI
Zito @ NYM
only 4 sp slots for 5 sp’s, and i need the starts, H2H…..
@Tony, Gotta be Nova, no? Sox have been shit, but still full of great hitters. Those other matchups look pretty tasty.
@Steve, And again to subscribe to the post!
@Steve, ya i figure thats what grey will say, Nova’s been pretty solid tho, i watched his last game where he did give up some runs, most of it was due to The Yankee’s stadium. His K’s have been up and NY will score runs for him…. but i agree he’ll probably be the one that I sit.
A reply at 6am est! nice hahaha…..
@Tony, Only 10.30 on Friday night here, big guy
@Steve, You are up early, to be sure…
@Steve, haha i forgot you’re the new zealander correct? if thats the correct term…. some of us in the US get up to work early, haha. Gotta check my razzball to get a jump on the competition.
@Tony,
I believe the official term for a New Zealander is “kiwi”. At least that’s what I learned from “Flight of the Conchords” (actually, I already knew that… I just threw in the only other NZ ref I had for more cred).
@Tony, Definitely Nova.
@Tony, I save Nova or Zito. Beachy is your number 1 option, with Lynn second.
@Tony, Nova
@Tony, Zito has been pressing his luck and I error on the side of caution with him on the road. He has faced the Rockies and Pirates so the Mets on the road makes me a tad nervous.
I know it’s early, but worried about Braun at all?
@Blue, Nope
Rangers put up a 10 spot (yet again) but this time Hamilton only goes 1-4 with a run….ticker tease!
@TheNewGuy, Ha, true…
Grey, this being the first day of Pisces, which is a fish – does that mean Giancarlo will finally break the schneid? Shouldn’t he perhaps consider going back to the plebian but workmanlike “Mike”, as the new name experiment isn’t working out very well? Perhaps changing the name of my fantasy names to follow the astrolgical seasons will help?
“…Eh, even a broken clock is right twice a day, which is still more times than Matthew Berry.” Ha! With comments like that, you will never get the King of Roto to play in the ‘perts league. I would pay good money to see you and Rudy go against Berry and Klarabell the Clown. Speaking of ‘perts, whats Eric Mack doing with a dozen guys or so on his DL on his team, including Steven Drew starting at SS?
@Paulie Allnuts, I hope so, Paulie. Thanks! I think Mack just drafted maybe, not sure…
@Paulie Allnuts, is it bad that i hate eric karabel with all my heart??? lol
@PrinceRudyNasim, Not bad, but a waste of effort. the best thing about Karabell the Clown is that you can’t read him without become an ESPN “Insider”, which is a most unlikely event.
My best pitching line of night comes from Vance Worley, who is not in the morning rundown.
7IP, 4H, 0R, 3BB, 11K and gets the W as well.
I know it’s the Padres, and I know you’re expecting a sophomore slump,
but that line is “Yes”, and “More Please” all day long!
@Cahhhhh-stanza,
I was just coming on here to ask why the Vanimal wasn’t in the rundown; thanks for beating me to the punch.
I bet Berry says something about him on the podcast today, making him right at least once today, Grey.
@Ryno, The Vanimal had awesome stuff yesterday.
@Cahhhhh-stanza, I was going to make sure Vance Law got a shout out, but you took care of it. I’m liking VW as a 5th so far this season!
@Cahhhhh-stanza, I like Worley.
Wells, Presley, Pierre, or LaHair over P Bourjous?
@Blue, I’d hold for now.
Since Charlie Morton is starting today, I figured I’d take a closer look at his start against the Giants. On first glance, it was a meh appearance:
5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 K
Only threw 71 pitches, it was his first start of the season. 50 strikes. 63.6% first pitch strikes. Zero BB.
Those are all extremely positive signs.
Also positive signs:
ALL OF THE GIANTS’ HITTERS WERE LEFT-HANDED. Morton’s FIP/xFIP against LHB last season:
5.06/4.82
His K/BB against LHB:
44/49
That’s right, he walked more LHB than he struck out last season. He couldn’t get them out; they hit .357 against him. He threw cutters 20% of the time, and also threw more changeups than he did last season. He jobbed Halladay’s delivery, and now it seems like he’s starting to job his pitch selection.
