Well, not much has changed for closers since last month when we did a run down of all of them. Kimbrel got a save, Axford got a save, and everyone else sucks. Holly Robinson Peete closers are a mess! I don’t think there’s ever been so many Brain Freezes before. I almost feel like adding an extra category below the Brain Freezes called, “The Legend of Gloom.” Wha’ happened? Did someone poison the bullpen water? Has Mariano Rivera made it so when he retires there won’t be any more closers? There will only be starters and “Those Other Guys.” To recap this month in closing quickly: Valverde has been less than stellar, Putz and Street just don’t close games, Motte hasn’t been good, Brian Wilson became Casilla who Bochy pulled after one batter during one game, Joel Hanrahananananan gave fantasy owners the question, “Who’s Juan Cruz?”, Sergio Santos may start throwing at some point in the next few weeks, the Red Sox gave the job to someone who has an over 10 ERA, Frank-Frank hasn’t had a blank-blank inning in forever, Kyle Farnsworth left stage right and Rodney, who couldn’t get saves last year, entered stage “I can’t believe Rodney’s closing games,” Guerra’s been about as bad as expected, Walden blew one save and lost the job, What the H. Santiago?, What the H. Bell?, Grant Balfour might get traded, Jim Johnson gave fantasy owners the question, “Juan Cruz or Pedro Strop? Wait, who?”, the closers on terrible teams have looked good so they’ll probably be traded or just not save games, and Brad Lidge is afraid of heights and the mound is above the field so he went to the DL which is on sea level. Got all of that? Yeah, I’m not sure I did either. Anyway, here’s all the closers for 2012 fantasy baseball:
$12 Salads
You know that restaurant your girlfriend/wife/what-have-you likes to go to that charges, like, $12 for a salad? Every time you go there, you have a thoroughly solid meal. No complaints, except you just paid $12 for a salad when you could’ve went to McDonald’s and stuffed you and your woman for ten schmools and had $2 in quarters left over to make the hotel bed vibrate. These closers are $12 salads.
1. Craig Kimbrel (Jonny Venters, Kris Medlen)
2. John Axford (Francisco Rodriguez)
3. Mariano Rivera (David Robertson, Rafael Soriano)
4. Jonathon Papelbon (Antonio Bastardo, Chad Qualls)
Donkeycorns
Imagine you’re following a donkey, who’s wearing a wool cap, through a desert for 1700 miles. Why are you following a donkey? Because he promises you something wonderful and you just need to trust him. Does the donkey talk? Yes. Yes, he does talk. So when you and the donkey in the wool cap arrive at his destination, he removes his the wool cap to reveal a horn. The donkey is a unicorn and his gift to you for your trust is saves. These closers are Donkeycorns.
5. Huston Street (+3) (Luke Gregerson, Andrew Cashner)
6. Jim Johnson (+15) (Pedro Strop, Matt Lindstrom)
7. Joel Hanrahan (+4) (Juan Cruz, Jason Grilli)
8. J.J. Putz (-2) (David Hernandez, Bryan Shaw)
9. Jason Motte (-1) (Fernando Salas, Mitchell Boggs)
10. Jose Valverde (-6) (Joaquin Benoit, Octavio Dotel)
11. Rafael Betancourt (+7) (Rex Brothers)
12. Brandon League (+6) (Tom Wilhelmsen)
13. Fernando Rodney (Joel Peralta, Jake McGee)
14. Grant Balfour (+6) (Brian Fuentes, Ryan Cook)
15. Brett Myers (+8) (David Carpenter, Brandon Lyon)
16. Joe Nathan (+6) (Mike Adams, Alexi Ogando)
17. Kenley Jansen/Javy Guerra (+2) (Matt Guerrier)
Brain Freeze
I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing apples, bananas and Matt Capps– Wait, he just gave up 12 earned runs and hit Valencia in the head with a pickoff throw. Brain freeze! Make it stop! Use the following closers at your own risk.
18. Sean Marshall (+3) (Aroldis Chapman, Jose Arredondo)
19. Santiago Casilla (-10) (Sergio Romo, Jeremy Affeldt)
20. Chris Perez (+4) (Vinnie Pestano, Tony Sipp)
21. Matt Capps (+6) (Glen Perkins, Jared Burton)
22. Jonathan Broxton (+6) (Aaron Crow)
23. Henry Rodriguez (+6) (Tyler Clippard, Brad Lidge)
24. Frank Francisco (-8) (Jon Rauch, Bobby Parnell, Ramon Ramirez)
25. Alfredo Aceves (-13) (Franklin Morales, Daniel Bard)
26. Carlos Marmol (-11) (Rafael Dolis, Kerry Wood)
27. Heath Bell (-19) (Steve Cishek, Edward Mujica)
28. Scott Downs (-11) (Jordan Walden, LaTroy Hawkins)
29. Matt Thornton/Hector Santiago (-1) (Addison Reed, Jesse Crain)
30. Francisco Cordero (-15) (Casey Janssen, Luis Perez, Sergio Santos, Lloyd Moseby)
lose carl crawford right? utley?
I’d lose Crawford…
@Grey,
haha .
you cannot lose
that which you cannot find .
No faith in Casilla? I am guessing it is because of Bochy and not his stuff. He has shut down teams when he has been given the 9th completely and isnt taken out.
Much more of a Donkeycorn than a Brain Freeze to me.
@bean, Bochy could go another way, and has already for one save…
@Grey, Bochy learned his lesson from that one as he overmanaged there. Casilla is better built for that role and noone out here trusts Romo to close………not even his parents.
Romo’s slider is nice but he falls in love with it at times and it gets hammered (especially vs. the Dodgers).
Not saying you are wrong…….just saying.
@bean, Guess we’ll see…
@bean, Romo’s not 100% right now his elbow is wonky and won’t be able to assume the closer role…
@bean, Did someone just say Bochy learned his lesson?
@Fuij (Fausto or Roberto? RCL), it was semi sarcastic but it is tough getting through that giant skull sometimes.
Grey,
Do you think Casilla is #19 overall because of shaky job stability or his stuff? His recent saves seem to have locked the spot up for him, leading me to believe he should at least be a donkeycorn.
