R.A. Dickey went seven and a third innings with no runs and eight Ks as he dueled Wang. Dickey vs. Wang was the greatest sword fight since Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme both arrived at the same tanning salon in the late 80′s. In this game, surprisingly there weren’t that many dribblers through the vas deferns. Streamers would have to wait until later in the day with Leake. The game started with the Nats putting a giant zipper in the outfield for each pitcher’s entrance. Then the knuckleballs came early and often and showed a polished Dickey. Wang didn’t go very deep, but fans who came got an afternoon delight. Dickey now leads the league in wins with 9 to go along with 78 Ks, 1.08 WHIP and a 2.44 ERA. When Dickey’s on the mound, urine in trouble. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Lance Lynn – 6 IP, 2 ER, 8 baserunners, 11 Ks. For a while there, I was saying to Sell him, but it’s like saying to sell Capuano or Dickey. Are they at the peak of their value? Probably. Are you getting what they’re worth in a trade? Nope. It’s like when the Gregg Jefferies rookie card was at $9. I had like 100 of them. I was talking about how my family would retire and we’d open a carnival in our new mansion’s parking lot simply to subsidize our new lifestyle that was made possible by Jefferies. Hey, I was eleven at the time. But no one would buy a Jefferies rookie card for $9 and you were stuck holding them until they were worthless. That’s Lynn, Capuano, Dickey and any other player that you know you’re supposed to sell, but can’t find a buyer.
David Freese – 2-for-5, 6 RBIs and two homers to bring his total to 12. You know how you were trying to figure out which flyer at corner infidel was the one to take in the end rounds of your draft? If you’re still wondering, you don’t own Freese.
Jaime Garcia – To the DL with a shoulder strain on his pitching arm. Luckily, St. Louis is the patron saint of renovating washed-up vets and borderline pitching prospects. If only Baltimore hadn’t snapped up Moyer!
James Russell – 0 IP, 1 ER as he came into a winning game in the 8th inning. Whatever, I dropped him in a shallow mixed league. I don’t need saves that bad. No idea what Sveum’s doing. He probably doesn’t know what he’s doing. No matter how close Sveum is to “Save um” there’s still an A-hole.
Elian Herrera – 0-for-2 with 2 BBs and 2 runs and a RBI. That line is also known as “Why it’s good to hit 2nd.”
Aaron Harang – 6 IP, 3 ER, 9 baserunners, 3 Ks. Aw, he was feeling left out of the veteran starters that no one wants to own game. C’mon, Millwood and Colon, let him get some unwanted attention!
Yoenis Cespedes – Left the game in the 1st inning with a hamstring injury. Too bad it wasn’t his foot since he has 4 of those to spare.
Coco Crisp – Slam and legs with a triple to spare and 4 RBIs. He’s still hitting his weight which is really something you only want guys like Fielder and Ortiz to do. He’s probably a better bet for all-around stats than some SAGNOF (Campana) but isn’t worth dropping some of the hotter SAGNOF like Rajai or Quintin for.
Brandon McCarthy – 7 IP, 1 ER, 3 baserunners, 5 Ks. 1.85 ERA at home, a 3.94 ERA in away games, and a 0.00 ERA in games played after McCarthy roots out all commies.
Brian Matusz – 2 IP, 4 ER, 9 baserunners. Our new writer, Jaywrong, just went over his Matusz fantasy. There was only three doodie references, from what I read. Do better, Jaywrong! Matusz had four solid starts in his last five and his K-rate had been near 9 during that stretch before this Red Sox game. I wouldn’t own him outside of AL-Only leagues yet, and in deep mixed leagues I’d press the eject button pretty quickly if he resorts back to the starter we saw last year — you know, the starter that had the worst ERA in the history of baseball for over 60 IP. But, keep in mind, he beat out Halladay for that dubious honor, so it’s not the kiss of death. It’s more like the outside-the-sweater-petting of death.
Ryan Zimmerman – 2-for-4 with a homer, but all anyone wanted to talk about was Bryce Harper’s 0-for-4. Member when Zimmerman was the talk of Washington? He’s now not even 2nd fiddle. What fiddle is he? Harper, Strasburg, Gio, Morse, then him? That’s more fiddles than Charlie Daniels tours with.
