Holy hell was week 1 long… though it’s always good when your ace goes three times in the first week. Hopefully, everyone has remained calm and not added Alex Avila and Willie Bloomquist to anchor anything not named a boat. It’s way too early to get all ‘Jerry McGuire’ and say, “The fish are coming with me.” This fantasy is a relationship — not a one night stand! Assuming that you drafted well and injuries or appendices don’t get in your way, your team should be built to last. To me, there is nothing sweeter than streaming. It makes your opponent think two things, “Hey, this guy is paying attention” and, “Damn, this guy wants to not only beat me but destroy me.” That is what it’s all about folks. Treat every week like you do the last week of the season and I guarantee those last few weeks will actually mean something. So here are your week 2, less owned, two start fantasy baseball hurlers. Good luck. (Pitchers and match ups may change so please be aware)
Kyle McClellan (@Ari-Enright, @LAD Kershaw) – Duncan is the Rumpelstiltskin of pitching. For now, I’m sold and will be until he hits that wall at 120 innings or so.
Joe Blanton (@Was- Lannan, Fla-Volstad) – Mentally it must suck to be known as the other guy. No respect? No worries! Thornton Melon’s got your back… Just stop giving up 7 run leads.
Michael Pineda (Tor-Romero, @KC Francis) – Good stuff, bad offense. Any start for a Seattle pitcher will be a crap shoot for a Win. They just don’t have the ‘O’ to go anywhere but last place.
Jason Hammel (@NYM-Pelfrey, CHC-Coleman) – Colorado’s offense versus a chronic hand licker and a guy who sounds like an female Irish bar keep? Yeah, it depends on the bar.
Brian Duensing (KC-Francis, @TB-Price) – Still SP/RP sexy. Rays are scuffling and Price isn’t as good as some ‘perts are sayin’. None here, of course.
Alexei Ogando (@Det-Verlander, @NYY-Burnett) – Rough match up week for the kid. Wait is 27 years old still a kid? Anyhoo, career high in innings is 41, which includes the minors.
Jesse Litsch (@Sea-Hernandez, @Bos-Matsuzaka) – Tough week for the road warrior pick. I went over Seattle above in a nut shell. Boston is the kid who falls asleep drunk and everyone draws on his face. Until he wakes up and kicks everyone’s ass.
Esmil Rogers (@ NYM- Niese, CHC- Dempster) – Gangly is the best word for him. Looks like an 8 foot octopus wearing a baseball hat. Deceptive delivery, plus lack of video equals fantasy gold until they figure him out.
Kevin Correia (Mil-Marcum, @Cin-Volquez) – Olympics, Kim Jong-il land the pitcher. The three things we know about Korea. Somewhere, James Taiwan is yearning for attention. Hard to be the ace of a bad team, usually a match up disaster.
Jeff Francis (@Min-Duensing, Sea -Pineda) – Rule of 2’s for shoulder surgery guys. Hop on the KC bandwagon now… it’ll prolly run out of gas by June.
ogando,hope we get 100 innings out of him
Nothing like waking up to a Back to School reference on a Saturday morning. Well played!
Grey, would you drop any of DHud, Zimm, Pineda & Ogando, for Beachy?
@AL KOHOLIC: 100-120 is prolly a good bet.
@Bill: Thanks.
@nyydj2: Out of the four prolly Ogando.
Given Ozzie’s extensive patience, how long of a leash do you think Thornton has?
pierzynski v. barajas vs. doumit? you may pick two. zzzzz…
beachy,drabek,pineda and zimmerman are all on innings limits this year arent they
@Wilson’s Beard:I just read a quote that Thornton is Ozzies closer, take that witha grain of salt of course. I think Thornton remains clsoer, but Sale is ready on alert.
@pubscout: Ugh i hate catchers. Any 2 work, all about sae craptastic value.
