The average for caught stealing percentage in the Major Leagues is 28% so there’s not a whole lot of clubs that believe keeping the guy at first base is of much importance. Of course, some pitchers and catchers are just much easier than others. I remember watching one game where John Popper stole 2nd, 3rd and home on Chris Young while Run Around was playing on the stadium’s PA. Or maybe I just made that up. Either way, Chris Young’s terrible but he’s also a seven foot stick of injury proneness, which is a “u” and some fiber short of pruneness. So let’s look at some guys who are actually playing and how easy they are to steal on for fantasy baseball:
Gil Meche – Leads the league in steals allowed at 13. That’s also more than a third of the bases stolen against Kendall. So Kendall sucks, but Meche is making the most of his suckiness. Or the least. Not sure, lost myself there.
Tim Wakefield – About as obvious as Chris Young when it comes to allowing steals. When you throw the ball 37 MPH, these things happen.
Fausto Carmona – The Indians have actually only allowed 26 steals, but Fausto has allowed 10.
Victor Martinez – Three of the top 20 worst pitchers are Sawx. It’s not all their fault. V-Mart’s a DH disguised as a catcher.
Bengie Molina – The throwing out baserunners’ gene definitely is not hereditary. Bengie’s inability to throw past his belly also hurts Jonathan Sanchez, Zito and Cain; all three appear in the top 24 pitchers for stolen bases allowed.
Carl Pavano – Mauer helps only so much. Pavano led the league last year in stolen bases allowed and he’s top 15 this year.
Ervin Santana – Teamed up with Mike Napoli and you’ll see Scioscia shake his fist at the sky at least 3 times a game.
Ryan Doumit – During the pre-All-Star Game festivities, Century 21 should pick one lucky fan to try and steal a base on the Chris Young-Ryan Doumit tandem.
@grey- start slowey today in a 12 team league?
Suzuki, Olivo, Barajas, Buck or some other really cool catcher I don’t even know about?
Callaspo or Weeks?
Bourn or Coghlan?
Baker or Wandy?
Thx, dood.
@Martin – I am doing it to see if I can squeak out a win. Dana Eveland is pitching for the Blue Jays.
@Martin: I wouldn’t.
@Matty D: Weeks, Bourn, Wandy…
@Grey: 12 team, mixed roto, weekly changes. all categories being equal, who do you like at util for this week?
jay bruce (2 vs Mil, 2 @ Atl, 3 @ Cle)
travis snider (2 vs Min, 2 @ Sea, 3 @Ari)
alberto callaspo (2 @ Bal, 2 @ Cle, 3 vs Col)
Thanks in advance.
@Grey: i’m sure someones already asked, but Cueto vs. MIL tonight? reds are hot…. cueto’s last outting was money….?
@herschel: Bruce
@Tony: Yeah, I’d start him.
I’m leading every offensive category but steals, is there any reason not to drop Cuddyer for Scotty Pods? Other than it being such a boring transaction that I might fall asleep before it goes through? Thanks Grey!
@Grey: Nice piece. I’ve been looking for more pitcher/catcher SB data.
By “he,” I was talking about Gavin Floyd in the last post comments. Sorry to be vague.
@Lines: Ha! I’d want Pods.
@3FingersBrown: Ah…
Two-week starter: Medlen (Mets/Pirates) or Sheets (Mariners/Giants)?
@DavidSouter: Medlen
@Grey – I’m warning you right now – I have Cueto and I’m starting him. My track record as a Cueto owner has been miserable. I think he knows when I have him because he’ll be good when I don’t have him (last month) and suck when I do have him (after his first career start, 2nd half of last season, first month of this season).
So you can blame me for sabotaging your Cueto love.
@Bodymore: RE: Floyd & Slowey. That ChiSox D must be god awful for Floyd to have such a high BABIP and have his contact and LD rates against actually decrease! I’m thinking the same as you about Slowey. He must be fighting through recovery from the wrist surgery.
I have this horrid vision or dropping Floyd or Slowey and then seeing them get it together and being a solid number 3-4 starters the rest of the season on another team.
Just did a deal in a 16 Team H2H Keeper of FrankCord/Ike for Lind – decent trade? Cordero was my only closer, but I couldn’t pass that up on the hopes that Lind bounces back. I need to probably snag a vulture (have Clippard and Joba). Who do you pick up?
J.P. Howell (immediately DL him and pick someone else up), Clay Hensley, Daniel Bard, Brian Duensing, Dan Wheeler, Drew Storen (assuming he clears waivers – I’m 16 outta 16 right now).
I know, they’re all pretty enticing. Or do I say, screw it, and pick up the latest and greatest in hot bat attire? Or or (yes, two “ors” on purpose) do I move Headley for something – I’m a little worried he may have hit a brick wall – what’s your take on Headley going forward? Or should I just give some Head a chance?
Can you rank these 3 going forward in a 10-team roto: Penny, Latos, Slowey
@bobbo: Or are they all matchups guys who should be add/dropped as needed?
@Grey: Nice piece. Similar success %’s, but surpringly (to me) 21 total attempts in the NL.
From previous post: In a Hoover Upright: Pagan, Lewis, Cust, S Hairston, Boesch, Gomes?
One more – drop Slowey for Olsen? (I can’t the season has come to this already)
@Grey: Not sure if you’re a big pitchfx guy, but as a neophyte, I was wondering what the value actually represented with regard to pitch movement.
For instance Floyd’s slider horizontal movement went from -0.3 last year to +0.7 so far this season. What do those numerical values represent? Is it the placement of the pitch along the axis (the center of the plate)? So -0.3 would be .3 feet to the right of the axis and +0.7 would be .7 feet to the left of the axis?
Apologies if I’m not being clear here. My brain hurts trying to figure out why Gavin Floyd stinks and I’d like to do a more in depth investigation.
