Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Ichiro, Mr. 3000

Ichiro of the Mariners has reached a milestone in his career, 3,000 hits. All of these hits have not occurred while playing in the majors but over his span as a professional baseball player.

Congratulations Ichiro!!

PS. Can you tell me why the Mariners are paying this singles hitter $17million a year?!?! Yes, he does sell merchandise over in the 120million population of Japan but come on, $17million?!?!?!?

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Farnsworth and Pudge Trade

The Detroit Tigers have traded Pudge to the Yankees for Kyle Farnsworth.

Fantasy wise this isn't a huge deal. Pudge is an okay catcher and only has value because he is a catcher and provides a decent average (.295). The biggest part of the deal is Farnsworth because of the closing situation in Tigers clubhouse. With the Tigers demoting Jones and promoting Rodney as a closer, they are still far from finding a solution. Farnsworth has some experience as a closer and fantasy owners should pick up Farnsworth in speculation.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Adam LaRoche

Adam LaRoche of the Pirates is headed to the DL with lower back spasms. This is the type of injury that could land LaRoche a spot on the bench for a month or even the rest of the season. As of right now there is no set timetable for his return but owners shouldn't expect much because of the situation the Pirates are in with respect to the standings.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Big Tex on The Move

Mark Teixera is on the move and is now, according to news outlets, an Angel. We all knew that the Braves were going to be sellers at the deadline after placing Chipper and Hudson on the DL and by looks of the standing the Braves were a team looking from the outside in.

For fantasy owners this is good news because of the situation Tex will be in when he is slotted into the Angels lineup. With the likes of Vlad, Figgins, Kendrick, and Hunter Big Tex will have plenty of protection and tons of opportunities for RBI's.

Since Tex is known to be a second half player expect him to put up some big numbers in an Angels uniform because of the players listed above and the fact that the Angels are play-off bound, maybe even World Series bound.

The only problem in this deal is for owners who are in NL-Only leagues. Since this is an inter-league trade owners who own Tex in the NL will lose his services depending on your league rules.

The player going the other way is Casey Kotchman. Fantasy wise this isn't a big blow and with his current numbers .287, 12HR, 54RBI. He is a viable option as a fantasy player but 12HR and 54RBI as a 1B just doesn't cut it.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Fantasy/Real Trade Deadline

The real MLB trade deadline (non-waiver) is July 31 and well this is the time where most fantasy owners, like myself, are sweating over because players, especially closers, lose their current roles and bring owners nothing but a glorified players that don't deserve a spot on a fantasy AAA roster.

If you are about to make a deal for someone make sure there is no rumour out there or a high percentage they will be traded where their fantasy value decreases. I would personally hold off on making a huge deal that would involve players that are rumoured to be on the move especially closers.

The fantasy trade dealine in most leagues is usually around Aug. 10 or around the 20th. This gives plenty of time to see who you want and who you want to use as bait.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Trading for Pitching

If you have followed this blog for a short period of time you will surely notice that I have a bias towards hitters and how important they are to a fantasy roster. This is because pitchers are too volatile and usually end up wasting your fantasy year if you end up drafting them too high. But with only 70 games or so left in the season fantasy owners need to realize that this is the time to start making that charge for a fantasy championship and where plenty of people seem to have a problem is realizing that with 70 games left in the season starting pitchers will only be pitching 10-13 more starts. This sounds like a huge number but as I mentioned before, once you start adding up all the innings pitched it almost impossible to move the ERA/WHIP categories in significant ways. This is the time to use the remaining innings WISELY.

Take a look at your team and to see where you are particularly strong. If you are one of the individuals who draft extremely heavy on hitters, like myself, this is the time of year where you can really cash in with a trade that can boost your pitching staff. For example, I am leading in R/HR/RBI by a fair amount and I traded Manny for CC Sabathia (this was maybe a month ago) and it has only started to really show in the standings. At the time of the trade I was at the bottom in almost all my pitching categories and I was sitting in 11th out of 12 spots. Today, I have a lock on 3rd and slowly moving up into 2nd and have an outside shot at the championship. All this due to a move for ONE pitcher. But as I said, it took over a month and a bit just to find myself where I am now.

The lesson here is you need to go out and try and find a pitcher that can make a fantasy impact. Pitchers like Johan, CC, Halladay, Haren, Webb, and even Harden are the ones you need to target because they are the guys that can strong together 8-10 starts that will turn your fantasy pitching rotation from a glorified AAA team to a fantasy contender.

