The Rangers are thinking about calling up big-time prospect, Jurickson Profar.  When I saw that news my eyes did the John Lithgow’s eyes when he sees the gremlin on the wing of the plane in Twilight Zone, The Movie.  Then I started thinking, as I’m wont to do on occasion, Kinsler is on lock, Andrus isn’t going anywhere yet, Beltre and Olt can play 3rd, while Young can butcher all 4 positions and fly the “This guy is the heart of our team” flag.  Are the Rangers so crazed for the playoffs that they’re going to bring up the number two ranked prospect in all of baseball for a bench role?  Yes, yes they are.  In keepers, I’d grab him if he’s not already owned.  In Double-A this year, he has 13 homers and 15 steals and a .283 average.  Oh, by the by, he’s only 19 years old.  Zoinks!  You’re looking at a guy that could be Hanley Ramirez as soon as next year.  That’s the young, less insouciant Hanley.  So, Jurickson would Profar if the Rangers infield wasn’t stacked.  Well, me too.  More than likely, he’ll be back in the minors to start the year in 2013 and find his way into the Rangers infield early on due to an injury.  The hype machine will be working overtime for him next year.  For the long term, I like him a tad more than Macho Manny Machado, but MA3 has a starting job, Jurickson’s got nowhere to play.  So in redraft leagues, I’d take a wait and see approach with him.  Or Jurickson can warm your bench if you Profar.  Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday for fantasy baseball:
Ryan Dempster – 6 IP, 8 ER.  “Over here we have the world’s most expensive bookends.”  That’s a tour guide describing Oswalt and Dempster as they stand next to a stacks of books in Nolan Ryan’s personal library.
Aaron Harang – 6 IP, 2 ER, 8 baserunners, 4 Ks, ERA is now down to 3.76. Â In related news, a Scottish man claimed the rights to Aaron Harang because he found a tree trunk in his backyard that he says is Aaron Harang’s likeness. Â You be the judge.
Moises Sierra – 2-for-3 and a homer. Â Like his Mom, Moises Alou, when he’s in the groove, he’s spraying balls all over the place.
Carlos Villanueva – 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 8 Ks. Â Check out Chuck Newtown’s numbers: Â 3.12/1.25 and 86 Ks in 80 2/3 IP. Â He’s getting a tad lucky, his walks could come back to haunt him and he gets the Rangers next time out, so it’s a wait and see, but I’d definitely keep an eye on him.
Kris Medlen – Braves announced that they would go to a 6-man rotation until the end of August. Â Glory be the stunod who finally decided to leave Medlen in the rotation. Â This means when Hanson returns Medlen won’t be bumped for at least another two weeks. Â Then when August of Twelve After Twenty drops its curtain, the Braves will have time to see Medlen is the most deserving of the rotation spot or Hanson could be hurt again, so Kris could be a starter for the rest of the year. Â I’d go ahead and own him in all leagues now. Â The Flat-Billed Pitchypus rides again…
Andrew Bailey – Will be activated on Tuesday.  Hey, that’s today!  I imagine it’ll take about a week to ten days before Bailey sees a save, and then the Red Sox’s Clarence can stop showing them what life would be like without a closer.
Pablo Sandoval – 0-for-1 as he was activated from the DL. Â Next stop: Starting. Â Stop starting? Â No, start stopping. Â You get the drift.
Ryan Vogelsong – 2 2/3 IP, 8 ER. Â I’ve heard of the Redemption Song, but before last night I’ve never heard the Regression Song. Â It sounds like a cat trying to pull itself up a chalkboard with nothing but its nails.
Brent Lillibridge – 2-for-4, 3 runs and his 2nd homer in the last three games.  Brent’s usually a Lillibridge to nowhere, but he could be a quick hot schmotato for a few days.
Placido Polanco – When he’s activated from the DL, he won’t be the everyday 3rd baseman. Â Charlie Manuel said, “Placido’s wrasslin’ a gator and that gator has a twelve-inch straw that sucks water out of his boots.” Â Reporters had no clue what that meant, but a press release later explained.
Cole Hamels – 9 IP, 0 ER, 8 baserunners, 5 Ks, ERA is now down to 2.91 and has just under a 9 K-rate. Â Probably not in the Cy Young discussion though, because anyone who’s having a Cy Young discussion mid-August is an uber-nerd and would be talking about Hamels’s xFIP. Â Oh, and I did just use ‘uber.’ Â Deal with it!
Kevin Frandsen – 2-for-5, as he gets the 3rd base job while Polanco’s got gators straw-sucking water from his boots. Â Frandsen has a lot of minor league numbers to support his lack of power, speed and any fantasy value, but I hear he makes a mean Denver omelette!
Eric Stults – 7 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 baserunners, 3 Ks. Â After filming Mask, Eric Stults said he stayed in touch with Cher and she has been a million beacons of light for him, especially when she wears sequins in the day.
Chase Headley – 2-for-4, 2 RBIs and his 19th homer as he continues to feast on any not-in-Petco pitching. Â On a short schedule day, he would’ve been a great batty call.
Dale Thayer – If there was any doubt who the Padres would go to in the ninth, Thayer threw the perfect inning for the save. Â Dale Thayer is also the answer to this March, 2013 question, “What the hell was the name of that guy getting saves for the Padres at the end of last year?”
Jayson Werth – Sat out with a sore ankle as the Nats piled on about three dozen runs. Â Holy sit!
Ian Desmond – Nats reported Desmond’s oblique is progressing quicker than expected. Â Might be able to return prior to the end of the month, but the Nats will know more on Wednesday. Â And that’s the most specific news I’ve ever heard on an oblique injury.
Danny Espinosa – 4-for-6, 3 runs, 3 RBIs with his 12th homer. Â Basically, everyone on the Nats got a hit yesterday, except LaRoche — ticker tease! Â Vogelsong really devastated my will to recap this game, but I will soldier on for the greater good of Razzball.
Roger Bernadina – 4-for-6, a run and 3 RBIs. Â The Nats should bench Harper and let Bernadina play, and if that was said in the Nats Public Relations office it would go over about as well as that Reds PR person who threatened to beat up a few of the Reds fans on Twitter who thought Dusty maybe/possibly wasn’t the best pitcher manager. Â Would’ve been even better if that Reds fan was actually Kerry Wood or Mark Prior.