@3FingersBrown:
True, I haven’t watched them play this year but I know they have players with bad defensive reputations. I’m thinking about Slowey more and decided to research the surgery he had, to look at other pitchers with similar cases and what happened with them, etc. I know with Tommy John some pitchers take longer than others to get their ‘feel’ back and actually complain that their elbow feels like somebody else’s. Of course this will start after tomorrow’s organic chemistry final… but I will let you know what I find.
Mr. Grey….
In a H2H league, with 2B and BBs counting….
I have Jimmy Legs coming back, which one of these Klobbs should I drop?
Starlin’ Marvin Castro
Justin Smoak
Everth Cabrera
I’ve got coverage at first base, and I’d reluctantly keep the other SS.
@3FingersBrown Yeah, I dropped Rios and have to watch him produce with another team now. Potentially the same deal with Latos… trying to not repeat that mistake again.
@William: Bastage!
@Wilsonian: Trade looks fine for you. Grab Bard for now.
@bobbo: Latos (at home), Penny, Latos… Yes, they’re matchup guys.
@Dad: Boesch… I’d want Olsen.
@3FingersBrown: I don’t think pitching movement through 8 games is going to be the answer.
@El Famous Burrito: Everth
@bodymore: I’ve seen the ChiSox quite a bit and I really didn’t think they were that bad. I guess I was wrong. They’re tied for 6th worst in baseball with a -9.7 team UZR.
I’m curious to hear what you find regarding Slowey. Slowey’s injury also included screws permanently placed into his wrist as well, which must have some serious recovery/rehab time. From watching a few of his starts, it seems his struggles really start in the middle innings, which might be due to him fighting through pain or weakness. It’s all supposition coming from me, as I’m not an orthopedist nor have I ever suffered an arm injury.
@Grey: Damn its very tempting to “roll the Dice-K” but if there is one team and place i wouldn’t want to start him its The Yankees in Yankee Stadium.
In another league i traded Dice-K for Manny Ramirez straight up. The guy literally has the entire red sox roster now. I guess thats what happens when your friend lets his grandpa play in our fantasy baseball league. haha.
@Grey
Thanks!
Okay, so it turns out I dumped EverCab last week and picked up Glaus on your advice (thank you very much, it worked out beautifully).
New and more accurate scenario: G. Beckham or S. Castro which one goes?
@Grey: Thanks will make the add othe deal is official. What do you think about Headley going forward? Should I be a seller or a giver-away?
@Harry Plopper: That’s hilarious. How’s that working out so far?
@Grey: Probably not. I’m grasping at straws as though I’m the one that owes him the remained of his $15.5 Mil. I think there’s something there with the slider though.
His slider value has gone from +7.5 (his best pitch last season) to -2.9. If he’s not lost velocity and bite on it, it must be the location that’s killing him – which is in line with what Ozzie was saying after the game. He’s actually throwing it 10% less, along with this 4-seamer and instead has thrown a lousy 2-seamer 15% more.
Seems like he’s lost confidence in his most effective pitch. The team around him won’t exactly inspire much confidence I suppose. As you said, time to cut bait.
@Harry Plopper: Ha!
@El Famous Burrito: Beckham
@Wilsonian: Depends what you’re selling him for.
Keep stashing Mike Stanton on my bench or pick up Carlos Lee off waivers? Should I drop someone else? I need to start 4 OF and 1 Utility from these guys…
Holliday
McCutchen
Span
Pence
Ludwick
Swisher
Stanton
When Santana and Posey come up, should I pick one of them up or keep Napoli? Napoli’s playing well and every day recently but Mathis will be healthy soon. I feel like I should pick up Santana within a few days before someone scoops me. 18 team league.
@El Famous Burrito: I beat him last week but he has a better record then me haha. Thats why i hate H2H. I have Pujols, Cano, Wright, Tulowitzki, Wieters, CGonz, Heyward, McCutchen, D Price, T Hanson, Johan, and Kershaw. Yet im in second to last place. hah. Im working my way to the top tho so don’t feel bad for me.
I just looked at the league and he made two trades with his grandson.
Grandpa gets:
Nick Markakis
Yovani Gallardo
Clay Bucholtz
Ivan Rodriguez
Fernando Rodney(separate trade)
Grandson gets:
Marlon Bryd
Michael Bourn
Jonathan Sanchez
Livan Hernandez
Edwin Jackson (separate trade)
I kinda like the Grandpas side of the trades.
@Harry Plopper: That’s the best 2nd-to-last place team I think I’ve ever seen.
I’d have to agree, Granddad’s getting the better end of that trade by far!
How old is the grandson? Who trades FOR Livan and Edwin?
@Tom Emanski: Gotta grab Santana in a league that deep. I’ve stashed him in a 12 team keeper and 15 team redraft.
Start Wells vs. Col? And is anyone worried about Tulo and his 1 homer?
@ Grey: Drop Freese for Branyan?
Swung 2 deals yesterday
1. Gave Ellsbury & Alcides, received Butler and Marcum
2. Gave Lackey, received Ichiro
Did I receive good, fair or poor value back? ( I think I especially like the 2nd deal- I hate Lackey and don’t know why I drafted him!)
@El Famous Burrito: He’s 22 and he knows baseball. I was surprised to see the trades. Maybe he feels bad for his grandpa or something. This same kid traded away Chone Figgins and Scott Baker for Alex Rodriguez earlier in the year. So he knows how to get the better of a trade. The kid who traded away Alex Rodriguez still complains about how he was trade raped. And they’re roommates haha.
which side do you like in an a ramirez for c mcgehee trade?
@KarlJ.: How the hell did you get Ichiro for Lackey!? The other deal is good for you too, but that’s ridiculous. Lackey’s crap and you can find SAGNOF guys around if you need more speed.
Can I play in your league?
@Grey: I guess what I would be looking at is someone like Scott or Glaus for Headley…someone who is actually producing at the moment. Headley is just going to rot on the bench – and those two are raking.
