Torii Swelling was almost the title, but with a groin injury… Well, you get the problem. So Torii Hunter got guillotined in the Sell post last week and now seems to be headed to the DL. Let them eat cake! So what to do with the blue state Hunter and his pesky groin? DL him when the Angels do. Can’t do much else now. You shouldn’t sell him for 3 pairs of socks and a Megadeth vinyl record. Hunter should return in a few weeks. Luckily, with the All-Star Break, he’ll get a few extra days to recover where he’s not missing any games. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Geovany Soto – Should’ve mentioned this the other day, but I’m only half-cyborg so sometimes I miss things. Soto’s bothered by an oblique injury (vague!). Hill should get all the starts prior to the break, then Jake “I am the Fatman” Fox could get starts at catcher after the break, if Soto needs a DL stint. Right now, it sounds like that will be in order. (Speaking of which, whenever you see a broken vending machine, walk up to it and scream, “No, you’re out of order!” People love that.)
Pedro Martinez – Sounds like he’s going to the Phillies. In his last 48 starts, he has a 4.74 ERA and that was in a pitchers’ park. On the other hand, he has been solid for Ks even as his career winds down. On the third hand, he gave up 19 homers in 109 innings last year. Oy. I would grab him in an NL-Only league to see if there’s a spark left from the midget era, but I’d hold off in mixed leagues.
David Price – 6 IP, 1 ER, 7 Ks. I was going to put him on the Buy/Sell for this afternoon, but I think that window has now officially closed. Eh, maybe he’ll be in the Buy/Sell anyway. Post time decision.
Roy Halladay – 7 IP, 3 ER. Aw, poor Halladay owners, he only threw 119 pitches and K’d 8. Please, I’ll take that every time out from my starters. I’m looking at you, Shields!
Francisco Liriano – 5 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 9 baserunners. A commenter thanked me for telling them to sit Liriano yesterday. And I said something to the effect, “Yeah, but it’s not great you can’t start him either.” And that’s me potentially misquoting myself! It’s really not a great place to be, damned if you start him, damned if you drop him. He is the poison pill.
Joel Pineiro – 9 IP, 1 ER, 5 Ks, 3 baserunners. This schmohawk is having an incredible year and he’s only owned in 10% of ESPN leagues (though 75% of ESPN leagues are abandoned). I understand everyone’s hestitation, but at some point you just gotta say what the eff, right? Then again, he has 48 Ks in 115 1/3 innings. As much as I sound like a madman right now, I’d grab Pineiro in mixed leagues.
Manny Parra – 7 IP, 0 ER, 7 Ks and only one walk. Must… Stop… Self… From… Picking… Him… Up.
Rafael Furcal – 3-for-5 yesterday and over .400 in the last week. About time he started getting hot. Now hopefully he doesn’t get hurt in the midst of this streak.
Randy Wolf – 6 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 11 earned runs of support to give Wolf his first Win since May 28th. If only Michael Jackson could’ve seen it…
Everth Cabrera – 0-for-3, as EverCab committed his 4th error in 24 games. I have an idea. Maybe the Padres can trade for Gamel and they can kick the ball to each other. (BTW, EverCab is the creation of frequent commenter, Tom. When he said, “EverCab sounds like the name of a crappy band I should have started in Junior High.”)
Nelson Cruz – Sitting so Ron Washington can play the hot hand. As another frequent commenter, Mr. Baseball said, “At least Torre would bat Cruz 8th.”
Freddy Sanchez – About a week ago, Rudy said to me Freddy Sanchez would probably get traded. I shrugged, so? Sure enough, Rudy was right. Dirty Sanchez may get moved. I’m still kinda bored by the storyline, but his value might change slightly. My guess is Freddy Sanchez would not be a number three hitter on a contender. Shoot, he may not even be a starter. Though he could end up somewhere and bat 2nd. Whatevs.