Garrett Jones – 4-for-4, 3 RBIs and 2 doubles. Â Put that through an In-N-Out translator and it’s a “Double-Double animal style.”
Michael Fiers – 2 IP, 8 ER. Â And now you got Michael Fiers and he’s f**king you.
Carlos Gomez – 3-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and his 11th homer. Â He didn’t need the Coors correction, but a three game set stroking the fine imported Kentucky wood in the humidor won’t hurt.
Eric Young Jr. – 2-for-5 with his 13th steal. Â Young is going to steal 7 bases this week. Â Say it and it will be true, that’s The Secret.
DJ LeMahieu – 4-for-4, 2 RBIs and 11 for his last 17, as he’s started five straight games. Â He’s not much more than a schmohawk with some speed, but he is swinging a hot bat. Â Plus, how awesome was he in Hustle & Flow?
Anthony Rizzo – 4-for-5, raising his average to .306 to go along with his 9 homers. Â I think Hosmer’s scarred me so badly this year, I’m not sure I’ll be able to go near Rizzo next year. Cust kayin’.
Darwin Barney – 2-for-2 with his 6th homer. Â The Purple Evolutionist has found a way to survive by being on a terrible team and at a position where they lack depth. Â If only the dodo could’ve turned a double play.
Jeff Samardzija – 7 IP, 1 ER, 7 baserunners, 11 Ks, but he was facing the Astros B-squad. Â Sorry, meant the Astros B-squat.
David Phelps – 5 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 3 Ks vs. the Rangers and the Win. Â The Stream-o-Nator liked this start because the Stream-o-Nator is running on adrenaline and can dead-lift an elephant.
Eric Chavez – 2-for-4 with yet another homer.  Or a nutter, if you’re from New York.  Chavez now has 5 homers in the last ten games.  It’s Chavsanity!  Hmm, that doesn’t work so well.
Nick Swisher – 2-for-4, 5 RBIs as he hit a grand slam. Â Still has a long way to go before he approaches A-Rod’s mastery of the grand salami.
Adam Dunn – 3-for-5 with his 32nd and 33rd homers.  The Big Donkey Show rides again!  Oh, and hello, Googlers of “Big donkey show” + “Grand salami.”  We won’t judge you here.
Jake Peavy – 8 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 6 Ks. Â ERA is now at 3.04. Â He has the least amount of Wins for having at least 17 Quality Starts. Â Jason Vargas of the freakin’ Mariners has 17 Quality Starts and 13 wins to Peavy’s 9. Â My Win Karma is polluted like Michelle Pfeiffer’s womb!
Ben Zobrist – 3-for-4, 1 RBI as he plays shortstop for the 4th time in the last five games and Maddon says he’s gonna be rolling his Ben-Zo out to short for the foreseeable future. Â Good for his fantasy value and will save gas.
Alex Cobb – 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 5 Ks. Â Well, that played exactly how I drew it up on Friday when I told you to grab him for this start vs. the Mariners. Â Now you can drop the Tampa Bay Peach.
Anibal Sanchez – 5 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 13 baserunners, 3 Ks vs. the Twins. Â Last nail meet coffin. Â Coffin meet last nail.
Darin Mastroianni – 3-for-5, 3 RBIs and a slam (3) and legs (14).  How does one get the name Darin with that last name?  Is Darin short for Daringiuseppe?  He stole 45 bases one year in the minor leagues, and he’ll be filling in for an ailing Span.  Not a bad looksie if you’re hurting for steals in deep leagues.
Ryan Doumit – 3-for-4, 2 runs, 3 RBIs with his 14th homer. Â Ron Popeil’s gotta be happy with that from his catcher slot. Â Especially if he stuck some rosemary and lemon wedges under his skin. Â Delicious!
Tsuyoshi Nishioka – Sent down to Triple-A.  Single-A would make more sense.  Or Triple-I.
Its Chava Con, you would never admit that you own him to your friends like you would never admit you bump her tunes when you are alone in the car…and they both have been known to have a few hits.
@Jack Full of Hate, Everybody Chava Con?
@Grey, EVERYBODY gets CONned by the CHAVAez
@Grey, RUFUS? and were not talkin Carlin
Rufus Wainwright?
@Grey, just Tell Me Something Good!
In N Out is pretty good…
@Grey, did you miss the song reference…probably not. try the oinkster in eagle rock
Oinkster’s one of my faves… Pastrami’s out of control…
@Grey, and those fries with the garlic aioli…ridic!
And the peanut butter and jelly cupcake… And the lemonade… Marrona!
@Grey, we use to go there after we would go to the “Pharmacy”….Tamales in highland park.
Farmacia? My keeper live draft is two blocks from there… Usually go afterwards…
@Grey, not that type of pharmacy, the kind that came about after prop 215…you know where you get really special cookies and brownies. Also great lemonade.
Hehe… Yeah, I’m following… The kind where everyone has bloodshot eyes…
@Grey, clear eyes travel size… There are a couple of good spots out in that area. Its funny how I found the Oinkster. Was driving down Colorado and saw what looked like a tastee freeze, when I got close I realized it was not, but i smelled it and told my buddy we are eating here. He doubted the nose but not anymore. I laughed when it was on trple D.
Was it on Triple D? I never saw that one… Nickel Diner was and that’s also great, it’s downtown… Their bacon donut is amazing…
@Grey, I been wanting to go there so bad. The baby’s mama works down there and I am begging her to let me meet her after work so we can go to dinner
The food is really excellent… Never had a bad meal…
@Grey, its a grand salami!
Yup, just don’t bother with Umamidelicatesscan… Overrated…
@Grey, thanks for the heads up, do you like posole?
Yeah, I do…
@Grey, Its amazing at yxta on central and 6th
Will have to check it out… Also, downtown is this place called Mo Chica that is incredible… Everything on the menu is wonderful… It’s Peruvian…
@Grey, Do they have Mo Chica’s than any other spot downtown
They used to have one by USC… He also owns Picca on Pico which is also excellent…
@Grey, damn now I’m hungry and downtown is a good 30 minutes for me
Where are you again? South Bay?
@Grey, San Dimas near Pomona
Ah… So you’re out east… Yeah, bit of a hike to go downtown…
@Grey, it nevr ahs stopped me, baby’s mama is from Long Beach
That’s a serious hike in itself… Take you about an hour?
