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Thursday, June 24, 2004
Buzz: Thursday's talk What are fantasy users discussing today?
LET'S RANT
Well, he finally admitted what we have known all season. Luis Gonzalez is in pain. He needs surgery on that elbow. And now, finally, he admits that if the Diamondbacks continue to play like dogs - I'm paraphrasing here - then he'll shut down his season early so he can prepare for spring training 2005. Small consolation to those who own Gonzo now and need a 30-100 season, but obviously he realizes what the situation is. Arizona is 27-45 - only the Expos have more losses - so the first point about the playoffs essentially being a pipedream is very likely. Hope that nobody else in your league knows about this and deal Gonzalez if you can.
Let's go around the diamond...
Infield: Pokey goes down. Not a big shock. Pokey Reese isn't exactly the most durable guy around, as he missed most of last season and has topped 135 games only once in his underwhelming career. But with Pokey tearing a ligament in his thumb last night, this does mean something, and not just for the few people who own him. Kevin Youkilis, a nice on-base machine, should play every day at third now, with Mark Bellhorn at second. Good news for those with Youkilis and Bellhorn in OPS leagues! ... Carlos Delgado has missed 21 games, and there's no telling how many more there will be. He swung off a tee Wednesday. Woo-hoo! Swung off a tee. Didn't we do that when we were seven? I'm thinking All-Star break now for Carlos. ... Jose Vidro is on fire. Not to point out the obvious, since we should be looking ahead, but this is a career .300 hitter who is at .372 this month with 18 RBI. Trade for him now, because at a weak position, especially in the NL, Vidro might be the best RBI man from here on out. Not much competition other than Alfonso Soriano and Jeff Kent here. ... Jim Thome will hit 50. OK, how about 55?
Outfield: Starting to worry about Melvin Mora now...it's been almost a week, and I'm having flashbacks to last season. I know, I know, it's a small sample size to say he's a bad second half player. But you have to wonder, especially with his replacement David Newhan going nuts. ... You know what's odd about Marquis Grissom (left)? He's a totally different player than he was way back when. I know, he lost his speed, and can no longer even make a dent in the category for you - he once swiped 78 bags! - but he's still hitting .298 this season, and this after hitting .300 last year. Of course you and I and everyone else expected that last season was a fluke. Grissom hit .221 in 2001. Was a part-timer in 2002. Since 1994 had topped .277 once. But now he's different, slugging more (.480 right now, which would rival his career best for a full season). Sure, I'd invest in Grissom for this season. Obviously he likes being in San Fran. ... Gary Sheffield might have to hit the DL for a few weeks with his latest injury. I know it sounds strange, but Ruben Sierra can at least help your average in the short term. ... Man, that Ricky Ledee is a real pain in the ass. Plays really well in interleague, the Phils send down Marlon Byrd, and then Ledee gets hemorrhoids and might need surgery.
Starting Pitching: Roy Halladay looked better than he has recently. Still, he's not the same guy as last year. If you're waiting for that, might be time to see if someone else believes it. ... OK, I've had enough of John Thomson. Thanks, Leo Mazzone, keep on rockin', but it appears your voodoo ain't working on Thomson and he really is the very hittable and average fourth starter he had shown to be in good hitter's park for the bulk of his career. ... Jeff Weaver showed a little spunk last night getting in Michael Tucker's face at first base. Good for him. Weaver's pitching has been fine. A little John Thomson-like at times, but more Ks than we could have dreamed for, really. ... Look for the Astros to rush Andy Pettitte back soon. ... Mark Redman is an interesting pitcher. Ratio is way too high, but he's a good pitcher. This could be the beginning of a nice stretch for him. I've had him all year on one of my key teams, and have waited patiently for what he did last night. ... We're seeing a lot of Bartolo Colon trades in ESPN leagues, so obviously there are a lot of believers out there.
