Curtis Granderson looks like the same hitter he was last year. Just without the luck. He had a .391 BABIP last season. Whoa, Grey, those numbers scare me. Grab your blankie, and listen. I’m trying to educate you. Razzball Point Shares ranked Granderson 73rd overall. Baseball Prospectus put Granderson’s 2008 projections at 88/21/80/.267/15. They were admittedly being generous. They did not rank him in the top ten for outfielders. Adam Dunn is ranked tenth. Granderson’s speed and power will remain, but those home runs and steals may come at a price. If you could trade him for Vladimir Guerrero or even Corey Hart, I would do it. I don’t think you can get, say, Johan Santana. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday:
Eric Gagne – Backne into the closer’s role. How far has he fallen? When he closed it out, Shouse was warming up in the pen just in case. I’m positive Gagne’ll blow another save by this time next week. If you have room, hold onto Torres or Mota.
Edinson Volquez – He fell into some trouble in the fifth and looked like he was getting frustrated even when he was getting some good calls by the ump. *I’m going to write this next part before the Reds go to bat in the fifth with Volquez due up third* Volquez is removed for a pinch hitter and finishes the game with 95 pitches thrown. A great start again from Volquez, but his temperament when he started to walk people in the fifth should be watched. *Okay, I’m going back to real time.* OF COURSE, HE’S BATTING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH. Hey, Dusty, Mark Prior called, he wants his arm back. Luis Gonzalez just singled to leadoff the sixth. Why is Edinson starting an inning when he’s at 95 pitches and his top of the fifth was a very stressful inning? I hate Dusty. Well, it ended up okay, although Jacobs hit a long fly ball to the warning track to end the inning.
Jeff Keppinger – The knee bone is connected to the… Oops. Drop him in all leagues. People probably aren’t even reading this, unless it affects them, so I’m talking to the former Keppinger owners. I feel your pain, man! *manly pat on your shoulder* He was having a very solid MI season for NL-Only. I know, I had him. This injury kinda killed me. Who I’m looking at for replacing him: Vizquel, Cedeno, Hairston, Amezaga, Izturis and Bruntlett respectively. Not a noisemaker in the group.
Khalil Greene – Hit another home run. I have this theory that all mulatto children are attractive, so I’m going to assume Khalil doesn’t have any coffee in his cream. Just not sure where the name Khalil comes from.
Ryan Garko – The entire Tribe team is too talented to struggle offensively forever.
Matt Joyce – Took Greinke deep. He could be some cheap power.
Ronny Paulino – In NL-Only leagues, he’s getting a bulk of the starts because Doumit is headed to the DL.
Kevin Slowey – I’ve already mentioned how I’m not a huge fan of AL pitchers, but Slowey is one I like.
Jo-Jo Reyes – When Hill went down, I said Jo-Jo was a good possible replacement. He pitched better than his four earned runs. Howard hit him hard, but not much else. Also, no walks.
Jeremy Guthrie – Another starter I pegged to look at to replace Hill. He beat the Sox with solid Ks.
John Maine – Ya’ll know how I feel about Maine. I did rank him fifteenth overall for starting pitchers.
Zach Greinke – Labored a bit in this start, but made the big pitches when he had to. BTW, this was against the Tigers, the team that was pegged coming into the season as the ’27 Yankees. Even though sportswriters say that shizz every year in March about at least three teams.
Edwin Jackson – Since we have on our throwback jerseys, the Yankees look like the ’86 Angels minus the pitching. I can’t imagine Girardi is thrilled with this group. Jackson looked good again. He was a great prospect and he’s still very young (24). I think you absolutely have to give him a shot at this point. He should’ve got the win if it wasn’t for Percival, who surprisingly wasn’t on the ’86 Angels. It just feels like it.
Jered Weaver – The one-hitter left Ozzie Guillen with no one to kiss.
Eddie Guardado – Those saves vultures out there might want to look here, especially after the poundings CJ Wilson took the last two times out. If he gets roughed up like that a couple more times, Ron Washington may open up the “Conventional Baseball Managing for Dummies” book and pitch a righty in the ninth.
Stephen Drew – Since my trade of Shawn Hill for Stephen Drew was turned down faster than Eckstein trying to buy beer, Drew’s gone 6/2/7/.333.
Guy just dumped Navarro. He’s my Doumit replacement, right? Same guy dumped Billy Butler. I’m set at 1B (Howard – if you can call that set) and LF (Crawford, Melky), but I gotta go get him too don’t I?
And I think I already know the answer to this but you have got to keep running Rios out there every day, correct?