@Grey, from here to west side LB its 40 min door to door. Downtoen is 25 with no traffic.
That’s not terrible… If there’s no traffic…
Hi Grey !
I hope they stop krismeddling with the braves rotation! Doumit or ike davis ROS?
Thanks as always!
@druss, Ha… Doumit…
@Grey
Ian Desmond is sitting on the waivers, so should I immediately grab him up or hold until Wednesday? I’ve been rocking Rutledge for the past couple of weeks and enjoying the ride. I have to imagine a healthy Desmond is an upgrade over Rutledge, right? I already have Votto and Lawrie riding the DL and dont necessarily have an open roster spot but could stand to lose a closer. What’s your advise?
Roster: C Wieters 1B Rizzo 2B Hill 3B Moustakas SS Rutledge OF Cargo OF Trout OF Granderson UTL Jennings. BN Reddick DL Votto DL Lawrie
SP Gallardo, Sale, Darvish, Zimmerman, Sheet, Fister, Medlen RP Clippard, Wilhelmson, Frieri, Holland
@Melvin Emanuel, You’re gonna start a DL’d guy at SS? He’s still over a week away, there’s just gonna be more news about his timetable on Wednesday.
Mornin’ Grey. Are you starting Kennedy @STL in a 10 team H2H? I have Greinke vs.CLE and Moore @SEA going as well.
@Sam, I think I’d sit Kennedy unless it’s a very deep league or unless you really need Ks and can absorb a kick to the gut on ERA and WHIP. He’s never pitched well against the Cards, and Greinke and Moore are much safer bets.
@Sam, I’d start him…
@Grey (Again!)
Looking to trade an outfielder for a starter…
1) More eager to trade Reddick or Jennings? Similar value?
2) Rank these starters you would target in a trade for aforesaid outfielders: Moore, Kennedy, Lynn, Scherzer
Thanks!
@Melvin Emanuel, 1) Jennings, pretty close though 2) Scherzer, Moore, Kennedy
12 team mixed
drop johan santana to stream for team fighting for playoff spot?
@ferris, Go for it
I was browsing the waiver wire in the league that I run and noticed some idiot had dropped Cole Hamels! As result I had him starting last night! :)
@Mennonite Sports guy, leave that league immediately
@Mennonite Sports guy, The worst part of that story isn’t that somebody dropped Hamels (which is pretty bad), but that nobody had claimed him. Sounds like a pretty useless league.
A guy in my dynasty desperately wants my Gio Gonzalez and wants to give Wainwright plus a youngun. I’m not good at dynasty trades. He has Marte and Rizzo. He wants to give Marte, I want Rizzo. Marte seems too little to get back but is Rizzo too much to ask for?
@Samardzija!, I’d want Rizzo…
Kung Fu is finally back! I had scooped Plouffe as a one day replacement, however am debating waiting on him to see how he does. Would you drop Marte, Affeldt, Perkins, McDonald, or Liriano instead of Plouffe? I know McDonald is pretty much droppable but ive been trying to push him for a cheap closer….
@BoneFace w/ no Harmony, actually on that note- do you also like Perkins or Affeldt more for saves ROS?
@BoneFace w/ no Harmony, McDonald… Affeldt over Perkins…
Per your advice I streamed Cobb last night and held onto him and went to look at his ROS schedule:
@LAA, Oak, @Tex, NYY, Tex, @NYY, Bos, @Bos, Bal
Brutal. Rays pitchers look like they’re gonna be in a world of hurt ROS. I dropped Cobb after I saw that.
@RandomItalicizedVoice, Yup
Nail is to coffin, as Anibel is to drop button. Man, I’m really going to miss that guy. False! I’m not going to miss him or his bloated post-AS break ratios at all.
@Slappy Pappy, Yup
who is better ROS: Matt Joyce or Lorenzo Cain?
@Denis, Cain
Is there a chance that Anibal is still a good keeper depending on where he signs? Or would you cut ties with him even in a keeper league. For example, would you lose him for any of these streamers?
Duensing, Phelps, Beavan, Estrada, Eovaldi, Germano, Harrell, W Smith
Richard, Doubront, Hughes and McAllister are a few more guys available. If there’s anyone in there that could help me out ROS, let me know. I’m also ok with holding since none of those names impress me really at all.
@Jon, I’d hold him in a keeper…
EY Jr, Segura or Snider. Just looking for best overall player for my Util.
@TheNewGuy, Also Lillibridge over Vitters? Getting nothing from 3B whilst Lawrie’s out.
@TheNewGuy, Young… Lillibridge…
Is Jason Hammel a guy to target in a keeper league? How about Pineda? Luebke? Morrow? How would you rank those guys for ’13?
@Jon, and are there other injured starters or starters that may come on the cheap in the next week who could be good values next year?
Thanks!
@Jon, Morrow, Pineda, Hammel…
To be fair, Headley just hit 3 hr last weekend in Pittsburgh. Despite it not being Petco, hes still hitting well in pitcher friendly ballparks
@Justin M, Gotcha
Is there any reason to roster Olt at this point? Is he going to play any significant amount of time? I am thinking of dropping him for Rolen, no where near as sexy, but in a redraft league I feel like Olt is dead wait at this point.
@Shea Sera Sera, Nah, he’s not worth rostering, but I’d want him over Rolen…
Are you starting Straily tomorrow @ KC?
Both Maholm and Medlen vs. SD?
@Jon, If I had Straily (I don’t; I dropped him after his ugly game vs. LAA) I’d bench him for the KC start and decide what to do with him after that.
Yes and yes on the second part (I’m more at ease with Medlen).
@Enrique, Good thoughts. I’m holding Straily because I think he could be a nifty keeper, but I get the wait and see approach…
@Grey, what do you think about Straily tomorrow?
@Jon, h2h im debating, i have much more reliable SP’s with good matchups so i’ll probably sit him.
@Jon, Yes… Yes and yes…
Headley gets very little mustachioed respect, I have noticed. Seems to be referred to as someone to pick-up or play during off days, but the doode is up to about 40th on the player rater.