@KarlJ.: Absolute steal dealing Lackey for that. The other trade is a little more even but i like the Butler and Marcum side. I think Marcum is the best pitcher on that staff but thats just me.
@Grey: Speaking of Bruce, here’s an interesting tidbit: He’s the 33rd ranked player in Yahoo! over the last month. I hadn’t expected him to be so high. But his line is sneaky good:
.316/24/4/15/1 with a .413OBP
Isn’t this around the date you said people would be laughing at the guy who dropped Bruce in mid-April?
Given Bruce’s promising signs, is Krispie border-line droppable in a 3OF 12-team format? He’s been the definition of solid-but-unspectacular: .273/10/2/13/3 over the past month; .288/16/5/28/4 overall. The lack of runs really drains his value, and I can’t see that changing unless A.J. Hinch starts filling out the lineup card upside-down.
Last Q along these lines: Dunn/A-Ram/KJ for Youk/Gregg ?
@anyone else: Feel free to chime in.
Long time listener, first time caller…
@Anyone: Weekly lineups… 2-start Cueto (MIL and @CLE) or 1-start Kershaw (SD).
@Bosleto: Aramis or Alexi? im assuming you mean Aramis Ramirez. Grey said “His K% is poor (24.6%), but it could be because his luck has been so bad (.179 BABIP). I’m not a huge fan of Aramis, but I think he will get better.” If that helps at all.
I think Casey Mcghee is this years Aaron Hill. Well thats what i keep telling myself since i didn’t get Kelly Johnson.
please rank Wells, Medlen, Olsen, Ely, C. Richards or Jason Vargas….BTW who is this Jason Vargas and why is no one talking about him? His numbers are pretty sick and he’s playing in a pitcher’s paradise.
@Tom Emanski: Is this a keeper league? Picking up Posey or Santana probably won’t have much short term upside in 2010, and its more than possible that they would perform worse than Napoli (unless he gets benched or platooned again).
Stick with Napoli and stop worrying about your catcher unless he losed playing time.
@Baron Von Vulturewins: P.S. Bruce was 33rd overall — he ranks #14 among all OFs in the past month. ahead of Heyward, Dunn, Wells, Ichiro, Crawford, etc, etc.
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Id take the side getting Dunn, A Ram, and Kelly Johnson.
Is Kelly Johnson going to keep this pace all year, or will he be a schmohawk from here on out?
Someone in my league just traded Cano for Soriano and Asdrubal. Is this as bad as I think it is?
@bodymore: Ouch. Yeah I dropped Latos too for Correia, but I expect him to be shut down come playoff time, so it won’t hurt as bad.
@TheBravesWearPrado: That’s pretty horrible but not collusionally so. Is that even a word?
Let’s go this route instead….Pick 2:
Kershaw – 1 start
Cueto – 2 starts
Latos – 2 starts
@TheBravesWearPrado: Thats a trade rape if ive ever seen one. If i were you id be sending offers to the owner who traded away cano daily. And also if you can vote against that trade.
odd man out in weekly h2h 5×5:
R Wells (vsCOL, @TEX)
K Slowey (@TOR, vsMIL)
G Gonzalez (vsSEA, vsSF)
@3FingersBrown: I normally don’t veto trades but this one hurts because the guy getting Cano is in first and I’m in second. I’m also the commissioner of the league so I don’t want to be too impartial and vocally object to the trade.
@TheBravesWearPrado: I hear you. I don’t believe in vetoing a trade unless its an obvious case of collusion though. I’ve only once vetoed a trade and that I thought was a total dump in a keeper league – that in the end worked out well for the dumper.
Lol, people are picking up Heilman? For what, designated Eraser?
@Harry Plopper: I tell myself that too about McGehee. It makes having kept Hill hurt less.
Utley is out of the starting lineup on Monday with flu-like symptoms, Jim Salisbury of Comcast Sports Net Philadelphia reports.
@TheBravesWearPrado: Im a commish in multiple leagues so i understand what its like to veto a trade and have people give you flak over it. In my case it was a end of the year keeper for an entire team that was out of the playoffs. the trade was horrible (Steven Jackson for an entire team) but i got texts all day about it.
Id veto that trade if i were you. Its not even close to being fair. If it were Soriano (Rafael or Alfonso) for Cabrera Straight up itd be a little more understandable. But CANO? no. That should never get passed. Stick to your guns if people get mad. tell them to offer a fair trade next time.
Is Quentin worth a #1 waiver claim? 14 team mixed, OBP not AVG.
Maybe just hold out and grab Cust?
Orlando Hudson or Aviles at 2B while waiting for Roberts to come back from DL?
16-Team, H2H-POINTS, Modified Keeper League
Bruce & Colby Lewis
FOR
Ludwick & Matusz
JUST SAW ON ESPN THAT T SNIDER GOING ON THE 15 DAY DL.
@FetaBallz: I’d lose Swisher.
@Tom Emanski: Mathis is going to steal PT from Napoli, so you’re gonna have to grab Santana or someone.
@Infamy707: Start him.
@Kent Bottenfield: Sure
@KarlJ.: They look good for you.
@Bosleto: McGehee
@Wilsonian: Glaus
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Krispie is droppable… Not sure how anyone dropped Bruce. People get rash and crazy and forget the season is long. Dunn side looks fine, but I know you’re trying to unload them. It’s a fair trade. Youk is going to bore you too though. Look at his ASB splits.
@The Fake Joe Rogan: Kershaw
@mc serch: Wells, Olsen, Ely…
@I’m so Prado of you: If he goes 0-for-150, he’s done his job.
@The Fake Joe Rogan: Kershaw, Cueto…
@Matt B: Slowey… Though those Wells starts aren’t good.
@Elijah: Ha
@Elijah: Thanks for the heads up!
@chrisB: I’d grab Quentin.