Lance Berkman – 2-for-4 with a homer. Batting .400 in July after a solid June. On May 1st, I said Berkman’s a great buy when he was hitting something like .160. He’s now hitting .277. Look at the names on that Buy/Sell. Prescient, snitches!
Jayson Werth – Hit his 20th homer yesterday then tagged Chris Jericho.
Jorge Cantu – As the Marlins hit around Arizona’s Johnny Wholestaff, Cantu finally hit a homer. His first since June 3rd. Welcome back from your slumpcation.
Edwin Encarnacion – HR yesterday. And having the 2nd best year for an Edwin! No, he’s not better than Stewart or Blalock, but he’s worth a spot if you’re hurting at corner.
Jay Bruce – Dusty’s benching him to clear his head. Citing how well it’s worked for Mags (it didn’t) and Rollins (it kinda worked). Interesting how in May/June all the rage was to miss games because of dizziness. Now everyone’s clearing their head.
I’m goin to add the whipped puppy in the ASB. (if none of my leaguemates stop me by adding he first.)
for those who can’t get enough of Parra:
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/50407197.html
Joel Hanrahan got the win last night for a game that was suspended on 5/5. He was in my line-up that day, and his pitching stats from that day we counted in my stats. He did not pitch, was not in my line-up or even on the Nationals last night, for good reason. Do I get the win?
yep .
last time i used parra , he shat-nered all over my stats .
tonight , morrow will bring you sorrow .
http://razzball.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=4150
shakes fist at Grey since I started Liriano for this week
Pedro has never been the same since he was deserted by Nelson de las rosa when he defected to the Mets. I always thought that the Mets should have offered Nelson a contract, and let him pinch hit in a game, and come down from the sky dressed in a Martian Suit, a la Eddie Geidel.
http://www.thecubsbrickyard.com/2009/06/25/chicago-cubs-actually-we-were-scouting-pedros-midget-friend/
Picked up Parra in a 14 team H2H. Well, I’ve had the other De La Rosa, and Gaudin as well as others blow up my ERA, so I might as well let Parra get a shot.
As for Bruce, BigFatHippo would be proud of me. I made a trade, giving up Bruce and Gallardo for Dye and Burnett. At least now I won’t have to rotate o-fers with sonofabenches.
Torii Swelling-Ha! You shoulda went for it! Maybe Torii has a case of elephantiasis…
http://elephantiasis.freeyellow.com/eleph-fiji.gif
(picture #3)
No questions today; just enjoyed the column. BTW, Doc is doing a great job in the Football Blog. We will be having an in-depth discussion of Brandon Jacobs…
Torii Swelling – Ha! Shoulda went for it. Maybe he has a case of elephantiasis…
http://elephantiasis.freeyellow.com/eleph-fiji.gif
3rd picture
Pedro has never been the same since the Nelson de la rosa dumped him when he defected to the Mets. Always thought that the Mets shoulda gave Nelson a contract, allowed him to pinch hit for them, as well as fall down from the sky dressed like a Martian, a la Eddie Gaidel.
http://holamun2.com/files/images/attachments/2006/10/nelson-de-la-rosa.jpg
Took a sucker’s bet on Parra in 14 team H2H; I have allowed the other De La Rosa, Guadin, and others to crap all over my ERA, so i might as well allow Parra to do it as well.
Traded Bruce and Gallardo for Dye and Burnett yesterday. BigFatHippo would be proud of me.
Great recap, as always.
Tori Swelling – Ha! Maybe he has elephantiasis:
http://elephantiasis.freeyellow.com/pictures.html
(3rd picture)
Pedro hasn’t been the same since Nelson De La Rosa dumped him after he defected to the Mets. I always thought that the Mets shoulda gave Nelson a contract, a la Eddie Guidel, and have him pinch hit for them, as well as fall out of a sky dressed in Martian drag.
http://holamun2.com/files/images/attachments/2006/10/nelson-de-la-rosa.jpg
Fell for the sucker play, and picked up Parra yesterday in my H2H 14 team league. The other De La Rosa, amongst others have crapped all over my ERA, so why not let the other Manny do so as well.