@Eddy, Shaky Job security
How would you rank these guys in a keeper league (I’m looking to trade one away): J.Parker, Pomeranz, Duffy
@supra, Parker, Duffy
Which side…
Ian Kinsler, Tim Lincecum, Shawn Marcum…
Andrew McCutchen, Howie Kendrick, Chris Sale, Jamie Garcia…
@beardcrabs, Kinsler
@Grey……Need to pick up 2 of these guys to fill holes, which 2 or 3 do you like the most (5×5 league, but have no real need in any category)?? Boesch, Pagan, Nieuwenhuis, Jay, Fowler, Kubel, Parra
@LagunaBobbyI, First three.
ST. PETERSBURG — Contrary to some reports, Evan Longoria’s status remains unknown.
The Rays third baseman left Monday night’s 3-2 win over the Mariners after the third inning with left knee soreness, an injury manager Joe Maddon described after the game as a “day-to-day gig right now.” Andrew Friedman echoed the same sentiment Tuesday morning.
“We’re going to see how he’s doing today,” the Rays executive vice president of baseball operations said. “It’s one of those situations where if there’s improvement day after day, we probably will not DL him. If there’s not improvement and we feel confident that it will take 11 or 12 or more days then we probably will.
@Elijah, as of 10 mins ago latest news from MLB.com
@Elijah, Thanks for the heads up!
@Elijah, For some reason I read that as “Contrary to some reports, Evan Longoria’s mental status remains unknown.”
@A Hill O’ Beans @Grey And Ryan Zimmerman was once Day-to-Day…..
I read a blog that scared me regarding Bumgarner’s Ks in 2012. The Giants made him stop throwing across his body to protect him from future injury, but his new mechanics are giving the batter a better view of the ball out of his glove. I’m hurting in strikeouts so in a very deep league I’m thinking about trading Bumgarner and Todd Frazier for Anibel Sanchez and either Todd Helton or Chipper Jones. You ok with that or am I lowballing myself? Thanks!
@Giant JJ, I’m not concerned, but it’s fair…
@Giant JJ, he always showed the ball even before he changed his delivery… his command is unchanged… another reason they made him change his delivery is because throwing across his body made his breaking balls flat…
A lot of these guys in the donkeycorn cat still feel really iffy. Its that kinda of season I guess.
@Elijah, Yeah…
@Grey,
Every season is that kind of season because every manager treats their closer as if it’s Mariano Rivera out there when in reality, very few have the stuff, the control and are capable of handling the pressure day after day, year after year. Verducci broke it down really, really well in a recent article.
I think the fantasy baseballer draft thought process on closers has to be one way or the other. Either you go with the sure things to ensure stability (and the ability to sleep soundly) or you go 100% SAGNOF and know you’ll be playing the wire all year.
We should stay away from the mid-range guys – they are the ones who cost round 7-10 draft picks and are inevitably replaced.
In other words: In or out. Black or white. No shades of…Grey…
@Hawk, Ha… Nice…
@Hawk,
yep .
you get what you pay for .
but , on this site , many like to chase closers all summer long .
Grey,
12 team H2H keeper league offered Huston Street for Shelby Miller, my closers suck (marmol, chapman) and my SPs are Cueto Bumgarner Weaver Shields Garza, accept??
@BASH, Sounds fine…
League just got rocked again last night and you have him at 6?
@Sambo Jenkins, Oops, wrote this yesterday afternoon and meant to change it after last night…
@Sambo Jenkins, Gives up 2 ER in 2 innings and that’s labeled “rocked”? Hate to see what you call Bell or Marmol.
League is that high because his job is pretty safe unless he gets traded.
I have a hard time determining trade value for closers. 14 team 6×6. Any thoughts?
Current RPs: Capps, Casilla, H. Rodriguez, Downs, Jansen
Can start 4 at a time.
Another owner has asked about Jansen. What is fair in return? A No. 2 SP?
Some names on their roster:
Garza, Weaver, Lynn, Worley
Thanks.
@Horse, I’d ask for Weaver or Garza, in that order…
Grey, who in your rankings that isn’t listed in bold will finish with the most saves at the end of the year
Basically looking for a top 3 list of potential closers…. Thanks!
@TimSTi, There’s no way of knowing who’s going to get injured… Adams, Cishek, Hernandez…
@Grey, I thought Miss Cleo was actually the man behind the moustache haha. I was mainly asking who you think is the most likely to lose their job and who the most loepy to take over are. Always be SAGNOFing!
Need to pick up an outfielder…
Schaefer,lahair,or parra
Standard league
Thanks!
@Mike, LaHair
The world has gone to hell in a handbasket when Jim Johnson is named the #6 closer in all of MLB here at razzball!
Jim……………….Johnson………………..!?!?!
Closers make me sad this year…
@A Hill O’ Beans, Ha… I know.
@A Hill O’ Beans, Johnson’s next 20 games are brutal, the counting stats are going to be few and far between. Closers make me sad always.
Reimold going back to Baltimore to get tests done on his tingling fingers that they think is related to his neck injury.
@Wilsonian, Geez
In a 5×5 league and have Longoria. Which, if any, would you recommend picking up while he’s out?
Trumbo, Wiggington, Alvarez, Carpenter, Gamel…..Thanks.
@Jake, Alvarez
The first paragraph is a perfect distillation of this year’s closer shituation. Bravo, my friend. Freaking brilliant.
@royce!, Agreed, some of your best stuff this year, Grey!
@royce!, @Chunk, Thanks!
Rasmus, Rios, Schafer & Presley – which 1 of those 4 do you sit?
@JustMatt, Presley
Baltimore cutting costs these days or is it 1920?
“Nolan Reimold took train back to Baltimore this morning to get checked by team doctors”
@2 Cups 1 Braun, HA!
@2 Cups 1 Braun,
train stops right behind eutaw street , i believe .
@2 Cups 1 Braun, The train is usually faster than a plane between Baltimore and NYC when you factor in time getting to/from the airport from downtown and time to check-in and wait on your (nearly) inevitable delay. Unlike in the rest of the country, Amtrak is reasonably reliable and relatively fast in the Northeast Corridor, especially if you can shell out the fare for the deluxe Acela.
@Henry Hendrickson, Learn something new as being from the south, you mind as well hitchhike.
Start Volquez tonight at home against the Brew Crew?
@Salty Balty, Yes
Despite his status as my favorite flat-billed pitchypus I gotta move Rodney for Myers, Yes?
Hold out for a trade amid the closerpocolypse, or just flat out drop his scary ass?
