So Grey lost his stache in a tragic sparkler related accident, but did manage to partially recover the remnants and is having them reattached as we speak, so I’m going to fill in for him on this sacred of holidays, July 5th.
If you have ever seen or heard of the NFL or smelled a jock strap at any point, then you might want to check out what is going down over on my side of the tracks. We’ve got all kinds of hootenannies and shin-digs about to be gettin up and gettin down, so don’t just hole up over here! Venture out into the world and stop by and and take a load off on the Razzball Football porch, there’ll be lightning bugs and we’ll be drinking rot gut out of a mason jar.
Now that the self promotion is over, read my invaluable thoughts on what happened in Major League Baseball yesterday:
Freddie Freeman: Freddie freed the ball from it’s oppressor, the stadium, twice to celebrate Independence Day. Grey’s pick for NL Rookie of the Year is on pace to be in the running. Those were his 10th and 11th homers so he’s on pace for 78 home runs, oh, let me go over those numbers again, make that, hmmm, so if they play 164 games he’d be on pace for 22 home runs, and if you lop off those 2 games in which he would probably have hit like 8 homers, that would put him on pace for 14.
Mark Reynolds: Mini Donkey hit 2 homers yesterday and just missed a third and is as hot as a donkey can be sans the Tijuanian hooker. Five donks in the last 3 games is ok if you are into that kind of thing.
Rajai Davis: Could the call up of Travis Snider have set a fire under Davis? Well, two games in and you’d have to say yes. And with that kind of sample size there’s no way you can go wrong! I had high hopes for him before the season started and my hopes continued to get lower and lower until they got lower than a slug’s belly, so he can’t really go anywhere but up and going 5 for 9 with 4 stolen bases in the last 2 games is up.
Troy Tulowitzki: He strained his quad and looks like he will be out a couple days. The last time I was at the quad it was to do a little hacky-sacking. Right now they are looking at a couple days rest, but you never know! Be afraid!! Or not, it’s just a game.
Travis Snider: He was called up and quickly hit 3 doubles. Three triples would have been more poetic, but hey, you take what you can get. But be careful, this dude has a TCAP Stache.
Alex Presley: With Jose Tabata out, Alex has yet to leave the building and the with the way he is playing he may not. He is 12 for 33 since being called up with 6 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Tabata should be back in a week-ish so don’t get too googly-eyed, but you two could have a magical week together! Send me a postcard.
Pablo Sandoval: The panda dog seems to have gotten his power back. He went 3 for 5 with a panda donk yesterday and has hit in 15 straight games and an extra-base hit in 9 games in a row. And if you find a picture of a panda dog wearing sandals give me a holler.
Emilio Bonafacio: Emily Facebone (rough translation) is sagnoffin like crazy. He has 6 stolen bases in the last 6 games and he happens to be hitting a little as well, which probably helps him get on base and thus steal bases. He is 10 for his last 28.
Adrian Beltre: Yesterday he went 2 for 5 with a home run and he’s gone 9 for his last 16 with 5 runs and 7 RBIs. If you add all that up it spells, well, nothing because numbers don’t usually add up to words.
Brian Duensing: In his first 4 starts he gave up an America, Eff Yeah-sized 21 runs in 20.2 innings. A run an inning does not look too good on the resume. Since then he has given up 10 runs in his last 7 starts for a much more career builder friendly 2.45 ERA, and a 4-2 record. The competition has been somewhat iffy, so he’s still in spot starterville, but I’m keeping my eye on him.
Ricky Nolasco: He has RickNolled anyone who even thought about owning him, but he has looked better of late. It’s a good sign that he held the Phillies to one run yesterday, but of course the Marlins don’t really care to score runs that often.
Danny Valencia: O Valencia! He’s setting the city on fire! He’s 11 for his last 25 with 2 homers and 9 RBIs in the last 6 games. Will he keep this up? Hmm, maybe, maybe not. What am I, some kind of psychic! But I picked him up in a league where David Wright is taking his own sweet time coming back. Third base is a gaping hole of doom.
Adam Dunn: Big Ass decided to go all Big Donkey for the night and hit a home run and got his second hit off a lefty all season (that raised his average against lefties to .036). This of course coincides with me dropping him. I’m skeptically pessimistic.
Mike Napoli: He’s off the DL and got a hit in his first at bat back. That’s good news.
Doc
“Skeptically pessimistic” … hahaha, that’s a keeper. The royalty checks are in the mail.
Do you (or anyone) know Juan Nicasio’s ceiling?
Doc
One more… I keep seeing that, despite the good start, the long term prognosis for Alex Presley is that he’s a 4th outfielder.
