In 2010, the Diamondbacks traded Dan Haren to the Angels for Joe Saunders (and Patrick Corbin and Tyler Skaggs). Turned out in that parenthetical lied the rub. At the time of the trade, ESPN Fantasy said, “…this looks like highway robbery for the Angels, and a salary dump for the Diamondbacks. …it’s actually hard to imagine this was the best package the Diamondbacks could’ve gotten.” Sure, I never miss an opportunity to mock ESPN, but in reality it’s always too early to judge most trades with prospects when they first happen. That doesn’t mean people don’t try. Really, as William Goldman said about Hollywood, no one knows anything. Even the teams themselves. Maybe they received Corbin and Skaggs and thought they traded for Carrie Bradshaw’s ex-boyfriend and Boz Scaggs’s son who wrote the song, “Ride a Morse, Save a LaRoche.” It’s fun sometimes to sort sports stories from old to new. Yankees can’t believe they got Michael Pineda, what a coup! Mariners may have lost Adam Jones and Chris Tillman, but they got Erik Bedard! Astros fans ecstatic to get Brett Wallace! Okay, I made the last one up; there are no Astros fans. Yesterday, the Diamondbacks said Skaggs would start one game of Wednesday’s doubleheader. In the minors this year, a 8+ K-rate and an under 3 walk rate. He’s very reliant on his curveball, and needs it to be effective. On the low side, he’s been compared to The Wandwagon. On the high side, Gio Gonzalez. You could drive a truck filled with Biggest Loser contestants through that high and low comparison. For Wednesday’s start, I’d grab him if I needed the stream. In keepers, I’d pursue aggressively in case he becomes a fantasy one or two starter. Though, he looks like he will settle in around a number three. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:
Carl Crawford – As expected, he’s opting for Tommy John surgery and will be done for the year. Doctors are saying his elbow got screwed up by throwing so many curveballs over the last few years to his fantasy owners.
Roger Clemens – The 50-year-old Clemens signed on with the Sugar Land Skeeters. Proof that all retired athletes end up pitching for something involving erectile function or dysfunction.
Denard Span – Missed another game yesterday and went for two MRIs. Don’t worry, he had a Groupon.
Brett Anderson – Will start on Tuesday for the A’s for the first time since he had Tommy John surgery. To give you something to expect: look at Wainwright’s numbers the first two months. Now look at how much time is left in the season. If you need to take a gamble somewhere, send an Evite to Rudy. If you’re desperate for a starter, then I could see it, but I’m not rushing to start Anderson in any leagues. To get Anderson in the rotation, it bumps out…
Daniel Straily – Sent to the minors. He’ll be back when the rosters expand, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be starting in September. He could be used as a long man out of the bullpen. If you want to start a letter-writing campaign to get Straily back in the rotation, I’ll take the letter Q. Now find 25 other people.
Brandon McCarthy – 3 1/3 IP, 6 ER vs. the Twins. That is the new blech. My confidence in him is definitely shaken, but I’d continue to hold onto him and look at this as a small speed bump.
Stephen Drew – The A’s acquired him late last night because Billy Beane is always the fan of OBP and he’s hoping Stephen invites him by for the holidays so he can meet JD. There’s nothing to see here for fantasy outside of leagues that have a slot on rosters for a Career Underperformer.
Mike Leake – 4 1/3 IP, 7 ER vs. Roy Halladay (7 IP, 5 ER, 11 baserunners, 3 Ks). When you’re going against Halladay, you’re gonna have to do better than seven earned in less than five innings. Like 4 earned in five innings would’ve been better. This is Leake’s blurb, but let’s talk about Halladay. Or at least read what my typees got to say about Halladay. He’s lost 2 miles per hour off his fastball and cutter. His fly ball rate is up (literally!) and his ground ball rate is down (not literally!). He’s been a tad unlucky, but he’s nowhere near the pitcher we’ve been used to in the past decade. Unless he magically finds the lost velocity, we’re never going to see the Halladay that we grew accustomed to.
Shaun Marcum – Set to return to the rotation this weekend, so get him in your lineups (in five days). The Brewers said they aren’t sure what they’re going to do with their rotation to move Marcum in. If they were in a pennant race, I’d say they’d move Wolf to the bullpen, but I think Fiers will be the one bumped to save his innings.
Jonathan Lucroy – 2-for-4, 2 runs, 4 RBIs with 2 homers. He only had one homer since he returned from the DL on July 26th. He’s never been much of a power threat, but Lucroy can get you out of the French Quarter at 5 AM with nothing but a penlight and Pat O’Brien’s Hurricane mix.
Joe Saunders - 3 2/3 IP, 9 ER. Usually able to scrap out a mediocre start. Yesterday, he misplaced his S.
Michael Saunders – 3-for-4, 2 runs, 4 RBIs and 2 homers. Sticking with the newly established Saunders theme, Michael hit 2 homers last night and has three in the last two games and is 7 for his last 12. You say hot, I say schmotato. Hot…Schmotato…Hot…Schmotato…Hot…Pockets…. Ah, you got me.
