The other day I got an email saying I have a financial windfall coming to me from a deceased relative in Nigerian that I didn’t know. So I don’t even need to be doling out fantasy advice anymore. Take the thirty-seven cents I made yesterday from this site and shove it! I don’t need any of youse. I got dead Nigerian uncles! But, just in case, my Nigerian uncle’s money takes some time to get to me, let’s shoot the bull — lay down a little claptrap — Etch-A-Sketch on your brain with my fantasy musings on Brandon McCarthy. First off, if he goes out and mows down the White Sox tonight, he’s going to be snatched up everywhere. Don’t you think he should be owned before that so you’re the one who’s snatched him up? Second off, if he goes out tonight and gets hit, he should be on your bench and tonight’s outing should have no bearing going forward. It’s just a tune up. Third off, there’s no such thing as a third off. Fourth off, he could be a number two fantasy starter for the last 6 weeks of the season. His WHIP will be solid; his ERA should be, and I’d prefer him as a flyer than some other schmohawk rookies that could kill your ratios. Fifth off, anyone that says “First off” in a conversation is a “Jack off.” Sixth off, I don’t know if McCarthy will stay healthy. I doubt it, but that shouldn’t factor into picking him up because when he has been healthy, he’s been good. Seventh off on Project Runway will be that guy who almost made it on the previous season. Eighth off, why are we still going on with the off’s? Just go grab McCarthy. Anyway, here’s some more players to buy or sell this week in fantasy baseball:
BUY
Mike Olt – Let’s just get the rookie call up fantasies out of the way up front, shall we? My Mike Olt fantasy. I wrote it while following recipes by The Pioneer Woman.
Brett Jackson – Yes, Random Razzball Commenter, I have picked up and dropped a few of these rookies already. That doesn’t mean I would’ve dropped them in all leagues. Space is tighter in some leagues than others. You feel me? Okay, could you stop feeling me now? Oh, and my Brett Jackson fantasy. I wrote it on the back of a menu, then literally pasted it to my computer screen and you were able to read it. Cool, right?
Josh Vitters - My Josh Vitters fantasy is the same as the Brett Jackson one, but for every time you read “yay” change it to “maybe meh.”
Jean Segura – My Jean Segura fantasy. I wrote it while smoking opium from a cored out apple.
Manny Machado - I just went over my Manny Machado fantasy. I wrote it on the back of a pickup truck with Cutty.
Ruben Tejada - He’s hit in every game since July 25th and has a .323 average on the year. Somehow he also has the worst counting stats I’ve ever seen with that good of an average (37 runs, 18 RBIs). It’s like he’s hitting 8th and every time up there’s two outs with no one on, but he’s hit mostly leadoff or 2nd. I’m honestly perplexed how his counting stats are so miserable. Someone with some time of their hands should look to see if there’s ever been a leadoff guy with 300 plate appearances, a 320+ average and that few runs. I bet it’s rare. Okay, enough nerdy real baseball talk, back to nerdy fantasy baseball talk!
Erick Aybar - He’s returned from the DL and picked up right where he left off — hitting for light, but unexpected power and not running with expected speed. How’s that for selling a Buy?
Stephen Drew - Moving from Willy Aybar’s brother to J.D.’s and going from yawnstipating to mehstipating, Drew can provide some pop if he’s hot and he looks it, in the non-sexual way.
Eric Young Jr. – I’ve long admired the cut of Eric Young Jr.’s jib. Not as much as I admire anyone that uses “the cut of his jib” in everyday conversation. But pretty close. I know, right?! I’m doling out compliments today. Maybe I’m feeling all the good vibes of Friday like Rebecca Black. EYJ can steal 20 bases in the final 6 weeks. I’m not exaggerating. The only person faster in the major leagues is Mike Trout. If Tulo returns (who knows on that) and CarGo goes on a tear like he’s wont to do and if EYJ is at the top of the lineup, you could get 20 steals and 25 runs in 6 weeks. Sure, if if’s and but’s were candy-coated nuts, you’d be a diabetic squirrel, but it’s worth gambling on.
Justin Maxwell – Would you believe he’s the best hitter on our Fantasy Baseball Player Rater over the last 20 days? Hmm… Would you believe he’s the best outfielder? Hmm… Would you believe he’s the best player named Justin Maxwell? Hey, you’re Maxwell smart!
David Murphy – Ron Washington said he would be starting Murphy every day for the foreseeable future. He was quoted saying, “(I’m not going to) worry about matchup stuff.” Someone’s been reading Dusty’s autobiography! Murphy is a solid guy for all five categories, while not being particularly exciting in any category. A five fantasy tool? Yeah, that doesn’t sound complimentary. It sounds like a male Medusa.
Andy Dirks – Leyland’s made ReRun an also-ran. Kew-kew-kew-kew, that’s me laughing like Rosco P. Coltrane. Dirks is hitting around .400 in the last week and not much else fantasy-wise, but average is something.
Jon Jay – The same as Dirks without the last name that sounds like an onomatopoeia of Dr. Evil dancing.
Jeremy Affeldt – Bochy saw his head’s shadow and changed closers for 6 weeks. I’d also look at Sergio Romo for some SAGNOF action.
Grant Balfour – Cook looked like he had the potential of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), but then all his bandmates starting doing much better with solo projects and now Cook is a fractured mess. I’d grab Ol’ Dirty Balfour or Inspectah Doolittle.
Heath Bell – It’s actually kind of funny in a not funny at all kind of way that Bell is supposed to get saves and I’d be hesitant about grabbing him in most fantasy leagues. I mean, I wouldn’t grab him in some leagues where all that is on the line is some bragging rights and the Marlins are making him a closer and they have an around $100 million payroll. What a jizzoke.
