Kyle Farnsworth is headed to the DL. You know who called this one? No one. Geez, closers are dropping like it’s hot and they’re from the North Pole and can’t handle the heat. Hmm, that wasn’t so pithy. In the last week, we’ve lost Madson, Storen, Andrew Bailey, Frank Francisco. Though we got back Frank Francisco, Jon Rauch, Bobby Parnell, Lidge, Henry Rodriguez, Sean Marshall, Melancon, Aceves, Joel Peralta, Jake McGee, J.P. Howell and Fernando Rodney. It’s like a two-for-one trade-in deal where you give in a Rolls Royce and get back two doodie bubbles. “Doctor, my closers are all in the red!” “I don’t know if I can help. I’m just a doctor who studied at Harvard Medical School and was a Rhodes Scholar and other important scholarly pursuits. I’m not Grey Albright, Fantasy Master Lothario. Or FML.” That’s a convo I overheard recently. For saves, tell Aetna that you want me. The shituation in Tampa Bay is pretty murky, but it sounds like Farnsworth is gonna miss a lot of time. The issues he’s having he had last September. You don’t usually go six months with recurring elbow pain as a pitcher, unless your name is Joey Devine. Peralta would be my first grab, in the non-sexual way. He had saves last year in Farnsy’s absence; he should get saves this year. My second grab would be Lovey and Thurston Howell’s son, J.P. He could see the majority of the situational saves since he’s a lefty. Then I’d grab Jake McGee because he’s the closer of the future and he has a cool name. Sounds like a character Mel Gibson would’ve played back in the early 90′s before he hated Jews and sobriety. Finally, I could see Fernando Rodney sneaking into the save picture because he has that ever elusive closer experience, but his experience is rotten with stank, so I wouldn’t grab him. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in spring training for 2012 fantasy baseball:
Sike! Before we get into the roundup, just wanted to announce the 4th podcast in the (greater than 3) series. During this podcast, the winner of our theme song contest is announced. The winner should comment with their contact info. Anyway II, here’s the podcast and roundup:
Download from iTunes
Download directly the Razzball Podcast.
Frank Francisco – Will be fine for Opening Day, according to the Mets doctors. Damn, almost said that with a straight face. No, seriously, he should be fine… Dah! Again, I tried. Do with that info what you will. Let’s just say, I would’ve dropped Parnell or Rauch for Peralta or Melancon, but I wouldn’t drop the Mets set-up men just for s’s and g’s.
Andrew Bailey – Headed for surgery as Bailey’s Party of Five fingers received terrible news. He’ll be out for 3 to 4 months, at least. I’d add Melancon and Aceves, in that order. For more, click –> Andrew Bailey fantasy or scroll down. No, your other down.
Drew Storen – Hmm… This is just all closer news all the time here, huh? Sounds like Storen should be fine by mid-April, but I’ll believe it when I see him record five saves in a row. Sorry, I’m a cynic.
John Lannan – This is funny to me, and by that I mean not really funny, all spring the Nats were trying to trade Lannan. They didn’t find any takers — shocker! — so they said they would put him in their rotation. Now they optioned him to the minors. Here’s what actually went down, the Nats, “We decided we don’t want to trade Lannan, we won’t him in our rotation.” Then thinking they shut off the mic, “Hopefully clubs will want to trade for him now that we said he’s good enough to be in our rotation. Otherwise, I’ll just run him over with my… Wait, does this red light mean the mic is on or off?”
Jose Bautista – Has mild groin soreness, which sounds like an injury that would sideline a porn star. Bautista should be fine for Opening Day.
Brett Cecil – Was sent down to Double-A New Hampshire, whose team motto is “Pitch Well Or Die.”
Felix Hernandez – Was throwing 89-90 MPH last week and said, “Really, it’s Spring Training, man. I’m fine. I was trying to be like Jamie Moyer.” That quote makes me love F-Her.
Tsuyoshi Wada - Headed to the 15-day DL. But I hardly Tsuyoshinoya.