David DeJesus – 1-for-3, a run, 2 RBIs and a steal. Still hitting over .400 in the last week as DeJesus makes believers out of the most agnostic.
Derek Jeter – 4-for-5, 2 runs, an RBI with a homer. Live with Rudy and I for second. We joined one of those big money leagues and I haven’t been this invested in Jeter ever. Right now, we’re in first and stand to win like $6,000 if Jeter (Longoria, Trout, Grandy and Beckham) keeps on keeping on in an AL-Only league. We didn’t draft Jeter, but traded Milone for him. Doesn’t matter, I love him like he’s been with us all year. C’mon, Pasta Diving Jeter!
Dewayne Wise – 2-for-5, 2 RBIs and a slam (6) & legs (9). If I were his folks, I would’ve went full-Fudd and named him Wewayne. Oh, and please feel free to use “full-fudd” the next time you’re freestyling with your homeys. ”Yo, I’m goin’ full-Fudd with my online weegree from Uniweristy of Weenix, while you do nothin’ but pull pud with your witty, witty weenis.” I mentioned Wise last week after he hit two homers that he could be a hot schmotato. That’s worth gambling on for a few to see if he can continue.
Gordon Beckham – 2-for-3, 2 runs and a solo homer. As I mentioned above briefly in Jeter’s blurb, we own Beckham, so you can trust me, he’s like watching never-dry paint dry.
Alejandro De Aza – To the DL with stiffness in his back that moved to his oblique. What’s that dance move that’s sweeping fantasy waiver wires? The Alejandrop.
Giancarlo Stanton – 2-for-5, 4 RBIs and two homers. He dedicated the 2nd home run to every grown man with a mustache who’s ever stayed up late at night decorating a Mr. Potato Head in a construction paper Stanton jersey. I’m not saying that’s me, but it’s me.
Jose Reyes – 4-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and now batting .288. Only .012 more and he can take a seat!
John Buck – 4-for-5, 3 runs and his 10th homer. Good to see, Buck can finally focus again after the whole Fernando Tatis thing blew up in his face. Oh, wait, that’s Joe Buck.
Jason Bartlett – Padres released him. Maybe the Sugar Land Skeeters could use a bat.
Edinson Volquez - 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 8 baserunners, 10 Ks, and I will see you again next time you’re pitching at home.
Ian Desmond – 2-for-5 and his first homer (and hit for that matter) since he was activated from the DL. Shine on you crazy Desmond!
Luis Cruz – 2-for-3 as he stays hot (.450+ in the last week). While not the most exciting name and even less exciting when I point out how unexciting he is, he is definitely hot.
Jeremy Hellickson – 7 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunners, 6 Ks, lowering his ERA to 3.28 to go with a 1.29 WHIP and a terrible K-rate. Once again, his ERA is way below what his xFIP is telling us. He’s basically the AL’s version of Matt Cain, but his brother from another league has a big K-rate and puny hitting division. In short, I won’t trust Hellickson again next year unless someone can give a non-ancedotal reason to. Anecdotal reasons include, “He pitches well under pressure,” “He’s an Aries and the majority of the AL East are water signs,” and “He knows telekinesis and he’s moving the ball into fielders’ gloves.”
Juan Pierre – 3-for-4, 3 runs, an RBI and 2 steals. Dah! I was gonna pick him up for a batty call but my roster was filled. Oh well, at least I won’t have him giving me eyes in the morning trying to stay on my team.
Ryan Howard – 2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 8th homer. He’s doing a lot more since he was activated than I thought he would. He’s on around a 35+ homer pace for an entire season. Gah, I feel myself getting suckered in for next year.
John Mayberry Jr. – 3-for-5, 3 runs, 3 RBIs and his 2nd homer in the last three games. Look at Mayberry BFD! He’s starting every day now that Nate Surehurtz his toe. If you’re in need of power, I could see grabbing Junior before his dementia causes him to forget how to hit.
Phillippe Aumont – Phils recalled him for bullpen work. He’s the first Quebecer to be drafted in the first round of the MLB draft and his grandfather claims to have invented the French Dip sandwich, but some say it was invented by a different Philly pitcher, Cole. You’re welcome, twenty Los Angeles readers who understood that tangent. Aumont has filthy stuff, which is to say it’s a lot like Filthy Sanchez. He will either strike guys out by the boatload or walk them with the same intensity. In a couple of years, he could be the Phils closer. For now, he’s a middle man.
Jose Tabata – 3-for-5 as he hit leadoff, taking over for the injured Marte. In NL-Only leagues, you realize the value here. In mixed leagues, I’d wait to see another few games before even thinking about it.
Ryan Dempster – 8 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 6 Ks. If you started him after he took multiple dumps in the AL, aurally jarring praise to your nuts. That sentence sure is homophonic.
David Murphy – 2-for-3, a run, 2 RBIs. Don’t think I can tout David Murphy every day? You just wait and see.