@Turk Wendell, Yup
Ugh..lahair is gone…parra,Schafer,or luke Scott
Standard league
@Mike, Scott
Regarding Longoria – wait and see or drop either Harper, Reimold for a 3B replacement (c. davis)?
also have Utley on D.L with Kipnis at 2nd, should i just drop Utley or keep him and drop Kipnis when he returns?
@DSimms, Just wait until the end of the day…….might not be as bad as that premature extrapolater in Tampa was saying earlier.
@bean, now that he is out for sure would you rather drop harper or drop utley off D.L (kipnis at 2b) and move longoria to D.L?
Also, you think this Grilli (PIT) is for real? I’ve never seen him or heard of him. I’m in a holds league and his Ks look awesome; hovering @ 15 per 9 right now. I looked again and saw Marmol 2.0. I can’t handle that. Moves are limited in my league and I hate burning them on holds.
@Salty Balty, Hold
Grey, thanks for your warning of the current Heath Bell implosion and the note about Cishek. Wow, down 19! I had an open spot on my deep NL-only team and picked him up. It cost me 2 beers at the ballpark tomorrow night, but it’s a great speculation.
That said, nobody bid against me. Trust me, I’ve told plenty of guys in my league about Razzball, but they either don’t trust me, or if they are reading here, they don’t trust you. Yet. Maybe Cishek will be your proof. As someone who is punting saves this season, I hope you are right.
@Pefacommish, Hope so…
@Grey: Ranking Rodney 13th must make you feel like Plouffe-ing yourself.
@Marty Funkhouser, HA! Yup…
According to Olney on Twitter, Longo could be gone 6-8 weeks…
@Steve, Ouch
@Grey, You’re telling me. First round pick in my H2H league. Can move Youk to 3rd I guess. What? Oh.
In that case, Davis or Alvarez?
@Steve, Davis… I think Olney is repeating news that may or may not be accurate… Still no official word on Longo. Unless you’re seeing it…
@Grey, Yeah, think you’re right there. Was pretty much the first thing I saw on Twitter this morning, hadn’t seen the other report hosing it down.
Do you think Arenado is worth a pickup in a H2H league where I have a bench spot open?
Once Cain comes off the DL, should I drop him or Bourjos?
Thanks!
@Schizer Scherzer, I don’t think he’s worth a spot yet… Bourjos…
Grey : Would you lose A. Rios for a new outfielder from the choices below? OBP league
Ross
Parra
Hunter
Duda
@2 Cups 1 Braun, Nope
Been offered a trade of Marmol & Aviles for Papelbon in a 15-team 5×5 league (no bench). Aviles would replace Orlando Hudson at 2B (yeah, 2B is that bad!)
Am off to a good start in pitching (joint top in saves, 3rd in ERA/WHIP), while my hitting good do with a boost. Thoughts on accepting this trade?
@revChris, Hold
Damnit Youk is the biggest puss I have ever seen. I am this close to dropping the dude to waiver for someone who wants to play. Douchbag is scratched again tonight. Dont understand why they don’t put him on the DL if he is going to sit 10 games.
@2 Cups 1 Braun, Add Josh Hamilton to that, guess Ill be running 7 guys out there tonight. Should be a fun week!
@2 Cups 1 Braun, I hear ya…
Would u trade Lester,eithier,and Cuddyer for Hanley??
Standard league
@Ryan, It’s a bit much, but in some leagues I could see it.
Have a standing trade offered to me 1 day ago giving Longoria/Jim johnson and getting Holiday/capps. With the news on Longo injury if i accept will karma bite me in the ass. Guy offered and been traveling so trade still on table. 10 team roto. Thoughts?
@Kratos, Kinda of an ass move to accept it now…
@Grey, yeah rejected it. Lets go Pedro Alvarez for president!
@Kratos, I’ll vote for him if he hits 3 more homers this week.
@Grey,
His batting average went up 100 points in 9 days. That’s not enough to earn your vote? Sheesh! lol
@Hawk, Sorry, I’m tough.
Ubaldo, Scherzer, Capuano, or Floyd off the wire?
@K!cks, Capuano
@ Grey,
I realize its only 4 weeks deep, but I’ve already started worrying about one of my teams. On paper I feel like my team is much better than my competition yet I’m in 9th place right now. Have I just been super unlucky so far or is my team just not as good as I think?
Here are some things I’m aware of:
– slow starts by most of my offense, especially first 3 picks
– light on power, heavy on speed
– bad luck with closers
– average 4.8 rankings across all 10 categories
Yahoo 10 team standard H2H 5×5 redraft
C Wieters
1B Votto
2B Kendrick
3B Lawrie
SS Aviles
OF Cargo
OF McCutch
OF Jennings
UTL Stubbs
BN Gardner
BN Morrison
BN Cozart
SP Gallardo
SP Darvish
SP Beachy
SP A. Sanchez
SP Zimmerman
SP Morrow
SP Sale
RP Walden
RP Santos
RP Marshall
RP H. Rodriguez
CarGo hasn’t been slow… Team doesn’t look bad at all… Your relievers are obviously a mess, but so is everyone’s. You look a bit weak on power even if Votto starts hitting bombs… You should trade Jennings for a power bat… Or McCutchen… Your SPs are fine…
@Grey, So maybe try to trade for a Bruce/Stanton type?
Also I was going to try to buy low on Matt Moore offering one of Stubbs/Gardner. Think that would be a good move?
@Melvin Emanuel, Sure on both… I’d try for Bruce first…
Thoughts on this trade offer I got in a standard, H2H, 10 man league.
I got offered McCutchen and Wainright for Longoria, Bumgarner and Nathan.
Here is my team…
1B – Votto
2B – Kendrick
3B – Longoria or Bautista
SS – Andrus
OF – Boesch, Cruz, Jennings or Bautisa
Util – Konerko
Bench – Youks
SP’s – Bum, Drabek, Morrow, Peavy, Milone, Annibal, McCarthy, Cahill and Garcia
RP’s – Cordero, Aceves, Marshall, Nathan and Marmol
DL – Storen
The Longoria injury is the only reason I am thinking about it. Should I pull the trigger here?
@Derrick, I’d take McCutchen
Would you trade J. Zimmermann G. Stanton for T. Lincicum and H. Pence?
