The answer to the pregunta, “Que es CarGo?” no longer requires an obligatory snail reference as he ended his 15 game homerless streak to start 2012 with 2 HRs against the Pirates, going 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs. He’s never going to hit .336 again like he did in 2010 (doubt he’ll ever hit .300 with his K-rate) but he is one of the few players that has legitimate 30 HR/20 SB potential. He had a similarly slow start last year before a great May/June (11 HR, 10 SB, .300+ AVG). If you can get a CarGo owner to sell low for a 3rd round or later OF like Jay Bruce or Adam Jones, sign that waybill or stick your hand in one of their many pockets or some other strained metaphor. Other fantasy baseball news….
Yu Darvish - Darvish out-samurai’d Kuroda with an 8 1/3 IP, 10K, 9 baserunner, 119 pitch effort against the Yankees. That’s 3-0 now for Darvish with wins against the Tigers and Yankees. Even better, he had only 2 BBs after entering the game with 14 walks in his first 3 outings. He has the stuff to put up 20 wins and 200 Ks but I’m not sold just yet that he’ll be able to maintain his control or hair color.
Johan Santana – Great start by Johan – 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 11 Ks – that didn’t net a win because the Mets have yet to score for him in 4 starts. It’s hard to jump on board the Santanawagon based on his velocity to date (88 MPH on the fastball) but even a return of 2008-2009 Santana (8 K/9 and near 3.00 ERA) would be a nice return given his draft slot. Maybe they’d have more money to build around Santana if they paid him in Madoff shares.
Shin-Soo Choo - Left the game with left hamstring tightness – which was a relief (as a multi-team owner) as he was pinch-hit for with Jason Donald with the bases loaded. If he wasn’t physically hurt, that kind of thing would have to mentally hurt. He might miss a game but the Shin-Soo Choo train should be running again in no time.
Jair Jurrjens – Demoted to AAA after a ghastly first 4 starts – 16 IP, 30 Hits, 17 ER, 10 BB(!), 8 Ks. He’s not a great pitcher but he’s managed two very good ERA seasons (despite poor FIP) in 2009 (2.60 ERA vs. 3.68 FIP) and 2011 (2.96 ERA vs. 3.99 FIP). Or maybe he is just the living proof of Saberhagenmetrics and you should stash him for next year.
Josh Johnson – The Mets seem to be running a Slumpbuster service for aces – one day after giving Lincecum his first win in a WHIP-filled 5 innings, Josh Johnson threw a 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 9 K gem. He’s had a rough start in his first couple of starts (16 IP, 8 K) but his performance should be fine as long as he stays healthy. And a guy who jumps from the roof of a skyscraper should be fine as long as he remains airborne.
Andrew McCutchen – Finally some RBIs for the Dread Pirate! 17 singles and 3 doubles in 15 games resulted in only 2 RBIs to start the year but he got 3 RBIs last night on a groundout and 2-run double. I think the braiding session between him, Presley, and Tabata really paid dividends.
Tom Milone – Earned a win with an 8 IP, 3 hits, 5 K, 0 BB gem against the White Sox. He’s never going to be a dominant K guy but he’s turning into a must-start at least for home starts – even if his name reminds me of a loser’s MySpace friend list (yes, I know…what non-loser has MySpace….it’s creative license).
David Price – Complete game shutout against the Angels. He must’ve been mad at Arte Moreno for saying he wasn’t an object during the Pujols negotiations.
Mike Aviles - 4 for 5 with 2 doubles, a HR, 2 runs and 3 RBI against Nick Hackburn and the Twins. Aviles now has 3 HRs and is hitting well over .300. Not to mention the trifecta in position eligibilty (2B/SS/3B). Definite sell high candidate as he seems to have a meteoric streak like this every year and then falls down to Earth.
David Ortiz – Big Papi is hitting .444 with 3 HRs so far. He really seems to be physically and emotionally into the game.
Rex Brothers – The Rex Brothers tag-teamed on a few of our teams’ ERA/WHIPs with a disastrous 4 batters – double, single, double, walk – against the season-long slumping Pirates. That’s now two straight outings where he got no outs (so two straight ings?). Love his K potential and he might have an outside chance at the closer gig at some point….but he’s unownable in mixed leagues right now and near unplayable in NL-only leagues.
Hunter Pence - Put his owners and Phillie fans through the ringer the last couple days. Hurt his shoulder over the weekend, sat on Monday, had an MRI during the day on Tuesday, was twurmered (tweet murmur) to be sitting today, and then hit a 2-run HR at night. Way to put the Pence in suspense, Hunter.
Matt Wieters – HR #6. Take note – next time there’s a hyped catcher, just wait a couple years before drafting them high.
Tony Campana – Second straight 2 SB game for Campana – even if the 2nd was an AWFUL call. Cuz safe ain’t got no face either.
Max Scherzer – Not cool, Max. It’s one thing to get blasted by the Red Sox in your first start of the season but giving up 5 ER and 12 baserunners in 5 innings at home against Seattle is like a surprise nut punch.
Gerardo Parra - 3rd SB in 6 games for Parra. SAGNOF!
Chris Perez - That’s 7 straight converted saves for Chris Perez with only 1 ER. He’s anything but a sure bet this year (5 K / 4 BB in 10 IP this year) but, if I was Pestano, I’d pull a Delilah and cut his mullet in his sleep.
Vance Worley – A very impressive start (6 IP, 1 ER, 6 Ks) on a night where the ball was carrying at Chase Field (5 HRs in the game). He’s now at about 163 MLB IP with 150 Ks and a 1.22 WHIP. I think I’m catching the VW bug.
Craig Kimbrel – Got the save after giving up 1 Hit, 1 BB, and, of course, getting 3 strikeouts. Can we start calling a 3 K inning for a save a ‘Kimbrel’?
Jose Altuve - The slam and legs for Altuve. That’s 3 SBs in the past 5 games. The .350 AVG is inflated by a lucky BABIP but Altuve’s showing an improved eye (same amount of BBs this year as he did in 3x the PAs last year) which should only help his runs and SBs. If only his last name didn’t make him sound like a terrorist.
Mike Pelfrey – There are murmurs that Pelfrey may have a partially torn UCL and be sent to Dr. Freeze for Tommy John surgery – or at least Sandy Alderson can’t ‘rule this out’. He’s like bizarro-Minaya – overreporting possible injuries vs. underreport confirmed injuries. “You know, Mr. Met may very well be a man in costume who drank too much nerve tonic and suffered the same ill effects as Ken Griffey Jr. in the Simpsons ‘Homer at the Bat’ episode.”
can’t believe the Sonavabench wasn’t used in the darvish blurb. that stung…
@Critter Nagurski, Don’t own Yu in any leagues….but NYY is always a tough matchup. I empathize.
@Rudy Gamble, I haven’t done any official research, but I’ve always been one to start pitchers that the Yankees have never faced before, and have been rewarded more times than naught.