So many questions…
Well my team has quite a turnaround in the outfield this week. But I am still stewing on shortstop. I dropped Longoria and traded Volquez to add Pence and Vlad. My outfield is now Damon, Kemp, Quentin, Pence, Vlad, and Wells. Aside from the position players my bench is: Wells, Damon, Thome (I’m tired of waiting for the bat to wake-up), and Figgins.
I have had an extra few days now to think about Shortstop (ie: will Renteria come around or is this what I am looking all year – big bat one week and two weeks with him playing cricket). I am wondering if there is another mid-level Shortstop I could try and trade for with either an outfielder and Renteria or should I just cut Renta and pick up Greene?
@Steve: For what it’s worth, I’ve benched Rios temporarily in favor of Hunter Pence. I worry about Rios’ value with Wells out. The Jays offense is woeful.
I’m currently dangling Zimmerman and Frenchy for Krispy Young. Thoughts? I need HRs and Runs. If it goes through, I’d have an OF of Holliday, Rios, Krispy, as well as Pence, with Gordon at 3B.
I had Doumit but now need a replacement in a 12 team mixed league. Some available names:
Paulino, Navvaro, Schneider, Snyder, Bako, Johjima.
Who should I go with?
Greene’s name comes from his family’s Bahá’í Faith. I’m assuming he’s named after Kahlil Gibran, the Bahá’í author and teacher.
Signed,
Hall Monitor Phil
P.S. I dislike my monicker IowaCubs, but don’t want to lose my comments rank.
A trade has been proposed to me:
BocaBurger Fielder and Manny Parra for
Jay Bruce and Bedard.
I’m cool on pitching, but need the offense.
Do I do this?
Ala Dr. Nick — Hello, Everybody!
@Steve: Unlike the Baron, I do not pull my top guys. Corey Patterson/Matt Diaz, etc — I platoon. I don’t platoon Alexis Rios. What if he goes 4-for-5 on your bench, then you put him in and he goes 0-for-5, you’ll want to commit hari-kari.
Yes on Navarro.
@Baron Von Vulturewins: I’d say that’s a good trade for you.
@Basketnarb: Navarro.
@IowaCubs: re: Khalil — Well, I guess I could’ve looked it up.
If you’re serious about the different moniker, I can ask my website guy, I’m actually pretty computer-stupid, so I have no idea.
@IowaCubs: re: trade — Fielder/Parra for Bruce/Bedard? And you’re cool on pitching? No, you don’t do this trade.
re: your and Rudy’s take on Vargas – My pitching is:
Beckett, Bedard, Hudson, JShields, Myers, Cueto, Fuentes, Ryan, Papelbon
Do I pick him up or stand pat? Since day one I have been improving my pitching based on my league mates add/drop philosophy based on two starts or who’s hot. I am still chuckling about someone dropping Pence and he makes it through to me with a middle of the pack waiver position.
@BSA: Stand pat, sir.
I have Doumit, damnit, in a two catcher mixed league. Who do I replace him with? Here are my choices: Paulino, Inge, Laird. I know… sad.
Hey Grey,
Brad Penny just came available in my league today…if B. Myers sh*ts the bed tonight, which I’m fully expecting, do I cut bait and p/u Penny? Also, given the horrible performances of R. Hill, B. Myers, I. Snell, T. Hafner, J. Thome, M. Cabrera and A. Rios, my team has dropped from 2nd place to 5th. I feel like I’m freefallin’ (cue Tom Petty). Anyway, I want to drop some dead wood on my pitching staff [e.g. Myers, Snell) and pick up some relievers with Starting Pitcher qualification. I figure if I could add two or three of these guys and have them going every night, it will hopefully bring down my ERA and WHIP whenver Chris Young, J. Vazquez or Shawn Hill gets rocked. I’ve already dropped C. Buccholz and picked up T. Buccholz (I know I’ve gone Buch-wild). I’d like to pick up L. Nunez (Royals) and possibly (Thurston) Howell (III) of the Rays. Any thoughts on this strategy?
@IowaCubs: Laird’s a good 2nd catcher. Paulino actually isn’t even that bad of a 2nd catcher.
@IowaCubs: Throw Ruiz and Olivo in the mix too.
My outfield is
Chris Young, Francoeur, Ludwick, Granderson , Kemp, Delmon Young, Billy Butler
Should I be looking to upgrade? Who should I keep & who should I trade?
