If I may jump into the cavern of your noggin for a moment, you’re probably thinking, “Lastings Milledge — isn’t he that failed prospect the Mets gave up on?” Slow your roll there. He’s only 23 years old. Or maybe you’re thinking, “I could’ve sworn I remember seeing Milledge on my league’s waivers last year.” You’re right; Milledge clogged up outfields last year with non-digestible tools causing many to drop him. Through the end of July last year, Milledge was at 7 home runs, 13 steals and a .237 average. re: those numbers, They’re awful! Don’t go back and look again. You’ll go blind like the Blind Art Garfunkel on American Idol. Yet, through all of this, I still think Milledge is a 2009 fantasy sleeper. Hear’s Y as an illiterate wood right.
After Milledge spent fourteen/sixteenths of his 2008 vomiting onto Bowden’s Segway, from August to October, Milledge spent his time polishing those same wheels. In the last 50+ games, he beat his early season numbers, hitting 7 home runs and stealing 11 with a .318 average. You can refer to him the same way you refer to the guy who works at Home Depot, “Hey, Toolsy!” He’s also a Bowden Fluffer. According to the Razzball Glossary, a Bowden Fluffer is defined as a young, nubile outfielder that gets one all excited about their 5 tools. Rarely lives up to the promise. Named after ex-Nationals GM Jim Bowden who had a boner for these types of players. So, if you draft Lastings Milledge in your 2009 fantasy baseball draft, it could mean a cheap 20/20 hitter, but, most importantly, Jim Bowden will get wood. And where he’s going, he might need it. As I said in the top 40 outfielders for 2009 post, Lastings Milledge has promise for this year and he’s definitely a 2009 fantasy sleeper.
The thing that scares me about him is the fact that he only took 38 walks last year Vladimir Guerrero thinks this guy is a free swinger.
@Eric W: There’s very few guys that are a lock for 20 steals and have 20+ HR power that are being taken where Milledge is. BTW, I hear Billy Butler likes to take a walk.
Millege or Dukes?
Millege has the edge on sbs, but Dukes has more power and actually gets on base at a legit clip, maybe more runs than Lastings.
I’m sure you know but:
CHONE says .263 17 homers 14 steals in 396 Dukes abs
.279 13 homers 19 steals in 455 Millege abs
Seems like a tossup
@ Grey: (H2H Points League) With Lindstrom shut down 7-10 days (good call) is Nunez worth a pick up if it means dropping Maholm? My SPs are Billingsley, Shields, Danks, Slowey, Carmona starting and S. Baker and Maholm on my bench. My RPs are Valverde and F. Francisco with Percival and Gregg on the bench. Please advice.
You may also advice me to drop Iwamura, Kouz, Brandon Wood, Lind, Morales, or Dukes (I do actually like all of these guys on my bench)
@bpasinko: Dukes has more upside and more risk. I’d put Milledge reaching 450 ABs at about a 75% chance and Dukes getting to 400 ABs is about 50%.
@Juice: Drop Iwamura.
As if anyone can forget L Millz’s lyrical wizardry on Manny D’s track titled “Bend Ya Knees”
So much ice, I got diamonds in my spokes
True pimps get chose by the top-notch hos
For me and my soldiers, a different bitch for every night
And if anyone wants to see L Millz flexin Huxtable style, visit http://www.souljaboirecords.com/media.htm
Is Dukes an injury risk? I’m uneducated on that front.
Nats have an obscene amount of OFs but they’d have to be complete idiots to not give Millege and Dukes every healthy at bat they can, hard to put it past them at this point, although jimbo is gone
@sean
At first I thought the dude on the far left was Lastings and I thought, “HELL YEAH, I’m drafting this guy.”
Now that I see that Lastings is guy in the argyle sweater I think I’ll go with Dukes. Lastings is too motherf***in’ soft…
I think Milledge hits a few more homers in those ABs than proj. by CHONE.
@sean: Milledge is reading this thread and miming capping you.
@bpasinko: He’s a bit injury-prone and he’s a head case.
@papasmurf: I agree.
So, Grey, what do you know about this Jordan Zimmerman guy for the Nats who no one seems to be able to touch. Pitched today, 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K. Should we be watching this guy?
@aconstipatedmonkey: The Nats are terrible on defense, but Zimemrman’s going to need a post dedicated to him. He’s a solid real life #2, fantasy #4 to 5 guy, assuming he makes the club.