@Combo, I’d take Lincecum
@Grey, @Anyone:
12 team H2H Points League
15 start weekly max for SP
5 keepers
C-Wieters
1B-Votto
2B-Utley (currently playing w/o one)
3B-Moose
SS-Tulo
OF-Granderson
OF-Jennings
OF-Swisher
OF-Melky
UTIL-Boesch
SP-Verlander, Felix, Strasburg, Johan, Luebke, Worley, Latos, Holland, Volquez, Detwiler
CL-Marshall, J-Johnson, Perez, Downs
What do you think about my squad? Appreciate any comments or suggestions you have….
@joe from point pleasant,
Forgot to include Jarrod Parker in there…
Thanks!
@joe from point pleasant, You’re playing without a 2nd baseman? Huh? Lose a SP for a 2B.
In trying to be prepared for a Longoria DL stint, who is the better pick up of the following Alvarez or C. Davis?
@Buge Hoobs, Davis
Allen Craig or Ackley…..ROS?
@Drew, Craig
I have not been impressed with Balfour during his A’s tenure. His fastball looks straight and without much giddy up. Decided to look at fangraphs to confirm my eyeballs.
His average fastball is 91.6, lowest of his career, and he’s throwing it less than 70% of the time for the first time in his career. Translation: “I have nothing. Let’s get out the smoke an mirrors.”
His fastball has always been very straight. The last three years he’s averaged around -1.7 on Fangraphs horizontal pitch fx chart. Fastballs almost always have a negative movement value as the natural tail is into a righty for a righty and into a lefty for a lefty. Sliders cutters and curves that go the other way have positive values. For comparison sake Papelbon has a -7.4 horizontal movement value on his fastball. I can’t find another reliever with a fastball that moves less horizontally than Balfour. Axford is the closest at -2.4, but his average fastball is 95.7. Huge difference.
The point is, Balfour is not going to right the ship. His stuff is just very batting practice. It’s not a slump. Fuentes is worse. There is a very real chance that Ryan Cook closes games for the A’s at some point (maybe the not too distant future) if you’re really speculating.
@OaktownSteve, Thanks for the breakdown!
Grey et al.,
Looks like Longoria is gonna be out 6-8 weeks. I have Miggy I can slide into 3rd but then will have a hole at first. The following 1b/3bs are available in my league, please tell me who are the best two or three – I have room to add two. Keep in mind I have plenty of speed already and need power.
Ike Davis
Chris Davis
Lind
Mark Reynolds
Carlos Lee
Morneau
C. Pena
Luke Scott
James Loney
Adam LaRoche
Matt Carpenter
Jed Lowrie
W. Betemit
Thanks
@Vacation, Scott, Davis, LaRoche
@Grey, Which Davis, Ike or Chris? Thanks.
Longo placed on DL. MLB Network report says he is out 4-8 weeks with a partial hamstring tear, according to the Rays GM.
@ThE sHiT, Yup
@Grey: just landed Fielder for next to nothing – using him at CI. Should I flip my Fielder, Altuve, and Strop for his Zobrist, Lincecum, Nathan, and D. Robertson? 12 team 10 x 10 dynasty league. Thx!
@Bill Lumbergj, I don’t like that trade.
Fat fingered my own user name. I suck!
@Bill Lumbergh, HA!
Yep, partial tear of the hammy for Longo. Out 6-8 weeks. Please let this be Encarnacion’s “Joey Bats” kinda year…I just got him a few days ago and looks like he’s going to be a huge part of my team for two damn months.
@Wilsonian, Yeah, not good…
@Grey, Encarnacion and either Davis or Alvarez better do a pretty damn good impression of Longo for me…
Partial torn hammy for Longo. 6-8 weeks as originally speculated.
@Flunkie, Yup
With Kipnis at 2B should i continue to hold Utley on my D.L?
@DSimms, Maybe
Is it just me, or do so many people have Jensen as the closer except for Don Mattingly? Mattingly’s been behind the kid since the middle of last year, and has been consistent in supporting him. Even the Braves were in awe after Guerra took a line drive off his jaw and stayed in to try to close that game.
The last 2-3 appearances he’s had that line drive and a bad foot. No history of heart problems with Guerra, so why think he’ll struggle from this point on? Didn’t he close 21/23 for them last year?
My 2¢…
@Steve in NYC, Kenley is Kimbrel lights out nasty, gotta think at some point that means something.
5×5 roto. Pick two ROS: Reimold, Trout, JD Martinez, L Scott, Boesch, Rios, Ross
Also, should I keep riding Altuve or drop him for K. Johnson or A. Hill?
@Sam, Trout, Rios… Why would you drop a hot hitter?
What about for the Util:
Schierholtz, Alvarez, LaRoche, Kubel, Trumbo
(looking for some Pop!)
@Buge Hoobs, LaRoche
hey grey – would you drop reimold for any of these guys with news hes out a few more days (i have 0 bench hitters) – reddick, saunders, jon jay, presley, tabata, schierholtz
also, i have longo which of these 3b shld i grab for him? – pedro, lowrie, chipper, ryan roberts, liddi
@jaw, Jay…. Pedro…
Drop Cahill for Smyly?
@Yer Yang, I’d hold for now.
Alright, so I’m using my newfangled Longoria-provided DL spot on a MI to sub in for Espy/Aybar for their suckiness so far and really need speed/runs more than anything. Who’s the least terrible out of this bunch (rank maybe top 3 please)?
Scutaro, Pennington, Lowrie, Casilla, Pastornicky, A-Gonzalez, Bartlett, Bloomquist, Nunez
Or if I keep rolling with those IF, pick up Nieuwenheis/Scott/Gomez over all those scrubs?
Thank ya!
@Go Cards, ugh, I guess add Ellis, Barney, and Getz to that too. So many crappy MI I can’t wrap my mind around it. Forgot about the 2B-eleigible-only guys.
@Go Cards, Lowrie, Espinosa, Aybar…
Should I accept Cargo + Cutch for Gardner + Pence + Jordan Zimmerman?
We’re in a keep 5 players league (14 teams), but I’m in first place, so definitely not giving up on this year. My pitching is really deep, so I’ll survive without Zimmerman.
Am I giving up too much, though?
Thanks for the advice.
@Sir, I’d take CarGo.
Two notes from Rotoworld: Zimmerman plans to return Sunday night against the Phils. Also, Reimold diagnosed with a bulging disk and should return sometime next week.
@Poo Holes,
reimold better have a bag full of hydrocodone .
cust .