Closers: Trevor Hoffman owners need not worry, as he had pitched in four of five days, thus he didn't get the save opp. But Akinori Otsuka owners might try to peddle their reliever now. Great ERA and WHIP, 5 wins, just got a save chance...don't lie, but hey, the guy has value. ... Rumor has it the A's really want Guillermo Mota in a trade, after failing to acquire Octavio Dotel earlier in the week. You know, those in ML leagues might want to add Mota now just in case. The Dodgers love Mota - they should, he's dominant, like Brad Lidge is - but the Dodgers have nobody at first base. And they have Hideo Nomo rotation problems. I could see Mota dealt. ... The Rockies gave Shawn Chacon the dreaded vote of confidence, telling him he's keeping the closer's job for now. (Remember, the Phils told Marlon Byrd he was fine, too). Then Chacon proceeds to load the bases on one out in the ninth. He got out of it, but Tim Harikkala has nine holds and 2.96 ERA. Something to remember...
Tomorrow's Starters New day, New arms...
25 percent-75 percent owned in ESPN FLB leagues (why discuss pitchers everyone already owns?): Pedro. Prior. Schmidt. Santana. Big night for starts on Friday. Will Zack Greinke be a star? He's pitched very well - his ratio is actually under 1 - while I've been critical of him for the lack of Ks, the kid clearly knows what he's doing. He comes recommended from here on out. Brian Lawrence against the sad Mariners offense, buy now. Jarrod Washburn left his last start early, but he comes recommended against the Dodgers. And Zach Day is slumping, but the Jays offense is nothing special.
Under 25 percent owned: I'd take Woody Williams from here on out. Pitcher's duel in Missouri? ... Jose Lima at home is very good. Maybe Vlad goes yard, but Lima should allow three of fewer runs. ... And I'm a big fan of Miguel Batista, who took a while to get going, but now has been very good.
NUMBER O' THE DAY
.311
A .311 average in June may be peanuts for Albert Pujols, but for Angel Berroa, it's a great start. Berroa could be a really smart buy for the second half in fantasy. He's at 5 homers and 5 steals, and the average is rising quick.
QUOTE O' THE DAY
"I just took a deep breath and concentrated on making a quality pitch. I felt, 'What was the worst thing I could do? Blow a save?' I've done that."
Tremendous quote from beleaguered Shawn Chacon. Bases jammed, one-run lead, his grip on the closer role slipping on the next pitch possibly ... and he induces popups from Lyle Overbay and Brady Clark. But he's not safe...
MAILIN' IT IN: Click here to send e-mail to Karabell...and they don't all have to be about potential trades. Just spout off, make a point, quickly and in few words, tell a joke, just no whining...
Question: I don't know if I should be apologizing to Jon Lieber, or he should be apologizing me. The two times I've picked him as a spot starter he's been bombed. I watched the first disaster live. How can a guy with such good stuff have a total meltdown the instant I ink him into my roster? I guess my question is: Is this guy a stud who just looked like a bum a couple of time and I should give him another shot, or is he a bum with some shining moments and I should leave him to waiver fodder, considering my past luck with him. -- Dan Williams, Buffalo
Eric: Well, Lieber doesn't really have great stuff. He endures more because he knows how to pitch. Now is that just crap? Well, pitching smart is probably half the battle on pitching well. Anyone can throw 85, some 95. It's where you put the ball, fool the hitters with offspeed stuff, induce grounders, pitch inside, etc. That's what Lieber does. He needs to be perfect to pitch well. And we're seeing that on occasion, he's hardly perfect. Still, he's pitched 10 starts, and four of them have been poor, making his overall numbers look worse than they are. But his ERA is over, despite a workable ratio. I'd stick with him over the long haul, though. You've just been unlucky.
TODAY'S USER RANT(S): from Jon in Lansing, Mich.
Here is a quick rant. Is there anything worse then getting a trade offer from someone in your league involving a player they just picked up from the waiver wire. I have tried to explain numerous times to my fellow GMs that if I wanted the guy, I would have picked him up myself. The icing on the cake was a trade I was offered recently involving a player I had just dropped! That is the ultimate burn. [Karabell: That burns me, too. Someone just added Edgardo Alfonzo in one of my leagues, and thought I'd move a closer for him. Oh sure, I don't know what I'm doing, why not...and I'm pretty set at 3B with Rolen...Some people just don't look.]