@scott: Sorry, but I’ve forgotten what size your league is, but I haven’t been holding Rich Hill in any league. In anything smaller than NL-only, cut bait for now. Though you might lose him. Then again, he might come back, and perform poorly anyway. I’d go with Penny to replace him. If Myers pitches poorly tonight, I’d grab Nunez.
@IowaCubs: Great pic. And I’d still go with Laird.
@Basketnarb: I’d be looking to trade Grandy and Young, if you can get something worthwhile. I think you’ll probably find someone better on waivers to fill-in for Butler.
EDIT: For coherence.
prince/taveras for grady/EE
?
Thanks Grey…it’s a 12 team league and I cut R. Hill the same day he got sent down. My staff currently consists of C. Young, Vazquez, Greinke, S. Hill, Duchscherer, Myers, Snell, Soria, B. Wilson, CJ Wilson and Taylor Buccholz. I’m running the same position players out everday, with Ludwick in Utility spot and Hafner and Willingham on bench. My pitching has been god-awful. All of my trade overtures have been rejected. In the last week I’ve dropped Thome, Victorino and C. Buccholz and picked up S. Hill, Duchscherer and T. Buccholz in an effort to stop the bleeding. Am I out of my mind in adding middle relievers to replace floundering starters?
BTW…loved the Kurtis Blowe reference…now there’s an original master…
I just traded Lincecum for Howard. Yay me.
Me likey that trade Mr. Cub…I’ve been trying to pry R. Howard away from his owner (w/o giving up M. Cabrera) for about a month now.
@IowaCubs: Solid trade, Howard looked like he was starting to come around yesterday. He was hitting the ball real hard against a lefty (Jo-Jo).
@scott: Oh, I see. You were just recounting tough breaks by mentioning Hill, gotcha. No, you’re not crazy at all to use middle guys. That’s actually a great move. Nunez is solid and if Myers struggles again, try it. Also, CJ’s on the ropes. He could be out as closer by next week. Look at Eddie Guardado. He’s not a great closer at this point, but if you need saves. Also, I’m not crazy about dropping Victorino, but I guess it’s water under the bridge by this point.
@Russ: I’d prefer the Grady/EE side.
@Grey: perfect. that’s the side i’d be getting.
@ Grey — I dropped Victorino because he was kinda duplicating what I would get out of Rios as a leadoff hitter. Now they’ve moved Rios back to third and I’m thinking about picking Shane-o back up…he’s still available but it would require me to drop Willingham. I just offered Kotchman and J. Vazquez for R. Howard (which will be shot down I’m sure). I’m also thinking about offering R. Ludwick for H. Kendrick (even though I have Kinsler). I think Kendrick is going to light it up when he gets back. What do you think?
Well Greene looks to be rising while Renteria simply lays on the mat swinging at air so I made the cut and picked Greene up.
Now that my outfield looks like this:
Damon
Vlad
Quentin
Kemp
Pence
Thome-DH
Who are the top four to play between outfield and utility?
@ BSA — I think your top 4 are Vladdie, Quentin, Kemp and Pence. I just dropped Thome after suffering with him since the beginning of the season. I figured he’s not going to play during interleague games anyway and no one is going to rush to grab him. You should try it…the days are more sunny now, the air feels fresher, food tastes better….
@scott: Yeah, I’d be careful about making a move just based on a manager’s current whim. Rios could be back in the leadoff spot today but that wouldn’t reduce Victorino’s appeal. I’m not a huge fan of Kendrick, but I don’t think someone’s trading you him for Ludwick anyway.
@BSA: Vlad, Quentin, Kemp, Pence, Damon aka I agree with Scott.
Who do you like best for the rest of the season: Michael Bourn, Carlos Gomez, or Willy Taveras? I know you had Michael Bourn ranked highest to begint the year; has anything changed?
@Ben: With 3 homers and 17 steals, I still like Bourn. His average will pick up (hopefully).
After watching the Yankees game last night I decided to add Edwin Jackson. I didnt realize he can rev-up his fastball to 98mph to go along with some decent breaking stuff. After reading your approval of giving him a shot on your roster, I def agree. Just wondering how you would rank these pitchers against each other…..Guthrie, Edwin Jackson, Shawn Hill, Slowey, Garza, Hochevar and Wandy Rodriguez…once he comes off the DL. Thanks.
@mike: Guthrie, Hill, Jackson, Slowey, Wandy, Garza then Hochevar. All are very close and some even change places on matchups.
@Grey: Come on, that’s like saying you might bench Francouer for Carlos Gomez, then have Francouer hit 2 HRs with 7 RBIs.