@Pesky Out, Nice username…
Oh, and you’re right, he’s not a one day pick up, he’s owned/ownable…
Looking for probably 2 starters next week due to new roster spot(s) thanks to Anibal and Aceves (maybe, but he’s probably out as closer soon). Which 2 would you pickup for Anibal/Aceves? Or are any of them worth making a roster move? Not very promising matchups left on ww unfortunately for next week.
Feldman: v. Bal, v. Min
Volquez: v. Pit, @ Ari
E. Santana: @ Bos, @ Det
Miguel Gonzalez: @ Tex, v. Tor
Millwood: v. Cle, @ CWS
Alex White: @ NYM, @ ChC
@smegma, Hold with those options…
….and when Sarah Palin climbs Brent Lillibridge, she can see Russia…
@Wake Up, Ha!
start beckett @ bal and parker @kc?
@jaw, If I owned either, I’d start Beckett…
Re: Fiers- WELL PLAYED SIR
@Slam, Yeah, too bad it happened…
Wouldja start Fister with his meh numbers against the Twins?
And is this the right order, do you think: Burton, Affeldt, Thayer? (Or is that like saying, “which of these roadkill raccoons would make the best gift for my girlfriend”?)
Thanks!
@Long Bawls, Yes… Thayer, Affedlt….
I know a lot of people were upset about Jurickson being passed over, but I just hope they don’t blow this Profar. Not everyone swings out of the gate like Manny Matzahdo.
@Long Bawls, Macho Manny!
Dude in my league dropped Medlen and Dunn. Do I pick up either? neither? both?
@Justin, who are you dropping?
By the by, kudos on the lede…(Hopefully he can pull it out/off)…
@Wake Up, oops, not the lede (i’m not sure what that means, but I think it used to be in paint)…I was saying kudos on the biggest letters on the top, where I point by arrow thing to click on…right before I pointed on it, I laughed and thought of Catholic girls…
@Wake Up, The title was Rudy…
@Grey: Please complete this sentence: “For 2013 Ian Desmond is a top ___ shortstop.” (3,5,10?). Thanks!
@Bill Lumbergh, 10
Pls rank for UTIL spot H2H points:
Kendrys
G. Jones
EYJ
Jay
@EK, Kendrys, Young
Can you pick the top 3 players from each group?
Minor (On waivers), Cobb, LeBlanc, Stults, Hanson, McAllister,
Norris
Jon Jay, Carlos Gomez, Profar, Olt, Chavez, Aybar, Young Jr, Ruggiano, Frazier, Carter
Thayer, Affeldt, Bailey, Romo, Perkins, Henderson
Thanks!
@Rick Grimes, Minor, Hanson, Norris… Gomez, Jay, Young… Thayer, Affeldt, Henderson
@Grey, You are a king of kings.
You are the noticer of noticers…
Rutledge or Espinosa ROS?
@Pops, Espinosa
I watched that giants game last night… There were about 3 double plays that should have been turned. Not to mention theriot kicked a ball into right trying to field agrounder. Then on the next play he dropped another ground ball. Most of the 7 ER in the 3rd inning came off of infield singles and singles that found the right hole in the defense.
Don’t get me wrong, he wasn’t on last night. But he did have 5 k’s and could have escaped that inning giving up no runs. I hope he can bounce back bc his defense really let him down.
@Jankees, Yeah, I watched highlights, it was bad luck, but he was due for it…
Giancarlo for Bumgarner? My hitting/pitching stats are pretty even across the board.
@Long Bawls, I like bats at the end of the year, seem to carry more value with so few starts left for pitching. But you can look at Bums remaining starts to see if its favorable for him, that might help you decide. Also, who would you sit for Giancarlo?
@Jack Full of Hate, Good points, and thanks! I’d probably sit Rios/Longoria/Crisp- health and streakiness issue. I also have Stubbs and Bruce, but I’m sticking my head in the sand about them.
@Long Bawls, The nice thing is you might find a good split line for Stubbs and Bruce. Crisp is marginal many nights, but has enough season and career splits to make informed calls.
@Jack Full of Hate, Yeah, and just like you, I like big bats. I cannot lie.
@Long Bawls, no other fantasy baseballers can deny
I’d want Giancarlo, it’s fair…
Is Olt-rock past it’s time? This is getting frustrating and makes me think if Prof-rock comes up then then it will be at the back end of the play list.
@Jack Full of Hate, Yeah, seriously, it’s like a never-ending synth solo in Arlington. Frustrating.
@Long Bawls, Frustipating!
@Jack Full of Hate, Ha! From the sacred to the Profar…
Ha… Prog-rock — APP!
Thanks for being the voice of reason and convincing me to sit Fiers who I had just picked up and wanted to play with like a new toy. My 10% chance of winning would have dropped to 7%! Hanging in there thanks to Grey.
Check this out — I sold off Altuve for Reyes at the deadline and Jose has basically stolen a bag every game since while Reyes has stolen only once. Hate this game!
No problem… That sucks on Altuve/Reyes… Sometimes in the short term guys are much closer than they appear…
Who is a better option next year & over the next 3 years: Ian Desmond or Profar?
Desmond
I’ve got an email here from Shin-Soo in Cleveland with a question for Nick: “Does anyone play Fantasy Canadian Football?”
I’m more interested in Australian Rules Football…
So Peavy’s not going to have an innings limit this year. Ventura’s not going to limit his pitches, either. In the last month (6 starts), he’s had fewer than 120 pitches TWICE (104 and 114).
I haven’t seen that many pitches thrown since the afternoon I spent at a coffee shop off Sunset.
@Carnac, yeah put Peavy was probably making quality pitches
Ha… Mel’s is where all the great stories are pitched!
Mmmm in and out burger….
I as hungry when I wrote that and still am… I have a tapeworm!
@Grey, …probably from the meat loaf at Mel’s!
If you catch a bad one…
@Grey, call it tapeworm, but i think you just have a little Matt Adams syndrome.. couple 4×4’s animal style should solve that problem..
Prolly… Fatt Adams knows how to get through a cold winter…
@Grey, unless hes stranded with 4 others on a mountain… I know who were eatin first!!
HA! Let him sweat a little for some salt…
@Grey, whose going to take down the mammoth?
Is trading the downside risk of Machado not pulling a Trout for the rest of the year for a non-keeper in Pedroia worth the upside of Machado as a keeper contract? I’m about 60/40 odds to place in the money without a trade.
I’d hold Machado in a keeper…
@Grey, thanks.
