He’ll make you feel good and bad and happy and sad. But mostly just sad. And mad. And glad…you don’t own him. I’m talking, of course, of Jose Valverde. Motown just can’t resist the temptations of signing Papa Grande. Smokey just went over all the fantasy baseball closers.  There’s $12 Salads. There’s Donkeycorns. There’s Brain Freezes. There should be another category underneath the Brain Freezes for Valverde: Tossed Salad That Gives You Botulism. He seems like a great idea. Why do you need a side of rigatoni when you’re having lasagna for dinner? It makes sense to get the side salad. Go with the tossed salad. Unfortunately, the tossed salad was prepared in 2007 and is piled in the corner of the kitchen holding the employee’s bathroom door open because Brian lost the key. Once in a while Brian also forgets to stock the bathroom with toilet paper, so the iceberg lettuce doubles its duties, so to speak. That’s Valverde. There’s so many reasons to not pick him up, but let’s stick with the two most important ones: 1) He wasn’t good last year when he had the job. 2) Detroit even replaced him when games really mattered. 3) I said let’s stick with two reasons so why would you even mention 3? I wish I could sit here — and I am sitting, in a Barclay Lounger, a matter of fact — and tell you the signing of Valverde means the Detroit shituation has become crystal clear now. That, now, Valverde will close games. Yeah, he might get shoved into the closer role, but closing games is another issue. He was signed to a minor league contract. He’ll now take anywhere from two to four weeks to get ready, then the Tigers will either call him up or release him. I’d put his chances to get saves within a month at 35%. There’s still Benoit, Coke, Dotel and Al Al’etc who could take the job and run with it in the mean’s while. After seeing Dotel enter the game in the 6th yesterday, there’s no telling what will happen. Someone get close to Leyland’s cigarette pack and check to see if there’s a warning that reads, “Caution: May Cause Smoker To Use The Wrong Man In The 9th Inning.” Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday for fantasy baseball:
Brayan Villarreal – 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K. After a blown save by Coke last night, it seems everyone in the Tigers bullpen has caught a Villarreal disease.
Hiroki Kuroda – X-rays came back negative and might make his next start for the Yankees vs. the Indians, who hope for a better outcome than 1492-2013.
Derek Jeter – Yankees are now saying Jeter could return May 1st. I’m guessing we get maybe 350 not-so-productive ABs out of Jeter. Actually, I’m guessing you do; I didn’t draft him. Beware the semi-colon; it 180’s you!
Andy Pettitte – 8 IP, 1 ER, 9 baserunners, 3 Ks. Obviously, a dominant start from Pettitte, who must have felt renewed being surrounded by the 2005 All-Star team. I wouldn’t pick Pettitte up with your team.
Robinson Cano – 0-for-3 as he was moved up to the two-hole. I hate owning Cano in April. Could someone turn his Far Side desk calender forward a month?
Brett Gardner – 2-for-3 and a solo homer. 10 homers, 40 steals and 100 runs this year. You can write it down. (For those under the age of 30, writing was something primitive man did prior to iPhones, iPens, iEverything.
Ryan Dempster – 5 IP, 3 ER, 9 baserunners, 8 Ks. I hear our fantasy basketball writer, JB, really likes Dempster.
Trevor Bauer – Will replace Kazmir in the rotation. Okay, we need to catch up everyone who is just joining us. I like Bauer a lot (so does Scott, our prospect writer, who ranked him 7th on the preseason top 25 fantasy baseball prospects.) In my top 100 starters, I gave him the projections of 6-7/3.85/1.38/168 in 160 innings. I also think Bauer has a lot of risk attached to him. He can’t control his stuff at times. Sometimes when the stuff is that good this happens. Here’s a comparison I like to go to: 160 2/3 IP, 130 Ks, 1.51 WHIP and a 4.82 ERA in his rookie year, when his wildness (96 walks) really stopped him from being successful. His/he/who being Randy Johnson. Bauer has immense upside and should be grabbed, but there’s definite risk with his control.
Brett Myers – 5 IP, 7 ER, 9 baserunners, 0 Ks. Something must’ve been wrong for Myers to not get any punch-outs.
Mark Reynolds – 2-for-5 2, RBIs and his 2nd homer. Mini Donkey will go ice cold at some point and hit .109, but right now he’s seeing the ball and could have a 10 homer month.
Carlos Marmol – 1 IP, 2 ER with the Marmol. Sorry, I mean with the save… No, I mean the Marmol. That’s what we will now call a closer that gives up two runs and barely escapes with a save. Anyone can get a Marmol, but not everyone will get them for very long because they will be replaced. I don’t even know what major league baseball team in their right mind would trade for him. Even if the Cubs can pawn him off on some unsuspecting schnook, Car-Ma’s gonna come back to haunt them.
Travis Wood – 6 IP, 0 ER, 3 baserunners (1 hit), 4 Ks. I’d like to see him do it again before I get Wood.
Nate Schierholtz – 1-for-3, 2 RBIs with his first home run. Nate “German for Pantyhose” should really be the everyday starter, but he’s not, so there’s that.
James McDonald – 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 baserunners, 4 Ks. He’s in the same league as Edwin Jackson — well, not just the National League. I’m also watching McDonald closely as someone who could put together a solid month or two of starts. After they both have their next start, it might be a go pitcher, Robert Evans.
Andrew McCutchen – 1-for-4, RBI and his 4th steal in 3 games. Could he go 30/40? Or is that, ‘may he go 30/40?’ Whatever, just let me go to the bathroom!
Eric Stults – 5 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 7 Ks. Stults looked like some kind of wonderful, but he’s really just Mary Stuart Masterson with a tomboy haircut in overalls (not my sorta chick).
Shaun Marcum – Diagnosed with an inflamed nerve. Turn off the heat and throw baking soda on it!
Dillon Gee – 6 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 4 Ks vs. the Padres. Took the tough luck loss as the Mets couldn’t muster more than 1 run for him. This is the same team that scored 19 runs in the first two games? The Amazin’ Mets are back…and now they’re gone, as they hone their magician act.  Sky told you that he was a solid pitcher in his Dillon Gee fantasy. He also said “I bring the swag, bro! #YOLO!” in that post, so temper your expectations with Gee and anything Sky has to say.
John Buck – 2-for-4, and his 2nd home run. Right now all of Posey’s owners are like WTB?!
Jeremy Guthrie – 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 9 Ks. If you remember when I used to like Guthrie, you’re a Razz Old-Timer. Pat yourself on the back. But don’t throw out your hip! Impressive outing from Guthrie, but can’t get behind picking him up yet. Maybe one day I’ll grab Travis Wood and Guthrie and rename my team “That’s All Folk!”
Trevor Plouffe – 1-for-3 with his first homer. Plouffe goes the dynamite!
Mike Pelfrey – 5 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 1 K. Geez, Pelfrey, even their first week on the ranch, the Biggest Losers can do a 5 K.
Aaron Hicks -1-for-5, 2 RBIs and 2 Ks. He now has 7 Ks and is 1-for-12. I don’t doubt that the Twins will have a long leash with him, but I’m not sure how long yours should be in fantasy. He looks pretty overmatched thus far. I’d start to look at other options.
Cliff Lee – 8 IP, 0 ER, 2 baserunners, 8 Ks. Your fantasy team’s pitching was floundering until The Adverb Claus arrived for all the boys and four girl readers.
Kris Medlen – 5 IP, 2 ER, 10 baserunners, 3 Ks. First couple innings for him looked like he was tryin’ to wrassle a billy goat into blue jeans (wow, that sounds like something Charlie Manuel would say), but he finished strong and I wouldn’t be too worried.