For fun, RHB hit only .214 with 1 HR in 106.1 IP. Yes, 1 RHB in 431 hit a homer off Morton last season. If he’s figured out how to pitch to LHB and improved his command and control, he is an every game start. He’s only owned in 0.1% of ESPN leagues. Pretty sweet that a guy who could potentially break out and have a solid season is literally available to everyone. Won’t strike out more than 6 per 9
I’m so stoked for tonight’s game against StL. I love baseball. And writing ridiculously long-winded posts. And Kevin Love’s mustache.
@Feeding the Abscess, Damn man, sweet analysis, I like it! Still prolly not picking Morton up anywhere, but nice food for thought.
@Feeding the Abscess, You love any mustache! Nice breakdown!
How about a glossary term for when a pitcher does everything that statheads love — lots of Ks, no BBs, no HRs — but still gives up a ton of runs by allowing a bunch of hits in a row? Like whatE-jax did last night against HOU or what Greinke did last week against the Cubs (it’s extra awesome if it happens against a crappy offense).
I propose FIPlash or BABIPlash, as in I suffered FIPlash when I looked at last night’s box score. How do not allow any home runs but give up three triples in one inning?
@Dingbat, FIPlash…nice!
@Dingbat, I like it! Will run it by Rudy when he returns from a work trip.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m a cook”. He looks different on the label…
@birdog, Ha!
Would u drop Worley and start either Lynn or Harrison today?
Looking to maximize starts…
Thanks!
@Mike, id go lynn
@Mike, you don’t have anyone worse to drop, a bench bat, or reliever…
Desmond, Cozart or Alcides?
@Blue, Desmond
Smoak or Crash Davis?
@AdamH, Smoak
@AdamH, I’ll say Davis for right now.
@Grey, follow-up….
Crash Davis or Reynolds?
Reynolds
Bee-tee-dubs, I feel ya on Minor. Watched that whole game last night and he is a joy to watch. Collmenter, on the other hand, is the most boring pitcher in baseball.
@AdamH, Watched that game too, just me or did Collmenter looked exhausted after like 1 inning? He looked fat, laboring and boring.
Someone in my RCL dropped Minor after his previous start. That’s how little respect people have for him. That was an instance I really wished for a high waiver priority. Oh, and in Pianowski’s article a couple days ago he talked about benching Minor vs. ARI. What a dummy.
Bee-tee-dubbya, I’d go w/Davis above, just because he’s hot, plus Smoak has that hammy thing goin on.
@MattTruss223, Agreed. I think he topped out at a yawnstipating 88 mph. And that big, slow, stupid curveball is just ridiculous… Pianowski’s a twit.
Thanks on Davis!
@AdamH, only thing about Minor, who I FAABed last year and targeted this year, is that I’ve never seen a guy go up 0-2 or 1-2 on guys and end up giving up hits like he can sometimes do. He did that a bit yesterday, actually.
@Blue, I think if he can just command slightly better, that problem will be solved. He threw some nice hoofs and change pieces for K’s yesterday though.
@Blue, he’s only like 16 years old, give him time to mature as a pitcher a little bit and his command will get better and he’ll be pretty nasty.
@Blue,
I actually thought he was getting squeezed a little bit by the ump. I thought his location was pretty good, especially late where he retired like 13 in a row or something.
Seriously though, after a start like this, all complaints should be swallowed (that’s not what she said, but it might’ve been what I said to her!).
@AdamH, Yes!
I believe everyone will want to own a certain solid A’s pitcher at the start of next month.
Tom ‘MayDay’ Milone.
Cheers
EMF
@EnglishMetsFan, Not sure it that’s true b/c of his lack of Ks.
@EnglishMetsFan, I do like him though.
@Grey, the King of Puns somehow misses one?
I am sure Ted Danson would disagree….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Malone
Season’s still young…
Valverde and Street too much to give up for Adam Jones and addison reed (holds count)? 14 team league where I’m sporting Niewenhuis as my 4th OF. Would leave me with Frank Francisco, Axford and cassilla as my closers.