On a related note, what’re the odds that Manny sticks at 3B? I drafted him as a SS, so he has MI eligibility for now but next year I have a logjam with Cabrera (no more 1B) and Beltre as well. That’s my 3B, CI, and UT if I keep all three.
He’ll be at SS next year…
Was offered Choo, Burnett, and Darvish for my Beltran. I would drop McDonald and Liriano. Not a big fan, but figured I would get some feedback. 12 H2H
Trade looks decent…
Grey-
Can ya help a brotha out and rank these schmo’z for H2H Util spots (OPS league)?
A. Gordon, G. Jones, Morneau, EYJ, Revere, Aoki
Thanks man!
Gordon, Revere, Young
Pick 3
Minor, Corbin, Sheets, Straily.
Not Minor…
RE: Question #3
I was talking about dropping a closer for Desmond. I have 4 closers and could bear to lose one (Clippard, Frieri, Holland, Wilhelmson). I would still hold onto Rutledge until Desmond is active. Do you think it would be worth it to drop a closer to roster Desmond or would you hold until more info comes out Wednesday?
Also, do you think he will be the same all star type of player or just due for some massive regression?
Thanks!
Ah… Yeah, sure, lose Frieri… Probably a massive regression…
@Grey,
Are you still taking a regressed Desmond over Rutledge right now?
I’m not taking Desmond over Rutledge right now, because Desmond is hurt for the next week…
@Grey,
Ha Well I mean a healthy Desmond over Rutledge. Meaning, if in a week, there is a healthy Ian Desmond sitting on your waiver, would you drop Rutledge for him?
Yeah, I would…
What are your thoughts on Yuuuu. Have him in a 16 team H2H where I can’t trade him now as our deadlines passed.
Not been good since the ASB and now has ugly 4.56/1.42 numbers. Should I be benching him until he figures his shizz out? I’d consider cutting him but there is literally nothing out there on the wire.
I’d bench him in tough matchups and pray in easier ones…
Can you channel January Grey for me and take a guess where Morrow sits in your Top 300?
110
Plouffe or Werth rest of season?
Plouffe
Grey and Rudy —
In the years you guys have run this site, have you noticed that visits, comments, etc. peak around the same time each season? Just curious … seems like people would tune in less once they feel their team’s out of contention, and I wonder when that starts to happen.
And a baseball question: My OF/UTIL guys (four available spots) are Bruce, Stubbs, Victorino, De Aza, Rizzo, Jon Jay, Rasmus.
I have EY2 on waivers in this 16-team 6×5 roto league where my biggest need is AVE, followed by Rs and SBs. I think the worst two guys on that list are prolly Rasmus and Jay, and I’m not sure EY2 is an upgrade until I look closely. It’d be nice to have him as a backup 2B (I have only Aaron Hill there) and I’m in 1st with HR and RBI so maybe I can loose some power (Rasmus?). Jay is a help with AVE but not much else.
Do I hold or drop one of the guys above for EY2?
Thanks!
People get sidetracked by fantasy football in August… Lose Jay for Young…
@ Enrique
Follow Grey’s advice and you won’t be out of contention
That was me giving props to Grey,since I can’t afford to send him 20 bucks this Year,although I’m sure he’d prefer the 20 over the props.
@Hondo, heh heh
Howie Kendrick or Espinosa
Flip a coin on matchups? Espinosa…
In a deep league for MI depth, do I hold with Jean Segura or drop for the promise of Profar?
Hold Segura…
Need a 3b for the ros and thinkin chavez but will he be sitting vs left handed pitchers? Or should i try and move kendrys (who is a bench bat) for chris johnson?
Can grab Chavez for now… And try and move Kendrys for Johnson…
Yeah, I think Chavez is being platooned w/ McGehee. I haven’t seen anything official, but he only has ~20 ABs this year vs LHP and appears to be sitting every time there is a left on the mound.
Detwiler or Norris?
12 team h2h points
Depends on their matchups… Detwiler…
I have Longoria, Aramis, and Headley…
Better deal: Longoria for Hamels
or
Aramis for Medlen?
Thanks and may your Cobbs always be peachy
Ha! Hamels if you really need pitching and it’s a non-keeper…
@Grey, It’s a non-keeper, and my rotation is solid.
I have Felix, Madbum, Greinke (worried about him), Zimmermann, Kuroda, Corbin. Also have Cobb n Bedard (both will be dropped this week for a spot start).
My “rich-kid” problem is that I have Butler, Goldschmidt, Longoria, Aramis, Headley, and Votto (once he comes off the DL). Only have spots for a 1B, 3B, and 2 Utilities.
Yeah, but get Medlen… You don’t need Hamels with that rotation…
@Grey
Last question, I promise!!
Between dropping one of Wilhelmson, Clippard, Frieri and Holland, you said to drop Frieri. I was just curious why. Thanks buddy.
Because he hasn’t been that good in two months and has only recorded 3 saves since June…
EDIT: Missed a word…
Lavarnway, Ellis, or newly called up Brantly?
Ellis
Which of these potential waiver wire adds for me has the best chance of being an impact player next year (if anyone):
Simmons, Aybar, LoMo, Snider, Alonso, Luebke, Walden, Axford
Morrison, Axford, Alonso…
So I have 215 innings to fill I have Kershaw, Verlander and Medlen that I”m gonna use starters and relievers to fill it out. I traded goldy, altuve, and gio for pedroia, eithier, and thayer. I know I sold gio cheap but hitting wise did I make out and what do you think Harren is worth?
Sounds decent if you needed hitting and you have plenty of pitching still… Haren’s worth around a #2 OF…
Start Billingsley @ PIT today? After what Fiers did to me I’m thinking it doesn’t matter who I start, I can’t possibly hurt my ratios any more..
I’d start him…
give Gio for Grandy.
my pitching looks like: Gio, Weaver, J-Zim, Haren, Sheets, Medlen, Straily.
Is Grandy falling off the wagon of value as he’s only hitting .217 since the break, or could bounce back to finish the season?
I don’t have much faith in Grandy, but that deal is fair…
Would you drop Frieri to pick up McGehee and platoon the latter with Chavez as long as ARod is out? Have Affeldt, Thayer and Henderson for saves.