Johan Santana – Mets announced they would send him for an MRI on Tuesday. Mysterious and probably just an excuse for a DL stint. The writing on the wall says for a good time call– Wait, wrong writing. The writing on the wall says Johan’s going to be shutdown.
Melky Cabrera – Might have more punishment coming his way. In trying to avoid a 50-game suspension, he started up a fake website featuring a nonexistent sports cream in an attempt to beat his positive test. Not sure if I should still be flattered that Melky asked us to link to him in our blogroll.
Michael Pineda - Arrested for a DUI. The cops trailed Pineda for 160 miles. He initially was going so fast that they couldn’t keep up, but his car eventually lost speed and broke down at the end before he could trade it in for a Mitsubishi Montero.
Philippes is a far superior sandwich.
@Herschel, No argument here…
@Grey, the beef and the lamb with the mustard are the best…I’ve actually been in the kitchen before, my aunt worked there for 30 years, and let me tell you those are some impressive pieces of meat and the smell is up their in my top five.
Your auntie is Phillipa? I do enjoy it when I go but it’s honestly about every six years…
@Grey, no I wish, but I use to go a lot, lots of sandwiches, chili and pickled eggs. lets just say you wouldn’t want to be with me for the car ride home
Ha… If you were in Jersey, it would be a treat compared to the pollution…
@Grey, hoo awe, zinging the Jersey
I’m from there, so it’s okay…
@Grey, yeah my best friend in junior high and my neighbor growing up were from Jersey and my other neighbor was from Brooklyn and my other best friend was from Ithica. Its funny that I lived my whole life,for the most part, in LA and all the people around me were from the East Coast. Of course if I moved to Arizona then i would be surrounded by a bunch of people from California.
Or people from Bermuda…
@Grey, it is a strange mystical place, from my experience
Its beaches are pink…. What gives?
@Grey, I guess in the contemporary world its where the “real men” want to be
Yes, it is…
@Grey, you trying to tell me you own a pink polo?
What if I said I own multiple?
@Grey, I’d say good for you. Nothing wrong with ‘em.
I look good in pink. Fact.
@Grey, someone has been lying to you
What, they make my eyes pop.
@Grey, I think you watch too much Project Runway
@Steve, I don’t even know where to start with you.
@Simple Jack, They bring out the highlights in my hair.
@Steve, you have highlights in your hair?
@Simple Jack, Yeah – but they’re not pink. They’re grey
@Steve, as long as you don’t pay someone to highlight your hair, then it’s ok. Pink shirts go out of style, your friends will never forget.
Start either Scherzer or Maholm today? Both have been pitching well but neither Toronto or Washington are appealing starts..
@stoopid, I’d start both in some leagues…
@Grey, 10 team mixed. 40 IP over pace. Forgot that part.
Sit both…
Full Fudd had me waughing out woud!
@Wake Up, Thanks!
Stream Skaggs or McDonald tomorrow? Need K’s either way.
@JTR, Both? McDonald…
Here is what was said about Stanton on Friday: “He’s at 22 homers now. I’m going with an over/under of 26 by Monday. Anyone want some of that action?”
And that’s me quoting Grey!
Look, if you’re not going to take a bow for that quote, I had to poke my head out for a rare mention. Good call.
@Chazz, I’ll second that.
@Chazz, Thanks! I meant when Monday began, but I guess it still worked… I’m smart!
@Grey, you’re a stauche savant
Why thank you…
Pineda never should’ve stopped at White Castle for all those sliders…
@Wake Up, Ha!
@Grey, I only have 2 moves remaining for me in my 1 roto league, and Straily being sent down really kills me. You think it’s wise to hold him and wait and see what happens, or cut bait? I am currently in first place and I can still gain ground in K’s and the pitching ratio categories. Thanks for any help…… as well as thanks for the help all year!
No problem… Who would you pick up for him?
@Grey, Yeah, well that is part of the problem. Obviously waivers is a little dicey at this point of the season, and I just get the feeling that Straily is going to end up back in the Oak rotation sooner than later. I am so low on moves, that I can’t afford to drop him, and then add him 3 weeks later. I suppose these would be the best options available right now:
Samardzija
Colon
Richard
Arroyo
Liriano
or the guy that is knocking Straily out, Brett Anderson.
I can gain maybe one or two points yet in ERa, WHIP, and K’s. I have a 10 in W’s, so that’s not a factor.
I’d just own Colon and start him at home and favorable matchups… He’s been better than Straily anyway…
@Grey, Fair enough……thanks.
@Grey, ha! Now Colon got popped you think Straily comes back? Glad I waited a day now to make my decision.
I think he does come back, take followups to the newest post…
We traded Milone and Jemile for Jeter in the cash league and I think first prize nets us $8,000. Of course, we just traded for McAllister in a trade for De Aza and De Aza hurts his oblaque (back/oblique)….