Daniel Descalso – Will start at second base for the Cards on Opening Day, after Tyler Greene was announced as the starter. I thought La Russa retired. This is liable to be a timeshare, so whoever owns these two players will have high member fees.
Alfredo Simon – Signed by the Reds. The Reds were excited to have a righty in their bullpen, saying, “Finally, we have someone that can murder lefties.”
Adam Dunn – Robin Ventura said he’s leaning towards Dunn in the three hole, saying, “Even though he might strike out a little bit…” That’s like saying, “I’m going with sandpaper in the two hole even though it may scratch a bit.”
Love the quote from the Reds on the signing of Alfredo Simon – hilarious!
@Muchaco, Thanks!
One of my favorite aspects of this site is that I can usually count on a late night post to read before I head to bed. Here’s to the real opening day and monster games from Stanton and the puma to get my season off to a good start.
@letsgobravos, Thanks!
Technically, it wasn’t murder it was involuntary manslaughter; or as they call it in the Dominican Republic: a party!
@Ralph, Ha!
So funny from top to bottom! Speaking of which…the two hole – ha!
Grey, the things you write, man! Tell me you don’t just sit back sometimes and admire your work – it’s truly a work of art.
@uziguzi, Thanks!
Someone in my league has (foolishly?) dropped Jason Heyward. Think he’s worth my #1 waiver priority? I’d be dropping Boesch. Thanks!
@Timequake, I would in a heartbeat. But why drop Hayward? Who did he pick up instead?
@Sour Stilton, Done. Heyward was dropped to pick up Loney, which seems like a dumb move to me. But I suppose I can take advantage of it.
@Timequake, Do it now. You’ll never get another chance to get him and he could be a top 20 OF at the end of the season.
@Timequake, Grey wrote an article last April about using your waiver priority. I keep trying to attach the link, but it doesn’t seem to be working for me. Hopefully this response doesn’t show up 3 times.
Looking forward to more Adam Dunn metaphors all year…great stuff.
@ritzer, Thanks!
tabata or v wells as your only bench bat?
@Need help, Depends on need… Wells…
Hey officer Luebke, Luke you!
@jsp2014, Ha!
“Pitch well or die!” Hahahaha. TB closer situation is a mess. Idk if I want to grab any of those guys (in a non-sexual way) over Melancon or HRod. Would u?
@captainpyper, I’d grab Peralta over Rodriguez…
There is a game tonight! I have tomorrow off to watch opening day for all the teams that aren’t from Japan, Saint Louis, or Dominican Republic. No. I mean the other Dominican team Miami. So glad I have a case of beer and MLB TV. Its game time!
@Bourne,
you missed mexico city vs texas ?
the consequences of hitting without protection…….awesome line
@d2bnz, thanks!
Lidge or peralta?
@Bsw, Peralta
Also, Lidge or Howell?
@Project_Badass, Lidge
Also, Aceves or Peralta?
@The Situation, Aceves
@Grey, thanks! I got Aceves, but someone dropped Belt for Peralta – and now I kind of want to drop Aceves for Belt based on Bochy’s latest comments about Belt possibly breaking as the starting 1st baseman! Round and round we go!
DL – Anyone know when players are officially place don the DL? I’m running an illegal roster waiting until I can stash guys there!!! Thanks.
@ Grey :
what the Natinals did to Lannan is very similar to every trade
offer that i receive .
i.e. a guy might offer me aramis and salas for
my beachy and adam jones ,
when i’ve already drafted zimmerman as my 3rd baseman ,
with the third pick in the draft .
then , they wait a week and drop salas , out-right .
usually the trade offer is more egregious than that ,
like their aaron hill for my pedroia ,
and they usually drop their guy within 2 days ,
but that is the most recent example that i could come up with .
@chata, So true!
@chata, is this post meant as free verse poetry?
so much depends upon a red wheelbarrow…
Trying to survive a mediocre pitching staff this year and will be hugely dependent on matchups. Who are the top 5-7 offenses to avoid with my marginal guys and who are the bottom 5-7 I can feel free to start anyone against?
