And another rookie is called up. It’s raining rookies that I will pick up for a few days and then drop if they don’t pan out in a matter of three days. First, let’s see what our prospect writer, Scott, said just four days ago about Manny Machado, “Machado’s line on the year at Double-A isn’t pretty: .266/.350/.431, 10 HR. Still, he’s not slipping much in mid-season prospect rankings, as scouts and pundits continue to believe in his tools. At just 20 years old, there’s ample time for him to play up to his potential, and I’m inclined to agree with the masses — Machado is still a future fantasy stud. Like Grey after a long hot shower.” Whoa, must’ve missed that last line. What I find even more remarkable, Scott had Manny’s stats right and he wrote that four days ago. Time traveler! Machado also has 13 steals and is what baseball people call five-toolsy. Let’s say, there’s a porn magazine called Five-Toolsy. Okay, the centerfold is B.J. Upton and Jim Bowden is the Ombudsman. The Orioles are saying Machado will play 3rd base. (I imagine he might spell Hardy too — That’s H-A-R-D-Y.) I think Machado will probably be terrific due to his position eligibility. But not this year. Maybe as early as next year. In keepers and AL-Only leagues, pursue with reckless abandon. As soon as next year, he could give you 15/15/.250. This year it’s a flyer that might give you a couple of homers and some steals. I’d take that flyer in most leagues. What do you have to lose? In my case, Ruben Tejada. Belch. Remember, Machado’s not even old enough to drink yet. In three years time, he could be a first round draft pick. For now, let’s sing, “Orioles called up Manny Mach Mach Mach…Dressed in all orange and black, black, black…” Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Jim Henderson - Now 2 saves in 2 days. Before you know it, he’ll start talking in the third person and call himself Jimmy. ”Tenure? Jimmy Henderson has been in the minors only 7 years!” ”From Jimmy Henderson’s condo, he can see the Entire State Building!” ”Jimmy Henderson can do push-ups with no arms and just his toes moving up and down.” In honor of that, here’s an oldie, but goodie – Rickey Henderson’s Drinking Game. As for Jim Henderson, I’d go ahead and grab him if you’re vulturing for saves. He had solid K-rates in the minor leagues (albeit less than ideal walk rates), but this is as much about him as it is about the other Brewer “closers.” Yeah, they deserved the douche-curtains I put around closers. Axford and Dor-K both look like they’re taking DayQuil at night.
Carlos Gomez - 2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and the slam & legs. About a month ago, someone must’ve pissed off the fantasy gods by verbally trading this CarGo for Votto and they smited Votto and turned FauxGo to CarGo.
Shin Soo-Choo – 4-for-4 with a run and 2 RBIs hitting out of the 3-hole. If he goes for 20/20 (he’s at 13/12), it’ll be the least exciting one since Hugh Downs went off the air.
Justin Masterson - 7 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 7 Ks. Now has a 6.68 ERA in away games and a 3.27 ERA at home. No one will ever accuse Masterson of being a Road Scholar, but when his Mom is grading his papers, he can be a solid home schooler.
Roy Oswalt – 1 1/3 IP, 4 ER. He came into town via DFW. He might be leaving it via DFA.
Josh Hamilton - 3-for-5, 2 runs, 4 RBIs and his 30th homer. I call this Hamilton highlight reel, Pieces of April.
Mike Olt - Didn’t play yesterday as Moreland started at first (and homered). Holy sit! The Rangers just have too many hitters. The Astros should just merge with them when they join the AL. Altuve can mule drugs from Mexico for Ron Washington. Or something. I don’t know; they can figure it out. Though, I am really concerned about Olt. In a mixed 12 team league, I dropped him. I need guys that play every day on that team. In most leagues, I’d prefer to hold on Olt through the weekend and reevaluate.
Mike Napoli - Sat out yesterday with a sore quad. That’s a postscript on why you didn’t have an 0-for-4 yesterday from him.
Mat Latos – 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 8 Ks. Since I pointed yesterday Lynn’s stats after I dropped him, it’s only fair I point out Latos has a 2.20 ERA and 0.98 in 45 IP after I dropped him. I blame him for being a miserable prick for the first 3 months of the season. Or I can reformat this to, I told you he’d be good this year. Yeah, he’s scarred me pretty good, but I’ll probably go in on him again next year. Hard for me to hate too much on a guy with his stuff.
Heath Bell – Ozzie announced that Bell could begin to get some save opportunities again. The Marlins have twenty-seven million reasons to do this. They’re idiots multiplied by twenty-seven million.
Daniel Straily – 4 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 9 baserunners, 5 Ks as he was victimized by 4 homers. If you’re in a Fangraphs Netanyahu league (or whatever it’s called), you can celebrate with his solid xFIP. Those of us who play a real man’s game (assuming there’s no actual real men in the room in Western wear and chewing ‘bacco) that uses things like ERA and WHIP, not a good start for Straily. I’m not going to sugarcoat it, but he did have 5 Ks and only one walk…Okay, I am gonna sugarcoat it. I’d roll Straily out in his next start and think of this as a blip. If he has another bad game next time out, then that’s no blip, it’s a blimp.
Chris Carter - 2-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 10th homer. That’s in 29 games. In only 90 at-bats. Member how I used to say Chris Carter is a Ryan Howard clone? Well, Ryan Howard is a Chris Carter clone. Natch!
Ryan Cook – 1 IP, 2 ER, but still nailed down the save. But Still, Part II: The Return of But Still, Cook barely converted the save. Balfour gave up a homer to Trumbo and Doolittle looked solid in the 8th. I’d continue to hold all three; this closer shituation hasn’t played itself out yet.
