I have a serious question (not that serious). Why does ESPN have a separate section to “Manage DL”apart from setting rosters? It should work the same way as putting a guy on the bench, like Yahoo does. Or just have no DL spots and larger rosters, like ottoneu. ESPN works the same way on the app too, like why couldn’t they fix that for the app? I don’t often go on the website for my ESPN leagues; really I don’t find it a good setup, and it’s never improved. Yahoo I’ll look at a little more often because it’s easier to search for free agents. Both sites are way better when looking at trades as there is a lot more information and Yahoo even has their feature about how it changes your future projections. Also you can decline a trade and counter on the website, which you can’t do on the apps.
Furthermore I’m actually wondering how many people don’t even look at the website anymore; I’ve found it’s much easier to change lineups using the app for both sites. Even more further how many people even have desktop/laptop computers and actually use them to play fantasy baseball? I know I do but a lot of people in my leagues just use their phones. In short I like Yahoo’s app better than ESPN, and I like ESPN’s website better than Yahoo’s. What do you guys think?
I know both Yahoo and ESPN offer free leagues, but they get ad revenue for providing these “free” services, and it’d be nice to see them improve; at least incrementally, every year. At this point they are more like Madden; every year we get a new version with a couple new things we didn’t want or need. I appreciate the deeper stats on Yahoo and ESPN has more usable info on the fantasy baseball homepage now, but still I’d pay $5 per site just to get some real, practical improvements. Like fixing the “Manage DL,” ESPN!
Okay, rant over, let’s get back to the good stuff. OPS Leaguers that own Edwin Encarnacion have to be loving the past two weeks. Seven homers, 1.429 OPS and a crazy walk rate of 21.4%. I mentioned acquiring him a few weeks ago here, so you know that I know that we all know that Edwin can hit home runs in bunches. The window for him is closed more than likely; but if you’re trying to win and need 1B help, go look at any other 1B (I’d suggest Adam Lind or Pedro Alvarez as free agents) cause Edwin’s owners aren’t giving him up.
Steven Souza Jr. is about to come off the DL. He should hit some more homers (he already has ten); he’s going to get all the playing time he can handle; and he got a cortisone shot! So you know he’s going to hit for power (although it was in his hip; I thought shoulder was where you wanted the shot?) and improve on that .758 OPS as each season his OPS has improved and he hit 16 homers in 373 ABs last season. 30% ownership in ESPN and 40% in Yahoo! that’s only going to shoot up once he’s been activated.
I’ll continue to recommend Jefry Marte another week though he didn’t have a great one; he is playing every day and I have faith he’ll get it going. Starling and to a lesser degree Ketel have set a high bar for the name. Marte’s ownership numbers didn’t go up since last week; I’ll give you guys a pass because last Sunday was Father’s Day and game 7 of the NBA Finals so go back and read last week’s article here to get caught up on Jefry (not Jeffrey).
I’m still believing in Mark Reynolds who hit a HR thursday and had a two homer game (in an 8 solo shot homer game between the Marlins and Rockies; I don’t know why but that fact really makes me love baseball) and an OPS of .769 the last week. Play him at home. As such Reynolds has home dates against the Diamondbacks and Toronto and then goes to face the Dodgers.
If you need some second base help, take a look at Johnny Giavotella. I want to call him Johnny Mortadella, just because mortadella is so good. Why we even have bologna (which is just Americanized mortadella) when mortadella exists is beyond me. You can even get it with pistachios! Which sounds odd but if you’re ever at an Italian deli and they have mortadella with pistachios get a few slices; I promise you you’ll never eat bologna again. Back to Johnny; the former Royal has hit four homers in the past week along with a steal and a .966 OPS. He doesn’t walk or strike out a lot but at second base there aren’t many better options out there. He’s owned in only 4% of Yahoo and 6% of ESPN leagues.
Another guy I have a lot of love for is Leonys Martin. Fresh off the DL, he has two homers and a steal in the last week but was on fire before a DL stint for a hamstring. That’s an injury that typically limits speed but that just gives him more time to concentrate on hitting homers; yeah I think I said something like that before, but it’s still true! He’s only owned in 29% of Yahoo and 22% of ESPN; I swear to God (you know I don’t hear that saying much anymore. I wonder if it’s more that swearing is so common, or that God just doesn’t command the respect he used to?) he’s going to be good the rest of the season. Leonys gets the Cardinals and Baltimore at home and I foresee good things (because I can see the future, but only that of Leonys Martin. It’s not that great of power honestly).
That’s it for me this week Razzballers and Razzballettes. Don’t know about you (because you haven’t told me) but I’m ready to sit on the balcony, drink some drinks, watch the day go by and proceed to have the laziest of lazy Saturdays. But I have so much love for fantasy baseball that I’ll still be here to answer any questions and respond to any comments; it’s about all I plan to do today.