@schlitzy, i’d probably take Jones, he can easily be a top 50 player with potential for more.
@schlitzy, Not too much.
@Grey, thanks!
@schlitzy, You’ve got closers to give and Jones is easily the best player in the trade. I’d do it in a heart beat.
Grey, in a 14 team League, what say you to giving Adam Jones + Freddie Freeman for cold Jay Bruce eh?
@Eric, two posts in a row about moving adam jones, im wondering why people are not believing in this guy?
25/12 last yr and a .290 avg? room for upside/improvement. He can have one good month and end up hitting 30hrs/and get to 15sb’s this year and stay around .300?
So bruce gives you 35/10 and .270, probably at best…. we all think/hope/expect more, but seriously do you see it? I dont. It’s all potential til he does it… I’d stick with A-Jones.
@Tony, I like Adam Jones, I hate his team meaning I don’t believe in his Runs and RBIs and I don’t really believe in Freddie Freeman. I like Jay Bruce and his team situation. Haha I’m still thinking about it though, Adam Jones hot start has be thinking about it.
@Eric, A breakout Matt Wieters, Reimold and Sparkakis…that O’s offense won’t be as bad as people make out this year.
Their pitching however…
@TheNewGuy, Excellent Point, I was living in the past.
@Eric, and reynolds hasn’t started hitting yet…
Collmenter looked bad last night but rotowire says he earned another start or two. Thought he was going to be pulled from the rotation following another bad start. Picking up Bauer now a good idea?
@Haze, In some leagues, sure.
@Grey: Rivera or Kirk Neuwenburger for 5th OF?
@tHe sHiT, Neiwenhooer
@tHe sHiT, Newhouse
@Grey,
Villanova?!?! I hear Jay Wright has some fantastic suits.
Villanueva?!?! I hear Kevin Garnett is a big fan.
Someone in my league (ESPN 12 team 5×5) is dangling Krispie Young, but I can’t get a good read on his long-term injury sitch. Would you trade either Brent Gardner or Mike Morse for Young?
@Crumpy, I’d trade either for Krispie.
Sonovabench for me not starting Minor… of course i should have considering the entire D-Backs outfield is hurt. oh well… I agree Minor is pretty nasty and he’s got alot to prove since he didn’t work his way into the rotation last year. Do you think I should drop Belt for M. Carpenter? Thanks
@JK, Yup me too but I benched him for a reason, his career road ERA was nearly double his home ERA before last night. Great sign though, this years Beachy’s looking a good call right now.
@JK, Sure…
@JK, I honestly considered sitting him as well, but after his previous performance, and yes, with the AZ OF MIA, there’s no way I could justify sitting him. Glad I didn’t!
I drafted Minor x2, I’ll pat myself on the back. One of the few highlights for my teams!
@Randy BoBandy, Nice!
Anyone starting Zito or Cahill?
Zito obviously has a bad history but he has pitched well against the Mets and the Mets’ offense outside of Wright is not too intimidating.
Cahill looks interesting but the chance of him winning is small w/ Upton and Young hurt and Beachy going for the Braves. Also the Braves lineup is pretty good.
What do you think?
@Frank Kim, I’d start Cahill.
@Grey, Thanks! I decided not to start either. Cahill is too wild still and Zito is too much of a risk.
@Frank Kim, I’m benching Cahill tonight for the reasons you listed above, particularly that the Braves offense has been hot. Then again, the league I have him has
rank these deep H2H league OF options…
Juan Pierre
Gerardo Parra
Kirk Nieuwenhuis
Tyler Colvin
@Commish Cauda, Nieuwenhuis, Parra, Pierre
I was offered CJ Wilson and Javy Guerra for Longoria. I’m pretty stacked at CI and weak at pitching. Thoughts?
@Pooh, More detail: roto 5×5, custom mixed league (only 19 teams)
@Pooh, I’d want more than that…
@Wake Up, If I were the other guy, I’d be stoked with that trade.
@Pooh, Oh wait, it’s a 19 team mixed league! Then if you need the pitching I might do it. Still rather have Longoria but it’ll be hard to find pitching help in the free agent pool.
