Matt Holliday is a sell. Zoinks! Holliday’s value does go up with this trade to the Cards. But his value doesn’t skyrocket as it seems most people will now think. Remember, this is Matt “Shin-Soo Choo Has Better Numbers Than Me” Holliday. In the National League, where there’s better pitching and less Runs scored, suddenly Matt Holliday has a ton of value? Way more value than he had in Oakland? Why, because Oakland was a bad team and the Cards were a great team? Oakland actually had a better OBP than St. Louis (though that includes Holliday). Better ballpark? This year Oakland Coliseum actually ranks above Busch for offense. Holliday will suddenly readjust his sonar for NL pitchers? That didn’t work so well when he moved to the AL. Listen, I think Holliday’s a terrific hitter, but to suddenly expect him to cure gout is asking too much. I wouldn’t sell Holliday for a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but I’d explore offers. Anyway, here’s some more players to buy or sell this week in fantasy baseball:
BUY
Chone Figgins – I don’t like Figgins. He reminds me of Grover Dill to Vlad’s Scut Farkus. More than that, I think you put yourself in an ugly hole if you have a 3rd baseman who gets you less than 5 homers on the year (though that hasn’t stopped me from touting Alex Gordon before). But this is about something else. This is about do or die time in fantasy leagues. It’s coming up with fantasy baseball trading deadlines approaching faster than ever. (It’s true, it’s faster this year. Has to do with gravity or some shizz.) So you have the Dwarf Planet (Pablo Sandoval) at third and you’re fine in the outfield with a bunch of big boppers (minus Richie Valens and Buddy Holly), but you’re stuck in third place and need steals. Steals are the easiest thing to catch up in (saves being a close second). Chone Figgins may not have been appealing to you (or I) on draft day, but right now you need steals and Figgy can provide them. Or Bourn. Or Taveras. Or Ellsbury. Or random schmohawk SAGNOF’er behind door number three. Time is not your friend. Do what you do, but Figgins is a very viable option if you need steals. So… Figgy, give me one more chance…. (Notice how I didn’t mention his Runs or average. His steals, that’s why you get him.) (Notice II, this paragraph has more sidenotes than a David Foster Wallace story. (You went way too soon.))
Chris Perez/Jon Rauch/Jim Johnson – Potential vulture SAGNOF’ers.
Matt Thornton – With Bobby being jenky, Thornton’s a decent vulture to look at for potential saves. Though the White Sox have a pretty deep bullpen so it’s probably not that clear cut.
Seth Smith – The Rox are saying Smith is their every day leftfielder. He could hit 10+ homers and some steals with full time play, but I still doubt he sees many ABs vs. lefties. So his name is about as boring as his stats. Talk about selling a buy! Smith’s worth a spot in deep leagues, I wouldn’t bother with him in 12 team leagues yet.
Erick Aybar – Okay, Alex, Aybar Brothers for $300. This Aybar brother has seven homers and a .282 average. Who is Erick? Sorry, that would be Willy. Aybar Brothers for $400. This Aybar brother is batting .417 in his last four games. Who is Erick? Sorry, still Willy. Okay, let’s finish the category. This Aybar brother is batting .483 in the last 7 games, has stolen two bags and plays every day. Who is Willy? No, it’s Erick. You might think about auditioning for Wheel of Fortune.
Miguel Montero – Honestly, the D’Backs shouldn’t play Sndyer when he returns. Miggy Pipp is doing work with his lumber stick.
Daric Barton – In his first start filling in for Giambi, Barton hit a homer. Since then he’s made Nadir Bupkus look promising. Doode needs to do much better with the time he’s getting while Giambi nurses his no ‘roids problem. But all of that aside, Barton’s still worth a look in AL-Only leagues.
Chris Tillman – If the Orioles bring him up, and it seems like they will, he could be a solid guy for matchups. Just don’t drop anyone too valuable in one year leagues because the Orioles schedule gets ugly in September.
Steve Pearce – Member when he went by Steven? Ah, maybe I’m showing my age. Pearce was recalled from Indianapolis on June 21st and has played once since July 8th. Here’s what I think happened. The Pirates bought a ticket for Ian Snell to be recalled, he said he was having too much fun in Indianapolis (I’ve been to Indianapolis; Snell may want to redefine fun), so Snell gave his ticket to Pearce. Pearce should get some time at first with LaRoche outta there. At one time, Pearce was a decent prospect, tis the reason he’s even here. Tis indeed.
Jon Niese – I think he’s underseasoned like your Mom’s cooking, but he is in the NL and in Metco. Matchups could work for him.
Rajai Davis – Rajai Davis is a buy and Holliday’s a Sell? What’s the world coming to? With Holliday out of town, Rajai could see more time. SAGNOF!
SELL
Colby Rasmus – Rasmus was a sell two weeks ago. With the Holliday trade, things are only going to get worse.
Kerry Wood/Chad Qualls/George Sherrill – The Trading Deadline Reaper may be cutting off their saves.
Ricky Romero – Really, I could’ve put any young pitcher here whose innings are starting to creep up. Young pitchers will begin to get skipped and shutdown to preserve their arms.
Jarrod Washburn – Watching Washburn ’09 vs. Washburn Oh-earlier in his career is like watching any Batman not directed by Joel Schumacher right after any Batman directed by Joel Schumacher. Everything is pointing to Washburn being a solid starter going forward, but I can’t tell you to grab a guy that I wouldn’t grab myself. I’m sorry, I don’t trust Washburn as far as I can throw him. (And I can’t throw him very far — I mean, look at my mustachioed picture — that’s actual size.)
Garrett Jones – Blasphemy! I don’t think he’s going to hit another 9 homers in his next ten games. That’s all I’m saying. Don’t shoot the messenger. (BTW, isn’t it weird how the phrase don’t shoot the messenger was out there since Shakespeare (thanks, Wikipedia!) then everyone starting going postal? It’s almost like postal employees felt too safe and abused their power. Or not! These are things for you to decide.)