@Rudy Gamble, That’s right… Jemile makes it better… McAllister for De Aza probably isn’t gonna end up helping anyone…
I dumped the Dumpster after his first inning for Skaggs. Thank god his name is Skaggs and not something with a T where the Gs are… Then of course he proceeds to throw 7 shutout innings after that…
Damn Bruce batting about .500 since leaving my roster. I was afraid it might happen. The trade made sense at the time and still should work out, but it feels crappy to have a former player take off right after he leaves whereas before he was giving ya goose eggs game after game.
@papasmurf, It’s the luck of the Smurfs.
Drop Sheets or Aceves for Skaggs, Detwiler, or Fiers? Aceves is my bench RP.
@smegma, Aceves for Skaggs…
Looking to replace Straily.
For this week who do you like better, Tommy Milone vs Minnesota or Zach McAllister @ Seattle ?
@Matt, Milone…
12-team OBP. Looking for some productivity.
M.Saunders, Jay or D.Murphy?
@Eddy, Murphy
@Grey, You said Eddy Murphy. (snigger)
Hehe…
@Eddy, Different league, same choices, but add Krispie.
@Eddy, Krispie
I bet Johan has had a torn rotator cuff for a month but the Met doctors are hiding it (or misdiagnosed) …..its sad how giddy I get waiting for a little blurb about Giancarlo after he has a good game.
@drknss, Ha…. Not sad, beautiful…
Anyone from this list jump out to you as a potential keeper:
Frazier, Carter, Aybar, Espinosa, Medlen, Fiers, Corbin, Cishek
Assume similar (low) price for all.
@Jon, All of them could be… Frazier, Medlen, Fiers, Espinosa…
Starting Harrell @ StL tonight?
I’m not…
Better recognize!
http://www.backyardbite.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Philippes-Downtown-LA.jpg
Haha…
Who would you rather start tonight?
Tillman @ Tex
or
Chacin @ Mets
Chacin
Which two of these OFs would you go with (all categories): Revere, Ruggerio, Stubbs, or Wise?
Thanks!
Ruggiano, Stubbs…
Better start for the week:
Chacin with 2 or Latos with 1
Latos
ROS: Pedro Alvarez or his wife?
http://www.mlb.com/cutfour/index.jsp#contentId=37017400
@PWNightmare, Why does she have Giancarlo’s facial features? (at least in that fist shot)
@Chillmodious – Great question! The ‘Pedro Alvarez Wife Giancarlo Stanton’ Google auto fill began here!
Wife, definitely…
@Grey, One occasion when Pedro most definitely did NOT strike out.
Very true…
Drop Rutledge for Greene, Cruz, LeMahieu, Roberts, Cozart, Beckham or hold?
Thanks
Cruz
Tyler Skaggs or Jacob Turner for tomorrow and rest of year value?
Skaggs
Crawford having Tommy John for throwing too many curveballs to fantasy owners is still my favorite blurb of the year. Too good.
Anywho… Walker or Altuve the rest of the year?
Categories: R, H, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, OBP, SLG
Thanks! Altuve…
Assuming 1b is covered with Frazier and Mini Donkey, would you consider Rizzo droppable for a streamer slot in a deep redraft league? Seems he’s tailing off a bit.. Maybe getting tired..
Two week playoff round started yesterday. I’d like to pick up Skaggs but can’t decide who to let go. Afraid if I wait until the bell rings today to grab him someone will beat me to it.
Bats: Molina, Frazier, Phillips, Reyes, MDonk, Swish, Ajones, Grandy, Chavez!, Ludwick, Scutaro
Arms: Verlander, Dickey, CBills, Medlen, Garcia, Anderson, Frieri, Balfour, Thayer, Marcum (dl)
I wouldn’t trust those two with your corner slots, hold Rizzo…
Trading a keeper for next year. Would you rather have a fifth round pick for a seventh round pick? Or a seventh round pick for a 16th rounder? Higher jump or bigger jump?
5th round…
Add Matt Harvey and drop anyone of these SPs or hold? Thanks
Niese
Vargas (for reasons I don’t understand, he seems to get no respect)
McCarthy
Detwiler
Samardzija
I am holding onto Medlen, Scherzer, Dickey, Marcum (DL)
Over Detwiler…
McCann is sucking air and is playing with some injury that effects his swing. Would you drop him for Lucroy?
@WHIP it good, oops: Lucroy or Rosario
Go for it…
Nice Turk 182 inspiration for the heading.
Thinking of making major moves to get players I enjoy following for the end, the only problem is that I will greatly alter the top three and may cost 1st the title. Is this wrong?
Nothing wrong as long as the deals are fair… Title was all Rudy…
@Grey, nice job Mr. Gamble… I’m surprised it hasn’t been used for a Zimmerman post yet considering the two Zimmerman’s we have in MLB.
ROS Pick 1
McCarthy/Colon/Fiers/Hughes/Wandy/Volquez
Thanks
McCarthy
Or Rosario?
Lucroy
Would you drop any of the following for Mayberry:
Belt
Carter
Jay
I was leaning Belt. OBP league, but mine is atrocious. “You know your fantasy team is irrelevant when….”
Sure, lose Belt for him…
Lucroy for Wieters?
Wieters
Or KC Perez?
