tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29933264735403054832024-02-20T15:00:13.500-05:00Fantasy Baseball DailyA daily blog for fantasy baseball managers with daily lineups to worry about. All the news, updates and analysis you need to help you draft your team, set your lineups and win your fantasy baseball league.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993326473540305483.post-82068095526174557422013-07-10T15:41:00.000-04:002017-01-15T13:39:31.849-05:00News and Notes: Erasmo Ramirez, Adam Eaton, Andrew Bailey and more.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7YpR8MOJJRhCRp1DaykbswMzcUCxSit5lY6tc7DwzE410XA_EEgpKUzpRDm144-WWfg7CLg73drCpzwddn3M56HiV8iDgMyaW8I80NSaQqBSIjkzRlCokujWAdJ2fFlnWBKOYtL3anTZ/s1600/ErasmoRamirez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7YpR8MOJJRhCRp1DaykbswMzcUCxSit5lY6tc7DwzE410XA_EEgpKUzpRDm144-WWfg7CLg73drCpzwddn3M56HiV8iDgMyaW8I80NSaQqBSIjkzRlCokujWAdJ2fFlnWBKOYtL3anTZ/s400/ErasmoRamirez.jpg" width="400" /></a>Here's the latest news from around the league that could impact your fantasy baseball rosters:<br />
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<li>It looks as if <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ramirer02.shtml" target="_blank">Erasmo Ramirez</a> will be called up by the Mariners to start Thursday's game at home vs the Red Sox. The 23 year old pitched well in his brief stint in the majors last year (59 IP, 48 SOs, 3.36 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) and has put up similarly impressive stats in the minors this year (48 2/3 IP, 45 SOs, 2.96 ERA, 1.274 WHIP). However, his unimpressive minor league strikeout rate (7.2 SO/9) coupled with an equally unimpressive hit rate (8.8 H/9) have me questioning his ceiling as a major league pitcher. His home park will help him out, but his first start against Boston looks risky (MLB leading .800 OPS) and I'm not sure he'll help you much in road starts against good clubs. For now, I'd relegate him to spot starts at home against weaker clubs.<a name='more'></a></li>
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<li> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/eatonad02.shtml" target="_blank">Adam Eaton</a> was surprisingly called up by the Diamondbacks yesterday to play center field and bat leadoff in his '13 debut with the club. I thought he'd get more time at AAA, but Arizona clearly thought he was ready (elbow) and was eager to get the young spark plug into the lineup. He'll undoubtedly sit against some left handed starters, especially in the early going, but he'll bat leadoff against righties and can help your team in the Run, BA and SB categories while throwing in the occasional HR (10 HRs in the minors in 'll, 2 last year in 85 ABs). Eaton is capable of 20+ SBs in the second half provided he stays healthy.</li>
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<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bailean01.shtml" target="_blank">Andrew Bailey</a> has thrown 4 1/3 scoreless innings over his last 3 appearances, giving up only 2 hits and no walks while striking out 5. Although <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/u/ueharko01.shtml" target="_blank">Koji Uehara</a> has done nothing to lose the job, the Red Sox obviously prefer Bailey as their closer, and I expect a couple more solid outings by Bailey will earn him the job back. I'd wait a bit to pick Bailey up to make sure he continues to pitch well, but I'd certainly look to sell high on Uehara if you've got him.</li>
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<li>Scouts from a handful of teams have been watching Milwaukee relievers <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodrifr03.shtml" target="_blank">Francisco Rodriguez</a>, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/axforjo01.shtml" target="_blank">John Axford</a> and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gonzami02.shtml" target="_blank">Mike Gonzalez</a> over the past week. Most of these teams (the Orioles, Dodgers, Red Sox, etc.) don't need closers and are simply looking for bullpen depth, so Rodriguez owners might want to see if they can sell high on him now in the event he is no longer closing games for whatever club he ends up on. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hendeji01.shtml" target="_blank">Jim Henderson</a> owners need to stay patient. Milwaukee isn't offering Henderson in trades and he will almost certainly get the closer job back after Rodriguez is dealt.</li>
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Last night I traded Justin Verlander. I'm a big fan of anchoring my staff with a few studs that are as guaranteed to perform as pitchers can be. I also have David Price and Madison Bumgarner on that staff, among others. Unfortunately, my hitting has really been suffering and I needed to trade from strength to address it. In return for Verlander I received Justin Upton and Julio Teheran. I fully expect Upton to bounce back with a solid second half, and I think Teheran may be emerging as a solid fantasy performer who can somewhat make up for the loss of Verlander. What do you guys think of the trade? Do you think I got enough in return? A steal? Terrible trade? Let me know what you think, and if you have any possible trade scenarios for your teams I'd love to hear about them! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993326473540305483.post-59850732593784240492013-07-06T04:56:00.000-04:002013-07-06T04:56:42.439-04:00News and Notes: Phegley, Ramos, Davis, Nova and Cain.Here's the latest news and notes from around the league that could impact your fantasy baseball rosters:<br />
<ul>
<li>25 year old catching prospect <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=phegle001jos" target="_blank">Josh Phegley</a> was called up by the White Sox yesterday and made an immediate impact, going 1 for 3 with an RBI single and a sac fly. In 61 games at AAA this year he posted a .316/.368/.597 line with 15 HRs and 41 RBIs. While those numbers may look great, especially at the catcher position, don't expect him to approach those numbers in the majors this year. He has below average bat speed and struggles with breaking balls, so his career .263 batting average in the minors is a better indication of his potential than his .316 mark so far this year. He has legitimate power, but he'll hit at the bottom of the order and won't help you in any other category. If you're looking for an impact bat at the catcher position for the second half, look elsewhere... <a name='more'></a></li>
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<li>...starting with <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ramoswi01.shtml" target="_blank">Wilson Ramos</a>. The Washington Nationals catcher recently returned from injury (hamstring issues) and has gone 5 for 8 with a HR and 8 RBIs. Injuries have prevented the talented backstop from doing much since he hit 15 HRs in 2011, but he's still only 25 years old (just 6 months older than Phegley). With a talented lineup in front of him he'll have plenty of RBI opportunities if he can manage to stay healthy. If his legs hold up, Ramos has top-ten fantasy catcher potential in the second half.</li>
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<li>First baseman <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/davisik02.shtml" target="_blank">Ike Davis</a> was called back up from AAA by the Mets yesterday and went 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs while batting cleanup. I'm surprised they called him up now, considering Josh Satin was hitting well, and I'm also surprised they had him batting 4th. After all, he does have a .173 batting average on the year. Despite his disastrous first half, he did perform well during his AAA vacation (.293/.424/.667, 7 HRs) and had 20 homers in the second half last year after a similarly disappointing first half. It's hard to recommend a guy coming off the first half he has had, but the power potential is there if he starts to hit, as evidenced by last year. If you're willing to take a chance, I'd suggest sitting him against lefties, particularly at home.</li>