Managed to trade Bruce + Gallardo for Dye + AJ Burnett. BigFatHippo would be proud of me.
No questions today, just enjoying another great recap.
I’m no WWF/WWE officianado, but I do know that ain’t Chris Jericho. That’s “The Edge”. The resemblance is striking though. Of course I’m the loser that’s facing the Werth owner h2h this week.
Tori Swelling – Ha! Maybe he has elephantiasis:
http://elephantiasis.freeyellow.com/pictures.html
(3rd picture)
Pedro hasn’t been the same since Nelson De La Rosa dumped him after he defected to the Mets. I always thought that the Mets shoulda gave Nelson a contract, a la Eddie Guidel, and have him pinch hit for them, as well as fall out of a sky dressed in Martian drag.
http://holamun2.com/files/images/attachments/2006/10/nelson-de-la-rosa.jpg
I Fell for the sucker play, and picked up Parra yesterday in my H2H 14 team league. The other De La Rosa, amongst others have crapped all over my ERA, so why not let the other Manny do so as well.
Managed to trade Bruce + Gallardo for Dye + AJ Burnett. BigFatHippo would be proud of me.
No questions today, just enjoying another great recap.
@Frank Rizzo: Im not a WWE fan either, and that is Edge! Silly Grey!
inge for zambrono?
whos sides better
Any thoughts on N. Cruz? If he is going into a platoon situation, is it time to sell?
@Suck My Wieters:
Edge and Chris Jericho are tag team partners. I think that is what Grey meant when he said Werth “tagged” Jericho.
Is Tulowitski too small of a return for the slumping Adrian Gonzalez?
only retards play at ESPN
Desperado, why dont you come to your senses?
things you will hear with Pedro on the mound
“Back, back, back, back… Gone!”
“Get out the rye bread and mustard grandma, cause it’s GRAND SALAMI TIME!”
“Going back at the track, at the wall… SSSEEYA!”
“It’s going, going… gone!”
“Long drive, way back, warning track wall, you can
touch em’ all
That ball is high! It is far! It is……..GONE!”
“They usually show movies on a flight like that.”
that ball is heading for souvenir city
“Fill Thine Horn With Oil and Go”
Mahatma Gonedhi
I do expect him to pitch better than Johnny Cueto last pitching performance though
The thing about Edwin is that he has tremendous upside. I want him on my bench more than Blalock, especially since playing in the field every day has probably hurt Blalock’s value.
If Edwin doesn’t put it together this year, next year might be the first in a long time i don’t spend a buck or two on him! Been wronged so many times, Edwin
@KarlJ.: Re: AGonzo. Yes.
Gonzo slumps. That’s what he do! You should have sold high (sorry) but at this point I’d wait out the slump and count on two more great months down the road. Check out his splits from last season: you’ll see what I mean.
@Dom: You should. Are you H2H? If so, not sure how that would work.
I also vote for Torii Swelling. I assume Tori Swelling is the name of a band somewhere. If not, it should be.
I also love when Grey says, “I was going to use this title, but didn’t…” which is kind of like when you tell your girlfriend, “I was going to buy you this present the other day, but didn’t….” which can give you the benefit of a) highlighting your thoughtfulness while b) saving you money. At least until she figures out you’re a cheap bastard.
Guess what, snitches? I just used my precious 10th (of 12) place waiver priority to pick up CHRIS “WITH A K” DAVIS. O sweet lummox, come back to my welcoming arms!
I figure, best case he hits the minors for two weeks, figues his shizz out, tears it up, then returns to launch moonshots when Blalock breaks a nail. Worst case, he rots on my bench until the next closer-du-jour, and I jettison him into space. Either way, it’s a win-win! That’s called radical managing, kids!
Because right now the Baron needs donks.
Have offered Dye/Hanson for Carlos Lee. Fair? For me?
@Quintero: Hehe
@Dom: Yup
@Obmij76: You told me he was facing the White Sox in that forum thread. He faced the Yankees.