@AL KOHOLIC: Most definately, Beachy, Drabek and Zimm prolly around 140-155, Pineda prolly a little more i see them not using kit gloves with him.
hamels,scherzer,gonzales,hudson,edwin jackson,McClellan ,Esmil, harrison
can only start 5 who you like?
oh and zimmerman is an option too
Available 2-start pitchers for the coming week. In what order would you take these mopes…
Francis, Hammel, Buerhle, Blanton, Lecure
I currently have Lecure…
Thanks much Smokey, dropped Ogando for Beachy, trick will be trying to trade all these guys just before the break, innings limits don’t work too well in H2H. Apologies for the Grey address, very late night last night at a Trans-Siberian Orchestra show and did not get my caffeine yet, forgot to look at the author, lol.
brian roberts has been cleared to play
After seeing what kennedy did to Cincinatti last night with his changeup, is it wise to start hudson vs Cin tonight?
@smokey…Travis Hafner is available to pick up…is it worth getting him and dropping Carlos Pena, Miguel Montero or Ervin santana?
I would think Pena would be droppable…but is it too early to give up on him for Hafner?
Balfour or Wilton Lopez right now. Balfour is likely to get a few save opportunities right now, but it seems like the consensus is that Lopez could be taking the job in Houston any week now. If I can have only one right now, which should it be?
@AL KOHOLIC:
heard about all of them except beachy. however, it makes a heck of a lot of sense for him as the Braves have SOOOOOO many arms in the minors ready to pitch lights out for 80-90 innings.
@poop: Its hard not to wanna use ur 5 best Sp, but i would be pressed to squeeze a 2 start guy in there like Rogers or mcClellan.
@3FingersBrown: Like you have them and i would lose Lecure.
@nyydj2: No worries, what show did they do?
@AL KOHOLIC: Nice thanks fo the heads up.
@Pooch: I am if thats any luxury.
@bshow: Hmmm, i wouldnt drop Pena just yet.
@G-RAM: I’d go with Lopez. A’s pen is way deeper than Houston’s.
Start 0, 1 or 2 of:
Beachy v Phil and/or Javy @ Houston.
Roto 5×5
Thanks!
@AdamH: 0
@Smokey
This week, would you start a 2-start Niese or 1-start Liriano. I know normally this wouldn’t be a question, but Liriano was so bad this past week and Niese outscored him.
How much of my $100 AL faab should i bid on Farnsworth and Matusz? They both were dropped.
Which side?
McCutchen/Kyle McClellan or Pence/Edwin Jackson?
Thanks.
Sergio Santos to replace Ryan Franklin. Y/N?
@Jake: Liriano playin KC, i watched the start vs the Yanks. He is having problems locating his fastball. So he forced himself to use the slider and change alot more, and unfortunately the yanks are patient hitters and draw alot of walks. I see that different with KC.
hanley for wright+haren … who gets the better deal?
Smoak or Hafner? I have to lock in my lineup for the week, so Hafner’s injury history has scared me off so far.
@Smokey: Good lookin’ out. Francis is aight. I’ve had him for a few cups of coffee in the past. This league counts QS, so pitch to contact guys like him get a little bump too.
@junior: 6-8 on the Farnz, he wont be closer all year dont want to go crazy. Matusz is a special type pitcher so maybe 10-12.
@BS: Pence/Jax
@gmen: Franklin.
@dja: Depending on who fills in for who, i would still prolly take Wright and Haren.
@ltf: Nothing at Smoak screams out confidence, I’d ride with Pronk.
Hey Smokes, I got 5 closers, can only start 4, so I want to turn one of them into a reliable SP with upside…
Out of Hanrahan, Perez, Axford, Walden, Contreras/Lidge, who would you look to move and who would you target out of: T. Hudson, Lilly, Wandy, Brett Anderson, or Morrow? Thanks for the advice.
thanks smokey
Any of these guys knock your socks off as starts for tomorrow: Harang (LAD), Floyd (TB), Holland (@BAL), Porcello (KC)? FIP league with an innings limit of 1500, and my staff and bullpen are pretty deep (Greinke, Haren, Harang, Floyd, Holland, Porcello, Dempster, Cecil, Tillman, Stauffer).
Travis Wood too. Thanks!
@Exactly: Dont know how you rleagues value closers, Offer either Contreras or Walden for Hudson or Anderson. Never hurts to try.
@genghis chone: Harang at home. and Wood just threw yesterday so i dont think he is an option.
@smokey: thanks, will do.