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<li>Impressive performance by <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/novaiv01.shtml" target="_blank">Ivan Nova</a> yesterday for the Yankees. Against a dangerous Orioles lineup, Nova went the distance surrendering just 2 runs on 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 11 helpless Oriole hitters, his only mistake being a 2-run homer by <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wietema01.shtml" target="_blank">Matt Wieters</a>. He's been impressive in 3 straight outings now, with 22 strikeouts over 21 1/3 innings while limiting opponents to 3 runs or less in each. He doesn't officially have a spot in the Yankees rotation yet, but I expect him to get <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/phelpda01.shtml" target="_blank">David Phelps</a>' spot in the second half, barring a trade or injury to another pitcher. He'd be a risky play, especially pitching in Yankee stadium with a poor offense behind him, but his strikeout rate has gone up every year in the league and he was victimized by an unlucky BABIP last year (.333). If he earns a spot in the rotation he could surprise in the second half. However, I'd only recommend him if you are really desperate for innings.</li>
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<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cainma01.shtml" target="_blank">Matt Cain</a> was torched by the Dodgers for 8 runs in just 2 1/3 innings yesterday. Now is the time to get this guy! Seriously, he's healthy and has as good a track record as any pitcher in the game over the past few years. Over his last 10 games he has given up 6 runs @ Colorado (it happens), 7 runs @ St. Louis (best offense in the N.L. by far), and now 8 runs against the Dodgers, who have been hitting everyone hard since <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ramirha01.shtml" target="_blank">Hanley Ramirez</a> and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/puigya01.shtml" target="_blank">Yasiel Puig</a> have been doing their best Ted Williams impersonations. He only gave up a total of 11 runs in the other 7 games. He may not get many wins with a poor offense backing him up, but he'll help you in every other category and I wouldn't be surprised if the Giants traded for a bat or two. They're only 5.5 games out of first in a competitive N.L. West. The time to steal Cain from impatient owners is now!</li>
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As usual, thanks for reading. Please post some comments below if anything comes to mind, or if you have any questions that you may want answered. Add/Drop questions, trade evaluations... bring it all on! I'll do my best to reply promptly and informatively. :D<br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993326473540305483.post-17660505147273169852013-07-04T04:34:00.000-04:002013-07-04T04:38:53.546-04:00News and Notes: Feldman, K-Rod, Henderson, Beachy and more.Here's the latest news from around major league baseball that could impact your fantasy league:<br />
<ul>
<li>After getting traded from the Cubs to the Orioles, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/feldmsc01.shtml" target="_blank">Scott Feldman</a> had a solid debut for his new club. He went 6 innings giving up just 2 earned runs on 6 hits and no walks while striking out 6, though he didn't pick up the win. He had a solid 3.46 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with the Cubs and going to a much better team should help him improve on his 7 wins on the year. Sounds good, right? Wrong. He never has been a very good pitcher, with a career 4.66 ERA and 1.39 WHIP, so don't let this solid stretch of pitching fool you. Also, moving to the AL East certainly isn't going to make things easier for him. Nothing to see here, folks.<a name='more'></a></li>
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<li> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodrifr03.shtml" target="_blank">Francisco Rodriguez</a> picked up his 7th save for the Brewers last night while <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hendeji01.shtml" target="_blank">Jim Henderson </a>owners let out a collective groan. It was assumed that Henderson would be given back the closer's gig after Rodriguez picked up career save #300, but this was #301. Henderson hasn't exactly been lights out lately, so although Rodriguez worked around a couple baserunners last night, it'd be hard to imagine the Brewers manager Ron Roenicke fixing what ain't broke for now. I have been hearing that both Rodriguez and Henderson have come up in trade discussions, so maybe they are both closing games by the trade deadline.</li>
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<li> In other closer news, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bellhe01.shtml" target="_blank">Heath Bell</a>, who earned save #15 last night, will hold on to the job for a bit while <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/putzjj01.shtml" target="_blank">J.J. Putz</a> builds his arm strength back up. I know Putz owners are worried Bell will put a few solid saves together and will end up keeping the job, but you shouldn't worry. Bell is terrible and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hernada01.shtml" target="_blank">David Hernandez</a> has been shaky lately as well, so Arizona doesn't have many options. As long as Putz throws a couple clean innings over the next week he'll get the job back. On the other hand, the Diamondbacks are rumored to be in the market for relievers, so if they bring in a proven closer (like K-Rod) Bell and Putz may both be out of luck. Cross your fingers Putz owners.</li>
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<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/beachbr01.shtml" target="_blank">Brandon Beachy</a>, coming back from elbow surgery, threw an extended bullpen session on Wednesday and is expected to begin a rehab assignment soon. One of the best pitchers in the league before his injury last year, Beachy could be a great boost to your rotation in the second half. If you have an open DL spot on your team, I'd suggest stashing him now. As soon as he starts putting up zeros in the minors, he'll get scooped up fast.</li>
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<li>Another impact player on the mend is Arizona outfielder <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/eatonad02.shtml" target="_blank">Adam Eaton</a>. The young speedster has finally been cleared to play in the field (elbow) and was a great sleeper candidate coming into the year before his injury. If your team could use help in the stolen base category, jump on this guy fast before another owner beats you to him. As long as he doesn't suffer a setback he should be stealing bases for the Diamondbacks within the next 7-10 days.</li>
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<li>It has been discovered that <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/davisch02.shtml" target="_blank">Chris Davis</a> made a deal with a crossroads demon who agreed to bestow upon Davis the ability to win the MVP award this year in return for his soul. While you should certainly take advantage of the deal this year, his long-term prospects don't look very good. The demon could come to collect as soon as next year.</li>
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Thanks for reading and make sure to check back in here at Fantasy Baseball Daily to get all the news and analysis you need to stay ahead of the competition. Or, just bookmark the blog and visit without even reading the posts. I'll appreciate the pageviews either way!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993326473540305483.post-45013973786614121562013-06-30T15:28:00.000-04:002013-06-30T15:28:59.062-04:00Kyle Gibson: An impressive debut. Should fantasy teams take notice?<a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gibsoky01.shtml" target="_blank">Kyle Gibson</a> won his major league debut yesterday for the Minnesota Twins. The former first round pick had a longer road to the majors than expected, but he finally got the call and didn't disappoint. He lasted 6 innings giving up 2 earned runs while striking out 5. He did give up 8 hits but didn't walk anybody in the process. While he looked impressive in his first start for the Twins, what we're concerned about is whether he'd look good on your fantasy team's roster for the second half. Let's take a look, shall we?<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Gibson was drafted out of college back in 2009 but his road to the majors was stalled by Tommy John surgery in 2011. Fortunately, he has come back strong post-surgery and looks ready to become a fixture in the Twin's starting rotation. In 92 2/3 innings in AAA this year Gibson was 7-5 with a 3.01 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 79 strikeouts. He has a high ground-ball rate (57% in AAA) which led to him giving up only 25 home runs in 368 minor league innings.<br />
