47 Responses to “Around the Horn: April 22, 2011”

1. By matt on Apr 23, 2011

   Hey Ray. I have been offered a trade. I would give up Drew Storen and would get back Scott Baker . Right now my closers are Hanrahan and Axford. We start 8 picthers. Most people play 2 closers.

   My SP are Oswalt, Anderson, Sheilds, Wolf, De Larosa. on bench for SP i have dempster and Vasquez and Niese and Naverson. Right now i am down in ERA and WHIP largely due to Dempster and Vasquez early on.

   I know i have some depth on bench with SP . Should i just hold onto Storen and wait to see if SP on bench come back to form or should i make move to get Baker.

   Thank you again for the help.

2. By Ray Flowers on Apr 23, 2011

   Matt – I don’t know how deep your league is, but I never like to have only two closers unless I’m in like a 15 teamer or doing another strategy. Make sure you have three guys going if you want to finish well in saves. Storen is about ready to take over the 9th for Nats.

   I like your SPs, and while you know that I’m a huge Baker fan, in this instance I don’t think this deal helps you. Keep Storen. Let him get 5 saves, then trade him if you want at that point, but building up saves early and then dealing from a strength isn’t a bad idea.

3. By matt on Apr 23, 2011

   Thank you for advice. we are in12 team mixed league. i was thinking keeping storen. since most run with 2 closers. if i run with 3 i can gain points and then trade him…

4. By Donna on Apr 23, 2011

   Ray- I’m in a 10 team H2H league, I have Chacin, Gio Gonzalez, Clayton Kershw, Michael Pineda, Jonathon Sanchez, Brandon Marrow and James Shields. On the free agents there is Francisco Liriano, Wandy Rodriguez, Matt Garza, and Clay Buckholz. Who should I swap out to inprove my pitching?

5. By Ray Flowers on Apr 23, 2011

   Donna – I look at your starters, and I dont think getting any of the ones on waivers right now would be a help. Long term I’d prefer Wandy to Pineda, but tough to drop the rookie when he is pitching so well.

6. By Brian on Apr 23, 2011

   Ray-what kind of pitchers do you think i can get for uggla or crawford in 1 for 1 trades? 5×5, 12 team mixed, and 6 bench spots. (i have lowrie and picked up utley from the wire. deep at OF and steals.) wondering what you think would be reasonable 1 for 1 offers. looking for a few ideas so i can accept a trade with confidence. thank you. great blog and radio shows. love the blog videos.

7. By Ray Flowers on Apr 23, 2011

   Brian- Never can answer the ‘what if’ game. There is no way to know how people evaluate players?

   If I’m trading Crawford I want a top-10 SP.
   If I’m moving Uggla I’d want a top-20 SP.

   Problem is, with both struggling, you’ll likely find it very difficult to get that return.

   Never sell low. Only buy low.

8. By cameron on Apr 23, 2011

   hey so this trade just went down in my league:

   gallardo, ethier, and s.drew for
   choo, m.young, jerry sands, and jordan walden..

   definite trade rape right? i have the ability to vote to veto it..

9. By Green Man on Apr 23, 2011

   Trade offer. I give Kershaw, Neil Walker, Buchholz.
   Get Pedroia, Tommy Hanson, Contreras. Need saves. Have depth to spare Buchholz. Thoughts?

10. By David on Apr 23, 2011

    Is Daisuke for real? I am in need desperate need for Ks in my league. Should I grab him?

11. By wesley on Apr 23, 2011

    Whats you think of markakis? Is he droppable or hold onto him. I drafted him in all my leagues the one 10 team roto league has Adam Jones and vernon wells on free agent list. And i also forgot to mention edwin jackson, would you hold him or is he droppable. I was thinking about dropping him for baker , holland , or cueto

12. By Scott on Apr 23, 2011

    Ray- I am in a 12 team 5×5 league where currently all the closers and prospective closers are on rosters. I had Nathan and still have Cordero and several set-up men – Clippard, Romo, Gregerson. I am currently in first in the league but last in saves. I believe my team is strong in every category except saves. Should I try to make a trade for another closer or two, or punt on saves and take 1 point?

13. By Ray Flowers on Apr 24, 2011

    David – Dice K is still a risk. 2 great starts don’t erase 2 years of failure. He’s bound to toss some gems here and there, but his inconsistency makes him maddening to own. Roster at your own risk.