@Frank Kim, What if I told you I also have Beltre and Sean Rodriguez (who is 3B eligible…). Does that make the decision easier?
@Pooh, Beltre is great but I just think Longoria is a top guy. And SRod doesn’t excite me.
I’d still rather have Longoria but if you really need pitching you might want to do the deal. I’m also wondering if you might be able to get a better deal. I don’t think of CJ Wilson as a top pitcher. And Guerra is a bottom third closer.
@Pooh, I wouldn’t do it assuming this is a shallow league where pitching and saves can be found out on the wire.
Ha! EdHardy. Funny cause it’s true (in that fake-true kind of way). Any word on Allen Craig coming off the DL, and does the Federalist’s injury make that relevant in deeper leagues?
@Slappy Pappy, Thanks! Yeah, he should be back shortly…
Yo Grey, are you sending volquez out there against the Phils? They stink but you don’t have to be good if the pitcher can’t find the plate. He’s my number 7 guy, 12 team mixer, 1450 ip limit.
Can I get better than Nick swisher for my Santiago casilla?
Thanks for the daily dose!
@Alcesto, The Phils have been one of the worst offenses thus far, and Volquez will be in Petco. If you don’t start him, why having him on your roster?
@Griff, I see your point but as a nervous Volq owner, my answer is: Because he can easily hang 5 BBs on you in 5 2/3?
I’ll probably run him out today but if he falters again it’s the quick drop to pick up Son of Drabek.
@Alcesto, I asked grey about Edinson yesterday and he said “Yup”
@Chunk, Ha
@Alcesto, Yup
I’m leaving Jhouyls on the bench today – agree?
@Mr. Rickey, YES
cuddyer and kendrick for granderson? would you do that? i’d be the one getting grandy
@moses, I would do that to get Grandy, but do you have another 2B after trading two of them away?
@dingbat,
Cuddyer isn’t eligible there in my league, just 1b/of
And yes, I also have Rickie Weeks.
I offered him those 2 and Mike Aviles for him.
would u drop worley and add either harrison or lynn to start today?
Thanks!
@mike, Lynn, in H2H leagues where I needed the start.
Giancarlo says his knee is better, my heart skipped a beat
@Drkness, And he’s started slow before, it took him till 21/04 to hit his first homer last season. Chillax people.
@TheNewGuy, ha, took me awhile to figure out what 21/04 was. April 21st, I’m assuming, for those of us scoring at home…
@TheNewGuy, Agreed. If you look at his April stats from last year, you’ll feel very heartened about his prospects for this year.
@Drkness, Still think the cartilage knee thing is a big deal for such a power guy….
@Wake Up, It sounds like he is gonna be ok, from what I’ve heard it’s just general swelling without a definitive cause. Usually these type of knee injuries are more of a comfort level/pain tolerance issue than anything, I don’t see it being a problem going forward.
It seams like a repeat to the start of last year with the hammy injury as the guys above have said, he didn’t hit a bomb until April 21 and finished the month with only 2 HR. Not too worried at all now that he said it’s better.
@Drkness, Thank you.
Who do you like more long term H2H points league – Gaby Sanchez or Mark Reynolds — thanks
@LT, Or would you drop Jeff Francoeur for Gaby and keep Reynolds
@LT, Reynolds… I’d hold.
I watched a lot of the Yu start. He’s getting better but still wastes too many pitches. It’s like he’s always trying to throw the perfect pitch just off the plate to get hitters to swing, and he misses. He should go after hitters more. When he does, he’s pretty good.
@frank rizzo, Sounds a lot like another much-ballyhooed Japanese import, Dice-BB, nibbler extraordinaire. Nothing is more frustrating to watch then that. Difference in pitching philosophies I suppose. Glad I passed on the hype.
@MattTruss223, I went for him for the fun factor in 1 league. I thought he looked straight dominating a couple times in spring training. But I have been thoroughly unimpressed with all of his starts so far.
@AdamH, why would you be unimpressed with this start? He just 2 hit one of the best hitting lineups in the AL in their park.
@frank rizzo, Thanks for sharing!