Wilton Lopez – Going for him, he was named the closer. Going against him, he may never see a ninth inning lead.
Jim Henderson – I hear the Brewers are going to a closer by committee, but they’re going to do it a little different. Whoever is holding the ball when the runs stop crossing the plate is going to be the closer.
Bartolo Colon – Now has a scoreless streak of 22 1/3 IP and his 3.38 ERA is easily pacing Zito and Millwood for veteran arms that no one wants to own but could have value.
Alex Cobb – Polar opposite to Bartolo and not just because him and another person could fit in a Smart Car. Cobb’s younger, riskier and can get wild, but he’s thrown three straight quality starts and gets Safeco next. Nom-nom.
Scott Diamond – The Stream-o-Nator says Diamond’s next start vs. the Rays is good. It said more but it had a turkey leg in its mouth, so I couldn’t understand it.
Kendrys Morales – Bit surprised to see Morales only owned in 45% of ESPN leagues. I figured he was drafted in 100% of leagues because everyone thought he was gonna be back in April, then all of those people abandoned their teams. He has 3 homers and is hitting .370 in the last week. The Morales of this story is pick him up.
Eric Chavez – He’s hitting near .500 in the last week and his rookie card value went up to a tenth of a penny. Now if my mom didn’t throw out my 200 million Eric Chavez rookie cards, I could retire.
SELL
Anyone Doe – In a lot of leagues, this is the last week to trade away players. It’s time to start making some hard choices. Mike Trout sure does dress like a world-class hitter, but if you need ERA and saves, he’s not helping you. Though Bumgarner and Fernando Rodney might. The inverse is also true, if you have Rodney, Bumgarner, Kenley Jansen and Strasburg, trade two of them for a part that could help. Most pitchers will see about 8 starts from now until the end. Most closers will be lucky to tag 10 saves onto their totals. The best hitters will be lucky to get 15/7/15 and 7 steals. Once trade deadlines pass, you’ll be left with nothing, but free agent pickups. In deep leagues, this can spell doom. (Dee oh oh em, by the way.) When your trade deadline passes, how can you make up ground in saves if you don’t have the closers? Only so many new closers will come into the league in September. Where are you getting steals from in September? Home runs? You need to make moves right now. If no one will give the parts you need, you may have to overpay. It’s not a crime to trade Trout for Rodney and Bumgarner if it gets you the championship. It’s crime to get a ten in steals and a three in Saves, if it costs you your league. Leave nothing on the table. I want everyone who is reading this to win their league. You can’t win your league because you held onto Trout when he could’ve got you a necessary piece and the title. It’s now or never, people! Make it count.
I can gain several points with just a few SBs. I can stream sagnoffers like Revere and Davis. But I’d like to know when.
Is there any way to figure out which pitcher/catcher combinations are most likely to give up SBs? There must be a statistic for this compiled daily somewhere…..
ESPN has stats for catchers who have allowed most steals under their stats… Filter to most allowed…
Salty, Posey and McCann are top 3…
Martin and AJ are terrible too…
Believe trade deadline passed at noon EST today.
Yeah, people play in other leagues though…
in RCL.
Wow, feel like I just got a locker room speach from a great coach, I’m all fired up! I’d run through a wall for you Grey!
Clear eyes, full heart, can’t lose!
Great pep talk, Coach Taylor! Landry or Wallace ROS? I like Landry, but I’m worried that he’ll secretly kill my team.
Jason Street! Go team!
rank ros:
anibal, lester, mccarthy, niese
Niese, McCarthy…
So the Nats are saying Strasburg won’t exceed 180 IP this year. Also, that once he’s shut down, he done; no giving him a few weeks off then starting again. It’ll be interesting to see how they do this if they want him available for the postseason. Maybe 3 inning starts? Or having him throw every other start with his left hand?
I really believe they are hoping they are eliminated from the playoff race early for this year and don’t have to worry about this…
Olt, Segura, or Machado. Going into a UTIL spot. Fairly balanced offence in both speed and power currently. I don’t trust those dirty cubbies!
Machado
Great Sell! I just had a similar conversation with a fellow owner in a league last night. First rounders tend to be overvalued in non-keepers, this time of year. Some people tend to forget that in Roto leagues, you already captured most of their stats and value. So, go ahead and trade them for the pieces that you need. Anyway, you said it much more clearly than I, per usual.
PS Wish I would’ve grabbed Rickie Weeks over Cuddyer now…
@Wake Up, Thanks!
@Grey….I have a lot of depth at SS, need to move one for something. please rank ROS for me…..Rutledge, Rollins, Alcides
@LagunaBobbyI, You ranked them…
bruce or cruz ROS?
@Grey’s da man!, Any idea why Bruce is sitting today vs a rightie?My waiver wire finger is getting mighty itchy over this guy.
@Grey’s da man!, Cruz
Who has more potential to be an impact guy in ’13: C Carter or Corbin?
***Stream-o-Nator now has 5 days worth of starts instead of 4.***
@Rudy Gamble, Sweeeeeet. The S-o-N is great!
@Jon, i’d say it’s good. if it was great, it would give you chocolate cake.
@Rudy Gamble, so now I get an extra day for your S.O.N. to mess with my head
@Jack Full of Hate, now with 25% more mind-messing!
@Rudy Gamble, it loved Germano who was Germa-not today
@Jack Full of Hate, 110 isn’t love…but it’s tougher to predict for pitchers who only have a couple starts during the season. He’s got a 2.34 FIP for the year! I have some things in place to regress ERAs for pitchers with limited innings but it’s still a bigger gamble to pitch guys with limited innings (same thing happened with Straily who is a much better pitcher than Germano).
