Around the Horn: April 27, 2011
April 27th, 2011 | by Ray Flowers |(1) Andre Ethier has record 24-game hitting streak.
(2) Dodgers have no clue in 9th inning.
(3) Carlos Santana really struggling
(4) Reliever closing in on returns – Andrew Bailey, David Aardsma.
By Ray Flowers
Tags: Andre Ethier, Andrew Bailey, Carlos Santana, David Aardsma, Dodgers, Hon-Chih Kuo, Indians, Jonathan Broxton, Mariners, Matt Kemp, Vicente Padilla
















By Eric on Apr 27, 2011
Ray deep NL only question for you. How much playing time will R. Bernadina get??
By Randy on Apr 27, 2011
Trading: Braun & Verlander
Getting: Holliday, Hamilton, and Josh Johnson
Stupid to trade Braun or is this good value in return?
By Brad on Apr 27, 2011
Trading Stubbs and Helton and clippard
For
J Johnson Pennington and thome
Do you think it’s fair need to improve my pitching
By Chaka on Apr 27, 2011
Ray,
10 team H2H 5X5 category league: Time to cut bait on Liriano?
By Tom on Apr 28, 2011
Randy…my God…yes, trade!
Brad, as long as you have replacement OF, not bad; fair.
Chaka, something is surely wrong, but try and package with another SP to upgrade…don’t drop. I don’t know who you have, but something like Hamels/Liriano for JJ or Weaver could work.
By Brian on Apr 28, 2011
Ray – Sounds like from your response yesterday my pitching is kinda screwed after Greinke, Beckett, and J Sanchez. 2 teams have reached out for Cano from me: One offer is Haren and Kinsler for Cano and Sanchez. The other is Lester and Brian Roberts for Cano.
I countered the 1st asking for Lincecum and Kinsler or he has to take Cano and Lily for Harem and Kinsler. Would you do any of these deals?
By Ray Flowers on Apr 28, 2011
Eric – It would help to know what “deep” means. To me, a “standard” NL-only lg is 13 teams. In such a scenario RB is already owned (or should be). I still think he gets 300+ ABs this year, so I’d be very interested in adding him. It’s not like Ankiel is going to be able to hold him off.
By Ray Flowers on Apr 28, 2011
Randy – It’s never stupid to trade anyone if the value is there.
You know me, I love Braun. Still, Holliday is a top-10 guy as well.
I have no love for hamilton, but I have to admit that WHEN he is on the field that he is a star.
Johnson is and equal to Verlander, so in essence, you’re kinda getting Hamilton for free.
Do the deal.
By Ray Flowers on Apr 28, 2011
Brad – Thome really is useless. In and AL only lg sure, but in a mixed, you can find 20 homers anywhere.
Pennington will play everyday and give you steals, but he isn’t a very good hitter.
Johnson = superstar.
Stubbs = 20/20 threat makes him easily the best offensive player.
Helton = I’ve always been a fan. IF he can stay healthy he should hit .300 with 15 homers.
Clippard = solid arm who will get a few wins, holds, saves with solid ratios.
If you need pitching, do the deal.
By Ray Flowers on Apr 28, 2011
Chaka – in a 10-tm lg you certainly should have liriano on bench. Cut him? Depends who is out there. I can understand why you would want to cut him since I’m sure there are tons of hurlers on waivers. If you have a good staff hold on to him. If your staff is weak, bid him a safe trip to waiverland.
By Ray Flowers on Apr 28, 2011
Brian – Trading one of your “top 3″ SPs in a deal, when you need some help on the hill, doesn’t make much sense to me.
Lester and Roberts for Cano is very interesting, but Roberts has so much trouble staying healthy the past few years that it’s a big risk to do.
Trading your best player, likely Cano, then weakens your offense. Is it worth doing that?
By Brad on Apr 28, 2011
Jonathan Broxton is a mess… He has a terrific April/May/June last year but we all know he hasn’t been the same since Matt Stairs pich hit HR in the playoffs of him.. His fastball is down 5 mph and he is a thrower, not a pitcher. Kuo gets it done in LA. Padilla shouldnt be even considered.. Here’s how LA’s depth at closer should be
Kuo
Guerrier
Jansen – appers to have found it again
Hawksworth
Broxton-
McDougal
Padilla
By Ray Flowers on Apr 28, 2011
Brad –
First off the data I see show that Broxton’s FB is down 1.5 mph from his career rate, not five.
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4759&position=P
Second, I never buy that junk about a guys career being ruined by one bad outing. Bolderdash.
Third, Guerrier is as boring as they come. We’ve seen what similar skilled guys like Franklin have done. Some success and some epic failure.
Fourth, Kuo can’t stay healthy, and rarely can pitch in back to back games.
Fifth, love the arm of Jansen, but so young in his pitching career.
By Brian on Apr 28, 2011
What are your thoughts on Justin Smoak? Is he startable at 1B?
By Ray Flowers on Apr 28, 2011
Brian – On Justin Smoak see – http://baseballguys.com/2011/04/28/2011-player-profile-justin-smoak-brett-wallace/