Josh Reddick – 2-for-3, 2 runs, 4 RBIs and his 1st homer. Good to see someone ignite the A’s besides Lowrie — JK JK JK I love you, Lowrie! Who happened to go 2-for-4 with two runs. Lowrie probably could’ve hit another home run, but didn’t want to show anyone up. Ah, modesty, you’re always the last attribute anyone ever brags about.
Yoenis Cespedes – 1-for-3, 2 RBIs and his 2nd homer. This year he said he wanted to hit 100 homers. One for each leg.
A.J. Griffin – 6 IP, 2 ER, 9 baserunners, 3 Ks vs. the M’s. I know the Stream-o-Nator isn’t returning until this weekend, but Alfredo Jettucine vs. the Mariners was a no-brainer.
Chris Heisey – 1-for-4, 2 RBIs and his first home run. He’ll be in this afternoon’s Buy/Sell. Our first of the year! You can’t wait. No, you!
Shin-Soo Choo – 2-for-4, 2 runs and his first home run. Just need 22 more homers and 22 more steals and I’ll look brilliant for my preseason ranking of him. Or he only gets 18 more homers and steals and comes up short of my expectations. Believe in me or don’t: Choo’s your own adventure.
Todd Frazier – 2-for-3, 2 runs, home run. I was gonna suggest breaking into Dusty’s office and switching Frazier into the cleanup spot, but that’s silly, let’s just kidnap Frazier and have him play Wii in my living room.
J.P. Arencibia – 3-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs with 2 homers. That’s-a-one spicy Arencibia! I recommend keeping one catcher, but if you’re gonna switch, you switch to Arencibia right now while he’s hot. By Monday, he might have 5 homers.
Jose Bautista – 1-for-4, 3 RBIs with his 2nd homer, then twisted his ankle on a slide and left the game. That’s why Momma Albright never trusted the slide. She said, Grey, you stick with the hopscotch, and use two feet the whole way. Bautista said he’ll be fine, but he spelled out fine like he was in a nineties R&B group.
Justin Ruggiano – 1-for-4 with a solo homer. We’ll see if this buys him more playing time and out of the platoon with Coghlan. Me tinks not. And me tinks like a leprechaun.
Brian Roberts – 1-for-4 and when he went to steal 2nd base, he hurt his leg. That reminds me of one of those World’s Dumbest Criminal shows.
Chris Davis – 2-for-3, 4 RBIs and his 3rd home run. It’s awesome. It’s early. Yadda3.
Adam Jones – 3-for-5, 2 runs and his first steal. Someone bully Rudy into taking my bet: 17 steals from Jones with me taking the over and him taking the under.
Miguel Gonzalez – 6 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 4 Ks. Solid start, but he didn’t make my top 100 starters for a reason. He leaves a bit to be desired like a young Cher. (*ceiling balloons fall* Oh my God, I just won the most ridiculous metaphor ever award! ) Gonzalez’s an under 7 K/9, 4.00 ERA, just-adequate control pitcher. It’s a’ight in AL-Only leagues, but I’d hold off for now in mixed leagues.
Ryan Zimmerman – 3-for-3, 2 RBIs as his brother with another N, Zimmermann, pitched the Nats to an easy victory with the line of 6 IP, 1 ER, 10 baserunners, 1 K. Was a good day to sound like you were a Jew.
Jayson Werth – 2-for-4, 2 runs, and a 3-run homer. His walk up music is now Werewolves of London. In his younger years on the Phillies, was his music Teen Wolf’s Win in the End?
Vladimir Guerrero – Signed with the Long Island Ducks. Cool, maybe they can hang Vlad in their window.
Brandon Maurer – 6 IP, 6 ER. Obviously, lesserer is Maurer.
Michael Morse – 2-for-4 as he hit his major league leading 4th homer. “Thanks so much for joining us for today’s conference on ‘Sample Sizes.’ The Ramada was nice enough to supply us with coffee and danishes. Please limit yourself to one — we don’t have a huge ‘sample size.’ Hehe. Okay, let’s hear it for our first speaker… Chris Shelton!”
Brian is such a salad tosser.
@The Guru: Hehe
Yo Greycarlo! Remember the old “Shawon-O-Meter” in the bleachers at Wrigley keeping tabs on Dunston’s average from 89-95? I’m considering quitting my job and moving to Atlanta so I can frequent every Braves game this Summer while tracking every BJ Upton strikeout on my “BJK-O-Meter”.
I’m looking for a catchier O-Meter name so any suggestions would be welcome. I think Mark Reynolds MLB record off 224 from ’09 will be topped by BJK this year and what better way to commemorate such a achievement that to bring back a retro O-meter! I’m gonna be famous!
@Anthony: BJKometer…think thermometer, but instead of temperature its the Ks that rise.
@Anthony: Once every lifetime an idea comes along… Be it running water, electricity, pop tarts… You might have ours…
Vance Worley, Kyle Kendrick, Gavin Floyd or Wei Yin Chen? Whos the better pickup for the back end of my staff?
@wakeNbake: I’d stream until you find someone that sticks, play the match-ups, it’s early, you can make up innings/gamestarts later.
@Jack Full of Hate: Thanks.
Start [email protected]? pts league 15 teams 1500 innings
@chunk: I wouldn’t…
@weas: ha your picture made me laugh
H2h nl only pts lge. Who u like betta? Cowgill vs heisey?
@oaktown a’s: They do different things… I’d go Cowgill for now…
“Ah, modesty, you’re always the last attribute anyone ever brags about.”
Thanks for making my morning. I laughed about this for a good 4-8.5 seconds. But then again, it’s 4:05a and I’m slightly delirious.
Good day.
@Bump Bailey’s Ghost: Ha, thanks!
Bautista actually hurt his ankle stepping on first while beating out a DP throw, allowing Reyes to score an insurance run from second. The 3B coach gave Reyes the stop sign, but JR just flew by him and scored without a throw.
@VinWins: also, that was Bautista’s second HR, he hit own off of Lord Brainfreeze Chris Perez the night before.
@VinWins: Oops, well, my mother did tell me those things!
Dude, I’m just getting over food poisoning. A grilled vegetable sandwich. I did not need this post. Not now.
@Rob: My grandma used to keep food items too long. One time I opened the refrigerator in the garage and I saw a bag of lettuce. The lettuce was black. Another time I took a box of cookies out of the pantry. One of the cookies had grooves and pathways in it. Then I saw a worm.
I once named a fantasy baseball team “Hairy Walking Plums” based on the food in that house.
Grey,
First add/drop comment of the season for me! Unfortunately it only gets worse for you. Sorry. Anywho, 10 team H2H mixed league.
A) Hold Beckett/Shelby or drop for Bauer, Miley, Milone, Maholm, Fires, Gee
B) Hold Starling Marte or drop for Swisher, Ichiro, Berkman, Aybar, Cuddyer, Viciedo, Segura (bench bat with lineup light on steals, SS eligible could be added bonus)
C) couldn’t find a C
D) best DL stash: Eaton, Teixeira, Jeter, Hart, Garza, Beachy, Luebke.
Thanks as always!
@bossmanjunior:
A. hold
B. Cuddyer
D. Hart
@bossmanjunior:
a. Drop Beckett for Milone (no one likes Beckett, he’s a douche)
b. hold
c. there is no c
d. hart
did somebody other than the real gray albright write this article?
Poor Vlad! Off to Strong Island to bury his knees like John Rocker buried his hatchet!
@Buge Hoobs: Ha!
You say Marmol, I say Todd Jones. Tomayto tomahto.
@Bourne: Ha
The Marmol! So when another reliever comes in to bail out a closer’s mess, a la Fujikawa, is that a Marmol-aid?
@ChrisbCritter: Nice one! +4
@ChrisbCritter: boom love it!
@ChrisbCritter: Nice!
Gardner’s on the WW. Dump Bonifacio for him?