Paul Konerko – Sat out yesterday with a concussion. Don’t worry, Dr. Morneau is cloning a liger and a rhesus monkey to come up with a concussion serum! Konerko may need a 7-day DL stint. We shall see. Or not. Your choice.
Brett Lawrie – Out again with an oblique. Still no timetable for his return or DL stint. Oblique, indeed.
Jose Bautista – His MRI came back and said — NON-SPOILER ALERT — his wrist only has inflammation. He can take swings next Monday and if all goes well, he could be back in about 3 weeks. Before we make up a well-choroegraphed twenty second handshake to celebrate, we’re still one set back away from him getting shut down for the year.
Zack Greinke – 5 IP, 4 ER, 11 baserunners (5 BBs), 3 Ks vs. the A’s in O.co, which I figured out is short for “Oh, c’mon!” because that’s what I kept yelling at the TV when Greinke was pitching. If you would’ve saw him pitch yesterday, you’d wonder exactly how he was found to have the fantasy dominant gene.
Kendrys Morales – 3-for-5, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and two homers. Looks like the timetable for a limp-off homer is only 27 months.
Neil Walker – 2-for-4, 5 RBIs and his 13th homer. Fantasy has completely bastardized any team allegiances I might have, but I really hope the Pirates win the World Series. That is all.
Joel Hanrahan – With the Kimbrel for his 33rd save.
Ryan Howard – 2-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 2nd homer in as many games. Natch so fast!
Matt Kemp – 3-for-4, 3 RBIs and his 17th homer. For Kemp’s homer, Scully flashed his gang sign.
Eric Hosmer – 0-for-3. I think I’m gonna start calling him, “Ho-hum,” which is also a command Ice Cube uses.
Ben Revere - 0-for-4 as his hitting streak ended at 21. Southies throughout Boston were sad to hear that until they saw his picture.
Brett Jackson – 2-for-11 with 8 Ks since he was called up, and yesterday he didn’t play. I’m giving him a little bit more rope, but this time of year I don’t have much patience. I’d much rather see an 0-for-3 than a DNP. Let me hope for something, at least!
Clayton Richard – 9 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 5 Ks. Hodgepadre meet Stream-o-Nator, Stream-o-Nator meet Hodgepadre. Stream-o-Nator, I said meet, not eat. Get Clayton Richard’s leg out of your mouth.
Eric Young Jr. – 2-for-5 with a homer. Now hitting near .5oo in the last week in the leadoff spot. I smell a hot schmotato.
Giancarlo Stanton – 4-for-5, 2, runs, 4 RBIs and 2 homers. If you put ERMAHGERD…ERMAHGERD…ERMAHGERD into an ERMAHGERD Translator, it spits back at you Giancarlo Stanton.
Nate Eovaldi – 5 IP, 0 ER, 10 baserunners (6 BBs), 2 Ks. Now has five straight games with less than 100 pitches and hasn’t gone higher than 103 all year. Is this guy coming off some major surgery that I don’t know about? Are they getting him ready for his inevitable long relief role in the majors? Do I need to Ask Jeeves circa 1998?
Jose Reyes – 1-for-3, 2 runs and a slam & legs. Average is now up to .288. .012 more and he can concoct a mysterious ailment and sit out the rest of the year. Does he still have his hair dyed orange? I call that gingervitis.
Justin Ruggiano – 2-for-4 and a steal. Member about two seconds ago I said I was giving Brett Jackson a little bit more rope? Yeah, I think I screwed up by dropping Ruggiano for Jackson, so I did a do-over and lost Jackson for him. Hey, I said I’d give Jackson a little bit more rope, I didn’t say how much was a “little.”
Kyle Seager – 3-for-4, 2 RBIs with his 2nd homer in as many games and hitting .252. With 68 RBIs, 13 homers and 9 steals on the year, he’s actually been valuable, even if he feels yawnstipating.
Mark Reynolds – 1-for-4 with his 9th homer, to go along with his 34 RBIs and .212 average. Wow, that’s so terrible that that ‘terrible’ gets car sick can’t find a barf bag and vomits on top of ‘awful.’
Nick Markakis – 2-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 2nd homer in the last 3 games. Sparkakis!
Anibal Sanchez – 3 IP, 7 ER. Well, it’s been fun, it’s been real (I think), but it hasn’t been real fun. I dropped Anibal in a 12 team mixed league prior to this start since I knew I wouldn’t have started him anyway. He might have some good matchups left in him, but there’s hardly any time left and I can find decent matchups off waivers. Sounding like Lurch, “You rang?” That’s the Stream-o-Nator. In related news, I can’t wait for the “Verlander shutout, 15 to 12 Game 2, 12 to 9 Game 3, Verlander shutout” Tigers-Yanks series in the playoffs.
Curtis Granderson – 3-for-5, 4 RBIs and his 30th homer. He’s now hitting .244. Still too close to call if he was overrated in the preseason. If he goes 0-for-30 and is hitting .228 at season’s end with 80 RBIs, I don’t think that’s a success.
Dan Uggla – 3-for-4, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and now hitting .218. This was his 2nd three hit game since June 6th and his first since you finally gave up hope and dropped him from your fantasy team.
Alex Cobb – 7 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 7 Ks. Now has three straight quality starts and he gets the Mariners in Safeco next. Yes, please and thank you.
Rafael Furcal – Out a few days after he got an injection in his back. Finally, Mark McGwire’s expertise comes in handy!
