Comments on: Cole In Oscopy

By: Tarasco'sSecretStash

Tarasco'sSecretStash — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:38:29 +0000

Hamels is a scary scene for the Phi-tins’ still, but definitely not worst case. He doesn’t seem to have a body that’s pitching-friendly based on early returns – lots of minor-but-threatening structural injuries. No question talent-wise he’s one of the best lefthanders in baseball, but he’s starting to earn the rep of a cat like Kazmir or Beckett. When he’s on the hill and healthy he’ll be the best fantasy pitcher in baseball, but durability is always going to be a question.

Holliday’s an interesting hitter, and one I look forward to seeing at least a little bit more now that he’s in the AL. This is a go year for Billy Beane, which is always exciting, and Holliday is a guy he’s got a lot riding on. I’m a Sawx fan and I’ve never had him on a fantasy team, so my firsthand experiences watching this guy are limited so far. But he’s a legitimately scary hitter from what I have seen. He showed a tremendously compact, quick-to-the-ball stroke in the ’07 Series (his homerun against Okajima was ill), and I’ve seen him hit a few dingers in random games with the same swing. He’s shown himself to be a legit .300 hitter in this league by using all fields and he’s shown a steadily progressing ability to take walks. Bostonaccent does a pissah jawb making the case of the negative move from Coors to the Colosseum as a detriment to Holiday’s value, but while there is likely to be a slight effect on his homerun totals (what, 3…5 less max?) he’s shown himself to be a reliably smart hitter that works all fields effectively so far in his career. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he keeps his slugging eerily consistent by adding a few doubles and triples to augment the loss of homeruns. And he may run a little less in Oakland, but he’ll still be good for 10 bags. He’s still a top tier outfielder in a scratch draft, absolutely…

By: papasmurf

papasmurf — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:57:04 +0000

@BigFatHippo: I hope we (all Hamels' owners) can get at least half a season out of him. This news threw me for a loop today. I was all set to draft a versatile position player for my team (slow draft) and then had to switch gears and grab Clay Buchholz as insurance. It was pick #300+ so I guess the upside is worth it, but the guy I passed up I could really use as backup.

By: BigFatHippo

BigFatHippo — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:58:13 +0000

@papasmurf: Let's hope the extra innings in the playoffs doesn't do what it usually does to young pitchers, cause dead arm about midway through the season.

By: papasmurf

papasmurf — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:36:18 +0000

News on Hamels is as good as one can hope fer.

By: Tony Y

Tony Y — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:53:13 +0000

@Baron Von Vulturewins: Holliday missed 23 games? Homer draught? He hit 23 while missing 23 gamessss? His splits were almost dead on first half and second half except he missed 23 games.... he stole more bases than he ever has... he was ranked #9 overall in yahoo at years end? Add 23 games on that.... I mean i understand you saying he's going to regress some this year, but I hardly think you were robbed from that output last year? Did i mention he missed 23 games?

By: Grey

Grey — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 22:20:55 +0000

@Colin: Yup, over thinking it. @Tarasco’sSecretStash: Yup, inexplicable.

By: Tarasco'sSecretStash

Tarasco'sSecretStash — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:50:08 +0000

Sooo…Houston has the worst farm system in baseball, and one of their only potentially impact young players is a mashing catcher coming off a busted first go in the bigs. So rather than pay him the league minimum to give it the ol’ college try a second time around and build his confidence backing up Sanchez out the gate they instead throw a couple million at a washed up roidbag 37 year old who’s four years removed from his last league-average OPS season. Did Ed Wade lose a bet or something? Gotta love the ‘stros…

By: Colin

Colin — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:05:40 +0000

@Grey: Grey it's fairly obvious Encarnacion and Zimmerman are not on the same level, that's the reason for the extra draft pick in the deal. That extra pick is nice, but I believe I'm overthinking this. I already have 8 great hitting keepers and will add to that collection with my first 2 picks and then grab the best SP's available when it's my turn again. Thx Grey.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:51:17 +0000

@BigFatHippo: Yup those 'roos can be pretty vicious. Glad we don't have 'em here. Just in case you were labouring under that misapprehension.

By: BigFatHippo

BigFatHippo — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:47:13 +0000

@Steve: Ha, that's what they get for naming their daughter Beatrix.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:43:36 +0000

@BigFatHippo: Be afraid, be very afraid.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/strangebuttrue/ninja-kangaroo-terrorises-family-in-bed-20090310-8tow.html

By: BigFatHippo

BigFatHippo — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:41:01 +0000

@Steve: You wish, kangaroo boy........

By: Grey

Grey — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:40:18 +0000

@BigFatHippo: Sounds like he can still make 25-30 starts. For $15, that's still a good deal.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:26:43 +0000

@BigFatHippo: Sure you can.

By: BigFatHippo

BigFatHippo — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:25:02 +0000

@Grey: Good news on Hamels, for $15 I can't throw him back can I?