By making a trade right now, it gives you the time to slowly move up in the standings because with pitching it takes time. Your stud pitchers only pitch every 5 days compared to your stud hitters who contribute every single day.

Go back to your fantasy team and see who you can part with. See if you can trade a Pujols for a Santana and a respectable hitter. Maybe Beltran for a Harden. Even Carlos Lee for Webb. Make sure to go out and see who can help you and remember DO NOT WASTE anymore time by sitting and hoping your current crop of pitchers can turn things around and bring you a fantasy championship. The more time you sit there and hope the more quality starts are wasted and calculated for other fantasy owners.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Monday, July 28, 2008

Kershaw/Big Unit

Quick player note.

Clayton Kershaw - Last game 6IP, 4Hs, 0ER, 1BB, and 5Ks. Even though he is going to be a strict pitch count and will most likely only last 6 innings, at most, he is still worth a look.

Big Unit - Last 4 starts. 4-0, 26.1IP, 5ERs, 3HRs, 2BBs, and 19Ks. This is the time to ride him to some solid fantasy stats.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Forget The Name Value

The fantasy season is coming to a close with 70 games remaining in the 2008 season. Yes, I know 70 games is almost half the season but this is a very important time of the year for all owners who are in contention for a championship. Also, this is the time of year where some players who have slumped are at the point where it is going to be an off year in their careers. Owners need to really understand that some players are not worth holding on to just because they have name value.

One of the biggest names that comes to mind is Derek Jeter of the Yankees. He is having his worst season as a pro this season and is worth a trade to another team. These guys are great to trade because other owners place large value on name brand players. Even though Jeter is having a terrible season people will just forget about the numbers in front of them and think about all those years where he was a fantasy changer.

The moral of the story is you need to look at your roster now and realize which players are worth a drop or a trade (please lean towards the trade option) because these players are not worth a penny in your lineup dragging your fantasy points to the bottom. So, go out there and try to make some offers that will help you make your fantasy team better.

"Everyone is expendable, as long as they make your team better."

Here are a few players, who are not of brand name value, that you should really consider because they are putting up the numbers.

Fernando Tatis (Mets) - Yes, he hasn't played since 2006 but he's producing. Over the last month is hitting .394AVG, 6HRss, and 16RBIs.

Juan Rivera (Angles) - Over the last month .328AVG, 5HRs, and 12RBIs.

Gregor Blanco (Braves) - Last month he is hitting .292AVG, 9RBIs, with 4SBs.

Mike Aviles (Royals) - This guy should be owned in almost all formats right now. Last month he is hitting .301AVG, 2HRs, 12RBIs, and 1SB.

Aaron Miles (Phillies) - Last month, .338AVG, 2HRs, and 12RBIs.

Those are just a few players who have no name brand value but are producing like one. Go out and check your waiver wire to see who is producing and remember to cover the name so you don't get all bias with name value. Fantasy production at this time of year is all you are looking for. The brand name value glasses are now gone!

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Saturday, July 26, 2008

McGowan

Dustin McGowan of the Blue Jays is out for the season after an MRI revealed a torn labrum in his shoulder. Fantasy wise this isn't the biggest news of the day but for some owners who have him as a 3/4th starter this is a decent blow to your team. This young pitcher has the ability to throw a high K-rate and give owners a decent option for wins.

Keeper leagues should keep an eye out for this guy because his injury will not keep him out of the 2009 season.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

ERA/WHIP/AVG

It is very important for all owners who are trying to win a fantasy championship right now to take action with respect to their ERA/WHIP/AVG. These three categories, in a standard 5x5 league, are starting to solidify. What I mean is you are all reaching high innings pitched and very high number of at-bats. So, when you reach the innings limits and games played every inning and at-bat does not affect the ERA/WHIP/AVG numbers as much.

Please go and take a look at your ERA/WHIP/AVG categories and see if you are way ahead of if you need some help with these three. If you are ahead make sure to watch your pitchers and hitters. Rotate cold players out and try and put in some hot hitters that can keep your high AVG. With pitchers and the ERA/WHIP, make sure to put RP's in if you need to improve these two categories and maybe hold back on some SP's. Be very selective of your SP's and who they pitch against. Try to put them in against favourable match-ups.

The more you do now the higher the probability you will stay ahead in these categories and the higher the chance you can climb in these categories.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Marte

Damaso Marte of the Pirates is now a New York Yankee and for fantasy owners this is terrible news. After Matt Capps fell to injry Marte picked up the closer role and performed well. Now that Marte is a Yankee is he going to be a normal RP because of the future hall of famer Mariano Rivera.