@It’s A Lathe: do it…
@It’s A Lathe: I don’t know. Personally, I’ve jumped off the Gardner train. I don’t know that he will hit enough to stay atop the lineup (esp. when Jeter returns) and thus get his steal opps. I think Boneface is the more valuable piece with 2b eligibility arriving soon and, seemingly, a firm spot in the lineup.
I know Grey likes Gardner and will recommend the drop, but I think on this one thing, he’s wrong. Everything else, he’s 100% correct. :)
@It’s A Lathe: Go with Gardner
Tigers bullpen already making me dizzy. Boggs is on waivers – grab him and drop Benoit?
@Tigres: isn’t Boggs the closer ATM…
@Tigres: Yes
18-team keeper league. Player salaries increase by $5 per year. I drafted Jose Fernandez in our league’s minor league draft for $1. Now that he has been called up, I must either drop one of my current starters or drop Jose. Which, if any, of my current starting pitchers should I drop (or try to trade) to keep Jose Fernandez?
Justin Verlander ($32)
Kris Medlen ($6)
Homer Bailey ($10)
Tommy Milone ($4)
A.J. Griffin ($4)
Thanks,
@dmachine: You haven’t drafted yet? Ugh… Not easy choices… I’d lose Griffin…
Too early to drop Ryan ‘cum’ Dempster for Trevor Bauer?
@SmokeTNT: ewwww
@SmokeTNT: I’d go Bauer
Yo Grey, I know how much credence you give spring stats, but does the lousy spring from any of these guys have you benching them today?
Matt Moore vs. Cleveland
Homer Bailey vs. Nationals
Mike Minor vs. Cubbies
In a related matter, do you think I need to upgrade this staff in a 5×5 mixer (1450 ip limit), and what stats should I be looking for:
Latos
Matt Moore
Samarzdjia
Homer Bailly
Neise
Mike Minor
Thanks!
@Alcesto: league size?
@chunk: It’s a 12-teamer, Chunk.
I’m guessing Grey is going to say start all three and I’m leaning that direction anyway, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see all three of them get crushed.
@Alcesto: I’m in this boat too. I know you ranked Homer pretty high, but I’m super-nervous about pitching him vs the Nats…
@Alcesto: I’d start them… Your staff looks fine for now… You could have WHIP issues…
Some guy in my league has Morse and Chris Davis (and Werth, oh my!). Yet he’s in 6th place. That’s got to be dispiriting. Fake baseball!
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Ouch
Hey whats up!! I’m the one where u said my teams batters were light on power and heavy on speed.. Can you look at my team and tell ifd theres anything I can do about it please???
@Frank Lynch: It sounds like he already gave you the rundown, not sure how asking what to do when he explained the issues to you is needed. If you’re light on power and heavy on speed, you’ll need to either form a trade or search waivers to adjust that.
I’m surprised you’re writing off Morse as a small sample size guy. Two years ago he hit 31 homers, dealt with some injuries last year, and was killing the ball in spring training too. I don’t see any reason he couldn’t be the same .290 avg, 30HR hitter he was in 2011.
@Josh: He could hit 30 homers, he’s not going to hit 162. He’s also a long way from 30… It’s early..
I also have one more spot open cause my one player went to DL.. Do you have anybody in mind that would be left over now thats a big sleeper? I guess with power?
That Jed Lowrie is available on waivers and so is Dempster. From what I read I thought you spoke highly of them. Maybe Them???
@Frank Lynch: @Frank Lynch: wait for the buy/sell later today that should help you…
@Frank Lynch: There are multiple writers for the site. I wrote about Jed Lowrie as a sleeper in January. JB called Dempster a sleeper on the podcast. Grey did not talk up or about these guys directly.
Drop Duda or Lind for Heisey?
@JoeBoo: @oaktown a’s: Lind
Who should I send packing for Heisey – Hicks or Bourjos?
@JB: I’d drop Hicks for him
I’m debating dropping Tim Hudson to pick up Brad Peacock. League is WHIP and QS, 12 teams. Peacock have the outlook to be a 7-8/k per 9 guy?
@Dump Truck: Hudson will have more QS/better ERA than Peacock. I say hold Hudson, make up the k’s somewhere else.
A near 1.4 whip and an under 4.00 era projection for Bauer? Seems pretty difficulty to pull off.
@Ml: Though he ended 2009 with a 4.38 ERA, his xFIP that year was 3.71 and he pitched in Colorado. I’m talking of Jorge De La Rosa who’s WHIP was the same as Grey’s projections for Bauer this year. Both have electric stuff but walk a lot of batters. It’s possible.
@Sky: thats fine if xfip is scored in your league. Average eras for pitchers over the last three years with whips between 1.3 and 1.4 is 4.00. Between 1.4 and 1.5 is closer to 4.50. Anythings possible, but a rookie pitcher in the al throwen to a 1.38 and an under 4 era is not likely
And most pitchers who have a 1.40~1.50 whip have stuff like Kevin Correia. Bauer doesn’t. He can work his way out of jams based on his stuff and that’s why I gave you Jorge De La Rosa as a reference point. And in general, a pitcher has a swing of about .50 on their ERA anyway. Homer Bailey finished the year with a 3.68 ERA. His ERA was 4.24 as late as August 26th.
@Sky: again, possible, but statistically not likely. And to your de la rosa point, the era was over 4
Ok, believe what you feel is best. You’ve laid the groundwork for it not being likely and I’ve simply stated that a guy who’s not even as talented as him could’ve had an ERA below 4 based on his xFIP for the year and had a terrible home park while he was at it.
@Sky: ”could’ve”
And Homer Bailey *could’ve* ended the season with an ERA above 4. We both have our points, let’s just leave it at that.
I thought I’d last at least a week before a C question, but here goes.
Flowers or JP in OBP league?
@Eddy: JP
Are we trotting Bailey out vs. WAS today? Been going back and forth on him. His Home/Away splits are nasty (the bad kind) and the Nats offense is nasty (the good kind).
I’ll probably throw him in my head to head points league and hope he gets me a point or two, but not sure I want my ERA decimated just yet in my roto leagues.
@MattTruss223: I could see benching him in some roto leagues…
@Grey: Fair enough. I’m gonna roll him out there for my RCL team and cross my fingers. Sitting him in my 9 team roto though, it’s shallow enough that it’s not worth it.
Doumit or J.P. or Salty? I’m going to stick with one and promise not to ask about catchers again. I want to join a “no catchers” league.
@Mr. Rickey: JP
I think calling Mike Morse Chris Shelton is a little extreme. Unlike Shelton Morse has put together a full season of 30 home runs.
Also have to ask. Do you do this for a living? Way cool of you do.
@Mike: Yeah, probably a bit extreme… I’m a screenwriter…
Good morning fellas,
Quick question, in a 12 team H2H would you drop any of the following for Julio Teheran (who I previously owned but dropped for Alexi Ogando): Brett Gardner, Tommy Milone, Hyun Jin Ryu?
Thanks!
@B.J.: nope…
@Beardcrabs: agree
Drop your boy Reimold for Heisey/Crisp/Saunders/Hart/Joyce/B Hamilton (15 team league)?….I am leaning no, only a bench spot (one of 5). I also have Segura on the bench.
Love the Some Kind of Wonderful reference….yes much prefer Marty McFly’s mom….
@Mike: @nightpandas: 15 team league and those guys are available? Crazy…do you have a DL spot to put Hart on? If so, I’d drop him for Hart and then pick up Saunders if you need steals and a little pop. Looks like they’re giving him a spin at leadoff. If not, I’d hold for a bit longer.
@Sky: I do have one DL spot left, folks are gaga over prospects in my league, Hart was dropped for Wheeler…and Saunders for Yelich. It’s only a keep 9!