Cody Ross – 3-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 17th homer. Because he’s been struggling against righties, he platooned into yesterday’s game against the lefty, Harrison. This just about kills Ross’s value, and Ross is known for value and a weird section of picture frames that look like they’re from the 70′s and all it ever makes me think of is, “What do these picture frame models look like now?” I’m guessing unattractive with less feathered hair.
Will Middlebrooks – 1-for-3 with his 2nd straight game with a homer. His Tuesday homer was a pinch-hit homer as he was replacing Nick Punto at 3rd base. Yeah, Bobby Valentine was playing Punto over Middlebrooks. It’s a choice between punting defense or Punto’ing offense.
Josh Beckett - 5 IP, 8 ER. Now at 4.97 ERA. I think Godot will arrive before Beckett’s resurgence.
Adrian Gonzalez - 3-for-5 with 3 Runs, 3 RBIs, and 3….doubles. Almost an epic line but the lack of a Homer made me ill(iad).
Hi Grey,
J.Votto may come back from DL next week, I will have to drop a player for him. Who should I drop among the followings:
A. Rizzo
C.Headly
J.Reddick
A.De Aza
BJ. Upton
Thank you.
@Kelvin, I’d want until Votto’s definitely coming back…
I started Stults and Richard in H2H this week (and Richard in he RCL) so I’m in the thrall of the SON.
Am I starting Germano on Friday? Of course I am.
@Steve, Wow, you’re in love…
@Grey, Not so thrilled about Kuroda.
Ax wasn’t actually “pointedly” used as Henderson’s setup man… the Brewers were behind when Ax came in the game, and he was already out of the game when the save opp came around. Maybe Henderson will be the closer going forward, but this game doesn’t prove it.
@GlennGulliver, Well, it wasn’t K-Rod…
Machado or olt ROS?
@Prospects Anonymous, Olt
@Grey, surprising given Olt isn’t starting and Machado is going to play pretty much every day no?
@Surprised, Olt can hit 5 homers in a week and have more value than Machado for the season… ROS is a bit of a misnomer here too…
Grey, would you trade away Stanton for Trout in a points-based keeper league? Too early on Trout to commit like that?
@Jah, It’s fair, I’d hold…
Cishek is 100% in save conversions so far, now Ozzie considers brining Bell back as the closer…the man is officially an idiot.
Machado or Vitters? For 16 team util spot.
@TheNewGuy, I am no Ozzie defender, but I have to think the decision to stick Bell back in the closers role comes from the ownership/GM level due to the horrible three year contract.
@TheNewGuy, Machado
Yes, rocking the ancient Greek allusion!
@The Miracles, Ha, that was Rudy’s…
Aviles or Scutaro ROS?
@MrHappyTime, Aviles
Longo or Cano ROS?
@Grey’s da man!, Cano
Hi grey!
I have ike davis and homer in a keeper league! Shud I drop ike fore moreland?
Fun fact! In hindi language ( im from india) land actually means penis!
@druss, So you are trying to penis Moreland off waivers? I’m not going there, but welcome to America:
This penis is my penis
This penis is your penis
This penis was made for you and me…..
@nyydj2, and everythings made in china!
@druss, Ha… Hold Ike…
Espinosa or Rutledge?
@Eddie, Rutledge
Miggy or Price/Konerko. Which side?
@knighttown, Miggy
Eovaldi already had Tommy John surgery – reason for early shut downs? Baseball was way better before they started counting pitches…or at least when no once cared about or even bothered paying attention to the pitch count.
@mH, Did he have TJ? I guess I could use Google for this…
@Grey, he had Tommy John surgery in his junior year of high school…in a deep h2h salary/keeper league so have had Eovaldi on my roster for a while (not really a good thing)
Ah, good to know…
For next week, which 3 of these 2-start streamers should I go with:
Karstens (LAD, @STL)
Kelly (ARI, PIT)
Minor (SD, LAD)
Cobb (@SEA, @LAA)
Thanks!
@Purewater, Not Kelly
So I pick up T. Hudson to replace Garza and…well, you saw what happened. WTF Hudson!!!?
@Howie, Ouch
earl grey, got a shot to pick up Dempster off the ww and I’ve got Dickey, Fister, Darvish, Price and Straily as my starters, do I drop one to try and pick him up?
2nd in wins, 1st in Ks, 4 in ERA and a ballsy 8th in WHIP.
@rainbowtrout, Drop Straily for him
also, would you rather have affeldt or wilhelmsen?
@rainbowtrout, Wilhelmsen…Nice on ballsy, ha!
hi grey
thanks for the continuing help
which p rest of season:
medlen, detwiler, morrow, niese, mccarthy, westbrook
@later tater, No problem… Niese… Rest of the season shouldn’t matter at this point unless you have waiver wire pick up limit…
Thank you Almighty Stream O. Nator.
Complete game shutout? I’ll take it.
@uncdrew, Not too shabby…
Drop Medlen, Niese, Sheets, Straily or Detwiler for Wei Yin Chen? Or hold. Thanks.
@Deadwoods, Hold
Grey-
Colon,Hughes or McCarthy???
Thanks
@Steven, McCarthy
Trade deadline question and the clock is ticking!
I jumped on the chance to trade Price for CarGo but my pitching staff took quite a hit, so I’m trying to beef it up a bit. Should I trade Justin Upton for Hiroki Kuroda? I have searched for offers for Upton and this is the best I could get. It is a keeper league, but don’t really need Upton now that I have CarGo. Alternately, I’ve been offered Josh Hamilton, Dan Haren and Mike Fiers for CarGo. My best pitcher is Strasburg, then there is a big fall off (Moore, Johan, Morrow) so there is some cause for concern. Any advice you could give would be helpful. Thanks.