The first thing you need to do is go out and grab Tyler Yates of the Pirates. The manager has not come out and stated who is going to take over for Marte but Yates is the most likely of the RP in the bullpen. If Yates is already taken go to the second option below.

Secondly, if you have no other option you can keep Marte in your lineup because he will still give you the high K rate and maybe provide you with some vulchar wins, especially with the Yankees lineup.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Vacation

I am on vacation and posts will be sporadic at best.

It is the All-Star break so take time to just relax and enjoy baseball without worrying about your fantasy roster.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

All-Star Break

This is a great time for all owners to start and hopefully finish up a trade.

During this time of year, I always try to send out offers right and left just to see what kind of returns people are willing to offer me and I usually make 1/2 deals during this time. Also, this is the time of year where you are half way through the season (10 games over, who's counting) and you can basically tell if you are going to be in contention for the title or not. The biggest thing is...BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR TEAM. Don't expect some guys who have reached their career peaks half way through the season will continue on that pace. Trade them and get some proven guys who do it year in and year out, SELL HIGH!

If you are one of the lucky ones who is going to be contending for a title make sure you have the players that can do it for you. The worst thing for you to do is look back and say you should have traded him for him. Make the trades now and GO FOR IT! Don't waste time and sit there hoping your team will win the title, go out and take it!

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Harden (a Cub)

Rich Harden of the A's was traded to the Cubs for a handful of other players that don't have too much fantasy value as of right now (Gallagher, Murton, Patterson, and a minor leaguer Donaldson). This is great news for owners who have Harden because, as you know, I love pitchers moving into the NL from the AL, why you ask? Well, for one the NL is an easier league to contend with on a day to day basis. Second, they have the pitcher batting instead of a heavy hitting DH. This gives the pitcher kind of a rest every 2-3 innings.

For a pitcher like Harden, who throws smoke, this is a great move for him on the field. I predict, if he stays healthy, a strong second half. WAIT WAIT, the problem with Harden is his health. The A's have had to live with his health issues and have learned what to do with respect to precautions and I am no too sure the Cubs will know how to baby Harden. The likes of Lou as a coach should give Harden a break but we have seen how pitchers in the Cubs organization react to pitching (Wood and Prior).

If I were an owner of Harden, I would immediately sell high on him. His value is almost as high as it will get. Harden can get you a premium bat that can carry your fantasy team, especially if you can get a Hanley or Chase Utley who can contribute in all five categories. I will keep saying this until Harden shows me he can last an entire season...TRADE HIM WHILE HE IS HEALTHY!

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Monday, July 7, 2008

Sabathia (a Brewer)

The Indians and the Brewers have agreed, in principle, to a deal that would send CC Sabathia to the Brewers for prospects (Matt LaPorta, Zach Johnson, Rob Bryson, and maybe a 4th player). The key player in this deal, besides Sabathia, is LaPorta. He is hitting .288, .402OBP, .978OPS, with 20HRs, and 66RBIs all in 302ABs down in AA.

Owners in AL-Only leagues are the ones that take a huge hit since they lose a stud pitcher and don't get anything in return. LaPorta is not a proven commodity in the majors but should make a difference on fantasy rosters. DO NOT grab him with a high waiver priority but if you have room, go out and obtain his services if he the Indians announce him as an addition to the major league club instead of the minors.

NL-Only leagues really benefit from this move because it adds a huge arm and whoever has the rights to the first waiver priority or however your rules are set for this kind of trade is going to luck out.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Sunday, July 6, 2008

New Closers

So far this season we haven't seen a huge turnover in closers (Gagne to Torres, Corpas to Fuentes, and Putz to Morrow) but recently there have been a few injuries/poor performances that have plagued major league closers.

Here are a few things you need to know about closers and where to find saves in the next few weeks while the "original" closer comes back.

Cleveland Indians
With Joe Borowski being sent down to the minors look to Kobayashi and Betancourt to handle the saves but with the manger stating that it is going to be a committee approach don't expect all the saves to go to one guy. The safe bet here is going after Kobayashi. He is listed as the closer and has shown he can handle the duties.

Tampa Bay Rays
One of the best teams in the majors is currently without their closer Troy Percival due to left hamstring injury. Look to Wheeler and Balfour for saves. Wheeler has the experience but Balfour seems to be pitching well and converted the save last night. But reports coming out of Tampa Bay is Wheerler is the one they will turn to but when he needs a day off Balfour will close games.