Haha. I’m in a similar sitch. We added one NA spot to our roster this year and three or four guys drafted 3 or more apiece. Their idiocy is our gain
@Sky: we aren’t even using an NA spot….one guy kept Bundy as one of his 7 for this year…
These snitches be crazy. Some guy in my keeper got screwed by yahoo-autodraft (and i did too for that matter. Why the hell does it pick someone for you if your connection breaks and you come back and you still have 30 seconds? That’s messed up) and took Zunino in the 8th. Now he could easily fix this by simply dropping him and moving on but no. The sad schlub still has him on his bench. He’s not gonna return 8th round value this year or next, dude, drop him!
Happy Friday, Grey. I mistakenly (erm, drunkenly) drafted Ruiz as my 2nd catcher. It’s a small FAAB and I’m new to it so want to play safe. I’ve been hanging on to Ruiz because it’s an OPS league and he does (did?) good in that category. I picked up Netta in the interim, who has such a nice lineup around him. Is it safe to drop Ruiz?
@Shibboleth: You too! In a 2 catcher league, I’d hold him…
Yo Grey, why ‘you such a Debbie-Downer? Choo hits a homerun and you say, “see, I told you so,” but Morse hits four and you’re like, “small sample size…” I own both of these guys and I would like to feel that you are happy for me, your over-the-internet friend. Instead, I feel like I should just give up before week 2.
Instead of doing that, however, I’m gonna ask your advice on another matter;
My whip and era are incredibly low, unfortunately, so are my strikeouts; Strasburg, Peavy, Milone, Moore, Minor, Miller… I’m ok with situation, but do I grab Bauer now in exchange for one of my offensive bench spots, Segura or Matt Carpenter… I’d be losing my plug n play option. Is Bauer worth it?
Ps. pithy answers are just pfline wif me.
@Ryan: your not really low in K’s, not everyone in your rotation has even made a start yet…
@Ryan: I agree, you’re not low on Ks…
So much for going out to eat tonight. Home cooking it is!
@PublicEnemy#1: Ha!
hello grey
thanks for the great work
valverde – that’s the fake central/south american country they used in the 80s action movies when they didn’t want to name a real country
valverde- terrible pitcher put in closer role because leyland can’t manage his bullpen and name a real closer
@Later Tater: Ha
Anyone starting Bailey against the Nats tonight? Was thinking about benching him. Hurts my heart a little to bench him on his first start..talk me out of it?
@Project Merkin: He still has room to grow out of those drastic home/road splits but you shouldn’t have to experience that with his first start. Give him a sit and see what he does.
Hey, 14-team deep league, I only drafted a few SP’s because I was going to use the Stream-o-Nator for the rest… Chris Tillman @Twins? Good bet, or too risky right now? S-o-N I need your help!
Also, I drafted a ton of power, but am weak on steals. For the same 14-team OBP league, would would you suggest I do?
1) Offer Jay Bruce for Adam Jones
2) Offer Jose Valverde+Aaron Hicks for E-Cab or some other MI SAGNOF? (I’m too deep on OF to fit in a guy like Coco Crisp)
3) Sit tight, wait for a SAGNOF to appear
@dzigga: S-o_n comes back this weekend… I’d start Tillman…. 2) Sounds good 2) Not bad
Also Halladay was auto picked cause i signed out by accident!!… I’m so pissed cause he’s on the can’t cut list. What should I do? Now I gotta ride this old a-hole out? lol
@Frank Lynch: You can start looking for trade partners or see if anyone from the rankings would fit your team better and just drop him.
I’m in a 12 team H2H 6×6(K’s & Losses). My MI shituation is just that: Espinosa, Rutledge, & Cozart.
Do I hold tight and take the K abuse from Espinosa & Cozart or should I grab a less upside/more boring guy like one of the following:
Iglesias
Descalso
Nunez
Kozma
My team already has some high KO guys so I need to improve there unless I just say f it and gamble on a week to week basis in that category. We do keep 4 guys though none of these names mentioned without a major HGH boost would fit that bill. Thanks! Can’t wait for the inaugural Buy/Sell!
@stoopid: I play in a deep H2H 7×7 keeper that counts K’s against hitters. I’ve never missed the playoffs and have lead the league in K’s every year, typically by a wide margin. None of the guys you have mentioned are guaranteed a FT job this year and the ones that are – Iglesias – were brought up for their glove. You’re not improving your team with any of those moves.
@Sky: Interesting. This is my first year in a K’s against hitters league. I didn’t pay much attention to it at draft time, but after the first week or so I’m getting pounded in that category. Usually don’t ever worry about just one category, but with this being my first year I wasn’t sure the approach to take. Guess I’ll sit back and watch them rack up! Thanks.
Yeah, H2H creates interesting approaches. I don’t draft saves in mine because they’re such a one again/off again stat; of course, I make up for this by going for more big name pitchers come draft day so my SP rotation has less question marks than most. We use QS & K:BB and don’t have L’s/W’s. It’s always about the league you’re in but I haven’t drafted saves in that league for 5 years.
@Sky: This year I am in an NL-only h2h with CS and 2B the extra batting categories. I totally ignored base stealing types on draft day. Very small sample size but so far I have O SBs and O times CS. My opponent is at 0 and 2, respectively.
2B is really dopey. Right now I am up 5 in HR but 2B is close. Come Sunday I might be rooting for my players to hit doubles instead of home runs. Think about that. It is stupid. No way would I ever join a league with those categories again. I wanted the experiment this year. Next year I might run an NL-only with some keeper aspect maybe.
So the point here is that you can, and maybe sometimes should, totally ignore a category or two in h2h action.
Yup. I never draft SB either but I wasn’t gonna dive into that. I mean, I’ll draft a 20/20 guy over a 30/0 guy but I don’t draft a 5/30 guy unless he goes late to me. Drafted Span in that 30 round keeper in the 20 round area. Was happy to have that as my 5th OF, hopefully he actually throws in 25 bags to go with that run clip.
Are you starting Doubront today @ TOR?
Bailey vs WAS?
Cobb vs CLE tomorrow?
WHIP/ERA this week are sparkling, wins are good, but I’m short on Ks so far…
Thanks!
@Jon: I’m wondering this myself, on Doubront and Bailey… I honestly think I will sit both… the Jays bats woke up last night and I feel like they will be a streaky team.
I’ll be waiting for grey’s input… but one thing to note is to watch to see if bautista sits. He twisted an ankle late in the game last night… if he sits I’d start Doubront… the Jays still have some weapons, but with Bats and Lawrie sitting this might be the best start Doubront has against the Jays…
@Nate: good thoughts, Nate. I’m curious what Grey says, too…
@Jon: Let all three ride the pine for this week…
2 things.
Carlos Marmol didn’t invent the 2ER save, Chad Qualls did.
Pick 2 of these rest of season:
Gee, Bauer, Miley.
@Doorstop:
aaaand should i run Miley out tomorrow vs. Mil? gut says yes..
@Doorstop: Really? Because mine would be screaming no…
@Doorstop: Gee, Miley… Sure, start him…
@Doorstop:
“Carlos Marmol didn’t invent the 2ER save, Chad Qualls did.”
No – Todd Jones and Bob Wickman have an ongoing patent lawsuit for this claim. At the start of negotiations, they both walked the bases loaded and then gave up a couple points to the other side. Wickman ate a donut and fell asleep. Then Todd Jones’ mustache yelled “Never surrender!” And so the case goes on…
@Goose: Mike Williams, Joe Borowski, Bad Mark Wohlers…saves truly have no face, nor skills much of the time.
@DonSlaughtOnslaught:
Joe Borowski! There was the other name I was trying to remember when all I could come up with was Wickman. Nice pull.
thinkin rutledge at home (v marquis, 2/2 w 5tb in past) over aoki in mil (miley 2/7 also 5tb in past) tonight .. wwgd?
