Closer Look
May 11, 2009
Category: Closers
In this month’s closer look, let’s discuss some closer trading strategy. As I mentioned the other day, I traded Street and some other closer for Haren. This might’ve put me at a disadvantage for saves. Now you’re probably thinking what the eff? This doode doesn’t even know who he traded or if it put his team at a disadvantage for saves. Well, that’s the whole point. Saves are the easiest commodity to acquire on waivers. Just last month, 10 closers lost their jobs, even if just temporarily. 10 out of 30 closers. So, frankly, I don’t care if I’m trading Qualls, Bell or schmohawk closer behind door number 3. Are some of these guys more reliable than others? Sure, but that doesn’t mean Jenks couldn’t have a meltdown tomorrow. They’re just closers. As for not knowing if I’m at a disadvantage, it’s real early and plenty more saves will come into the league. Not that many more Harens are coming into the league. Anyway, here’s all of the closers for your fantasy baseball team, as of right now:
$12 Salads
You know that restaurant your girlfriend/wife/what-have-you likes to go to that charges, like, $12 for a salad? Every time you go there, you have a thoroughly solid meal. No complaints, except you just paid $12 for a salad when you could’ve went to McDonald’s and stuffed you and your woman for ten schmools and had $2 in quarters left over to make the hotel bed vibrate. These closers are $12 salads.
1. Joe Nathan (Jesse Crain)
2. Jonathan Papelbon (Takashi Saito, Hideki Okajima)
3. Jonathan Broxton (+4) (Hong-Chih Kuo, Cory Wade)
4. Francisco Rodriguez (+1) (J.J. Putz)
5. Bobby Jenks (+3) (Octavio Dotel, Matt Thornton, Scott Linebrink)
Donkey-corns
Imagine you’re following a donkey, who’s wearing a wool cap, through a desert for 1700 miles. Why are you following a donkey? Because he promises you something wonderful and you just need to trust him. Does the donkey talk? Yes. Yes, he does talk. So when you and the donkey in the wool cap arrive at his destination, he removes his the wool cap to reveal a horn. The donkey is a unicorn and his gift to you for your trust is saves. These closers are Donkey-corns.
6. Brad Lidge (-2) (Ryan Madson)
7. Mariano Rivera (-2) (Jonathan Albaladejo, Brian Bruney, Damaso Marte)
8. Heath Bell (+3) (Mike Adams)
9. Frank Francisco (+5) (C.J. Wilson)
10. Chad Qualls (Jon Rauch, Tony Pena)
11. Francisco Cordero (+4) (David Weathers, Jared Burton)
12. Brian Fuentes (Jose Arredondo, Scot Shields)
13. Kerry Wood (-5) (Jensen Lewis, Rafael Perez, Rafael Betancourt)
14. Kevin Gregg (-1) (Carlos Marmol)
15. Brian Wilson (+4) (Jeremy Affeldt, Bob Howry)
16. Ryan Franklin (+9) (Chris Perez, Jason Motte, Kyle McClellan)
17. Mike Gonzalez (Rafael Soriano)
18. Fernando Rodney (+11) (Joel Zumaya, Ryan Perry, Brandon Lyon)
19. Matt Lindstrom (+2) (Leo Nunez, Scott Proctor)
Brain Freeze
I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing apples, bananas and Troy Percival– Wait, he just gave up 12 earned runs and hit Pena in the head with a pickoff throw. Brain freeze! Make it stop! Use the following closers at your own risk.
20. Matt Capps (-5) (John Grabow)
21. Trevor Hoffman (+7) (Carlos Villanueva, Todd Coffey, David Riske)
22. Huston Street (Manny Corpas)
23. Troy Percival (Dan Wheeler, Grant Balfour)
24. Brandon Morrow (+3) (David Aardsma, Miguel Batista, Chad Cordero)
25. LaTroy Hawkins (-15) (Jose Valverde)
26. Scott Downs (B.J. Ryan, Jason Frasor)
27. Andrew Bailey (-9) (Brad Ziegler, Michael Wuertz, Santiago Casilla)
28. Juan Cruz (-11) (Joakim Soria, Jamey Wright, Kyle Farnsworth)
29. George Sherrill/Chris Ray/Jim Johnson (-1)
30. Kip Wells/Joel Hanrahan (-9) (Julian Tavarez, Saul Rivera, Natalie from The Facts of Life)
May 11th, 2009 at 11:45 am
A six pack of brain freezers on my team! 7 if you count Valverdenuts on the DL. Percival, Hawkins, Downs, Cruz, Sherrill, Hanrahan and Valverdenuts. I’ve only actually captured 18 of their 23 saves collectively.