Clay Buchholz – 9 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 6 Ks. In his last three starts, he’s thrown 24 IP and only given up 4 runs. He gives his rediscovered changeup as the reason for the newfound success. Cool, now there’s a 2nd commercial break for his movie of the week. “After the break, Clay changes things up and meets the girl of his dreams.” The reality of the situation is he’s never had a xFIP below 4 or a K-rate over 7 since 2008. I didn’t like him this year, but even I didn’t think he was a 9 ERA guy as he was sporting at the end of April. There’s a long way down from a 9 ERA to a 4 ERA. If you wanna ride the ERA down, go for it, but I don’t think it’s going to be clear sailing to 4. I.e., There will be another commercial break where things get bumpy again. “After the break, Clay confronts Josh about him climbing out of his girlfriend’s window.”
David Price – 5 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunners, 8 Ks as he battled CC Sabathia (7 IP, 3 ER, 8 baserunners, 12 Ks). It was the first seesaw match that Sabathia’s ever lost, and I’m not talking about on the baseball field.
Norichika Aoki – 3-for-5, 3 runs, 2 RBIs and two homers. He’ll be in this afternoon’s Buy/Sell. Quick hint: I’m not saying to sell him.
Ryan Theriot – 4-for-5, 1 run, 1 RBI and another steal. Elsewhere, Mike Fontenot went 3-for-4. From the files of Tim Kurkjian Didn’t Even Know This Trivia: Theriot and Fontenot combined for the most hits in one day by two guys whose last names rhyme since the 2001 tandem of Juan Pierre and Barry Bonds. Though, we’re translating their names to Peter and Cheater.
Angel Pagan – 2-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and a slam (5) & legs (12). Dan Brown’s favorite subject is quietly having a solid season. He has his hitting streak up to 15 games to bolster his .321 average. Maybe the Giants can acquire John Lannan, bleach his skin and have him throw rose petals at Angel Pagan’s feet. What, Dan Brown’s the one with the albino fetish, I’m just continuing it.
Gregor Blanco – 2-for-5 with his 2nd homer in as many games. I mentioned this yesterday (I think; I don’t know, I write like 2000 words a day about fantasy baseball. I’ve officially gone crackers. Someone at Starbucks asked me if I wanted my mochachino with whip and I told them Saltalamacchia’s not a pitcher, so there’s no WHIP.), but Blanco’s hot again.
Jimmy Rollins – 2-for-4. Hmm… Is it too late for me to tell you to Buy him for cheap? It might be. Oh, well. I’m not perfect. For instance, I haven’t washed my bathroom towels in 12 years. I don’t think there’s any reason to, either. I’m clean when I’m using them. If anything, I clean them every day I get out of the shower and dry myself with them.
Miguel Cabrera – Hit his 13th homer, while batting .323 with 49 RBIs. We here at Razzball like to tease Miggy by calling him Swiggy and saying the only thing that exceeds his BA is his BAC, but if there was any question about when I ranked him number one the last two years (only to move him in 2011 because of an injury that proved no hindrance and in 2012 when Braun’s mail was returned to sender), it looks like Miggy is the number one ranked guy for 2013. I only say this because I don’t own him anywhere and am doing anything I can to jinx him.
Andrew Cashner – Will start on Saturday, throw around 3 innings, then go to the minors for a month. That end part is the only thing Scherzer is missing.
Ryan Ludwick – 2-for-5 with two solo homers. Just as Dusty drew it up in Spring Training. Play Ludwick for 39 games, then in his 40th game he’ll carry the Reds to a 5-4 loss. Dusty said, “I can’t take all the credit.” Then he slyly looked at his toothpick.
Aroldis Chapman – Entered a tie game and gave up back-to-back doubles and allowed his first earned run. After the whole ordeal with his girlfriend, he just doesn’t like anything tied up.
Mike Minor – 5 IP, 1 ER, 9 baserunners (5 BBs), 4 Ks. That’s about the ugliest 5 inning, one earned run start you’re gonna find. Gary Glitter wouldn’t even touch this Minor.
Jason Heyward – 2-for-4, and two solo homers. Now up to 8 homers, but still only batting .246 and his expected average isn’t much better. His massive potential makes me want to say he’s a buy low, but the numbers aren’t confirming it. He really needs to curb his Ks and get back to taking a walk. Where’s Tom Emanski? Maybe he can talk to him. Or Fred McGriff, he’d work.
Derek Holland – To the DL with shoulder fatigue on the heels of a stomach virus. Kind of like how the shoulder on the NJ Turnpike is a mess when there are issues in the Holland Tunnel.
