Making Eric Young Jr.’s return possible, Brad Hawpe heads to the 15-day DL as he loses his hop. In the last four years of the minors, Eric Young Jr. has 87, 73, 46 and 58 steals, respectively. Or disrespectfully, holy effin’ hey, are you kidding me? That’s so good, Rickey Henderson talks about Eric Young Jr. in the third person. Young could play in the outfield for a few days and will occasionally spell Barmes — B-A-R-M-E-S. I think Young will see four to five days a week, but for those needing steals, you know the drill. I grabbed him in one league and dropped Priscilla Barmes. (How awesome would it be if DeWitt played on the same team as Barmes? Then Todd Helton would have to pretend he was gay to get playing time.) Anyway, here’s what else I saw this weekend in fantasy baseball:
Miguel Olivo – Now leads all catchers with 5 homers. Ain’t that a nicker in the kads.
Seth Smith – 2 homers yesterday. Sure, go and get hot right when Eric Young Jr. gets called up. Smith will see extra starts with Hawpe out, but he’ll still sit vs. lefties, which the Rockies get two of this week.
Chad Billingsley – 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 baserunners, 5 Ks and only one walk that wasn’t intentional in his last two games. Right now, his FIP is over a run below his ERA. I don’t think we’re out of the woods completely, but his next start vs. the Pirates can’t hurt.
Manny Ramirez – Hits the DL. Garrett Anderson filled in for him yesterday. Manny’s birthday is 5/30/72. Garrett Anderson’s birthday is 6/30/72. Nice that the Dodgers can fill Manny’s spot with youth.
Vicente Padilla – Heads to the DL. Before the DL, after the DL.
Ryan Zimmerman – Wants to avoid the DL, but is still having moans over his hammy.
Scott Olsen – 7 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 8 Ks. Keep moving, nothing to see here.
Kelly Johnson – Hit his 7th homer yesterday. No, that’s not a typo. Aren’t you glad you drafted Aaron Hill in the 5th round?
Mark Reynolds – 3-for-5, 4 RBIs as he hit his 7th homer too. Sure, I wrote a schmohawk post about Reynolds, but you can’t stay mad at a Mini Donkey. They’re too lovable.
Krispie Young – 7 for his last 13. If you’re hoping for the breakout, you have to accept that there will be stretches of 0-for-22’s.
Chad Qualls – After he completed his 1-2-3 save, his owners threw their gloves into the air and fell to their knees like Jesse Orosco.
Ryan Doumit – Going into the game, the Astros had stolen 6 bases. Now, the Astros have 12 steals. 4 were stolen off of Morton and Doumit. Which is also known as *pinkie to mouth* a salt and battery.
David Price – 9 IP, 0 ER, 5 baserunners, 9 Ks. There ya go.
John Jaso – 2-for-3, 2 RBIs. Anyone see this guy’s name in the box score and think there’s a typo? Maybe it’s just me. So get out your revolver, because it’s time for another round of Catcher Russian Roulette. Jaso sported a solid OBP in the minors and pretty limited power. So far, he has 5 walks, only one strikeout and a homer. He’s immediately more valuable than Dioner, but that’s like saying your feet smell better than your socks. In AL-Only leagues or deep mixed, 2 catcher leagues, I’d grab him and see if he can keep up his hot hitting.
Colby Lewis – 6 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 9 baserunners, 10 Ks as he battled for the Win. Colby’s a Survivor! I feel bad penalizing the people who are paying attention for the ones that aren’t, but here’s what I said previously about Lewis, “No one’s career has seen a bigger boost after going to Japan since Cheap Trick. Feels like every year the Rangers have someone who’s way overhyped. Has everyone forgotten that Lewis had a 6.71 ERA in his major league career before being rejuvenated in the Japanese Bubbling Spring of Soba Noodles?” And that’s me quoting me! I also went on to talk about how I like strikeout pitchers, but Colby Lewis is prone to walks and his home park is hitter-friendly. And that’s me paraphrasing me! On certain teams, I could see grabbing Colby Lewis if you need Ks or upside. I do not own Colby Lewis anywhere and don’t plan on it. I also don’t like how his name only sounds right if you say the whole thing. Really slows things up for someone whose WPM is 17.
Brennan Boesch – 0-for-4 as he hit 5th. Well, with Guillen out of the lineup it’s only natural that Leyland, who doesn’t believe in new lineup cards or Liquid Paper, would hit Boesch 5th. (BTW, Poor Ryan Raburn. Him and every prospect Scioscia ignored for an Izturii should start a support group.) Boesch has 20 homer power and decent speed, but there’s no indication that he’ll stick once Guillen returns. He also likes to swing and miss. In AL-Only leagues, I’d grab Boesch, but, unless he gets hot, I’m not touching him in mixed leagues.
Rhyne Hughes – Hughes has moderate power and the penchant for the strikeout. Unless the O’s are benching Atkins completely, which I don’t think they are (though I’m not against it), Hughes doesn’t have value outside of AL-Only leagues. Could be mixed league worthy if he gets every day ABs.
Nolan Reimold – 2-for-5, as he hit leadoff. Wait, what? Leadoff? You know that guy in your league who drafted terribly and is now scrambling to kick start his team? Yeah, that’s the Orioles.
Lou Montanez – Sounds like someone working for Miami Vice.
Geovany Soto – 2-for-4, as he hit his 2nd homer yesterday. This is a question for everyone that doesn’t own Soto but who has seen how many times people have asked in the comments if they should drop him. Soto is now batting: A) .366 B) 100 points higher than .266 C) Almost two hundred points better than Clement. D) All of the above. If you answered D, you’re right. If you refused to answer, you probably dropped him and were hoping for the best.
Kosuke Fukudome – 3-for-4, 3 Runs, 2 RBIs and his 3rd homer. He’s what Matt Diaz sees when he looks in the mirror. If you can afford to bench Fukudome vs. all lefties, you could have yourself a valuable 5th outfielder.
Jeff Suppan – Suppan’s being sent to the bullpen. There’s a fly in The Soup’s ointment.
Dave Bush – 3 2/3 IP, 7 ER, 12 baserunners. Some people who were pushing their luck in their H2H league, got a Cleveland Streamer.
Justin Masterson – 4 IP, 7 ER, 12 baserunners. Speaking of Cleveland Streamers. Blech. This is the kind of soul-crushing loss that forces you to either bench him for his next start or drop him.
Gio Gonzalez – 7 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 3 Ks and he only threw two walks. If he can keep his walks in check, he could be in for huge uptick in value.
Brett Anderson – Lifted from Saturday’s game with elbow tightness. I steered away from Anderson in all my leagues because of his IP jump from 2008 to 2009. I will say that when/if healthy, he has nasty stuff. As of right now, they’re reporting Anderson will make his next start. No idea who they are, but they’re usually right.
Javier Vazquez – 3 2/3 IP, 5 ER. I predicted rough times ahead when he moved to the AL, but wow. Someone in our fantasy baseball forums, mentioned there should be a glossary term for a pitcher going from the AL to the NL or vice versa. I agree. Anyone have any ideas?
Everth Cabrera – Cueto hit him on the knee with a pitch, which forced him to the bench for Sunday’s game, but EverCab did get in late and stole a base. Cueto should stick to screwing Cueto owners, and not EverCab ones.
Brad Penny – 7 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 8 baserunners, 0 Walks, 2 Ks. I have this strange feeling that Penny’s going to get named to the All-Star Game then get pummeled by the AL because Duncan won’t be on the staff.
Paul Konerko – Hit his 8th homer yesterday as he takes the lead in The Battle For Best Value From A Draft Pick That Everyone Yawned At. Vernon Wells is a close 2nd.
John Danks – 8 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 5 Ks as Jenks finished the game. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this was the first time a team’s game pitchers shared their last three letters since teammates, Rollie Fingers/Hans Wringers. Actually, they didn’t say that, but something that was overheard this week at the Elias Sports Bureau compound, “Billy, from Accounting, said, ‘I’ve had it with these monkey-fighting snakes on this Monday to Friday plane!’ over a hundred times, beating his old record by 37.”
Fister?
Damn near killed her.
For Javy Vazquez, I’m thinking something along the lines of “Circuit Breaker.”
But, you know, more clever.
Yeah, I was thinking of a circuit reference too. But mine went to the movie Short Circuit…that’s as far as I got.
Can’t think of a glossary term. Nothing that compares to the RBI curious suggestion a few weeks ago, anyway.
I’m actually surprised to see such a lengthy and detailed blog this morning. When I saw The History Channel running a Pawn Stars marathon yesterday, I was afraid between that and watching games there would be no time for Grey to write at all.
Glad I was wrong.
How about League Burn? As in damn i got league burn from that cocknoodle Vasquez!
AL/NL switch- “the ol’ switcher-poo”
Because after the switch they turn to poo, much like Javy has.
Or maybe… “Polarity Sh*tz”
As in, “I drafted Vazquez but totally forgot about the polarity sh*tz. Now I’m nice and screwed.”
@MeanMachine: I like League Burn!
‘mornin’, Grey. How do you think Hawpe’s DL stint impacts Spilborghs? Does he get more ABs? And, if so, what do you think he does with it?
Also, is there any hope Fraser becomes useful again? I’m moving him to my bench in any case, but in a 20-team league anyone who may get within arm’s reach of a SV is gobbled up. I just don’t know if that applies to Fraser any more.
AL/NL switch (in honor of Javier Vazquez) – “have your blah cuz”
@Grey – Thoughts on Gavin Floyd? Someone dropped him and I am thinking of trying my waiver priority on him and dropping Cueto.
‘9-hole glory’ — because the pitcher always bats 9th (unless you are Tony LaRussa)
Isn’t it time to change his name to NeverCab?
AL/NL pitcher change = “Lost the Schwartz”
Javy Vazquez was a stud pitcher in the NL until he joined the AL east dark side and lost the Schwartz
H2H keeper league 6×6 (OBP, QS)
Would you trade Orlando Cabrera, Ike Davis, and Chris Perez for Alcides Escobar, Nolan Reimold, and Brett Myers?? I’d be getting the Escobar side
Time to drop Cueto and pick up CJ Wilson? Standard 12 team Roto…..
Thanks!