ROS: Skaggs / Harvey / Guthrie
Harvey
Grey you like Marcum better then Haren ROS? Or would someone like Milone or Westbrook or Cahill? God those names made me sick…
@Shea Sera Sera, Or I could drop Minor for anyone of those guys but after Haren’s last two games I think something is wrong.
I’d want Marcum over Haren…
I fell back in love with a recent batty call. As I was setting my lineup, I started feeling really lonely…between Votto’s vagina injury and CarGo playing like crap. My emotional state left a void only nick markakis could fill. We used to be together, for years in fact…he feels so comfortable… I keep telling myself it’s all over when CarGo is back from the funeral and I read him updates about Votto’s rehab. At the end of the day though, it’s nice to feel wanted. I missed you Nick.
That’s an awesome comment…
Thank you. I continue to justify keeping him around b/c Trout has up/down weeks in terms of a high of 40+ and a low of 25ish (seriously), and it’s played out every other week in a cycle for a long time now (so I was just thinkin’…) and then I was counting how many more games CarGo has at Coors the rest of the way (like this week).
I appreciate the compliment.
@Grey
How do you feel about Harvey’s start versus Colorado tomorrow? Probably no Young or Rutledge, no Cuddyer, and Cargo will have missed the previous 4 games (he hasn’t been that hot lately anyways). Thanks.
I’d start him…
Soriano gave me those eyes and said he was sorry for fallin asleep last night.. so being the nice guy i am, i said its ok and plugged him in the lineup tonight over Lawrie.. lets get busy Al Sor! A homer and we can cuddle after!
And i streamed Marquis! Why? Cuz im f*ckin crazy now a days, skeeter!
Hehe… Nice…
Hopefully he love you long time…
Keeper league question: Which package would you prefer?
Votto, Sandoval, Machado, Bumgarner
Hosmer, Lawrie, Matt Moore, Kershaw
Should be noted that I have Profar and Hamilton too, so losing Machado might not be the worst thing in the world…
Votto side…
Should either Eric Young or Rutledge be rostered or should I drop them both with their impending DL stints…
I’d lose them in most redraft leagues…
Afternoon Grey!
In an OPS League. Pick 2 in each category Please and Thanks.
1. P Alvarez, C Johnson, Plouffe, Scutaro, Chipper, Chavez
2. Scutaro, Aybar, Rutledge, Greene
3. DeJesus, Dunn, Carter, Colvin, Fowler
1. Alvarez, Plouffe 2. Aybar, Scutaro 3. Dunn, Fowler
@ Grey
So I picked your boy Murphy up. I am wondering at this time if I could drop Reddick. He has been putrid in August and his K rate is skyrocketing. It would leave G. Jones, H. Pence, Owie Kendrick, Stubbs and K. Young as OF utils. You ok with the drop?
My therapist says I can do anything on my own, but no one has told me how yet. So, I am stumped. Thanks!
Yeah, I could see that drop… Ha!
Did you hear Dmitry call Ven a “one-way monkey” on the Runway last week? Took him a few seconds to correct himself with “one-trick pony.”
Yeah, but I thought he said a “one-winged monkey,” either way, it was an awesome lost in translation moment…
@Grey, Thanks!
@paddytwotimes, Ugh. That was supposed to be under my comment.
@Grey, Tough to tell with his accent… pretty hilarious, either way.
Things are getting pretty ridiculous now with these same day deadlines (which, I assume, are a result of a decrease in budget from going to Lifetime). I’m actually surprised more people haven’t been driven to quit… worried that loony Ukrainian broad might kill someone. “Don’t ever tell me to calm down! I AM ALWAYS CALM!”
I can kinda understand it since people probably would prefer to quit than feel like they’re just putting out crap to stay in the competition and completely abandon themselves… I’m sure there’s few people on the show that actually made any of their garments that got on the show in 12 hours…
@Grey, Yeah, you have to understand that you’re signing up for a reality show first, design competition second. After nine seasons, if you’re coming on the show and complaining about time constraints, you’re an unprepared moron.
Yeah, completely… Though I don’t think that description is far off for the Asian guy…
Keeper league – I have no chance of playoffs just looking to build for next year.
I get:
Matt Joyce
Mike Fiers
Brandon Beachy
2nd Round Pick
I give up:
Roy Halladay
22nd Round Pick
What do you think?
Sounds solid for you…
3/4 point of the season – here we are!
So, the trade deadline in my league is Friday and just got a monster offer – a bit of a noodlebaker. I think I know what I want to do, but I’m curious your thoughts, O Mustachioed One.
Here’s the rundown:
14team, 6×6 keeper league – OBP instead of Avg + TBs and Holds.
I’m feeling good in 2nd after a strong post-All-Star break push. Guy in 1st is up by 6 pts, has won the league the last two years, likes to crow about it, and his squad is positioned well again.
The guy in 12th place just offered me 10 PLAYERS for Ryan Braun.
Normally I’d tell him to GTFOOH; however, I’d like to go through this, so you can see what it looks like.
