It looks like the Arizona Diamondbacks got a potential steal with Bryan Augenstein, a seventh round pick last year out of the University of Florida. The 22-year-old righty has made tremendous strides this year, pitching so well in the Midwest League (5-1, 2.16 with a 69/9 K/BB ratio) that he was promoted to High-A on June 19. While he’s been hit much harder in his six starts in the Cal League, Augenstein’s 3.48 ERA is hardly worthy of shame. Also, with 18 punchouts against just four walks, he continues to show superb command – a trait that should stead him well once he’s ready for the move to Double-A, likely sometime halfway through the 2009 season.

Rod Barajas had picked up some steam as a fantasy catcher for a while there, but it’s time to set him adrift. Currently mired in a 1-for-15 slump, Barajas’ hot start to August has gone by the wayside and he’s now batting just .224 since the break with some severely reduced power. I have my serious doubts whether he’ll be anything more than a platoon catcher in 2009; I just can’t see him holding a starting job for an extended period of time. And considering he’ll be 33 next month, I wouldn’t be seeking any breakthroughs similar to the one he hinted at in 2005 when he bashed 21 homers.

Despite tearing his left hamstring earlier this season, Eric Byrnes still believes he’ll be able to come back this season. Apparently, so do owners in the almost one-quarter of leagues in which he’s still owned. But now that Adam Dunn is in town, there’s really no reason for the D-Backs to let Byrnes hurry back. Considering he was likely drafted as high as the early fourth round in the spring, Byrnes has been one of the biggest fantasy disappointments of the year, especially given how poorly he performed when he was in the lineup.

How impressive has Rich Harden been since moving to the Cubs? While he’s been yielding more long balls at Wrigley (not a shock), it certainly hasn’t hurt him in the ERA department (1.80 through 35 IP). He’s surrendered just seven earned runs over his six starts, and four of those came two starts ago against Houston in what was his only poor outing as a Cub (despite striking out eight and walking just one in 5 2/3 IP). Assuming the Cubs can hold on and take the NL Central, the acquisition of Harden will have to be considered one of the keys of their season.

Good news for Evan Longoria owners, as the uber rookie’s wrist is feeling better. There’s a chance he’ll be back on the field by September 1. What a shame he went down in the midst of such a great first season. Longoria had been absolutely scorching in August before the injury, batting .310 with three homers in just 29 at bats. You’ve got to be worried about the affect this wrist injury will have on his power over the final month of the year, but if he can maintain a .300+ BA, the kid will have nice value even without the pop.

It may time to take another look at Barry Zito if you need pitching help down the stretch. He’s been about as inconsistent as they come, but when he’s on, like he was his last time out, he can help you. Zito has bookended tremendous outings with a pair of shellackings this month. But despite his less-than-inspiring 5.30 ERA for the month of August, you should note that opponents are batting just .206 against him – suggesting that he’s throwing his best stuff of the season by far. While Zito continues to be among the game’s most durable arms – leading some to suggest the number of innings he’s tossed over the past few years is wearing on him – to me the real issue which has led him to a career-worst and NL-leading 15 losses this season is a complete breakout in his command. Even in the recent outings in which he’s had impressive results, Zito is barely striking out more batters than he’s walking, and that’s just not going to cut it – in fantasy land or otherwise.

Watch out for the return of Justin Upton (oblique) within the next week. The rookie was playing his best ball of the season when he went down in early July, so I would definitely consider picking him up if you need some offense down the stretch. Expecting some rust is reasonable, but I think that Upton will be a legitimate asset in September for shrewd owners who are looking to add him over the next few days.

August 19th, 2008
Categories: BASEBALL, Fantasy Notes, RotoRob . Author: RotoRob . Comments: No Comments

This has to be considered a season of progress for the Rangers, and if not for a horrible swoon in late-April, this club could be right in the thick of the AL Wild Card race. After a modest 5-4 start, the team went into a 2-12 tailspin, dropping to a season worst 7-16 as of April 24 – essentially burying themselves early. However, Texas rebounded and went a very impressive 51-38 between then and August 5 to move to a season-best 60-54. Competing in the AL West with the blazing Angels would have taken much more than that, but unfortunately, the Rangers’ Wild Card chances have slipped away since thanks to a 2-9 skid.