@Casmon: Aviles
@Commish Cauda: Bruce’s side.
@Frank Rizzo: Thanks for the heads up!
@Frank Rizzo: Ugh… I picked him up before the weekend and didn’t get a single AB.
Wow, now I see J-Roll is being activated tonight and batting 3rd since Utley’s out.
FUCKIN SNIDER!!!
@Grey: Yeah — I was kind of flip-flopping Krispie and Bruce, playing match-ups — until I realized how much better Bruce has been over the long (well, one month) haul.
re: Youk — I could use the avg and runs boost — I’m currently sucking in Rs and AVG, but sailing in HRs. I’ve got an infield of Morneau/KJ/Hanley/MMD, with A-Ram in the wings; 3B is the one position I’d like to upgrade but, of course, there are only 3 or 4 guys worth pursuing.
Trouble is, I’m bored by Youk and his current owner loves him — total Sox homer, owns and/or trades for Youk every year. So the talks are proceeding accordingly.
It’s likely a bad sign that my first thought about acquiring Youk was, “I could use him as a chip and trade him back to that guy.”
Callaspo or Freese at 3B?
How about this one…again, H2H-POINTS League
Carpenter & Verlander
FOR
Lincecum & Colby Lewis
Holy shizz, I just took over a 16 team league that has 8 DL players
@Grey: Well, I was about to ask you who I should cut with Rollins coming off the DL, but it looks like Snider is heading to the DL. Too bad though, he was producing nicely! He’ll join Grandy on my DL.
Mark Reynolds has apparently been scratched from tonight’s lineup as well.
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Runs and average are the two things Youuuuuk can do, so there’s that, your trade doesn’t sound too promising.
@Murph: Freese
@Commish Cauda: Verlander side, but it’s fair.
@Eddy: Ouch
Scott Baker @BOS or Randy Wolf @PIT. Who you starting? – Thanks!
@Eddy: Dang!! What’s the lineup?
@Bermuda Triangles: Punt? Wolf…
Will there be a Ronnie James Dio reference in the write up tomorrow?
@Grey: snider worth stashing in 12 team mixed league with no DL?
@Grey: Glaus or Boesch? I’m channeling Rudy and leaning Glaus.
5×5 (Tb rather than HR) weekly H2H.
Pick 2: Magglio, JDDrew, Holliday.
@herschel: Really depends on who you have on your bench…It doesn’t sound like it will take him too long to recover.
@Baron Von Vulturewins: I own Youk and he bores the hell out of me. 5 walks in a game? wtf? Swing the freaking bat already. He’d be great if we had OPS as a category.
@Grey: So… if one needs help in all areas except SBs, is Krispie droppable for:
a) Glaus?
b) Branyan?
c) Scott?
in a points league which 1 would you start this week?
Robot, Weeks, Pods, Freese
Also would you drop any one of those for Snider?
Grey
Youk for CC straight up?
I have Stewart and Sandoval to plug in at 3rd…my pitching staff is hurting for wins
Drop Qualls for Cueto? I will have Gregg, Nunez, and Cordero with Lidge sitting on the DL left – Qualls is sinking fast and rumors I’ve read say that it is anyone’s roll at this point potentially…
@Grey: updated decision – final round of survivor island sp for the week: Medlen or Wandy? I was without a doubt going with wandy but as the day goes on the more I want to hop off..
@Dingo: Keep Krispie. Others don’t have much more power if at all, considering injury risk.
@Frank Rizzo: Probably not.
@herschel: Sure
@peter: Boesch
@Bern: Holliday, Drew…
@brad: Robot
@cashmoney: I’d take CC.
@nick m.: Eh
@Sal: Medlen
@peter: I had to make that move yesterday in a 16 Team H2H Keeper. I had to look to the future, and while they’re both hot as hell…Glaus is streaky and good for now, but Boesch could be in it for the long haul, but that .380 avg will drop.
@GopherDay:
Sorry for the delay, I was just making a flurry of moves. It’s a 10×10 16 team H2H league (yea one of those ridiculous ones) with huge benches.
2B,3B,HR,RBI,SH,SB,GIDP,FPCT,OBP,SLAM for hitting
W,L,CG,SV,K,HLD,ERA,WHIP,Relief App., WIN% for pitching
I dropped:
Alex Gordon (NA)
Kelly Shoppach (DL)
Edger Renteria (DL)
Brandon Wood
Ryan Spilborghs
Brendan Donnelly (DL)
Chris Dickerson
I added:
Luke Scott
Adam Rosales
Andres Torres (had CF eligibility)
Jeremy Affeldt
Aaron Heilman
Jeff Francis
And put in a claim to get Pineiro
My “improved” team:
C-Mike Napoli
1B-Todd Helton
2B-Alberto Callaspo
3B-Adam Rosales
SS-Jimmy Rollins
INF-Luke Scott
LF-Ryan Braun
CF-Andres Torres
RF-Hunter Pence
OF-Adam Lind
Util-Manny Ramirez
Bench-JJ Hardy
Bench-Travis Snider (Went on the DL TODAY, how ridiculous)
DL-Nick Johnson
DL-Brian Roberts
DL-Freddy Sanchez
DL-Carlos Beltran
SP-Ubaldo Jimenez
SP-Bronson Arroyo
SP-Bud Norris
SP-Scott Kazmir
SP-Jeff Francis
RP-Aaron Heilman
RP-Sean Marshall
RP-Michael Wuertz
RP-Carlos Marmol
RP-Brian Wilson
RP-Billy Wagner
DL-Chan Ho Park (even though he came back today)
Needless to say, this should be a pretty interesting reclamation project
@Grey: Just traded for James Shields. Start him this week @ NYY, instead of Masterson vs. KC or Floyd vs. FLA?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Mike D.
latos, ervin, slowey. which 2?
@Mike D.: I’d start Masterson at KC over Shields.
