Vernon Wells Pulls His Canadian Baconstring
February 24, 2009
Category: 2009 Fantasy Baseball Draft
Vernon Wells was primed for his ‘every 3rd year’ routine, but now he’s strained the same hamstring he hurt last year that caused him to miss 50+ games. Word out of Blue Jay camp is he’ll miss at least 4 weeks. A broken-down VW isn’t going to help your team go anywhere. Just forget about the 30/100/.300/10 guy and think of him as that 20/80/.270/5 guy. Hate to say it, but he’s a lot closer to Aaron Rowand than an elite fantasy OF. The best thing to come out of Vernon’s hammy injury is Adam Lind and Travis Snider could see more time. Anyway, here’s some other things going on during spring training that effect 2009 fantasy baseball:
Garrett Anderson – GA signed with the Braves. This does nothing for his value. And prior to this, he had no value. You do the math!
Orlando Hudson – Joyce DeWitt was so proud when I anointed her son a 2009 fantasy sleeper. Oh, well. She’ll always have the hand she played in inventing Jiggle TV. (And it wasn’t a hand — wokka, wokka, wokka…) Orlando Hudson’s picture is next to the definition of yawnstipating. You should not be drafting him in any leagues.
Blake DeWitt – His value is now K to the aput.
Nyjer Morgan – Sounds like he’ll be opening day left fielder. Stay tuned because he could be a cheap source of steals. SAGNOF!
Chase Utley – He’s already taking batting practice. I think he’s the Phillies starting 2nd baseman when they take the field for their first game of the season, with him and Hamels sharing hair gel. Does the hip effect his speed? He steals 10 instead of 15. I’m just hoping my drafts happen soon so I can get Utley at a discount. You should be hoping the same thing.
Melvin Mora – He said he’s going to put up “.340, 20-plus (home runs) and 100-plus (RBIs).” Otherwise known as Bill James’s projections for Chris Davis.
Tags: 2009 fantasy baseball, Blake DeWitt, Chase Utley, Garrett Anderson, Matt Diaz, Nyjer Morgan, Orlando Hudson, Vernon Wells
February 24th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Do you take the over/under on Nyjer Morgan swiping 45?
@Parkcyde: Way under. I’d set the over/under at 20 and take the over.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:56 am
You really think Morgan will start over Pearce? Hmm… but SAGNOF, you are correct sir.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Damn, Grey — I already chose my team name this year! Then you have to go throwing out phrases like “Canadian Baconstring”!
Speaking of which, I’m feeling kind of hungry/salty/porky….
@IowaCubs: I wish Pearce was the answer, but I don’t think the Pirates are going to go that way.
@Baron Von Vulturewins: You can actually thank Rudy for the title. I was going for a broke down VW and he stepped in.
February 24th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Weaver is having some shoulder trouble, but it seems like the usual for him. Does this scare anyone?
@James: Eh, I wouldn’t get too wrap up in who feels sore or healthy or who’s put on weight or who’s lost weight. When someone says they’re not going to be able to play for 4 weeks, then you worry.
February 24th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
@Grey – Grrr, I was hoping for the opposite answer. Ha – I want him, but can’t seem to fit him into my plans.
February 24th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Travis Snider is the new poster boy on the ESPN Fantasy front page. If the secret wasn’t already out – it is now.
@Pops: I love how they say something like, “Will he live up to the hype?” When they are the ones causing the hype. Incredible. FWIW, I went over him in November:
(http://razzball.com/travis-snider-2009-fantasy-outlook/)
February 24th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
The revised timetable for Wells is 2 weeks, but seeing as it’s the same hammy as last year……
@Doug Ault: Yeah, heard that after I posted. Still a big red flag as you alluded to. I’d drop him down from top 80 to 120. If it was a first time injury or something, it would be one thing, but with his history, I don’t want much to do with him.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
@Grey: Thanks for the tip on Nyjer.Russell has already proclaimed him the(probable) starter in left,and I needed steals.
February 24th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
@Grey: Last 2 years in minimum MLB AB’s, Morgan has batted just under .300.
Could he keep that up for a whole year? If so, he’s a great sleeper.
@BigFatHippo: A) He has big prospects waiting to fill in for him at any given moment. B) He has absolutely no power, Juan Pierre-like. C) He doesn’t walk.
Maybe he steals 20 bases by the All-Star Break then loses playing time. Might be the best expectation for him. He’s a good late round flier; don’t expect too much.
February 24th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
@Grey: Hmmm, couple him in the OF with a Sizemore for the first half then trade him?
SAGNOTT, saves ain’t got no time-table?
February 24th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
I mean steals, obviously.
@BigFatHippo: I’d actually prefer a speedster for only a short amount of time so you’re not saddled with his lack of real production for too long, but that was best expectation for Nyjer, not the only one.
February 24th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
@Grey: A buck at the end of the draft when I’m fishing for buckers might be OK. Gonna need a lot of those guys.
Interesting that my arch rival called today to offer C Davis for Hamels, saying I’m gonna have no offense. I laughed, he’s worried about keeping up with my pitching but his keepers include Joba, Galllardo and Volquez so he’s not sitting too bad. Plus, he’ll have a lot more money to spend.
February 24th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Oh, and Harden for $10. Now I’m getting worried. If Harden’s uterus doesn’t fall out, he could be dangerous.
February 24th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
@ Grey: I plucked Nyjer off waivers, maybe he’ll be this years Carlos Gomez, with average.
February 24th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Which Vernon Wells had a better career?
this one
http://i44.tinypic.com/32znr54.jpg
or this one
http://i43.tinypic.com/m77qds.jpg
I think you could make a strong argument either way.
@BigFatHippo: I don’t like Davis for Hamels.
@Doug Ault: Maybe, but Gomez has bit more power.
@GasTheObese: You’re in the running for best commenter of the month.
February 25th, 2009 at 10:26 am
I myself do enjoy Chase Utley. But do you consider him a risky pick at all? Maybe even a little too risky for the 1st round?
@Adam: If he were anywhere but 2nd base, yeah, he’d be risky and would drop a round. He’s not at 2nd. Even if he *only* goes 100/25/100/.300/10, it’s first round for a 2nd baseman.