I’m going to lay out my team and put arrows next to what would happen if I took the trade — so you can see how each of the 10 would slot into my squad, and whether you think it actually would-could-should win me the championship this year.
C – J. Montero -> J. Mauer
1B – M. Cabrera
2B – H. Kendrick
3B – P. Sandoval
SS – D. Jeter
MI – J. Keppinger -> S. Castro
CI – A. Laroche
OF – R. Braun -> J. Ellsbury
OF – J. Hamilton
OF – J. Bruce
OF – M. Joyce –> S. Victorino
UTIL – B. Revere -> M. Morse
BE – J. Pierre -> N. Cruz
BE – A. Miller (RP) -> M. Young
SP – MadBum
SP – J-Zimm
SP – M. Latos
SP – AJ Burnett -> A. Wainwright
SP – K. Medlen -> G. Gonzalez
RP – Wilhelmsen
RP – Janssen
P – G. Holland
P – Thayer
P – A. Bailey
P – S. Doolittle
P – D. O’Day -> J. Benoit
DL- H. Street
OTHER NOTES/CONTEXT:
- I really don’t love how I’d end up with two guys — either M. Young or Kendrick, and N. Cruz — on my bench. It’s a holds league and I’ve been running with one and sometimes no bench bats, using these spots for middle relievers, for the Ks and ratio help. Would be fairly unhelpful to lose that flexibility for starting-level players who I could never play and thus do nothing for me.
- I’m already over pace with my SP. As great as my 5 SP would become with Wainwright and Gio, I only have 32 starts left – so 6 starts apiece. This is also why I couldn’t drop any of the RPs and carry more than 5 SPs.
- We get to keep 4, no restrictions. So my keepers would go from Braun, Miggy, J. Ham, and MadBum to Miggy, J. Ham, MadBum, and Ellsbury. Not that this matters so much, if I win it this year.
- Ellsbury feels like the crux of the deal. I haven’t seen him – how has he looked since his return? His stats are okay-ish. Could he go Braun-level to close out the year?
- Really don’t love the idea of straight dropping a bunch of quality on the wire – like Joyce, Burnett, Medlen, Revere – as they could all be nabbed by the teams in 1st, 3rd, 4th, etc. So say I want to accept it, would you reco countering with these guys going back to the 12th place team, just to avoid this situation?
Soooo… yeah…
What do you think, overall? Is this deal a no-brainer overhaul that helps take my team to the top? Or is my squad pretty solid as-is, and this just isn’t enough help to give up the best player in the bigs?
I’d do the deal… You’re upgrading all over the place…
@Grey,
Agreed. This is what I was thinking. Would you have any concern for dropping those guys out to the wire? Or just whatevs?
Not since you’re upgrading so many spots…
Brett Wallace just gained 3B eligibility in Yahoo leagues. How do you rank him as a 3B? .293/.383/.500 5 HR’s in first 92 AB. Small sample I know, but he’s blasted in the minors and had some moments of success at the show.
He’s around a 17-20 homer guy over the course of a full season with a .265 average…
Wait wait wait… I think I read above that someone thought the header of this post was inspired by Turk 182–likely the “Tyler Knew!” part of the movie. Unless I’m missing something or simply too deep in the history forest to see the pop culture trees, wasn’t that a William Henry Harrison reference?
Yeah, knowing Rudy probably is a Tippercanoe reference…
@Chillmodious, Nice catch! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XcDeRJ_Osc
@royce!, Ha, and they said that History degree would get me nowhere…look who’s sitting at the big boy table now!
Is it me or are there less and less comments lately?
@Simple Jack, teams are falling out of it and switching their focus to football drafts….
@Simple Jack, people are out of the playoffs probably..
@Prezii, Yeah, their loss… more french dip (and Giancarlo) for us!
@Chillmodious, how do you use razzball and not make the playoffs? I guess it happens though..
@Prezii, by drafting J Upton, Gonzo and Howie Kendrick and losing to some a hole that has dunn and encarnacion
@Simple Jack, ohh thats right… Haha damnit grey!
@Prezii, its really not their fault. I wasn’t going to play this year, quit my money league cause I was over playing with those douche bags. Then I decided to play RCL and thought I would be all cool this year and prep absolutely nothing for the draft. I looked at grey’s ranks about an hour before draft and that was it. Worst season ever, but best season in Razzball comments. So you take the good, you take the bad, you take them both, and there you have , the fantasy Facts of Life.
@Prezii, oh and simple jack and jack full of hate are one in the same.
@Prezii, I know, im just being an ass, talking smack to the casual advicers
Football’s picking up and people are fading…
@Grey, people are weak, this is more than just a baseball advice site, its a lifestyle choice. We don’t come here for just baseball, its alot of television and shenanigans. movie references and the music of our youth. sometimes its good for food advice or rants….I assume you just sit around combing your stauche waiting on us to talk to you all day.
Or it could be football
I’m combing my ‘stache as we speak…
@Grey, thats when i do my best thinking
Lawrie setback.. #F#M#F#B#B#L!