Alexi Ogando – Will take Holland’s rotation spot on Sunday, but is only planning on going five innings at most. Ogando to Holland, I think that was the succession plan in some African country after WWII. Ogando’s hard to pinpoint for projections. He’s shown a solid K-rate out of relief, but he wasn’t that incredible with Ks in the rotation last year. If he stays a starter because Holland’s shoulder turns into a major issue, Ogando could give a mid-3 ERA and 7 Ks per 9. In most mixed leagues, I could see grabbing Ogando if you’re looking to catch some lightning in a bottle like the guy who thought he’d one up Ben Franklin. No one one-ups Ben Franklin!
Yu Darvish – 6 H, 6 BB, 6 ER (in 5 1/3 IP). Luckily, he had 4 Ks instead of 3 to avoid being satanic and racist.
Aoki or chisenhall?
@Blue, please add Saunders to that as well..
@Blue, Saunders
Haha Gary Glitter, nice touch.
@Tony B., Thanks!
Haha that opening paragraph’s just nasty.
@TheNewGuy, Thanks!
Who do you like for the weekend (missed out on Rollins to someone with a higher waiver): Desmond, Lowrie, Hardy?
And should I make a claim on Ass-Dribble? He’s on waivers until Monday. So I’d need a fill-in until then. Or until Tulo comes back.
Also, M. Young worth a bench spot in an 8 teamer?
@Wilsonian, Lowrie… Claim Asdrubal… Nah, Young’s not…
@Grey, didn’t think so on Young. Who do I drop for Ass-dribble?
It’s between Lowrie, Norris, Wilhelmsen. Those are my only droppable guys.
Lowrie’s on the bench?
@Grey, No. He’s starting at SS right now. I have no bench bats (they’re Longo and Tulo). I’m just saying I could drop Lowrie to pick up Asdrubal. Or I could drop one of those pitchers.
@Wilsonian, And this is K/9 league? I’d go with Asdrubal over Lowrie…
@Grey, yes it is. But it’s shallow, and you can find people available, although I’m not sure they would equal the K rate of Norris. But guys like Niese are available.
Norris’s K/9 is too good to drop…
@Grey, touche, whitey…
@Wilsonian, Ha! Is that instead of ‘friend?’
@Grey, ha, I think it’s kind of a play off something from Chappelle Show. My Lebanese buddy in undergrad used to say that to us all the time.
Hey Grey,
Is the order still Hanrahan, Grilli, Resop?
@BucLover, Yup
Dick Joke.
@Eddie, Yup
Smoak or goldshmidt ROS?
Thanks!
@Ryan, Goldy
@Grey, Goldy or Parker?
Grey,
Yesterday you said Cain/Bruce for McCutchen was too much. Do you think asking for K Jansen as well would be enough?
@Jake, It would even it out, yeah… I’d still want Cain/Bruce…
Brantley or Saunders ROS?
Need utility outfielder
@Adam, Saunders
Lose Kendrick for Pagan?
@2 Cups 1 Braun, 100%
Would you dump Kelly Johnson for Herrera? He’s killing me w the Ks
Also on waiver, hill, howie, and walker.
Wow, I’m ready for Utley to come back
@Abell, I wouldn’t… Don’t think Utley’s the answer…
Is it safe to trust Liriano vs. the Cubs this weekend?
@Mike, Nope
@Mike, Cubs rank dead last in team OPS vs. lefties. I’m runnin’ Liriano.
Felt an urgent need to wash my hands after reading that intro…..
@BigFatHippo, Sweet!
More $9 Jeffries rookie cards:
Johnny Cueto
Brandon Beachy
James McDonald
Edwin Encarnacion
Allen Craig
Mark Trumbo
Andre Ethier
These guys have been great and should all continue to be at least useable but is anyone selling these guys for anything of use?
@Scott Luke, If you can’t sell Beachy, you ain’t tryin’! I just traded him for Uggla in a league where I need HRs.
Ethier was traded 1 for 1 for Kemp in the RCLs last week.
I’d add Will Middlebrooks to that list though, Jed Lowrie too. Everytime I’ve tried trading him I get, “Yea, I’m not interested in Lowrie (injury risk)” in response. So, I’ve resigned to just holding him and hoping he continues to mash.
@MattTruss223, I’ve been having the same issue with Peavy. No one wants him because of his past injuries, regardless of the fact that he’s been a top 15 SP this year.
@Scott Luke, I agree, Beachy’s sellable…
@Grey, Beachy garnered Trout this week in ECFBL.