What about Charlie Blackmon’s ceiling?
Thanks!
Doc, nice work.
What are your thoughts on Vance Worley?
unfortunately Bonifacio got ejected in the 5th or he could have done even ore damage.
is Freddie Freeman good enough to be a starting 1B for the rest of the season? or should I trade for someone better? not much better on waivers. Mark Trumbo is there, would he be better? I could drop Eric Thames(or Freeman) for Trumbo. there’s also Mitch Moreland, Matt LaPorta, Brett Wallace, Ike Davis, Derrek Lee, Anthony Rizzo. the only other person I could really drop is maybe Danny Espinosa since Brandon Phillips is my 2B, but I’d rather trade Espinosa.
Bernadina, T Snider, E Thames, or Bonifacio ? Also J Weeks or Ackley for MI? Thanks!
Pence/Stauffer or Ethier/D.Hudson?
good job DOC
Bartlett, Bonifacio, casilla, or A.Escobar at SS?
Thanks
Or Furcal?
Valencia or Moustakas for ROY? I need someone to play while Zimmerman is struggling
Love it Doc!
Doc, we think alike. I snagged Boneaface & Valencia off waivers yesterday. Might be the first time I’ve one-upped the razzball daily writeups!
Would you start Chacin tonight in Atl? His recent struggles leave me with some doubts . . .
Would you deal Votto for Holliday and V-Mart? Holliday would replace Votto at Util, V-Mart would replace Iannetta. Having the extra OF would also allow me to drop Swisher for Espinosa as my bench bat/Utley insurance. Shallow (10-team) H2H league with limited pickups, but no limit on trades.
I was offered Jose Valverde, An Sanchez p fl, and ryan roberts for colby rasmus and trevor cahill would you make that trade? 10 team keeper head to head. I would drop latroy hawkins in the rp spot. We can keep 12 players.
Possibly looking to deal Rollins for Gallardo. What are people’s thoughts on Reyes? Rollins is great to slot in for Reyes but if Reyes is fine and continues his hot season, I’d prefer having a possible 200 K starter to having Rollins on my bench.
That said, Grey, Rollins for Gallardo?
Doc, I’m wondering your opinion on a couple things. I’m in a shallow 8 Team H2H keeper league where you typically win by not playing the best players, but the hottest ones. We also keep 5 of whatever you want (which would be Fielder, Longoria, Kemp, CarGo, Verlander as of now).
Right now I’ve got Espinosa, Longoria, and Heyward forgetting that they’re supposed to use that wooden club thing to hit that little white leather ball where those other 9 guys aren’t.
Valencia, Kelly Jo, and Hill are hanging out on the WW right now. I’ve got 4 closers for the time being (K-Rod, Walden, Santos, D.Hernandez). Would you drop any of Espinosa, D.Hernandez, Heyward for Valencia, Kelly Jo, or Hill? I’ve tried dealing Heyward, but I’m getting no bites at all.
*Doc*
Give up Rollins for Gallardo?
12 team mixed league, I traded Hanley for Jered Weaver….Is this another mistake by the Lake? I sorely needed pitching.
Valencia has been giving sneaky good value at 3B this year, very underrated at a position as deep as a July 4th kiddy pool.
Drop, Trade, or Hold (Stash) these following players?
Billy Butler, Max Scherzer, Ricky Nolasco, Francisco Liriano
12 team 5×5 h2h.
I’m currently thinking about dropping Butler outright for Smoak or Hosmer, both of whom got recently dropped. Hold onto Scherzer and Liriano? and try to trade Nolasco?
I’m debating whether or not to drop Scherzer… I’ve got decent pitching already and there are some decent guys on waivers:
Luebke, Leake, Vargas, Karstens, Minor, Maholhm (did I really just name 2 Pirates SPs??)…. any suggestions?
Wigginton, Freese or Valencia as a 3B replacement for Wright? Got Wigg in there now. Thanks.
Volqkuez tonight @STL? 16 team league, start or sit?
And is it ok to put Dunn back in the lineup for Smoak (who also had two hits breaking out of a slump last night) or should I expect him to go right back to 0-4 with 3 K’s tonight?
All opinions welcome,
I currently have Cargo and Reyes D2D. I could move Carlos Lee to get Alexei Ramirez to fill in for Reyes and Masterson for Boesch to replace Lee/Cargo. Should I make these moves? Or should I stick it out until Reyes/Cargo return? Neither Lee or Masterson are much more then depth on my team.
Napoli activated from the DL last night, and of course he doesn’t draw the start.