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With a strikeout rate of 8.0 per 9 innings in the minors, he isn't going to wow anybody with his strikeout totals, although he will be above-average in that category. His ground-ball rate (and low HR totals) will keep his ERA down, as will pitching his home games in Target Field where HRs are harder to come by. He has given up 8.5 hits per 9 in the minors (7.6 in AAA this year), so he will give up his share of hits. Although he's only walked 2.4 batters per 9, his hit totals will keep his WHIP up a bit, so he isn't likely to help you much in that category. Even if he pitches well, I expect it to be in the 1.15-1.20 range. Solid numbers for sure, but not dominant.<br />
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If you are thinking about picking Gibson up for your fantasy team, one thing you must keep in mind is the innings cap the Twins will be imposing on him later this year. An official number hasn't been made public, but I would guess they'll let him go about 150 innings. He's already thrown over 90 in the minors this year, so he'll likely only be able to make about 10 more starts before they will shut him down.<br />
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I would certainly recommend picking Gibson up if you need some short-term pitching help, but don't expect him to make a huge impact on your team's standings in the second half. He won't win a ton of games with a poor Twins offense backing him up, and his WHIP and strikeout totals aren't going to help you all that much. I do expect his numbers to be solid, especially at home, so he is worth consideration as a temporary source of innings if your staff is dealing with injuries.<br />
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<b>Verdict</b>: Gibson's stock will be much higher next year when his innings won't be as closely monitored, but he's only a temporary solution this year. Expect solid/average numbers that won't hurt you, but won't help you much either.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993326473540305483.post-46117042361745733912013-06-29T14:27:00.000-04:002013-06-29T14:27:30.531-04:00News and Notes: Cueto, Cingrani, Uehara, Hosmer and more.Here's the latest news from around the league that could impact your fantasy league:<br />
<ul>
<li> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cuetojo01.shtml" target="_blank">Johnny Cueto</a> is injured again. He left his start yesterday after aggravating a right lat muscle injury and will likely end up back on the disabled list for the third time this season. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cingrto01.shtml" target="_blank">Tony Cingrani</a> will take his spot in the rotation and is definitely worth picking up after pitching will in the few starts he's received this year. The rookie has an impressive 54 strikeouts in just 43 innings pitched so far. <a name='more'></a></li>
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<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hartco01.shtml" target="_blank">Corey Hart</a> will have surgery to repair his left knee and will miss the rest of the season. Obviously, feel free to drop him if you've hung onto him this year.</li>
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<li> If your team is in need of some saves, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/u/ueharko01.shtml" target="_blank">Koji Uehara</a> has picked up a save in three straight games and is still available in almost 50% of Yahoo! leagues. Unless the Red Sox trade for a proven alternative, Uehara looks to have the job for the rest of the season. If you still have <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bailean01.shtml" target="_blank">Andrew Bailey</a> on your roster and are hoping he'll get his job back... don't.</li>
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<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cabremi01.shtml" target="_blank">Miguel Cabrera</a> is better than anyone on the planet at hitting a baseball. That is all.</li>
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<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hosmeer01.shtml" target="_blank">Eric Hosmer</a> hit 2 home runs yesterday and has now hit 4 home runs in his last 7 games. Of course, that brings his total to just 6 home runs for the year, so it's hard to know if he can be trusted to keep it going. If he wants to keep hitting homers he's going to have to start hitting more fly balls. His ground ball rate has been climbing each year he's been in the league and now sits at 1.45 per fly ball. That's not going to get it done if you want to hit it out of the ballpark consistently. If you're desperate for home runs, give him a try hoping he's made some adjustments. However, one good week isn't enough for me to trust him after a year and a half of disappointment.</li>
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<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/putzjj01.shtml" target="_blank">J.J. Putz</a> will be activated from the DL today and should get the closer's job back from <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bellhe01.shtml" target="_blank">Heath Bell</a> very soon. He's still available in 33% of Yahoo! leagues, so there's a chance you can still scoop him up.</li>
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<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/swishni01.shtml" target="_blank">Nick Swisher</a> went 3 for 8 with a homer and 3 RBIs in Cleveland's doubleheader yesterday. He's struggled with a sore shoulder for much of the first half, hitting .234 with 8 home runs. However, if he manages to put his shoulder woes behind him, he could give you double-digit homers with solid Run/RBI totals in the second half. Swisher doesn't have a noticeable platoon split and qualifies at 1B and OF, so he works great as a bench player who can be plugged into the lineup when necessary. He's now available in over 40% of Yahoo! leagues, so it might be a good time to take a chance and see if he can get healthy and turn things around.</li>
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<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roberbr01.shtml" target="_blank">Brian Roberts</a> will be activated from the DL tomorrow. He's old, and his best days are obviously behind him, but 2B is pretty thin and I'm a fan of his. If Showalter inserts him near the top of the Orioles powerful lineup, he will score a bunch of runs and he still has enough speed to swipe some bags for you. He could easily injure himself within a week and be back on the DL, but I think a second half pennant race will get the competitive juices flowing and he might give you a solid couple months of production at a thin position. Crazier things have happened.</li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993326473540305483.post-88552943225665835692013-06-27T08:05:00.000-04:002013-06-27T08:05:58.428-04:00A.J. Griffin: It may be time to take this kid seriously.<a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/griffaj01.shtml" target="_blank">A.J. Griffin</a>, one of Oakland's young starting pitchers, went out and pitched a complete game shutout against the Cincinnati Reds last night. He held them to just 2 hits and struck out <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bruceja01.shtml" target="_blank">Jay Bruce</a> 4 times. Thousands of fantasy baseball managers watching the highlights on Sportscenter last night all said, "A.J. Who?" Griffin is still available in more than half of the fantasy leagues out there, including Yahoo! and ESPN, but that's about to change.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I'll admit, when the A's called Griffin up halfway through the season last year I didn't pay much attention. After all, he wasn't as highly touted as Oakland's own <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/parkeja02.shtml" target="_blank">Jarrod Parker</a> who had pitched most of that first half in the majors and hadn't exactly taken the league by storm. And every time Griffin went out and had a solid outing I kept thinking to myself it wouldn't last. I figured major league hitters would adjust to the kid and it would probably happen the second I picked him up in one of my leagues. Well, it seems Griffin is the one doing the adjusting.<br />
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After an impressive showing last year, when Griffin managed 7 wins with a 3.06 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 15 starts, he has come back just as good in 2013. After his masterful showing against the Reds last night, he now has 6 wins to go along with a 3.56 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He's even managed 81 strikeouts over 103 innings, so he won't hurt you in that category. The win total is a bit low due to low run support, but he's otherwise been one of the better fantasy pitchers in the league, and certainly worthy of a spot on your roster.<br />