@simply fred, I’d take Trout…
Having a hard time deciding whether to play Cozart or Simmons, barring any type of significantly better matchup who are you rolling out there at this point?
@theguarantee, Cozart
One of the best opening paragraphs ever
Although the DIckey vs Wang matchup was awesome, I recall back when Chien Mien was still a Yankee Wang, and he provided much stiffer competition than he does now, facing the young Jays righthander Dave Bush.
Now Bush vs. Wang was one for the ages.
@Xavier, Thanks! Ha… Very nice…
Trade Lincecum for Lohse?
@Jobu’s Rum, Wow…..have we gotten to this point?
@Jobu’s Rum, Nope
@Grey, ok fair enough. How about Romero or Wilson for the Freak? Or what is a fair value for him these days?
In order of preference, which of the players in these match-ups are worth picking up today? Or avoid them all?
Harrison versus Zito
Eovaldi versus Millwood
@Deadwoods, Avoid
I read the write-up before my morning shower and thought the Rollins blurb was gross. After mulling it over though, by the time I was drying off, it seemed to make a lot of sense.
@MattTruss223, See?
Grey,
Ive been trying to move Wright and have the following offers on the table. Would you do any of these:
Wright and Oswalt for Bruce
Wright for Dunn and Headley
Wright for Hart and Headley (same owner)
My 1b is Wigginton or Swisher (bleh) and in my league Dunn and Hart qualify at 1st. I have Panda coming back next week and I have Aviles and Wigginton to cover 3rd if necessary when I move Wright. I think Bruce is the most valuable going forward but my OF is already pretty full with Stanton, J. Upton, Jennings, Fowler, Stubbs and Gardner (we start 3).
Thoughts and thanks!
@TVAC, I’d take Bruce, but it sounds like you don’t need him, so hold…
On Wed. I dropped LaHair to pick up Francisco Rodriguez (I needed holds). Yesterday Rodriguez blew a save when LaHair homered off of him.
Poop
@LobBall, Doh
Is Aoki an upgrade over Heyward, Rasmus, Reddick or Wiggington?
Also, I have good SP but no offense, especially in my MI. Would you trade any of these for Kipinis straight up?
F-Her
Cahill
Peavy
Beckett was already rejected.
@Mr. Rickey, if they rejected Beckett, I’m sure they’ll reject Cahill and probably Peavy. I’d try Peavy, though.
@Mr. Rickey, Not over those OFs… Try Peavy…
Sunday night setting with no daily changes; H2H, typical stats…
Zobrist just dropped. I could drop Middlebrooks (sat out twice last week) and slide M Young to third & Zobrist to second.
Middlebrooks or Zobrist moving forward?
@SanFran1966, Middlebrooks for now…
Who wins this one,
I give: Rizzo/Altuve
I get: Darvish
16 team, h2h, 16 keepers.
The bats are spare to me as Altuve is my backup 2b and i already have Votto/Dunn at 1b. I have 4 elite pitchers but then it drops off to almost nothing. Im thinking i could really use another pitcher, is Darvish worth this. He clearly has a very high upside if he cant get his BB under control. Worth it?
@Justin,
have you considered dunn/altuve for darvish ?
@chata,
The other team is in a rebuilding mode and dont think he would go for Dunn in a deal. He has plenty of young SP but lacks offensive prospects. Thats why he wants those two.
@Justin, Darvish
I need HR & SB equally. Lead the league in AVG, R, & RBI’s.
Aoki, Davis, or Crisp?
@stoopid, Crisp
Melky Cabrera. Can’t sell him for more than basically $10 in auction value. It’s driving me crazy. He’s playing like a $40 player, played last year like a $30 player, you figure I could at least get $20 for him, which is all I want, but NOPE.
Why does everyone like my players less that I do?
@Bizarro, Just gotta ride em…
@Bizarro, ive offered tons for him in all 3 ;eagues and they wont sell him
@taz, What will you give me? Let’s make something happen. We could make history here — first interleague trade!! (As long as the Melky I give you never bumps into the Melky already in your league — then the universe would end.)
just moved
Meyers + Lynn for Matt Cain. yay!
@mauledbypandas, Yay
Speaking of my last comment, trying to buy a closer. Team’s in first, riding some hot offensive players and an early season run of pitching. But I have only two closers and that equals a 6 point swing either way.
I give Melky and Heyward
I get Broxton and Victorino
Thoughts? Thanks.