Offense sure hasn’t been an issue. Texas leads the AL in runs (695), slugging (.456) and OPS. But, as usual, the pitching staff has let this team down. The Rangers are dead last in the Junior Circuit in ERA, BAA (.290), OPS against (829), WHIP (1.60) and quality starts (40).

Dustin Nippert has received a modicum of fantasy attention in AL-only leagues as he got a start Sunday, but it appears that this was just a spot start and even if more rotation time was a possibility, he did his best to ensure he won’t get another chance. To call Nippert horribly inconsistent almost seems like praise. After looking so impressive last week with four shutout innings against the Red Sox, he got tattooed by the Rays Sunday, suffering the loss. Nippert looked to be finding his groove in middle relief last season, but his awful command has rendered him lost this year.

Brandon Boggs has picked up the pace a bit lately, and has driven in runs in the last two games, but without more at bats, he’s not worth owning at this time unless you’re in an extremely deep AL-only league. Because of the fragile nature of several of the Ranger outfielders, Boggs could be looking at more PT at any time and given that he’s a switch hitter, he is not affected by platoons. However, he really hasn’t hit lefties or righties particularly well, although he’s at least shown decent pop against southpaws.

New daddy Josh Hamilton returned to the lineup Friday, and hit in all three weekend games, driving in another two runs Sunday. Talk about respect – the Rays opted to intentionally walk Hamilton with two outs and the bases loaded in the ninth inning. He could have tied the game with a long ball, but instead plated one run with the free pass, leaving Marlon Byrd to end the game with a whiff. Hamilton hasn’t quite maintained his pre-All-Star break pace, but he’s not far off and seems to have picked things up a bit so far this month, at least in terms of getting on base. At any rate, he’s definitely not suffering from any Home Run Derby letdown, a la Bobby Abreu a couple of years ago.

There’s good news from down on the farm, where Brandon McCarthy, who has missed the entire season with a forearm injury, looks just about ready to rejoin the Ranger rotation. He put up seven goose eggs for Triple-A Oklahoma Sunday for his second straight superb start. Last season, McCarthy’s first in Texas and first as a full-time starter, didn’t exactly go swimmingly, but it’s way too early to write him off. True, his excellent recent work has been against weaker teams in the PCL, so the Rangers may opt to see how he fares against a better hitting team (he’ll get the Iowa Cubs next) before bringing him up. There remains a chance he will take the hill for the Rangers on Saturday if they do promote him. Those seeking some late-season pitching help would be wise to monitor the McCarthy situation.

Ian Kinsler had to come out early Sunday with a groin injury. He’ll be evaluated today, so let’s keep our fingers crossed here, because this is the type of injury that tends to linger. It’s awful timing, as Kinsler had been putting his early-August slump in the rear view mirror in recent games, hitting in eight straight and nine of his last ten games. This dude is on pace for 215 freaking hits this season. To put that in perspective, he totaled 248 hits in his first two campaigns.

If Kinsler is going to miss time, who the hell is going to play second for Texas? German Duran would be the likeliest candidate, but he tore a ligament in his thumb last month and won’t be back until late-September if at all. Ramon Vazquez has only played five games at second this year, and right now – until Hank Blalock gets back, anyways – he’s needed at third base. So should Kinsler be sidelined for some time, Joaquin Arias might get his chance. Arias lost almost all of 2007 because of injuries, but he’s made up for it this year, batting .296 with good speed at Oklahoma. He’s batting .316 since the break, but isn’t running as much as he did. Still, if Arias gets the call, he could provide you with a decent BA and some cheap steals.

Speaking of Blalock, he’s getting ready to come off the DL, but will not be returning to the hot corner. Instead, he’s going to man first base and the team will shift Chris Davis from first to third, with Vazquez going to the bench. Blalock’s shoulder woes and inability to consistently make the throw from third to first will present Davis with a chance to impress the team brass enough so that he’ll be in the mix for the starting third baseman job in 2009. At the very least, Davis will have an opportunity to entrench himself as the key corner infield backup. In the meantime, if Davis can wow the team, Texas could look to deal Blalock this offseason. And of course, giving Blalock PT between now and the end of the season will be necessary to showcase him, so those of you that feel like taking a chance on him can rest assured that until he gets hurt again, he’ll be in the lineup every day.

August 18th, 2008
Categories: BASEBALL, RotoRob, Team report . Author: RotoRob . Comments: No Comments

Suzy Kolber made us swoon despite some questionable draft picks.