Am I better off with Napoli at C, getting the random starts whenever Washington feels like penciling him in, or do I keep rolling out AJ Pierzynski, who we know will get 5 starts a week going forward.
Wigginton or Pagan?
stubbs for Reynolds???
my current team – wieters, Fielder, Cano, Reyes, Zimmerman, Bruce, Stubbs, CarGo, Morse, Lind, Markakis, Sizemore, Crawford, Tabata, and Moustakas.
Any thoughts?
Another thought would be just to drop moustakas for valencia and keep stubbs
Hey Grey, who would you rather have going forward Travis Snider or JJ Hardy?
Also, Cargo or Braun as a keeper?
@Wilsonian: If I were consulting on your situation, the first thing I’d ask is are you looking good for the playoffs or is it going to be a struggle. If you’re solid overall and you like your chances, stand pat. How much would you hate yourself if one of those guys was the hot guy come playoffs and you dumped him in July? If you’re on the outside looking in, then you have to chase some hot guys now.
Thames or his teammate Snider for the rest of the season?
26 team dynasty league: I get Kemp with a franchise tag for Josh Johnson, Kendrys Morales and Travis Snider.
Thoughts?
Need a SS… should I try to trade away heyward for jj hardy?
Would people go Lucroy or Posada going forward? Think Jorge has re-found his stroke?
@ Everyone:
My Wright for his Ubaldo??
Hi Doc! Furcal or Bonifacio?
Mini-Mini Donkey could be on way to ATL to play tonight. Thought I’d give ya the head’s up…and now try to figure out who to drop for him.
12 team mixed keeper league: Goldschmidt or Viciedo for Kipnis?
I guess Doc had to make a house call…
Who do you like for rest of season (OBP instead of AVG, and K’s as cats):
Smoak vs. Moustakas
12 team head to head 7×7 with ops/ks
Adam Jones or Cuddyer rest of season?
Albert Pujols has been cleared to play today after fracturing his wrist just 2 weeks ago!
Holy crap!
Receiving ARAM, Beckett and Andrew McCutchen for Miguel Cabrera, Santos and Farnsworth. Need pitching, runs and steals. At the top in saves. Should I pull the trigger?
Thoughts on Jay Bruce for ROS. Good time to buy low?
Thanks dude.
Which is a better deal? 12 team H2H 6×6 keeper
A. Rasmus, Desmond and Edwin Jackson FOR Jeter and Tim Hudson
B. Rasmus for Liriano
Desmond is my starting SS and sucks, particularly in OPS. My offense has been very good though, so my primary aim is to upgrade at SP. I also have good alternatives to Rasmus in the OF (Boesch, K. Johnson, Freese, Daniel Murphy – 3 are benched right now, so they could all absorb the starts on a matchup basis at OF and Util). Do I try to kill 2 birds with one stone in offer A, or keep it simple and go straight up for SP in offer B?
Grey, sit or start – (10-team roto, down in K and WHIP)
Stauffer @SF
Carrasco vs. NYY
Also, drop either for Bills, Morrow, or Liriano?
Thanks!
Grey:
right now, in a 6×6 h2h league, I can trade Fielder for Pujols straight up. should I do it?
Which Side: Utley/Smoak or Bruce??
Just aquired Kung Fu Panda in a trade, and picked up Furcal to replace the SS I traded. Sandoval seems to be heating up finally after the hand(wrist?) injury, What do you see out of Sandoval and Furcal ROS?
Start Cahill vs. Sea?
Also Freese, Valencia or Chisenhall?
Thx
Forgot to add start Baker vs. TB?
Thx again for your time.
Bruce or Werth?
Thanks dude.
I was offered Greinke for Lind in a 12 team roto league where I could use some more pitching. Who would you want ROS?
@Grey, how would you rank the following as keepers for the next 3 years.
Pence, Heyward, Trout, Harper
@Grey: roto league, chisenhall or thames?
Werth/Alexei Ramirez or Bruce/Bonifacio? 5×5.
Thanks dude.
Nyjer Morgan: he’s hitting well but not running like he has in the past. Think he picks it up on the basepaths? Hoping he can fill Ichiro’s spot for me in the future as I have salary cap constraints and Ichiro is expensive. Am I deluded?
Dynasty points league — Moustakas and Aroldis Chapman for Cano? The value seems great, but I have Kipnis coming up soon — trade or hold?
Any thoughts on whether Strasburg makes it back to MLB this year? I just picked him up to put into a spare DL slot, and the latest updates make it sound like he could start a minor league rehab assignment soon, making a few September starts a distinct possibility.
Pick one to drop? Bernadina, trumbo, or hafner?