@Poo Holes,
I have both these guys. I’m afraid they’ll be a constant revolving door for me in my lineup. Had Zimm last year and didn’t learn my lesson.
@Blankslate, I know Zimmerman has an injury history, not sure about Reimold though. I have Hamilton and I’m afraid the same thing applies to him.
@Poo Holes, Thanks for the heads up!
@Grey, It’s the least I can do to help out the site!
Inglesias has been called up, Tazawa optioned to AAA.
@Flunkie, Would have loved to see Middlebrooks, but Iglesias needs major league AB’s.
@Poo Holes, Didn’t Middlebrooks tweak his thumb or something? That’s probably why. If Youk gets DL’d, I imagine Middlebrooks gets the call then.
@Flunkie, Makes sense, I hadn’t heard that.
@Poo Holes, Yeah nothing serious though I believe.
Starting Parker tonight @ hot BoSox?
@nick m., No
am toying with the idea of starting liriano in laa of a .
trumbo is the only one that worries me ,
other than liriano , himself .
@chata, Can’t believe you own Liriano.
So I’m having major injury problems on one of my teams and need some help. I have only a single DL slot and after losing Reimold and Longoria today I can’t field a full lineup. Currently have Morse, D. Hudson, Santos, Choo, Longoria, and Reimold all hurt. I’ve already had to jettison Kyle Farnsworth and Tim Hudson from my roster a few weeks ago and had an injured Ted Lilly riding the bench for a few weeks. It’s not a deep league (12 teams) but there’s nothing particularly exciting on the wire. Should I drop Reimold or Santos to pick up the hot bat of the week? What do people normally do when injuries pile up that much? Anyone can feel free to answer.
@Henry Hendrickson, Lose Reimold… Gotta make due… I have three DL’d in my RCL (Krispie, Zimm, Gardner) with only one DL spot.
I need a Longo replacement? 13 team 5×5 roto. Slim pickings but i need someone.
Inge, Jed Lowrie, Ryan Roberts, Sean Rodriguez,Ty Wigginton, Chone Figgins, Matt Carpenter, Lonnie Chisenhall, Kyle Seager, Chris Johnson,
@aj, Wiggy
Damn. Luebke is missing his next start with a sore/tight elbow. Damn.
@royce!, Double and triple damn.
@royce!, Damn, damn.
Bailey or Lidge better DL stash for saves?
@Grey’s da man!, Bailey
@ Grey :
as a reminder , i don’t play in weekly leagues .
until lately , i have agreed with your modus operandi of filling my
bench with pitchers .
but , it seems this year that if you don’t have a few bench bats ,
your six-shooter is always a few bullets shy .
are you noticing the same , with your teams ??
@chata, See my comment to #64
@Grey,
done .
but i don’t see you coming out in favor of dropping a bench pitcher
in favor of a replacement bat .
are you still holding onto your extra pitchers ??
@chata, I have two benched DL’d hitters and two bench SPs.
I guess a 1-0 win either way in DC with both starters throwing complete games is a bit much to ask for…
@Steve, Never too much!
@Grey, Just grabbed Homer B for his start tomorrow at home to the Cubs in H2H. Sign off on that?
@Steve, What’s your options?
@Grey, Not much:
Sanchez @ DET
Pomeranz v LAD
Tomlin @ CWS
Beavan @ TB
Maholm @ CIN
Nothing else worth mentioning. Suppose I could have gone Tomlin, but I’ve grabbed Bailey now and don’t want to burn another pickup (we only get 10 for the week).
@Steve, Yeah, Bailey’s the best there…
@Steve, I do hope he gives up 4 steals to Campana though…
@Steve, ONLY ten? Lol
Always love the closer look. 2 questions. I’ve got an army of injuries – would you drop Bailey? H2H league, so I’m reluctant to lose him given potential help for the playoffs.
2nd – Would you trade Gio Gonzalez to get Pablo Sandoval (given having just lost Longoria to injury? Pedro Alvarez is the best FA available to replace instead)
Thanks!
@CoreyII,
gio for pablo wouldn’t fly in any of my leagues .
@chata, because it’s unfair? on which side?
@CoreyII,
give me the hitter .
@CoreyII, Can lose Bailey… I’d take Pablo and could see it working…
@Grey, thanks!
Davis! Goes deep in his first AB on my H2H team. Love that.
@Steve, w00t
@Grey, And he just singled off ‘Daniel’ Boone Logan – the reliever brought in to get him out…
@Steve, grey is dustin his shoulders off right now!
Davis or Moustakas?
@Carlos, Moose
Alvarez or C Davis?
@Grey’s da man!, Davis
hutchison k’s the 1st 4 batter he faces .
and then the roof caves in .
@chata, Ha
hey oaktown .
has it come to this ?
inge is now our starting 3rd baseman ?
@chata, Sogard and Donaldson were that much better?
The way Hochevar is going, you’d think I was starting him.
@Steve, Hehe
LaHair or Chris Davis?
Hardy or Cozart?
Thanks!
@Pete Rock, LaHair, Cozart
Longo question #472 for the night…
Hi, my name is Wilsonian, and I just put Evan Longoria on the DL. “Hi Wilsonian.” Anyway, I have been blessed to have someone like EE on my team, so I do have someone who can replace him at the moment. I am obviously now riding out his hot streak with him as my everyday 3rd basemen. I can pick up any of the following to fill in at Utility or 3rd, should EE stumble. Who do you snag:
C. Davis
Pedro
Trumbo
Altuve
JD
Dunn
Duda
Rios
I’m leaning towards one of the first three, but I’m not sure. I like Trumbo but that damn team is crowded. You think Davis finally figures things out, at least for the next 6-8 weeks?
@Wilsonian, Ha! Rios
What the shit is this?!?! Luebke missing a start with sore/tight elbow? What the funk is that? If I lose him and Longo in the same week, this is the last time I’m drafting anyone whose last name starts with “L.”
@Wilsonian, Ha
One last thing, damn Cahill is cruising.
That is all.
@Wilsonian, Shhhhh!!!!
@Steve, it’s ok Steve…he continued to cruise. Emoticon…
@Wilsonian, Yeah. I had Zimm going too, so was just looking to shut down jinxes of any kind, and from any angle.
Gentry did a great job of not slamming his face into the outfield wall on that Bautista homer.
@Chunk, If Gentry was a star and on one of my teams, he would’ve been injured for the year.