@drew: Latos (at home), Ervin…
I think someone sabotaged my team. How can Utley, Big Donkey, and Mini-Donkey all have the flu at the same time?
@Elijah: They’re in your clubhouse together. I think if anything, they should be blaming you.
@Grey: @Wilsonian: Thanks, both.
Carlos Lee for Kevin Slowey, re-draft league….who gets best?
Good news or bad news, depending on how you view these things, but Carlos Quentin is back in the Sox lineup.
Bucholz for MY stephen drew?
I’ve got Jroll, jose lopez (borderline drop) and alex gonzalez up the middle.
My pitching right now is Wainy, Verlander, gio, colby, scott olsen, strasburg and some closers…..
Rest of year? Cueto, Pineiro?
@Grey:
Good point!
@Grey – Rickie Weeks was just dropped in my league. Should I pick him up?
I currently have Kelly Johnson and Casey McGehee as my 2B. I’d drop Kelly Johnson for him since I don’t want to carry 3 2B.
Which side?
Uggla/Abreu or Rafael Soriano?
Timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
I had Hardy in my 2B/SS slot stinking up the joint; no one decent available on the wire. On a whim I picked up Felipe Lopez and I just received the news that he’s off the DL and is leading off for the Cards tonight.
@Eddy: Nice! Have fun with that team!!
In a situation where neither of these players can be kept…
I currently have Zobrist and Starlin as my 2 shortstops.
Furcal on my DL
Felipe Lopez is available with 2B/SS eligibility.
Should I swap out Starlin for Lopez ?
@Tarasco’s Secret Stash: Slowey
@Steve: Ha, thanks!
@Tony: I’d take Buchholz.
@Kazmere: Cueto
@William: Eh
@Mike: Uggla’s
@TheEvilEmpire: Maybe you can sprinkle some of your pixie dust on Grandy.
@tony b.: Eh
not sure if it has been said here or not, but looks like Hamilton is getting a day off today.
@mauledbypandas: and rightly so, he looks very lost at the plate right now. Cruz not much better.
14 team h2h counting 5×5 plus OBP, XBH and K/BB and Holds. I want to grab Cust. Should I drop Cecil or Ely for him? My pitching is:
SP- Beckett, SP- Nolasco, RP- Capps, RP- Broxton, RP- Rauch, RP- Jaime, P- Kennedy, P- Colby, P- Wandy, BN- Ely, BN- Cecil, and DL- Mike Gonzalez
@mauledbypandas: Thanks for the heads up!
@royce!: Jaime Kennedy? Oh, wait…. Lose Cecil.
Which side do you like:
Choo/Lind/F-Her
or
Bay/Damon/Ubaldo?
Send Phillips and Gallardo For Kemp in 16 team h2h dyansty?
I already have kinsler and Utley on my roster. My staff is not that strong though but it will still have:
Kershaw, Garcia, Blanton, Morrow, CJ Wilson, Leake, Buchochlz, Volquez, Webb and Zimmerman.
My thinking is that having a beast offense will allow me to win 5 categories a week and still have a decent shot at K’s and W’s and SV’s.
What do you think kind sirs?
@Grey: Dump Floyd for Homer Bailey? I liked him on draft day. Maybe that last start was a sign of things to come?
I could also go with another bat in Luke Scott or Andres Torres, since Swish looks like he’ll be sitting against righties for a bit.
Whats wrong with Chone Figgins? Other than he pronounces his name like “shawn”
@Aaron: All that time trying to figure out projections has cut into his BP.
20 team league
i give peralta and lindstrom for shields
have soriano as closer and koji who i think will take that job
@Mojo the Helper Monkey: F-Her’s
@Big Al: I’d take Kemp.
@3FingersBrown: Take Scott.
@Aaron: He’s been a bit unlucky. His average should come up.
@3FingersBrown: Ha!
@barker: Sounds fine for you.
the kid took it thanks for the quick response grey
quickest trade ever??
@Steve: I have Quentin in an AL-only league, but it’s getting clearer by the day that ’08 was a proverbial 130-game flash in the pan. He’s hanging out with Rios and Stephen Drew in the clubhouse for players I’ll never touch again.
In other Snider-related news, Edwin Encarnacion has been reactived from the DL. So basically one bad wrist replaces another on the DL.
Edwin had a good September last year, and he could still be a good 3B pick-up in deep leagues (no worries, Bautista will play the OF full-time, at least until Snider is back). It will all depend on how his wrist feels, obviously.
Snider’s injury doesn’t seem too bad; apparently lab results came up negative, and people are just unsure about what is causing the pain. Maybe some rest will be enough.
Give: Grady/Liriano to Get: Dread Pirate?
Currently in 9th (out of 10) in R and AVG but only 2.5 points out of first.
@Grey: have you ever had the pleasure of putting white ace to your lips? Only the bums in England and poor americans who studied abroad there have had the pleasure. you can get 2 liters for a #1.49 – and the pleasure of not being able to put a sentence together the next day…
Branyan or Fowler for a utility spot?
@barker: Ha… Might be.
@DrEasy: Nice summation.
@sean: It’s okay.
@sal: More of a Mad Dog 20/20 guy. Branyan…
@Grey: That’s what I’m thinking. I had Scott for his May run last year.
Dice K looking like he’s not going to repeat his last performance.
@Grey:
Starting Wandy tonight at Dodgers?
Hughes is like the anti-Randy Wofl, he always gets run supoort.
@timSTi: Yeah, he’s not someone you want to own ever.
*Wolf even.
@Elijah: Doesn’t hurt to be on the Yankees.
@Grey: Which side in a re-draft?
Gallardo and Hamels
OR
Greinke and Haren
@Mike D: Greinke
@Grey:
That was the idea, draft inexpensive Burnett and Hughes for W’s. Working like a charm so far.
@Grey: Did you see my ?