@Grey I’ve got a decision to make with Albert coming back on who to drop: Presley, Moreland, Domonic, Jennings or Morse?
Any reason Robertson of the Yanks would be worth picking up as a better option for saves in the short term than Melancon?
Got offered Greinke for Valverde? Take the money and run?
MMD in the lineup and playing 3rd with Wiggy in left.
Grey, In my RCL, my pitching staff is: Matt Cain, Daniel Hudson, Ian Kennedy, Jair Jurrjens, Phillip Humber, Cory Luebke, Phil Hughes (DL), and John Axford, Kyle Farnsworth, Sergio Santos, Frank Francisco. I’d rather have someone to play in Tulo’s spot while he’s out, but to do that, I’ll need to get rid of a pitcher. Do you see one I could do without, or should I sit tight for a day or two and see if Tulo’s return is eminent? I’ve got Michael Morse and Jose Tabata not playing so my wiggle room is non-existant.
Thanks Grey.
Grey:could you rank these three?….Wells,C. Pena, el Caballo.
thnks.
10 team h2h 8×8(TB’s,OBP,XBH)
BTW, I’ll probably be picking up Betancourt or M. Tejada to fill in for Tulo.
What you think about Reynolds for Carpenter. I have Gordon to put at 3rd if I trade Reynolds away.
Pick one for UTIL:
Moose, Hosmer @ CWS (Peavy), or Snider @ BOS (Lester)
Thanks…
Pujols is off the DL….
Rick James thinks that Winstrol is a hell of a drug.
anyone heard about Braun’s status for tonight?
Oh yeah – and big ups to Doc for a great round-up. Going over the middle for Razzball since, you know, whenever.
finnaly gave up on jemmings with current DTD guys morse and cargo,picked up byrd and maybin
jennings that is
Hey Grey- is there a razzball term for when one of your pitchers hits a grand slam off one of your other pitchers? (besides ZOINKS!)
screw you Grandy man….he’s been kicking my ass in multiple leagues all yr and Im sick of it.
And now I’m glad I sat Carrasco. And Wandy.
is Mauer/Liriano for McCutchen fair?
Lester out of the game. No idea why as yet.
who is ROS?
This seems like a no-brainer, but maybe I’m missing something, thus the post.
Was just offered Garza for Vogelsong. Take Garza and run?
NM…duh.
is Todd Coffee the fattest player other than Fielder?
Wolfman getting jacked.
Ah, that one never gets old. Not for me at least.
Jeez, I came *this* close to grabbing Karstens for a spot start in the RCL.
wow….Roenike just let Wolf hit after giving up seven runs.I guess he figures there’s more damage to be done to my ERA.thanks Ron roenike.thanks a lot.
Lester strained his lat, apparently.
Grey.
At this point would you want Chacin, Beachy, or Garza?
Thanks.
Grey,
Please pick two:
Fister @Ana
Dickey @SF
F. Garcia vs. TB
Buehrle vs. Minn
Capuano @SF
Come on Papelbon, you fool. Finish it.
Is that a Dan Struggla sighting? 2 hits in one game?!?! No friggin’ way!?!
Also, Ass-Dribble left with an ankle sprain and Baker left with right elbow shizz…
@all:
keeper league:
i just got offered:
his: pence, n.cruz and srod
for
my: cargo, snider and jzimm
thoughts?
the injury situation is ridiculous right now:Reyes,Youk,Tulo,CarGo,Baker,Lester,Gordon,Morse, Madson,Braun,Zambrano,Putz,Victorino,VMart,Danks,Rivera….all within the past week or so.
@Grey: assuming he gets called up relatively soon, kipnis vs chisenhall?
Anyone know anything about this Louis Coleman fella who’s been doing work for the Royals of late?
@ Grey and aspiring analcysts :
why/how isn’t Peavy the same pitcher that he used to be ?
does he have a chance of recovering his old form , or is this some sort
of post-operative adjustment to his approach ?
thanking you , in advance .
@grey: accepted. its year one of a 15 team keeper league. we start 4 OF, my 4 now are Kemp, JUP, Pence and Cruz. i it weird of i go to sleep with a chubby tonight?
And somewhere Murray Chass yells out from the sofa to his wife who is doing the dishes – “I told you that Hernandez fella hadn’t done enough to help his team win.”
FU Brandon League. They should make you the starter and let Felix blow your effing wins.
Good night.
For fuck sake…I lose a Felix win in the 9th only to exchange it for a Bailey loss in the 10th. I can’t win.
Hot damn, League blew Felix’s win, Bell’s hard at work blowing Stauffer’s win. I think it’s time for scorers to take a stand and stop awarding wins to relievers who blow saves.