@knighttown,
My opinions:
Avoid:
Yanks
Red Sox
Tigers
Rangers
Angels
Start at will:
Twins
Astros
Mets
Padres
Giants
Cubs
White Sox
A’s
@Hawk, Don’t forget the Mariners. I think the White Sox will be okay. The Cell is homer friendly.
@Griff,
Yep, forgot the punchless M’s. I disagree about the Sox though…that lineup is not good at all regardless of how friendly the confines.
If I’m stuck with reynolds at 3B and Espinosa at 2B, is Altuve or Walker a better fit at 2B to avoid a kick in the nuts to my AVG? My OF is stacked – Kemp, Jus Upton, Giancarlo, Jennings. All the good 3B/2B were kept.
@schlitzy, Everyone loves Altuve, but I think Walker is a more polished player, hitting in the heart of a decent lineup. However, Altuve could have a higher AVG. I wouldn’t expect more than 285-290 out of Walker.
So basically, Altuve is higher risk, but higher reward. Walker is a safe play. I’d be mostly worried about Ks from Reynolds and Espinosa…
The razzball podcast turns my boring breakfast into happy foodie time. Kudos to all three of you, gentlemen.
@Eddie, That’s grrrrrrrrreat!
which 5 RP’s would you want on your team
Melancon, McGee, Romo, Clippard, Broxton, Lidge, Henry Rodriguez, Parnell
@Will, Melancon, Clippard, Broxton, H-Rod, and Romo….
Do you guys include holds?
@Steve, No, we don’t include holds. But we have a 150 starts limit, so closers and RP’s are in higher demand. I always hit my starts limit before the season ends. We only have 10 teams, but one of the teams has 5 current closers and 2 others have at least 3 current closers (however their hitters are lacking compared to mine)
@Steve, Also, the guy with Bailey dropped him and I already have Melancon. Should I pick up Bailey too and DL him?
@Will, You need to guess like everyone else. If anyone knew for sure thered be no need speculate on two, three guys from one team. Use your noodle!
every day another player heads to the DL and im pretty sure I own every single one of them somewhere….but Grey,your d**k jokes and homicide one liners really do brighten my day…..thnks for that.
anyway….which would be a better p/u for this wk,Samardzija or Millone?
@Oilcan Giuseppe, No problem… Milone…
Why won’t the Phillies put Ryan Howard on the DL? I’m in two leagues with shallow benches and have Howard in both and it is infuriating.
Also, Grey, what do you make of this:
Manager Bruce Bochy dropped his strongest hint to date Tuesday night that Brandon Belt would be the Giants opening day first baseman, with Aubrey Huff shifting to left field.
Bochy repeatedly stressed that all decisions are in pencil until Wednesday’s final roster cuts. But when asked if Belt will be at first base for the regular-season opener against Arizona on Friday, the manager did nothing do dispel the notion.
“He’s been getting most of the playing time there,” Bochy said. “We’ve said we’d put the bats out there that are swinging well.”
Who do you like more in a league that has the normal 5 plus OPS, Belt or Carlos Pena?
@dsimon, Re the DL shenanigans, this is just something teams do, and it’s really frustrating. He’ll be disabled by the time they open, and that’s all you can count on. I’m waiting on Terrible Ted Lilly and JDLR myself.
I was delighted to wake up this morning and read Aubrey Huff admitting he was moving to the outfield, which would suggest Belt starting at 1st to begin the season. Glad I didn’t drop my Belt!
@Ronkonkoma, Great news!
Is everyone super psyched for our first glimpse of Six Flags Over Ozzie?!
/Bitter that we didn’t get a traditional opening day on Monday.
@Eddie, Ha
That Felix quote makes me want to trade for him lol. I cant wait to see your next closer report and I hope you include holds guys for those of us trying to make heads of all the changes in the rankings with seemingly every other closer getting placed on the DL!
