Kelvim’s at Absolute Zero
June 12, 2009
Category: Fantasy Baseball Daily Notes
Kelvim Escobar was sent to the bullpen. His value goes from potentially good to potentially nothing. Scioscia said Escobar will be pitching out of the bullpen for the rest of the season. Scioscia also said Brandon Wood would start at shortstop two years ago and said Arredondo, the guy now in the minors, would be the closer and he said Rex Hudler’s got the best herb, when he wants to get wiggy with Figgy. Escobar will probably start games again in a month or two. But even if that is the case, he’s about as good to you now as those X-ray glasses you bought out of the back of a comic book when you were twelve. Matt Palmer gets a boost in value, which is to say he actually has value now. Palmer’s K/9 is 5.48. Not great. His BABIP is .228, that’s pretty lucky. He’s rocking a 4.06 ERA right now, that’ll go up. In AL-Only leagues, Palmer’s worth a spot, but he’s probably on a team already. In mixed leagues, 15 or deeper? Sure, but I wouldn’t touch him in 12 team leagues outside of matchups. Friday vs. the Padres is a good matchup. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Ervin Santana – 4 2/3 IP, 6 ER. Member when he was only good at home? Yeah, now he’s not good anywhere. I think he’s headed for the Disgraceful List.
Matt Joyce – The return of Burrell pushes Joyce back to Triple-A. Hopefully, he gets a real chance at some point.
Pat Burrell – He skipped his Single-A rehab assignment and, instead, will sit the bench for the next six games then be back in the DH spot when interleague’s over. This is fascinating to me. He was going to DH in a rehab game? So he gets four ABs against a Single-A pitcher? He couldn’t get that in batting practice? Then he returns to sit the bench for a week? The guy running the local Dairy Queen could make better decisions than some big league clubs. A Sour Worm Blizzard is brilliant compared to this.
Hanley Ramirez – Sat out for a normal day of rest. What’s Hanley doing this year? 8/8? Who are you, Shin-Soo Choo? The Marlins have been threatening to put the brakes on Hanley for a few years now. I think they finally manned up and told him to chillax. Last year he only stole 12 bases in the 2nd half. Now with his groin flare-up (no, not in that way) and the Marlins realizing he’s their bread and butter, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a 25/25 year. Still a great year for a shortstop, just not what you might’ve thought you were getting.
Chien-Ming Wang – Will stay in the rotation for one more turn. Just because Hankenstein’s sticking with him, doesn’t mean you need to.
Zach Greinke – 7 1/3 IP, 3 ER. Okay, I get the whole great-season-let’s-countdown-to-his-Cy-Young thing. But is “Greinke Suffers a No-Decision” really a headline? Suffering from indecision maybe.
Willy Taveras – He relies on his legs and they’re hurting him. Right now, he’s AGNOF! The S is really critical.
Chad Qualls – Got the save. I need saves in the league I own him in and I hate seeing him come into the game, not a great place to be.
Max Scherzer – 7 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 6 Ks, only 4 baserunners vs. the Giants. I like Scherzer, so don’t read too much into this, but Schierholtz and Juan Uribe were the two and three hole hitters. Hitting sixth, Kevin Frandsen with an .071 average on the year. Protecting him was Eli Whiteside. Didn’t he win the Nobel for his book, Night? A Giants split squad game would be a 0-0 tie called on account of darkness.
Derrek Lee – HR yesterday. .367 in June after hitting .313 in May. The steals look like they’ll never come back, so he might be Lyle Overbay in disguise.
Ian Stewart – 12th homer, or one less than Ryan Braun. In Yahoo, Stewart has 2nd and 3rd base eligibility. Cust kayin’.
Nomar Garciaparra – Had an MRI done on his calf. Who insures this guy?
Luke Scott – Hit his 14th homer yesterday. All he does is hit home runs! No, really, that’s all he does.
Gavin Floyd – 8 IP, 1 ER. He’ll be in this afternoon’s Buy/Sell. You can hardly wait.
Edwin Jackson – 5 IP, 2 ER, 9 baserunners. Whoa, don’t you dare go back to being mediocre. Armando Galarraga’s filling that role.