@Bizarro, I’d take Heyward
@Grey, Sigh, that’s what I think too. After a million tries, I’m thinking it’s not worth trading for a closer…
Greinke/Crisp or Lynn/Kendrick/Viciedo
@WhineSpritzer, Greinke
McCarthy has been nails for the A’s for a season and a half now. Funny thing a couple of weeks ago he started a blog and like a lot of folks he made an openning post and one more and then never updated it again. What I thought was funny is that he put the following subtitle on it: “I still think this should’ve been my Richard Marx fansite”
Agree or disagree: the best letters in the NATO phonetic alphabet are Whiskey, Bravo, Tango and Foxtrot. Worst are Uniform, Golf and Hotel.
@OaktownSteve, I’m with you on Whiskey. I prefer Powers
@mauledbypandas, something about Mike makes me laugh too.
wiki link with Michael Morse codes too!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_phonetic_alphabet
@mauledbypandas, I think Mike November would be a great name for a private dick, a shamus, snoop or gumshoe if you will.
@OaktownSteve, I dig your style man
@mauledbypandas, back attcha
@OaktownSteve, RE: Phonetic Alphabet – Good list. Zulu is pretty badass as well. I’ll add November to the list of awful letters. Just doesn’t roll off the tongue, ya know? I’d like to have something like Neptune there instead.
@MattTruss223, Zulu definitely in the upper tier. Echo is solid too. I think two syllables seem to be optimal. Sierra for instance is definitely one syllable too many, especially for a six letter word.
On a related note Emilio Bonifacio has an unbelieveable number of syllables per letter.
@OaktownSteve,
emilio bonifacio is double o
@OaktownSteve, I was just talking last night about how Richard Marx went rogue on his Twitter account… I checked twice if it was really him…
@Grey, His Twitter account says “Parkour enthusiast-songwriter-life coach to both members of Wang Chung”
Read some of his tweets… I’m telling ya, rogue!
@Grey, That’s some funny stuff.
I know…
In his most recent blurb Daniel Bard says
“You can’t think and pitch at the same time” perhaps that was his problem..
If you aren’t thinking you aren’t pitching.. you are throwing. Pitchers change speeds, eye levels etc and all that is a conscious effort. If you just throw the pitch in accordance with the catcher’s fingers you are just a thrower.
@mauledbypandas, In related news, Tom Milone says say hello to your mother for me!
@mauledbypandas, HA!
1) Hill or Espinosa ROS?
2) Give Sale to get Utley?
@Watson, 1: I prefer Hill but Espinosa is owned in my league and Hill is on waivers. 2: I wouldnt.
@Watson, Espinosa.. 2. No
12 team H2H pts:
Drop Aviles for Beckham or Ackley?
Dunn or Duda?
Pls rank these OF:
Fowler, Rasmus, Viciedo
@EK, Beckham… Dunn… Rasmus, Fowler
Hanrahan for Colby Lewis?
12 team roto — 1500ip max..
You see Colby dropping off?
Hanny getting traded?
@Tom, Trade’s fair, Lewis is more valuable…
Who wins this trade?
Pence/Garza for Furcal/Heyward/J. Zimmerman
Thanks in advance.
@dsg, I’d take the Pence Garza side, but it’s close
@dsg, Heyward if you need depth…
rank for today:
Milone @ ARI
Eovaldi @ SEA
Bedard v KC
@EK, Eovaldi, Bedard
my team is dominating pitching categories (Greinke, Strasburg, Beachy, Samardzija, Jackson, Capuano, Hammel, plus Johnson, Frieri and Clippard at RP).
It also sucks offensively. I’ve been offered Josh Hamilton for Bruce and Greinke. I know Greinke has ludicrous peripherals and is probably the best bet in the pitching business, and I know Hamilton is injury-prone, slumping a little, and this is a classic “buy high”. I also know that Bruce will hit a bunch of bombs this year.
But so you consider it? It’s tempting.
@joel, I’d take Greinke
loved the recap of the mets/nats game. well played, sir.
better at util: beckham, pagan, aoki, alex gordon, hairston?
@JD, Gordon going forward
@JD, Thanks! Pagan…
For Grey and everyone – Starting Wandy @CWS today?