…… or Carlos Silva ?
ugh, i drafted vazquez when he fell so far in my draft that i couldn’t turn him down as a SP3/SP4. obviously i wasn’t expected 2009 numbers, but is a ~4 era, 15 Ws, 200 Ks, and a sub-1.20 whip too much to ask? i mean, at least don’t destroy my era/whip on the final day of a h2h matchup against the f’ing A’s in oakland. just awful.
thankfully lilly looked good off the DL, i got duchscherer off waivers a few starts ago, cj wilson looks to at least be matchup worthy right now, and ervin appears to be fine when he doesn’t face the yankees (2 nyy starts thus far hurting his overall numbers).
i can’t drop vazquez yet cause it wouldn’t be the first time a guy has an awful april and a good season overall, but he’s buries deep on my bench for now.
@Euroalien: wilson
@Grey and anyone else with an opinion at this point. Weekly H2H league and I’m really growing tired of Zimmerman’s hammy issues. Start him this week because he’ll give me better value with his pinch hitting and maybe a few starts or plug Wigginton into 3B (which also means I would have to start Ian Desmond at MI–blech!)?
2 questions
1. Drop Ianetta for Olivo?
2. Pick 2 SP to start this week; Kazmir @ DET, Morrow vs OAK, Kennedy @ Cubs, Pavano @ DET.
I have a 3rd question – I’m starting Vlad at my DH spot. Do I consider removing him for K. Johnson or C. Blake.
$5 says Eric Young is gone in EVERY rcl by noon today.
@Tony: I think you have gambling addiction.
Way to kick those former Soto owners while they’re down, Grey! I like your style…
In my H2H league, I want to look at category totals to assess my team needs. When is a good time to do this? Is 3 weeks a fair estimate, or should I wait 1 or 2 more weeks before getting a true picture of my team needs/strengths?
Cross-tosser?
You know: Not quite what you think he is.
In all my years of fantasy ball, I’ve never really been lucky enough to pick up that one schmohawk player who suddenly goes off, over-performing beyond all expectations. But, the other day, I decided I’d had enough of Adrian Beltre’s zero extra-base hits on the season, and I needed a change.
Number of games I have started Kelly Johnson: 3
Number of HRs he’s hit: 4
Oh, Mr Kelly Johnson, you have found a sweet, sweet place in my heart.
In a related story, my team went from 11th to 4th in a week.
Compare these players, with BA/OBP/R/HR/RBI/SB:
Player A : .281/.364/100/33/113/9
Player B: .267/.398/81/38/105/0
Player A = Evan Longoria ’09
Player B = Adam Dunn ’09
So with Dunn you lost 19 R, 8 RBI and 9 steals, but gained 5 HRs and a better OBP by 35 points. Not exactly a wash, but close, no? Is there a 6 round difference in value here?
Which is to say: Is Adam Dunn underrated in OBP leagues? Longoria overrated? I know some of their relative value is based in the fact that, for Dunn, .267 is a ceiling, not a floor, while Longo could just as easily hit .310.
Still, it’s always interesting to strip the brand-names away and just look at the ingredient list.
AL: american idiot
NL: national treasure
simple, efficient, sufficiently pop culture-y
Drop ever cab for young jr to fill my MI spot? Im in need of speed and have theriot and utley at 2b/ss. My bench is made up of carlos trifecta of the santana, quentin, and beltran tribe. That and a nice knotty pine.
Is it worth buying low on Vasquez, or just stay away? Would you trade Bills to get Vasquez?
@Jeff: I’d say yes. Olivo is getting the majority of playing time especially while he’s raking. Might as well take advantage of it.
@Beau: Alright, it might be too early. I meant to say “drop alcides for young jr”.
In all fairness arent ever cab and alcides basically the same person?
@BKK: HA! I do like to put down the occassional bet tho! Its just funny grey could support Julio Franco and people would go search his name to see if he’s back. I saw E-Young entered last night and almost snagged him up, i just cant really justify dropping anyone right now, AND i’m last in SB’s in my RCL! Just gotta hope ells and Jroll get back, soon….
how’d you end the week BKK? in our yahoo league? I had a good one score wise, yet my team still is not hitting, once that kicks in im sure my pitching will crap the bed…..
With a somewhat borderline staff, who would you rather have, Gio or Masterson?
Those league changers are like post-op trannies… you can close your eyes and pretend it’s like all the other girls, but really, you know what USED to be down there.
A new name on the catcher market appears on the horizon or the Red Sox are preparing a spring overhaul – Adalberto Ibarra
In my H2H league I had a comfortable lead in ERA & WHIP, & tied in wins so I threw Masterson out there thinking “it’s the A’s, what could happen, let’s go for the wins”. Masterson is dead to me for the rest of the year!
This guy has both Soto and K. Johnson on his team. This guy had a good weekend.
Now will someone please give Prince Fielder’s wrist an injection of that platlet rich junk that Cliff Lee got in his back? Veggie Burger needs to start hitting HRs. Also, if one of you wouldn’t mind calling Nick Markakis and letting him know the season has started that would be swell.
Oh, and has everyone seen what The Riot has done over the last week? 14/28, 5 Rs, 6 RBIs, 1 SB. More please.
My Slowey for his Bruce in a 12-team 5×5 h2h keeper? Am I getting enough premium to justify dealing from so-so depth at SP?
Javy Vazquez seems to have forgotten how to pitch. He’s come down with ALzheimer’s.
@Grey – If I drop Johnny Cueto from my team, which of these do you prefer?
Brett Myers, Colby Lewis, Gavin Floyd, Rich Harden, Gio Gonzalez, Tom Gorzelanny, Scott Kazmir, Jaime Garcia, Wade LeBlanc, or Mat Latos
@steamer: i would say buy IF he wasn’t walking people. however, he’s got 11 BBs and 5 HRs given up in 20 innings. he’s now buried on my bench behind ervin santana (when he doesn’t pitch against the yanks), cj wilson, lilly, and duchscherer until he strings together several quality starts in row.
How about a hot carl? Switcher-poo works as well. Anything involving shizz on your face seems appropriate. Ever since they switched to the AL, Javy and Peavy have givin me the hot carl. Had Javy and Scherzer in a keeper league cuz of their “value” (keepers based on round drafted). Also drafted Peavy. I was fortunate to pawn Javy off already.
J-lo and capps for mmd seem reasonable or don’t bother?
@William: with that many quality options on the wire, no way i’d hold cueto. i have him on the end of my bench in a league where the options on the wire make me cringe. jaime garcia is looking solid and has the duncan magic + a solid team, but you need to be wary of teams getting a scouting report on him cause he could drop off in a hurry.
Roster crunch in a 3-OF league — I just traded Franklin Morales for Shane Victorino (woot), but that gives me Granderson, Sizemore, Quention, Ethier, and the Flyin’ Hawaiian for a maximum of 4 spots (3 OF + Util).
Out of those 5, who do I trade? That is, who has the best (current trade value)/(future actual value)?
@William: Grey is going to disagree ’cause he’s been hating on Colby, but everyone should have a chance to (go to Japan, learn a new pitch, develop a liking for sushi, and) reinvent themselves, right? I love Lewis’s K ability and I think his control will improve a little as well.
@Sos: if lopez was off to a good start then sure maybe the guy thinks about it if he needs saves. but since lopez is sucking and mmd is off to a good start, he probably can’t hit reject fast enough. i know i would.
you can’t offer up a slow starting guy for a guy that was hyped coming into the year AND is off to a good start. if you thought the hype was high in march, the mmd owners are even higher on him now. i think he’s gotta good shot at keeping his avg in the .280 range if he keeps his BB rate where it’s at.
@Mark Geoffriau: if you can’t get a good value on a guy i would hold tight, cause you never know when a guy gets hurt or maybe never snaps out of his funk (i’m looking at you sizemore) and you are thankful for the depth. in fact with both sizemore and quentin on your roster, i’d try to hold all 5 unless you got a killer deal or had a dire need elsewhere.
qualls just got dropped in one of my leagues: qualls or gregg?
I got the impression that Grey is looking for a term to cover both a pitcher benefiting from the AL/NL switch, as well as one suffering from it. All the suggestions so far just cover the latter.
With that in mind, I’m thinking something like “Pitching Abroad”.
“Halladay has taken well to pitching abroad in the NL. He’s even learning the language, hitting a respectable .200 with an RBI.”
“I think Javy Vasquez’ place is in the NL. He seems homesick since leaving to pitch abroad.”
Wow! Vasquez just hit the waiver wire in my 12 team H2H. Didn’t know it was that bad!
Drop Blanks for Coughlan for my bench OF right?
@Mark Geoffriau: I’d hold tight until Sizemore, then shop ’em around.
@Mark Geoffriau: I’d hold tight until Sizemore produces some decent offense, then shop ‘em around.
@Tony: you must be in the remedial RCL…he was gone in RCL #6 within minutes of the announcement
Lowe for Zambrano?
@ThePoonTycoon: @Awesomus Maximus: Yeah, I probably can use the depth for a while. The other factor is that Kubel just got dropped, and while he’s not the kind of guy I’d ever draft (at least where he was usually going this year), I’ll definitely grab him for free if I can. That would push me to 6 OF’ers for 4 spots.
@ThePoonTycoon – I’m dropping Cueto, but I’m not sure which names on my list I should drop him for. Gavin Floyd seems like the most steady performer, but Colby Lewis is showing an incredible k-rate. Everyone else I listed has varying degrees of upside.
Hi Grey – I’ve got room for one, who do you like?
Pelfrey, Zito, or Slowey?
Thanks
@albertalbert: Slowman, then Pelfrey, then Zito.
@albertalbert: I can answer that one for Grey in a heartbeat… Slowey.
I’ve been thinking about MI trade targets…could really use someone while Rollins is on the shelf. Anyone trying to buy low on Zobrist? His numbers are underwhelming so far but you have to figure with his defense he’ll get to 500 AB easy, and he’s got 700+ AB’s that show he’s legit.
I could trade either Matt Cain or Tommy Hanson for Lester. Do you recommend his trade? And which one would you choose to trade away.
Grey, I know you’re not a fan of Porcello, but my options aren’t great, so I’ll ask anyway…
Who to start this week?
Porcello vsANA (Pineiro)
Myers @ATL (Hudson)
Leake @HOU (Paulino)
@albertalbert: what they said…Slowey
H2H keeper league, 6×6 (OBP, QS)
Grey, would you trade Orlando Cabrera, Ike Davis, and Chris Perez for Alcides Escobar, Nolan Reimold, Brett Myers???