Clete Thomas – Went from batting 3rd to being optioned to the minors. Ah, yes, perfect sense. Don Kelly will be recalled. I’m assuming he’ll slot right into the three hole next.
John Maine – Headed to the DL with a sore shoulder. Hey, a couple of days ago he had a dead arm. Sore is progress.
David Wright – 3-for-4 and stole his 17th base as he tries to challenge Alex Rios’s 2008 season as the most perplexing in recent memory.
Joe Beimel – Got the save yesterday as Acta pulled the old banana-in-the-tailpipe on MacDougal owners. MacDougal is supposedly still the closer, he had just worked too many days in the row. The Nats might be the only team where their announced closer is the only one that doesn’t get saves.
Ricky Romero – 6 1/3 IP, 1 ER. I liked him for a while in April, then he went to the DL and I got bored. Now he’s back (from outer space), he’s an ‘okay’ flier in deeper mixed leagues, but he’s been getting lucky with men left on base. I’d be careful.
Kevin Millwood – 7 2/3 IP, 0 ER. Would you believe he has a 2.72 ERA on the year? That’s not rhetorical. Seriously, I had no idea. I own him on an AL-Only team and I didn’t even know that. Maybe he’s having one of those renaissance years. But then he’d be walking around saying, “Good morrow, Kinsler!” and “Davis, fetch me some mead!”
Ross Gload – 2 HRs. Army with harmony…Dave, drop a Gload on him! What? Nothing? Oh, well. I got the reference.
Todd Wellemeyer – 6 IP, 5 ER. Gload’s on you, Jack! What? Still nothing? Hmm…
Ryan Franklin – 14th save, 1.14 ERA on the year. Next year, he’s going to be so overvalued. People are gonna be like, “Franklin had a sub-2 ERA. He’s the bee’s elbows, knees and toes!”
Javier Vazquez – 8 IP, 1 ER, 12 Ks. Then Rafael Soriano threw Javy’s one bad inning for him giving up 2 runs.
Raul Ibanez – HR yesterday. After the home run, he declared a fatwa on the whole Midwest.
Tags: Chad Qualls, Chien-ming Wang, Clete Thomas, David Wright, Derrek Lee, Edwin Jackson, Ervin Santana, fantasy baseball, Gavin Floyd, Hanley Ramirez, Ian Stewart, Javier Vazquez, Joe Beimel, John Maine, Kelvim Escobar, Kevin Millwood, Luke Scott, Matt Joyce, Max Scherzer, Nomar Garciaparra, Pat Burrell, Raul Ibanez, Ricky Romero, Ross Gload, Ryan Franklin, Todd Wellemeyer, Willy Taveras, Zach Greinke
June 12th, 2009 at 1:00 am
And we ALL remember what happened last time a fatwa was declared on the whole midwest. I’m looking at you, Dust Bowl.
June 12th, 2009 at 1:25 am
Kelvim at Absolute Zero, ah how I love a good science pun
June 12th, 2009 at 3:00 am
@Everyone: Need some help guys. Head to Head Points league, and I’m in a tough matchup. I need to max out on starts to keep up with the guy im facing so here is my dilemma. I have 2 starts left and I am unsure who to use… Here are my options.
Zimmermann @ TB (Sonnanstine) – minor elbow soreness pushed his start back, tampa can obviously mash, but zimmz always gets you good K’s which helps alot in a points league
Nolasco @ TOR (Halladay) – he was mediocre his first start back. Halladay is the toughest pitcher to face off against which doesn’t bode well for a win. I don’t know why, I just really have the urge to use him. Big mistake?
Willis @ PIT (Ohlendorf) – Pittsburgh has the lowest OPS and 2nd least runs vs lefties in the NL. Ohlendorf is the definition of pedestrian. Willis has been CRAZY wild lately though with 5 walks in each of his last 2 starts… can i trust him?
Gaudin @ LAA (Palmer) – Gaudin’s K’s are nice, but somedays he walks every1 in the ballpark. Angels lineup isn’t what it once was, with Abreu lacking pop, and Vlad not himself. What do you think?
Who do you guys think I should go with?