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@NoonTime: Nice!
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May 11th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Scott Downs will be the Jays closer for a while, and has been a reliable reliever for a couple years now – what’s your beef?
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@MC: He’s given up 4 runs in the last 9 and 2/3 innings. He could be fine, but he’s not that safe.
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May 11th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
I have more faith in Downs than most of 8 thru 19 on your list.
A bad outing in a non-save situation is not cause for great concern. Time will tell – I hope he moves up your list.
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May 11th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
@Grey: “Natalie from
the Facts of Life”……………Ha!
Wasn’t she the fat one?
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May 11th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
@BigFatHippo: and youve never had a fat one
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@AL KOHOLIC: Snap!
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May 11th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
@Grey: crackle
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May 11th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
@MC: The Jays wiil get BJ back in there asap, it could be soon,regardless of how good or bad Downs is closing.
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May 11th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
@AL KOHOLIC: I’ve had that little vixen Mrs. Garrett…….
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May 11th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
@Grey: Nice heads up on Cruz.
I was able to scoop him in one league
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May 11th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Great post. I traded Werth, Beltre, and Heath Bell for Carlos Quentin and Brandon Morrow (while he was on the DL). The league went nuts, but the trade went through. Sure, I lost a nice closer in Bell, but I got Morrow back and he’ll probably keep that job, and I’ve already picked up Juan Cruz.
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May 11th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
I got Erik Bedard straight up for Heath Bell. In a keeper league. In a keeper money league.
And then there was much rejoicing.
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@Mark: @dbhammel: Nice!
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May 11th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I have an abundance of OF (Braun, Beltran, Ibanez, Abreu, Hart) but just lost my 3B in A-Ram. I have Reynolds filling in for now, but was just offered Atkins for Abreu. Do you pull the trigger or live with the strikeout king for a while?
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May 11th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Does it seem like Rivera is hurt, or is his age catching up? I know he doesn’t seem near as effective as in years past.
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@bobbo: I’d hold pat.
@vinko: Maybe a little of both.
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May 11th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
@bobbo: id maybe go hart,but surely theres a rolen on waivers to fill in,atkins isnt doing much and was moved down in the order
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May 11th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
@bobbo: I owned Beltre and was playing Reynolds over him on a daily basis. Stick with Reynolds unless you get offered a serious upgrade.
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May 11th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
If someone told me early in the season that 5+ closers would lose their jobs by May and Troy Percival wasn’t one of them…
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May 11th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I’m thinkin of trading Lind and a crap closer for Holliday. Foolish?
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May 11th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
@Grey: Another great article. Slightly OT, but you mentioned in the last post that you “should have middle men in your lineup every day helping your ratios.”
I couldn’t agree more and in years past have done well Betancourt, Marmol, Marte etc.
My point? 2009 seems harder than most years to employ this strategy. See above names. Upcoming article topic or could you just name a few off the top o’ the noggin?
I’m getting killed with rostering back-up closers like Corpas, Ray, Graybow.
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May 11th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
@SRM: To clarify, I’m not referring to middle relief for potential saves, just peripherals.
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@Sos: Nah, it’s fine.
@SRM: Frasor, Pena, Kiko Calero, DiFelice…
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
@Grey: Thank you. Good call on DiFelice. I just dropped Grabow for him since the news on Capps *seems* positive. I’ll keep an eye on that though, since I don’t trust Capps.
@Nobody: I’ve always wondered if the IP/W ratio is more favorable for top shelf middle relievers or solid starters on sub-par teams. If I knew how to research this, I’d report back.
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
For my utility spot, who should I pick up? Kotchman, Branyan or Nick Johnson?
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Please rank for the rest of this year:
Aramis, Soto, BJ Upton, Vlad, Magglio, S. Drew
Thanks!
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
@AL KOHOLIC, Mark, and Grey: Thanks for the advice. My gut said to stand pat with Reynolds for now but in my league we only start 3 OF and 1Util and it seems like I have too many decent OFers to get into the lineup on a daily basis. No matter who I bench (either Ibanez, Abreu, Hart, or Delgado) it always seems like the guy sitting goes off and the guy who is active goes 0-4! My league mates pretty savvy, though, so it’s near impossible for me to package into a 2for1 upgrade.