@Greg: I’d trade Cain for Lester in a heartbeat, but I’m a little biased…I’ve never been a big Cain fan. His numbers always look like they are due for a big correction, and I hate relying on players like that.
@William: i wouldn’t go after lewis given the names on that list. not sure where i’d go, but i feel like floyd should get straightened out, but i even question his ceiling. i think for right now i’d go garcia and ride the duncan magic. plus he’s a young guy with an unknown ceiling, so maybe he is this good. i don’t trust gorzelanny. myers pitches for a shit team and we know his ceiling. harden and floyd and co. are pitching so bad right now that if they are on waivers already then they’ll be there for another start or 2 and you can monitor their production from afar and jump on them if needed. lewis does still pitch for texas, so as the temps heat up and the balls flies outta arlington i would be wary. plus i’m not convinced his control will get corrected given his lack of mlb trackrecord the past few years.
@Greg: cain easily
“A starting pitcher who switches from the AL to the NL will be henceforth called a ‘daywalker’
And that’s me quoting me!
Here are a couple:
“oversized sunglasses”, because a chick can look attractive when she has them on (NL pitcher) but when she takes them off she reveals her true features (AL pitcher).
“Grab Bag” – When you pay a dollar, sometimes you come out with a 2 dollar prize, and sometimes you come out with a 30 cent prize.
“Beer Goggles” – No need to explain
“Career Intermission”
Cueto’s start was pushed back from Friday to Saturday due to a “side injury”…Maybe a reason why he has pitched so poorly? (I am hoping)
Grey – would love to hear your thoughts on Sizemore, I know the owner in my keeper league is fed up with him
Grey….
H2H league. I let my 1b slide this year and now have the choice of Nick Johnson or Ike Davis this week. Who would you roll the dice with? Keep in mind that I also have Jose Reyes and David Wright starting for me already!
TIA
pitcher moves from NL to AL … “ALL mixed up”
Jake Peavy is ALL mixed up…uh huh huh.
pitcher moves from AL to NL … “nationalized”
The Phillies made like Hugo Chavez and nationalized Roy Halladay.
5×5 (OBP instead of AVG) h2h keeper: His Verlander for my Nelson Cruz + J Sanchez? I like cruz in this format so is this giving too much?
@Commish Cauda: haha, i wouldnt say that at all, i have not checked my rcl since last night, i’m sure he is gone…. has been gone….. might have even been rostered before the call up….
yeah i would be wary of that trade. i think verlander ends up being fine, but jonathan o can give you similar Ks and may have taken a step forward in his era/whip/bb. i think cruz is a top 10 OF this year. he’s actually playing everyday and with 550+ ABs he could give you 35-20.
heads up for all the rasmus owners in weekly leagues…cards face all right-handed SPs this week.
With Kinsler about to come back, I was looking to offer a trade for him. Would my giving up Figgins/Garza for his Kinsler/Liriano be a good/bad move? I have a ton of pitching already and just added Lilly off of the DL so I can afford to take a chance on Liriano. Also, I can use Ian Stewart at 2b even if Kinsler’s a bust. It would be a trade for potential. Good move?
Cross(over/under)
Halladay is having an impressive crossover into the NL (and onto a viable team with viable management).
Vazquez’s crossunder has New Yorkers treating him like John Rocker.
@Fman99: Ewww!
10 team 5×5 roto, Quentin and Markakis my only bench players. Cant trade them at current value, but once they heat up, what level of SP could I get for one– or both?
@Frank Rizzo: I doubt that owner would do the trade, but even if it goes through I don’t like it for you.
I’d wait out Kinsler’s return. The guy who drafted him is going to be really excited to slot him into the lineup finally. Wait for Kinsler to stumble out of the gates and then pick up a half season of him without having to trade Garza.
@William: I’d drop him and grab Latos, especially with 3 of 4 next starts (based on back-of-the envelope calculations) at home, after tonight’s start in Miami.
Is EY Jr. better than Wiggy or Callaspo? I am mixing and matching those 2 right now until Roberts comes back depending on matchups. I could use the steals, but then my offense could use everything. (only batting .250 w/ .330 OBP)
@PoonTycoon – In over 300 Innings in Japan, Colby walked 50 batters… do you think it’s the U.S. air or the lack of genuine sushi that is causing Colby to be a bit more wild?
I think it’s really weird how his k-rate has transitioned well to the Majors but his BBs hasn’t.
@albertalbert: My vote: Slowey, Zito, Pelfrey.
Hey should I bail on Brandon Phillips? All he does is melt my batting average each week.
Should I drop him for somebody like Callaspo or Howie Kendrick?
Howdy Grey, Razznation. Would you rather have Krispy or Alfonso Soriano from here on out? Or is it tomato tomahto at this point?
David Price just hit the waiver wire (What?!?) after a streaming team started him Sunday and dropped him after the game.
I’m not sure I have room for him though. My staff:
SP: Haren, Lester, Hamels, Nolasco, Slowey, Filthy Sanchez, J. Garcia
RP: Feliz, Gregg, Marmol, Madson, Jenks, Street
Is Lidge close enough to being back that I can cut Madson? I should have plenty of saves once Street comes back and I’m currently sitting 2nd in that category.
My other option is to lose Garcia. He’s really impressed me though…
True story #1: I just checked and Paul Konerko, ML HR leader, is still an unclaimed FA in my league.
True story #2: I didn’t pick him up either.
1B is just too deep in our shallow league. I’ve got Morneau and Dunn and am already trying to find PT for 6 OFs.
So Konerko puts on his Jimmy Clausen jersey, and waits by the phone.
@sean: You have room for him. You def have room for him.
Drop any of (in order): Garcia, Madson, Street.
@sean: give me your login so i can go drop madson or street or garcia for you asap. seriously. go drop madson now. it’s not like he’s even been lights out when given the chance to close. if you can’t help but to hoard RPs go drop garcia, who has impressed me too, but isn’t a game changer like david price could be this year.
@sean: you play in a 6 team league?
@Commish Cauda: it’s a ten-team high stakes league, actually
Hey all.
I can snag Rasmus for the equally yawnstipating Tim Hudson or Ben Sheets.
No brainer right? There are plenty of pitchers on my league waivers that can put up similar numbers ( Duscherer, Piniero, Randy Wells)
duchscherer should be owned long before hudson and sheets anyway imo.
@sean: Lose Garcia… in a heartbeat.
@KarlJ.: agree with Poon…get Rasmus, pick-up Duch
@ThePoonTycoon: re: Duscherer/ Sheets/ Hudson
I figured tomato- tomato, that they should all put up similar numbers and are all injury risks
I guess that means yes?
Hey Grey, I need some power and RBI’s. Should I trade Carlos Gonzalez for Carlos Quentin?
@Everyone – Anyone believe Carlos Zambrano goes back to the starting rotation? He’s sitting as a FA right now and I’m tempted to pick him up and drop Johnny Cueto.
Ha! I drafted Nerko AND Wells.
@Baron Von Vulturewins:
Ha- Cross Tosser was my idea a few weeks ago when we were trying to think of a Razzball term for pitchers that become position players and vice-versa.
@Everyone – Someone just offered me Kevin Slowey for my David Aardsma… In the spirit of SAGNOF, I’m tempted to click accept.
Right now my closers are Heath Bell, David Aardsma, and Franklin Morales. If I accept this trade, I’d drop Cueto for a speculative saves guy… basically a glorified setup dude.
Is this a no-brainer accept on my part and i’m overthinking it?
@Grey: Thanks for covering John Jaso.
I was actually going to ask you about the guy for my 2C league. AJP is burning a hole in my roster today and you beat me to it.
I may dump one of my many mediocre arms for the young catcher. OBP league, so his discipline will reward me.
@Mitch: are you mentally insane…. brandon phillips?
@William: How big is your league? I dropped Z in my 12 team mixed. I’d love some cheap K’s but he’s an even more dangerous ratio killer in the bullpen.
I’m keeping an eye on Chicago’s rotation. If one of their starters falter, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Z head back to the rotation soon.
Bud Norris vs. Cin?
or
Aaron Harang vs. Hou?
Bud Norris v. Cin is my pick
I’m done with Aaron Harang.
@Tony: He’s batting .219 w/ 2 HRs and 9 RBIs.
Or is he going to bounce back? Maybe I’m just being impatient.
@Eddy:
Throw in Tom Gorzelanny vs. Was too
@Mitch: for a guy that you had to figure for around .250-60, .220 shouldnt be dragging you down that much. He’s a couple of 3-for-4 days away from that mark… The 20/20 is his real value. I wouldn’t give up on that for Callaspo or Wigginton…
@Mitch – with guys with a track record like Brandon Phillips’ some patience is best. Brandon isn’t some rookie or sophmore.
@Mitch: He’ll bounce back. You wouldn’t drop teixiera would you? Its early, week #4? Guys slump, sucks when they start in a slump…. warm weather is coming, it sucks in ohio right now, i know i live there, you absolutely can’t drop him and trading him wouldnt probably get you good value right now either…. just hold.
@dean: Hehe
@Bring Back Pluto: That’s not bad, not exactly funny, but it is accurate.
@Terrence Mann: Chumlee!
@MeanMachine: Eh
@in_ertiatic: Eh
@Eric: Frasor’s a pretty far way away from closing right now. Probably take about two weeks of Gregg blown saves. Spilborghs could see some extra time.
@Spamcakes: Eh
@William: Eh
@Bryan: It’s okay.
@timSTi: Made me smile, but I don’t think it works.
@Child Please: Sure
@Euroalien: Wilson
@Jeff: 1. Sure. 2. Kennedy and Morrow.
@Jeff: No
@Cheese: You should have a decent idea your weakness by now.
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Ha! That’s pretty good, Baron.
@mjxm: Hmm… Not bad. Will consider.
@Beau: Sure
@steamer: I wouldn’t.
@AdamH: Gio
@Fman99: It’s okay.
@Matt B: It’s fair.
@Ed with a T: It’s okay.
@William: Garcia
@Sos: Seems okay.
@ThePoonTycoon: Tomato-tomahto.
@Awesomus Maximus: I am looking for both, but that one is just okay. I think Baron’s works.
@Howie Met Your Mother: Eh
@Mr. Rickey: I wouldn’t own either.
@Commish Cauda: Myers
@max: Eh
@Ozzy: I think Sizemore can still be productive. Worth a shot depending on the price you pay.
@Larry Dallas: Johnson
@swpayton: Eh
@Matt B: It’s too much.