June 12th, 2009 at 3:16 am
@Joe from Point Pleasant: Eesh. I’m in a points league too, and those are some rough choices. I would rule out Zimmermann, because TB is lights out right now, and you certainly can’t count on the Nats offense (even with Sonnanstine serving up the Gopherballs); and I think I would rule out Nolasco – I’m like you in that I like him, I think he’s gotten a bad rap, and I think he’s got a big second half ahead of him. That said, I think his psyche’s still fragile (hopefully he hasn’t been talking to K. Greene & J. Votto), and the Jays have been a pretty sick offense at home. I don’t like Willis or Gaudin, but the truth is the Angels aren’t the offense they’ve been in recent years (they have a few big holes in their lineup), and the Pirates… I mean, they’re bound to be no-hit at least once this year, right? So anyways, I go Gaudin & (gulp) Willis.
June 12th, 2009 at 3:17 am
@john: It’s stuff like that that reminds me I’m not smart enough for this blog.
June 12th, 2009 at 3:22 am
Ah, man, I just processed the drop of CJ Wilson for McDougall. Of course, CJ gets the save and McDougall is passed up for Beimel. Should I just ignore the Nats and stick with CJ for awhile?
June 12th, 2009 at 3:26 am
@knighttown: Depending on how fast they sign Storen, the Nats could have another closer soon. I think I’d stay away.
June 12th, 2009 at 3:27 am
@jbatkins: Thanks a lot for the advice… I just realized there were a couple other options…
Hammel vs SEA (Vargas) – he is absolutely awful at home… awfulllllll!!! but so is seattle.
Janssen vs FLA (West) – he has been veryyyy mediocre as a starter and gives up a ton of hits. that could hurt me in points league since every hit is -5 pts.
Feldman vs LAD (Wolf) – he has been so consistent, giving me 6 innings and 2-3 er every start even vs the yankees. in that launching pad he is very scary though, especially vs a team who mashes, andddd gets to add a DH they don’t normally get to have.
Dont really like any of these starts either, but hey, it couldn’t hurt to throw them in the mix. the other options are exactly stupendous. Let me know if that changes anything.
June 12th, 2009 at 3:33 am
@Joe from Point Pleasant: You know when you just have those feelings? Well, I’ve got one about Willis. I think I’d throw him out there. (that said, I can’t say I’d be surprised if he got rocked, either). And I think Gaudin is just a better pitcher than the additional pitchers you offer up. The only one I would take a second look at is Feldman, I think.
Sorry man. I wish I could give you the easy answer, like “Go with Lincecum and Sabathia.” I think you’ve got to go with your gut and be prepared for the possibility of negative points (sorry, I know that’s not what you wanted to hear).
June 12th, 2009 at 3:43 am
@jbatkins: haha i think i completely agree with you on Willis, and I am most likely going to use him. He faces a pitcher a few times through the lineup which is nice. Pitt is absolutely awful vs lefties.
As, far as the other guy… i’m really torn. Gaudin, Hammel, Nolasco, Feldman, Zimmermann, Janssen… ughhhh very tough.
I’m dyingggg to see whay Grey has to say about this dilemma of mine. I know he said he is using Hammel in one of his leagues but his numbers @ coors are scary.
June 12th, 2009 at 3:50 am
@Joe from Point Pleasant: Well good luck with it. Now I’m off to work, which, unfortunately, does not pertain in any way at all to fantasy baseball.
June 12th, 2009 at 3:53 am
@ grey :
nice stuff , as usual .
BUT , in the millwood description , you’ve used the words “good” and “morrow” together .
truely fantasy .
June 12th, 2009 at 4:01 am
@grey- Dave drop a Gload on em…Everything’s gonna be allright, everything’s gonna be allright….
June 12th, 2009 at 4:09 am
or maybe it was OPP, all thos NBN songs run together for me. Uptown Anthem’s still the best though.
June 12th, 2009 at 4:42 am
question on my catcher Iannetta who has been crushing me all season. Is he going to come around or should I start looking at waiver wire Hanigan or Olivo. I was shocked to see that Millwood had such a great ERA what is happening in Texas. Thanks for all you do.
June 12th, 2009 at 4:51 am
@john: Ha! Nice.
June 12th, 2009 at 4:51 am
@grey: no one got the OPP reference?