One guy has both Wright and A-Rod (and is a NYY fan) though, so I’m trying to figure out what I can do to trade up for Wright.
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I usually over-value closers, I had K-Rod and K-Wood last year and won my league. Now my team is terrible and I’m looking to deal Franky Francisco. Is him and Holliday for Bruce and Gregg a decent trade (for the guy with Bruce)? Should I try to sell higher with Francisco since he’s one of the top pitchers in fantasy right now?
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
I have Andrus in an 18 team OBP and SLG league (no AVG). Burriss is available on the wire and Aviles was just dropped by someone. Betancourt and Orlando Cabrera are also available. What should I do?
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@IowaCubs: Kotchman or Branyan, Kotchman for fewer homers and 0-for-4s.
@Drev: Upton, Soto, Vlad, Mags, Aramis, Drew.
@chris: I’d sell higher.
@SP: Hold.
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
So you really think Franklin ends up with more saves than T-hoff? I was trying to toptick Franklin recently…now i’m worried that a couple more performances like last night’s will open the door for someone else.
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
@chris: Francisco is a monster. Don’t trade him yet. He is undervalued, like Soria last year. You won’t get what he’s worth.
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
27 – K’s
3 – Wins
8 – Saves
0.56 - ERA
0.38 – Whip
That’s some damn fine fantasy baseball goodness.
I’m not sure it’s gonna last, but as I said after I drafted him in the RCL, I’m a ho for Jonathan Broxton. He can have a 12 dollar salad, my treat, anytime he wants. And from the looks of him, he’s had quite a few salads already, with the extras!!
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@Kris: Close to the same amount, Hoffman’s an injury risk.
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
what do the +s and -s next to the names indicate?
sorry for the noob question.
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@Jobu: No problem… The number indicates the difference between their rank this month and last.
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Sweet.
Morrow, Cruz, Bailey, and Marmol represent!
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
@Grey: Love the site. Would you deal Nelly Cruz and Escobar for Liriano and Webb? I have J Up to slide in to Cruz’s spot. Thanks!
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Granderson or Hamilton the rest of the year?
The last place guy is considering trading Hamilton/? for Manny/Hoffman. I am considering offer Grandy to poach hamilton away. Good or dumb move?
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
The guy getting Hamilton is in first and I am in second
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Mild tangent: Have loved the Davis/Reynolds watch this year, as I have BOTH. The wind energy from their combined whiffs could probably power a few small countries.
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Sticking with the closer theme, have you been following the story of Brian Wilson’s hissy fit. It’s currently the lead story on the Yahoo home page.
Seems he’s mad at Casey Blake who imitated a show-up gesture Wilson makes after he finishes a save, which he says is a tribute to his late father and his religion. The comments section of the Yahoo story is great reading.
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@I’m Keith Hernandez: He’s trading Hamilton for Manny? He should be kicked out of your league. I’d prefer Hamilton over Grandy, not by that much though.
@Baby Batter: Thanks! Yeah, I’d go that trade.
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@Jobu: Ha!
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
@Grey: I know I am trying to steal him away first, but’s it’s an 11 team league and shallow rosters. Here’s my roster. I don’t need Hamilton but I cant let him go to the first place team, I can always flip him or another of in a trade.
C Pablo Sandoval
1B Adrián González
2B Chase Utley
3B Chris Davis
SS José Reyes
OF Carlos Beltrán
OF Carlos Lee
OF Curtis Granderson
Util B.J. Upton
SP Francisco Liriano
SP Roy Oswalt
RP Chad Qualls
RP Rafael Soriano
P Brad Ziegler
P Wandy Rodríguez
P Adam Wainwright
BN
Jake Peavy
Kevin Slowey
Josh Johnson
Chris Ray
DL
Stephen Drew
(Ari – SS) DL
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@I’m Keith Hernandez: Trade Upton for him.
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
@Grey: I need the steals from upton though
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
what order would you like to have these pitchers the rest of the year – Lester, Harang, Cueto, and Kershaw
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Reyes, Beltran, and Granderson aren’t enough steals? You are a steal-monger!
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@I’m Keith Hernandez: Reyes will give you plenty of steals.
@Corey: Cueto, Kershaw, Harang, Lester…
@Jobu: Yup.
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
@Jobu:@Grey: Offered Upton, this guy is insane to deal with…….He wants more than Upton!