Logan Morrison or J.D. Martinez?
@Yoshi, JD
Two things: I think you’re selling Freeman a little short. 25 and .280 with some counters and 5-7 bags maybe even, and second I need a six letter word for “Footstool” ends in “…ffe”
@OaktownSteve, Plouffe?
@Grey, that’s what I want it to be! Too many letters though. I’m not mentioning Granderson…yet.
Wainwright was dropped in my league. Who should I drop to pick him up?
Matt Harrison
Trevor Cahill
Johan Santana
I’m leaning towards Harrison.
@Chris, Harrison.
Con permiso…but my agent is telling me that he prefers Emilio Sheen…
@Wake Up, Ha!
Start Marcum today at home vs. Colorado (12 team rotisserie 1600 inning cap)?
@Blue, I’m doin it!
@Blue, Y
@Blue, I’m investing
Yahoo H2H 1yr League (10 teams)
Pitcher Stats: W, SV, K, ERA, WHIP, K/9, QS, HLD
Current Relievers: Valverde, Casilla, Jansen
How would you rank these closers going forward? I need to pick one for my 4th RP slot.
Aceves, H.Rodriguez, Myers, C.Perez
@J-Birdis, Aceves, Perez, Myers…
Trying to work a trade for an outfielder since mine are droppin like flies. How do you rank Choo, Reimold, Bourjos, and Austin J, all things equal?
@AdamH, Choo, Jackson, Reimold
Karabell says “OMG, DOUMIT FINALLY BREAKS OUT”
doesn’t he have to do it more than 1 time to be any kind of breakout? What a momo
@moses, Ha!
@moses, Did you just paraphrase Ace Rothstein taking Don Ward to task for his casino mismanagement?
It’s the Fantasy version of F,M,K: Start, Sit, or Drop
Volquez at home against Philly. Start? Sit? Or drop for Drabek vs KC tomorrow?
P.S. ADAM JONES. That is all.
@Baron Von Vulturewins, F Jones, M Drabek, K Volquez!
@Baron Von Vulturewins, I’d start him. Philly ranks dead last in BB% this year, so they might not even let Volquez walk anybody. Plus, in the teeniest of sample sizes, he’s got a 9.00 BB/9 away form Petco, but “only” 5.25 BB/9 at home this year.
@dingbat, That is the definition of cold comfort.
@Baron Von Vulturewins, Ha… Start Volquez… Philly isn’t very strong right now…
My Latos and Cespedes for his Lincecum?
@quimmy, Question…….if you went too quick the 1st few times in the sack should your lady trade you away? Latos is a str8 up young stud who is coming off a minor calf injury in the preseason which may be the reason for some poor starts. Give him a chance. I would be more concern about good ol Timmy. The red flags have been going up on this dude for a season or 2 already and look its catching up to him. I would hold off on the trade just to monitor Timmy a few more starts. People kept going after Ubaldo as a buy low last yr and look at how that turned out
Instead of Bone-face as we like to call him, we could always go: Emilio Steal-your-face. That’s for all the Deadheads out there.
@MattTruss223, Ha!
the Berry and Edhardy lines made me spit-take coffee — good stuff
@PhilBrody, Thanks!
Drop Soto for Doumit?
Otherwise, I was going to try to offer a trade to the guy that has 1 SV right now and no established closer on his roster: Soto and Guerra for Mauer….think he’d go for that?
@Mike, Dont sleep on Soto. I mean it might not mean much but the guy worked on his balance, foot work and diet which lead to 25 lbs lose this offseason and stressing how he wants to stay in shape entire season. This is good to hear from a guy who use to be a good hitter and a pot head. The bat will come, its only the 2nd/3rd week.
If your in need of Avg and have Saves to waste i would offer the trade but with Soto batting .167 I doubt they’ll take it. Just trade Guerra and upgrade at another position because honestly the only thing Mauer is really going to offer thats that much noticable is AVG.
@PrinceRudyNasim, Thanks for the advice. I won’t drop him for Doumit, but maybe start the conversation about the trade. 15 team league, I’m in 6th place, but I’m dead last in AVG. So Mauer might be really helpful for me. Thanks again.
damn you Grey! “!p!ow” resulted in an entire mouthful of coffee going to waste… and a sore nasal cavity.