My ongoing efforts to find a place for Rutledge in my lineup! File in Good Middle Class Problems To Have.
@c0wfunk: Rutledge
@Grey: Thnx. Realizing that shoulda probably been my util choice all week. Gonna let Rutledge ride there for a bit and see how it goes.
Would you keep Cashner @ COL on the bench this weekend or run him out there? Gracias.
@Jon: Bench
Another couple of trade questions for you… In my #1 league, which is also a Keeper league with a Minor League system, I have been offered Stephen Strasburg, and Jose Fernandez, for Gio Gonzalez, Matt Harvey, and Shelby Miller… I am inclined to accept, but just wanted to be sure I’m not overrating the difference between Strasburg and Gio, or underrating Matt Harvey.
Secondly, I have offered in another league, which is a 7×7 ROTO (Holds and K/BB are the extra two categories), and also a Keeper, Strasburg and Lincy, for Gio and Matt Cain, along the same premise of Stras being an upgrade over Gio, and Cain over Lincy obviously.
Basically, do you think I should accept the first trade, and keep the second offer out there? Thanks!
@DILinator: I wouldn’t make either trade…
@Grey: @Grey: Really? Wow… I’m a little surprised, especially about not accepting the trade where I get Strasburg, but maybe I’m just not evaluating Harvey’s talent highly enough! Related to that trade, what if I countered with adding Budd Norris and Barry Zito (I know – meh), and asking for David Price in addition to Strasburg and Fernandez? Would that be enough to make the deal worth it for me? Or would the other guy then be an idiot for making the trade? I’m not interested in taking advantage of the guy, as he is new to the league… (I also have minor leaguers like Pomeranz and Cole) Thanks!
Oh, and the other guy accepted the trade I offered involving him getting Stras, and me getting Gio and Cain, before I read your response… Oh well! lol
Which is a better start for Saturaday Tillman vs. MIN or Fiers vs. ARI? If you can would you start both or neither if you could?
@Todd: Tillman… Both…
Grey – you really need to get over your Valverde grudge. I’m sure guys were saying that about Fernando Rodney this time last year and look what happened. Leyland was pushing for this deal to happen a month ago in between ciggies and the Coke BS finally convinced Dombrowski.
Second, your boys at CBS are taking potshots at you/Rudy. Not to start a fight, but an unnamed columnist said he “will fly to california and punch those razzball guys in the gut if they have already picked up Henderson.” Themz fightin’ words if I every heard them!
@Tio: We do well in their AL/NL only leagues b/c they have daily FAAB and you can bid $0. So a quick trigger finger nets some solid in-season picks. I heard they were mad we already had the Phillies 6th SP (Tyler Cloyd) – we drafted him in the reserves though. We snagged Mitchell Boggs post-draft but spent a good amount of FAAB to do it. Hopefully they’ll be just as pissed two monts from now when the guy we just picked up in AL (Oakland AAA SP Sonny Gray) gets called up.
@Rudy Gamble:
Yep… they were pissed about Cloyd. How can you be mad about a guy who went either undrafted or drafted in the late rounds? I don’t get it.
@Tio: What JoeC said… Has anyone followed their rankings and won?
@Tio: The difference between Rodney and Valverde is that Rodney is not a fat ass with a size XX-Large gut. Valverde blows and has for a few years. The fact that he still managed to garner Saves demonstrates how just about anybody can be a closer (Hello, Joe Borowski!).
You can put all your faith in Valverde. I’ll put my faith in someone who can actually pitch, because eventually a guy’s luck is gonna run out and he’s gonna get hammered like a plate of bronze.
The CBS guys are idiots and their advice is, to be nice about it, counterproductive. If you follow them religiously, you will lose every league you play in.
@Tio: Here’s an example of the brilliant analysis provided by the “experts” over at CBS:
You may continue over-drafting Bryce Harper
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer
(03/29/13) Now that Bryce Harper’s thumb issue is behind him, drafters may continue taking him too early.
The Nationals’ stud youngster was supposed to fall to the fourth round this year and be a nice sleeper pick there, not leap up to the fringes of the second. I like Harper — and I can back it up with baseball history — but there’s a little bit of downside that needs to be recognized here: He only hit .243 in his short Triple-A stint, with a .690 OPS. Plus, for all Mike Trout did last year, there aren’t a ton of data sets that definitively prove a 20-year-old deserves that “surefire” tag.
I don’t necessarily agree with these arguments, but they should at least be presented by someone, right?
Again, I like Harper — i think he’ll hit .300 with a possible 40/40 campaign. And I know that translates to a first-round pick. But there should be plenty of people out there tempering expectations a little bit, and they don’t seem to exist. Instead, his price just gets driven up, and he loses that exciting sleeper gambit that would have been a fun angle in 2013.
So because he can’t get a player where he thinks he should have been able to in drafts, that makes that player overdrafted. Just some of the hard-hitting analysis that you’ll find over there.
@Tio: Not sure what all the hoopla is about…It’s pretty clearly a compliment…Rudy/Grey are always the first to grab the guy off of waivers that everybody wants…Wake Up ya’ll
@Wake Up: Just wanted to share the ridiculous blurb that I read about Harper a few days ago. Whether in jest or not, it’s pretty indicative of the sour grapes (and lack of useful analysis) permeating their thought process over there.
I dropped hellickson and picked up valverde as I’m really not sold on hellboy (grey has put me off him) and there are guys like wandy, buchholz, hammel and garcia on the wire.
Bizarrely though, I now have 6 closers. Street, betancourt, frieri, parnell, league and valverde.
My starters are gio, felix, haren, lincecum, burnett and cahill. I would like to package a closer with a starter to get an upgrade. Lincecum and parnell net me a top 25 pitcher for example?
@Gareth: Good idea, I like the idea of selling Lincecum after a start that looked better on paper than it did irl… and there may still be some believers in him. Go for a guy that some people may not rank as high as you…. A Wainwright, Moore or Samardzija type. I think all those guys are top 15 starters, but alot of people have them ranked a little higher.
Grey, start Shelby Miller @ San Fran on the morrow?
@JTR: Yes
Is it actually possible that Dustin Ackley has a good year, or should I be impatient and drop him for either Brantley, Fragu, Kozma, or Everth?
@The Giant Brain: Hold
Hey Grey,
Love the blog as always. I need a short term solution at SS, who do you like more Jed Lowrie or Segura. I have espinosa, but would prefer somone who either gets me consistent average or better yet, steals. Thanks.
@Jupton ’13: Thanks! Lowrie
Who should I stash Ryan Madson or Trevor Rosenthal? Can’t put Madson on the DL since I’m already using the spot. Been wrestling with whether to go with: elite skills who will close if Boggs stumbles vs. PROBABLY the closer coming off TJ surgery (who just had a minor setback) unless Frieri is just killing it or the Sciossia-path strikes again. I’m tempted by Rosenthal’s speed.
@Be The Ball: Madson
“I wouldn’t pick Pettitte up with your team.”
I see Jeff Ross in Runyon every now and then. I think of that Bea Arthur joke every time and just start laughing.
@Phil Brody: Nice!
Jarrod Parker dropped in my 12-team. Worth #1 waiver wire pick-up?
@Hotrod: Worth picking up, not worth #1 waiver wire…
Drop any of these pitchers for Bauer? H2H points..
Vogelsong
Tillman
D. Gee
AJ Griffin
Hughes
@Spyre: Hold
I’m gonna let Bauer figure it out on someone else’s team…He’s half-way through his pre-game warmup as we speak…looks like he’s having a hard time finding the zone from 500 feet…esp. cuz he’s missing up…but, we’ll see, I’ll check back in this evening to see how he looks…
@Wake Up: Ha
@Grey: Oh…looks like a 50 footer…just a bit low
Hehe
guy in my league just dropped garza. worth dropping one of these guys for him?