@Rudy Gamble, I been lazy this year, never like to stream young arms unless its a pitchers park. This time of year is when I do most my streaming with all the stats I have to work with. Since my team bombed in RCL(thank you JUpton, Kendrick and Gonzo), I figure lets take that rater out for a test drive and see how it goes. I like the regression idea, that will help alot for the science side. Either way its a good baseline for the fantasy streamer, we should still do our homework, just now we get Cliff notes. I have noticed a slight upkick in my alcohol consumption since the rater appeared, must be a coincidence.
Germano was the best available, rater wise, in the FA pool.
You guys use to have an app a couple years ago, why is it not available in the google play store anymore?
Trade Stras for Rizzo in a keeper? I could use a little pop. Neither will be kept. I can pick up today’s headliner or a slew of other SPs that may be beneficial down the stretch to fill in for Stras.
Sure, grab Rizzo…
Corbin or Cobb in 14-team h2h?
Corbin for ROS… Cobb for his next start…
Who’s most likely to be an impact player in ’13: Corbin, Cobb or Carter?
Carter
Would you go with Jackson or Murphy to be my bench bat?
I asked late last night, but did you see the auction kings with the gas powered blender?
Jackson… Nah, I haven’t seen that one, but it sounds wonderful… I have Tivo that show more…
@Grey, Someone took a gas powered leaf blower motor and turned it into a blender. It had a twist throttle like a motorcycle to increase the power and had a pull start. The thing was freakin awesome. Paul and Delfino used it for a margarita making contest. Great episode.
Oh and yeah I thought Jackson too.
Daiquiris and noxious fumes, sweet!
@Grey, double head rush!
Can’t make a trade in this 12 team 10×10 H2H league.
Drop Bruce for Alonso,Maxwell,Carlos Lee,Marte,EY Jr?
I’m leaning towards Yonder,all base hits are a category and he leads MLB in doubles the last month,plus he’s 1B eligible,which makes Rizzo expendable as my utility guy in a pinch.
I don’t like it…
I got offered Altuve for Cain, I have M.Young at 2nd for now and don’t love it. I also have boneface on the DL
Matt Cain? Eh…
@Grey, yes, Matt “I have a 4.50 ERA since my perfecto game-o” Cain
I know, but Altuve? Eh… I guess if Young is killing you and there’s no hot schmotatos on waivers…
@Grey, I didn’t love it either but with the S.O.N. now, who needs a staff….that was a joke, I would like a little more for Cain.
SON knows when you’ve been good and when you’ve been naughty…
@Grey, wow, knows everything huh?, was S.O.N. built by Google?
Close… Rudy…
@Grey, the Roodle?
Ha… Yup! He hides a macrocomputer in his ‘fro.
@Grey, could we call it the MacroFro?
No really, his characterture really does that fro no justice
Nope, that’s not PC. Get it?!
@Grey, HA!…you win!
Hi Grey… I read your morning write-up on a plane (without being able to see the comments), so please accept my apologies for this “that catcher or this catcher” question–especially if you’ve answered it:
I went with Wilin when Ruiz went down and he’s either been benched or given me an 0-3 for the past week. Should I hold the line or switch him out for Avila? Also, would your pick change if this was from a ROS perspective?
Thank you so so much, and enjoy your weekend!
Go with Avila… You too!
What a waste… we’re in the middle of a Real World season and there’s nothing to talk about. Lamest… season/cast… ever.
I think the casting people should think about how new castmates would do on the challenge… Can you imagine any of these people being entertaining on the Challenge? Then don’t cast them! They are so freakin’ lame…
@Grey, I disagree, that effin’ psycho drunk punk guy? he’s gonna go ballistic at some point…. many housemates seem to be trying to do stupid ass crap just because “they’re on the real world”. I mean what tards rub peanut butter all over a counter then roll around in it? SOBER? come on…. but the punk guy is the one too watch, something will happen.
In the real real world, I heard he killed someone… Joking, but you believed it for a second, right? Yeah, he’s totally bonkers… But not in the watchable way, in the way, “I hope he doesn’t hurt himself” way.
@Grey, His storyline was more interesting when Joey (Hollywood?) played the role, and even then…
Yeah, very true… It’s hard to be unlikable and have so many problems… Not easy to pull off…
@Awesomus Maximus, it’s MTV, they will beat a formula to death without thinking. Strangely I get a kick out of Awkward, the baby’s mama watches it all the time.
@Jack Full of Hate, It’s not even about the formula, it really is just a lame cast.
@Awesomus Maximus, they should have a cast of broke, jobless and over-educated(if thats possible in today’s academia) kids who live at home with their parents and retirees who have to go back to work cause social security can’t cover the ridiculous cost o fliving and call that the Real World.
I know its based on need but would you do Kershaw for Wainwright, Doolittle, and The Great Zombino? Do you think wainwright is back. My 2 best pitchers after Kershaw are Gio and Harren.
I’d do that trade… I like Wainwright a lot…
@Grey, i like that vote of confidence in wainy, i own him and kershaw, plus Jzimm, looking forward to the playoffs babY!
Yeah, really liking how he’s looking now…
Would you rather have Ian Desmond or Will Middlebrooks in a dynasty?
Desmond, close…
I need to drop someone to activate McCarthy off the DL.
I’m thinking between Matt Harvey or Sanitago Casilla.
I know Casilla has at least temporarily been removed from the closers role, but does he get it back?
saves category is close with multiple people, someone is likely to use a waiver priority on Casilla just in case he gets the job back. is he still the guy to drop?
16 team keeper league, yahoo, roto, 5×5.
I’m in 1st place with 8 point lead.
CA- MMontero. 1B- Butler. 2B- Uggla. 3B- CDavis. SS- Rollins. IN- Machado.