@blairtch, Not a good deal with Upton… I’d take Hamilton’s side…
@Grey, Ended up with, I get: Hamilton, Stubbs, Haren, JJohnson for CarGo and Upton. How’d I do (even if I hadn’t traded Upton, I wouldn’t be keeping him).
You did solid…
Moose or Johnson for 3b?
Thanks
@Steven, Moose
Is Medlen still going to be on a short pitch count? Love the guy and looking to stream him Sat., and SON agrees, but in a QS league 5 innings isn’t the best use of that roster spot. Could also grab Westbrook @ PHI or Blanton @ MIA.
@Steve Stevenson, I’d go with Medlen
I actually spit a little when I laughed at the not-so-subtle Southie racist comment for Ben Revere.
@CT Old School, thanks – i snuck that one in there. how you like dem apples, southies!
@Grey – In my ever-widening sinkhole @ 2B my options are RWeeks (current chump), Espinosa, Seager and Bonifacio (upon return). Which of the four? Thanks!
@AnotherFalstaff, Weeks
Stream Wei Chen tonight at home against KC?
Thanks, Grey
@JTR, Sure
Grey, would you start BMac tomorrow vs. White Sox? In a tight race with ERA/WHIP. Can’t afford to have him take a dump on my stats, but a good start would probably pick me up 2 to 3 valuable points….
@Hunter, Nope
2nd in the majors in homers, 4th in runs, 27th in RBIs and he’s going to give you 10 bags. The Grandyman Can.
@OaktownSteve, Ha
So my fifth choice at a keeper is between dickey, sale, bourn, konerko, crawford, and halladay. We keep 5 for next year and they are the first five picks in the draft.
I have hardy and rutledge for SS but I could get machado and just keep him. Is he worth it over my other choices as top-five round picks?
Thanks
@Matt, Not over your other five…
@Grey, thanks
Fuck Stanton
Hold Cishek?
Who do you like better for saves ROS: Frank Frank, Cook or Affeldt?
Unrelated but what’s up with Kubel? Hurt?
@Mr. Rickey, Who do you like better for saves ROS: Frank Frank, Cook or Affeldt or Lopez?
@Mr. Rickey, Lopez for right now… Kubel’s just regressed to his other self…
@Grey, where can we watch some of your short films? I want to introduce you to Marty Bowen…
@Zach, Ha!
@Grey, why Ha!?
Well, OK, the Bowen reference was a joke (for those of us Adaptation fans, film geeks, etc.); but seriously I would love to watch your films (unless, of course, they don’t exist).
The fantasy advice is free. The e-book is available for $15. Where can a fan grab some multimedia?
You can try to track it through http://razzball.com/who-is-grey-albright/
@Grey, wild goose chase. ok. i’m hoping for more goonies/indy than national treasure. (the nic cage cycle completes)
Hehe
better pickup brett jackson, jarrod dyson or eric young?
@Mets Mess, Young
Grey,
What’s your thinking on Pence? Is he worth trying to trade to get something for his name value or will I eventually regret that move?
@Eddy, I don’t see you regretting it…
Ok, so I can have three of these guys. Who are you using:
LaRoche, Rasmus, Marte, C.Johnson, Morales, Middlebrooks, Crisp?
@Wilsonian, LaRoche, Rasmus, Kendrys
Do you like C Gomez, C Lee or C Carter over Snider, Kendrick or Frazier ROS/keeper league?
Typically that’s my bench but they do see starts occasionally as a 4th OF/DH. Right now one of those 3 is in my lineup with Lawrie injured.
Thanks!
@Jon, Carter over Snider
Which matchup do you like more?
Chen vs KC
Harrell vs Nats
@DjlanceRauch, Chen
My Jarrod Parker and Jon Lester for his Lance Lynn?
It’s a H2H league with playoffs- whoever peaks late season is the better option.
Thanks Razz
@alex, I’d take Lester…
Have a chance to unload Lester for Adam Dunn.
Is this a snap accept?
@Hosmer’s Ho’s, Sure, it’s solid…
@grey, re: Reynolds… in the words of George “the Pirate” Martin, he’s like a fart covered in piss.
Maybe Reynolds’ new nickname should be Mini-Donut since it takes a whole lot of o-fers to get such an underwhelming average…
@ivebeenupthreedaysstraight, Ha… Yeah, I hear ya…
Should I move Matt Cain for Matt Holliday? 12 team mixed HTH keeper. Would leave me Lee, Johnson, Moore, Haren, Shields, Peavy, Sheets, and Morrow (DL) for SP. OF a bit crowded with Granderson, Bruce, Victorino, and Rasmus already, but looks like a good upgrade.
Thanks.
@Bhoner, Hold
Pick 2 for the rest of the year? J Upt, A Gonz, Teixeira, and Bruce.
A-Gon, Tex…
@Grey, So, you would trade J U
pt / or Bruce to get either one>??
I’m not sure what you’re asking…
@Grey, Right now I own both Bruce and J Upt…someone offered me either Tex or AGonz for one of them…..what trade would u make?
I’d trade Bruce for Tex…
Thanks for finally helping me cut ties with Anibal – unfortunately I waited too long and didn’t get Stanton into my lineup in time – oy.
Dare I run Fister out there today vs. the Yanks? I need to make up some innings, but don’t want to sacrifice my ERA/WHIP for it.
I’d start him…
@Grey, thx – that’s what the almighty stream-o-nator says to do, too
Moustakas or Olt?