R.A. Dickey
Lance Lynn
Josh Beckett
James McDonald
Hyun-Jin Ryu
Rafael Soriano
Tom Wilhelmsen
Addison Reed
Shelby Miller
Paul Maholm
Mike Fiers
Chris Tillman
@Aero: McDonald
Guess to follow up, Bauer is also available. Worth grabbing both?
@Aero: Hold for right now
Have League, Jansen, Street, Boggs, Pestano, Veras and McGee as my RP’s in a 12 teams mixed that counts Holds and Saves.
Would you drop Veras for Henderson (Mil) Joel Peralta or Rosenthal? Thanks!
@I’m Keith Hernandez:
Veras is still going to get saves even on a shitty HOU team. Why do you want to drop him?
@Whatever: Have three other closers plus interim Boggs though none of them are too great and need Holds
@I’m Keith Hernandez: I would try to trade Veras before dropping him.
piling on: Do you like Bauer this weekend over Fernandez or Miller?
@c0wfunk: Nah
10 team 5×5 HtH OBP keeper
Who of these would you drop for Bauer, if any.
Homer Bailey
Wade Miley
Kenley Jansen
Mitchell Boggs
Lance Lynn
R.A. Dickey
Hyun-Jin Ryu
Trevor Cahill
Justin Verlander
Jonathon Niese
Max Scherzer
DL
Jason Motte
@Swat290: Verlander and not even close
@I’m Keith Hernandez:
Sweet! Done and done, this is gonna be awesome! Thanks!
@Swat290: Hold
Flowers or Ellis ROS?
Do I stick with AJ?
@nightpandas: Flowers
NL Only 4×4 12 team $260 draft coming up.. I have $146 to spend on 9 players. I started this convo last night about whether to go big with Braun, Bruce, and Soriano.. and filler.. or spreading out the wealth across the 9 positions. It’s a keeper league so there will be inflation and a lot of money on the board for other teams.
Option 1 would give something like: Brantley, Castillo, Rizzo, Eillis, Cozart, Frazier, Cabrera, C.Johnson, Lombardozzi, McCutchen, Braun, Bruce, Marte, Schierholtz. With Pitchers Gio, Medlen, Niese, Estrada, Cashner, Vizcaino, D.Hernderson, Storen, Soriano.
Option 2: would be: Brantley, Castillo, Rizzo, Weeks, Cozart, Frazier, Cabrera, Hart, CJohnson, McCutchen, Holliday, Fowler, Marte, Cowgill. with the same pitchers except Fukikawa instead of Soriano.
Which gives me the better option to win?
@Elwood Blues: 1
What are your thoughts on Cingrani and his 14 strikeout performance? Will he get a chance to start this year?
Would you drop any of the following to stash him? Lorenzo Cain, Starling Marte, Jedd Gyorko or Gerrit Cole?
And finally rank these guys that are sitting on my waiver wire and whether you’d drop any of the above to grab one. And I don’t care where you grab them…
Billy Hamilton, Justin Maxwell, Aaron Hicks, Alfonso Soriano, Dan Straily, Andrew Cashner and Tommy Hanson.
Standard H2H league.
Thanks!
@malamoney: I wouldn’t drop any of those guys to stash him… Not sure why you have Cole but Straily and others are available…
@Grey: I have a sick habit of wasting roster spots by stashing young guns in the minors. I just cannot help myself.
Are you saying I should dump cole and pickup Straily since he can pay dividends now?
If so, please rank these starters before I kick Cole to the curb for the wrong johnson.
Straily, Peacock, Porcello, Cashner and Ubaldo…
If guys like Straily are available in your league, there’s no reason to hold Cole… You ranked them…
@Grey: The reason I was holding Cole was because even though my staff kinda sucks (Felix, Medlen, Morrow, Teheran, Lincecum, Hellickson, Garcia and Shelby Miller), I didn’t know if a guy like Straily would ever start (we start 4).
My thinking was that Cole could be a solid late season call-up that could instantly make a difference at that point.
Am I just mesmerized by the mustache???
Your staff isn’t bad… Then there’s no way any of these pitchers are making your staff if Straily isn’t… So hold…
Need HRs/RBI’s Carter vs Straily or Joyce vs McAllister?
@John: Joyce
Who should I start today?
Gardner vs Fister in Detroit
Rutledge vs Marquis in Colorado
@Fungus: Rutledge
I am thinking of leaving Derek Holland on the bench against LAA at home. His splits last year were terrible against LAA.
Anyone agree/disagree?
@Whatever: Seems like it should be an easy Win with Vargas on the other side of the ledger. The numbers you cite are true, but I think Holland is healthier than he has been in a while and will have a solid year.
Angels bats seem a little slow right now. You can’t sit Holland every time he faces the Angels, since they’re division foes and play each other a lot. I’d start him before that Texas air warms up and the balls really start flying.
@Whatever: I wouldn’t own Holland, but would start him if I had him…
@Grey:
Thanks Guys. Yeah, I was luke warm on Holland but AL only leagues are deep and have to make some compromises.
Should I drop Laroche, Belt, or Hosmer? Already have Freeman and Goldschmidt. Don’t need 5 1st basemen and going to pick up Jed Lowrie or a Starting pitcher what do you think? Had the same problem last year and dropped Laroche ended up regretting it since he had a good season. Help
@Eric: Lose Belt…
Got Cozart as my only SS… just got offered E.Cabrera for Eaton in my keeper. It’s a 9×9 league, so SB’s get diluted a bit. Should I consider this, would you counter Eaton for Rutledge, or should I hold for now?
@supra: I’d take Rutledge…
In a points league that gives you +5 points for a win and -5 points for a loss, would you rather start Mike Minor today against the Cubs, or Sabathia at the Tigers on Sunday?
@kalone: Damn that’s brutal scoring. The “wins” statistic should not exist. it should be called “quality start”
@kalone: Minor
I dropped Michael Young for Rutledge. Good call? I may be a Rockies homer, but I cant imagine how he doesn’t score 100 runs batting in front of Tulo and CarGo
@jesse: Yup
Frazier was just dropped by an owner in a roster crunch due to injuries. Do I drop Parra for him? I have Beltre and start Markakis & Freeman at utility so not sure where he’d fit. H2H points league..12 teams.
@Laka: grab him now
@Laka: Drop Parra, and play Frazier over Markakis
I always practice temperance regarding anything Sky has to say. It’s better for us both that way.
Watching Medlen last night was frustrating, especially in contrast to how Lee was pitching. In that cold weather, Medlen should have been able to spot his fastball inside and sting the hell out of the Phillies batters’ hands. His control was pretty awful. He even walked Lee at one point.
However, it’s true, his last inning was his best inning and he could’ve gone at least one more and had an even better line, but Freddie G was intent on limiting his pitches so early in the year. Maybe he learned something from the Venters Experiment?
Says the man who called KC the AL Central champs for 2013…
@Sky: 1-2, baby! On our way to .500!
It’s kind of like a JayWrong prediction: it’s bold, but you wouldn’t want to bet your rent money on it!
You shoulda told Jaywrong that. He’ll be homeless by the end of April with that Venable call!
@Sky: Doesn’t he live in Seattle? If so, he can crash on my couch! As long as he doesn’t eat all my damn cereal.
@JoeC: You’re fine as long as it’s not Cocoa Puffs. He’s koo-koo for them…and Padres hitters.
@Sky: I did college and then some in Seattle.
Its be bold or go home for this guy. (I’m pointing at myself.)
Should I drop Motte and grab Garza? There are 4 other teams in my league currently punting saves for 1 of their RP spots to stream like I am so I wouldn’t be too concerned with someone grabbing Motte as a FA once he’s back. Is this a good move for me? If so, would you drop AJ once Garza is off of the DL?