By: Baron Von Vulturewins

Baron Von Vulturewins — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:23:59 +0000

@Colin: Definitely. He tended to be streaky, but on the whole he's been a good source of wins and Ks. He's long been a favorite of mine to pick up midseason when someone else loses patience and dumps him, then ride him for the good part of his season. Could easily win 15 with 180+Ks this year, if he stays healthy. @Grey: Preaching to the choir, brother. I won't be drafting Holliday this year unless he falls to the 6th (which he won't). I suffered through HomerDraught'08 with the dude -- and then there were those 88 RBIs. Bleeccch. He was basically vintage Erubiel Durazo last year.

By: Grey

Grey — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:19:47 +0000

@Nathaniel: Pick up McPherson, drop Fudge.

By: Grey

Grey — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:18:38 +0000

@Fred Barker: Maybe Casilla, but I don't think it goes that deep. Not yet, at least. @Colin: Edwin who? Encarnacion? THey're not in the same league. Neither is Zimmerman yet. I have Manny's projections in the top 100. The hammy doesn't bother me. Manny only plays hard four months a year, the Dodgers probably want those to be in the 2nd half. @gleeksquad: Could be, but Holliday's more of a line drive hitter. That's not a bad thing. @Baron Von Vulturewins: Canseco and Holliday are/were two different types of hitters.

By: Colin

Colin — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:05:46 +0000

@Baron Von Vulturewins: Baron his 2 years as a starter before becoming a closer, was it me or did he seem to go like 7-8 innings with 8-10 k's quite a bit? Everytime I saw his line, I was like damn I wish I had him on my squad. I think in NL only he's a must have and mixed he's a damn good 4th or 5th starter this year! He had a great second half except for his last 2 starts and that was probably him running out of gas getting acclimated to starting again.

By: Nathaniel

Nathaniel — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:02:42 +0000

In a 20 team roto league, who is the bigger schmohawk right now- Freddy Sanchez or Pudge? I have McCann and Uggla and I am thinking about picking up McPherson.

By: Baron Von Vulturewins

Baron Von Vulturewins — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:58:01 +0000

@Colin: I agree about Myers -- I like him as a moderate sleeper this year. He's always been a bit overlooked, and he's a solid mid-round pick if he's healthy.

By: Christopher

Christopher — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:47:46 +0000

@tony: Hey, another Tribe fan! Grew up in Canton! Love me the Jake (I can't bear to mention the "P" word) on a June/July night! Sure beats watching the Montgomery Biscuits (Rays AA team) on a June/July night!!!

By: Colin

Colin — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:34:31 +0000

@Baron Von Vulturewins: That's true. But Jones already made his money at that point. This is Myers' chance at a huge deal and I don't see him blowing it. Coming to camp in shape for once was a good start. Anyway that's just my opinion...that's why they play the games so we'll see how it pans out.

By: Baron Von Vulturewins

Baron Von Vulturewins — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:07:47 +0000

@Colin: Tell that to people who drafted Andruw Jones in '07. And '08.

By: Colin

Colin — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:03:27 +0000

Speaking of the Reds…Myers just faced their A lineup today and mowed them down. 5.2 IP with 7 K’s. I know Razzball and I disagree on Myers, but I think he puts together a great season. A free agent at the end of the year, he has no choice but to pitch well if he wants that big deal. Money is a great motivator for some of these players.

By: Colin

Colin — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:54:51 +0000

@tony: Tony I have Bruce as well and with his immense talent, that ball park and a pretty good lineup around him I think 30 homers is very realistic and .280 is very reasonable.

By: bostonaccent

bostonaccent — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:31:38 +0000

@Tony:
(Home/Away)
All MLB
.428/.404
Colorado
.454/.377
Oakland
.370/.367

By: Tony

Tony — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:19:34 +0000

@bostonaccent: I know the coors effect, but I assume most players play better at home, does anyone have an overall stat on that? More comfortable, better conditions, use to the playing field, climate, etc, close to home.... etc

By: bostonaccent

bostonaccent — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:10:43 +0000

@Tony: He's 29 this year. I wish I were still that young and with any upside. @gleeksquad: His three year road slugging splits are eerily consistent (.485/.485/.486). Last year his home slugging dropped along with the rest of the team (Humidor issues?). McAfee is no Petco, but it's not going to help. The real question is whether he stays on the field for 155+ games this year. But that's the question for everyone, isn't it? @Baron Von Vulturewins: Sure. Ruin my sleeper for 2009. Bengie is good for 45, isn't he?

By: tony

tony — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:06:53 +0000

Loving the huge article on espn MLBabout Bruce and Votto. Snagged both in my league, got votto late 5th (maybe a bit early, but it had to be done!) and bruce in the 10th! I’m a tribe fan, but i’ll root for the “other” team in OHIO! Looking for some big things out of those 2.

Votto 25+ Hr’s .300

Bruce 30+ Hr’s and hoping the average bumps to around .280, might be wishful thinking so soon….