@TVAC, Yup
The Nats are like the guy in one of my leagues who offers to trade you some crappy player and when you turn him down, immediately drops the player to waivers. It’s kind of insulting.
@Mr. Rickey, Very true…
“…but it sounds like Farnsworth is gonna miss a lot of time.” Is this like, I should probably just drop him “a lot of time” if I can’t afford the wasted bench spot? Looks like a save vulture is hatched every minute this offseason, geez!
Think a Dr. Freeze visit is in his future?
@MattTruss223, He’s going to the DL… It didn’t sound great…
In a 14 team league. 12×12 stat line (that includes holds). With only 20 transactions the entire season.
So unfortunately I have Bailey. His 2 backups were drafted late. Now Farnsworth is down too. All of his backups are available. Should I waste a transaction on Peralta or Howell without knowing which one may be the closer?
Thanks
@Atherton32, Ouch, I’d spree for McGee, but not Peralta…Howell is a possibility, but is also a injury liability. Just trying to think of all the possible downfalls of each guy, due to your limited transactions. I think McGee has the most upside of that group of relievers…
@Atherton32, I’m in a league with a similar setup, and I would not burn a transaction on one of the TB guys. You’d probably be better off getting a top holds guy or another SP, or just waiting for some (more guaranteed) saves to come into the league.
All-
Jesus Montero is primarily DHing…probably going to be about 3 weeks before he is C eligible. Cut him, and move on? Stash him and pick up a scrub? Give me your thoughts, my brethren.
@Steve, what would you cut him for that’d be worthwhile?
@Steve,
If it’s a yearly league, it’s a pretty good idea to pick up a scrub and stash Montero. If it’s a keeper league, that’s a no-brainer.
You’re probably not going to get tremendous stats out of whoever you’ll get as a replacement. You’ll miss out a little early but will reap the benefits later. That kid can hit.
@Steve, I wouldn’t cut him. Once he’s C-eligible, I think he’ll be a top 5 catcher….if only b/c he’ll get more ABs since he won’t need the same rest a catcher does. That really helped Supernatural’s production last year as the Indians played him at 1B on off days (i’m not sure he can handle that workload again this year – but maybe they’ll just ride him and put him away wet like they did with V-Mart)
I drafted three closers (Axford, Motte & Marmol) in a mixed 5×5 yahoo standard roto league and recently picked up Sean Marshall.
At this point, I’d have to drop a relatively valuable bench player (Ike Davis, Jeter or Espinosa) to get a 5th closer in Peralta. Would you advise against such a move?
Thanks for the best blog on the web guys! I’m donating half of my 2012 potential winnings this year, just FYI
@Switch Hitter, Hold… Thanks!
Grey,
I can take exactly 1 more of the NL guys who might benefit from these injuries. Who is the best guy to take? Rauch?
@Sweeney, For what? Saves? Sean Marshall…
sooo i had bailey and farnsworth slotted in my RP spots in a 12 team H2H 5×5. i am waiting for one to be DL eligable in yahoo so i can grab one of the following off waivers…Javy, thornton,reed,peralta are all available as of now my staff looks like
Madbum
CJ wilson
Garza
anibal
beachy
RP-MArshal
RP-
BEnch
Feliz (RP elig)
scherzer
d.holland
bailey
farnsworth
who you like out of the 4 listed above to fill in when one of my RP hits DL?
@poop, Guerra
Peralta or Lidge?
@Mr. Rickey, Peralta
My league doesn’t have a veto trade rule… but im thinking of asking for one… listen to this one:
Prince Fielder and Aaron Crow
for
Chris Parmelee and jim Johnson
doesn’t get more lopsided then that
@The Talented Mr. Dope Man, I’m libertarian and even I think that’s insane. Doesn’t matter the format (unless it’s Fantasy Razzball), keeper or no keeper, etc.
If that trade is allowed, I wouldn’t return to that league next year.