That would never happen.
bourn over gomez? come on grey. you’ve railed on gomez’s OBP, but his is 40 points higher than bourn’s. gomez has 3x the doubles, 75 points higher BA, 6 more runs, the same HR, one fewer steal and 8 more RBI.
@Russ: Bourn and Gomez are close. With less MLB time, Gomez is riskier, but he does have a bit more upside than Bourn. I’m veering towards the safe because the upside of Gomez isn’t that much better than the expectations of Bourn.
EDIT: For adjective/punctuation correction.
@Grey: that’s all i wanted ;)
John Lackey v. sox. Start him first time out? Guess his line for tonight
@Chase: Guess his line is a fun game. Everyone should try. I’ll say:
6 IP, 4.50, 1.50, 4 Ks
alex rios buy low?
@Chase: 4.1 IP, 5.75, 2.25, 2 Ks
I wouldn’t start him. Best of luck with that.
@Grey: Okay… counter offer… Bedard for Fielder. Eh?
@IowaCubs: do you like goats? Go stros
@Chase: If you can get Rios for low, sure.
@IowaCubs: I want Fielder.
@Chase: I don’t believe in goats, so they don’t bother me. If the Cubs actually won the World Series, I’m not sure what the hell I would do with myself. What’s the point of being a Cubs fan if you can’t be a loser?
My first real Cubs game was a doubleheader in 1991 against the Astros at Wrigley. I sat behind one of those annoying support beams for 6 hours. I don’t remember the games much, but I do remember the Cubs losing both games. During his at bats, my grandmother and I stood up to give Andre Dawson the shalom worship gesture. Awesome. My grandma snuck in a flask of scotch and got loaded. That’s all I remember.
Thanks for listening.
@IowaCubs: Cubs and astros didnt play a doubleheader in 1991. Cubs won season series 9-3 and the losses all came in a different series
Im thinking about shopping Lance Berkman just to see what I could get for him right now. Im thinking a Matt Holliday type would probably make me do it…..could u give me a list of maybe 5 or 6 players you would trade Berkman str8 up for right now.
@mike: I’d go for a first rounder that would complement my team.
Recent thoughts on scherzer? Could he go for something like 150 ip 150 k -3.00 era?
@Chase: He’s not going to come close to those innings or Ks.
“3B Ian Stewart of Class AAA Colorado Springs was selected the Pacific Coast League Offensive Player of the Week for May 5-11. He hit .385 with six runs, four doubles, one triple, three home runs and nine RBIs in 26 at-bats.”
I understand Jonathan Herrera is doing okay, but any medium term speculation if Stewart gets a look? I know he was slumping giant_huge_time when Tulo when down, but he appears to be turnin’ dem cornahs.
@Grey: BTW, I think a better trade if you’re moving Berkman is to address a few weaknesses. i.e. Cano, McLouth and Betancourt.
@ParkCyde: Thanks for that heads up. Yeah, I’ve been telling people for a few weeks that it makes sense to call up Stewart and if he gets called up, he will be snatched up quickly. With that said (again), if you have room, you should snatch him up now, because if he gets the call, you may miss him.
Clint Barmes or Stephen Drew?
Looking for a Keppinger replacement.
@Freak: Drew
But Barmes’ avg is smexy.
@Freak: I don’t know what that means, but I laughed.
Well, I’ve already got Bourn Identity and Shane Victory pissing all over my average, so unless you can convince me that Drew is magically going to start hitting better than his .261 career average, I’ll pretend Barmes is gonna keep hitting .337.
Crap, just looked, Barmes’ career avg is .260. Screw me.
C Victor Martinez
1B Ryan Howard
2B Ian Kinsler
3B Aramis Ramirez
SS Hanley Ramirez
OF Matt Holliday
OF Corey Hart
OF Adam Dunn
Util Mark Teixeira
BN Garrett Atkins
BN Carlos Quentin
Wanted to deal someone for a solid SP.
8 team H2H 5×5
Ideas?
@Chase: Maybe Dunn for Harang? Hart for Wainwright?
Finally – someone offers me a trade. Hafner + S Drew for Howard. I have Renteria and Have just picked up Khalil so OK for SS really.
What chance Pronk outperforms Howard the rest of the way? My feeling is that the other guy is getting the best player in the deal…
@Steve: Yeah, you can’t do that trade.
@Steve: Pronk is done. Let him go. I know it’s hard, but you have to put him in the canoe, light it on fire, and set it adrift in the river. It’s for the best.