@Miley Cyrus, Yup
Couple of rest of the ways to get your opinion on:
A Craig vs A Gordon
J McDonald vs L Lynn
@Jay, Craig…McDonald…
@anyone, please rank the following pitchers
D.Hudson, Hanson, Worley, Cahill and JZimm
@quimmy, Hudson, Zimmerman, Hanson, Cahill then Worley
@quimmy, Zimm, Hudson, Hanson…
Grey, who do you like better for today. Doubront vs Was, Eovaldi @ Sea, Floyd vs Hou? Thanks
@MrHappyTime, Doubront
Grey,
Start or sit?
1. Hellickson @ Miami
2. Gio @ Boston
3. Jarrod Parker @ Arizona
4. Vogelsong vs. Texas
Thanks!
@JTR, I’d start Hellickson and I own Parker and am starting him. I would prob start Gio but I wouldnt start Vogs at Texas.
@Tvac, Vogey is at home…….
@JTR, I’d start them all…
@JTR, Bench Vogelsong
Also, got offered my Cahill and Casilla for his JZimm or Wainwright. Would you do this trade and for which SP if you would?
@quimmy, I’d take Zimm
Rotoworld – Troy Tulowitzki (groin) began non-baseball activities Wednesday.
WTF?
@frank rizzo, what was he doing before that? Hanging out with Ted Williams’ frozen head in cryo?
@mauledbypandas, Ha
@frank rizzo, interesting. I thought he was supposed to be back next week? They were claiming he only needed 5-10 days off to let it heal and they didn’t want to go that long with him using a roster spot so that was the only reason he got DLed.
Grey,
Andrus and A Reed for Greinke and Niese.
Fair?
And I know it’s apples for oranges (do I need an apple or an orange), but in a vacuum, which side do you like?
@joet, Greinke… It’s fair…
Hi Grey,
In an AL Ten Teamer, the owner of Brian Roberts wants to trade him to me for Alcides Escobar.
He has 2B depth and needs a SS. I have Alexei Ramirez in my SS slot and have enough speed already to cover.
Assuming Roberts is healthy, do you think he outperforms Alcides for the rest of the year?
Thanks,
Brian
@Brian, Nope
Is there a reason I should not keep D. Hernandez and Cishek on the bench right now since there are no save opps in sight? All they do is present an opportunity to diarrhERA when I am leading in ERA and WHIP.
Ks are nice but eh.
Just making sure this is the normal strategy.
@bean, I’d lose them if you’re not playing them… They don’t see like they’re getting saves without an injury…
@Grey, Reluctantly using them in hopes of vulture wins or gulp……..saves.
NL Only 12-Team Roto and there arent many options out there for saves. I have Casilla but I was banking on someone to visit Dr. Andrews so my lotto tickets would cash in.
Continue to stash in this scenario or use those two roster spots for position players?
Got Pablo and Carlos Lee on the DL set to come back so this would keep me from having to drop Theriot, G. Jones, or Rizzo and play the hot hand until i know how things shake out.
Cain, Gio, Timmmmmay, Vogelsong, Friedrich – SP
Casilla, Hernandez & Cishek – RP
@bean, I’d hold in NL-Only…
@Grey, Gracias!
I sold my $9 Middlebrooks card in my 12-team H2H keeper league!!!
Gave:
Middlebrooks/Jim Johnson (have Hanrahananan and Jansen)/Ervin Satan
Got:
T.Hanson/W.Rosario
Felt I deserved more than nothing for Middleswarth and Longoria is on the way back.
Nice play, fri-guy.
So you’re a sell on Lynn and Capuano. But I’m desperately in need of pitching, with Detwiler and Hefner in my lineup right now (deep NL-only). What level hitter would you offer to buy-fair on those guys. Is Kirk N. plus Detwiler (to a team out of it this year who could take a lottery ticket on Detwiler getting a spot back) not enough to offer?
I’m in first so I don’t want to panic and overpay, but I’m going to start falling behind in wins pretty soon.
Thanks!
I’d do Kirk and Detwiler for Lynn or Capuano, in that order…
Hey Grey: If you had to pick one:
Capuano, Bucholz, Diamond?
Capuano
Traded Adam Jones, M Young and Samardzjia for Swiggy. Thoughts?
Sounds fair…
how many games pitched does a guy need in espn to qualify
Ha! You mean Doolittle? I’ve never seen anything like that… They should just make him a pitcher…
@Grey, yeah yahoo did
@taz, Yeah, ESPN will too, prolly…
Would you start Wilson @ COL in a 10 or 12 team roto?