@BigFatHippo: Oops, missed it. I’d start him.
What happened to Asdrubal?
Boo hoo, Grey’s ignoring me……………..
@Grey:
Willingham or Quentin?
@agarthered: Ran into someone, left the game.
@BigFatHippo: Aw, c’mon.
@Mike D: Quentin
Did it look bad Grey?
I drop Beckham today, and put Asdrubal at 2b.
I swear my SS and 2B have been cursed all year. (Everth, Alcides, Beckham, Furcal, Asdrubal)
@agarthered: Not sure yet.
kubel or Ad. Jones?
@Grey: I took my balls and went home……………
@Donnie Baseball: Jones
Hey Grey, is Werth’s average due for a brutal correction sometime soon? Or are we in for some mammoth contract year numbers?
Ian Kennedy or Olsen?
@Mitch: Probably come down to around .280 by season’s end. You didn’t get him for average though.
@Schlitzy: Olsen, but it depends on matchups.
Adam Jones or Carlos Quentin?
So Alcides finally starts batting 2nd and even gets on base. Only problem, he hit a triple. Ay dios mio!
@Grey: Hey Grey, big Met fan here. Barajas is yet to throw out a baserunner this year so I’d add him to this list too.
@GopherDay: Quentin
@Tom Emanski: Hehe
@Matt: Must’ve missed him cause Blanco is such a beast.
@Grey: I’m already down 2-0 in SB and I’m good in power. I think I have to go with Torres as my SAGNOF flavor of the week.
With DeRosa on the DL I think Torres is going to stick in the outfield.
On a side note. Call my crazy but I started Kaz vs. Tex tonight. He’s been good at Arlington in the past and my team’s pitching well, so I said “F it.”
I think it’s the jilted Mets fan in me that wants Kaz to succeed.
@3FingersBrown: Pretty risky, but could work out for you.
Just netted F-Her for Gregg and Street. Gotta love that
@agarthered: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100517&content_id=10116072&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle
Grey, been on twitter, sounds like Asdrubal hurt his left forearm.
Gonna drop him and pick up either Odawg, Aviles, or Collapso
I just need a player a can slot there, and not worry about for awhile.
I’m guessing safest bet would be Odawg.
thoughts?
@agarthered: Aviles
do you guys consider jered weaver a sell high candidate or is he becoming a legitimate ace? His FIP is 2.76 and his XFip is 3.01 so his ERA of 2.47 will come up a little bit, but do we think we can expect this for the rest of the year?
@Grey: Drew with a 3 run bomb off Hughes..prompts the question …Drew or Snider?…and is MD 20/20 a jersey memory or bith coasts,? cause my high school days here in NJ were full of the 3 dollar mind eff lol
@chris: Those FIPs tell me he’s pitching as well as he’s looked.
@Grey: Scott is definitely the safer play but there are a couple of decent but slow power bats available on waivers if someone else gets him like Glaus, Sanchez, Branyan…
Torres BB/K rate is even at 17. That was the kicker for me, since we’re using OBP. There are a lot of shitty fast guys around, but the good ones walk. I figure Bochey’s got to be aggressive with runners to score runs in those tight, low-scoring games that they play.
@dingers: Ha! MD 20/20 in Jersey and Boston. Good times, that I don’t remember. I’d go with Drew.
@3FingersBrown: How’s the Kaz start working? Sorry…
@Grey: Holland’s start is working out just fine and dandy for me!
Zzzzz….Markakis…zzzzz.
Two questions, guys. A 2 for 1 trade I pulled off is about to open up a roster spot. Do I snag Drew, Boesch, or Stanton?
Second, which side do you like better: Morneau, V. Wells, A. Soriano, or Pujols and CarGo?
@Grey: Oh snap! I got caught up in the Yankee game and wasn’t paying attention to that. I should have known better. He’s like that ex you call up on a bender that gets uglier every time you see her.
At least it was Nelson who did the damage. I’m consoled by having Cueto and Pelfrey going. Hope those guys can hang in there and catch W’s.
@Grey: There are very few sp’s that can work as fast as Holland. He looks like a young Oliver Perez right now.
@Grey: I did sit Slowey on my other team though. Very distressing that this is becoming his typical line.
Big out on that rundown in ATL!
“Light my fire” Feliciano coming on to face Heyward…
@GopherDay: Looking real nice.
@G-RAM: Pujols’s side. Stanton…
@3FingersBrown: Hehe
@Rick Dempsey: Not sure how to take that.
@3FingersBrown: Yeah, he looks bad.
Good evening fantasy baseballers. Who is the odd man out in this rag-tag crew now that I’ve got Rollins back in the lineup: Kouz, Alcides, Callapso, Branyan?
@ anyone: Alexei Ramirez was sent to the waiver wire, and I will likely have a shot as a FA pickup. I am currently rostering The Riot in a shallow H2H league. I have Cuddyer & Manny on my bench at the moment. Alexei for insurance, I know Grey said he was getting hot at this time last year. Drop one of the two bench for him or swap with Theriot?
Gomes!
oh Napoli why must you make me cheer against my team, (thanks for the homer though)
Holy crap, Jones looks f’in terrible at the plate. He swings at junk even in a hitters count. I would not peg him as a turn around candidate, yet I’m counting on him being one since I gave up Billingsley for him. I’ll start benching him once Stanton comes up or Granderson comes back, and hopefully he can turn it around on my bench…but yikes…is it crazy to think I’ll be dropping him by seasons end?
Monster day for Morneau… I sure do hope his back holds up for the whole season. I’d think about a sell high here, but how do you fill a Canadian size hole at 1b?
Morneau seems intent on carrying my whole offense while Ethier’s out. Good work!
@3Fingers & Grey: Not much improvement from Slowey, but hey, he didn’t regress!