June 12th, 2009 at 4:54 am
Pick 2:
Uggla, S. Drew, Hairston, Ian Stewart.
June 12th, 2009 at 4:54 am
Should I start Randy Wells in a 10 team league against the Twins? I’m already starting Slowey because of the lethargic Cubs offense.
The article titles are on fire this week.
June 12th, 2009 at 5:34 am
@sean: yeah you know me
June 12th, 2009 at 5:54 am
Anyone got Rex Hudler’s number?
June 12th, 2009 at 6:00 am
@BroadStreetBrawler: Uggla and Drew
June 12th, 2009 at 6:01 am
The Willy Taveras Story: When a SAGNOF becomes an AGNOF: Ain’t Got No Other Function.
The beautiful thing about the Nats pen is that it’s such a mess, and their starters are so bad, and they win so infrequently, that even the ostensible “closer” is always getting pulled in to pitch an inning here and two innings there, so that when the rare spotted, blue-breasted save opportunity is finally sighted, said “closer” can’t actually “close” because he’s just pitched 5 innings in three days.
So, yes — @knighttown: Keep Wilson for now. With Frank-Frank ailing, he might be worth more going forward in any case.
I asked a guy if he’d trade me one of his closers (he’s leading in saves) for Roy Oswalt. He offered me Mike McDougal. Can you be a closer if you haven’t actually recorded a save? Zen Question of the Day, Grasshoppers.
Memo to Leo Nunez: You shizz on my house! YOU SHIZZ ON MY HOUSE.
I stashed Burrell on my DL after he got dropped — of course, now I have no way of knowing if I should keep him since HE WON’T PLAY FOR A WEEK. So I guess I’ll have to chuck him, because otherwise I can’t make any other moves (Yahoo! rules).
My blahtastic team nearly hung the Golden Oh-Fer on me last night: zeroes across the board. No runs, no HRs, no ribbies, one steal (thanks Speedy Wrightzales!)
I hate those days when your scorecard looks like binary code:
0 1 0 0
0 0 0 0
0 1 0 0
0 0 0 1
0 0 1 0
etc.
June 12th, 2009 at 6:10 am
is it “army with harmony” or “arm me with harmony”?
regardless, I’m down with Other People Pwnson’d.
June 12th, 2009 at 6:26 am
Nomar’s insurance provider is obviously Lloyds of Llondon, who incidentally provide hoof insurance for Llary the Llama.
Just thought I’d help clear that one up, carry on…………..
June 12th, 2009 at 6:28 am
In a very hitter-heavy league, I was just offered Orlando Hudson for Felix Hernandez. My initial inclination is to say “No way! I ain’t givin up King Felix for that scrub!” But they have scored essentially the same amount of points, and Hudson plays a position where it’s a lot harder to find points than Felix’s position. Whatchy’all think?
June 12th, 2009 at 6:39 am
Damn! It’s not that I was depending heavily on Escobar but I did think he would remain a starter for awhile. Now I’ve got decisions.
Who do you like as a FA pickup?
D Braden
A Bastardo
R Romero
J Zimmermann
Kawakami
P Hughes (Could get starting job back soon)
June 12th, 2009 at 6:41 am
@ Rob on Iannetta: He’s been swinging for the fences. Early this year, he was realllly really swinging for the fence. He had a low Linedrive rate and a very high flyball rate. He’s starting to hit better leading to an increased linedrive rate and a decreased flyball rate. I guess it’s looking a little better.
But of course, just leave the catcher undrafted and plug in whatever shmuck is hot for the last 14 days or so.
@jbatkins: what kind of league is this? If this was me, even if it is hitter-friendly. I’m keeping felix. It could go either way though. I just always find that you can get a decent 2B on the wire, but not any good pitchers. Orlando hudson does give you good consistency across the board, and in a while when manny does come back, he’s going to have an increase in a few numbers.
June 12th, 2009 at 6:41 am
@jbatkins: I think I just traded away Hudson too in a combo that netted me Cano. Hudson’s probably going to give good R’s and BA but that’s it. I would not give Felix away for him.
Any FA’s at 2b with a pulse in your league?