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One thing you should know about Griffin, however, is his tendency to give up the long ball. He's given up 25 home runs so far in 186 major league innings, due in large part to the enormous amount of fly balls he yields every start. He's only producing .48 ground balls per fly ball compared with the .61 rate he had last year. Fortunately for Griffin, his home park is enormous, so his extreme fly ball tendencies don't hurt him as much there. On the road is a different story.<br />
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Griffin's ERA is a full run higher on the road (3.97 compared to 3.06 at home) where he's given up twice as many home runs in a comparable amount of innings. So, owning Griffin does seem to come with one caveat. You may want to sit him on the road against teams that can hit the longball, especially in smaller, homer-friendly stadiums.<br />
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We may have been ignoring A.J. Griffin up to this point (or maybe just I was), but we can't afford to ignore him any longer. If you are in one of the many leagues that haven't caught on yet, you need to jump on this bandwagon fast. You can't strike out Jay Bruce 4 times on Sportscenter and continue to fly under the radar. Things may get bumpy on the road here and there, but he'll be solid at home and will give your pitching staff a boost for the second half.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993326473540305483.post-14689676798809263832013-06-26T16:39:00.002-04:002013-06-26T17:56:33.283-04:00News and Notes 6/26/13: Teixeira, Pineda, Kemp and more. Here are some news and notes from around the league:<br />
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<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/teixema01.shtml" target="_blank">Mark Teixeira</a> has been told by a handful of doctors that he should have surgery to repair the tear on the tendon sheath on his wrist. If and when he has the surgery he will likely miss the rest of the season. If you've been holding on to Teixeira hoping for some help in the second half, feel free to let him go.</li>
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<a name='more'></a><ul>
<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pinedmi01.shtml" target="_blank">Michael Pineda</a> had his first rehab start for AA Trenton yesterday and went 6 innings giving up just 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4. He needed only 79 pitches to get through the outing and reported increased velocity and better command of his off-speed pitches. If you are struggling to find quality innings for your team, Pineda should join the Yankees sometime in July and could be a major boost to your pitching staff in the second half.</li>
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<li>In other Yankee news, OF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/almonzo01.shtml" target="_blank">Zoilo Almonte</a> has breathed some life into the Yankee lineup over the past week, batting .438 with a HR and a SB. If you are looking to breathe some life into your lineup Almonte might be worth a look. Although he only had 6 HRs and 4 SBs when he was called up, he did manage 21 and 15 in a pitchers park in AA last year and has greatly improved his plate discipline in AAA this year while batting .297. He may sit versus some lefties, but he could post some solid numbers until <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grandcu01.shtml" target="_blank">Curtis Granderson</a> returns from injury. After that, it'd be hard to imagine him getting consistent enough playing time to justify a spot on your roster.</li>
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<li>The Cubs finally decided to sit <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/castrst01.shtml" target="_blank">Starlin Castro</a> for a game, ending his consecutive games streak at 269 and giving him a much needed mental break from the game. The 2-time all star, who just signed a big contract extension this off-season, is suffering through a horrendous season with a .228 batting average and just 3 HRs and 6 SBs. I own Castro on 2 teams and he's been on my bench for a month now; I just haven't had the nerve to release him. Statistically, I have no reason to think he's about to turn things around. He's striking out more and walking less than at any point in his career. Sometimes, however, a wake-up call like a day off can get a player back on track. If you are incredibly desperate at SS, I'm sure you could pry Castro away from his weary owners fairly easily. If he wakes up and returns to form, you could have an All-Star SS for the second half. Look for some signs of life in his next few games.</li>
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<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kempma01.shtml" target="_blank">Matt Kemp</a> has returned from the DL and "<a href="http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/9422839/los-angeles-dodgers-getting-healthier-activate-matt-kemp" target="_blank">promises</a>" that his shoulder problems are behind him. His slash line isn't much better than Castro's, so the former MVP candidate has nowhere to go but up. I have a lot more confidence in Kemp's ability to return to form (or close to it), so I'd encourage you to make some buy low offers for him now before he heats up.</li>
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<li>In some non-fantasy baseball news, Brian Cashman and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodrial01.shtml" target="_blank">Alex Rodriguez</a> have decided to attend high school again to settle their most recent dispute. They've agreed that if A-Rod stays away from his twitter account they will meet on the playground during recess and settle this thing once and for all. Afterwards, the Yankee's organization is secretly hoping to have their insurance pick up Cashman's salary as well.</li>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993326473540305483.post-23770808418790612052013-06-25T21:51:00.000-04:002013-06-25T22:03:09.986-04:00Will Middlebrooks: Will this middling power hitter turn things around?The Boston Red Sox have just demoted their third baseman, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/middlwi01.shtml" target="_blank">Will Middlebrooks</a>, to AAA Pawtucket to "get back on track." <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/iglesjo01.shtml" target="_blank">Jose Iglesias</a> will take over the hot corner in his absence. After bursting onto the scene last year as a rookie, posting a .288 average with 15 HRs and 54 RBIs in just 75 games, Middlebrooks has struggled mightily to match the hype surrounding him entering this season. Is it time to give up on him or is there reason for hope when the Red Sox bring him back up? Let's take a look, shall we?<br />
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<a name='more'></a>In 421 minor league games covering parts of 6 seasons, Middlebrooks posted a .276/.334/.456 slash line with 54 HRs and 35 SBs. Those numbers are a bit deceiving however, as he greatly improved his production as he matured as a player and moved up through the system. For example, in 2010 he hit 12 HRs over 435 ABs as a 21 year old in high-A. However, in 2012 as a 23 year old in AAA, it took him just 93 ABs to hit 9 HRs before he was called up to the majors, where he hit those 15 home runs in 267 ABs.<br />
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Similarly, as his power improved, so did his strikeout rate. He stuck out in a smaller percentage of his plate appearances each year in the minors, starting with a 32% strikeout rate as a 19 year old in low-A, and finishing at 18% in 100 AAA plate appearances as a 23 year old. So, how has he fared against major league pitching? In 2012 his strikeout rate rose to 24% against major league pitching, and he has taken a step back this year at 28%. A league average strikeout rate is about 20%, so even with a return to his 2012 rate he would still struggle to maintain a solid batting average.<br />