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May 11th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Grey, can you rank Cory Wade, Brian Bruney, Chris Sampson, Ramon Troncoso, Ronald Belisario, Chris Perez, Dan Meyer, Shawn Kelly, Taylor Buchholz, and J.A. Happ? I’m mainly asking about for the holds category. This is for 18 and 20 team leagues.
In my two teams, I currently have a combo of Wade, Bruney, Madson, Perez, Belisario, and Kelly along with Rafael Soriano, Motte, and Madson who I consider locks to keep. I need to know if any of the other guys will be better.
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@I’m Keith Hernandez: If he’d prefer Manny to Upton when he’s in last place, then he sounds detrimental to your league and none of the teams should trade with him.
@SP: Perez, Wade, Kelly, Belisario, Happ, Bruney…
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May 11th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
@Grey: Should I just stand put then, and hold upton. I want to strangle this guy. Normally he just makes crappy crappy offers, now he’s trying to give away Hamilton.
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@I’m Keith Hernandez: Yeah, stand pat then.
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May 11th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
@I’m Keith Hernandez: He said maybe he would do peavy and upton, f this guy. I am vetoing this trade if it goes through. My first veto ever.
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May 11th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
@Grey: Is you surprising ranking of Soto above Vlad, Mags, Aramis & Drew based on position scarcity? That’ll be some rebound ’cause he looks lost beyond repair now! If his value is ultimately higher than those dudes, would you consider carrying 2 catchers in a 1 catcher league if you could move V-Mart to 1B/3B/Util? Thanks!
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May 11th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
If Mo were to go down anytime soon, I think Phil Coke would be the fill-in. Only since Marte and Bruney are on the shelf and Albaladingdong is sucking as hard as the rest of the bullpen. Girardi has been loving Phil C lately. ::Insert drug puns here::
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@zombie: No, I don’t want two catchers.
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May 11th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
It was only a matter of time… http://www.juanpierrewood.com/
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May 11th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Ha. I just dropped J-Cru in my h2h league. I had a hunch, but then that hunch went away. Good timing! I don’t really sweat saves in h2h leagues, though, as it’s just one category. I’d rather stock up on middle relievers and keep the ERA and WHIP low while gathering Ws and Ks with SPs.
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May 11th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
in a h2h 5×5 league, which one of these would you start at Utility:
Branyan, Fowler, Fontenot, Krispy ??
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May 11th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
@IowaCubs: It’s a weekly roster setting league.
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@IowaCubs: Branyan for this week.
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May 11th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Who’s the better start this week at utility: Atkins or Sandoval?
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May 11th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
I’m in a 5×5 league with OPS instead of AVG, which is why I targeted each of them in the first place, but long is your leash with Uggla and Peralta?
Peralta showed signs of life yesterday and I know Uggla has always been streaky, but 5 HRs and a .630 OPS (or so) between them is getting ri-donkadonk…
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May 11th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
my OF is stacked with beltran, c lee, and markakis. i think i’d rank them in the order of markakis/beltran/lee (about the opposite of their average draft positions).
so, do you agree with my rankings, and lincecum’s owner is dangling him out there for trade bait. am i crazy, because i’m not very excited to trade away any of those guys. maybeeeee lee.
so, in other words, what caliber player would you give up to acquire lincy?
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May 11th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Re Cecil: Assuming he continues to pitch well, does anyone really believe that the Jays will send down Cecil instead of scrubs like Ray and Tallet?
Halladay/Ray/Richmond/Tallet/Cecil
Halladay/Litsch/Richmond/Romero/Cecil
The key will be to watch if Janssen comes back as a starter or reliever. If Janssen returns as a starter, it may be all over.
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@Eric: Atkins
@Jobu: Pretty long because of their positions.
@albertalbert: Lee is fair for Lincecum.
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May 11th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
So I somehow got wrangled into a head to head league (last time I’ll do that) and I have 9 closers including Cruz, Bailey and Morrow still on the DL. I’m guessing my crazy closer vulturing strategy is wrong for h2h? I’m actually doing pretty well in the league so I’m not just going to start dropping closers, but I also am having a hell of a time getting anything at all for them in a trade. They are pretty crappy with the likes of Wood, Lindstrom, Gregg, Qualls, Hawkins, Downs and the previously mentioned three. I need starting pitching. Should I just try to buy low on a borderline droppable SP or continue shopping them around for something worthwhile?