Wow. Came *this* close to picking Lowrie up.
@Steve, Hopefully you picked up Davis instead…
@Chunk, Yup.
Rather own Cishek and Mujica or Cishek and Perkins (until Miami names a new closer, if they even do..)
@Grey’s da man!, Cishek and Mujica…
Wouldu trade eithier and Lester for Adam jones?
Trying to sell eithier high..and have plenty of pitching.
Standard league
Is that too much?
@Ryan, way too much…. adam jones is good but you’re asking for alot of production giving up that, i dealt Howie K/Lester and got Cano in a very competitive 14 team $ league, I think you should shoot higher than Adam Jones, you might not pull a deal like mine, but its too much….
Sorry Thames owners – that was me who cooled him off.
@Steve, Damn you.
Saunders, Zambrano, Burnett, E. Jackson, or Humber tomm? Pick 2
@MrHappyTime, Burnett, Jackson…
Last week I traded strasburg for McCutchen. Is this a win deal for 2012 considering the innings cap (and by win deal for 2012, I am acknowledging Stras’s value in my keeper league)?
@MetalManic, Too early to tell… Should be…
Come on Nats bullpen. Please get out of this. Pleeeeease.
@Steve, If I were Zimmermann I would demand a trade. The nats offense obviously hates him.
@Steve, Well, as it turns out, my opponent started Chacin (as well as Minor and Buchholz yesterday) so the need is suddenly not quite so pressing, but it would still be nice if they could limit the damage.
Keep Farnsy stashed or pick up Milone?
@Buge Hoobs, Milone
With Luebke being hurt, the Padres get to show off their minor league depth and call up… Jeff Suppan?
I’m thinking a sad trombone would work here, but a “trombone being kicked in the nuts” would be more appropriate. Maybe the Razzball Audio Department could work on that for me?
@royce!, HA! Oh man, that actually really made me laugh… Think you just made the roundup for tomorrow…
@Grey, No pain, no gain! As a Padres fan, it looks like I’ll be doing plenty of gaining this season.
@Grey, Oh, and by the way, Suppan’s ERA over two starts for Tucson is 12.15, and in 6.2 IP, he’s walked 3 and struck out 2. Casey Kelly, on the other hand, has a 2.25 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 12 IP with 14 Ks.
I can only think that the Padres, knowing that they’re not competing this year, just thought that it would be nice for Suppan to get to hang out with the Brewers.
Just realized Farnsy was moved to 60 day … gotta go with milone, right?
@Buge Hoobs, Yes
How about Lester,aviles,and Cuddyer for cano?
Standard league
Thanks
@Ryan, Not quite a chump dump but I’d still take Cano
who wins on bruce+casilla for cano in a 5×5 12 team league?
@thurman, Bruce side imo
Man, I was happy to draft Lind, but he is draining my will to live…
@Steve, You could always drop him for Mark Reynolds, who I drafted soon after you got Lind!
@royce!, Awww, that’s enough to make it all seem alright after all.
Two more QSs (J-Z and Beachy), zero Ws. The one guy who seems like he might get a W (Parker) is on my bench. Unreal. FMFBBL.J
@Awesomus Maximus, Damn
@Grey, You couldn’t do this if you tried.
In 28 starts Awesomus Maximus has 20 QSs to go with only 7 Ws, and they’re not even all from SPs. He’s in 5th place in QS despite having the second fewest games started in the league. A team with 11 fewer games started (17) and 11 fewer QSs (9) has 5 more Ws (12) than Awesomus Maximus. And the kicker… he’s in last place in the W column, right below a team with 8 Ws from just 13 QSs (in 33 games started) who is about to get another W from Wainwright, sans QS, of course. It’s uncanny!
Special thanks to Tim Kurkjian for breaking down my fantasy woes.
Sure am glad I’m in dead last in my 16 team league so I played Parker tonight.
@Wilsonian, That’s a nice “glass half full” attitude… half full of Goldschlager… from a bottle that got stuck in the gold flake section of the assembly line and ended up being all gold instead of mostly alcohol.
@Awesomus Maximus, tryin’ to stay positive! That’s also a pretty awesome way of explaining it to me. Back in my college days, I woulda preferred a glass full of Goldschlager, with some Jager on the side. Neverthewho…figured I needed a silver lining. What else do I have to lose? No one on my team is performing. My offense is terrible. So why not start him?
@Wilsonian, Is that a humblebrag?
@Grey, haha…could be. Like I said, figured I had nothing left to lose. So screw it, toss him out there and hope for the best. Luckily I got the best. Maybe this is my week to get out of the cellar!!
How incredibly laughable is this trade offer:
I get: Hafner
I give: Casilla
Seriously? This is the trade offer I just got in my 16 team H2H league. I don’t even know how to respond.
@Wilsonian, It just means he likes Casilla, come back with something equally ridiculous if you can lose the saves and maybe you end up working something out that helps your team.
@Chunk, true. I have Marmol and Jim Johnson along with Casilla. He has a pretty solid team. So I guess I should shoot pretty high and see what happens. Hafner is by far the worst bat on his team.
@Chunk, so I offered Casilla for BJ. He countered with BJ for Giancarlo. HA! Although that isn’t that far off, they have the same amount of HRs…
The Piching Chacin is getting destroyed in CO. I sure can pick good streamers.
@Fuij (Fausto or Roberto? RCL), I’d be scared to start anyone against the Dodgers these days. Kemp basically has everyone on the team protected, because if you give up a walk or hit to them, you’re one person closer to having to face Kemp. I’m joking. Half joking.
@royce!, maybe a third or a quarter joking…
@Wilsonian, face it ur not joking at all lol
Can I drop Youk for Chris Davis in a 10 team H2H points league, or is that just crazy talk right now?
@nick m., Eh, I’d hold for now…
In my keeper league I was offered the rights to Trevor Bauer for Tommy Hanson. Would you rather have Bauer for the rest of this season? After this season? I’m thinking yes to both…
Thanks
@Booya, I’d prefer Hanson…
How pitiful is Espinosa right now!?
@Tggq21, Bny
Does Wilton Lopez have a chance to close in Houston if Myers is traded? Or is one of David Carpenter/Brandon Lyon firmly established as the closer if Myers is traded?