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A 4% rise in strikeouts can't fully explain his collapse however, so we have to look a bit further to understand his struggles. The usual culprit associated with a drop in performance is a player's BABIP (batting average on balls in play). In 2012 Middlebrooks had a .335 BABIP, which helps to explain his solid batting average despite an above average strikeout rate. So far in 2013 his BABIP is incredibly low, sitting at .221. His line drive rate has dropped from 20% last year to 17% in 2013, which explains some of the drop in BABIP, but certainly not all of it. Sometimes the baseball gods giveth, and sometimes they taketh away.<br />
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So what can we say about Will Middlebrooks going forward? A player I would compare Middlebrooks with is <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reynoma01.shtml" target="_blank">Mark Reynolds</a>. They both have lots of power to go along with lots of strikeouts. Reynolds had had some fantastic years, like in 2009 when he hit 44 HRs with a decent (for him) .260 batting average. Unfortunately, like Middlebrooks, his success was fueled by an abnormally high BABIP and a line drive % above his career norm. In fact, Reynolds 2009 rates are eerily similar to Middlebrooks' rookie year. ('12 Middlebrooks: .335 BABIP/20% LDs, '09 Reynolds: .338 BABIP/20% LDs) What is Reynolds' career line drive %? You guessed it. 17%.<br />
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The one major difference between these two players is their walk rate. Reynolds has a career 11.8% walk rate, which is why teams have been willing to play him through his slumps. If he's not hitting home runs, at least he still gets on base at a decent rate. Middlebrooks, on the other hand, has a 4.4% walk rate so far in his career. That has translated to a .283 OBP, compared to Reynolds career mark of .331. That is why Middlebrooks will be hitting for a AAA team tomorrow while Reynolds gets to work through his struggles in the middle of the Cleveland Indians lineup.<br />
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If Will Middlebrooks is going to have a career in the major leagues he's going to have to improve his overall plate discipline. He needs to learn how to talk a walk every now and then while cutting down on his strikeouts. Mark Reynolds is barely hanging on as it is, and he's a better hitter than Middlebrooks is right now. Fortunately for Will, he's only 24 years old, while Reynolds is now pushing 30. If he looks at this demotion as a chance to put in the work and improve his approach at the plate, there's a chance he can carve out a place for himself in this league.<br />
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Unfortunately, as a fantasy baseball manager, we are only concerned with what he can do for us right now. And in Middlebrooks' case, it isn't much. His success right now hinges on getting a lot of luck on balls in play to prop up his batting average, otherwise he's a lead weight attached to your team's neck in that category.<br />
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He could get called back up in a couple weeks and go on a BABIP fueled hot streak to match his rookie year. Or, even with average "luck", he could struggle to stay above the Mendoza line. The question is: Do you feel lucky?<br />
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<i>Feel free to leave any remarks or questions in the comment section. Let me know what you think about this article and Fantasy Baseball Daily in general. I'd love to hear what you think and how you feel I can improve the blog going forward. If you'd like me to write about anything in particular I'm open to requests!</i> <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993326473540305483.post-57670489994329077282013-06-24T12:26:00.000-04:002013-06-24T16:28:23.168-04:00Medical Watch 6/24/13: Jose Reyes, David Price, Bryce Harper and others.Does your fantasy team need reinforcements? These players are on the mend and will soon be ready to bolster your squad for the second half.<br />
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SS <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reyesjo01.shtml" target="_blank">Jose Reyes</a> is currently on a rehab assignment and will most likely be activated on Thursday. If he stays healthy for the rest of the season, I don't think there is a single player in the major leagues who could have a bigger impact on your league's standings than Reyes. Whoever currently owns him is probably salivating at the prospect of his arrival this week and won't be open for trades, but it would be in your best interest to try to pry him away. If you're lucky, Reyes' current owner found a viable alternative to start at SS and might be willing to part with him. Do what you can to see if he'll make that mistake. <br />
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<a name='more'></a>CL <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/putzjj01.shtml" target="_blank">J.J. Putz</a> has been rehabbing at AAA Reno and should be ready for activation on Wednesday or Thursday. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bellhe01.shtml" target="_blank">Heath Bell</a> has been struggling mightily in the closers role since Putz' injury. As long as the Diamondbacks are convinced Putz is healthy he will return to his job as closer. He's still available in 38% of Yahoo! fantasy leagues and 27% over on ESPN. Scoop him up now while you can.<br />
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SP <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/priceda01.shtml" target="_blank">David Price</a> will make a final rehab appearance in the minors on Wednesday and, if he comes out of that start good to go, will be activated to start for the Rays early next week. I doubt anyone was stupid enough to drop him in your fantasy league, but with his 5.24 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 2 measly wins, he may be ripe for a trade offer. Get in on this great buy low target now before he turns his season around.<br />
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OF <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harpebr03.shtml" target="_blank">Bryce Harper</a> will begin a rehab assignment later this week that should last for 5-6 games. Assuming he makes it through with a clean bill of health he should be in line for activation sometime next week. Harper was tearing the cover off the ball with 12 HRs in just 44 games before his injury, but he had just 2 stolen bases in 4 attempts. I'm not sure how his knee will hold up playing the outfield every day, especially with his max effort style, so he may not be very active on the bases upon his return. He's a great buy low candidate for his emerging power, but don't overbid expecting him to match the 18 stolen bases he had last year.<br />
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C <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/avilaal01.shtml" target="_blank">Alex Avila</a> is rehabbing in AAA and should return within a week. Although he was struggling this year prior to his injury (.171 with 5 HRs in 163 ABs), he had a monster year in '11 batting .295 with 19 HRs and 82 RBIs and is still just 26 years old. If you're desperate at the catcher position he offers a lot of upside and is available in 84% of Yahoo! leagues and just about every ESPN league.<br />
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2B <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roberbr01.shtml" target="_blank">Brian Roberts</a> will begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday and should be back with the orioles in a week or so. His career has been derailed by injuries for a long time now and hasn't had a productive season since 2009. I really only bring him up because I've always had a soft spot for the guy after targeting him for my fantasy teams every year of his prime. He's 35 years old, young enough for one last fling of fantasy relevance atop a powerful Orioles lineup, but I admit you'd have to be very desperate to give him a shot. Anyone else feeling nostalgic? You're probably better off seeing if <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hillaa01.shtml" target="_blank">Aaron Hill</a> is available in your league. He's coming off the DL on Tuesday.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993326473540305483.post-74936204899651111872013-06-22T15:26:00.001-04:002013-06-24T14:57:53.203-04:00Peter Bourjos: Burgeoning fantasy star, or just plain boring?<a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bourjpe01.shtml" target="_blank">Peter Bourjos</a>, the 26 year old center fielder for the Los Angeles Angels, has been on a tear lately. Over his last 8 games he is batting .419 with 1 HR and 3 SBs. Thanks to his current hot streak, he is now batting .336/.383/.467 on the season, with 3 HRs and 4 SBs. He missed a month due to a hamstring issue, but it's hard to ignore the numbers he has put up when healthy this year. However, what we need to know is whether he will be able to keep this up. Let's have a look, shall we?<br />