OF- Choo. OF- Quentin. OF- THunter. OF- Marte. UT- Dyson.
BN- Dirks, Vitters, Saltalamacchia.
DL- Thome.
SP- Price. SP- Gallardo.
RP- Jansen. RP- Janssen.
P- Motte. P- Affeldt. P- Balfour.
BN- Burnett, Fiers, Capuano, Richard, Harvey.
DL- McCarthy, Lilly, Stauffer.
Can you wait until Harvey’s game? To see how he looks… If not, drop him…
Marte or EYJ for ROS divided by WHIP …did you say wHip? YOU’RE EATING HAIR! Seriously though – Marte or EYJ over the rest of the season?
Ha… Marte…
for the rest of the season: kuroda, mccarthy or sheets?
McCarthy
@Grey:
Wondering if you can rank my potential keepers in my 10 team auction league. Standard categories plus OBP and K/BB:
Bautista – $7
Cano – $18
Tulo – $21
F-Her – $17
Santana – $7
Panda – $7
Rizzo – $4
Bautista, Cano, Tulo, Rizzo, Panda…
@Grey, Here’s the tricky part: To get Sadoval I’d have to trade Rizzo. Since Bautista is on the DL I have a huge gap at 3B. Is it worth it? I’m on the bubble between 3rd and 4th place right now.
It’s fair enough to do it if it’ll help your team for this year…
drop headley for mccarthy?
Go for it…
What have I become, my Swedish friend?
Not that you asked, but… Ruggiano!
@Grey, Everyone I know goes away Indian…(Ruggiano actually sounds delicious right now(but it shouldn’t technically be called Ruggiano if it’s made outside of Parma))Ludwick!)
Ha! It may be Ruggiano from Trader’s Joe but it’s still pretty grate.
I can’t believe Cody Ross, what a bargain out of FA pool like three times this year. I mean he is just like the store, Ross, name brand numbers at a discount price.
Ha… How about Machado?
@Grey, Manny is looking pretty Handy and I think in the morning I’m going to go get me a Machaca burrito for breakfast…so yeah, I likes alot.
Mmm… From 7-11? Those are the best burritos…
@Grey, hell’s no, I go to the spot where people wait with their pots from home to get Saturdays menudo. Thats the soup not the band.
I think I’m going to Fuku Burger tonight, have you been?
@Grey, well fuku too… never been, heard of it, let me know if its worth trying. I need to go out to LA in the next couple of weeks to see a client.
Yeah, been there before… It’s solid and affordable… Bit douchey, but what can do?
Oh, and they were on a reality show and got kicked off for cheating…
Hey, Grey!
In a points league that harshly (and capriciously) penalizes K’s, which two would you keep out of:
Rizzo, Goldschmidt, Howard, Quentin?
Thanks a ton
Rizzo and Goldy…
@Grey, Thanks!
No problem…
@Chet “The Rocket” Steadman, Cripes! Morales and Morse are also available. Not sure why–the league isn’t that shallow.
Lohse & Doumit & 7th
for
Olt & 5th
15 team league, keep 7, Olt is in the maybe group for keeper #7. McKendry at C and Lohse could help, In first by a whopping 7 pts.
McKenry or Doumit? I’d take Olt…
Machado with his second homer of the night. Maybe I can replace this year’s Lawrie with a player who plays like last year’s Lawrie.
That’s what I’m saying…
Machado with his second dinger for 4 RBI’s!I dumped JD’s brother for him yesterday after seeing Grey keep touting him. Grey,I’d kiss you but your stach would probably tickle.Plus you being a guy and all it would be kinda gross.
Not gross at all.. Beautiful and legal in some places!
Manny is looking pretty Handy!
Going Mach 4!
If life immitates art, then what the hell do reality TV shows have to do with art, except the kind that is bought, sold,or found.
When we were kids we would act out TV shows when we would play, SWAT, cop shows, lone ranger, whatever current or re-run shows we would watch. But what do these kids have now with all the reality shows. Are they going to play Storage Wars and the kid no one likes gets to be Hester? Are they going to judge each other like the Voice and other related type shows? Pretend to run Pawn Shops and tell each other their crap is a fake or aint worth what they think it is. You get the point. My little one is going into Kindergarten this year and I have no idea what these kids are going to do with their imaginations, considering the world that feeds their imaginations has to offer.
Just a food for thought
Amen! But I would like to see kids playing Storage Wars, would be fun to see… And they’d clean out their parents’ garage…
@Grey, ha!, sounds like something my dad would have done to help him out when we were kids.
I hope no one streamed DeVries today, thats a Cleveland Steamer after Indian food.
Ha!
Really J-Mac? Giving up 7ER to the Whale’s Vagina? I should drop you like a bad beverage choice. So seriously, drop him for Corbin, Cobb, or Harvey?
I’d go with Cobb for his next start…
Thanks and good day sir.
Good day to you too…
Is Olt worth any of these guys: keep 7, 15 teams, need pitching ROS
Sheets
Harrison
Lohse
Nah, not really…
Yo grey man
Machado nasty yo. Him or profarr. Keeper
Respeckt.
Profar for mid-2013 forward, but Machado until then…
Keeper League, Rizzo and my 1st for Braun and a later pick, got a chance?
Seems doubtful, but I’d take Braun…
james mcdonald — an nl-only drop?
Nah, wouldn’t drop him there… Unfortunately…
I feel like I’m hording first basemen but I need power argh argh argh! (cue Home Improvement theme song)…anyways I have tex, rizzo and howard and I was offered fielder and freese and round 10 for my longoria, howard and round 1. I also have Moose at third. It’s a 12 team h2h keep 5. I should just decline, right?