Sorry, posted this in the last thread but meant to post it here. I just proposed King Felix and McGehee for Wright and Carpenter (who I plan to flip for a young Gio type) and it was accepted. My starting rotation definitely needs help now, but i feel like I got the best value in the trade. Also, it’s a keeper league. Any thoughts? Am I a dumb dumb?
Epic decision fail by me today. Every pitching category in my h2h is close this week. I barely lead in both K’s ERA and WHIP and trailed by 1 in wins coming into today. I almost pulled Buchholz against NY, but convinced myself he would pitch like he did most of last year. Instead he’s murdering my ERA and WHIP and I’ll probably end up only winnings Ks this week. FML.
@WDE05: Well he cany get any worse he just got yanked in the third. Not a fan of his at all.
@Smokey:
Yeah, I got him way below his ADP so I figured it was a good value. Instead of winning this week, I’m probably going to lose badly now. Sucks.
@Smokey: They did Beethovens Last Night in it’s entirety and then a bunch of Night Castle and some old Savatage, phenomenal show! In Syracuse.
@smokey: what’s your take on Raburn? Is he gonna get enough playing time? Boesch is pissing me off.
@nyydj2: saw them once they put on a great show, though when isn’t it a great show when ur trippin face.
@Exactly: Leyland is going to go with the guy who gets it done. He is old school, personally i like it aren’t many like him left.
i have about seven 20/20 guys and nobody with any real power other than prince, who i am not even that sure about anyway. i just scored pence cheap for a closer. anyone you would recommend flipping pence for? 12 team weekly h2h.
Start Gordon vs MIN SEA or Werth vs guys like Halladay Lee Gallardo Marcum, none of whom he has done squat against?
Start Trav Wood at Petco or a pair of Pinedas?
Does it make any sense to drop Wieters to pickup Martin?
My ichiro and Fuentes for his Quentin, Smoak and Parra. My instincts tell me I could get a bit more but my trade instincts have never been good. 20 teams 5×5. Thanks.
@Grey
What 3 outfielder would you start
1. Logan Morrison
2. Matt holliday
3. Justin upton
4. Curtis Granderson
Also, I just got offered Oswalt for Houston Street. My SP situation right now is Tommy Hanson, Haren, Carpenter, Zambrano, Bumgardner, and Kuroda, and my RP are Bell, Street, Rauch, and Aarmstad(?). Good trade?
I picked up Masterson for a spot start tonight, and after his performance (as well as his first start) I’m half tempted to hang onto him. Am I crazypants, or is he actually developing into a solid starter? (I remember liking his stuff as a Red Sox prospect a few years back).
@Tony: Take it.
so what’s the take on narveson? can he keep this up? legit at all?
i tend to think it’s just a hot start given his age and history, but damn has anyone had a better 1st 2 starts?
15 team league, weekly lineups…Brent Morel or Brett Wallace at CI?
Hey Smoke, which of the following 2-start pitchers would you start of these 3: McClellan, Billingsy, Volquez? Thanks.
Rank these 1B options (keeper league):
Belt, Morse, Wallace, LaPorta, Loney, D. Johnson
@Grey 12 team mixed roto league, drop Markakis for Tabata? My other outfielders are Braun, J. Upton, C. Young and C. Quentin. Thanks
ok general question: im in a12 team keeper league where im currently rostering 2 minor leaguers (desmond jennings and jesus montero). 25 man rosters, we only keep 3 players at year’s end. im currently starting iannetta at C and aaron hill at 2nd. should i have any interest in russell martin or danny espinosa as insurance policies over these guys? it would require losing one of the prospects or peter bourjos. thoughts?
Fantasy Baseballers –
Mat Latos is available in my league, but I have a pretty nice staff:
Verlander
Scherzer
Gio Gonzalez
Ricky Romero
Zack Greinke
Brandon Morrow
Who would you drop? Morrow seems the obvious choice, but is Latos going to put up better numbers than Morrow this year? SD has the world’s saddest offense, and while Morrow has been unimpressive in rehab, he still has sick upside. On the other hand, we may have seen the best of Latos.
@Dr. Zach: Werth and Pineda.
@theevilempire: Both have ups and downs.
@Giant JJ: I’d want more than Smoak and Parra on the back end.