Hard to believe Frieri doesn’t have more than 3 saves since June.. Says something about LAA, and the Sciosiapath, doesn’t it? Something is f’d up in Anaheim. That team should be better than scrambling for a wild card and looking up at Cleveland.
Yeah, so true about the Angels… I wouldn’t drop Frieri to pick up McGehee…
Just in case you missed this one, Jordan Zimmerman has 20 QS to only 9 wins.
Oops, I did miss that… So similarly awful… Thanks for the heads up!
14 team keeper league, H2H, sitting in 3rd place. Drop Hosmer or LaRoche for Profar? Or someone else save for Cozart.
Posey, Hosmer, LaRoche, Infante, Cozart, ARam, Trout, Braun, Holliday, JUpton, A. Gordon
Wainwright, Bumgarner, Price, Gallardo, Aceves, Holland, An. Sanchez, Maholm, Moore, Wandy.
I’d lose Wandy for him…
Pick two to start the majority of games the rest of the way… I need to gain average points in a standard ROTO, but need to maintain runs and HRs.
1. Rios
2. Cespedes
3. Bruce
Thanks!
Rios, Cespedes
Just got Dunn and need some pitching. Thinking of offering Votto for Price. Do you like it?
I like it…
I’m excited for the Bumgarner – Zimmermann showdown tonight in SF even though I own them both. Think they can anchor my keeper staff for the next few years?
Yeah, definitely…
So we’re having an excellent discussion in my league, debating whether or not to delete W as a scoring category next season. My feeling is that:
1.) it is not a pitcher’s job to win the game (W), it’s his job to put his team in a good position to win the game (QS)
2.) W is the most scarce stat (thus the most valuable commodity), and having it as a scoring cat places too much emphasis on luck/chance and removes some emphasis from a solid game plan/strategy… since many Ws come from fluky locations (e.g. bad starts with good run support, blown saves FTW, MR in the right place at the right time)
Someone suggested we ask Grey/Rudy to weigh in on it. I’m pretty sure you hate W as much as I do (maybe more), and Rudy is a 5×5 guy despite its flaws, but just wanted to be sure I wasn’t misrepresenting your stances.
@Awesomus Maximus, hey, give me my credit, I said we should ask Rudy and Grey.
Any other frequent commentor please comment…Carnac, Royce, Steve, Prezzi, you know who you guys are
@Jack Full of Hate, I prefer the usual 5×5. Luck can affect wins, but it also affects nearly every other category, and I don’t like to tinker with a good thing.
Also, I don’t think the point of fantasy is to precisely capture a player’s true value to a team; I can see overlooking W for the CY, but don’t think it’s necessary for fantasy. Unless of course you are able to convince the actual players to play a live game against another team’s players in order to determine the champion. Which would be awesome.
But it’s not my league so have a blast!
@royce!, thanks, we could do it on a video game and have it auto play…I’m all for keeping wins. I do like what quality starts brings to the table.
Nah, those are our stances, for sure… I’d keep Wins but I don’t love them…
@Grey, Yeah, sorry, it was Jack who wanted Razzball Nation to weigh in.
For pitching, I think QS, K, ERA, WHIP, S, and K/9 is a good combo because:
1.) you’re getting an excellent overview of the quality of your pitching staff with a minimized emphasis on how their team happens to play during their appearances (not saying I want to remove that factor, but I don’t think it should have as much weight as it does with Wins)
2.) keeps the FA pool deep and allows for some variety in pitching strategy (K/9 with WHIP and ERA brings top tier MRs into the mix without adding Holds)
You’re going to make top flight pitching extremely valuable… More so than most leagues and most rankings…
@Grey, but guys like Vargas, Lohse and Vogelsong have an increase in value
@Grey, oh and I’m against losing Wins.
I think there’s no right answer… Adding and taking away a category has its advantages and disadvantages…
@Grey, out of curiosity, K/9 or K/BB?
Both have their flaws… K/BB would mix things up better…
I just looked at our comment thread on the actual post… Ha!
@Grey, i guess we know how many licks it takes
Ha, yup…
Closers will also be undervalued, especially low end ones…
@Grey, Is that necessarily a bad thing?
@Awesomus Maximus, good point, I hate losing sleep over Wilton Lopez
Depends, I guess… If you want to remove the constant hustle to pick up saves off waivers it’s not…
@Grey, You think? It’s not like we’d be removing Saves, so you’ve still got to get them somewhere if you want to compete. It would make it a little more dangerous to do what I’ve done this season… not draft any closers, but maintain first in Saves by skimming the crap heap. But again, I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. Saves start to get a little bit of face… makes for more competition… sounds like a good thing to me.
@Awesomus Maximus, this is a bit a of a freak year for saves. You don’t usually get FA saves like this. My thing was always 1-2 closers at draft but never over pay for saves. Of course with k/9 Venters moves up in value big time.
@Jack Full of Hate, Yeah, freaky year for sure. I never expected to be 1st in saves when I didn’t draft a closer, but I could still probably be middle of the road with that strategy in a “normal” year. I think I’d like it if there was a bit more danger to playing with that strategy.
If Saves are only one category of 6 and you have 4 other categories that actually could make bad closers a huge negative, then you don’t pick them up…
@Grey, I’d agree that you wouldn’t WANT to pick those guys up, but if you’re at/near the bottom of the league in Saves, you kinda’ have to. You can’t punt a category in roto and expect to have a good shot at winning.
Yeah, but now those guys are hurting you in 4 categories and only helping in two… Usually they are only hurting you in ERA and WHIP… Granted, they don’t get a lot of Wins, but they’re never getting QS… And they may not get a lot of Ks, but if they get Ks without a good K/BB then they’re hurting you there too… Will boost top closers by a lot… And you actually could get beat by a guy with one top closer and three MRs that have good K ratios… So it becomes even more fickle… A guy like Pestano would be more valuable than a guy like Jim Johnson…
@Grey, Hang on… just want to make sure we’re on the same page here. Our league currently has:
W, QS, K, ERA, WHIP, S, K/9
All I’m talking about is removing W (and maybe changing K/9 to K/BB). Of all pitchers with at least 15 saves this season, one has 5 W (K. Jansen) and five have 4 W. Of those six, Axford was the only guy who was considered a top closer coming into this season. Most of those guys (with 15 or more Saves) have 2 W, while Perez and Kimbrel have 0 W.