Dump laroche for parra or campana? Need runs & steals.
@Trick dad, I’d dump him for either — LaRoche’s hot streak is over.
I think Parra’s the safer choice, and he’s got some power as well. But I had the same two options for a waiver pickup and decided to go with the high-upside of Campana. Unless he gets benched he’s going to get a ton of SBs … if you don’t have a better option you can leave him in your lineup even on days he doesn’t start and he’ll likely pinch run and steal a base or two.
@Trick dad, If those are the stats you need, sure. I think LaRoche will have more value by end of year but I like Parra and Campana for value in the next 2 weeks.
When can I cut bait on marmol? Or have I waited to long already? As a cardinals fan I kicked myself on draft day anyway
@Abell, Can’t you trade him? Unless you’re in a shallow league there’s got to be some team near the bottom in saves who’ll go for Marmol. Talk up his strike out potential and the fact that he had rough patches last year. I traded him in a 16-team league for Marcum two or three days ago.
@Abell, Yeah, Marmol is awful to watch when you own him. He should still have trade value b/c he’s the closer but he’s not going to bring as much as he should in return.
@Abell, I packaged marmol and youk for kenley and rollins. He still has value if you don’t need the saves.
@Abell, What’s all this Marmol talk? Is there a set up guy that’s going to take over? If so, who?
@Gavin, Dolis maybe?
I’m sick of suffering FIPlash (eh? eh?) against crappy teams. First GreinkenGainst the Cubs, then E-Jax against the Astros, and now Scherzer against the Mariners. Stop being so damn hittable, pitchers! Or better yet, stop pitching in front of crappy defenses!
On a related note, what are the chances that we’re witnessing a Garza-like transformation/breakout from E-Jax this year? In his first 3 starts, he’s showing an unprecedented combo of whiffs, control, and groundballs. He gets the Padres next, so we probably won’t know if he’s for real for another week, but I’m curious why nobody’s talking about him yet.
@Dingbat, I like FIBlash. No, one sec. I don’t like FIPlash itself. At least not on my teams. I mean I like the term.
@Dingbat, Eh indeed on FIPlash
The Greinke Cub start was painful. He must’ve gotten to 2 strikes on every hitter in that inning. Very good points on E-Jax – his peripherals (9.5 K rate, 1.5 BB rate, 51% GBs) are fantastic so far. I’d lean toward this being flukey and he’ll regress back to the E-Jax of the last couple years but worth rolling the dice on in any league format right now.
Milone or Worley in a league where Ks don’t count?
@schlitzy, Worley.
A “Simpsons ‘Homer at the Bat’ episode” reference! I love it!
Burns: Strawberry! Good effort today, take a lap & hit the showers… I am putting in a right handed bat to hit for you
Straw: But Ive got 9 home runs today! You’re pinch hitting for me!?!
Burns: You see, you’re a left hander and so is the pitcher. If I send up a right-handed batter its called playing the percentages. Its what good managers do to win ball games — HILARIOUS
@Dirty Jersey, ah, when the simpsons were good….
@Dirty Jersey, Yup, a classic.
@Dirty Jersey, Wait, was that Mr. Burns or Dusty Baker you were quoting?
I need some help with my NL only H2H lineup today. I am split down the middle of who to start today. Jose Tabata (Recently heated up and playing a double header today) or Nate Shierholtz ( .429 career BA against Arroyo)
@Tony V, I’d go with Schierholtz unless you hear confirmation that Tabata will start both games.
Hosmer and Masterson (his) for my Heyward and Luebke in a keeper league. I’m deep in pitching and OF (JUpton, Bruce, and Dread Pirate), but I’m not giddy about this one. Heyward + steals > Hosmer, I think. Am I crazy or do I take it?
@kangaroo hops, whats your current 1B and CI situation look like?
@kangaroo hops, I don’t like this trade from your side. Heyward and Hosmer are a wash and Luebke is much better right now than Masterson.
@kangaroo hops, If you’re deep in OF, keep Hosmer. He’s the better hitter already.
@Thrilla, whoops, read post wrong. Ignore that…
I like the Luebke side.
Oh, but I desperately need a 1B!
@kangaroo hops, I’d renegotiate the pitcher part of it then.
@Rudy Gamble, Thanks. I kind of hate to get rid of heyward, but playing wiggy at 1b is killing me.
Which side wins on this deal (12 team roto)?
Adrian Gonz. + Kinsler for Bautista + Dread Pirate
@Oz.J., looks like a team needs thing to me.
@Oz.J., I’d say the A-Gonz, Kinsler side but very close.
In a deep league tailspin and need pitching help wherever I can get it. Dump Kuroda for: Gavin Floyd? Drew Smyly? Arroyo? Chen? Those names make me ill.
@Ray, I’d hold onto Kuroda vs. those alternatives.
Rudy my man.. I have Uggla at 2B Andrus at SS and Cozart at MI leaving Altuve benched most days.. I lost Santos to DL and have Lidge in his spot.. Guy offers me Cordero for Altuve.. Its a moderately shallow 10 team 5×5 so bench depth for batters isn’t a huge issue.. Should I make the move to lock up Toronto’s closer in case Santos is out for a while or Cordero keeps the job?
Asked Grey yesterday but his answer was along the “meh” lines lol..
@TimSTi, See if he’ll take Cozart for Cordero. If not, I probably make the trade as you have no room in your lineup.
@Rudy Gamble, Interesting, you rank Altuve above Cozart? I know he’s the hotter schmotato right now but thought Cozart had the brighter upside?
@TimSTi, Altuve has the brighter upside. He’s only 21 and after 300 ABs since coming up, he’s hitting .291 with 11 SBs, 3 HRs and 14 doubles. He could be a 10/20 + AVG-guy with upside. Tough call.
@Thrilla, they have probably about equal upside with counting stats but Altuve will be way closer to hitting .300 if not higher…
Drop Bourjos for Campana? My other OF’ers are:
JUpton
Bruce
Parra
Kendrys
Already getting steals from Dee Gordon, BTW?
Other options are:
Schierholtz
Cody Ross
@Scottie O., Oh & Nieuwenhuis is still available too
@Scottie O., I think it’s safe to drop Bourjos now in 12 team leagues – his upside for 2012 isn’t high enough right now to weather the storm. I’d grab Campana for now given his hot streak but having Gordon means you can drop him as soon as there’s a bad sign.
@Scottie O., This is my exact same question. I have Ike Davis and Peter B in my utility slots.
I’m gonna cut Davis some slack, but want to know if Peter B is drop worthy yet.
I lost some steals with Krispie Young on the DL.
I’ve got both Rodriguez and Lidge in place of Storen on my roster. Is Lidge worth keeping around any longer or can we safely say H-Rod is the closer until Storen gets back?
@Mike, Can’t safely say that H-Rod is the closer. But Lidge definitely isn’t looking good.