Yup
Choose one as a streamer:
Estrada v CHI tonight
McAllister @ SEA Wed
Iwakama v CLE Wed
Are any of those ROS guys?
Or is Anderson a better start? I was thinking I’d keep him on the DL for a while, but if he’s better than what’s out there…
I’d go with McAllister vs. M’s over Anderson… Both have risk…
McAllister
Ooh, just noticed that Chris Young is pitching against the Rockies tonight…it’s been a few years, but Fowler had 5 steals off Young in one 2009 game. SAGNOF!
Yeah, good call… That Chris Young is better than Davey Lopes for baserunners…
As Jon alluded to above…
@gregorMLB
Brett Lawrie had his rehab shutdown after experiencing more difficulty with his oblique — out of Minor League games until at least Saturday
@gregorMLB
Correction on Lawrie, he’s shutdown until at least Monday — not Saturday. But even so, there’s no timetable for his return.
@LottOnBaseball
Based on rehab rules, Lawrie must sit out seven days before resuming games, so wouldn’t be able to play before next Monday.
@LottOnBaseball
Farrell seemed to suggest that Lawrie may not have admitted to team officials how much pain he felt before he went on DL, and since.
Really glad I decided to go with him this week in H2H. Grumble grumble grumble…
Anyone else starting Cahill and/or Estrada?
I have both going in H2H, feeling kinda nervous…
Both are far from safe… SON likes Estrada better, I like Cahill better, but don’t really like either…
@Grey, You and me both.
Which *hitting* start do you like better – Bruce v Lee or LaRoche v Maholm? Both lefty-lefty matchups (LaRoche has better numbers).
Was gonna sit Ethier but he has great numbers against Big-Time Timmy Jim…
I like Bruce better b/c he’s been hot…
@Grey, Yeah, went with Bruce. Don’t like him hitting fifth, though. Never seems to have anyone on when he comes up.
@Grey, Estrada must be due for a win – surely?
Probably 60% chance of it… Vs. a bad team, but he doesn’t go deep into games…
Sorry, I meant to credit Prezii for first posting about Lawrie’s setback.
McCann dropped. Drop S Perez for him or hold?
I’d hold for now…
Please rank tomorrow’s starts: Iwakama home vs Cleveland, Skaggs home vs Miami and Harvey home vs Colorado.
Thanks!
Harvey, Iwakuma…
In a 12 team, H2H, 5×5, Non Keeper league, would you drop McCarthy or Medlen to pick up Jaime Garcia ?
McCarthy…
@Grey, thanks !
Jeter.
That’s what I’m talking about!
@Grey: chacin or skaggs in redraft roto?
Chacin, but neither are really ROS options…
time to drop mccann for s.perez, or hold? 10 team H2H…1 rbi for mcann in august so far…
Sure, switch them up…
in a 12 team h2h and looking for power/runs. So let’s play a fun game of kill f$ck marry…Frazier, Krispie or mini donkey?
Three F’s, really… You ranked them…
@Grey, I thought you might call Frazier a marry…..but let’s change the game to 2b. Say I have Uggla right now with Espinosa, Infante, Scutaro and Ackley…who are you KFM’s there to include Mr. Ugly?
@JackInTheBox, Oh and my league counts K’s against you…
Nah, Votto’s gonna return and squeeze Frazier’s time… I’d ride out Uggla at this point unless you desperately need runs and average than Infante…
@Grey, gotcha, thanks!
FFS. Estrada gives up a triple to the pitcher. The pitcher seeing his first major-league pitch? Yeah, that one.
@Steve, Don’t wnat to jinx it, but this Estrada start is sooooo much better than I expected…
@Grey, Oh yeah. And look at that run support for Cahill!
@Steve, Looks like he’s going to need it.
Yeah, you look good with Estrada too!
@Grey, And Valverde records the save (as does Holland).
And mama cooked a breakfast with no hog!
HA! Nice…
Bruce up. They’re full…
@Steve, Oh Jesus.
I bet if I was starting Hochevar this wouldn’t be happening.
@Steve, Of course it wouldn’t…
10 K’s in 5 IP? Shutting HIM down would be a travesty……………………………
And by HIM…………..I mean HIM, he shall forever be known as HIM. As in…………….”we gotta bat against HIM?!”
@BigFatHippo, Hippo! How’s things?
@Grey, My knees hurt, got gas, not to mention the ibs……….the economy still sux and so does work. Can’t get laid with this frickin new haircut by the Korean gal and I am sick and tired of reading my friends political views on facebook………………
But I can’t complain!
How are things on the west coast……………..?
I think we have the same Facebook friends… When’s the election over just so I can go back to liking my friends?
Stupid Rollins. Of course I benched him.
Steve Magic!
@Grey, Now he steals a base. Of course he does.
What happened to Bonifacio? Did anyone see?
Was podcasting, didn’t…
@Grey, Knee pain, apparently. Day-to-day they say.