As you may or may not know, ESPN likes to “edumacate” viewers with a mock fantasy football draft every preseason. But instead of getting people who, you know, actually play fantasy football, it lets quasi celebrities and crusty ESPN “talent” throw random darts at a board. It has been a terrible exercise from the beginning, and it just gets worse every year. I tried to avoid it this season. It just causes heartburn and upset stomachs. In fact, that should be a part of the description of the show.

But, I caught parts of it anyway, against my better judgment. Those on fantasy football forums have mocked the draft. I must exorcise the demon. ESPN actually posted the whole draft online. (Fools!) So I will, pick by pick (*gulp*) take this monster apart.

What follows is horrific. Please don’t read it without anesthetizing yourself first. I am sitting down with the draft in one hand, and a bottle of Everclear in the other. I don’t have the heart to mix my grain alcohol with anything. This is going to suck.

By the way, the “competitors” in this draft:

Merril Hoge - Probably would have benefitted having Jaws around.
Suzy Kolber - Once took the Steelers in round two of a fantasy draft. But damn, she’s cute.
Method Man - *Swig*
Chris Mortensen - Somehow comes off less knowledgeable than Method Man.
Roy Williams - Chances he takes himself in the draft? Ninety eight per cent.
Nick Bakay - Actually the best owner. *Swig*
Michael Smith - Well, at least he is aware of his lack of fantasy acumen.
Summer Sanders - Riding Phelps’ wave.

Round One

1. Hoge - Adrian Peterson - *Golf Clap*
2. Kolber - LaDainian Tomlinson - Wow. Two out of two! Maybe this year will be different! Maybe ESPN has finally come through after so much disappoinment. Maybe it has put together a mock draft that will actually help viewers! I may not even need the booze anymore!
3. Man - Frank Gore - *Chugs*
4. Mortensen - Brian Westbrook - Okay. A little woozy, but I’m hanging in there.
5. Williams - Tom Brady - Not the guy I’d take, but I can’t really fault him here.
6. Bakay - Joseph Addai - Bakay, while clearly being the best in this draft, would finish in the bottom half of every league our readers partake in.
7. Smith - Randy Moss - No, this isn’t a PPR league, at least not according to the settings.
8. Sanders - Marshawn Lynch - I think I’m in love.

Round Two

9. Sanders - Tony Romo - Well, that crush lasted about five seconds.
10. Smith - Clinton Portis - Portis is kind of getting up there in years, and Steven Jackson may not hold out all season. I’m just saying.
11. Bakay - Steven Jackson - Thanks, Bakay.
12. Williams - Marion Barber - Boring, but acceptable.
13. Mortensen - Darren McFadden - Well, that’s about 30 picks too high. Congrats to Mort for taking the early lead in the “Worst pick of the worst draft in the history of the world” award.
14. Man - Peyton Manning - He just took Manning cause his surname is the prefix to the Golden Boy’s last name. Or something like that.
15. Kolber - Drew Brees - It’s way too high for Brees, but at least I like the player.
16. Hoge - Brandon Jacobs - Hoge is jealous of any back who gains more than 700 yards in a single season.

Round Three

17. Hoge - Matt Hasselbeck - After the top four quarterbacks are off the board, you might as well wait a while before taking the fifth-ranked one. Hoge just skipped ahead and took the tenth-ranked signal caller. But you get the point.
18. Kolber - Maurice Jones-Drew - Kolber impressed me a little here. (Of course, it might have been those adorable moon-shaped eyes.) This makes up for the Brees pick. A little.
19. Man - Larry Johnson - Obviously, we think Johnson is to be avoided, but his value is about right for the 13th back.
20. Mortensen - Braylon Edwards - Actually, this is a decent selection. I’m not being sarcastic! Stop laughing!
21. Williams - Terrell Owens - Never let active players draft.
22. Bakay - Reggie Wayne - Correct.
23. Smith - Andre Johnson - Fitzgerald makes a little bit more sense, but okay. I’m drunk now, but at least I’m not depressed. Yet.
24. Sanders - Ryan Grant - Woah. Summer, maybe we can work out after all.

