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0Let’s all give Scott Sizemore a big “Welcome back.” Well… Let’s give him a medium-sized “Welcome back…” Screw it! Let’s give him a quick “Hey” and a head nod like you give to your sister’s boyfriend that you can’t stand. It’s not like he’s done all that much in his short time in the majors, but — and unless you’re an alien there’s always a but — who else are you rocking at your middle infidel spot? Sizemore was hitting in the minors (.408/.495/.605 and 2 homers in 92 PAs). It’s worth the flyer to see if he can translate minor league success to the majors. Who knows? Now that bin Laden’s listening to Gary Glitter’s Greatest Hits in hell, maybe Sizemore can get his bats through customs. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
David Freese – He’s gonna miss nine to twelve weeks. Or the same amount of time it takes to get a 4-year degree from the University of Phoenix.
Lance Berkman – 2-for-3, 4 RBIs and his 9th homer. Could he win a Triple Crown? Not unless we’re talking horse racing and he’s a jockey. He’s 35 years old, hitting .406 and on pace for 50+ homers. The bottom may not fall out until mid-May or June or July, but he’s gonna slow or get injured at some point.
Albert Pujols – 0-for-2, hitting .241 on the year. Can someone double check that it’s not Nick Punto wearing Pujols’ jersey?
Kyle Lohse – 6 IP, 5 ER, 9 baserunners, 2 Ks. It’s like Dave Duncan pulled out of his hat a dead rabbit.
Mike Stanton – 3-for-5 with his 2nd homer in two days. Wouldn’t shock me to see him hit 15 homers this month. Doode is a mollywhopping, pony stick machine.
Tommy Hunter – His groin was cleared for a rehab assignment. Hey now!
Nelson Cruz – 0-for-5, hitting .225. When a guy who usually hits well or gets injured isn’t doing either, I get this sick feeling in my stomach that he’s going to get hurt and not even get his usual good hitting stats. Though that sick feeling could be from the 7-month old cheese I found in my refrigerator. I can’t resist Camembert!
Brandon McCarthy – 6 IP, 0 ER, 8 baserunners, 4 Ks and four unearned runs for the agita-inducing ticker shock.
Josh Willingham – 2-for-4 with his 2nd home run in his last three games. If you wait until he shows up in Friday’s Buy/Sell, he may no longer be hot. That’s from my typees to your eyes. My typees are my fingers. Please start calling your fingers typees. Thank you.
Kurt Suzuki – 2-for-4 with his 2nd home run in the last three games. Do I hear an echo?
Dallas Braden – Had a setback while playing catch. Debbie Downer does Dallas.
Carlos Gomez – 1-for-3, hitting .236 and a .278 OBP. On a real baseball note, I’m surprised the Brewers are only 2 games under .500 batting Gomez 2nd in almost 100 ABs in the first month. Though this will go against what I’m sure many of you think, but I’m not a brain surgeon. Yet, I could tell you batting Gomez 2nd is idiotic. How hard is it to fill out a lineup card? “Let’s see… I think I’m gonna bat the guy with the .278 OBP second. Oh, and what does OBP stand for again?”
Yovani Gallardo – 5 IP, 5 ER, 13 baserunners, 7 Ks. I love, love, love, love, LOVE when my entire fantasy staff has to dig my team out of a hole dug by my ace every week. Speaking of a hole, yeah, that’s Gallardo.
Jair Jurrjens – 7 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 4 Ks. No Ks is usually than but no thans, but Jar-Jar’s dancing through the raindrops and not getting wet.
Alex Avila – Hit his 4th and 5th homers yesterday. For those about to ask, I’d take Avila over Suzuki.
Jose Valverde – 1 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners. This could be nothing but the reports in the Razzball comments yesterday said Valverde was struggling and had shoulder issues. Benoit and Ryan Perry have been blech but are next in line. I’d be very impressed if Leyland skipped them just because they’re pitching poorly (read: I don’t think it’s likely). But if he does, we then have the coolest name since Ubaldo, Al Albuquerque, who sounds like either a cartoon character who is a cactus with eyes or a lounge singer. Al Alburquerque has 16 Ks in 9 1/3 IP. Yeah, that’s good.
Alfonso Soriano – 2-for-4 with his 11th homer. Member when I told you every day the first week of the season to pick up Soriano because he’s an April hitter? Yeah, he still is and this isn’t gonna continue.
Jonathan Broxton – Got the save. After the game, Selig announced Broxton is the closer.
Garrett Jones – Hit his 6th homer, is on fire and batting third. Cust kayin’.
James McDonald – 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 baserunners, 5 Ks in Petco, which translates to 5 IP, 4 ER, 11 baserunners, 3 Ks vs. anyone else in any other stadium.
Aaron Harang – 5 IP, 4 ER, 7 baserunners, 4 Ks. This Harangutan couldn’t even get Jane Goddall’s nipples hard.
Jacoby Ellsbury – 2-for-4, 3 runs, 2 steals and one knee contusion. He’s day-to-day which is better than minute-to-minute.
Madison Bumgarner – 7 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 7 Ks, but didn’t get the win because I own him.
Tom Gorzelanny – 8 IP, 0 ER, 3 baserunners, 4 Ks. Now has a 2.93 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP. Pitching a tad over his head. And by tad I mean a shizzton.
Sergio Santos – Picked up a one out save after Chris Sale entered the ninth in a 6-0 game and gave up 2 runs. Santos is the closer right now and it could stay that way, even with Ozzie calling the shots.
Jenrry Mejia – Tear in his MCL. Hopefully his 1151 is okay.
Is this Robot Jones for real, or what?? After last year’s yearlong wait to get 21 HRs, which was the same number he hit the year before in half the ABs, I’m not sure what to expect from this guy. The Pirates offense is terrible and never have men on base wen he’s hitting and his Runs/RBIs are low because of this…still, if he keeps it up there is lots of potential.
Looking for CI/backup 1B bench player. Need power/avg/obp.
Drop Freeman for Trumbo, Ian Stewart, Ryan Roberts, Luke Scott, Moreland, Rizzo?
how long can i wine about dropping berkman,drafted him to fill in for kendry,dropped him the day before he started this lou gehrigesk tare
Grey: in my 6xg h2h league, Ive been offered Chris Carpenter and CarGo for CC Sabathia and Justin Upton. I’m leaning towards it. what do u think?
@Grey: Are you starting Liriano @the Cell tomorrow?
How about the rest of you commenters?
Greinke will come back from DL, so I have to drop Ogando, de la Rosa, or Chacin. who should I?
Should I be ashamed or proud of owning both Suzuki and Avila? If Texas taught me anything its that catching wins championships, right?
Suzuki’s wife has just had a baby. So has Ian Kennedy’s. Can we perhaps arrange for Mrs Gallardo to give birth?
@Grey I had a good chuckle the other day scrolling thru the RP and hitting Al Alberquerque. Then I kept on going and wished Bill Bray could be a hitter!
YoGa sucks. That is really all you needed to type next to his name. Should I stick it out, or trade him now?
@BigRedLatrine: I’ve got Lirano on my roster in a 20-team league where I’m falling behind on innings pitched and I’m STILL not going to start him. I can’t drop him because he’s bound to fix himself and pitch well at some point, but I’m not going to start him until he figures out his issues. I’d rather miss his first good start than to let him take a bat to my team’s ERA and WHIP again and again….
@kg: Those are your only choices? How shallow is that league?
Forced to choose between those three I’d drop Ogando because he’s likely to face an innings cap and because it can be tough to pitching in Arlington in the summer. But there must be someone else you can drop until you can trade a pitcher to another team.
Leave Greinke on the DL for his first start and try to make a 2-for-1 package of Ogando plus a bat for an upgrade at the hitter’s same position. Someone in your league must need an upgrade among their SPs.
yeah,i own cruz twice,was kind of wandering whats up,2 doubles,34 k,s and 1 measley steal,i can see the running days being very limited for his injury prone ash
My typees…. LMAO…
@Grey- On a serious note, when its 5:15 a.m. and im dragging ass at work you get me through the rest of my night with this shizz… its classic.
Anyone else smash the remote against the wall when they see Gallardo and Liriano’s lines EVERY G’Dam M’ther F’n ArsePacking time they pitch?
Fast forward to next year when Grey tells all about the huge bounceback years both of them are going to have and I vomit in my mouth remembering how they kicked me in the sack about 30 times each
OK i can exhale…
@Grey
Pick two: Nolasco, Danks, Bumgarner, Beachy
I’m benching Liriano too Enrique, he’s bound to throw a gem now, my fear is that the CWS started hitting the ball a bit last night, plus he’s sucked…. not worth the risk in my h2h league.
He throws a gem i’m happy, he gets shelled im happy, either way he’s on my bench and he’s turning it around or not affecting my stats!