@Rudy Gamble, i feel ya. its a huge $$ league too… i hate to start shizz this early in the season
@The Talented Mr. Dope Man, I concur with Rudy. I’m in two leagues that don’t have veto rules. It’s up to the commish to send them through. We’re on the honor system, meaning that if two managers decide upon a trade that they’re happy with, it goes through. If one side wins, then one side wins. But that deal is absolutely insane. I wouldn’t be back next season, and would play this season in protest (quite possibly quit just because that’s some serious bullshit).
@The Talented Mr. Dope Man, I agree with Rudy, and think that trade perfectly expressed the limits of libertarianism. I’d like to ask Ron Paul what he would do in this situation.
@The Talented Mr. Dope Man,
BS trade, I’d personally pitch a fit if I had to. I’m all for trading some value to fill a need, but Fielder for Jim Johnson and a scrub is insane. Maybe if he got Kimbrel in return it’d be a different story (though still questionable), but Jim Johnson is borderline garbage.
Near equivalent 1B value would be something boring like Gaby Sanchez or Freddie Freeman, in my opinion…
@The Talented Mr. Dope Man, Why are you in that league man ?
I guess Simon pointed out his 17 saves in 2010 and the murder charge was dropped immediately. Geese this secret society of closers is like the stone cutters.
@Cole, to the charge of involuntary manslaughter, what do you plead….SAGNOF!
Oh mustachioed one, I’m playing in several 10-team 5×5 roto leagues (2c). Wondering what you think the best thing to do with my bench spots (there are 6 but no DL spots) is? I don’t have any DL’ed players. There are weekly transactions, so streaming is less of a concern…
@sean, Most valuable players…
@Grey, coming out of drafts, my benches were loaded up with extra SP, speculative saves and usually one offensive flier. Obviously, as injuries create the need to make moves during the season, the bench is more fluid. I know you suggest not taking offensive bench players in standard leagues. Any reason to buck that “rule” here?
grey – i need to grab an MI once utley hits the DL. 12 team H2H 5×5 league
best available are – alcides, scutaro, jed lowrie, pennington, raburn, pastornicky, allen craig, eduardo nunez
team below
c- rmart
1b-pujols
2b-uggla
3b-pablo
ss-andrus
ci-berkman
mi-?
of-giancarlo
of-pence
of-desmond jennings
of-lomo
util-lorenzo cain
dl-utley
@jaw, Pastornicky for now…
Moreland, Chris Davis or Lahair for 1b?
Or can move C Santana to 1B and pick up Yadier Molina, W Ramos, Mesocaro, Doumit, Olivo or Iannetta as my Catcher..
@Need help, Ramos
How much do we like Brandon Belt? If he’s the starting 1B in SF, worth dropping Lidge for him?
@Baron Von Vulturewins, Lurve him. Depends on the situation on your team with Lidge… If you really need saves, you can’t drop a potential one…
My gift to you in return:
If you like to laugh, read Brad Evans’ Bold Predictions for 2012:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/fantasy-roto-arcade/bold-disputable-darvish-one-12-daring-predictions-12-142946245.html
The highlight, on Yoenis Cespedes: “After going 2-for-6 with a homer in Tokyo, Yo is well on his way to a banner campaign.”
Yep, those first 6 ABs of the season usually tell the tale.
If you really like to laugh, read Matthew Berry’s Bold Predictions… for 2011:
http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?page=mlbdk2k11_tmrheardme
So hard to choose a favorite, but how about:
“Tyler Colvin hits 40 home runs.”
or
“Colby Rasmus goes 35 and 20.”
or
“Thirty home runs for Edwin Encarnacion.”
or
“Dan Uggla hits .300 with 40 home runs.”
Keep those in mind when you’re drafting Dee Gordon in Rnd 7.
Hindsight is such a cruel mistress.
@Baron Von Vulturewins, Did you see Rudy’s article yesterday? If you follow Berry’s top 200 rankings list link, you see some real doozies…
@Baron Von Vulturewins, sorry to be an idiot, but how do you post the links in your reply? Simply cutting and pasting doesn’t work.
Is there a place to find the projected starters for this week? I usually use ESPN’s “Fantasy Forecaster” (the only good thing they do), but it’s not updated.