Yeah, great night to start him and sit Rollins (2-5, 2RBI, 2 SB)
Damn…
First the Philliebot, and now this:
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/08/21/robot-to-throw-first-pitch-at-detroit-tigers-game/
I still don’t understand how these “robots” are any different than a pitching machine.
They have a soul.
@Grey, You think they can get the yips? Maybe intentionally bean a batter? I would pay to see that…the uprising has begun! In a very entertaining manner!
@royce!, Or hit the backstop on the full. Then come back next season as an outfielder.
@Steve, Rad. That robot will be all, “I just want to play the game…it’s what I was born to do…”
HA! You know someone with no luck at all like Mat Gamel is gonna get beaned by a robot…
@royce!, its good to see what the future of science works on.
Double play please, Cahill.
@Steve, That’s OK too. Just get through five and get out of there.
Getting some retweet action on the Twitter posts today. That’s a good thing, yeah?
Also, my wife doesn’t like that I have a shot at going back-to-back in my league (I’m not gracious… the whole world suffers when I win), so she threatened to join and compete against me next year. I acted like it wouldn’t bother me, and even suggested a pretty kick ass team name… Swings & Mrs.
That is a great name! That is a good thing on the Twitter, thanks for rocking it out! I’m a sore winner too, Rudy can attest to that…
@Grey, Must be a northern NJ thing. My first words were trash talk during a heated Pong session.
@Awesomus Maximus, you’re lucky you invited me and the monkey fighter late to the party, cause next year it’s going to be a street fight and we are going to show you how its done west coast style. The bulletts will be flying. Actually probably a little slow out of the gate with all the good weed we smoke, but it will be a dog fight for sure…eventually.
I like the name, I might use that in RCL next year. I send you a dollar for the copyright infringement.
@Simple Jack, Love it. I’d rather place 5th in a competitive league than win a boring league. Okay, maybe not 5th… maybe 3rd.
The world can’t ever have enough trash talk… It’s the one way I think other sports beat baseball…
@Grey, Keep that shizz talk holstered, or you’ll have to answer to Sheriff Hamels.
Almost forgot… are you more excited about Jeff Kent or Blair joining Survivor? If they can get Bonds and Jo on an opposing tribe, sit back and watch the fireworks!
I know, I’m trembling from this Survivor cast announcement. What if Natalie shows up as Blair family friend at the Sprint Family/Fun Zone? What if Melky for Kent and he’s like you sold me drugs? What if Vin Scully and Tootie? My head is going to explode.
@Grey, Ha! Plus I feel like there will be a third “celeb” announcement before all is said and done, since there are three returning cast members. Maybe… Cesar Milan? Daisy Fuentes? Bindi Irwin? Dan Cortese?!
@Awesomus Maximus, richard greico?
@Jack Full of Hate, Or Cheaters host Joey Greco!
Or Joey Buttafucco!
@Grey, Now you’re scratchin’ me right where I itch!
Both of us, friend.
Aren’t many pitchers less efficient than Trevor Cahill.
@Steve, Dude’s a Road Scholar…I think you escaped relatively unscathed. It seems to be all about his HR/FB rate at home, b/c his xFIP is pretty stable.
@royce!, Oh for sure. I was perhaps a little churlish there. Need the bullpen to keep it’s act together, but I’m not holding my breath…
@Steve, For fuck’s sake. That’s terrible.
@Steve, Hmmm. Getting another bite at it with Dunn. Come on you Fish!
@Steve, And now they pull him? I give up.
@Steve, I read that as a question and was like, “No, not really.”
Plouffe with the good ol GITP… thats a good way to help anderson out!
Just as Anderson drew it up…
@Grey, should try for back to back singles every inning!
BTW, didn’t your Al-So get two hits today?
@Grey, He did, he did. And a rib-eye!! Pitching ratios are ridickeylous today too.. 33.2 IP, 7 R, 6BB, 36 K..
5 pitchers, 3 QS. Timmy 5 2/3. Marquis 5 1/3… Haha 1 combined inning off 5/5!
Ill stick withh steves “and momma cooked a breakfast with no hog!”
Very nice!
My club is 0 for 37 tonight…never seen in 25 years plus of playing. Was a half pt out of first…time to retire.
Damn… That ain’t easy to do…
Simple Jack needed to go to be bed. I’m feeling kinda angry today with no victory in sight. I guess I’m going to go back to rants. It feels more natural.
Now he’s alive with anger!
Kill off McCann for Salty, Rosario, Jesus, or Lucroy?
Lucroy….
Look at J Montero go, the day after I dropped him.
Robot over Swisher?
I’d stick with Swisher…
First Jeremy Affeldt disappoints everyone who assumed he was Jewish, now he disappoints his fantasy owners. He’s like the underachiveing son we all wish we had!
Ha… Hilarious…
Do you want any part of Mendoza, Skaggs or LeBlanc tomorrow (it’s H2H)?
SON certainly doesn’t…
@Steve, Mendoza Skaggs and LeBlanc really was the worst of the 70s supergroups, wasn’t it?
I’d starting Skaggs in the RCL, but I dropped Sheets and I need a starter… They’re all very risky…