Heh, my first 2 pitchers I drafted were Ubaldo and Gallardo..So I had to drop Gallardo. Ubaldo at least has an ounce of trade value left. I just couldn’t have both of them messing up my ERA and WHIP (I haven’t won either category once) or holding a spot on my bench, especially when my 3-9 SP’s are actually doing really well. I changed my team name to Yovanni Gallardo sucks! to let everyone else know how much he sucks and hopefully prevent someone else from picking him up before I am emotionally stable enough to re-add him to my team.
@Grey Pick one: Morton, Moseley, Colon or Gorzelany? Thanks!
Love the “Hey Now” reference. I have been watching the Larry Sanders reruns on IFC, what a brilliant show. If you weren’t referencing Hammerin’ Hank Kingsley, then I will just pretend you were.
Pick two: Lilly, Bumgarner, Liriano, E. Jackson, Dempster
Berkman is obviously a stud and carrying my team. Do I trade him while he is hot? My other OF’s are BJ Upton, Raburn, Krispie, Tabata. My pitching is terrible. Can I demand top SP?
Grey,
Smoak or robot jones? I figure robot jones while he is hot but not sure?
Guess I’ll be sitting Liriano too.
Saw Porcello on the wire. Had a nice last outing. Any projections for him? Worth picking up?
Which side: Zobrist or Figgins/Tim Hudson?
@Casey Blake’s Beard: “esque” not “esk”
@BigRedLatrine: I’m not.
Rank the “set it and forget it” value of these four catchers going forward:
Conger, Iannetta, Lucroy, Ruiz
Thanks!
Grey….before the season started I tried to move Ubaldo(I just took over a team in a 10 team h2h 8×8 keeper league) because I just dont trust him-other than his 1/2 season of dominance,there just isnt much of a positive track record,y’know?….
so anyway,Im wondering what you think of him right now.Should I push hard to move him before his value sinks even lower,or do you see him straightening this shizz out?
@Atherton32: You should definitely try to sell high on Berkman. Without knowledge of your league mates, I don’t see how anyone here would be able to answer your second question.
Grey : Drop Kuo for Tyson Ross or Dustin Mosely?
@Craigo: to maybe persuade you from selling him for 40 cents on the dollar or dropping him for a flavor of the week, in 2009 i had ubaldo and he was rocking a 7.00+ era after 5 starts. i got pissed off and dropped him. he had a sub-3.00 era the rest of the season, and was picked up by the team that beat me in the finals of our h2h league. guys with talent have talent, and usually things correct themselves. not saying yovani is gonna go on a sub-3.00 tear, but it’s not unreasonable to think a guy with his talent and track record can’t at least put up a 3.50 era the rest of the way. i’d rather hang on and find out than trade him for cheap or drop him for kevin correia.
@Gambler: dude, if it’s h2h, who cares if you’ve lost era and whip every week so long as you are winning overall. i can udnerstand benching him until he corrects himself, but in h2h, it’s not like you have an innings limit, so you can afford to have yovani taking a bench spot for a month or a few weeks or whatever since his upside and track record are infinitely better than whatever you’ll find on the wire.
What to do with McDonald?
I had a trade lined up last week in which I would send McD for Bumgarner in our NL 4×4 keeper league.. then it hit a snag.
2 wins later by Jimmy Mac.. I should still do the deal, right?
It took 64 at bats in double-a, but kyle blanks finally hit his first HR.
Not sure when he’ll be arriving back in SD.. or whether he’ll be any better than Hawpe/Cantu. Wow, that’s a pair.
@24hourjack: check those 2009 numbers and tell me his may thru the end of the season wasn’t dominant (sub-3.00 era after a 7.00+ april). sounds familiar doesn’t it?
as for a track record, the dude’s 3 year avg is a 3.42 era with 195 Ks? he’s not roy halladay, but that’s a hell of a lot better than 90% of the league’s 3 year avg. i mean, good god folks, what are yall expecting from your SPs?
go ahead and grab dustin mosely and kevin correia and kyle lohse and kyle mcclellan and drop your yovani and ubaldo and latos and liriano. i’ll be the guy grabbing up these guys and flying past you in the rankings when the corrections hit and they don’t end the season with 7.00+ ERAs.
@elwood blues: yeah do it. bumgarner has more upside and mcdonald has god awful K:BB and BB/9 rates.
Is it time to put Alex Rios back in my lineup? The alternatives are Huff & LaRoche (I know, right?)
Another O-fer from Alvarez, who I’m growing weary of giving the typee to every morning. Was hoping that he’d turn his shizz around by the time Longoria returned, but alas, he has not. To activate Evan, drop D. Murphy, Smoak, Willingham, Robot or the aforementioned anemic Alvarez? Thanks.
I was watching Valverde. You just couldn’t find the strikezone which is not that uncommon with him. Nothing to see here.
PS Cheese doesn’t go bad, it just turns into better cheese.
@ Grey and everyone else
Ive been offered Avila and ryan Zimmerman for Polanco and Geovany Soto? Worth doing for later trade value if I already have David Wright and Bautista on my team with Ethier at UTL?
Where the hell is Big Donkey’s Mollywhoppin’ stick? Did he leave it in DC? Should we be worried at all about him even though he plays in a little league field?
I’m growing a little tired of him, but I don’t know if I could deal him for anything more than $.40 on the dollar. I’d like to try to package him for someone like Stanton. Should I try it or just hold out hope that the Donkey returns?
@Wilsonian: oh, and I have Cecil, Jr., so I don’t need him at 1B.
@Grey glad you see the light on my man crush santos…he is the gift that will keep on giving all season long. Yeah I’m drinking the kool-aid, I’ve probably overdosed on it 4 or 5 times already.
Grey, drop Harang for Bumgarner? H2h 5*5
@elwood blues: I bet Anthony Rizzo will be back up before Kyle Blanks comes back up. dude is raking in the minors, and was a major piece of the AGON trade.
@zombie: hahaha “the Typee to” nice!
@Wilsonian: I would hold on brotha, they’re talking about getting him more playing time in the field, and hoping that will help his bat. He’ll be the 40+ HR guy you drafted by the end of the year, hopefully you’re in a ROTO league.
For all you Liriano owners out there, Gardenhire has been quoted saying that if Liriano drops a duece on the field tonight vs the CHISOX, that he will possibly be replaced with Kevin Slowey. I have no choice but to start him and hope for the best, but if you don’t trust him, i would try to trade him today before he has absolutely no value and is pitching out of the bullpen. I can’t see him pitching out of the bullpen all year, but it’s up to you if you want that type of headache on your team.
@Grey, @ThePoonTycoon,
A guy in my league has Martin and Soto and is looking to move Martin. I have Ianetta, and he has proposed the following:
Martin and Fowler
for
Victorino
What are your thoughts on Martin for the full season and is it worth upgrading from Ianetta?
I encourage anyone and everyone to provide their input on this proposal.
I receive Carlos Gonzalez in exchange for Ethier and Cahill.
Should I pull the trigger?
@Grey, @ThePoonTycoon,
Also, I have Wright and Reynolds and Morneau…would you trade Wright for Tex straight up or ask for greater value?
@MD: yeah, I’m just damn impatient. I actually have him in all of my leagues (2 H2Hs, 1 ROTO). The league I was looking into dealing him was an 8 Team H2H, the others, I’m just hanging on to him. I’m sure Grey will agree with you and tell me to just hang on to him.
@BTrain I would atleast get another pitcher in that deal….I for one still believe in Cargo and think Cargo is far superior to Ethier (albeit not showing it right now). Cahill is pitching lights out right now. I think Ethier is definitely a sell high guy right now. Maybe try to get a lower end trust worthy pitcher in the deal as well, but if he was firm and didn’t want to offer anyone else I would still take the deal.
Strategy question – Here is my pitching staff:
Jered Weaver
Tim Hudson
Max Scherzer
Jhoulys Chacin
Brandon Beachy
Jose Valverde
Brandon Lyon
Kevin Gregg
Mitchell Boggs
Eduardo Sanchez
Francisco Liriano
My league limits pitching stats (W, SV, ERA, Ks, WHIP) to 1400 innings total. I am currently 52 innings ahead of the pace and doing great with Ws, SVs and Ks; not so great with ERA and WHIP. I generally start the first 4 pitchers on my list and play match ups with Beachy. Liriano is on the bench until he shows me something. Should I be more judicious about starting pitchers to try to maximize my available innings or keep starting most of them every time out?
What’s the “Mendoza line” for pitchers’ ERA? Is it the “Gallardo line”? Because he’s killing my ERA/WHIP right now. What the shizz, man?!
Who would you rather own for a CI: Ian Stewart or Justin Smoak?
also
Narveson or Bumgarner?
Thanks
In the STL game last night, Salas was used in the 7th and Boggs 8th in a tie game… so that leaves Motte as the next dude to try possibly closing?
Hey I have Valverde… hehehe. It’s like I ask rhetorically “what else could go wrong with my team?” Then I see the update and I am like “oh.”
@Grey, All: Pena has been black hole in my 1B slot, so i grabbed Wallace last week. Someone just dropped Huff. Would you swap Huff for Pena?
Pena’s missed 2 homeruns in the last couple days by a couple feet. That’s a pretty sad stat to hang your hat on, but it’s about all i got at this point.