Ha… Yeah, decline…
@Grey, thanks for the speedy response
Sold off my Fister right before he got good again, while I stuck with “breakout” pitchers like Jmac and Homer, goodbye roto crown
That’s a shame…
Street had to be helped off the field after closing out the Pirates. Time to grab Gregerson or just a cramp?
Dammit! Thayer or Gregerson…
@Grey, Checked last four games Padres have won, Gregerson pitched the eighth inning every single occasion.
Just gotta hope the “closer experience” bullcrap doesn’t rear its head and it goes to Thayer.
Start Edwin at Zona? 16 teamer 1500 innings on pace. Also got AJ and Medlen going.
I’d start Edwin…
Grey,
Want to grab Gregerson, but the guy I’d drop is Jim Henderson, who while he wasn’t called up to convert the save (or pitch the 8th), KRod gave up a run and Axford blew the save.
Whom do you go with?
I’d hold for now…
@Grey, Henderson said to be the closer for now.
Yeah, figures… Thanks for the heads up!
Son of biatch. I picked up Machado for a short day yesterday and dropped him before I even saw him play. So do I drop Rollins for Asdrubal now? And then do I wait to see if Machado clears and pick him back up?
Damn… Sure, go with Asdrubal…
I am flabbergasted – flabbergasted, I tell you! and kerfuffled! – to learn that Jason Vargas and Phil Hughes are tied with Ervin Santana for most HR allowed this year (26). It seems like Santana gives up at least 5 each start. I can understand that a NYY pitcher would be up near the top, but WTF is Vargas’ excuse?
Helium balls?
@Grey, Fair enough. You’re a beacon of rationality, Grey. Color me unflabbergasted.
I finally figured it out. Joe Blanton is a Russian nesting doll and he somehow fit Cahills ass in there.
Is that a turd with a face?
@Grey, Pretty much. Im sure there are more turds nesting on my staff waiting patiently to rear their ugly heads.
Nice…
Cahill. Bleurgh.
revere or david murphy for overall production?
Murphy
@Grey, Gracias
De nada
@Grey, Have Frieri, Frank Frank, Affeldt and Henderson. Drop anyone for Gregerson or hold?
Can lose Frank Frank for him…
Castro or Machado RoS in a OBP instead of AVG 10 team league?
Castro
Drop Cahill for Masterson?
Okay, but only start him at home…
It’s Friday night. You guys might appreciate this. My boss has meetings every day repeating the same shizz. Had my yearly review last week, got my raise, got criticism on what I do well and where I can improve, etc.
At the end, I asked my boss if he watches the Marlins series on Showtime. He says no. I told him a reporter asked Ozzie if he was concerned the Marlins were having a team-only meeting. Ozzie said, “I had a meeting last week. If I have a meeting every day, you think I’m a f*ing woman.”
It’s hard to hate Ozzie with quotes like that…
Drop Rollins or Kipnis for Machado?
Also, when Hanson comes back do you like him better than Minor or Capuano? Could stash him on the DL…
Rollins… Better than Capuano…
Looks like Street to DL with calf injury…you like Gregerson over Marmol, Cishek or Holland?
Pick 4: LaRoche, Morneau, Morales, Lawrie, Ike Davis, Dirks, David Murphy, Eric Chavez, Garret Jones, Chris Johnon.
LaRoche, Morales, Lawrie, Johnson…
Salvador Perez. What sat you? Owned in about 60% of leagues still hitting over 300. From here out what do you think?
Thanks!
I don’t see why he’s not ownable in 100% of leagues… There’s not ten catchers better…
Morales @ Cle or Blanton @ Mia?
Blanton
Hi Grey. I’m so completely depraved that I’m writing this from Maui, 5 Mai-Tais deep, and it’s only 10pm. Yeesh. Wondering about Machado and Jim Henderson, so any help with this roster would be much appreciated:
C – Avila
1B – Youk
2B – Espinosa
3B – Moustakas
SS – Jimmy Rollins
MI – Kipnis
CI – Rizzo
OF – McCutchen
OF – Bruce
OF – Howie Kendrick
OF – Desmond Jennings
OF – LoCain
Util – Coco Crisp
Util – Ruggiano
DL – Joey Bats
SPs – Greinke, Anibal, Lynn, McCarthy, Minor, Medlen, Detwiler
RPs – Perez, Wilhelmsen, Holland, Wilton Lopez
DL – Hanson
—————–
I’m drunk, but even if I wasn’t, I’d still be trying to figure out what–if anything–to do. Cheers, and thanks.
Can grab Machado instead of Crisp… Looks like you have way too much speed but not sure of league settings or anything… Enjoy the Mai Tais!
@Grey, Good morning (aka, “Bloody Mary Time”). Standard league settings, espn 5×5 h2h… I dropped Wilton Lopez for Machado and will see how Coco/Cain/Ruggiano do over the next couple days. I could always grab Wilton back, plus Henderson, Affeldt, Romo are available too. If all my bats are hot (get your mind out of the gutter!), I may lose Anibal for a closer. You on board with that? Mahalo!
Sounds like it makes sense… Mahalo!
@Chillmodious, hey chill, it was you with those back to the future nikes, right?
Just seen good ol Brian Wilson rockin a pair at the giants game.. lol no joke i was laughing my ass off! They look huge!!! Like went up to his knees and shizz..they were clean tho i wont lie!
Oh and hang ten bruhhh! Haha Keep them drinks flowin’!!!
Crazy or crazy like a fox. I’m rock solid in saves and picked up Gregerson and Henderson (to go with Wilhelmsen and Reed). I’m also locked in for ERA and WHIP but really weak in K’s.
Would you move Reed for the shit-show that is Max Scherzer and his #1 in MLB in K’s?