@Grey: A bit off-topic, but I see that Teahen has gone deep again today. He’s RF-eligible in my H2H league. Tell me I shouldn’t be dropping Upton, Justin for him.
@Steve: You should be dropping Upton for him. He’ll be nice if he gets 2nd base eligibility.
@Grey: I have Utley at 2nd (and we have no Corner or Middle Infidels), so the 2B eligibility is not such a big deal.
Still make the move?
If the Royals actually stick Teahen at 2B, would Gordon/Aviles/Teahen/Jacobs be the worst defensive infield ever?
@Steve: My bad, I meant to say you should NOT be dropping Upton for him. Sorry, Steve.
@JR: Potentially.
@Grey: NNNNNNOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Joking.
I’ll continue to sweat on that Up-ton Up-side.
Cole Hamels to have elbow examined Tuesday, aaauuuggghhhh, where’s Dr Kevorkian when you need him?
@Grey: Regarding dropping Iwamura for Nunez, do you think Nunez nails down the CL job all season and worth dropping Iwamura or you just not that into Iwamura, kinds like how Dillion was not really into Brenda once Kelly was an option.
@BigFatHippo: Yup, this’ll probably be the post tomorrow. Things don’t sound good.
@Juice: I just don’t like Iwamura like how Dylan didn’t really like Brenda.
Hey Grey, analyze my friends team for me, he was the Champ this season but in my opinion this season he is way to pitching heavy. He is about to pickup Loney on waivers & I could pick him up and beat him out but i got A Gonzalez, Pena & J Lopez so no space for Loney. here it is if he gets Loney…
C-Iannetta
1B-Delgado
2B-Uggla
3B-Zimmerman
SS-H Ramirez
OF-Dye
OF-Rios
OF-M Ordonez
U-M Bradley
B-Loney
B-Thome
SP-Lincecum, Sabathia, Hamels
RP-F Rodriguez, Marmol, Wood, Percival
BN-Volstad, Meche, Smoltz
Now that I look at it, its not bad but still is RP heavy
* Champ last season
* He will be dropping someone from that team for Loney, forgot to mention that
Da Edge will slice you like a pound a fresh-cooked deli ham, son. Man, the Nats OF should have its own reality show…
All things being equal I’d rate Dukes slightly above Edge as a higher reward high risk guy. Long term I’d still put both these guys among the better young OF talents in baseball, but healthy/non-incarcerated Dukes could be crazy good. While a .386/.478 may be slightly over his head for him over an entire season (at least now), he’s certainly capable of putting up something close to that over any given season with a 20/20 lock. I’m still not completely sold on Edge’s power – Dukes seems like a more natural homerun hitter, while Edge had a higher ratio of two- and three-baggers in his minor league career.
As for Hamels…uh ohhhhh title defense…
@Grey: I may keep him anyway, was planning on having him around for 2 more years. Unless the news is catastrophic of course.
On a different note, you think Pudge becomes relevant now? Or let someone else overpay for him?
@Nick: It’s not terrible, but I’m not sure how deep this league is. I’ll assume a 12 team league, his hitting isn’t great though and he is too pitching heavy.
@Tarasco’sSecretStash: Ha! They should have their own reality show, like Real Chance at Love.
@BigFatHippo: Pudge — Blech.
10 Team League
@Nick: Oh, that offense is weak.
Agreed. I’m glad he needs to be shut up this season. His team name is Reigning Champs…
@Nick: Your goal is to take his team name from him.
as far as hamels goes, is he “I should try to trade him for what I can quickly before anyone realizes” bad?
@cubbies299: I wouldn’t trade him for 50 cents on the dollar if that’s what you’re asking, but I would consider fair offers.
how long do you think he’s out for?
@cubbies299: No idea, but he’s very injury-prone as it is, so he might lose a few starts or he might lose 15 starts.
you buying the hype on Brandon Wood or Jody Gerut this year? If so, should I drop Leo Nunez for either of them?
@cubbies299: Nah, hold Nunez.
@Grey: If he’s out till May, I’m still on board.
Could be a blessing in disguise, less innings, less wear and tear, better numbers in late season. Good lord, I’m such an optimist……..
@BigFatHippo: The empire is crumbling…
I traded Jeff Clement, Wang, and Scherzer for Iannetta and Lowe. I hope I didn’t bail on Scherzer too early.