June 12th, 2009 at 6:43 am
@ Frank Rizzo: They are all relatively new pitchers, being in their first couple of years in the league, so you are going to get your struggles. If I were you, I’d just play some matchups.
June 12th, 2009 at 6:52 am
Tony Bastard and Kawasaki have the same teams, diffferent venues. Bastard get Boston and Baltimore Home. Kawasaki gets Baltimore and Boston away. But Atlanta’s offense is non-existent.
I have watched Il Bastard pitch a couple of times, mostly fastball pitcher, mid 90’s. But interleague has been tough on the Sillies the past few years. Last year, they blew their first place standing when they were horrible during an interleague session. This year, they get the Yanks, Jays, Bosox, Orioles and Rays. They already took 2 of 3 from the Yanks, and they are playing pretty well right now (just finished a roadtrip to LAD and MYM with a 7-3 mark.).
But they have been a below .500 team at home this year. Still, I like the kids moxie on the mound. IL BASTARD!!!!!!
June 12th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Grey and Rudy- just an FYI. Twice already this morning I’ve gotten an error page popping up when I try to access the site. Some error message about Razzball being over the CPU per minute allowed by your web provider.
If I get it again, I’ll save a screenshot for you.
June 12th, 2009 at 7:13 am
@jbatkins: Hudson has been hitting 3rd a lot with Manny out, a trend that won’t continue after 7/3. Thus, his inflated RBI total will not last. The O Dog (love it when Scully says that) will only help in 2 categories, but the King will provide much more.
June 12th, 2009 at 7:15 am
Every year I draft Kelvim and every year (except for one) he lets me down.
RE: Qualls, I have the same issue but I was looking at his numbers last night and I don’t know what I’m so worried about. The PitchFX doesn’t have me worried at all. The forearm issue has me concerned but I love what he’s doing with his walks this year. Very chic
June 12th, 2009 at 7:17 am
@Hardcore Midget: Got the same thing once. Happens occasionally, usually goes away in a few minutes.
If I’m picking up an extra outfielder, should it be Rowand or Juan Rivera? I’m leaning toward Rivera, I feel he’s more likely to maintain his production.
Great morning update as usual, my first stop after my email and league page.
June 12th, 2009 at 7:22 am
what does everyone see from jurrjens from this point forward?
June 12th, 2009 at 7:36 am
Who has more value at OF, Colby Rasmus or Nolan Reimold?
June 12th, 2009 at 7:43 am
@EricB: not sure, i like rasmus. i think he has a huge 2nd half (think nick markakis type).
June 12th, 2009 at 7:46 am
I know, I’m torn between the two. Rasmus hits in front of Pujols. Reimold has shown more power so far though.
June 12th, 2009 at 7:57 am
If I could get a league mate to take Ervin Santana and Adam Dunn and get back Torii Hunter and Javier Vazquez, should I do it? Do you think Hunter will keep it up?
June 12th, 2009 at 8:09 am
@Eric B: I think that Rasmus does. Why? Because he’s already taken his lumps, seen his slumps, yet still triumphs. He is hitting like a monster lately, and he has all the tools of a future stud. Reimold is as hot as I can see him getting yet he is only hitting .270… Reimold turns into a Luke Scott type in time… With Rasmus think Hunter Pence but with 30 HR power.
June 12th, 2009 at 8:09 am
@ThePoonTycoon: jurrjens = joe saunders
June 12th, 2009 at 8:11 am
@EricB: Rasmus gets NL Central pitching!
June 12th, 2009 at 8:18 am
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Nunez and Delcarmen, on my bench were on a conference call and discussed how to lay a big steamy pile on Millwood’s night. It worked!
June 12th, 2009 at 8:25 am
In a 12 team 5 x 5 Keeper League where I need help with runs, Avg and SBs how would you rate G. Parra, Francisco, Morales and Kendrick going forward versus some potential pickups like Podsednik, Overbay, Brendan Ryan, Eckstein, Gwynn, Gardner and uber prospect Rodrgiuez.
June 12th, 2009 at 8:28 am
@jbatkins: haha, yea i understand..half the culture/book/other references go right over my head, but throw in a science/tech/math joke or reference and i’m on top of it like the closet nerd i am
@jbatkins: Ha!
@john: The ladies too!