Yeah, I would…
Grey do you think Brett Anderon will have any impact this year? Looks like his rehab is going well and is close to getting called up. Worth an add?
I don’t think he has much impact but he’s worth grabbing just in case…
Hey, love the site, first time posting…I’m currently in 1st in a yahoo h2h 12 team keeper. We keep 5. I was offered my round 1 for his Mad Bum and round 19. Take it? This guy is having a firesale on his guys and already has amassed 2 round 1s and a round 2.
Thanks for the kind words!I’d take Bumgarner…
@Grey, I meant every word! And thanks for the help
Let’s hug!
Someone giving out free hugs?
Uggla! Finally!!!
Free huggla’s…
@Grey, That’s awesome! Since I just bought low on him (Hopefully), everyone of his HRs for the ROS shall be known as a huggla…
@Wake Up, PS- this pic is my senior portrait…does it not look like I could use a huggla?
It’s a great pic… I see it all the time when I answer on my iPhone…
I like it!
I stayed away from the San Diego situation, too much grey area, no pun intended. What do you think, Thayer is gone and I don’t think Gregerson has the closer psychee.
How was the FUKU? hope you didn’t find a douche in your food.
I ended up not going, got too late for burgers and shizz… Just had a great sighting… Gary Sheffield!
@Grey, Nice…the ‘Shef! Was he twitching and flapping his right arm like a chicken?
He was angrily wagging his menu…
@Grey, was he injecting himself for his comeback?
Ha… Yeah, of course… His head was huge…
@Grey, wow, how cool is that, I wish I could see one of my least favorite players ever….I’d probably boo him!
His wife was smoking hot too…
@Grey, figures!
Bourn or Rizzo?
Rizzo… Depends on needs…
Votto out another 7-10 days. http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2012/08/11/setback-for-votto-out-7-10-extra-days/
Get anything you can for him at this point?
In a redraft? Sure…
Aviles, Victorino + Janssen or Rollins + Putz ROS? Keeper league but most likely no one from either side are keepers for me.
Victorino side, but it’s fair…
you need a raise, you are easily worth 50 cents a day.
Aw, thanks!
Take a shot in the dark for me: assuming 10 teams, what round does Mike Minor get taken in next season? Is he anywhere near your top 100?
Nowhere near the top 100… 180 maybe…
Votto for Granderson. Which side in a non-keeper?
Thanks.
Grandy
C.C. back to the DL…. sigh..
Damn!
@Grey, Just read the bad news about Middlebrooks. Seager, Chavez or Frazier as a replacement?
Chavez for now…
Rizzo or Bruce?
Rizzo
Heya Grey,
Quick Q.
Need avg./speed/pop in that order.
Rizzo/Marte/Jay ROS.
Thoughts?
Rizzo, Marte…
Doumit or Perez? In need of RBIs.
Doumit
Who actually gets the gig in SD? Do I go with them or Lopez in HOU?
Thayer or Gregerson… Go with Lopez…
Welp, tried out the streaming pitcher rater the other day and Estrada isn’t working out that well. I think it’s safe to say I jinx every pitcher I stream.
Damn…
I’m going H2H this week with the leader in my division (I’m in 2nd). He and I are neck and neck in WHIP and ERA, but he has a good lead on me in Wins and Ks. Both of our ERAs for the week are around 3.50… WHIP pretty much 1.00. He’s starting Sheets and Sale tomorrow – who should I counter with from Corbin, Lester and Capuano (if anybody)?
Doesn’t sound too good, but I’d just start everyone and pray…
hey grey.
can you rank neise, mccarthy, medlen, hughes ROS
Niese, McCarthy….
Peralta or Aybar for rest of the way for SS?
Aybar
Rajai Davis or Eric Young the rest of the way?
Davis
looking for a third opinion, how would you rank Medlen going into next year? a fantasy number 3? or 4?
A 3 if he gets a rotation spot…
@Grey, do you think the braves are dumb enough to bypass him?
Yeah, I think there’s a good chance of it…
Did I ever get roofied by Santana tonight! What a mistake to put him in there, I should have known better as a fantasy baseballer (Grey’s mother’s term!). Oy vey como va!
A roofie is a term for a rookie but, yeah, ouch…
Looks like Rutledge has cooled off a bit. Would you stick with him or go with Aybar or Drew in a H2H league?
I’d stick with him if those were my choices…
I guess sal perez reads razzball as well.. hes showing me he does more than hit for average! Hey look, theres a tasty foot… Nom nom nom
Grey-
Hoping you see this…Slim pickings who would you get for tomorrows start
Corbin vs Was
Cluber vs Bos
Ohlendorf vs Pits
Raley vs Cin
Porcello vs Tex
Chen vs Bal
Hunter vs KC
White vs SF
Lyles vs Mil
Thanks
Corbin
Need a Napoli replacement in a deep league. Norris, Soto, Martin, Ellis, or Castillo?
Ellis
Drop McDonald for Norris? 12 team H2H points.
@EK, or McAllister?
Go for it..:
Pls rank for UTIL spot H2H points:
Morales
Ludwick
Revere
C. Johnson
Morales, Johnson
Wow what a week its been in my 16 team H2H. Killing my opponent in the offensive cats: R- 42/18 , HR- 10/2, RBIs – 49/26, AVG- .272/.219. Just need to beat him in SB (3/3) and my offensive domination is complete.
Only issue I’ve got is at 3B with Lawrie out, Vitters or Olt to replace him?
Nice! Olt…
@Grey: unfortunately machado doesn’t have 3b eligibility yet and need a replacement for lawrie. Who do you like in weekly roto leagues while lawrie is out? Chavez, Wallace, scutaro or Dan Murphy?
Thanks.