Round Four

25. Sanders - Larry Fitzgerald - Wow. Awesome. I think I might have some fantastic dreams tonight.
26. Smith - Jamal Lewis - Maybe Smith knows Willis McGahee’s injury is bad?
27. Bakay - Carson Palmer - Yeah, sounds about right.
28. Williams - Marques Colston - There are, obviously, good backs on the board. But I’m sure Barber will do the work of two backs with his ten carries a game.
29. Mortensen - Calvin Johnson - Fantasy drafts should involve tasing.
30. Man - Chad Johnson - Probably the second-best wide out on his team, but I’ll give MM a pass. He was probably tricked into doing this, anyway.
31. Kolber - T.J. Houshmandzadeh - Aw, I think Suzy reads my writing. (And did I mention I love her?)
32. Hoge - Santonio Holmes - Not as bad as the Johnson pick, but not acceptable. There are at least five wide outs on the board who should be taken before Holmes.

Round Five

33. Hoge - Rashard Mendenhall - Starting backs are so overrated. By the way, for those keeping track at home, Hoge and Mortensen are neck and neck for the claim as the worst owner in the league.
34. Kolber - Jason Witten - Nooooo! Suzy! Why?! Worst pick ever. But damn, you’re cute.
35. Man - Antonio Gates - Clearly frightened by the Witten pick (like the rest of us), MM compounds the horror. Gates is being taken around 49th in drafts across the nation. So this is at least 14 slots too high. *Swig*
36. Mortensen - Derek Anderson - And this pick would be about 20 slots too high. Seriously, Mort, we can tell you haven’t even put five minutes of preparation into this.
37. Williams - Roy Williams - Cute.
38. Bakay - Wes Welker - Don’t get me wrong, Bakay isn’t “good.” It just seems like he is because of the other people here. It’s all relative.
39. Smith - Thomas Jones - For the record, there are seven backs I would, conservatively, put ahead of Jones that were still on the board. One is McGahee, who I realize has some injury concern, but he’s still a top 15 back.
40. Sanders - Rudi Johnson - For the record, Rudi was not one of those seven backs I just mentioned.

Round Six

41. Sanders - Plaxico Burress - Well, whatever.
42. Smith - Michael Turner - Okay. At least Smith’s taking better players as the draft goes on, although that might be something of an indictment of his overall strategy.
43. Bakay - Anquan Boldin - As the biggest Boldin fan on the planet, I apologize to Bakay for saying that mean stuff about him in Round Five.
44. Williams - Willis McGahee - Thank God.
45. Mortensen - Kellen Winslow - Ah. The Anderson to Winslow connection. Awesome.
46. Man - Dallas Clark - Most choose not to take a back-up tight end. Others pick tight ends in both rounds five and six - in an eight-team league, mind you. And a new challenger for worst pick arises.
47. Kolber - Chargers D/ST - In standard scoring, the difference between the top defense and the eighth-ranked defense is somewhere around two points per game. Always wait on a defense.
48. Hoge - Anthony Gonzalez - See, Hoge’s problem is value assessment. It’s not that he picks terrible players. His guys have upside, some might even call them sleepers. But the whole point of a sleeper pick is taking them lower than you think their final stats will reflect. Hoge just takes them at the value he thinks they’ll end up at. At least we’ve figured this out. Oh, and, umm, *swig*.

Round Seven

49. Hoge - Reggie Bush - Okay. Sweet pick.
50. Kolber - Greg Jennings - Note that Steve Smith is still available.
51. Man - Bears DEF/ST - Poor MM. He just gets flustered any time anyone takes a new position. I will bet $8 million that he won’t wait until the last round for a kicker. And no, I didn’t look ahead to find out.
52. Mortensen - Devin Hester - *Hiccup* I need more booze here. Okay, Steve Smith or Devin Hester? Steve Smith. Devin Hester. ADP 28 vs ADP 131. Hmmm…
53. Williams - Steve Smith - Oh, bra-vo. Fifty push-ups for everyone. Yes, that includes you Bakay.
54. Bakay - Willie Parker - Well, I would have preferred Laurence Maroney here, but Bakay already won the league, so I guess it doesn’t really matter.
55. Smith - Ben Roethlisberger - Hoge should feel extra dumb about that Hasselbeck pick after this one.
56. Sanders - Marvin Harrison - A worthy gamble I suppose. Lots of quality backs are left, though.