@Mike, I dumped Lidge for Joe Wieland in an NL league. The concrete’s not set on him, but its poured.
CBSSports Blurb of the Day:
In regards to Gavin Floyd
“The right-hander was pulled with one out in the seventh inning after issuing a leadoff walk to Daric Barton.”
A leadoff walk with one out? Interesting….
@quimmy, Ha!
Better player RoS, E-5 or Mini Donkey? 16 team H2H points format.
@Eddie, I feel dumb but who is RoS? I like E-5 more than Mini Donkey.
@Rudy Gamble,
I’ll raise you a RoS= Rest of season and ask who is E-5?
@Eddy, Edwin Encarnacion
@slew, Ah, gotcha.
@Rudy Gamble, Sorry Rudy, RoS means “Rest of Season”. And thanks, I was worried you were gonna say that.
@Eddie, i got confused with the two eddy/ie’s for second…
Samardzija with a great line last night: 6.2IP, 5 base runners, 0 ER, 9K. Samardzija stills sounds like an Arabic member of the Wu Tang Clan. The Samard-JZA.
@mapwheel, Nice
@mapwheel, Nice. Yeah, missed that line. He’s been a real surprise so far.
@mapwheel, Did you or anybody actually see that game? I own Samardzjia and had him on the bench last night. He’s tough to figure out. Kind of goes a little mental and loses focus. Had a superb k/bb in spring and in his good starts he’s locked. Then he loses fastball command all of a sudden and he’s trash. Curious on thoughts of others on guesses for the near term with him.
@OaktownSteve, He threw a lot more off-speed the first time through the lineup this time, then brought out the fastball the next time around. The cards looked off balance. Seemed to work. He did this a bit in his other starts as well. His babip is high and his lob% is low, if those go back to normal, he’ll do well. oh, and his fip/xfip is very nice.
If you exclude the Miami start, he’s got 22 K and 3 BB in 20.1 innings. His first start vs the Cards was great through four innings, then in the fifth gave up a plethora of singles before carpenter tripled. A very BAD inning, but no walks. I’ll take that k:bb ratio. Basically, one real bad start and one bad inning, the rest is excellent.
Excluding Miami game, where he gave up on his Two Seamer (18%) and threw a ton of Sliders (29%) and Cutters (18%), here are his averages:
Two Seam – 35.38% 94.5 mph
Four Seam – 20.94% 94.6
Slider – 19.86% 85.5
Cutter – 8.66% 91.3
Splitter 8.30% 86.1
Changeup – 6.86% 86.8
This post is already too long, so to sum up, when he locates his fastballs, he is very good. (duh) It looks like his off speed stuff may be in the strike zone WAY too much when the fastballs are not on target. Another problem is the cubs don’t score at all, so he may be pressing a bit to try and be perfect….
@mapwheel, HA! So good.
Is Gallardo/BPhillips too much to give up for Kinsler?
My other SPs are Gio, MadBum, Anibal, Lynn, CBills. And I need an offensive upgrade.
@Baron Von Vulturewins, My take: I do think it’s too much. Try Phillips + Lynn or (if the other manager didn’t see his last box score), Bills.
@Baron Von Vulturewins, Yes, it’s too much. Based on 12 team PS, I have Gallardo/Phillips worth $37 and Kinsler worth about $30. You should be able to package in a worse starter than Gallardo for the upgrade.
@Baron Von Vulturewins, In a shallow league, I’d take Kinsler. Deep league, it’s pretty even. Though I must mention that I’m not very bullish on Gallardo. That’s probably the most that I’d be comfortable giving up though, so I’d use that as a final offer rather than a starting point.
@Big Magoo, Thanks for the input — I feel kind of the same on Gallardo; i.e. he’s my “best” starter, but I actually feel he could finish the season behind Gio and MadBum. So trying to get ace value for a 3 SP. But still, it’s probably an overpay — especially for Glass Kinsler.
@Baron Von Vulturewins, I’m a big fan of Kinsler, but his injury history makes him a little risky (although I think that’s a bit exaggerated by most people – 30-30 in two out of the last three years). I like the deal but maybe try to get a low-whip starter in return, like J. Zimm or Marcum, to offset some of your high-whip guys.
Although he got me a quality start last night, I have to ditch Kuroda. This is my 12 teams holds league in which I picked up Jon Rauch to get me some holds, but he’s gotten me 2 wins in 2.1 innings. My question to you, Sir Rudy, is who do you think gets more holds out of this group: Kerry Wood, Koji Uehara, Jesse Crain, Edward Mujica, Tony Sipp, or David Phelps? Not the cream of the crop by any stretch of the imagination, but these are the best RP available. Thanks, and continue being awesome.
@Poo Holes, Crain
Are J. Weeks, Lind, Goldschmidt, or bud norris droppable at this point? I doubt I can get much in trade for them now. Your thoughts?
@Matt, In some leagues, yeah…
Please rank these 2 start pitchers:
Doubront- @CWS(Humber) /OAK
Smyly- @NYY(CC) /KC
Delgado- PIT(Bedard) /PHI
@potus, Smyly, Delgado
Managed to snag Trout off waivers in my 16 team H2H thanks to Grey’s advice. Now Bauer is still unowned too, and with Collmenters awfulness the call could come anytime soon right? Worth stashing now?
@TheNewGuy, Due to the congestion in the Halos OF, I don’t see Trout up until rosters expand…and, unless the Angels are out of it AND have dealt Abreau and/or Hunter (or injuries), even then he won’t have a full time job.
@RandomItalicizedVoice, I said Rudy liked Trout to come up in May, so I’ll let him weigh in…
@Grey, Yo Rudy, would appreciate your take man.
Rudy – Do you see a rebound in the cards for Matt Moore or should I sell low on him and get what I can? I was offered Santiago Casilla is a 16 teamer where I am desperate for saves, and saves are tough to come by in general in this league (pretty much every closer and their handcuff are owned). Other owner also owns Papelbon…should I reject and go for Paps (doubt other owner takes it…elite closers are all but untouchable in this league), or just be”happy” with getting Casilla? I’m quickly falling completely out of the race in SVs, and in a 16 team league if you finish with a 1 in any cat…it’s tough to finish in the money.
@RandomItalicizedVoice, Of course…the SP situation on the wire in such a league is pretty bleak….
@RandomItalicizedVoice, We go over Moore in today’s podcast… Stay tuned… There’s a special guest too… No, not some other schmohawk ‘pert…
@Grey, Cool.
Matchup for Buchholz seems very favorable (@Min) … to start or not to start? I’m still scared…
I used this same matchup logic last night with Scherzer and…yeah it didn’t end well.
thx
@FD, I wouldn’t own him.
any of these trades worth a damn?
giving up stanton and mike young for granderson
3rd rounder and a 5th rounder for 1st rounder
parker the prospect starting today on oakland for my chase headley or mike aviles – your call
@moses, I’d take hold on both.