Chavez
@Grey: In a fantasy h2h 12 man pts league. Score is 230-228 my lead coming into today. I have sheets pitching tonight for sunday night baseball @ NYM, lance lynn @ Phi and gallardo @ Hou. My opponent only has cueto pitching. Do u think this should be enough or take my chances with another pitcher like Corbin vs the nats ?
Should be enough with what you have…
Are you pitching Hughes today against this Toronto lineup? Looks pretty bad.
Sure…
Need a little help here…12 team h2h keeper, keep 5. Trade deadline…I have Rizzo, Tex, Howard and just traded my round 1 for Mad Bum. Would you trade rounds 2&3 and Howard for Fielder and rounds 19&20? Is that a relatively fair trade for both sides if the other guy is out of it?
I’m in first and trying to keep it that way..
I’d take Fielder, but it’s fair…
@Grey, Thanks as usual, you magnificent mustachioed man.
Ha, no problem…
Who would you drop (if anyone) to grab Cobb before his start Monday?
Straily, Medlen, Maholm, Minor, Hughes, Capuano, Corbin, Anibal, Lester
Corbin…
5×5 13 team roto who do i drop when plouffe is back cozart or segura?
Segura
Would you deal a keep able Harper for a not-keepable kemp to try and move from 2nd to 1st? I need all offensive categories, including ops.
I’d want Harper as a keeper, but I don’t know the specifics…
Nice to see you again Bruce, about freakin time.
I think Steve benched him, but we’ll have to wait for confirmation…
@Grey, I did. Of course I did.
Oh, man… I was joking… Damn!
@Grey, He’s been shit. I kinda had to.
The team he’s on is wilting right along with him – 4 days this week they’ve hit under .200.
Looks like I might miss the playoffs for the first time.
@Steve, CarGo doesn’t have a single hit all week. Not one.
@Steve, And still doesn’t.
Yeah, crappy time for him to get cold…
@Grey, A hit now might be useful…
@Steve, Jesus.
Damn, that sucks… Desperate times, go with some hot hands on waivers…
@Grey, Yeah – it’s tough with 10 moves a week though, as I need to use a bunch of those for streamers.
Ah, yeah, I hera ya…
@Grey, Ha I’ll be expecting some expletives heading Bruces way then.
Realised you gotta manage him throughout the season. Gotta bench him through his ice-cold spells else he’ll kill your AVG.
Pickup Plouffe off waivers or keep Scutaro?
Pick up Plouffe….
Jay and Haren for Zobrist?
@Steven, If that won’t go over, Hunter and Haren?
Sure, Haren side still…
Haren side…
I’m still trying to figure out the S.O.N. Germano or the “Germ” as Blairtch calls him really Darby Crashed on Friday.
Really Darby Crashed? What do you mean?
@Grey, you don’t know who Darby Crash is? of course why would you be asking this question.
Darby Crash was the lead singer of the Germs? In the history of Punk music he is kinda iconic. They were an L.A. based band that also included Pat Smear (of Nirvana and Foo Fighters fame). They have written books about Darby(“Lexicon Devil” and a large section of the L.A. punk scene oral history “we got the neutron bomb”) and made a movie a couple years ago (What we do is Secret). He was kinda a musical genius during an early time for punk rock. The Germs along with X, Fear and pre-Rollins Black Flag where in the Penelope Spheris documentary Decline of Westen Civilization which is from like 1980 or 81. Im too lazy to look. The guy was absolutely nuts and committed suicide the day before John Lennon died.
So not trying to make a term but Darby Crashed is a young promising arm that goes down hard?
Oh, wow… Yeah, never heard of them or him… But not much of a punk rocker… I have heard of that documentary, will have to check it out… Seems like all rockers burn out fast, so maybe there’s a term there that could apply to Lincecum type quick descent, but Germano is just raw…
@Grey, I used to be a music junkie and have my history degree. I would choose subjects when I had the freedom around music.Or just read alot of non-fiction for fun. Hell I did my whole senior thesis on musicians. Yeah check it out. the guy is completely nuts
I’m sure you have seen Pat Smear with the foo fighters or on the Nirvana unplugged.
Lincecum is totaly a Darby Crash, hell I think JarJar had a little of that too, one season the guy had something like 24 quality starts. Manny Parra is a darby crash with his minor league numbers. Mark Prior would fit the bill too. I guess any top of the rotation plus arm either MLB proven or AAA dominant that falls hard is a Darby Crash….If you read up on the guy its pretty spot on.
Oh, yeah, I know Pat Smear, didn’t realize his career went back so far… Rudy’s a music junkie too… Yeah, just about every pitcher loses MPH and needs to reinvent themselves or Darby Crash…
@Grey, ask the rudy about Darby, if he’s a music junkie then he should know.
I’m sure he does…
Can you channel January Grey in August?
Try me…
@Grey, with the closer clustercarousel this year does Rodney, Lopez, Holland, Chisek, Cook, Clippard stay their teams closer next year. which one may be most likely to least likely. In a keeper auction a legit $4 closer can be nice? right? nil?
Those closers are all junk in the long term, except maybe Holland and Cook… Chisek is going to be a closer unless Heath Bell has an injury, Storen will be the closer next year too…
@Grey, rodney is the wildcard?
This season he’s having doesn’t jive with any of his past seasons… Joe Maddon is the Crappy Reliever Whisperer, see Farnsworth previous year…
@Grey, i know, maybe he knows how to channel their anger into efficient end game duties
@Grey, I could see Holland as the opening day closer but my gut says he ain’t going to finnish the year like that…and my gut is smarter than my brains.
Yeah, Holland’s a bit of a wild card…
@Grey, but interesting as hell!
Don Cooper, CWS pitching coach saying that Sale will not be shut down.