Moose
Yo G,
Great job with the articles the past couple weeks. My apologies because I’ve kind of been lurking lately, without making any comments or anything. But as you know real G’s move in silence like lasagna…. lol, anyway here’s a couple questions for ya:
Revere, Ruggiano, N Walker, Morales, Hunter, or Quentin at UTIL?
And Espinosa, Drew, or Furcal at SS?
THANKS!
No problem, thanks! Yes, they do… Kendrys… Drew…
Do you think it’s even worth holding onto Anibal for the @Min start? I could drop him now for Estrada, who has a pretty good stretch coming up….not much else out there. Thanks.
I’d go with Estrada….
Lost Lawrie on DL15 and might lose Konerko for next week. Reshuffling the lineup for next week, which one to fill IF spot:
Kendrick
Morales
Garrett Jones
Kendrys
Brett Lawrie, Chipper Jones, or Chris Young?
@K!cks, I mean Chris Johnson
Lawrie
Not much to work with at SS on the Waiver wire. Dropped Y. Escobar after the first few weeks of the season. Picked up Furcal and reaped harvest for a few more weeks. Now I’m back at square 1. My most glaring weakness is SS. OPS/OBP league. Pick up Peralta or Cozart? Or keep Furcal ROS?
Cozart
Do you want Hughes on Sunday vs Toronto or McCarthy tomorrow vs White Sox on a 80-90 pitch count? Going to be dropping Hughes to activate McCarthy but not sure if I should wait till new week.
Thanks
I’d drop Hughes, but you don’t need to start McCarthy vs. White Sox for his first start…
beltre/j upton or mccutch? ros
beltre/giancarlo or mccutch/goldy?
Beltre… McCutchen…
15 team 9×9 roto, 2b, 3b, obp, slg,…cg, sho, k/bb, L are the extra cats
k/9 substituted for ks also.
Chavez or Scutaro to replace Lawrie?
Who’s a better DL stash, Brett Anderson or Cashner?
Scutaro… Anderson…
Grey — I was able to trade away Anibal and FrankFrank for Fister before the first two soiled themselves last night. I didn’t start Anibal, but I did have FrankFrank on the roster. Anyway, now I have Fister … do I start him against the same Yankees who humiliated Anibal? The Stream-o-nator gives him 127 points, which seems to say yes, strongly, but I’m a little nervous.
I’d say start Fister…
12 team roto
Rogers at Astros
Scherzer at Texas
Feldman vs Det
Any faith in getting decent starts out of any of them tomorrow?
No faith in them at all…
For 2013 can only keep one: Lawrie, LaRoche, Weiters or BJ Upton?
it’s an epic swordfight right now.
Johnson vs. Dickey
Ha!
@mauledbypandas, That’s good.
Hello Grey,
My plan was to hold onto Frazier until Joey V returns and possibly takes ABs away from him. However, Frazier doesn’t seem to be doing much lately. Would you add Chavez at 3B instead? I am leaning towards that move, but wanted to see wnat you thought.
Thanks much Grey.
Sure, switch it up…
Drop Hardy for Machado? Have rutledge too
Go for it…
Is Rizzo a keeper in an auction league?
Saw my first episode of picked off. Its got potential
It’s a great show… You see with the Michael Jackson bodyguard? Yeah, Rizzo’s a keeper in some leagues…
@Grey, I get to keep him for $4.
I saw the one where the Mandy’s won. Those chicks were annoying. I swear the blonde showed the guy who sold her the sign her tits.
Ha! Yeah, that was a good one too… $4 is great for Rizzo…
Is it just me or is it getting harder to find trustable waiver wire pitchers at this point in the season? My playoffs start next Monday and our rosters lock when that happens (unless someone goes on the DL).
Here are some available pitchers playoff matchups that look intriguing:
Samardzija: vs. HOU, @CIN, vs. COL, vs. MIL, @WAS, @PIT
Cahill: @STL, vs. FLA, vs. SD, @LAD, @SF
Diamond: @SEA, @TEX, vs. SEA, @KC, vs. CLE
Blanton: @PIT, vs. SF, @COL, vs. ARI, @SF
Rank ‘em
Thanks for your help!
First three look fine to me…
Also, as a bench bat would you drop Hosmer for Howard at this point.
Howard just cleared waivers and has always been prone to a late season surge.
Hosmer has been batting near the bottom of the order and just seems like a lost season at this stage.
Sure, try it…
Replacing Lawrie for the next 10 days (hopefully)…
Middlebooks, C. Johnson, Moose, or Frazier
Standard mixed. Thanks!
Johnson
Need help at ss and 2b. Currently have ackley, aviles, peralta, Murphy, mach ado,and on ir I have gordon and Simmons. Yes I’ve tried everyone and I need average, obp, and some pop. Wondering who I should keep when these guys come off the ir? Maybe mach ado will be the savior or I’ll trade homer for Scutari.
You have 7 MIs? Lose everyone but Ackley and Machado…
And keep Aviles for MI…
TICALLLLL That’s that ish that Ozzie’s SMOKIN!! TICALLL TICALL … PASS IT OVA HEA NOW!!
WHY (ITF) is ozzie saying things like Heath Bell will get to save games again (Look at Cishek’s numbers over the last 14 days), Emilio is out for the year (I guess in OZZIE world the sun orbits his planet every 2 weeks, and yes the sun revolves around his planet), and now Don’t Call me Mike is on the Bench. Ok so sift through all that and my question is what’s up with Mike? Are the bodies loose again or is OZZIE just so blitted that he forgot Stanton was off the DL?
Eh, he’s just resting today for the weekend…
Not really seen the Hanley resurgence yet. ROS Hanley or Jose (Reyes)?