Week 1 in Yahoo ends on Sunday, and we have a 15 IP minimum. My opponent this week might not make it because he loaded his lineup with relievers (including Kenley Jansen), and that makes me smile. Free wins are the best wins!
@ujoh, http://espn.go.com/mlb/probables
@ujoh, http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/probable-pitchers
@royce!, Thanks! Surprise of the day: Minor is in the rotation before Beachy….
@ujoh, May have something to do with setting the rotation for their home opening series, since they are on the road for two series before playing in Atlanta.
Okay, one more; I couldn’t resist.
Here’s my favorite Matthew Berry Bold Prediction for 2012:
“Alfonso Soriano goes 35/100.”
Alfonso Soriano is 36 years old (maybe). He has not hit 35 HRs since 2006. He has not hit 30 HRs since 2007. If he hits 35 HRs this year, it would not be a bold prediction, it would be a medical miracle.
@Baron Von Vulturewins, Ha!
are we still assuming thornton will be getting saves for the white sox?
@ThePoonTycoon, I am…
Does anyone have any insight on when Ryan Howard will officially be placed on the DL?
@Enrique, the day after all the guys that you want off of waivers have all been taken.
@Bill S. Preston, Esq., Heh heh. That sounds about right.
H2H league with extremely limited moves, AVG doesn’t count but H, TB, BB and K do – pick 2 bench bats, position doesn’t really matter: Ortiz, Dunn, Swisher, Espinosa. Thanks!
@Steve Stevenson, Ortiz, Swisher…
bourjos or tabata?
@Will, another option would be Goldschmidt. This is a bench position so they will not be in my lineup all the time anyway. My SB options are CarGo, Reyes, Bonifacio and whatever Werth, Heyward and Bruce contribute
@Will, I’d probably go with Goldschmidt in that case. Looks like your OF is set, and you should have enough SB to be competitive. If Bourjos and Tabata are available now, there should be decent OF speed available later in the season if you need it, so I’d take the chance on the potential 30-HR bat, which would probably have more value for your team or as trade bait later on.
@Steve Stevenson, thanks, that is what I was thinking about too. plus I have a backup for every position except 1B (where I have Fielder) so that could be helpful
Should I do this trade?
Giving up Lincecum for F-Her and Austin Jackson.
12 team league, yahoo standard head to head (basically). Thanks!
@alaugh, Sounds good…
@Grey:
Who is the better 3b in a vacuum where you have no team needs…
The Bone-Face Thiefff
or Moose
Thanks!!
@joe from point pleasant, Bonifacio
@Grey,
Agreed, thanks!
Would you drop F Francisco for Peralta?
@Jay, Nope
Hey Grey, just wanted to say thanks for running this site and taking time out of each and every day to reply and answer almost every single question. Not only are you a great baseball mind, you also make me Ehl Oh Ehl in every single post.
Here’s a little treasure I found that I hope you will enjoy as much as I do!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNYTkIsT9Do&feature=fvwrel
@Neidecker, No problem… Thanks! HA! Nice video…
There is an old draft saying in Tennessee when it comes to closers
I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on, shame on you. Fool me, you can’t get fooled again.” —President George W. Bush
@Mr Baseball, HA!
@Mr Baseball, Nice!
If Belt stays up, him or Ike Davis?
@Shin-Soo Choo Choo, Davis
I am in a 20 team h2h league. I think my team needs more speed. I am thinking of offering fielder and cliff lee for mccutchen and f hernandez.
Or do I trade fielder lester gamel for kemp and anibal
Do I offer up this trade?
c jp arencibia
1b miguel cabrera
2b neil walker
ss yunel escobar
3b evan longoria
inf prince fielder
lf carl crawford
cf peter bourjos
rf justin upton
of carlos lee
util vernon wells
bn ryan lavernway
Bn miguel Sano
Bn mat gamel
sp clayton kershaw
sp cliff lee
sp ubaldo jiminez
sp jon lester
rp jason motte
rp matt throton
rp matt reynolds
rp matt capps
p scott downs
p brad peacock
bn aaron harang
bn scott downs
bn garrett richards
bn blake beaven
bn brian matusz
I’d do either… In that order…
@Ryan, Why don’t you just offer Fielder straight up for McCutchen? Adding in Lee and Hernandez doesn’t seem necessary unless it’s a keeper or you consider Felix an upgrade.