Buzz: Thursday's talk What are fantasy users discussing today?
LET'S RANT
Well, he finally admitted what we have known all season. Luis Gonzalez is in pain. He needs surgery on that elbow. And now, finally, he admits that if the Diamondbacks continue to play like dogs - I'm paraphrasing here - then he'll shut down his season early so he can prepare for spring training 2005. Small consolation to those who own Gonzo now and need a 30-100 season, but obviously he realizes what the situation is. Arizona is 27-45 - only the Expos have more losses - so the first point about the playoffs essentially being a pipedream is very likely. Hope that nobody else in your league knows about this and deal Gonzalez if you can.
Let's go around the diamond...
Infield: Pokey goes down. Not a big shock. Pokey Reese isn't exactly the most durable guy around, as he missed most of last season and has topped 135 games only once in his underwhelming career. But with Pokey tearing a ligament in his thumb last night, this does mean something, and not just for the few people who own him. Kevin Youkilis, a nice on-base machine, should play every day at third now, with Mark Bellhorn at second. Good news for those with Youkilis and Bellhorn in OPS leagues! ... Carlos Delgado has missed 21 games, and there's no telling how many more there will be. He swung off a tee Wednesday. Woo-hoo! Swung off a tee. Didn't we do that when we were seven? I'm thinking All-Star break now for Carlos. ... Jose Vidro is on fire. Not to point out the obvious, since we should be looking ahead, but this is a career .300 hitter who is at .372 this month with 18 RBI. Trade for him now, because at a weak position, especially in the NL, Vidro might be the best RBI man from here on out. Not much competition other than Alfonso Soriano and Jeff Kent here. ... Jim Thome will hit 50. OK, how about 55?
Outfield: Starting to worry about Melvin Mora now...it's been almost a week, and I'm having flashbacks to last season. I know, I know, it's a small sample size to say he's a bad second half player. But you have to wonder, especially with his replacement David Newhan going nuts. ... You know what's odd about Marquis Grissom (left)? He's a totally different player than he was way back when. I know, he lost his speed, and can no longer even make a dent in the category for you - he once swiped 78 bags! - but he's still hitting .298 this season, and this after hitting .300 last year. Of course you and I and everyone else expected that last season was a fluke. Grissom hit .221 in 2001. Was a part-timer in 2002. Since 1994 had topped .277 once. But now he's different, slugging more (.480 right now, which would rival his career best for a full season). Sure, I'd invest in Grissom for this season. Obviously he likes being in San Fran. ... Gary Sheffield might have to hit the DL for a few weeks with his latest injury. I know it sounds strange, but Ruben Sierra can at least help your average in the short term. ... Man, that Ricky Ledee is a real pain in the ass. Plays really well in interleague, the Phils send down Marlon Byrd, and then Ledee gets hemorrhoids and might need surgery.
Starting Pitching: Roy Halladay looked better than he has recently. Still, he's not the same guy as last year. If you're waiting for that, might be time to see if someone else believes it. ... OK, I've had enough of John Thomson. Thanks, Leo Mazzone, keep on rockin', but it appears your voodoo ain't working on Thomson and he really is the very hittable and average fourth starter he had shown to be in good hitter's park for the bulk of his career. ... Jeff Weaver showed a little spunk last night getting in Michael Tucker's face at first base. Good for him. Weaver's pitching has been fine. A little John Thomson-like at times, but more Ks than we could have dreamed for, really. ... Look for the Astros to rush Andy Pettitte back soon. ... Mark Redman is an interesting pitcher. Ratio is way too high, but he's a good pitcher. This could be the beginning of a nice stretch for him. I've had him all year on one of my key teams, and have waited patiently for what he did last night. ... We're seeing a lot of Bartolo Colon trades in ESPN leagues, so obviously there are a lot of believers out there.