My pitching has been very good so far but I know that a few of my guys are due for some big era regressions (Garcia, Wilson, LeBlanc). I know Cueto is a favorite of this site and for some reason he is a free agent in my league. Should I just keep going with these guys or is Cueto going to be that much better that I need to add him right now before someone else does? The rest of my staff is Ubaldo, Oswalt, Marcum, and Bills.
Would you trade Oswalt to get Pena if you were desperate for some HR power?
@bodymore: I’ve drafted Morneau each of the last 3 years. I love his consistency. I have him and Pena and was hoping to flip one eventually but Pena has blown up that plan. Let’s just hope Morneau’s back doesn’t flair up again. He looks like he is going to have a monster year. His obp right now is ridiculous.
@Grey: So…is the Corey Hart we’ve witnessed the past few days here to stay?
@bodymore: More of the same. Didn’t watch the game. How did he look? Cheap hits or solid contact?
youk and v-maht!
@TheBravesWearPrado: Your pitching is solid. I wouldn’t drop any of those guys for Cueto right now. If you put a gun to my head, I’d say Wilson simply due to ballpark and league. Remember balls fly out of Great American Smallpark in the summer heat…
I do regret not trading Floyd for Cueto about a month ago when the offer was posed to me.
@Van Hammersly: Kouz
@Don: Swap Theriot for him.
@Van Hammersly: Nice!
@bodymore: Not crazy…
@bodymore: Sad but true.
@TheBravesWearPrado: Cueto over LeBlanc.
@Awesomus Maximus: Probably go for Dunn, but it’s okay.
@Mike D: Couldn’t get much worse.
EverCab or Alcides batting 2nd? (Escobar just stole his first base)
gio is going to reach 89 pitches by the second inning
@3FingersBrown: Thanks for the input. I’m also worried about Wilson in the summer. I also used to have Lester and then moved him for Rollins. The waiver wire has been good to me this year as far as pitchers go.
@Cheese: Everth for steals.
Does anyone else find ZiPS projections to be rather low? Also, do they get adjusted throughout the season?
@Cheese: I think the preferable term is conservative. Yeah, they’re all low, except Bill James.
I’ve just been offered Ichiro and Shields for Span and Dotel.
I’m loaded with closers,and my average is in the middle of the pack in a 12 team league,plus my era could use a break.
Am I overthinking this deal? it sounds pretty generous
@Doug Ault: I’d take Ichiro and I don’t even like Ichiro.
@TheBravesWearPrado: Careful with Cueto. He’s prone to decimating your ratios… I like him more in roto (where I have him) rather than H2H.
@Grey: Whaddya know, Kaz made it through 7 and kept the halos in the game!
(please don’t come out for the 8th)
@Grey: Yeah, your “Ichiroitis” has been a source of my overthinking it, ha ha……..I wounder if I would be better off asking for Danks or CJ Wilson instead of Shields?
The Wandwagon is killing me. Any Stros fans on here? How does he look live?
@3FingersBrown: Some definite balls hit right at people.
@Doug Ault: Don’t over think it. Shields and Ichiro is fine… So you’ll be the only person who reads this site who owns them, it’s good variety.
@grey- is slowey now dropable in a 12 team mixed league? I would pick up stanton instead.
Strasburg for Aramis Ramirez (I get A-Ram) ?
need power @ 3b – but Strasburg might be sweet to hold onto
@Grey: They playful side of Ichiro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtImIqR5neU
@Martin: Sure
@Denys: It’s fair.
@Doug Ault: I like him a bit more now.
MARCUS THAMES!
Am I giving up too much to get David Price in giving up Aaron Hill and Billingsley? What about for Lester instead of Price? My confidence in both Billingsley and Hill has waned dramatically.
Look at Ely go!
OMG OMG ALCIDES stole a base!! My whining about it for a month and half has finally paid off.
@G-RAM: Bills hasn’t had a bad start in almost a month. Lester’s okay, if your team can replace Hill.
@bodymore: Let’s not jinx it.
@Tom Emanski: Hehe
@Tom Emanski: Now he has as many stolen bases as Prince Fielder!
Now who would have thought of all the people it would be Vazquez with the W for the Yankees tonight?
@Grey – I hope you get this message before time runs out on Yahoo!
I’m thinking of dropping Slowey for Medlen for his 2 starts this week. Smart move or is Slowey’s second start this week better than Medlen’s?
@Grey:
You’re probably right, Grey. I just feel like Bills has only faced one solid offense in the stretch (the Brewers, compared to the D-Backs, Nats, Pirates, and Pads in Petco), and it seems like his lines have been kind of deceiving (e.g., 4 BB in 5.1 v. the D-Backs). Even last night he was getting hit pretty hard at times. It’s important to note that the relevant league counts BB against pitchers, frustrating though that is (I hate negative accumulation stat categories).
As far as replacing Hill goes, I have Ian Stewart, so I’m not even starting Hill right now.
@William: Slowey’s fine for his next start, go for Medlen if you need two.
Need a little help here guys… is Span worth the #1 waiver in a 10-team roto that uses OBP instead of AVG? I hate to “waste” the pick but have a hard time someone better than him will be dropped. What do you guys think?
So, I’ve been busy with real life lately (ain’t that a bitch?) and haven’t been able to keep as close an eye on FBB as I’d like. Anyone know what’s up with MMD missing games recently (11th and 14th)? I can’t find any info… just wondering if it’s something to keep an eye on.
@bobbo: He’s a good OBP guy. Go for it if you need him.
@Grey – how about the WandyWagon for Medlen?
I only get 5 moves a week and the guy i play against likes to stream… i’m trying to counter that by grabbing 2 start guys so I have a little more flexibility.
Also, with Snider hitting the DL, I need a replacement until Grandy comes back. Doesn’t have to be an OF… so do you like Boesch or Aramis better?
I’m thinking out loud, should I drop Carlos Lee/Quentin for Brennan Boeutsch?