@Baron Von Vulturewins: I’d be getting Pronk, so not doing the trade. And Howard has just gone deep so maybe this is the start of the turnaround.
It’s Rios that’s killing me…
@Steve: No, I know — I meant the dream of the Pronk. I owned him two years ago and he was mammoth. But sadly, all signs point to toast, which is probably why his increasingly panicky owner is trying to fob him off on you.
Baseball Prospectus called Pronk’s demise, too, like Ruth’s shot, before last year. Apparently he has the dreaded “old person skills.” I don’t even know what those are, but they sound bad.
re: Rios. As a fellow sufferer, I hear you, brother. I hear you.
Alright Myers is not giong to give me what I want (diamond in the rough) another game in which he is giving it up with the long ball. Where to go from here? 10 team league – create a position where I rotate two start pitchers every week or search for a sleeper?
This just in – keep Geovany Soto.
As I look over my free agents the top three available in QS, K, and Points are:
QS – Guthrie, Chacon, Danks
K – JSanchez, Wolf, Guthrie
Points – Isringhausen, Backne, and Rauch
My pitching staff is currently:
Beckett, Bedard, Hudson, Cueto, Myers, Fuentes, Ryan, Papelbon
@BSA: Guthrie is the best starter from that group. But why are there closers? Backne, Rauch and Isringhausen shouldn’t be on waivers. They should be on teams.
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Old person skills — being able to watch Wheel of Fortune five nights a week.
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Rios is now how many for his last how many?
Grey – drop Riske for Guardado?
And is B Butler worth an add? Would prbably drop Shields for him. Can’t trust Shields right now…
@Steve: Drop Riske for Guardado? Yup.
And is B Butler worth an add? Not so much.
re: Shields — No, you can’t trust him. Grab a different MI.
And Riske left the game today with a hyper-extended elbow.
How do you like Ramon Ramirez?
@Steve: He seems solid, but obviously not in line for saves any time soon, barring injury.
Yeah – agree.
Forgotten I had dropped Devine the other day with the intention of picking him up again – so went and did that.
@Steve: Rios is riding the pines for me right now. I recently picked up Hunter Pence in a trade, who’s getting hot at just the right time. Until Rios does something other than, I don’t know, 0-fer-4, he’s benched. I just hope he starts torching it soon.
All this is mitigated somewhat by the fact that I shipped out the fragile-winged Jay BJ Ryan in the Pence trade, then picked up Scott Downs. Who got another save last night.
Speaking of bargain Jays: Matt Stairs? Any believers out there?
So Grey do I take advantage of my leaguemates grab an Isringhausen or Backne and rethink my strategy of two closers and max starts. Run out three closers and four starters. My bench would then have one starter and a closer.
My closers would then be Ryan, Papelbon, Fuentes, and ?.
Rudy have at this question as well. I am interested in this from different angles….or Rauch for that matter.
@BSA: I’d pick up Rauch, Gagne and Isringhausen, in that order.
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Stairs is a poor man’s Giambi or is it the other way around…. Hmmm…
*Also, take follow-up questions into the newest post.* Thanks, guys.
Now by thinking about running a consistent 4 starting pitchers and 3 relievers then Rauch, because of strikeout numbers and IP without a lot of save opportunities (one since 5/3), would stay in my starting lineup consistently like Beckett. His numbers within a week compare with those of a mid level starting pitcher but you never know when the Nats will help him out with save opportunities. Thinking correctly? you rate Isringhausen lower yet with all his “issues” he appears to have greater upside based on the team he is on and opportunities he has had already this season. What is behind your idea, or is it a “hunch”? Your idea about picking up Quentin and Kemp has gone well so the track record is pretty good.
Now looking back over the season’s work and breaking it down to the last 7, 14, and 28 respectively – any one of those other relievers looks better than Fuentes. Going by projections – the top three appear to be Pap, Isring, Gagne. Rauch is still projected to earn more than Fuentes. Do I look at a Rauch/Gagne or Rauch/Isring pick up for Myers/Fuentes?
@BSA: Isringhausen is not the closer right now. He’s had major problems the last two weeks with mechanical problems. Probably will get the job back, but better safe than sorry at this point.
I rank them Paps, Rauch, Fuentes (Rauch and Fuentes are very close), Gagne and Isringhausen. (Gagne and Isringhausen are very close.)
*Also, take follow-up questions into the newest daily roundup post about Chipper.* Thanks, guys. Will be easily for me to track.
@Dave: Sorry your comment didn’t show up earlier. The site thought it was spam because there were two links in it. My site’s bad. Anyway, Spicoli — ha!