14. By Ray Flowers on Apr 24, 2011

    Cameron – Tell me, why do you think this trade should be vetoed?

    Gallardo is a potential top-15 SP.
    Ethier a potential top-30 hitter.
    Drew a potential top-5 SS.

    Choo is a top 30 hitter (Ethier).
    Young is a top-10 3B (Drew’s equal/slightly better at his position).
    Sands could hit 25 hr’s, could be back in the minors in two weeks.
    Walden has all of 24.2 innings though a chance to close.

    I’d prefer Gallardo over Sands/Walden, but if Walden gets 30 svs and Sands hits 25 hr’s…

    I don’t think this should be vetoed.

15. By Ray Flowers on Apr 24, 2011

    Green Man –

    Kershaw better than hanson, but it’s close enough.
    Contreras and Buchholz similar value, at least for first half of year (or unless Contreras is hurt — Madson closed last 2 days though I suspect it’s just cause Contreras had heavy workload of late).
    Pedroia blows doors on Walker.

    Take the chance.

16. By Ray Flowers on Apr 24, 2011

    Scott – I never, ever, think it’s a good idea to punt a category. The only way it makes sense is if that is your plan (i.e. you loaded up on starters to get wins and Ks while drafting the best offense in your league). Giving away points for nothing is a tough road to overcome. I’d try to be smart. Look for those bargain guys – be proactive. You own good arms — maybe one of them ends up with some saves as well.

17. By cameron on Apr 24, 2011

    well 2 words: keeper league. It feels like a 2 keeper for one deal. and i feel like yes choo is solid and you can pretty much pencil in his stats, but ethier is still improving each year so who knows what his ceiling ends up being? but your analysis does makes sense. i guess it is closer than i had first thought. i guess the whole buying low on a keeper like gallardo threw me for a spin. i feel like he is bound to rebound, and soon.

18. By Ray Flowers on Apr 24, 2011

    Wesley – I’ve never been high on Jackson. Had Baker ahead of him in my top-100 rankings, and two weeks ago I told everyone to sell Ejax. Go grab Baker.

    Markakis has cut his strikeout rate to a career low leading to a current 0.86 BB/K, 2nd best of his career.

    He’s also close to his career averages in grounders, linres and fly balls.

    Problem he has been totally snake bit. His current hit rate leave hims with a .197 BABIP. His career mark is exactly .100 points higher. Hang on, things will turn around soon.

19. By Joel on Apr 24, 2011

    Ray:

    1) do you think Sergio Santos is in line to be CWS closer starting withtheir next save chance?

    2) Would u rather have Josh Tomlin or Derek Holland on ur roster right now in a H2H non-keeper?

    THANKS!

20. By Ray Flowers on Apr 24, 2011

    Joel- Ozzie Guillen said he wouldn’t hesitate to use Santos in the 9th inning. He’s as good a bet as any to get a shot at the role. I’d pick him up if I was speculating.

    Holland by a landslide. Tomlin is having a ton of success, but simply put, his skills are nowhere near capable of sustaining this. He is much more of a 4.30 ERA than 2.30 ERA type of guy.

21. By Brian on Apr 25, 2011

    Ray – Freddie Freeman or Mitch Moreland at Corner Infield spot this week and moving forward? They both playing well right now. Love the rangers lineup but also like that Freeman moved up in the lineup.

    Thanks

22. By Rob on Apr 25, 2011

    Hi Ray,
    Revisiting your response to Scott on 4/24: I have EJax also. Francisco Liriano, Ogando and Baker are available. I know you prefer Baker to EJax but do you like the unproven but hot Ogando or the less than inspiring (at the moment) Liriano better or less than Baker?

    I like EJax (apart from his 7 ER on Saturday)…but I would definitely consider dropping him if you think I’d be far better served by any one of these three guys. I believe you had Liriano in your top 25 on the top-100 but how far has he slid since?

    As always, your help is very much appreciated.

23. By James on Apr 25, 2011

    trade ?