@Schlitzy: OPP
@big o: Hehe
@Rob: I’d hold on Iannetta.
@sean: I guess a few did. Nice.
@Guancous: Thanks. I wouldn’t in a ten team league.
@Jobu’s rum: Ha!
@BigFatHippo: Hehe
@Hardcore Midget: Yeah, I tried to talk to the web server company and they tell me they’re looking into it. Very frustrating. But I don’t know what else to do. It does go away after a few minutes.
@Critter Nagurski: Chic indeed — Ha!
@mgeoffriau: Rivera for power. Rowand for a very little of power and speed.
@Nathan: I’d want Hunter/Vazquez.
@Euroalien: Podsednik, Gwynn, Parra — That’s more for steals than average, but steals are harder to find.
June 12th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Wait a minute — Armando Galarraga has been promoted to “mediocre”? Why wasn’t I notified??
June 12th, 2009 at 8:45 am
@Grey – Rex Hudler not only had the best geriatric weed, he also ate a giant junebug for an $800 bet with his teamates. One of his series of quotes:
“Cheese on my knees, broke the dish in two. Blew the pitch on by, wouldn’t wanna be you!” You have to be on good ganja to come up with something like that.
Are you intimating that the real TB Rays general manager is Wendell the Worm, Yucky’s Ace Reporter?
Picked up Millwood last week. I didn’t notice him either, as I would never think of picking up a Ranger starting pitcher. Nolan Ryan seems to be producing magic on the Texas staff.
Watch out about Gloud. I believe that he was a Met for 7 days. He halved David Wright’s homer total in one game. In April, KC traded him for a player to be named later. Maybe they can pull a Harry Chiti, and name Gloud the player to be named later.
Great stuff. Picked up 5 points in RCL, so all is right with the world.
June 12th, 2009 at 8:57 am
good god, yes! grey–gentleman, scholar, funny man–i salute you.
@john:
@Just Another Steve: Hehe
@Paulie Allnuts: I wasn’t intimating that, but I guess I could’ve been. Hud does have some smoke-inspired sayings. Good idea with Chiti.
@meniskus lewinsky: Thanks!
June 12th, 2009 at 9:10 am
So, my 5-man staff’s striking fear into the heart of the infidels (verlander, Vazquez, Weaver, Beckett, Bedard), but my plans to have Kelvim fill in as #6 have failed. I have a secure lead in K’s (and K’s are easier to come by in spot starts than ERA guys), do I go with Cook, De La Blowsa, Bastardo, a resurgent Andrew Miller (not really buying, are you?), Gaudin, Clayton Richard or Braden? If you could rank your favorite three, that’d be sick
@cubbies299: Cook, De La Rosa, Gaudin…. But I’d really just go with Cook in your situation.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Im desperate in saves and someone offered Gregg straight up for Beckett. Will I be giving too much?
@G: Too low.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:23 am
@cubbies299: With those options, none are really consistent, you may want to spot start with matchups until you find someone you like.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Which side is getting better deal? Pujols for Ryan Howard/Dan Haren
June 12th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Qualls: I finally sat him yesterday, not liking his forearm issues, and he of course got a save. But it looked like a hairy one (hairy saves are disgusting!). I’m still sitting him until further notice.
Millwood: an RHP facing the Jays, of course he was going to have a fine outing! Nolasco is therefore also a good play today..
June 12th, 2009 at 9:36 am
@Grey: Isn’t Peralta a 2nd half hitter?
I seem to remember him catching fire either last year or the year before after his job was threatened, and then he started smacking them outta the park.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:37 am
@Joe from Point Pleasant: i’d really just go with zimmermann and nolasco and maybe feldman…zim and nolasco have the best peripherals of the bunch and you’ll kick yourself a lot more for starting a bum like willis if he gets rocked…if zim or nolasco gets rocked, you’ll probably at least get 10 K’s combined. zimmermann’s got a great k/bb, too.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:38 am
I’m trying to sell Matt Cain for a bat and the only decent offer has been Troy Tulowitski. Should I pull the trigger or wait for a better deal? I’m stacked at pitching with Haren, C-Bills, Shields, Lackey, Cain, Ubaldo and Meche.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:40 am
@G: oh dear god that is way too much. As a cubs fan, I’m getting the same vibes out of him that I got from Dempster when he was closing. Every save’s a roller coaster ride. Though on the upside, maybe that means he’ll turn into a sub 3 ERA all star starter next year. You want to trade someone who’s taken no hitters into the 6th and 4th inning respectively in his last 2 starts for someone with 1 foot out the 9th inning door?