@Tom Emanski – I asked Grey about Quentin for Boesch. from what I recall, he was not a fan.
@Tom Emanski: @bobbo: To further clarify the #1 waiver for Span situation, I’m currently rostering a good deal of outfielders: Ethier, BJ, CarGo, Heyward, Rasmus, Magglio, Borbon, Ibanez. Is he more valuable than one of those?
I’m leading all offensive categories except SB where I’m middle of the pack and K’s (negative) where I’m down real low (thanks David Wright and Rickie Weeks). This might change things…
@Tom Emanski: Add Bartlett and Beckham to that list too. Yes, I have all four of them. Beckham is my only 2B.
@bobbo: Well, Borbon doesn’t belong on any 10 team league. But why do you have 8 OFs? Is it a 5 OF league? Drop Borbon for Span if you want to use him as one of your starters.
Well, this sucks.
Not a single one of my outfielders started today
Quentin – PPD
Fowler – Riding the bench now
Hamilton – Day off
Snider – DL, but didn’t have a bench hitter to replace him with.
@Awesomus Maximus: Tracy just resting him.
@William: Sure
@Awesomus Maximus: Aramis
@Tom Emanski: I’d be more worried about replacing Beckham.
@GopherDay: That does suck.
@Grey – So are you really off the WandyWagon, or are you telling me to finally let him go after my 10000000000000000th time asking you if I should?
@Grey: Yeah, my team had the most empty 13/37 all year.
5 runs,
0 HRs
0 RBIS
1 SB
5Ks
.351 AVG
@Tom Emanski: Yep, 5OF league. Carrying extra because I have some bench space and Borbon was drafted for steals (hence why I’m sucking in that cat right now). If I drop him he’ll be claimed and I’m SOL if he starts producing.
@William: You’re asking about a H2H league right? If so, then go for the 2 starts from Medlen if you need them.
You know, just throwing this out here.
In my two ROTO leagues this year, I had a dynasty league where I thought my pitching was mediocre, and a yearly league where I thought my pitching was pretty good.
At this point, my yearly league’s ERA sits at 4.04 and my dynasty league ERA sits at a very pretty 3.00 ERA. WTF???
But in my yearly league, its coming down with Hamels, Billingsley, Kershaw, Cueto, and Santana all pitching like they should be.
@Grey – Yeah it’s my H2H league
@William: I would own Wandy over Slowey though.
@Grey: True. Beckham could be sent down any day. That’s why I’m trying to pick up tradable players to get a replacement.
Wandy’s line looks a lot better after they subtracted 2 ERs for a throwing error in the first. However, a single punch out? The huge dip in his K rate is a total bummer.
@Mojo the Helper Monkey:
I had to drop Wandy in one league but that’s purely a function of Losses counting in that one. I just couldn’t afford to take 15 L’s over a season, which is what he’s likely to get even if he’s throwing well. In most leagues I think hes still worth holding.
@Grey: Branyan! I guess you’ve got to take the rough with the smooth.
@Steve: Nice!
@Grey: Ahh… thanks for the info. They are mini donkeys after all, can’t ride ‘em too hard.
@Grey – You think Wandy’s Ks are coming?
@Elijah: I hear you. I traded for him earlier in the season and feel like I have no other option but to ride him out. If he doesn’t improve his K rate I don’t see him being worth holding onto in the long term. It’s all just a question of when or if I feel ready to make that call. If I drop him, he’ll be plucked from waivers right away.
@Grey: Nothing nice about an 0-5, I’m afraid.
Perhaps he will be smooth tomorrow.
pick 1 to stream for tomorrow…
Bailey
Lannan
Parra
Medlen
Huff
Norris
Chacin
Duke
Millwood
Silva
Buckner
thanks Grey and razzballers!
@William: Probably not.
@Steve: Oh, I haven’t look. I was going on your enthusiasm. Or what I thought was enthusiasm.
@and1mcgee: Medlen
@Grey: Sorry.
Sarcusiasm is the lowest form of wit.
Ely looking good for the win, though. And that’s the straight truth. And thanks to the last Buy/Sell, I will get that win.
@Grey: No thoughts on Span?
@bobbo: He’s more valuable than Mags.
Grady Sizemore — When healthy, should I stash him on my bench until he produces, continue starting him, or give up and trade him???
@Grey – Ervin Santana or WandyWagon?
Over/Under?
Reyes — 60 sb
Boesch — 25 HR
Butler — 28 HR
Contreras — 20 Saves
**ALERT**
For all those who love getting 8 IP, with perhaps 1 ER type starts from Filthy Sanchez but NOT getting a win because he’s always magically outdueled, then you’re in luck.
Tomorrow he goes against Mat Latos for the third time this year, with whom he has lost to 0-1 both times.
I’m already counting down the mother-effin’ minutes.
@Adam:
My 2¢ is under on all of them. Reyes seems the most plausible there if anything, but unless he can get a serious hot streak that’ll land him in the .280s in average, 40 seems his limit.
Asdrubal has a broken forearm:(
Who should I replace him with: Scutaro, Pennington, S. Castro, Desmond or Aybar? This is for a H2H points league w/weekly lineups.
@Grey:
Who do you take out of these miserable SP?
Gavin Floyd
Edwin Jackson
Jeff Francis
Mike Pelfrey
Randy Wolf
Brandon Morrow
Tom Gorzelanny
@William: Ervin
@GrandSlamSingle: Castro
@Eddy: Take out, like remove? Or who do I want? I want Morrow or Pelfrey, in that order, but they’re all matchup guys.
Ely is almost certainly not gonna be THIS good, but anyone else excited for the possibility of him posting the numbers Slowey should have posted this year i.e. low walks and decent K’s, maybe a 3.9 ERA and a sub-1.2 whip?
@Grey: Grazie!
@Grey: Hey Grey, can you do a 2011 easiest to run on list like this (except more thorough)?