Is it to early to drop Liriano for Bumgardner
adding to “Dad’s” point above, is Carlos Pena droppable in a 12 team 5×5 roto now? On ESPNs player rater he is ranked last of all players eligble at 1B.
Robot Jones is only being asked to do things that he does well (hit righties). He is, in turn, doing those things well. Good Robot.
Also have an issue with Pena. Belt is sitting on the WW and I’d think he has to get called up soon. Would you drop Pena to stash Belt? 12 team mixed league head to head:
C- Soto
1B – Berkman
2B – Phillips
3B – Reynolds
SS – Hanley
OF – Holliday
OF – Bruce
OF – Tabata
Utl – J Upton
Bench – Robot Jones
Bench – Pena
@RonWashington’sStache: Que? I think you meant that towards Al.
which RP will get more saves and take over the closer role.
Nathan, Chapman, or Alburquerque. Or at least who is the best RP to own? (you can throw Resop in that mix, even though he probably will not close for Pitt)
Brandon Belt has been tearing up AAA since his demotion. In 29ab’s he is 15 for29 with four 2B’s, two HR’s and a few SB’s… Is right now a good time to pick this guy up in deep leagues and keeper leagues? Do you think they will be bringing him back up anytime soon?
@MattW: not sure i’d give up victorino for that package. i don’t trust martin. he’ll be ok, but no way the power stays up.
@MattW: i’d rather start morneau/wright at 1B/3B than tex/reynolds at 1B/3B. morneau will be fine. also reynolds should get going soon (incredibly low BABIP), and with the 3B injuries, you could probably sell him above value if he has a 4 HR week.
Would you lose Raburn for Sizemore in a 14 team H2H league or wait until one?
And what do you think about Sale in the same league? Is he droppable for a guy like Luke Scott or another reliever like D-Her, whoever?
Alright, cool. Thanks Grey
Hey Grey, an idiot in my league dropped Danks and Beckham (way to early to give up on them if you ask me) and i picked them of waivers, dropping Lowrie and Duensing. Thats an upgrade right?
@Will: cordero isn’t doing anything to let chapman get an opportunity to close right now, so he’d be last on my last. nathan is the most likely to get saves of the 3 once he strings together several good outings imo.
Erick Aybar or Scott Sizemore for MI in 16 team league (8×8, SLG, H, BB)
Would you drop Raburn or Boesch for Willingham?
Give up on Volquez in favor of D. Hudson or Bumgarner or hold tight to see if he figures it out?
Would you take either Danks or Drabek over Harang? Or should I just hang with harang?
I have Vazquez (still) and Garcia. Should I drop anyone for Dice-K, Garland, Niese, Humber or Bedard?
wow, major DROP LIRIANO talk going on here…. no way in heck i’m dropping the guy…. all he can do there is get rostered by some other owner who picks him up and is going to rub it in my face all year how I dropped him….
even if the guy goes to the pen, don’t you think Minnesota is smart enough to know ALL of Liriano’s value to them lies in him STARTING? Come on guys, use your dome pieces….
Bench the guy, wait, and see…..
@Grey: My pitching (Gallardo, Oswalt, E-Jax, Volquez, De La Rosa) is killing me. My hitting is carrying me.
C- Napoli; 1B- Fielder; 2B- Kinsler; SS- Drew; 3B- Beltre; OF- Kemp, Krispie, Gardner, David Murphy. 12-team ML, 5×5 no Corner IF or Middle IF.
Despite all that, I may have the chance to get the Dread Pirate for Oswalt. Am I out of my tree?
@Tom Emanski:
Well i really dont know what to do with Vasquez as he is close to absolutely useless. The pitchers you mentioned are nothing special either so do what you believe is the right thing regarding Vasquez but i definitely wouldnt drop Jaime Garcia for any of those pitchers.
@Eric H.: make the deal…
@Chinaski: It’s Freddy Garcia
I’m not that lucky to have the option to drop Jaime.
Can you rank all the Hodgepadres? I started Harang vs PIT and ARI this week in favour of Bumgarner’s 2 starts and Beachy’s 1 start, and now I’m pissed.
@slam:
Danks. Not even close
I’ve got a bad feeling that I’ll be dropping Liriano after tonight.
@Casey Blake’s Beard: Scott
@Joel: Eh
@BigRedLatrine: No
@kg: Ogando
@Moonlight’s Grahams: ‘shamed.
@Steve: Whatever it takes.
@Howard: Hehe
@Craigo: Trade him for what?
@JMonte: Ha
@Scott: Bumgarner, Beachy
@Howard: Moseley
@Malacoda: Great show.
@RonWashington’sStache: Lilly, Bumgarner
@Atherton32: You should try.
@Dough Boy: Jones
@theevilempire: Bleh
@GrandSlamSingle: Zobrist
@PepeSilvia: Iannetta, Lucroy…
@24hourjack: He’ll get better, he’s not as good as he was last year.
@Mr2Bits: Moseley
@elwood blues: Yup
\@elwood blues: Ha
@mj: Rios
@zombie: Murphy
@Wake Up: Yeah, something was up with this one.
@Dan Z: Sure
@Wilsonian: Stanton and him are close. I wouldn’t sell him low though.
@Hans: Yeah, little reason he shouldn’t be the closer with his pitching combined everyone else’s terrible pitching.
@tggq21: Sure
@MattW: What Poon said.
@BTrain: It’s a fair trade.
@Mr. Rickey: Be a bit more judicious.
@Matt Damon: Yup
@Joey Napkins: Smoak, Bumgarner
@papasmurf: Probably
@Dad: I’d take Pena.
@DP: I would hold.
@JP: Sure
@Will: Chapman
@Kid ‘n Play: Yup
@Whiskey Diet: Hold Raburn, take Scott.
@Chinaski: Yup
@Cheese: Sizemore
@Art Vandelay: Boesch…Hudson
@slam: Danks
@Tom Emanski: Eh
@Eric H.: Gotta take it.
please pick 2 for the rest of the year roto
Humber, Bailey, Zimmermann
@Tom Emanski:
Ok, now i trust your common sense again
Rios or Morneau?
In a standard 5×5 12 team mixed league, struggling to get CI production and really hurting in AVG now that Pablo Sandoval’s gone down (pretty set in the other four offensive cats though). Have Carlos Pena benched. Don’t want to give up on him quite yet, but for now I’m pretty much playing matchups off the wire at CI. Picked up Daniel Murphy since I’ve also got Asdrubal at MI, figure I can shop AsCab and float Murphy between MI/CI if I find a decent return for Cabrera. How soon is too soon to pick up Eric Hosmer? Someone just grabbed Brandon Belt (I was surprised because the benches are pretty shallow, just three BN spots and not sure Belt is coming back up for at least another couple weeks). Are the Royals just waiting out his Super 2 status, or are they going to seriously keep Hos down until September even if they’re competing and Kila is struggling?
12-team 4-player keeper league 5×5 H2H
Who do you like better at CI: Ian Stewart, Trumbo, or LaPorta???
Losing Panda and Zimm, I’m going all upside. MMD and Scott Sizemore. I’m thinking of adding Belt too….views on Belt and reckon he’ll be called up this week?
In need of pitching.. Should I drop Carlos Pena for Colby Lewis… Pena has been horrible and maybe Colby can rebound….
I really doubt Brandon Belt will be called up before ~May 20. When a guy is sent down, unless he’s sent down for 30 days, he gets credited with service time for the period in which he was demoted. I’ve been surprised before (like when he made the opening day roster), but my guess is the Giants give him another couple weeks to show he’s worked things out, and make sure they buy themselves an extra year of service time by leaving him down for the full 30 days. I just have a feeling they’ll be a bit more prudent this time after “rushing” him already.
Dearest Grey,
Firstly; the Al Alburquerque nod, gave me butterflies. Ha! Last week, I posted for the 1st time in a few years and called you a deity, which you remain. Can we all agree on this? Good.
(In an 18 team, non keeper, deep stats, blah) You’d ranked my top 4 of 6 SP’s. I wonder if you’d be so gracious as to do the same for the following 7 RP’s. Your Top 4 of the following;
Crain, Alburquerque, Perry, Eppley, Tim Collins, Kameron Loe, Glen Perkins.
Stay cool and go crazy,
The Spaceman
F.Y.I i watched the tiger game,valverde threw a pitch and winched,grabbed his shoulder ,bent over and swung his arm around a bit grabbing at the shoulder or middle back,grabbed it again after next pitch,the announcers couldnt believe it and one of them acctually said,i wouldnt be surprised to see him on the dl tomorrow,he went on to blow the game,havent heard anything since
Yo grey,
what do you think of desmond for walker striaght up swap? I have Lowrie I can move to SS. and have a lot of steals on my squad, looking to bolster my offense…
why dont the giants put huffback at 3rd,
Grey: I have been steady rockin’ Freeman at 1B (while trying to get that Big Bat). Would you dump Boggs (it is also a holds league) for Ike Davis or… or… or… Howie Kendrick? Or hold Boggs and try to dump someone else? It is a Dynasty League so I do like both Davis and Boggs, but need a bat now.