10-Team Yahoo H2H Points
SP – Zach Greinke
SP – Jake Peavy
SP – Jonathan Niese
RP – Joe Nathan
RP – Shelby Miller (SP/RP)
BN – A.J. Burnett
BN – Homer Bailey
BN – Jarrod Parker
DL – Jason Motte
@DiscoD: Hold
cant find valverede in espn format?
@AL KOHOLIC: I saw him get picked up in my RCL, so he’s there…
@Grey: i need spell check,hehe
Woody Guthrie reference…wow….his folk runs deep!
@Wake Up: Hehe
Add Bauer and drop one from either of my already risky, already high-upside staffs?
Staff 1: Zimmerman, Peavy, Samardzija, Milone, Fiers, Shelby, B McCarthy, Estrada, Ryu, Fernandez (I’d prob drop McCarthy)
Staff 2: MadBum, Latos, Zimmerman, Ryu, Burnett, Niese, Shelby, Fernandez
@Comatose: I’d hold for right now…
My 5 keepers going into this year were Miggy, Cano, Trout, Pujols, and Verlander. I was able to draft Latos, Samarzdaja, and Morrow as my top pitchers. My outfield is Trout, Austin Jackson, Choo, and Gardner.
Would it be wise to offer up Verlander and Jackson for McCutchen?
@AA: Hold
Tastier matchup?:
Straily @ the astros
Minor home vs cubs
Minor is the better pitcher and at home vs the anemic cubs but Straily is going against the lastros that has set the record for most K’s in first 3 games of the season.
I need most K’s and most likely for the win. Tough call who do you got?
@deftones0012: Straily
@Grey:
Thanks! Was going back and forth.
Because Nick didn’t read it on the Podcast when we were doing predictions (I called Matt Adams my surprise hitter), I’m throwing some love on Arrieta today. Excited to see his start.
@Sky: At least he got your name right…
@Sky: Yes, this is a big day for you. Let’s see how your pretty boy does!
Well if he can’t do it against Minny then I have little hope moving on!
Pretty ugly! I love him not! I’ll have to take a closer look under the hood but he might just be one of those guys who falls apart when runners are on base.
I have a big deal brewing in my dynasty league. I own Weaver and feel like his value has pretty much peaked and would like to move him before the bottom drops out.
I would get Rendon, Wheeler, Brett Gardner and his 1st round pick in next years Yahoo rookie crop
for
Weaver and Matt Carpenter.
Thoughts?
@Chris: I’d take Rendon…
Please explain why Marmol still closes games
@bash: because he makes alot of money
Someone just dropped Profar in my keeper league. I would assume the advice is that if you have the room you should stash him. How much of my $100 waiver budget should I use (keep in mind that if I were to keep him I would have to pay $5 on top of the waiver price)?
Thanks!
How many teams?
@Grey: Sorry 12 team mixed.
$3
@Grey: Thanks. I was thinking small number too. I’m sure someone in my league will blow that bid out of the water but didn’t think it was worth it.
He comented on my lineup and He did mention In his Blog about those guys, You gotta read into it again? In Jan I wasn’t reading Baseball blog cause I was doing Basketball. I love this site and sorry if my questions aren’t Direct enough for you but I’m new at this, just give me a break.. So whats up Dude? When you look at my roster, Do you think I should add JL or Dempster or keep looking? Should I get a batter or do you think I should go with a pithcer for that empty spot?
@Frank Lynch: Hey Frank, I think you’re missing the point. Look at how many comments there are just on this one post this morning. You’re asking him to filter back through to find your one particular comment about your team? Just asking you to be fair to the site that you’re saying you love.
You don’t need to be more direct, per se, you need to provide appropriate information to answer your question correctly. I’d also suggest you reply to the orignal comment. Creating a new comment each time makes people have to find your original comment to find out what you’re talking about.
It’s fine you didn’t read the blog in January but the information is there and since you’re starting from scratch, knowledge-wise, you have to read from scratch to gain knowledge. Everyone has to learn somewhere but asking how to play the game in the comments without actually reading any of the information that’s already provided puts us in an awkward situation and it makes it extremely difficult to help you.
If you want information about who to add, we need to know who you’d drop. Empty spot should usually go to a pitcher but I wouldn’t say Dempster is worth holding onto.
Thank buddy for kicking the truth I appreciate you guys… And actually thats good advise to stay onto the comment. I can’t believe I never thought about that.. Yeah the empty spot is from, When I was done with the draft the commish said that Texeiara can go onto the DL spot and That leaves me with an exrtra spot.. What about JL?? Idk if you seen my team? It’s on yesterday’s blog
I haven’t seen your team and I think I did just say if you have questions about your team to respect the site and to post it? Copy and paste or something but please stop asking us to go search and find your team.
JL is a good hitter. Can hit .260 with 20~25 HR power. His main issue has been staying healthy. If that fits a team need, then he’s a worthy pickup.
@Sky:
Well played. I wish I had your patience.
@Hondo: Ha, thanks
@Sky: You, sir, should be our diplomat to North Korea. You’d have us being BFFs in no time with all that diplomatic talk. Well-played!
I learned what not to do with the Bush era part 2
Jose Fernandez avail… Drop Griffin, Fiers, or Tillman for him… or hold?
Hold for now…
@Grey
What are your thoughts on Medlen? Have they changed at all after his spring/first start? I realize this could be a sort of knee jerk reaction on my part but his small sample size of success scares me. I have him as 23 round keeper and can keep him for 3 more years with a two round depreciation each year. Think he’s worth selling high on? I’ve gotten this feeling about SP in the past with D. Hudson and Beachy and was able to sell them before they got hurt. Not trying to say Medlen is necessarily going to get hurt but I feel like his value will never be higher. What do you think?
Thanks In Advance…
I’d hold for now… He threw 3 bad innings so far out of a possible 190…
Drop Markakis for Heisey or hold?
Hold
“Eric Hosmer may not have a spot in the lineup against the Phillies this weekend, the Kansas City Star reports.”
I understand the need for Moobs in the lineup – but Frenchy? Sacrebleu!
Ha
@Goose: I heard Hosmer played a few games in the OF late in spring training so that he could be used in NL parks.
@Goose: I think Hosmer is cursed. I keep seeing him (when he’s not striking out) hitting the ball hard but right at defenders.
The entire KC offense was pretty disappointing in that opening series against the ChiSox. Hoping they can pick it up soon (yes, I’m being impatient!).
Oh wise one, please rank these bench catchers JP,Buck,Doumitt. I start Perez and only will use the others when he isn’t playing.
P.S. How do I get an avatar or Pic put on here?
gravatar.com is for avatars… JP, Doumit…
@Grey: Thanks!!
I want to pick up Tillman and Axford who was just dropped. Thoughts on who I should drop?
C: Jesus Montero
1B: Fielder
2B: Neil Walker
SS: Alcides Escobar
3B: Evan Longoria
OF (3): Trout, Rios, Willingham
UTL: Ethier, Hosmer
Bench: Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko, Carl Crawford
DL: Corey Hart
SP (2): Jered Weaver, Madison Bumgarner, Mat Latos, Brandon Morrow, Matt Harvey, Mike Minor, Jeremy Hellickson, Julio Teheran
RP (2): Andrew Cashner
***have 4 P spots
DL: Colby Lewis
Also, what trade value would you place on Hosmer/Konerko? I have way to many 1B.
@Jack:
this is a 12 team h2h league league with daily lineups and yahoo scoring.
@Jack:
Madson is also available, but until one of my DL spots gets cleared up I think I have to let him sit there.
Hellickson, Cashner…
Trade Hosmer for a closer since you have none… Hold Konerko for now…
3B question: Have Headley on the DL, with Frazier, Muchado, and Carpenter.