Hi there Rudy — How good do you feel about Latos’ start last night? I was kind of surprised not to see him in the roundup today. I didn’t see the game but he seemed to pitch well. But are you worried about the lack of Ks? Is he turning the corner?
I’m sitting on Bourjos in a deep redraft roto league where I’m weak on SBs. But I picked up Campana two days ago and already have 4 SBs to show for it, and my roster also includes Desmond, Stubbs, and Aaron Hill, who I hope will start stealing soon. Do I need to hold on to Bourjos with my speed situation? Or would you drop him for Parra or Schierholtz, who are still on waivers?
And my last question: would you start Cahill tonight vs. Philly? I’m head says I should (Philly’s only hitting .225 over the last week and there a lot of Philadelphia starters who are 0-fer against Cahill). But I still worry about it.
Thanks!
@Enrique, I’d drop him for parra or Schierholtz
@Enrique, Latos looked decent even when he was getting pounded (velocity wise); I like him… Schierholtz… I’d start Cahill…
You should really watch the games. He was never wild, just getting squeezed [see the bottom or last chart/graph]:
http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/2012/04/pitchfx-scouting-report-yu-darvish-40637
@Slappy, Sorry slappy. MLB didn’t pick us to be in the MLB cave so we can’t catch every inning of every game. But good link as that Pitch F/X data does seem to indicate that Darvish was getting squeezed a bit in his first starts.
Hey all, Scherzer was a thorn in my side last year, but still I came back this year. Is it time to cut him, or ride it out and hope he turns things around soon?
@bryank, I am very anti-Scherzer for the simple reason that he doesn’t have fastball command. He walks guys and he also he leaves balls in the middle of the plate pitching from behind in counts. There are nights when he controls it better than others, but he will never have any kind of consistency until he can consistently throw the fastball for strikes. He’ll tease you and there will be some Ks, but he will not finish with a sub-4 ERA and he will continue to be tough on your WHIP.
@OaktownSteve, Thanks Steve! At this point my pitching staff is incredibly deep (albeit with a lot of FA pickups), so it’s time to make the switch and snag some hitters. Appreciate your thoughts!
I needed to take a chance to improve my staff in a 16 team league. I can see you aren’t totally sold on Darvish, but how did I do?
I get Darvish and ARod
I gave Danks and Adrian Gonzalez
@PublicEnemy#1, Ouch. Was your pitching that bad?
@Chunk, I have Hamels, Marcum and DHudson…but after that it gets ugly with Danks (traded), Masterson, HAlverez, Pomeranz, JParker and Bauer. DHudson going down hurts a bunch, maybe it was an overreaction, but only time will tell. AGonz is nice, but he doesn’t have the power he had before and he isn’t going to hit for an absurdly high average again.
@PublicEnemy#1, I think your staff was fine w/o Darvish. I hate that trade for you and think you’re very wrong about A-Gon. Sorry man.
@PublicEnemy#1, Not great…
Still OK to go near Porcello for his start v. SEA?
@Eddy, I’d start him.
Which side do you prefer:
Joey Votto/Johan Santana
or
Albert Pujols/Ervin Santana
@Matt, Votto…
Thoughts on Torii Hunter? I’m in no rush to drop him, but I just don’t want my expectations to blind me from him sucking. He’s due for another .280, 20 HR, 80 RBI season, right?
His strikeouts are what worry me. Could it be that the whole Angels team is under performing and once they get going Torii will heat back up?
@PunxsutawneyPhils, I think Hunter will be fine…
Today only, standard 5×5 h2h league. Pick one:
J Montero (@ DET – Wilk)
K Youkilis (@ MIN – Hendriks)
N Schierholtz (@ CIN – Arroyo)
@Charles, Nate
Yo Rudy, Alex Gordon just hit the wires in my 12 team mixer. Is he going to do anything this year? Are you reaching into your free agent wallet for this guy?
Are you dropping beltran, ichiro, Luke Scott, Adam Lind or coco crisp for Gordon?
Thanks
@Alcesto, crisp
Damn fine wrap Rudy. thanks! I was planning on dropping Milone for waivered Chacin once he seemed to have worked his shizz out. But have grown more comfortable with Malone; agreed? Could still use a pitcher though and am presently rostering an extra 2b/ss in Cozart & the drafted Espinosa (along with Alexei & Howie). Would you drop either Espinosa, Cozart, or neither for Chacin (& cringe at every home start)? Thanks again.
@zombie, I like Milone… Espinosa…
After Scherzer got cut up last night against the Marginers, would you guys hold off streaming Adam Wilk tongiht?
@Switch Hitter, Yes
After Scherzer got cut up last night against the Marginers, would you guys hold off streaming Adam Wilk tonight?
@Switch Hitter, Nah, I’d still stream him.
@Rudy Gamble, Ha – see, Grey and I don’t always agree..
what up fellow Rudy lol….great read….in a h2h which awards holds 7pts, sv 10, ks 2, what order would you have the following…sean burnett, Frierri, brothers( smh)???
@princerudynasim, Burnett Brothers Frieri. The padres collectively have 1 hold as a team
@Smokey, thansk Smokes. I was leaning in that direction as well. I just think the holds will come with SD and i think Frierri is going to edge out Cashner as set man
@princerudynasim, Burnett, Frieri, Brothers for me. Gun shy on Brothers until he turns it around.
Could really see the Glavine in Milone right now. Stature, mechanics he looks a lot like him. The approach is almost identical. Will bring the fastball in off the plate against right handers. That is the key. It turns the change up into a swing and miss pitch. He had 5 k’s last night and like Glavine, I think he has 140-150 K potential if he pitches like that. Sox are free swingers of course. The change up turns over nicely and has that classic circle change screwball action. The curve is more like a slurve and it’s got enough horizontal to freeze lefties and enough bite to catch righties off guard. The did a nice job of mixing about 10 of the breaking balls last night. Looked really good. Yay A’s.
Now about the offense… I’d sell Cespedes. The holes in the swing are being exploited already. Hard breaking stuff away is going to ruin him. I could see him hitting sub-.240. Might still go 20/20 but the average is going to be brutal. Fun to watch though.
Enjoyed watching Gavin Floyd last night. I haven’t seen him that much. He kind of reminds me of Matt Cain. Throws a two seam, a four seam and a cutter and mixes in a pretty good overhand curveball and an effective change. What reminds me of Cain is that no one pitch really stands out but he throws them all for strikes and he really works all the quadrants in and out high to low. If he were in the NL in a good park you’d hear a lot more about the guy.
@OaktownSteve, Great analysis of Milone
@OaktownSteve, I’m selling Cespedes but for a totally different reason.
@Chunk, What’s the reason? Hideous A’s line up around him?
@OaktownSteve, I’m trying to build an offense of players on red teams.