Thanks.
Hellickson, Norris, Beachy, Bumgarner
Which of these young upside pitchers would you most want to add and use for at least the next two weeks?
@Kevin K: Humber, Zimm
@RonWashington’sStache: Morneau
@Mark Himmelstein: I’d grab him a week before June 1st.
@Child Please: LaPorta
@Eng: Hopefully he gets called up.
@Dirt: Sure
@The Spaceman: Crain, Alburquerque, Loe, Eppley…
@Dirt McGirt: Sounds fair.
@AL KOHOLIC: re: Valverde — Hope you weren’t watching a game on ESPN Classic cause I can’t find a mention of this anywhere.
@CL: Kendrick
Grey: I got my masters from Uni of Phoenix online—-it was quick, easy and all but useless except to move me a long the pay scale–funny reference my friend.
Questions:
(a) You still liking Travis Wood?
(b) You man-crushing on Smoak like the rest of the fantasy world?
Now that Gordon seems to finally be playing to his potential, is it crazy for me to consider him a comparable player to Andre Ethier? It’s a little eerie to me how similar their lines are. They’re both lefties that have doubles power primarily, with moderate speed, and batting in the 3 hole of decent lineups.
Obviously Ethier has the track record and would be who I preferred of the two, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they both ended up somewhere around .290/95/22/90/10….maybe +5 HRs and -5 STLs for Ethier.
Apropos of nothing…Verlander’s 128th pitch last night was a 99 mile an hour fastball. Every so often I’m reminded to remember to wonder how anybody ever hits a major league fastball.
Willingham, McLouth or Rivera?
i can’t see the name vogelsong without thinking of sting now.
Also, I just traded Heyward and Hanrahan for Bautista in a 15 team keeper…Heyward/Bautista can be kept in the 2nd rd next year (1st rd the following year), while Hanrahan can be kept in the 15th.
Thoughts? I’m guessing Grey’s not a huge fan, but I’m open to commenter opinion too.
Rest of the Season: Bumgarner, Ian Kennedy, Randy Wolf?
Standard Scoring
@NF: well, -i- like it.
although, i mean, heyward, he’s okay too
Everytime I read about Santos closing a game all I can think about is Ozzie surrounded by hot chicks doing a Smirnoff commercial:
“You know Sergio?! Come join us!”
@Grey: ha,no it was colon vs verlander but maybe it was just a cramp or something he worked thru,i wasnt drinking and thier weening me down off the pain meds
YoGa for Rajai Davis? I need speed, and am ass hairs away from just dropping him right now…. Too low? High? Just right?
@ Grey @ AL KOHOLIC
Vintage ESPN! Ha! But AL sir, you are correct. I was watching the game (here’s locally in D-Town and on ESPN) and you were bang-on about Valverde…
With Benoit and Perry struggling….I’m hoping for Mr. Al Alburquerque to take reigns.
But as Grey said; I doubt it.
Peace and carrots,
The Spaceman
@NF: i love it for you,i dont know how a guy without steroids changes that quickly but im on the bautista boat,ive made big offers in all my leagues for him to no avail,
any OF you think would be a solid trade straight up for Gallardo? I have Marcum, Scherzer, Weaver, de la Rosa, and Lilly as my other SP’s
@theevilempire: Every time I’m tempted to pick up Porcello I remember that Grey has him on his team in a league where the goal is the accumulate the worst possible stats.
@Starlin Castroated:
In that order i would say although the choice between Bumgarner and Kennedy is a tough one.
Just my thoughts on berkman. I know everyone is waiting for the other shoe to drop and I’ve seen him in every buy/sell article (as a sell) in the last 2 weeks. This I don’t understand. Is he a greater injury risk than most players…yes, is he a tad older than you’d like…yes, but is he capable of a .290-30-90 season in less than 500 at-bats in a loaded offense…yes. Has he done this before…yes. I mean no disrespect to the authors of this site (because I see it everywhere), but since berkman was not on anyones bounce-back list, experts will continue to downplay his performance because it would be admitting being wrong. However, these same experts will pat themselves on the back when one of their sleeper rookies has one good week. At this time last year Paul konerko was on every ‘expert’ sell-high list. Of course berkman won’t hit 9 hr a month and hit .400, but he’s fully capable of a very productive season. I’d trade him for elite players, but no one in a legitimate league would do that. So, would I sell him for less…I think I’d rather ride the wave and see if it lasts.
Xoxo
Drop Ben Francisco or Vlad for Gaby Sanchez, Brett Wallace, Smoak, Matt Joyce
Drop Raburn for O Cab?
So yesterday I told the guy who is starting Ryan Roberts at 3rd (in an 8 Team league) that he needed to send me his riches for Wright because I’ve got Longoria coming back. The first offer he sends me is Roberts/Scherzer for Wright/D. Hudson. I responded by asking if he was on drugs and declined. The guy is one of my best friends, so we can do this.
So today he sends me Ike/Oswalt for Wright/D. Hudson. Again, there ain’t no way in hell. He just picked Ike up and I have no use for a third 1st baseman. I responded by offering Wright for Tulo, which is much more fair, but I probably should’ve just farted in his general direction.
Just had to vent and see what people thought of those shizz offers.
Berkman and Oswalt for Marcum and Morrow is a steal for the Marcum side, right?
I was offered Cain, and Brandon Phillips for Kershaw. I am starting Aviles at 2B currently. I’m inclined to reject this. Any advice appreciated.
Considering trading Hamels and Desmond for B. Phillips. 9 Team 5×5.
C:Soto
1B:Fielder, Smoke
2B:OCab, Hill
3B:ARod, Longoria
SS:ARamirez, Desmond
OF:McCutchen,Tabata,Heyward, CYoung,Rasmus, Raburn, Span
SP:Hamels, Weaver, Beachy, Sanchez, Gallardo, Billingsly, Peavy
RP:Putz, Hanrahan, Cordero, Storen, Fuentes, Madson
@T.K.:
It depends on what you need more. You need pitching? Then yes, the Marcu@Wilsonian:
Question Wilsonian: Have you ever accepted such trade offers before? Do you have a history in being naive so that people keep trying? lol
just kidding man… what i am trying to say is… yeah, those offers make no sense at all
@Rick: the psychological barriers to fantasy success…nice post. Yep, it’s more fun to pick upside guys and then ride the confirmation bias wave for the one in ten jackpot that actually comes through. When you’d rather be right than be good, you know where that will lead. Plus who wants boring predictable veterans? Gimme the new. Give me the flashy.
Thanks. I need pitching more than outfield help, but I’m sure next week McCutchen and Young will break their arms…
@Mzyptlk: its a fair offer but aviles isnt to bad either,as grey has stated he can go 15+ hr and 15+ sb with a good average and he is a hot commodity being 3rd eligible
@Mzyptlk:
Kershaw is a clear upgrade over Cain. However, Phillips is a monumental upgrade over Aviles. I would make this trade.
As always, pitching is easier to find then upside bats. Also, Cain has been a little off so far, so you’d be getting Cain at a slight discount. I assume the rest of your pitching is solid. Tough one though…Kershaw is a stud.
Grey will have his own views and ,of course, defer to him. Good luck.
@Dr. Stats: A. Trouble when Bailey and Cueto return. He might only get one more start. B. Yup
@NF: I’d take Ethier.
@OaktownSteve: True
@Snag: Willingham
@wily mo: Sorry
@NF: Eh
@Starlin Castroated: Bumgarner, Ian Kennedy
@ScottyM: That’s hilarious!
@Craigo: I wouldn’t do that move.
@The Spaceman: Thanks for the confirmation.
@Will: Bad time to sell him, maybe you can get Victorino-ish.
@Rick: I’ll xoxo you! Yeah, you might be right, but I doubt it.
@FredayCouples: Vlad for Smoak. Hold Raburn.
@Wilsonian: Ridiculous.
@T.K.: Eh
@Mzyptlk: It’s fair, probably wouldn’t do it though.
@Grey: I’m trying to trade Walker for a SP, where do you see Walker’s value? The other guy has these SPs:
Verlander
Lee
Chacin
Scherzer
Gio
Also, if you paired Walker with Victorino, would that be too much/too little for Verlander?
@MattW:
I wouldnt trade any of those pitchers for Walker.
Walker and Victorino < Verlander
Hellickson, Norris, Beachy, Bumgarner
Which of these young upside pitchers available on the waiver wire
would you most want to add and use for at least the next two weeks?
Grey/Razzers:
Help me settle a debate. I have a case of Hangar 24 Orange Wheat beer on the line. I said Granderson will hit over 33 Hr this year. Am I drinking, or am I opening cold ones for a pal?
thanks spaceman,if would have been drinking,i would have been doubting myself,hehe
@Dr. Stats: Your pal is drinking
Thanks for the earlier answer. And now the follow-up: Luke Scott, LaPorta or Belt?