Which one goes? Much or Carp? Both?
Carp…
Fukikawa or Henderson most likely to get the nod?
Henderson
@Grey: How much of a leash you think Axford gets? Seems he’s relatively secure unless he never gets the first save.
I think he gets a decent sized leash, but may get a break for a temp “head clearing”….
@Grey: ESPN is saying his velocity is down ~5+ mph so he’ll likely need more than that!
Sometimes it’s frustrating having drafted so well and having no roster flexibility to grab n stash! I blame you for this, you know. Really holding back my adhd fantasy stylings.
Ha… Sorry!
FWIW, Hosmer is batting 3rd today with Butler out.
@Jack: Oh, well that makes sense. I like it when teams sit their best real-life hitter to the benefit of my fantasy team!
@Jack: That’s horrible.
I’m starting the “Fire whomever is the Royals’ manager campaign” right now. :)
Great Stuff…the Indians line is classic. reminds me of an Anthony Jeselnik joke about the Chinese, but let’s not go there.
I take full responsibility for the Brian Roberts injury. I picked him that morning to play and BOOM – injury. just like that.
So I’m holding onto Freese in my DL slot along with Corey Hart – just because. I worry about my OF though. I have Braun, Morse (drafted him) and Fowler. ok and Marte but yuck. also have zobrist at second. Team could use some steals – should I pick up Revere or E Cabrera an move Zobrist to OF?
Thanks
Ha… You should apologize to Roberts… EverCab…
Any way you’d start Jeremy Hefner against the Marlins in a humongous 20-team league (1500 inning cap)?
Any way you’d start Jeremy Hefner against the Marlins in a humongous 20-team league (1500 inning cap)?
Yup
@Buzzdainer: Sorry for the double post. Dang sticky mouse!
@Grey: 5 x 5 mixed weekly league. bauer and tillman are sitting on waivers. like either of them in place of cashner, skaggs or jansen?
Over Cashner and Skaggs…
@Grey: so grab both of them?
Yup
Grey, said the other day that my overall offense was pretty good but a little light on speed and average. My pitching was great, a little to great in fact, which probly hurt my offense a little. I think I might have a shot at a couple of these outfielders via trade.
A. Would you rather target Austin Jackson or Michael Bourn?
B. Would a closer plus say a Mike Napoli be to much to give for either? I currently have 4 closers.
C. Should I drop Angel Pagen and pick up Brett Gardner also?
Thanks.
C. Yes Hold on other moves…
This is my baseball lineup. Can you please rate it for me please?? 10 man team h2h points
1st prince fielder
2nd jose altuve
3rd Ryan zimmerman
SS jose reyes
C matt wieters
OF Andrew MCcuthen
OF Matt holliday
OF carlos Beltran
Starlin castro
carl crawford
bret gardner
josh reddick
alfanso soriano
mark Teixera
SP Cole Hammels
SP Mat Latos
Roy Halladay
jeff samardzija
brett anderson
phil hughes
Wei-Win Chen
RP j.j. putz
RP greg holland
Looks solid, don’t sweat it, Frank… It’s still early…
Yeah I just gotta pick another player.. What position would you go for??
I like Bauer too, but….
Would you drop Ryu or Shelby Miller for him? Does he have enough upside to throw back Ryu, whose value seems like it will be highest early in the season in his first trip around the league?
I’d hold…
anyone know where I can accurate info on who’s in the starting lineup?
ESPN says Chris Davis is out, Rotoinfo says he’s in.
I don’t see why he’d be benched…
me either, he’s been crazy hot to start the season. I don’t see his matchup in minessota against Hendricks as a big barrier to that hotness, either.
Nope…
******THERE’S A NEW POST FOR FOLLOWUPS FOR ME*****
I have an empty bench spot- i Want to grab another pitcher. Who would you take? H2H Points league, counts ER and whip.
Tillman, Fernandez, Robertson, or Henderson?
Thanks!
Tillman
*****THERE’S A NEW POST FOR FOLLOWUPS FOR ME*****
Good morning, Grey.
A) Lose Marte for Parra?
B) Lose Boggs for Fujikawa?
C) There is no C
D) Gyorko or Lowrie for ROS?
[10-team 5×5 H2H ESPN]
Thanks… looking forward to the Buy/Sell!
@chillmodious: Dah! I always post something when you’re in the process of putting up a new post… going to the Buy/Sell now. :-)
Start Straily against the Astros in a 12 team roto? Sort of seems like if I can’t start him there then I might as well dump him at least until he puts something together.
Grey, 10 team leaque my staff is Scherzer,Samardzija,Harvey,Haren,Estrada,and Hammel what do you think? Also have Profar and Taveras stashed good idea?
*****THERE’S A NEW POST FOR FOLLOWUPS FOR ME******
@Grey: Grey, 10 team league my staff is Sherzer,Samardzija,Harvey,Haren,Estrada, and Hammel what do you think? Also have Profar and Taveras stashed good idea?
Pitching looks fine… Take followups to the newest post…
@Mariner Mike: @Grey: Grey, 10 team league my staff is Sherzer,Samardzija,Harvey,Haren,Estrada, and Hammel what do you think? Also have Profar and Taveras stashed good idea?
Take followups to the newest post…
Mr. Gray:
Mark R has been picked up by the MAGPIES (my always team name – love those teal colored clown like birdie critters) where I could squeeze him in…. Starting him in Razzball league play now…
You nailed him??? BUT!!!! He is just 30 YO… Is it just possible that he has turned a corner???… Ks were down last year…. Is this his year??? Stranger things have happened to 29/30 YO vets with 7 years under their belts…
I’m now riding him in hopes of double digit HR run… He is floating in the puddle in most league too … Is a 260 BA an impossibility??? — I say no!!!…. 30 plus HRs looks very do-able… I’ll suffer him for awhile gladly… I think, he is a smart play now…
Valverde will be up faster than you think… He is a pro RP…
It is the “Role” of the RP to be ready quickly… I think, he is somewhat stretched out already… He did work out in ST with the Tiggers… Less than a week in AAA and UP would not surprise me!!!!..
I believe, he should be picked up NOW in all formats that he can be… In the common one-week-in auctions his value should only be down about 35% Max… Grab him in AL Only formats at a slight discount (depending on inflation, of course )…
On One-Week-in Auctions: Both Morse and Lowrie OAK( a late view of mine) were sleepers as the season approached…. I hate it when, I’m right that much and their prices go through the roof before they are yours…
These were both going to be relatively bargain players in AL Only Formats… Their auction prices might have increased as much as 100% since 2 weeks before this season started now…
Particularly , in Morse’s case…. 13 HRs in little over a month is hard not to pay for and the fences are in in Grunge City too… Word has it, he may go for near $40 in my old league where they have some super hyper inflation in the Power Cats forecast – (((mostly due to rule changes they have mistakenly made over time IMO )))…
Please, tell Mr Jay Wrong I have not forgotten him.. He just posts when I’m not logged on or I’m busy in my favorite live video porn chat rooms (Often for hours on end… Especially, since Boom-Boom has started her own video chat site)))
Ha! Will tell Jaywrong… He misses you…
@T Moore: I miss you lover!
Also, Valverde ended the season with a like a 35 fastball on the scale, with about 30 control. I’m not seeing it.
@jaywrong: That’s not to say Detroit won’t try it. Leyland will try anything. Even Coke.
Though let’s hope he doesn’t get a heart attack.
O Pettitte… I like him this year…. Great match up guy if available… He may have a strong season in him… 40 YO in a SP is not always the end of the road…
Are you a Mets fan by any chance???
I’m not a Mets fan…
@T Moore: He’s a mustache fan. Isn’t that enough?
Frazier! Home run #2 on the year, making grey look pretty damned brilliant.