@toolagio, Thanks!
“Eh, even a broken clock is right twice a day, which is still more times than Matthew Berry”
hahahahahbasxbjhbxabxjhabjhavbcjavcjavbs!!!!!!! classic!!!
If they made a fantasy baseball “Dumb and Dumber” there is no way Matthew Berry and Eric Karabel don’t win the roles by a landslide!
@PrinceRudyNasim, Thanks!
Happy April 20th Grey and all others
@Chunk, You too!
on Samardjihad…yesterday she introduced me to her Dad…while she was on top…
@Wake Up, Ha! Nice nickname…
Yu Darvish reminds me of Daisuke Matsuzaka… and not just because they’re both asian. same hype and, it would seem, same insane amount of BBs.
@Denys, I can see that right now…
@Denys, Same pitching motion too…heck all Japanese pitchers have the same motion. So boring, why can’t they come up with one of their own!
@TheNewGuy, @Grey,
obviously you give the guy a few more starts. But this was the exact same scenario with Dice-K… Wonder if Japan league has expanded strike-zones, or some such thing. Would be interesting if some “expert” could chime in.
If Yu doesn’t turn it around, never trusting another Asian product again… baseball wise, I love my Toshiba.
rough week – lost ellsbury, chris young, puma, and gardner WELP SEE YA LATER OF!
Need to make two OF pickups out of these guys:
Willingham, Luke Scott, Logan Morrison, and Rasmus
WHAT SAY YOU!?
@rob, Scott, Rasmus…
A. Jackson, Markakis, Reimold. Pick two.
Great work as always
@Yer Yang, Thanks! Jackson, Reimold…
@Grey, Wow! How The Sparkakis Has Fallen.
What do you think about all of these steals by Heyward? He had 11 and 9 in each of his first 2 years and now already has 5. Is this an aberration or can he realistically end up stealing 20-25 bags?
@TheBravesWear Prado, I think he could steal 20 if he wants to…
This year’s Grandy is last year’s Bautista.
i.e. you’ll come around eventually!
@Random Collmenter, Ha
Again, thanks for these quality daily updates. But man, the waiver wire is threadbare this year. SAGNOF is proving unusually tough but thankfully Elvus is finally running.
Quick Q: Would you offer your Price for his Lincecum?
@Eng, Thanks! It’s a coin flip, I wouldn’t offer it…
Drop Scherzer for Mike Minor?
I’m also considering dropping Scherzer to stream SP week to week. FA in me league are Wandy, E. Jackson, McCarthy, Norris, Peavy…
Thoughts?
@Kaiser Soze, Hold
@Grey…
Pujols and Jeter for Tex, Price and Balfour
What side do you like better?
@Ralph, Tex
What’s wrong with F-Her? Didn’t he watch Verlander’s start? Doesn’t he know only pussies come out after 8 SO IP and less than a 140 pitch count? My staff now has 10 QSs to go along with 3 Ws. FMFBBL.
@Awesomus Maximus, Wow, that’s tough to do…
@Grey, F-Her and J-Z have combined for 1 W in 6 QS. The rest of my staff has 2 W to show for 4 QS. Matt Thornton, who was on my team for a minute (somewhere between “actual” and “urban dictionary”) has just as many Ws as any of my starters… 1. It’s amazing!
I wrote that in Tim Kurkjian’s voice.
@Awesomus Maximus, It read like that too!
@Grey, I am nothing if not immensely talented… and modest… and succinct.
Hi All – Order them if you will: Niese, Minor, Ervin Santana
@Niq Castro, You did.
@Grey, HA! Not sure where my order came from. (I’d have switched Minor and Niese if I was ranking them…) Glad I could save you a few keystrokes.
Alex Gordon: Buy Low or Bust?
Thinking of offering up Ubaldo to a frustrated owner (in need of pitching) for Gordon.
@J-Birdis, Bust
deep 16-team, H2H-points League
Trade Mariano Rivera FOR Latos & Jordan Schafer?