June 12th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Grey,
Rollins or BJ Upton in a keeper league?
@J.P.: Howard/Haren
@DrEasy: Hairy saves — ha!
@Doug Ault: He’s hit half as many homers in the past two years post-All-Star Break though he did hit for a better average 2nd half of last year.
@sucklingduck: You can do better. (Pun not intended, but unavoidable.)
@Suck My Wieters: Coin flip? I’d go Upton b/c of age.
June 12th, 2009 at 9:51 am
On today’s edition of “I Wish There Were Better Starters Available,” we ask the burning question… would you rather have Jordan Zimmerman or Scott Baker for the rest of the year?
Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?
@Lines: Baker
June 12th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Do you have enough faith in Zo to trade off Brian Roberts for some batting avg. help and just ride the Zobocop?
June 12th, 2009 at 10:02 am
@Corey Thanks for the input on Iannetta.
@Grey I will hold onto Iannetta. Looking forward to any type of production from him.
June 12th, 2009 at 10:03 am
@everyone: How do you like Drew for the rest of the season? I have an offer to trade away Nelson Cruz for Michael Young, and could pick someone like Cody Ross or Colby Rasmus up off of waivers to fill my Util spot.
Would Young be enough of an upgrade over Drew to warrant giving up Cruz?
Also, thanks for the Kelvim news, dropped him for CJ Wilson whom I didn’t have a spot for.
@cubbies299: Zobocop — ha. Roberts is kinda batting average help, unless you mean going after Ichiro. Then I would trade Roberts. So it depends on who you’re getting.
@Lava: I’d want Cruz over Young.
June 12th, 2009 at 10:08 am
I hate to make a long winded post that most of you guys won’t read, but I’m stumped as to what to do in my 10man roto keeper league and was hoping for some help. We keep any 5 offense and 5 pitching (3SP/2RP) each year. No limit on how long you keep players. 6×6 with OBP and Holds as the extra 2 categories. 1500 IP max.
I’m currently in 2nd place, top 3 of all offensive categories. My pitching is middle of the pack (despite my staff) mainly because of bad starts with some guys who got dropped earlier, and terrible terrible luck with middle relievers all year (Shields, Putz, Balfour to name a few).
Offense: Mauer (k), Berkman, Stewart, Rollins (k), Wright (k), Lowell, Ibanez, Beltran (k), Pence, BJ Upton (k), Adam Jones
Bench: Ethier, Pierre, Gamel, Rasmus
Starters: Lincecum (k), Billingsley (k), Peavy (k), Sabathia, Liriano, Slowey
Relievers: Nathan (k), Street (k), Capps, Nunez, Motte
——————
Trade 1: Rollins/Jones/Lowell for Hanley/Vlad/waiver fodder
Trade 2: Berkman/Jones/Sabathia for Pujols/Lester/waiver fodder
Do you guys take either of these trades? I have a lot of depth at OF it seems so I’m stuck benching some productive players. If I made Trade 1 I’d try to flip Vlad immediately for anyone biting on his name. If I made Trade 2 I’d probably pick up Danks from the waivers. Thoughts?
June 12th, 2009 at 10:13 am
What do you think about trading Soriano for Kevin Youkilis. There stats are pretty even and I need a major upgrade at 3B with only Chris Davis. You think this is a fair trade for me? thanks in advance
June 12th, 2009 at 10:15 am
@Grey: Sorry, I was initially trying to deal Victorino for Caballo, which would be avg. help. But yeah, Bri rob for Carlos isn’t. Still, I’m first in steals, and I’d love to get Carlos’ raking bat in my lineup.
June 12th, 2009 at 10:20 am
@grey That’s what my girlfriend’s mom told her about her ex-boyfriend. I can see the regret in her eyes whenever we go over for dinner.