Round Eight

57. Sanders - Ronnie Brown - At least it’s a high ceiling player at this spot.
58. Smith - Brandon Marshall - I wonder how far Brady would drop if he were suspended for two games.
59. Bakay - Chris Cooley - I don’t know, Bakay. Too many good players left and Cooley isn’t head and shoulders above the other tight ends on the board. Not a good pick.
60. Williams - Laurence Maroney - You might be interested in knowing Maroney’s ADP is 33rd. I really have no clue why he fell this far or who this mock draft is helping.
61. Mortensen - Felix Jones - Let’s take a look at what rounds Mortensen’s player’s should have been taken in with the round he actually picked them in parentheses. One (one), seven (two), two (three), five (four), six (five), six (six), 17 (seven), and now 14 (eight). All around, one of Mort’s better drafts.
62. Man - Donvan McNabb - Not bad. Oh, unless you consider that he still needs two starting wide outs. But, other than that, not bad.
63. Kolber - Aaron Rodgers - Hey, I’m only just past the halfway point. Someone shoot me.
64. Hoge - Joey Galloway - I’m running out of mocking steam. Galloway is 44 years old. Just saying.

Round Nine

65. Hoge - Robert Meachem - Meachem showed a little bit this preseason, and I get that. I really do. Maybe he’ll turn into a late-round gem. But Hoge could have waited until his last non-kicker, non defense pick. I feel badly for Hoge. Here’s to the good ol’ days! *swig*
66. Kolber - Nick Folk - Awful. Method Man will draft a kicker soon, though. He takes his cues from Suzy. Actually, I wouldn’t mind taking my cues from her, either. So to speak.
67. Man - Laveranues Coles - MM also defends Chad Pennington to any naysayer.
68. Mortensen - Brett Favre - Where the hell is that slurping sound coming from? (Thank you, thank you, I’ll show myself out.)
69. Williams - Giants DEF/ST - No comment.
70. Bakay - Torry Holt - It was fun to do this until right about now. Not because it’s unimaginable that Holt could fall until the 70th pick. Not because a kicker, a back-up tight end, and three defenses were taken before a wide out with eight consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Nope. It’s because I know this mockable draft kept going on. That’s the problem here. If I had any say, I would have shut down production right here. Everybody shut up, turn the lights out, stop the cameras and go home. Oh, and tase yourselves this time. My arm is tired. *Chug*
71. Smith - LenDale White -

Alright. Honestly, I can’t go on. I’m done. Method Man indeed took a kicker in Round Ten. Most teams took back-up tight ends. A couple took back-up defenses. One took a back-up tight end and a back-up defense. I’m not kidding. I mean, come on, I can’t make this stuff up.

The following players weren’t drafted at all in this 120-pick mock (ADP is in parentheses):

Lee Evans (53)
Roddy White (64)
DeAngelo Williams (71)
Kevin Curtis (78)
Jay Cutler (79)
Matt Forte (81)
Kevin Smith (83)
Eli Manning (88)

But hey, who needs a starting back when back-up tight ends are available? *Collapses*

August 17th, 2008
Categories: Andy Goldstein, FOOTBALL, Mock drafts . Author: Andy Goldstein . Comments: No Comments

Zach Miner, Detroit, SP/RP: Since July 21 when he was inserted into the rotation, Miner has been on a roll. The 26-year-old righthander has allowed one earned run or less in four of his five starts and managed to garner three wins in the process. The key to this recent success has been his improved control with just five walks issued over these five games. Miner should be owned in all AL-only formats and on the radar in deeper mixed formats.

Chris Dickerson, Cincinnati. OF: The trade of Adam Dunn to the Diamondbacks has opened a window of opportunity for Dickerson. The 26-year-old accumulated 11 homers, 53 RBI and 26 stolen bases with the Triple-A Louisville Bats prior to his promotion. He also managed the whopping total of 102 strikeouts at Louisville, so it would appear that strike zone judgment might not be his forte (of course, doesn’t that just make him the perfect candidate to replace Dunn, he of the prodigious K totals?). Just what the Reds needed, two potential Corey Pattersons in the same outfield. The opportunites for playing time will be there in Cincinnati over the last six weeks of the season. If you can live with his potential low batting average, and are in need of stolen bases, Dickerson could contribute in that category for your fantasy squad.