@Big Magoo, oops forgot to mention it is a dynasty league
@Ryan, Ah, I thought it might be. Either trade would benefit you in a dynasty. I’d try to substitute Carlos Lee or Wells in for Gamel if you offer the second deal though.
Nice work on the podcast…just saying….just saying…just saying…….
Thanks!
@Grey – What kind of impact do you expect from Oswalt if he signs mid-season?
Depends where he signs… Probably low Ks, WHIP, ERA…
ok i was going to add lovey and thurston howell’s son, but he’s on ESPN’s no drop list… geniuses in bristol they are…
@beardcrabs, Who’s on the No Drop list?
@Grey, j.p. howell…
@beardcrabs, Wacky
I feel like this Melancon guy would get slaughtered in the AL East. His stuff is not very impressive.
Someone said: “20 saves in Houston would equal 35 in Boston.” Nonsense! He will only have more opportunities to blow it up.
In the AL this guy faces DHs instead of batting pitchers and the AL East is loaded with good powerhitters. This guy is still on the waiver wire in my league and i am staying away.
@Moscowitz, Your overall point that the AL East is much tougher than the NL Central is obviously correct. But I don’t think an NL closers face a lot of batters in the 9th inning. If the game is close enough for them to get a save and the pitcher’s spot comes up, they’re likely facing a pinch hitter the other manager thinks will have a chance to do some damage in the final frame.
j.p. howell…
@Grey, Peralta over Lidge and HRod, Aceves over Peralta… how about Melancon vs. Peralta? Haha. These closers are driving me nuts.
@Jon, Melancon
HA! A commie joke!
@IowaCubs, Hehe
Grey,
Finally, I was able to DL Drew Storen, but I’m still in a mess.
It’s not that bad as there are plenty of guys left, but I drafted:
Storen, Frank^2, and Santos.
Ideally, I’d like to get back to a functional 3.
Melancon was gone, so I scooped up Peralta this morning.
Frankfrank still is taking up a roster spot. I don’t know if he’s worth hanging on to at all, even if he gets DLed.
Here are some of the options I still have available, for which I’d need to drop Frank:
Broxton
Holland
Aceves
Clippard
H-Rod
Lidge (some of these names truly disgust me)
Rauch
RamRam
Reed
Thornton
JJohnson
Oakland guys-Balfour
Could you give me a few names in order, as I’m sure these guys will be going fast in the next few hours?
Oh, and another great Podcast! Can’t wait to hear Adam make cameos in future podcasts.
Balfour is not available… that’s a Minus sign.
@DasPeck, Thanks! Hold Francisco….
Lost Bailey to DL, in need of closers. Would you trade Cahill or Worley to get Melancon?
@CoreyII, Sure…
@Grey, Thanks. Also, you had Cahill > Worley in your original SP list. You still agree with that projection?
@CoreyII, Aceves is the closer now… Agree with what projection? My rankings projections? Yes, they haven’t played in a game…
@CoreyII,
I’ve come to nickname Trevor Cahill “Cahill 1.5 ” as he’s currently 1.5 times the size he was last year and his ERA is also 1.5 times what it was last year.
He’s a mess. Drop at will.
MRI on Farnsworth says it’s just a strain. Still no timetable for return though.
Thanks for the heads up!
would u drop tyler greene and pick up descalso? thanks!
Not yet…
Holland or Peralta?