What caliber hitter should I reach for with Cain? His wins are nice but his mediocre peripherals have some owners leery. With Reyes and Quentin out I’m in need of all the standard hitting categories. I’ll say it again, Razzball is the shite!
June 12th, 2009 at 10:23 am
@Grey: My inning count is getting a little high on a team where I have Lincecum already starting tonite.Do I get greedy and start Wells against the Twinkies also?
@bobbo: I don’t like either trade for you. You’re giving up too much. Rollins/Jones should get Hanley and if it doesn’t, you don’t need it. Berk/Jones should get Pujols, again, if not, then oh well.
@G: It is fair.
@sucklingduck: Ha! I’d want at least Drew if I was going for a SS.
@Doug Ault: Don’t start him.
June 12th, 2009 at 10:36 am
@Grey: Safe to start Wells if I need starts?
@BigFatHippo: It’s risky. I would in some situations, but not others. 12 team mixed? It’s okay.
June 12th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Safe to start Tommy Hanson at Baltimore tonight?
June 12th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Thanks Grey!
June 12th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Start Hart, Reimold, Dukes, or Bourn for the next 3 days?
June 12th, 2009 at 10:54 am
random question:
if the draft were today, how high would you draft nelson cruz? how about longoria?
random link: (MLB park factors)
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/parkfactor?sort=runsFactor&season=2009
i like to look at this site from time to time. strange that minute maid (astros) is one of the top HR parks, but on of the bottom Runs parks. what’s your guess as to that explanation?
June 12th, 2009 at 10:55 am
@BigFatHippo:
just put small money on the cubs … before i read your post … hope it doesn’t jinx you .
too late to change your mind ?
@Eric H.: I would.
@Lines: You’re welcome.
@Greg: Bourn for steals, Reimold for power, Dukes for probationary measures.
@albertalbert: Cruz would be around the 6th round. Longoria’s a 1st rounder. re: Minute Maid — Lots of solo HRs? Not sure, that’s weird.
June 12th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Very close to pulling the trigger on this deal. Wondering what you think?
I get: J. Vazquez, AssDribble Cabrera, Posada
I Give: E. Santana, Michael Young, Joe Mauer
Thanks!
June 12th, 2009 at 11:22 am
@Grey:
i agree with you about longoria, but i say cruz sneaks into the 3rd round. hamilton made his huge jump last year, and more and more people are drawing that comparison now. cruz’s only obstacle before was his own brain, as opposed to talent, and he appears to have figured that out.
@Nathan: Eh, it’s okay. Two downgrades for one major upgrade. I probably wouldn’t do it unless I had some better than Asdrubal to fill in at MI and really needed the pitching help.
******TAKE FOLLOWUPS TO THE NEWEST POST.******
June 12th, 2009 at 11:35 am
@albertalbert: Agreed, 265/30/20/80/100 seems like a very conservative ‘09 for him. No way does that slip into the 6th round. Those stats look pretty Sorianoish.
@Scott: @albertalbert: He asked if you were drafting right now, so I estimated with the 6th round since he still is a bit of an unknown. Next year, if he keeps it up, then yes, he’d be higher.
******TAKE FOLLOWUPS TO THE NEWEST POST.******
June 12th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Love the OPP ref — nice.
June 13th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Please help me rank these starting pitchers: Kevin Slowey, Tommy Hanson, Wandy, and John Smoltz.
Also, until Reyes returns from the waiver wire, if ever, am I better off going with Yunel Escobar or Stephen Drew?
Thanks.
June 13th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
@Grey: Sorry for the re-post, but I could sure use an opinion from you.
Please help me rank these starting pitchers: Kevin Slowey, Tommy Hanson, Wandy, and John Smoltz.
Also, until Reyes returns from the waiver wire, if ever, am I better off going with Yunel Escobar or Stephen Drew?
June 15th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
A little late coming… but does no one realize Kevin Millwood has a monstrously high LOB% and low BABIP and -1.99 ERA – FIP differential? Couple that with a weak 4.9 K/9 and 1.78 K/BB and he looks pretty awful to me. Thoughts?
@Nick: Agreed, Millwood’s looking like a classic sell guy. That is if anyone’s actually buying, which I doubt.