Jed Lowrie, Boston, SS/3B: Is Julio Lugo going to be on the bench when he does eventually return from that strained quadriceps injury he suffered back in July? Lowrie is certainly doing everything he can to see this is a very real possibility, something RotoRob pointed out earlier this week. Since the beginning of August, he is batting a very robust .353 and has contributed 18 RBI. Lowrie is another of those no power, no speed middle-infield types, but the strong average and RBI opportunities in a powerful Boston lineup make him a solid play in AL-only leagues and deeper formats that require middle and corner infield slots.

Omar Infante, Atlanta, 2B/SS/3B/OF: Infante falls into the category of super-sub, as he qualifies all over the place. Playing on an Atlanta team that has had more than its fair share of injuries, Infante is certainly taking advantage of his opportunities. Infante is yet another no power, no speed middle infielder that, when he’s going right — which he currently is — gives you batting average and some RBI potential. In his past ten games, Infante is batting a solid .309, with eight RBI and eight runs scored. He’s a solid acquisition in NL-only leagues and deeper mixed formats that use corner and middle infield slots.

Ryan Feierabend, Seattle, SP: Feierabend is looking at a promotion from Triple-A Tacoma and is scheduled to pitch Sunday. The 22-year-old southpaw has put together a fine season at Tacoma with a 7-1 record and a great 2.04 ERA in 75 IP. He has limited the opposition to only 15 walks and a meagre .232 BA thus far in 2008. The Mariners are going to be looking ahead to 2009, and with the failure of R.A. Dickey, they should give be giving Feierabend a decent audition. He’s a solid acquisition in AL-only formats and deep keeper formats.

Shin-Soo Choo, Cleveland, OF: Every time I see the name Shin-Soo Choo, it brings me back to that unbelievable 2004 season at Double-A San Antonio. Choo managed 15 homers, 84 RBI, and 40 — yes, 40 – stolen bases as a 21-year-old at Double-A. Injuries over the past three seasons have certainly taken their toll, but it seems that now that he is finally healthy, he’s starting to demonstrate the skills that had most of us fantasy players salivating in days gone by. Since the beginning of August, Choo is batting a solid .306, with six RBI and ten runs scored. He should garner plenty of playing time down the stretch and is a solid acquisition in AL-only leagues, and should be on the radar in mixed formats.

Erick Aybar, Los Angeles Angels, 2B/SS: The injury to Maicer Izturis (a torn ligament in his left thumb that will leave him sidelined over the balance of the year) has the Halos are turning to the 24-year-old Aybar to fill in at shortstop over the remainder of 2008. Aybar is not a bad option for the Angels, as he is currently sporting a fine .306 BA, three homers, 30 RBI, and six stolen bases. That catch falling backwards into the outfield Saturday afternoon that robbed the Indians of a scoring opportunity was very impressive. Aybar is a solid addition in AL-only leagues, and deeper formats requiring middle and corner infielders.

Jesse Litsch, Toronto, SP: Why did he get sent down to Triple-A in the first place? Litsch was 8-7 with a 4.46 ERA at the time of his demotion to Syracuse on July 24. This is just another in a series of befuddling moves made by J.P. Ricciardi and Company in 2008. In his first start since being recalled August 12, Litsch pitched seven innings of four-hit ball against the Tigers. He is an innings eater type that fits in very nicely as a fourth or fifth starter and should be owned in AL-only formats and on the radar in deep mixed formats.

Adam LaRoche, Pittsburgh, 1B: LaRoche has just this past week returned to the Pirate lineup and if one is looking for a late-season power boost, he could be a solid acquisition. He has accumulated 15 homers and 52 RBI thus far and is currently rostered in only 48 per cent of CBS leagues. LaRoche makes a solid acquisition in all formats at this time.

Grant Balfour/Dan Wheeler, Tampa Bay, RP: In what would have to be termed a shocking development, Troy Percival has found his way back to the DL with more knee woes, so it’s back to the closer-by-committee strategy for the Rays. The last time Percival was on the DL, the saves were split fairly evenly, so moving forward I’d give the slight edge right now to Balfour and that high heat. The Rays are in tight in that battle in the AL East and are playing very solid baseball so the opportunities will be there. Roll the dice and grab one or both and hope for the best if saves are a need down the stretch.

Jesus Flores, Washington, C: Now here is a guy that simply is getting no respect. Flores is currently ranked seventh among all major league catchers with 52 RBI, and is owned by only 28 per cent of all teams playing in CBS Leagues. Why? The 23-year-old currently is sporting a .268 BA and has eight homers, to boot. It has to be the fact that he plays for the under-the-radar Nats that is contributing to the relative lack of respect. Grab him quick in all NL-only leagues and two catcher formats before the rest of your league figures this one out.