Need a OF badly. Latos is just a buy low.
We start 2 RPs. Would end up going with Sergio Santos as one RP and streaming RP eligible Lance Lynn and Corey Lubke at the other RP spot based on match-ups.
@Commish Cauda,
Ignore this, thanks…already shot down.
Colon or Peavy?
Peavy
Drop Aybar for Ackley?
Drop Crisp for Reimold?
@higgins42, Sure… Sure…
All things being equal – Matt Holliday for Jay Bruce. Who wins the trade if it happens tonight?
And thanks for helping me avoid Berkman. I’m overdue to buy you a daiquiri.
@LA Sound Guy, Bruce… No problem…
I’m still on the Wainwright bandwagon. His xFIP is 3.21, sample size is too small. Max Scherzer has an era of 8, Latos has an era of 8.2 and Lincecum has an era of 10.5. I wouldn’t cut bait with them either.
@Raj, Yeah, I don’t think Waino’s gonna be at a 8 ERA… He’s definitely not the lights out guy people were making in the preseason…
Would Stanton plus 1 Low rated SP get Beltre? Too much or dreaming(worried about the knee injury)
@Ken Plane, It’s fair…
bourjos/Youk for Morales/C.Young
Fowler/Youk/H.Rod(was) for Morales/C.Young
Standard 12 team Roto
any of these deals good for me?( I own Youk)
@harrrr, Eh
@Grey, Fowler or bourjos+ H.Rod for C.Young better?
In a 10 team mixed H2H, is Matt Carpenter a more viable UTIL pickup than any of the following guys on my roster?
Goldschmidt (platoon w/ Overbay)
Austin Jackson (can he keep up the hot start?)
Aybar (he’s been awful thus far but backup SS)
@J. Corzo, Over Aybar
Mike Stanton and A.McCuthen combined homeruns: 0
Curtis Granderson homeruns: 6
@Lance Berkman, Lance Berkman: crippled puma…
Grey,
Do you think Brett Anderson is worth a stash if available on waivers? DL eligible, but do you think he is useful this year coming off Tommy John surgery? 10 team H2H, keeper, categories are Wins/Losses, K, Whip, ERA, K/BB ratio, Net Saves.
Thanks as always!
@Joan Chen, Sure
Master Grey,
In a keeper league where I’ve got Minor as a 17th rounder I could use some OF depth.
Minor and Espinosa/A. Hill-Zobrist
Marmol-Markakis
No idea what the question is.
@Grey,
My bad. They are two trades. My guys on the left. Thanks.
@Flow Montana, I’d take Markakis, and Zobrist, in that order…
10 team h2h 5×5 plus obp and slg, holds and k/bb
just got a trade offer of Votto and Alexei ramirez for King Felix and Jose Reyes. Is my love for Votto justified enough to make that trade or try to get another piece? He also has Furcal, best SS avail is Alcides Escobar.
My team:
c-soto (will be jesus with one more start)
1-Hosmer
2-Kipnis (Utley on DL)
3-Longoria
SS-Reyes
OF-Bruce, Jennings, Reimold (morse on DL)
2Util- jesus, De Aza
SP-Felix, Bumgarner, Gio, Morrow, Anibal, Sale, Lynn, E Volquez
RP-Marmol, Javy G, S Romo, K Jensen, Addison Reed
@DSimms, I’d hold…
Hey with Berkman going to DL, I need a UTIL replacement:
Do I go with Carpenter, Nieuwenhuis or Dunn?
@BostonEagle5, Nieuwenhuis
Who would you rather have, straight off the top, Kevin Youkilis or Brett Gardner?
@Dominic, Gardner
@Dominic, today? the guy not on the DL
@rob, no just in general for the rest of the season
Brandon Phillips out of the lineup today. Guess he hits a HR and thinks his hammy deserves a day off.
@Wilsonian, Damn
@Grey, my thoughts exactly. He’s just sucking up roster space with days like this and no backup 2B to fill in. Damn you Emilio Bone-stevez-sheen and your only 3 spot eligibility!! Where you at on the 2B eligibility?! Punk…
@ Grey Thanks for the quick reply! What if i can get B.J Upton thrown in? so Reyes and Felix for Votto, Upton and Alexei?