@Frank Rizzo: Eh
@sean: Eh
@Kazmere: Depends how hot they get, no? Maybe try for Lester or Verlander now?
@papasmurf: Over Callaspo
@Mitch: No
@Clyde Prompto: Soriano
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Ha!
@Real Tom: Could work out for you, but I think you can do better.
@vbguy: Nice
@3FingersBrown: No problem.
@Eddy: Neither? Norris
@Grey – 12 team league standard 5×5 H2H
My current pitchers are – Johan Santana, Cole Hamels, WandyWagon, AJ Burnett, Clay Buchholz, Johnny Cueto
RP – Heath Bell, David Aardsma, and Franklin Morales
Someone offered me Kevin Slowey for David Aardsma
2 questions –
1. Do I accept? I’m leaning towards “yes” because I love Slowey, but I don’t know what to expect from him.
2. I’m going to drop Cueto for a RP who will be next in line for saves. Names that come up are Brandon Lyon, Tyler Clippard, Joel Zumaya. It’s pretty much a crap shoot, but what do you think?
in a H2H league who would start SANCHEZ tonight? vs. PHILLY vs HALLADAY…….
why does this always happen! at least its in san fran, i guess….
@ Grey/all:
Victorino just hit the wire. Drop my Kubel or Rajai 4 him? Or stay away… I’ve noticed hes hit leadoff past few games…
brett anderson or jason hammel this week?
anderson is questionable for his start at Toronto (morrow)
hammel has two starts vs Ariz (Haren) at SF (Sanchez)
or do you like neither, in which case i will start chris perez
@William: I would look at some other RP before getting on that carousel of suck you listed. Valverde, Capps, and Lindstrom are all performing pretty well and don’t appear on shaky ground.
Gutierrez in Arizona seems to be the closest non-closer to having the job. You may also want to think about grabbing Badenhop in Florida.
@Tony: In weekly leagues, I’m sitting Filthy (he goes up against PHI and COL).
@Sean, my Cueto for RP drop is contingent I accept the Slowey trade. Should I do it? I listed my staff out, but Slowey did not have a good start against the Royals yesterday. However, this is Slowey, and a pitcher of his caliber is well worth Aardsma right?
I play in a H2H league.
@tHe ShiT: Grab him…I guess R Davis if you have to (SAGNOF), but you have nobody else to drop?
@Grey: Any thoughts on Zobrist? I’m looking to swap either a SP or an OF for a MI (Rollins owner). I tossed Hamels for Zobrist out there, probably not enough to get it done, right?
@Mark Geoffriau:
Its a 16 team mixed league but we only hv 17 roster spots. I hv no hitters on my bench only SPs. My pitchers are Gallardo, Garza, B Anderson, Bills, Liriano, J Garcia. My pitching is solid so far, so maybe drop Jaime??? Not sure on this one. Plus 4 steals, I got Nelson Cruz, Zobrist. Victorino wont replace Rajais steals, but hell contribute…
H2H-POINTS League
Who to start this week?
Hammel vsARI (Haren) & @SF (Sanchez)
or
Latos @FLA (JJohnson) & vsMIL (Gallardo)
Drop Ianetta for Snyder?
Hi Grey — Are you starting Latos tonight? I have him in a 14-team and 20-team league and am planning on starting him in both. Good idea?
Did anyone notice Napoli got an SB last nite? SAGNOF! His SB gave me the win in that category : )
@sean: its H2H daily transactions…. Call me crazy but i wanna throw him tonight vs. PHILLY, we only need 32 innings is the thing, i dont know if i wanna run him out and get blown up then im hoping and praying the rest of the week…. it just sucks bc you know Halladay is basically going to shut down SF. IDK tho, i’m pretty lucky….
@William: I’d take Slowey. Eh on those MR options. Grab Zumaya if you like.
@Tony: Sure
@tHe ShiT: Drop Rajai if you’re okay on steals, Kubel if you’re not.
@Hebrew Hammer: Anderson
@Mark Geoffriau: Could get it done.
@Commish Cauda: Latos
@Mr. Rickey: Sure
@Eric: I am.
@tHe ShiT: Nice
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Rudy brought up a good point on IM. Crosstossers doesn’t say a good pitcher too. AL pitchers going to NL are being underrepresented by that glossary term.
how bout vazquez etc. got ‘wife swapped’… woke up in a whole new house like the show…
@ Grey/all:
When JRoll comes back, how does Victorinos value change if he gets dropped down to 7th in the lineup?
@tHe ShiT: An unexpected steal from a catcher wins you the week in H2H? I sense a glossary term: “catch-burglar.”I got catch-burgled!
Or “catch-nap” — the catcher caught the catcher napping. Napoli with the catch-nap!
Or “Chicken Catch-a-Torre” — when Joe Torro overworks a catcher and ruins him, a la Russell Martin.
Bryce Harper: I hope the Dodgers don’t pick me?
Father Harper: Why?
Bryce: Because I’m Chicken Catch-a-Torre!
It’s a pretty niche term, I admit.
weekly lineups points league: bench one: nolasco (vs. was) garza (vs. KC) wandy (@atl) sanchez (vs. phi, vs. col)
pick 3: weeks, borbon, cargonz, pods, robot jones, j-up
What if we just renamed the NL to the AAAA level? Then you just say that Vazquez got called up, and his stuff wasn’t good enough to compete in the majors.
Scratch that, it’d be highly confusing for guys who are actually getting called up.
@Grey: Cross-tossers can’t be good?
Have you ever taken a real long look at RuPaul? Dark club, last call, two too many Jagers?
Clearly you haven’t been watching RuPaul’s Drag Race.
H2H keeper league– should Carlos Santana be owned? (or Rob Thomas for that matter) And should I still own Frank Frank?
what group ya prefer?
Group A:Votto/Beltre/J.Rivera
Group B: Pence/Loney/Quentin
Maybin (vsSD, vsWAS) or Fowler (vsARI, @SF) this week in a deep H2H-POINTS League?
Maybin was lousy last week. Fowler will play even more now with Hawpe hurt, and he does face two lefties this week, but they’re in SF against Zito and Sanchez.
@Doot Doot: A
What are the thoughts of Carlos Lee — is he a buy low candidate or does he look spent? I could use another power hitting OF and the guy who has Lee needs MI, tempted to offer one of mine.
@Iceman:
how many teams in your league?
how many catchers do you start?
can you stash him in a minors spot unitl he gets the call?
who would you drop to keep him?
Santana is a great keeper prospect who will contribute this year, but I think he might be a waste of a roster spot in a 10-team league. Borderline in a 12-teamer
Bud Norris, Chris Perez or Old Man Moyer over the next month or so?
Commish-
12team
1C
no stashing
probably drop Frank Frank
How about a pitcher who goes from the NL to the AL is beLeagured?
And from AL to NL: B-Leagued? Or “Retired to the Senior Circuit?”
What are thoughts on this trade that was proposed to me?
Give: Utley, Tulo, Manny, Burnett, M. Gonzalez
Rec: Hanley, Kinsler, Headley, Greinke
Hi Grey — What is the diff between Mujica and Gregerson? Same team, and their stats are almost identical. Adding in Jepsen, Linebrink, and Okajima, which two do you like more? I’m looking for a middle reliever who can help with ratios, and occasionally vulture a win or save. Thanks.
@keith: i like your side but you’re assuming the kinsler risk, which is why the guy is wanting this deal…. if kinsler pans out and doesn’t get hurt anymore (big if) i think its solid especially with greinke tipping the scale in your favor…
AL to NL…the European “On Halladay”
Like last year Vazquez was “On Halladay”
this year Halladay is “On Halladay”
and this for Vazquez and Peavy the vacation is over!
@Tom Reale: and this year, for Vazquez and Peavy, the vacation is over!
@Xar: Ha. I was IMing with Grey about b-leaguered as well. I had:
B-Leaguered
When a successful NL pitcher becomes besieged with problems upon moving to the less pitcher-friendly American League.
and
NLightened – When a mediocre AL pitcher suddenly ‘sees the light’ upon moving to the NL. If said pitcher returns to the AL, they will re-enter the dark ages. See Javier Vazquez.
I also was throwing around ‘Meager Leaguer’ as “A mediocre pitcher that feasts on the meager hitting found in the NL.”. Can be abbreviated to migaliga for texting purposes.
@dingers: That made me laugh, don’t think it works though.
@Baron Von Vulturewins: Chicken Catch-a-Torre — Ha!
@brad: Garza… But don’t want to bench any of them.
@brad: CarGo, J-Up and Weeks…
@Baron Von Vulturewins: I have missed it, yeah.
@Iceman: Yes for both.
@Doot Doot: A
@Commish Cauda: Maybin
@Bodymore: Depends what you’re offering. I still think he’s a 27 homer, .280 hitter, so yeah, decent buy low.
@Panti Jose: Perez
@Xar: Ha… Rudy said something similar to me.
@keith: I’d take the Tulo side.
@Eric: I like Gregerson more.
@Tom Reale: Bit too specific.
If you had to pick one:
Moyer, Harang, or Lowe
I’m in an 5×5 league that uses OBP instead of AVG and I’d like to move a 1B for an OF. What do you guys think of giving up Carlos Pena for Werth?
Did I make a mistake trading Peavy and Youkilis for Ian Stewart and Vazquez?
@Iceman: I agree with Grey…do it
or Perez
Do you think Ervin Santana will get the Cleveland Streamer treatment vs CLE this week? Should I pick up Duch over Santana?
@GTS: i personally think ervin is fine. he’s had 2 of his 4 starts against the yankees that inflate his numbers, but his K rate/BB rate/WHIP are all looking solid. the angels only have 2 more games against the yankees this year in july, and santana will have a lot of starts ahead against sea and oak to drop the era. that said, i’d find a way to roster duchscherer too.
What is your take on Javy right now? Are you buying?
.342 BABIP, 9.00 ERA, 6.28 FIP, 4.87 xFIP
@Grey: think the question may have been posted earlier, but didnt see the response. start zimmerman in weekly roto leagues? replacement option is callaspo.
thanks.
I think with the Yanks offense behind Javy is what I am buying. I bought Peavy high but Steve Stone the color man for the sox said he might not be able to adapt to the AL… who know he is riding my bench anyway
@Tom Reale: i’m holding and he’s buried deep on my bench behind cj wilson, ervin santana, duchscherer, and lilly. but the league has deep rosters so most of the “hot” starting kinda guys have been claimed at this point, so the potential upside of vazquez if he straightens things out is much better than grabbing some schmohawk i’ll end up dropping in a few weeks anyway.