@Chinaski: @Wilsonian: i have a guy in my league who accepted his king felix for heyward LAST YR, and also some other dumb trade where he got beckham and dealt victor martinez, then i offer him deals this year and he keeps giving me the “do you think i’m dumb!?”
well yes, yes i do….!
@Grey: Murphy (elig. at 2b) or Sizemore going forward?
@Alex: Eh
@MattW: Scherzer, Gio, Chacin…
@Upside the head: Beachy, Norris, Bum…
@Dr. Stats: I’d put his over/under at 30.
@MattW:
I think you’re over-valuing Walker a bit. I concur with Chinanski. Even packaging Walker and Victorino shouldn’t net you Lee or Verlander…but you never know. I like the buy low on Max however.
@Casey Blake’s Beard: Scott
@Harley: Sizemore
Latos tonight: start or sit? thanks..
@Upside the head:
I would pick Beachy but i wonder why all these guys (excepting Norris) are still to have in your league?!
Re: Valverde, apparently he was still hitting 93-95 after being visited on the mound by Leyland and the trainer….
@Chinanski:
You a Bukowski fan?
@Dr. Stats:
Yeah i like him but incidentally, my own name is Chinaski aswell! Polish ancestors.
I need someone to fill my rp for SAGNOF who would you take a shot on?
Boggs, Frank Frank, Eduardo Sanchez, Salas
or would it be better to just go with crow, clippard, venters, etc?
@ Grey
No worries at all. I suppose obsessing/watching many games does yield that information
.
In your wordly/professional (no sarcasm) opinion, does NBA MVP Greinke 180 the Brew Crew?
Yes, No, Meh?
@ AL KOHOLIC
It’s looking like Valverde should be fine, but I saw what you saw! Don’t doubt yourself, generally drinking provides the most clarity
.
- The Spaceman
MMD returns to the Show for his final shot at our affections.
Do you drop Carlos Pena or Brett Wallace for Garrett Jones or keep them both?
@Chinaski: @Grey: I do like to trade (already made 4 deals in this league) but I’m definitely not known for making dumb moves – I usually ask Grey for his advice anyway! This is what I’ve done so far:
Give: Rasmus/E.Jackson – Get: Hamels/Lind
Give: Bruce/Contreras – Get: C. Santana/Walden (not too stoked about this one, but can’t complain too much)
Give: C. Santana/Berkman – Get: Dunn (again, I like the deal if/when Berkman’s bottom falls out, but right now I’m losing the deal, and Santana was a spare with Wieters already)
Give: Farnsworth – Get: Pineda
So yeah, I like to deal, but no way am I taking either of those deals offered.
@bogbert: Start
@herschel: Thanks for the heads up!
@John: Frank
@The Spaceman: Greinke should be fine.
@Eng: Yup
@Ethan Stein: Pena for Jones.
@Eng: and on that note I’m picking him up and dropping Juan Rivera on the off chance that MMD does what MMD is supposed to do!
TWO QUESTIONS (5×5, 12 team, H2H):
1. Thoughts on this trade?
Traded away: Berkman, Stanton, CJ Wilson
Traded for: J. Bruce, Latos
2. Whom should I pick up for my 2nd UTIL spot? Available are guys like Brett Wallace, Ryan Roberts, Carlos Pena, Vernon Wells, Cameron Maybin et al….
My lineup is now:
C – Napoli
1B – Pujols
2B – Lowrie
3B – Beltre
SS – Hanley Ramirez
OF – McCutchen
OF – Kemp
OF – J. Bruce
UTIL – J. Tabata
UTIL – ?????????????
Pitching staff:
SP: Michael Pineda, Mat Latos, Jhoulys Chacin, J. Sanchez, B. Colon, W. Rodriguez, Beachy, Lilly
RP: Hanrahan, H. Street, F. Rodriguez, J. Rauch, J. Contreras (DL), Antonio Salas
@Grey: for my final bench/utility spot, can you rank these guys:
adam jones, markakis, rios
Richard vs PIT or C Lewis @ SEA?
@AM2: Not a good trade. Wallace…
@paulzone: Rios, Jones…
@Jake: Lewis
You starting McClellan tonight?
@Flunkie: Don’t own him.
@AM2: I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but I think you got taken on that deal. You gave up the hottest hitter in baseball (although he will come down of his throne, at some point) PLUS Stanton and my cousin C.J. Stanton and Bruce are nearly interchangeable (in my opinion). C.J. is C.J. and I don’t particularly trust him, but I don’t trust Latos either. I’d rather not have either. So the way I would put it is you gave up Berkman and C.J. for a slightly better pitcher than C.J. whose arm may fall off. And then you have to pick up a random schmohawk off the street, of which I would pick up Wallace. I’m not trying to be a dick, but you could’ve gotten much more with that package.
re: Valverde…he was circling his arm around like he couldn’t get loose. Trying to stretch his shoulder, but it didn’t look like he was in pain or wincing. I think he was just having trouble getting loose and was wild as a result. Also Grandy led off with a great AB. Something like 14 pitches.
@Wake Up: I didn’t see it and haven’t read anything about it other than the comments here so I’m guessing he’s gonna be fine, but I still picked up Al Albur…etc.
Buying low on Crawford? How low should the offer be?
I’ve been trying to fill my 3rd of spot and util spot after drafting Manny and Snider. 7×7 with ops, ks
My choices are Alvarez, Robot Jones, Ryan Roberts, Adam Jones, Luke Scott, Joyce, and Damon.
Whcih 2 would you roll with going forward?
yeah im holding albequerque till i see another outing by valverde,they said after 30 pitches last night,he prolly isnt available tonight anyway,sounds funny to me
@Yep, I said it.: #2 OF and brain freeze? Overperforming player straight up? #2 SP and brain freeze? #3 SP and donkeycorn?
@The Burghler: Scott, Adam
News/Analysis Headlines Preseason Outlook
Raburn in danger of losing at-bats: Tigers OF Ryan Raburn, who has been getting everyday at-bats recently, splitting time between left field and second base, might not have much opportunity to play either position when Victor Martinez (groin) returns from the DL on Wednesday. Martinez would go back to playing DH every day, bumping Magglio Ordonez to the outfield, and second base is no longer available with the recent promotion of Scott Sizemore from the minor leagues.
(Updated 05/03/2011)
Grey,
Boggs has come in three times in a row in non-save situations since his blown save. Hold on Boggs or drop for E.Sanchez (who was still in the pen, seemingly waiting for a save situation last night)?
Thanks.
@ the 2 cats speaking about Valverde
You folks may be right. I’m certainly no genius. But there have been rumous. Likely nothing serious, probably just needs a few days off.
I think that some folk (like myself), speculate and fear injury…as Detroit’s bullpen is hella weak as of late. Papa Grande included.
(Oh the closer carousel!)
In the end; I think there’s no need to fret. But like Grey, I added Al Al this Satuday. As a Tigers fan and nervous fantasy owner.
(And he has a great name)
Peace and love,
-The Spaceman
@ AL KOHOLIC
Thanks for this info AL. This doesn’t come as a shock; (any other Tigers fan out there, or I am this mediocre team’s only lover?)
Avila has been on fire, and although it may fade fast, he’s be catching. V Mart moving to DH, and Mags to RF. (All assumptions folks). With Boesch statiscally the 2nd most productive Tiger (Ah!), there’s no reason he should lose playing time to Raburn as long as he’s producing.. (bias Grey-inspired man crush on Raburn aside)
-The Spaceman
@AL KOHOLIC: Thanks for the update!
@Pooch: Sanchez
@The Spaceman: It is great.
Grey – I have two offers on the table in a dynasty league. I have Matt Cain currently. The first is Cain for Gallardo straight up and the other is Grienke for Cain. Would you do either and which do you like better?
not to mention raburn is the slowest and worst outfielder ive ever seen,he missed atleast 2 last night
Ugh! The black hole that is third base (has already consumed Zimm, Rolen, Blake, or Wigg)
Headley, Infante, Callaspo, Hannahan, Ian Stewart, J. Lopez, Valencia, Inge, or Chris Johnson?
Thanks
F it…I’m starting Liriano. Tonight’s the night he gets it going.
@Benny: serriously id rather have cain and his low whipp era,over gallardo,s 3 years waiting on potential,id rather have grienke than either of them
It feels good to get Longo back in the lineup tonight. Hopefully he doesn’t strain his vag swinging at the first pitch…
@Grey: you giving MMD one more shot or has he gone the way of the weasel?
Choo drank to much Soju and got a DUI. Still unclear if he threatened to kill anyone.
@Nuke LaDouche: just cant understand these drinkers,hehe
@Benny: Greinke
@AL KOHOLIC: That is true.
@Johnny Drama: Stewart
@Steven: Nice
@Wilsonian: Yup
@herschel: In some leagues, sure.
@Nuke LaDouche: Ha
Beachy or Floyd? (Sounds like a debate from high school, “Brian Wilson is TWICE the songwriter Roger Waters is!”)