@Paulie Allnuts: Yeah, Doc is doing great. I’m not clicking that link. You were held in moderation at first because you posted two links.
@Frank Rizzo: @Suck My Wieters: Edge and Jericho are tag team partners.
@black love: Zambrano
@Robert: Not a great time to sell anyone when they’re at their lowest. Give it a few days with Cruz. Maybe a week or so.
@KarlJ.: Yup. And Tulo is too small.
@Mr Baseball: Ha!
@Baron Von Vulturewins: I had this Bruce jersey all picked out for you. I’d take Lee.
Start Morrow tonight against Texas?
@Art Vandelay: I will be in a 12 team league, though it is risky.
@Grey: I am all a-twitter about the Second-Half People to Own post that’s forthcoming. Is it going up today? Please say yes!
I expect to say at least 1/3 of my team on the list. I have decided, in order to save time and energy, to conveniently pre-assemble all the buy-low candidates on one team. David Wright! Jay Bruce! Matt Holliday! Roy Oswalt! Matt Wieters!* And now Kris Davis! Nowhere to go but up, baby! To a deluxe apartment in the sky!
*It’s i before e, as in BELIEVE.
I think the time has come to finally cut loose Mike Gonzalez. I loved this guy for awhile since even though he may not get the save, he was lights out and got a couple Ks an outing. Plus, with Fuentes and Bell I could afford to have a guy w/o big save numbers. Now, however, he’s not only getting zero save opps, he’s also making a habit of blowing up the 8th inning.
My options to drop/add are: Rodney, Qualls, Capps or Nunez.
Based on your last closers column, Rodney is the lone Donkey-Corn. Would you still say he’s the best guy here?
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Nope, next week during the ASB.
@EJ: Rodney should be owned, if that means dropping Gonzo for him, then you should do that.
@Grey: But how will I know which players on my team to stop hating?
@Baron Von Vulturewins: When you shake the dart board, the pictures that fall off are the chosen ones.
I’ve been trying to move Brad Hawpe since the end of April, and I might have found a match. With the all – star selection and large numbers , I’m guessing that there won’t be a better time to move him than right now. Middle of the pack in Wins, ERA and WHIP. Hawpe for Way – Rod. No brainer?
Which would you be more willing to give up for Bruce: Hanson or Liriano?
@Robert: Tough call. If you’ve invested a high draft pick in Liriano, then move Hanson.
After all my whining about the Padres draft picks yesterday, Tim Stauffer has actually been pretty great in the minors this year (combined 2.14 ERA, .88 WHIP between AA and AAA). Could take Silva’s place in the rotation. So… they’ve still done a terrible job with their #1 picks, but maybe not the worst in baseball?
So, sitting Joba tonight when you have a slight lead in ERA and ground to make up in WHIP is a good idea, right? I can do w/o the K’s and W. But should I roll the dice w/Smokey Joe Bla(h)nton?
I’m trying to deal Cano since I also have Utley on my team… what do you think about going after Reyes for him? SS is the biggest hole on my team
Would you pick Soto up to stash him and wait to see if he gets better? I’ve got Barajas or Suzuki filling my C spot right now, and Soto was just dropped.
@Jo: Assuming it’s not a keeper league, the Reyes owner may be fed up/worried enough to make that deal. But I don’t know if you should. I think I’d rather have Rollins or Tulo for the rest of the year over Reyes.
What can anyone tell me about Jeff Stevens? He’s being called up by the Cubs from AAA Iowa.
@Frank Rizzo: I was just looking at his minor league #s… He’s 25, averages more than 1 K per IP, good K/BB ratios, and an ERA in the low 3s over 5 minor league seasons. Also enjoys long walks on the beach.
How long is he up for? Just a start? I think Lou is streaming his pitchers right now.
David Price, John Smoltz or Tommy Hanson?