@Project_badass, I’d start him everywhere…
Oh, you starting Hanson at home vs. Toronto? What did they do to my Hanson?! This is not the Braves pitching coaches I know…
Start Haren in Colorado as well?
@CL, I’d start Hanson… I’d start Haren…
H2H Points League, I need a CF. In what order should I pick up these players?
Coco Crisp
Ben Revere
Andres Torres
Thanks.
@Jake, Crisp, Torres
Regarding the $9 Gregg Jefferies card analogy, do you see the latest batch of “hot” outfielders like Quentin, Viciedo, and maybe Rios as similar (as in not very tradeable)? I can’t find anyone in my league that gives a sh!t about their performance. Hell, I’d be happy with Lance Lynn for any 2 of the 3 right now…
@Mdgross, they’re more dead ponies than $9 Jefferies, so ride em while they’re still warm and find the next one when they’re cold.
@fri-guy, it’s just that Quentin and Viciedo have real, seemingly predictable, power that doesn’t belong on the waiver wire. I could be overrating homers I guess. Not sure about Rios.
@Mdgross, having taken “Party Girl” Carlos Quentin home way more times than I respect myself for, he’s much more fun after a few beers than someone you’d take home to mom. Have fun while you can, but don’t expect anyone to be impressed. He’s also predicted to miss twice as many games as he hits home runs. Viciedo is an enigma (aka, Alex Gordon) and that’s not a good sales pitch. Just sayin.
@Mdgross, They’re not all that interesting from a trade perspective… Except in very deep leagues, most people will look at those guys as the same as hot players they can pick up off waivers…
Would you trade Stanton or Trout to buy low on J-Up?
@TheNewGuy, if it’s not a keeper league then trout
@TheNewGuy, Agree with ^
Better streamer tomorrow?
Parker @ ARIZ
Moore @ MIA
Thanks!
@LobBall, Moore
Got offered his BJ Upton and Hanson for my Kershaw and Milone?
@quimmy, Hold
@Grey, ty sir for all the advice
@quimmy, No problem…
So is “Greg Jefferies Rookie Card” the new glossary term for “any player that you know you’re supposed to sell, but can’t find a buyer”?
@Chillmodious, Could be…
@Grey, I like that idea a lot. My roster is loaded with GJRC’s.
It’s not a bad thing as long as they don’t depreciate too quickly…
Benching Latos vs. Detroit today?
@Bill S. Preston, Esq., In some leagues…
Right now there are 13 MLB teams hitting below .250 as a unit: from worst to least worst: Oak, Pitt, Padres, Rays, Mariners, Brewers, Nationals, Reds, Cubs, Twins, Marlins, Orioles, Jays. There are three teams hitting over .270: Rangers .282, Cardinals .276, Red Sox .272.
I am finding something that is slightly counter-intuitive in fantasy this year though I think I am kind of getting my head around it. Teams that are loaded up on pitching seem to be succeeding where teams loaded up on hitting are failing. It would seem on the surface to be the opposite as hitting is scarce therefore you need to grab more of it.
But in reality, because pitching is abundant, the spreads between each team in each of the 4 primary categories (saves excluded) is broader. You can create more seperation. As offense becomes more scarce the races tighten and more can be done through good use of waivers and good stewardship in general. Playing time becomes the primary consideration as opposed to having stars on offense. That’s my take anyway.
@OaktownSteve, Could be confirmation bias about loading up on pitching… Would need to see some kind of stats… I think my RCL team has every player hitting below .250…
@Grey, My NFBC team is so sad. Hundley awful and playing hurt. Freeman hurt but not DLd multiple times. Kelly Johnson hurt not DL’d. Aramis hurt not DL’d just when he starts to warm up. Farnsworth hurt before season starts. Ellsbury hurt. Upton hurt vagina. On and on.
Maybe I’ll hook up with the magnificent Vin Wins to mine some RCL data and test a hypothesis.
I feel your hurt/playing guys… Yeah, you should ask VinWins…
@OaktownSteve, Are you referring to “hitting” as just hitting for average though? 4 of those 13 teams you mentioned are top-10 in HRs.
By “loaded up on pitching” do you mean out of the draft like they took pitchers in the first two rounds, or teams that are streaming a ton?
@MattTruss223, I mean 5 roto categories for hitting and I’m not sure what I mean by loading up on pitching. I’m trying to put some definition around it in my mind now. One component is that I feel like there are more teams dominating pitching and competing in hitting than dominating hitting and competing in pitching if you follow me.