I don’t envision us pulling him or stopping at all. We are in a pennant race. But our eyes will tell us what’s going on. He went on to say that they may use Sale as a reliever.
Seems ridiculous to think they’ll throw away his whole next year to get an extra 30 innings out of him this year…
@Grey: not sold on chris johnson @ 3b. Todd frazier or machado?
Machado….
Damn this closing ceremony is nothing like the opening one.
I watched my first bit of Olympics last night… Guys in Speedos jumping into a pool… I was in a room full of girls too, it was miserable…
@Grey, thats uncomfortable
14 team. Just acquired McCarthy for Espinosa. Did I do OK?
You did good…
14 team. I am trading Rasmus. Any of these pitchers you would not deal him for?
Cueto, CJ Wilson, Adverb, J Zimmerman, Vogelsong
Thanks.
Nope…
Every once in a while, I’ll sort through the SIERA and xFIP leaders over the last month to see who has been unlucky and might be a good trade target. And every time, it seems that I already own the pitchers or it’s Greinke. Not a very good sign.
@royce!, you’re an ahead of the curve savant…lucky!
@Jack Full of Hangover, Ha! Thanks! But somehow owning Liriano and his top 10 SIERA over the last month has left me feeling something other than lucky… Maybe belligerent? Something along those lines.
@royce!, this year I can’t even get guys before, during or after a streak.
You gotta try that Netanyahoo league…
@Grey, That name’s hilarious.
I just checked it- even they don’t use any too advanced metrics, though I suppose that the linear weights version sort of does, since it just gives points for IP, K, etc., and deducts for HBP, BB, whatevs.
I watched Silly Little Game for the first time the other day. It’s worth an hour if you haven’t seen it.
@royce!, I watched it when it came out, its cool but I was hoping for more.
@Jack Full of Hangover, Yeah, I’m with you there, but I’m sure that we are in the minority; I could be wrong, but I don’t think that many people want to see more than 1 hour about fantasy baseball.
@royce!, an evolution of the game might be good as long as its not over an hour and doesn’t do football, thats a whole different animal.
Here is question you will hate, rest of the season, Olt or Hosmer?
Hosmer
@Grey, thats what I thought, he will be splitting time with Pedro from Pittsburgh
If you’re choosing between LaRoche and Morneau for the foreseeable, who do you go for?
LaRoche is hitting .172 over the last 7…
LaRoche…
Do you prefer Rollins or Asdrubal for the rest of the year? 12 team h2h, OBP as well as avg…
Asdrubal
@Grey, I have Rollins. Would you trade J-Zimm to get him?
Would mean that my starters (after Greinke trade goes through) would be
Bum, Greinke – and then down to Norris, Cahill, Milone…
I wouldn’t…
new to the auction thing, is David Wright a deal for $27 next year?
Depends on league size…
@Grey, 12 team with 3 bench spots, roto style. K’s for hitters is a cat. I figure he is a at least a $35-ish player, always a 1st-2nd rounder in the past and is the #3 third baseman in E$PN this year and number 3 in yahoo.
Yeah, he’s around $35… $27 is no great bargain…
@Grey, I guess baragin is not the word, but considering the uncertainty of third base, it might be a nice value. I also have Frazier who I can keep for $4, but if Rolen does not retire then I’m screwed if i choose frazier. C’mon prayer triangle!
Ha! Yeah, Frazier’s okay for $4 but not in a mixed league… I could see keeping Wright for $27, but it would depend on your other options…
@Grey, I got rizzo and marte for $4 each that I want to keep, Frazier, Bauer, Olt, Machado, Skaggs, Snider, and Belt are my other $4 options.
If I can acquire Altuve before the deadline, who is also a $4 keeper then it doesn’t matter. He will be my third choice.
This is my first go at auction keeper, playing in Awesomous Maximous league. Took over for an absent owner.
Yeah, not great options… Wright would be the keeper unless you get Altuve…
@Grey, everything hinges on Rolen, my goal is to get the greatest value and spending as little as possible.
One of the rules of the league is you can’t keep your three most expensive keepers, fortunately wright was the 5th highest.
That’s no bargain in 12 team mixed…. It’s just under what he’ll go for… In NL-Only, that’s great…
Owner is interested in my Rollins and Putz. He has these players on the trading block:
Aviles, H Bell, Betancourt, Brantley, Cahill, W-Y Chen, Fiers, Lynn, M Montero,
Reddick, J Santana, Victorino
Who do you ask for in return? I could use pitching mainly, or OF, but a MI who would be better than Kendrick or Espinosa ROS would be alright, too (to take Rollins’ place). Would Aviles be better than HK or DE?
This guy doesn’t really have anything… Fiers and Lynn if it’s a keeper… Reddick and Victorino… Doesn’t really have much to choose from…
@Grey, no he doesn’t. It’s a keeper league. Would you give Rollins and Putz for either Fiers or Lynn plus one of Victorino/Reddick?
Lynn and Reddick…
RoS…Crawford, Gordon, Morneau for Util spot
@B.o.B, what stats do you need?
Crawford
Whadduathink: My Rollins and Putz for any combo of Fiers/Lynn and Reddick/Victorino? Is that a win for me?
Yeah, Lynn and Reddick…
Need to fill a CF spot while Rasmus heals. Werth, Jay or Ruggiano? 12 team H2H, AVG + OBP…
And would you still have Rasmus over those guys?
Jay… Rasmus would be over Werth and Jay usually…
@grey: who do you like better next week in a weekly roto? Straily @kc or Dempster @nyy and @tor?
Thanks.
Straily
Hey Grey – been a reader for years and a great track record to show for it so thanks!
For 2013 – Olt or Lawrie at 3B?
Thanks! Lawrie…
@Grey, Thanks boss!