@DSimms, Sounds solid…
@Grey – My bench bat is LoMo. Gardner (just dropped), Reimold and Stubbs available. I’m thinking Stubbs based on your rankings. What say you? Thanks!
@AnotherFalstaff, Stubbs
Luke Scoot is off to a hot start. What kind of numbers do you think he finishes with? Would you drop Torii Hunter for him? Since the Angels are struggling to score runs and thought they would score a lot more runs this year. So thinking about dropping hunter since i already have kendrick. Or i could drop hunter for Aramis Ramirez?
@Eric, Aramis
And for everyone who reached this post by Googling “filthy Minor,” welcome!
@Long Bawls, ha!
Grey:
Jemile Weeks. Booooo?
You think I should hang on to him but maybe pick up Altuve? or Aaron Hill? I know it’s early…
@CL, Hill
@Grey, Yer quick! Would you rather keep O’Flaherty or Aaron Crow then? Or you I just dump Weeks?
Crow
I’m in a dire situation with my corners. Missed out a top 8 1b during the draft and was set to start Morse at 1B. Right now I’m looking at Carlos Lee as my 1B, Panda at 3B, and The Artist Formerly Known as Mark Reynolds HRs at the CI spot while Morse is on the DL. I’m hurting for power.
Do I drop Reynolds for Carpenter or Juan Francisco? There’s always Chris Davis… ugh, FMFBBL
Hold
@Matt Damon, drop someone else and bench reynolds…
Nelson Cruz or Jay Bruce long-term in a 10-team points league?
Bruce
Grey:
Drop Lance Lynn or Chris Sale and pick up Jake Peavy?
Thanks.
Lynn
Casilla or HenRod ROS?
Would you roster several closers in a points league that awards 5 pts. for wins and saves and 1 pt. per out, or would you stream as many 2-start pitchers as possible (only 3 moves per weekly matchup)?
@nick m., Casilla… Stream…
Grey, hey.
Would you want Nieuwenhuis or Belt?
Thanks for your help.
@fyodor, Nieuwenhuis right now…
Kerry Wood to the DL with a bum shoulder (tired or fatigued – so are his owners)
Next contestent in the 2012 Shoulder Sweepstakes………Michael Pineda!
@bean, Ha!
Guy in my 12 team keeper league w/ holds put Wright on the block. Should I offer my Youk, Alex Gordon, and Marshall for his Wright and K-Rod? His only closer is Marmol and my only holds guy is Rauch.
@Poo Holes, Sure
Grey: Any chance you have recently met a no name country singer with the correct over/under on that 3.75 ERA?
Anyway Street or Beckett in a 20 team 4×4 no K league.
Also what are your thoughts on these 4×4 leagues. Seems to me closers really get a boost as W’s are like throwing darts @ a board. The stud SP are still just that, but the high K, all over the place guys aren’t more valuable than a Henderson Alvarez type.
Thanks in Advance,
-YHL
Huh? Beckett… I agree with what you said about K pitchers, but SPs still effect ratios more…
@Grey, Thanks.
From your preseason top 40SP in regards to Beckett…..’What side of the 3.75 ERA bed Beckett wakes up no one knows, except for maybe some country singer no one’s ever heard of.’
Failed attempt @ humor on my part.
Agreed on the ratios being effected more but that, like diamonds, can cut both ways.
Rasmus, Reimold, Murphy, Schafer, Tabata. Gotta drop one for Great Scott.
Tabata
****THERE’S A NEW POST FOR FOLLOWUPS***
Hi Grey, please rank these pitchers that many of us are bringing up in these comments every day:
Lynn
Peavy
Scherzer
Cahill
Niese
Minor
Sale
@Oxford Comma, In my opinion and without much thought …
Niese
Scherzer
Peavy
Cahill
Minor
Sale
Lynn
Obviously I’m higher on Niese than most people.
Do I run out Holland next week vs NYY and TB at home? He did well in Fenway, but has always had a history of horrific implosions. He may have matured beyond that, but …. too risky?