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May 11th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
@Grey: Thanks… final question as I set my lineup… For my 4th OF, would you go for Span, Fowler or Krispy?
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@Doc: See if you can make a trade for a borderline SP.
@IowaCubs: Fowler
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May 11th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
@Grey: Who do you think has more value this week – Gardner or Tatis? I feel like Tatis gets more at-bats, but if Gardner pinch runs for a steal or two it evens out. It just seems like Girardi has no intention of using Gardner at all – you would think he would give someone in that outfield a rest once in a while.
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@Harley: Tatis
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May 11th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Both Delgado and Lee are trying “rest” through their respective injuries. For the sake of my fantasy team suck it up and go on the DL already boys. I grabbed Helton last week, but having to roster three first basemen straight bites.
In a roundabout way this brings me to my question. What is the typical roster sizes for a 12 team league? Yahoo! defaults to 21, but honestly its felt a little small to me this season. Is that just a byproduct of trying to ride out multiple injuries that aren’t exactly worthy of a DL stint?
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May 11th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Are we done with Alexei Ramirez? What level of closer is it worth giving up to get him?
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May 11th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
hochevar, sean marshall, zimmerman, parra, pierre rank in order
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May 11th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Think Scherzer puts it together this year? I am thinking he is a year away.
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@naughtandcross: Sounds about right.
@David Souter: I’d want a Donkey-corn.
@Martin: Pierre, Parra, Zimmermann, Hochevar, Marshall…
@Ricky Bobby: Should be worth owning.
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May 11th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Alexei/Doumit/Capp for Waignwright/Drew/R. Soriano
Which side wins?
I am getting alexei and cant even use drew when he comes off the DL and can bench alexei
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May 11th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Needing a p/u for Ararmis while he’s on the DL. Any of these schmo’s worth a spot? (14 team) Thurston, Byrd, N. Johnson, Burris, or Winn Or should I simply play the flavor of the week?
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@I’m Keith Hernandez: I’d want the Drew side.
@vinko: Burriss for right now, but flavor of the week.
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May 11th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Bay/Scherzer for Johan? 12-team mixed roto.
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May 11th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Would you rather have Adrian Gonzalez or Lance Berkman from this point on?
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May 11th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
@Ricky Bobby: If he’s a Sawx fan and needs an outfielder he might go for it, but probably not.
When you’re trying to deal for an Ace, it’s important to offer something they really need. Is he really needing an OF?
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@Scotty: Adrian
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May 11th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
@IowaCubs: After all, no one walks in Juanpierrewood.
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May 11th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
I was just offered Alexei and Beckett for my Halladay. This seems like a pretty good buy low trade, but Im in 1st and dont feel like I need to do anything too crazy. Im currently rocking Felipe Lopez at SS, and my starters are Halladay, Liriano, Wainwright, Bedard, Wandy, Kershaw, Zimmermann, and Swervin.
I feel like this could be a solid trade, but i dont want to become a statistic to the 2 for 1 talent dilution. Thoughts? Thanks.
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@chuck: I’d hold pat.
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May 11th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Thanks for the advice. Also, good look w/ Cruz and Bailey.
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May 11th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Now that I am thinking straight, Is BJ for Hamilton even a good trade?
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@chuck: You’re welcome.
@I’m Keith Hernandez: To get Hamilton, sure.
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May 11th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
I wonder if Peralta’s “mental break” worked. He seems to be rising from the grave … 6 for 9 with 3 RBI and 2 R yesterday and today. Guess it’s too soon to tell.
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May 11th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
i’m itching to pick up cuddyer. he’s due.
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May 11th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Reynolds for Alexei?
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May 11th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
@Denys: Somebody needs to back slowly away from the easy button.
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May 11th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
@Ceasar: Depends on need, apples and oranges dude.
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May 11th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
@Grey: hey Grey the Man, I’m thinking of flipping Pence for Rios in my 16-team mixed league, which OPS, BB and other stats count. Should I do it or should I stand pad?
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May 11th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
sorry reverse that, I have Rios and is thinking of flipping for Pence…
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May 11th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
@BigFatHippo: No doubt, just wondering if they’re similarly priced apples and oranges.
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@Elbert: I’d want Pence.
@Ceasar: It’s fair.
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May 11th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
roberts/dukes or ichiro/nelsoncruz ?
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May 11th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Maholm, Edwin Jackson, Richmond, Gaudin, Cecil. How would you rank them from here on out?