@Dr. Stats:
bukowski is aces .
have been carrying around , in my head , certain bon mots for over
30 years , the most relevant of which being …”that’s the way life is .
the wrong guy gets it .”
also , his response to “how do you know if you’ve used enough toilet paper ?” .
favorite poem ===> “broken shoelaces” … easily .
thanks for reminding me .
@Chinaski:
I’m in a 10-team head to head league with very small pitcher benches (1 bench pitcher spot and 1 “injured” spot where you must keep a player deactivated for an entire 2 week scoring period if you put him there).
Both Hellickson and Bumgarner were drafted and since dropped. Beachy I’m sure is on a few owners radars but his lack of run support & subsequent lack of wins has kept him free from being owned to this point. Bud Norris I’m sure is now also on owners radars but his name is Bud and he’s on the Astros, 2 very unsexy qualities in a waiver wire pitcher add.
@peter: Ha! Beachy
@AL KOHOLIC:
according to reports that i heard on blog-talk (seamheads) ,
the locals are not liking mags in the line-up , due to his weak bat .
i remember ordonez being rather robustly boo-ed , at the wbc ,
by the rather loud venezuelan contingent that i was sitting amongst ….
but that was for political reasons .
Grey : Just received this trade offer in keeper league.
My Trout(24 round keeper and not the one in my pants) for his Oswalt(11th round keeper).
My Minor league camp
Jacob Turner – P
Mike Trout – OF
Danny Espinosa 2B/SS WAS
Gary Sanchez C NYY
Jordan Lyles P HOU
@Grey: motte,benoit or bastardo
Which side in a H2H
Halladay/Wigginton/Matsui
Ike Davis/Rayburn/A. Hill
I’m pretty sure it’s the Halladay side, it was proposed to me with me getting Halladay, want to make sure I’m not crazy.
P.S. I have Howard at 1st as well.
Regards.
@chata: they booed him last might and again espn announcers suggested he might have something bothering him lower body wise,real weak swings,he did look lost at the plate
@Upside the head:
Ok i see… Beachys been a little bit unluckey so far and his lack of run support is in no way indicative of lack of power or potential of Atlantas lineup. The Braves have a potent lineup and thus the runs aswell as wins (for Beachy) will come earlier rather than sooner.
@Grey
In a 12 Team H2H…. Would you drop either Volquez or Colby Lewis for Dempster? They are all terrible right now and I’m always patient, probably too patient. Just looking at who you think will help me the most long term.
@Mr2Bits: no way…
update: Now they’re saying that Bautista is going to miss the Rays series, and a possible DL stint… I see Grey leaning back in his office chair with a medieval “Mr. Burns” laugh… “schmohawk”
Speaking of Liriano’s weather woes… It’s about 45 degrees right now in Chicago… If he pitches well tonight, i’ll be amazed, and trade him immediately. If he “craps the bed”, i’ll be amazed, and trade him immediately… haha
@MD:
Where did you read that? Last I heard was his neck was day-to-day and he said it wasn’t a big deal……..not good for me if he hits the DL
id sit him until he does throw a good game,1 good games stats wont help you as much as the bad ones are killing you,there are to many sp options out there in most leagues,i just picked up norris and stauffer this weak,and narveson chris young arroyo myers davis correia and more are all free agents in my 12 team rcl league,id rather stream a few good matchups and such rather than let a guy throw 6 terrible starts digging me a hole impossible to climb out of
Drop Alcides for Sizemore?
Keeper league, looking for 2 CI to pair with the Prince for this season and beyond (1 BN spot, 1 CI): Trumbo, Scott, Robot, Belt, MMD
@Grey,
Swisher, Joyce or Boesch going forward? I am leaning towards Swisher.
Thanks
How much of a difference is there between tabata’s stat line and crawford stat line this year?
Is it worth pairing tabata and a #2/3SP for crawford? or just stand pat?
Also, would you drop Pena for LoMo? Pena just sits on my bench so it wouldn’t really be taking up a spot.
Belt or Snider?
@Grey: What do you think of starting E-Jax in H2H tonight? Historically the Twins have clobbered him, but the Twins of 2011 are not exactly clobberers….
BTW, watched Ep 11 of Season 3 of The Wire last night (where Omar and Brother Mouzzone ‘deal’ with Stringer) – gotta be one of my Top 5 episodes of any show, ever.
Yeah – I know I’m slow, but no spoilers for Ep12 and Seasons 4 and 5 please.
@Mr2Bits: I’d take Oswalt.
@AL KOHOLIC: Motte
@Todd: Halladay
@Nonstoptalk: Nope
@MD: Muahahahahaha
@Nuke LaDouche: Eh
@Lis Franc: Belt, Scott
@Chinaski: Swisher’s okay. Toss up really.
@John: 7 homers, 15 steals.
@Nuke LaDouche: Sure
Oops, that Snider Belt message got cutoff. I far prefer Snider’s upside, it seems you do too looking at past blurbs. Basically, I’m wondering if you have any idea how long Snider will remain in AAA? Sorry if this is vague and impossible to answer.
@Steve: Should have added that if I sit E-Jax, my opponent will have two starts to my one.
@Eng: Belt
@Steve: Wow, can’t believe you’re still watching it. I’m envious. Wish I could watch it for the first time again. I’d sit Jackson.
@Eng: I do prefer Snider, but seems slightly further away.
@Steve: Still would sit him.
@Grey: Thanks. Yeah, every time I start watching it again, I wonder why I go so long without watching it. The scene between Omar and Mouzone in the alley when they’re discussing the merits of their respective weapons is what TV was invented for.
Elsewhere, what do you see from Fuld going forward? Obviously he’s not going keep up the pace he started the season at, but is he still going to be a good source of steals and runs?
@Steve: He’s not much more than a utility player that had a good month. He could give runs and steals if he continues to bat leadoff.
5×5 H2H Rank the 3 for the rest of the way Coghlan, Boesch, Smoak
@Grey: That’s the key I guess. ZiPS in-season projections give him 75 runs and 26 steals FWIW.
@Carl Spackler: Smoak, Boesch
@Steve: Sounds about right…
@Grey:
Grey : Who do I lose? I was actually thinking ARam as I can’t sell him for Thornton these days if I tried
Russel Martin
Kevin Youkilis
Robinson Canó
Aramis Ramírez
Grady Sizemore
Chris Young
Howie Kendrick
Adam Lind
Corey Hart
Come on Longoria, what the hell’s wrong with ya? (emoticon)
@Mr2Bits: Martin
@Steve: What happened?
@Grey: Flew out in his first at-bat. I was hoping for a seven-run homer.
@Grey:
Well he is gone Wednesday when VMart comes off the DL, do you have a second choice?
Highest average in Nationals line up tonight: Ian Desmond batting .245
@Steve: That would’ve been nice.
@Mr2Bits: Sorry, lose for who?
@Cheese: Oh, those Nats.
late scratch on youk tonight….anyone know whats up?
Would you drop Carlos Pena or Travis Snider or Kelly Johnson to add Ian Stewart (to play at Util)? Keeper league if that matters.
@herschel: He’s got a bad hip.
@CoreyII: Snider for Stewart.
Grey/ guys, need a UTL pickup and looking a Robot or Luke Scott. Who do u like better? Both seem to be hot right now, but ain’t got room for 2
Hey Grey
What do you think of this trade – 12team h2h
I get ricky Romero for Drew Storen & jed lowrie
I have JJ Putz and Neftali Feliz as my 2 closers now.
Yes right?
@herschel: @Grey: Exploding post-it note refers to an illness rather than more hip gyp.
@Mick: Scott
@Tom: Sounds fair.
@Steve: Ah…Well, there ya go.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Police said today that a 17-year-old boy came across a PNC Park usher who was having a heart attack in his car, pulled the man out and onto the ground, went through his pockets and stole his wallet, then drove away in the vehicle, leaving the usher to die in the street.
Wow.
@VinWins: Yikes, that’s sad.
@Grey:
Need to lose one of these guys as I traded Trout for Oswalt.
Aramis Ramírez
Grady Sizemore
Chris Young
Howie Kendrick
Adam Lind
Corey Hart
@Mr2Bits: Who’s your bottom SP or RP?
Hey Grey, can get Haren for B. Roberts and Walden. Little scared by Haren’s second half fades. Even though he didn’t have one last year.
Really deep league, with no one on waivers to replace the depth I would be losing either.
What do you think?
@Grey:
Whole staff but will need to lose one when Feliz returns. Kind of in a drop a decent player pickle as you can see. Ross was going to be my lose when Feliz returns. Would losing ARam be a bad move? I’m stacked at 3rd and he’s just a spot start and not a great one at that.
SP Roy Halladay
SP Dan Haren
RP Carlos Mármol
RP Joel Hanrahan
P Kyle Lohse
P James Shields
P Tyson Ross
P Kyle Farnsworth
BN Jorge De La Rosa
BN Gio González
BN Phil Humber
BN Brandon Beachy
@Mr2Bits:
Hart was also an option to lose.
Is Snider worth holding onto in either 12 or 14 team leagues, or should I just pull the cord on his AAAss? Could use a bench spot.