@Fuij (Fausto or Roberto? RCL), Could be any of them… I wouldn’t speculate on an Astros setup man…
Ok so taking Gardner off the DL, putting Longo on the DL so current sitch is no 3B and Gardner, Dread Pirate, Harper, Trout, JD Martinez and Kendrick for OFers…who to drop for Chris Davis? Is this an obvious question? Does anybody else say sitch?
@B.o.B, JD.. Ha, nope…
Cordero blows the save, allowing Lawrie to be the walkoff hero
@VinWins, #yabuddy
Lawrie with a walk off homer in the bottom of the ninth after the Jays blew the lead in the top of the ninth suffering death by a thousand singles up the middle. GO JAYS.
@A Hill O’ Beans, Cordero look terrible?
So early this morning I had one of those slightly conscious dreams in which I was pissed at myself for not picking up Liriano, who had pitched 7 no-hit innings (the dream did not detail the amount of walks, so let’s just guess that it was 5). I just wanted to get that out there in case he actually does and I am the world’s most boring seer.
@royce!,
tell it all , brother .
@royce!, Whew, life as the world’s most boring seer would have had way too much responsibility… Also, I own Torii Hunter on the RCL team I took over!
I picked up Chris Davis to fill in for Zimmerman with no intention of keeping him beyond Ryan’s DL stint… now I’m wondering if I should make some space for Chris beyond this weekend. Is this just a hot streak or is this sustainable? Thoughts, Grey?
I can only conclude that Chacin has slept with Jim Tracy’s daughter or something.
@Steve, HA!
Holy Pedro Alvarez.
@Steve, Dude is on a tear. Went with Davis instead of him for my Longo replacement. We’ll have to see how that works out.
@Wilsonian, Same here. Now wondering if I should go with him over Torii Hunter for Util.
@Steve, I’m now wondering him or LaHair for utility.
@Wilsonian, And I’m wondering if I made a mistake by offering him and Kelly Johnson to a Longoria owner for Cespedes…nah!
My team is in desperate need of HR and RBI, so should I trade Pujols for Dee Gordon, you know, since Gordon has more RBI and about a trillion times more HR than Pujols does. Or I could trade Stanton for Dee, but seeing as they have the same number of HR I’m not sure I’d be gaining too much there.
**This question brought to you by Bizarro Baseball, where closers can’t close and sluggers can’t slug.**
@A Hill O’ Beans, uhhhh…
@A Hill O’ Beans, HA
Lind or Goldshmidt? or just drop Farnsworth since he won’t be back for another month at least?
@Nuke LaDouche, Goldshmidt
You think Scherzer’s mechanical adjustment will fix him? I need to pick up an SP off waivers for some QS’s (and preferably ERA and WHIP improvements…I’m ok in K’s). Here’s what’s available:
Scherzer
Capuano
Vargas
Miley (?)
Who you like?
Thanks.
@emceeperiod, Try Scherzer… But bench him…
youkilis on deck … to save the game for the A’s .
@chata, Hehe
Grey, Looking for a spot start for tomorrow in a H2H, 5×5
Who shall I pick up?
tomlin vs white sox
Beavan vs Rays
Arrieta vs Yanks (crazy talk)
Pomeranz vs Dodgers
Schwinden vs Astros
BnY man BnY
@tggq21, Bny… Tomlin
Balfour blows it again…fuentes the pickup?
@Grey’s da man!, they brought in a different lefty with a 2 run lead and 2 runners on now…norberto? something like that.
@Grey’s da man!, balfour was barely touching 90, commentators were talking about how he’s garbage, yank him, he’s done, blah blah blah, he had no control i will say from watching, he was in the stretch and barely would pause, almost a balk, frikking take a breath you tool, he looked terrible, i dont know if i’d just to conclusions and go with fuentes, but maybe bench balfour for a game or so…. he’s a mess.
@Grey’s da man!, the guys name is ball-four….. Cmon A’s…
@Grey’s da man!, I just grabbed Ryan Cook.
OH YA i said don’t start Lilly to a few, which is the correct move, little did i know he’d get a 7 run lead spotted to him LOL, jesus…. he has given up 2 now which makes me feel a little better abotu benching him, but coors is such a weird place, and the rockys’? ya just never know, will they get blanked or will they score 12?
@Tony, Yup
JD or kirk?
@Grey’s da man!, JD
Drop Aceves for Rodney or ride the Bos situation a little longer?
@smegma, Sure, grab Rodney…
Keeper league. Stanton or Hosmer?
@MetalManic, Stanton
Grey-
Drop Scherzer and pick up Jarrod Parker?
@JoeBoo, Eh, it’s okay… I’d probably hold…
Am I right in thinking that while you’d rather have Boneface at SS over the long haul, Furcal is the better option right now?
@Steve, Yup
@Grey, Yesterday, you told me to pick up Chris Davis and Torii Hunter. Today they are a combined 5/6, with 4 R, 2 HR and 3 RBI.
All hail the mighty ‘stache.
@Grey, Though you didn’t recommend starting Jerome Williams. He’s about to finish off a 3-hitter (emoticon)
Cishek or Cook the better save speculation? Thanks Grey!
@Nuke LaDouche, Tough call… Cishek…
@Grey, I picked up Cishek in a deep league after seeing Bell come out in the 8th yesterday. I’m convinced he’ll be on the disgraceful list pretty soon.
Stanton alert… Lineeeee drive bomb tucked behind the foul pole.. offa cain… SHOTTTTTTT
@Prezii, YES!
GIANCARLO with a line drive homer!
@letsgobravos, Thank you Lord!
A steal for Trout! It’s all happening!
@Steve, YEP walk and a swipe! Id love a rainbow trout next AB..
Yadier Molina with 2 SB’s today lol
@Grey’s da man!, What da shit?! I thought that was a Yahoo error. Unfortunately my opponent has him in h2h this week. Flying Tony Campana to the rescue…
Pretty wild to see Rodney up that high. Tells ya everything you need to know about the state of closers this year…
@papasmurf, Yeah, seriously…
Anyone see lawrie after that walk off???? =\ did we nottt learn anything from kendry morales?? So stupid..
@Prezii, Yeah I cringed when I saw him heading for home plate all pumped up like that.
Hector Santiago in to pitch with a 7-2 lead in the 9th. Does this mark the end of his tenure as closer?
@Eddy, Well Santiago has loaded the bases and Thornton is warming up. Looks like it’s clear now.