Closers: Trevor Hoffman owners need not worry, as he had pitched in four of five days, thus he didn't get the save opp. But Akinori Otsuka owners might try to peddle their reliever now. Great ERA and WHIP, 5 wins, just got a save chance...don't lie, but hey, the guy has value. ... Rumor has it the A's really want Guillermo Mota in a trade, after failing to acquire Octavio Dotel earlier in the week. You know, those in ML leagues might want to add Mota now just in case. The Dodgers love Mota - they should, he's dominant, like Brad Lidge is - but the Dodgers have nobody at first base. And they have Hideo Nomo rotation problems. I could see Mota dealt. ... The Rockies gave Shawn Chacon the dreaded vote of confidence, telling him he's keeping the closer's job for now. (Remember, the Phils told Marlon Byrd he was fine, too). Then Chacon proceeds to load the bases on one out in the ninth. He got out of it, but Tim Harikkala has nine holds and 2.96 ERA. Something to remember...
Tomorrow's Starters New day, New arms...
25 percent-75 percent owned in ESPN FLB leagues (why discuss pitchers everyone already owns?): Pedro. Prior. Schmidt. Santana. Big night for starts on Friday. Will Zack Greinke be a star? He's pitched very well - his ratio is actually under 1 - while I've been critical of him for the lack of Ks, the kid clearly knows what he's doing. He comes recommended from here on out. Brian Lawrence against the sad Mariners offense, buy now. Jarrod Washburn left his last start early, but he comes recommended against the Dodgers. And Zach Day is slumping, but the Jays offense is nothing special.
Under 25 percent owned: I'd take Woody Williams from here on out. Pitcher's duel in Missouri? ... Jose Lima at home is very good. Maybe Vlad goes yard, but Lima should allow three of fewer runs. ... And I'm a big fan of Miguel Batista, who took a while to get going, but now has been very good.
NUMBER O' THE DAY
.311
A .311 average in June may be peanuts for Albert Pujols, but for Angel Berroa, it's a great start. Berroa could be a really smart buy for the second half in fantasy. He's at 5 homers and 5 steals, and the average is rising quick.
QUOTE O' THE DAY
"I just took a deep breath and concentrated on making a quality pitch. I felt, 'What was the worst thing I could do? Blow a save?' I've done that."
Tremendous quote from beleaguered Shawn Chacon. Bases jammed, one-run lead, his grip on the closer role slipping on the next pitch possibly ... and he induces popups from Lyle Overbay and Brady Clark. But he's not safe...
MAILIN' IT IN: Click here to send e-mail to Karabell...and they don't all have to be about potential trades. Just spout off, make a point, quickly and in few words, tell a joke, just no whining...
Question: I don't know if I should be apologizing to Jon Lieber, or he should be apologizing me. The two times I've picked him as a spot starter he's been bombed. I watched the first disaster live. How can a guy with such good stuff have a total meltdown the instant I ink him into my roster? I guess my question is: Is this guy a stud who just looked like a bum a couple of time and I should give him another shot, or is he a bum with some shining moments and I should leave him to waiver fodder, considering my past luck with him. -- Dan Williams, Buffalo
Eric: Well, Lieber doesn't really have great stuff. He endures more because he knows how to pitch. Now is that just crap? Well, pitching smart is probably half the battle on pitching well. Anyone can throw 85, some 95. It's where you put the ball, fool the hitters with offspeed stuff, induce grounders, pitch inside, etc. That's what Lieber does. He needs to be perfect to pitch well. And we're seeing that on occasion, he's hardly perfect. Still, he's pitched 10 starts, and four of them have been poor, making his overall numbers look worse than they are. But his ERA is over, despite a workable ratio. I'd stick with him over the long haul, though. You've just been unlucky.
TODAY'S USER RANT(S): from Jon in Lansing, Mich.
Here is a quick rant. Is there anything worse then getting a trade offer from someone in your league involving a player they just picked up from the waiver wire. I have tried to explain numerous times to my fellow GMs that if I wanted the guy, I would have picked him up myself. The icing on the cake was a trade I was offered recently involving a player I had just dropped! That is the ultimate burn. [Karabell: That burns me, too. Someone just added Edgardo Alfonzo in one of my leagues, and thought I'd move a closer for him. Oh sure, I don't know what I'm doing, why not...and I'm pretty set at 3B with Rolen...Some people just don't look.]