@Mr2Bits: Lohse and Humber are the two lowest guys on your team.
@vinko: I’d pull the cord for now.
for those grasping at straws or, like me, who are waking up and going to 6:15 a.m. mass with their grandmother and her breakfast club to pray…
“Ubaldo Jimenez thinks he’s identified a mechanical flaw after watching video with catcher Chris Iannetta.
The main issue is that Ubaldo has had an inconsistent release point, which has likely been the culprit for his eight walks over his last two starts. Hopefully he’ll get the issue corrected for his next outing.”
@Grey: I added Sizemore last night. Hill is on my DL, and I’ve been filling in at 2B with Darwin Barney for the past week and a half. Which of those three gets the heave ho onto waivers when Hill is activated?
@sal: Good that they figured it out, be better if he fixes it.
@Eddie: Barney
OK – E-Jax is benched. Now watch him mow ‘em down.
@Grey: whats up grey- would you roster Peter Bourjos (LAA) or Jason Bourgeois (HOU) over McClousy? I’m also rostering Janish from an attempt at a short day offensive move which was rained out, i can drop him easily for the other, which one do you like more? I get them confused bc of their last names!
Is mosely worth burning a waiver priority over? H2H? Im sitting 4th and I dont belive in holding the priority but I also haven’t seen anything worthy of burning it either!
Liriano’s outta the first!
congratulations to Liriano… Walked the first batter and got a double play! Got out of the inning without a HIT!! lets keep it up
@Steve: It would be nice to see something decent from him.
@Tony: Bourjos over Nate. No re: Morse.
@tggq21: @Tony: It’s a very late Christmas miracle!
@Grey: barmes or barney,barmes roped a couple nice ones tonight
Oh my goodness. How SICK is Matthew Holliday… dude is hitting.420 and racking up HR’s… Soo fortunate that I drafted him
@Grey: Upset tummy for Youk, apparently.
@AL KOHOLIC: Barmes
@tggq21: Glad I have him on multiple teams too.
@Steve: Aw, poor Youk.
Yeah, how many people benched Liriano tonight??? Watch him throw a 9 walk no-hitter… That would be just my luck!
@longbeachyo: lol 9 walk no hitter would be very talented!
I would not be unhappy in the least with a sonovabench from Liriano. He was one start from being dropped from my leagues.
would you pick up bryce harper and burn a bench spot all year in a keeper league?
@brad: 14 teams
@Steve: Benched him too starting last start. Today is D-day for him. I’m sure he will be decent so I don’t have an easy decision. such is life
@Rob: Better than a crap start and wanting to drop him.
@brad: Nope
great, scott….and against a lefty no less. hope he can keep the hot streak up….
@Grey: Is Narveson droppable for someone like Beachy or Garza?
Liriano is doing an excellent job of making me not want to drop him, but not want to start him next time either. Pick a side, Frankie!
@ThE sHiT: Yes and yes.
@ThE sHiT: Garza
@royce!: Could be the ultimate sonavabench here.
Wow. Glad I own both Rauch and Farnsworth.
I think.
Dear Ryan,
You were up with the bases loaded, one out, and your fantasy teammate, Cabrera, on first with the opposing pitcher (Sabathia) being on the opposing fantasy team. Never could’ve a more opportune time presented itself than now, in never never land… But instead of grounding out or flying out, or being like jack and going deep, (RUN HOME JACK) you decide to strike out. Any kind of production in this instance would have been prodigious. A double whammy, if you will… By striking out you managed to completely turn the tables around on me… giving Sabathia a strikeout and allowing him to get out of the inning after another weak groundout by Peralta.
I regret to inform you that this is your last chance letter. If you do not make a significant impact (i.e. HR / multiple SB’s) by the end of the week, when your teammate A. Hill comes off the DL. I’m afraid I will be forced to let you go. Looking at your numbers, I see that you are getting fairly lucky with your BABIP .333. That number is close to your career averages, but seeing how low your current BA is, (.243) I see little room for improvement. Also, your K% and BB%’s are at, or close to career lows for you. I’m very sorry, I had high hopes for you at the beginning of the year. I hope we can still be friends.
Love,
The skipper
P.S. With V. Martinez returning soon, I’m concerned with the amount of playing time you will be getting. Say hi to the fam for me!
@Steve: Love the vulture win.
@longbeachyo: That’s hilarious. You should send it to him written in cut-out magazine letters.
No hitter through 5………………………………..
Starting Dempster tonight?
@longbeachyo: redemption?
maybe… lets see
@VinWins: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Police said today that a 17-year-old boy came across a PNC Park usher who was having a heart attack in his car, pulled the man out and onto the ground, went through his pockets and stole his wallet, then drove away in the vehicle, leaving the usher to die in the street.
Rashaad Mendenhall just tweeted”How do you know the guy didn’t just give him the car cause he wasn’t gonna need it no more…..and did YOU see him steal his wallet?”
@longbeachyo: or maybe not…
AGAIN!!!!! RABURN NOOOOOOO!!!
Got some VERY mixed feelings about this E-Jax start.
can someone schedule a meeting of Ianetta and Gallardo? Maybe his video Sherlock Holmes routine has a sequel.
@longbeachyo @ Grey
Totally dug that man. I’m truly not certain what to make of this Raburn situation. I’ve always liked him, and thanks to Grey; it turned into infatuation pre-season. Now…I don’t know what to think. Ah! Grey??
@ Jim Leyland
Jim, sir. Where’s Al Al? Don’t make me look stupid Jim. Don’t man!
@nick m.: Nope
@longbeachyo: Ha!
Liriano through 6. Looking forward to him tossing an 8 walk, 165 pitch no hitter.
No hitter through six!!!
Grey, How bout a “sonavabench” shirt with Liriano’s face on it and the date after he throws this multiple walk no-hitter???
dear me, why the friggen frick would you put Farnsworth and Capps on the bench today?
The back of the shirt can read:
Those numbers look great… ON MY BENCH!!!
CBS showing Valverde warming up…
@mauledbypandas: Why would you bench relievers?
@longbeachyo: I like it.
@herschel: He is warming up.
Could one of my effing pitchers effing well get someone effing well out?
re; Valverde
Yup. I guess some of us who speculated that Al Al may get a shot at closing, were getting a little too hypothetical. Oh well, I think he’s key to their near future bullpen plans…and still has a rad name..
@Grey: Should i expect a decent 3.75ish ERA with 7 or 8K/9IP from Garza?
Wow, Valencia!
Gardy thinks Nick Punto would have made that play too, but he would have gotten his uniform dirty at the same time.
Papschmear imploding in a total non save situation and Scosiapath lets the fear inducing .190 hitting Mathis stay in there to strike out and kill the rally.
@ThE sHiT: Yup
Suppose I should be jumping all over the couple leagues that Liriano is sitting free in, but the 4 W to 2 K’s has me kinda MEH still for some reason.
Valverde coming in for a save.
IF YOU WALK THEM, THEY WILL NOT HIT- Liriano
@Grey: Got it, thanks dude! How ya been btw? I havent posted as often as last season with work and all, but i still read your stuff religiously. As always, keep up the great work kind sir!
@nyydj2: With good reason. His FIP from this game is gonna be around 4.50.
(I’m rooting for you Papa Grande) I suppose Leland will rest him tomorrow, after a 35 pitch outing last night. Should be interesting whom he goes with then…
Peace out,
- The Spaceman
@ThE sHiT: Thanks for the kind words! I’ve been good, how about you? Still at the airport?
5 walks!
Feel like I’m the only one here rooting for Valverde to cough up the lead.
@Steve: You’re not the only one.
double play!!!
Liriano, I’m sorry I will never doubt you again… I knew it was mental, you just weren’t trying…
@Steve: You’re welcome, Valverde owners.
@Grey: Robertson owner?
@longbeachyo: That double play was a snow job. Morneau missed the tag by a foot.
@longbeachyo: Ha
@Steve: No Al Al…etc owner.
Lliriano, jackson, sonofabench x2. i knew this would happen,
just got finished watching deadliest catch ,evil as it sounds,love to see rauch take the loss,whooooraaaa,bring on franky baby
wow what a dig by morneau!
May 3rd and AGonz(Gonna Be A Monster In Fenway) hits his first HR there. BTW, someone wake up Tulo now and tell him it’s September gain.
grey, if scotty sizemore is right, whats his upside for this year?
ty
@tggq21: Yup
@nyydj2: Ha
@the grate one: 15 homers.
seriously, liriano (fa) or lohse (on my team)? Make the swap?
I’m considering selling high on Maicer for BABIP Like Beckham. Should I offer now or later? And what’s your revised projection on Beckham?
@paulzone: Yeah
@Tom Emanski: Go for him, he can still go 12/12 thereabouts.
@Grey: exactly the question i am asking myself. The answer is never set your lineup while drunk
No no!
hey, at least Capps didn’t get a save cause of the no no
is there a glossary term for when you sonofabench a guy that throws a no no?
LIRIANO!
Liriano with the no-no.