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<a name='more'></a>For his career Bourjos has a .258/.311/.410 line, but in his one full season in the majors, back in 2011, he hit .271 with 12 HRs and 22 SBs. I must admit, coming into the '12 season I had fairly high expectations for the kid. Unfortunately, he failed to produce at the plate last year, struggled with some injuries, and ultimately lost his full time gig as a result. It didn't help his cause that the Angels were loaded in the outfield and called up some prospect named <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/troutmi01.shtml" target="_blank">Mike Trout</a> to take Bourjos' spot in center field. We all know how that turned out.<br />
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The key to his success this year can be found in 3 statistics: His BABIP, line drive % and his strikeout rate. On the year he has a .404 BABIP, while his career number is .315, and league average is about 300. Speed players usually have a higher BABIP, which helps explain the .315 career number, but not the ridiculous average he's had this year. So, some of his success this year seems to be the result of some luck on balls in play.<br />
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His line drive % has also been a factor this year. In his previous three years in the majors his line drive percentages have been 10%, 11%, and 10% respectively. This year? 17%. The question is, how has he managed such a jump? Oddly enough, even at 17%, he is still below the league average of 19% line drives. He has always struggled to make consistent hard contact and, even now, is below average in this department. It's possible he's maturing as a hitter and adjusting to major league pitching finally, and the increase in his line drive rate, if he's able to maintain it, bodes well for his future and legitimizes his numbers somewhat this year.<br />
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The final number we'll look at is Bourjos' strikeout rate. He has struck out in 21.7% of his plate appearances so far in his career, topping out at 22.6% last year. This year he has brought that number down to 19%, which is about league average. Even though he's taken fewer walks this year as well (3.7% walk rate compared to his 5.4% career mark), making better contact is always a good thing.<br />
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So, he's gotten lucky with balls in play, but he's striking out less and hitting line drives at a much higher rate. The BABIP is going to come down some, and with it his batting average, but if the growth in his line drive rate is sustainable and he continues to make better contact, he should be able to maintain a good level of production.<br />
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He's still stuck in the 9th spot in the lineup, which will limit his production overall. But if he keeps producing, the Angels will have no choice but to pair him at the top of the lineup with Mike Trout, probably in the 2 hole, where he will be in position to score plenty of runs with the likes of <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pujolal01.shtml" target="_blank">Albert Pujols</a> and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hamiljo03.shtml" target="_blank">Josh Hamilton</a> hitting behind him.<br />
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If you are weak in the outfield, or just need some help in the stolen base category, Bourjos is definitely worth a flier. He could easily give you double digit steals the rest of the way, with the potential for 5 category impact if he's moved to the top of the lineup.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993326473540305483.post-21278007548492594312013-06-21T10:05:00.001-04:002013-06-24T14:57:41.928-04:00Brian Dozier: Is this slick fielding infielder becoming fantasy relevant?You are hereby forgiven if you have no idea who <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/doziebr01.shtml" target="_blank">Brian Dozier</a> is. He is a 26 year old infielder playing second base for the Minnesota Twins and, coming into this year as a fantasy baseball manager, you had no good reason to pay attention to him. With a .232/.271/.332 line in his rookie campaign last year, covering roughly half the season, fantasy owners were wise to ignore him, especially given his advanced age for a prospect. Dozier, however, is doing his best to make us take notice.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Over his last 5 games, Brian Dozier has put up an absurd .375/.524/1.063 slash line with 3 HRs, 6 runs scored and 7 RBIs. If you don't feel like doing the math, that comes out to a 1.586 OPS. I can agree that these numbers scream small sample size, but when a middle infielder starts putting up these kind of numbers fantasy baseball owners across the land must take notice. The question is, has Dozier turned a corner and become relevant, or should we chalk this <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pujolal01.shtml" target="_blank">Albert Pujols</a> impression up to a lucky hot streak that should be shrugged off and forgotten?<br />
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In the minors in 2011, Dozier hit .320 with 9 HRs and 24 SBs over 569 plate appearances, most of which in AA. He was called up halfway through '12 to play shortstop for the Twins before moving over to second base at the beginning of the current season. He has accumulated 565 plate appearances in the majors so far, batting .234 with 12 HRs and 15 SBs. Obviously, the batting average leaves much to be desired, but the power/speed combination shows promise. The power has been improving throughout his career and the 24 SBs in '11 show upside in that category as well.<br />
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Can Dozier improve on his batting average? He has a career .298 BA in the minor leagues and, more importantly, showed very good contact skills with only 184 strikeouts in 1,613 plate appearances while also taking a walk in over 10% of his ABs. He's had a much higher strikeout rate so far in the majors, but his track record suggests he is capable of much more than his current .234 average would indicate. <br />
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The numbers he has put up so far put him on par with players like <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/weeksri01.shtml" target="_blank">Rickie Weeks</a> and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rutlejo01.shtml" target="_blank">Josh Rutledge</a>, players who are certainly flawed but have earned playing time on many fantasy rosters this year, so Dozier is probably worth a reserve spot on your roster already. Eligibility at both SS and 2B also helps his case. If his current streak is an indication that he has turned a corner he could be a solid 5 category contributor atop the Twins lineup in the second half.<br />
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If you're desperate for production or depth at the middle infield positions, Dozier is definitely worth keeping an eye on.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993326473540305483.post-73439940752906087102010-02-04T17:01:00.001-05:002010-02-07T09:14:32.468-05:00Verlander Signs Long-Term Extension... Bad Short-Term Investment?Justin Verlander has just signed a 5-year, $80 million contract extension with the Detroit Tigers, who bought out his remaining arbitration years and will finally pay him like the ace he is. It's hard to argue with their decision considering he has won at least 17 games with a sub-3.70 ERA in three of the last four years. There is no doubt in my mind that, if he stays healthy for the duration, he will earn every dollar of that contract. Unfortunately, after last season, I'm concerned about that right arm of his.<br />
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Verlander pitched a total of 202 and 201 innings in 07' and 08' respectively, but that total jumped to 240 innings last year when he lead the league in pitches thrown with 3931. That was good for 112.3 pitches per game, which easily lead all of baseball, and 304 pitches ahead of 2nd place (Felix Hernandez with 3627).<br />