    Giving up ryan howard, grady sizemore, johN axford
    Getting jose bautista, jayson werth, mike adams

    Would still have agon at 1st, wells, guerrero, markakis, soriano, ellsbury in of and huston street, fuentes as closers

    Im hurting in avg and sb and top 1/3 in all other categories

    Whatcha think? Thanks

24. By Marco on Apr 25, 2011

    I have been offered Ryan Howard and Jed Lowrie for Albert Puljos. I Already have Votto at 1 1st….I made a deal earlier this year tading Konerko and Brandon Phillips for Pulojs, which left me with Macier Izturos and Howie Kendrick at 2nd base and middle infield. Do I consider this deal? What will Lowrie do????

    I am in second in a 12 team mixed daily league.

    Thanks!

25. By matt on Apr 25, 2011

    Start Narverson for 2 or Wolf for 1?

26. By Ray Flowers on Apr 25, 2011

    Brian – I’d go with Freeman. He has been on fire since a slow start, has moved up in the order like you mentioned, and he’s a near lock to play everyday. Moreland I like, but Freeman looks a bit better right now.

27. By Ray Flowers on Apr 25, 2011

    Rob – I wouldn’t drop Ejax, I would have traded him two weeks ago. Problem now, after that poor outing, you aren’t going to get anything for him.

    I did have Liriano in my top-25, but he has been spotty since spring training. His fastball speed is down 1.5 mph from last year. His walk rate is bonkers, and his K rate has dived. He might still end up having a good year, but he is a disaster right now.

    Ogando has been lights out. I do worry about his IP though, even though Rangers say they won’t look to limit him. Guy does not have a history of 150+ innings though, so I worry.

    I’d take Baker who is the most stable arm. He may not have the best year, but he would appear to have the lowest bottom of the group.

28. By Ray Flowers on Apr 25, 2011

    James – If you are hurting in average, Bautista isn’t going to help. Even if he hits .280 this year, which would be a carer best, he’d hit about .250 rest of the way.

    Second, if you need SB, the move from Sizemore to Werth isn’t likely to help much either.

    Third – does your league count holds? I like Adams, and he’ll help the ratios, but without holds it makes little sense to move a closer for a setup man.

29. By Ray Flowers on Apr 25, 2011

    Marco – Lowrie will be solid. I’ve probably answered this question about, oh, 87 times. Scutaro will play, and I find it hard to believe that Lowrie will get 500+ ABs. Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s what I think. As for production, something like .290-15-70 stuff is the type of hitter that Lowrie is. He is not .300-25 like some people think.

    I know Pujols tweaked his groin, but I’d still turn down this deal.

30. By Ray Flowers on Apr 25, 2011

    Matt – I think you should go with Narveson who faces Cincy, Houston. He’s pitching as well as Wolf right now, so why not get the two starts (it’s not like the Astros scare me).

31. By Rob on Apr 25, 2011

    Would you drop EJax for a bat like Freeman? The rest of my staff is solid (SP: Hamels, Gallardo, Gio Gonzales, Wandy, Scherzer, Nolasco, Cahill, Shields – RP: Axford, Broxton, Hanrahan)

    I’m seeing a bunch of upside with Freeman (he’s on the free agent wire) and not so much need for EJax with my current setup.

    Do you think that move would be safe? H2H points league.

32. By Brian on Apr 25, 2011

    Ray-

    On more today if i may… Need to decide 2 out of 3: Matt Harrison for 2 starts, Kyle McClelan for 1, or Anibal Sanchez for 1.

    Thanks again!

33. By Ray Flowers on Apr 25, 2011

    Brian – I really dislike making weekly calls like this. My theory is you go with your best guys unless there is a real reason to pass on someone. Harrison has looked good, so take the chance on two start. For the other, Sanchez has allowed two ER in his last 15 IP while getting 17 Ks.

34. By Ray Flowers on Apr 25, 2011

    Rob – EJax is a solid arm, and his numbers will be solid. Freeman is a solid bat, and his numbers will be solid. Neither one of these guys is going to win you a championship.

    I like your arms, and I dont think you have to have Ejax given your other arms. When adding Freeman though be reasonable. Look at the Gaby Sanchez 2010 season as your guide with the Braves’ first baseman.

35. By Rob on Apr 25, 2011

    Thanks, Ray. I want to add a bat to the bench (currently 3 SP riding pine). Freeman is on a short list with Figgins, Kubel and Cuddyer. Fig’s stock should only increase after a sub-par start and I view Kubel and Cuddyer as safe but no real wow factor. I like Figgins and Cuddyer for position versatility but that’s not the biggest factor in the decision, need overall points and my league’s scoring is friendly to power hitters.