@ThePoonTycoon: I don’t own him anywhere right now. I let everyone draft him too high on last year’s #’s and am now trying to swoop in and buy low. Duch for Javy sound good?
@Mr. Rickey: Lowe
@El Burrito: I’d take Werth.
@Oscar: It’s okay.
@GTS: Both are fine.
@Tom Reale: 4.87 is exactly screaming, he’s gonna be great.
@herschel: I’d start Zimm.
@Tom Reale: worth an offer, i’d consider if i didn’t own both. i didn’t draft vazquez on last year’s numbers, everyone was on that scent and he fell a ridiculous amount down the draft board and i finally couldn’t pass up the value. well i thought it was value since i was taking him as a SP3/SP4 expecting ~4.00 era, 200+ Ks, 15 Ws, and a 1.20 WHIP. that said, his BB rate is way up and his velocity is down a few notches according to fangraphs, so wouldn’t buy into him too hard. hell, i might sit tight and see if he gets dropped. i mean, he even struggled @oak. if he puts out a few more crappy outings it wouldn’t surprise me to start seeing him hit the wire or be traded for guys who could help you a lot less than duch.
@Grey: Duch for Javy?
@Tom Reale: Sure
@Grey: I didn’t and still don’t think he’ll be great but I’d like 15 wins, 200 K’s and mid 4 ERA
@ Grey/all:
When JRoll comes back, how does Victorinos value change if he gets dropped down to 7th in the lineup?
Repost of an unanswered ? Really appreciate input…
@Grey: Tejada maybe? Not sure I’ll get him for that but might be worth a shot. Gotta be sure Zimmerman is going to stay healthy or else I don’t have the depth for this trade…
How about “Decepticon” for pitchers going from the NL to the AL? I don’t have any cold, hard facts, but I would assume there’s an uptick in ERA/WHIP for such pitchers. Used in a sentence, it would go something like this: “Even disregarding Sheets’ injury history, there’s the fact that he’s nothing more than an evil Decepticon. I wouldn’t own him with your team.” (last line pulled directly from Grey’s musings)
And for AL to NL pitchers, ala Roy Halladay, the obvious corresponding term is “Autobot”, as in “Halladay is a stud on any team, but this year he’s also an Autobot, which puts him among, if not at the top of, the elite.”
It also works in the odd case that an NL to AL pitcher does well, as one could say “Despite being a Decepticon, Scherzer has looked good so far this year.”
I am getting a lot of offers for Kelly Johnson in a 14 team 5 X 5 head2head league. I am pretty weak on starting pitching, any thoughts on pitchers that I may be able to buy low on?
@ThePoonTycoon: I was talking about guys in my keeper league. I knew they would take him too early. That’s exactly what I’m expecting: 15 wins, 200 K’s and mid 4 ERA. QS is a cat. too. I saw his BB rate is up but he is not getting his curve over for a strike right now and I think that will change. Also, every FB is turning into a HR. I expected HR’s to be up this year but not quite this much. Also, I expect significant regression from Duch so I want to make sure I sell high. Thanks for your input.
@Tom Reale: well i am pretty bitter after i had vazquez take a shit on my era and whip and baa cats in my h2h matchup on sunday afternoon (weekly lineups so i couldn’t pull him last minute once i knew i was in good shape).
@tHe ShiT: His a post about lineup position impact:
https://razzball.com/lineup-position-impact-on-runs-rbi/
@Bodymore: Worth a shot.
@JoeC: Appreciate the effort, but not feeling them.
@Slumpbustin: Lester, Verlander, Beckett, Slowey…
@Tony: Came out okay even with Masterson and Slowey pooping the bed. I think it it was 12-8. I think you are 1 game ahead of me now.
@Tony: Oh, and just for the record EYJ was picked up in my RCL this morning.
Vasquez went on Big Gay AL’s Boat Ride
@Bodymore: Ha
Johnathan Sanchez and Andrus for Rollins. Which side?
@Panti Jose: Andrus side.
Colby lewis had good walk rates in Japan though. I’m saying you was pimping doug fister not so long ago…
For anyone with an opinion. Pick 2!
Harden vs CHW
E. Santana vs CLE
Danks @ NYY
Floyd @ TEX
@BKK: ya i got big daddy Ma$e this week haha, my one buddy from chicago… big week and i’m leaping to first, and thats with about zero offense….. my team has to come out of this slump sometime…. too many .275-.300+ hitters hitting like .220-.250
I’m not diggin my matchups this week pitching wise, Dirty tonight vs. Halladay and PHILLY, and haren @ COL…..ugh might be a rought start!
@Rudy Gamble: I like when there is one, dual-purpose term rather than two. I know my suggestion of “Pitching Abroad” wasn’t funny/edgy enough for the final draft (see post #50) but thought it might be a good starting point.
@BKK: HA! someone owes me $5
16-team, H2H-5X5
Pick TWO to start this week:
Gio Gonzalez @TOR (Eveland)
Hammel vaARI (Haren) & @SF (Sanchez)
Buchholz @TOR (Marcum)
Correia @FLA (Robertson)
Thanks.
@Jarrad:
Santana and flip a coin between Danks & Floyd?
@Jarrad: First two.
Giving up Javy (25 to keep next year)/Choo (17 to keep)/Maybin (4 to keep and getting Buchholz (9 to keep)/Ethier (15 to keep) – I’m inches from pulling the trigger
@Commish Cauda: Correia and Buchholz. None are terrible though.
@Other Dean: Seems like you’re giving up a lot when adding in Maybin.
Smoak will hit his first HR tonight, calling it…..
@Grey: Cool. I was leaning that way…
@Grey:
My annoying nemesis is making another of his craptastic trade offers, normally I don’t even bother to reply. I do kinda covet his Jimmy Rollins on the DL but not sure whats good value for me to offer. Is Dunn too much to give for an injured question mark?
@Commish Cauda: Thanks for the input. Santana was a my first pick, with Harden second and Danks third. The only thing that gives me pause with Danks is the fact that he’s facing the Yanks…
Gardner for Eric Young Jr?
Do you think Young is up to stay, or does he go back down in two weeks?
I sort of like the risk of getting Young, for this keeper league, as I could use some MI help with Roberts hurt…but Gardner, even in the 9 hole, is more of a sure thing. My gut says Gardner for this year and Young for next.
@Tony: I already traded him away in one league.
@Elijah: Don’t bother.
@Spamcakes: I’d want Gardner.
@Grey:
Gotcha.
@Grey: How depressing is it that I have three out of the four pitchers you listed as good “buy low” candidates?
@Grey: haha i tried, i put him in a deal to the guy that i knew wanted him but i snagged him first and i couldnt get a response, i get really annoyed when my trades are up for like 3 days!
what did you get for smoak grey? and i’m sorry he will hit a HR tonight and you dont own him….
@Dingo: Just think, your team’s due.
@Tony: EverCab and Madson. Smoak was a bench player for our team.
@Everyone/@Grey – Can anyone tell me the relationship between ERA/FIP/xFIP?
From my basic understanding, if FIP is significantly lower than ERA, then the pitcher has been a bit unlucky, and very lucky if the FIP is much higher than ERA. I have no clue what xFIP means. The reason why I ask is because of Cole Hamels…
Hamels has an ERA of 5.11, an FIP of 5.41, and an xFIP of 3.27
Does this paint an optimistic view of Hamels turning things around, or not?
What is the difference between the ERA-FIP relationship and ERA-xFIP relationship?
Does this crap even matter?
@Grey: nice i dont know what i try and get for him, my league is trade stingy, kinda sucks, and they’re very anti-tony since i won the league last yr and i’m pretty BOLD about it lol
What about the always useful Seinfeld to give us the wonderful term Bizzaro-world for pitching in the other league?
It’s like Vasquez is pitching in Bizzaro-world. Up is down, left is right, ball is strike.
Too obvious?
@K Krazy: Yeah, probably.
@William: FIP is a better pitching metric than ERA because it normalizes ERA such that it assigns all pitchers equal fielding behind them and equal BABIP so that it truly reflects a pitchers skills based on k/bb/etc. xFIP goes further to normalize hr/fb rates. Im not sure which one but either FIP or both also include noralized park factors.
Basically, fip/xfip tell us wether or not a pitchers era reflects skill or luck. If FIP/xFIP = era then the pitchers era reflects the skill, if fip/xfip > era then the pitcher has been lucky, and if fip/xfip < era then pitcher has been unlucky.
So when nolasco had an fip – era of like 3 last year it means his era was like 3 runs higher than it should have been based on his skills, and meant that getting him in the later rounds in drafts filled with schmohawk owners who dont get sabermetrics was awesome.
@K Krazy: Good for the salmon.
@William: xFip is FIP with homer neutralized. Works the same as FIP. xFIP over ERA, he’s been lucky and vice versa. Hamels has been unlucky so far.
@William: FIP projects ERA based on the three items under a pitcher’s control: HR, K, BB. A pitcher with bad BABIP luck and/or HR rate luck (HR/Fly Balls given up) would have a lower FIP than ERA. xFIP adjusted HRs to league average. So the huge delta in Hamels’ FIP vs. XFIP is illustrating that a higher-than-average HR rate is the reason why his ERA isn’t a lot better (given his K/BB rate).
@Beau: err, tuna is the line i think.
@Grey: which side of Kelly Johnson for Chase Headley would you want, roto, this year only?
Thanks.
@herschel: Depends on the positional need, for UTIL I’d take Headley.
@Grey: I currently have Johnson as well as asdrubal, callaspo and eyj at 2b. Chase would likely by 3rd-5th of (with bruce and cargo), insurance for zimmerman and util (pena).
@Rudy/@Grey/@Beau – so if a pitcher has a 5.1 xFIP and a 3.5 FIP and a 5.1 ERA, what does that tell me?
Few ideas:
Pennied – When an NL pitcher gets traded to the AL and shits the bed. Reference to Brad Penny, who racked up a 5.61 ERA in 24 starts for the Sox, was then replaced in the rotation by Tim Wakefield, and finally traded.
Brownout – When an good NL pitcher can’t hack it in the AL. Reference to Kevin Brown who was dominant with the Padres, Dodgers, and Marlins and was less than average with the Rangers and Yankees.