Pittsburgh Pirates
With Matt Capps out for around 2 months there is a huge opening for fantasy owners to grab a closer that can give them plenty of save opportunities while Capps is gone. Look to Marte as the favourite to see saves on a regular basis but keep an eye out for Yates. These two will get the save opportunities but if you have to pick one to grab take Marte.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Quick Update

I don't have too much spare time today so I'm going to keep this post very short.

Jay Bruce of the Reds had his first multi-homerun game of his career (two HRs last night). Is this a sign of him getting out of his prolonged slump?

Matt Garza of the Rays is a legit pitcher now. He should be on all fantasy rosters.

Eric Chavez of the A's is back on the DL and for owners this is the last straw that broke the camels back. He should be owned in ZERO leagues.

The closing of games in Tampa Bay should fall into the laps the following (in order) Wheeler, Howell, and Bafour. Expect Wheeler to get most to all of the saves except if he pitches 3-4 nights in a row.

Pedro of the Mets has reached a point where if he does not pitch well in his next start he should be banished to the wire in all formats.

Randy Johnson of the Diamondbacks is getting torn apart on the mound. He has a good K/BB rate so he can still strike batters out. Wait a game or two and if he doesn't show an improvement, you have my blessing to drop him to the wire.

Brett Gardner of the Yankees was called up to the big leagues and he should give owners steals. If you are in need of steals or just lost Pierre make sure to find this guy and add him. He will steal everytime he reaches base.

Chris Davis of the Rangers is a legit power hitter. He has 3HRs so far. Go out and grab him.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Big Names Land on the DL

King Felix of the Mariners is on the DL and for owners this shouldn't be a big surprise since the Mariners are heading nowhere but the basement. He is expected to return to the mound when he is eligible, which is July 8. Owners, don't worry, he'll be back.

Chad Cordero of the Nationals is done for the season and most likely for the first bit of next season. People who are in keeper leagues should abandon ship, wouldn't be a keeper anyways, because he is not going to come back this year. Jon Rauch has the lock on the closers role and owners should be happy since they won't be losing a closer when Cordero returned.

Juan Pierre of the Dodgers is hurt and this is killer for owners. This speed demon is drafted for one reason and that is for his speed. He has 35 steals this season, which ranks him just behind Willy Taveras for the lead, and is hitting a respectable .277. If you are in need of speed go and find Hairston Jr. on the wire. He does the samething as Pierre. Pierre will be gone for at least 4-6 weeks.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Sell High

The following are guys who you should consider selling high.

Josh Hamilton of the Rangers. After playing 81 games this season, Hamilton is hitting .312, with 19HRs, 80RBIs, 3SBs, and has only K'ed 59 times. This player has never played more than 90 games in a single season which means he has not finished a complete season in the bigs as a full time player. Don't expect him to hit another 80RBIs. Take a honest look at your needs and see if you can leverage Hamilton into a huge pitcher like Santana, Webb, or Sabathia.

Lance Berkman of the Astros. What I said about Hamlton goes for Berkman. Berkman is absolutely tearing up the ball and I do not expect him to continue at this pace. Expect him to settle at around .320-.330 while hitting around 15HRs and knocking in another 50RBIs. Sell high for a pitcher.

Dan Uggla of the Marlins is on pace to hit around 40+HRs and knock in 110RBIs, don't expect him to do so. This guy is a first half player (.279, 53HRs, 161RBIs all done before the break compared to .250, 28HRs, 75RBIs after) and if need help on the pitching side, go out and see what Uggla can get you.

Michael Bradley of the Rangers is in the same boat as Hamilton. Instead of substance abuse this guy can't seem to stay healthy for an entire season. If he can find a way to stay healthy he can produce for you. Try and cash in your investment and see if you can grab some help from another player that is more reliable.

Xavier Nady of the Pirates is doing very well this season but he has never played more than 125 games in a year and had more than 431ABs. This is the time to cash him in for someone who can help you out somewhere else.

Chipper Jones of the Braves has the chance to .400 but in my eyes the more important thing owners should worry about is his health. This guy will see 4-5 games a week now and with that comes lower productivity in accounting numbers. The great news here is other owners will die for his services. Ship him out for some more reliable daily players.

Edison Volquez, Cliff Lee, Jason Duchscherer, and John Danks are all pitchers who I don't see finishing the year in the way they pitched during the first half of the season. Cash in for some hitters.

Digg this
BallHype: hype it up!