Will Chris Davis play 3B at all this season?
I’m trying to trade Hamilton, Davis, and Halladay for Wright, Justin Upton, and Lackey.. But he thinks Davis will lose his 3B eligibility after this season, making him less valuable. So is there any chance he plays 3B like 10-15 games this year?
@Ashley: I think he will play the 10 games at 3rd, that’s not me endorsing that trade though. You’re giving up a lot for Wright, Upton and Lackey.
@Grey: Yeah it’s just that I think Wright will be more reliable and 3B is much more valuable than OF.
And I’m not happy about Davis striking out 16/40 atbats, kinda has me worried.
@Steve: Eh, I’ll just keep Halladay, Webb, Bills and Shields and you guys can vulture the carrion.
Might have to keep Cruz now, what you think Grey? For 5 bucks?
@Grey: grey,,big fat hippo referred you to me,,im in a 12 team keeper league,,rottiserie,,k`s and obp count for batters,300$ limit,,chamberlain-18,chris(please hit 275 and under 130 k`s) davis-5$,gallardo-10,josh (no brainer)hamilton 17,harden-9,kemp(2nd half k`s 49)15$,r.martin 11,brandon phillips 12,volquez-6,,,suggestions please,,,volquez scares me but i like him,,had jabba and gallardo for 2 years,,love them but nothing to show,,for 9 thinking harden is worth the risk,,pitching stats whip,w`s,l`s k`s,era,got beat by hippo last year only because of his starting pitchers in wich he is keeping,hammels,webb,billingsley,halladay and shields,,all help greatly appreciated,,will buy you a beer
@BigFatHippo: There he is! Take it easy, big fella.
grey,,sorry,,,can only keep 6 of these
@AL KOHOLIC: Be sure to throw a few back for the poor and needy.
@BigFatHippo: I’d hold Hamels over Cruz as of right now, but we might hear more on Hamels in the days ahead so stay tuned.
@AL KOHOLIC: I think you’re dripping some of your Kahlua into the keyboard and the comma key is sticking. Sure, Harden seems fine. Other than that, I’m having a hard time figuring out the rest of your dilemma. Come again.
Grey,
Have been considering keeping Milledge as my 4th keeper all year, but decided on Hamels instead. Now that Hamels is having elbow trouble, not sure what to do here. Already have Hanley, Braun, and Kemp. NL Only, $200 spending limit, 10 teams, 21 roster spots.
Potential Worthwhile Keepers:
Hamels ($15)
Milledge ($15)
Josh Johnson ($6)
Ian Stewart ($6)
Mike Gonzalez ($6)
Conor Jackson ($14)
Thoughts? I am now teetering between Milledge and Johnson. Stewart would be in consideration if he was guaranteed regular playing time.
@AL KOHOLIC: Oh. Only 6 of those. Got it. Okay, Phillips, Kemp, Davis, Hamilton, Volquez and Gallardo, in that order.
steve,,this razz stuff is messin with my head,,,did a mock draft with hippo,,i might have sucked but i liked my team,,hippo didnt,,,steve whats your take
@AL KOHOLIC: ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
@AL KOHOLIC: Post it here:
http://razzball.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=20
So we can all take a look.
@mmontice: Tough spot for you. Do you have a few days to wait? If so, I’d take some time on Hamels elbow. I still think Hamels is the way to go even if he misses some time, unless the news is horrific.
Grey,
I actually have about two weeks until I have to decide on keepers, however, if his injury was catastrophic, or at least scary, who would you go with.
Thanks for the help. Love the website. Great analysis with a very healthy dose of humor. Always welcome in my book. Just wish I found this website before this year.
@mmontice: Well, you’re here now, that’s what matters. I would go with Johnson at $6 instead if the news is bad, but that could change too in two weeks.
Great, thanks again for the help.
@Steve: thanks for the help..a bit worried about volquez era and whip this year though
So if I had the ability to keep Milledge in a keeper league this year and I threw him back, did I screw up? Here’s who I kept (we keep one guy each out of each year’s draft class for 4, 3, 2 and 1 year). Carlos Quentin for 4 years, Alexei Ramirez for 3 years, Joba Chamberlain for 2 years and Victor Martinez for one year (note, after keepign Quentin, my OF is full with Quentin, A. Rios, C. Hart and H. Pence).
@ron mexico’s papi: No, your team looks fine.