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May 11th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
@Ceasar: In this economy, they’re both worth a quarter for your dollar.
@Grey: How did Lowe look tonight? 6.2 innings, 1 K? Hollow dollars, I hate em………
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May 11th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
i have #1 waiver in deep NL only league. losing Aramis Ramírez hurts!!! do i use my waiver on coghlan or save it and play the waiting game to see what comes around late into the season
c baker/paulino so i get all 162 games played at catcher
1b gonzo
3b aram
ci adam laroche
2b burriss
ss guzman
mi barmes (who would split time with thurston at 3b to make up for aram)
of beltran
of werth
of spillboroughs
ut giles
bn thurston
bn counsell
dropping paul janish for coghlan. that’s how bad the free agents are. paul janish was rostered. and my lineup is one of the better ones.
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May 11th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Got offered Hart and Miguel Tejada for Alex Rios. I do have a spot open to take on an extra guy in a 2 for 1 and Rios/Hart seem similar so I leaned to wanting to do it. But, the biggest problem I have is that I have tons of depth with this team and am constantly making wrong roster mistakes.
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May 11th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
mets and 3 or 4 errors killed santana
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May 11th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
I’m currently in a 16-team mixed H2H weekly league (locks up every monday til sunday), and is looking to solidify my 2B/OF depth, with these 2 positions present biggest overall corrective problems for me.
just looking @ my FA pool, I have Kelly Johnson & Hermida just dropped from other teams, and I have 2B/OF combo of J.Lopez/Getz/Markakis/Rios/Bruce/DeJesus/Coghlan, what do you guys think is the best solution/arrangement moving forward?
Coghlan/Getz/DeJesus seemed to be my x-factors here, given future position flexibility consideration (along w/ stronger stats consideration), what would you guys do here?
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@PJTres: Yuck on both sides, but I’d take the Ichiro side.
@jerkstore: Edwin Jackson, Maholm, Cecil, Gaudin, punt…
@Mr Baseball: Get Coghlan.
@Maitland: I could see taking the Hart side there.
@BigFatHippo: Looked solid and the Mets don’t like the score for Johan.
@Elbert: Johnson over Getz and hold on the rest.
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May 11th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
dont look now but burriss is batting leadoff
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May 11th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
@Grey: thanx much! in appreciation to your kindly help (also for providing such cool commentary/ advice over the year), you shall receive your “daiguiri” contribution from me, in…. 30 minutes!!!
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May 11th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
R.weeks and B.lidge for B.phillips? good time to get rid of weeks and lidge (both injury risks) for the “buy” phillips
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May 11th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Hey Grey, what’s your outlook for Harden and F-Her for the rest of the year? I was thinking about dangling Harden for Felix, but I read that Harden’s velocity was good in his last start and we all know what he can do when healthy…
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May 11th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
My pitching staff has killed me so far in my head to head league:
Billingsley, Beckett, Wainwright, Vazquez, E Jackson, Crystal young, Ubaldo
with RPs: Wilson, Gregg, Fuentes, Capps and now Cruz.
Should I just sit tight and hope the summer can heat these guys up, or maybe swap some offense for another solid arm? Any good buy-low options at the SP position?
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May 11th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
@Josh: Fwiw, SP I’m targeting right now are Beckett (ha), Crystal young (ha), Slowey, Hamels, and I’d throw Baker and Liriano in there. I honestly think the Twins pitchers will regress back to the mean, and Joe Mauer’s return will help that happen. (Remember Baker is on the “risky pitcher list” though.)
I’ve already dropped Ubaldo from the two teams that I drafted him.
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May 11th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
grey…
hamilton/greinke or upton/webb in a keeper?
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May 11th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
@Josh: I only just started playing in a head-to-head league last year but have found a good strategy is to have a solid lineup of hitters, then have your bench full of starters that you can switch between each week, or drop/pick up guys with 2 starts. For instance I picked up Randy Johnson for this week but will probably lose/bench him for next week. I guess it depends how deep and active the league is for this strategy to work. If it were my league, I would keep all your starters listed with Ubaldo maybe the guy I would drop for a 2 starter.
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May 11th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Wowowowow Reds 13 runs so far and Bruce is 0 for 4!
Wwowowowo Randy J. forgets how to pitch in the 6th inning after 9 k’s in 5 innings!
Wowowowow I love Fantasy Baseball! Wowowowowow.
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May 11th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
@Grey: Adrian Beltre or Felipe Lopez?