Hideki Matsui, New York Yankees, OF: Matsui is currently on the rehab tour down in Tampa and is rumoured to be coming off the DL this coming week. Prior to the knee woes, he was hitting to the tune of a .323 BA, with seven homers and 34 RBI. I don’t expect him to resume playing in the outfield any time soon, but will probably be in the lineup facing righthanded pitching as a DH for now. That knee is very fragile, so one should be a bit conservative in the expectations, but if homers and RBI are needs on your fantasy squad, Godzilla has the potential to provide relief in those categories heading into September.

Brett Gardner, New York Yankees, OF: The Yankees finally tired of Melky Cabrera and that .242 BA and shipped him off to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The benefactor in this move is Gardner, who was recalled to patrol centrefield for the Yankees. The Yankees have stated that Gardner was recalled with the intent of playing full-time and Saturday he took immediate advantage, going 3-for-5, driving in the winning run in the bottom of the 13th. There is little doubt that he can run, with 37 thefts at Triple-A in 2008, so for those in need of stolen bases late in the season, Gardner is a solid option.

August 17th, 2008
Categories: BASEBALL, The Wire Troll, Tim McLeod . Author: Tim McLeod . Comments: No Comments

We’re certainly having ourselves a grand ole time these days in the RotoRob’s Regular League and are looking at what should be a great battle heading down the stretch. Currently, there are five teams slugging it out for the title in this, the league’s inaugural season. Unfortunately, yours truly is not one of those contenders (those who don’t know teach…right?). Remembering back to last spring, I spent a lot of time touting what I believed was a solid play heading into the 2008 season, the all-outfield strategy.

I followed through on this strategy in most of my leagues, and it proved to be a very successful one. What did I do in this league? I decided to look at a different approach and grabbed a couple of stud pitchers early, and lo and behold it worked. I’m currently battling it out with Grey from Razzball for ninth overall. Thanks to Grey for the Jermaine Dye and Kevin Kouzmanoff for Carlos Zambrano deal, as hopefully it allows me to move up into at least the land of the mediocre.

This league further reinforced my thoughts on that spring strategy. I decided to step outside the box and went with Johan Santana and Zambrano early, and — surprise, surprise — I got exactly what I should have, misery. I guess it also didn’t help that I drafted Eric Byrnes, B.J. Upton and Ryan Zimmerman. In a league with this many savvy participants there is no room for either injury or serious underachieving, and I had more than my share of both.

Now, on to the good news. As of Thursday we have ourselves a serious log jam at the top, with Cory from Seamless Baseball at the top of the board with 107 points. Next in line is Steve, proud owner of the Hidalgo All-Stars and his thrasher approach at 106.5. Hey Steve, you’re looking at a first here, as you’re currently not the league leader in total transactions. There are still six weeks left, so I’m sure that will be changing.

Currently in third place at 106 is Geoff from Mock Draft Central, followed by our own Jordan from RotoRob at 105.5. Bringing up the rear on our list of the top five contenders would be regular reader Dave at 102.5. How Dave is doing so well without Bengie Molina on his squad is a total mystery to me. This league has quite the crew and it’s been a very tight race to say the least.

After that we have about a ten point drop to the tandem of Brett and Jason from Fantasy Phenoms currently sitting at 92.5, and then a further drop into a pack of about four other teams currently slugging it out for the mid-pack honours. I’m just curious here, but has anyone seen Todd these days? I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone finish 16th in a 15-team league before, but we could be looking at a first here!

What I do find very interesting is that there is no single team that appears to have an edge at this stage of the season. Each of our leaders has their inherent weaknesses and, with the categories extremely tight, this provides for a very volatile situation. Eight teams are within five wins of each other. The top four are all bunched up in the WHIP category, and they were even all tied earlier in the week. One good or bad start from a starting pitcher is going to make a huge difference. Almost every category provides an opportunity for the leaders to move either up or down on a daily basis.

This is probably going down to that last weekend in September and a “Last Team Standing†scenario.

My congratulations and thanks to all the participants this year and good fortunes to all, as we head into the stretch run!

August 16th, 2008
Categories: BASEBALL, Fantasy Leagues, Tim McLeod . Author: Tim McLeod . Comments: No Comments