Hanley
I was watching that A’s – Angels game too and Grienke was lucky to escape with the stat line he did. Dude couldn’t hit the strike zone with anything.
@JashFath, But what made a terrible fantasy start for my team slightly less painful was when the broadcaster accidentally called him Zienke, which warmed my cockles.
Ha, very true…
If Harvey pitches poorly tomorrow, drop him for Medlen?
Sure, but Medlen might get bumped with Hanson due back soon…
@Grey, Would Diamond or Bedard make a better replacement? Both have high ranked starts by the SON for Sunday.
I’d want Medlen if he’s in the rotation… Diamond otherwise…
Slightly adjusted question from yesterday with the injury updates on Bautista & Lawrie today:
Have Bautista, Lawrie & Longo at 3B – also have Desmond Jennings at my Utility spot:
Do I drop any of them for Chris Johnson or Yoenis to upgrade my U spot?
@debar, also: Konerko or Goldschmidt ROS?
Goldy
Can lose Jennings for Johnson…
For 2013 can only keep one: Lawrie, LaRoche, Weiters or BJ Upton?
Lawrie….
@Grey: Chipper, Moose, Chavez, Seager, or Machado to fill in for Lawrie?
Moose…
Lucas Harrell worth a pick up tonight vs. Wash? 6-1, 2.02 ERA at home this year
Yup
Damnit Lawrie DLd now. Alrwady have Tulo taking up my only DL spot, crazy to consider dropping Lawrie? Powers been pretty disappointing from him, all the hype with him Hos and DJ in the preaseason and none have delivered.
I don’t know your full situation, but it’s not crazy to drop him.
@Grey, I guess its a classic case of sophmore slumps all round.
Something to consider when we rank Rizzo, Trout, Harper for next year.
Yeah, but I think that might be a bit of a myth…
excluding Trout, Rizzo and harper. Who would be your top 5 1st year players going into next year?
I’d have to do some research to fully answer…
@Grey, cool, get back to me when you can, and by first year I mean this is their first real year this year
@Simple Jack, leave altuve off that list too
Get a quicker answer if you give me five names to choose from to rank…
@Grey, What the hell gives, you mean you want me to do work? Thats why i come to this site, cause I’m lazy….
Sorry, Here’s the list – Ruggiano, Niewehwhatevers, Marte, Simmons, Snider, Wallace, Fat Adams, Olt, Frazier, Brown, Bauer, Carpenter
Marte, Olt, Frazier, Bauer…
Though Snider and Bauer could flipflop depending on PT…
@Grey, I think Snider will be an everyday, I really see Pittsburgh settling in on first base this off season and leaving the OF alone. They traded a very coveted arm in Lincoln and I don’t think that is for a platoon player.
What about Ruggiano next year?’
Also with Craig and Freese pretty solid at 1st and 3rd, I think that Fat Adams or Carpenter get moved.
Ruggiano is not this good a player, more of a fifth fantasy outfielder… Yeah, Carp and Adams could get playing time… Tough to say right now…
@Grey, I really think fat Adams goes. Carp can man both positions
At the same time?
@Grey, yes, he is like plastic man
Then I’d pitch him and let him put the ball in the catcher’s mitt…
@Grey, hehe
@Grey, Can we start a prayer triangle for Scott Rolen to retire?
Yes, please!
Cobb or Corbin ROS/keeper league?
Corbin, but I like Cobb’s next start better…
@Grey, Thanks!
No problem…
Do I keep running Kipnis out there at 2B or replace him with Zobrist or Aviles? Thanks!
Go with Kipnis…
Mr. Grey,
Looking to trade for a pitcher in an AL Only league and not much available.
What do you think of Matt Joyce for Colon?
Thanks,
Bri
It’s fair…
@Grey,
Thanks, Grey.
Rgds,
Brian
No problem….
Grey: I’m in a 12 team 6×6 h2h league. My top 4 sps are CC, Halladay, Weaver and Bumgarner. Also have Vogelsong. I’ve been offered Jay Bruce for Bumgarner. Question: if I get bruce, he’s a one year keeper. My choice for 1 year keepers for next year would then be Bruce or Weaver. SO, today, who would you rather keep for NEXT year: Bruce or Weaver? (if Bruce, I’ll deal Bum for him) THANKS!
Weaver…Trade someone else for a hitter…
Which, if any of these guys would you trade for JJ (Josh Johnson):
Latos
Yu
YoGa
Yu
Darvish of CJ Wilson ROS. Trying to win and Darvish seems to be fading bad. What pitcher would you take?
Wilson
Grey sounds like you are coming around on Kendrys, you think he’s “back” or just a hot schmotato? and would you run with him over any of these? Pence, Bruce, AJax, A-Gon… or more correctly where would you place him amongst those?
He’s worth owning right now… I’d go with him over Jackson, depending on needs… He’s not really over them though in most circumstances…
@Grey, what about Markakis, same song different verse?
Yeah, pretty much…
Hold on to Straily for one more start or drop him for one of the following: B. McCarthy, Detwiler or B. Anderson? Thanks.
Hold for now…
@Grey: Chavez or Man of Machado as a Lawrie replacement in a weekly roto league?
Thanks.
Machado
Just got offered Adrian Gonzalez for Austin jackson in my dynasty league…. I really like A-jax but its hard to pass up Adrian. What do you think is Adrian declining and is he worth trading Jackson? thankx
I’d go with Adrian…
Can you rank the top 3 of these schmohawks ROS? I like Colon’s two starts next week..