Christmas Tree – An NL pitcher who gets lit up upon being traded to the AL: “Vazquez was dominant for Atlanta last year but he’s a christmas tree this year.”
For the pitcher who sucked in the NL and found success after coming to the AL: “Flipped the Byrd” – a reference to Paul Byrd who was atrocious in the NL before resurrecting his career in the AL. This is obviously a very rare occurrence.
Ronblommed – When an NL pitcher gets traded to the AL. Reference to first official DH, Ron Blomberg. No indication on said pitchers performance, just the simple fact that he was moved to the AL.
@William: It means he has been very unlucky on giving up homeruns. As long as that statistically unlikely trend regresses to the mean then his era (and fip) should come down.
Ryan Howard agreed to a five-year, $125 million extension that includes an option for a sixth year ($10M buyout). Howard turns 31 in November…
Vazquez was Ronblommed in the off season. Only time will tell whether he remains a Brownout or Flips the Byrd.
@herschel: I’d lose Callaspo for Headley.
@Mojo the Helper Monkey: Blech
@TheEvilEmpire: All worthy ideas, but it’s a bit much for people to remember all the ins and outs of each term.
@Rudy Gamble: also keep in mind someone like hamels may always appear “unlucky” when it comes to xFIP since he pitches in a HR friendly home park. whereas someone in petco/metco/oak might appear “lucky”.
@Beau: Well good for the tuna.
@Jarrad: Harden scares me, but anyone short of an ace coming into Yankee stadium to face that line-up scares me even more.
If anything, Harden has been consistently up-and-down for a while now, going back to last season. He’s due for a decent outing. Maybe you’ll get lucky…
Kelly over Polanco at 2b? 5X5 Roto Waiting for Beckham to turn it on
@Grey: Agreed. I have a feeling that all non-Phillies fans are really going to like that signing in 2-3 years.
What kind of pitcher is fair value for Berkman? Just curious…
@Dumbmutt: Nope
@Mojo the Helper Monkey: Yeah, that deal might not look good in two years time, let alone in three to five years.
@Justinian IV: Slowey, Lester, Verlander… Not in that order. Somewhere in there.
@ThePoonTycoon: Over 378 IP at home his FIP – xFIP is 0.34 (3.85/3.51) while in 382 IP on the road its 0.12 (3.84/3.72). So yeah, this “unlucky-ness” is somewhat do to being in a pitchers park. Either way over his carreer xfip/fip have been closer than era/fip so it seems that although xfip will always be a bit lower than fip, his current fip is inflated and should come down, as should his era (hopefully).
http://www.fangraphs.com/statsplits.aspx?playerid=4972&position=P&season=0
Who’s your favorite?:
Masterson
Penny
Pelfrey
G. Gonzalez
Scherzer
Marcum
@K Krazy: Hi, I’m victoria.
@Beau: yeah i wasn’t talking hamels specifically, but just saying that in general some parks are more conducive to giving up HRs than others.
@Grey: I need to select 2 in Roto 5×5 – your thoughts, please?
-Marcum (BOS, OAK both home)
-Anderson (“supposed” to start @ TOR, if healthy)
-Scherzer (MIN at home)
-Chris Perez (don’t really need SV, but option to avoid bad starters)
And you’re right on re: Scherzer SELL… his FIP and xFIP are both about 2 runs higher than his current ERA. But I can’t find takers yet, so I could start him this week.
Thanks
Mike D.
Grey, which player would you drop? (14 team H2H, regular pitching cats plus QS)
Gio or Ian Kennedy?
@Mike D.: marcum is a solid start i think. i’d probably roll with anderson unless the health outlook isn’t good (i don’t own him so i am not up to date on it). even if anderson misses the start, maybe it causes you to miss scherzer and perez getting lit up.
@Effenhooer: Penny
@Mike D.: Anderson, Scherzer…
@poop: Kennedy
My A. Hill and F. Guiterez for his werth, is this fair?
@Dough boy: It’s okay.
NL to AL: Busted implant. A pitcher who may at one time have been attractive but now just causes pain and suffering.
And, keeping with the theme …
AL to NL: WHIPosuction. “I always liked Halladay, but after his WHIPosuction, he’s looking better than ever.”
@Grey et al. Which side in a trade and is it fair? This is a weekly H2H all the traditional categories/positions except OBP instead of AVG and 2 catchers, MI, CI, and 5 OF. I’m deep with SP but really need help with OF/Util.
Soriano, Maybin, Nolasco, and Snyder or Soto, Ian Stewart, Garza, Sanchez
Thanks!
Cruz/Zimm for Longoria/Upton Sr.
?
Last place in Saves! 1/2 of league is starting either 2 or 3 RP’s. I have 4 RP’s starting -Broxton, Nunez, Wagner, Gregg. At end of April is it possible Broxton and Wagner have a combined 4 saves??? I’m puking over the $12 salads
@ScoutAbout: give me the mmd/garza/soto/filthy side and it’s not close. nolasco is the only guy from the other side i’d even sweat losing and he’s more than made up for by garza/filthy.
@penpen: longo/upton side. zimm and cruz both having some hammy issues seals it.
@Squiggly Line: Not bad efforts, but need a lot of explanation without context.
@johnny o: Ha
@Grey @ThePoonTycoon: Thanks guys.
Another one – Masterson or Duchscherer for rest of year? I know The Duke is pitching better, but I just cannot believe he’ll make more than 20 starts (and he’s used 4 already). Agree?
grey…who do you think is “closer” to getting the job? lol
guttierez or frank frank?
also, masterson or c.richard
grey…
who is closer to getting the job?
guttierez? or frank frank
also,
richard or masterson?
best waiver SP grab — Pavano, Ian Kennedy, Clayton Richard or Wade LeBlanc?
@Mike D.: i’d go duch for now. maybe he makes 30 starts, who know. but regardless, with masterson making starts like yesterday, he’ll be on the wire for a bit longer while if duch is on the wire, he’s probably getting snatched up sooner. and you can monitor masterson to see how he does the next few starts.
@PepeSilvia: actually, add Gorzelanny to those names too.
Just got offerred Josh Johnson straight up for David Price. If ever there were a time to sell high on Price, it would be now. Thoughts?
@Grey: I’m trying to sell high on Konerko and have Wood coming back soonish so i’m trying to open up a roster spot.
Is my Lind/Brian Wilson/Konerko for his Pujols reasonable, too little, too much?
16-team league, non-keeper.
@Dad: i think to pry pooholes off someone you are gonna have to offer a much better premier player than lind.
@Nathan: Wow, nice offer. I’m a Price owner, but having drafted him in the 18th round of a keeper league, I’m inclined to hold onto him. I can’t even tell you what kind of offer it’d take to pry him away from me.
@Dad: Any self-respecting Pujols owner wouldn’t sniff that offer…
NL Only H2H Points league, which 2 OF should i start? Pence, Hart, Francour, Cargo
@stanley: pence and cargo
pence is batting over .300 since berkman returned, so maybe he does take a step forward in his age 27 season afterall.
@Mark Geoffriau: Yeah, in a keeper league I could see that being a hold tight.
In a 1-year league, though… If someone offers that trade 2-3 weeks ago, you take it without thinking twice, right?
Any opinions on this trade?
give: utley, manny, burnett, m.gonzalez
rec: kinsler, figgins, kubel, greinke
i’m last in steals and have had horrid pitching to date
@Nathan: i think the “if that trade was offered 2 weeks ago you’d accept” rule isn’t so cut-and-dry. everyone acknowledges price has the talent to be a top 10 fantasy SP, maybe even the best fantasy SP one day. maybe seeing him throw the last couple weeks has convinced you he has put all that talent together and is gonna be regarded as a top 10 SP going into 2011. if you believe, then it’d take more than josh johnson to get him. not that johnson isn’t good, but i think price has a higher ceiling. so if i think he’s reaching his potential, i’m holding pat until someone blows me away with an offer.
i guess it’s a gut feeling. not every 18th round pick is worth trading for a guy drafted ahead of him just because a guy was drafted ahead of him. you gotta get a feeling whether a guy is peaking or whether a guy is just starting to realize his talent. i think price is the latter. what happens if you drafted grienke last year and then sold him off at the end of april for a struggling SP drafted ahead of him “because 2-3 weeks ago you’d have accepted it”?
Re: Smoak- I think it’s great that the Rangers demoted one of the freer swingers in the majors in order to replace him with what appears to be one of the stingiest swingers in the majors. Small sample size and all, but Smoak has swung at 27% of pitches. The lowest qualifying player in the majors right now is Figgins, who has swung at 28.3% of pitches.
Now, for us Smoak owners, hopefully one or two of those swings will result in a hit. Today would be nice.
Matt Kemp has now been caught stealing 5 times
5×5 OBP isntead of AVG
1) Pick 1: Jose Guillen 3 vsSEA, 4 @TB; Garret Jones 3 @MIL, 4 @ LA; Krispie Young 3 @COL, 4 @CHC
2) Odd SP out: B Anderson @TOR; Slowey @CLE; Wells vsARZ
3) Pick 1: J Danks @NYY; S Baker @DET; Lilly vsARZ
I’m getting kinda impatient with Kyle Blanks. Should I drop him for a guy like Hermida, S. Smith, or Milledge?
Playing the Yankees is like playing a NL team with a pitcher in their lineup – I beleive the yankee’s DH’s is hitting around .160
Nick Johnson is hitting .135
@Matt B: wells out, lilly in
@Matt B: Oops, no OBP just regular AVG. And Garrett Jones scares me against 3 LHP this week so I’m thinking Guillen or maybe time to see what Krispie can do in my lineup.
@ThePoonTycoon: Different leagues between 2) and 3)
@Tom Emanski: not like those guys are blowing minds right now. i’d still gamble on blanks having the better numbers come september, so if you are just talking about which guy to store on your bench, i’d stick with blanks for now.
@Matt B: nm Im dumb
@Matt B: either way, still odd man out is wells, and of those 3 matchups, i’d take lilly
Smoak owners – you all we be X owners soon – you will be dropping him faster than you been dropping Kyle Blanks
@ThePoonTycoon: I figured out what you meant! I hate to bench Danks but its probably time when he travels to Yankee stadium.