@OaktownSteve, Definetly follow. That’s actaully how it’s worked out in both of my roto leagues. Excluding SVs in my RCL the league leader has 41.5 /48 (86%) pitching points and 47 /60 (78%) hitting points. In my Y! Pro League, league leader has 43 /48 (~90%) pitching points and 44 /60 (73%) hitting points. It also doesn’t hurt that both of those teams are first in SVs also though.
So, your hypothesis is that if you have great pitching and can manage your offense, you’ll suceed? Sounds kosher. I say, just draft what pitchers Grey says and you’ll be good to go!
H2H Points league:
Alex Rios or Krispie Young RoS
@Jake, Krispie
@Grey, Not worried about Krispie’s shoulder no mo’?
@Wake Up, I am worried, but I’d still prefer him to Rios…
@Grey, Just wondering because I am trying to decide what the shizz to do with Krispie myself…
Yeah, I wish Wilford Brimley’d dunk him in a pool or something…
@Grey, Ha! Maybe Gibbie should feed him and J Up some heart healthy oatmeal…
I just oatmeal and I don’t recommend for any under the age of 60… Damn cougar!
@Grey, Isn’t 60 more like a GILF?
Tomato-tomahto…
I’ve been fascinated by this Sean Doolittle guy since I heard about him last week. Here’s a cool little write-up about him and other position players turned pitchers, you might learn a thing or two about a pitcher many of us grabbed this year:
http://www.athleticsnation.com/2012/6/8/3071832/how-unique-is-sean-doolittle
@MattTruss223, Nice will have to read later…
Indians pitching prospect Chen-Chang Lee will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery. The surgery is rumored to be completed in only 15 minute, but be hungry again in an hour.
@Wake Up, Ha
Which side do you want?
Matt Moore + David Murphy or D Jennings + R Delgado
Jennings
Trying to pry Stanton away from someone. I’m wanting to offer J-Up and one of these SPs. Which one would you offer, and what do you think is fair:
Bum, Peavy, Latos, Stras, Moore, Norris, Lester?
Latos, Norris, Peavy, Moore…
Best streamer:
Diamond @ Cubs
Parker @ Arizona
Cahill v. Arizona
Thanks.
Cahill
Best short term pitcher add?
Buchholz
Norris
W.Y. Chen
…..
…..
…..
…..
…..
…..
…..
(Liriano)
Norris
[12tm / H2H / 5x5]
1. Pick one for ROS: Bud Norris, Jarrod Parker, Cahill.
2. Now that Youk has his 1B eligibility, do I still hold Smoak or drop him for one of Gregor Blanco/Rajai Davis/Mark Reynolds/Espinosa?
3. Three is actually C)
C) There is no “C)”
4. The podcast the other day was surprisingly good given the logistical issues that were forewarned. It was also my first Razzball podcast…and if I were Barry White it wouldn’t be my last, but definitely my everything.
5. Thank you.
1. Cahill 2. Grab Rajai for steals… Or hold for now… 3. Ha! 4. Thanks!
@Grey, I’ve seen a lot of people (including myself) asking about Parker vs. Cahill for this weekend and this season in general. Is the reason you’re endorsing Cahill due to the Parker roofie-factor, or is there some other specific criteria you’re weighing?
He’s safer… Could go with either based on matchups… Parker has more upside, obviously… Cahill is more long term…
Quick question RE: Braves SP. Delgado or stash Medlen? Or would you take Happ or Kendrick over the Braves SP? Deep league.
I’d stash Medlen…
Which side:
Bumgarner/hardy or Andrus/Samardzija
Fair?
Bum… It’s fair… Could go either way…
Ha at darvish note.
I am giving Herrera one gm at 3b over Lawrie (vs. Beachy). If this helps Lawrie so be it.
Lawrie’s owners appreciate your efforts…
No doodie in my next post. Like a true doo-doo connoisseur, we must know when to drop it, and when to spread it around.
Yes, agreed…
@Grey, However, anal rape is a gift that keeps on giving.
Olivo or Kurt Suzuki rest of the way?
@Peter, Olivo
****THERE’S A NEW POST FOR FOLLOWUPS****
If it’s back to the DL for Old Johnny Six-Feet with this hamstring thing, who do we like as short-time grab in a utility spot? Rios, LaRoche, Wiggy, Middlebrooks?
There’s a new post…
@Grey, guess I’ll just dance with the Freak that brung me.