Vargas
Colon
Cobb
Diamond
Detwiler
Blanton
Tillman
Cahill
League counts QS instead of W. Thanks.
Vargas, Colon, Detwiler…
I’m in contention this year in a dynasty. Thinking about selling off some younger pieces (Jarrod Parker, Matt Harvey) for an impact bat to help boost me through the rest of the season and into the playoffs. Would Choo for Harvey be a good return, and if he won’t do that, what about Parker? Or should I look for better value with Harvey and hope he sticks the landing?
I’d take Choo for Harvey, I’d want a bit more for Parker…
Pick 2 outta:
W Lopez, J Burton, Jim Henderson.
Chasin saves yo.
Henderson and Lopez…
Vitters hasn’t done much yet, though that might be because of playing at Petco, but I’m wondering if I should drop him for Machado; either one will play at IF or UTIL in h2h.
@royce!, sorry, never mind, should have searched the comments first…
No worries, friend.
Please rank ROS:
Casilla, Pestano, Affeldt, Lopez, Balfour, Bell or Henderson.
Lopez, Affeldt, Henderson…
So, there’s a couple of good days in the RCL washed away by Bum, Kuroda, Janssen and a 1/17 day so far.
Booo!
Yeah, I hear ya… Not a bad WHIP for Bum and Ks…
@Grey, I guess.
Did you watch the 200m?
Damn! Forgot about it…
@Steve, I don’t think Grey has watched the Olympics since Mark Spitz (and his stache) stopped competing.
revere, pagan, moreland, dirks or r davis? for util – hr, rbi, r, steals, avg, rbi
thanks man
Revere
Would you trade Bruce for Reyes? I have Asdrubal Cabrera at SS right now.
Sure…
C Johnson or Sandoval (due back Sunday) going forward?
Sandoval
Machado or Howie Kendrick ROS? Getting sick of Howie sitting every 4-5 days…
Sure, try Machado…
Hi Grey,
I’am in a keeperleague 5×5 12 teams. We keep 6
My keepers are Wright/Pedroia/Car-Go/McCann/Doc (or perhaps Zimmerman (P).
I also have Reyes. I can trade him for McCutchen and a closer tot the 2nd place team. I’am in third (climbed up from last place in 2 months) place.
I tried to do Stubbs/Andrus/Gallardo for McCutchen but no luck.
The other owner wants my Reyes for his McCutchen.
Looking at the rest of my keepers, who would you rather have for 2013, McCutchen or Reyes?
Many thanks as always!
reading my daily morning fantasy baseball news is always good for some smiles since I follow your site. Thanks for that!
Best,
Bas from Holland
Thanks for the kind words! I’d want McCutchen…
Piggybacking off Question #94…
Im assuming you like Rickie Weeks more than Howie?
So the rank would be Weeks, Machado, Kendrick?
Thanks!!
I’d just take the flyer on Machado, but Weeks will probably be better, but what fun is that…
Drew,Segura or Machado ROS?Drew as gonna sit today but Bloomquist had a tight back and was a last minute scratch.
@Hondo, or Aybar?
Machado, Segura…
Drop Hosmer for Morales or Howard? Whoever it is will start everyday until Pablo returns.
Morales
I just watched the episode of picked off with Michael Jackson’s body guard. That one was much better than the Mandy’s. I like the show , but I don’t like the host. He seems really out of place. And I really hate the brothers that do the values. Maybe we are not suppose to like them, but I don’t like their snotty attitudes… That would be a fun show to go on though. I just need to find me a pickin partner.
I think hating the Merrill brothers is part of the fun….They’re like 2 Patrick Bateman’s…
@Grey, They are American Psycho’s…Do you collect?
Are you asking me if I can be your Picked Off partner? I’d love to! Kidding, I don’t collect anything except sores on my ass from sitting in a chair…
@Grey, no, not as partners, I have a feeling that between the two of us we would never get a bargain with our smart-assery… I grew up around antiques, my mom has alot. If I see something good, I’ll pick it up cause I know I can flip it. I know enough to know how old something is. What’s a bargain and whats crap.
Sounds like you’ll be the brains! I like when the Michael Jackson bodyguard said he enjoys mantiques.
@Grey, that term is pretty not manly. I’ll probably have to be the muscle too. You can be comic relief.
It’s about as manly as a manicure…
@Grey, woho…zing!
Which side do you prefer in a 12 team keeper (keep any 7) – Sale/Kipnis or Scherzer/Kinsler?
I’d be taking the Kinsler side. My team is stacked (Wright, McCutchen, JUpton, Trout, Kemp, Teixeira, Verlander, Wainwright, Bumgarner plus guys like Peavy, Vogelsong, Burnett, Fister) so I think I can take the pitching hit for the upgrade at 2B. Thanks!
I’d take Kinsler…
Just been offered Gordon for my Mad-Bum in the ol H2H. I can do better than that, right?
Yeah, you can… How’d you pull off such a good trade in your keeper?
@Grey, Was offered to me…
Need to make room to make it happen – would you cut J Montero or Napoli? Neither are probably going to be keepers…
Nice… I’d lose Montero… While it’s remote, Napoli could hit ten homers in a month, I don’t see it coming from Montero…
@Grey, Cool – and if Napoli keeps sucking, there’s always the wire.
Yeah, exactly…
If you could keep one of the following for next year- Greinke, MadBum, Morse, Crawford, Rasmus, Altuve – who’d be your guy? And thanks for making fantasy baseball writing enjoyable reading (no small feat).
Greinke… Thanks for the kind words!