My point is, if we remove the W category, and that means you’re going to miss out on 2 or 3 W per closer on the season, is that really going to have much of a bearing on your approach to Saves? You have to deal with ERA, WHIP, and K/9 (or K/BB) impact whether W is a category or not, right?
Sure, you want the guys with better ratios, but from that group of guys (with 15 or more saves), only seven have an ERA over 3.50 (Axford and Perez being two of them), and only five have a WHIP over 1.25 (and only six have a K/9 below 8.6). So the majority of guys getting Saves aren’t hurting you in ratios anyway, the ones that are hurting you aren’t necessarily always the guys on the waiver heap, and if you’re desperate for saves and need to carry a poor ratio guy, you’ve got to deal with that risk/reward whether any Ws he gets may count or not.
Does that make sense? Also, I appreciate the feedback. Definitely don’t want to make a change without giving it some good thought, and quality debate/discussion is a great way to think things through.
Okay, thought we were saying K/BB and K/9…. Rudy and I actually find your question for tomorrow’s podcast… Rudy takes at length on it… I’m a diehard 5×5 guy, but crappy closers would lose a bit more with K/9 and Ks and QS… Wins out with QS isn’t terrible, but I prefer Wins…
@Grey, Cool, looking forward to it.
Ever since we tried out new cats, I can’t seem to put the genie back in the bottle. If we have to use extra cats, I’d like to have a mix that makes sense. But yeah, I’d prefer to just use the standard 5×5, as well. At least so we’re all talking the same language (until/unless the standard scoring system is changed).
I was talking again with some people (cougar) about you having a go at it with our Twitter… Is that something you’d still be interested in?
@Grey, Yeah, absolutely. Drop me an email.
Cool, will do…
@Awesomus Maximus, Its fun to step out of missionary position and do something different, also with K’s you make it kinda Donkey proof.
@Jack Full of Hate, I’m not saying I DISlike playing with new stuff, but I’d prefer to all be playing the same game, y’know?
@Grey, One thing I noticed when i played 6×6 with quality starts was that when one or two players punted saves then they would be OK, the next year more people tried punting saves and it didn’t work. Crazy weird. Joe Borowski would take a huge hit in value if he was still playing with K/9 and K/BB.
Yeah, that’s weird, might need a larger sample size…
@Grey, the two guys who punted saves the first year finnished in the top 5, out of 14 teams, the next year 5 guys tried it and they all sucked cause if you had one closeryou automatically had 6 points and then the saves addicts all had 7 closers each. It was such a mess.
Ha… Yeah, could see that…
Grey:
In my 12 team H2H league, I just grabbed Profar as a 4 year (after this one) keeper. I currently have Aroldis in that slot. Who’d u rather keep for the next 4 years Prof or Chapman?? THANKS!
Chapman as of right now…
ROS, Wainwright or Latos? And would you deal Rizzo for either one of them in a H2H where Rizzo can be kept at the back of the draft?
W and QS count, I am on the playoff bubble and could use a SP with the McDonalds of the world pooping in my pudding. Alternatively, could stream a roster spot currently occupied by a Donkeycorn for guys like Blanton, Westbrook, etc.
Wainwright… I’d deal Rizzo for him in a non-keeper, not in your league…
yesterday you answered my myers question but the wrong myers, would you stash WIL Myers?
Ah… Yeah, I would…
@Grey, that top converstion we had got so long that it wouldn’t let me post anymore.
Ha! Really? I’ve never seen that before…
@Grey, when we get you talkin about food…Lookout!
I’m a hungry boy.
@Grey, with all that typing you do and wrestling cougars, you need to keep gas in the tank
I sound like Owen Wilson’s character he writes about in The Royal Tannenbaums…
@Grey, hahaha! thats good…
I’ve had Peruvian food, but the place was so-so. You tried Nicaraguan food?
Yeah, you gotta find a solid place… And order saltado… Don’t think I’ve had Nicaraguan…
@Grey, interesting cuisine, some of the best salty pork and plantains I have ever had. But its also like Salvadorian food, some things are very good and some are flat out scary.
Yeah, I’m pretty adventurous… Not Andrew Zimmermn, but adventurous, nevertheless…
@Grey, That thread further up is awesome. Very envious of all your food options.
Yeah, you gotta get some Peruvian food… Like the perfect mix of Spanish and Japanese…
@Grey, oh and drop Olt for him
I don’t love that… But it’s kind of a coin flip…
Going off of what we know right now, which 3 of these guys do you definitely keep?
Hosmer, Zimmerman, Lawrie, Tulowitzki, Desmond
And if I’m able to hold onto a 4th, as well, who would it be? I’m looking to possibly deal the odd man out…
Tulo, Lawrie and Hosmer… Desmond…
Shaoppach going to the Mets. What do you think of his value in 2 catcher leagues (12 team 5×5) compared to say John Jaso or Soto?
He doesn’t have much value anywhere he plays… I’d want Jaso or Soto…
10 team, OBP instead of Avg league…Castro, Boneface or Desmond (once they come back of course) for SS RoS
Castro
Henderson or Thayer
Henderson
Who’s the less horrible start – Bruce v Young or LaRoche v Bum? Numbers vs both pitchers are not good…
Bruce
This is a follow-up between # 73 above: If you can only keep two between Jennings, Rasmus and Desmond – who do you hold on to?
Rasmus, Ian Desmond…
And what if I only have room for one of those 3?
Rasmus
Portmanteau is a category tonight on Jeopardy…you woulda killed it!
Damn! Give me some, please…
@Grey, What is pumpkindergarten? I didn’t hear the answer, I only heard the question. But, my guess is it was something like, “This is another name for someone’s naughty southern Uncle who is no longer aloud to take his little niece to school.”
HA! And his name is Jack O’Lantern.
@Grey, Nice! Why is it always with the Irish jokes? Why’s he gotta be Irish?
Because they’re always drunk and can’t defend themselves…
@Grey, All right. Point conceded. As long as he’s from Deep South Ireland…Is that by Wales? Yeah, he’s Humpback Irish and a drunk to boot…
Drunk from a boot…
@Grey, Thought that was German?
Thought the Irish drank out of anything…
@Grey, U.S. Chief Executive Plus Prosthetic Teeth
@Grey, Jack-O-Lantern Gourd Plus School For Wee Ones
@VinWins, I guess I wasn’t that far off…
@Grey, Additional note at the end of a letter Plus revered texts.