    You’ve been very helpful today, can I get your thoughts on this one last decision?

36. By Rob on Apr 25, 2011

    Oops, and also Ryan Roberts is in the running. Infield: Napoli, Votto, Pedroia, Bautista, Tulo, Peralta, Butler.

    UTIL spot is currently Seth Smith. Looking for the guy with the most power upside I guess.

    Thanks!

37. By brad on Apr 25, 2011

    Would you trade Swisher and hafner for hamels and Inge?
    Last in all pitching catagories.but have oswalt lilly and vasquez dickey and naverson

38. By Dan on Apr 25, 2011

    Ray,

    Listen to you Kyle and Kay all the time on Sirius/XM and love the show. Who would you keep among Danny Espinosa and Johnny Peralta for my 2b/ss position (5×5 league 10 teams weekly H2H)? I have Weeks and Reyes, but also need a middle infield position to fill. I have Corey Hart coming off the DL soon and need to drop a player. One other question about pitching, would you rather have Axford or Lyon? I have Bell, Hanrahan and Lyon right now. Thanks so much!!

39. By Ray Flowers on Apr 25, 2011

    Rob – Most points leagues favor power, making guys like Figgins much less valuable than they should be.

    1- Figgins will rebound. No way his BABIP ends up 50% of normal like it is right now.
    2- Kubel can’t hit lefties at all. Doubt he hits .300.
    3- Cuddyer slow starting, nice overall, but no wow like you said.
    4- Ryan Roberts – flukish start.

    Kubel is probably safest option, but I worry about his work against lefties.
    I like Figgins more than Cuddyer, but in this format, maybe Cuddy is the answer.

40. By Rob on Apr 25, 2011

    Kubel over Cuddy/Freeman if I start him when matchup is favorable?

    Okay, that’s the last time I bug you today. Very appreciative of the analysis!

41. By jb on Apr 25, 2011

    Hi Ray, Michael Brantley is a speedster – right? Why isn’t he running? Coach mandated ??

    thanks

42. By Ray Flowers on Apr 25, 2011

    JB – Brantley is a fast guy no doubt. He is on pace for about 24 steals, not exactly a bad total. You’d think it would be higher given his .379 OBP though, I agree with you on that.

43. By Ray Flowers on Apr 25, 2011

    Dan – Thanks for the kind words, great to hear.

    Neither option is a great turn in 10 teamer. They are best served as 12 team options, but be that as it may…

    Peralta would be my choice, barely. I worry a bit about Espinosa hitting for average, and the speed hasn’t really shown up yet.

    Keep Axford. Much better skills.

44. By Dan on Apr 25, 2011

    Thanks Ray! You are the man! This is my first year playing fantasy baseball since I was 16 (20 years ago), so I am struggling a little, but your show helps a ton. I have played fantasy football for 20 years and always finish in the top 3 and always in contention to win the league every year, so it is tougher for me to not know as much with fantasy baseball. Fantasy Sports Radio is the best station ever created and your show is the best. I love it and John Hanson for Fantasy football as well.

45. By Brian on Apr 25, 2011

    Ray-I was thinking about picking up either Darwin Barney ChC (SS,2B) or KC Mike Aviles (2B, 3B, SS).. Worst case scenario I would pick one of these guys as defensive move and as a backup for 2B/SS. Best case would be someone I could start whenever Utley is out. I hae extra space on my roster and willing to gamble a little. Thanks for the great analysis.

46. By Joel on Apr 25, 2011

    ray, in my 6×6 h2h league I can trade J Upton, Angel Sanchez and Bumgartner to get Pence, Zobrist and Zambrano. what do u think? Thanks!

47. By Ray Flowers on Apr 26, 2011

    Joel- Do It.

    I like Bumgarner, but at this point of his development he and Zambrano are pretty much a wash.

    Angel Sanchez is terrible. No power, no speed, and since a hot start he has five hits in 10 games. Zobrist will blow doors on Sanchez this year in every category but batting average, and even there it’s likely to be close.

    JUp is obviously a star, and Pence cannot match him at his peak, but Pence is as stable an OF as you will find, something that has eluded Upton to this point.