@Tony: Jump on it.
@xopchipili: Has great stuff and his major problem is vs. lefthanders.
@ThePoonTycoon: Me likey som Narvy. Going to almost always have a good matchup with the top of their rotation. Great offense behind him, shaky def.
My sps blow. Going to drop B Lyon ( have 3 better rp) pls rank:
Narveson
Britton
M harrison
mclellan
Beachy
Thx
@Jake: Coin flip, Morel won.
@Bosmosis: Volquez. Followed by Mclellan and than Bills.
@KCC26: I think your good. No insurance needed at least not yet.
@Stophe: Latos over Morrow. I would try and trade Morrow first tho.
@mindicohn: Good screen name, For this week id have Mclellan first than Narveson ,Harrison. After this week flip Mclellan and Narveson.
@Tony: you can be TONY2 lol….. or maybe you’ll be a good diversion for people in my two leagues that try and read up on me?
ogando or Matt Harrison ?
Would you trade $13 Broxton and $15 Kuo for $1 Wood and $3 Kennedy in a dynasty league? I’m worried as hell about Broxton’s lost velocity (I know it’s a few games, but it’s def 5-6 mph slower than last year). It’s a holds league, just FYI. I think the trade is at least .80 on the dollar.
The lost velocity isn’t even confirmed yet. Wait and watch another game.
Carp/Wright for my Felix/McGehee?
anyone starting hammels today vs atlanta?
Drop Stauffer or Vazquez for Hammels this week?
Should I trade away Brian Roberts to acquire Aaron Hill?
@RonWashinton’sStache: based on injury history,yes,asap
@cubbies299: In a dynasty league, I definitely Wood (get it?!?!) do that deal. This is all assuming that you’re talking about Travis, and not Kerry, Wood and Ian Kennedy.
You mentioned Broxton’s velocity issues, and Kuo carries some significant injury risk.
@JHS3: Tabata > Markakis
@ Grey and Smokey: H2H league that locks weekly. Would you rather have Thornton or Fuentes? And would you start Hellickson with his 2 starts, one of them @BOS?
Thanks!
I need to pick up a good closer, and I’m rostering an extra shortstop right now. Two part question: 1) Should I trade Rollins or Andrus; and 2) Trade for Heath Bell, Carlos Marmol, Craig Kimbrel?
@gmen: id trust the experts oppinion over mine but i like rollins more because hr rbi totals will be double sb,s andrus has the edge,closers,marmol is wild this year already,kimbrel new with another stud on his tail but bell is bell and the safest
Narveson or T. Wood?
Anyone, who are some players off to slow starts you would target for trades?
@ltf: It’s been one week. Maybe ask this again at the end of the month.
Just picked up Delmon Young off waivers. I was 13/14 on the priority list so I didn’t think I had any shot to get him. Can’t believe he was dropped in the first place or that so many people passed on him.
getting kazaam’d by kimbrel
@Tony: Harrison
@cubbies299: no
@Tony: no
@ScoutAbout: fuentes. No TB score zero runs.
@Busta: Either.
@gmen: If you have an extra SS it makes sense to bolster somewheres els.
@RonWashinton’sStache: Both are better than average match up guys. I would take Narvy now and Wood for long term.
@ltf: @Cheese: Agreed its a little early.
@WDE05: agreed thats a horrible watching eye for a league.
Please pick 3 for next week:
T. Hudson v. FLA, Romero @ SEA, de la Rosa @ NYM, Narveson @ PIT, Liriano v KC.
Thanks.
@Smokey: I know the season’s started, but any chance of a post on Holds guys like you did last year?
Thanks, Smokey!
Keeper league: Jarrod Parker or Jacob Turner? Thanks!
@Black Beard: Hudson, Romero, and DLR.
@Steve: nothing planned as of yet, but feel free to ask me here i love me some MR questions.
@genghis chone: Turner
Yo Smokes!
Standard 5×5 12team mixer
I was offered the following 2 deals… Which do you like more?
A.) Rasmus and The Flyin Hawaiian for Youkilis?
B.) Dread Pirate and Raburn for Youkilis?
I need OF considering one retired and Michael Morse has a vajay jay.