Smoak owners – you all we be X owners soon – you will be dropping him faster than Mr Six dances
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/files/2009/08/mr_six_old_guy_lg1.jpg
Drop Barmes for Kelly Johnson?
ha – I took a shot on Kelly Johnson as my 2B dude in my deep leagues
I knew no one was going to draft him so I drafted even my catcher first in the deep leagues
@Matt B: yeah, i don’t know if i’d start anyone @nyy right now, short of felix/grienke or something. i’ve got garza and lester and beckett and various leagues and will hate to make that decision when the time comes.
MR SIX LIVE –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PDIBTS_xDQ&feature=related
@pjtres: Frank, Richard at home, Masterson…
@PepeSilvia: Kennedy
@Nathan: I’d want Johnson.
@Dad: What others said.
@stanley: Pence, CarGo
@keith: If you need steals, take Figgy.
@Matt B: Guillen, Anderson, Lilly…
@Tom Emanski: Eh, those guys aren’t the answer.
@pallet: Sure
@mrbaseball: Nice
12 team H2H where in the early going it looks like I could use some pitching and power. This good for me? My Reyes/Grady/Scherzer for his Hanley/Pena/Lester. Concern is i’m not allowing Reyes and Grady to reach their full potential…
@Sos: I’d take Hanley’s side.
Hearing rumors the Red Sox are contemplating trading for Iannetta. Just a heads up.
@Grey – Alfonso Soriano, Julio Borbon, Will Venable in terms of overall 5×5 ROTO H2H value
I have Alfonso Soriano now, but Will Venable is looking awfully attractive and Julio Borbon can steal with the best of them.
@Grey: Reyes/Granderson/Scherzer for his Hanley/Pena/Lester. Still Hanley side?
@William: @Beau: Actually, I’m pretty sure it means the opposite of what Beau said. If his xFIP is a lot higher than his FIP, then it means that he’s been giving up a lot of fly balls, but that a low percentage of them have been leaving the park. xFIP basically assumes that 10-11% of all fly balls turn into HRs, so if xFIP > FIP, then the pitcher’s HR/FB% is probably a good deal less than 10%. On the other hand, if the ERA is higher than the FIP, it could be for (at least) two reasons, which you could determine by looking at other stats:
1. Lots of balls in play are turning into hits, due to poor fielding — this would show up as a high BABIP (batting average on balls in play).
2. The pitcher happens to be giving up hits in bunches (i.e., 5 perfect innings followed by two walks, three singles, and a HR in one inning) — this would show up as a low LOB%, since more batters that reach base for that pitcher end up scoring, relative to league-average.
So the take-home message is that the pitcher’s “luck” should improve on things like balls in play falling for hits and hits all coming at the same time, but it should get worse on things like fly balls staying in the park. Keep in mind, though, that there are plenty of examples of pitchers who maintain ERAs substantially higher than their FIPs for an entire season, like Nolasco last year or Javy Vazquez in 2005, 2006, and 2008. Also, the component stats that go into FIP and xFIP — Ks, BBs, HRs, & FBs — can themselves change. This early in the season, it’s hard to tell whether performance thus far is indicative of what’s going to happen for the rest of the season, even for the “fielding-independent” stats that supposed to be more reliable.
Thinking long term – do you believe in the theory that big sluggers don’t last long in the bigs? i.e. Howard, Fielder…
Fantasy relevance – how long will Howard or Fielder be good keepers? It’s always good to trade them before the huge drop off.
@TheEvilEmpire: Thanks for the heads up!
@William: I’d hold.
@Sos: Eh
@GTS: They won’t be very good into their 30s if history tells us anything.
@GTS: Well, Fangraphs posted an article saying that Ryan Howard’s contract will be the worst in baseball when it starts up in 2012. That combined with my own gut would tell me that if he has a career year in 2011 or 2012 you should consider selling.
I might even think about it after this year.
Fielder is only 26 this year. You’d think you’d have more time there.
Grey, need some quick trade advice:
Cliff Lee and Wagner for Sizemore and Maybin.
This is a keeper league. I’m hesitant on Sizemore because of his ultra-slow start. Thoughts?
@Ernie: Well, you don’t have to take a guy you’re hesitant on, but I’d want Sizemore.
@mjxm: One vote for your glossary suggestion! “Vazquez went from National Treasure to American Idiot” is pretty clear to me, and it made me smile.
Grey, 10 team 5×5 H2H league. Would getting Ellsbury for Grady help my team out. My thought is I might be able to get him since he is on the DL now. Also Grady is starting to freak me out. I know its early but I feel like I do not have a lot of SB’s to compete.
C Soto
1 Howard
2 Phillips
3 Longoria
SS Jeter
OF Sizemore, Either, Adam Jones
UTL Quentin, Ian Stewart
Bench Borbon, Bruce
Gardner and Maybin are on the wire but I would rather trade someone because I think I have things that could help another team out. Anyone you think I might could trade for other than Ellsbury?
@Grey: Gardner or Venable?
Gardner just hit waivers (again) and I need AVG/R/SB.
I hate how Gardner sits against lefties, but I suppose he plays enough to contribute anyway huh? H2H and I have no bench position players this week, so I hate to have guys who sit.
It looks like Kinsler will bat 5th and his SB will be lower this year.
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&id=312&ft=288083
@DrEasy: Hehe
@Carl Spackler: Grady’s freaking you out but a guy with broken ribs who needs to steal to help you doesn’t? Lose Borbon for Gardner if you like, but they’re the same diff.
@3FingersBrown: Gardner’s better in SBs.
@Grey: Suppose he’ll score more runs too just by virtue of being in the Yanks lineup.
I guess I am concerned does Grady get better from hear on out? I saw he tried to steal yesterday and got caught. My thought was trying to get Ellsbury now why he is on the DL for Sizemore. Thoughts on Sizemore, and should I just hang tight?
@Carl Spackler: Hang tight or target a guy that won’t be another headache.
@Carl Spackler: I think if you can get Ellsbury for Sizemore and a little something else, you make that deal.
@Carl Spackler: If you need what Ellsbury gives you, target Podsednik, Davis, Morgan, etc. Say Guillen for Davis or something less earth shattering.
@Grey: Lovin’ me some Geo Soto and Danks right now…
Saw the one-two-three by Qualls yesterday…I’ll give the kid credit, he had grit, but it was twenty-one tense pitches.
Still wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot pole right now, but he’s showing some signs. Kicked the #$%^ outta Marmol and Heath last week (my two closers last week).
Thanks as always for the thought provokin’.
When will Washington get fired?
Rangers manager Ron Washington said that Ian Kinsler (ankle) will bat fifth when he returns from the disabled list.
Kinsler has predominantly batted out of the leadoff spot over the past two seasons, but this has been Washington’s plan all along. “Kins is the type of guy I think will rise to the challenge,” said Washington. “Our plan was to have Kins in the areas where he can produce for us.” He may lose a few stolen bases with the transition to run producer, but Kinsler has already acknowledged that he doesn’t expect his ankle to be 100 percent this season anyway. Kinsler is scheduled to rejoin the team this weekend after completing a three-game rehab stint with Double-A Frisco.
@crews: No problem.
@sal: I think he gets arrested before he gets fired.
@Grey: Not really a fan so I won’t be going, but Wilco are playing in Auckland tonight.
@Steve: Aw, man…. I’ve seen them about five times. Always a good show. You’re missing out, Steve.
If I was able just to get Gardner off the wire would that help the balance? I have a pitcher I can drop. I know the guy doesnt play every game, but I think he has only missed 2 or 3 and the guy is tearing up the base paths. You gotta think Grady can start putting it together soon wouldnt you?
@Carl Spackler: Grab Gardner.
@Grey: Much of the work for their last album was done here (it says here!).
As always I appreciate the help!
@ dr. easy: thanks.
come on, grey, how can you resist all the potential nic cage digs if you went with “national treasure” and “american idiot” for the al/nl thang?
there’s just so much potential there. the jokes nearly write themselves.
and i’m not a big green day guy, but there’s gotta be some fodder relative to the “american idiot” designation for folks like vazquez and harden 3.0.
mjxm
@mjxm: Yeah, Peavy’s on the Boulevard of Broken Dreams as he walks alone.
@Grey:
So I’m guessing Nelson Cruz gets screwed over (again) with Kinsler moving into the 5th spot?
@Eddy: Nah
@Grey:
So who gets the boot down the order? Hamilton? I’d like to say Vlad but his .364 average shakes its fist angrily at me.
@Eddy: Hehe… Yeah, they’re pretty righty heavy, so Cruz might go to 3rd or sixth but whatever happens, Cruz will be all right if stays healthy.
Grey, thanks in advance for all of your great advice.
Which side: Josh Johnson and Javy Vazquez or Berkman and Rios
@Panti Jose: Johnson side.
@Grey: Drafted Pedro Alvarez ($1) in thge ol’ keeper.
Drop him (or Desmond) for Stanton?
@Steve: Lose him for Stanton.
Good to see JJ is trying his hardest to give me a win in the RCL tonight going 2-2 with 3 RBI.
Well, that’s quite a roofie-ing Latos has given his owners tonight. And Maybin still can’t get in the middle of all that action somehow? It’s a roofie-ticker tease double!
@Gareth: Indeed.
@Grey: Who has the most value in the future, Big Z or Jim Johnson?
May sound like a dumb question, but Big Z will undoubtedly go back into the rotation or take over if Marmol falters. And I see noone else on my team I can drop for him.
Thanks to Beckett I’m winning ERA and WHIP in my h2h. 20.25/3.75!
@royce!: Ha! Latos doing it for me!
Is Hamels a buy low or is he just slightly better than he is doing now?
@Steve: Now we just need rainouts for every other game this week and we’ll be golden!
@royce!: Sadly, no. There is an IP minimum in my h2h league. It’s very small, but Latos got nowhere near it ;-)
@Steve: What’s up with the Stanton add? You know something I don’t?
@BigFatHippo: Hope so.
Dude is on fire. Five donks in his last two games, nine total in 17 games.
@BigFatHippo: Long term, Z. Next month or so, Johnson.
@I’m Keith Hernandez: Buy low.
@Steve: Oh, they just called him up, cause Yahoo has no stats on him…………………..duh.
I thought it was the old Mets pitcher, or a fellow Zealandite you used to play Cricket with. :)
@BigFatHippo: Good, got him in one of my dynasty leagues…Mebbe I can make a trade to have room to move him in my OF!
@GopherDay: @BigFatHippo: Easy fellas. Not been called up, just getting a bit of attention…
This Carlos Silva shizz has got to stop. It’s like the universe is on a crusade to discredit all pitching peripherals. Seriously, the fangraphs database is gonna commit virtual seppuku.