@OaktownSteve, Nice rundown…
@OaktownSteve, Almost made a Glavine analogy for Milone in the roundup….
@OaktownSteve, Nice one on Milone/Glavine.
yahoo standard 5×5 12 teamer, currently my lineup is:
Iannetta
Votto
Phillips
Zimmerman
Rollins
OF: Bruce, Werth, (Cespedes)
UTIL: (Butler), Cozart
The players in () are the only ones that aren’t red. I’d like to make this an all-red lineup so I can start making jokes about equally distributing the stats to the teams in need. I’d be willing to lose close 1-1′s or a 2-2 of Butler and Cespedes, in order to ensure getting these trades done.
What are some red players to target? I’m below average in everything but SB, where I am average.
My pitching is very solid so we’ll see if it can carry me.
@Chunk, Not sure what you mean.
@Grey, Uniform color. Looking for underperforming players in red uniforms to trade butler and cespedes for.
@Chunk, You hitting the bottle at 8 in the morning?
@Grey, Haha naw it’s a public yahoo league I drafted just for fun and I’ve been disregarding it for the most part until recently. Just thought it’d be something fun to try.
Now that you mention it, a bloody mary doesn’t sound too bad right now…
@Chunk, cespedes for stubbs…
WHO SHOULD I KEEP? SCHERZER OR MINOR
@M AND M, Minor
Is anyone starting Parker against the Sox or Nicascio against the Pirates tonight?
@Pops, I’m streaming Nicasio. Kinda want to hang on to him… we’ll see.
Please rank these 2nd sackers (getting totally sick of Ackley):
Altuve, Ackley, B Phillips, Kipnis.
@TheNewGuy, Add J Weeks to that too.
@TheNewGuy, Phillips, Kipnis, Altuve, Ackley. I know, my name isn’t Grey or Rudy but I’m pretty sure this is the ranking.
@Wilsonian, Yup
Is it too soon to cut bait on JJ Hardy in a ten team mix? Guy’s been absolutely abysmal so far, could use the roster space to grab a hot maybe-not-schmotato like Rios
@xopchipili, Rios
@xopchipili, Yes
should i start lynn today at cubs? 5×5 roto 13 team
@aj, yes
I need me some runs. Drop Espinosa for Ellis?
Allen Craig is coming off the DL soon. Could he be a solution to my MI woes? I’m not sure what to think of him
@Turk Wendell, Eh
Is Gio a classic sell high right now or can he keep this up ROS?
@Sambo Jenkins, See my rankings.
In a 16 team league, roto…..would you trade Jesus Montero for Mike Adams and Johan Santana?
@golfnut, It’s fair.
RCL start or sit,
Joulys @Pit
Drabek @Bal
Thanks.
@brett, Start, Start
2K’s and a S is actually a Kimbrel.
if it is 3 K’s I call that a Kimbrel Deluxe
@Joe, Ha
@Grey:
Here is a little detective work I’ve been doing for the readers over here at Razzbal regarding Trevor Bauer’s call up…
I watched Collmenter get plastered again last night by the light hitting Phillies and thought “Bauer can’t be far away from a callup, can he?” Anyways, I have a hunch that some D-Backs official notified him last night that he would be called up to replace J-Coll. He was blowing up his twitter with all these sentimental things last night, and oddly enough, they all came within the next 30 minutes of the dbacks game ending… (Bauer isn’t a guy that tweets nonstop all day like some other athletes) Here is what he said…
-Trevor Bauer ? @BauerOutage
“Those countless lonely nights at glen park long tossing by myself..working out by myself…getting laughed at the whole time…fond memories”
“I still remember how it felt when I didn’t make the A tournament team because I didn’t throw hard enough…amazing where hard work leads us”
“Thanks to sarina coutin and Kelsey kraskian for telling me I couldn’t play soccer with the sixth graders. Taught me how to persevere”
“And thanks to my best friend @connorgarelick for always being there for me. #introspection how did you get to where you’re at now??”
“He who laughs last laughs loudest.”
So i took it upon myself to ask him if, indeed, he had been notified that he would be called up, and this was his way of breaking the news since he couldnt actually say anything until the team made the official annoucement.
-Joe Abruzzo ? @bruzzzz
@BauerOutage “your tweets tonight sound like u just got called up.. Any truth to my hunch? lord knows AZ could use u! Good luck this year!”
His response seemed like he took a step back and realized oh crap i don’t want to get myself in trouble…
-Trevor Bauer ? @BauerOutage
@bruzzzz “no. i just get in introspective moods sometimes. and tonight, I’m in one.”
Take what you want from all of this, but I added him in my league immediately after this. He should be worth the stash even if I am wrong about him being called up. Hope this helps!!
@joe from point pleasant, That’s awesome!
@joe from point pleasant, Agreed, very nice work. Kid sounds a little bitter, no?
@Chunk,
Yea seriously, that’s what i was thinking to myself.
Either way, it’s pretty cool that he actually responded to me, most athletes don’t take the time to do that.
@Grey:
Also, I finally found someone who would give me a decent return for Liriano, and swapped him for Moustakas last night…
How do you feel about that trade?
@joe from point pleasant, Wow, nice…
Hey God,
Good to be back! Oh how I enjoy reading your posts!
Have a quick matchup question for you. I have 4 SP’s going today and am looking for some good, QS’s, W’s, and K’s… here’s my options… who should I bench? (I don’t HAVE to bench anyone unless they’re a threat obviously).
–Jarrod Parker vs CWS (Sale)
–Jhouyls Chacin @ Pit (McDonald)
–R.A. Dickey vs Miami (Buehrle)
–Lance Lynn @ ChC (Volstad)
Best,
Grandy Man
@Grandy Man Can,
Sorry, looked at some previous posts:
Lance Lynn – Start
Jhouyls Chacin – Start
What about Dickey or Parker?
Thanks!
@Grandy Man Can, Start Parker… Don’t own Dickey…
@Grey,
Haha, was gonna ask if I should even be owning Dickey. I know how you don’t like those types of pitchers!
What’s with all the wishy-washiness towards Marmol about? Is he on the outs? If so, who’s the closer to be to grab in that pen? Or is it just that the Cubs suck so everyone’s down on Marmols saves value?
@Gavin, Unless he’s hurt or injured, he’s getting saves (and Ks) so SAGNOF.
Starting Buehrle today vs. the Mets?
Leading in WHIP and ERA by a decent margin (12 team NL Only Roto) but some wins and Ks would be nice. Not sure I trust Buehrle on the road but Dickey Thong is opposing so a W is possible.
@bean, I’d start him there… Bit risky though…
Who should I snag for OF (I’m weak in these offensive categories -Runs,HRs, RBIs, Ave., &OPS)?:
Scott
Cain
Nieuwenwho
Thanks
@LobBall, Scott
Grey -Another Owner wants Balfour and Motte , Which of Kinsler or Young is a fair asking price. 10 team 5×5 mixed.