@peter: He’ll be used in relief, Kevin Hart is the replacement 5th starter and they won’t need him again til after the break so they optioned him to Iowa to stay on a regular schedule
@Adam: Thanks, Adam. If he’s got a relief roll then, yeah, not very interesting.
Start Ubaldo vs ATL today?
Actually, I’d like to add Liriano, so it’s Liriano, Smoltz, Price or Hanson who are the candidates for my last three starting slots. Thanks.
Pick up Lohse and drop Cook?
@Pops: Fair, not a no-brainer. I’d try for a slightly safer pitcher first, but if you’ve exhausted those options, then it’s fine.
@royce!: Now there’s an endorsement!
@Probable Party Starter: I’d start Blanton, not Joba.
@Jo: Don’t trade for Reyes.
@Lava: I wouldn’t.
@Bob: Price, Hanson, Smoltz…
@GTS: re: Starting Ubaldo — I wouldn’t.
@GTS: re: Lohse — I wouldn’t.
@Grey: Sorry for all those links. I kept trying to post, and nothing came up. After four trys, and writing it over several times until I was awake enough to cut and past) I gave up. Don’t know if was my computer or a gltich in Razzball’s server.
@Paulie Allnuts: The site’s setup to stop spammers, so any time someone tries to post more than one link, the comment waits for me to approve it.
Soto is on the 15 day D/L. Big Lou said it could keep him out a month.
@timSTi: That just in from SportsCenter btw.
@timSTi: Thanks for the heads up!
Best tiitle ever Grey. I am hanging on to Torii for the riide thiis season, too, keepiing the faiith. I basiically got him for free (round 31 in a 10 team H2H). Last time I had Torii was 2007, when he carriied me to the champiionshiip. Frankliin Gutiierrez can hold the fort whiile Torii takes a miid-July sniizooze.
@Paul Wilson: Ha! Reading that was like watching a 3-D movie without the glasses.
Aaron Hill and Corey Hart for Josh Johnson or Hill and Stewart for F-her
@Ant: F-Her
Try to slip a quick sign-and-trade of Shannon Stewart in the F-Her deal?
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Did you just call Grey a “cheap bastard”. You can’t say he’s cheap after he offered to loan us money in earlier posts. As for the second part, well, the girlfriends would have to speak to that.
Ian Stewart is primed to launch for the second half this season. I’m strapping in.
@Joel: For a second I thought you said “strapping on.”
@Baron Von Vulturewins: No… that was Stewart’s first half.
Nelson Cruz was named Torii Hunter’s replacement in the All Star game yet he’s riding the bench in Texas. Oh the irony.
@Grey: You think Atkins is worth a pick up in my 10 team league with this possible trade talk to the Red Sox? He is a stronger second half guy anyways. Id probably drop Beckham for him who is pretty much a fill in player right now anyways.
Just watched Pujols hit his 32nd. That guy is my hero and is carrying my fantasy team.
I know Iannetta is a scab and I shouldn’t pick at him, but the urge is irresistible. Do you think he has that much more upside that it’s worth holding him over any of the high-performing catchers on waivers right now?
Also — Hart, S. Hairston, DeJesus, or Reimold?
Thanks!
I’ll be at the Cubs/Cards doubleheader on Sunday, and I’m gonna end up in jail if the Cubs continue to suck this bad. Would you bail me out if you were my one phone call?
Grey, I’m not going to lie. I fist pumped in my office cubicle when I saw my name mentioned. Thanks!
Now my boss thinks I’m really excited about grant writing. Fist pumping was a bad idea.