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How will all those pitches last year affect his upcoming season? Nobody knows for sure. Maybe they will simply be proof that Verlander can handle a crap-load of innings year to year with no negative impact on his performance. Or maybe throwing all those innings at the age of 24-26 will prove too many for a relatively young arm and we will see a drop in his production in 2010. It has been well documented that pitchers who exceed their IP totals the previous season by 40 or more are at a higher risk for injury or a "dead arm' period the following year.<br />
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Am I saying you should avoid drafting Verlander this season? No, of course not. Even at 75 or 80 percent effectiveness he is still better than most pitchers you'll draft this year. Unfortunately, he's going to be drafted within the first 3 or 4 rounds of your draft and, considering the risk, I'm just not confident he'd make a solid return on that kind of investment. At best you will get a slight regression from his career year in 09'. At worst: he blows out his elbow by the all-star break and goes to visit the dreaded Dr. Andrews. Either way, I don't see him matching his numbers from last year.<br />
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The verdict: Let another manager draft him early and roll the dice. Go with a proven durable arm like Halladay or Sabathia instead.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993326473540305483.post-12729965864929829002010-01-14T21:24:00.005-05:002013-06-21T08:20:36.548-04:00Fantasy Baseball Daily: Tigers Hope to Shut Off Their Leaky 9th-Inning "Valve"The Detroit Tigers have signed 30 year-old <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/valvejo01.shtml" target="_blank">Jose <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Valverde</span></a> to handle their closing duties with a 2-year, $14 million contract (with a $9 million club option for a third year). <br />
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After watching their bullpen blow 24 saves and losing <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodnefe01.shtml" target="_blank">Fernando Rodney</a> and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lyonbr01.shtml" target="_blank">Brandon Lyon</a>, who combined for 40 of the clubs 42 saves in 09', to free agency, the Tigers were desperate for a reliever with closer experience. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Valverde</span> fits the bill after posting 25 saves with a 2.33 ERA for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Astros</span> last year, and 167 career saves overall. Whether or not he is worth $7 million a year and the loss of the Tigers' first-round pick (19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> overall) in June is certainly up for debate. But as a fantasy baseball manager I obviously couldn't care less as long as he performs in line with his draft slot.<br />
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Although he has pitched exclusively in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">NL</span> throughout his career, he should have no problem making the transition to the offensively superior AL. He has pitched in hitter friendly parks in both Arizona and Houston, so moving to pitcher-friendly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Comerica</span> Park should mostly cancel out any drop in production.<br />
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Considering his predecessor, Rodney, managed 37 saves despite a 4.40 ERA and 1.47 WHIP, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Valverde</span> should <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">easily</span> surpass the 25 saves he reached with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Astros</span>.<br />
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If he remains healthy, I would expect numbers close to his career averages, 3.17 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP to go along with about 35 saves, putting him in the upper echelon of closers for the 2010 season.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993326473540305483.post-72742160990760358242010-01-05T13:52:00.006-05:002010-02-07T09:17:42.525-05:00The Red Sox add a "Belt-re" to their outfit, hang Lowell out to dryI know, I know... weak title. Best I could come up with without my coffee today. But enough about me...<br />
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Adrian Beltre has signed a 1 year deal with the Sox (with a $5 million player option for next year; $1 million buyout) to play third base, signaling the end of Mike Lowell's tenure with the club. What does this mean for fantasy owners? Buy low on Beltre and expect a rebound from a poor, injury plagued season.<br />
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Beltre has spent his career playing half of his games in pitcher friendly parks in LA and Seattle, but now gets to put his pull-happy approach to good use. The Green Monster will make an appealing target for Beltre and should help him improve on his .265 average from last year. Don't forget: this guy has averaged 25 homers and about 90 RBI's throughout his career to go along with a .270 average. With a friendlier ballpark and a much improved lineup around him, I expect the still in his prime 30 year old (he'll be 31 in April) to improve on those averages and provide a solid return on your investment.<br />
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As for Lowell? Considering his injury history I wouldn't use more than a late round flier on him to back up your CI slots and hope that he recovers well from his thumb surgery. That is, of course, assuming he is traded to another team (hopefully an AL club with a DH opening) who will actually give him some playing time. With the addition of Beltre, a trade is no longer a matter of "if" but "when and where". There are some reports that the Mets could be interested in him as a first baseman. If that is the case, avoid him at all costs on draft day. Even if he's healthy, his dwindling power would further shrink in spacious Citi Field.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993326473540305483.post-221273083794124082009-04-21T08:44:00.004-04:002009-05-15T18:13:20.020-04:00Fantasy Baseball Daily: Young Arms Raising Eyebrows - Pick em' Up?Ah, the rookie phenom... nothing gets a fantasy baseball manager's heart racing quite like a hot call-up tearing up the league. There are a few out there right now, baffling major league hitters and giving all you managers with roster spots open itchy trigger fingers. But are these guys for real? Certainly the failure rate for young pitchers is exceedingly high, so can we trust this new crop?<br /><br /><strong>Rick <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Porcello</span>, SP/<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">DET</span></strong>: Detroit's 1st round pick in 07' surprised many when he won the fifth spot in the rotation out of spring training at the tender age of 20. However, when you're competing against guys like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dontrelle</span> "Strikes are for Losers" Willis, it really isn't much of an accomplishment. Is he for real? He's been compared to Roy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Halladay</span> since he was drafted and, honestly, it's hard to argue with the results. His 4-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">seamer</span> hits 97, his 2-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">seamer</span> destroys <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">RH'ers</span>, and he spots them both well, usually keeping his pitches low in the zone, which induces plenty of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">GB's</span>. His <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">changeup</span> is just OK at the moment and he hasn't gotten complete command of his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">curveball</span> yet, but they are decent enough right now to keep hitters honest. He won't strike out a ton of batters until those pitches develop (72 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">k's</span> in 125 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">IP</span> in minors last year), but he should be a decent fantasy contributor anyway. A 2.5-1 GB ratio and a pitcher friendly home park will keep his HR total and ERA respectable, and low walk totals for a young pitcher will keep the whip in line as well. He won't get a lot of wins due to a shaky bullpen and a strict pitch count, but 12-14 isn't out of the question.<br /><strong>The verdict?