Thanks.
@Ken Plane, Try Kinsler, but probably just get Young.
@Ken Plane, Young is fair-er…. I’m assuming Michael or do you mean Krispie?
That is Michael Young
I have too many closers & need SP fierce so put Valverde on the block. Not a lot of offers so far — just Niese or Nolasco. I can get better, right? Or, if I have bite the bullet due to my epic need for SP, which is better?
@BERK, Yes, do better…
@Grey, Thanks. Any examples of SP that would be a fair swap straight up for Valverde? Or maybe I should counter with a lesser closer for Niese? Maybe offer Hanrahan?
I should note that our league counts outs as a category (in addition to w, sv, k, era & whip). I have too many closers so have not much chance to win W, K, or outs.
Grey:
I love the site. Keep up the good work.
Would you rather own Chris Sale or Tim Hudson moving forward?
I have a roster decision to make with Hudson coming of the DL.
Thanks.
Thanks! Sale…
Edwin and Grandy for Young/Cuddyer. Which side.
Grandy
@Grey, I shoulda mentioned the Young was Michael Young. Still like the Grandy side?
@moses, I figured that.
Grey –
In a 12 team Roto, is Nelson Cruz for Posey a fair deal? I have an abundance of OF but have Soto at C who is killing me. What do you think?
One other option is to try and deal Werth and get Avila. So Werth for Avila or Cruz for Posey?
I’d give a different OF for a different catcher, or a lesser OF for Posey…
@Grey,
One other thing I can add in is a SP upgrade like include Latos and get Cain. Makes it doable?
@Jason, It’s okay.
Which side: J. Montero for Worley?
I’m currently starting Iannetta at C, and the rest of my rotation are FHer, Hamels, Darvish, Scherzer, Norris, Milone, and just picked up Samardzija yesterday.
14 team H2H
Thanks, and love the work you guys do.
@Danger Zone, Montero… Thanks!
What kind of RP can I expect to get in return for Youk? More interested in WHIP, ERA, and Ks than Saves.
@Chunk, Putz-ish?
would u trade Arod and billingsley/lohse for adam Jones?
standard league
@ryan, Sure
@Grey
Worley or Scherzer for the rest of the year?
Also..
Dunn or Schierholtz for the rest of the year?
@LordMetz, Scherzer… Schierholtz…
I made my Lind rope bed. But, I will not lie in it. I cut the line and threw him back in. Hopefully, one day soon someone else will reel in his 12 HR month.(But maybe they won’t have the right permit and the govt will swoop in and seize him only to sell him off for a bloop single and a dead quail).
@Wake Up, Ha… Let’s use the rope to make a prayer circle…
@Grey, I don’t wanta pray fo ya no mo’….I’m not a prayer I just crush alot…
That’s a big pun…
trade mike young, get posey.
@moses, It’s okay
Need 2 guys for my utl spot. 14 team h2h. How would you rank these 4 ros?
Scott, Cain, Reynolds, Lind
@crock, Lind, Reynolds, Cain… No idea why it’s ROS.
@Grey, So would you rank them differently if it was just for the short term?
@Grey, I own Lind and Scott but Reynolds and Cain are fa so didnt know if I should swap one or both out.
@crock, Hold
@crock, For now
Would you trade Scherzer for Aaron Hill or Jimenez? What order?
@Boomer19, Hill
ruh roh….Crawford headed to Dr. Freeze. Did he become a pitcher?
Buster Olney of ESPN.com is reporting that Carl Crawford’s lingering elbow trouble means he is not close to returning. He has the pain only when he throws. He is going to see Dr. Andrews.
@2 Cups 1 Braun, Yikes
Need to drop one of these guys to pick up streamers this week in my 16 team H2H, who would you cut:
Bard (don’t know what to do/ make of him), Lidge (Hank-Rod looking filthier by the day), or drop Parker (after todays start).
@TheNewGuy, Can you wait until we see Parker?
@Grey, Sure, good point.
As a Braves fan and Heyward owner I need to vent. For some reason, Fredi Gonzalez feels the need to bounce him all over the lineup (from 3rd, to 6th, to 7th, to bench last week). This guy is the future of the team and he’s been hitting lefties this year so that’s no excuse. On a related note, these pictures are fantastic (and probably true).
http://i.imgur.com/eQN3m.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/RV9Am.jpg
@Phil Brickma, Agreed on Heyward… Those pics are fantastic, may steal them at some point…
@Phil Brickma, Hahahaha amazing.
@stumanji, Haha nice.
one more
Freese and lohse/billingsley for Carlo Gonzalez(colorado)?
Thanks
@ryan, CarGo
Gio G/Montero for Wieters/Brennan Boesch. Which side you got?
@Baron Von Vulturewins, Gio/Jesus
@Grey, Sorry, actually meant Miguel Montero, but I assume the ansser is the same.
This is a trick questions b/c this is the offer I turned down (I have Gio etc.). Naturally Wieters hit another donk last night, but C’EST LA VIE.
Yup, same answer…
SCHERZER. Effing Scherzer! He’s is the Corleone Family to my career as a politician–pulls me back in every time.
My starting pitching is ok-to-good with Greinke, Hanson, Anibal, Jaime Garcia, Lance Lynn and Detwiler…. plus the aforementioned ratio-killer. Is Scherzer droppable in a 12-team mixed/H2H/5×5/ESPN league? If so, would any of the following be considered an upgrade?:
Trevor Bauer
Jarrod Parker
Joe Saunders
…OR…
I have no bench offense and Mat Gamel is out today (plus maybe a few more), so if the above pitchers aren’t worth the exchange for Scherzer, how about dropping him for a batter:
Bryan LaHair
Tony Campana
Nate Schierholtz
Alex Presley
Carlos Gomez
Thank you!
@Chillmodious, Schierholtz… But prefer to bench him until he figures his shizz out…
@Grey, Thank you. I worry about benching him because I know, once I do, he’ll be a sonavabench. However, if I continue to roll him out there I’m just asking for trouble. Further, assuming I go bench, what’s the point of owning a middling guy that I will only use once over the course of two weeks if lucky (rhetorical)? I thought I was free of this type of drama when I jettisoned Edwin Jackson last weekend, but lo, Scherzer is becoming Edwin Jackson 2.0. Or Scherwin Maxson.
Ha… Nice name…
Lester N Health Bell for Giancarlo.. Fair? Which side you like?
Lester… It’s fair…
Just got offered Pujols for Konerko and Hamels. I kind of have to take this, right?
I would
Hey Grey
Given who’s on the free agent list of my 12 team HTH keeper league:
Colon, Nova, Liriano, J Hammel, J Sanchez and of course a guy like Milone
I don’t really have to care about B McCarthy do I?
I have Hamels, Weaver, Gallardo, Zimmermann, A Sanchez, Garza to anchor my staff with S Santos, Waldon, Bard and McCarthy as kind of back ups.