Periodic student allowance Plus Swinging Foucault feat,
Nice!
@Grey, Morning meal Plus picky about details.
@VinWins, Well done. I knew you would be all over something like this. You must be from the deep south. Deep south Canadia.
@Wake Up, Sure, y’all.
@VinWins, Ya’ll eh?
@VinWins, Hey Uggla doubled his HR total!
@Wake Up, Ha! I’m good.
@Grey, I’m trying to cut Anibal but really can’t find much…Do you do it for Corbin?
Yeah, take Corbin…
@Grey, I dropped Anibal for Lester in a 15-team league. Improvement or sideways?
I’d prefer Lester at this point…
J-Roll!
He’s alive?!
@Grey, It may have been his final twitch, but it was enough to hit one out.
Ha! The Great Zombinos!
@Grey, And a double from Bruce. It’s the night of the living dead!
It takes 20 games played at a particular position for elgibility to carry into the next year in my CBS league. AGon has 18 games in the OF this year – think he gets 2 more, or has he exclusively been seeing time at 1B since Youk was traded?
He’s probably not going to get the last 2 games in the OF, but I guess you never know…
Can we please, please, PLEASE have a pitchers’ duel tonight in SF?
Please Lord…
Andy Dirks IBB! Apocalypse-watchers, please mark that in your special notebooks!
Just got offered Kenley and Morse for Rios, Burton and Bailey. Just barely ahead in saves, but I need to clear the space b/c Bailey’s off the DL. Slight worry about Rios’ balky back (so I go for Morse? Hmmm…). Feel like I should take it: yes?
Ha! I’d take Morse…
Man, I just hate having to chose between closers and MRs when I have to leave some on the bench because of the number of starters I have going. Probably leaving a Save and a Hold on the bench tonight.
Anyone have a method for starting/sitting?
Usually on team matchups…
Did you start Kuroda for his gem tonight? I got son-of-a-benched…
The SON seemed lukewarm on him (110 score if I recall). Do you have a particular # in mind as a cutoff when making a sit/start decision?
105… I wouldn’t have started him there, unfortunately…
Bruce to win it?
@Steve, You’re welcome.
@Steve, Now, how about some Ethier?
Holy EYJ!
YES!
is Lord Valdespin actually gonna play, Can I drop olt for him? and is there some sleeper maybe to look at to drop him for just sick of him not getting playing time
@All Braun No Brains, Say maybe chris carter? or Dustin Ackeley
Carter when he plays, but you have to platoon him…
Yeah, lose Olt for him…
My offense is complete Shiite right now. Who do you play tomorrow? Bench two.
Longo @ F-Her
JUp @ Wainwright
Cruz @ Freddy
Headley @ Maholm
Bruce Bruce vs. Dickey
Rios vs. Romero
Bench Upton and Bruce… Not easy choices though…
@Grey, if I’m only benching one, Bruce or Upton?
Upton
For the immediate future…Wilin or Jesus?
Jesus
@Wilsonian, or McCann, even though he has been hot garbage?
I’d just go with Jesus…
@Grey, you think McCann is droppable in an 8 teamer for Jesus?
Yeah, he is…
This is crazy. In the RCL today I have 6 runs, 3 HRs, 10 RBI – and a .195 average.
Sinking like a stone…
As long as it’s a pitching duel in SF, I’m happy…
@Grey, Yeah, same. And my new Greinke has some run support…
Trout?
Which hitter would you lose (keeper league):
Frazier, C Johnson, Kendrick, Carter, Espinosa
(No chance I keep Kendrick because of his price.)
Kendrick
Brew Crew need to score here. Set up a Save opp for Betancourt.
@Steve, Jesus, don’t f*** it up.
@Steve, Double play would be good right now.
Still got a pitcher’s duel!
@Grey, We could scarcely have drawn it up any better.
As long as Bum gets the win, I’m super-fine with it…
@Grey, Oh completely. It’s just that I have J-Zimm on my H2H team as well as Bum, so it’s working out well all the way around.
@Grey, Looks like he’ll get a shot at finishing it.
you might appreciate this… I asked my daughter if I could watch storage wars and she told me “no dad, not storage wars, Star Wars, we need to watch Star Wars more” I’ve only shown her the original three. Part of my being a good parent concept.
Did you see that Count from Pawn Stars has his own show?
This is now the second reality spin off from Pawn Stars, its turning into a modern day Happy Days
HA! It’s totally a modern day Happy Days, great call… I didn’t see the Count one did see the tricked out guy that tricks out/refurbishes junk… I like that show… Good call on there were only 3 Star Warses too…
@Grey, the guy that refurbishes junk? oh you mean Rick Dale and American Restoration? That show is cool. I noticed since he got his show that you don’t see him on Pawn Stars anymore.
I just recorded the first three shows for the Counts new show. I’m a car dork so it’s right up my alley. Like that show on Discovery ” Fast n’ Loud”, i like that show alot. The main dude is crazy. But he does get his years on cars wrong sometimes. My dad watched with me and criticized him for having the gall to be on TV talking cars and getting years wrong. He confused a 52′ with a 53′. I didn’t find it a big deal but not to my dad…
Rick Dale, yeah… I heard Pawn Stars had a contract dispute and they’re done in Vegas, only going to be Cajun Pawn Stars now. Not sure how accurate that is, but I guess I could Google it… Nah! That’s right, Count! Yes, I do remember him now from Pawn Stars and I’ve seen his commercial. Yeah, looks solid, would watch that…
@Grey, That will suck if its true, I don’t mind Cajun Pawn Stars but it’s like New Coke, which didn’t taste bad, but just wasn’t the real thing.
I didn’t like Cajun Pawn… But only saw one episode…
This might be a silly question, but when you have a 7-run lead why even send Greinke out again?
Apparently the Angels need much better pitching to make the playoffs, so why wouldn’t you give one of your key guys some bonus rest with a win all but in the bag?
Yeah, agreed… Like they wanted to make sure Greinke struggled a little…
Chris Sale for Clippard & Reed (have 2nd in saves locked up)
Sale side…
I might be wrong but I think LaTroy Hawkins’ best days could be behind him.
Ha… Yeah, not a bad call… Yay, Bum!