</strong> If wins and/or strikeouts aren't a concern for you, he should be a decent option, particularly in the 1st half before hitters adjust to his stuff.<br /><br /><strong>Ricky Romero, SP/TOR:</strong> I know he looks great now. He certainly does. A couple wins, great ERA/Whip, 13/4 strikeout-to-walk ratio. I think you know where I'm going with this. He just doesn't have the track record to keep this up. He's got an average fastball that sits around 92-93 that he has trouble throwing for strikes consistently. His <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">curveball</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">changeup</span> are decent enough pitches, but can be erratic. In the minor leagues he has a career 4.33 ERA with 175 walks in 416 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">IP</span>. I wouldn't take those numbers on my team if those were his <em>major league</em> totals. Listen... down the line, a year or two from now, if he harnesses command of his fastball, maybe he could be a decent #3 starter for Toronto. I'm not sure, however, if he'll ever be a strong fantasy option. I certainly don't think he is now, despite the hot start.<br /><strong>The verdict?</strong> Either pick him up and trade him for value right now, or stay away. He's not a good long term bet this year.<br /><br /><strong>Glen Perkins, SP/MIN: </strong>I really liked this guy while he was coming up through the minors. He struck out over a batter an inning while keeping his walk totals respectable. Minor <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">leaguers</span> only hit about .235 against him while he maintained an ERA around 3.50. Decent numbers, an organization that know how to develop talent. It all looked promising...right up until last year when he had a 27/19 K-BB ratio in AAA before giving up 183 hits in 151 innings in the majors with only 74 strikeouts. He still has a good fastball that sits in the low 90's to go along with a solid <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">changeup</span> and a very good curve. I expect improvement on those numbers this year, and I still like him. But...<br /><strong>The verdict?</strong> He has #2-3 starter potential based on his stuff and minor league track record, but it looks like it's going to take him a while to figure things out. Don't expect more than average numbers this year... good enough for the Twins, but fantasy baseball waiver wire material.<br /><br />I'm sure there will be more young guns brought up this year that will raise some eyebrows, and I'll be here to keep things real for you. Jump on in with any comments or questions about other young pitchers out there. Feel free to use my lack of social life to your advantage!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993326473540305483.post-33092463732138307412009-04-20T16:11:00.004-04:002009-04-21T14:42:27.773-04:00Fantasy Baseball Daily: Yankee Stadium - Coors Field v.2.0I attended the Yankees/Indians game on Sunday afternoon and witnessed something incredible! I'm not referring to the controversial go-ahead homer by Posada or Carl Pavano's ability to stay on the mound for 6 innings without straining a butt muscle. What amazed me most was the fact that the Yankee organization managed to build this stadium at an elevation of 3,000 feet without anyone noticing!<br /><br />Yes, loyal (possibly 3?) readers, balls are flying out of that place at such an alarming rate that I'm convinced even Brett Gardner (all 15o lbs of him) is a threat to hit 30 homers this year. OK, maybe 10 if he's lucky, but you get the idea here. I think A-Rod would be willing to amputate the leg attached to that bum hip of his if he could just get back into the batters box for these home games.<br /><br />So, why should you care about all this anyway? Because if you are looking to pick up somebody up for your fantasy baseball team, especially as a short-term option, you may want to value any players with an upcoming series in Yankee Stadium a little higher. Unless CC Sabathia is on the mound, any decent available LH power hitter is a viable option. Also, every hitter in the Yankee lineup has seen their value rise a bit with every pop fly that lands in the bleachers. Well, except for Gardner, I suppose. There are some little league parks that could contain that guy.<br /><br />Possibly available hitters to consider that have upcoming games in Yankee Stadium:<br />Ryan Sweeney OF/OAK - Lefty with OK power and speed<br />Mark Ellis 2B/OAK - Righty, but decent power for an INF and a fly ball hitterAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993326473540305483.post-82081204366302098892009-04-03T18:25:00.005-04:002009-04-21T14:41:33.254-04:00Fantasy Baseball Daily: A New Shef in the Citi and a Closer Emerges in the RockiesWith the season drawing near and Fantasy Baseball managers scrambling to fill out their rosters before opening day, the Mets and the Rockies have made some moves that may have you scrambling to finalize your rosters before opening day.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The New York Mets brought Gary Sheffield aboard after he was released by the Detroit Tigers a few days earlier. As an aging slugger, coming off a bad year and signing with a National League team where he won't have the benefit of DH'ing most nights, I can't say this really affects he value because he has none. Avoid him like the guy on the subway with no concept of personal space. However, this does affect owners who were hoping for breakout seasons from either Daniel Murphy or Ryan Church.<br /><br /><br />I'm not sure how many at bats Sheffield will steal from Church and Murphy, but it's obvious that this move certainly doesn't help their fantasy prospects. It's possible that the Mets are simply bringing him in to pull in some extra fans that may be interested in watching the over-the-hill slugger hit HR #500, but considering Minaya's obsession with veteran "names", I think the Shef is in it for the long haul. Church and Murphy owners may want to look elsewhere.<br /><br /><br />As for the Rockies, the closer battle has ended and Huston Street has emerged the victor. I can't say this is much of a surprise, really. The Rockies had a solid bullpen for the most part last year, and wouldn't have asked for him in the trade this off season if they weren't planning on using him where he has had success in the past. If you own Street, congratulations. If you own Corpas, and hadn't thought to handcuff him with Street, all you can do at this point is hold on to him and hope Street's past injuries and/or bouts of ineffectiveness come back into play. Corpas can help your ERA/WHIP while you wait and will probably pick up some cheap saves along the way. Don't give up just yet.<br /><br /><br />Stay tuned for more developments... same Fantasy Baseball Daily time, same Fantasy Baseball Daily channel. (Batman, anyone?)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993326473540305483.post-66110504430438811272009-03-30T18:53:00.000-04:002013-06-19T17:48:34.156-04:00Welcome to Fantasy Baseball Daily!Greetings fellow fantasy baseball managers and welcome to my blog! <br />
<a name='more'></a>After many years of playing fantasy baseball and winning more than my share of leagues, I've decided to put all of my otherwise worthless knowledge and expertise to good use. Instead of spending all my free time researching the game in order to win <i>my</i> leagues, I'm going to use all of my baseball geek powers to help you win <i>yours</i>!<br />
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I will miss the countless months of beating managers to key in-season pickups and embarrassing them in lopsided trades, but what it all comes down to is one man can only engage in so much trash talking. My ultimate goal is to help you manage your rosters and set your lineups so that you can dominate your leagues and I can let loose an entire legion of trash talking fantasy baseball managers whose boastfulness is only bested by their 5x5 skill!<br />
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I will be scouring the box scores and latest news to pick out anything you may need to know to get the edge on your opposing managers. Remember: Why waste countless hours researching the games every day when I'm going to do it for you? Rest assured, I have no social life to speak of and nothing better to do. So check in often and find out what I've dug up for ya.<br />
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Good luck with the upcoming season and let the trash talking begin!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12624530863024856364noreply@blogger.com0