McCarthy’s totally dumpable, right?
And on Bard – are you holding? or dumping?
Thanks!
Bermuda Triangles
Get Lost!
Dump and dump…
Reimold or Choo?
Choo
Thanks as always for the sarcastic yet ultra informative info!
Do you like dealing Zobrist/Worley for Dee Gordon/Marcum? I picked up Altuve and could use swipes at SS while Hardy figures his shiz out.
Sure
@Grey, Appreciate it. Do you like Carp, Bauer, or Milone as a bench option ROS? (not thinking team needs just possible value)
Grey -
Nat Gio project alive and well. Its early, but hes keeping the walks down and looks muy fantastico!
Questions -
1. Holds league, is Antonio Bastardo or Greg Holland worth rostering right now? I would be dumping Bryan Shaw or Jesse Crain for the move.
2. Any inclination what happens with Ryan Zimmerman? Hearing all sorts of different things, namely DL stint. If he does get DLd, my 3B replacement possibilities are: Valencia, Ian Stewart, Chone Figgins (who I loathe). 6×6 with OPS
Gracias
Yup… Hold and DL…
@Grey,
Thanks — assuming you mean hold Shaw and Crain rather than make a move for Bastardo or Holland.
Regarding Zimmerman’s potential DL stint — which of these available 3rd Baseman do you prefer?
Danny Valencia – leaning this way.
Ian Stewart – still cant figure out lefties> gave him a test run last week in my UTIL slot over Lind and he failed miserably.
sorta wishing Middlebrooks was gonna get a sneaky call up for the Sox (who promote their young at a very slow pace) and become my short term salvation.
Gio and Garza highlight my 14 team league staff, so banking heavy on the kid, and hes delivering. I know you loved him too, so hip hop hooray for us (assuming you own a few shares)!
BTW, can’t believe, more people aren’t excited about Gio… Assuming people didn’t listen to me… For shame!
@Grey, I’m very psyched about Gio, owned him when you loved him last year and I own him everywhere again this year. So yea, thank you for that! No one has any questions about the guys they own that look stellar. I still owe you for Matt Kemp in my keeper league, when you shrugged off his poor 2010.
Yeah, more people should be psyched… I want excitement!
@Grey, Im psyched too! Gio baby!
Adam Lind was just dropped. I have Youk producing the same stats. Do I drop Youk for Lind?
Hold
What does it mean when a questioner’s photo appears next to their comment? Does it mean they’re in one of the commentator leagues?
It means they signed up at gravatar.com
Buehrle/Barmes for Cozart?
He needs pitching in a bad way and I need a SS not named Clint Barmes.
Sounds solid
Been offered A Gon for my Pujols…what you think?
I’d hold
Which side would you take?
E5, Jesus Montero, and B McCarthy or
Aviles, Rus Martin, and Beachy.
Has to be the first, right?
Edwin
Which side do you prefer, Grey: Dread Pirate OR Adam Jones plus a brain freeze (think Balfour or Capps)? Thanks!
Tough call… McCutchen… Could go the other way…
Not heard Rudy’s take above, so I’ll repost it:
Managed to snag Trout off waivers in my 16 team H2H thanks to Grey’s advice. Now Bauer is still unowned too, and with Collmenters awfulness the call could come anytime soon right? Worth stashing now?
What im meaning is should I drop someone else and stash Bauer now. Trout’s more valuable than Bauer right?
@TheNewGuy, Keeper league? I’d own Trout over Bauer, but I’m not sure how Bauer isn’t already owned in a 16 team league at this point. I’d drop your last SP to stash him.
@stumanji, Nah redraft. Just looking ahead, Trout and Bauer could be real valuable come the playoffs in this deep a league. But can’t decide should I stash one now, or both?
yoenis or hosmer for util spot?
Hosmer
Humber or Mcarthy?
McCarthy
So Grey, we’re gonna start calling Altuve Casper from now on? Pretty Please? question about campana … he’s a lefty in the CF platoon which means he should see the majority of the action. I have to set my lineup weekly tho. Is he worth a pickup? I have 6 left for the year and my last grab was Schafer. I wouldn’t play Campana all that much, just when I need a hot speed injection. If I grab him that would really be the last SAGNOF (steals variety) pickup I can afford for rest of season. Thx.
I mentioned Casper in the podcast…
Oh, and I’d hold my moves…
@Grey, man I was itching to pick him up, but you are right, with limited moves, weekly lineups and Schafer already onboard (and a pretty packed OF) I should hold my horses. Where’s the podcast? It’s usually on front page, no?
Podcast is coming at 11AM PST… Big guest on today’s show… BIG…
How long do I leave Reynolds at 3B in my league? Best available 3B eligibles in my league are Seager and Daniel Murphy.
I have Hosmer, Votto, Reyes, Aybar, M. Montero, Zobrist, Kendrick, Hamilton, Markakis, De Aza, Stubbs, and Krispie Young. One would think I could trade for a 3B, but the best offers I received thus far are as follows-
Cliff Lee for Josh Hamilton
Rios, Gaby Sanchez and Jamie Garcia for Hamilton and Hosmer
So, yeah, I am dealing with people who do not want to trade.
I’d hold for at least a few if those were my choices…
OPS-based league, where I have an abudance of SV and need SB.
Trade Altuve/Axford FOR Jose Reyes?
Altuve is currently sitting in my MI spot (Kinsler/Tulo in 2B and SS slots), thanks for the help!
I’d take Reyes…
@xrayxtals, I love that deal for you.
Drop Ubaldo for Detwiler going forward?
I work in a kitchen and all the homies loved the food and wine references in yesterday’s post. Especially the San Fran – merlot line.
Thanks again Grey
Thanks! Detwiler…
@Grey,
I own both; loving Detwiler’s command and stuff. By far the better SP early on… Think Ubaldo has regressed.
@Grey: for util purposes, altuve or rios ROS?
thanks!
Rios
Going forward: Scherzer or Milone?
Kinda depends what you need, but I’d hold Scherzer…
@Grey, I have both Scherzer and Ubaldo and they have me tied to the whipping post….would you drop one for Milone? Would you drop both for Milone and Samardzija?
@Grey, Thanks. My Scherzer is testing my faith. My ERA-fu is weak.
Both Nicasio and Mcdonald looking good, drop Burnett for either one?
Nicasio
Same answer if Mcdonald no hits the rox?
In a 5*5 Roto my batting blows I have
Pujols
Motte
Mike Adams or Henry Rodriguez
Trade that for
Hanley
Encarnacion
Peavy
Do I make the trade
Sounds solid…
Jose Altuve or Dustin Ackley in a 10-team H2H points league?
@nick m., Altuve
Which side of this trade would you take?