@Eddy, Santiago hadn’t had much work since that enormous meltdown. They probably looked at it as a low-pressure situation to get himself back on track.
Debatable whether he did that, but still, no damage done. Except to my WHIP…
@Eddy, It may not have at the start of the inning, but it very well could by the end.
Panda power!
@3FingersBrown, fat bastard.. lol that one was a SHOT as well. Balls gettin tattooed at AT&T rite now
@Prezii, I was watching SD vs Mil and flipped it on just in time for the laser show. Panda’s on some John Kruk shit, the bigger he is the better he hits.
AT&T seems like a great place to see a game. Gotta get out there some time.
@3FingersBrown, you wont be dissappointed man.. been to several games there living in the bay area. Great park and an even better atmosphere! Im an A’s fan but gotta loveee AT&T! Just dont go to oakland… Lol or that ballpark cuz that shit is terribleee. Still go to rep the A’s tho been to over 50 games ther.e. not the cleanest park in the mlb but we do get loud for 1000 fans =D
@Prezii, I found myself outside of AT&T during a game a few years ago and the atmosphere was pumping…
I’ve never been but I can imagine Oakland might be similar to what Shea’s been like during the lean years. Few fans but the ones who are there rep hard! I’ve only met a couple of A’s fans in my life but they knew their shit.
Thanks for the jack Joey Bats. Great return on $47… $1 Volquez has been the one saving grace in an otherwise lousy auction.
@3FingersBrown, Ouch
@Grey, It’s an OBP league so he’s worth more but still, ehhhhh… It was early morning since the commish lives in Japan and I was still drunk from the night before. Don’t drink and draft kids. You’ll end up paying $17 for Brett Gardner.
I did manage to put together a damn good budget pitching staff though. I think I’ve had $1 Peavy for the last three years now. A broken clock’s right twice a day huh?
@3FingersBrown, Yes, it is…
You outright dropping Balfour for Cook? Or just a hair too early to speculate?
@Wilsonian, Too early
@Grey, I’m not saying people are over exaggerating here, because I watched the game and he looked terrible. Like, tizzerrible.
But it was a Shazam! situation. not a save opportunity.
yes he has blown 2 of his last 3 save Opps.
But he has 6 Saves and only 2 BS…
Is his leash really going to be that short?
His trade value completely diminishes if he is taken out of the role…
and all things considered, he’s tied for third most saves in the whole league.
…Cust kayin’
@Mrobs, I hear ya, but he also can’t continue to be garbage… Beane could sell him as a set up man… He’s not going to be a closer on a new team anyway, probably…
Grey, Espinosa isn’t stealing bases or hitting homers. Should I give him more time or pick up one of the following to replace him? Casilla, Scutaro, Schumaker, Sean Rod, Daniel Murphy.
Same question re: Aybar. Possible replacements would be: Casilla, Lowrie, Alex Gonzalez, Sean Rod, Jamie Carrol, Pastornicky.
@letsgobravos, Sean-Rod… Lowrie…
I think Pujols hit his head and thinks he’s play cricket. Just swung at a ball in the dirt off the plate and made contact for a weak ground out. Damn, he freaking sucks right now.
@letsgobravos, That at bat was a joke.
Calendar hits May 1st and Giancarlo owners rejoice!
No way they bring out Bell in a save situation today, right?
@bean, Can’t imagine…
@Grey, Mujica is up in the Pen……good news for Cishek owners.
Ozzie looks like he just got back from the sauna with that stupid towel around his neck. Just a horrible look.
@bean, Ha!
lance lynn and logan morrison for matt holliday, which side do you like better moving forward regardless of roster….thanks grey!
@kR Express, Holliday
Did j will just throw a CGS? LOL pretty sure some1 wanted to stream him and we talked them off the ledge.. our apoligies!
@Prezii, That was me!
@Steve, lol sorry man… Grey said he agreed so ur mad at him too not just me!!!
@Prezii, I’m mad at the whole world!
@Steve, understandable. Thats baseball….
@Prezii, Nah – I’m kidding, it’s all good. He told me to pick up Torii Hunter and Chris Davis so that more than makes up for it.
Nice to see another strong outing from Volquez. And words can’t express my excitement of yet another QS without a W to show for it. Differential is now -14 (21 QS, 7 W).
@Awesomus Maximus, You’ve gotta be spewing right now. Jeez.
hi grey, 2 questions:
1. can you please rank humber, drabek, milone, westbrook, macdonald
2. do you really think cishek gets any saves? bell makes a ton of dough…
thanks!
@the grate one, wait, that explains it… Hes a doughboy!
@the grate one, Drabek, Milone, McDonald… 2. If he looks miserable for another week or so…
HEATH BELL IS WARMING UP!!!!!
Insane to bring him in with a 1 run lead……..or a 4 run lead.
@bean, Might as well just start warming up Cishek now…
@Poo Holes, 2 up and 2 down……..Heath Bar must have a buffet to attack after the game. He is motivated.
Bell in for the save.
Guillen just needed to remind everyone that he’s batshit crazy, and that sometimes in baseball batshit crazy works. Gotta love baseball.
@royce!, Ha!
Street looked as good as ever tonight, recording another save in very limited chances, but I can’t wait for him to be traded so that Cashner can take over the closer role and, if the Padres know what’s good for them, be introduced in save situations by “C.R.E.A.M.”
Yeah, it’s never gonna happen, but it would be awesome.
@royce!, That would be awesome…
Hey pal (Grey)….
Should we look to sell Giancarlo now that he’s showing signs of life? If the knee is going to be a problem all year, now might be a good time to shop him.
@letsgobravos, Depends what you can get, friend.
14 man 6×6 league (OBP and CG) I traded Justin Upton, Ryan Zimmerman and Daniel Hudson for Cutch, Beltre and Morrow……was I crazy?
Zimmerman just always seems to be the horse you lead to water then he kicks you in the nuts instead of drinking!
Doesn’t look terrible… I do like Upton, but you got rid of two injured players…
more save opportunities this year
rauch (as in browch!)
or
mujica (as in >>>> cishek)
???
Rauch
Hey Grey, Smyly, Parker or Bass the rest of the way?
Parker
@Grey, Thanks but do you think he would top the other two in k/9 category aswell?
Is billingsley and lohse for Greinke too much?
Standard league
I have excess pitchers
Thanks
Any reason to hang on to Walden (I have a bench spot for him)?
putz just puked one up to