In one league, I own Liriano and Jackson and I benched them both.
nonogoodsonofabench
So I guess before every start Ron Gardenhire will have to threaten Liriano on losing his spot in the starting rotation. Hey iif it works.. why not!?
Still no regrets for the sonovabench. I figure the no-no happened because if it (not sure how it works but I am sure it does)
@Steve: me too. it doesn’t feel good.
@Steve: next time out, you will start them both and end up with 13 ER!
The Ultimate SONAVABENCH!
Grey, make the shirt!!!
@schlitzy: Well there definately should be! Grey?? Work your magic!
Jackson gets Seattle next time out, so I guess I can feel good about running him out there.
123 pitches, only 66 for strikes. If I pick him up tonight he will prob go on the DL in 4 more days with dead arm.
I can’t believe I forgot to set my RCL pitching for tonight. I would have sonavabenched Liriano anyways!
@schlitzy nonovabench?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHA
@schlitzy: anibal sanchez’d?
For those who saw the start and can make sense of all this better than I can, would you now pick up Liriano over any of Bills, Jurrjens, Gallardo, Gio, or Latos?
@bogbert: Or I could drop Smoak and hope Morneau heats up eventually.
so glad to see liriano throw this game, good luck to all of you in this exact post were talking about dropping him! HA!
ya he walked 6, but a no-no? that can change a season, back on track is what i say… oh and SONOVABENCH!
I thik nogoodsonofabench works good in two ways, he’s a nogoodsonofabench for pitching like shizz all year and forcing you to sit him, and he’s a nogoodsonofabench for throwing a nono when you finally did sit him.
Jose Reyes giving me some OBP lovin tonight, 6 for 6 on base!
So what is the glossary term if you are nogoodsonovabenched for one start so then you start him the next time and it is back to 6 runs allowed in 3.2 innings.
@Rob: pizzashizzazzhole
Get the pitcher out you useless prick! Yeah, looking at you dlR.
Wish I had Latos batting instead of pitching. I need the HRs.
12 team.
I have Peds, Desmond, Espinosa, and Jeter for (3 spots)
Who wins this trade?
A Pujols and Masterson
B Adrian Gonzalez and Dustin Pedrioa
Slam and legs from CarGo.
They just mentioned this on the Pirates broadcast.. and I should have realized this since I’ve owned him this year and last.. but Latos has a 9-game losing streak.
He hit a homerun and did a nice slide step across home to show at least he knows how to hit.
@Steve:
Steve … Steve … Steve
@chata: Pretty much cursed in that league.
Dempster or Drabek? Is this splitting hairs?
So…How far down the Cardinal hierarchy does LaRussa go before turning to Motte for a save chance??
what do you mean legit ?
@chata: Got an email from you that wasn’t from your normal address. Just want to be sure it’s safe to open.
@Grey:
Rauch or E.Sanchez for saves?
I have Frank Frank already.
for sure .
had my wife send it …. too technical
please read .
@Eddie: bout damn time…
@chata: Ah – OK. Will check it later. Can’t open it properly on my work computer.
So on one of my teams with 6 bench positions and a 1650 IP limit, I drafted Liriano and Gallardo as my two aces. 2 weeks or so ago I realized my staff might be in trouble so I picked up during the last two weeks as any handcuffs as I could find for insurance. For SP I now have Liriano, Gallardo, Lohse, Norris, Billingsley, Kuroda, Ogando, Wolf, D. Hudson, Beachy, Chacin with Cueto on DL. 12 SP might be a tad excessive but I might just keep as many around as long as I can. Not totally sure who I would drop anyway.
Grey, do you start Scherzer tomorrow at home vs the Yanks despite yielding 6ER last outing in the bronx?
we’ll talk about it later , if you wish .
Liriano’s 6 BB no-no is most walks in a no-hitter since AJ Burnett’s 9 in 2001. (voice cracks) Jim Maloney had the most with 10 in 1965. [end Tim Kurkjian impression]
Look at Dempster laughing at me from the waiver wire.
anyone know the extent of jeff baker’s shoulder injury ?
should i be scurrying ??
Come on Rox – need the win here.
@Wilsonian:
No, you’re not being a dick…. I was going to pose the question “how much did I eff up my team with this trade?” But I thought it’d be too loaded a question.
Thanks for the input, and I totally agree… not a good trade.
Here’s what happened:
I proposed the trade about 12-14 days ago when Stanton hadn’t hit his 1st HR yet and Berkman was still just reasonably hot. Of course, I let the trade offer just hang out there without canceling it when Berkman got hotter and Stanton started to heat up, and OF COURSE the other team accepted the trade on Sunday after Berkman and Stanton hit HRs (not that it really makes that big of a difference).
The main thing is that there’s NO WAY I make that trade offer last week. Let this be a lesson to everyone else (though it should be obvious), DO NOT LET TRADE OFFERS LINGER
I’m hoping Bruce goes .275-90-28-100-16 and Latos improves, and Stanton to only hit 30 HRs and Berkman to start cooling off.
Is this redemption night, or what? Liriano with a a No-No; Dempster pitching really well, although currently losing (1-0); CarGo (slam and legs)… What’s next? Is Dunn actually going to get a hit tomorrow?
@Dad: Didn’t Edwin Jackson allow 7 BB in his no hitter?
@AM2: damn, that really sucks then. I was hoping to not come off as a dick, it was not my intention. I’m notorious for letting trades hang out for only a day or less and if I get nothing back, I cancel after a change of heart.
And it could turn out to be ok for you, especially if Wallace ends up molly-whopping. He won’t hit .360 all year, but he could be that stud that everyone was talking about (and every team was apparently dealing) the last couple of years. I do like Latos better than my cousin, but not much. And like I said, Stanton and Bruce are basically the same player. And Berkman will fall off. He hasn’t been healthy the past few years, he’s not gonna hit 50 HRs and hit .375. He’s gonna hit .290 and hit about 25 HRs – assuming he’s healthy. But to get to that point, he’s not gonna be worth a shit over the next 5 months.
It’s not that it’s an AWFUL trade, just that those three could net you a Bruce and two other key pieces.
@Eddie: 8 walks and 150 pitches…
@Wilsonian: redemption night it is…Carlos Pena just went yard. 1st of the year!!!
@Grey: Thoughts on starting Wood tomorrow? It’s H2H and Gallardo, Rauch and dlR have already laid waste my ratios. I also have Scherzer available t6o me.
@Eddie: @Wilsonian: You’re right. The Baseball Reference link was up until 2008. I don’t subscribe to update, so good call.
Looks like Leake heading to the bullpen for the Reds. Wood to stay in the rotation, Cueto to go on Sunday. Dusty could always change his mind, though…
Ok so rank these going forward Jordan Zimmerman, Bedard, Dempster, Kyle Drabek, Matt Harrison
@Wilsonian: latos too,he left with the lead and a good pitvhed game till the bullpen blew it
@Dad: I was curious too. I remember thinking his arm was gonna fall off before he got the no-no.
@Wilsonian: and bedard and pena gets his 1st hr as a cubby
Don’t look now, but Crawford is threatening to climb above the Mendoza Line.
@Wilsonian:
For sure, thanks. Yeah I basically came on to Razzb to see if others felt the same way. Not an ounce of disagreement from me, I felt the same way… I was just a victim of my own impatience. I think I also tried to outsmart myself and everyone else by “selling high” on Berkman and “buying low” on Bruce and Latos — the problem is that I sold way too high (and gave too much value) and bought way too low (and received too little value).
Damn you, Jay Bruce, and your Sept-Oct 2010 splits.
Wow is anyone watching Cubs-Dodgers? Broxton looks scared right now. Honestly scared.
Hmm dempster and wood sitting on my waiver wire its not worth dropping stauffer for either right?
@Eddie: yeah he does
I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing….Brian Fuentes BRAIN FREEZE..make it stop!!!
nelson cruz with quad trouble,left game,not really surprised but tired of this ritual.But on a brighter side broxton sucks
@AL KOHOLIC: That’s nothing to be joyous about.
Thanks Mr. Fuentes. Just when I think I will actually get out of a day of pitching with no huge blowups. Nice to have a reminder the world is a cruel, unforgiving place.
There we go! That’s the Liriano I drafted. Took a shot and started him and the newly acquired Edwin Jackson and it paid off.
Now if we could get Ubaldo going, I’d be a happy camper.
@grey (or anyone else) – thinking about offering Liriano for Gallardo. Now is certainly the time to sell one and buy the other. Thoughts?
I’m in a points league btw.
@Steve:
Why are the Reds wasting time with Leake in the bullpen? Just send him down.
@nyydj2: Ha!
Which side of this trade do you like in a “keep 14 guys” league (keeper-dynasty mix)? Keep in mind that my hitting stats have been very poor lately, but A-Rod is sliding off and is on his way out. Could use some help on pitching, as my top 3 are probably Lee, Haren, and Hellickson.
Their Tim Lincecum & 2010 2nd Round Pick for my Alex Rodriguez and 2012 4th Round Pick