A: Kinsler and Adam jones
B: Howie kendrick and Car Go
@drew, B… Close though
Marcum 47 pitches through 2 innings with 4 hits, 3 walks, 3ER. Blech…
Cancelling out my Gio start from yesterday.
Blech, indeed…
@Grey, Opps. make it 4ER
@L-Boogie, And a hit-by-pitch… and a wild pitch. Someone’s having control issues today…
******THERE’S A NEW POST FOR FOLLOWUPS FOR ME****
Scherzer or Detwiler? Could use some WHIP help with Matt Moore and Gallardo already putting up crooked numbers in that category for me.
Here is an interesting one………..(12 Team NL-Only Roto – 2 C 5×5)
Rickie Weeks/Buehrle for Cozart/Lincecum
My Pitchers:
Cain, Gio, Lohse, Buehrle, Vogelsong, Cishek, Casilla, Westbrook, Hernandez
Hitters:
(C) Ruiz/H. Sanchez (1B) Carlos Lee (2B) Weeks (3B) Pandaval (SS) Clint Barmes (2B/SS) Manny Burriss (3B/1B) Juan Francisco (OF) Giancarlo, Bruce, Ethier, Nieuwenhuis, Parra (UTIL) Campana
(DL) Freddy Sanchez and Torres
What do you think? Is there a remote chance Weaks turns this around and hits 20HR? Too much to ask him to add Daniel Murphy to this deal?
*Also, what the heck is going on with Juan Francisco? No trust in him at all while Glass Chipper is gone?
trade JD martinez for adam laroche? I could use laroche for my 1b/3b slot.
Sorry, this is a repeat question from yesterday, but I wanted to clarify your thoughts…should I deal Matt Moore for Julio Teheran, Brandon Belt, and Logan Morrison in an 18 team mixed dynasty league?
All of them can be team controlled for the next 2-3 years.
Hi guys: Have your opinions on Doumit changed much since the pre-season? You had him down for a projected line of 45/14/55/.260.
He’s my catcher in a 14-team 6×6 roto league, which makes him by far my weakest starter. I’ve tried hard to upgrade to someone with more power, but haven’t found any takers no matter how hard I push. Do I need to keep trying? Is there a bigger hole to fill?
(I know I have plenty of speed and need power, pitching’s OK except I need holds. I was hoping I could answer the power need with a slugger like McCann but it’s not to be)
My roster is
C, OF Doumit
1B Votto, Gamel
2B Aaron Hill
SS Elvis
3B Zimmerman
2B/3B/SS Aviles
1B/2B/OF Kendrick
OK McCutchen, Rasmus Bourn, Boesch
SP Beachy, Cahill, Scherzer, Bumgarner, Anibal, Latos
RP Casilla, Balfour, Aceves, Shaw, Marmol
DL Chris Young, Fister
Many thanks!
VW bug… heheh…
Darvish had excellent control last night pitching out of the stretch full-time (didn’t see any of his other starts where he pitched from the wind up). He’s got this quick “wrist flip” in his delivery to go along with nice speed and eye level changes that had the Yankees looking silly most of the night. Not only that, he pitched into the 6th without throwing any real heat, and then he started rolling off 95-97 mph fastballs to Jeter out of nowhere. In summary, he looked legit to me.
Grey mentioned that you think Trout will be up sooner rather than later. Made me wonder where you stand on Trout vs. Harper as a “stash as a keeper, but it’d also be nice to get some stats this year.”
@Awesomus Maximus, Everybody also seems to forget that he’s 6’5″, and has that long stride to home, meaning that he adds some velocity and shortens the distance to home plate, hence the 95-97 out of the stretch and some made to look silly.
As I related in post no. 27 above, Yu’s been getting squeezed. For how bad for both him and some other Rangers SPs, see:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2012/04/yu-darvish-texas-rangers-strike-zone/1
Lastly, here’s that long stride, and some words on the difference between Derek Holland and Yu Darvish:
http://www.bbtia.com/home/2012/4/25/the-arrogance-minus-the-fear.html
Speaking of knowing he’s going to dominate, in a blog post by the one fellow on ESPN NY trying to excuse and/or exculpate the New York Money Is No Object Yankees for not making a serious run at Darvish, well, we get treated to an after Irabu and Igawa meme…. But no one dominated the NPB like Darvish, not even Matsuzaka:
http://www.japaneseballplayers.com/en/player.php?id=ydarvish
http://www.japaneseballplayers.com/en/player.php?id=matsuzaka
For a bonus freebie, for Grey, my g-rated turning Japanese motif took another hit, what with Wada coming down with ligament damage there in the elbow, but at least our man up there in Seattle has started his own campaign re another relevant soul:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/thehotstoneleague/2018008342_never_mind_john_jaso_free_hasa.html
Dice-K was surely the better pitcher in Japan than Iwakuma, but at least Hisashi put up a 1.87 ERA there in 08 (and then went on lead the way for Team Nippon in the 09 WBC, topping both Darvish and Dice-K, and so starting the championship game and ending the tournament with 20 IP and a 1.35 ERA. But instead of seeing if ole Hisashi can transfer his groundball machine game to the US of A, Eric Wedge, lost soul that he is, treats us to Kevin Millwood surrendering lead after lead. Perhaps after a few more starts and Millwood’s ERA ballooning to some number over 10.00, we might see Hisashi in the M’s rotation.
For another bonus freebie, for Grey, there was that discussion we had re Lind, Freeman, Kipnis and Mets Murphy. I dumped Murph though he’s since been recalled, what with Zim deciding that healthy is a status he’d rather not be, but Lind is simply stinking up the joint. And if Freeman keeps it up, you’re going to owe him one heckuva an apology. The good news is that despite the stench of Lind and Zim deciding to fall in love with injury, well, not that team but 5 other teams are off to a rousing pitching start this week, what with Bumgarner, Darvish, Johnson, Gio, Kuroda and Worley doing their thing. Now back to Lind, can’t recall the soul’s name, but there was that Copperhead Democrat that Lincoln banished to the Confederacy during the US Civil War (how’s that for extraordinary rendition). Wondering whether Obama can do something similar to Lind, say banish him to the Great White North, as then I’d have to drop his putrid fantasy self….Oh, and did I mention that on those 5 teams, starter no. 7 is Grey’s favorite fantasy pitcher, Mr. Ugh, Yei-Win Chen? How do you not draft a guy with “Win” in his name? I translate his name as You Win Chen, and that’s good, ’cause I like winning, and I like You Win Chen telling me that I’m going to win.
would u trade AROD and Lohse for Justin Upton?
Standard league!
Altuve, K Johnson, A Hill or Espinosa at 2B in OPS league?
Any thoughts on why the Cubs would use Marmol in a non-save situation when he pitched yesterday? Think they’re just trying to take the pressure off him and let him get his rhythm?
I know Sveum said he’s not making any changes but managers have been known to say things like than and then send players down to triple-A the next day.
Presumably now is great time to stash Wood in one of my open DL spots.