Peralta
mr Grey, please evaluate my team! 9th pick, 12-team, h2h points (steals, hr, etc are worth points, not category wins). same applies for closers – saves arent important, total points are.
let me know!
c – iannetta (27)
1b – adrian gonzalez (2)
2b – howie kendrick (8)
3b – mark reynolds (10)
ss – elvis andrus (5)
if – mike moustakas (18)
if – alcides escobar (25)
of – braun (1)
of – stanton (3)
of – bruce (4)
of – bourjos (14)
util – cespedes (16)
util – rios (22)
bn – utley (9)
sp – bumgarner (6)
rp – marmol (15)
p – matt cain (7)
p – leubke (12)
p – jimenez (11)
p – scherzer (13)
p – cahill (17)
p – peavy (20)
p – stauffer (21)
bn – chris sale (23)
bn – homer bailey (24)
bn – tommy milone (26)
bn – randall delgado (28)
bn – brett cecil (29)
dl – scott baker (19)
I now understand cecil was optioned to AA. Oops.
Team looks very solid, looks like a much shallower league than it is by just looking at the team, which is a great thing… Stanton in the 3rd round is great…
Valentine says Aceves is closer, per J.Morosi’s twitter account.
@GTG, Jenny Dell’s twitter account confirms (and is more fun to view https://twitter.com/#!/JennyDellNESN)
@GTG, i hope so
@GTG, now I just can’t imagine why anyone would want to look at her over Morosi. I mean, it’s not like she’s attractive or anything…not at all…damn.
Dammit!
Are you guys going to do a season prediction post this year? Cliche I know, but I always like to see how the perts see the season playing out.
Coming later today…
I was just cruising through some meaningless stats over at MLB com and came across Altuve. He was born in Venezuela, his OBP is around .400, and according to his picture he looks like the odds on favorite to take the gold at the special olympics…
@Wake Up, Ha!
@Grey,
accept Hanley/Borjous for my weeks/zimmerman?
It’s fair…
Breaking: Aceves to be closer per Bobby V. http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/mlb/353705/alfredo-aceves-to-open-season-as-bosox-closer
Yeah, was said above…
@Grey, uggggh I have Melancon. Drop him for Peralta? Lidge? HRod?
@ Jon, Peralta
@Grey, thanks. My current crop of RPs: Putz, Marshall, Jansen, Peralta, Broxton. I don’t like that very much. Do you?
Similar to above, drop Melancon for Aceves or Peralta?
Aceves
****THERE’S A NEW POST FOR FOLLOWUPS****
@Grey…
10 team league
Johnny Cueto or Edwin Jackson?
Neither? Cueto…
@Grey..
Besides Cueto, the other pitchers available are John Danks, Jonathan Sanchez, Jhoulys Chachin, Jair Jurrjens, Ivan Nova, Bartolo Colon, Jake Peavy, Phil Hughes, Jonathan Niese, Erik Bedard
Are any of those guys better than Cueto?
See my rankings…
Hey Grey
Couldn’t make my draft, so had to autopick my 5×5 12 team league (1400IP) . Just wondering if you could offer me any comments:
C – Suzuki
1B – Goldschmidt
2B- Walker
SS – Aybar
3B – Bautista
OF – Cargo
OF – Dread Pirate
OF – Bruce
Util – Zimmerman
Util – Victorino
Bench – Fowler
Bench – Hill
Bench – Mayberry
SP – Price
SP – Bumgarner
SP – Hanson
SP – Beachy
SP – Chacin
RP – Sale
RP – Bailey (have since picked up Melancon as cover)
RP – Street
RP – Lidge (off waivers)
RP – Parnell (off waivers)
Obviously will be chasing saves all season, and a little concerned about batting average with that group of hitters but like the power. Maybe Victorino is a bit of a luxury as utility (especially with Fowler available on the bench) and I should try and move him to improve my infield somewhere?
Thanks
@Mr Baseball, I know, I voiced My opinion on the trade to no
Avail. Been in the league for 10
Years. 12tm al only 5×5 dynasty 15 keeper. Contemplated asking for my league fee back… Rough
Almost a week late, but you guys can reach on twitter @gregsauce or by email at gregoryasmith-at-gmail. Thanks.