I’m new at the whole keeper thing so I’m just wondering how valuable draft picks are for the next season in a H2H league. I’m in first right now, we keep 5 but I need pitching. What kind of player should a first round pick net? A top pitcher like Kershaw? A Top 50 hitter? Thanks ahead of time for learning me some knowledge ..
Depends on how many teams…
@Grey, 12 team
Stream-o-nator likes Medlen Sat @ NYM better than Sheets Sun @ NYM… Iiiiiiiiiinteresting. Stream-o-nator confuses and frightens me sometimes. Is Stream-o-nator all-powerful but kind, or is it bent on world conquest? Only time will tell…
Anyhoo, Sheets has more value than Medlen for ROS, right? i.e., would you pick-up Medlen or stay between the sheets with Ben…?
I think the latter, heard it talking about taking Indonesia then the rest of Asia “will fall.” Sheets does have more value…
@Grey, I told you yesterday not to put STREAMnet on-line, didn’t any of you see the Terminator movies?
I think it might be more like War Games, Stream-o-Nator’s gonna wanna play tic tac toe…
@Grey, can we teach it to play match game or hollywood squares?
I’m sure Rudy can…
The streamonator did me right with Richards yesterday. Got one more add for my H2H points league and the streamonator seems to like Harvey and Germano for tomorrow. Which one?
Ugh, I don’t like either, but begrudgingly Germano….
Could you Rank these guys ROS. QS counts.
Sheets
Colon
Bedard
Masterson
thanks.
Sheets, Masterson (at home), Colon…
Hosmer or Carter ROS?
Thanks!
@Grey,
Add Alonso into that group…
Thanks again!
Hosmer
Wei Yin Chen was bobbleheaded tonight.
Bobbleheaded: When a player blows chunks the same night the team hands out paraphernalia to fans bearing his likeness ie) a boblehead or in the case tonight, 10,000 Wei Yin Chen t-shirts.
This is the third time I’ve noticed this coincidence in the past 30 days. Or is it a coincidence?
Ha… Big Head, Small Heart, Can’t Win…
Holy J-Zimm. 11 Ks? Where did that come from?
Started Harrell too. Not awful…
Nah, not bad for Streamy…
Wouldn’t mind if Bruce joined the party at some stage…
@Steve, Most frustrating player I’ve ever owned…
@L-Boogie, Calling it now – solo HR from Bruce in the bottom of the 8th.
@Steve, Or he could strike out looking. I’m gonna bench him. That should get him going.
He’s been death.
Do you like any of these pitchers for tomorrow?
Cahill v Was
Maholm @NYM
Norris v Mil
Volquez @Pit
First two aren’t terrible…
Thanks for all the fantasy tips and comedy
No problem…..
Just discovered the stream-o-nator. So basically any SP with a number above 100 should start, correct?
Thanks!
@Hosmer’s Ho’s, And anyone below 100 should sit?
Rudy said 105 was a good cut off for shallower mixed leagues…
@Grey, Wow. 105 seems like a tough standard. Gallardo is rated a 93 @Hou. Am I really sitting him here?
@Hosmer’s Ho’s, I’m not a number-cruncher, but I’d say that his FIP of 4.61 over his last 20 games (plus the fact that he’s pitching in ever-so-slightly a hitter’s park in HOU) is influential in his rating.
What Steve said, and, no, you don’t sit guys you would normally start, and you should just start Gallardo… It’s for iffy matchups and streaming…
Uh oh, turn out the Brewers are going to put an innings limit in Fiers. 5 more starts? Maybe 6?
By the end of August, not even Michael Fiers will be f*&$ing Michael Fiers.
Ha…Damn…
Holy crap, Grey, or any other Angeleno, you gotta rock this hat, if only because the team was managed by Jigger Statz:
http://www.ebbets.com/product/LosAngeles1942Ballcap/Ballcaps
Jigger who? Jigger Statz!
Grey,
What’s the deal with Greinke? Pitching like he’s nervous…
And can I get your thoughts on this trade:
Upton, Moose, Harvey & Straily for Vogelsong, Miley, Lohse.
I am falling fast because my rotation imploded after making a trade you told not to make. Lesson learned.
Greinke should be fine (hopefully)…. That trade isn’t good…
@Grey, Greinke definitely has the mental wherewithal (<- my mother's term!) to change leagues and handle the pressure. He'll absolutely get back on track.
Did you see the auction kings with the gas powered blender?
Grey, referring to my comment (#103)…it’s a 12 team h2h 5 keeper league.
@jackinthebox, If you can get a Kershaw for your 1st round pick in a 12 team, 5 keeper league, do it. Without hesitation. Basically, any player who would conceivably be in the top 60 is great for you. To win NOW, you may want to expand that range. In the past, in similar leagues, I’ve done my first round pick for a helpful piece (borderline keeper) and a throw in, e.g., a brain freeze/donkey corn closer.
@Grey: H2h 12 man league need a replacement for pedro alvarez whos been outright awful. Machado Chipper chris johnson or scutaro ?
Johnson… Take follow ups to the newest post…
Sale for Reyes, 12 teamed mixed keeper league. Sale is cheap Reyes is pricey. Who’s getting the better deal?
Reyes side for htis year, next year it’s closer, but I’d still go Reyes… Take followups to the newest post…
Justin Ruggiano – 2-for-4 and a steal. Member about two seconds ago I said I was giving Brett Jackson a little bit more rope? Yeah, I think I screwed up by dropping Ruggiano for Jackson, so I did a do-over and lost Jackson for him. Hey, I said I’d give Jackson a little bit more rope, I didn’t say how much was a “little.”
Justin SUCKS!