GREY what do you think I should do with this team > thanks
Roster Positions: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, OF, OF, Util, SP, SP, RP, RP, P, P, P, BN, BN, BN, BN, DL, DL
Batters Stat Categories: Runs (R), Home Runs (HR), Runs Batted In (RBI), Stolen Bases (SB), Batting Average (AVG)
Pitchers Stat Categories: Wins (W), Saves (SV), Strikeouts (K), Earned Run Average (ERA), (Walks + Hits)/ Innings Pitched (WHIP)
MY MONEY LEAGUE ———-
MY STARTING LINEUP
Brandon Inge – Catcher
Adam Dunn – 1B
Chase Utley – 2B
Evan Longoria – 3B
Jhonny Peralta – SS
Shane Victorino – OF
Matt Kemp – OF
Carl Crawford – OF
Gordon Beckham – ultilty
Carlos Quentin – DL
_________________________________________
PITCHING
Matt Cain -SP
James Shields -SP
Chris Carpenter -SP
Javier Vázquez -SP
Johnny Cueto – SP
Ubaldo Jiménez – Bench
John Smoltz – bench
John Danks – bench
Francisco Cordero – RP
Heath Bell – RP
Ryan Madson – bench – waste since there are no holds but had him when he was the closer
PLAYERS ON FREE AGENT MARKER
Joe Blanton
Brian Bannister
Chris Volstad
Jonathan Sánchez
Barry Zito
Mike Hampton
Jorge De La Rosa
Marc Rzepczynski
Mike González
Gerardo Parra
Martín Prado
Nyjer Morgan
Hank Blalock
Skip Schumaker
Orlando Cabrera
Josh Willingham
Colby Rasmus
Andrew McCutchen
Edwin Encarnación
LEAGUE STATS – WHERE MY TEAM FITS IN
RUNS – 6TH OUT OF 12
HR – 5TH OUT OF 12
RBI’S – 5TH OUT OF 12
SB – 2ND OUT OF 12
AVE – 5TH OUT OF 1 2
WINS – 1ST PLACE
SAVES- 5TH OUT OF 12
K’S – 1ST PLACE
ERA – 3RD OUT OF 12
WHIP – 3RD OUT OF 12
I AM 12 GAMES OUT OF FIRST
GREY what do you think I should do with this team > thanks
Roster Positions: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, OF, OF, Util, SP, SP, RP, RP, P, P, P, BN, BN, BN, BN, DL, DL
Batters Stat Categories: Runs (R), Home Runs (HR), Runs Batted In (RBI), Stolen Bases (SB), Batting Average (AVG)
Pitchers Stat Categories: Wins (W), Saves (SV), Strikeouts (K), Earned Run Average (ERA), (Walks + Hits)/ Innings Pitched (WHIP)
MY STARTING LINEUP
Brandon Inge – Catcher
Adam Dunn – 1B
Chase Utley – 2B
Evan Longoria – 3B
Jhonny Peralta – SS
Shane Victorino – OF
Matt Kemp – OF
Carl Crawford – OF
Gordon Beckham – ultilty
Carlos Quentin – DL
_________________________________________
PITCHING
Matt Cain -SP
James Shields -SP
Chris Carpenter -SP
Javier Vázquez -SP
Johnny Cueto – SP
Ubaldo Jiménez – Bench
John Smoltz – bench
John Danks – bench
Francisco Cordero – RP
Heath Bell – RP
Ryan Madson – bench – waste since there are no holds but had him when he was the closer
PLAYERS ON FREE AGENT MARKER
Joe Blanton
Brian Bannister
Chris Volstad
Jonathan Sánchez
Barry Zito
Mike Hampton
Jorge De La Rosa
Marc Rzepczynski
Mike González
Gerardo Parra
Martín Prado
Nyjer Morgan
Hank Blalock
Skip Schumaker
Orlando Cabrera
Josh Willingham
Colby Rasmus
Andrew McCutchen
Edwin Encarnación
LEAGUE STATS – WHERE MY TEAM FITS IN
RUNS – 6TH OUT OF 12
HR – 5TH OUT OF 12
RBI’S – 5TH OUT OF 12
SB – 2ND OUT OF 12
AVE – 5TH OUT OF 1 2
WINS – 1ST PLACE
SAVES- 5TH OUT OF 12
K’S – 1ST PLACE
ERA – 3RD OUT OF 12
WHIP – 3RD OUT OF 12
I AM 12 GAMES OUT OF FIRST