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May 11th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Bruce, you Ticker Tease you!
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May 11th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
I was just thinking, man, Reynolds sucks, then he reminded me why I have him.
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May 11th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Heh Reynolds gets you steals too. He could get 12-15 this year.
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May 11th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Heh Reynolds gets you steals too. He could get 12-15 this year.
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May 11th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
@PJTres:
I would be wary of Webb’s shoulder being an ongoing issue.
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@matthole: I want Phillips there.
@Griff: I’d want F-Her.
@Josh: Besides Ubaldo, I’d hold tight.
@Bob: Lopez
@Prince: Ha!
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May 11th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
@Colin: Yeah, Big Unit seems to hit a wall at every game. Good thing Bochy had a quicker trigger today or it would have gotten real messy.
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May 11th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
To add to my previous post, this time it could be due to the fact that he was on base for quite a while in the previous half inning.
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May 11th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Me again: do you guys start Burnett against Doc tomorrow?
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May 11th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
What should I expect out of Jimmy Rollins? Should I try to trade him while he still has some value?
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@DrEasy: Yup
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@Drev: Rollins is a Buy, not a sell.
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May 11th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
@DrEasy: I’ll take him!
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May 11th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
@grey: Thanks, better trade? Lidge and weeks for phillips or lidge for alexei ramirez
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May 11th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
@Grey: I agreed with you yesterday, but I read a few reports from Philly fans today who said that through his last game, he’s had absolutely no life in his bat. It isn’t like he’s been making good contact but having bad luck hitting it right to the opposition….
Add that to the fact that his SB success rate is below 50%, IIRC, and I’m worried. I’m afraid I’m gonna hold him too long and then not be able to get anything of significant value for him.
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May 11th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
@Drev: You are going to trust a Phillies fan’s opinion of one of their hometown players performances?
Hang on to Rollins. You drafted him in the first round for a reason.
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May 11th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
@naughtandcross: Ha, good point!
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May 11th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Do you do Furca/Billy Butler for Aramis/Loney? I also have Atkins/Drew, but 8 weeks is a long time.
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@matthole: Phillips
@cubbies299: Don’t trade for Aramis.
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May 11th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
OMG…Hanrahan just gave up a base hit to the RP on the Giants and gave up a run. This is not happening…this is not happening.
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May 11th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
@Drev: I have Rollins in my most serious league, so I’ve done some research into him. The numbers suggest Rollins has been unlucky.
Check this article:
http://blog.timesunion.com/fantasybaseball/batting-average-on-balls-in-play-babip-2009/504/
He’s only reached 11.4% of the time on ground balls. League average was 23.5%. Rollins still has above average speed. That number should go up.
Take a look at his general statistics:
http://firstinning.com/players/Jimmy-Rollins-a/
Groundball and line drive percentages are about normal. Note the BABIP is ridiculously low compared to his career average. Walk rate is down and K rate is up. My guess is that’s he’s pressing and his pitch selection has been bad (wish I could scout him live more often).
He’s still 30. I find it hard to believe that he suddenly forgot how to hit. Rollins has the potential for a HUGE rebound when the hits start dropping in.
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May 11th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
@Griff: Thanks, I fell a lot better about holding onto him now (and yes, he was my first round pick).
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May 11th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Hey Grey,
who gets the better side of this deal? reyes/smoltz/napoli/McLouth for Braun/Vazquez/Posada?
He originally offered me melky instead of mclouth
Thanks
Rob
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May 11th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
@Grey: Upton had another decent night,I scooped him off waivers last week, is he worth a regular start going forward?
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May 11th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
@Doc: Ha!
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May 11th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
@Doug Ault: YES!
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May 11th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
@Doug Ault:
Uptons HR tonite was hit so hard it you could see the impression of the laces on the bleachers. Id keep starting him as long as hes hot.
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May 11th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Who is this Rosales dude for the Reds? Is he a prospect?
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May 12th, 2009 at 12:31 am
I@Elijah: I was kinda shocked to see him on the wire
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May 12th, 2009 at 5:24 am
Matt Sorrento; he is edwin encarnacions replacement at 3b for the time being
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@Rob: The person getting Reyes.
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May 12th, 2009 at 7:50 am
@ Grey: even if I were to get Melky instead of McLouth?
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@Rob: Nope
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May 19th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Who’s the better bet for saves down the line, BJ or Zumaya?
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@Clodbuster: Ryan
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