@Jrock: Colby and the pineapple look better to me Raburn doesnt seem, to be getting the ab’s we expected, well at least early on anyways.
@Smokey: OK – you asked for it. I’m in a 12-team H2H league that counts Holds.
I didn’t really focus on Holds guys in the draft and tend to swap them in and out for a hot bat or a fill-in player – though I will carry one if I’m in with a chance of winning the category. I should probably set it and for get it a bit more I suppose.
Anyway, what’s your take on the following:
Sipp (true 8th-inning guy but it’s the Indians)
Veras (7th ining guy and it’s the Pirates)
Joba (Intruiging – could see a lot of leads in the 7th)
Loe (Has started well)
Guerrier (always solid)
Crow (Also v intriuging – can K a guy obviously)
Who would be the best bet to grab and then (ahem) hold? Guess it helps if they might have a shot at closing.
Also – do you have a guy that could come out of nowhere and rack up a bunch of Holds?
Thanks!
@Steve: I guess you could throw Takahashi in there too (and he’s SP eligible – sweet!), but it’s a bit crowded in the 8th for the Angels.
Thanks Smokey
Why not? Aren’t both Wright and Carp better than the respective Felix and McGehee, especially if I need hitting? You’re making me regret my huge move you jerk
pick two: Maybin, McClouth, Desmond Jennings…. roto 12 teamer
other tony you need to switch up the screen name, you’re confusing me even… Tony with a last name initial would work?
Anyone starting Ogando vs. DET tomorrow? Or worried about starting VERLANDER vs. TEX?
It’s never too early, grey even had a post about ADD.
I’ve been Tony since 88, if you’re younger Im grandfathered in sry
In my weekly H2H league, I sat Liriano this week which turned out to be a good move. Do I start him this week vs. KC or wait til he pitches well. If I were to start him and sit someone else, it would be either J Sanchez vs LAD or Gio Gonzalez vs. DET. Thoughts?
Would you deal away Weaver to acquire Cano? I think this is a no brainer, but I need some confirmation before I accept.
For some background info, my current options at 2B are Roberts and Raburn, and I have good SP depth (Gallardo, Liriano, Oswalt, E. Jackson, Lilly, Sanchez, Wandy, Chacin, Volquez).
@RonWashinton’sStache: Oops. I just noticed the typo in my name.
Weaver for Cano is a huge steal and should be done immediately regardless of external factors. Even if you had Pedroia and Phillips you should still do it just for the value. Cano is probably the best player at a very valuable position, Weaver is a solid pitcher who is coming off a career year, but is not even top fifteen at his position in my book, and he is also Jeff Weaver’s brother which is a gigantic red flag all on its own. Do it before they realize how stupid that trade is.
what 2 do you drop? 5×5 roto 14 teams.
Travis Hafner, Logan Morrison, Ben Francisco, Alex Gordon, Ryan Raburn
@Steve: Tony sipp is seeing alot of quality innings as the indians have won 6 i a row. Out of the names you listed plus a few i added i would look into Loe, Braddock, Joba, Berken, Bastardo. My deep sleeper for holds/saves is Brayan Villareal.
@Tony: Ah dont regret anything. I just expect when all is said and done that Mcgehee’s numbers minus steals will be similar to Wrights, not enough to make up the 60 k’s and era/whip difference in Carp/Felix.
@Tony:Maybin for sure. Im not sold on Desmond at all and i dont think Maddon will either.
@Tony: Start Verlander.
@Buddo Chezuski: Liriano and sit J sanchez just in ur situation.
@RonWashinton’sStache: Hope you did it already.
@aj: Raburn and Ugh Francisco, although i would hate to drop anyone.
Grey, which end of this trade would you take?
Roy Halladay, Robinson Cano, and Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols, Ben Zobrist, Josh Hamilton, and Victor Martinez.
I have Pelfrey, Blanton and Hammel in a deep NL only roto league. All have two starts this week, but I am really tempted to sit Pelfrey and Blanton and put in a couple middle relievers just to preserve my ERA/WHIP. Should I play them?
@Kwadjo: Depends n who the MR guys are, i would start Hammel and Blanto aand one MR guy. Split the difference.
Thanks, sounds good. The MR’s are Motte and Dunn.