Seriously.
No start for E. Young…
@GopherDay: Here’s to hoping Barmes goes 0 fer 5 with 5 Ks!!
@Steve: @BigFatHippo: Stop feeding me this!! Gosh! All’s good though!
Oh Crap! DLR has MRI on his middle pitching finger….
@Grey: Would u trade Romero, Slowey or Bills for Cole?
Keep it up, Nats! Cue Silva regression! Fangraphs is saved!!!
@royce!: Ha!
@I’m Keith Hernandez: Romero
@Grey: Thought you’d shoot that one down altogether. I was just thinking outside the ol Hippo box. Now I have a decision to make as Z was just dropped in our keeper.
Cue dream sequence music, something from Whale Rider……………”should I add Z or keep JJs saves chances for another month? How did I get inside this box? Sniff, that’s right, it’s my cage, gotta find a way to bust outa here so those snot nosed little fu*^!ers will quit calling me fatso. Hey, Rhino, think you can bust through that glass, I gotta get me some cotton candy…………………”
carry on
@BigFatHippo: Ha!
@Grey: Wow Beckett looks awful. I’m not coming near him. You’re so right about these AL East pitchers. Even The lowly Blue Jays can hit.
BTW: Aaron Hill looking good tonight, trying to save me some face
Cmon Beckett, get off your knees your blowing the game
Cruz out of the game … Again …
@nick m.: they just said it’s the hammy again :(
Damn fuckin hamstrings!!!
Cargo with a homer, walk, and steal. That’s the Cargo I know and love.
Dy-no-mite! Way to go, JJ.
C’mon, Filthy Sanchez. Make this a monday to (regret that I will not really) remember.
Nelson Cruz Minor Injury Advisory. He’ll be back tomorrow.
@Grey: Bengie is still more valuable than Olivo right?
@Tom Emanski: they need to sit him for a day or two – this is getting ridiculous…
@Tom Emanski: Thanks, whew….
Hey, I bought all your videos and my kids still can’t hit. Should I demand my money back or get new kids?
@BigFatHippo: Tomato-tomahto.
EverCab vs. Tejada…ECab’s SB’s are always useful, but I’m trying to cut down on K’s; is Tejada a better option in that Baltimore lineup?
@Adam: Callaspo is also out there, make it a 3-way battle for the Schmohawk MI Championship of the World
@BigFatHippo: You’re probably using the wrong kind of garbage can. Always use cylindrical cans lined up back to back to back.
@Adam: EverCab
Wow. Astounding. Just heard the rangers have had the lead in 18/19 games so far this year. And are only 8-10.
That can’t be good for Ron’s substancey-a-problem-thingy….
@cws05nuts: Wow, that is insane.
@cws05nuts: Ha
who is glad they benched eveland tonight? THIS GUY.
It’ll be an early Christmas miracle if the Giants beat Halladay.
Who do you like the rest of the year, Shields or Peavy?
@Mojo the Helper Monkey: Peavy
@Grey: yep i’m closing my eyes and going to bed knowing right now my dirty sanchez is winning 2-0….
i’ll pray i wake up and its very close to that with a “W” beside his name….
ps. ryan howard is the only one allowed to hit if any Phils do….
good lucky dirty….
headley, soriano, gardner for LF to back up quentin?
Should I drop Beckett for Charlie Morton? I could also drop Vazquez for him.
I just got back from a great hockey game (Wash/Mtl), (am I allowed to say that on here?) and promptly checked my boxscores. I’ve got one word for Josh Beckett “Bennis Crapenshooter”!!!
@Grey: Hello Christmas
Who got the save in KC?
Why – Bruce Chen of course!
EY doubly!
@Tony: Wish I woulda benched Beckett and glad Larry didn’t.
@Howard: You a Montrealer.
When do you think Stanton will be up? I just added EY for a bench bat but don’t really need SB’s. Should I grab stanton and wait?
@BKK yeah! Go Expos!
Pirates only down by 6! Time to bring in Dotel!
@Schlitzy: If EY is riding the bench, I’d pick up Stanton. He could be up pretty soon.
@Howard: LOL. Your Habs maybe gonna pull a rabbit out of hat?
@Steve: Guess Soria needed a night off! After all he has pitched 3 innings in the last 2 days! Don’t want to overwork him.
@BKK Hope so!!!
@Howard: Halak, stood on his head tonight. I think Price is going to get moved this off season.
@royce!: I feel a Kazaam coming on!
@GopherDay: Palm Beach Post says otherwise about Stanton: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/marlins/home-run-outburst-wont-lead-florida-marlins-to-627170.html.
@Anybody: Assuming Stanton is called up in the next couple/few weeks, is he worth a flier on right now for Kubel in a 16 team, H2H, 5 player keeper league? Already robbing the cradle with Smoak and Ike on my roster…not sure I can take too many statutory rape comments…
@BKK: Too late. It’s here. F***! F***! F***!
Him and Latos – what a day.
Why do they keep putting Dotel in these situations?
He’s killing me!
Regardless, he shouldn’t be pitching this bad.
@Steve: THIS IS THE WORST DAY EVER. ESCOBAR HOMER??!??!?!?!??!?!?
Wait, none of this counts if he didn’t record an out, right?
@royce!: Somehow he managed to record an out.
@Steve: @royce!: Wow! Escobar! Royce! if only that were true. That is a very rough Day. Hopefully, you had no part of the Eveland – Beckett debacle. Somebody tell me why I thought Beckett was a bargain in round 7?
Beckett + Dotel = *&*%$&#*$#*@$!!!!
Dotel is having the worst season ever for a closer who blows zero saves.
@Steve: oh, right, the stattracker missed it somehow. Also, I meant the comment facetiously. Or out of ignorant hope.
As much as I was joking about the day being the worst ever, my RCL ERA/WHIP rose to almost 5/1.50. And I thought I zigged while the others zagged by picking up top SP (Sabathia and Beckett).
Oh well, it’s early. Good luck digging yourself out of your Latos/Dotel hole.
@grey- j.lopez or n. feliz if i need saves?
@Wilsonian: Eh, you’re booked for now.
@Brian: Seriously, he’s a Kazaam monster.
@Martin: Feliz
@royce!: Oh, my RCL ERA/WHIP currently stands at a spiffy 5.070/1.48.
It was slightly better than that before Zumaya’s effort today. He has been AWESOME all year, until, of course, I picked him up.
In my H2H league, I’m at 14.00/2.56. Good times.
@Dingo:
Me too.
Barmes now batting .192. C’mon Tracy put get Young in there, what do you have to lose.
@Steve: Huh. That makes me feel much better…nothing like knowing that the fantasy baseball gods don’t hate you alone! Thanks!
Don’t Ask Dotel has a 108.00 ERA for the day.
@royce!: Ha! I went pitcher-heavy in the RCL (Verlander, Hamels, Bills). Didn’t intend to – just happened that way.
I’m a 1 in ERA and WHIP and a 2 in Wins!
Jesus christ I go to a concert, get home, check my stats and see that dotel kazaam’d me again. God fuck this guy, he might be cut in the morning. What are the pirates thinking putting him in twice down 42 runs?
this crap always happens – one team is winning like 12 – 2 and the team that is on the loser end says lets put our closer in to pitch an inning or work – and the rest is history – Ask O. Dotel
@ThePoonTycoon – what was the group in concert
lets take a look at Dotel’s 1/3 or an inning pitch
C. McGehee homered to deep left, C. Gomez, R. Braun and P. Fielder scored
@mrbaseball: Phoenix. Solid band, the chica is a big fan of them.
Who do you guys like more the rest of the year: Marcum or Pavano?
@Mojo the Helper Monkey: Marcum easily
@ThePoonTycoon: Thanks, I was thinking the same thing.
Gorzelanny or Moyer tomorrow?
Don’t ask…
So here I am, enjoying great outings by Josh Johnson and CarGo, very pleased that I didn’t know Filthy Sanchez was going against Doc and that I left him in to pitch, loving the vulture win by Marmol, and then just out of curiosity I check the boxscore for the Brewers game, when I see $#@$#%& Dotel crapped all over my stats!!! What do I do with this guy? Dump his sorry ass or sleep over it (not his ass, the decision)?
@DrEasy: Is there a better option @ closer out there? If not, you gotta stick for now. I don’t think the Pirates have any better options.
Go McGehilla Gorilla! Thought I was going to get Ticker Teased like I did with Maybin tonight.
@Tom Emanski: Ha
@mrbaseball: Kazaam!
@Steve: Aw, geez. Moyer.
Had a sick pitching night here (Haren, Josh Johnson, Sanchez, and Marmol) plus another big night from Rasmus and Miggy
@Mojo the Helper Monkey: So maybe I just bench him for a few games and see how he does? I don’t care if I miss a good outing. It can never be as bad as me sitting Ricky Nolasco against the Phillies a couple of weeks ago. Is there a glossary term for benching a guy and seeing him do badly, thus comforting you in your decision (basically the opposite of a sonavabench)? There should be, even though it seems to happen very rarely to me.
I got Kazaam’d by Dotel tonight on a couple of teams tonight too. Definitely loving that 108.00 ERA. Nothing like a 7+ ERA
to jump start the week!
In other news, I jumped 4 spots in the RCL, hurrah!
@DrEasy: hellavabench? You’re rolling Dotel out there for saves and he’s simply not this bad. I don’t think the current trend of him getting blown out like this will continue…and if it does, the Pirates will obviously have to find someone else.
@Mojo the Helper Monkey: Hellavabench! Bang on!
@Mojo the Helper Monkey: Dotel was signed to be the closer and it’s nearly impossible for a Pirate closer to lose the job. Also he’s 3/3 in saves.
@Grey: would you drop either cueto or latos (or both) to pick up any of j. garcia, cecil, fister, norris or g. gonzalez?
much obliged.
@Brian: He’s 3/4 and he has given up at least 1 run in his last 5 straight appearances.
My Oswalt for his J. Vazquez and H. Pence?
I’d likely drop Maybin.
@The Dude: Depends on if you need pitching or hitting.
@Grey: A heads up. Your boy Iannetta is heading to the minors.
So everyone who needs it, grab Olivio
In a nod to Javy, why don’t we just start calling the National League the JV League?
@DaBulls: That’s actually not bad. Under advisement.